The great dissent : how Oliver Wendell Holmes changed his mind and changed the history of free speech in America / Thomas Healy.

New York : Metropolitan Books, 2013.

1st edition

83995

Abrams, J., -- 1886-1953 -- Trials, litigation, etc.

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, -- Jr., -- 1841-1935.

Trials (Anarchy) -- New York -- History -- 20th century.

Freedom of speech -- United States.

Prologue : an unexpected visit

1. Train fever

2. A smart chap

3. The habit of intolerance

4. Catspawned

5. The old ewe and the half-bakes

6. He shoots so quickly

7. Defending sophistries

8. Dangerous men

9. They know not what they do

10. The red summer

11. Workers wake up!

12. A plea for help

13. Quasi in furore

14. Adulation

15. Alone at Laski

Epilogue : I simply was ignorant.

The focus of this book is on the controversial dissenting judgment of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes in Abrams v United States 250 US 616 (1919). In that case, self-described "revolutionists" has published pamphlets opposed to the sending of US troops to Russia to impede the revolution. When charged with a statutory offence under Espionage Act of 1917, they sought to resist the charges by relying upon a constitutional right of free speech under the first amendment. When the matter came before the Supreme Court, their conviction was upheld. However, it is the dissent of Holmes J which has been of lasting importance - shaping the future direction of the American law.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

9780805094565

322 pages : illustrations, portraits. ; 25 cm