On Liberty and Other Essays (Oxford World's Classics)

Book Description

Collected here in a single volume for the first time, On Liberty, Utilitarianism, Considerations on Representative Government, and The Subjection of Women show John Stuart Mill applying his liberal utilitarian philosophy to a range of issues that remain vital today--the nature of ethics, the
scope and limits of individual liberty, the merits of and costs of democratic government, and the place of women in society. In his Introduction John Gray describes these essays as applications of Mill's doctrine of the Art of Life, as set out in A System of Logic. Using the resources of recent
scholarship, he shows Mill's work to be far richer and subtler than traditional interpretations allow.

Customer Reviews:

The great defender of individual liberty.......2006-12-24

John Stuart Mill, 1806-73, worked for the East India Co. helped run Colonial India from England. Minister of Parliament 1865-68 he served one term. Maiden speech was a disaster his second was great success. He was first MP to propose that women should be given the vote on equal footing with the men who could vote. He got 1/3 support, England gives franchise to women after U.S. He was a great Feminist, his essay "Subjection of Women" is written with great passion and prose. It was a brave position for him to take he was ridiculed for it. He favored democracy, and letting more men from lower classes the right to vote, but believed that people that are more educated should have more votes then less educated because they would make better decisions about what government should do. He would have wanted to extend education to the masses, so that all may have gotten 2-3 votes and so on. He didn't think it should be extended to where a small elite could carry the day on votes. The idea was that if the working class, and middle class, where divided on an issue, the people with more intelligence would have the power to tip the balance. Mill thought that people with more education would probably not only be better able to make political decisions, especially in terms of intellectually being able to see what would be best for the government to do, but that they would also be more concerned about the common good publicly then people in general. He was intensely educated by his father James. John could read Greek, and Latin at 6 yrs.; his Dad tutored him at home. Dad thought environment was everything. He was treated like an adult, never played games with kids; he had a very cerebral upbringing. He had a period of depression in his twenties, it changed his philosophy, and he recognized the importance of developing feelings along with the intellect, this is something that he stressed in his work. He read poetry to get out of depression; he became devoted to poetry and became a romantic. He fell in love with a married woman Harriet Taylor, was a platonic relationship, after her husband's death they married 3 years later and probably never consummated the marriage maybe due to his having syphilis. His dedication to "On Liberty" is to her, very devoted to each other. Both buried together in Avignon France where they used to vacation.

Mill as a moral theorist subscribed to a theory we call Utilitarianism. It means---In some way morality is about the maximization of happiness. Whether actions are right or wrong depends on how happiness can be most effectively maximized. I say in some way, because there are allot of different kinds of Utilitarians. Allot of different ways of saying exactly how it is the maximization of happiness comes into morality. Therefore, happiness is clearly an important idea for Utilitarians. Mill has a hedonistic view of happiness, he thinks that happiness can be defined in terms of "pleasure in the absence of pain." What is distinctive about Mill in this area is that he believes that some kinds of pleasure are better than others are, and add more to a person's happiness than other kinds of pleasures. He believes in what he calls, "higher quality pleasures." These are pleasures, he says, that we get from the exercise of faculties that only human beings happen to have. So the intellect, imagination, the moral feelings, these are the sources of higher quality pleasures people use. His view seems to be that a certain quantity of intellectual pleasure just adds more to your happiness, and a given quantity of some lower pleasure like a kind we would share with the animals such as sensation, taste, sexual pleasure, etc. His "higher quality pleasures" in a way echo Aristotle's ethics. The idea of those things that make us distinctly human that are the real key to our happiness, that is in Mill also. It is not as limited to reason and intellect as Aristotle thinks. Mill recognizes the importance of the appreciation of beauty, aesthetic pleasure, and moral pleasure. He frankly owes a debt to Aristotle that he never properly acknowledges, never gives him proper credit.

"On Liberty" is Mill's is his most widely read and enduring work. It is an indispensable essay on political thought, which strenuously argues for individual liberty. He is defending what he calls the "liberty principle." It is a principle that guarantees individuals quite a bit of personal freedom. "That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant." These quoted sentences in John Stuart Mill's book, "On Liberty," embody the crux of his argument; that the power of the state must intrude as little as possible on the liberty of its citizenry. In essence, Mill was against using the power of the state through its lawmaking apparatus to compel citizens to conduct themselves in ways that society deems moral or appropriate. Mill thought that people had not only a right, but also a duty to develop their intellectual faculties, which is indispensable to maximize their happiness. He believed that society improved for all its citizens when they where left unfettered to the maximum extent possible, allowing them to use their imagination and intellect to improve themselves. Mill postulates a theory that societies usually institute laws based primarily on "personal preference" of its citizenry instead of established principles. This lack of clarity of opinion often leads to the government frequently interfering in the lives of its citizens unnecessarily. For Mill, there are very few times when the state can infringe on the personal liberty of others. Firstly, the state has the right to promulgate laws that prevent a person's actions from harming others. Secondly, the state must protect those citizens who are not mature enough to protect themselves, such as children. Thirdly, he exempts, "... backward states of society in which the race itself may be considered as in its nonage." In Mill's view, immature societies need a benevolent leader to rule them until they have developed to a point where they, "... have attained the capacity of being guided to their own improvement by conviction or persuasion ..." Mill said this third exemption did not apply to any of the countries in Europe. Mill believed that forced morality by the state on its citizen's liberties was destructive to their inward development, and could even lead to a violent reaction by them against the government.

