Professional Review of The Path to Tyranny at The LL Book Review
http://llbookreview.com/2010/09/revie...
By Shannon Yarbrough on September 11, 2010
I’ve said it before in other historical or nonfiction books I’ve reviewed here: I was not a fan of history class back in school, and I blame the bland teachers who doubled as coaches and only taught history because they had to teach something besides kick ball. History was boring to me thanks to those boring teachers. But I have authors like Michael E. Newton to thank for bringing me back to the fold. If you are not a fan of historical nonfiction, I absolutely beg you to pick up his book and at least give it a try. I have only two words to describe it: Brilliant and Intelligent!
First, I had an idea what tyranny was and I admit I almost looked it up before I started to read Mr. Newton’s book. I assumed his book was written for a specific group of people who should probably already be well versed in the subject. I was wrong. Tyranny is defined right on page 4, and Newton doesn’t use “over your head” terms that you’ll find yourself going glassy eyed over. In fact, the text is laced with infamous quotes from George Santayana (“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”) to James Madison (“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”) which help you become quite comfortable with the material. Newton draws you and obviously knows how to relate to his reader. A sign of a good teacher, perhaps? As for that definition of tyranny:
The word comes from the ancient Greek tyrannos, meaning “absolute ruler.” With time, the definition of tyrannos changed from “absolute ruler” to “illegitimate, cruel, and oppressive ruler.” Today, the dictionary definition of tyrant is “an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution” and tyranny is “oppressive power” especially as “exerted by government.”
Still too much to wrap your head around? Don’t worry. From there, Newton spends a chapter each on Ancient Greece, Ancient Israel, Ancient Rome, Communist Russia, Fascist Italy, and even Nazi Germany explaining how each free society descended into tyranny. Newton ultimately ends with the United States and the jagged path they may just be leading us in the same direction. Readers will be shocked but informed at the evidence of our destiny, which is actually already happening right in the headlines. We’ve just been too blind to see it. But we aren’t necessarily the ones to blame.
Newton stretches all the way back to our forefathers and the signing of the constitution. The taste of wealth and freedom has shielded our eyes from the same demise that all of the other societies mentioned in the book eventually met, so this descent has been slow going, but has happened throughout our history. Newton even sites examples of when tyranny isn’t such a bad thing, but ultimately a single leader even gets greedy.
Newton’s book is impressive on all accounts. It’s solid – inside and out. The book’s cover is beautiful and eye catching. Although it only contains 8 lengthy chapters, each is informative and not a page is wasted. Newton had my full attention throughout. And while Newton does lightly input his own opinions throughout the text, his facts are in plain sight. The citations and bibliography sections in the back of the book take up an impressive 40 pages! Newton did his homework. This is another book I’m going to call the attention of other indie authors to – buy Newton’s book for a reference on how self-publishing should be done!
His solution to our problem is limited to just two pages in the last chapter on the U.S. And it’s quite simple. I won’t reveal it here because I don’t want to ruin the book for readers, but this is not a how-to-get-out-of-tyranny book anyway. Newton just peels back the layers of history – the pop quiz questions on who fought who – and shows us what the world’s history sadly had in common, and that in the end, as a country we are no different. With politics and “change” all over the news lately, Newton’s book is for the voter. Yes, it’s a wake up call. It’s informative. And it encourages us to use the two freedoms we’ve fought the most for: the right to vote and the right to speak.
History buffs, political junkies, conspiracy theorists, or just those who enjoy a good nonfiction read or like to be informed – there’s a little bit of everything for everyone here. Ten years ago I wouldn’t have thought twice about this book. But in today’s society, today’s economy, today’s America, this is a book that I will be suggesting for a long time to come. If you loved history back in the day, or even if you hated it, Newton’s book will astound you and open the eyes of the student inside all over again.
By Shannon Yarbrough on September 11, 2010
I’ve said it before in other historical or nonfiction books I’ve reviewed here: I was not a fan of history class back in school, and I blame the bland teachers who doubled as coaches and only taught history because they had to teach something besides kick ball. History was boring to me thanks to those boring teachers. But I have authors like Michael E. Newton to thank for bringing me back to the fold. If you are not a fan of historical nonfiction, I absolutely beg you to pick up his book and at least give it a try. I have only two words to describe it: Brilliant and Intelligent!
First, I had an idea what tyranny was and I admit I almost looked it up before I started to read Mr. Newton’s book. I assumed his book was written for a specific group of people who should probably already be well versed in the subject. I was wrong. Tyranny is defined right on page 4, and Newton doesn’t use “over your head” terms that you’ll find yourself going glassy eyed over. In fact, the text is laced with infamous quotes from George Santayana (“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”) to James Madison (“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”) which help you become quite comfortable with the material. Newton draws you and obviously knows how to relate to his reader. A sign of a good teacher, perhaps? As for that definition of tyranny:
The word comes from the ancient Greek tyrannos, meaning “absolute ruler.” With time, the definition of tyrannos changed from “absolute ruler” to “illegitimate, cruel, and oppressive ruler.” Today, the dictionary definition of tyrant is “an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution” and tyranny is “oppressive power” especially as “exerted by government.”
Still too much to wrap your head around? Don’t worry. From there, Newton spends a chapter each on Ancient Greece, Ancient Israel, Ancient Rome, Communist Russia, Fascist Italy, and even Nazi Germany explaining how each free society descended into tyranny. Newton ultimately ends with the United States and the jagged path they may just be leading us in the same direction. Readers will be shocked but informed at the evidence of our destiny, which is actually already happening right in the headlines. We’ve just been too blind to see it. But we aren’t necessarily the ones to blame.
Newton stretches all the way back to our forefathers and the signing of the constitution. The taste of wealth and freedom has shielded our eyes from the same demise that all of the other societies mentioned in the book eventually met, so this descent has been slow going, but has happened throughout our history. Newton even sites examples of when tyranny isn’t such a bad thing, but ultimately a single leader even gets greedy.
Newton’s book is impressive on all accounts. It’s solid – inside and out. The book’s cover is beautiful and eye catching. Although it only contains 8 lengthy chapters, each is informative and not a page is wasted. Newton had my full attention throughout. And while Newton does lightly input his own opinions throughout the text, his facts are in plain sight. The citations and bibliography sections in the back of the book take up an impressive 40 pages! Newton did his homework. This is another book I’m going to call the attention of other indie authors to – buy Newton’s book for a reference on how self-publishing should be done!
His solution to our problem is limited to just two pages in the last chapter on the U.S. And it’s quite simple. I won’t reveal it here because I don’t want to ruin the book for readers, but this is not a how-to-get-out-of-tyranny book anyway. Newton just peels back the layers of history – the pop quiz questions on who fought who – and shows us what the world’s history sadly had in common, and that in the end, as a country we are no different. With politics and “change” all over the news lately, Newton’s book is for the voter. Yes, it’s a wake up call. It’s informative. And it encourages us to use the two freedoms we’ve fought the most for: the right to vote and the right to speak.
History buffs, political junkies, conspiracy theorists, or just those who enjoy a good nonfiction read or like to be informed – there’s a little bit of everything for everyone here. Ten years ago I wouldn’t have thought twice about this book. But in today’s society, today’s economy, today’s America, this is a book that I will be suggesting for a long time to come. If you loved history back in the day, or even if you hated it, Newton’s book will astound you and open the eyes of the student inside all over again.
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