The Discovery of Freedom: Man's Struggle Against Authority

by Rose Wilder Lane

VERY GOOD CONDITION.1972

Genres: Politics, Philosophy, History, Nonfiction, Economics, American History, Political Science

262 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1943

About the author

Rose Wilder Lane was an American writer, journalist, and political thinker whose work ranged from fiction to biography and social commentary, and who became an influential advocate of individual liberty in the twentieth century. Born to Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder, she grew up amid financial hardship and frequent moves before her family settled in Missouri, experiences that later informed both her own writing and her collaboration with her mother. As the only surviving child, she developed independence early, shaped by a frontier environment that demanded resilience, adaptability, and self-reliance in daily life and work. After completing her schooling, she worked as a telegrapher in several states, gaining practical skills and financial independence while educating herself through extensive reading and study. Her early marriage to Claire Gillette Lane was marked by instability and ended in divorce, a turning point that pushed her toward a more focused literary career and personal autonomy. She gained recognition as a journalist and editor in San Francisco, where her talent for storytelling and observation quickly brought her professional attention and opportunities. Transitioning to freelance writing, she published short stories and articles in major American magazines, building a reputation for clear, engaging prose and strong narrative voice across different genres and audiences. Her novels, including Let the Hurricane Roar and Free Land, explored pioneer life and drew heavily on her family’s experiences, blending historical detail with fictional storytelling in a compelling and accessible manner. Lane also played a significant role in shaping and editing her mother’s Little House series, helping transform early drafts into widely successful books that reached generations of readers worldwide. Alongside her literary career, she developed a strong interest in political philosophy, becoming associated with the libertarian movement and emphasizing individual freedom, limited government, and personal responsibility as core principles. Her book The Discovery of Freedom articulated many of these ideas and became a key text in libertarian thought and discourse. Lane traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, often working with humanitarian organizations and observing social and political conditions firsthand in diverse cultural contexts. She maintained a wide network of intellectual and literary contacts, engaging with prominent writers, thinkers, and public figures of her time in ongoing dialogue and exchange of ideas. Known for her independence and strong convictions, she often chose a simple, self-sufficient lifestyle despite periods of financial success and public recognition. In her later years, she continued writing, lecturing, and mentoring younger thinkers, remaining an active and sometimes controversial voice in debates about freedom, society, and the role of the individual in modern life.

Reviews

[Patrick Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sept. 12, 2017:
Listened to most of the book again over the last week or so and loved it just as much, perhaps more, than I did before. What a wonderful book. There are flaws, for sure, as the introductions make clear, but the overall theme and many, many, probably most of her points backing up the theme are very solid. Highly recommended.

March 27, 2017:
I actually listened to the audiobook version of this edition from Laissez Faire Books. The main narrator was Jeff Riggenbach. The Preface by Jeff Tucker and the Foreword by Wendy McElroy were read by two other people, not identified.

The book was wonderful. The reading, especially by Jeff Riggenbach was superb.
I can certainly see how Rose Wilder Lane herself described her writing it in a "white heat." The passion comes through, loud and clear, and is super impressive.

I had previously read in the 1980s Lane's pamphlet "Give me Liberty" and liked it, but did not think it was great. I had read Henry Grady Weaver's "The Mainspring of Human Progress" (published by FEE.org), based on "The Discovery of Freedom" and liked that too. Many libertarians, including Roy Childs had urged me to read "The Discovery of Freedom" too, and I think I even had a paperback copy at some point. But I always had too many books to read for my limited time. What got me over the hump on this, was the fact that it was an audiobook - I popped the USB memory stick with the MP3 file into my vehicle's radio and away it played. I was able to enjoy it in just a few days over the last couple weeks.

Time is short, so just a few highlights:
1. The book is passionate, but beautifully written. Lane can really tell a story, and she tells many to highlight and persuade the reader about her main theme - Freedom is the key to humankind's progress.

2. The stories of how government regulations waste precious human time and energy are classic. The examples from France, on retailing paperwork requirements and purchasing of a spool of thread and autos, made me think - how stupid could they get? but then I rethought for a second, and decided, we just need to document some of the many ways the government in the US has started to do these same idiotic things, and perhaps we can actually get rid of a few of them. The mounting paperwork, legal mumbo-jumbo and passing of the buck is just getting to be overwhelming to initiative and enterprise and solving life's basic problems. Loved this little phrase she used to describe the French obedience to the regs: "The French people were as loyal as sunflowers drying in a draught." Are the American people following the same politically correct path?