There are different parts of his defense of this, different arguments that he gives. He has a long chapter on freedom of speech and press. He has some very specific reasons why he thinks those freedoms are important. Always in the background for Mill is the idea of development, and making it possible for more people to enjoy these higher quality pleasures. How do we help people develop their distinctly human faculties, in ways that will help them enjoy their higher quality pleasures? Because for him that is the way, we maximize the total amount of happiness that is enjoyed in the world, and that is the object of morality as far as he is concerned. Utilitarianists believe that maximizing happiness is ultimately, what morality is all about. That does not mean maximizing your own happiness that means maximizing the total amount of happiness that is enjoyed, not only by yourself but also by everybody else as well.

Roger Kimball, in his book "Experiments Against Reality" wrote, "On Liberty" was published in 1859, coincidentally the same year as "On the Origin of Species." Darwin's book has been credited--and blamed--for all manner of moral and religious mischief. But in the long run "On Liberty" may have effected an even greater revolution in sentiment.

I read this book for a graduate class in Philosophy. Recommended reading for anyone interested in philosophy, political science, and history.

Liberty for all.......2005-09-12

It is surprising to me how many people assume that 'On Liberty' was written before or during the American Revolution - Mill was certainly influenced by the spirit of American liberty, which was variously romanticised and adapted in Britain and Europe during the nineteenth century. Published in 1859, 'On Liberty' is one of the primary political texts of the nineteenth century; perhaps only the writings of Marx had a similar impact, and of the two, in today's world, Mill's philosophy seems (please note that I only said 'seems') the one that is triumphant.

One of the interesting ideas behind 'On Liberty' is that this may in fact be more the inspiration of Harriet Taylor (later Mrs. J.S. Mill) than of Mill himself; Taylor wrote an essay on Toleration, most likely in 1832, but it remained unpublished until after her death. F.A. Hayek (free-market economist and philosopher) noticed this connection. Whether this was the direct inspiration or not, the principles are similar, and the Mills were rather united in their views about liberty.

'On Liberty' is more of an extended essay than a book - it isn't very long. It relates as a political piece to his general Utilitarianism and political reform ideology. A laissez faire capitalist in political economy, his writing has been described as 'improved Adam Smith' and 'popularised Ricardo'. Perhaps it is in part the brevity of 'On Liberty' that gives it an enduring quality.

There are five primary sections to the text. The introduction sets the stage philosophically and historically. He equates the histories of classical civilisations (Greece and Rome) with his contemporary England, stating that the struggle between liberty and authority is ever present and a primary feature of society. He does not hold with unbridled or unfettered democracy, either (contrary to some popular readings of his text) - he warns that the tyranny of the majority can be just as dangerous and damaging toward a society as any individual or oligarchic despotism. Mill looks for a liberty that permits individualism; thus, while democracy is an important feature for Mill, there must be a system of checks and balances that ensures individual liberties over and against this kind of system. All of these elements receive further development in subsequent sections.

The second section of the text is 'Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion'. Freedom of speech and expression is an important aspect here. Mill presents a somewhat radical proposition that even should the government and the people be in complete agreement with regard to coercive action, it would still be an illegitimate power. This is an important consideration in today's world, as governments and people contemplate the curtailment of civil liberties in favour of increased security needs. The possibility of fallibility, according to Mill, makes the power illegitimate, and (again according to Mill) it doesn't matter if it affects many or only a few, people today or posterity. It is still wrong. Mill develops this argument largely by using the history of religious ideas and religious institutions, in addition to the political (since the two were so often inter-related).

The third section is perhaps the best known and most quoted, 'Of Individuality, as One of the Elements of Well-Being'. It is perhaps a natural consequence of Enlightenment thinking that individuality over communal and corporate identity would dominate. Our world today goes back and forth between individual and communal identities (nationality, regionality, employment, church affiliation, school affiliation, sports teams, etc.). Mill's ideas of individual are very modern, quite at home with the ideas of modern political and civil individuality, with all of the responsibilities.

Mill states, 'No one pretends that actions should be as free as opinions.' He recognises the increased limitations on individual liberty given that we do live in communal settings, but this does not hinder the idea of individuality and individual liberty, particularly as it pertains to thoughts and speech. Mill explores various ideas of personal identity and action (medieval, Calvinist, etc.) to come up with an idea of individuality that is rather modern; of course, this is political personhood that pre-dates the advent of psychology/psychoanalytic theory that will give rise to a lot more confusion for the role of identity and personhood in society.

The fourth primary section looks theoretically at the individual in community, 'Of the Limits to the Authority of Society Over the Individual'; the final section looks at specific applications. Mill discounts the idea of social contract while maintain that there is a mutual responsibility between individuals and community. Mill looks at the Temperance movements and laws as an example of bad laws (not only from the aspect of curtailment of liberty, but also for impractical aspects of enforcement); in similar examples, Mill looks at the role of society in regulating the life of the individual, calling on good government to always err on the side of the individual.

Mill puts it very directly -- Individuals are accountable only to themselves, unless their actions concern the interests of society at large. Few in the Western world would argue with this today; however, we still live in a world where 'thought police' are feared, and 'political correctness' is debated as appropriate or not with regard to individual liberties.

Mill wrote extensively beyond this text, in areas of philosophy (logic, religion, ethics). The particular text here includes other essays of interest: 'Utilitarianism', 'Considerations on Representative Government', and 'The Subjection of Women', and also has a useful bibliography and index. The essay on Utilitarianism is one of the more contentious works of Mill; the later two contain ideas well ahead of their time, and many parts can be seen at work in modern democracies.

This should probably be required reading in civics classes, if not in the pre-university years for students, then certainly in the early university years.

Triumph of the individual.......2005-01-12

This Oxford collection of four definitive essays by John Stuart Mill, arguably the most famous Victorian writer who could be called a philosopher, gives an excellent profile of a rigorous social reformer and political thinker. The subjects of these essays--liberty, utilitarianism, government, and women's rights--are interrelated to the extent that they reveal a man with a sharp sense of history and its impact on the methods and mores of contemporary society. Mill, after all, was of Charles Dickens's generation and therefore witnessed an era in which the British crown was inclined to manifest its power through tyranny in its efforts to maintain a costly worldwide empire.

