The Vision of the Anointed

Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy

By: Thomas Sowell

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

In this devastating critique of the mindset behind the failed social policies of the past 30 years, Thomas Sowell sees what has happened not as a series of isolated mistakes, but as a logical consequence of a vision whose defects have led to disasters in education, crime, family disintegration, and more. This is an empirical study in which “politically correct” theory is repeatedly confronted with facts, and the sharp contradictions between the two are explained in terms of a set of self-congratulatory assumptions held by political and intellectual elites.

These elites—the anointed—often consider themselves “thinking people,” but this thinking is actually rhetorical assertion, followed by evasions of mounting evidence against these assertions. The vision of the anointed is seen not merely as a failure but as a fatal danger to the values and the future of American society.

©1995 Thomas Sowell (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“An important and incisive book.” (New York Times Book Review)

“As compelling an explanation as any for the seemingly disproportionate amount of condescension and politically correct invective that emanates from the liberal side of the political spectrum toward the conservative opposition.” (Wall Street Journal)

“Avid conservatives, for whom Sowell is a true-blue intellectual force, will certainly seize upon his analysis for succor.” (Booklist)

The truth...whether you like it or not.

It's rare to get an unapologetic dose of truth these days. Most people, books, entertainment, etc. are geared towards telling people what they want to hear, because the truth makes us too uncomfortable... Not Thomas Sowell. Dr. Sowell is going to tell you the truth, whether or not you like or agree with it. This is a must read for everyone, regardless of your political or social leanings. Be warned, its not a colorful & exciting novel, its a cold stark look at reality. If you don't have the intellectual attention span you may wish to continue living the lies that the anointed of society have laid out for you. For everyone else....here's the red pill.

Should be required reading

Thomas Sowell debunks the words of throes retyping to change society by making decisions for us and harming most in their wake. As we also know once a government program is started it can never be killed.

Audible fails sync test

The audio is hopelessly out of sync with the text, but otherwise an excellent read of an excellent book.

One of the best books I've ever listened to...

A masterpiece. If you ever wondered how the other side could be so consistently wrong, read this book and understand.

Thomas Sowell does it again

I have said it before and I reiterate that this volume should be required reading in every high school civics or social studies class in the nation.