Nan Levinson is a journalist in Boston and a lecturer at Tufts University.

• Author's Note Acknowledgments Introduction: A Democracy of Voices PART ONE: THE POWERS THAT BE 1. I Pledge Allegiance 2. A Matter of Conscience 3. Beyond Mere Dissent 4. La Mordaza 5. Point of View PART TWO: FREEELANCE VIGILANTES 6. That Special Shimmer 7. Something to Offend Nearly Everybody 8. The Seduction of Absolutes 9. Insubordinate 10. Blame That Tune PART THREE: BALANCING ACTS 11. What Do You Mean I Can't Read Playboy? 12. The Public Trust Epilogue: In Other Words Notes Bibliography Index

"Journalist Levinson captures the vibrancy and cacophony of democracy through the stories of 20 protagonists who voiced discordant views and tested society's commitment to free expression.... [t]hese engagingly narrated personal dramas provide a remarkably panoramic view of American society through the lens of free expression issues." - A. B. Cochran, Choice "Through biographical accounts of people in the post-September 11th United States, policies and practices surrounding the First Amendment are explored. The struggle to take full advantage of what many consider an inalienable right is played out in various arenas; from the educational system to the artistic and publishing worlds. The stories remind us of the power and importance of the individual voice." - Women's Review of Books "America's national obsession with asserting, and quelling, free-speech comes alive in this collection of profiles of First Amendment firebrands.... The author goes beyond the usual polarized corners of political correctness.... her nuanced treatment of all sides of the debate makes this a revealing exploration of the social meaning of words." - Publishers Weekly"

Nan Levinson is a journalist in Boston and a lecturer at Tufts University.

• Author's Note Acknowledgments Introduction: A Democracy of Voices PART ONE: THE POWERS THAT BE 1. I Pledge Allegiance 2. A Matter of Conscience 3. Beyond Mere Dissent 4. La Mordaza 5. Point of View PART TWO: FREEELANCE VIGILANTES 6. That Special Shimmer 7. Something to Offend Nearly Everybody 8. The Seduction of Absolutes 9. Insubordinate 10. Blame That Tune PART THREE: BALANCING ACTS 11. What Do You Mean I Can't Read Playboy? 12. The Public Trust Epilogue: In Other Words Notes Bibliography Index

"Journalist Levinson captures the vibrancy and cacophony of democracy through the stories of 20 protagonists who voiced discordant views and tested society's commitment to free expression.... [t]hese engagingly narrated personal dramas provide a remarkably panoramic view of American society through the lens of free expression issues." - A. B. Cochran, Choice "Through biographical accounts of people in the post-September 11th United States, policies and practices surrounding the First Amendment are explored. The struggle to take full advantage of what many consider an inalienable right is played out in various arenas; from the educational system to the artistic and publishing worlds. The stories remind us of the power and importance of the individual voice." - Women's Review of Books "America's national obsession with asserting, and quelling, free-speech comes alive in this collection of profiles of First Amendment firebrands.... The author goes beyond the usual polarized corners of political correctness.... her nuanced treatment of all sides of the debate makes this a revealing exploration of the social meaning of words." - Publishers Weekly"

Nan Levinson is a journalist in Boston and a lecturer at Tufts University.

• Author's Note Acknowledgments Introduction: A Democracy of Voices PART ONE: THE POWERS THAT BE 1. I Pledge Allegiance 2. A Matter of Conscience 3. Beyond Mere Dissent 4. La Mordaza 5. Point of View PART TWO: FREEELANCE VIGILANTES 6. That Special Shimmer 7. Something to Offend Nearly Everybody 8. The Seduction of Absolutes 9. Insubordinate 10. Blame That Tune PART THREE: BALANCING ACTS 11. What Do You Mean I Can't Read Playboy? 12. The Public Trust Epilogue: In Other Words Notes Bibliography Index

"Journalist Levinson captures the vibrancy and cacophony of democracy through the stories of 20 protagonists who voiced discordant views and tested society's commitment to free expression.... [t]hese engagingly narrated personal dramas provide a remarkably panoramic view of American society through the lens of free expression issues." - A. B. Cochran, Choice "Through biographical accounts of people in the post-September 11th United States, policies and practices surrounding the First Amendment are explored. The struggle to take full advantage of what many consider an inalienable right is played out in various arenas; from the educational system to the artistic and publishing worlds. The stories remind us of the power and importance of the individual voice." - Women's Review of Books "America's national obsession with asserting, and quelling, free-speech comes alive in this collection of profiles of First Amendment firebrands.... The author goes beyond the usual polarized corners of political correctness.... her nuanced treatment of all sides of the debate makes this a revealing exploration of the social meaning of words." - Publishers Weekly"