I had to buy this from Amazon, because NO OTHER BOOKSELLERS COULD EVEN GET IT. It is pretty astounding to see how consistent and how correct Dr. Paul has been during his career in the U.S. House of Representatives.

I read this book as a participant of http://www.freedombookclub.com

The message that resounds throughout this collection of speeches is that the federal government of the United States ought not to intervene in true free market capitalism. It was a very consistent book. A key theme of this book is how the Federal Reserve supports the federal government's deficit spending by printing more and more money (backed by nothing but the threat of nuclear annihilation [that's what I say, not Ron Paul]), which is, by definition, INFLATION. This has been the way out of many a financial crisis, as is cited in the book. When more and more "dollars" are chasing the same amount of consumer goods (like bread, gasoline, or any number of commodities) PRICE inflation occurs. Inflation is a hidden tax, which hurts mostly the middle class, and decimates those already having trouble making ends meet.

There were a few words that sent me to the dictionary to gain a clearer understanding. Words like fungibilty (p. 425), profligate, and sop (p. 443). So not only did it underscore my understanding of the way a free market (if allowed to) will operate, it illustrated the unintended consequences of government intervention in the marketplace.

In general I found this book easy to understand, except for in Part 7: International Affairs, in a speech entitled "Reaffirming Committment of United States to Principles of the Marshall Plan." That left me scratching my head. But maybe I shouldn't read this stuff so late at night.

In summation: A bit long, excellent content, big words make you smart.

The picture was taken at Taylorsville Library (formerly named the Park Library up until June 2008), 4870 South 2700 West, Salt Lake City, 84118, on 14 October 2008.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I released this at the Grafton Town Offices, to the right of the front door, propped up under the window on the floor.