|
|
Freedom Book of the Month
Email List Archive
Free-Market.Net's F r e e d o m B o o k o f t h e M o n t h
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Edited by Sunni Maravillosa. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this and
other lists, click to: http://www.free-market.net/features/lists/
* Hello from the new editor * May, 2002: "The Ballad of Carl Drega,"
by Vin Suprynowicz
-----
As this is my first time at bat, I thought it might be appropriate to
tell you a bit about myself. I'm a long-time freedom activist, and like
many libertarians, an avid reader. I began writing book reviews after
friends began asking for my opinions on various books. Then I discovered
that some folks were willing to pay me for using my reviews ... and,
even better, that authors would send me review copies. With that kind of
response, I began devoting more and more time to reading and reviewing
books. I enjoy discovering new authors and interesting pro-freedom ideas,
as well as classic libertarian books.
Reviewing books is only part of what I'm doing, though. I'm involved
in several projects online, including the Liberty Round Table and Doing
Freedom! 'zine. I also host the weekly chats for ifeminists.com (Sunday
night, 9 pm Eastern time -- please join us for rousing discussions on
diverse topics). I also do a fair bit of writing, which is sprinkled
about the web.
But back to the matter at hand -- books.
As I said, I enjoy all sorts of books, and would like to bring
more information on great libertarian books to Free-Market.Net
readers. If you have ideas or suggestions, please send them to me at
bookworm@free-market.net. Thank you!
And now, on to the main event.
----- Freedom Book of the Month for May, 2002: "The Ballad of Carl
Drega" by Vin Suprynowicz Mountain Media 2002, trade paper, 684 pp.
ISBN: 0-9670259-2-3
Vin has hit another home run with "The Ballad of Carl Drega." This
powerful volume continues in the line of "Send in the Waco Killers,"
using his newspaper columns as the starting point to address various
issues in the fight for freedom in the United States. By organizing and
expanding upon those columns, Suprynowicz documents the appalling level
of state intrusion into matters beyond its rightful scope.
In the introduction, Suprynowicz addresses an editor's rejection of
his columns, in part because they're "too strident." It's a term many,
even among the freedom-loving, might apply to his writing (and one which
he takes as a compliment). I invite those who hold this view to read
his essay "How I Came to Understand the IRS" and the following essays
on the subject. They explain Suprynowicz's passion (or his "stridency,"
depending upon your view) well ... he's been lubricated and "serviced"
by the state repeatedly. He knows well the jackboots and their tactics,
which explains his absolutely uncompromising stance.
"The Ballad of Carl Drega" is divided into fifteen sections, each of which
addresses a specific topic. Among these are: 2nd amendment issues; the
abject failure of public schools; mandatory vaccination of children; the
"mean greens" and other environmental issues; 911; and taxation. While
one might think that Suprynowicz would shine more in certain areas,
it's a testament to his high level of journalistic skill and integrity
that each section is solidly presented.
The section titled "Live Free or Die: How Many More Carl Dregas?" is
perhaps the most powerful. In it he recounts the stories of Carl
Drega, Stuart Alexander, Garry Watson, Donald Scott, and others who
have been pushed too far by the busybodies. The question "how many
more Carl Dregas?" is deeper than it might first appear. Suprynowicz
is asking not just about the numbers, but how much more are those who
love liberty prepared to take before doing something about it. And,
while he makes an understated call to action, Suprynowicz makes it
clear that he isn't advocating that anyone else start shooting at the
government's thugs. Toward the end of the book, he addresses the issue
of taking action directly, with the first step being getting mad. His
implicit points are that contented people won't do much to rock the boat,
and that there's plenty to be mad about.
Vin Suprynowicz's books are eye-opening, even for libertarians. As he
says in the introduction, libertarians are the guardians of the single
candle that lights the true path to liberty. "The Ballad of Carl Drega"
is a burst of flame that ought to spark many more individuals to become
concerned about the sad state of this nation, and to do something to
reverse its current path. In the postscript, Suprynowicz vents his
frustrations that we're losing the "war for freedom." While I don't
share his pessimism, I do agree with him that too many people aren't
mad enough, aren't doing something about it. So, buy this book. Share
it with others. And do something about regaining our lost freedoms.
Order "The Ballad of Carl Drega" from TheSpiritof76.Com for $24.95:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/935999773.html
Keep doing freedom,
Sunni Maravillosa
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Please forward and copy freely, and include the following:
The Freedom Book of the Month is a feature of Free-Market.Net
http://www.free-market.net/features/bookofthemonth/
Opinions expressed are purely those of our writers and editors.
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this and other lists, click to:
http://www.free-market.net/features/lists/
To support the Book of the Month and other activities of FMN
and The Henry Hazlitt Foundation, please make a tax-deductible
donation now:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In December 2004 this page was modified significantly from its original form for archiving purposes.
, founded in 1995, is now a part of ISIL.
 |