model.isValid

var Chapter = Backbone.Model.extend({
  validate: function(attrs, options) {
    if (attrs.end < attrs.start) {
      return "can't end before it starts";
    }
  }
});

var one = new Chapter({
  title : "Chapter One: The Beginning"
});

one.set({
  start: 15,
  end:   10
});

if (!one.isValid()) {
  alert(one.get("title") + " " + one.validationError);
}