In Defense of American Liberties: A History of the ACLU

From Library Journal
Walker (criminal justice, Univ. of Nebraska), an active American Civil Liberties Union member who had complete access to its archives, has written a comprehensive history of this unique and often controversial organization, which will celebrate its 70th anniversary next month. What emerges is a candid but sympathetic account of the ACLU's triumphs and defeats, its strengths and failings, and fascinating pen pictures of its charismatic but often quarrelsome leaders, particularly Roger Baldwin, who was the ACLU's first executive director until forced out in 1950 after 30 years. Walker makes plain that it was by fearlessly championing unpopular or even "dangerous" ideas of the time that the ACLU became a major force in shaping American attitudes on civil liberties. Highly recommended.- Harry Frumerman, formerly with Hunter Coll., Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.


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A marvelous history of the ACLU. It made me relive some of my past life and taught me things that I had either forgotten or never knew. — William Kunstler


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