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A Nation of Sheep
In this explosive new book, Judge Andrew P. Napolitano, Fox News Channel's Senior Judicial Analyst, holds a straightforward "conversation" with the American voter, in which he asks questions and gives answers that no one else will:
Why do our taxes continue to rise, government services stay worse than ever, and we just pay the taxes and re-elect those who raised them?
Why do people in government never acknowledge a mistake, and why do we accept that?
Why does the government continue to regulate private behavior?
Why do both Republicans and Democrats bring about bigger and more expensive government?
Whatever happened to our individual inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that are guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence, yet ignored by the governments elected to protect them?
Why does Congress keep telling the States what to do?
Why does every public office holder swear allegiance to the Constitution, yet very few follow it?
Why are we afraid of the governments we have hired to protect our freedoms?
Why do our taxes continue to rise, government services stay worse than ever, and we just pay the taxes and re-elect those who raised them?
Why do people in government never acknowledge a mistake, and why do we accept that?
Why does the government continue to regulate private behavior?
Why do both Republicans and Democrats bring about bigger and more expensive government?
Whatever happened to our individual inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that are guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence, yet ignored by the governments elected to protect them?
Why does Congress keep telling the States what to do?
Why does every public office holder swear allegiance to the Constitution, yet very few follow it?
Why are we afraid of the governments we have hired to protect our freedoms?
238 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
29 people are currently reading
585 people want to read
About the author
Andrew P. Napolitano
19 books144 followersAndrew Paolo Napolitano is a former New Jersey Superior Court Judge. He is a political and senior judicial analyst for Fox News Channel, commenting on legal news and trials. Napolitano started on the channel in 1998. He is a Libertarian and a strong advocate of the Constitution, viewing it as a contract that must, according to rule of law, be interpreted the way its authors intended or else be invalid. He therefore asserts that the Federal government has a very limited set of powers, that it is exceeding, and that the Bill of Rights limits its valid actions in all circumstances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 18, 2009
Sometimes, it seems, we conservatives can't see the forest for the trees. We are the idealogues who are supposed to believe in limited government, the rule of law, and absolute, unencumbered liberty. The Constitution, as viewed by conservative eyes, is a document of government restraint--not government power.
Judge Andrew Napolitano, a constitutional scholar and FOX News judicial consultant, understands this, yet laments that so many people--fellow conservatives included--have willingly enabled the federal government to undermine our God-given, inalienable freedom. . .all under the guise of "keeping us safe." And he presents his arguments--in a clear, concise, and articulate manner--in his book A NATION OF SHEEP (very aptly titled).
Judge Napolitano is concerned, and rightly so, about the erosion of our civil liberties--by an administration that claims to be "conservative." To the contrary. The suspension of habeas corpus, warrantless eavesdropping and surveillance, arbitrary executive power grabs, torture and kidnapping, suppression of the press: These are not "conservative" values, by any stretch of the imagination. Yet the good jurist points out how we as a people--as a nation of sheep--have willingly allowed the federal government to absorb these extraordinary powers; how instead of resistance we quietly acquiesce. And if we, as a people, willingly and incrementally surrender our freedoms to the government, Napolitano warns, we grant more and more power to a government that will never, ever, relinquish it.
A NATION OF SHEEP is as brilliant as it is fundamentally disturbing. The horrific events of 9/11 have exacerbated the federal government's power grab; it is time to elect leaders who will uphold--not violate--the Constitution. In fact, at the end of this book, Judge Napolitano includes two documents that should be required reading for every American: The Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States. This conservative judge gets it; here's hoping his fellow conservatives wake up, before it is too late.
Judge Andrew Napolitano, a constitutional scholar and FOX News judicial consultant, understands this, yet laments that so many people--fellow conservatives included--have willingly enabled the federal government to undermine our God-given, inalienable freedom. . .all under the guise of "keeping us safe." And he presents his arguments--in a clear, concise, and articulate manner--in his book A NATION OF SHEEP (very aptly titled).
Judge Napolitano is concerned, and rightly so, about the erosion of our civil liberties--by an administration that claims to be "conservative." To the contrary. The suspension of habeas corpus, warrantless eavesdropping and surveillance, arbitrary executive power grabs, torture and kidnapping, suppression of the press: These are not "conservative" values, by any stretch of the imagination. Yet the good jurist points out how we as a people--as a nation of sheep--have willingly allowed the federal government to absorb these extraordinary powers; how instead of resistance we quietly acquiesce. And if we, as a people, willingly and incrementally surrender our freedoms to the government, Napolitano warns, we grant more and more power to a government that will never, ever, relinquish it.
