No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority [Paperback]

Lysander Spooner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2004 | ISBN-10: 1419137190 | ISBN-13: 978-1419137198

What is the motive to the secret ballot? This, and only this: Like other confederates in crime, those who use it are not friends, but enemies; and they are afraid to be known, and to have their individual doings known, even to each other. They can contrive to bring about a sufficient understanding to enable them to act in concert against other persons; but beyond this they have no confidence, and no friendship, among themselves.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Spooner was an American political philosopher, abolitionist, anarchist and legal theorist. He raised his voice against slavery and was a prominent figure of the Abolitionist Movement. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419137190
• ISBN-13: 978-1419137198
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,998,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ..."on principles of law and reason", July 30, 2009

By 

Brian Wright "bwisok" (Merrimack, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority (Paperback)

In No Treason, Lysander Spooner uses the above expression on practically every page. On those foundations, he makes his case that the US Constitution--and by universal extension, any other formal written document that aims to set up a compulsory central government--cannot be morally or legally justified. Primarily Spooner focuses on the weaknesses of the "social contract" argument. He puts the Constitution to the test of contracts, as prevailed in his time and place, and concludes that it does not meet the basic criteria for a contract at all... hence is not valid or binding on anyone.

No Treason is a great book to reread, because over time one tends to forget the incisive quality of the anarchist case...

...

For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie

reviews, please visit my site [...]

Brian Wright

Copyright 2009

5.0 out of 5 stars Spooner! Way to give the enemy good ideas!, February 13, 2012

By 

Ivan Liqour "bateau7620" (Fort Lee, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Treason The Constitution of No Authority (Paperback)

This book is amazing. If Lysander were alive today, he would see almost all of his predictions and observations be made manifest. Note: If you buy this (and you should), please note section 17 where Spooner states that there is no Public Corporation called "THE UNITED STATES" which derived its powers from acquiescence of the masses. -He published in 1870, and in 1871, The Act of 1871 was passed- effectively creating a LLC insurance company indeed called "THE UNITED STATES". Creepy right?

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, concise, relevant, June 1, 2009

By 

pastaman "NoApparentMotive..." (DC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority (Paperback)

Looking at the range of literature on drug prohibition, Spooner cuts the fluff for a more exact rational.