Customer Reviews

The End of Sanity: Social and Cultural Madness in America

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Martin L. Gross is a terrific radio talk show guest, but pick up his "End of Sanity" and you may find it hard to put down. He does the reader a service in essentially listing in review, todays major politcal issues, especially those which have been created by the Politically Correct Movement, (with its insane '60s mumbo-jumbo) a cause that has wrought havoc in every American institution.

For those who have not closely followed these issues, the book is a good primer. While for those seasoned to the matter, Gross helps to bouy confidence that the elusive subject is definable, compelling, worth the fight against it, and most important - that the battle can be framed to identify the wrong headed foe, and make all aware of their distructive policies.

It is enjoyable also to read Gross' wit and sarcasm as he parades before us one absudity after another, documenting them all to prove that truth is stranger than fiction.

This is an important book for anyone who needs to understand the politics of our present American scene. One can not truly understand what the Clinton-istas believe and what they are doing, without such a book.

Enjoy.

Tom Geraghty - New York City

Martin Gross relates present day scenarios that make George Orwell's 1984 look like it was a minor sortie. He expounds upon colleges that dictate with one multi-racial voice the diversity views to which all students must rigidly adhere, and highlights corporations who put popular fads inspired by ex-sixties radicals ahead of profits. Through this chronology of mass destruction a sad situation is carefully unfolded. These vehement group thought campaigns seem suitable to glory days of Communist regimes. Tragically, this unhappy state of affairs is not an apercu of those Iron Curtain failures but a living nightmare taking place in the very nation whose shining example laid them low.

Especially disconcerting are the documented impacts seen on America's military. Congressional efforts to dulcify feminists and other militant shouters has left the world's finest fighting force battling the its most dangerous foe-political correctness.

One complaint is Gross's unwelcome use of the term "human kind." In a book that so brilliantly attacks postmodern sensitivity, the use of such a phrase is at best distracting if not downright derogatory.

In 1987 Alan Bloom wrote THE CLOSING OF THE AMERICAN MIND, predicting the insanity that would result from a politcally correct educational system. In Martin Gross' book, THE END OF SANITY, it becomes quite apparent that Bloom was absolutely correct. Gross provides practical examples of what happens when society pursues public opinion over truth.

Gross outlines how deconstructionists have supressed reason and denied truth in the name of philosphy. He points out that current politcally correct thought is evidence of not only the real problems in modern mass societies but also of the superficiality of the response to those very real problems.

The decay of our society is a sad thing to witness, let alone read about. Yet THE END OF SANITY is oddly entertaining, and hopefully will awaken the American spirit before it is too late to be saved.

The bad reviews for this book came from Washington DC, and "Saneville" probably a suburb of DC. This is an important point. The DC establishment does not understand, and never can understand the damage they do. Anyone that has to actually work for a living, raise a family and worry about reality will relate to Mr Gross.

While this may not be his best work, I think it is an important work and should be required reading in High Schools. (except Washington DC high schools where they measure illiteracy rates of high school graduates).

Read this book, I am buying several more copies to pass out to friends

Finally, someone with the guts to point out the New Establishment's raw deal and the intelligence to map out a plan of action. Anyone reading this with a critical eye and an objective viewpoint can see that Mr. Gross is right on target with his criticism of affirmative action, sexual harrassment, the public school system, etc. He is not sexist, racist or elitist; rather, he is truly concerned about the fact that women, minorities and the poor are being held to increasingly lower standards which do nothing but perpetuate problematic situations. He calls for raising expectations and making people more responsible for their actions. This is not a popular theory in our increasingly permissive society.

This should be required reading on all college campuses, where the New Establishment's PC codes and idealogical mumbo-jumbo run rampant. However, since it's not a touchy-feely "I'm okay, you're okay" sort of book, (and actually requires some thought when reading) I'm sure this will never happen.

Around the time that The End of Sanity was published (1997), I listened to a radio interview of Mr. Gross in which he predicted that "within 10 years" all forms of racial and gender preferences (a.k.a. - "affirmative action", "diversity", etc.) would be outlawed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Well, here we sit in 2006 and the Supreme Court has yet to deal the deathblow to this nonsense. They had the perfect opportunity to end it in 2003 with the University of Michigan cases, but they took the cowardly way out, thanks to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who believes we need 25 more years of affirmative action insanity.

The End of Sanity, even today, is an eye-opener and will awaken those who have little knowledge of the behind-the-scenes shenanigans that take place in the name of "affirmative action" "diversity" and "multiculturalism", among other things.

I think that, in light of the Michigan cases and O'Connor's exit from the Court, Martin Gross should write a follow-up book entitled "A Return to Sanity" chronicling recent developments that may finally put an end to the sham that is affirmative action.

Martin Gross's book should be required reading for all university administrators, professors, and students. Mr Gross exposes the lunacy, insanity, and totalitarianism that pervades American life. From colleges and universities to government agencies Gross exposes an anti-intellectual movement that is reaching out like an octopus into every facet of American life. He correctly shows how the modern "New Establishment" is really no different from the McCarthyism of the 50's, or the Spanish Inquisition of the middle ages. He points out that if not stopped this anti-intellectualism will destroy the American Republic, and liquidate American culture, and heroes. This book should be a must read for all Americans, especially those interested in maintaining their liberty. Although anti-intellectual movements have always been around, Gross points out the pervasive and deceptive tactics used in today's culture war. He shows what is needed is a return to sanity, logic, reason, and a return to the ideals of America's Founders.

This may be the greatest, most common sensical book ever written. I read "The Speech" Charlton Heston gave to a class of Harvard grads where he mentions this book. I purchased it shortly thereafter and have read it twice. I am planning to buy copies for family and friends. I get fired up at every turn of the page. I kindly ask that all liberals stick to horticultural books and don't touch and tarnish this masterpiece.

For the record:
The major crises in today's America calls for far more than the delusions of past political rhetoric where most cultural problems are simply ignored, or covered up. Americans deserve more for their loyalty and for their hope than to be considered children unable to know the truth. That is a reason Michael Moore was able to capture the national spotlight with his film documentary, and it doesn't begin to touch the surface on what is wrong with the U.S. From the gender and racial double standards to the negative campaigns meant to inflame and intimidate the public, the entire mess is not of the making by "ordinary citizens," but those who would be kings, those who fancy themselves already kings, and those who foolishly believe there are persons right for being kings in America - or queens!

Sociologist Martin L. Gross has written the definitive criticism of racial/gender preferences, affirmative action, set asides, and other politically-correct nonsense. This text should be a must-read for human resources and university administrators, professors, government officials, and other members of the "New Establishment" (Gross's terminology).

Unfortunately, this important work has not been promoted as it should. I listened to an interview of Gross, and he has been shunned by most major media outlets regarding this work. They apparently don't want to deal with an intelligent argument against affirmative action and the "diversity" movement. The media would rather interview members of extremist groups in order to discredit the anti-racial-preferences movement. Gross also makes this point in the book.

I highly recommend this book. Please tell your friends and colleagues about it, because the media won't.