A NATION OF SHEEP is as brilliant as it is fundamentally disturbing. The horrific events of 9/11 have exacerbated the federal government's power grab; it is time to elect leaders who will uphold--not violate--the Constitution. In fact, at the end of this book, Judge Napolitano includes two documents that should be required reading for every American: The Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States. This conservative judge gets it; here's hoping his fellow conservatives wake up, before it is too late.
September 29, 2010
Am reading Andrew P. Napolitano's book A Nation of Sheep, which is quite the experience so far. The book is about how our national government ignores, circumvents, and attacks the rights and liberties that are the foundation of our nation.
Napolitano's best known for his frequent/regular appearances on pretty much every show on FOXNews, he obviously takes his talking points from the GOP, slavishly promotes the agenda of the Bush (43) Administration, and is some sort of fascist (closeted or otherwise). Right?
Except he's not. In fact, the Bush Administration's agenda is the main target of Napolitano's vitriol. However, I should note that the Adams (2), Lincoln, Roosevelt (32), Trueman and Nixon administrations receive knocks as well.
After a few chapters skimming U.S. History (with quick glances at contemporary events), Napolitano turns his focus on the present with this little end-of-chapter tease:
I found that more amusing than I ought--the one phrase I've been muttering to myself (and TLomL) about the book so far is "don't know if I'll be able to sleep again." And he now tells me it's gonna get worse?
Yipe.
Napolitano's best known for his frequent/regular appearances on pretty much every show on FOXNews, he obviously takes his talking points from the GOP, slavishly promotes the agenda of the Bush (43) Administration, and is some sort of fascist (closeted or otherwise). Right?
Except he's not. In fact, the Bush Administration's agenda is the main target of Napolitano's vitriol. However, I should note that the Adams (2), Lincoln, Roosevelt (32), Trueman and Nixon administrations receive knocks as well.
After a few chapters skimming U.S. History (with quick glances at contemporary events), Napolitano turns his focus on the present with this little end-of-chapter tease:
If you're not convinced that the government is hell-bent on accumulating extreme amounts of power in the name of national security, the forthcoming chapters will finalize the exsanguinations of your skepticism. In other words, get ready for some sleepless nights.
I found that more amusing than I ought--the one phrase I've been muttering to myself (and TLomL) about the book so far is "don't know if I'll be able to sleep again." And he now tells me it's gonna get worse?
Yipe.
February 21, 2010
This is a good and disturbing book about the ways in which the United States government violates your Constitutional rights. If you were like me at all, there were things about the Bush administration which were okay, and a lot of things that were a problem, and Napolitano focuses mostly on how quickly government abuses escalated in Bush's eight years in office. The book is a call to arms, and thus can be rather shrill at times, and he occasionally steps too far into freak-out mode of "the government is watching YOU" sort of a thing, but sadly he doesn't need to venture into conspiracies to document how many abuses there are. Everything he deals with are matters of law, or reported in public government reports or mainstream articles and books.
Aside from going overboard in trying to scare you, there are a couple of other flaws in the book. Napolitano is a libertarian, and so the second chapter elevates libertarianism's radical "rugged" individualism. Nothing wrong with being an individual, but we're made to be part of a community. We're made to be inter-dividuals. And in a very strange twist, in the first chapter Napolitano praises the French Revolution and Jefferson's support of it, which is simply appalling. But get past those problems and there's some necessary reading here.
Aside from going overboard in trying to scare you, there are a couple of other flaws in the book. Napolitano is a libertarian, and so the second chapter elevates libertarianism's radical "rugged" individualism. Nothing wrong with being an individual, but we're made to be part of a community. We're made to be inter-dividuals. And in a very strange twist, in the first chapter Napolitano praises the French Revolution and Jefferson's support of it, which is simply appalling. But get past those problems and there's some necessary reading here.
July 23, 2010
This book was eye opening for me and should be read by anyone with an interest in our government and what people of one branch think of people in other branches. If anything it shows how easily the media, the government, our own social norms have changed our government from the time it was founded to now. Frighteningly, this is not good change and really our society is as the author puts it coming to a crossroads of history that when trapped in the present may be impossible to view from the inside. It does not change my opinion of this still being the best possible country in the world, but it sure is sliding down towards the others on the list. And the lies we are fed to keep us "fat" and productive are laced with cyanide and will kill us. A good quick read that gets those mental juices flowing!
