Freedom of Speech

School Library Journal

Gr 6-12-- Evans has rewritten this important explanation of one of the basic rights of U. S. citizens in a format almost identical to the earlier Lerner editions of the 1960s. This much-needed resource begins with a historical examination of the concept from Socrates through the influence of English law on our American colonies. The changes of interpretation are clearly presented through the original writing, the Civil War, and World War II, but curiously stop with the Vietnam conflict. Of special interest are the explanations of the seditious libel law and the importance of both majority and minority opinions in the Supreme Court. Readers should appreciate the addition of the actual text of the Bill of Rights and a photo of the current Supreme Court among the numerous black-and-white photographs interspersed throughout the text. However, the last rulings discussed are the courts' decisions to uphold the rights of the American Nazi Party to march in Skokie in 1977. A good discussion, as far as it goes. --Judie Porter, Media Services Center, Portsmouth School Department, RI