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Chuck Klosterman

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I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined) Paperback – July 1, 2014

by Chuck Klosterman (Author)

4.1 924 ratings

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One-of-a-kind cultural critic and New York Times bestselling author Chuck Klosterman “offers up great facts, interesting cultural insights, and thought-provoking moral calculations in this look at our love affair with the anti-hero” (New York magazine).

Chuck Klosterman, “The Ethicist” for The New York Times Magazine, has walked into the darkness. In I Wear the Black Hat, he questions the modern understanding of villainy. When we classify someone as a bad person, what are we really saying, and why are we so obsessed with saying it? How does the culture of malevolence operate? What was so Machiavellian about Machiavelli? Why don’t we see Bernhard Goetz the same way we see Batman? Who is more worthy of our vitriol—Bill Clinton or Don Henley? What was O.J. Simpson’s second-worst decision? And why is Klosterman still haunted by some kid he knew for one week in 1985?

Masterfully blending cultural analysis with self-interrogation and imaginative hypotheticals, I Wear the Black Hat delivers perceptive observations on the complexity of the antihero (seemingly the only kind of hero America still creates). As the Los Angeles Times notes: “By underscoring the contradictory, often knee-jerk ways we encounter the heroes and villains of our culture, Klosterman illustrates the passionate but incomplete computations that have come to define American culture—and maybe even American morality.” I Wear the Black Hat is a rare example of serious criticism that’s instantly accessible and really, really funny.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Highly entertaining." ― Parade

"Intellectually vigorous and entertaining." ― Publishers Weekly

“That most of his subjects are from the pop-culture realm, whether Andrew Dice Clay or Chevy Chase or the Eagles, does not diminish the underlying sophistication of Klosterman’s guiding questions…. A fine return to form for Klosterman, blending Big Ideas with heavy metal, The Wire, Batman and much more.” ― Kirkus

“Very much a product of his generation and as plugged into the popular culture as Mencken was antagonistic to it, Klosterman is in that same direct line of cultural critics as Bierce, Mencken, and more recently, P. J. O’Rourke, and his posture is similarly arch and iconoclastic…[I Wear the Black Hat] will amuse and/or outrage but, either way, it should enlarge his audience.” ― Booklist

"Astute and funny." ― USA Today

"Highly entertaining...a beach classic." ― New York Times

“Klosterman offers up great facts, interesting cultural insights, and thought-provoking moral calculations in this look at our love affair with the anti-hero.” ― New York Magazine

"Masterfully blending cultural analysis with self-interrogation and imaginative hypotheticals, I Wear the Black Hat delivers perceptive observations on the complexity of the antihero (seemingly the only kind of hero America still creates). I Wear the Black Hat is a rare example of serious criticism that’s instantly accessible and really, really funny." ― DC Spotlight

"Klosterman has a knack for holding up a magical high-def mirror to American pop culture that makes all of our vanities and delusions look painfully obvious. Spend enough time reading I Wear the Black Hat, and you might even start to recognize, in its pages, your own silly assumptions, your snap judgments, your stubborn loyalties and your badly rationalized prejudices….By underscoring the contradictory, often knee-jerk ways we encounter the heroes and villains of our culture, Klosterman illustrates the passionate but incomplete computations that have come to define American culture — and maybe even American morality." ― Los Angeles Times

"Klosterman's prose exhibits the same firecrack fizz and pop, and his endearing/unnerving polemical habits remain in place." ― Time Out New York

"A gleeful and often funny explanation of villainy, both fictional and real." ― Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"Klosterman considers how inconsistent, unpredictable and surprisingly elastic the concept of villainy has been in American culture since the 1970s....the entertainment value of his thought processes and the quality of his prose are high." ― USA Today

“With the aplomb of a modern Machiavelli surveying our ever shifting moral landscape for examples that prove his point, Mr. Klosterman takes the reader on a grand tour of villainy's outposts in popular culture, sports, politics and American history. "I Wear the Black Hat" is an erudite, provocative and playful survey of the ever shifting face of villainy in the American experience.” ― Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Klosterman attacks his subjects with intellectual rigor and humor... you should read this thought-provoking book." ― Washington Post

