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gadrake's review against another edition
5.0
This is an important book revealing the actions taken during periods of war which threaten civil liberties. Jam packed with examples. It is the history book you wished you had used in school. Most interesting.
katreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite books ever about our constitution. Everyone should read this one!
guojing's review against another edition
5.0
A lengthy, pleasurable read on the legal history of the First Amendment.
Stone makes no attempt - so far as I can tell - to whitewash the deeds of the Presidents of the United States; indeed, he seems to paint them as humans, rather than the typical American ideal of the presidents of the past as being semi-divine. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, LBJ, Nixon, and finally, briefly, Bush. My one complaint is that he was too light on Bush.
Washington is depicted as being almost obnoxiously thin-skinned, unable to take any criticism. Adams was even worse, and, unlike Washington, used the full force of his office to destroy criticism and ensure reelection. Lincoln wasn't too bad, but still seems to have been woefully under-informed. Roosevelt, luckily, had strong Attorneys General, but was himself apparently only minimally interested in civil liberties, constantly asking them "how is this not sedition?" and "can we prosecute him?" whenever criticism arose. Truman showed rare confidence at times, though cowered down before McCarthy. LBJ tolerated dissent on foreign matters because those same people were supportive of his domestic policies, which were closest to his heart. Nixon, evil as ever, worked as hard as possible to destroy the Democratic Party which, as every American knows, led to his destruction.
I am happy to have read this work and shall keep my eyes open for Geoffrey R. Stone in future; his opinion is fused into the work, and seems closely allied with my own: that freedom is indispensable and ought not bow down to hysteria and fear.
Stone makes no attempt - so far as I can tell - to whitewash the deeds of the Presidents of the United States; indeed, he seems to paint them as humans, rather than the typical American ideal of the presidents of the past as being semi-divine. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, LBJ, Nixon, and finally, briefly, Bush. My one complaint is that he was too light on Bush.
Washington is depicted as being almost obnoxiously thin-skinned, unable to take any criticism. Adams was even worse, and, unlike Washington, used the full force of his office to destroy criticism and ensure reelection. Lincoln wasn't too bad, but still seems to have been woefully under-informed. Roosevelt, luckily, had strong Attorneys General, but was himself apparently only minimally interested in civil liberties, constantly asking them "how is this not sedition?" and "can we prosecute him?" whenever criticism arose. Truman showed rare confidence at times, though cowered down before McCarthy. LBJ tolerated dissent on foreign matters because those same people were supportive of his domestic policies, which were closest to his heart. Nixon, evil as ever, worked as hard as possible to destroy the Democratic Party which, as every American knows, led to his destruction.
I am happy to have read this work and shall keep my eyes open for Geoffrey R. Stone in future; his opinion is fused into the work, and seems closely allied with my own: that freedom is indispensable and ought not bow down to hysteria and fear.