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On Liberty

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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of On Liberty, written and read by Shami Chakrabarti.

On 11 September 2001, our world changed. The West's response to 9/11 has morphed into a period of exception. Governments have decided that the rule of law and human rights are often too costly.

In On Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti - who joined Liberty, the UK's leading civil rights organization, on 10 September 2001 - explores why our fundamental rights and freedoms are indispensable. She shows, too, the unprecedented pressures those rights are under today. Drawing on her own work in high-profile campaigns, from privacy laws to anti-terror legislation, Chakrabarti shows the threats to our democratic institutions and why our rights are paramount in upholding democracy.

 Freedom & Security Law Politics & Government Freedom Human Rights Iran United Kingdom Middle East

Critic reviews

That rarest of things, a history not overtaken by fast-moving events but enriched by them; a book that gains deeper meaning and urgency from the things it did not actually foretell... There is an elegant legal mind at work here, but one still in touch with emotional reality... you will read few clearer statements of the battle lines, and why they matter. This is an important book. Fingers crossed the new attorney general reads it (Gaby Hinsliff)
Chakrabarti holds power to account with poise and quick intelligence... This vital book should be read by all our citizens. But read critically and judiciously, not as a sacred text. I hope it gets Britons excited, exercised and argumentative and that they start to care about the rights they have accumulated since the Magna Carta - before it is too late (Yasmin Alibhai-Brown)
She writes with eloquence and wit; the book is often moving and almost every sentence is deeply heartfelt. Chakrabarti joined Liberty on September 10 2001. It hardly needs to be said that the world changed the next day. This is her personal account of a battle against hasty and authoritarian anti-terrorism measures, ID cards, ASBOs, torture, cuts to legal aid and so on, introduced in moments of panic and political expediency. All these issues are explained and debated cogently and with conviction (Ben Wilson)
On Liberty is a fascinating look at the tumultuous first 14 years of this century, and will leave you riveted and intellectually fired up
On Liberty makes a powerful case... There are glimpses of real passion here and the unmistakable glimpse of steel too
Probably the most effective public affairs lobbyist of the past 20 years (David Aaronovitch)
An undaunted freedom fighter
The most dangerous woman in Britain
All stars
Most relevant
This is a great, thought provoking read. A reminder that we shouldn't take our freedoms and civil liberties for granted.

Great thought provoking read

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The author has done a great job!!!

The current climate of 2020 needs a lot more insightful and informative books like this regarding Human rights and the protection it offers. Great Job Shami Chakrabarti 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
Sadly, if immediate intervention is not taken the Turkeys (anti-Human rights brigade) will continue to vote for Christmas.

Very compelling argument in defence of human right

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I found this book very moving. I would highly recommend it. Informative, inspiring, eye opening, excellent . A rallying call.

very informative

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While this book and its writer might not sit well with many readers it is a heartfelt and thought provoking trawl through the mire of human rights issues. I can't believe that I have been so disinterested in the past.

Heartfelt an thought provoking

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A truly amazing woman and great book. This should be on everyone's reading list and/or taught in schools.

Essential reading

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