The book opens with a historic perspective on the foundations of free expression in the United States. This is followed by 10 chapters that review incidents and patterns of censorship by the government, the courts, private groups, and individuals. The chapters cover censorship in schools and libraries, libel suits against the media, the campaign against pornography, and censorship inside corporations and the media. A series of chapters on government censorship addresses government surveillance and harassment; government secrecy and direct censorship; bureaucratic restrictions on information; government controls in the press, media, and travel; restrictions on academic and scientific research; and the continuation of censorship in the post-Reagan era. The concluding chapter challenges citizens to act to restore the traditions of free speech and diversity of information that were eroded in the 1980's. Subject index.