The
first collection of seminal writings on a
movement that is rapidly changing American
politics, The Libertarian
Reader links some of the
most fertile minds of our time to a
centuries-old commitment to freedom,
self-determination, and opposition to
intrusive government. A movement that today
counts among its supporters Steve Forbes, Nat
Hentoff, and P.J. O’Rourke,
libertarianism joins a continuous thread of political
reason running throughout history.
Writing in 1995 about
the large numbers of Americans who say
they’d welcome a third party, David
Broder of The Washington
Post commented,
"The distinguishing characteristic of
these potential independent voters—aside
from their disillusionment with Washington
politicians of both parties—is their
libertarian streak. They are skeptical of
Democrats because they identify them with big
government. They are wary of the Republicans
because of the growing influence within the
GOP of the religious right."
In The
Libertarian Reader,
David Boaz has gathered the writers and works
that represent the building blocks of
libertarianism. These individuals have spoken
out for the basic freedoms that have made
possible the flowering of spiritual, moral,
and economic life. For all independent
thinkers, this unique sourcebook will stand
as a classic reference for years to come, and
a reminder that libertarianism is one of our
oldest and most venerable American
traditions.
The
Libertarian Reader is
published by the Free Press, a division of
Simon & Schuster, and is available at most
bookstores.
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