Kevin

eh, its alright

Reviewed: 07-10-11

I found this book to be very informative. I personaly would consider myself a sceptic. I am an athiest and an anarchist, however, I find myself being open to what he calls "conspiracy theories". I personally disagree with the idea that belief in any unpopular opinion must always result from a blind faith or purely emotionally driven thought. Our history is full of "conspiracy theories" that eventually become recognized as conspiracy fact. Its a fact that the US government intentionally infected Native Americans with smallpox, experimented on African Americans without consent during the Tuskegee experiments, they gave LSD to unwilling participants during MKUltra, they imprissoned US citizens in consentration camps during WW2, they lied about the gulf of Tonken incident, and Watergate. We also know for a fact that Osama Bin Laden was a CIA operative, Norad was ordered to stand down during the 911 attacks, building 7 was never hit by a plane, and on, and on, and on. To reduce all of this factual evidence to some wierd human brain limitation is insulting. It isn't comparable to people who stubornly hold on to their "faith" despite evidence. Still, I think its important to understand that many beliefs are based on emotion and habit as opposed to actual facts and reason. I just think he over applys this realization to include people who's beliefs may be based on evidence.

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5 people found this helpful

Scary!!!!!!!!

Reviewed: 07-10-11

I read this book for the first time about 15 years ago and thought it was amazingly accurate in its predictions. I just got the audiobook and listened to it again in 2011 and am even more impressed at how similar our current political environment is to the one in this story. It almost seems like the elite who run this planet used Orwells book as a reference guide to enslave humanity.

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get the hard copy

Reviewed: 07-10-11

Great information, but I'd suggest getting the hard copy. The best thing about this one, as opposed to the conspiracy book, is that he includes actual documents to look at yourself. The paper copy is a good reference guide. But the information is still important.

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6 people found this helpful

good stuff, documentary is better

Reviewed: 07-10-11

This audiobook is full of good information. However, I prefer the documentary "the End of America." It's on Netflix or you can see it free on youtube. The interviews, news clips, and live footage helps bring it all to life. But the audiobook is pretty good.

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2 people found this helpful

Informative and entertaining

Reviewed: 07-10-11

Like many, I was introduced to Sudhir Venkatesh's work through Freakanomics. I was expecting a more detailed account of his economic studies but got so much more. The story was fascinating, exciting, funny, and sad. It is a unique look at a part of America that is seldom seen from an intelectual outsiders view. I see a movie in the near future.

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Great alternative look at history

Reviewed: 07-10-11

This book gives an account of American history from a different view than what we are taught in public schools. I've always been a fan of Howard Zinn's Peoples History, but Russell presents it from yet another angle. Loved it.

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1 person found this helpful