FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2025—NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media, the critically acclaimed book by Jacob Mchangama, has returned in a new paperback edition. Originally released in 2022, this celebrated work is hailed as “the best history of free speech ever written” by P.J. O’Rourke and called “smart, insightful, and astute” by the Los Angeles Review of Books.

The paperback includes a new epilogue, “The Free Speech Recession Deepens,” which explores the evolving challenges facing free expression since the book’s initial release. Key topics include:

  • The profound impacts of global conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, on free speech in democracies and authoritarian regimes alike.
  • The chilling effect of Europe’s crackdown on hate speech and social media.
  • How generative AI, initially seen as a technological marvel, has ignited fears of mass disinformation and created new avenues for censorship.

Drawing on historical parallels, Mchangama’s new epilogue connects these modern challenges to centuries of debates over free expression, revealing how today’s crises echo past struggles over liberty and censorship.

A Book of Enduring Relevance

Described by The Economist as “a crisp and confident march” through history, Free Speech spans the globe and the centuries to illustrate how the fight for open discourse underpins the advancement of democracy and equality. Jonathan Rauch says the book is “the definitive account we have been waiting for,” while Publishers Weekly recommends it as essential reading for understanding modern debates over free speech.

About the Author

Jacob Mchangama is the Founder and Executive Director of The Future of Free Speech. He is also a research professor at Vanderbilt University and a Senior Fellow with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. He has contributed extensively to media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Economist, and Foreign Affairs. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his work on free speech and human rights.

Published by Basic Books

Since its founding in 1950, Basic Books has been at the forefront of publishing influential works in history, politics, and science. An imprint of Hachette Book Group, Basic Books is home to authors such as Steven Pinker, Samantha Power, and Douglas Hofstadter.

Contact and Speaking Engagements

To book Jacob Mchangama for interviews or speaking engagements, please contact

Desh Amila
This Is 42
desh@thisis42.com