The Path to Tyranny: A History of Free Society's Descent into Tyranny [Paperback]

Michael E Newton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0982604017 | ISBN-13: 978-0982604014 | Publication Date: May 17, 2010 | Edition: 2nd

Western civilization is risking the return of tyranny by increasing the size and scope of government. Throughout history, free societies descended into tyranny when their populations realized they can use the power of government to give themselves benefits at the expense of others. The Path To Tyranny examines how and why each of these free societies descended into tyranny and evaluates the current prospects for the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

"I have only two words to describe it: Brilliant and Intelligent! ... Newton draws you and obviously knows how to relate to his reader.  A sign of a good teacher, perhaps? ... Newton's book is impressive on all accounts.  It's solid - inside and out.  The book's cover is beautiful and eye catching.  Although it only contains 8 lengthy chapters, each is informative and not a page is wasted.  Newton had my full attention throughout... If you loved history back in the day, or even if you hated it, Newton's book will astound you and open the eyes of the student inside all over again." -- The LL Book Review

"The Path to Tyranny is a lucid and compelling treatment of an important subject, one that should be of interest to all who value liberty... An important book that really does speak to the times, a book that holds up a Janus-like mirror to the present, showing past futures." --Ana the Imp

"The Path to Tyranny is a must read book. If you read no other book this year, The Path to Tyranny is the one that you need to read... The only way to defeat tyranny is to recognize it, expose it, and educate others. The Path to Tyranny is an excellent place to start." -- Arkansas Conservative News Network

"As The Path to Tyranny so ably illustrates, in example after example, the ultimate result of this process is the loss of freedom, the degradation of the economy, and general misery... There are lessons here for America. Mr. Newton's clear and concise writing style makes them crystal clear... I kept thinking that this book is irrefutable. I can't imagine an academic or politician arguing intelligently with Newton's assertions or his conclusions." -- Conservative Monitor/Bookstore

"Author Michael Newton has set out the warning signs on the path from liberty to tyranny... The path to tyranny is clearly marked and the signs, regardless of location, are remarkably repetitive.  When free societies permit their economic systems to fall under government control, loss of freedom and penury are not long in coming... He makes a compelling case for restraining government before America travels that well-worn path." -- What Would The Founders Think?

About the Author

Michael Newton graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors from Arizona State University with degrees in finance and computer information systems. He was a portfolio manager for ten years and writes about economics, finance, and the market. Michael Newton has always had a passion for history, politics, and economics, which led him write The Path To Tyranny.

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Eleftheria Publishing; 2nd edition (May 17, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982604017
• ISBN-13: 978-0982604014
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael E. Newton graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors from Arizona State University with degrees in finance and computer information systems. He was a portfolio manager for ten years and writes about economics, finance, and the market. Michael Newton has always had a passion for history, politics, and economics, which led him write 'The Path To Tyranny'. His newest book, 'Angry Mobs and Founding Fathers', was just published in July 2011.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read, February 26, 2010

By 

Always Reading "tkm" (Chandler, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Path to Tyranny: A History of Free Society's Descent into Tyranny (Paperback)

If you're looking for a shrill, hysterical book meant to whip up frenzied emotions, you'll need to keep looking. This is a book that condenses volumes of information (check the bibliography!) into very few pages, really, and yet it's a book that reads easily enough that it's difficult to put down. It is not an attempt to rewrite history to force the reader to "inescapable conclusions", though the simple facts paint a stark picture. Overall, a splendid book, well-written.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Newton's Path to Tyranny, September 12, 2010

By 

Shannon L. Yarbrough "Shannon L. Yarbrough" (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Path to Tyranny: A History of Free Society's Descent into Tyranny (Paperback)

I've said it before in other historical or nonfiction books I've reviewed here: I was not a fan of history class back in school, and I blame the bland teachers who doubled as coaches and only taught history because they had to teach something besides kick ball. History was boring to me thanks to those boring teachers. But I have authors like Michael E. Newton to thank for bringing me back to the fold. If you are not a fan of historical nonfiction, I absolutely beg you to pick up his book and at least give it a try. I have only two words to describe it: Brilliant and Intelligent!