3. Her grasp and powerful retelling of important historical episodes, epochs, and lessons are priceless. That is not to say I agree with all she says. I think she is wrong in some particular respects. But if you don't know about what she explains, you will be enriched. In particular, if you think that the tradition of Islam is without merit, you just don't know your history. Her recounting of the amazing civilization of the Saracens is breathtaking. I remembered this from "The Mainspring of Human Progress" so was prepared... but only to some extent. Don't miss this section, and references throughout the rest of the book too.

4. Enjoyed her section on education in the US, just before the final summary - especially her contrasting the early free period vs. the later German influenced, compulsory stage and it's effects. The US has been hurt badly by the change and it is showing in spades.

5. Her whole attitude toward the importance of freedom is so refreshing and uplifting.

What a marvelous book. Highly recommended.

[Daniel Villines · Rating 1 out of 5]

The idea put forward by Rose Wilder Lane has merit. I think most people would agree that limited government interference in one's life leads to an increased ability to survive and thrive in this world. It's and idea that acknowledges that government cannot understand any one person's individual needs so laws and regulations that try to shape the behaviors and actions of an individual are generally a bad thing. Had Lane simply presented this idea, its successes and its failures, there would have probably been widespread acceptance of her book.

But Lane passionately and desperately tries to prove this idea in the extreme, which is something that cannot be proven. Present this idea to a dozen people and a spectrum of replies will be received in return. Complicate the presentation with a specific example and those replies will change. There is no correct opinion beyond the mind of any individual and the specific case being considered.

In spite of this reality, Lane presses ahead with her efforts and departs from reason. First, she defines all individuals that disagree with her as having a single spiritual flaw: a deep seeded religious faith in their respective Old World Governments (and the word Government is purposely capitalized throughout the book as an allusion to God). After profiling all those in opposition to her as religious devotees, her writing focuses on affecting their enlightenment through education.

Lane's educational curriculum is comprised of arguments consisting of half-truths, over-simplifications, and mistruths to support her points. She dwells extensively on examples where she presents elements that are supportive to her assertions while completely ignoring relevant elements to the contrary. American history, European history, and the history of the Middle-East are all subjects that are cherry-picked and shaped by Lane.

The Discovery of Freedom was published in 1943 and leaders of the time used similar methods to educate their citizens with their own versions of the truth. Roosevelt used fireside chats, Hitler used his grand assemblies, and Churchill used his oratory skills. Lane's methods are in keeping with the times. The book rings of classic propaganda served up for acceptance as the truth as long as no questions are asked.

This propagandistic style creates significant problems for the book. While Lane wants people to abandon their presumed religious beliefs in their Government, it becomes apparent that she is perfectly willing to accept a faith-based conversion to her point of view and to have the newly converted pre-programmed with her spoon-fed Truths. This approach implies Lane's lack of trust in those that would be converted and by extension, a lack of trust, by Lane, in her own idea. After all, an idea that is true should be able to withstand evidence to the contrary.

As a consequence, The Discovery of Freedom reads with a continuous undertone of skepticism and Lane's credibility as an educator continuously evaporates along the way. There are passages that contradict earlier discussions. For instance, Lane asserts that individual voting for the president of the United States and our senators is a dangerous thing; that US citizens should have a religious faith in the Electoral College delegates and senators that would be appointed by State governments if it were not for the Seventeenth Amendment. The universal flaw used by Lane against her opponents finally becomes a quality that should be embraced by true believers in the original US Constitution and the government it formed. The irony runs deep.

The best part of this version of The Discovery of Freedom is the foreword. I have to give its writer, Windy McElroy, and the publisher credit for not editing out Lane's own opinions regarding The Discovery of Freedom. During Lane's lifetime, only the initial run of 1,000 copies was published and she would not allow a second printing. In her words, Lane said, "It's a very bad book. I ought to know. I wrote it." And I happen to agree.

[Zinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t give this book a 5 only because if wasn’t polished, which I believe is the same complaint Laura Wilder Lane has.

