A significant introduction to the study of comparative law and a notable scholarly work, "Major Legal Systems in the World Today" analyzes the general characteristics which lie behind the development of the four principal legal systems of the the Civil law, the Common law, the Socialist law (primarily Soviet), and those based on religious or philosophical principles (Muslim, Hindu, Chinese, Japanese, and African). Providing unique insights into the spirt of each "legal family, " the book presents a total view of the historical foundation and the sources and structure of the law in each system.
Although the book is obsolete, it's classics of the subject. The author's language refrains from scholastic comments and terminology making the book an easy and informative reading. I re-read it a few times (different editions in different languages), and I always find smth. new for my scholarship.