The 20th century was a disaster for individual liberty and peace. In addition to two disastrous world wars, the reach of government into our personal and economic affairs spread like a cancer.

If we could only get back to the halcyon days of the 18th and 19th centuries, when government was limited, markets were free, and elected leaders were incorruptible "statesman" who selflessly defended our liberty. Right?

Not exactly, says Dr. Patrick Newman, my guest on today's episode of Tom Mullen Talks Freedom. You may know Patrick as the editor of two of Murray Rothbard's books, published posthumously. But Patrick is an outstanding writer in his own right and has produced a work, Cronyism: Liberty versus Power in Early America, 1607-1849, that casts a penetrating light on some of the now-legendary figures from American history.

Warning: sacred cows are slaughtered in today's episode.

There are links to Patrick's other work and social media on the show notes page.

On Wednesday, I'll have Kevin Gutzman on to give his analysis of two significant decisions by the folks I call the Black-Robed High Priests of the Imperial Temple, but whom are also known as the Supreme Court Justices. Don't miss that one!