July 14, 2010
This book was a good reminder of what liberties we should have in the United States and how they are being restricted. A lot of good discussion on being secure vs. freedom. It was REALLY heavy on the Bush-bashing (probably due to the timing of the book) and that got old but it reminded me not to be "a sheep."
Best line = "If we surrender our freedoms in order to defend the nation, what would be left that is worth defending?"
Best line = "If we surrender our freedoms in order to defend the nation, what would be left that is worth defending?"
July 28, 2011
The judge does a great job reminding us of the vast contrast between what the United States is and it is meant to be as we cast away our freedoms all in the name of "security". He drives home the point that the only power that government is supposed to have is that consented to by the governed, i.e. we the people. A must read.
March 1, 2009
While I agree with almost everything in this book, it's seventh-grade reading level makes me think it was written for the sheep.
Baaaa
There, I said it.
Baaaa
There, I said it.
March 15, 2017
I borrowed this book from my local library. I’ve been a big fan of Judge Napolitano for several years now. I appreciate his respect for civil liberties and the rule of law as well as the high degree to which he values personal freedom. Although this book was written ten years ago, its content is still valuable today and will be for ages to come. The extent to which governments, leaders, and rulers go to violate rights and privacy in the name of “safety and security” is a never-ending story in the history of mankind’s lust for power and control. The question boils down to how the average everyday person receives and deciphers the scare tactics generated by our government and media to compel compliance and what they choose to do with that information.
Judge Napolitano mentions specific examples and historical references where rights were blatantly violated in the name of security and to protect what is vaguely and conveniently described as “state secrets.” Don’t get me wrong. I know there are bad people out there who want to cause harm and hurt others. But we also have a constitutional system that was created to ensure the process of apprehending and prosecuting those individuals and groups is fair and legal. Judge Napolitano understands that and makes sure to articulated in this great piece of writing.
When one violates legality and loses respect for the rule of law, tyrannical systems and regimes take over and oppress their populations. This is not done to protect them; it is almost always does to control them. This is something that needs to be recognized. We cannot afford to be a Nation of Sheep. If we lose our respect for the constitution and fail to hold our representatives and legislators accountable, we will have a very grim and dark future for our children. I thank judge Napolitano for his continued effort to promote the cause of liberty.
Judge Napolitano mentions specific examples and historical references where rights were blatantly violated in the name of security and to protect what is vaguely and conveniently described as “state secrets.” Don’t get me wrong. I know there are bad people out there who want to cause harm and hurt others. But we also have a constitutional system that was created to ensure the process of apprehending and prosecuting those individuals and groups is fair and legal. Judge Napolitano understands that and makes sure to articulated in this great piece of writing.
When one violates legality and loses respect for the rule of law, tyrannical systems and regimes take over and oppress their populations. This is not done to protect them; it is almost always does to control them. This is something that needs to be recognized. We cannot afford to be a Nation of Sheep. If we lose our respect for the constitution and fail to hold our representatives and legislators accountable, we will have a very grim and dark future for our children. I thank judge Napolitano for his continued effort to promote the cause of liberty.
February 20, 2018
Wondering how prevalent the issues he raises truly are... If he is correct, we are in dire straights. But he makes it seem as if the government is reading all of our emails... akin to what people said the NSA was doing when this was written... however, that was a slight exaggeration... So this book offers a lot to think about, and to research. He ruthlessly attacks airport security, but doesn't offer a viable alternative. I remember the 70s, when hi jacking was almost a daily occurrence.
But again, if half of what he says is true, it is scary. He claims that warrants can be issued by feds without a judges approval, citizens can be detained and not told what they are being detained for... they can even be tortured... and if they are found to be innocent, can be threatened with extreme penalties if they ever reveal their ordeal.
But again, if half of what he says is true, it is scary. He claims that warrants can be issued by feds without a judges approval, citizens can be detained and not told what they are being detained for... they can even be tortured... and if they are found to be innocent, can be threatened with extreme penalties if they ever reveal their ordeal.
December 24, 2019
A solid book that details the evils that our government has been up to. I do feel like Judge Napolitano should write another book like this one that updates his previous work. I feel like the newer books that I have read on this subject detail things that he only theorized on. A must read. Do not be a sheep!
August 21, 2024
Incredibly eye-opening. You can tell this wasn't written to be a scholarly piece with extremely deep dives into each individual situation. It was meant to be an overview and compilation of annotated examples to drive home the central point(s) and theme(s).
Every American citizen should read this book.
Every American citizen should read this book.
