Over the past two weeks I have spent my time reading Lee Harris' New book "The Next American Civil War: The Populist Revolt Against the Liberal Elite". I have also perused the reviews provided on Amazon and other locations. It has struck me how many of the reviewers have missed so many of the points in the book. Whether they actually read the book or they chose to focus on an isolated topic I cannot speak to. This being said, I am going to focus on one item tha, to me, was the topic that kept all of the topics interwove: Natural Libertarian. Lee Brings this up in the initial pages of the book and then continuously uses examples throughout the rest of the book in explaining what a Natural Libertarian is, does, and believes in.
Many of the reviewers focused on the Tea Partiers and what Lee Had to say. Though the Tea Party movement is used an example of the Natural Libertarian, it is not the sole focus of the book. In fact, it is only used as an example and nothing more. References to Conservative Talk Show Hosts and Sarah Palin fill the same role. Many reviewers, more than likely intentionally, missed this point.
In general terms, a Natural Libertarian wants to be left to his own devices and only becomes upset or rebellious when he feels his liberty is at risk by some outside, possibly conspiratorial, force.
Lee uses history to examine the existence and the development of the Natural Libertarian. What better way to examine human beavior and opinion than using human history. After all, the only difference between human beings today and our ancestors is that we have more gadgets and toys.The inner workings, the desires, wants, needs, and lusts of people, have not changed.
While reading this book one must be truthfully open to what idea and opinion is being presented. Check your emotions at the door. I am not saying you will agree with everything, but Lee sticks to fact and does his best to not get sidetraked by emotionalism. The title may appear a bit misleading but only to those who have already determined what a liberal elite is based on modern newsmedia and academia. This is not a Conservative versus Liberal book. It is not a Republican versus Democrat book. Though politics is used, once again it is only used as a role player and not the main character. It is a philosophical approach towards dealing with the modern man.
Mr. Harris is a modern philosopher. His books invoke thought provoking ideas and they are presented in a manner that is easily understandable and digestible. To cast his ideas aside as a matter of hand is detrimental when one is involved in today's cultural and societal confrontation. One man can never hope to understand another man if he disregards what that man believes.
Mr. Harris, again, has provided society something of value.
