Lies the Government Told You: Myth, Power, and Deception in American History [Hardcover]

Andrew P. Napolitano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2010

YOU’VE BEEN LIED TO BY THE GOVERNMENT

We shrug off this fact as an unfortunate reality. America is the land of the free, after all. Does it really matter whether our politicians bend the truth here and there?

When the truth is traded for lies, our freedoms are diminished and don’t return.

In Lies the Government Told You, Judge Andrew P. Napolitano reveals how America’s freedom, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, has been forfeited by a government more protective of its own power than its obligations to preserve our individual liberties.

“Judge Napolitano’s tremendous knowledge of American law, history, and politics, as well as his passion for freedom, shines through in Lies the Government Told You, as he details how throughout American history, politicians and government officials have betrayed the ideals of personal liberty and limited government."

—Congressman Ron Paul, M.D. (R-TX), from the Foreword

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andrew P. Napolitano is Senior Judicial Analyst for Fox News Channel and the author of Constitutional Chaos, The Constitution in Exile, A Nation of Sheep, Dred Scott's Revenge, and Lies the Government Told You.

From AudioFile

Lies, you say, "from our government?" How about, "Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars" (FDR) and "We do not torture" (Vice President Dick Cheney)? The author, who describes himself as a pro-life Catholic libertarian, was a New Jersey superior court judge and is now a Fox News analyst. He doesn't just narrate his audiobook but rather delivers it like a sermon from a legal pulpit. He singles out instances when Congress and the Supreme Court have defied our constitutional protections. Napolitano attacks "the culture in government that facilitates lying" and believes that "it challenges readers to recognize that culture, to confront it, and to be rid of it." The judge's blaring voice and authoritative jeremiads may tempt listeners to question his indictments. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 5th Print edition (March 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595552669
• ISBN-13: 978-1595552662
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (210 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Law > Constitutional Law
  • #26 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Ideologies & Doctrines > Democracy
  • #93 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Ideologies & Doctrines > Conservatism & Liberalism

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

287 of 305 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding! February 17, 2010

By S. Edwards

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Judge Napolitano never ceases to impress me with his knowledge of history and his ability to give you the straight facts. There's no dancing around issues here; Napolitano starts out the book with criticism of one of the move beloved Founding Fathers, George Washington, for his acceptance of slavery (there is praise, too). I mention this because no punches are pulled for the sake of being agreeable; deceit and favoritism are not part of Napolitano's repertoire. This book serves up plenty of criticism for anyone who violates Natural Law or its protection under the Constitution, but that criticism is never generalized as an attack on a political party or group.

Judge Napolitano even attacks a few Constitutional amendments themselves, and particularly calls the 17th amendment the most "unconstitutional amendment" (if there were such a thing) for violating the separation of powers constructed by the Founding Fathers. Numerous historic court cases and power grabs are cited, and even the more famous examples are presented with rare respect for personal liberty. I appreciated the perspective and found myself learning a lot even about cases I was already familiar with. (Throughout the book, I was saying to my wife, "Did you know this?") The book is thoroughly documented with a long list of references at the end for those wanting to read original cited sources for themselves.

I've read a few books on the Constitution (Politically Incorrect Guide To, Who Killed The Constitution, Revolution: A Manifesto to name a few). While usually informative, nobody writes as well nor drills a point home as well as Napolitano. The book keeps a fast pace and focus on the subject of each chapter, with the details of cases presented as necessary without bogging down the central theme or pace. I found this book a pleasure to read. Napolitano has his opinions and doesn't hide them, and for those unfamiliar with "The Judge" he defends the Constitution as envisioned by (most of) the Founding Fathers. He is a great defender of liberty.

It's every bit as good and informative as his show "Freedom Watch" on Fox, which is high praise.

145 of 158 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and thought provoking! February 24, 2010

By Cafe Lily

Format:Hardcover

Judge Andrew P. Napolitano does not believe that the government is anyone's friend. In his latest book, Lies The Government Told You, he takes his readers on a very informative journey in exposing various lies that he believes Americans have bought into. A little unsettling is Napolitano's warning (on page 295) that his readers should be very careful when reading THIS book, because it could set someone up to be monitored by the government for suspicious behavior.

I can only imagine that if merely reading a book like this makes one a target in the government's eyes, how much more incriminating it must be to WRITE a book like this? The author seems to truly know his stuff so I'm sure he thought long and hard before putting himself out there and exposing this information. If you're not into politics then this book might not hold your interest. It's a pretty deep read with tons of facts and information.

The author writes about seventeen lies, one of them being "all men are created equal." American history buffs will already be well aware that four out of the first five American Presidents (George Washington included) owned slaves. However, what about the The Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment which gives the government the right to take away private property for "public use"? This includes YOUR home, even if you've paid it off.

What about Populism and Progessivism? When did these views develop and how have they affected our current government?

Why is FEMA so disorganized and chaotic? And why are they still allowed to operate, though FEMA has proven to be unprepared and severely lacking in disaster response?

What about the $40 billion dollars a year taken from American taxpayers and used to foot the bill for the war on drugs? In the midst of a failing economy, why are Americans forced to continue to pay for these types of ineffective programs?

Lie #12 is "Everyone Is Innocent Until Proven Guilty". Napolitano shows example after example of how the government has wrongly accused, convicted and imprisoned innocent Americans and gotten away with it.

Not only does the author cover historical events like the founding of our country and Pearl Harbor - he also addresses current events like the General Motors bailout, comparing it to the near failure of Amtrak in 1971.

Interesting, thought provoking and definitely for those who agree with Napolitano's view of the government.

228 of 258 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Amazing Judge February 16, 2010

By L. H. Rockwell, Jr.

Format:Hardcover

Andrew Napolitano's latest book is just what Republican conservatives and Tea Partiers need to read, to arm them against the federal government's lies. It's a wonderful gift for a young person too. As on FOX, the Judge's deep knowledge of the Constitution and American history are joined to great story-telling, with the moral Americans need to hear about the real nature of the US government. And the introduction is by Ron Paul. Read this book!