Mill's basic concern is liberty, both social and civil. He identifies a difference between freedom and liberty--freedom is the state of being free, while liberty is the freedom that a government or governing body grants its people. Briefly a member of Parliament (the workings of which are described in great detail in "Representative Government") and heavily informed and influenced by Alexis de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America," Mill recognized that the most important (and perhaps the only proper) function of a government is to protect the liberties of its citizens. However, people generally get the form of government they deserve; if laws they allow to go unchecked become the tools of despotic powers, they have only their own ignorance or indolence to blame.

An enumeration of Mill's finer points may suffice as a summary of his ideas:

1. Freedom of the press and freedom of expression are essential rights of man. You don't have to accept as true what other people say, but let them say it because there's always the chance that they're right and you're wrong. Mill points out that even the Roman Catholic Church, most intolerant of religions (his words, not mine), allows a "devil's advocate" to offer repudiative evidence before it canonizes a new saint. He notes instances in which religious intolerance still rears its ugly head in the British Empire of his day.

2. Christianity does not have a monopoly on moral authority; literary history gives evidence of this.

3. Individuality should be fostered so that new ideas may flourish, but society, specifically the middle class, establishes the normative values that unfortunately tend to stifle individuality. You have an unlimited right to your opinion, but you are free to act only so far as you do not harm or molest others. Long before Orwell, Mill had the insight that institutional deprivation of liberty is effectively suppression of thought, for how can someone train himself to think independently when doing so could lead to persecution for heresy or treason?

4. State-sponsored education should restrict itself to teaching scientifically provable or reliably documented facts rather than push religious or political agenda. When or if polemical issues are raised, arguments for and against are to be presented as opinions so that students may draw their own conclusions.

5. The utilitarian principle states that actions that promote happiness (in its most obvious form, pleasure) are "right" and those that reduce happiness are "wrong"--in other words, utilitarianism is the opposite of puritanism. Consider how much better it is to be a dissatisfied human being than a satisfied pig, because the human has the potential for so much more happiness than the pig, whose breadth of experience is contained entirely between the trough and the slaughterhouse, could ever know.

6. Women deserve the same rights as men because the social and mental limitations attributed to women are for the most part a male-conceived artifice. Chivalry is a fallacy.

And so on. I'm not sure if it's correct to call Mill a libertarian in modern terms, but he was certainly concerned with the issues with which modern libertarians are concerned. Much of his discourse is relevant to today's world, even though he often draws upon the past for contrast in order to make his conclusions, the implication being that improvement comes with increased knowledge and experience. Anyone who is interested in nineteenth-century thought on democracy and individualism will find much to ponder in Mill's eloquence.

On "On Liberty...".......2004-05-15

Don't get me wrong. This book is quaint and it certainly has its merits. However, I was disappointed that the character on the cover isn't featured anywhere within. Who is the man with outsretched arms? Is he pleading for alms? Is he offering to pull someone out of a river? In fact, if you look closely he appears to be standing in a body of water which could support the latter theory. Who is he pulling from the river? Or is this a metaphor... do these essays figuratively pull one out of the river - the river of intellectual darkness? Perhaps not, which brings me back to my original point. Who is this man? Like all great philosophical questions... we may never know.

Liberal, Utilitarian and First Feminist. Essential reading........2004-03-31

JS Mill is rightfully so one of the most studied political theorists and philosophers. His radical ideas on women started a womens revolution during the Victorian era. His ideas about good government and freedom are applicable today, and obviously not being listened to in this neofascist age. His 'harm principle' for freedom remains one of the most enlightened theories out there, and it is with an open heart that I recommend his readings to anyone with an open mind, who is not afraid of change.

Passage to Liberty: The Story of Italian Immigration and the Rebirth of America

Average customer rating:

such a beautiful book
Something you'll treasure

Passage to Liberty: The Story of Italian Immigration and the Rebirth of America
Ken Ciongoli , and Jay Parini
Manufacturer: ReganBooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0060089024
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Book Description

Italian influence can be seen everywhere in America—in its buildings and its books, in its culture and its cuisine. Passage to Liberty tells the story of how Italians became Americans and fulfilled their dreams of rebuilding the image of Rome in their new country. Readers will discover:

- Removable reproductions of memorabilia and documents
- Engaging illustrations
- Informative text
- And more!

Both a work of history and a moving narrative, Passage to Liberty brings to life the experiences of a people whose talents, contributions, and self-sacrifice helped them to make this country their own.

Customer Reviews:

such a beautiful book.......2006-03-10

Not long after my grandmother's death, I went to a Borders store and was looking through the books on sale. I saw this lovely book and picked it up to leaf through it. The first page I opened the book to was the one with the little handwritten recipe. The recipe was unfamiliar to me, but the small neat handwriting was amazingly like my grandmother's, and the slip of paper it was written on was exactly like a page from one of the little notebooks she used to write in. I didn't have to look at another thing in the book to know I had to buy it. When I got the book home and actually read it, I LOVED IT! The book itself is really good, but all of the little bits that are tucked inside really make it worth the money. It's a lovely book.

Something you'll treasure.......2002-10-31

As you'd expect in a book like this, it tells the tale from Columbus to Madonna, and tells it well, concisely, entertainingly, without being annoyingly fulsome or reverent. What makes this a treaure, though, are all the surprises--you turn a page and find, actually tucked into a corner or attached by glue, replicas of ancient passports, or hand-written recipes, or coupon books from some old immigrant mutual-aid insurance policy. There's even a St. Lucia prayer card from somebody's funeral and the jury's verdict form from a trial of Al Capone. It brings the history to life in a way beyond mere words. If you buy one copy, you'll end up buying more as gifts, without a doubt.It's a beautiful object and a terrific book.

