Product Description

This volume examines the history of free speech, from the execution of Socrates to the writings of Milton, Voltaire and Mill and the struggles of Paine, Wilkes and Cobbett. From its infancy in ancient Athens, Hargreaves offers pen-portraits of the champions of free speech, recounting the story through the people who kept the idea of free speech alive through periods of progress, cataclysmic defeats and centuries of stagnation. His study covers ancient Greece and Rome, Renaissance and Enlightenment Europe and the United States.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #88436 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-10
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review
The first published history of free speech, from Socrates to whistleblowers, brought to life in vivid portraits of key figures by an experienced journalist. This book is essential reading for journalists and for all concerned with or interested in civil liberty.

Customer Reviews

First class
A fine attempt on such a controversial subject, the author examines the most pertinent examples of freedom of speech relating to individuals thoughout the last several thousand years of world history.There will never be agreement on freedom of speech - how far should it go? When does it become dangerous? What should be restricted? It's probably the one issue that inspired me to think for myself most at university, and one that any society that wishes to call itself enlightened and civilised must always address and readdress.
The author does a splendid job defining freedom of speech in theory, backing it up with practical examples - I was especially fascinated with his examination of St. Paul and his rights as a Roman citizen.
An excellent book, thourough and intelligently written.

About time too!
After reading histories of everything from tulips to clocks and sugar cane to fish it was a huge relief to find this book.

Lucid, intelligent, well paced - I learned more about myself and the world I live in than anything else I have read in a very long time.

Anyone interested in what it means to be human should buy and read this well written, beautifully constructed and erudite (but very readable) book

I have already given my copy away to someone else and will not begrudge having to buy another copy for myself