Real Dissent

A Libertarian Sets Fire to the Index Card of Allowable Opinion

By: Thomas E. Woods Jr.

Narrated by: Thomas E. Woods Jr.

Nothing makes traditional left and right kiss and make up faster than when they're faced with an articulate libertarian. Avert your eyes from this dangerous extremist, citizen! Government is composed of wise public servants who innocently pursue the common good!

In Real Dissent, Tom Woods demolishes some of the toughest critics of libertarianism in his trademark way. In doing so he strays beyond what he calls the index card of allowable opinion, the narrow range within which the media and political classes permit debate to take place in America.

Should 40% or 35% of our income be taxed? That's the kind of debate the New York Times prefers. Should our income be taxed at all? Now that's out of bounds, citizen!

In foreign policy, Americans are permitted to choose between bombing a despised country or starving its people to death. You favor peace? Why, you must be an "extremist"!

On the Federal Reserve, the debate is over which policy the Fed should pursue. But what if the Fed is itself the problem? No answer, because the question isn't raised.

Real Dissent is organized into ten parts:

• Part I: War and Propaganda
• Part II: Capitalism and Anti-Capitalism
• Part III: Libertarianism Attacked, and My Replies
• Part IV: Ron Paul and Forbidden Truths
• Part V: End the Fed
• Part VI: History and Liberty
• Part VII: When Libertarians Go Wrong [on people who don't quite get their own philosophy]
• Part VIII: Books You May Have Missed
• Part IX: Talking Liberty: Selected Tom Woods Show Interviews
• Part X: Back to Basics
• Afterword: How I Evaded the Gatekeepers of Approved Opinion

The index card of allowable opinion forces Americans into narrow and pointless debates, and closes off discussion of plausible and humane alternatives. For the sake of American liberty, it’s time we set that thing on fire.

This audiobook is a match.

©2014 Thomas E. Woods Jr. (P)2014 Thomas E. Woods Jr.

Terrific book

Really enjoyed Woods erudition, scope and humor. Highly recommended for the anarcho-curious. Definitely check out his podcast for more!

Off-putting format, but still great.

This book should be required reading for anyone that calls themselves a libertarian at all. While the format of disjointed articles and collected interviews can be daunting and difficult at times, the content makes it well worth it. Thomas E. Woods has proven himself, yet again, a beacon of the movement.

His tackling of economic issues is, to me, the best part. He disassembles the lies surrounding The Great Depression, The Great Recession, The Fed, and so on. Like I said, required reading.

Great overview of libertarian topics and arguemen

Where does Real Dissent rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Really good political coverage on a good number of interesting and relevant topics

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The fact that there is a consistent worldview attempting to be applied without name calling or appeal to sole emotions

Which scene was your favorite?

Taking apart arguments levied against libertarianism

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not just one, but Woods' passion comes out throughout the whole thing. He's a great narrator.

Any additional comments?

As a fan of Tom Woods and his podcast, this is what I would expect from him in a book that gives some brief glances into libertarian/classic liberalism stance with a mixture of Austrian economics for funsies thrown in.

If you've listened to Wood's podcast there won't be anything really new or groundbreaking depending on how far back you've listened. However, having the material written down and able to be referenced alone makes this worth it. The book follows in the footsteps of Ron Paul's "Liberty Defined" with more of a focus on hitting the high points that libertarians tend to hear about the most. Things like how awesome the federal reserve is and how it's a great savior. How the New Deal was the best thing and how government intervention both foreign and domestic is a savior to us all.

The thing I enjoy about Woods is that while he is well read and studied and can talk on a myriad of subjects, his desire to encourage and inform is front and center. And he just doesn't preach to the main choir but encourages introspection from the left and the right. Like Woods, this book is still entertaining while being very informative even on such things as state nullification intended by the ratification conventions in the early days of America. One of my biggest joys with Wood, other than those already listed, is his desire to maintain a consistent worldview foundation without having to rely on name calling, appeal to only emotions, or being unwilling to admit to being wrong and having to shift slightly to where the evidence points.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking into libertarianism or really any subject that Tom Woods speaks on. Mr. Woods is a pleasure to read and to listen to and to study from. Final Grade - A-

great book

This book it a lot a great information and it was very engaging I would highly recommend it to anyone that is a fan of ron paul and the judge.

real dissent is very interesting! We are big Tom w

this was very interesting. we are big fans of Tom woods! you will learn lots!

A Nice Compilation of Woods' work.

This is a nice introduction into Tom Woods' professional world. He includes apologetic work, radio work, and academic work in an enjoyable single volume gem.

Libertarian Approved w/lots of Ron Paul talk

A good book with more pro-Ron Paul talk than I had I realized it would have. A good Libertarian read though!

Absolutely Fantastic

It doesn't matter if you're a brand new libertarian, an old veteran for liberty, or if you haven't even heard of of libertarianism before.
Thomas E. Woods' book has absolutely fantastic content, and listening to him read his work is super entertaining. I listened to this in one day, I could not walk away!
Do yourself a favor, and give this a listen

Masterful Presentation of Superb Scholarship

Dr. Woods is one of the greatest scholars in modern American history. Just read it!

Tom Woods does it again

Where does Real Dissent rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I got audiobooks for this book and it was well worth it.

What other book might you compare Real Dissent to and why?

It reminds me of other historical/philosophical books summarizing problems and positions. It goes into good detail and poses strong arguments which are not easily defeated.

What about Thomas E. Woods Jr.’s performance did you like?

Everything. His writing is good, his reading is good. He is a master of his subject.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

As Tom Woods puts it. Destroying the 3 by 5 card of allowable opinion.

Any additional comments?

Interesting from beginning to end, this book criticizes a number of issues and intelligently enacts a world view which is capable of more.