SKU: 10010252235

The Great Dissent: How Oliver Wendell Holmes Changed His Mind--And Changed the History of Free Speech in America

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The Great Dissent: How Oliver Wendell Holmes Changed His Mind--And Changed the History of Free Speech in AmericaNo right seems more fundamental to American life than freedom of speech. Yet well into the twentieth century that freedom was still an unfulfilled promise, with Americans regularly imprisoned merely for speaking out against government policies. Indeed, free speech as we know it comes less from the First Amendment than from a most unexpected source: Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. A lifelong skeptic, he disdained all individual rights,

No right seems more fundamental to American life than freedom of speech. Yet well into the twentieth century that freedom was still an unfulfilled promise, with Americans regularly imprisoned merely for speaking out against government policies. Indeed, free speech as we know it comes less from the First Amendment than from a most unexpected source: Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. A lifelong skeptic, he disdained all individual rights, including the right to express one's political views. But in 1919, it was Holmes who wrote a dissenting opinion that would become the canonical affirmation of free speech in the United States.

Why did Holmes change his mind? That question has puzzled historians for almost a century. Now, with the aid of newly discovered letters and confidential memos, Thomas Healy reconstructs in vivid detail Holmes's journey from free-speech opponent to First Amendment hero. It is the story of a remarkable behind-the-scenes campaign by a group of progressives to bring a legal icon around to their way of thinking and a deeply touching human narrative of an old man saved from loneliness and despair by a few unlikely young friends.

Beautifully written and exhaustively researched, "The Great Dissent" is intellectual history at its best, revealing how free debate can alter the life of a man and the legal landscape of an entire nation."

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Picador USA
Published: 09/09/2014
ISBN: 9781250058690
Pages: 322
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.00w x 1.00d

Review Citations: New York Times Book Review 10/19/2014 pg. 28

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SKU: 10010252235

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Twins Fan
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
It's so good!
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I love the adventure in the story and its also real! I would like a lot of people to read this! That review above is from my 10 year old son. A good testament to the book!
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tomasz drost
West Palm Beach, US
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It was good but not great.
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Sherri
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Interesting History
Format: Paperback
My husband grew up close to Donner so he knew this story well. I found it very interesting to hear this from him and visit the area many years ago. My kids had just visited the Donner museum over Thanksgiving break and my 10 year old loves the "Who Was" series and these "I Survived or Escaped" books. My 9 year also reads them.
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crystal s
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Awesome series
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My preteen son really enjoys this series. If you liked the I survived series of books you will enjoy these also!
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Lisa Harris
Whiting, US
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My granddaughter loves these books. Keeps her intrigued and gives actual facts.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2023

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