The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization (Politically Incorrect Guides) [Paperback]

Anthony Esolen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Politically Incorrect Guides | Publication Date: May 27, 2008

The latest work in the Politically Incorrect Guide (P.I.G.) series shows how the West laid the cornerstones of all modern civilization, including historical, artistic, and intellectual achievements.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Everything you should know--but PC professors won't teach--about our Western heritage

Western civilization is the envy of the globe. It has given to the world universally accepted understandings of human rights (rooted in Judeo-Christian principles), created standards for art, music, and literature that have never been equaled, and originated political and social systems that have spread all across the planet.

Unfortunately, the fog of political correctness now obscures these and other truths about Western civilization. Leftists and Islamic jihadists find common cause in assailing Western "colonialism," "imperialism," and "racism" as its defining characteristics. Guilt-ridden Western leaders and public figures speak of their cultural patrimony in disparaging terms they would never dare to use about a non-Western culture. And in the academy, "multicultural"-minded professors flatter students into believing they have nothing really to learn from Sophocles or Shakespeare.

But now, Professor Anthony Esolen--one of the team-teachers of Providence College's esteemed Development of Western Civilization Core Curriculum--has risen to the West's defense. The Politically Incorrect Guide(TM) to Western Civilization takes on the prevailing liberal assumptions that make Western civilization the universal whipping boy for today's global problems, and introduces you to the significant events, individuals, nations, ideas, and artistic achievements that make Western civilization the greatest the world has ever known.

Today--with the West imperiled as never before by the global jihad and threats from China and elsewhere--defending the West has become an urgent imperative: if we don't value what we have and what we have inherited, we will surely lose it. The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to Western Civilization is an essential sourcebook for that defense.

From the Back Cover

Christianity. Judaism. Dead white males. Old-fashioned morality. The traditional family. Tradition itself. Everything the liberals hate can be summed up in two words: Western civilization. Here is the ultimate Politically Incorrect Guide(tm): a sprightly, informative summary of the original source of all things politically incorrect from Moses, Caesar, and Christ, to Dante, Thomas More, and the Founding Fathers.

PC professors don't want you to know that:

* Patriarchy and civilization go hand-in-hand (just ask the ancient Romans)
* Modern science came from the Middle Ages (and a Biblical view of the universe)
* The Renaissance was the flowering of a specifically Christian and classical culture
* The "progressive ideas" of the nineteenth century led to the fascism, communism, and two world wars of the twentieth century

"`The glory that was Greece...the grandeur that was Rome'--not so long ago, these were the birthright of every educated American. But no more. If you had to name one thing that the vandals who've seized control on our college campuses don't want their students to learn, it would be Western civilization. More and more, we live with blinders on, ignorant of everything but current fads. In this sparkling book--the ultimate Politically Incorrect Guide(tm)--Anthony Esolen provides a fabulous introduction to the history and culture of the West. Esolen opens up a new world of people and ideas for those of us who live in the twenty-first century but don't want to be prisoners of the passing moment."
--Elizabeth Kantor, Ph.D., author of The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to English and American Literature

"An acclaimed translator of Dante, and a brilliant teacher of Western civilization, Professor Esolen is the perfect Virgil, guiding the student through the fugue-like influence of Athens, Jerusalem, and Rome."
--Russell Hittinger, William K. Warren Professor of Catholic Studies, University of Tulsa

"With a mind and heart well-formed by the very best that has made Western civilization both civil and great, Esolen vividly portrays our four-millennia drama in thought, politics, the family, art, poetry, architecture, war, peace, and the blessed intricacies of everyday life--his eye ever trained on the true, the good, and the beautiful, and rightly indignant of all that now threatens to reduce Western civilization to ashes and a new barbarism."
--Benjamin Wiker, Ph.D., author of 10 Books That Screwed Up the World

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Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596980591
• ISBN-13: 978-1596980594
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > History > Ancient > Early Civilization

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 136 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Well Written Account for the Novice Student and Those Who are Well Read in Western Civilization, June 22, 2008

By 

James E. Egolf "James E. Egolf, MA" (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization (Politically Incorrect Guides) (Paperback)

Prof. Anthony Esolen is an English professor at Providence College who wrote a good survey undermining the childish politically correct nonsense re Western Civilization. The book titled THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT GUIDE TO WESTERN CIVILIZATION (PIGWC) is a good book for the unitiated as well as for those who are seasoned readers of what constitutes Western Civilization.

