馃専 Is Democracy Overrated?
Asks Jeb Smith
Jeb Smith is the author of four books to date, the most recent being Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty. Before that, he wrote and published Middle-earth Lore: Tolkien's Legends Revealed and another book on J.R.R. Tolkien's works, and also authored Defending Dixie's Land: What Every American Should Know About The South And The Civil War, written under the name Isaac C. Bishop. Smith has authored multiple articles on various blogs and websites, including History is Now Magazine and Medieval History.
Geoff Carter from the flagship UK Talk radio breakfast show reviews
Tempting Revelations Await: "Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty" by Jeb J Smith (Author), Lloyd R. Hedberg Jr. (Editor)
**Explore the Shadows of Forgotten Governance**
What surfaces in your mind鈥檚 eye at the mention of democracy? The sentiment of liberation as opposed to the grim spectre of despotism under medieval rule, perhaps? Prepare to have your perceptions dismantled as Jeb Smith's "Missing Monarchy" delivers a formidable historical discourse, challenging the sanctity of modern democracy and proposing that it may, in fact, pale in comparison to the monarchies of yore.
**A Journey Through the Annals of Power**
Jeb Smith's seminal volume illuminates the Medieval epoch, shedding light on the veritable intricacies of kingship and governance. Delving into the annals of history, he presents a compelling case that the Medieval societal structures, often misconstrued as oppressive, were instead robust forms of decentralized aristocracy where power was not monopolized but distributed among sovereign lords. This, Smith argues, is in stark contrast to the purportedly authoritarian regime veiled within the democratic fabric of contemporary America.
**Unveiling the Facade of Liberty**
Have you ever pondered the authenticity of our democratic freedom? Through his meticulous exploration, Smith prompts a critical revaluation of what it means to wield power in a democratic society. He posits that the illusion of self-governance in modern democracy is just that鈥攁n illusion. In contrast, the Middle Ages showcased a more transparent, albeit stringent, societal order where governance was an explicit reality.
**Reassessing Freedom in the 'Land of the Free'**
Jeb's narrative extends beyond mere historical analysis to a poignant critique of modern governance. He draws disconcerting parallels between medieval feudalism and contemporary political structures, suggesting that today's 'land of the free' might actually operate under more restrictive conditions than those of its medieval counterparts.
**The Allure of Autocracy: Might You Long for a Crown?**
It's a provocative inquiry: could the sovereignty once experienced under monarchic rule offer more genuine liberty than the democratic systems we champion today? Smith's investigation into this query might just leave you yearning for the days of crowns and courts.
"Missing Monarchy" emerges not merely as a historical examination but as a profound challenge to our understanding of freedom, governance, and the very essence of democracy itself. This book beckons to those daring enough to question the foundation of their beliefs and discover that perhaps, in the echoes of history, lies a truth far more liberating than previously imagined