This book really lays it out in black and white, in clear descriptions, of why nations are cursed with poverty and stagnation, or prosper and flourish. The “Old World” believed that people needed authority to exist and that government is the great human parent that grants permissions and takes care of people. The “New World” exposed that belief as a lie. Individuals do not need permissions from government and governments do not and cannot provide for people. Individuals are the source of energy who convert raw materials into goods and services. Government is only a parasite that feeds off of individuals’ wealth and then uses force to inhibit individual energies.

As the Declaration of Independence teaches, governments are created by the people with the sole purpose to protect individual rights. Anything more or less than this cometh of evil.

I worry that many Americans want to revert back to the old world by looking to government as the great provider and sacrificing their freedoms and liberties while worshiping the almighty state. Just look at the people we elect (republicans or democrats)!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were so many moments I wanted to leap online and give this book 5 stars as a high-five, so many times I looked around for paper to jot down a great quote or insight. It was like an entire book expanding on one of my favorite book quotes, from Robert Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, about how the state and society don't exist, save as the manifestation of the acts of responsible individuals, with whom responsibility and blame must solely lie. Despite having internalized this already, Rose Wilder Lane had so many interesting parallels to draw that had never occurred to me, applied it to so many areas of life. Her personal experience with European culture, something I don't have, was very interesting and valuable to me, even if I know I can't verify her impressions for myself.

I just couldn't give the book 5 stars in the end, though. I would totally recommend it, it was entertaining and insightful and made so many great points. However, I couldn't help but see what the foreword explained the author herself saw, and I think it does keep it from being unreservedly awesome. It was prone to hyperbole to the point you started to mistrust how much the author really looked into a particular historical example. The historical examples were sometimes so short, and analysis as well, that I couldn't help but feel important info was being omitted, which was even more confusing when pages and pages would be devoted to a single person's story of a single venture, as opposed to expanding on the hundreds of years generalized about before. I sympathize, and I caught myself getting caught up in the pace and emotion of a chapter for expressing so powerfully something I felt, but then it would flag, and I'd sort of sheepishly cool off and lament that this would probably not affect someone who didn't already "know that human energy cannot be controlled," as she would often say :).

Still a really great book. It was inspirational at times in optimism and awe at the course of history, frightening at other times when pointing out fragility and so many examples of failure, and just really fun to read. I'll definitely have to go back and grab some quotes in a second reading.

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm excited to be reading this book! Rose Wilder Lane was the daughter of Laura Ingals Wilder! Rose was leaning toward socialism at one point in her life. Then went Europe as a writer for the Red Cross just after World War I and had quite the Paradigm shift! Very excited to read it all!!!!

[Sean Rosenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Quotes:

"Men in office do not use their energy productively; that is not their function. Their function is to use human energy as force to stop the uses of human energy that a majority does not approve, or at least does not defend. Men in government must take the wealth they consumer, from the wealth that productive men create."

-Rose Wilder Lane, the Discovery of Freedom


"From Sultan to slave, every good Moslem lived in submission to the Unknowable, as Spartans submitted to the Law of Lycurgus, as savages submit to tabu, as communists and fascists and nazis submit to The Party, and as some Americans believe that individuals should and must submit to an enforced Social Good, to the Will of the Majority, to a Planned Economy, to many other pagan gods that do not exist."

-Rose Wilder Lane, the Discovery of Freedom

"Anyone who says that economic security is a human right, has been to much babied. While he babbles, other men are risking and losing their lives to protect him. They are fighting the sea, fighting the land, fighting disease and insects and weather and space and time, for him, while he chatters that all men have a right to security and that some pagan god -- Society, The State, The Government, The Commune -- must give it to them. Let the fighting men stop fighting this inhuman earth for one hour, and he will learn how much security there is."