“[Klosterman’s] best work since Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs….If you’ve ever sympathized with Darth Vader, second-guessed Muhammad Ali or wondered how Bill Clinton got away with what he got away with, you’re not alone. Read I Wear the Black Hat and see for yourself.” ― Las Vegas Weekly

About the Author

Chuck Klosterman is the bestselling author of many books of nonfiction (including The Nineties, Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, I Wear the Black Hat,and But What If We're Wrong?) and fiction (Downtown Owl, The Visible Man, and Raised in Captivity). He has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, GQ, Esquire, Spin, The Guardian, The Believer, Billboard, The A.V. Club, and ESPN. Klosterman served as the Ethicist for The New York Times Magazinefor three years, and was an original founder of the website Grantland with Bill Simmons.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; Reprint edition (July 1, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 143918450X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1439184509
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.38 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #480,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,496 in Popular Culture in Social Sciences
- #1,737 in Essays (Books)
- #14,562 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.1 924 ratings

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Chuck Klosterman is a New York Times bestselling author and a featured columnist for Esquire, a contributor to The New York Times Magazine, and has also written for Spin, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Believer, and ESPN.

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924 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's readability, thought-provoking content, and witty humor. They find the writing style engaging and well-crafted, with an open and intelligent tone. The book offers an interesting perspective on villains and pop culture through various chapters. Readers appreciate the quick pace and style of the book.

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Readability Thought provoking Humor Writing style Interest in villains Pacing Style

119 customers mention "Readability"107 positive12 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find the insights interesting and relatable. The author's way of combining amusing and educational content is appreciated.

"...I get his 90′s references. The book will make you think. It a good book. It is worth a read." Read more

"...Then there were two novels - interesting, but not what makes me want to read Chuck Klosterman as an Idea, you know...." Read more

"...The result is a semi-interesting set of essays that are more about the idea of evil, but evil turns out to be the very boring younger brother of good..." Read more

"...he does is great (looking at you, Downtown Owl), but it is always interesting...." Read more

86 customers mention "Thought provoking"66 positive20 negative

Customers find the book insightful and funny. They appreciate the author's thoughtful mix of philosophy, psychology, and appreciation for music. The premise is intriguing and the book covers multiple topics including rock, politics, celebrities, sports, and historical aspects.

"...That means you can read his books and learn things and he's not necessarily thinking about how his cultural essays will look in front of the tenure..." Read more

"...All that said, this is still a very good read and quite an interesting new direction for the author to be taking. I look forward to more like it." Read more

"...Foster Wallace: erudite in the material of pop culture, serious in his reflections upon it, and enjoyable to read...." Read more

"Chuck Klosterman is characteristically insightful and funny (at times hilarious) in this book...." Read more

39 customers mention "Humor"39 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book witty and entertaining. They appreciate the author's usual insights and irreverence. The book is described as a fun, breezy read that makes you think and laugh. There are individual lines that are hilariously funny.

"...That said, Klosterman is an unsurpassed modern essayist, and this is the first time (that I know of) he has taken a single idea and written several..." Read more

"...There are still individual lines that are hilariously funny, and Klosterman has not lost his ability to write crystal clear ironic prose, but the..." Read more

"...so much, think it was partly that the book is smart, partly that it is irreverent, maybe because there are some good musical references, and heck,..." Read more

"...My favorite riff is a wickedly funny chronology of the recording artists that Klosterman despised the most from age 12 to age 31." Read more

27 customers mention "Writing style"20 positive7 negative

Customers find the writing style engaging and easy to follow. They describe the essays as conversations they might have with friends over sports or movies. The author is open and intelligent, providing insightful and humorous commentary on a variety of topics related to the theme. Overall, readers appreciate the author's provocative writing style and honesty.

"...It seemed to be an odd idea to write about, but the author was provocative throughout the text...." Read more

"...that most people enjoy reading Klosterman because: (1) he is a good writer, (2) he is interesting, (3) he is relatable, and (4) he writes on topics..." Read more

"...energy of his earlier collections, as well as the dark, wry tone of his earliest writing, but it's still great stuff...." Read more

"...The writing is intellectually challenging. The moral choices are devilishly ticklish...." Read more

17 customers mention "Interest in villains"17 positive0 negative

Customers like the book's take on villains and culture. They mention it provides an interesting take on various villains, including The Eagles. Readers also appreciate the author's autobiographical journeys. The book covers both fictional and non-fictional villains, with no standard mass murder tales.

