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pp. 560, ““Keith Culver’s ‘Readings in the Philosophy of Law’ provides a thorough introduction to the central issues without burden of a near encyclopedic tome. The reward is an ideally constituted anthology, the contents of which speak to each other and expose the living, dynamic world of philosophy of law. In the first section, Culver offers four divergent and competing responses to the question ‘What is law?’ Their arrangement effectively highlights their similarities and differences, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. In the second section, Culver examines what the relationship between law and individual liberty ought to be. Here, Culver includes the Hart-Devlin debate on the legality of homosexuality and the problem of legal moralism. The third section addresses the problem of legal responsibility (Culver accentuates the readings with the somewhat controversial case, R v Shivpuri, in which the British House of Lords reversed itself on the question of whether criminal intent, in the absence of criminal action, is sufficient to generate criminal responsibility). The fourth section, on international law, demonstrates an extremely appealing aspect of the text. Other books often emphasize specific legal cultures and give the mistaken impression that to study law means to study the laws and legal system of a given nation. While Culver draws on material from the common law tradition, the readings are combined in such a way as to underscore the central characteristics of law regardless of the national, political, or moral contexts in which particular legal systems arise. Culver has a good eye for cases that best highlight the theoretical discussions and exemplify the sometimes controversial influence of legal theory on judicial practice. Each section is supplemented with a list of questions and readings designed to orient discussion around the central themes. Culver also includes a glossary of legal and philosophic terms that will prove helpful to readers newly exposed to philosophy and the study of law. Culver’s text is an accomplished introduction to the philosophy of law. Of ideal length, uncommon quality, timely and relevant content, ‘Readings in the Philosophy of Law’ will prove a valuable resource for instructors, students, and general readers alike.” Christina M. Bellon, University of Nevada”