-Rose Wilder Lane, The Discovery of Freedom

[Motherhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the quintessential work on the origins and nature of freedom, of the split between American and European thinking on government and liberty. If you’ve read Mainspring of Human Progress, The Five Thousand Year Leap or anything else on American government or freedom you need to forget them and read this foundational book (exceptions: Constitution, Declaration and Federalist Papers) then build back up again with the other stuff.
The genius of this work is the soil it grew out of; Lane represents everything that is wonderful about America, she is the fruit of the pilgrim, revolutionary and pioneer heritage. Rose and this book could never have been without the independent spirit, the integrity, the rugged frontier fierceness of our forefathers and she knows it and she lays it out principle by principle in the most brilliant and passionate writing. After you’ve read this book you’ll view our collective American history and the true nature of the American with more clarity and true pride without all that false ego-centered sentimental patriotism.
I have read this book several times and refer to it again and again, it is the most important non-fiction non-scriptural book you can read.
Sarah McIlrath

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose Wilder Lane, where have you been all my life?! What a great read, and one that somehow doesn't roll off every tongue when it comes to works on freedom and liberty. Like her contemporary, Isabel Paterson, she focuses on the topic of energy in terms of human energy. However, Lane is much more entertaining and accessible, whereas Paterson's genius makes her harder for casual readers to follow. All humans are free and humans must live in a community, a brotherhood, in order to harness their energy to the maximum extent. For those who fail to recognize both of these truths, they condemn themselves and/or their fellows to a lifetime of poverty and minuscule, if any, material progress.

Lane focuses on the unbelievable human progress made from around the time of the American Revolution until she was writing, and contrasted it with the whole rest of human history. She even contrasted the already high standard of living in the United States with the lagging one in Western Europe, not to mention the rest of the world. In this, she is very like Deirdre McCloskey, especially in tracing the pivotal difference being the liberty that allowed those who made this unprecedented progress.

Lane gets into some tangents not necessarily helpful to her main thesis, though these also are not harmful to her main point. For instance, she indicates that something controls all energy, then immediately gives out that what controls the energy of everything but humans is unknown. A bit like John Maynard Keynes ascribing the source of economic activity to unknown "animal spirits." Unlike Keynes though, Lane's inability to talk about other energies is quite unconnected to the thrust of her argument over the fact that only an individual can control his or her own energy and a third party can only try to block, discourage, or clumsily redirect the energy of others, and their inability to do better will only result in the piling on of further energy and resources to increase the force to achieve the desired (but unattainable) outcome.

Lane describes that the belief that life is a zero-sum game is pagan religion in authority that has had few heretics speaking out against it. Her description of Islamic relative freedom and tolerance was reasonably accurate for its early period, but the way she stretches it out over the course of the whole history of Islamic empire falls victim to the Andalusian myth and would do well to check Bat Ye'or's brilliant trilogy on Dhimmis and Dhimmitude. Further, she is unable to describe why the Islamic empire suddenly declined and was conquered by relatively less free outsiders. If she had understood that liberty did not fare well over the long haul, as it seldom does, it would not have seemed so inexplicable. This is a lesson we would do well to study closely in our own era of growing government and shrinking liberty--McCloskey's look at the self-destruction of Dutch liberty tracks well with this devolution story as well. In principle, at least, Lane recognizes this truth, "Responsibility-evading citizens in this Republic, if they become numerous enough, can wreck the Republic, the Revolution, and the whole modern world. But not one of them can evade responsibility. Each one will be responsible." (p 194)

Lane gives the impression that she is sympathetic to full-on Anarchism by virtue of many of her comments elsewhere, but she turns out to be realistic about the human condition: "It [force] is necessary because--to date, and perhaps forever--a few men stupidly use force to injure others, and nothing but force will stop them." (p 28)

Lane is a good and compelling writer. Her few minor flaws present no obstruction to her main ideas. For those interested in the human condition, in freedom (or its alternatives), or an entertaining and no-holds-barred view of the world, this is an excellent read. I would strongly recommend it to anyone.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ‘CLASSIC’ IN MODERN AMERICAN ‘INDIVIDUALIST’ THOUGHT

Roger Lea MacBride’s Introduction to the 1984 edition of this 1943 book, “This is a revolutionary work. It picks up and develops the individualistic aspects of … American political thought… [This book] was first published during the Second World War. Rose Wilder Lane told me that the publishers made no effort to promote the book… Nonetheless, the book DID circulate, often dog-eared copies passed from hand to hand and DID influence many people. Along with Ayn Rand’s different approach to the basis of freedom, it was the seminal force creating the current wide trend toward individualistic views in America… As the years went by, Rose told me many times that she found more and more ‘mistakes’ in [the book]. She recalled: ‘I said that ownership is a civil right, without seeing that I was contradicting myself.’ There aren’t many errors of that order of importance: most of those she deplored are minor indeed.”

