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Freedom Matters
The connecton between career, business and freedom. There are seven types of leaders necessary for freedom to flourish. What type are you?
107 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Oliver DeMille
28 books124 followersOliver DeMille is the founder and former president of George Wythe University, a founding partner of The Center for Social Leadership, and the author of A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the 21st Century.
As a university student, Oliver went on a search for a truly great education — experiencing private and public universities, technical and religious schools, corporate and international educational institutions, prestigious colleges and worthless diploma mills; he literally sampled the best and the worst that modern education has to offer, and virtually everything in between.
As a result, he found a small Bible school where he worked closely with mentors and studied the Bible and the great classics in many fields. Although Coral Ridge Baptist University was not regionally accredited, he was so excited by the quality of his studies that he left a large, well-respected university to focus full time on his classical education. He earned the B.A. in Biblical Studies (May 1992), M.A. in Christian Political Science (December 1992), and Ph.D. in Religious Education (May 1994) at Coral Ridge Baptist University.
He has written and spoken extensively about the traditional education system versus his intense mentored-classical experience with Coral Ridge and his mentor–Dr. W. Cleon Skousen. After his Coral Ridge studies, he returned to Brigham Young University and completed the B.A. in International Relations with a minor in Aerospace Studies, graduating Magna cum Laude (1994). He then devoted his time to refining the educational design and curriculum of the liberal arts school he founded, George Wythe College (now University).
Oliver is a popular author, keynote speaker, and business consultant. Presently, he devotes a majority of his time to writing. He and his wife Rachel are raising their 8 children in southern Utah.
As a university student, Oliver went on a search for a truly great education — experiencing private and public universities, technical and religious schools, corporate and international educational institutions, prestigious colleges and worthless diploma mills; he literally sampled the best and the worst that modern education has to offer, and virtually everything in between.
As a result, he found a small Bible school where he worked closely with mentors and studied the Bible and the great classics in many fields. Although Coral Ridge Baptist University was not regionally accredited, he was so excited by the quality of his studies that he left a large, well-respected university to focus full time on his classical education. He earned the B.A. in Biblical Studies (May 1992), M.A. in Christian Political Science (December 1992), and Ph.D. in Religious Education (May 1994) at Coral Ridge Baptist University.
He has written and spoken extensively about the traditional education system versus his intense mentored-classical experience with Coral Ridge and his mentor–Dr. W. Cleon Skousen. After his Coral Ridge studies, he returned to Brigham Young University and completed the B.A. in International Relations with a minor in Aerospace Studies, graduating Magna cum Laude (1994). He then devoted his time to refining the educational design and curriculum of the liberal arts school he founded, George Wythe College (now University).
Oliver is a popular author, keynote speaker, and business consultant. Presently, he devotes a majority of his time to writing. He and his wife Rachel are raising their 8 children in southern Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 14, 2015
Short read, very insightful on the idea of how freedom is directly impacted by leadership in the different areas of society.
November 4, 2016
Most of us don't understand enough about what freedom is to identify why we are losing it. Yet many people sense that something is wrong and that freedom is slipping away. In an ironic sense, many people look to government to solve the problem not realizing that the balance of power has tipped heavily in favor of government and that is the problem. DeMille explains why freedom thrives when power is balanced across seven groups of leaders, of which government is only one and not the most important at that. The kinds of leaders needed to promote a strong and free society, the types of governments and why one is so much better at allowing freedom than the others—it isn't the one we are currently using in the U.S., and the values that have had the most impact on free societies throughout history are all explained here. When it comes to freedom, what works and what doesn't, DeMille does not mince words.
August 16, 2018
I picked up this book, thinking I would read it over a few days to a week, but I couldn't put it down. It is one that I will go back and reread many times to understand all the nuances. However, it was incredibly powerful. It gave words to so many of the ideas that I have had about freedom, the roles of government, business, media, arts, family, community, and education. A great read, and one that anyone who wants to make a difference in the world should consider reading. The power of One.
April 29, 2015
Love, love, LOVE this book! I appreciate Mr. DeMille's insight into the seven types of leaders and what is required from each in order to reacquire & maintain our freedom. His views on the three types of economies, the blue & white collar paths, plus entrepreneurship, are helpful & fascinating. I could say more, or you can read this book for yourself. : )
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December 31, 2022Inspiring and practical but i wish it had been edited. Parts felt like they had been copied wholesale from his other works.
April 14, 2023
Simple read. Good content.
I struggle at times with the sweeping statements without back-up examples in this author's writings, and this was no exception. Another piece I disliked was that Demille also quotes large segments (pages) of his own work verbatim. I checked out the footnote, hoping for some concrete examples or proof of what he was saying, only to find the footnote was to his own talk/article. Disappointing.