November 2, 2017
Interesting
This was quick and easy to read, but I felt like the author was screaming at me. There is a lot to think about with regard to our national liberty, but he glazes over historical facts and counter arguments for his claims.
This was quick and easy to read, but I felt like the author was screaming at me. There is a lot to think about with regard to our national liberty, but he glazes over historical facts and counter arguments for his claims.
January 27, 2017
Written in 2007, could have been written in 2011, 2015, and even today. Things don't really change with our "shepherds". He hits heavy against the Bush administration, Obama kept the same policies, and added to them. Trump? We shall see, but I don't see any change.
I like the way he closes this book;
"We need ordinary folks to stop acting like sheep: Monitor your elected officials; make them account for all of their votes; recall or impeach them when they tamper with freedom. Write and blog about all they do.
And reject profoundly the satanic bargain which the sheep have accepted that less freedom means more safety.
Less freedom equals slavery.
If we surrender our freedoms in order to defend the nation, what would be left that is worth defending?"
I like the way he closes this book;
"We need ordinary folks to stop acting like sheep: Monitor your elected officials; make them account for all of their votes; recall or impeach them when they tamper with freedom. Write and blog about all they do.
And reject profoundly the satanic bargain which the sheep have accepted that less freedom means more safety.
Less freedom equals slavery.
If we surrender our freedoms in order to defend the nation, what would be left that is worth defending?"
May 14, 2008
Hard-hitting, full of specific examples, and clear-cut. Napolitano picks up where his other Constitution-centric books left up, showing what has happened to our country in the past couple of years.
He speaks no kind words for our current administration, though the blame is shared by past ones as well. Equally accused (if not more so) are the sheep (passive, ignorant Americans) who have let our elected leaders get us into this mess.
This book would go very well hand-in-hand with Ron Paul's recent "The Revolution: A Manifesto". Napolitano's book explains what's wrong; Paul's book explains what we need to do to fix these problems.
He speaks no kind words for our current administration, though the blame is shared by past ones as well. Equally accused (if not more so) are the sheep (passive, ignorant Americans) who have let our elected leaders get us into this mess.
This book would go very well hand-in-hand with Ron Paul's recent "The Revolution: A Manifesto". Napolitano's book explains what's wrong; Paul's book explains what we need to do to fix these problems.
March 12, 2008
Absolutely great book. It really brings to light all of the atrocities and perversions of power the executive branch has committed over the years. It sheds a scary light on America in the 21st Century. I am appalled by the erosion of our Liberties and Freedoms that we once sought to spread upon the world.
March 4, 2008
Please read this book. Anyone who is concerned about our country and the constitution's laws that have been broken by our administration and our congressmen and representatives doing nothing about it.
June 10, 2008
Good book. It really defines the constitutional problems we have in America right now. However, I was disappointed that it didn't give a clearer direction for constructive action to remedy the problems.
July 28, 2008
Gives examples of how we have lost our way in regard to courts. The courts now are in control and we no longer have a constitution that means anything. We've become complacent and all we want to do is get our paycheck and watch TV. We no longer think. We're sheeple.
July 9, 2009
Fantastic book looking at the overwhelming contempt shown for the Constitution by most of our government officials, who, ironically are sworn to defend it. Of course, all the while, the majority of the public, like sheep, follows the govt and says little to defend their guaranteed rights
September 2, 2016
So George W. gave up liberties in the name of security. The author can now expand the book by 1000 pages after Obama's reign. But I expected more than one chapter regarding where to do draw the line.
February 27, 2008
How the federal government tries to take away our liberties, by laws and deceit.
May 21, 2008
This book is about our continuing loss of freedom that the government is taking away. Not the most cheerful reading, but it definitely makes you think.
April 27, 2008
just picked it up tonite post 9-11 rules of engagement
May 14, 2008
Pretty much a must read if you have the slightest bit of interest in the 1st, 4th. 5th, or 14th amendment.
July 4, 2008
He tells truth, from a perspective of someone who knows.
March 31, 2009
An OK treatment of all the abuses perpetrated in the name of "freedom" on our liberties. The author has some great examples, but the writing quality could be better.
June 11, 2009
Another good book chronicling the abuses of government and applauding those who have stood for freedom against government encroachment. Time for something new...
August 3, 2010
Napolitano continues with another book emphasizing the constitution and how the state violates it, focusing on Bush's torture, spying, and extraordinary rendition.
August 10, 2012
A must read for all who love liberty.
August 26, 2012
Judge Andrew P. Napolitano is a fervent defender of liberty and freedom. You can't go wrong with his books. Anytime he puts words to paper, I'm reading them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews