Bechor (Middle Eastern studies, Lauder School of Government, The Interdisciplinary Center, Israel) examines the Sanhuri Code in this book, volume 29 of the Studies in Islamic Law and Society series. Dr. `Abd al-Razzaq al-Sanhuri (1895-19771) created a new civil code in his native Egypt after growing alarmed at the growing social gap in the early 20th century; Bechor here argues that though the Sanhuri code was a legal text, its purpose was a social one to introduce principles of compassion, solidarity, and fairness into a polarized Egyptian society. Seven chapters are presented on topics such as law as remedy, the social function of property law, contract law as ideology, and the dominion of progress. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)