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The Common Law

by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

Read The Common Law by Oliver Wendell Holmes in English, with complete text and saved reading progress.

10 hr estimatedB2–C1 Linden levelRead now availability13 chapters
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Overview

About this book

The Common Law is available in the Project Gutenberg source edition credited to Oliver Wendell Holmes. Catalog subjects include Common law. This edition retains the source text, including any introductory material and notes.

First published
Unknown year
Language
English
Copyright status
Public domain

English level

B2–C1 · Deep reading

The Common Law is calibrated from 39,221 sampled words across 13 chapters: sentences average 28.5 words, 52.1% exceed 24 words and 9.1% of words are nine letters or longer.

Explore the B2–C1 level →

Sentence rhythm

What the prose asks

Extended sentences averaging 28.5 words, with 21.9% reaching 40 words or more

Vocabulary

What may slow you down

9.1% of sampled words contain nine or more letters; names and period vocabulary still vary by chapter

Reading rhythm

Medium commitment

Regular chapter-sized stopping points support a steady plan. About 21 calm 30-minute sessions.

Suggested approach

Read with momentum

Read in planned sessions and keep short notes on voice, structure and recurring images

Best starting point

Begin with chapter one

The full text is ready with speech, lookup and saved progress.

CEFR-aligned Linden estimate · high confidence · sampled full text · Calibrated 2026-09-08 · Provisional, not an exam certification.

Table of contents

13 chapters

  1. 01LECTURE I. — EARLY FORMS OF LIABILITY.47 min
  2. 02LECTURE II. — THE CRIMINAL LAW.51 min
  3. 03LECTURE III. — TORTS.—TRESPASS AND NEGLIGENCE.56 min
  4. 04LECTURE IV. — FRAUD, MALICE, AND INTENT.—THE THEORY OF TORTS.41 min
  5. 05LECTURE V. — THE BAILEE AT COMMON LAW.50 min
  6. 06LECTURE VI. — POSSESSION.51 min
  7. 07LECTURE VII. — CONTRACT.—I. HISTORY.53 min
  8. 08LECTURE VIII. — CONTRACT. II. ELEMENTS.24 min
  9. 09LECTURE IX. — CONTRACT.—III. VOID AND VOIDABLE.33 min
  10. 10LECTURE X. — SUCCESSIONS AFTER DEATH.17 min
  11. 11LECTURE X. — SUCCESSIONS INTER VIVOS19 min
  12. 12LECTURE XI. — SUCCESSIONS.—II. INTER VIVOS.49 min
  13. 13FOOTNOTES28 min
Commemorative illustration for Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.; not a historical portrait

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Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

An American jurist whose legal writing connected common-law doctrine to history, experience and changing social needs.

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