Robert Ringer is a best-selling author of motivational books and an acclaimed public speaker. However, he is probably best known in the libertarian movement for his classic book, Restoring the American Dream.

The book, which reached #3 on the New York Times bestseller list in 1979, is widely hailed as one of the best-ever general introductions to libertarian ideas. Written in friendly, non-academic prose, the book acquainted millions of people with the libertarian principle that each individual has the right to live his life as he chooses -- as long as he does not forcibly interfere with the same right of others.

In Restoring the American Dream, Ringer exposed the myriad of problems created by big government (including inflation, high taxes, the energy crisis, and excessive regulation), and prescribed freedom, individualism, and opportunity as the solution. Ringer dedicated the book to "men and women throughout the world who practice individualism and self-responsibility, who do not covet the fruits of the labor of others, [and] who respect every person's right to sovereignty over his own life..."

More than a quarter century later, Restoring the American Dream continues to have a significant impact on the libertarian movement. In 1998, it was ranked #2 as the book that influenced Libertarian Party members "more than any other in their journey to libertarianism" (according to an unscientific poll reported in The Pulse column, LP News, January 1998). It came in second only to Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged.

Restoring the American Dream has been called a "libertarian classic" by the West Coast Libertarian Foundation (British Columbia, Canada) and "a wonderful introduction to the libertarian philosophy" by the Libertarian Party of Mid-West Michigan. Colorado State Senator John Andrews (R) described it as a "classic on the timeless relevance of our founders' freedom vision," while radio talk show host David Gold praised it as "a precious treatise on personal freedom."

To this day, Ringer remains an outspoken advocates of liberty. On his Web site, he proclaims that "everyone has an equal and absolute right to sovereignty over his own body, his own property, and his own life, and to pursue his own happiness in any way that he chooses. The only right that an individual does not naturally possess is the right to violate someone else's liberty."

To the world at large, Ringer is most famous as one of the most widely read and influential authors of books that teach people how to be more successful at business and life. Two of his books -- Winning Through Intimidation (1975) and Looking Out for Number #1 (1977) -- were listed by the New York Times among the 15 best-selling motivational books of all time. Those two books also hit #1 on the New York Times national bestseller list.

In addition, Ringer is the author of Million Dollar Habits (1990), Getting What You Want: The Seven Principles of Rational Living (2000), and Action! Nothing Happens Until Something Moves (2004). In 2004, he also published an updated and rewritten version of Winning Through Intimidation entitled To Be or Not to Be Intimidated?. His books have been reprinted in a half-dozen languages, and have been praised by business leaders, coaches, politicians, and other public figures. Laissez Faire Books said Ringer's books "are always an engaging blend of storytelling and no-nonsense practical and moral insight."

An in-demand public speaker, Ringer lectures around the USA on the principles of success, personal and professional achievement, salesmanship, effective business strategies, and motivation. In 2005, he was the keynote speaker at the Advocates for Self-Government's 20th Anniversary Celebration in Atlanta, Georgia.

To find out more about Mr. Ringer, visit his Web site.

Quotable

"Everyone has an equal and absolute right to sovereignty over his own body, his own property, and his own life, and to pursue his own happiness in any way that he chooses. No one has the authority to grant rights to anyone else, because human beings already possess all natural rights at birth. These rights include both personal and economic freedoms, and the only way they can be lost is if someone takes them away by force. The only right that an individual does not naturally possess is the right to violate someone else's liberty." -- Robert Ringer on www.RobertRinger.com