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Promethean Antag...'s Profile
Customer Reviews: 5
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Reviews Written by
Promethean Antagonist (Niigata, Japan)
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Anthem
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by Ayn Rand
Edition: Paperback |
| Price: $5.95 |
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| Availability: In Stock |
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Prometheus Rising...from the Swamp of Collectivism, September 4, 2009
I read this book long ago and remember liking it. I recently read it again and its impact on me was far greater than the previous reading. Ayn Rand's Anthem is a masterpiece as well as a pleasurable read.
I don't think anyone could read or review this book without comparing it to George Orwell's "1984," but it was written before Orwell's classic work. I dare say it is a better read with greater insight into the reality of totalitarian psychology and the threat it ultimately poses to humanity's...humanity. Anthem is clearly less bleak than "1984"'s world. The goodness of the novel's hero surpasses that of a mere cog in a government wheel who simply seeks escape. "Equality 7-2521" (the main character's "name") is a more likable character than Orwell's. He has the innocence of a child learning to play in a world where no one is allowed such "selfish" pleasure. He is not a subversive merely seeking to extricate himself from a cult-state with compulsory membership.
The dystopia painted in Anthem is a more insightful appraisal of dystopia's and their prisoners than the genre usually offers. Orwell's ("1984"'s) government makes no pretense to being good. It's a caricature of evil (how many brutal dictatorship really know they're evil, particularly in view of the numerous academics and "thinkers" in the West who refuse to acknowledge the obvious). Orwell's prison-state loves war and cruelty and seems to savor the gloom it has produced. Rand's dystopia is like the one we are likely to get if such horror is to really triumph, a philosophy and system that tells us to love our "brothers," "sisters," and society at the total expense of even acknowledging our own existence or those whom we know and care for. The individual has no value in Anthem's bureau-state. So much so that the very word "I" has been banished from the vocabulary.
Initially the reader may find themselves confused or annoyed at the linguistic realities of this collectivist inspired world where one must speak even of themselves as "we" and other individuals as "they," but the awkwardness is absolutely necessary to drawing the reader into the absurdity of such a system.
Those who don't like Rand's weightier works will find that Anthem contains no long lectures embedded in the plot or deep philosophical ideals being continually laid out (things profound to followers of Rand and perhaps tedious to those who hate her and her philosophy). References to capitalism's virtues barely come up at all aside from subtle inference (not that this trademark in Rand's other novels is a bad thing).
Rand's individualist belief system can be found in Anthem in its most basic form, a beautiful expression of the Prometheus myth and the nobility of an individual who wakes from the sleep imposed by collectivism (a lesson that may become -- is becoming -- all too timely).
Anthem is no direct sales pitch for the values of a free market. The novel expresses a more basic philosophical premise; the pure and simple quest for and valuation of individuality amongst the perennially imposing horde, the horror brought upon innocence by those who would seek to mold us all into a mediocre -- or dystopian -- slumber of subservience. The world depicted by Rand in Anthem is a world where the very utterance of the personal pronoun "I" is a crime and the thought of applying an individual's affections to another individual is held in equal contempt by the bland authorities that have successfully imposed a collectivist prison even upon themselves. I can't help but be struck by the prophetic accuracy in which Rand has depicted modern day North Korea; a nation of mere cult members , some of who may be barely aware they are even in a prison.
The socialist mindset will never truly be happy until the entire world has been forced into membership in their cult of "we."
This lessor known writing of Ayn Rand contains some rather beautiful prose throughout, largely due to the simple purity in which the main character expresses himself. A childlike naivete' is conveyed by a character who is clearly wise yet constrained by the heavy guidelines imposed upon his psyche by his society -- rules of speech only being one constraint among many. One will be moved by depictions of Promethean greatness in curiosity, individual striving, and even love before a sterile and unbending society of mindless boot-lickers.
What makes the story even more believable is Equality 7-2521's slow awakening. Through much of the novel we follow his genuine belief in the order of things as they are. An inculcated guilt haunts his innermost thoughts. He is constantly at odds with himself over his curiosity about forbidden things, even the individual attraction and love he feels for another who, with equal awkwardness, reciprocates his feelings.