Author Rose Wilder Lane wrote in the introductory chapter, “The control of human energy is individual control. An individual’s desire to achieve some aim is the stimulus that generates human energy. The individual controls that energy. He always controls if in accordance with his personal view of the desirable, the good. In other words: Every person acts on a basis of his religious faith. (I am not discussing religions. My interest is wholly in the unprecedented effectiveness of human energy in protecting and enriching human life, in these United States during the past century.) Consciousness itself is an act of faith. No one can prove that he exists…” (Pg. xiii) She continues, “You can not think, without faith that you exist and faith that a standard of value, a God, exists in the universe. Of course, millions do not believe that Jehovah exists, or Jupiter or Brahma or Allah or Christ. It is always possible not to believe in any God in whom other men believe. But it is impossible not to believe in God. The human mind will not work without a standard of value.” (Pg. xiv)

She observes, “The planned economy’s invariable destruction of the Government that tries to enforce it, is an almost fatal result, because Government is necessary. The human race is not yet so intelligent that all men can work together with no use of force to protect them from each other. So far, men have never been able to begin a civilization without first handing their guns to a policeman.” (Pg. 41)

She states, “Men in public office do not use their energy productively; that is not their function. Their function is to use human energy as force to stop the uses of human energy that a majority does not approve, or at least does not defend. Men in Government must take the wealth they consume, from the wealth that productive men create. The important question is, What amount can they take SAFELY?” (Pg..52)

She asserts, “The form of the Government makes no difference. Whether the ruler is a majority as in Greek democracy, or a King of a dictator or elected members of Parliament, if men in Government use the force that IS Government in an attempt to control human energy, one result is war.” (Pg. 64)

She argues, “The basis of all this thinking is ignorance of creative energy; it is ignorance of the real nature of human beings; it is the ancient, pagan superstition that Authority controls a static, limited universe… Yet they keep on trying, because individuals control human energy in accordance with their religious faith, whatever it may be. And belief in Authority controlling a fixed, limited, changeless universe is the pagan tradition. If this belief were true, than a human world controlled by some kind of human Authority would work. Then such a world would have worked, at least once, at least fairly well, during six thousand years of efforts to make it work. If it does not work, for the same reason that a perpetual-motion machine will not work, because the attempt to make it work is based on a false belief, and not on fact.” (Pg. 140-141)

She says, “Liberty is inalienable. I can not transfer my responsibility to an Authority that grants them ‘freedoms.’ Implicit in that plural is the belief that individuals are not free, that adult men and women must be controlled and cared for… they are naturally dependent and naturally obedient to an Authority that is responsible for their acts and their welfare.” (Pg. 150)

She notes, “The American Revolution had no leader. Hundreds of thousands of men and women who lived and died unknown to anyone but their neighbors, and now are completely forgotten, began the third attempt to create conditions in which human beings can use their natural freedom.’ (Pg. 158) Later, she adds, “If Americans ever forget that American Government is not permitted to restrain or coerce any peaceful individual without his free consent, if Americans ever regard their use of their natural liberty as granted to them by the men in Washington… then this third attempt to establish the exercise of human rights on earth is ended.” (Pg. 189)

She states, “The People does not exist. Individual persons compose any group of persons. So in practice, any attempt to establish democracy is an attempt to make a majority of persons in a group act as the ruler of that group.” (Pg. 178)

She admits, “The right to own property is not an inalienable natural right, as life and liberty are. It is a legal right, absolutely essential to an individual’s exercise of his natural rights.” (Pg. 182)

She argues, “Everything that an American values, his property, his home, his life, his children’s future, depends upon his keeping clear in his mind the revolutionary basis of the Republic. This revolutionary basis is recognition of the fact that human rights are natural rights, born in every human being with his life, and inseparable from his life; not rights and freedoms that can be granted by any power on earth.” (Pg. 190)

She says, “Government is a group of men who have the monopoly of the use of force. But since, as individuals, they are no stronger than anyone else, they hold their monopoly of force only by general consent. All Government derives its power from the consent of the governed.” (Pg. 201) She asserts, “The value of a legal right is wholly in its protecting individuals from Government’s use of force.” (Pg. 205)

