A lively and controversial overview by the nation's most celebrated First Amendment lawyer of the unique protections for freedom of speech in America.
The right of Americans to voice their beliefs without government approval or oversight is protected under what may well be the most honored and least understood addendum to the US Constitution – the First Amendment. Floyd Abrams, a noted lawyer and award-winning legal scholar specializing in First Amendment issues, examines the degree to which American law protects free speech more often, more intensely, and more controversially than is the case anywhere else in the world, including democratic nations such as Canada and England. In this lively, powerful, and provocative work, the author addresses legal issues from the adoption of the Bill of Rights through recent cases such as "Citizens United". He also examines the repeated conflicts between claims of free speech and those of national security occasioned by the publication of classified material such as was contained in the "Pentagon Papers" and was made public by WikiLeaks and Edward Snowden.
About the Author
Floyd Abrams is a partner in the law firm of Cahill, Gordon & Reindel and for some forty years has litigated high-profile First Amendment cases. He has taught law at Columbia School of Journalism, Yale Law School, and Columbia Law School, and he is the author of "Speaking Freely: Trials of the First Amendment". He lives in New York City.
Reviews
"This book provides a powerful, much needed response to mounting criticism of the robust freedom of speech enshrined in US culture and law. Individuals from many sectors of our society that have traditionally championed free speech – including academics, students, writers, and liberals/progressives – have increasingly advocated curbs on speech by certain disfavored speakers or that conveys certain disfavored messages. Abrams convincingly shows the adverse consequences of such an approach, with examples from other countries as well as US history. While fairly recognizing that speech can and does cause harm to individuals and society, he demonstrates that government censorship causes immeasurably greater harm" – Nadine Strossen, Former President, American Civil Liberties Union
"A great book about the soul of the first amendment by its most distinguished and enduring defender. Floyd Abrams didn't write the first amendment but he has done so much to protect it – and us all – from those who would curtail it in the false names of security, sensitivity and political correctness" – Alan Dershowitz, author of "Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law"
"Floyd Abrams is the greatest free speech advocate of modern times – he is to the First Amendment what Muhammad Ali was to boxing – and his book explaining and defending the First Amendment's soul, like his advocacy, is elegant, concise, and profoundly persuasive" – Rodney A. Smolla, Dean, Delaware Law School
"Floyd Abrams is one of America's greatest constitutional lawyers and defenders of the First Amendment. In this inspiring book, he reminds us why it's important to protect the speech we hate even on platforms where the First Amendment doesn't formally apply – from tech platforms to college campuses – and why the future of democracy depends on our willingness to resist growing calls from all sides to suppress unpopular speech" – Jeffrey Rosen, author of "Louis D. Brandeis: American Prophet"
