This book has one objective in mind: to enrich the skills of lawyers and law students so that each may bear--to borrow from Izaak Walton's The Compleat Angler--the noble title of ''compleat lawyer.'' The voice belongs to a nonagenarian who has rolled up his sleeves, sat back in his chair and said he is willing to share observations on the law both its anatomy and philosophical purposes--based on his rather prodigious and extensive experience. The content includes selective reflections from Judge Aldisert's books, lectures and essays over 14 years as a lawyer and 50 years as a judge, teacher and author. Five major law themes have commanded his special interest over the years: the common law tradition, logic and law, the institutional crisis facing appellate courts, quality writing, and the judicial process. Lawyers and law students will be afforded answers to these queries: What is the bedrock of our common law system and how can I use that knowledge to better advocate? What are trial and appellate judges really looking for? How can I create a writing structure that will persuade? What is the logical configuration that is absolutely necessary in any legal argument? What practical challenges do judges face when deciding my case? How do I convince a judge to decide my way when no precedent controls and the law is not clear? For a lawyer in the courtroom to become a truly compleat lawyer, he or she must learn ''Why am I doing what I do?'' And that's what this book is all about.