Lysander Spooner: American Anarchist

It is impossible to overrate Shone’s contribution in shining a light on the words and thoughts of Lysander Spooner. He demonstrates very effectively that Spooner’s writings deserve respectful appreciation alongside the other greats of political philosophy, from the ancient Greeks to the social contract theorists and even through to the advocates of natural law. Shone accomplishes his aim with extraordinary style, at every point capturing the intriguing spirit of Lysander Spooner as an icon of American anarchism, a fully developed ideology in its own right. -- Brett S. Sharp, University of Central Oklahoma
Home-grown American anarchism, which is distinct from its European counterparts and which defies placement on the usual ideological spectrum, is one of the most neglected topics in American political thought. With this book, Steve Shone performs an important service by exploring the relationship of Lysander Spooner's thought not only to the American tradition, but to the broad stream of Western political theory. Shone demonstrates that Spooner is more than an historical figure of passing interest; he is a thinker who continues to challenge us. Spooner's ideas, as explicated and analyzed here, constitute a resource of ongoing political-philosophical value. -- William F. Byrne, St. John's University
Shone's book is a varied and historically grounded exploration of the political views of Lysander Spooner, the 19th-century abolitionist and political writer. The volume is welcome, as it competently describes Spooner's intellectual contributions to his era's debates over property law, the constitutional powers of the federal government, jury nullification, and the ends and means of abolitionism....Summing Up: Recommended. * CHOICE *