While I think this book will appeal to many lawyers and their families, I think that few defendants and plaintiffs will be amused because the humor is often about how lawyers prosper at the client's expense.

It's hard to convey a sense of these cartoons without showing one. Unlike the money cartoons that usually work as quips, these cartoons almost always need visuals to work. Many of them involve lawyers circling like sharks surrounding a potential client, or invoke other old chestnuts of lawyer humor.

The privileged position of the lawyer compared to the client comes through clearly. "I've just about resigned myself to your getting twenty years."

Lawyers are expensive, as is the legal system. "You have a pretty good case Mr. Pitkin. How much justice can you afford?"

The humor works best when it is fresh. My favorite was "May I ask you, Miss Howre, what made you select a homeopathic attorney?"

As you can see, this book would make a wonderful present to the attorney who lost your case and you just sued for malpractice.

Seriously, the humor is pretty savage. I'm not sure that someone who is proud of being a lawyer would appreciate it. The market is limited to those lawyers with humility and a sense of humor.

The lesson for nonlawyers is to resolve your conflicts without the legal system, whenever possible. That can be a great stallbuster!

Retain your sense of humor in the meantime!