Unspeakable

Publisher's Summary

Chris Hedges on the most taboo topics in America, with David Talbot.

Chris Hedges has been telling truth to (and against) power since his earliest days as a radical journalist. He is an intellectual bomb-thrower who continues to confront American empire in the most incisive, challenging ways. The kinds of insights he provides into the deeply troubled state of our democracy cannot be found anywhere else. Like many of our most important thinkers, he has been relegated to the margins because of ideas deemed too radical - or true - for public consumption. Whether it is covering the dissolution of former Soviet states or embedding in the Middle East to understand the post-9/11 world, he has been a singular voice pushing against mainstream media disinformation and the amnesia of establishment received wisdom. He is an intellectual heir to American radical heroes such as Thomas Paine and Noam Chomsky and is dedicated to reigniting a shared commitment to radical equality and honesty.

Hedges here speaks up about the most pressing issues that currently face our nation. He tackles the rise of a fascist right in support of Donald Trump, which advocates xenophobia and violence in a push for American totalitarianism. He rails against the posturing of inclusivity from establishment elites on both sides of the aisle, who post-Occupy Wall Street continue to advocate for policies that make America uninhabitable for all but the ultra-rich and, as lackeys for corporate interests, continue to expand income inequality in all directions. He tears into the contemporary glamorization of the military and the unchecked, unchallenged hawkishness that defines contemporary American foreign policy. Moreover, he shows his support for contemporary revolts against this twisted order - such as Black Lives Matter - that represent Americans refusing to take the destruction of their country lying down. And that's just the start.

©2016 Chris Hedges (P)2016 Novel Audio

Complexity of corporate neoliberalism explained

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

Articulate, honest, courageous

What did you like best about this story?

He was able to contextualize a great deal of the horrors of corporate capitalism and the inverted totalitarianism that leads to exploitation of the planet's resources until exhaustion or collapse.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he was able to explain how the wealthy live in a parallel universe to the rest of society, and frequently lack the empathy or moral capacity to do anything but expand their greed and exploit the planet's resources.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The roots of revolution and how meaningful change only comes via movements outside of the traditional power structure. When highly educated and un/under-employed youth are able to communicate the complexity of power structure and build a collective consciousness that can take on corporate power change will slowly occur in punctuated moments.

Any additional comments?

A great book and a powerful inspiriing update on what can be done to save the planet from complete exploitation leading to exhaustion or collapse.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Extraordinary testimony

Chris Hedges writes and speaks with both heart and intellect. He is a trustworthy guide through the confusion and chaos of US politics. He has borne witness to many wars and the corruption of the deep state and finds so many ways to communicate and serve society with integrity. Read this book or listen to this audio version - it will inspire you in these difficult times.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

True Morality

Chris hHedges is a beautiful beacon of hope to those who believe in fairness, equality, and justice for all people.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

A sober and moving witness to hope and suffering

Forthright as ever, Hedges reminds of the importance of bearing witness with a resolute moral integrity. While sobering, this audio book is remarkably inspiring and hopeful. It will move you to tears, if not blessed unrest.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

honesty is almost always painful

it's hard to remain hopeful and it's heavy but I don't think I should have children...it's the responsibility of the parent to provide for a child and as bleek as it is I can't do that. should humanity even exist?

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

This is easily Chris Hedges' best book yet!

Would you consider the audio edition of Unspeakable to be better than the print version?

Dunno. Didn't read it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unspeakable?

His perspective on the New York Times newspaper (and media in general) is so perfectly stated that it rivals some of Noam Chomsky's work. That's why this is his best damn book yet! Hedges covers a lot of territory in this book and all this checks out from everything that I've learned so far. Yikes! Haha....

Have you listened to any of Chris Hedges and Michael Quinlan ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He's an awesome speaker most of the time. Every so often a crazy thing might happen but 99 percent of the time you're gonna get your money's worth. Some of his books need to be 20 percent shorter yet I wish this one was longer.

If you could give Unspeakable a new subtitle, what would it be?

'Brian Rainstorm calls this is my BEST book yet'

Any additional comments?

"I am a BIG Chris Hedges fan and have listened to all his books on audible.com and this one, UNSPEAKABLE, is the best yet. This book is like boxing Muhammad Ali and Ali has 'TRUTH' written on one glove and 'REALITY' written on the other one... Brace for impact!." - Brian Rainstorm

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Unsurprisingly spectacular

My favorite author does it again. I own everything Mr. Hedges has published. His voice sustains me in these dire times.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

A man who sees only what he must do

Given the interview format of the book, hearing it performed by the author and his interviewer was an absolute treat.

Chris Hedges may see the difficulty of life with convictions ahead of him, but his simple rules allow him to look back with unashamed honesty. He became vegan after seeing Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (now on NETFLIX) -- as did I, once the "blackout imposed by the industry" was revealed. Systemic change and deliverance from neoliberalism requires guidance and Hedges is compelled to lead by example.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Morally required

Scary, sobering and inspiring, Hedges gives an accurate and penetrating view of the cultural / political (and literary) landscape. He's a brilliant journalist with, and these are rare, a soul. I want to read everything he's written.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Chris Hedges in Realtime

Hedges is always engaging and controversial. He is a very accomplished writer and well worth reading. This is essentially an interview. It seems that he is actually reading from a manuscript. For an audio book, next time get a omore professional narrator.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Concise & Eloquent

The distinguished journalist Chris Hedges presents his thinking here in an extended question and answer session. Covering his own life, personal & professional as well as the state of the USA, this is a great introduction to his convictions, opinions & insight. Since he is such an eloquent & incisive speaker, 4 hours is enough to cover a great many topics, including the mainstream media, other journalists good & bad, the role of wealthy elites, revolutions, the military, Hollywood, politics, protest movements, mass incarceration in the USA and much more. In short, if you want to quickly & easily realise a better understanding of whats going on in America & what role the US is playing worldwide then this is the ideal introduction.