Book Review:
Hans W. Baade, Donations Reconsidered (reviewing John P. Dawson’s Gifts and Promises: Continental and American Law Compared), 59 Texas L. Rev. 179 (1980).
 

Abstract:
Professor Dawson’s book explores the history and development of promises to make donations in civil law, beginning with Roman law and focusing on contemporary French and German law. According to Professor Baade, the most important issue Dawson addresses is how and to what extent American courts can draw from the civil law of donations to revise or clarify the doctrine of consideration. Dawson concludes that common-law problems relating to donations and contracts cannot be resolved by adopting civil-law principles. Professor Baade disagrees with Professor Dawson’s characterization of donations and gifts as contract topics, considering them issues of family wealth and transfer law but praises the quality of Dawson’s book.