Principles of Freedom

by Terence Joseph MacSwiney

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Genres: Philosophy, Ireland

258 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

Reviews

[Chris Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this, but it's somewhat dry and academic in spots. Still, what a wonderful call to action! Despite the work being published over 100 years ago, it contains many, many passages that ring true in today's world.

[So Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another public domain book, this time from 1921. Part-manifesto, part-philosophy, the book was written by T.J. MacSwiney, Irish mayor from Cork during Irish War of Independence.

While can be considered incendiary, the book is more about communicating humanistic-nationalist cause among Irish citizens. Indeed MacSwiney himself can be considered freedom fighter, he died in British prison doing hunger strike. Only that he never shot a bullet: his effort was through newspaper articles.

The book is basically a call of solidarity against oppresors. The biggest part is about why -- and how -- a group of people (the Irish) deserve independence out of foreign menace (England). The interesting thing is that his ideas are universal: one may be tempted to call this as "general manual for fighting independence", and it would be quite accurate.

It is said that, in India, Gandhi and Nehru had read MacSwiney's book and got inspired. I don't know if that's true -- I'm not historian -- but there's a little bit of them in here.

I personally see it as general remarks on freedom in context of Anglo-Irish struggle. May not be for everyone.

[Bick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspired Ghandi and Ho Chi Minh, and I'd like to think was written by a relative. In clear prose (albeit a bit dry) it talks about many of the political troubles we face today, and how to deal with them. If we all read this, maybe we could get somewhere...