Equality 7-2521 will never "love big brother" (though Anthem does not actually have such a single ominous personality). Rand's symbolic villain manifests as a more abstract but highly believable order of "councils." The "council of scholars" (clearly Rand's jab at intellectuals), are total fools who have maintained a system that produces nothing but allegiance to blind and concocted altruism. There is no "dear leader" but a dear everyone but ourself. It is a socialists dream come true - a world where everyone is a prisoner of everyone else.
Some would no doubt be offended for me to compare Anthem to George Orwell's widely known and respected novel, 1984 but I'd recommend actually reading Anthem before taking such offense - it's better (!)
In this early work of Ayn Rand, accurate depictions of a communal distopia are mere vehicles for describing something even more thought provoking, the creative human spirit seeking to break its chains and say "I" with neither remorse nor guilt.
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6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
A Not So Secret History is Now No Secret at All, May 5, 2008
If the average leftist were to merely read the title of Jonah Goldberg's new best selling book they'd likely think it was just another "right-wing rant" that seeks to point out what is obvious to so many conservatives and libertarians; Leftists ("liberals" or "progressives") are Fascists (!). Assuming from the title that Goldberg's book deals with this issue simply and without supporting historical facts would be a mistake.
The Term "Fascism" is, of course, tossed around a lot when leftists seek to brand anyone's ideas they disagree with as unworthy of acknowledgment. But, can the right legitimately use the "F" word when describing the left...? Yes, they can and should because, as Goldberg thoroughly proves, they'd be correct in doing so.
Although the author does not intend his book to be taken as scholarly or academic, it is indeed just that. A rich array of facts from the French Revolution and America's so-called "Progressive Era" through the present, that details and proves beyond a reasonable doubt that today's "liberalism" is a kindred spirit to fascism (and no, it is not hyperbole to say this).
People like myself have known for some time now that Mussolini was a follower of Marx to his dying days. We know too that NAZI stood for National Socialist German Worker's Party. We've looked with warranted suspicion upon the philosophies articulated under the label "post-modern" and have realized that the philosophers who most influenced Nazis and Fascists are the same ones with the same ideals that have influenced and motivated the "revolutions" of the left.
Those who have some genuine knowledge of the left and its beliefs know that Fascism, Nazism, Communism, and a wide variety of socialisms have a great deal in common with each other. No matter how heretical they may see each other, their common enemy has first and foremost always been free, open, pluralistic, non-utopian, capitalist society.
As a former secondary school history teacher I can testify to the skewed themes and "information" that classrooms and textbooks have sought to inculcate in youth. So it is that the very words "progressive" or "liberal" have come to mean good, caring, loving, kind, and humanistic. An accurate inquiry into the history of leftism however finds it all too often to mean, racist, nationalistic, militaristic, authoritarian, and anti-individualistic -- fascist. The average high school student is told to read Upton Sinclair's, "The Jungle" and is told of the wonderful things "Progressives" did to "protect us" from ourselves...but, how often is the term eugenics associated with "progressivism," as it should be?
Goldberg's book is not a pedestrian conservative attack on the left, it's a very informative, interesting, and richly discerning inquiry into the history of authoritarian political movements and the psychological motivations that drive them. If one seeks a good overview of the philosophy of various "isms" that have sought to wrest control of the individual from his or herself for the glories of collectivist and state power, this is the best book I've seen on the subject.
Goldberg's, "Liberal Fascism" is long overdue and provides depth and honesty to the issues of history, political philosophy, and culture.
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4 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Buy the Book or CD, (and don't "buy into" the cherry-picked quotes choosen the media), June 7, 2006
I've purchased and listened to the books on CD version of "Godless" where one can enjoy Ann Coulter's sarcasm even better than in the written versions of her material ("read by the author").
The problem in reading or hearing about Coulter's books is that one always gets the dramatic sound bites and is left with the impression that she's merely rambling personal views with witty skill. Watch or read any of the Mainstream Media venues and you'll be under the impression that the book is "about" 9/11 or "the 9/11 girls" specifically.
