Liberty Books

Economic freedom may or may not be the way to spiritual or political happiness, but it certainly seems that it's one of the keys to economic development. Although it's difficult to prove once and for all precisely what economic environments are best for countries, this series attempts to get at the keys. I also believe that if they were to change their opinions on a measure or two, they would have no hesitancy to revise or amend their criteria. Whatever flaw their analyses have, it is a monumental effort they put together each year, and at the very least it's a benchmark for people to debate about. There's information and opinion in here that you can't get easily from anywhere else at this price...

For those that prefer alternative ways of thinking about the world, or have competing models to try, this can set up a good basis for comparison. I use the country scores in this volume to influence my own personal investing strategy.

We all know about basic principles of seeking, and achieving, happiness; so why don't we practice them?

We must keep reminding ourselves of taking responsibility for our lives in order to feel peaceful with ourselves and the life we have created. Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" is a highly popular book with a similar theme. But this book uses the scheme of "ABC's", easier to remember than seven habits. It is written in a down-home common-sense style anyone can understand. It is written from the heart. The author's personal experiences are related in dry humor - the kind that made me laugh out loud to myself and want to read late into the night. In addition to the humor and real-life events, the unfolding of the "ABC" scheme is intriguing.

The book is a product of letters written by the author to his daughter at key times and events, beginning with her graduation from high school. It is not so much "advice" but more "what I learned about life." Perhaps because this is a "true story," the letters were actually received over several years by the daughter, the book is so compelling for me. I cried when I wondered what it was like to receive these letters at unexpected times. I realized that I would like to have received such affirmation from my father. I cried when I realized I could have, but didn't, write such letters to my now-grown children.

I stopped in my tracks when I realized I now have grandchildren who would benefit from such affirmation from me. So I am buying copies as gifts for teenagers and young adults. And a couple extra for my grown-up friends and relatives!

Surprise in my shelf. I can't recall that I bought this book. I think it was a gift from the Economist for letting them pester me with a survey some time ago. It does not seem to be in the normal book trade. Is it a short version of a longer bio on Smith that came out later? Don't know at the moment.
Buchan's message is that Smith has been misappropriated by all sides.
Advocate of laissez faire? He did not use these words anywhere. Praising the invisible hand for the strengths of capitalism? The term 'invisible hand' shows up 3 times in the whole oeuvre, but never means what we assume it meant. We might as well have selected Defoe's working girl Moll Flanders for starting economics. She also spoke of the 'invisible hand'.
Smith was no free trade doctrinaire. He was not an economist, such a thing did not exist yet. He did not write about capitalism, such a concept was still unheard of.
It seems that the former British finance minister and current prime minister, who happens to be a country man of Smith, and happens to be called Giordano Bruno or something like that, has made an effort to claim Smith for some kind of Caledonian Socialism. Buchan dismisses such silliness.
Buchan makes a strong effort to launch Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments as a philosophical effort of equal importance with the Wealth of Nations. Possibly you need a more detailed bio if you really want to dig in. Buchan published one a year after this little book. Anyway, if you find this one somewhere, don't despise it.
(Buchan thinks that British economists and journalists are as literate and knowledgeable as English footballers. Can't help giggling, thinking about the standard Beckham interview...)

Revilo Oliver was an old school racialist and a hardcore anti-Semitic professor of the classics, claiming that good Jews merely cover for the bad Jews, meaning that there are no good Jews. He studied comparative religions deeply, but did not value them as truthful or helpful, but he thought they merely revealed the mindsets of different races. In this volume, the eloquent professor with his large vocabulary and sardonic humor critiques Christianity as the religion of the west and also as a hoax perpetrated by the Jews on the gullible goyim (cattle). At times, I felt that Oliver was a bit paranoid, such as when he claims that by the year 2000, there won't be enough farmland to feed the ever swelling masses of non-white people. He also felt that it would almost be better that white people slit their throats now, rather than go through the suffering that non-whites will give them once they violently overthrow white society. He was a firm believer in a Civil War 2 situation, rather than a slow decline of white civilization through the intermixing of the races and a low level violence against white people. Oliver did not believe in peace and love because that leads to miscegenation that brings the decline and destruction of white civilization. He also did not believe in stupid wars that split the blood of white men over religion, race, or ideology while the Jews gleefully fund both sides of the war and watch the stupid goyim destroy themselves. Oliver's view of the world was a grim one in which each race competes to be the master race and a race has to be aggressive if it wishes to survive. He hated pacifists and thought that wars against other races would be inevitable. He also thought that Rousseau should have died in obscurity with his unrealistic beliefs in the brotherhood of man and the nobility of savages. Rousseau stated several times that he could not handle reality and it shows the degeneracy of white civilization that we take such a crank seriously and let Jews run our affairs. That other degenerate of the French Revolution that some people take seriously, Marquis De Sade, should have been put to death for kidnapping and torturing people.

The first essay explains how Christianity is a religion of white people of the West only and how it is has been complete folly to try to convert other races to Christianity. He explains that other races are just pretending that they are Christian to receive aid from the white man, and that in earlier times, the white man's military would punish anyone who decided to have missionaries as the main dish in a barbeque. There is also a translation problem with certain theological concepts that do not translate well into other languages, such as the meaning of truth. He warns that the divide between the races is vast and white people should not assume that non-whites are merely white people in disguise who think like us and want to behave like us. We are not very good at detecting deceit from other races because we have a tendency to be truthful and honest. He mentions the folly of the romantic generosity of white people who feed other tribes who basically will always be our enemies but are perfectly willing to accept our aid. But Oliver regrets the decline in Christianity to a certain extent because it helped unify whites and many fundamentalist Christians, the only ones that take the Bible seriously, are often far right in their politics and actively resist communism. He thought that communists intend to turn us into unthinking, robotic slaves. Ersatz Christians, however, still cling to the social superstitions of Christianity such as the belief in the equality between the races, although they do not believe in the miracles of the Bible or the divinity of Christ. The decline in Christianity can be attributed to our tendency to be rational, wanting to follow the truth wherever it may lead. Scientific facts have made us doubt the Bible.

In another essay, ¨The Jews love Christianity¨, Oliver basically shows that he is an atheist and he thinks that Christianity is destroying the West with its beliefs in the equality of all God's children, universalism, and its foolish altruism toward other races. He states that the early Church fathers were Jews who tailored the New Testament to serve their interests. He thought the Sermon on the Mount was silly and destructive drivel. He states that no one can follow the Bible to the letter unless they are schizophrenic because of all the logical contradictions in the Bible. He accused Christians of reading the Bible in a trance in which they let go of their critical faculties that they use with other texts. He also says that Christianity has had a problem with Marrano Jews who superficially accept Christianity and infiltrate the church and laugh at the gullibility of the goyim who think that they are converted. He would prefer that we make Beowulf our sacred book since it supports the values of truthfulness, honor, courage, heroism, and loyalty to one's nation and tribe. He does not like Christianity for its holy war between an imaginary good and evil and for its emphasis on the importance of the afterlife rather than this life.

This is a good book for exploring the racialist mind. Oliver has some insight into race relations as basically a hostile and competitive situation, even though he is a bit paranoid, negative, and disturbing at times. In a strange way, he asks us to be like Jews, who are aggressive and loyal to each other. He also compares us to Jews, stating that whites are a hated minority around the globe. I would say sometimes we are hated, but also admired. He longs for white unity across the boundaries of class, nationality, and language when there is none really and probably never will be.

James Bryce's "The American Commonwealth" is a basic text of American government and politics, one of three such texts, the others being Hamilton, Madison, and Jay The Federalist Papers (Signet Classics), and de Tocqueville Democracy In America (Complete). These three works, two by foreigners, form the groundwork of a basic understanding of the American system of government. Such an understanding is basic to good citizenship. The lack of such an understanding is sadly demonstrated every day by America's journalists, professors, politicians, and average citizens.

Reading Bryce's "Commonwealth" seems a formidable task at the beginning, since it is two volumes with a total of over 1600 pages. Yet once you begin, Lord Bryce's style is so natural, almost conversational, and the material so interesting to anyone with the slightest interest in American history and politics (and shouldn't that include every American citizen?), that it is actually a very easy book to read.

Bryce was Scottish, born in Belfast, Ireland. He became an attorney and a professor of law at Oxford, then a member of Parliament. He was Ambassador to the United States from 1907 to 1913, became a viscount in 1914. He was very well-traveled and well-known in the US, about as well-qualified as anyone could be to write a description of the American form of government. Because of his reputation as a friend of America he had an important influence on the US entry into World War One on the Allied side.

The first volume covers the national and state governments, the second volume covers the party system, public opinion, and various aspects of American political and social life. The first edition was published in 1888, and it was last revised in 1914. Over the years Bryce made many revisions as his observations and knowledge of America broadened and deepened.

Bryce explains exactly how American government works. A listing of some of the more significant chapters will give an idea of the subjects covered:

Chapter 3: The Origins of the Constitution
Chapter 8: Why Great Men are not Chosen President
Chapter 33: The Interpretation of the Constitution
Chapter 34: The Development of the Constitution by Usage
Chapter 53: Political Parties and Their History
Chapter 78: How Public Opinion Rules in America
Chapter 84: The Tyranny of the Majority
Chapter 85: The Fatalism of the Multitude

Of special interest are three appendices. The first is a review by Bryce of the predictions of Hamilton and de Tocqueville. The second is a review of "The American Commonwealth" written in 1889 by Woodrow Wilson when Wilson was a professor of political science at Weslyan University in Connecticut. The third is a review by Lord Acton.

Bryce believed that had the Constitution been put to a popular vote in 1787 it would never have passed. As it was, the only reason the Constitution gained popular support was because of the fear of foreign powers. As Bryce puts it, in the years following the Revolution and the collapse of the Articles of Confederation, Americans felt very vulnerable to foreign intervention:

"The fear of foreign interference, the sense of weakness, both at sea and on land, against the military monarchies of Europe, was constantly before the mind of American statesmen, and made them anxious to secure at all hazards a national government capable of raising an army and navy, and of speaking with authority on behalf of the new republic."