She also suggests, “why does anyone suppose that a majority of citizens SHOULD control their Government? No one imagines that a majority of passengers should control a plane. No one assumes that, by majority vote, the patients, nurses, elevator boys and cooks and ambulance drivers and interns and telephone operators and students and scrub-women in a hospital should control the hospital.” (Pg> 207)

She states, “the only way in which Government’s use of force can protect any man’s economic welfare---by preventing other men’s economic activities; that is, by stopping economic progress.” (Pg. 234)

She observes, “Human beings want free, unprotected monopolies, or they would not create them. Individual Americans created the one telephone service in many cities in this country, buy deserting many telephone companies. At the same time, Americans support some sixty thousand independent telephone companies in these States, for American Government is the only Government that does not hold a monopoly of telephone service.” (Pg. 244)

She concludes, “Win this war? Of course Americans will win this war. This is only a war; there is more than that. Five generations of Americans have led the Revolution, and the time is coming when Americans will set this whole world free.” (Pg. 262)

This book will appeal to individualists, Objectivists, some Libertarians, and similar types of persons.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly expansive view of human history and the role of individuals who know they are free. The text written in 1943 is shockingly salient to prevalent attitudes in the 21st century. Lane describes eloquently how knowing individuals act responsibly with their freedom vs. the rest of humanity who erroneously believe they are dependent subjects to some superior authority (government, state, tribal leaders) and act only on orders.

Lane promotes the truth of the brotherhood of all humanity and the foundational equality in all groups, but asserts that the human cooperation necessary to survive, develop, and improve civilization originates with the energy of the individual. Only the individual can choose to act.

She also rightly criticizes the violent state as the originator of war. She claims that America is unique in limiting government powers rather than allowing government to limit individual freedom. And this difference has lead to the unprecedented growth and improvement.

Her representative stories from history to highlight how the knowledge of freedom improved the world were a bright surprise. I really enjoyed her perspective and insight into human history.

Favorite quotes from "The Third Attempt"
"In trying to make any other person responsible for his welfare, he must try to transfer his control of himself to that other man, for control and responsibility can not be separated."

"In demanding that men in Government be responsible for his welfare, a citizen is demanding control of his affairs by men whose only power is the use of force."

"Responsibility-evading citizens in this Republic, if they become numerous enough, can wreck the Republic, the Revolution, and the whole modern world."

[Jacquelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book's telling of early history even if her sources aren't cited, and her summaries are questionable.

In fact, I enjoyed right up until she declares feudalism to be the perfection of human society (not a direct quote, I'm paraphrasing). I honestly thought she was saying this ironically or sarcastically, that she was about to rip it apart in the next chapter. But she never does. She was serious. She then praises wealthy [English] gentlemen landowners as being the guardians of the people. As a continuation of feudalism, but run by 'gentlemen' as established by her beloved 'Saracens'. Landowners, who didn't have to earn their wealth, but are lords by virtue of their birth. And they should be responsible for governing the general public? She clearly isn't pro-meritocracy or truly anti-government. She was writing as simply pro-Aristocracy.

I find her apparent disconnect with her own family history (Laura Ingalls Wilder was her mother) fascinating. She came from a frontier farming family yet she extolls the virtues of being ruled/directed/governed by upper classes. And unlike Ayn Rand, she made little to no mention of/allusion to social mobility based on ones own ability. This was no 'rise from the ashes to greatness' work. This was about working hard and letting the 'educated gentlemen' make the calls. It says nothing of becoming one of the 'educated gentlemen' class.

[AngieA Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a challenging read. I learned a lot of history and found myself uncomfortable in places. Women didn't want the vote? Hmmm. I read this book for two reasons; the author, Rose Wilder Lane, is the daughter (and collaborator) of Laura Ingalls Wilder of "Little House" fame and I had only read one other thing she had written, a history of needle work for Woman's Day Magazine. I wish I still had that book. She compiled and published this in 1943 during WWII so she mentions Hitler fairly often along with Mussolini and Stalin. The biggest take away for me is how we as Americans seem to be falling into the void that was the death knell of other democracies. Nationalism. Protectionism. People expecting more from the government than it was designed to give. Her prose, according to the back cover, is "stark and strong." I agree. This book had "a huge impact on American libertarian thought in the 20th Century." I do not know a lot about Libertarian politics so I thought this would lay some groundwork. And it did. It certainly left me thinking. The last paragraph: "Win this war? Of course Americans will win this war. This is only a war; there is more than that. Five generations of Americans have led the Revolution, and the time is coming when Americans will set this whole world free."

