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indianajane's review against another edition
5.0
There's nothing *new* in this book, but there is a basic explanation of a liberty-based political philosophy and what it means in the current political climate. I would love for all of my friends who are committed Democrats or Republicans to read this book and at least engage what it has to say.
jaredmiller's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a great introduction to the libertarian way of thinking. However, it really is an introduction for those who might be new to libertarianism or those who simply want to learn more about it. If you already know quite a bit about libertarian philosophy, then this book will simply be a review for you.
So many people have, and continue to be, disenfranchised by the politics in Americs today. In this book, Matt Kibbe looks at the situation that the USA is in today, examines the causes of the problems, and looks at says that we the people can do something about the state that we find ourselves in. Kibbe writes in an easy to follow way, and had a good personality that makes reading this enjoyable. Kibbe looks to his inspirations from his younger years, from Rush to Ayn Rand, and explains how they helped him reach where he is today. Through this, he creates this "libertarian manifesto" that is a great introduction to the rising popularity found in libertarian philosophy, which Kibbe basically sums up in one way: don't hurt people and don't take their stuff.
So many people have, and continue to be, disenfranchised by the politics in Americs today. In this book, Matt Kibbe looks at the situation that the USA is in today, examines the causes of the problems, and looks at says that we the people can do something about the state that we find ourselves in. Kibbe writes in an easy to follow way, and had a good personality that makes reading this enjoyable. Kibbe looks to his inspirations from his younger years, from Rush to Ayn Rand, and explains how they helped him reach where he is today. Through this, he creates this "libertarian manifesto" that is a great introduction to the rising popularity found in libertarian philosophy, which Kibbe basically sums up in one way: don't hurt people and don't take their stuff.
jagfinke's review against another edition
2.0
Nothing special.
Other libertarian books are timeless, this one focus way too much on the here and now in the United States, particularly regarding Obamacare, that the book won’t be relevant 5 years from now.
Too bad. Nevertheless, it has some valuable quotes and ideas, plus a good reference book to other more significant writers.
Other libertarian books are timeless, this one focus way too much on the here and now in the United States, particularly regarding Obamacare, that the book won’t be relevant 5 years from now.
Too bad. Nevertheless, it has some valuable quotes and ideas, plus a good reference book to other more significant writers.
libra17's review
1.0
This is a book I found while browsing, and the cover caught my eye and my interest. Don't Hurt People and Don't Take Their Stuff sounds great. I even read the introduction, and was caught up in what Kibbe describes as the rules of liberty: (1) don't hurt people, (2) don't take their stuff, (3) take responsibility, (4) work for it, (5) mind your own business, and (6) fight the power. I agree with all of these rules but not, I found upon reading the book, in the way the author means these rules.
Kibbe starts out reasonable, and then his writing drowns in unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories. Much of the book was a sickening combination of horrifying and amusing considering what is now going on in the aftermath of the 2016 election. Just about everything this author is trying to accuse the Obama administration of (which I don't believe based on this book; he's offered no evidence and not even a compelling case for the possible existence of evidence) the Trump-Pence administration and their Republican-controlled Congress are now poised to actually do.
If I could give this book 0 stars, I would. It's not worth the paper it's written on, let alone the time I spent to read it, and it will likely be going in the trash because it's not worth the space on my bookshelf either. Seriously, skip it. There have got to other books on your to-read list more worth your time.
Kibbe starts out reasonable, and then his writing drowns in unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories. Much of the book was a sickening combination of horrifying and amusing considering what is now going on in the aftermath of the 2016 election. Just about everything this author is trying to accuse the Obama administration of (which I don't believe based on this book; he's offered no evidence and not even a compelling case for the possible existence of evidence) the Trump-Pence administration and their Republican-controlled Congress are now poised to actually do.
If I could give this book 0 stars, I would. It's not worth the paper it's written on, let alone the time I spent to read it, and it will likely be going in the trash because it's not worth the space on my bookshelf either. Seriously, skip it. There have got to other books on your to-read list more worth your time.
jaredmiller's review
4.0
This book is a great introduction to the libertarian way of thinking. However, it really is an introduction for those who might be new to libertarianism or those who simply want to learn more about it. If you already know quite a bit about libertarian philosophy, then this book will simply be a review for you.
So many people have, and continue to be, disenfranchised by the politics in Americs today. In this book, Matt Kibbe looks at the situation that the USA is in today, examines the causes of the problems, and looks at says that we the people can do something about the state that we find ourselves in. Kibbe writes in an easy to follow way, and had a good personality that makes reading this enjoyable. Kibbe looks to his inspirations from his younger years, from Rush to Ayn Rand, and explains how they helped him reach where he is today. Through this, he creates this "libertarian manifesto" that is a great introduction to the rising popularity found in libertarian philosophy, which Kibbe basically sums up in one way: don't hurt people and don't take their stuff.
So many people have, and continue to be, disenfranchised by the politics in Americs today. In this book, Matt Kibbe looks at the situation that the USA is in today, examines the causes of the problems, and looks at says that we the people can do something about the state that we find ourselves in. Kibbe writes in an easy to follow way, and had a good personality that makes reading this enjoyable. Kibbe looks to his inspirations from his younger years, from Rush to Ayn Rand, and explains how they helped him reach where he is today. Through this, he creates this "libertarian manifesto" that is a great introduction to the rising popularity found in libertarian philosophy, which Kibbe basically sums up in one way: don't hurt people and don't take their stuff.
bookwormmichelle's review
4.0
I wasn't sure if I'd like this little book quite as much as The Independents. But I was very pleasantly surprised. Kibbe, of FreedomWorks, has put together a little book with a lot of libertarian punch. Short, to the point, clear and full of personal experiences, logically organized, this would be a perfect "first book" to introduce what libertarians REALLY believe to all our statist friends. :-) He gets a little starry-eyed in the final chapters (his simple points to fix everything----and why he thinks it can be done. Wish I were still that hopeful.) And one other criticism is that he seems very targeted on the Republican Party, interviewing six Republicans he says are libertarian and seeming to think the place to start is there. Having long ago lost all faith in Republicans to come up with ANYTHING good or to follow through with their promises, I have very little patience with this idea. (Anyone who thinks the party won't do to Rand what it did to his father is nuts. The bigwigs aren't going to let "wackobirds" lead the way. If they can't coopt him they have to eat him.) But overall, this is an excellent little book!
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