The history of Harvard Law School, a modern critique, and a proposed new model for American legal education are covered in this book by a Harvard Law graduate. Harvard Law School is called the "high citadel" of American legal education. Its admissions procedures, faculty selection, curriculum, teaching methods, and placement practices have served as a model for the education of lawyers in the United States. Faculty and graduates of the school have also been politically influential. Drawing from hundreds of interviews with Harvard Law students and faculty, the growing doubts concerning the school's admissions and hiring policies, intense competition, teaching methods, and affinity with private law practice rather than public service are explored. The overriding concern is that the nation's law schools should encourage the democratic ideal of equal legal representation. A new model based on this ideal is proposed. In addition to interviews, data and opinions were developed from written sources, including the dean's reports, faculty reports, the school's newspaper and magazine, and secondary sources concerning legal education. The study was supported by Ralph Nader. Notes on sources are included. (SW)