Sure, you can get book reviews anywhere, but where else can you get liberty book reviews? That's right, here at Lions of Liberty, where we openly advertise our bias! But there's no more time to waste on self-promotion - we've got liberty promotion to get to.Last week I conducted an interview with Mathew Blankenship, the author of Meet Ron Paul
, the Ron Paul biography for youth. His enthusiasm for the project inspired me to "run out" to Amazon.com
and grab a copy for myself. The idea of youths all across the country being exposed to the ideas of liberty a decade or so earlier than I cracked open my first Harry Browne book
is an exciting one, and I had to see for myself what this book was all about. After all, if I'm going to start brainwashing my nephew with the ideas of liberty soon (just kidding sis!...sorta), I'm going to need some good youth-friendly material to do it with.The story begins by setting the stage at a large rally, with thousands of youth screaming and chanting for to see their hero. But it's not some Hollywood hero or rock star they are waiting for...it's a seventy-seven year old doctor for Texas. Right off the bat, the youth reader will be drawn in by this intriguing dichotomy. Why would all of these kids be going so crazy for some old dude from Texas? What is/was so special about this guy?From there the story of Dr. Paul's life is told more or less in chronological order, in a very plain and straightforward style. In the case of this book, this is a good thing. This is not supposed to be Human Action
; as a book targeted towards youth it is essential not to overstate or overcomplicate things. The idea is to keep kids interested, and keep them wanting to learn about this unique politician who had a life and career unlike any other. "Meet Ron Paul" does this well.A great thing about this book is how each chapter not only details an important milestone in Dr.Paul's life, but teaches an important principle of his along with it. We learn about how he always earned his own keep, holding multiple jobs doing things like selling milk and working at a drug store at a very young age, eventually putting himself through school. We learn how he practiced charity in his own life by providing free medical treatment to families who could not afford it, regardless of their race. The example that Dr. Paul has set with his own life and how he has treated others is one that any youth can learn from.As we journey through the life of Ron Paul, the reader is introduced to many important concepts along the way. The terms Austrian economics, inflation and blowback may seem commonplace among libertarian nerds like myself, but these are concepts that most youth never even hear mentioned, and they sure as heck aren't going to learn them in a government school! I didn't even hear most of the ideas until I was well into my '20's, so introducing them to a younger generational at all would be tremendous progress. I'd be remiss not to mention the wonderful illustrations by Ron Branch. They are simple and very life-like, yet jump off the page at the reader. Branch has a way of capturing the humility and humbleness that we have all come to love from Dr. Paul over the years. Much like when we see him in a real life interview or defending liberty in the middle of a farcical Presidential debate, the illustrations of Dr. Paul truly convey the his best qualities as a person.Overall this book serves as an excellent introduction for youth to not only Ron Paul but the ideas of liberty as a whole. Blankenship effectively weaves Dr. Paul's principled life together with the important ideals that many of us first became aware of through his activism. This book provides not only an excellent foundation of liberty principles, but the inspiration to act on them. It is also very easy to read; any child reading at a 3rd or 4th grade level should have no trouble at all reading and comprehending it.If we truly want to see a freer world, it will only come when society at large begins to change the way they view the role of government and begin to understand the ideas of liberty. While many of the older generations are set in their ways, it is the youth of the world that will have to take the reigns of liberty and forge a new path."Meet Ron Paul" might not change the world on its own, but it just might be the spark that ignites the flame of liberty in a few young minds. Minds that may one day grow up to become another Ron Paul, or maybe even just start their own libertarian website with a few college buddies!So pick up a cop of "Meet Ron Paul", if not for a youth in your own life, than perhaps to donate to your local public school or library. The Ron Paul revolution has always been one of of ideas, and thanks to this wonderful new book we have another tool at our disposal to spread them!Receive access to ALL of our EXCLUSIVE bonus audio content – including “Conspiracy Corner”, “Degenerate Gamblers” and the “League of Liberty Podcast” by joining the Lions of Liberty Pride and supporting us on Patreon!
