Lost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty (Paperback)

by James Bovard (Author) "Americans' liberty is perishing beneath the constant growth of government power..." (more)
Key Phrases: unsubsidized farmers, reserve almonds, entrapment schemes, New York, Supreme Court, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A critic of governmental hypocrisy in his exposes The Fair Trade Fraud and The Farm Fiasco , Bovard over-extends himself in this libertarian broadside against government interventions such as school condom-giveaway programs and the minimum wage. He makes worthy points, however, arguing, for example, that only those who can afford to sue can protect their property rights and that the need for drunk-driving checkpoints results from police incompetence in controlling previously convicted drunken drivers. But Bovard proffers sweeping statements like "Civil rights law has gone from letting black people sit at luncheon counters to entitling people with infectious diseases to prepare and serve them lunch." Another shocker: "The federal tax system has turned individuals into sharecroppers of their own lives ." A bit less bluster and more discretion would have produced a more effective polemic.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
Journalist Bovard presents an entertaining and outrageous expose of the misuse of government control. He maintains that the only way many government agencies can measure their "public service" is by the number of citizens they harass, hinder, restrain or jail. Lost Rights provides an analysis of the bloated excess of government and the plight of contemporary Americans.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (September 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312123337
• ISBN-13: 978-0312123338
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #291,409 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great but frightening book., August 23, 1998

By	Greg B. Shoom (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The United States of America is the greatest country in human history because it is the only nation ever founded on the noblest political principle possible: the principle of inalienable individual rights. But today this principle is undergoing an all-out assault by the enemies of liberty, and the United States is being destroyed in the process. This book presents, in terrifying detail, just how far the destruction of American liberties has gone. Bovard presents a wide range of examples of the arbitrary, viscious use of government power against defenseless citizens, and of the cost in death and ruined lives that this power produces. It is shocking to discover how far the destruction of freedom has already gone in America. Any person interested in protecting liberty ought to read this book.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Government Abuses are Everywhere, October 31, 1999

By	Bryan Carey "Bryan Carey" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Do you think the institution of government is generally good? Do you think that politicians have your best interests in mind? Are you a believer in the idea that important decisions should be made by a government authority?

If you truly believe in the sanctity of government, Lost Rights could very well change your mind for good. You will discover that government abuses run far and wide, from police harassment, to IRS intimidation, to government censorship of television and radio.

These abuses are far worse than many people realize. The American public has become too apathetic, too vulnerable to political rambling, and too accepting of abusive, coercive government rules and regulations.

James Bovard provides an excellent account of these government abuses. This book is well documented and convincing. It will change the minds of many liberals.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, December 6, 1999

By A Customer

A guaranteed eye-opener for anyone. This book catalouges atrocities that reveal how far we've come from the ideas this country was founded on. The book uses inflammatory language to sway emotions, but even when wary of this, you can't help but be swayed. Read and become aware of our rights and how they are being violated.