Freedom of speech in the United States - Softcover

Tedford, Thomas L

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0394332563 ISBN 13: 9780394332567

Publisher: Random House, 1985

Synopsis

Freedom of speech, historically one of our most cherished rights, faces new challenges today. From the Internet and V-chips to campaign finance reform and the Patriot Act, new technology and social issues raise difficult First Amendment issues.

This award-winning text offers a clear, thorough, and fascinating introduction to the complex history and current interpretations of our free speech principles. Beginning with the roots of Western free speech concepts in classical Greek thought and British common law, it traces the development of contemporary freedoms and controls from colonial times to the present, through significant legislation and Supreme Court cases. It explores issues arising from sedition, blasphemy, obscenity, political protest, commercial advertising, the right of the press to report news and express opinion, Internet access and filters, and other controversial issues.

Important reading for students of the First Amendment, Freedom of Speech in the United States guides readers to an understanding of complex concepts with clear explanations, brief abstracts of major court cases, and numerous study aids.

Thoroughly updated, the fifth edition shows how historical challenges to freedom of speech arise anew with the emergence of new technologies, political issues, and social concerns.

FEATURES

Clear, engaging writing provides an excellent introduction for readers with no legal background.

Unique historical perspective shows evolution of current freedoms and limitations.

Boxed summaries of major cases describe facts of each case, the decision, and its importance.

Succinct explanations of major theorists (Chapter 15) show key perspectives.

Abundant internal summaries and study aids guide student reading.

30 historical and contemporary illustrations bring history alive.

FEATURES OF THE NEW EDITION

Reflects current case law and decisions, including decisions from the 2004 Supreme Court session.

Reflects current issues such as the USA Patriot Act, cyberporn, campaign finance reform, abortion clinic protests, others.

New section on "Reasons for Free Speech" (Chapter 15).

About this title

From the Publisher:

Upon publication of the first edition of Freedom of Speech in the United States in 1985 ,the Speech Communication Association (now the National Communication Association) presented the author with the H. A. Wichelns Memorial Award for "outstanding scholarship in communication and law."

Following the publication of the fourth edition, the Text and Academic Authors association presented Freedom of Speech in the United States with a 2002 William Holmes McGuffey Longevity Award, as a textbook "whose excellence has been demonstrated over time."

From the Inside Flap:

COMMENTS FROM PROFESSORS

Comments on the book

"Freedom of Speech in the United States is the best book I have seen for this particular course. Its major strength is that it provides a good overview for the various freedom of expression issues without becoming a casebook . . . . I particularly like the way it blends excerpts from cases with the authors’ commentaries." Larry L. Burriss, Middle Tennessee State University

"I use Tedford as a comprehensive resource of free speech decisions and the history of common law. It is an excellent text, and has served my purposes well." Bernardo Attias, California State University, Northridge

"I find the Tedford & Herbeck text to be of immense value in the classroom. It is written in a style that is both easy for students to read while at the same time challenging for students who aren’t accustomed to thinking about difficult issues related to balancing rights." John S. Gossett, University of North Texas

"This is an excellent resource and lays out the key developments very well." Richard Ice, St. John’s University

"It is the best combination of history and law on the market." Charles Howard, Tarleton State University

"It's better than other books on First Amendment philosophy, political heresy, and time, place, and manner." Judith Buddenbaum, Colorado State University

"It covers key topics and provides concise overviews of landmark cases." Michael T. Ingram, Whitworth College

"It’s an excellent overview, well written and appropriate for the level of students I’m teaching." Howard Kleimen, Miami University

"Excellent coverage." Paul Newman, Indiana University

"Good contextual foundation of First Amendment. . . . The book is very thorough in its treatment of issues, cases, and developments."

Todd F. McDorman, Wabash College

"Other general texts on free speech are not nearly as complete." Richard Johannesen, Northern Illinois University

"Best on the market." Artie Thrash, University of Texas–Tyler

On the Web Site:

"VERY useful for myself and for students in pointing to extra resources." Paul Newman, Indiana University

On the Annual Updates

"The updates are very useful." Howard Kleimen, Miami University

"They are an excellent way to stay current on where the court is on various issues." Grant C. Cos, Rochester Institute of Technology

"indicate relevance of First Amendment decisions." Shannon McCraw, Southeastern Oklahoma State University

"I couldn’t teach ‘contemporary’ issues without updates." Virginia H. Higgins, Emporia State University

"[The Updates] are vital to realizing the ‘status quo.’" Michelle Stanton, California State University, Northridge

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House
• Publication date: 1985
• ISBN 10: 0394332563
• ISBN 13: 9780394332567
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 473