THIS THING CALLED FREEDOM.

By R.Craig Price '46. New York: Carlton Press,1970. 67 pp. $2.95.

Freedom is very much on his mind. The son of a Denver surgeon able to give him easy amenities in early childhood, Richard Craig Price '46, a husband of 19 years' standing and father of three sons, earns his living as a wholesale distributor in El Paso. He has a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. As an undergraduate at Dartmouth College, profoundly impressed with "the quality of professors . . . their inspiration, coupled with the association with writers and artists," he wanted to enter the teaching profession but lacked cash. In 1970 still hoping to become a professor, he had the urge to write a book. In raising and answering questions with didactic confidence, he has businessmen's and lawyers' turns of phrase.

It opens with a pronouncement that the man on the street enjoying his freedom is completely unable to define it rationally. He may therefore be easily victimized in an era when laws are changing and university authorities are unable to control restless and rebellious students. The United States is ripe for dictatorship. Already we are regimented: government-regulated time, breakfast food, clothes, cars, building materials, and propaganda. The danger arises that "NET FREEDOM" could easily become "NET-NET FREEDOM."

Unfortunately persons no longer desiring the liberty provided by the founders of our country "want the protection promised in a Socialistic form or plan," which would enable them "to pursue their own form of recreation and freedom from having to try." "Happiness is the possession of worldly goods that either work for them or impress their neighbors."

Mr. Craig is fond of the word "greatness." "Just as we can sell our nation on the maliciousness of our enemies, we can sell that same nation on the greatness of a nation and its people." How? Let weekly news magazines carry articles on greatness and let commentators and newscasters and the newspapers and even the comics get into "the act—not vulgarly and clumsily . . . but carefully and in good taste."

The lecture concludes with a simple assertion that "we are simply in need of a national cause and national pride." They will strengthen our national fibre, "and we can attain greater heights in shorter time."