Written as a critique of Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas´Concerning Dissent & Civil Disobedience, this really serves as an excellent rebuttal to any critics of extra-legal civil disobedience, dismantling their arguments one by one. Zinn's language is precise, accessible, and utterly logical. One can sense the seething emotion behind his words even though he does well maintaining his argument dispassionate. I suffered a minor cringe within the first few pages upon seeing his "The time for action is now" reference, bracing myself for a dated 60's political diatribe. Most of his argument, however, is beautifully timeless. Only towards the end does Zinn lapse into somewhat generalized ideas of the ripeness of the 60s for political change, and the extreme turbulence of the period begging for revolution. He then betrays a now-quaint idealism, though it does little to damage his main argument. This is a must-read for anyone sympathetic to civil disobedience as political action. Zinn offers invaluable arguments in its defense. ( )