by its incorporation into the Fourteenth Amendment. Confused already? Well, the courts aren't doing much better. Hasson points to the historic basis of individual and collective religious freedoms in rights arising from our nature as free beings. Every person must be acknowledged free to follow -- and publicly express -- his or her own conscience, regardless of law. This may seem idealistic, but it holds the clarity and universality lacking in all the other attempted approaches the author colorfully describes. If, having absorbed the history of "Pilgrims and Park Rangers", the "sacred parking barrier" worshippers, and the other characters Hasson marches across the stage, you can arrive at grappling with the origin and basis of your religious freedom, and your neighbor's, you will have gained something truly important -- and we will all be better equipped to take the promise of liberty forward in this generation. This right-sized volume should be a great holiday read for you and your friends. The whole book is an unexpected page-turner. Hurrah, Hasson!