The wit and passion of Coulter's books -- this one in particular -- is mere icing on the cake. Coulter's latest book is full of substantive content. Her controversial embellishments are insignificant compared to the power of her argument and the information she uses to back it.
The message of "Godless..." is that The Left is corrupt -- morally -- to the core. They've lied, cheated, deceived, and swindled America's citizens since the first self-righteous socialist busy-body opened their mouth, and yet they still sell themselves as fonts of morality. A noteworthy issue raised in the book, that one dare not challenge these fonts of self-righteous goodness, is a valid one that the media has twisted into a mere, "mean-spirited attack on 9/11 widows." One has no idea how deep and broad the cons of leftland are until you read Ann Coulter's books.
If you're "liberal" (I prefer the more accurate term, leftist) you'll despise this book more than any of Coulter's previous inquiries into the phony, decadent, and elitist world of leftland.
I'm personally no fan of religious commentary (I consider myself an agnostic). Quoting scripture doesn't impress me either, but Coulter is still very much dealing with the world of politics in this current book, cultural politics specifically. In "Godless...," Coulter is better than ever in firing off facts, anecdotes, and observations that will surely anger more than a few Jacobins - religious or otherwise.
I have to admit, I'm personally not passionate regarding the abortion issue, evolution, gay marriage, or some of the issues she addresses, but the spineless, pampered, and arrogant clowns of leftland who have sought to impose their worldview regarding such issues, are certainly shown to be less than noble souls in the battle for elevating the human condition. It's not so much that their view is right or wrong but that no one dare hold an opposing view to leftist orthodoxy without thought police or media manipulators twisting the opponent's stance into an affront to their supposed moral -- and pseudo-religious -- clarity of insight.
This book is about much more than religion or the religious passions of secular political partisans. There's plenty of factual dirt to be informed about regarding the whole leftist process of domination and coercion. As a former public school teacher, I particularly liked her concise and factual (lots of stats) appraisal of America's socialist stockades of "education" and Ed Land's useless -- and very costly -- policy dictations.
Coulter's view of Leftism as a religion is not new of course. Eric Hoffer (The True Believer) touched on this also in his noted book.
I viewed Leftism as a religious stance from quite awhile back. My views were reinforced when studying the philosophy and early history of the German Nazi Party (nationalism aside, it was a full blown socialist sect by any honest appraisal). One can not listen to or argue points with anyone, from an environmento-hippie to a graying pony-tailed and wire rimmed Chomskyite, without noting a fervent religious obsession to their view that you too can be saved if you "open your mind up" and follow their commands for more taxes, rules, laws, and regulations over those simpletons who dare hold more traditional views on life and metaphysics.
In "Godless..." Coulter is her usual font of sarcasm and point blank humor. This will enrage many but suites me just fine. Anyone who reads this book (or listens to the CD version as I have done) and votes for a Democrat afterward is either knee deep in the delusions that trust fund allowances afford or clueless about the state of decay being fostered upon decent people who merely want to do things like raise families without the state, media, academia, and "entertainment" imposing the "virtues" of authoritarian-eco-femi-socialism.
Coulter's new book is not a "hate-filled far right wing" opinion piece "that should be banned." It's a fact filled, organized, and well-written description of modern day "liberalism." The wit and sarcasm merely advance the book's points and add to the pleasure of reading it. Don't be fooled by the cherry-picked quotes being thrown about in the media and amongst talking heads. This lady knows her stuff and backs it well.
Read this book! ...And, oh yeah, realize that the one-star leftist rage-reviews found so often at this site reflect the same mentality that has maintained a vice grip on our universities, schools, and "entertainment" in recent decades. They're more reflections of the general Stalinist attitude of leftland than any genuine commentary regarding a book's content or quality. 'Odd that those who so often talk of free speech and whine of "being silenced" are so adamant about removing the libertarian or conservative view from public discourse.
Coulter's book is now a number one best seller, and the left helped it happen with all their misrepresentations of the book in public media. Now a good portion of Middle America will be reminded that Teddy Kennedy left a woman to drown, Bill Clinton credibly raped a woman, and the public education system has nothing to do with educating children. In addition to such reminders, there are a lot of new things people are not aware of regarding the horrid state of affairs nurtured by the usual crowd from the "Church of Liberalism."
