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Freedom Book of the Month
Email List Archive
Free-Market.Net's Freedom Book of the Month
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Edited by Sunni Maravillosa. To join or leave this and other
lists, click to: http://www.free-market.net/features/lists/
* October, 2003: "Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression,"
by Mary J Ruwart
* Great gift ideas!
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Freedom Book of the Month for October, 2003:
"Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression"
by Mary J Ruwart
SunStar Press 2003, trade paper, 435 pp.
ISBN: 0-9632336-6-1
"Liberals just can't be brought to libertarianism." I've lost count
of how many times I've read or heard this assertion over the years.
And it's just as absurd every time I've seen it, no matter how it's
been presented.
Now, it's true that many libertarians find more common ground among
conservatives than liberals, but I know of many who've made the
transition from leftist to pro-freedom -- I even helped bring along
a chap whose grandfather was a good Soviet Communist Party member,
and whose father was an American communist. It can be difficult for
those who are more comfortable with logic and analysis to try to sway
someone who values emotions and feelings. Fortunately, freedom lovers
now have a potent weapon that ought to work well at persuading
statists of either stripe.
That weapon is Mary Ruwart's third edition of her book, "Healing Our
World in an Age of Aggression". Calling it a third edition really
doesn't do the book justice, however. It's completely reworked from
the previously published "Healing Our World", and offers an
annihilation of just about every justification for the state that's
ever been claimed. The annihilation is so thoughtful and gentle that
those swayed by emotion likely won't notice their sacred oxen being
gored. It's also so thoroughly reasoned that those persuaded by
logic will find little to quibble about.
Ruwart begins with a purely libertarian idea -- the non-aggression
principle -- and presents it as the Good Neighbor Policy. She shows
how it can be applied in the gamut of human interactions, through
cogent examples, clear text, and pointed cartoons. Sprinkled
throughout the book, my favorite cartoons are the ones that label an
individual's aggressive action as "illegal", but when the "Guns of
Government" get involved, the activity is "legal". These cartoons
ought to be digitized (if they aren't already) and widely
distributed, perhaps as a Simon Jester campaign
(http://www.simonjester.org/). Think of the lovely posters to be made
for April 15 protests ...
Organized into five sections, with headers taken from the Lord's
Prayer, "Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression" covers the
spectrum of important issues, from poverty to health care, from
fractional reserve banking to international economics and militarism.
Throughout, in clear, measured language that is neither
condescending nor dumbed down, Ruwart shows how violations of the
Good Neighbor Policy cause problems.
While the message is clearly anarchist to those familiar with the
freedom philosophy, Ruwart avoids all such scary-sounding terms and
focuses on her message: what the state does is bad. Of course, that
means that the state itself is bad, but because that's a scary idea
to those who believe government is here to help us, it's left to the
reader to make that inference. While some may fault Ruwart for
pulling back, it seems rather a very smart strategy. Not everyone
will be ready to accept that conclusion, despite its truth, and to
force an unwilling reader is to possibly close a mind.
Besides, it leaves us foot soldiers plenty of room to help
individuals see that "Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression" is
all about freedom. And that's what we ought to do. Clearly and
beautifully, Mary Ruwart puts a very human face and a positive tone
on libertarianism. Without compromising a single principle, or
muddling or backpedaling on any issue, she presents the whole of the
freedom philosophy in a way that can reach any thinking, caring
person. Although geared toward American society and laws, its message
is nonetheless applicable worldwide.
If you buy any freedom-oriented book to share with nonlibertarians in
hopes of persuading them, buy "Healing Our World in an Age of
Aggression". If Ruwart's clear, gentle prose doesn't work, the
wide-ranging quotations liberally sprinkled throughout the margins
will at least get people thinking. And, if there is any justice in
this world, Mary Ruwart will one day be recognized as the preeminent
ambassador of peace and liberty of our time.
Order "Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression" from Laissez Faire
Books:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/459277981.html, $19.95
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Great gift ideas!
Yes, I know -- it's not even Halloween, and here I am talking about
holiday gift-giving already! Blame Laissez Faire Books -- their 15%
off sale ends October 31. Concerned soul that I am, I wanted to
present a win-win-win opportunity to you. Order books through LFB by
Halloween, and you'll get that nice 15% off -- you win. Order them
through us, and we get a bit of commission to help our balance sheet
-- we win. Give them to friends, colleagues, family members -- they
win. Then we all win by helping create a freer society. Okay, so
it's win-win-win-win -- however many "wins" there are, it's a good
deal, and a great investment of your hard-earned FRNs.
All the books below are selected with gift-giving in mind, whether
for libertarians or as libertarian outreach. They span a wide
variety of areas. For your convenience in getting that LFB discount,
they're organized by book seller: LFB first, then Amazon, then
independent sellers. Old, new, fiction, nonfiction, well-known and
little-known: no tricks -- just treats.
