How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World: A Handbook for Personal Liberty

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Summary: Not a book to be read from cover to cover........BUT........
Review: A book to refer to through out one's life - very grounding.

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Summary: Browne is nothing short of amazing!
Review: A number of time when politician write books, they have one thing in mind - money. Harry Browne is not a politician, although he did run in 1996. What separated Browne from the "traditional" politician, Browne has core values and moral convictions.

Browne has written a book that should be on the best sellers list. This is more than self-help book, this is a life-changing book. You can find books on financial freedom, but this book shows you how to be free and independent without losing any freedoms along the way.

The book is broken down into three parts, Why you are not free, How you can be free and A new Life. Browne presentation is easy to follow and comprehend, you'll have to spend some time practicing the technique to prefect it.

I liked the book's overall message, its simple, straightforward and motivating. I found that this book, unlike so many others allows me to make the choices I think are necessary to change my life. Harry Browne has certainly done himself proud with this book. An excellent piece of writing for all to read!

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Summary: Peter Pan for Beginners
Review: Although like some of the other reviewers I found some good advice in this book, I'm bothered by Browne's implicit irresponsibility and even immaturity. In the real world we don't always admire people who scheme to find the easiest ways in life, avoid pain at all costs, maximize personal hedonism and so forth. Hugh Hefner has lived that way for decades, and these days he seems pretty pathetic.

Browne's gripes about taxation also sound a bit dated, though perhaps understandable in the high-inflation/stagnant productivity growth of the early 1970's. He was part of the older libertarian crowd who predicted that the welfare state was going to destroy America. Historical experience shows that our system of taxation isn't anywhere near as harmful as such people have been falsely predicting.

I do appreciate Browne's subtle advocacy of Atheism, however. He points out that even if you do believe in a god-given "Absolute Morality," as he phrases it, you nonetheless can't avoid the personal responsibility of choosing which version and whose interpretation of it to follow. You'd be better off choosing a personal morality compatible with your personality and values from the beginning.

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Summary: An indispensable guide to life and living
Review: Do you want to live the life others have told you that you must live, or do you want to be free to create the life you want for yourself?

Harry Browne's book is for those in the latter category, who want to free themselves from the traps so many people fall into--related to other people's expectations, work, relationships, and more--that lead to frustration and an unsatisfying life.

Browne shows you how to start being yourself and getting the things you really want, while feeling good about it. For those who are ready for it, and are willing to do what is necessary to achieve what Browne shows is possible, _How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World_ can be life changing.

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Summary: How I found Freedom
Review: Excellent resource, even for physicians, found the book through a discussion at
www.docsboard.com
A must read

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Summary: Actually, it is a handbook for personal liberty.
Review: Harry Browne's 'How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World' presents his experiences of personal liberty. Undeniably an individual, Browne spells out his attitudes and approaches which brought him to where he is today. The ramifications of personal choice, societal pressures, and the desire to control others are explored in plain english. This book is truly mind altering in the best sense. It provides an opportunity to recognize individuals for who they are and treat them accordingly. Browne pushes individuals to strike out and achieve on their own merits. The goal: an autonomous, free, and happy individual. Part self-help, part inspirational, and a vibrant libertarian manifesto; it lays out the best in radical individualism. Read it.

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Summary: Screwball, if ya ask me...
Review: I don't usually read books that qualify for the publishing category of "self-help" as blatantly as this one does. In fact, the only other real self-help book I can remember reading cover to cover is Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, which I hated. So I really picked up this book more because I like Harry Browne and am familiar with him through his association with the Libertarian party, then because I needed advice on how to run my life.

Let me say this: I knew he was a nut. However, I did not know he was this much of a nut. I really do like his ideas about gaining control of your life and regaining freedom by changing your own behavior patterns and not the behavior of those around you. And he has some sound practical advice in this area. But when he gets into discussing personal relationships. I mean... open marriages? Yes, actually advocates, with a straight face, that travesty known as the "open marriage". It's true this book was written during the early '70s. I guess even the best free-thinkers still remain products of their time.

But open marriages... Enough said.  

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Summary: Freedom at what cost
Review: I have always been an extreme individualist and thought this book would be an interesting read. This book, however, left an unpleasant taste in my mouth after I read it. Although I think Brown is correct about how we can undo much of the social conditioning we receive, I feel he goes too far in many of his arguments. For example, his chapters on the "rights trap", and "burning issues trap" pretty much advocates leaving the world and other people to their own devices entirely. He states that many of the social issues that confront us will always be with us no matter what you do and none of the problems of the world have really every been solved, from discrimination, poverty, abuse, etc.. I tend to disagree with this statement and think that the only way changes have come about in the world ARE through the concern and commitment of aware individuals. Yes, there are plenty of annoying individuals trying to right all of the worlds ills but thank the gods there are a few of them around every once in a while. There are too many groups like the religious right and other such organizations to sit back and not worry about your civil liberties or basic human rights being erroded further than what they already are in America. His views on relationships where everybody is in it entirely for themselves and all contracts are wrong seems too extreme. Yes, there are plenty of examples all around us of stifling partnerships but what is the point of getting into an intimate or personal relationship in the first place without some measure of commitment or responsibility. Overall, this book could help someone who has been told what to do and think all their life but Browne takes his arguments and ideas too far for my taste. The whole Ayn Rand, individualistic philosophy has its good points but can make one a very myopic, miserable individual if you take it too far.

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Summary: Harry, stick to investment and politics!
Review: I read this book about 1 year ago and I can say I barely learned a thing from it. Not that the concept isn't a great one. Browne's objective is to write a book that shows you how to be free in most every facet of your life. Do we have to compromise a bit of honesty for the sake of cordiallity? Do we have to sacrifice certain belifs for the sake of marital (or romantic) love? Do we have to compromise self-interest in the name of charity?

Browne answers no and shows us mildly convincing ways to get there. Problem is, the book is horribly (I do mean horribly) written and if you're like me- with a taste for authors who've a modicum of literary sense- you will not want to finish the book. Honestly, if I found out that Harry Browne had written this as a first draft under a week-long deadline, it would only confirm my suspicion. Despite the occasional great insight, this book is not worth the time or effort.

If this, though, is the type of book you seek- a self-help motivator that can assist you in living your life on your own, not other's terms- I can make no stronger reccomendation than Nathaniel Branden who'se books "Six Pillars of Self-Esteem," "Honoring the Self," and "The Art of Living Consciously" offer many more insights and methods for achieving those goals while offering clearer, tighter and more terse prose. Not to mention the fact that you can buy 2 of Brandens books for the price of Browne's.

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Summary: Personal Freedom for everyone to grasp
Review: I recommended this book to several people who all expected, due to Harry's political role in the libertarian party, to be a book of politics. What many don't understand is that the libertarian party is one with the goal of eliminating politics. Letting people think for themselves and act for themselves. Don't read this book, if you don't want to take personal responsibility for your actions. This book shows that self reliance is key to avoid life's traps. YOU are all YOU have. Read the book, even if it's only to confirm what you think you already know.