Defending Free Speech: Selected Commentary by the Ayn Rand Institute
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Defending Free Speech: Selected Commentary by the Ayn Rand Institute Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 47 ratings
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Freedom of speech is indispensable to a free and civilized society, yet this precious right is increasingly under attack today.

Islamic totalitarians repeatedly threaten and kill those deemed blasphemers while our political leaders stand idly by - and many intellectuals blame the victims. College students seek "trigger warnings" and "safe spaces" from controversial ideas. The government harasses tea party groups, preventing them from speaking out during an election, and it investigates oil companies and advocacy groups for the "crime" of dissenting from climate change orthodoxy.

Why is this happening? What can be done?

This hard-hitting collection provides answers. Applying Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism to the most pressing free speech issues of the day, the essays in this book reveal the attacks on free speech to be the product of destructive ideas - ideas that are eroding Western culture at its foundation. They expose those ideas and the individuals who hold them, and, importantly, they identify the only ideas on which Western civilization can be sustained: reason, egoism, and individual rights.

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  1. Listening Length
    3 hours and 52 minutes
  2. Author
    Steve Simpson - editor, see all
  3. Narrator
    Chris Abell
  4. Audible release date
    December 4, 2018
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Blackstone Publishing
  7. ASIN
    B07KMC8D5R
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 3 hours and 52 minutes
Author Steve Simpson - editor, Onkar Ghate - contributor, Leonard Peikoff - contributor, Elan Journo - contributor
Narrator Chris Abell
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date December 04, 2018
Publisher Blackstone Publishing
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07KMC8D5R
Best Sellers Rank #369,751 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1,075 in Civil Rights Law (Books)
#1,284 in Law (Audible Books & Originals)
#3,095 in Political Science (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
47 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired by the Now, Relevant to the Always
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2019
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In an age when free speech is under increasing attack by those who claim a right to not have their ideas challenged and not be offended, who assert an entitlement to react with violence against others who voice contrary opinions, this book is needed more than ever. But the clear, concise, and principled arguments made within, including the U.S. government's crucial role in defending free speech in the face of the world, make it a substantial piece of ammunition for generations to come.
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Bryna
5.0 out of 5 stars and is a good starting point for anyone who is beginning to think ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2017
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This book can be summed up in three words: unfortunately very essential. This book overviews the attacks on free speech from across the political spectrum and highlights the immense value of free speech in contrast to the brutal alternatives. The book is succinct and well written, and is a good starting point for anyone who is beginning to think about free speech.
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Hermit Writer
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2021
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Amazon asks if this 'met my expectations'. It's a book called Defending Free Speech about defending free speech. Of course it met my expectations. It's an excellent book. It didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know, but I expected as much. I'm pro- free speech and I bought this to read and keep for my library. The people who ought to read this book, and who might actually learn something from it, probably won't. Which is a shame, but it's the world we live in. If you want to know more about defending free speech, this is the book for you. If you want to learn how to defend your rights and/or to have ammunition for debating those who would like to see your rights taken away, this book will certainly provide ammunition for that battle. If you're on the fence about free speech and want to learn why it's so important, read this.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars We need more principled defenders of free speech.
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2016
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A collection of essays on a variety of subjects that must be heard. In a time of nigh universal apathy in the face of evil, this book is a courageous primer for a principled defense of free speech and all the good it implies.
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Bryan S Yingst
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read!
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2016
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This is an excellent collection essays, articles, and interviews on what I think is the most fundamentally important political issue for anyone who cares about human prosperity. Definitely a must-read (and it won't even take you very long)!
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K.Keys
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Hits the nail on the head when ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2016
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Great book! Hits the nail on the head when it comes to the importance of Free Speech and why it must be defended. It should be taught in high schools and colleges!
One person found this helpful
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Deb Simpson
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2016
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Great easy read! Best source for arguments to defend freedom of speech in current controversies.
9 people found this helpful
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Ken Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars A rational and moral defense of free speech which is ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2016
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A rational and moral defense of free speech which is under increasing attack (can you say "safe zones" on college campuses).
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Nikos S
5.0 out of 5 stars Clarifying what free speech is, and why it needs defending.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2019
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Free speech today is on the forefront of the culture wars. We talk about free speech all the time, but as a concept it is rarely defined and clarified. This book does exactly that.
It is a collection of articles that touch upon all the assaults on free speech: from terrorists and religious fanatics to postmodernists and from university students to legislators. In the process, we get a clear view of what free speech is, why it is fundamental for a person’s and a society’s flourishing, and how denying it an assault on the freedom of thought itself.
Defending free speech starts on the realm of philosophy, rather than on politics, and this book does a great job at it.
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Frederick Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on the importance of free speech and why ...
Reviewed in Canada on October 28, 2016
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An excellent book on the importance of free speech and why it is important that we defend it. Free speech the cornerstone of a free society. Steve clearly outlines why free speech is important and what we must do to protect it. An excellent read; I highly recommend it.
One person found this helpful
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dmage1
5.0 out of 5 stars When you want to know what's going on with free ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2016
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When you want to know what's going on with free speech, read this book - very insightful and too the point.
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Vivian Drake
5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend it, especially for university students
Reviewed in Canada on September 3, 2016
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One of the most timely and important books with which to arm ourselves against threats to this important philosophical value. I highly recommend it, especially for university students.
One person found this helpful
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Josh
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2016
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This is an excellent set of articles in the battle for free speech. Buy, read and spread the word.
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