Liberty or Death: The American Revolution: 1763-1783 (American Story)

Average customer rating:

Liberty or Death: The American Revolution: 1763-1783 (American Story)
Betsy Maestro
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0688088023
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Book Description

It began in Boston, with angry colonists objecting to the tyranny of a king who ruled from an ocean away.

It was voiced by patriots such as Sam Adams and Patrick Henry and echoed by citizens from New England all the way to the Carolinas.

It was fought by many -- colonists and patriots, Loyalists and slaves, Frontiersmen and Indians, British and French soldiers.

Over more than ten years, sides were taken, guns drawn, lives lost. But through it all, one man -- a general from Virginia named George Washington -- held the young colonies together and led them to victory, beating almost impossible odds.

History lovers Betsy and Giulio Maestro tell this true story of extraordinary times, incredible drama, and the birth of a new nation.

Average customer rating:

Questions answered
Lovely story of Lady Liberty
Wonderful Story
Statue of Liberty

The Story of the Statue of Liberty
Betsy Maestro
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0688087469
Release Date: 1989-05-26

Book Description

"Written for the youngest audience...the text is very simple yet manages to convey all the major events in Liberty's creation....The full-color watercolors show amazing detail and are extremely rich."--Horn Book.

Customer Reviews:

Questions answered.......2005-07-19

This book gives a perfect response to the questions of a very inquisitive 5 year old--His teacher told a story of Lady Liberty and he was loaded with questions about her-- this book filled in the blanks--Super reading for a child and his Grampy or Grammy.

Lovely story of Lady Liberty.......2002-10-20

I also use this book in my classroom and third graders love it. They are fascinated with the size and grandeur of the Statue of Liberty. This book tells the history of the Statue in simple text and large, vivid illustrations. (Did you know that he made it to look like his mother?) I recommend this book for 7-9 year olds. It will expand their horizons and leave them hoping that someday they will see the Statue in person.

Wonderful Story.......2002-07-25

My 2 year old is facinated with the Statue of Liberty. So before we visited her in person, I wanted to find a simple worded book with lots of captivating pictures and found this one. It really does an excellent job of telling the story of how America obtained Lady Liberty. We would highly recommend this book to any American Patriot!!

Statue of Liberty.......2000-04-16

The text and especially the illustrations in this book were just what I needed to explain to my kindergarten students what it would be like to visit the Statue of Liberty. The illustrator shows an aerial view of the statue on Liberty Island, the ferry needed to reach the island, and New York City in the far background. He continues with pictures showing the construction of the statue to the impressive fire works celebration on the Fourth of July. The author explains the building of the statue as well as the purpose. If you had only one book to explain the Statue of Liberty to school age children, I would recommend using "The Story of the Statue of Liberty" by Betsy Maestro and illustrated by Giulio Maestro.

Give Me Liberty: The Story of the Declaration of Independence

Average customer rating:

Liberty At Its Best
Give Me Liberty:The Story of the Declaration of Independence
An outstanding American history book for young readers
[...]
Review by a teenage drama queen

Give Me Liberty: The Story of the Declaration of Independence
Russell Freedman
Manufacturer: Holiday House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0823417530

Book Description

Describes the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence as well as the personalities and politics behind its framing.

Customer Reviews:

Liberty At Its Best.......2004-12-16

This book is a shining example of how good we fought the American Revolution. I gave it four stars because I loved the way the writer expressed the war. The story takes place in the American Revolution and its battlesd. you learn about the Sons of Liberty, Lexington and concord, and the major battles of the Revolution. I thought it was a great reflection on the Revolution. A story element most represented in this book is allusion. At most the writer recalls a lot of facts and incorporates them into the story. I would recommend this book to people who are big history buffs.

Give Me Liberty:The Story of the Declaration of Independence.......2004-12-16

(1) The book has a great part when it tells about the boston tea party. (2) I like this book because it talks about the wars that went on in the american revolution.(3) the story element that I am going to pick is flash back because the story flashback to when we were fighting the revolutionary times. (4) I recommend this book to people who like action and fighting in a book. The reason that I only gave it four stars is because it does not have enough fighting in it.

An outstanding American history book for young readers.......2004-05-26

This book may be aimed at young readers between 9 and 12 years old, yet readers of any age can benefit from Russell Freedman's basic yet very informative look at the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the events and ideas that helped shape it. Opening with the exciting story of the Boston Tea Party, Freedman walks the reader through the series of events leading up to the start of the Revolutionary War and America's formal declaration of independence from the English government. After a quick summary of American history up to the crucial events of the 1770s, Freedman describes the range of taxes, burdens, and laws that the British Crown and Parliament forced on its increasingly recalcitrant colonies. The words of such men as Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry are once again called upon to reveal the unquenchable thirst for freedom which would help convince a divided population to take up arms in defense of a new, independent nation.

Freedman then presents a wonderful summary of the early skirmishes and battles of the Revolutionary War: the Boston Massacre, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill), the ill-fated (and very poorly planned) attack on Quebec, the English naval bombardment of coastal towns such as Charlestown, Massachusetts and Charleston, South Carolina, etc. Against this backdrop of burgeoning military conflict stands the work of the First and Second Continental Congresses, and Freedman provides an excellent assessment of the differences of opinion that had to be ironed out before America dared claim her independence. Freedman does an especially nice job of showing how the events of the first skirmishes of the war affected the thinking of Continental Congress delegates. He closes with a discussion of the Declaration of Independence, imparting the true significance and provocative importance of this document too easily taken for granted today.

