Marjorie Heins

Marjorie Heins is an American First Amendment lawyer and writer who has made significant contributions to civil liberties and free expression advocacy. She founded the Free Expression Policy Project and has written extensively about censorship, media freedom, and civil rights. After graduating from Cornell University and Harvard Law School, Heins began her career in civil liberties law, working with organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Her legal work has focused on defending First Amendment rights, challenging censorship, and advocating for academic freedom. Heins has authored several influential books including "Not in Front of the Children: 'Indecency,' Censorship, and the Innocence of Youth" and "Priests of Our Democracy: The Supreme Court, Academic Freedom, and the Anti-Communist Purge." Her writings examine the intersection of free speech, education, and democracy. Her contributions to civil liberties have been recognized with multiple awards, including the Eli M. Oboler Award and the designation as a First Amendment Hero. In addition to her legal work and writing, Heins has taught at various universities and continues to be an active voice in debates about free expression and censorship.

Readers value Heins' thorough research and academic rigor in examining censorship and First Amendment issues. Her work "Not in Front of the Children" receives positive feedback for documenting historical attempts at youth censorship. Several reviewers note her balanced analysis and clear writing style makes complex legal concepts accessible. Criticisms focus on perceived political bias, with some readers finding her positions on free speech too absolutist. A few Amazon reviews mention the academic tone can be dry and dense in places. Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: "Not in Front of the Children" - 3.8/5 (43 ratings) - Amazon: "Not in Front of the Children" - 4.1/5 (12 reviews) - Amazon: "Priests of Our Democracy" - 4.4/5 (5 reviews) Multiple academic reviewers cite her as a reliable source on civil liberties and censorship history. Law professors and civil rights attorneys frequently reference her work in First Amendment discussions. Her works have limited reviews from general readers compared to academic citations.

Cutting the Mustard: Affirmative Action and the Nature of Excellence A legal analysis of affirmative action policies in education and employment, examining arguments for and against race-conscious admissions.

Not in Front of the Children: 'Indecency,' Censorship, and the Innocence of Youth An examination of censorship laws and policies meant to protect youth, exploring their historical context and impact on free speech.

Sex, Sin, and Blasphemy: A Guide to America's Censorship Wars A comprehensive overview of censorship battles in American history, focusing on attempts to restrict sexual content and religious criticism.

Priests of Our Democracy: The Supreme Court, Academic Freedom, and the Anti-Communist Purge A historical account of academic freedom cases during the McCarthy era and their influence on First Amendment law.

The Shadow of Liberty: Freedom of Expression in America An analysis of key First Amendment controversies and their impact on American democracy and civil liberties.

Nadine Strossen - Former ACLU president who writes about civil liberties and freedom of expression. Her work "Hate: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship" explores similar themes to Heins' writing about First Amendment rights.

Geoffrey Stone - Constitutional scholar who has written extensively about free speech and civil liberties during wartime. His book "Perilous Times: Free Speech in Wartime from the Sedition Act of 1798 to the War on Terrorism" examines the historical context of First Amendment challenges.

David Cole - ACLU National Legal Director whose work focuses on constitutional law and civil liberties. His writings on academic freedom and First Amendment rights align with Heins' focus on protecting free expression in educational settings.

Catherine Ross - Legal scholar specializing in constitutional law and First Amendment issues in education. Her book "Lessons in Censorship: How Schools and Courts Subvert Students' First Amendment Rights" addresses themes similar to Heins' work on academic freedom.

Anthony Lewis - Former New York Times columnist who wrote about the Supreme Court and civil liberties. His book "Freedom for the Thought That We Hate" explores the development of First Amendment law in the United States through key historical cases.