Abbreviations: L = recommended for libertarians; O = good outreach
book for nonlibertarians; G = general audience (not specifically
outreach-oriented)
LFB BOOKS:
o FDR's Folly, by Jim Powell
A "quick and lively read" that busts the myths surrounding Franklin
D Roosevelt's economic policies. L;G; history buffs.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/494613999.html
o Terrorism and Tyranny, by James Bovard
Bovard takes on leviathan again in "perhaps his most dramatic
book". A wonderful libertarian writer strikes again! L; O.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/496844195.html
o Adventure Capitalist, by Jim Rogers
Yes, the "Investment Biker" financial analyst is at it again,
traveling the world and offering his insights in a book that reads
like an adventure tale. L; O; financial types.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/501585056.html
o The Ballad of Carl Drega, by Vin Suprynowicz
Two-time Freedom Book of the Year winner -- need I say more? L; O.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/935999773.html
o The Rule of Lawyers, by Walter K Olsen
With legal reform stalled in Congress, inciting some outrage isn't
a bad idea. L; G; legal professionals and students.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/735321289.html
o Diversity: The Invention of a Concept, by Peter Wood
Wood exposes the shell game of diversity and how it began. L; G;
historians; social science buffs.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/982473997.html
o Human Action, by Ludwig von Mises
A classic gift selection for libertarians worldwide. Leatherbound
edition makes an especially nice gift. L.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/555492444.html
o Human Action: A 50 Year Celebration, edited by Richard M Ebeling
An insightful collection of essays that would make an excellent
addition to any libertarian or Austrian economist's library. L.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/516797248.html
o The Probability Broach, by L. Neil Smith
A classic, uncompromising libertarian sci-fi classic that often
works where Rand fails. L; O.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/919566102.html
o We the Living video, based on the Ayn Rand book
Black and white, in Italian with English subtitles, it's
nonetheless a moving, beautifully done classic. L.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/522347918.html
o Miss Liberty's Guide to Film and Video, by Jon Osborne
Thorough, excellent resource for finding and evaluating films with
libertarian themes. A must for every freedom-minded film buff.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/551937721.html
AMAZON.COM BOOKS:
o Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J K Rowling
Yes, there are solid anti-state themes in this young people's book!
L; G; young people.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/84510052.html
o Economics for Real People, by Gene Callahan
Excellent intro to Austrian economics. Who knew economics could be
so lively? L; O; econ students.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/184636742.html
o Gateways, by F. Paul Wilson
Repairman Jack is back -- but out of his native element. How does
the ultimate unsubscriber handle it, as well as the inevitable
problems with The Otherness? L; O; sci-fi & horror fans.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/529188693.html
o Blood of the Roses, by Alex Gabbard
Stunning historical novel with relevant themes for today's tyranny.
L; O; WW II era historical readers.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/488282363.html
o Of Moths and Men, by Judith Hooper
An outstanding, engrossing book that reveals "the untold story of
science and the peppered moth" -- and much more. G; highly
recommended for science students and historians.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/535449347.html
o What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us, by Danielle Crittenden
Concise look at where -- and how -- modern feminism has failed
women, especially mothers. Thought provoking for libertarian and
non-libertarian feminists alike. L; G; feminists, parents,
young women.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/551921914.html
INDEPENDENT RECOMMENDATIONS:
o Innocents Betrayed, documentary produced by JPFO
JPFO's powerful documentary showing beyond any doubt how taking
firearms from individuals gives states all the power, inevitably
resulting in tyranny and bloodshed. L;O; RKBA activists.
VHS copy: http://www.free-market.net/rd/639380408.html
DVD copy: http://www.free-market.net/rd/640370437.html
o Handbook for Liberty, by Richard Rieben
Concise, excellent primer for those interested in building a freer
society. L; Free State Project members.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/985599323.html
o The State vs. the People, by Claire Wolfe and Aaron Zelman
Powerful when first published in 2001, every bit as relevant today.
L; O.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/249878584.html
o Natural Process, by Mark Edward Vande Pohl
Insider's look at environmental politicking, plus ideas on breaking
out of the corrupt process. Creative ideas and a fresh look at old
problems make this book deserving of wider attention. L; G;
environmentalists.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/841330400.html
o Fed Ed, by Allen Quist
Slim book showing how really bad the public school system is going
to get with the increasing federalization of education. L;G;
parents; teachers; education analysts.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/517934989.html
o Shattered Dreams, compiled by National Center for Public Policy
Research staff
100 stories of government abuse. Excellent outreach book. L; O.
http://www.free-market.net/rd/191302996.html
o Books by Claire Wolfe
Claire Wolfe is offering autographed books via her web site's
blog. The offer runs through 11/24 -- if the books last that long.
Get great stuff from this incomparable freedom activist. L;
activists; anarchists; unsubscribers; self-reliant types.
http://www.clairewolfe.com/blog.html
Keep doing freedom,
Sunni Maravillosa
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