Customer Reviews

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization (Politically Incorrect Guides)

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4 star:		(6)
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1 star:		(9)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Why? Simple. It tells the truth about Western Civilization.

By doing so, Anthony Esolen has created a book that undermines the lies of how horrible Western Civilization is. These days it is fashionable to bash Western Civilization, esp its Judeo-Christian roots. What is funny is that those doing so don't realize that without the very things that came about as a result of Western Civilization they wouldn't be here or be able to do the bashing.

Now, thanks to Regnery, we have another excellent tool to prove these bashers wrong. (Tom Woods' books, The P.I.G Guide to American History & How the Catholic Church Saved Western .Civilization are 2 others.)

I have to admit that there is 1 thing I felt was wrong with the book. There are parts where I wish he had gone into more detail. But I understand that when you are covering such a broad timeline in a limitted number of pages you can't include everything.

& maybe that isn't all bad. It might get you to read some of the books & other writings he suggests you read. As a Catholic I was esp. happy that he suggested Rerum Novarum. I am constantly getting fustrated with the liberals twisting Catholic teaching arround to justify their socialistic policies. THANKS!

This book makes an excellent addition to Regnery's P.I.G. series of books. As each new book comes out the PC Police must be having a harder & harder time of sleeping peacefully. They must realize their days are numbered. While I may not agree perfectly with everything said in the books in the series that I have read, I love the fact that they challenge me to think, to learn & yes, even to change my views at the times when I find I am wrong.

& that is what ultimately makes these books so dangerous, they get you to think.

& that is why they are so needed!

In the latest offering from Regnery's PIG series, Dr. Anthony Esolen takes aim at politically correct interpretations of Western Civilization. Esolen believes that those who peddle this way of thinking seek to "dissolve the foundation on which American and European culture had been built." This book seeks 1) to expose the flaws in these arguments and 2) to defend the noble Western tradition against this way of thinking.

Esolen's method involves the steady chronicling of the successes and failures of Western Civilization, the current relevance of which he explains at every opportunity. Moving from Greece to Rome to Israel and through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Enlightenment, and finally to the 19th and 20th centuries, Esolen presents us with summaries, quotations, and analyses that show how politically correct interpretations of history ultimately belittle religion, family, and tradition, and in so doing, degrade our current place in civilization.

Several themes emerge along the way. One is the endurance and primacy of Natural Law, despite its changing enemies. Another is the way in which each succeeding culture views man's perfectibility: we go from the belief that moral training can perfect man, to God's grace doing so, to education and the Arts, to nature, to the State and politics--no coincidence is it that the further removed from God and virtue we get, the bloodier the period is.

Esolen presents us with many heroes, including some well-known names like Sophicles, Dante, Aquinas, Shakespeare, and Burke as well as some not-so-well-known names like Clement of Alexandria, Girolamo Savonarola, Romano Guardini, and Leo XIII.

We learn why Washington was called the Cincinatus and not the Pericles of his time, why Romans held little esteem for Homer's Odysseus, and why guilds and craftsman were the driving forces behind the High Middle Ages.

We are treated to many wonderful historical anecdotes, two of which - one involving St. Thomas Aquinas and the other Dr. Samuel Johnson - promise to warm the hearts of all truth-loving readers out there.

At one point in this romp through thousands of years of history, theology, philosophy, literature, architecture, music and art, Esolen praises Dr. Samuel Johnson: "How could one man possess so much learning, discoursing so easily about Aeschylus and Milton, without sounding like a dusty academic?" After reading this book, we are tempted to ask the same question.

"The study of the Classics teaches us to believe that there is something really great and excellent in the world, surviving all the shocks of accident and fluctuations of opinion, and raises us above that low and servile fear which bows only to present power and upstart authority."

That's what William Hazlitt wrote in "The Round Table" (1817). The study of the classics and ancient history is of itself politically incorrect in an era when even conservatives pretend to be revolutionaries. So in a sense any book that encourages us to examine the deep roots within western civilisation of those values that even the most "progressive" amongst us profess to defend is itself both valuable and politically incorrect.

Today's politically correctness is strangely one eyed. It pretends to be culturally relativist when comparing the west with other cultures but dogmatically chauvinist when comparing contemporary culture with it's antecedents. If medieval Christendom were a foreign country it would get a better hearing. This attitude is, I suspect, rooted in the adoption by both the right and left of the 19th century idea of progress and it's idea of perpetual improvement, rather than the more empirically sound, but discomforting idea, that cultures oscillate between advanced and backward.

Still all that being said I found this book mixed. I was, at first, disappointed with the average quality of the book.

