Liberty Books

Maldwyn Jones' book manages to pack almost 400 years of American history in to just over 600 pages. His account is concisely written and provides for an easy read, encompassing a sweeping range of topics - politics, economics, social conditions, religion, and culture. Beginning from the earliest settlements from the Old World and tracing the evolution of a unique and diversified nation, Jones' organization is infallible, his attention to detail superb, and his conclusions sound. It is a very fair representation of American History, presenting all the relevant arguments to any issue and is a book where one can open to any page and become instantly enveloped. It is simply one of the best books on the topic I have ever read.

This is the best one volume history of the United States I have read. The other two I have read are those by Hugh Brogan and Howard Zinn. Whilst Brogan's book was good, I found his style a bit meandering and old fashioned. Zinn's was a good read but it is very biased and therefore not suitable as an introduction to this subject.

Maldwyn Jones' `The Limits of Liberty' on the other hand, features both enjoyable, highly readable prose and balanced information on every topic it covers. I have used this throughout my American history degree course and whenever there is something I have needed to look up; sure enough the information has been in here.

Another advantage is the extensive bibliography at the end. If there is anything in this edition that you come across and would like read more about, then Jones' bibliography will almost certain lead you in the right direction, offering a good selection.

The only minor (and these are very minor) complaints I can think of are that Jones sometimes goes overboard with the amount of facts and figures he uses, to the extent that I often wondered whether this should have been titled `A statistical History of the USA'. As with other single volume histories of the US, Jones also dedicates a disproportionate amount of the book to the twentieth century. The colonial period, which is of particular interest to me, is given only scant coverage here. However, such things are bound to happen in a book that aims to pack so much information in a limited space.

I would certainly recommend this as an introduction to the subject it covers.

This, the first volume of Professor James M. Buchanan's Collected Works series, contains a selection of papers meant to provide an overview of his entire oeuvre, as contained in the other 19 volumes of the series. Professor Buchanan is considered one of the most prominent scientists associated with public choice theory, which is the application of the analytical tools of economic decision making ("private choice") to the arena of political decision making ("public choice"). For his contributions, Professor Buchanan would go on to earn the 1986 Nobel Prize in economics.

The papers selected for this volume do indeed make for a good overview of the rest of the series. They are categorized by topic: public choice theory, taxation and public debt finance, economic inquiry, ethics, and constitutionalism (i.e. "the science of rules", p. 431). Arguably, Buchanan's work on public-goods theory is underrepresented here (papers on it can be found in volume 15 of the series, in addition to the 1968 monograph The Demand and Supply of Public Goods that makes up volume 5 in the series).

Volume 1 contains a foreword by the three editors that serves as an introduction to the entire series. It also contains the press release that explains the Nobel Academy's rationale for awarding Professor Buchanan the Nobel Prize. In addition, there are an autobiographical essay and a section with biographical data. The final paper in the book is Professor Buchanan's Nobel lecture. The editors also provide a table of contents of the entire Collected Works series, in which they arrange the papers from volume 1 topically among the other volumes in the series, as if volume 1 did not exist separately. This is helpful in case a paper in volume 1 sparks an interest in further reading.

A minor point of criticism is that the editors deliberately selected what they call "classic" papers, which means quite a few older ones (Buchanan has been publishing for more than half a century). It might have been more suitable for newcomers to Buchanan if the editors had instead selected more of the later papers, which often contain more fully worked-out expositions of Buchanan's ideas. In addition, the early papers are more pedantic in style, while the more recent ones are more conversational. This change in writing style is by no means characteristic for Buchanan, but has occurred with writing in general. But in any case, inclusion of more recent papers might have made the volume more accessible.

Still, although most of the papers contained here have been written with the density and economy of words that are typical for academic writing, the reader does not really need to possess any particular knowledge of economics to be able to understand most of the ideas contained in them. The more technical papers have been deliberately withheld from this volume and are included in the later volumes instead.

This handsome volume, attractive in paper, typeface, and binding, is the first of twenty volumes of the not-quite-complete writings of James Buchanan (relatively ephemeral pieces will be left out). Apart from this volume and a final one containing an index to the series and a curriculum vitae, the collection gathers Buchanan's work by topics. This introductory volume contains a wide-ranging sample of thirty-one articles on the job and responsibilities of economists, public choice, public finance, constitutionalism, and ethics. The editors have added a fourteen-page foreword and reprinted the 1986 press release of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announcing the award of the Nobel prize to Buchanan...

One quibble may convey a suggestion for future volumes in this series. The editors fail to adjust Buchanan's cross-references. Even when, as often occurs, Buchanan cites another article of his that happens to be reprinted in the current volume, the editors fail to tell the reader that he has the cited work already in his hands.

All in all, though, the project of Buchanan's collected works is off to a magnificent start. Economists will have convenient and pleasant access to enduringly fruitful teachings.