"...Some interesting pop culture anecdotes throughout Reasons why it fell short: *..." Read more

"...So--what is this book? It's a series of chapters about various villains ranging from The Eagles to O.J. Simpson to Hitler...." Read more

"...topics: Rock, Politics, Celebrities, Sports and Historical figures with equal aplomb. Who's good and who's bad?..." Read more

"...This is a study of villains in society, but not obvious villains. This isn't a run down of serial killers. This is cultural villains...." Read more

14 customers mention "Pacing"11 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's pacing good. They say it's a quick, insightful read that feels real and immediate. The book is described as well-written and worth their time.

"...still remains my favorite after reading this collection, but it's perfectly timed with society's obsession with the byronic hero. &#..." Read more

"...Klosterman's wit and humour enable these chapters to posses an enduring quality which keeps the reader motivated..." Read more

"...realistic analysis of abstract ideas that feel real, important, and immediate, even though they're probably none of those things...." Read more

"...As another reviewer has said, this book is quite rambling...." Read more

8 customers mention "Style"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the author's style. They find the tone and style familiar, and find it entertaining as he ponders the lives of figures.

"...I dig his style, and this delivers, 10yrs after release...no worries. HomeRun!! Thank you Sir...." Read more

"...psychology and appreciation for "low" culture in a highly entertaining fashion as he ponders the lives of figures in arts, entertainment and..." Read more

"...he exposes then you're in luck, sociological analysis in this book is striking and thought-provoking and honestly as developed as anything I have..." Read more

"...culture writing, and this book features many essays that are familiar in tone and style that one is used to with Chuck...." Read more

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Matthew Morine
Provocative and Thoughtful
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2014
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This was an interesting book. I was not sure what to expect. It seemed to be an odd idea to write about, but the author was provocative throughout the text. It was a book that was enjoyable to read, except for the language used sometimes. Each chapter talked about a contrast between two ideas, and sometimes two people. In one case, the person is a villain, while in other cases, the person is a hero, or maybe just not hated. One chapter was interesting about the difference between fiction and reality. One example is batman, everyone loves batman, but there has been real life batman in the world, and these people are considered criminals. We can deal with something that is a fantasy, but once it becomes reality, we judge it by a different mindset. I also liked his discussion about conservationism and progressiveness in the culture. Typically, we move in a progressive direction until, there is an until event that seems to create such a powerful back leash that everything is reversed for a time. Another chapter was about political correctness. The author loves the 90′s which makes me like him. I get his 90′s references. The book will make you think. It a good book. It is worth a read.

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J. Edgar
I wear the Plaid hat
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2013
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I have been a fan of Klosterman for years. Before that point, I had been aware of him even though I hadn't bothered to read anything he wrote. I don't remember what book it was, but someone lent me the most recent book that was out and I read it in a day. I went and got the others, and read those as quickly as I could.

I then waited, and was blessed with another book of essays. Then there were two novels - interesting, but not what makes me want to read Chuck Klosterman as an Idea, you know. The best thing about Klosterman is that he is smart, but not overly academic. That means you can read his books and learn things and he's not necessarily thinking about how his cultural essays will look in front of the tenure committee.

You know this already. You're probably a fan of his work; he's preeminent in the "non jewish non serious" demographic (as he puts it) and you have a story like mine. I bought this thing sight unseen except for the name months ago. I devoured it gladly, and now it's over.

This is criticism, but it isn't as tight as some of his other pieces. By having a whole book to meander over who are villains and who are not, Klosterman gets a little self-indulgent at times (and this isn't a pure criticism, he excels at self-indulgence). Ultimately though it is rewarding, and he is great at a turn of phrase. For example , he is discussing Hitler (Yes, Hitler is covered in the book) and he muses: "No one ever talks about building a time machine in order to go back and kill Judas." He brings forth truth. The Hitler/Time Machine thing is such a trope there was a Dr. Who episode entitled "Let's Kill Hitler". Yet - Judas betrayed god. Dante puts Judas at the bottom of the heap for sinners, yet even he is part of God's plan. It gets complicated in a way that Hitler doesn't.

Will you learn more about the nature of evil? Maybe and maybe not. I like his formula for figuring out who the villain is: the one who knows the most yet cares the least. I liked it, but I worry that it is ultimately ephemeral - though it may be more solid than the other books. Klosterman is definitely a critic of his generation, an a lot essays have an expiration date on them. This book should go stale more slowly than the others since it is tight around the theme, though it is rooted in time in place that is very recognizable for a middle-class white guy with some education in the here and now.

The best advice in that case, is to get this book as soon as possible and read it right now.

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Bradley Bevers
Too Bland - More Villain Please
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2013
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I have read every non-fiction book Chuck Klosterman has written, and this is my least favorite. There are a couple of times where it feels like it will get interesting soon, but it ultimately stays too far removed from the subject of evil to really examine it. The result is a semi-interesting set of essays that are more about the idea of evil, but evil turns out to be the very boring younger brother of good. Despite the inclusion of Hitler and even Judas, the book fails to examine the true nature of evil.

Things I liked:

* The OJ discussion has some interesting points. Will probably (finally) pick up a copy of If I Did It.
* The comparison of Batman to Goetz was vaguely interesting, though how Batman would be treated in the real world was intriguing.
* Some interesting pop culture anecdotes throughout

Reasons why it fell short:

* No true examination of evil: any book about evil that includes discussions of the Raiders, Andrew Dice Clay, and Chevy Chase is not really a book about evil (or even villains)
* Klosterman's books work because they examine society through the lens of popular culture. Typically, the books span a variety of topics. This one feels too narrowly focused and it missed the mark.
* Big ideas, but no real insight into evil. The definition of a villain as 'the one who knows the most but cares the least' piqued my interest, but was never fulfilled.

Try his other books first (especially Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto and Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas) if you are interested in pop culture. If you are a huge fan already, you will find something to like - just don't expect too much. Recommended for those who are already fans.

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Jamison E. Ousley
Klosterman Can't Lose
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
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I have been voraciously reading Klosterman since Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs. I will not say that everything he does is great (looking at you, Downtown Owl), but it is always interesting. That said, Klosterman is an unsurpassed modern essayist, and this is the first time (that I know of) he has taken a single idea and written several essays about it in one volume.
There are a number of questions raised by Klosterman's meditation on villainy, but by the time it turns introspective, you realize that this volume is an exercise in empathy. After reading it I texted a novel-writing friend of mine and said, "it might make you a better writer, but it will definitely make you a better person."
His best work since X.

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Diego Rivera
Abierto y maltratado
Reviewed in Mexico on May 5, 2020
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Ya esta abierto y maltratado, pareciera de segunda mano, muy insastifecho solo por que llevo tiempo buscandolo no lo devolveré pero no me quedan ganas, no lo compren

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Dawn
Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2013
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I do so well recommend this book- great gift and read it myself too! Gaurenteed to hold your interest to the end!

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STEPHANE BACCETTI
Fascinating villains!
Reviewed in France on September 21, 2013
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I spent a nice and funny moment with this book which is full of interesting and deep second thoughts. Highly recommended.

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Krk
Perdí mi dinero
Reviewed in Mexico on May 7, 2017
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Es una opinion simplista de personajes gavachos desde una perspectiva cerrada comparativa al libre azar del escritor. Lo más malito que he comprado lo que va de este año

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kslots
good, but not as funny as usual klosterman
Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2013
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interesting read, but less humour than i was hoping for. definitely interesting, but left me thinking 'what was the point' a bit...

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I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined) Paperback – July 1, 2014

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Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative and Thoughtful

4.0 out of 5 stars I wear the Plaid hat

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Bland - More Villain Please

5.0 out of 5 stars Klosterman Can't Lose

Top reviews from other countries

1.0 out of 5 stars Abierto y maltratado

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating villains!

1.0 out of 5 stars Perdí mi dinero

4.0 out of 5 stars good, but not as funny as usual klosterman

Provocative and Thoughtful

I wear the Plaid hat

Too Bland - More Villain Please

Klosterman Can't Lose

Abierto y maltratado

Great read

Fascinating villains!

Perdí mi dinero

good, but not as funny as usual klosterman