Freedman does not cover the events of the Revolutionary War after July 1776, but he does devote a chapter to an informed discussion of the legacy of the Declaration of Independence, discussing its relevance to later issues such as the emancipation of the slaves, women's suffrage, and the civil rights movements. He shows just how significant and visionary the document remains to this very day and gives readers the chance to read it in its entirety. He closes with a chronology of important events and a bibliography featuring recommendations to adults as well as children for future reading. Packed with wonderful prints and illustrations, Give Me Liberty! The Story of the Declaration of Independence offers readers a concise yet highly informative look at the document that defines the United States of America.

[...].......2004-03-23

Give me Liberty is a very factual novel about the Revolutionary War and the people who played important roles. This book goes in detail about the Boston Tea Party, Sons of Liberty, Daughters of Liberty, The Battle in Lexington and Concord. Read this book!

Review by a teenage drama queen.......2004-03-22

I have to adment that it took some time for me to get interested in this book. This book has so much information about the Revolutionary War and people who played big parts in it. This takes you back shows you images of what life was like under British rule. I love my country but what was so harsh about paying 3 cents a pound for tea. That is how this thing got started. If you look at the facts given to us. These farmers with pitchforks weren't that bad off. They revolted out of greed not love of their county. I say againg I love my county, but what was so bad about paying 3 cents a pound for tea. If you think about it we pay taxes all the time for our troops, government employees, and others. They asked us to help pay for war dept. I do understand however that they should have not ignored us. This book tells the stories but not the whole truth.

Journeys for Freedom: A New Look at America's Story

Average customer rating:

fun history
The lively presentation of real facts will encourage kids to learn.
Time Tales
Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Journeys for Freedom: A New Look at America's Story
Susan Buckley , and Elspeth Leacock
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0618223231

Book Description

Each dynamic spread in "Journeys for Freedom" maps a factual account of real people pursuing freedomâ€”and creating Americaâ€™s story. Continuing their innovative storytelling approach, Susan Buckley and Elspeth Leacock invite you to trace the travelers across space and time as they forge a future for themselves and for our nation.

Customer Reviews:

fun history.......2007-04-09

These are the stories of American's that have made it to freedom. These 20 stories span from 1631 to 1988. As you read these stories you realize that people before us paid a great price, some time even their lives so that we can live in freedom today.

The information was told in a unique way.

Kids that might be bored reading a history text will learn a lot form the book.

The lively presentation of real facts will encourage kids to learn........2006-12-10

Two fine 'A New Look At America's Story' titles by Susan Buckley & Elspeth Leacock pack in hundreds of visual and verbal facts to appeal to readers in grades 4-6. JOURNEYS FOR FREEDOM tells of real people pursing freedom in this country, from those who journeyed across the country to George Washington's road to New York to be sworn in as President. In expanding the concept of different kinds of roads to freedom, this book teaches how freedom receives different interpretations and efforts. KIDS MAKE HISTORY surveys real kids, from the real Pocahontas and one Susie, a volunteer with the first regiment of black soldiers in the Civil War to Peter Williamson's kidnapping to a life at sea. History comes alive with young heroes and heroines at the helm of change. The lively presentation of real facts will encourage kids to learn.

Time Tales.......2006-12-08

Looking for the perfect gift for a youngster that you will enjoy as much as the recipient does? Try one of Buckley & Leacock's fabulous renderings of events in American history. The four books they have written (Kids Make History, Journeys for Freedom, Places in Time and Journeys in Time) weave a richly embroidered and at the same time historically accurate tapestry of the story of our nation's founding and continuing development. The authors have fastidiously researched and presented narratives that explain why we are proud to be Americans, with detailed maps and illustrations that are informative and entertaining accompaniments. These are books to be read again and again, cherished and kept forever.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2006-10-12

Another winning book in the A NEW LOOK AT AMERICA'S STORY series, JOURNEYS FOR FREEDOM takes you through twenty individual stories of Americans who have made a difference in providing us with the freedom we have today. Whether a Native American or a pioneer, an immigrant, a solider, or a refugee, Americans have worked through the ages to earn our independence. Spanning from 1631 to 1988, these glimpses into the lives of Americans throughout history are meant to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age.

To Providence (1631)--Roger Williams, a Puritan minister who fled to New England from the English.
Le Grand Derangement (1755)--Elizabeth Brasseux, a Nova Scotian Catholic ordered to swear allegiance to England.
On the Forbidden Path (1760)--Teedyuscung, a Delaware Indian Chief known as a peacemaker.
Solider in Disguise (1782)--Robert Shurtliff, aka Deborah Sampson, a young woman who joined the Continental Army.
Called by the Voice of America (1789)--General George Washington, elected as the first U.S. President.
Buying Freedom (1795)--Frank McWhorter, a freed slave moving west.
"Give Us Free!" (1839)--Sengbe Pieh, an African slave put on trial in New Haven, set free and returned to Africa.
A Thousand Miles for Freedom (1848)--William and Ellen Craft, slaves in Georgia, make their daring escape.
Walking to Zion (1856)--Young Peter McBride travels with his Mormon family to Zion, or Salt Lake City, Utah.
"For Honor, Duty, and Liberty" (1863)--Henry Gooding, a black soldier finally allowed to fight in the Civil War.
Gold Mountain (1865)--Ah Goong, encouraged to leave his home in China to strike it rich in California.
Flight of the Nez Perce (1877)--Wetatonmi, a Nez Perce Indian, fights for freedom while escaping to Canada.
The Promised Land (1894)--The Antin family is reunited in America after leaving Russia three years apart.
Going North (1924)--Mildred Mack and her African American family leave the South for New Jersey.
The Road to California (1934)--The Haggard family leave behind their demolished farm in Oklahoma for California.
Saved... (1939)--Israel Veleris and his Jewish family flee Nazi-occupied Germany.
"Walk Together, Children" (1965)--A young girl joins Martin Luther King, Jr. and others in a peaceful march.
La Peregrinacion (1966)--Cesar Chavez, a Mexican American and leader of the National Farm Workers Association, leads laborers on a strike against the grape growers of Delano, California.
Losing China (1966)--Nien Cheng and his family watch the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution destroy their homeland.
"Welcome to America" (1988)--Young Peter Malual, a Sudanese African, flees to a United Nations refugee camp in Ethiopia, and is later brought to America.

