The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization

By: Anthony Esolen

Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Western civilization is under attack. At universities and in the media, professors and pundits decry Western civilization as exploitative, destructive, and without value. But fear not: coming to its defense is this "P.I." guide to Western civilization.

Using historical evidence, Professor Anthony Esolen knocks down the relativist arguments and shows how the West laid the cornerstones for all of modern civilization, including historical, artistic, and intellectual achievements.

We owe it to history and to ourselves to acknowledge Western civilization's role in shaping our values and our world.

Listen to more Politically Incorrect Guides.

©2008 Anthony Michael Esolen (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Holy Neo-Nazism Batman!

Let it go on record that I am a middle of the road conservative. Let it also go on record that I think a lot of the better aspects of Western culture have taken a major hit in the name of "progressivism." That said, from the opening words of this tirade, my mouth was agape. In the introduction, we are told that the Middle Ages weren't so bad, that soon no one will know who Jesus is, that good old fashioned religion has been overrun by liberals, feminists, anti-gun freaks and ho-mo-sex-u-als. We are also told outright that the last two hundred years of American history have been demonized when in reality they were glorious and filled with honor and democracy for all--we take it the author is not black, Jewish, Asian or Hispanic...or Native American Indian, for that matter. Then...ladies and gentleman, the first chapter launches into an unreserved paeon to ancient Greece as the birthplace and epitome of Western culture. Now I am just a humble college English teacher, but from my reading, I took it that Socrates was killed for "corrupting the youth and mocking the gods..." and not only was homosexuality nearly as common in ancient Greece as heterosexuality, in his Symposium, Plato honors a "third sex" known as the "boy lovers." And I hate to break it to the author, but the ancient Greeks didn't know who Jesus was either... Unless you are Rush Limbaugh, George Bush or Dick Chaney, save your bucks on this one! I, frankly, could not believe it averages three and a half stars!

A warning against political correctness

This was not what I expected but it was compelling and informative. Those who do not understand history are doomed to repeat its mistakes and likewise unable to understand the real value of the roots of our civilization. Unfortunately none of these lessons are part of the modern day school curriculum.

Oy

This is a Republican primmer: Utterly useless in logic, full of fallacy, very phallic. Fifteen words

Excellent!

Only the politically incorrect will have a civilization in the next generation. The vapid politically correct ones will find themselves in an abyss of despair, decline, and destruction brought upon by their selfish choices.

An education in the lost teachings of Man

I loved it. A must read for those who are interested in what has been lost in society due to the removal of the teachings of history, and all that there is to learn from it. We can never know where we're going without the examination of where we have been.

insightful book read by a terrific reader.

Professor Esolen has written a gem that reminds us of the foundations of the Judeo-Christian West. While he notes that these foundations have been gravely shaken in the past few hundred years, he is still hopeful for it.

offensive

I was expecting a spin on history different than what one would find in a traditional classroom... not an outright white supremacist good old boys version.

Biased

Extremely biased right wing commentary. I couldn't get through even an hour of this. This is so backwards...especially around women's rights. Who seriously thinks women had it made in ancient roman times when they rarely even had a name (typically they were just called by their family name) and the patriarch of the family had complete control over them and could even legally kill them??

h o e s m a d

at this point anyone writing paragraphs in opposition to these ideas is a lost cause,

NO PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

whack

did not care for this book. waste of my time. I need 15 words. done.

Twaddle

I'll informed, biased nonsense that lacks contemporary citation or peer review. If you want to listen to unexamined opinion for nearly 12 hours dive in.

Ignorant rubbish masquerading as science.

Creationist 'Science' attempting to justify Bible stories as fact. Thinkers: don't touch, it's laughable trash
I expected it to be thoughtful, probably slightly humorous, and entertaining. It started quite well but then began conflating history and science with Bible texts, trying to make it sound authoritative by quoting chapter and and verse of each 'revelation'. I was disgusted by it, and angry with it, and by extension with audible.
I am no book burner but if I were this by would be my kindling.

silly alt-right stuff

I have to use 15 words to say this book is pseudo intellectual shyte.

excellent

The beauty of audiobooks to me is its versatility when listening in bluetooth mode, the ability to roam and complete other tasks. Plus the ability to be in another setting whilst enjoying the experience only audiobooks can bring.

Forgotten insights

A wonderful dive into the forgotten wisdom of the west. Knowledge of the past is essential to understanding our traditional values and where they come from.