The offence caused to women by the availability of pornography, to people of colour and to Jews by the expression of racial hatred, and to Muslims by the publication of The Satanic Verses was only too real. In Speech and Respect, based on the forty-fourth series of Hamlyn Lectures, Professor Richard Abel sets out the dangers that are inherent in the current system of protection of free speech clearly and concisely. The use of familiar, topical ""stories"" helps the reader see just how dangerous the problem is. The extensive references and footnotes show just how widespread the dangers are. Richard Abel is a leading figure in socio-legal debate and readers will benefit from his wealth of experience. The references to the many hundreds of sources, the extensive footnoting and the lengthy bibliography are particularly helpful both in guiding the reader through the unfamiliar literature and for further research.