I did appreciate the main idea that in each of the seven realms (family, community, religion, business, arts & media, education, and government) each has an important role to play. If one lacks leadership another will overreach. But in the balance, there will be true freedom.
These feel like long-term solutions when I feel like we're drowning day-to-day, but I guess the main takeaway is to do my part in every realm where I'm called and lead well from my sphere of influence. What more can any of us really do?
I struggle at times with the sweeping statements without back-up examples in this author's writings, and this was no exception. Another piece I disliked was that Demille also quotes large segments (pages) of his own work verbatim. I checked out the footnote, hoping for some concrete examples or proof of what he was saying, only to find the footnote was to his own talk/article. Disappointing.
I did appreciate the main idea that in each of the seven realms (family, community, religion, business, arts & media, education, and government) each has an important role to play. If one lacks leadership another will overreach. But in the balance, there will be true freedom.
These feel like long-term solutions when I feel like we're drowning day-to-day, but I guess the main takeaway is to do my part in every realm where I'm called and lead well from my sphere of influence. What more can any of us really do?
June 25, 2018
What is Freedom? Is it really important today? Can we, ordinary people, make a difference? Author Oliver DeMille answers these questions and more. He has spent a lifetime studing freedom, leadership, and education to qualify him to answer our questions.
It is an easy read, a little dry, but conversational, and it raises points I had not really thought about. I recommend it as a primer on the subject. Not everyone will like his point of view, but can we at least open a discussion on something so important?
It is an easy read, a little dry, but conversational, and it raises points I had not really thought about. I recommend it as a primer on the subject. Not everyone will like his point of view, but can we at least open a discussion on something so important?
March 15, 2021
A short book on the importance of keeping the different sectors of our country separate. I felt it was very informative. It talks about what happens when government, business, family, religion, media, arts, and community leaders don’t have balanced power. And how it is important for these sectors to keep the government from expanding power
December 29, 2018
Wonderful book to figure out how you can change America. Very easy to understand with great examples
February 20, 2019
A great short read. If more people read this maybe more would step up. It’s also a great challenge to live up to my potential.
May 8, 2019
A basic review of what it is and what you can do to perpetuate it. Everyone should read this.
July 18, 2020
Essential Reading for Leaders
Very thought provoking. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be or considers themselves a leader. It taught me things I never thought about.
Very thought provoking. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be or considers themselves a leader. It taught me things I never thought about.
July 18, 2015
I was blown away , I have had he pleasure to read 3 previous books by Oliver .. he knows more about the constitution than Probably All politicians serving today.. Amazing how dumbed down we have allowed our Government and our school system to become..We have allowed ! I met a Oliver at a book signing back in February 2015 and chatted with him and was very impressed by the man .. we the people have to Learn, listen and associate more effectively
February 25, 2015
With our freedom and our country in serious jeopardy I have longed to know what can I do to make a difference in my home, in my community, in my state and indeed in my country. Here is a clear, concise plan to change what I can and make a difference.
I wish every student and every freedom loving person in America could and would read this book.
I wish every student and every freedom loving person in America could and would read this book.
April 5, 2015
A solid 4 1/2 stars ( which as is the case with Goodreads, cannot pick 1/2's ! ) ....
A terrific introductory type book for someone who isn't a reader, or has limited time to do so ( at least until he/she picks up the habit and sees the value proposition in reading daily. )
The content is solid.
The author is one of my all time favorites.
Definitely worth reading.
A terrific introductory type book for someone who isn't a reader, or has limited time to do so ( at least until he/she picks up the habit and sees the value proposition in reading daily. )
The content is solid.
The author is one of my all time favorites.
Definitely worth reading.
March 14, 2015
Given how truly well-read and knowledgeable Oliver DeMille is, I expected the book to be very heavy and tough to read. I found the exact opposite. It was compelling, and enjoyable. I didn't want to put it down when I started it! I think every man and woman alive should add this book to their (hopefully long) list of books to devour, and get on with being a voracious reader!
March 20, 2015
An excellent read. Good books leave you wanting more, and I do! I am hoping O.D. will unpack the seven types of leaders in future books. For now, this is a great primer on the relationship between freedom and leadership!
April 25, 2015
Really enlightened me to what a big responsibility our business and other key field leaders have when it comes to getting America back on track and evenly free across all 7 sectors of leaders
March 2, 2016
Terrific read, especially in the current political climate. Gives a terrific insight into the overloaded terms being thrown around in the media, their significance and what they all mean for freedom.
April 2, 2015
A short book, but packed full. Really lays out that we, not politicians, are responsible for the freedom of future generations.
January 4, 2016
Great read on freedom, and what we can do about keeping it. On statesmen and entrepreneurship...
July 19, 2020
Some interesting things to think about.
March 21, 2017
Very insightful into the economy and political arena. Made me think.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews