Customer Rating: 
Summary: About time too!
Comment: 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
Customer Rating:
Summary: First class
Comment: 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.
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