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5 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Sympathy of the Devils, July 9, 2004
This is an excellent book. Contrary to what Coulter's critics would like readers to think, she is wise, insightful, and is a master at providing facts, anecdotes, and analogies. Those on the Left who actually read "Treason" will, of course, cringe in disgust. Those who follow the more sober-minded conservative view will be psyched that someone has so thoroughly stated their case. The non-aligned will at least have confirmed what their common sense observations had led them to suspect. It turns out that Leftists (often politely called "liberals") do not, and never have, really cared all that much for the constitutional open society they live in -- surprise! Of course, we all know that political issue books like Michael Moore's or Coulter's can be nit picked on specifics by their critics - sometimes accurately (in Moore's case, often). This overlooks the very accurate and insightful main points of Coulter's expose'. The Left, when "taking sides" between the US and authoritarian-collectivist sytems, will always defend and show their sympathy to dictators and violent extremists philosophies -- our country's security be damned. It's not a bizarre or particularly far-fetched accusation that Leftists do indeed "hate" America and would gladly favor its humiliation, decline, or even destruction. The fact that there are Cold War precedents for the "treason" that occurs in today's atmosphere of Islamo-Terror, is a significant and important issue that needs to be brought to greater public awareness. To note the admiration and support regularly shown for dictators by entertainers, intellectuals, and the media -- as well as some high government officials -- is not a "misrepresentation of facts" but an accurate commentary on the truth that anyone can see who regularly listens to the nonsense consistently spewed by the Left and their popular mouthpiece, the Democratic Party. The overarching fact in this whole debate is that the Left's collectivist, socialist, and burocratic authoritarian stance is at odds with the American Constitution and the citizens who don't wish to join a compulsory commune, whether imposed from Washington, the UN, the former Soviet Union, or the latest Jihad.
Coulter states a good case and backs it well. If as many people read "Treason" as are required to read Chomsky, Zinn, or Michael Moore, in our schools and colleges, we just might remain a free, dynamic, and open society. This is an important book.
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4 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
Ann Coulter's truths about the American Left, February 8, 2004
Review of Ann Coulter's book, "Slander."The more I read the bitter responses to Ann Coulter's writing, the more I like her. True enough, she can be downright acerbic in her witty sarcasm. This is hardly cause to write off a viewpoint and the soberly stated arguments that back it. I was somewhat surprised when I read this book. I had often seen reviews and commentary to the effect that she was an "extremist Right Wing nut." It turns out that between some well stated and funny caractitures of the Left's arrogance and historical monopoly over the media (till recent years), Coulter argues her case with professional insight, intellect, and facts. It's hard to deny Coulter's main point regarding the dishonest treatment that is typically directed at anyone who wants lower taxes or favors a smaller, less intrusive government. Indeed, simply having a conservative view has typically been caracterized by the coastal elites as "extreme, crazy, selfish, greedy, authoritarian," and unworthy of consideration. The left still doesn't seem to get the reality that there are a lot of decent, intelligent, compassionate people out there who don't neccessarily want a larger social-welfare state or more regulations over personal behavior in the name of a contrived "equality." In the post 9/11 era, conservatives are also less sympathetic to the pampered clique that has repeatedly shown sympathy for ruthless Marxist tyrants and, now, Islamo-fascists. Coulter can be brutaly direct, but such manner has certainly not been lacking from "the other side." This book is a groundbreaking, needed exposure of the phony, closet authoritarian worldview that until recently, ruled over most of Academia, public schools, entertainment, and the media (and, aside from some alternatives in the media, still does). Anyone who fails to note that "she has a point" is either sleeping or still hopelessly dedicated to the romantic idealism of socialist "revolution." Coulter's message to the Left is that there is an entire population of Americans out there who, with good cause, don't agree with it. Coulter has shown that the views of middle-America are valid and will no longer be silenced by the "progressive" elite.
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(Niigata, Japan)