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in history, or for those who want to learn exactly which paths our people have gone down to gain freedom and independence.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America's Bill of Rights (Orbis Pictus Honor for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (Awards))

Average customer rating:

A Remarkable Explanation of the Amendments
Too biased on 2nd & 10th Amendments
Presents a liberal viewpoint
An outstanding discussion of the Bill of Rights
Book for Classrooms

In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America's Bill of Rights (Orbis Pictus Honor for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (Awards))
Russell Freedman
Manufacturer: Holiday House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Politics & Government | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0823415856

Customer Reviews:

A Remarkable Explanation of the Amendments.......2007-08-11

In Defense of Liberty is a book I began reading with almost no expectation that it would be interesting. I thought it would be filled with thousands of blatant facts, ones that would be hard to understand and even harder to remember. I was wrong. The book was introduced with a dramatic narrative, followed by the true story behind the Bill of Rights. With case examples behind every amendment, the struggle to understand was not a hard one. Although many facts were introduced, this was not done in an overwhelming manner, and most were directly related to the case being described.
My personal favorite part of this book was when a case involving two young Jehovah Witnesses was used to show the development of freedom of religion. The simple act of not saluting the American flag was tried and often punished. Throughout the book the progress made as a result of the amendments was described, in a way similar to a timeline. My least favorite part occurred when James Madisons' most valuable amendment that was not added to the Bill of Rights was cross examined. Although this part was necessary, I thought it could have been done in a more interesting way.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in our nations' government and history. With whole chapters on each amendment, as well as how they came about, this book gives a full explanation of the Bill of Rights. I feel this book probably has the answers to many commonly sought after questions concerning our nation and its government. I think that everyone interested in Americas' laws and policies should read In Defense of Liberty, it is a book that should not go unnoticed.

Too biased on 2nd & 10th Amendments.......2005-04-28

I am using this book for my 6th grader in our study of the Bill of Rights. The coverage of the 1st Amendment I thought was pretty good, with a good history of judicial decisions. However, when I got to the 2nd Amendment, I found it to be pure anti-gun propoganda with no appreciation or knowledge of the founders' purpose for putting it there. I found some good material for kids on the 2nd Amendment on the NRA web site.
The coverage of the rest of the Amendments is pretty good, except the 10th. Here again we see an anti-federalism interpretation which disturbs me. The authors write as if it is a mystery what we should delegate to the states. Then ch. 13 is entitled, "Madison's most valuable amendment," the one that didn't get included. Well, this is what Madison argued, but obviously the others in Congress didn't agree for federalist reasons. If you are going to use this book, find other sources on the 2nd and 10th.

Presents a liberal viewpoint.......2004-12-08

If you are looking for a liberal viewpoint to present to a child, you may be pleased with this book. However, if you are looking for a different viewpoint, or, my choice, a book with no slant to it, but rather one that presents an unbiased look at all major sides, then you should look elsewhere.

An outstanding discussion of the Bill of Rights.......2004-06-01

In my opinion, every public library should have two copies of this book - one for the children/young adult section (its primary audience) and another for the adult nonfiction section. In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America's Bill of Rights is as straightforward and educational as any book I've seen on the subject, and anyone who was born an American, sought and won American citizenship, or is just thinking about becoming an American would do well to read this book. America's enemies could also learn a lot from this book, as it clearly shows the unprecedented liberties upon which this nation was founded and still abides.

After an introductory chapter or two setting the stage for the birth of the Constitution and the passionate demands for a Bill of Rights to protect the freedoms of every single American, Russell Freedman launches into a cogent discussion of each of the first ten amendments to the Constitution. He refers back to English law as far back as the signing of the Magna Carta (1215) and the English Bill of Rights (1689) for the precedents and origins of the liberties espoused by the Founding Fathers. "We the people" were not asking for concessions and liberties from the new central government; they were codifying the primacy of these individual freedoms and drawing a clear line in the sand over which the new government would not be allowed to cross. The author points out that the freedoms espoused in the Bill of Rights were not enjoyed by every American for many years to come, but he shows how the document was flexible enough to serve an ever-changing nation over the course of time. It is easy to take for granted the Bill of Rights today, but this truly was the cornerstone of a government the likes of which the world had never seen.

Freedman's discussion of each individual amendment is broad and impressive. Not only does he explain the origins of each amendment, he offers examples of challenges to the laws, most often by ordinary citizens, and the historical judgments delivered by the Supreme Court in response. In many cases, the Court reversed decisions it had made in earlier times, and Freedman uses this evolution of policy and judicial determination to show how the principles of the Bill of Rights have been shorn up and strengthened over time. He also refers to hot button questions of the present time, showing that the Bill of Rights is just as relevant now as it ever was. Through the examples of history and the illuminating examples of modern challenges and interpretations of the laws, Freedman makes this aged, weathered document bristle with the life and energy that is required for the nation to remain true to the principles upon which it was founded.

I daresay you will get a much better understanding of the Bill of Rights by reading this book than you ever will from reading a history textbook. In Defense of Liberty is written by only one person, but surely it is written for the people. I should also mention the fact that the author provides a bibliography of recommended readings for young readers in particular. If nothing else, should you run across this book, pick it up and read the back cover because, if you are an American, there you will find your Bill of Rights.

