Where Have All the Intellectuals Gone? (Hardcover)

by Frank Furedi (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"'This vitally important book... packs a remarkable amount (politics, science, culture, education, post-modernism) into its 150-odd pages and, true to its Enlightenment loyalties, couches an explosive argument in admirably temperate terms.' Terry Eagleton, New Statesman 'The strength of this book lies in Furedi's ability to make new connections, and to use one social phenomenon to cast light on another.' Roger Scruton, The Times" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
In his latest book, Frank Furedi argues that genuine intellectuals have largely disappeared from the public sphere - paradoxically, given that we supposedly live in a knowledge economy supported by an expanding higher education sector. The result is that potential intellectuals have taken up other, narrower, roles e.g. lobbyists, policy-advisers. This has impoverished public life. Furedi identifies the causes of this decline; the bureaucratisation of the university; reverse snobbishness; obsession with inclusiveness and relevance at all costs. In the final chapter he suggest where we should go from here.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 167 pages
• Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group (October 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826467695
• ISBN-13: 978-0826467690
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,245,046 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wake Up Call for Bright People Everywhere, October 9, 2005

By	Tanya Abramovitch "The Library Girl" (Montreal, QC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I ordered two copies of this book the minute I heard of it: one for myself, and one for the public library where I select the non-fiction titles. If I could afford it, I'd sent one to every intelligent person I know, for not only is Furedi dead-on in his assessments of the impoverished state of intellectual life today, his plea resonates with those who should be contributing to public knowledge and debate, but don't.

After ripping through this short but poignant volume, I felt giddy with inspiration, as did every single other person I suggested this book to. If the author sought to fill those empty cafe chairs, he has succeeded brilliantly.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Topic (although a bit dry at times)., July 13, 2006

By	Brent Fulgham (Ventura, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Frank Furedi's book is a wake up call to intellectuals, and a discussion of the demise of intellectual activities in modern society. His observation that cultural relativism and fear of elitism has reaped a harvest of "I'm OK, you're OK" ratings systems that are ultimately meaningless.

Rather than coddle the masses, treating them as brainless chattle, we should reinvigorate the reach for greatness so that society as a whole can benefit. If we attempt to protect everyone from feelings of inadequacy, we end up rearing generations of lackluster performers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You may be surprised., January 18, 2009

By	John Lee Payton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where Have All the Intellectuals Gone?: Confronting 21st Century Philistinism (Paperback)

For me, this was a challenging read. What most concerns the author is too easily dismissed or missed in our thinking about art, literature, discourse, politics and even technology. It was difficult for me to keep from agreeing with the points of view of those the author uses to illustrate his belief that the Philistines have taken over the work of the mind and its value for its own sake. You, too, may be surprised by the pathways you find yourself following as the author explores where the intellectuals have gone. I enjoyed it, and recommend it.