Democracy’s Prisoner: Eugene V. Debs, the Great War, and the Right to Dissent

"Democracy’s Prisoner: Eugene V. Debs, the Great War, and the Right to Dissent" delves into the riveting story of Eugene V. Debs, a socialist leader who ran for president from his jail cell in 1920. Arrested for denouncing America's involvement in World War I, Debs's candidacy sparked a nationwide debate about free speech during wartime. Author Ernest Freeberg masterfully recounts how Debs's imprisonment and subsequent campaign galvanized public opinion, influenced the birth of the American Civil Liberties Union, and forever altered the landscape of American free speech and criminal justice reform. This book not only captures a pivotal moment in history but also echoes the ongoing tensions between national security and individual freedoms. Published on October 15, 2010, this compelling narrative is an essential read for college students studying social justice, particularly in the domains of criminal justice reform and voting rights, offering a profound lesson on the power of voice in democracy.