From the parlors of Colonial Williamsburg, three beautiful women, each named for a flower, aid the Patriot cause. Along the way, they shape the course of their own destinies with their courage and wit. As each faces formidable challenges, each wins the man she loves. This is the first novel, LOVING LILY.

Spirited Lily Walters was more concerned with providing for herself and her younger brother than winning a husband, which is how she came to still be single in her early twenties. Necessity brought about a career as a florist, taking advantage of the latest rage in London. Little did Lily suspect how useful her career would be to the Patriot cause. When she realizes her brother Peter has become involved with the Sons of Liberty, Lily determines ways to aid the cause herself. After Adam Pearson arrives in town, and the Patriots begin preparing for war, messages are passed using the specific flowers chosen for her arrangements for the meanings that the different flowers represent. In addition, as Lily moves freely among the Tory's entertainment, she gathers information to aid the cause. Occasional stolen moments with Adam make clear the heated passion between them.

Adam curses his many identities; that which was created to protect him now holds him prisoner. He's met the first woman he's ever wanted to offer anything real of himself, and he cannot. As Squire Adare Sotheby, he hosts and attends various Tory events for the purpose of garnering information. In costume, he's a middle aged, crusty fop -- hardly the kind of man Lily would find attractive. As Adam Pearson, late of Boston and former British, he leads the Patriot movement. In Boston his assignment was to infiltrate the Sons of Liberty movement. When his commanding officer becomes aware he left the colony, Colonel Ware follows him to Virginia.

Corinne Everett creates a masterful tale of subterfuge, danger, and passion in LOVING LILY. With a creative flair, she weaves a plot that moves quickly along, plunging the reader into a dangerous period of history. The characters are warm and engaging, demonstrating Everett to be a master of her craft. Very highly recommended.

From the parlors of Colonial Williamsburg, three beautiful women, each named for a flower, aid the Patriot cause. Along the way, they shape the course of their own destinies with their courage and wit. As each faces formidable challenges, each wins the man she loves. This is the first novel, LOVING LILY.

Spirited Lily Walters was more concerned with providing for herself and her younger brother than winning a husband, which is how she came to still be single in her early twenties. Necessity brought about a career as a florist, taking advantage of the latest rage in London. Little did Lily suspect how useful her career would be to the Patriot cause. When she realizes her brother Peter has become involved with the Sons of Liberty, Lily determines ways to aid the cause herself. After Adam Pearson arrives in town, and the Patriots begin preparing for war, messages are passed using the specific flowers chosen for her arrangements for the meanings that the different flowers represent. In addition, as Lily moves freely among the Tory's entertainment, she gathers information to aid the cause. Occasional stolen moments with Adam make clear the heated passion between them.

Adam curses his many identities; that which was created to protect him now holds him prisoner. He's met the first woman he's ever wanted to offer anything real of himself, and he cannot. As Squire Adare Sotheby, he hosts and attends various Tory events for the purpose of garnering information. In costume, he's a middle aged, crusty fop -- hardly the kind of man Lily would find attractive. As Adam Pearson, late of Boston and former British, he leads the Patriot movement. In Boston his assignment was to infiltrate the Sons of Liberty movement. When his commanding officer becomes aware he left the colony, Colonel Ware follows him to Virginia.

Corinne Everett creates a masterful tale of subterfuge, danger, and passion in LOVING LILY. With a creative flair, she weaves a plot that moves quickly along, plunging the reader into a dangerous period of history. The characters are warm and engaging, demonstrating Everett to be a master of her craft. Very highly recommended.

I agree with Dr. Boudreaux.

When Hayek said "We understand now that all enduring structures above the level of simplest atoms, and up to the brain and society, are the results of, and can be explained only in terms of, processes of selective evolution..." He was reiterating the insights that Spencer was already expounding over a century earlier. Given my current state of ignorance I believe that Herbert Spencer is the greatest intellectual of all time, with F.A. Hayek coming in a close second. It seems like the world is just beginning to catch up to Hayek. Who knows how much longer till we rediscover Spencer.


This book is a masterpiece. It has been a long time since I read it and the essay I remember most is "Over-legislation" where he does a great job criticizing government interventions into what he referred to as the social organism. He was right! We really are a social organism... or has Hayek would mention "extended order". I quote this wonderful essay often in my book.

No wonder Darwin himself said to him "Every one with eyes to see and ears to hear (the number, I fear, are not many) ought to bow their knee to you, and I for one do." and in another occasion referred to Spencer as "twenty times my superior."

This book, deservedly, is a classic. Although relatively short, it is chock-full of insights -- many of which anticipate the important work decades later by F.A. Hayek. Spencer's passion for freedom, and his understanding of the nature of politicized and depoliticized societies, was deep. This is an inspiring work.

