Free Speech

by Corey Brettschneider (Editor)

Speech is the life blood of democracy, but only if we understand its true meaning, and its role in sustaining our government. Key texts from the U.S. Supreme Court, John Stuart Mill, Alexander Meiklejohn, Ida B. Wells and Charles Lawrence illuminate the immediate questions and pressing issues of free speech.

A Penguin Classic

With the Penguin Liberty series by Penguin Classics, we look to the U.S. Constitution’s text and values, as well as to American history and some of the country’s most important thinkers, to discover the best explanations of our constitutional ideals of liberty. Through these curated anthologies of historical, political, and legal classic texts, Penguin Liberty offers everyday citizens the chance to hear the strongest defenses of these ideals, engage in constitutional interpretation, and gain new (or renewed) appreciation for the values that have long inspired the nation. Questions of liberty affect both our daily lives and our country’s values, from what we can say to whom we can marry, how society views us to how we determine our leaders. It is Americans’ great privilege that we live under a Constitution that both protects our liberty and allows us to debate what that liberty should mean.

208 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2021

About the author

Corey Brettschneider is a professor of political science at Brown University, where he teaches constitutional law and politics. He has also been a visiting professor at Fordham Law School, The University of Chicago Law School and Harvard Law School. His writing has appeared in Time, Politico, and the New York Times. His new book is The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It.

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important passage here: "Rather than undermining the truth, free speech enables citizens to independently discover and reinforce the right solution to any contentious issue facing their communities." - John Stuart Mill

[Elias · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t what I was expecting but it was still very informative. This book is basically a collection of works that impacted our understanding of Free speech in the US. I would’ve enjoyed it more if it had some analysis or reflection on the passages themselves

[Clay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated this approachable reexamination of case history I only knew in passing. (Put it this way: I purchased copies as presents for all of the journalists on my staff.)

I also would have appreciated more context of the kind the editor puts in italics at the chapter openings. If there was some way to append the NYT books podcast featuring Corey Brettschneider, that would add color.

Glad to add it to my work bookshelf, complete with my notes in the margins.

[emme · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh government, how conflicted i am about you all the time!