Why Liberty: Personal Journeys Toward Peace & Freedom

by Marc Guttman (Editor)

All across the world individuals have learned that only by interacting peacefully can we achieve a more harmonious, prosperous, healthy and tolerant society. To these ends millions have optimistically involved themselves in a global liberty movement. These libertarians, while seeing the promotion of individual rights a worthwhile goal in itself, also believe that a free society is a universally beneficial one. Consider the stories of the diverse contributors who share with you the reasons that they were convinced to embrace freedom and the idea that men and women should govern themselves. Fifty-five authors from fifteen countries collaborate in this venture. Included are philosophers and physicians, economists and judges, military officers and environmentalists, police officers and soccer moms, lawyers and small business owners. You can read about the paths to understanding of people like well-known journalist John Stossel or Susette Kelo who fought all the way to the Supreme Court to try to keep her home from being confiscated and delivered to a private business. From Africa, from behind what was the Iron Curtain, Europe, Asia and Africa, and North, Central and South America there are dozens of tales of why these diverse people came to similar freedom is best for all.

398 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Marc Guttman · Rating 5 out of 5]

All across the world individuals have learned that only by interacting peacefully can we achieve a more harmonious, prosperous, healthy and tolerant society. To these ends millions have optimistically involved themselves in a global liberty movement.

These libertarians, while seeing the promotion of individual rights a worthwhile goal in itself, also believe that a free society is a universally beneficial one. Consider the stories of the diverse contributors who share with you the reasons that they were convinced to embrace freedom and the idea that men and women should govern themselves. These contributors are from many corners of the world and from different walks of life. You will find their personal experiences mind-opening, illustrative, and entertaining.

In this collaboration you will find the personal journeys of fifty five individuals from fifteen countries. Included are philosophers and physicians, economists and judges, military officers and environmentalists, police officers and soccer moms, lawyers and small business owners. You can read about the paths to understanding of people like well-known journalist John Stossel or Susette Kelo who fought all the way to the Supreme Court to try to keep her home from being confiscated and delivered to a private business. From Africa, from behind what was the Iron Curtain, Europe, Asia, and North, Central and South America there are dozens of tales about why these diverse people came to similar conclusions: freedom is best for all.

[Wilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for several reasons, not the least of which is that I am in it! Despite all that, the book has one small disadvantage. It is long. While reading the personal stories of fellow libertarians is often thrilling, and more-often-than-not educational, after reading 52 mini-autobiographies, one can get a little winded. Still, I would recommend this book unreservedly as a way to witness the breadth of libertarian backgrounds. I would not, unfortunately, expect these stories to change any minds. As more than one of the contributors noted, free market thinkers are, for lack of a better term, somewhat "mutants" in even the U.S. society.