The general part of the German Civil Code (BGB) is the gateway to the entire civil law. However, many first-year students have the impression that this gate is not open but rather locked multiple times. This is due to the high level of abstraction that the general provisions necessarily possess. Hirsch's textbook is suitable for alleviating the fears associated with the general part. It adheres to the principle: "Rules are best learned through examples." Therefore, each section begins with a current case that is thoroughly resolved in a legal opinion style. In total, there are 52 such introductory cases. Additionally, the subsequent learning units offer many short cases drawn from recent case law. This way, readers gain a vivid understanding of the practical significance of a provision and comprehend the legislator's intent.