Book for Classrooms.......2004-03-14

This award winning book gives a brief history of the formulation of the U.S. Bill of Rights. It illuminates the beginnings and flow of Constitutional history in a way that readers can understand the process. I would use this book in the classroom because it would allow the students to learn about the history of the Bill of Rights and how it is a part of the Constitution. The students always learn about how the Bill of Rights and the Constitution apply to their lives today, but not many know the history behind each of them. Teacher can use this book to begin a unit on this topic. I think this book would be good to use as an introduction to a theme cycle. This book could be the first one of several that is read throughout the unit.

Assault On The Liberty: The True Story Of The Israeli Attack On An American Intelligence Ship

Average customer rating:

Understandably passionate. Understandably flawed.
One-Sided and incomplete
Three separate crimes
Liberty Veterans called anti-semitic...
Truth be Told, Indeed!

Assault On The Liberty: The True Story Of The Israeli Attack On An American Intelligence Ship
James M. Jr Ennes
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Israel | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0394505123
Release Date: 1979-12-12

Book Description

In June, 1967, jet aircraft and motor torpedo boats of Israel brutally assaulted an American naval vessel, the USS Liberty, in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. Thirty-four men died and 172 were wounded. The author was an officer on the bridge when the attack started and subsequently spent many years researching and documenting this meticulous account of the attack and the cover-up that followed.

Customer Reviews:

Understandably passionate. Understandably flawed........2007-08-17

The crew of the USS Liberty sustained an abominable experience far beyond the scope of most of us. It is in this sense that such a book might be useful.

But the author's understandable zeal for finding WHY it happened has taken him down some paths strewn with speculation and anti-Israel zeal.

The author's ire drove him him to dish up dishonest hyperbole against Israel on matters having nothing to do with this tragedy.

For example, about 18 years ago, Ennes wrote to a New England newspaper and claimed, among other things that, "...It is Israel that daily maims and murders an unarmed population in Palestine. It is Israel that daily bulldozes homes of suspected adolescent rock-throwers."

This is, of course, false. But it does serve to show that among the victims of the Liberty incident is objectivity.

One might argue that a crew member of the USS Liberty at the time would be in an ideal position to know what happened.

But such a notion is like claiming that a crewmember of the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941 was in an ideal position to know what transpired among the officers of the Japanese Imperial Fleet prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, or an NVA soldier during the Vietnam War could understand the inner workings of Robert McNamara.

As such, this book was not a huge disappointment, since the reader should expect such a perspective.

The passion to explain this attack has led Ennes and others to conclude that it was deliberate.

But as radio personality Les Kinsolving once noted, "It is as preposterous as the idea that Capt. John Paul Jones would have been ordered by Gen. George Washington to sink the French troop ships bringing soldiers and artillery to help us win our war of independence."

So where does one turn for an objective account of this military disaster?

The answer is "The Liberty Incident: the 1967 Israeli Attack on the U.S. Navy Spy Ship" by J. Cristol. The author, a federal judge and former naval carrier pilot, spent 14 years researching every possible source of information on the attack.

While others embrace all sorts of theories about why Israel deliberately attacked the ship, Cristol approached the event with the passion of a relentless detective.Liberty Incident

As for the conspiracy folks, they would be wise to consider the following comment from Adm. Leon A. Edney, USN (Ret.), former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic; and Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command:

"Only those with an ulterior motive can still cling to the conspiracy theories after Judge Jay Cristol's excellent coverage documents each detail that led to the tragic mistaken attack."

Nevertheless, this book could have been much worse, as demonstrated by author Peter Hounam's steaming heap of speculation, "Operation Cyanide."

One-Sided and incomplete.......2007-05-14

One can go on forever about who is pro this or pro that, but the truth is that the most complete and recognized book on the subject of the Liberty is written by Jay Cristol, a United States Judge who has devoted his life to the FACTS of what went on that day. This book shows one side, from an emotional person who was hurt and angry. If you read this book, you do yourself and history a disservice if you do not read Jay Cristol's book as well. I was "horrified" by the incident, as any American would be, until I read the explanations and facts addressed by Judge Cristol. Seemingly impossible facts to refute, mentioned in this book, have complicated but indisputable answers. A country fighting for its life does not brutally attack its ONLY ally in the world. There are answers, and this book does not have them. Judge Cristol's book does.

Three separate crimes.......2007-04-28

This book presents plausible answers to several important questions about this amazing event. Facts apparently not disputed include that the Israelis attacked a US warship in international waters, killing many sailors. Almost everything else is disputed by someone.

Q1. Did the Israelis deliberately attack a US warship?
P.A. The huge disrepancy in size, appearance, and visible equipment between the Liberty and the Egyptian ship the Iraelis claim to have mistaken her for make Israeli claims hard to believe. If they thought they were attacking an Egyptian ship, why were Israeli jamming efforts targeted so specifically against American communication procedures?

Q2. Assuming the Israelis thought they were attacking an Egyptian ship, did they obey the Geneva conventions?
P.A. The attacks on lifeboats, and various other Israeli actions, violate the Geneva conventions, as well as all rules of war that have been recognized for centuries. They appear to have been motivated by a desire to leave no witnesses. The behavior of Israelis in this attack, as given in sworn statements by American eyewitnesses, bears significant similarities to accounts given by eyewitnesses of others attacked by Israel, which Israelis and their apologists normally dismiss due to alleged racial or cultural inferiority of the witnesses.

Q3. Why did other US forces not rush to the defense of the Liberty?
P.A. They started to, but were ordered not to by politicians in Washington who were more concerned with 'spin' than with American lives.

Q4. Why has this attack never been given an official public inquiry and report by the US government?
P.A. The truth is too embarrasing.

