“This nicely crafted volume traces the development of public opinion regarding highly controversial free-speech issues. Two dozen chapters explore virtually every contentious aspect of free speech including government censorship, obscenity, fighting words, student speech, prurient interests, and misinformation. Dozens of primary and secondary sources, including court decisions, news reports, and legislation, are presented and examined. For example, the fighting words section explains that free-speech protections do not extend to someone whose words are intended to directly instigate a fight. Examples lend historical authenticity to each topic. In the 1942 case Chaplinsky v. State of New Hampshire, authorities sought to calm unrest in Rochester, New Hampshire, by shutting down Walter Chaplinsky's speech denouncing all religion as a "racket." Upon being escorted from the town square, Chaplinsky yelled that the town marshal was a "God damned racketeer” and “a damned Fascist." The courts ruled that these were indeed fighting words, and his conviction was upheld. This is a solid, authoritative, and information-packed title. It is strongly recommended for the reference collections of both university and large public libraries.” -Booklist