But there were positive points. Esolen's chapter on Rome and it's republic was excellent and well worth the 'price of admission'. He shows quite clearly why the framers of the American constitution saw the Roman republic, with it's rule of law and separation of powers, as a worthy model. In general most ancient history tends to praise the Greeks more than the Romans, this chapter helps correct the balance. I enjoyed the Roman chapter in particular and would recommend the English classicist Peter Jones' recent book "Vote For Caesar" for anyone interested in an even more eye opening exploration of the most important of our progenitor civilisations. Another older book to consider is Henry Haskell's "The New Deal in Old Rome - How government in the ancient world tried to deal with modern problems".

Esolen's chapter on Ancient Israel was surprisingly good too. And I do mean surprising. Frankly when I first saw it I thought this may have been a 'conservative' puff piece, soft sell for the current preoccupations of US foreign policy. Not so! The author rectifies of frequent omission from western canon. The Old Testament. Although ancient Israel had virtually no role as a progenitor of western civilisation, at least compared to Greece and Rome, the "soft power" of it's unintended and indirect influence via the Bible was, of course, tremendous. It is surprising that so few teachers are prepared to openly acknowledge this. Few thinkers,even dyed -in-the-wool secularists, for example fail to recognise the apocalyptic strain in say modern environmentalism, the Exodus-speak of Martin Luther King, or the prophet-eering of Karl Marx. Yet we seem reluctant to calmly consider the role of the underlying biblical archetypes in our culture, even if they are all plainly recognisable in these examples. Is this reluctance a fear of sounding like advocates for one or other denomination? Maybe until we recognise just how common 'religious' ideas are, and how often they gain more influence when the obvious 'religious' label is removed, we will continue to be misled by ersatz prophets.

In general I agreed with Esolen's defence of Christendom but I found it a little too one eyed in many ways. I think he confuses Christendom with Christianity. A criticism of the former isn't necessarily an attack on the latter. In a sense this is just the mirror reversal of the problem he is trying to overcome. I don't think the true genius of medieval Christendom is in any way slighted by a 'warts and all' analysis. I sympathise with his waving the flag for Old Christendom, especially when compared with our modern 'secularist' establishment and it's revolving door of "official scientisms". Indeed when one compares the brutality of 20th century wars one wonders how moderns can keep a straight face whilst sneering at the Crusaders.

This is surprising too. Despite an overly one sided evaluation of Christendom through the centuries, Esolen doesn't seem to tackle either the Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition with any oommph. These subjects are just skipped over, almost as if he is reluctantly ceding ground to his rivals. It is not so clear to me why he should have done this. There is some modern work, for example Henry Kamen's, that sees the Spanish Inquisition as 'no worse' (indeed better) than regular law enforcement of the period and, indeed, because of it's introduction of 'due process' (however harsh a process it was) as the real forerunner of the modern legal system. "(B)efore 1530 the Spanish Inquisition was widely hailed as the best run, most humane court in Europe." Prof Thomas Madden says "(t)here are actually records of convicts in Spain purposely blaspheming so that they could be transferred to the prisons of the Spanish Inquisition. After 1530, however, the Spanish Inquisition began to turn its attention to the new heresy of Lutheranism. It was the Protestant Reformation and the rivalries it spawned that would give birth to the myth." As to the accuracy of these contrarian claims I cannot say, however I'm surprised Esolen didn't give them a run.

Esolen defence of the medieval era is in general welcome but he jumps over the "Dark Ages" too quickly I think. In many ways the west was sired by both the barbarians and the Romans. The great nations of western europe are plainly derived from barbarian kingdoms. The barbarians were not without their contributions. The Icelandic Norse, "pure barbarians" if you will, seemed to have had a democratic and individualistic tradition of sorts so it's not beyond the pale to consider barbarian influences on the foundation of western democracy etc. We are all aware of Magna Carta but few know the significance of Runnymede, where it was signed. The name Runnymede seems to have originates from the Anglo-Saxon 'runieg' (meaning "regular meeting") and 'mede' ("meadow"). The pre-Norman Anglo-saxon government, the Witenagemot or the Witena gemot, sometimes just called "the Witan", was held at Runnymede during the reign of Alfred the Great, whose castle was nearby. witenagemot derives from the Old English for "meeting of wise men." The witenagemot functioned as a national assembly, advisory to the king and whose membership comprised Anglosaxon England's noblemen, both ecclesiastic and secular. Maybe this era also deserves a place in the sun too.

Still trying to compress the entire corpus of Western Civilisation into one book is a tall order, and Esolen manages to cover the broad sweep. And that is an achievement in itself.

Esolen manages to capture not only 2000+ years of civilization (including history, literature, politics, philosophy, theology, and culture), but also captures and retains(!) a student's interest with his witty and sometimes stinging exegesis of the West. A journey through the entire course human civilization is no easy task, but Esolen completes it with sprezzatura.

