Life at the Bottom

The Worldview that Makes the Underclass

By: Theodore Dalrymple

Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is a searing account - probably the best yet published - of life in the underclass and why it persists as it does.

Theodore Dalrymple, a British psychiatrist who treats the poor in a slum hospital and a prison in England, has seemingly seen it all. Yet in listening to and observing his patients, he is continually astonished by the latest twist of depravity that exceeds even his own considerable experience. Dalrymple's key insight in Life at the Bottom is that long-term poverty is caused not by economics, but by a dysfunctional set of values, one that is continually reinforced by an elite culture searching for victims. This culture persuades those at the bottom that they have no responsibility for their actions and are not the molders of their own lives.

Drawn from the pages of the cutting-edge political and cultural quarterly City Journal, Dalrymple's book draws upon scores of eye-opening, true-life vignettes that are by turns hilariously funny, chillingly horrifying, and all too revealing - sometimes all at once. And Dalrymple writes in prose that transcends journalism and achieves the quality of literature.

©2001 Theodore Dalrymple (P)2021 Tantor

Amazing and unsettling book!

This should be mandatory reading for all incoming high school students! It might not chart the course for success but it definitely outlines the hallmarks of failure!

one of my favs, but hardly likable

hardcore russian-style self-directed national criticism, thought I've heard enough of such to ever find any appeal in variations, but this bespoke of such subjects from a standpoint of plain common sense that is simultaneously extremely depressing and motivating

Brutally honest

Brutally honest, but incredibly insightful. Amazing I was written 20 years ago because it is so applicable to today.

this book explains a lot of my childhood

this book brought me to my past how I grew up. and remind me of all my friends are still stuck in his lifestyle. truly amazing insight and cause me to go deep in my own pass

Pure, unadulterated Truth

Excellent book written by an intellectual man who has spent his life in the proverbial trenches. Must read.

Reality check

What’s obvious to him is everywhere now, and if not stopped, the western civilization as we know it would collapse just like the Roman Empire

Brutal examples, but interesting perspective

The book pulls (hopefully) no punches and has interesting insights into some of the patterns we see in the west today. I will admit there were times, however, I had to pause because of the terrible accounts retold.

very useful book

Yhe author uses decades of clinical psychology experience to explain in detail aspects of modern city life that we all understand but feel uncomfortable talking about for fear of social backlash. If you want to understand the mentality of low class citizens instead of just attributing to them the victimhood they so desire read this book...

Shock and Awe

A tantalizingly uncensored view into the near ludicrous reality of true British (and, I surmise, Western) life, Theodore Dalrymple's book is a work of dire importance in today's atmosphere of cool degeneration. Life at the Bottom and works like it, George Orwell and Ayn Rand come to mind, should be mandatory reading for anyone even vaguely interested in the continuance and wellbeing of western nations across the world. But beware, notions of a Pride and Prejudice like England will soon be replaced by those bearing more resemblance to A Clockwork Orange than anything else. Well done sir!
James Cameron Stewart was, as always, a great narrator.

essential reality check

great look at reality. maybe informative about your past, certainly an excellent and essential look at what modern society has made the lower class, how they've been hollowed out, and the consequences of do gooder visions from afar.