His comments on the relationship between the Constitution, the Supreme Court, and the American people are very timely.

Of the Presidency he says, "The president has developed a capacity for becoming, in moments of national peril, something like a Roman dictator."

His description of the development of the political parties is equally timely, and is the best I have ever read.

Some final quotations from Bryce:

"Someone has said that the American government and Constitution are based on the theology of Calvin and the philosophy of Hobbes. This at least is true, that there is a hearty Puritanism in the view of human nature which pervades the instrument of 1787. It is the work of men who believed in original sin, and were resolved to leave open for transgressors no door which they could possibly shut. Compare this spirit with the enthusiastic optimism of the Frenchmen of 1789. It is not merely a difference of race temperaments; it is a difference of fundamental ideas."

He ends on this pessimistic note, echoing Benjamin Franklin:

"To expect any form of words, however weightily conceived, with whatever sanctions enacted, permanently to restrain the passions and interests of men is to expect the impossible. Beyond a certain point, you cannot protect the people against themselves any more than you can, to use a familiar American expression, lift yourself from the ground by your own bootstraps."

Highly recommended in this authoritative and economical edition.

I used this book as a part of my daughter's third-grade home schooling curriculum. When I first laid eyes on it, I thought, "FINALLY! Someone has written a history book as it should have been written-not just a collection of dry facts and dates, but written as though it involved real people!"

This book gives accurate historical facts of American history (from a Christian perspective), but includes short fictional stories about families who may have existed in the early, forming years of the United States. These interesting and entertaining fictional stories contain historical facts and truths about how American pioneers and patriots worked, travelled, lived and played. Each story features children, who hold children's interest.

Through these tales, my daughter was able to quickly learn and appreciate how difficult it was for the founders of our country-and it gave me a new appreciation as well!

History need not be dry and boring, written in passive tense without feeling, emotion or spirit. I feel more "history books" should be written this way. There is no reason to bore young readers to death and leaving them with a bad taste for history. Had I had more books like this when I was growing up, perhaps I would have enjoyed these courses more and done better in them than I did.

BRAVO to Christian Liberty Press for daring to try something new and for helping bring "history" to life!

Liberty Press is a marvel, and no, I don't work for them! They are reprinting some of the classic conservative and libertarian works of authors from the 18th and 19th century, as well as modern writers. Hyneman and Lutz's collection is a perfect example of what Liberty is accomplishing. This is an encyclopaedic collection of writings on the American revolution, covering a wide variety of topics, that informed and shaped the debate over American independence and the meaning of the American Revolution. The collection extends to 1815 since the Revolution itself cannot really be said to have ended until the War of 1812. This is a broad collection. You will find essays on slavery, on virtue and republicanism, on the meaning of freedom and liberty to the American revolutionaries, even conservative and radical alternatives to the moderate path most Americans embraced. Hyneman and Lutz also move beyond the 'great men' of the period, and delve into more popular writings, and lesser known figures. I do have one complaint, and a suggestion concerning these volumes. The two volumes are heavily weighted toward New England and Middle State writers (esp. New Englanders), and really give short shrift to Southerners from Virginia and South Carolina. And I would suggest purchasing Sandoz's Political Sermons of the Founding Period, as a companion volume to these two.

These comics are enjoyed by our entire family. Our 10 year old son can't seem to put them down as the illustrations and content are clever and entertaining. We love how Bently Boyd brings history to life in a fun, creative and easy reading style for all reading levels. After my son is finished reading he can't wait to share what he read with the entire family. We have acquired the entire set of Chester Comix with Content Series and love them all. These make a GREAT gift for anyone of any age or even for teachers as they are an awesome learning tool. A gift that keeps giving. This is a definate must have for the entire family. ENJOY!

American Thinking is a meat and potatoes treatise chock full of worthwhile, thought provoking observations.

Not only was I impressed by Frank's cogent words but I also had the honor of meeting him in person and the man is the real deal. Frank lives his personal convictions. His persona, hilarity, and mischievous repartee are an event in and of itself. In American Thinking, Frank discusses how our society abandons the chivalric code at great risk to itself as a nation. His book discusses the value of inculcating the next generation with the ability to make morally congruent decisions that link what we think, what we say, and more importantly what we do in our day to day lives. American citizens should be proud advocates for liberty and justice in a world that is sadly oft violent and chaotic. Read his book and pass it on.

Semper Fi, Hank
Owner/Founder Devil Dog Brew

MATTHEW WARSCHAUER, the personable author of this book can deliver an invigorated lecture on the history of Martial Law Powers in the US. On July 4, 2007 a lecture he delivered in Hartford, CT was aired on the History channel. I found his delivery so fascinating that I am prompted to immediately add this work to my library.

WARSHAUER delineated the conflicts between idea and polity that have existed when Andrew Jackeon, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, and currently George Bush have suspended Constitutional rights in the interests of current threats to National Security. These are issues we have to address as this nation tries to correct the errors of recent history and as we determine our future course regarding personal liberty in the face of an undefined "War on Terror".

If the text reads as well as the author speaks it should make for vivid reading and a
a thought provoking experience. I look forward to it.