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You Can't Read This Book: Censorship in an Age of Freedom Kindle Edition

by
Nick Cohen (Author)
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Nick Cohen (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 62 customer reviews
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Length: 330 pages Word Wise: Enabled Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
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Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 798 KB
  • Print Length: 330 pages
  • Publisher: Fourth Estate (19 Jan. 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005UEXHC4
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray:
  • Word Wise: Enabled
  • Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars 62 customer reviews
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #46,453 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsYou should read this book.
By MJE4 on 25 Jan. 2012
Format: Paperback
`Do you believe in free speech? Are you sure?' So asks Nick Cohen in this important and timely book. Through a combination of righteous indignation, mordant wit and searing polemic, he shows how the ideals of Milton, Mill and the Enlightenment - those of freedom of expression, conscience and the free, enquiring mind - are being undermined, indeed, deliberately attacked, by a derisory and intellectually inadequate group of religious fundamentalists, oppressive corporations, quack scientists, timid politicians and self-satisfied academics.

Cohen effortlessly takes us through some of the defining freedom of speech issues of our time: the Salman Rushdie and Danish cartoon affairs; the impressive figure of Ayaan Hirsi Ali throwing off the chains of obnoxious religious chauvinism only to encounter the gently ruminating herd of cloistered academia; the near-dictatorial conditions employees face the moment they step into the workplace, and the dangers faced by whistle-blowers in the face of managerial and bureaucratic incompetence; the absurd entity that is Britain's chiropractor lobby; and the vicious counter-attack against the liberating forces of the Internet, reminding us that oppressive nations are perfectly capable of utilising the net as well as its citizens.

Along every step of the way, as Cohen shows, there is seemingly always a constituency just waiting to be offended into action. Readers will already be familiar with perennially grumpy and stony-faced theocrats like the Ayatollah Khomeini, calling as he did for the assassination of a private citizen in a sovereign country for publishing a work of fiction which he had not read, and probably could not have read.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsYOU MUST READ THIS BOOK
By Dr. Michael A. Ward on 1 Aug. 2013
Format: Paperback
This book is about freedom of speech.

The simplistic notion of "freedom" in liberal capitalist countries is a notion that has (quite properly) been contested over the years but (while acknowledging such debates) Nick Cohen argues persuasively that there really is a crucially important issue at stake here - whatever your other views on social justice.

But even those who might have always subscribed to Evelyn Beatrice Hall's "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"[Often mis-attributed to Voltaire], still need to read this book. YOU CAN'T READ THIS BOOK is not just some kind of woolly defence of liberal principles, it is a forensic (though highly readable) examination of an eclectic range of contemporary threats to our liberties. I had actually heard of nearly every case presented in this book, but I had no idea of the details and would have never thought to join these cases together in the single thread which Cohen spins. His book was a real eye-opener - even for people like me who try to walk around with their eyes fully open. There are moments when you find yourself thinking "what's he on about now", but in every case he succeeds expertly in tying the stories he presents back to his main thesis.

What is particularly illuminating, is the way Nick Cohen ties together different kinds of de jure and de facto constraints on free expression - from the behaviour of autocratic governments and religious zealots to that of private companies.

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!
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5.0 out of 5 starsBe thankful that you CAN read this book. And you should
By Marshall Lord TOP 500 REVIEWER on 3 Oct. 2013
Format: Paperback
Nick Cohen is the author of "Pretty Straight Guys" and "What's Left?: How the Left Lost its Way: How Liberals Lost Their Way."

His latest work, "You cannot read this book" is a chilling account of how Western civilisation has, largely through a failure to stand up to those who are willing to kill or threaten anyone who writes or publishes something they strongly disgree with, allowed it to become extremely difficult to publish certain types of idea, and that we voluntarily censor what we will write or allow others to write about certain subjects.

He also looks at the workings of the legal system in respect of libel cases and argues that the practice of using expensive libel actions to try to suppress the truth by claiming it is lies, of which the late and unlamented Robert Maxwell was the most notorious practitioner, is still far too easy and far too common.

He begins the book with a ruthlessly candid account of the controversy over Salman Rushdie's book, "The Satanic Verses" which concludes by suggesting it is very unlikely that any author of equivalent status to Rushdie would dare try to bring out a similar novel today, and that if someone did, it would be extremely difficult for them to find a publisher.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Very well written.

Published 2 months ago by Sohail
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great seller!

Published 4 months ago by Rachel Chiles
2.0 out of 5 starsbut what a disappointment. It's a rambling book that jumps all over...

I was really looking forward to reading this, but what a disappointment. It's a rambling book that jumps all over the place from Salman Rushdie to Milton to JS Mill, Roman Polanski... Read more

Published 5 months ago by D. Sedgwick
5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant book which should be read by everyone who has ...

Brilliant book which should be read by everyone who has not yet woken up to the creeping erosion of freedom of expression in western societies.

Published 9 months ago by Nicholas
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Perfect co diction. Everyone should read this book.

Published 9 months ago by mairi l mitchell
5.0 out of 5 starsTo be recommended

Excellent insight on freedom of information and how we should protect it. The book is full with my underlinings now. Read more

Published 9 months ago by peterwired
5.0 out of 5 starsWorth a buy for the 3rd section alone.

It's a great read. Would particularly highlight the last 3rd (it's split into 3 sections) it's quite simply one of the best pieces of writing I've read and something I'm going to... Read more

Published 10 months ago by John B
5.0 out of 5 starsThreats to freedom of speech

Freedom of speech explored, from many angles. It shouldn't be taken for granted. Salman Rushdie's book 'Satanic verses' is discussed, and the appalling treatment at the hands of... Read more

Published 10 months ago by Jonathan Nicholas - Author
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great book. Very persuasive arguments by Nick Cohen. Essential reading for any saloon bar libertarian.

Published 10 months ago by Mjolnir
5.0 out of 5 starsA definitive voice after Charlie Hebdo.

Under present circumstances, this is essential reading. Cohen's coverage is wide and intelligent. He tears political correctness and self-censorship apart. Read more

Published 11 months ago by amantedofado

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