Introduction

...This book is about fifteen Americans, some famous, some obscure, who were persecuted in their time for their minority beliefs—the same beliefs that today have become accepted as part of our way of life. Their stories are reminders to all of us of the need to be tolerant and broadminded, in the best tradition of the American Bill of Rights.

Only when we respect the voices of protest and give them a fair chance to be heard can we be certain we are not vilifying, persecuting, or crucifying those among us today who hold unpopular minority opinions. We will be glad of our tolerance tomorrow, because some of them, like the fifteen idealistic crusaders in this book, will eventually be proved right and the whole nation will benefit from their foresight.

From the book