Formats: 6 x 9
Release Date: October 6, 2020
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-57869-035-0
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-57869-037-4
eBook: 978-1-57869-036-7
LCCN: 2020903183

Booksellers and Libraries: Order Here.

SYNOPSIS

The Language of Liberty: A Citizen’s Vocabulary is a substantive lexicon of 101 political terms. These are not simply definitions, but explorations of each term’s meaning in the broader context of American life and history. Addressing nearly every aspect of our political system, and doing so in a non-partisan, accessible, manner, The Language of Liberty will appeal to anyone wanting to understand our political system more fully. It amounts to an owner’s manual for American government. The book is timeless, yet needed now more than ever.

PRAISE

“The Language of Liberty truly elevates class conversations as students can easily engage with the vocabulary of our political system. Each entry makes for great reading assignments and can spark discussions about government and politics.”

—Timothy J. Hoffman, Department of Political Science and Public Affairs, Seton Hall University

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“At a time when the vocabulary of politics and governance has never been more devalued and skewed for partisan purposes, Ed Hagenstein’s The Language of Liberty: A Citizen's Vocabulary offers an effective and indeed noble antidote. The book provides concise definitions of the terms we see thrown around so carelessly every day—from the specific (Chief of Staff, lame duck) to the complex and conceptual (meritocracy, identity politics). It brings clarity and sensible relief to the politically charged and often deliberately misleading public discourse to which we lately have been subjected. We need this book. Read it, and be reminded of what the language of liberty really means.”

—David Lambertson, retired Foreign Service Officer and former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand

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"Clear, thorough, and well-researched, The Language of Liberty makes a fine primer on American government."

—John Kitch, Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, University of Missouri

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"This book offers the reader a strong foundation in American politics. The author's concern for the future of our republic is evident and will be appreciated by friends and critics alike."

—Eric Schmidt, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Kentucky Wesleyan University

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"It's so good to see Civics material be ‘beautiful’ as well as educational. The Language of Liberty also conveys a refreshing respect for the institutions of government and for fellow citizens.”

—Maxine Leary, M.Ed.

CRITICS’ REVIEWS

For at least the past thirty years, we have done a terrible job in this country of educating the young for the tasks of citizenship in a republic. Despite endless talk about the problem, little is actually done to improve matters. The concept of “civic literacy” is the latest buzzword of educators, and yet no one seems to know what the word signifies, let alone how to achieve it. But help is on the way. Civic literacy, meaning the body of knowledge that enables a citizen to function actively, intelligently, and effectively, is precisely what is offered us in Edwin Hagenstein’s splendid new book, The Language of Liberty. To call it a “citizen’s vocabulary,” as the author does, is true enough; but the book is much more than that. It is not a treatise, but instead a collection of wise, subtle, and reflective essays on the keywords of our political and social discourse, covering everything from “the administrative state” to “the referendum,” with topics as philosophical as “conservatism” and “liberalism” and as down-to-earth as “gerrymander” and “whip.” It is both a handy reference book and a work of philosophy, nicely parceled out into easily digested essays. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

—Wilfred M. McClay, G.T. and Libby Blankenship Chair, History of Liberty, University of Oklahoma

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A more appropriate title for this book might be Dictionary of American Democracy, since that's pretty much what you get. In the 300+ pages, the author defines, in an academic way, 102 terms that are essential to US politics. Examples include "Amendment", "Electoral College", "Human Rights", and "Welfare State". Each of the 102 terms gets its own chapter, beginning with a quote and followed by an essay-style entry about the definition of the term as well as references from a variety of sources. There are endnotes at the back of the book as well. This book would be a great reference for those interested in US politics, as well as for citizens who want to be sure they understand the terminology thrown around by elected officials and others.

—LibraryThing.com member

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The Language of Liberty: A Citizen’s Vocabulary by Edward C Hagenstein provides narrative definitions of “words we use when we talk politics.” A dispassionate explanation of terminology, historical context, and current usage may help foster conversation or simply clarify terms, whether readers want to know about the function of congressional whips or the nature and meaning of conservatism. Occasionally dry, with useful background for the general reader on democracy, the Electoral College, and the Supreme Court.

—Library Journal, Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX

IN THE NEWS

Santa Fe new Mexican, July 24, 2021: Celebrations, July 25, 2021

Newsleaders, June 11, 2021: ‘Language of Liberty’ rings many familiar bells

Governing Magazine, May 23, 2021: Grab a Dictionary, Save the Republic: A new book the author calls “an owner’s manual for American citizens” recovers a lost language

VIDEOS

MEET EDWIN

Edwin (Ed) Hagenstein worked in educational publishing for three decades as a textbook writer and editor, specializing in history and social studies. During that time, he often considered how best to convey the fundamentals of American government to young readers and concluded that vocabulary was key. In researching The Language of Liberty, he found that even the most familiar political terms had surprising depths. His previous book American Georgics: Writings on Farming, Culture, and the Land (Yale University Press, 2011) won Honorable Mention for the 2011 New England Book Festival in the Compilations/Anthologies category. Hagenstein now lives and works in northern New Mexico. Visit his website at edhagenstein.com.