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D**N
Repetitious But Necessarily So
Our cognitive dissonance regarding this subject is so ubiquitous that the irrefutable logic used to deprogam this mindset must slap us repeatedly until one awakens in an alternative universe where peace and prosperity seem possible. The book then ends and reality and depression resume. The repetitions are cleverly nuanced and effective. My sole criticism is Larken's failure to fully flesh out the nature of the political class. He treats their destructive attributes as self-evident and it should be, but for many this is not apparent. Within the general population psychopathy is present in about 1 percent. Within the political class it is the rule. Psychopaths are drawn to power and the easiest path to get there is via elections or government service. This book reveals the most important history lesson never taught in our schools as it explains and indicts the party responsible time and again for man's inhumanity to man. GOVERNMENT!
E**.
A really important well thought out book!
This is one of the most important books I've ever read. What he writes about and explains very well are concepts I have basically gotten but have not fully understood. I needed this book to help me get it at a much deeper level. Humanity needs very much to really get this so we can make better choices and get the freedom we naturally would have without the trickery, the indoctrination of those who crazily want to rule others. I have a paper copy but bought this kindle version to make sure I always have it. I like to randomly read parts of it again. I want to get really clear on all of it so I can help others get these important concepts to promote true freedom. It is terrible how someone has managed to block the sale of the hard copies through nefarious means of buying a bunch them seeing them back with bogus reasons for doing so. I heard something like that has happened. Not so surprising that those who want to rule the world and enrich themselves at the expense of others would pull such crap. This is a great book so don't be fooled.
T**R
This is an Extremely Powerful Book
This is an Extremely Powerful Book. Plainly, there is no ritual one can perform that grants the performer your unalienable rights. Moreover, how did I surrender to the Government your rights? This Book then demonstrates how in the "free market" system without the boot of Government (or even despite Government interference) people are rewarded or punished pursuant to their works. Every Government is merely a paper, with no ability to take or give anything to anyone, and it is the paid actors who bring this illusion to appear real. Each horror advanced under the illusion of Government upon people, can only take place when its paid actors stop reasoning and start acting as if this illusion has granted them special authority that exceeds what they could properly do on their own accord (for example, nobody would believe on their own they could round up neighbors and gas them as in World War 2). I would encourage ever person to read this book, especially now when we are being forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. In essence, there would be no leader, ideology or premise that would be feared if it were not for the people who blindly follow these madmen.
C**R
Pleasantly surprised - In my Top 3
After a 1.5 decades of researching personal autonomy I'm shocked it took me so long to discover Rose, which merely happened as I was searching Amazon for random books with 5-star ratings. His voice is distracting at first because he is so confident and sure, comes across as arrogant and close-minded, but I'm sure glad I didn't let that stop me from reading the whole book. I've now read it multiple times and find each time more engaging than the previous. Regarding the construct of anarchy, liberty, personal sovereignty, voluntaryism, etc I consider this book to hold the top position, so far.Michael Huemer's THE PROBLEM WITH POLITICAL AUTHORITY is basically the professor's equivalent, another fantastic argument.
N**O
You'll want to buy extra copies for friends
This is the best book I've ever read on this particular subject. You don't have to know who Larken Rose is to appreciate it, but if you have heard Larken speak, you'll find yourself reading it exactly how he speaks. This brings to me a sense of humor to the book because I love how Larken rails against the absurdity of people's undying love of an authoritative entity looming over them.I bought an extra copy for a brainwashed friend, and after reading my copy twice, I plan to give it to someone and buy a few more copies to pass out. If I could afford a truckload of these I'd buy them and give them to total strangers.If you're thinking about buying a copy for yourself, just do it. You'll thank yourself later.
B**N
Required Reading for anyone that believes in FREEDOM
The author has earned his place among the greats, like Thomas Paine, for he delivers an outstanding explanation of what's wrong, and then presents the cure! Purchase this book, read it, and pass it along to someone else that needs to know the TRUTH. Better yet, buy a bunch and give them away to all your friends and family.
M**E
Required Reading
From the outset, Mr Rose explains quite clearly and coherently, the evil that comes from the belief in authority. He presents his explanation logically and provides many examples as to why this belief is the most dangerous superstition. He demonstrates with numerous examples the ignorance behind the idea that without authority we would descend into chaos and offers insights into what a world free from this belief could look like. In my opinion this book should be compulsory reading for everyone capable of reading and especially parents.
M**E
Agreed with the message but disappointed by most of the content
I identify myself as a voluntarist, so let's begin by saying that I agree with the general message of the book that we do not need "authority" as in "legitimate coercion" in our societies and we are better off without it. Unfortunately though, most of the book was a disappointment for me.The gist of it can be summed up in a single paragraph, yet the author managed to write a book out of it by repeating himself to death. Apart from the repetition which was very tiring, there are many premises all over the place, although that's the nature of discussing something unknown I guess. Also, the author gets out emotional from time to time and that has been negatively affecting the quality of the book. Halfway through I realized I was wasting my time so I skipped to Part IV which is where the author proposes an alternative to "government" and where I hoped I could take something away from. The gist of that part is "Privitize everything and fix schooling. Incentives, deterrents, and morals will get us through". He also devotes a paragraph to diss "anarcho-communism" which was also another weak spot in the book, full of premises and contradictions. So his solution is kind of obvious: by dismissing common goods and the state, the only thing left is privitization of everything.I probably had high expectations, there was nothing new to me or interesting that I can use or build upon in there. I wanted to read about practical ideas on how to get to the point when government is not necessary anymore, but as it happens with most political discussions, this has been mostly mumbo jumbo. This is probably a good read for ancaps and libertarians but that's about it.
A**R
Think outside the box
Brilliant, I can say when I talk about the content of this book, no one listens. And they think I’m weird.
P**S
Simple & True
The belief in a requirement for an external authority underlies our entire way of living. As Larken points out very clearly, this is a false belief and is the root cause of all of today's problems. Unfortunately, I can't foresee enough people ever breaking free of the belief because of their total indoctrination from birth combined with constant reinforcement from the media, their peers and from all the associated structures that together form our world view.
A**J
An interesting read.
An interesting read. I highly recommend everyone to read it.
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