• The Tyranny of Clichés

  • How Liberals Cheat in the War of Ideas
  • By: Jonah Goldberg
  • Narrated by: Jonah Goldberg
  • Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (726 ratings)

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The Tyranny of Clichés

By: Jonah Goldberg
Narrated by: Jonah Goldberg
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Publisher's summary

“We are only as free as the least free among us.” Is that really true, or is it the kind of statement most people will nod at without actually thinking about? Best-selling conservative author Jonah Goldberg calls it a liberal cliché—fundamentally wrong and potentially very dangerous.

According to Goldberg, if the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist, the greatest trick liberals ever pulled was convincing themselves they’re not ideological. Today “objective” journalists and academics and “moderate” politicians peddle some of the most radical arguments by hiding them in homespun aphorisms. Barack Obama casts himself as a disciple of reason and sticks to one refrain above all others: he’s a pragmatist, opposed to the ideology and dogma of the right, solely concerned with “what works.” And today’s liberals follow his lead, spouting countless clichés.

Goldberg exposes the truth behind many of these clichés, including “the living constitution,” “social justice,” and even simple words like “inquisition”/ With humor and passion, he dismantles these Trojan horses to show how our thinking is profoundly shaped by deeply ideological concepts and convenient myths that most of us accept uncritically—to our great detriment.

You’ll learn the real history of dangerous liberal clichés, such as:

“Better ten guilty men go free than one innocent man be put behind bars.”

“One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.”

“Violence never solves anything.”

“Diversity is strength.”

“We need complete separation of church and state.”

From Gandhi to Marie Antoinette to Madonna, Goldberg explores the context of clichés in our culture and shows how often we rely on them at the expense of serious thinking.

©2012 Jonah Goldberg (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Straw man down! In the PC prison yard of accepted political thought, Jonah Goldberg has just shivved progressivism. Bold, brilliant, and bursting with humor, every page of The Tyranny of Clichés is right on the money. If you thought Liberal Fascism was good, wait till you read The Tyranny of Clichés—it is fantastic!” (Brad Thor, New York Times best-selling author)
“What can one say to the self-proclaimed ‘independent’ who never has nor ever will vote other than Democratic; or to the wise soul suggesting, of any conflict at all, ‘the truth must lie somewhere in between?’ Mr. Goldberg reminds us that one must stand up and demand of the muddled and supine either an absolute declaration of their principles and acknowledgment of the results of actions having flowed therefrom or a straightforward admission of their intransigence in refusing a concise reply.” (David Mamet, New York Times best-selling author)
“Everyone says ‘think for yourself’ but very few people do. In The Tyranny of Clichés, Jonah Goldberg reveals how we’ve become trapped by ideas we think we understand but don’t. A must-read.” (Vince Vaughn, actor and producer)

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Worth It.

an absolute joy to listen to. Jonah is an amazing writer and narrator. it's as relevant today as when he wrote it too. perhaps more so.

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Good Book

Bringing to light some of the stolen concepts and package deals behind the popular phrases and terms used to manufacture the semblance of consent or approval for political ends. The book is educational and still relevant. The book could be revised with additional information and expanded to cover the same tactics that have been employed since it was written and the consequences of successfully employment of these tactics.

Additionally, it was a pleasure to have the author read this book as it helps bring forward the intended emphasis and maintain clarity of expression throughout the book.

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Much to learn from

while there are many things I would disagree with in this book and make me question their validity or the author's validity, there are pleanty of opportunities and things to learn that do not just apply to politics, theology, psychology, sociology, etc. that should also be researched.

Written the early 2010's there is quite a bit that is outdated or have entirely been predicted that have come true within the last 8-10 years since the publication. Certainly something to listen and read along to if one of the kinds of people who enjoys challenging themselves to alternate views or even questioning themselves.

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Worthy of Listen and Thought

Multiple chapters will need to be read (or listened to) again. Enjoyed hearing the author read it, as his inflection helped to convey his points or jokes.

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Tour de Force!

A daunting and amazing encounter with clichés we use constantly. Brilliant! One is constantly overwhelmed by Goldbergs grasp of complex issues and historical background. His ability to unpack and critique is unsurpassed. The material is so dense, one must take it slowly to digest it. His use of the English language is both eloquent and precise not to mention entertaining. His conservative point of view is obvious, but one gets the impression he is open-minded. This is true notwithstanding his ability to turn a phrase that twists the knife! many of his statements are ones I wish I could remember forever to use at just the right moment. Highly recommended for anyone interested in hearing the conservative critique in a way that is accessible yet thorough.

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Worth a read

Brilliant analysis of the word-game that Guardian, New York Times, CNN and academic tribes play to "win'/" any argument against reality.

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Crucial reading for the intellectually curious.

Always insightful, Goldberg expresses his ideas with clarity, cogency, and honest enthusiasm, exposing the traps we fall into when we mindlessly espouse the standard cliches. We would all benefit from thinking before we speak, and this book reveals why we should practice doing so!
Great history included.
I really enjoyed listening to the author narrate his own work.

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Great read

Great read for both the conservative and the liberal. I highly recommend it to anyone who finds the rhetoric behind politics interesting.

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Informative, funny and very enjoyable read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Jonah is very intelligent, and he read the book so well that I feel like I would buy any book that he reads.

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Taking the lefts ability to cheat away

Great resource to have in your arsenal in the war of ideas
Worth multiple listenings

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