First, I had an idea what tyranny was and I admit I almost looked it up before I started to read Mr. Newton's book. I assumed his book was written for a specific group of people who should probably already be well versed in the subject. I was wrong. Tyranny is defined right on page 4, and Newton doesn't use "over your head" terms that you'll find yourself going glassy eyed over. In fact, the text is laced with infamous quotes from George Santayana ("Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.") to James Madison ("If men were angels, no government would be necessary.") which help you become quite comfortable with the material. Newton draws you and obviously knows how to relate to his reader. A sign of a good teacher, perhaps? As for that definition of tyranny:

"The word comes from the ancient Greek tyrannos, meaning "absolute ruler." With time, the definition of tyrannos changed from "absolute ruler" to "illegitimate, cruel, and oppressive ruler." Today, the dictionary definition of tyrant is "an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution" and tyranny is "oppressive power" especially as "exerted by government."

Still too much to wrap your head around? Don't worry. From there, Newton spends a chapter each on Ancient Greece, Ancient Israel, Ancient Rome, Communist Russia, Fascist Italy, and even Nazi Germany explaining how each free society descended into tyranny. Newton ultimately ends with the United States and the jagged path they may just be leading us in the same direction. Readers will be shocked but informed at the evidence of our destiny, which is actually already happening right in the headlines. We've just been too blind to see it. But we aren't necessarily the ones to blame.

Newton stretches all the way back to our forefathers and the signing of the constitution. The taste of wealth and freedom has shielded our eyes from the same demise that all of the other societies mentioned in the book eventually met, so this descent has been slow going, but has happened throughout our history. Newton even sites examples of when tyranny isn't such a bad thing, but ultimately a single leader even gets greedy.

Newton's book is impressive on all accounts. It's solid - inside and out. The book's cover is beautiful and eye catching. Although it only contains 8 lengthy chapters, each is informative and not a page is wasted. Newton had my full attention throughout. And while Newton does lightly input his own opinions throughout the text, his facts are in plain sight. The citations and bibliography sections in the back of the book take up an impressive 40 pages! Newton did his homework. This is another book I'm going to call the attention of other indie authors to - buy Newton's book for a reference on how self-publishing should be done!

His solution to our problem is limited to just two pages in the last chapter on the U.S. And it's quite simple. I won't reveal it here because I don't want to ruin the book for readers, but this is not a how-to-get-out-of-tyranny book anyway. Newton just peels back the layers of history - the pop quiz questions on who fought who - and shows us what the world's history sadly had in common, and that in the end, as a country we are no different. With politics and "change" all over the news lately, Newton's book is for the voter. Yes, it's a wake up call. It's informative. And it encourages us to use the two freedoms we've fought the most for: the right to vote and the right to speak.

History buffs, political junkies, conspiracy theorists, or just those who enjoy a good nonfiction read or like to be informed - there's a little bit of everything for everyone here. Ten years ago I wouldn't have thought twice about this book. But in today's society, today's economy, today's America, this is a book that I will be suggesting for a long time to come. If you loved history back in the day, or even if you hated it, Newton's book will astound you and open the eyes of the student inside all over again.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important and timely work for all to read!, February 26, 2010

By 

Mark Leibovit "volume reversal" (sedona, az United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Path to Tyranny: A History of Free Society's Descent into Tyranny (Paperback)

Michael Newton is a new, young and talented author who has brought to us a book that should be part of every history curriculum here in the U.S. Unlike the 'edited' version of history we're taught in schools, Michael gets to the real meat of the problem - government that takes too much control and the ultimate descent into abuse. If we can only learn from history to help to avoid repeating the errors of the past! 'The Path To Tyranny' can very well be our guide.