The Smallest Minority

Independent Thinking in the Age of Mob Politics

By: Kevin D. Williamson

Narrated by: Stephen Graybill

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

"The most profane, hilarious, and insightful book I've read in quite a while." --BEN SHAPIRO

"Kevin Williamson's gonzo merger of polemic, autobiography, and batsh*t craziness is totally brilliant." --JOHN PODHORETZ, Commentary

"Ideological minorities - including the smallest minority, the individual - can get trampled by the unity stampede (as my friend Kevin Williamson masterfully elucidates in his new book, The Smallest Minority)." --JONAH GOLDBERG

“The Smallest Minority is the perfect antidote to our heedless age of populist politics. It is a book unafraid to tell the people that they’re awful.” --NATIONAL REVIEW

"Williamson is blistering and irreverent, stepping without doubt on more than a few toes - but, then again, that’s kind of the point." --THE NEW CRITERION

"Stylish, unrestrained, and straight from the mind of a pissed-off genius." --THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON

Kevin Williamson is "shocking and brutal" (RUTH MARCUS, Washington Post), "a total jack**s" (WILL SALETAN, Slate), and "totally reprehensible" (PAUL KRUGMAN, New York Times).

Listener beware: Kevin D. Williamson - the lively, literary firebrand from National Review who was too hot for The Atlantic to handle - comes to bury democracy, not to praise it. With electrifying honesty and spirit, Williamson takes a flamethrower to mob politics, the “beast with many heads” that haunts social media and what currently passes for real life. It’s destroying our capacity for individualism and dragging us down “the Road to Smurfdom, the place where the deracinated demos of the Twitter age finds itself feeling small and blue.”

The Smallest Minority is by no means a memoir, though Williamson does reflect on that “tawdry little episode” with The Atlantic in which he became all-too-intimately acquainted with mob outrage and the forces of tribalism.

Rather, this book is a dizzying tour through a world you’ll be horrified to recognize as your own. With biting appraisals of social media (“an economy of Willy Lomans,” political hustlers (“that certain kind of man or woman...who will kiss the collective ass of the mob”), journalists (“a contemptible union of neediness and arrogance”) and identity politics (“identity is more accessible than policy, which requires effort”), The Smallest Minority is a defiant, funny, and terrifyingly insightful book about what we human beings have done to ourselves.

©2019 Kevin Williamson (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc,. all rights reserved.

Brutally honest, accurate and relevant

The most detailed, nuanced and bitingly accurate description of the current American social and political landscape that one could, and should, choose to read.

Kevin D. Williamson at his best

If you enjoy Kevin D. Williamson's writing then this won't disappoint. He remains as insightful as ever and incredibly cutting to the ludicrousness of the culture he criticizes.

a scorcher

Unapologetically high-minded and vulgar. Also the best argument for "making satan great again" I've read.

Excellent

Not normally in to snarky, vulgar and contemptuous. But, this one wraps them up in some good points. I've already recommended it to friends, relatives and (now) to you.

Well written and original

Thoughtful critique of the rationale behind outrage culture. Those in the center right and left will resonate with many of these themes, particularly the critique of corporate culture. Far right and left will disagree with much of what is said.

Love Williamson's Writing, Less Keen on the Voice

A very enjoyable, thought provoking, well written book. While I think the voice actor did a good job, I don't think he would be my first choice.

Great book, decent performance

Wonderful book. Kevin Williamson is brilliant. The rhetorical punch, humor, and eloquence to express the things I’ve often felt about democracy and felt guilty for. Erudite and hilariously irreverent indictment of the mob—the demos of democracy. A defense of the libertarian ideal against the often absurd tyranny of “majority rules,” in government or in culture. Performed well enough, but with some mistakes and oddly read sentences.

brilliant

KDW breaks down and diagnoses the problems with social media and politics obsessed culture. A must read

Fantastic book; wish it was read by Williamson

Kevin D Williamson’s writing was, as always, insightful and intelligent. Simultaneously harsh, eloquent, witty and brash. Touches on very deep important topics, while remaining immensely entertaining. Highly recommended to anyone interested in politics, culture, and society, regardless of their priors. The performance was good in its own right, but as a frequent listener to Williamson’s podcast with Charles C.W. Cooke, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, it didn’t sound quite right hearing Williamson’s words read in this voice. Williamson’s voice and dry witty delivery is perfect for his material, and Graybill just does not deliver it to the same effect.

Worse book I ever heard

Terrible - meandering thoughts - unfocused - pretentious - could only listen to it for 20 minutes