Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Give Me Liberty!: An American History (Brief Third Edition) (Vol. 1)

Give Me Liberty!: An American History (Brief Third Edition) (Vol. 1) Review



The leading United States History survey text, now available in a brief, full-color edition.

Give Me Liberty! is the leading book in the market because it works in the classroom. A single-author book, Give Me Liberty! offers students a consistent approach, a single narrative voice, and a coherent perspective throughout the text. Threaded through the chronological narrative is the theme of freedom in American history and the significant conflicts over its changing meanings, its limits, and its accessibility to various social and economic groups throughout American history. This streamlined edition, revised by author Eric Foner, is 30 percent shorter and includes a new pedagogical feature to help students read and review.


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Liberty of Servants: Berlusconi's Italy

The Liberty of Servants: Berlusconi's Italy Review



Italy is a country of free political institutions, yet it has become a nation of servile courtesans, with Silvio Berlusconi as their prince. This is the controversial argument that Italian political philosopher and noted Machiavelli biographer Maurizio Viroli puts forward in The Liberty of Servants. Drawing upon the classical republican conception of liberty, Viroli shows that a people can be unfree even though they are not oppressed. This condition of unfreedom arises as a consequence of being subject to the arbitrary or enormous power of men like Berlusconi, who presides over Italy with his control of government and the media, immense wealth, and infamous lack of self-restraint.

Challenging our most cherished notions about liberty, Viroli argues that even if a power like Berlusconi's has been established in the most legitimate manner and people are not denied their basic rights, the mere existence of such power makes those subject to it unfree. Most Italians, following the lead of their elites, lack the minimal moral qualities of free people, such as respect for the Constitution, the willingness to obey laws, and the readiness to discharge civic duties. As Viroli demonstrates, they exhibit instead the characteristics of servility, including flattery, blind devotion to powerful men, an inclination to lie, obsession with appearances, imitation, buffoonery, acquiescence, and docility. Accompanying these traits is a marked arrogance that is apparent among not only politicians but also ordinary citizens.


Thursday, March 1, 2012

For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto

For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto Review



A classic that for over two decades has been hailed as the best general work on libertarianism available. Rothbard begins with a quick overview of its historical roots, and then goes on to define libertarianism as resting "upon one single axiom: that no man or group of men shall aggress upon the person or property of anyone else." He writes a withering critique of the chief violator of liberty: the State. Rothbard then provides penetrating libertarian solutions for many of today's most pressing problems, including poverty, war, threats to civil liberties, the education crisis, and more.


Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Review



This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.


Friday, February 24, 2012

Lion of Liberty: Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation

Lion of Liberty: Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation Review



In this action-packed history, award-winning author Harlow Giles Unger unfolds the epic story of Patrick Henry, who roused Americans to fight government tyranny—both British and American. Remembered largely for his cry for “liberty or death,” Henry was actually the first (and most colorful) of America’s Founding Fathers—first to call Americans to arms against Britain, first to demand a bill of rights, and first to fight the growth of big government after the Revolution.

As quick with a rifle as he was with his tongue, Henry was America’s greatest orator and courtroom lawyer, who mixed histrionics and hilarity to provoke tears or laughter from judges and jurors alike. Henry’s passion for liberty (as well as his very large family), suggested to many Americans that he, not Washington, was the real father of his country.

This biography is history at its best, telling a story both human and philosophical. As Unger points out, Henry’s words continue to echo across America and inspire millions to fight government intrusion in their daily lives.


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People, Volume 2: Since 1863

Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People, Volume 2: Since 1863 Review



Understanding the past helps us navigate the present and future. When you read this text, you will not only learn about American History, you will also be exposed to movies and music that tell the stories of American History. A highly respected, balanced, and thoroughly modern approach to US History, LIBERTY, EQUALITY, POWER uses these themes to show how the United States was transformed from a land inhabited by hunter-gatherer and agricultural Native American societies into the most powerful industrial nation on earth. This approach helps you understand the impact of the notions of liberty and equality, which are often associated with the American story, and also how dominant and subordinate groups have affected and been affected by the ever-shifting balance of power.


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Shattering Your Strongholds

Shattering Your Strongholds Review



If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you have the privilege of receiving spiritual wisdom, power, authority, understanding, answers and peace right now. Your heavenly Father has no desire to withhold any good thing from you. The Lord stands at the door knocking, wanting to bring in the abundance He has been waiting to give you.