When this reviewer first received this book, he thought that was little to learn for those who have studied European History. This book was a pleasant surprise and informative even for those learned in European studies.

Prof. Esolen began this book with a good introduction to the history, political systems, and literature/philosophy of the Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans. Esolen gave a good explanation of the politcal loyalties of the Greek Polis, especially Athens and Sparta, and the Roman Republic. He gave a much needed explanation of the conflict between the Ancient Greeks and the Persians during the Persian Wars (490-479 BC). Esolen intelligently explains the reasons for the Greeks loyaly to the Polis and the Roman loyalty to the Roman Republic and the city of Rome. There is a further explanation for the demise of the Greeks especially the Peloponnesian War (c. 431-404 BC.). There is a good explanation for the disintegration of the Roman Empire. Esolen explains that the Romans, who could be harsh and severe, were also tolerant of the different peoples whom they ruled. For example, those from North Africa, Western Asia, Greece, Gaul or France, the British Isles, etc. could be Roman citizens regardless of their origin of birth and geography.

Esolen excelled in this book in describing Ancient Greek and Roman literature and philosophy. Esolen's description of Ancient Greek drama is profound, and even those who are well read in Ancient Greek drama would learn from this book. Esolen's explanations show knowledge and careful thought. His explanations of Ancient Greek philosophy also demonstrate Esolen's knowledge and ability to convey ideas and serious thought. This part of the book was surprisinly good.

Esolen also gave readers a complex but clear summary of monotheism. He gave a detailed explanation of Judaism and Chrisianity which was informative and undermined the politically correct childish views. Esolen, who honestly admitted he is a devout Catholic, was surprisingly honest in writing clear explanations of both of these monotheisitic religions. He compared and contrasted the early Church Fathers with the then emerging Judaism. Anyone who has an interest in biblical studies and history would learn from this part of the book.

Esolen then ventured into the studies of the Middle Ages. His list of Catholic achievements and contributions are unanswerable. Esolen cited examples of the Medieval monks, the Medieval frairs, etc. He explained the livliness of Medieval universities and Scholastism. Those who think the Catholic Church tried to hinder learning would learn so much to the contrary. Esolen spent pages in explaining the thinking of St. Thomas Aquinas (1224-1275)and compared his thinking with other Scholastics. Esolen, while giving the Franciscan Father Roger Bacon (1214-1294)proper credit, was clear that experimental science and the scientific method predated Father Bacon by centuries by other monks and frairs.

Esolen exposed the European Renaissance for what it was and what it was not. Esolen did not condemn the Renaissance per se, but he was also clear that Renaissance political developments were at times dangerous to the Catholic Church and those who little or no political power or wealth. Esolen explained that the drive for contralization of political power among Renaissance crowned heads often threatend the buffer the Catholic Church authorities provided for the powerless and those who were victimized by such political concentrations. On the other hand, Esolen wrote vivid descriptions of Renaissance literature and political philosophy. His treatment of Dante's (1265-1321)THE DIVINE COMEDY is simply brilliant.

Esolen's study of early Modern European History and the "Enlightenment" is thought provoking. He explained that the Age of Scholasticism was the the actual Age of Reason as opposed to the Enlightenment. Readers may disagree, but Esolen presents a good argument to support his thesis. Esolen showed the internal contradictions of Enlightenment philosophers' thinking. He also showed that the Age of Enlightenment Despots was one of continous war especially the tragic Thirty Years War (1618-1648).

Esolen had little sympathy with 19th. century political thought and philosophy. He excorated Marxism in this book and showed that the actual political events under Marxist banners who lethal disasters and tragedies. He showed that Darwin's work(1809-1882) was corrputed by those who favored eugenics and racist power. Yet, while Esolen was critical of Nietzche (1844-1900), Esolen stated that Nietzche was at least "an honest atheist."