I too have not read this book. However, I am friends with Mr. Weismantel's son, Rob. Rob likes to go by Bob or Bobbie if you know him well. Rob is doing an MBA, and right now he is sitting next to me in class. Rob is playing online poker while pretending to pay attention. He seems to do this during most classes.

I also know 2 of the other Weismantels, Mark and Greg. They are both characters. Especially Mark, who lives in the closet.

They all seem pretty smart, and a little eccentric. For example, Rob gave me an accordian for my birthday. Greg gave me a painting of ducks. Both, I can honestly say, are excellent gifts.

Therefore, this book must be great.

Well I didnt read the book, but Im friends with his son and have met Mr. Weismantel before. My guess is the book is decent yet compelling.

While I am only in my thirties I can remember my family driving thru Bath and my folks describing the terrible event that transpired years previously. How what would have been 3 of my dad's cousins were killed and 1 injured. This story somehow stirs sad and nostalgic feelings within me. This book really makes such an unbelievable event seem very real, and something in my life will be missing forever because of Andrew Kehoe

Two days before Charles Lindbergh flew the Atlantic the bombing of a school took place in Bath, Michigan. On May 18, 1927, a deranged killer by the name of Andrew Kehoe attempted to kill as many children and adults by dynamite explosives planted in the Bath schoolhouse. His success was thwarted when only half of the dynamite exploded. The events leading up to the "Bath School Disaster" are well documented by the author Grant Parker. The story of mid-America in the 1920's is chronicled in a accurate and informative way by the author, as he presents a way of life that was disrupted for many families for a lifetime. I have a special interest in this book because both my mother and my uncle were in in the other half of the school that did not blow up on that Mayday. For more than seventy years the survivors of the disaster have met in the Spring of each year to continue their survival bonding with each other.

I am a 48 year old attorney who has collected coins on the side since my paper route days 40 years ago. As a collector, I appreciate the history and lore that accompanies the hobby. Unfortunately, most of my non collector friends think it is akin to watching paint dry. This book is a great example of why non coin collectors SHOULD read stories involving coins. You may find it hard to believe the authors could write 300 pages about a nickel, but it was well done and a very enjoyable read. This is a great book for anyone -- part folk history, part mystery, part treasure hunt -- about one of the most famous coins of all time. A MUST read for collectors and a SHOULD read for everyone else.

Hello, I'm Donn Pearlman and I was actively involved in the surprisingly successful search in 2003 for the George O. Walton specimen 1913 Liberty Head nickel. It had been missing from the hobby for more than 40 years; kept in a strongbox with family papers ON THE FLOOR OF A CLOSET FOR DECADES by a family that was mistakently told in 1962 the coin was a fake!

So, I'm more than a bit biased when I say that this book is fantastic. The authors revealed information even I didn't know about the worldwide search. Of course, this wonderful book is much more than just the hunt for the Walton coin. It is a superbly-written numismatic detective story, examining the mysterious circumstances that led to striking the five-known 1913 Liberty Head nickels, and the colorful people who have owned one or more over the years.

Enjoy,
-donn-
Donn Pearlman
American Numismatic Association Board of Governors, 1989 - 1993
Professional Numismatists Guild, Affiliate Member

The Moral Foundation of Democracy, originally published in 1954, is a very insightful analysis of democracy. The title comes from the book's final chapter and Professor Hallowell logically develops his position throughout the book with topics such as (i) is democracy rule by the many or a fiction used by the few?; (ii) the difference between a legislature based on compromise versus a persuasive and deliberative process; and (iii) identifying the civil liberties and social institutions needed for democracy to work. While full of many thought-provoking ideas, Professor Hallowell's main premise is that people are rational beings with the ability to distinguish good from evil in a rational universe that we must conform to. Once this idea is overlooked or discounted, human rights are replaced by whatever concessions an unrestricted state may offer it subjects. As the good professor warns, democracy is easily susceptible to disintegration and the choice between orderly justice and anarchy largely depends upon the thoughts, actions and decisions of individuals. This is a scholarly work that everyone should carefully study. I thank the Liberty Fund for making this book available again.

"The Moral Foundation Of Democracy" by the late academician John H. Hallowell (1913-1991) who taught with distinction for some 40 years on the faculty at Duke University is an extended treatise in which he defines the concept of freedom and describes the basic and essential framework of democracy. Professor Hallowell goes on to persuasively argue that governments must be designed in ways that acknowledge and deal with the vagaries of human nature and morality. presented a definitive criticism of positivist thought and moral relativism, Professor Hallowell emphasizes the uniqueness and sanctity of the individual human being and the paramount importance of the transcendent truths guiding individuals in their actions which influence how ordinary people participate in a democratic society. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The Moral Foundations Of Democracy" is very highly recommended and rewarding reading for students of political science and philosophy.

