Advice on Trial: The Beliefs You Inherited but Never Examined

Excerpt:

Entry-level psychology with a legal-analysis twist makes for a quick and productive read.

Stephenson-Laws, an attorney, interrogates the evidence behind the common bits of advice that guide people’s lives.

The author presents six “counts,” or sections, to readers in this compact, practical guide to self-improvement as seen from the perspective of a lawyer. Each count centers on a particular theme, from “Love and Loyalty” to “Pain and Meaning” to “Truth, Freedom, and Judgment.” Brief chapters (never longer than four pages) within each count help readers unpack common pieces of advice, such as “Family is everything,” “Failure is not an option,” or “Trust your gut.” The result is a short, accessible volume that offers an excellent entry point into the self-help genre; those who haven’t yet thought about setting personal boundaries, for example, or who yearn to take control of their own lives, may get the most from this book.