An Enemy Hath Done This
By Ezra Taft Benson (compiled by Jerreld Newquist)
Synopsis: This book is mostly a compilation of many of Ezra Taft Benson's political talks at different venues, such as General Conference, BYU Devotionals, and various speaking engagements. It also includes chapters specially written by Ezra Taft Benson on various relevant topics, such as the United Nations, money and inflation, and others. It highlights the problems America is facing as it departs from it Constitutional roots and strays into the freedom-destroying path of socialism. The book takes its title from the parable of the wheat and the tares: "...Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this" (Matt. 13:27-28).
Strong Points: This book is a thrill. It represents a no-holds-barred, open and frank discussion of the political issues that pose a threat to freedom by a prophet, seer, and revelator, a constitutional expert, and one who has served in the highest echelons of government. In other words, it is a warning about the grave issues that threaten America's freedom from the one person who was in the very best position to know. The book is brave and hard-hitting, passionate and insightful, and full of quotable phrases and marvelous passages. The book is also excellent for teaching sound principles of economics and the free market in a way that is readily understandable. This is recommended reading for lovers of freedom.
Weak Points: Unfortunately, while this book is very important, it is no longer in print. Also, all of the talks originate from the setting of the Cold War, and consequently have an emphasis on fighting communism. This will strike many readers as dated, but if you substitute the idea of Soviet communism for today's collectivism (which is very similar ideologically), the book once again becomes highly relevant for today's world. The principles of freedom and the antithesis of those principles are the same throughout all time.
Interesting: 4.9/5
Must Read: 4.1/5
Overall: 4.9/5