What happens when an American lawyer steps into the traditions and quiet dramas of the English legal world?

In An American Yankee in King Alfred’s Court, a law professor recounts his immersion into British advocacy through memorable cases, cultural missteps, and an unlikely friendship with Giles, a brilliant and unconventional English barrister. Together, they navigate courtrooms, chambers, and jury trials shaped by ritual, restraint, and razor-sharp intellect.

Blending courtroom drama with wry travel writing, the book offers an insider’s look at the barrister system, cross-examination, and the subtle choreography of British justice—set against landscapes that range from medieval halls to modern courtrooms.

At its heart, this is a story of mentorship and mortality. As Giles’s health fades, professional collaboration gives way to deeper reflection on loyalty, legacy, and the cost of a life spent in the law.

Smart, humane, and quietly funny, An American Yankee in King Alfred’s Court will appeal to readers of legal memoir, literary nonfiction, and reflective travel writing.