Esolen undermined the politcally correct nonsense that has had a free ride until recently. The insane effort to drive the Great Books and ideas from higher (hire?) education has finally met resistence, and this book is a good antidote. There are some criticisms of this book. At times Esolen preached too much. He oversimplified his explation of recent history. This reviewer thinks Esolen could have enhanced this book with discussions of Classical Music beginning with Gregorian Chant. The Classical Music of Western Europe is a major contribution.

However, these criticisms are overcome by Esolen's well written explanations of the literature and philosophy of Europe. The book is clearly written and informative. Readers would also benefit from reading Prof. Thomas Woods' HOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILT WESTERN CIVILIZATION and Father Duffy's well written book titled QUEEN OF THE SCIENCES. This book was recently published in 2008 and is part of the Politically Incorrect Series of Regnery Publishing, Inc. This reviewer is critical of some of the other books in this series, but this reviewer highly recommends THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT GUIDE TO WESTERN CIVILIZATION.

45 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CALLING ALL STUDENTS (as well as curious minds): Another P.I.G. Success!, June 17, 2008

By 

R. Deignan - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization (Politically Incorrect Guides) (Paperback)

First of all, it's a shame that there aren't college courses offered for each of the P.I.G. books. As a student myself, I lament the amount of information that the education systems I've passed through have blissfully ignored. Thank God for these books. (Then again, shouldn't our schools be teaching this stuff to begin with instead of the other way around?)

Where to begin with Esolen's book? He covers an unbelievable amount of history, art, and philosophy in only about three-hundred pages. That's quite a feat. More importantly, he's made a wonderful case for the study of Western Civilization. By the end of this wonderful book you're most likely wondering where this world would be without the influence of the West--most likely still digging around in mud huts.

Esolen is extremely easy-to-read, which helps readers of all levels to get comfortable with such a large helping of information. He has an extensive knowledge of history as well as literature, and his pages are filled with references to famous thinkers such as Plato, Shakespeare, and Eliot.

Esolen's book has a broad historical focus, attempting to bring many different movers and shakers to light--most importantly, as the author so eloquently argues, Jesus Christ.

As one who is working towards a degree in English Literature, I especially liked the book's comments on the true existence of "bad" art; so often in classes I hear nothing but "all art is equal." This kind of comment as well as the rest of Esolen's amazing and poignant book is refreshing for someone who has grown up in a world of political correctness and banal multiculturalism. Esolen is providing a remedy!

44 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful primer on Wstrn.Civ. To the consternation of liberals, June 29, 2008

By 

L. Seaman "Read Right" (New Jersey U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization (Politically Incorrect Guides) (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful primer on western civilization that every high school and college student should read before they are inculcated with the thoughts of the western culture loathing leftist who inhabit public education these days at the higher levels. It is college level reading if you have a good vocabulary and a fair grasp of history already; otherwise you will be turning to Google once or twice on many pages. Even so, any reader would be enriched by the scholarly writing and the modern "interest boxes" found in the margins on many of the pages that put the lie to the assertions of the modern liberal's contentions. In general the book shows the logic and the superiority of western civilization through the acceptance of certain philosophical precepts and concepts that allowed for the true freedom of the individual from the heavy hand of the state or an oppressive, stifling religious practice. The book approaches Judaism and Christianity as philosophical systems rather than in religious terms. Nowhere does author require the reader to believe Moses spoke to a burning bush or any such thing. The author does clearly show how Christianity literally made the modern world of scientific discovery and exploration possible, acceptable and sustainable. And because of the Church, Europe for one did not have to long suffer the barbaric tribes turning back the progress of the Roman system. The book takes the reader from the dawn of civilization through the enlightenment of the Middle Ages, Luther, Shakespeare, the folly of the "Enlightenment", right up through the most liberal and murderous time, the twentieth century. Those who try to discount this book have an agenda of pseudo-intellectual contempt for any writing that illustrates the good that western thought, including and especially religion has brought the world. It is to their consternation that the countries of the world with the greatest violence, corruption and intolerance are those that have abandoned or never had a Christian sensibility; this I know first hand.