At War with Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Reviews / Votes

No topic is more important than the one addressed in this book, since it is highly likely that the 'Global War on Terror' will be literally endless. Baker and Stack have assembled an excellent group of scholars to discuss some of the ramifications of that war. The essays should prove illuminating to scholars, students, and general readers alike. -- Sanford Levinson, author of An Argument Open to All: Reading the Federalist in the 21st Century At War with Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is a truly important book. It is a rare scholarly effort that translates well to a more general audience concerned with policy and matters of the day. The editors, Baker and Stack, distinguished scholars in law and politics, have brought together an extraordinary team that ranges from John Ashcroft, the former Attorney General, to experts in the history of civil liberties in the U.S. The issues covered include the evolution of civil rights and liberties, explored through case studies from the time of FDR to the War on Terrorism, along with the responsibilities of political institutions in the U.S. as related to the rule of law and limitations on the arbitrary exercise of power. At War with Civil Rights and Civil Liberties will stand as one of the finest collections on law and politics for many years to come. -- Patrick James, University of Southern California With the goal of addressing a vexing set of problems confronting our society-not the least of which is how government ought balance liberty and security concerns in times of crisis-Baker and Stack have brought together an eminent group of commentators. The result is an eminently important volume, one that is balanced, sophisticated, and, best of all, accessible and engaging. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in rights during war, in other words, to all thinking people living in the United States today. -- Lee Epstein, Washington University, author of Constitutional Law for a Changing America From their unique perspectives, leading scholars from history, political science, and law, as well as an Attorney General and a Supreme Court justice, contemplate the most important constitutional challenge of our time: making sure that civil rights and civil liberties do not become a casualty of the war on terrorism. For better or for worse, these essays demonstrate that if we are to avoid the mistakes of the past we cannot take the Constitution for granted in these perilous times. This provocative book is 'must-reading' for everyone who believes in human rights and the rule of law. -- professor, New York Law School; president, American Civil Liberties Union, Nadine Strossen, professor, New York Law School; former president, American Civil Liberties Union An excellent collection of essays on the most important legal issue of our time: how to balance civil liberties with protecting national security in fighting the war on terrorism. Eminent authors-including Justice Stephen Breyer, former Attorney General John Ashcroft, and top scholars-examine crucial aspects of the consequences of the war on terrorism for civil liberties. The essays are written in an accessible manner so that everyone can benefit and learn from this important book. -- Erwin Chemerinsky, Alston & Bird Professor of Law, Duke University, author of Constitutional Law: Principles and Policies Beginning with the views of Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer and Attorney General John Ashcroft, the remaining seven essays explore how several U.S. administrations have at times expanded or limited our civil liberties and rights during times of crisis. This collection of essays is not a polemical attack on the Bush Administration. Instead, this is a balanced and critical analysis of the real political costs-in terms of individual rights, privileges, and obligations-of fighting this global war on terrorism.

At War with Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is a thoughtful, timely, and provocative collection of essays that explores the relationship between foreign policy, international security challenges, and the rights of U.S. citizens. The terrorist attacks on September 11th should have reminded Americans that we are always vulnerable and that our domestic affairs cannot be separated from conditions, events, and decisions made in distant lands. The actions of a global terrorist network have profoundly affected our lives, liberties and laws. Professors Baker and Stack have put together an excellent collection of essays that force us to think critically about the relationship between the war on terrorism and the civil rights and civil liberties of U.S. citizens as well as those who would challenge U.S. interests and security. -- Steven L. Lamy, Professor and Director, School of International Relations, University of Southern California The authors clearly convey the message that the constitutional fabric of liberties and rights is stretched to the breaking point during wars and, currently, under unpredictable, lethal terrorist attacks. Highly Recommended. * CHOICE * An impressive, thoughtful, and timely collection that should prove useful in courses on civil rights and liberties. -- David M. O'Brien, University of Virginia; author of Constitutional Law and Politics