Another enthusiastic review of Conscious Choice
A new review of my latest book, Conscious Choice: The origins of slavery in America and why it matters today and for our future in outer space, has just been published by American Thinker. I especially like this quote:
What makes Conscious Choice interesting is that it’s not just another social history of what happened, and who did what to whom in a horrible time of man’s inhumanity to man. It’s an effort to draw concrete knowledge from the past, for application to solving predictable problems in the not-too-distant, not altogether impossible future.
Conscious Choice reads easily, flows smoothly, is linguistically elegant, covers an extremely important topic, and asks important questions. Conscious Choice is also well referenced, with two appendices of additional data and sourcing information for the deepest dive. Conscious Choice is well worth reading simply to revel in the technical merits, which are far too rare these days. It would also pair well with a rereading of Robert A. Heinlein’s classic The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, possibly while listening to Jason Aldean’s “Rich Men North of Richmond,” and sipping a few pints of good New England beer.
As is to be expected, I don’t entirely agree with the reviewer’s interpretation of my book, but such disagreements are to be expected (and celebrated), as they enhance our knowledge. Moreover, in this case the disagreement is very minor, and provides me another piece of evidence that I was successful in conveying in a readable fashion the conclusions I drew from history.
As always, if my readers are interested in buying the book, it is available in hardback, paperback, and ebook editions. You can get it at all major book outlets, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well directly from my publisher, ebookit. You can also get an autographed hardback or paperback by buying it directly from me. Just email me at [my last name] at nasw dot org.
Readers!
My annual February birthday fund-raising drive for Behind the Black is now over. Thank you to everyone who donated or subscribed. While not a record-setter, the donations were more than sufficient and slightly above average.
As I have said many times before, I can’t express what it means to me to get such support, especially as no one is required to pay anything to read my work. Thank you all again!
For those readers who like my work here at Behind the Black and haven't contributed so far, please consider donating or subscribing. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
A new review of my latest book, Conscious Choice: The origins of slavery in America and why it matters today and for our future in outer space, has just been published by American Thinker. I especially like this quote:
What makes Conscious Choice interesting is that it’s not just another social history of what happened, and who did what to whom in a horrible time of man’s inhumanity to man. It’s an effort to draw concrete knowledge from the past, for application to solving predictable problems in the not-too-distant, not altogether impossible future.
Conscious Choice reads easily, flows smoothly, is linguistically elegant, covers an extremely important topic, and asks important questions. Conscious Choice is also well referenced, with two appendices of additional data and sourcing information for the deepest dive. Conscious Choice is well worth reading simply to revel in the technical merits, which are far too rare these days. It would also pair well with a rereading of Robert A. Heinlein’s classic The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, possibly while listening to Jason Aldean’s “Rich Men North of Richmond,” and sipping a few pints of good New England beer.
As is to be expected, I don’t entirely agree with the reviewer’s interpretation of my book, but such disagreements are to be expected (and celebrated), as they enhance our knowledge. Moreover, in this case the disagreement is very minor, and provides me another piece of evidence that I was successful in conveying in a readable fashion the conclusions I drew from history.
As always, if my readers are interested in buying the book, it is available in hardback, paperback, and ebook editions. You can get it at all major book outlets, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well directly from my publisher, ebookit. You can also get an autographed hardback or paperback by buying it directly from me. Just email me at [my last name] at nasw dot org.
Readers!
My annual February birthday fund-raising drive for Behind the Black is now over. Thank you to everyone who donated or subscribed. While not a record-setter, the donations were more than sufficient and slightly above average.
As I have said many times before, I can’t express what it means to me to get such support, especially as no one is required to pay anything to read my work. Thank you all again!
For those readers who like my work here at Behind the Black and haven't contributed so far, please consider donating or subscribing. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
i recently bought a hardcover copy, which Bob kindly inscribed for me, even though i already had a Kindle version.
i did this after Bob published a story about Amazon banning a book (i forget which).
Remember, you do not own the content on your Kindle. Amazon can, and has, edit[ed] or delete[d] content at will without notice or recourse. Probably the most worrying is stealth editing.
Conscious Choice is worth preserving.
Actually, i was sipping Laphroaig when i read it.
“linguistically elegant”
I’ve always thought of Bob’s writing that way.
One of my “Socialist” / “progressive” anti-Capitalism friends was sharing with me the other day, and they slipped. I guess they forgot who they were talking to?
SOME THINGS CANNOT BE UNHEARD
You slipped the other day. You shared with me one of your dearest desires: You said: You “Want to Become Independently Wealthy”. You said it and I heard it, and I can now not unhear it. And I am willing if you like to help you accomplish that personal goal.
But first we have to establish what road you want to take to get there. I will list the ways that a person particularly in America by design can reach their personal aspirations regarding how they want to live. Remember: America by design at its founding is about attaining the maximum amount of personal freedom, the ability to own personal property and attain your desired level of prosperity to the best of your ability with the least amount of government involved interference in one’s life. That is by design.
Let’s make a list, how does one accomplish the personal goal you shared with me? There are only four avenues to independent wealth in America or the world for that matter that I am aware of.
One: You inherit your wealth. And while this is very passive and convenient I will assume that this avenue to independent wealth is not likely to occur in your case. Not at the level you desire anyway.