[Dan Griswold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved and identified with the spirit of this book. I know it's been a kind of libertarian classic. My main issue is that I don't have full confidence in Lane's factual analysis in certain sections. For example, she blames the Civil War on disputes about tariffs, when trade historians such as Douglas Irwin document that tariffs came down significantly after the 1830s and were not a major source of conflict between the North and South on the eve of the war. Amazingly, Lane says nothing about slavery as a cause of the war. She also dismisses the great British statesman Edmund Burke as "an orator and crook." And count me skeptical that the prophet Mohammed belongs in the pantheon of those who championed the universal freedom and dignity of the individual. The book may be worth reading today as a reminder of the constructive energy that the free market unleashes when people are left free of government control, but I would recommend other books before this one.

[Hank Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book 5 stars at several points, the majority of the final chapter is stellar. However the idea of unlimited human energy (always more and faster) has dramatically changed since the book’s publication and we are facing many of the environmental and health side effects. I do agree with much of the premise but their needs to be a way to add a tempering of immediate success in favor of long term success, as this seems to be the root of many modern problems. If individuals were able to forego an immediate short term gain for a sustainable long term improvement, we could do away with many of the downsides, though most ways of achieving or creating an incentive for this involve granting government far to much ‘Authority’. Perhaps it will simply take a market crash to make us aware of how these problematic short term gains are in reality shooting the golden goose…

[Paul Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 152 pages or so drag a bit, but they are often informative and certainly lay the groundwork for the rest of the book; from "The Third Attempt" on it becomes a very enjoyable and enlightening read. Some might find it amazing how something published in 1943 remains still abundantly relevant over 80 years later, but for those who share the ideology it represents the prophetic nature of such is not all that surprising. Putting all that aside, the author writes with an intelligent yet casual style, at times appearing as though she's written a personal letter to you the reader, and I think even those who might not entirely agree with her conclusions might find this one worth their time.

[Andrew Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

While some of the conclusions drawn may perhaps be overly hasty and general...the basic premise is sound. And it's a revolutionary one. This book is going to be required reading for my (homeschooled) children, and I wish every American, particularly those currently in power in Washington, could be persuaded to read it thoroughly.

[Angel Werth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 - takes a simple theme in support of liberty and examines it from historic and philosophic angles. Too mystical, not always well-argues or evidenced, and a bit loose with the history side, but nevertheless brings out some important points about liberty/politics

[Thomas Walker-Werth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, an excellent case for a free society, albeit lacking in evidence at times and rather too kind to religion.

[Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading ... if flawed. The book appears to me to be a collection of essays that are collected without sufficient editorial oversight to make them read more as one work. There is an awkward repetition and lack of coherent organization that makes it somewhat off-putting if taken as one long read, but when treated as many shorter works, most of the segments are, in themselves, profound. The author was a journalist (and a novelist) so there are no citations for her warrants, making it hard to take some of her assertions (mainly historical) too seriously without independent research, but her reasoning in the book is remarkable.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not a perfect book (it could have used a little more aggressive editor) this book was an excellent reminder of where freedom and human rights come from, as well as the role government plays in both defending and infringing upon those rights. Plus, it came as a pleasant surprise that anything good could come from Little House On The Prairie. Yes, Rose Wilder Lane is baby Rose from Little House On The Prairie, half pint's daughter. I would recommend this books to friends and family.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive argument for human freedom and a compelling frame in which to view the world and society's history. I would give it five star but some of the nuts and bolts of the history is incorrect and years later the author recognized this and she actually regretted the work. However this absolutely does not take away from the message and the beautiful delivery.

[Chuck Russo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but not one of the best of its kind.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Less government, not more!

[David Lapham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this book and Rose Wilder Lane was better known. This book articulated the reasoning behind us who are liberty minded.

[Craig Bolton]

The Discovery of Freedom: Man's Struggle Against Authority by Rose Wilder Lane (1993)

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very slow start and almost gave up half way through. I am very glad I perservered! The second half is wonderful, insightful and spooky with how accurate it is looking at today.

[Brian Ogstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book written in 1943(?) detailing mans struggle against authority... in essence, the same story Larken Rose tells in The Most Dangerous Superstition.