From Freedom To Slavery: The Rebirth of Tyranny in America

by Gerry Spence

Never afraid to take on tough cases or tackle difficult issues, here in From Freedom to Slavery Gerry Spence comes at us uncensored, with his passions on fire. In this underground bestseller, which has come to define Spence's political philosophy, he speaks out against the destructive forces in America today-forces of government and corporate tyranny that are robbing us of our freedom-and he warns us that time is running out.

In a dramatic new chapter, presented for the first time in a trade paperback edition, Spence recounts in astonishing detail the government shoot-out at Ruby Ridge and the resulting trial of separatist Randy Weaver, revealing the important lessons we must learn from this tragic case.

Finally, Spence makes the eloquent case that we, as Americans, have delivered our freedoms to new corporate and governmental conglomerates, our biased court system, and the censored media. From Freedom to Slavery is an urgent work that urges us to resist this tyranny, a book that must be read and discussed by all concerned citizens of our troubled land.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Law, Philosophy, Government

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Gerry Spence is a trial lawyer in the United States. In 2008, he announced he would retire, at age 79, at the end of the Geoffrey Fieger trial in Detroit, MI. Spence did not lose a criminal case in the over 50 years he practiced law. He started his career as a prosecutor and later became a successful defense attorney for the insurance industry. Years later, Spence said he "saw the light" and became committed to representing people, instead of corporations, insurance companies, banks, or "big business."

Reviews

[Guillermo Galvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about freedom. I can imagine how vague and irritating it must to read that. The post 911 world has been saturated with that term. Yet this is an era in which the list of our rights continues to grow aggressively shorter. Are we exchanging freedom for security?

Gerry Spence starts his book with his experience defending Randy Weaver. A case in which Spence uncovered a deadly plot by the FBI that resulted in Weaver's son and wife being shot to death by FBI agents. The case is a grim example of what the government has done to its own citizens who express unpopular opinions.

The rest of the book is a collection of essays on freedom and tyranny. He approaches the subjects with a sharp analytic mind in a manner that is down-to-earth and spiritually inspiring. Spence's insights goes beyond politics where most social critics are hesitant to venture.

Spence had the guts and brains to stand up to the FBI to prove them wrong. That same moral conviction is laced throughout his cry for everyone to stand up for themselves. Stand up against dulling convention. Stand up against government and corporate corruption.

That's what I like about Spence.

[Valenfore Alestreneon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by the man who took major corporations and the federal government to court and WON! Be warned, though, this book is scary... very scary. Only the bravest should read.

[Coach · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may have to agree to disagree with Gerry Spence, but he makes some compelling arguments.

[Kitap Yakıcı · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 2 details "The Trial of Randy Weaver" of Ruby Ridge—basically the FBI entrapped a man, then used the fact that he missed his trial date to send in agents, murder his wife, son and friend, and then attempted to blame him for it all. They actually wanted to put this guy to death—for improper use of the 1st and 2nd Amendments and for being a weirdo "cultist." Spence won the case for Weaver, but the victory did not bring back his 14 year old son (shot twice, once in the back as he ran from the snipers) or his unarmed wife (shot through the head as she held her infant daughter). Of course, nothing substantial happened to punish the real criminals (i.e. the State), and the news media still assert that Randy Weaver was guilty.

But have we not already identified the enemy of freedom? The enemies of freedom are not the fringes and the radicals and the crazies or those who want to own guns. We are the enemy. Our fear is the enemy in response to which and in exchange for the bald promise of protection, we are petitioned by the government to abdicate our freedom and renounce our sacred rights as free people…And to preserve this precious birthright we must dedicate our constant attention, our unmitigated courage and our purest full energy. (p. 47)

Every day we spend our freedom like careless children with too many pennies. In exchange for acceptance by our friends we give up the right to say what we think. Being socially proper is more important than possessing a fresh, uncompromised soul. Being acceptable to our neighbors is often more important than being acceptable to ourselves… The price of freedom is often rejection, even banishment. (p. 53)

[Anna Hargett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though Gerry Spence's ideas could be argued to be somewhat on the fringe, this book was truly an eye opener for me and helped me discover my fascination with the rise of Corporate Power in America. I love his deep philosophical thoughts intertwined throughout the book, although, I do not agree with his theological viewpoints. Overall, EXCELLENT book, and truly a thought provoking book.

[Dennis Blewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spence does a good job of indicting the government for the murder of Randy Weaver's wife

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense and bleak.