Two: You become a professional gambler and or you win a massive lottery. And knowing you I do not believe you have the professional down and dirty desperate high risk gambler gene. But you might play and win the lottery, however. I will again discount for the most part this avenue to independent wealth just based on the odds. But remember, “You gotta be in it to win it!” :)
Three: You establish a business and provide a service or product that people value and are willing to freely pay for (Capitalism). And I do see that gene in you with all of the activities and projects that you today are involved in, you are very industrious. And I greatly admire that trait in you. There are however certain capital risks, but with risk come rewards. Now we are getting to an avenue to independent wealth that has a realistic potential. You work now and are very good at your current job, but it does not seem to be where you see that avenue to independent wealth exists. It pays your bills, and I know you live a pretty good, comfortable life, but you want more. And that is a natural normal human condition, nothing to be ashamed of. That is where real positive progress happens. You want a better life for you and your wife. And you want extra disposable wealth resources in order to not only live a better life for yourself and your family but to share your good fortune and wealth with others. Admirable! Give without expectation! You are perfectly positioned in America to reach your aspirations. Again, by design.
Four: You steal your wealth; you become a criminal and you in some way take from others what they have amassed for themselves and their family and redistribute it to you. That is not you for sure, you just do not have that crawling in someone’s broken basement window gene in you. Or you do something that parallels being a straight out criminal and just subjectively taking what you want and need, you go into politics and become a politically empowered politician in either / any political party. And / or you become one of their dependent minions. Again, I really do not see you living that parasitic and what can become a self-delusional by necessity life.
So now that we have established the only four ways that I know of that someone in America or the world attains personal independent wealth I wait for your response so that we can if you like move ahead and refine your path to personal independent wealth.
(If you are aware of a fifth method to attain your goal to independent wealth please let me know so I can consider it)
Choose one, let me know.
Are You Paying Attention Yet America? JGL 6/9/25
AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
“There is an important distinction that needs to be seen and understood when talking about the Founders of America who were true capitol “P” PROGRESSIVES of their day and throughout history. They structured a never before proposed theory of governance where the individual’s freedoms were seen as paramount over and above governments power. And today’s lower case “p” more politically active and radical, you must say, do and think as we instruct because we are morally superior on all subjects politically “progressive”. Just take a look at the UK today to appreciate my point and the distinction. And most all other countries in the world for that matter.”
https://www.allsides.com/news/2025-04-07-0207/free-speech-12000-brits-arrested-year-over-social-media-posts-times
“Thousands of people in the UK have been detained and questioned by police over online posts deemed threatening or offensive”.
“These laws criminalize causing distress by sending messages that are “grossly offensive,” or by sharing content of an “indecent, obscene or menacing character” via electronic communications networks.”
Define: “Offensive”, “Threatening”, “Indecent”, “Menacing Character, “Grossly Offensive”? (Grossly Offensive!?) Defining what is or is not offensive or threatening is purely a subjective politically strategic whim in many of these cases. This is exactly what the “progressives” in America support and promote. And this is precisely what distinguishes America from all other countries. Unless you have clearly stated that you are violent and are physically threatening others and are just sharing your opinion about controversial subjects your speech in America is protected. There are however common-sense lines between opinions and direct violent threats to harm or worse.
The Founders, true capitol “P” Progressives of their day, created a form of governance never before seen installed and founded in a perspective of an Objectively structured law and justice system and a limited government in regard to the peoples fundamental personal individual Rights. Rights to live, think and speak as they please within the confines and protections of the Objectively structured founding document parameters.
And that Objective theme carries through in all its founding structuring documentation. The individual’s freedoms are not compelled or forced by government because they are structured in a theory of Objectivity where the government’s ability to force or compel the individual’s speech or behavior are drastically limited and constrained. By design.
Not so in the Uk, Canada, Brazil, CCP China, Russia, North Korea, it is a long Subjective list.
Today’s lower case “p” so called “progressives” however entire theory of operation is based in its Subjective opinion about what and how people must think, speak and act and they are willing to use force in order to compel behavior. What MUST be accepted and what MUST be Compelled by government force via arbitrary Subjectively conceived policy and through the law and justice and court system. The exact opposite of true Objective, Progressive thought and action regarding the individual’s freedoms and Rights.
https://simplicable.com/society/progressivism
“We now live in a Wikipedia society — where anyone can change the meaning of a word to satisfy some misguided or politically correct social engineering goal. Progressives have become masters of vocabulary manipulation and are constantly changing the traditional meaning of words to fit their political agenda.”
For government to force and compel behavior or speech is antithetical to Americas founding documents and theory of operation which were and are truly capitol “P” PROGRESSIVE, historically revolutionary and Objective.
If you are a part of a movement that must sacrifice the Objectivity of the Constitution in order to install an oppressive Subjective “ISM”, is it really worth it in the long run? The Constitution is structured to be flexible and adjustable over time as needed, by design. And it has successfully operated as such for well over 240 years, why the big push to destroy it? In order to install a “Superior” Objective interpretation about how people should think speak and act? I do not think that you really agree with that proposition.
Monarchism, Socialism, Communism, Democratic Constitutionalism:
Choose your “ISM” wisely and make the distinction.
Are You Paying Attention Yet America? JGL 6/12/25