Freedom of Speech: A People’s History of Democracy’s Most Essential Right, is an updated and expanded version of How Free Speech Saved Democracy, which was published in 2022. It includes a description of the frightening assault on First Amendment rights that began in the fall of 2022 with the banning of books in schools and libraries across the country. The threat to free speech expanded dramatically in 2025 as President Donald Trump used the power of the federal government in an attempt to silence universities, law firms, journalists and protesters whose ideas he dislikes. Once again, Americans fought for their First Amendment rights in court and in the streets. Eight million joined in thousands of communities during the No Kings! demonstrations in March 2026.