thcrozier, it is not quite like that. Normal Law in a FBW Airbus is a very well thought out system, and allows the pilot to directly control the aircraft very well, maneuvering it almost like a fighter... but provided it is within the flight envelope. Attempts to go outside of the flight envelope (like over speed, under speed, over bank, over pitch) will not only be resisted, but will be corrected. So, if you are in an over speed situation, and you push the side stick forward, the aircraft will not only not pitch down further, but will actually pitch up to slow the aircraft down. The logic is simple... the flight computer would rather disobey you than let the aircraft become unflyable because its wings had broken off!
Reversion occurs only when there are faults found in the flight control computers, knocking them out (usually automatically through a voting system); and depending on the severity, reverting to either Alternate Laws 1 or 2, or to Direct Law. The best of non FBW aircraft is only equal to an Airbus in Alternate Law, with Direct Law being exactly the same as manual flying.