Lever Action: Essays on Liberty

L. Neil Smith is one of the most prolific libertarian writer of the last few decades. With more than 20 sci-fi books under his belt this is his first non fiction book. Full of essays on libertarian philosophy, libertarian politics, the Second Amendment, the media, science fiction, sex, drugs, Ayn Rand, freedom and Robert A. Heinlein. The only problem is that if you are not a libertarian it will piss you off and if you are, well, then why do you need to read it?

L. Neil Smith has gathered a no-holds-barred collection of his finest political essays in this book. I first found "el Neil" in "The Libertarian Enterprise" online. I have since read much of his fiction, and found it to be excellent. Please buy lots and lots of his books--give them as gifts, read them and stock them in every room in your house and in every vehicle. I want him to write more, and the sure way to convince him to do so is to pay him.

I've read and enjoyed most of L. Neil Smith's science fiction novels. I checked out his essays and other non-fiction works almost as an afterthought. I liked them. So when I saw LEVER ACTION, I jumped on it. Guess what? I liked it too. Of course, the issues that are addressed in Smith's science fiction by allegory, implication and exposition-an optimistic, freedom-seeking, pro-gun, science fiction worldview-are addressed directly in this collection of essays and speeches.I especially enjoyed reading the Introduction in which Smith tells us how he came by the principles in which he believes. My favorite essay is a very short one. On page 226, Smith asks the rhetorical question, "How Much Do You Want to Keep Your Guns?" He then answers his own question in an economical yet impassioned couple of hundred words. It is as beautiful a plea for mutual tolerance and personal freedom as you will ever read anywhere. Read it aloud to get the full effect. Read it aloud to your family and friends. Heck, read it aloud to someone you don't like. It might make a difference.I have only one minor nit to pick. Because LEVER ACTION is a compilation of previous independently published writings and delivered speeches, there is some repetition. Of course, some things bear repeating.

----For the sake of providing needed information on this collection of L. Neil Smith's essays, the following table of contents is drawn from his Web site (specifically from page http://www.lneilsmith.com/leveractionmore.html): AUTHOR'S NOTE: My Purloined Letters INTRODUCTION: My Willingness to be Drafted to Run for President Section I: LIBERTARIAN PHILOSOPHY 1. The LP's First Priority 2. The Atlanta Declaration 3. Bill of Wrongs 4. A New Approach to Social Darwinism 5. The Tyranny of Democracy (Majoritarianism Versus Unanimous Consent) 6. Shop Now and Avoid the Rush Section II: LIBERTARIAN POLITICS 7. Lever Action -- Accept No Substitutes 8. Hillary Behind Bars 9. Libertarian Second Amendment Caucus Statement of Principles 10. Libertarian Second Amendment Caucus General Resolution 11. The Twenty-Ninth Amendment 12. Tea in a Whole New Bag 13. My Three Tax Programs 14. My China Policy 15. Operation Safe Streets 16. A Desperate Suspension of Disbelief 17. A Lesson in Practical Politics 18. The Return of the Creature 19. Rally Me Not on the Lone Prairie 20. Tactical Reflections Section III: THE SECOND AMENDMENT 21. Suppose You Were Fond of Books ... 22. Ban a Gun -- Go to Jail 23. The Atrocity Engineers 24. What About England? 25. Nipponese, Ted! 26. Twelve Tips for Safer Schools 27. Kids and Guns at School 28. Murder by Gun Control 29. Armies of Chaos 30. On Concealed Carry and the NRA 31. Screen, Scran, Screwn 32. We Don't Need No Stinkin' Bodges 33. Am I the NRA? 34. How Much Do You Want to Keep Your Guns? 35. Clinton's Crimes Are Hitler's Crimes 36. Diana DeGette Wants You Dead 37. Whodunit? Wellington Webb! 38. Listen to the Women 39. Taking the Mag Pledge 40. Smith & Wesson Must Die 41. Right-Wing Socialism 42. Why Did It Have to Be Guns? 43. A Conspiracy Theory -- Sort Of Section IV: REPUBLICRAT POLITICS 44. Prometheus Bound -- and Gagged 45. "Do It to Julia" 46. Feeding the Ducks 47. A Revolutionary Proposal 48. Advice to Flat Taxers: Go Jump Off the Edge 49. Bill Clinton's Reichstag Fire 50. Rumplestiltsclinton 51. No, No, Kosovo! No, No, Kosovo! 52. A Note to My Political Allies 53. Security 54. Stars and Bars 55. It's the Stupidity, Stupid! 56. A Tale of Two Hoovers Section V: A RANT FOR ALL SEASONS 57. An Ant for All Seasons (formerly "Of Ants and Men") 58. The American Lenin 59. When They Came for the Smokers ... 60. Antismokers: Get a Life! 61. The Smoking Goons 62. The Lies of Texas 63. Weird Science 64. When You Wish Upon a Star ... 65. Big Brother is Watching You -- Again 66. I Hate Breakfast 67. Some Not-Quite-Random Thoughts on Americans and Their Cars 68. Sex, Drugs, and Voter Registration 69. The Most Thoroughly "Sanitized" City in America 70. Patching the Patches 71. Scalping Elmo 72. A Culture of Harmlessness 73. The Spider at the Center of the Web Section VI: SCIENCE FICTION AND LESSER MEDIA 74. On a Clear Day You Can See Bulgaria -- But Who Wants to Look? 75. Merchants of Fear 76. The Manchurian Lobbyist 77. Getting Back at

L. Neil Smith is a friend of mine. He *became* one because he writes some of the best analysis, reasoned opinions, and no-compromise articles promoting liberty, freedom, the Bill of Rights (all of them!), libertarianism, and classical liberalism IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND. "Lever Action" is L. Neil's collection of essays, and every single one should be read by every American. If this book became part of high school curricula, the United States of America might yet survive the 21st Century. A must-read, no matter what your political and economic "beliefs." Good writing *shows* - and L. Neil delivers.