Vin Suprynowicz resents bureaucratic hubris and the bullying tactics of the faceless public servants who abuse their power over the citizens who pay their wages. He is a Libertarian who, by definition, believes the least government is the best government.

This book is a collection of tales of such abuses, which Suprynowicz relates in such a way that any reader with a heart will become enraged as they read.

Carl Drega, the title case, as depicted here, was a citizen who ran up against a particularly stupid and mean city hall. Over a period of decades, he tried to prevent them from treading on his freedom and confiscating his property. Finally, he was driven to violent action which resulted in the deaths of several of his tormentors and himself. An understandable reaction, even if one cannot condone it.

On the back cover, the author explains his view succinctly:

"In a free country, individuals have almost limitless rights--to travel as they please, carry private arms, consume any plant or drug, keep what they earn, raise their kids as they see fit..all without showing any license or permit..."

Of course, as the population grows, the number of kooks grows with it, and as surely as the night follows the day, laws are enacted to restrain them...laws which inevitably restrain the freedoms of everyone, including the law-abiding and guiltless. Then, as the politicians and bureaucrats seek to curry favor with the electorate and thus ensure their continued tenure in office, they pass more laws granting health care, social security, and other socialistic schemes. But, when the government robs Peter to pay Paul, it can always count on the support of Paul, and as the numbers of Pauls increase the government becomes more and more powerful, and more and more difficult to reform and to return to its rightful, constitutional role.

So, we have arrived at where we are today--with a government that no longer adheres to its constitutional role, that is to provide a level playing field where all are equal before the law, to a socialistic society where government is looked to as the solution to all cultural ills, and gradually, step by step, freedom is lost to paternalism. Where taxation is unevenly applied, depending on one's income, and where equality of opportunity is replaced by the attempt to achieve equality of result. If you have more than me, it is your legal duty to share your wherewithal with me, despite the work it has taken you to get yours, and the laziness or stupidity that may be the cause of my poverty.

This is the society that Vin Suprynowicz depicts, with all of its injustice, favoritism, cruelty and tragedy.

Is there any chance that we will ever get back to the Bill of Rights and constitutional government? Time will tell, but the prospects look bleak. The author is probably a voice crying in the wilderness for a lost cause.

Joe Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance

As an author and fighter for Truth, Justice, and the American Way, it is rare that I learn something new regarding our battle--but when I do, it's often from Vin. I read this book with great profit. So will you. Buy it, for time is short...

For those of you who believe that a "war on freedom" is in the works, this title will not only reaffirm your belief but will show you how it's ten times worse than you originally thought. Unlike many books which are simply based on hearsay, this title cites the cold, hard facts in excruciating detail. You can expect to see examples and be pointed to verifiable sources, not just the philosophic ramblings of the author.

This book is unrelenting attack on everything you thought you knew. From building codes to taxes, this book explores the cold, dark world that is our government.

When you have finished reading this title, your outlook on life will be changed. The title is that powerful. If you buy only one book this year, that book should be "The Ballard of Carl Drega". Eight died on that bridge in Lexington back in 1775, how many will it take this time?

For me, Beside Ourselves is a guide to recognizing the importance of our "hidden personalities" and recognizing why we can act in ways that seem foreign even to ourselves when "in the grip" of our inferior functions, as Quenk puts it. This book shows that there is (obviously) value to accepting and understanding the "dark side" of our personalities, and that true equilibrium can usually be reached when we learn to deal with and even embrace the "eruptions" of our hidden inferior functions.

In my opinion, grasping the concepts found in this book will require that the reader has an understanding of personality type as defined by Jung, Keirsey, Myers-Briggs, etc. In order to understand the hidden personality, or inferior function, readers should have a strong understanding of the dominant function, which is essentially the personality we feel best describes us under "normal" circumstances. Highly recommended!

Even though not marketed as such, I personally believe this book is really good for everyone, even those just entering the job market.

I told my friend Carl his book was wonderful, and he suggested I review it for the WEB; here follows.

"Mr. Back", as another review calls him, has written an account he labels fictitious. The love, the genuineness, however, is clearly real. Although he does write about sick drinking and sick relationships and ever cocaine use, no subpoenas shall follow. Carl's legally training is not wasted in that regard; the book seems carefully written to actually harm no one, certainly not in the legal world of man made justice..

Carl's voice keeps things present in a wonderful sense. For example, describing an adolescent male's world, Carl writes as an adolescent male sees. Later, he writes just as a young twenty something drunk feels remorse the morning after; I know! As the journey continues, so does the vision. His is a great present tense capture of each moment he chooses to describe.

I turned a friend on to this book. Ann is not much of a reader, and she does not really introspect much. She loved the book! God, it's so personal, she told me. Well, yes, healing is intensely personal oft times! Therefore, the three people who are in recovery with whom I spoke about the book, we each found it strengthening and affirming. Will the book also have magic for the sick and suffering? Such is my hope, clearly, in posting it to my dear college roommate who at age 50 finds himself with DUIs and liver trouble. Yes, I'm sending the book to a sick friend. Although I was unable to touch my sick friend whom I love, I hope the book will. Isn't that future looking? Apparently, a lot of people want another book by Back; add me to the list

By the way, it is very readable!

Jayster

Ultra-Violet solved an ongoing debate between my husband and me: how to boil and peel an egg correctly. The answer is on page 2. Now we have this entertaining cookbook for pickled eggs - never had any pickled eggs, may not ever pickle any, but getting to know Ultra-Violet is reason enough to have this book.