Let me start by saying this: if you're in law school or planning to write legal academic papers, this book is a game-changer. I've used it extensively during my law review write-on competition, and it was like having a seasoned professor whispering advice in my ear.

The systematic approach is what sets this book apart. Volokh doesn't just tell you to 'write better' - he gives you concrete steps from research methodology to submission timelines. The chapter on casenote format was particularly helpful when I was sweating over my competition entry.

What surprised me most was how accessible the writing is. Unlike many legal texts that drown you in jargon, Volokh's style is remarkably clear. It's evident he's honed his skills through years of blogging for general audiences.

The book does have one limitation - it covers many types of legal writing without going extremely deep into any single one. When working on a seminar paper, I found only about four pages directly applicable to my specific needs.

Pro tip: While the content is excellent, beware of the Kindle version if you need page numbers for assignments. This oversight makes the digital version frustrating for classroom use.

Political neutrality is another strength. As someone who doesn't share all of Volokh's conservative views, I appreciated that his personal beliefs rarely surface except in occasional examples about gun statistics.

Having tried other legal writing guides like Scholarly Writing for Law Students, I keep coming back to Volokh's work. It's become my desert island pick - the one reference I wouldn't want to do without when drafting important papers.

Final verdict? Worth every penny and then some. Whether you're aiming for law review or just trying to improve your legal writing skills, this book will pay dividends throughout your career.