Customer Reviews

Good To Be King: The Foundation of our Constitutional Freedom

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3 star:		(1)
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"Good to be King: The Foundations of Freedom" is a solid primer on the Constitution as the Founders wrote it -- the blueprint for a government strictly limited to protecting the rights of the people. Michael Badnarik, the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee for 2004, begins with a brief history of the United States before the Constitution, under the Articles of Confederation, then proceeds to review the Constitution one section at a time, giving special attention to the Bill of Rights.

Throughout the book, Badnarik stresses the difference between rights and privileges, pointing out that our rights aren't granted by the government -- we possess them independently of government, so we don't need government permission to exercise our rights. He reminds the reader that we the people created the government, and it is supposed to work for us, not the other way around.

The book also discusses how a government that was supposed to be severely limited has grown out of control on our watch, and offers some constructive suggestions for what to do about it.

From the title, I thought Badnarik might be discussing the imperial presidency that has developed over time, but it turns out he was talking about a different kind of sovereignty. You'll have to read it yourself to find out who the "king" really is.

This book is based on Michael Badnarik's eight hour class on the American Constitution which he has been teaching for the last several years. Michael Badnarik is the 2004 Libertarian Party candidate for President of the U.S. His book is extremely informative. You will learn things, documented in fact and history, that are the opposite of what you were taught in public schools.
Anyone who is concerned about freedom in this country should read this book. You can learn more about the author at www.badnarik.org

Michael Badnarik's "Good To Be King" emphasizes the importance of the Constitution, the foundation of our freedoms, in a strict, limited interpretation, as our Founding Fathers intended for it to be read. "Good To Be King" is about returning America to limited, constitutional government.

Very informative and interesting title. I wholly recommend it.

It's about time that someone who has a real, practical, and unbiased understanding of the Constitution wrote a book like this. Badnarik has done just that. Sure, lots of people pass themselves off as "Constitutional Scholars", but Badnarik sets you on the path to becoming one yourself.

The Constitution *isn't* hard to understand, though it seems that most politicians would have you believe that is it - so that you'll be unaware of how they trample it daily. (Pity, seems that most of our Senators and Representatives could use a copy of this book - since they obviously haven't even read the document they swore to "preserve, protect, and defend from all enemies, foreign AND domestic.")

There ARE more thorough, deeper, more analytical books on the Constitution - and Badnarik's book is likely to make you hungry to crack open Joseph Story's "A Familiar Exposition of the Constitution of the United States" - that's great. Badnarik has put his finger on the same problem that troubled Story back in 1840: People are woefully ignorant of the "Contract" that the People wrote over 200 years ago. The contract that limits Government's power to that which WE have given them. Story's exposition was intended to fill the void that school textbooks left gaping, Badnarik's is for every citizen - or citizen to be.

If "the price of Liberty is eternal vigilance", then Michael Badnarik is entitled to high praise for giving "average" citizens a tool to teach them to be vigilant. A duty that we have sadly neglected for far too long.

Turn off "Fear Factor", Jerry Springer, and take a break from Monday Night Football. Open this book, and prepare to be pleasantly surprised that you ARE a "king." My hopes are that Badnarik's little introduction to the REAL constitution will make you all want to be "Constitutional Scholars!"

The book is a highly readable and awesome introduction to the US Constitution and most importantly, how it relates to your life today. Everyone interested in liberty should read it.

I've had the privelige of meeting Mr Badnarik personally and taking his course on the Constitution. Michael is a thrilling speaker, teacher and writer. He makes the principles of liberty come alive. America has shoved aside its founding documents for too long. Its time to come home to the visions of our founding fathers. And that vision is most closely matched by Libertarianism.

Wayne Rogers

Michael Badnarik has succinctly and accurately stated not only the true nature of the United States Constitution, but also the true nature of the country we should have but have forsaken.

Anyone who seeks the truth would see with even casual research that the sentiments of our nation's founders were presented in plain English for the entire world to see in our Constitution.

Badnarik doesn't waste time with those who cannot reconcile what should be with what is. For over 200 years America was the World's home of liberty, peace and prosperity -- a gift from our nation's founders who put their lives, liberty and sacred honor on the line.

Michael Badnarik returns the favor by giving us a gift of a simple, articulate and true explanation of their gift, which is our birthright as Americans.

As Winston Churchill once said, "The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is."

So here is the truth. It isn't easy to accept how badly we have neglected our duty to preserve liberty and it isn't easy to contemplate how to fix things...but few worthwhile things in life are easy.

I have read the pre-release of this book. It's really good. The status quo may never allow constitutional liberty to occur, they gain more and more power as the thought police i.e. "media, public schools & politicians" tickle the majorities ears, tell them what they want to hear, and woe to anyone else who questions thy authority! Read the book for yourself. The negative comment below sounds like a typical socialist! 1. Look at his book lists back to February 2000, not much constitutional there, just a few books out of 383 of them!!! 2. Has written only 1 review... hmmm 3. A point by point rebuttal would be excellent, we have plenty of time! 4. doubt he has read the book or even a pre-release copy since he complains of the 6+ week wait. The publisher has already promised the books long before that! But you would have to contact the publisher to know that, guess facts were not checked! . Amazon ships quick once they get the order too! Read the top 20 constitutional books sold on Amazon, or choose to read the 20 constitutional books that Vicki Long has listed in her listmania then make an educated decision for yourself....

This book will shake you up a bit.
It is every bit as much a page-turner as a lot of works of light fiction, yet it deals with important and serious topics.
It is accessible enough for high school students, yet has enough interesting detail to be useful for people of all ages and levels of sophistication.
It should appeal to Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and Republicans alike.
The main people who don't want you to read this book are those in power who find the Constitution an inconvenient hurdle to their desires to violate our rights.
Badnarik writes with humor, clarity, sincerity and a sense of urgency.
Read this book while you still can.

This book is required reading for anyone that wants to know what the current Libertarian front is. It is designed to clear up so many of the misconceptions about the party and the philosophy.

Michael Badnarik is right in line with many perspectives that the Libertarian party has been working to bring BACK to the general public for decades.

I have surmised that in a socialist country you are NOT free to be libertarian, in a libertarian country you ARE free to be socialist (so long as your socialist groups are made up of voluintary members, hence 'liberty').

This is bolstered by the methods described in the book for eliminating the excesses of our current political system and keeping the government to it's role of protecting life, liberty and property.

I have purchased a few copies of this book for family and friends, as it is a great primer for those who recieved only a cursory/jaded* review of the founding documents in 'school'.

He, with the tenents in this book, belongs in the national debates (Next time huh?).

He also teaches a class with this book as the resource for the class. http://www.constitutionpreservation.org/

I would like to see a follow up book SOON, as well as more interest from the Americas as to the proper role of government.

It's like the Badnarik says, 'If you don't vote [and work] for Liberty, you'll never get it.'

It's hard to argue with logic like that.

Enjoy,

Scott L.
Seattle, Washington
(On the web with numerous Libertarian groups and activities)