Articulate, thoughtful, resonant with integrity, these writings F.R. Scott express the political convictions of one of Canada's most respected intellectuals. The collection spans four decades of outspoken opinion on the political issues that were dear to Scott's heart: the advocacy of socialism, civil rights, Quebec politics, labour rights, social justice, and the political destiny of Canada. Presented in chronological order, the writings include letters to the editor of the Montreal Gazette, speeches, magazine articles from Canadian Forum and Saturday Night, and letters to such political colleagues as David Lewis and J.S. Woodworth. Scott played many roles in Canadian intellectual life: as a teacher, lawyer, social activist, and poet, he was one of Canada's most skilful communicators. The clarity of his prose and the depth of conviction behind it created a powerful vehicle for his ideas on the political and social issues of his day.

There is no one in Canada better qualified to write on this topic than Professor Scott, and few who could handle it with comparable brilliance and skill. He discusses the relationship between civil liberties and the Canadian constitution in the light of the steps now being taken to write a Bill of Rights into the law. But he takes a much wider point of view than that suggested by present political alternatives: he is primarily concerned with the growth of the constitution, and with our current interest in civil liberties and human rights as evidence of that growth.