The first volume of a new series entitled “Lawyers’ Law Books” does indeed support the contentions of the Preface by furnishing a comprehensive and succinct guide through the maze of legal literature. In “A Practical Index to Legal Literature,” the authors’ decision to be selective in the titles included is to be complimented; at last a lawyer, in practice or in study, is relieved of the nightmare of accumulating a vast mountain of volumes in the search for one of the tools of his trade. A new reference index is long overdue and much appreciated. In spite of the selectivity, all the major works on the general and more specialised topics of the most utilised areas of the law are to be found with ease.

The work is divided into three interelated parts: subject, title and author indices. Part 1 also contains references to subject headings not in fact used and cross-references to the allied subjects of sociology, commerce, Government, politics and public administration. Part 3, the author index, includes a short title or catch phrase to aid in the identification of publications by the more productive writers.

Lord Scarman’s foreword is in glowing terms. He refers to the inclusion of literature relating to the EEC, the Commonwealth and several countries with common law systems, which is a most important feature of the Index. With great respect, one must point out that as His Lordship is viewing the work through the eyes of an esteemed and experienced lawyer, it may be that his sentiments will not be shared by the more junior members of the legal profession. On being presented with the Index the reaction of one Bar student was: Where do I start? Unfortunately, law students, more often than not glued to course reading lists, or severely condensed versions of the same, will find little opportunity to reap the advantages of the authors’ praiseworthy efforts. This tome of information will, however, be of invaluable assistance to practitioners and the multitudes, including the writer, who have been anxiously pursuing ideas, old and new, in the long dark hours towards the completion of theses and case studies.

Of great importance is the intended annual updating of the Index and we look forward with interest to the additional volumes in the series which are in preparation: Indices to Twentieth Century Government Reports and Law Commission Working Papers and Reports, and a Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations.