The Mind of the Censor and the Eye of the Beholder: The First Amendment and the Censor's Dilemma

by Robert Corn-Revere

Overview

Beginning in the nineteenth century with Anthony Comstock, America's 'censor in chief,' The Mind of the Censor and the Eye of the Beholder explores how censors operate and why they wore out their welcome in society at large. This book explains how the same tactics were tried and eventually failed in the twentieth century, with efforts to censor music, comic books, television, and other forms of popular entertainment. The historic examples illustrate not just the mindset and tactics of censors, but why they are the ultimate counterculture warriors and why, in free societies, censors never occupy the moral high ground. This book is for anyone who wants to know more about why freedom of speech is important and how protections for free expression became part of the American identity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107129948
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/04/2021
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	6.18(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.98(d)

About the Author

Robert Corn-Revere is a leading First Amendment lawyer whose career has spanned over thirty-five years. He has argued cases in the Supreme Court, defeated the FCC in the Super Bowl 'wardrobe malfunction' case, and obtained a posthumous pardon for the late comedian Lenny Bruce from the Governor of New York.

Table of Contents

1. The censor's dilemma; 2. Anthony Comstock: professional anti-vice crusader; 3. Comstock's legacy: a dilemma is born; 4. The Comstock playbook; 5. Seduction of the innocent: the comic book menace; 6. Ya got trouble: censorship and popular music; 7. The vast wasteland; 8. New age Comstockery: the indecency wars; 9. The anti-free speech movement; 10. Freedom of speech and the spirit of liberty.

Editorial Reviews

‘Corn-Revere’s extraordinary The Mind of the Censor and the Eye of the Beholder offers a riveting review and astute analysis of the evolution of free expression - and censorship of free speech - in the US through the eras of Anthony Comstock, ‘offensive’ comic books, porn rock, the FCC’s regulation of the ‘vast wasteland,’ fleeting expletives, and the indecency wars of the twenty-first century. Corn-Revere brings to life the absurdities of censorship and the dangers such views pose to American liberty and democracy. This original work is informative, insightful, and often wildly entertaining.’ Geoffrey R. Stone, Professor of Law, University of Chicago and author of Sex and the Constitution (2017)

‘As a longtime student and advocate of free speech, it is a rare joy to encounter a new work that so greatly enhances my understanding and appreciation of this precious freedom, providing renewed encouragement and ammunition for continuing the never-ending efforts that are required to resist constant censorial pressures. Regardless of how much or how little you know or care about free speech when you begin this book, you will be enlightened, inspired, and galvanized by every page!’ Nadine Strossen, immediate past President, American Civil Liberties Union, and author of HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship (2018)

‘Bob Corn-Revere has written a book of stunning originality and importance. By tracing the efforts at censorship in American history, Corn-Revere shows us the temptations for censorship exist in every generation. Inevitably, the censors self-righteously think that they are doing good for society by stopping harmful speech. And inevitably, in hindsight, we realize that the efforts at censorship were a huge mistake. Corn-Revere’s engagingly written book provides a powerful defense of freedom of speech and of freedom of thought.’ Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law

‘Bob Corn-Revere is my friend and I love this book. I’m not saying I love this book because Bob’s my friend - he’s my friend because I love this book. A lot of what’s good about Bob is in this book. It tells great stories. It’s smart, funny, knowledgeable, honest, freedom-loving, and works for truth, justice, and the American way. This book will prove to you that Bob is as groovy as Superman, without the stupid cape. Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, tits! Read it.’ Penn Jillette, the taller, louder half of Penn & Teller

‘Somebody once said: ‘Censorship is the strongest drive in human nature; sex is a weak second.’ Everybody who wants to get a better understanding of this powerful force of human nature should read Corn-Revere’s brilliant book. It’s funny, well written, and is a superb guide to the mechanisms of censorship in the Land of the Free. Corn-Revere’s insightful exploration and deconstruction of the censor’s mind will equip the reader to see through the rhetorical fog of arguments for shutting down unpopular speech. It’s the best available medicine against any pandemic of censorship.’ Flemming Rose, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and former editor at Jyllands-Posten

‘Philosophy, psychology, sociology, and history set the backdrop for an arresting narrative and a profound exploration of the law of free speech. The result is a thought-provoking book destined to have a long shelf life and an even longer digital one. A momentous contribution to First Amendment literature!’ Ronald K. L. Collins, co-author of We Must Not Be Afraid to Be Free and The Trials of Lenny Bruce

'We would all do well to learn about the nature of censorship, and Robert Corn-Revere’s new book is a most valuable step in that direction.' Floyd Abrams, Founding Sponsor, The Floyd Abrams Institute for Free Expression at Yale Law School (from the Foreword to the book)

'… entertaining, enlightening, and timely …' Stephen Rohde, Los Angeles Review of Books

‘Corn-Revere has written an enjoyable, compelling, and necessary defense of free speech . . . [A] primer on the value of free speech and the danger of censorship that should be handed out in every high school, college campus, faculty meeting, town council, PTA meeting, hospital waiting room, grocery store, barber shop, political debate, house of worship, social media platform, state legislature, and especially the halls of Congress… [An] entertaining, enlightening, and timely book.’ Stephen Rohde, Los Angeles Review of Books

From the Publisher