The author writes that protests and actions by citizens helped to evolve the notions surrounding free speech in the U.S. before definitive statements on the matter from U.S. courts.

"[3] Perspectives on Political Science called the book "an extremely valuable contribution to the literature addressing the history of free speech in America.

"[4] Timothy C. Shiell of the University of Wisconsin–Stout reviewed it for The Historian and wrote, "Michael Kent Curtis offers a major contribution to the scholarship of both that era and of free speech.

[3][5] The Journal of Information Ethics said that before the book's publication, Curtis had "written quite extensively on the subject" of freedom of speech,[6] and cited articles in Constitutional Commentary (1995),[7] and Wake Forest Law Review (1996).

[8] With J. Wilson Parker, Davison Douglas, and Paul Finkelman, Curtis served as editor of the 2003 work, Constitutional Law in Context.

[2] The book discusses in detail, attempts by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, to curtail free speech during the American Civil War.

[2] Curtis discusses conflict involving people related to these historical events, including editors, political activists, and politicians.

[4] The author states that, "again and again, people in power have treated speech that advocated lawful change through democratic process as an incitement to lawless action".

[2] Curtis says that free speech rights in the U.S., which at present are believed to be given through 20th century court rulings, were actually developed first in "the forum of public opinion".

"[3] Writing in Perspectives on Political Science, Paul Weizer described the book as "an extremely valuable contribution to the literature addressing the history of free speech in America.

"[4] Weizer said, "Although there are countless books on the theories behind the speech guarantee embedded in our Constitution, Curtis brings a fresh perspective.

Most First Amendment books begin with Supreme Court decisions from the early 1900s; Curtis reminds us that modern ideas about the protection of expression originated much earlier.

For example, the author reminds us again and again that the southern states feared that debates over slavery would lead to slave revolts-one time was sufficient to make the point.

"[17] In Constitutional Democracy: Creating and Maintaining a Just Political Order, Walter F. Murphy wrote that Curtis "beautifully detailed" an incident when the U.S. Post Office refused to deliver abolitionist writings through their service.