Radicals in their Own Time Four Hundred Years of Struggle for Liberty and Equal Justice in America

Radicals in Their Own Time explores the lives of five Americans, with lifetimes spanning four hundred years, who agitated for greater freedom in America. Every generation has them: individuals who speak truth to power and crave freedom from arbitrary authority. This book makes two important observations in discussing Roger Williams, Thomas Paine, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, W. E. B. Du Bois and Vine Deloria, Jr. First, each believed that government must broadly tolerate individual autonomy. Second, each argued that religious orthodoxy has been a major source of society's ills – and all endured serious negative repercussions for doing so. The book challenges Christian orthodoxy and argues that part of what makes these five figures compelling is their willingness to pay the price for their convictions – much to the lasting benefit of liberty and equal justice in America.

1. Roger Williams: freeborn; 2. Thomas Paine: revolution; 3. Elizabeth Cady Stanton: gender wars; 4. W. E. B. Du Bois: American apartheid; 5. Vine Deloria, Jr: betrayals and bridges.

Explores the lives of five Americans who agitated for greater freedom in America: Roger Williams, Thomas Paine, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, W. E. B. Du Bois and Vine Deloria, Jr, and argues that part of what makes these figures compelling is their willingness to pay the price for their convictions.

Michael A. Lawrence is Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Law, where he teaches courses on constitutional law, international law, and property. He is also currently Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs and was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2001 to 2003. Professor Lawrence frequently lectures and teaches short courses on these and other topics in various countries around the world.