Intellectuals, Paul Johnson
Intellectuals, Paul Johnson
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Intellectuals

Author: Paul Johnson

Narrator: Frederick Davidson

Unabridged: 16 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download (DRM Protected)

Published: 04/14/2009


Synopsis

Since the time of Voltaire and Rousseau, the secular intellectual has increasingly filled the vacuum left by the decline of the cleric and assumed the functions of moral mentor and critic of mankind. This fascinating portrait of the minds that have shaped the modern world examines the moral credentials of those whose thoughts have influenced humanity. How do intellectuals set about reaching their conclusions? How carefully do they examine the evidence? How great is their respect for truth? And how do they apply their public principles to their private lives? In an intriguing series of case studies and incisive portraits, these people are revealed as intellectuals both brilliant and contradictory, magnetic and dangerous. Included are: 1. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: An Interesting Madman 2. Shelley, or The Heartlessness of Ideas 3. Karl Marx: Howling Gigantic Curses 4. Henrik Ibsen: On the Contrary! 5. Tolstoy: God's Elder Brother 6. The Deep Waters of Ernest Hemingway 7. Bertolt Brecht: Heart of Ice 8. Bertrand Russell: A Case of Logical Fiddlesticks 9. Jean-Paul Sarte: A Little Bar of Fur and Ink 10. Edmund Wilson: A Brand from the Burning 11. The Troubled Conscience of Victor Gollancz 12. Lies, Damned Lies, and Lillian Hellman 13. The Flight of Reason

About Paul Johnson

Beginning with Modern Times (1985), Paul Johnson's books are acknowledged masterpieces of historical analysis. He is a regular columnist for Forbes and The Spectator, and his work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications.

About Frederick Davidson

David Case (a.k.a. Frederick Davidson) (1932–2005) was born in London and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He performed in BBC radio plays before coming to America in 1976. The narrator of more than eight hundred audiobooks, he garnered numerous Earphones Awards and a Grammy nomination for his readings. He was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine in 1997.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Greg

Back in 2001 I had an internship at Verso. They are the publishers of some left-wing books. When I worked there I would come in for a few hours a day. I'd get paid twenty five dollars and I'd be given lunch. I was also allowed to take home copies of any books that I wanted. It was a pleasant arrange......more

Goodreads review by Valeriu

Dacă vom citi acest volum numai pentru amănuntele biografice bizare sau hazlii, nu cred că-i vom înțelege întru totul mesajul. E drept că și autorul a exagerat. Multe amănunte par îndoielnice, apocrife. Unii „intelectuali” nu-și aveau locul în acest insectar: Ernest Hemingway, Cyril Connolly. Alții......more

Goodreads review by Peter

A book that is devastating to many of those that modern thinkers hold in high esteem, such as Rousseau, Marx, Tolstoy, Sarte and Brecht. Johnson knows a lot, has studied a lot, and is willing to call these men (and one woman) what they were: mean, greedy for fame and often money, immoral, hateful to......more

Goodreads review by Riku

Single Quote Review: “The famous technique of not separating the author from his work which made him* the leading critic of the nineteenth century ignores what should be obvious to anyone upon reflection, that a book is produced by a different person than the one whom we see in his daily life with hi......more

Paul Johnson’s book Intellectuals is a fascinating examination of the reasons we should distrust intellectuals, especially of the left-wing variety. He looks at a selection of intellectuals from Rousseau to Noam Chomsky and sees some disturbing common patterns. They achieve a certain eminence in a pa......more


Quotes

“Written from a conservative standpoint, these pummeling profiles of illustrious intellectuals are caustic, skewed, thought-provoking and thoroughly engaging.” Publishers Weekly

“Whether one agrees or not, Johnson’s profiles are frequently amusing and illuminating.” Amazon.com, editorial review