Customer Reviews

Listen America!

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First published in 1980, "Listen, America!" by Jerry Falwell is a political manifesto of the so-called "Christian Right." "Listen" is basically a diatribe against the various groups whom Falwell despises: humanists, feminists, gay rights activists, much of the music and television industries, etc. Through it all, Falwell preaches a narrowly defined version of the Christian faith.

The only good thing that can be said about "Listen, America!" is that it's a pretty clear and concise example of essential Christian Right thought. Falwell praises or quotes other right wing figures like Phyllis Schlafly and Jesse Helms. He reviews American history through a distorted, one-sided lens; in his efforts to depict the United States as a Christian nation, he fails to acknowledge the full theological and philosophical diversity of the nation's founders. He insists on a simplistically literalistic reading of biblical passages.

Falwell found himself the object of much scorn after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 -- attacks which brought devastation to New York City and Washington, DC. After that horrible tragedy, Falwell publicly blamed pagans, feminists, civil libertarians, gay activists, and others for allegedly bringing divine wrath on the U.S., and thus helping cause the attack. This cruel and insensitive rant outraged an already hurting nation, and greatly discredited Falwell. But his comments should not really have surprised anybody; he had made similar intolerant statements 20 years earlier in "Listen, America!"

Throughout his career, Falwell has tried to present himself as a sort of modern-day prophet. But "Listen, America" reveals him to be someone who is totally out of step with the true Christian prophets of the 20th century: individuals such as Thomas Merton, John McNeill, and Martin Luther King, Jr. While interesting as a historical document, "Listen, America!" is an ugly, mean-spirited book.

Boy, as a concerned Christian living in our sin-ridden society, it sure is nice to have a bright mind like Falwell lead us all away from the evil temptations of homosexual rights, caring about the environment & those darn teletubbies!! I would be lost without Falwell's guide, it sure takes the stress away from having to form my own opinions on matters & caring about others! Where do women belong? Is our military too big? Will your children become murderers only by listening to a rap or rock 'n roll cd? Falwell provides the answers to all of these tough questions and more!! If you don't want to spend an eternity in Hell, read this book!

A prominent moralist and theologian, the Reverend Jerry Falwell produced a seminal work that re-defined decadence at the dawn of the Reagan era, paving the way for a president fondly remembered as America's Caligula. As the air-waves crackled with the self-righteous self-congratulations of atavistic trogdolytes and the conservative movement in the United States flexed new-found muscle, Reverend Falwell fixed his mighty intellect on a new vision of decadence that would replace the sybaritic hedonism previously associated with the concept. It is in this awesomely insightful book that the epistimological foundation for the establishment of pointless materialism, ham-handed application of military power, icy insensitivity to the unfortunate, goose-stepping jingoism and Christian hypocrisy as the basis for a new variety of decadence, hitherto unknown and unexplored, is laid. Read it and you will agree: what other kind of decadence could possibly be more appropriate for a super-power of Puritan heritage, so massively imbued with emotional repression, neurotic insecurity and greed? A must-read for all students of modern cultural history.

when i read this book, i was completly amazed. i mean, i haven't quite read a book that had such incredible propaganda. if you think that the problems of our society include: pagans, atheists, liberals, anyone who doesn't agree with g.w. bush, workers right groups, feminist movements, then this book is for you! this should be required high school reading.