Esolen presents a balanced review of each civilization by highlighting both the highs and lows; no civilization discussed comes away unscathed. With keen sight for what makes man truly great and assisted by a rapier wit, this book will challenge the traditional "politically correct" ideas drilled into the masses in the 21st century. The text remains a great reference and general guide to each civilization examined, while retaining all the spunk and bite that makes it fun to read.

While some are apt to say Esolen takes a conservative approach to the curriculum, in truth he articulates the flaws of both the radically conserative and radically liberal instead finding a mean between these extremes.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I recommend it for any one interested in what civilization, mankind, and being a human being really means. In fact, Esolen makes being a PIG look good.

Anthony Esolen examines a wide variety of sources as he builds an alternative view of western civilization. Esolen challenges the currently popular "politically correct" view which holds that the West was built upon a godless and moralless foundation. Certainly, there were those who spoke of good and sound morals, but their words are to be taken with a heavy (lethal) dose of bitter cynicism. It is politically correct to say that there are no absolutes, nothing is purely good or evil. Why, the very notion of an objective (moral) truth is patently absurd, say the politically correct. If anyone needs moral guidelines the state will provide them and enforce them. Of course, the state is dominated by those who adhere to a morally bankrupt ideology.

Those who project this politically correct approach are often very well read. They come heavily armed with quotes and anecdotes. They are magicians who can make your moral doubts disappear. Esolen examines many of the sources of this politically correct mindset. Such thinkers easily overwhelm the unarmed; that is, the students in their classes and the readers of their books. And the masses fall in line.

Esolen carefully examines the Greek and Roman roots of the West. He stresses how the Judeo-Christian tradition has given the West a vital moral focus, which is suppressed and denigrated by the politically correct today.

Even if you don't agree with Esolen's model, the book is a sound guide to the knowledge on which western civilization is based. I found particularly useful his study of Plato, the politics of the Roman Republic, ancient Israel, the Middle Ages, and the Enlightenment. Many of the sources he quotes reflect his apparent background in literature, primarily English and French.

The book is sprinkled with pithy descriptions of people and events. For example, Margaret Sanger was a "hater of blacks, hater of Catholics, admirer of Hitler." Also, Esolen points out that our presidential electoral process undermines potentially dangerous fringe movements because "if you can't win a state, you can't win anything."

Esolen challenges one of the top beliefs of the politically correct: the past was backwards, full of ignorance. Therefore, the present is all that matters, and the future will be bright precisely because it rejects the past. This book clearly demonstrates the wisdom of the past and the great ideas on which the West was built.

The title of this review says it all. Sure, space limits the amount of extrapolation in too many places in the book but the authors descriptions of how Israel has stood out in the Middle East and how Christianity actually saved the West through its superior values were great. Those points need to be taught to the world.

One thing about 1-star reviews like the one by Mr. Caputo- if you are going to blast a book in a review, site specific things in it that you disagree with vs. making general statements alone about a genre or a class of authors that you don't happen to like. That comes off as simply non-serious and as if written by a person simply venting his anger. What's the point?

Funny and right on target, this book clearly makes liberals bristle with outrage, as witness some of the reviews. But even without the thrill of going against the liberal hegemony, this book is fun to read and has lots of info no history teacher today will let you know about.

It is painful to recall that once, some fifty or more years ago, universities were crammed with students taking classes in history and English. These departments, now firmly in control of the left, have shrunk to the size of peas. Not many people want to take classes to be hectored by shrill feminists or glowering Marxists who insist that everything in history is about 21st century politics.

What a relief, then, to turn to this book and read some actual truth. "From 962...to 1321...Europe enjoyed one of the most magnificent flourishings of culture the world has seen. In some ways it was the most magnificent" (p 131). Yes, I know. How dare he say it, even if it is the truth?

Best of all is the chapter called Israel: How God Changed the World. This is nothing less than a brilliant discussion of the consequences that followed the Jewish belief in monotheism. I can't recall anything I have read lately that is as good.

This was a God that was above nature "not a nature god" (p 70). It would be the end, eventually, of having a god associated with the monarch. It would bring dignity and human rights to every person on earth. It would yield science. Because God claimed he inented thw world and gave it a destiny, it put all all on a journey toward that destiny.

"It is deeply ironic that they (Jews) should have played so important a role in the development of Western civilization--indeed a central role. They had little to recommend them. They did not invent democracy...We remember them for one thing alone, but it is the most important thing: the revelation of the one, holy, all knowing, almighty, all loving God (p 69).

All the vaunted glories of Rome and Greece, of China and Egypt, were as nothing compared to the gift a scruffy group of herdsmen gave to us.