America: The Farewell Tour

By: Chris Hedges

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

A profound and provocative examination of America in crisis, where unemployment, deindustrialization, and a bitter hopelessness and malaise have resulted in an epidemic of diseases of despair - drug abuse, gambling, suicide, magical thinking, xenophobia, and a culture of sadism and hate.

America, says Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Chris Hedges, is convulsed by an array of pathologies that have arisen out of profound hopelessness, a bitter despair and a civil society that has ceased to function. The opioid crisis, the retreat into gambling to cope with economic distress, the pornification of culture, the rise of magical thinking, the celebration of sadism, hate, and plagues of suicides are the physical manifestations of a society that is being ravaged by corporate pillage and a failed democracy. As our society unravels, we also face global upheaval caused by catastrophic climate change. All these ills presage a frightening reconfiguration of the nation and the planet.

Donald Trump rode this disenchantment to power. In America: The Farewell Tour, Hedges argues that neither political party, now captured by corporate power, addresses the systemic problem. Until our corporate coup d’état is reversed these diseases will grow and ravage the country. A poignant cry reported from communities across the country, America: The Farewell Tour seeks to jolt us out of our complacency while there is still time.

©2018 Chris Hedges (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Terrible narrator for the book

I was so looking forward to listening to this book on a long driving trip. Chris Hedges is one of my most favorite writers. The low energy of Fred Sanders just ruined it for me. I was falling asleep listening to him. The subject matter required an energetic voice at a quicker pace to punctuate the gravity of the ideas and awaken the listener to the oncoming wall we are about to drive into. Alas, I will have to read the book instead. I cannot listen to it more than one paragraph without falling asleep or my mind wandering. Please match the narrator's voice to the subject matter. I would pay twice the price to have this book in Chris Hedges' voice. I find his talks spellbinding.

contact your therapist before and after reading.

This is not a little hearted book by all means. The insight into what is happening in American can be over whelming but it's a must read for modern times.

Great book!

This is one of the best books of the year, though I believe he underestimates just how much ground has been lost. The corporate state has all the cards. This is going to take many decades, best case scenario. Some parts are pretty hard hitting and surprising even for someone like me who has seen most everything on the internet.

Best non-fiction book I have unearthed.

Hedges tour of America, etched in despair with waning but relevant dying embers of human nobility, is delivered with the empathy of a Studs Terkel and the unceremonius tearing off of the veil characteristic of a Malcolm X.

brilliant

I've read two of his books now and I feel more connected and sure of myself politically and emotionally than before. reading really is revolutionary!

Make believe-friends

Within the first few minutes of this book the author invokes his make-believe friend god, and talks about prayer and other nonsense like faith. It should be mandatory for the author to disclose if he or she has a mental illness like religion. Or if he or she is going to invoke religion in the book.

Great information but narration lacked

Chris Hedges is a fair and fresh breeze in the malaise of partisan authors out there nowadays. I did have to fast-forward past the heartbreaking personal stories from some of the individuals he interviewed for the book. I also had to double the narration speed because it was so slowly read and full of ridiculous pauses. Hedges' writings are always full of great information. Tracking down the quoted authors will further my education considerably. I look forward to his other books not done to death by Fred Sanders.

Deep analysis and prescription for confronting our current precise

Chris Hedges clearly is one of the most morally-rooted and clear-thinking critics of our society today. The insight, compassion and voice he gives to humanity is astounding and is what gives this book its extraordinary power. It is a call not to despair (though there is plenty of which to despair these days) nor to be consumed by anger, but rather to dig deep into love - for each other, ourselves and ultimately to possibility of a world where love reigns supreme. But we cannot get their in ignorance or folly. This book’s brutal honesty and courageous exploration of what is and the various historical and current forms of resistance makes it essential reading for all who desire a better world. It should motivate and equip us in that struggle.

Eye opening

This book gives a great overview of where America stands in the world and how we can overcome our own self-destruction.

Interesting but depressing

Well according to this book we are all done for by 2030. I can't say I really liked the book, but it was food for thought.