Q5. What motive could the Israelis have for attacking the Liberty?
P.A. Only the Israelis can know for sure. At the time of the attack, the US government wanted to resupply Israel enough to prevent an Israeli defeat, but not enough to enable the Israelis to gain the crushing victory they did. The Liberty was sending back to Washigton information that showed the Israelis already winning, which, if allowed to continue, might have caused the US to stop resupplying Israel. (A recent poll in Israel showed that 72% of Israelis believe the attack was deliberate, and for the above motive.)

It is notable that those reviews that show more loyalty to Israel than to truth never try to answer Question 2, but confine themselves to Question 1 (fog of war) and an I-didn't-see-the-answer to Question 5.

Liberty Veterans called anti-semitic..........2006-12-18

After I spoke to two veterans and had several correspondence with a couple of those on the pro-Israeli side of the attack, some points:

1: The key to understanding the attack will be the NSA spy plane transcripts/recordings, which haven't been divulged yet. I think the survivors want them released. Consistently the pro-Israeli argument never even refers to the existence of these records, so I suspect these NSA records might be the key. Don't be confused though; the ADL and others refer to "NSA transcripts" recently released[on the NSA website in 2003]...but these [Israeli helicopter pilot] "NSA transcripts" were never the relevant "NSA transcripts" [of the actual attacking planes and boats] that the survivors were and are still calling to be released.

2: I understand the pro-Israeli interests lying about this attack to protect the essential US support of Israel, but several go over the line, such as when a rabbi at a Naval base had the book removed from a base exchange after he called it and its author anti-semetic.

3: The motivation to dismiss the Liberty attack as an accident is overwhelming on the Jewish side, with seemingly no one on the pro-Israeli side offering even question as to whether the Liberty was known to be a US ship before the attack.

4: To be clear, no investigation has actually been done on this matter, despite the pro-Israeli interests claiming several have. No interviews by an official investigation body were ever done. The only statements taken were during the US Navy inquiry, and it was made clear that the survivors could not give statements on the attack itself when that inquiry was done, so even the Naval inquiry never qualified as an investigation. A true investigation by Congress is necessary. This is the only major naval military incident in which an investigation hasn't been done.

Suggestion to readers who want to get active in the issue:
Read the facts, ask Congress for an investigation, put up a website, spread the word, support the Liberty library and memorial, but don't entertain pro-Israeli arguments, unless you want endless circular debates over whether black-is-white or day-is-night. Using these futile debates to wear down and obfuscate those supporting the survivors seems like their tactic. The facts, except the essential NSA records which still need to be released, have been clearly stated so I suggest not entertaining the fire from those who support the Israeli side, as they seem to relish and identify themselves as their role as aggitator.

Truth be Told, Indeed!.......2006-05-16

This book is still for sale by
the very fine Institute for
Historical Review. You can also
get it @ alibris.com. It is a
primary example of why ALL FOR-
EIGN AID MUST STOP! Especially
to Israel, the Zionist/New
World Order/UN puppet state
in the middle east! And while
you're at it, get out of Iraq
as well! More truth at ihrewview
richunderscoresalzeratyahoodotcom
"Let freedom of the press ring!!!

Average customer rating:

The Story of Liberty
History and God...
Get a new perspective
NOT a history book!!
PreAmerican History Read!

The Story of Liberty
Charles Carleton Coffin
Manufacturer: Maranatha Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 093855820X

Customer Reviews:

The Story of Liberty.......2007-05-18

Wonderfully written and easy to read for late elementary through highschool.

History and God..........2007-01-17

GREAT book, we read it to our children and learned right along with them. History told in a story-like fashion, lots of interesting details, must have for the home library!

Get a new perspective.......2006-01-12

This book was written in 1879 and reflects a common intrepratation of English history at the time. Indeed, it is very similar to the view the founding fathers took of the events covered in this history. All too often, it is assumed that modern interpretations of history are somehow objective and unbiased. All historians write from their worldview, and there is nothing that says a naturalist/atheistic perspective is somehow more valid than the perspective that God directs that events of history for a purpose. The latter view is much closer to what was held by many of the people (Reformers, Pilgrims, & Catholics) that this history is about, and therefore, in my opinion, is capable of a deeper understanding of the motivation of these people to act against injustice. It is by reading books written by people in ages other than our own that we gain the perspective necessary to analize our own cultures assumptions and beliefs.

NOT a history book!!.......2003-12-05

This book should be placed in the historical fiction section. It is NOT a history book! The author was so skewed and biased that it was laughable. I would not recommend that this book be used for any serious history class. His portrayal of the Roman Catholic Church was very biased as he narrated his own perspective on history. It was hard to take him very seriously because of his own personal prejudices. Homeschoolers beware!

PreAmerican History Read!.......2001-09-24

Students must read this before they study American history....

Liberty Rising: The Story of the Statue of Liberty

Average customer rating:

Explores the origins, construction and meaning of America's symbol of liberty

Liberty Rising: The Story of the Statue of Liberty
Pegi Deitz Shea
Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Architecture | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0805072209
Release Date: 2005-08-11

Book Description

The Statue of Liberty stands as a powerful symbol of freedom to all. But what is her story? How did she come to be? From conception to construction, each element of the Statue of Liberty has a fascinating story of its own: a face bearing the likeness of the creators mother; a hand and a torch traveling alone to America; seventy train cars packed with pieces. This inspiring and beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the visionaries behind the statue and the process by which they carried out the design and building of one of the worlds most important monuments.

Customer Reviews:

Explores the origins, construction and meaning of America's symbol of liberty.......2006-02-13

Liberty Rising: The Story Of The Statue Of Liberty receives fine drawings by Wade Zahares as it explores the origins, construction and meaning of America's symbol of liberty. Kids with good reading skills in grades 3-5 will learn of how the idea came to a French law professor, how it was funded, and how it grew in France, to be shipped in pieces to America. Fine color drawings throughout and a vivid writing style bring the facts to life.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books