A well thought out and researched work on the intent of the constiutional framers concerning religion and state. We hear so much nonsense these days from ACLU and others which would make one think our country has just recently invented this need to let religion coexist without government constraint and interference. These jurists have well researched and well presented the case for contemporary jurisprudence to return to its founding roots concerning the separation and establishment clauses. Particulary ringing in my reading will be this quote: "The Constitution, the nation's fundamental law, cannot be legimately be construed to afford redress to every citizen who takes offense at public expressions, whether religious or secular in content. Although the establishment clause forbids the state from sponsoring religiously coercive symbols and practices, it does not require the state to excise public symbols and practices merely because they may be offensive to some."

Charles Emmerich and Arlin Adams use an unbiased approach to document the original goals of our founding fathers: A Nation that can only function properly as a righteous one. The book is a must read for anyone interested in First Amendment Law or anyone who needs a fresh focus on the rights we have as Americans.

The book came quickly and in excellent condition. I havent used it for class yet.

Heinrich Rommen's book titled THE NATURAL LAW was written in 1946 and published in 1947 against the background of the rise and fall of the National Socialists and the terrible tragedies of W.W. II. Rommen's book is a poignant reminder of what the law should as opposed to the will of the ruler, the party, the Volks, etc. This book is based on the Catholic Scholastics and especially St. Thomas Aquinas'(1225-1275) thinking. Rommen included the later Scholastics such as Suarez c. 1545-1618). Readers are shown a reasonable and logical view of law vs. the will of the ruler(s).

Rommen deals with Natural Law as an attempt to reflect what religious men and women consider as a reflection of God's Law. The thinking was that since God is the Creator and author of nature, Natural Law should be an attempt to reflect God's nature rather than assigning an arbitrary will to Divine Providence.

Rommen's book is clear that the two views re God's nature as opposed to God's arbitrary will are important in understanding the temptation to impose unbridled power of rulers which can lead to tyranny and evil. St. Thomas Aquinas' views are a prominent feature of the book. Rommen reminds readers that people should try to maintain a moral code that reflects God's nature. Rommen also deals with the opposing view that Original Sin means that men are depraved and can do nothing right to please God. Rommen uses St. Thomas Aquinas and the later Scholastics to counter this view. Basically, Rommen argues that Original Sin did not mean that men were depraved. He argued that men were not the best they could be, and the Natural Law not only protected people from criminals, but it also provided a useful guide for men to act justly and fairly with other men all of whom were created in God's image.

These debates started c. 1300s in the disputes between the Realists and Nominalists. The Nominalists are that concepts and ideas were merely names agreed upon for philosophical debate. The Realists argued that concepts and ideas were realities and were vital to an understanding of God, Natural Law, and a just moral code. As St. Thomas Aquinas stated, the law was intended to give each man his due. The Nomialist's arguements re the lack of validity trivialized serious philosophical discussion and deprived the views of God's nature. They emphasized God's will since concepts were mere names and could not lead to Natural Law. This was a very dangerous concept since men could not make moral decisions since God's will precluded men from acting a moral agents. The Nominalists also argued that whatever evil occured was the will of God. In other words they ascribed evil to God which St. Thomas Aquinas the Suarez stated was impossible with God's nature. The Nominalist implied predestination to men whose fate and salvation were already determined before men were born. In other words, as Rommen makes clear, men were incapable of making moral decisions and had to accept evil as God's plan. This arguement was then used to condone the evil tyranny of unjust rulers who appointed themselves as God's lieutenants on earth. The implied arguement, later accepted in Protestant cirles, was that criticism of an unjust ruler was an attack on God. Rommen presents St. Thomas Aquinas' view that an unjust law was no law at all and led men to sensilessly act in an evil way. Suarez went so far as to argue that an unjust tyrant could lawfully be deposed as such a ruler set a bad example and committed his subjects to act in complience with evil.

Rommen was not a phony idealist. He was clear that no ruler or political party could create heaven on earth. Rommen argued that Natural Law and an attempt to get men to act in accordance with God's nature was a reasonable concept of law which could prevent the excesses of tyranny and evil. Since rulers held power, they too were required by law to act as best they could with God's nature which admitted no evil.

As mentioned above, Rommen's book was written at the end of W.W. II and was a reminder of what men suffered from blindly listening to evil rulers and political parties. The usefullness of this book could be projected to later attempts at arbitrary power regardless of political labels. One should note that the National Socialists were much less successful in German elections in Catholic regions of Germany during the 1930s, and Hitler & co. (Stalin & co. as well)hated Pope Pius XII and Catholic leaders in their domains. They knew that a relience on a reasonable Natural Law undermined their own self imposed importance. Rommen is clear about this.

While THE NATURAL LAW was translated from German into English, the prose is clear. This book is a good introduction to Scholasticism and legal reasoning. The book is also valuable for thoughtful men who can refute the appeals to tyranny with better ideas.