The Authoritarians

By: Bob Altemeyer

Narrated by: Bob Altemeyer

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

The Authoritarians summarizes the research of Dr. Robert Altemeyer, whose professional career has focused on the study of the Authoritarian Personality, and development of the Right-Wing Authoritarian (RWA) personality and ideological variable widely studied in political, social, and personality psychology.

The foreword is provided by John W. Dean, former Nixon White House counsel and New York Times best-selling author.

©2008 Bob Altemeyer (P)2008 Bob Altemeyer

A must-read for... everyone

While Bob Altemayer's personal political stance is occasionally discernable from his analysis of data, and his investigation of the subject is quite America-centric, Altemayer provides us with a paradigm of surprising explanatory and even predictive power.

If you are interested in politics or psychology, I highly recommend this book. If you wind up taking offense at its presentation of scientific data, perhaps you need this book more than anyone. Authoritarianism is a potential danger to all of us, even on the individual level, and if you find you dislike hearing about it, it's a sure sign you need to listen more closely.

Good information but too political

A confirmation and deepening of my understanding of why people accept the drivel which is the currency of American politics. However, in my opinion the author would have better served my needs, and his own, if he had omitted the political analysis. One other comment is that the treatment of the research results was too narrowly applied to American politics, and greater contrasts with international actors would have been very welcome.

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Possibly the most important book for our time

If you could sum up The Authoritarians in three words, what would they be?

Finally an explanation

What did you like best about this story?

The author's research provided insight into our dysfunctional political climate.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I did on a road trip to Phoenix.

Incredibly prescient

This audiobook version of Altemeyer’s book was published in 2009, but with how accurate his statements are, it could easily have been 2019. Over 10 years ago he clearly laid out exactly the route that our country is going down and why, but it seems not enough people have been paying attention to the signs.

If you, like me, wake up each day and wonder how our country came to be this was, read this book. Urge your family to read it, send copies to your representatives, and tell your friends. It’s important that people know what’s going on, why it’s going on, and how to prevent the country from being swept away by authoritarianism posing as righteousness and family values.

I now see why

This is *the* book to read if you have struggled to understand the outcome of the 2016 US presidential election. keep in mind this book was published in 2008. Altemeyer does a great job laying out the evidence for why "authoritarians" act (and vote) as they do. This is a great book explaining what makes "authoritarians" behave as they do.

Best Book Ever Written

Simply cannot recommend it highly enough. Reading it is a civic duty of the highest order.

Very good

This is a good choice for your next audio book. It's about the psychology of politics, why certain people are so angry when they discuss politics. There is a certain mindset and it is explained here. Very very interesting and read by the author very well.

Eye-Opening, a MUST-READ for all.

Whether you consider yourself left-wing, right-wing, tea party, this book is very informative. Without being judgmental, the author (who has been a psychologist conducting scientifically verifiable tests for ~40 years on the subject, with tens of thousands of individuals studied) shows what his research has revealed.

--------------------------------------------- Something to remember: the AUTHOR is right of center. He isn't a hippy or a huge left-winger. He is in an objective position to get objective data, and that's exactly what he does.

---------------------------------------------- I'm only halfway through the book and I already feel like I understand so much more about human nature, why people are the way they are. Seriously a life-changing listen.

A good listen and clear explanations

I thought this might be a cheap audiobook because the cover looks like cheap computer generated graphics and clipart, but the inside is pure gold. It is read by the author, which in this case is a good thing because the author has a good speaking voice, has an infectious interest in the topic, and doesn't mind adding side quips that give it a conversational tone.

Besides the good audio, the subject matter and information are revelatory. I have often wished I had a good answer to why certain dogmatic people seem like they can't be reasoned with and this not only gives rational explanations, it also gives the backgrounds to the explanations for clear understanding. I'm glad I bought this audio book!

I just wish there was a new 'version'!

I feel that this book is essential to understanding the current political climate. The divisions we suffer today have their genesis explained & quantified. Excellent information from a smart and funny guy.