Free Speech

"“This engaging and enlightening book is filled with fascinating stories from past and present, with a diverse cast of characters, who all embody the current, urgent importance of robust freedom of speech. It powerfully shows that such freedom is essential for individual liberty, equality, and full participation in our democratic self-government, especially for people who have traditionally been disempowered. Signe Wilkinson’s captivating cartoons, as well as Jonathan Zimmerman’s witty prose, spark welcome smiles in service of this book’s all-too-serious mission: to revitalize our understanding, support, and exercise of our precious speech rights.”

Nadine Strossen, John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law Emerita, New York Law School; Immediate Past President, American Civil Liberties Union, and author of HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship 

“It is imperative these days for young people to have an understanding of the nature and importance of free speech. In Free Speech and Why You Should Give a Damn, Jonathan Zimmerman offers an accessible, engaging and compelling portrayal of the history of free speech in our nation and why the citizens of a democracy should both embrace and defend it fiercely. This is a work every young person in America should read.”

Geoffrey R. Stone, Edward H. Levi Distinguished Professor of Law, University of Chicago, and author of Perilous Times: Free Speech in Wartime and The Free Speech Century

“Have you noticed how in the past few years, a certain set have decided that you should be ousted from polite society for opinions that seem ordinary or at least up for discussion? This book will show you with words and political cartoons what's happened and where to go from here.”

John H. McWhorter, Professor of Linguistics at Columbia University and Contributing Editor at The Atlantic

“At a time when many young Americans harbor doubts about the value of free speech, Jonathan Zimmerman’s powerful defense of this democratic principle has never been more urgent. The book is at once lucid and learned, elegant and entertaining. Readers from across the political spectrum will benefit from Zimmerman’s distillation of how we arrived at this fraught historical moment, and, I hope, will appreciate anew how protecting free speech is essential to our nation’s future.”  

Justin Driver, Professor of Law, Yale Law School and author of The Schoolhouse Gate

“Jonathan Zimmerman's brisk and cheerful trot through free-speech history—enlivened by Signe Wilkinson's zesty drawings—uses humor and passion in equal measure to drive home what's easily forgotten: free speech is the most precious of human rights, the easiest to take for granted—and the easiest to lose. Free Speech and Why You Should Give a Damn will help us keep it.”

Jonathan Rauch, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institute, and author of Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought

“This pithy, witty and ingenious volume offers an engaging and urgent reminder to young people of why they have a stake in free speech. A look back at historical struggles underscores that free speech has been a catalyst for progress, pushing forward the causes and movements that have rendered a better world. As we fight new battles for social justice, free speech remains an indispensable tool and set of protections for anyone striving to make change.” 

Suzanne Nossel, Chief Executive Officer, PEN America

“Jonathan Zimmerman’s book demonstrates how free speech is the backbone of democracy—and how restricting speech can break America. Free Speech and Why You Should Give a Damn promises to provide both a kickstart and ample information for vitally important classes on civic education and for later conversations at home and elsewhere. And Signe Wilkinson provides wonderfully appealing illustrations.”

Cynthia and Sanford Levinson, authors of Fault Lines in the Constitution 

“A lively, informative journey through the history of efforts to restrict speech in the United States. The book crisply illustrates some of the societal tensions that are inevitable where robust speech is involved. Zimmerman has made an exuberant case for the importance of cherishing such expression.”

Carlos E. Cortés, Professor Emeritus of History, University of California, Riverside

“With this short book, Jonathan Zimmerman takes us through a remarkably thorough review of the controversies and history of free speech, always with an eye to our current period. Signe Wilkinson’s illustrations are right on target, and a real delight. For democracy, for a better future, read this book!”

Mary Beth Tinker, Tinker Tour USA: Empowering Youth Voices Through First-Amendment Activism

“At a time when many are questioning free speech—or are at least skeptical of it—Jonathan Zimmerman and Signe Wilkinson show how it has been central to every movement for equality and social justice in American history. This well-researched book has an engaging, informal tone that is enhanced by Wilkinson’s poignant political cartoons. Compact, elegant, and a real eye-opener.”

Anthony Romero, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union

“Free Speech and Why You Should Give a Damn is engaging, accessible, and instructive. With its spry writing and witty cartoons, it a fun read despite the seriousness of its theme. It addresses directly and persuasively why it is wise to protect from governmental suppression even hateful speech.”

Randall Kennedy, Michael R. Klein Professor of Law, Harvard Law School

“What an elegant book, warmly written, story-filled, beautifully argued, making the case for entire liberty of speech. As someone said, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you want to speak your mind, you need to allow speaking to flourish. Speaking doesn't kill. Pushing does. Put away your clubs and guns, and listen, and speak.”

Deirdre Nansen McCloskey, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Economics and History, University of Chicago and author of Why Liberalism Works