"This book is highly intelligent for those with an interest in the U. S. Constitution and especially the meaning and theory of the First Amendment. It is a very well written, effectively supported book that can contribute significantly to the growing body of literature on freedom of expression." -- John J. Makay, Director, School of Mass Communications, Bowling Green State University
"This book has a number of especially attractive features. It achieves an understanding of suppression of freedom of expression by the national government of the United States by (1) the selection of seven crucial episodes in American history; (2) the re-telling of these stories with considerable narrative detail; (3) the interpretation of these episodes in suppression of freedom of expression not only in political, legal, and historical terms but also as rhetorical encounters, in which due attention is paid both to the expression that is being suppressed and to the rhetorical means by which that suppression is advocated, and in some cases, overthrown. This rhetorical focus gives the book its special claim to advance our knowledge." -- Thomas W. Benson, Penn State University