"At a time of moral and political challenge, this updated classic masterfully examines the existential reality of the lives of public service. Rosemary O’Leary’s elegant and thoughtful prose presents balanced and thorough assessments of six major and myriad shorter cases of officials seeking to work through moral and legal obligations in very difficult circumstances. The book opens a gateway into honest and deep reflection on the multiple obligations committed public officials daily face. The open-ended and multifaceted cases invite hard thought and teaching around the obligations of office and individual integrity; the new cases involving Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning’s leaking of government document troves are exemplars of how to present open cases that generate profound deliberation."

J. Patrick Dobel

"Rosemary O’Leary’s The Ethics of Dissent offers a novel take on rule breakers and whistle-blowers in the federal government. Finding a book that elegantly interweaves theory, case detail, and practice in a way useful to students and researching proves challenging. O’Leary achieves those aims."

Randall Davis

"This text is a must-read for all professors and adult learners. I would encourage the inclusion of this book in all administrative programs."

Charles E. Moreland