📖 Overview
Harvey Silverglate is an American civil liberties attorney, author, and co-founder of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). He has practiced law since 1967 and gained prominence for his work defending civil liberties, academic freedom, and student rights.
His most notable book "Three Felonies a Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent" (2009) argues that the average American unknowingly commits multiple felonies daily due to vague and complex federal criminal laws. As a regular columnist for publications like The Boston Phoenix and Forbes.com, Silverglate has written extensively on civil liberties, criminal justice reform, and academic freedom.
Throughout his career, Silverglate has served as a board member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and has been involved in numerous high-profile cases involving First Amendment rights. His legal practice has focused particularly on academic freedom, defending students and faculty members against institutional censorship and overreach.
Silverglate's influence extends beyond his legal practice through his role in establishing FIRE, which has become a leading organization in defending free speech and due process rights on college campuses. His work and writings have contributed significantly to ongoing debates about overcriminalization, campus free speech, and civil liberties in America.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Silverglate's clear explanations of complex legal issues and his concrete examples of how federal laws affect ordinary citizens. "Three Felonies a Day" receives particular attention for exposing the volume and ambiguity of federal criminal statutes.
What readers liked:
- Detailed case studies that illustrate legal overreach
- Clear writing style that makes legal concepts accessible
- Research-backed arguments about overcriminalization
What readers disliked:
- Some sections become repetitive
- Focus primarily on white-collar cases
- Limited discussion of potential solutions
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.5/5 from 448 reviews
Goodreads: 3.9/5 from 1,127 ratings
Notable reader comment from Amazon: "Eye-opening look at how federal prosecutors can target almost anyone due to vague laws. Should be required reading for law students."
Critical review from Goodreads: "Makes valid points about overcriminalization but could have included more diverse examples beyond business and academic cases."
📚 Books by Harvey Silverglate
Three Felonies a Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent (2009)
An examination of how federal criminal laws have become so numerous and vague that the average professional unknowingly commits multiple felonies daily.
The Shadow University: The Betrayal of Liberty on America's Campuses (1998) An analysis of how speech codes and disciplinary systems on college campuses affect academic freedom and student rights.
FIRE's Guide to Free Speech on Campus (2005) A handbook explaining First Amendment protections, common campus speech restrictions, and legal rights of students at American universities.
The ACLU vs. America (2003) A critical analysis of the American Civil Liberties Union's positions and actions on various constitutional issues.
Freedom of Expression in the Marketplace of Ideas (2011) A textbook covering the development and current state of First Amendment law in the United States.
The Shadow University: The Betrayal of Liberty on America's Campuses (1998) An analysis of how speech codes and disciplinary systems on college campuses affect academic freedom and student rights.
FIRE's Guide to Free Speech on Campus (2005) A handbook explaining First Amendment protections, common campus speech restrictions, and legal rights of students at American universities.
The ACLU vs. America (2003) A critical analysis of the American Civil Liberties Union's positions and actions on various constitutional issues.
Freedom of Expression in the Marketplace of Ideas (2011) A textbook covering the development and current state of First Amendment law in the United States.
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