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On the Social Contract
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Erik Sandval
- Length: 5 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 444
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 374
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 368
On the Social Contract's appeal and influence has been wide-ranging and continuous. It has been called an encomium to democracy and, at the same time, a blueprint for totalitarianism. Individualists, collectivists, anarchists, and socialists have all taken courage from Rousseau's controversial masterpiece.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Classic. Must read.
- By David Bonifacio on 07-22-17
- On the Social Contract
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Erik Sandval
Skip. Read Hobbes and Locke instead.
Reviewed: 11-09-23
This guy is supposed to be one of the main three social contract theorists alongside Locke and Hobbes. But, now I understand why nobody can seem to explain his viewpoints in online lectures. They’re complete nonsense. Circular logic the whole way through.
His idea that everybody should belong to everybody else was played out to it’s fullest in a Brave New World by Alexander Huxley. What a horrible idea. Feels like another bedrock of socialism.
One good line, “man is born free and yet everywhere he is in chains” Amen to that brother.
*caveat I did not read the whole book. Maybe like 5 chapters? That was enough for me to understand the thesis, which is pure bullshit. Go read Hobbes and then Locke. Much better source material.
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The Will of the Many
- Hierarchy, Book 1
- By: James Islington
- Narrated by: Euan Morton
- Length: 28 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 7,265
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 6,742
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Story5 out of 5 stars 6,740
The Catenan Republic—the Hierarchy—may rule the world now, but they do not know everything. I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilized society in allowing my strength, my drive, and my focus—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
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1 out of 5 stars
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I don’t know what the other reviews are on about
- By Chase on 06-24-23
- The Will of the Many
- Hierarchy, Book 1
- By: James Islington
- Narrated by: Euan Morton
Lessons about Tact
Reviewed: 08-19-23
I wouldn’t be surprised if the author had a background in intelligence. This is the ONLY book I’ve ever read that includes practical lessons regarding tact.
“You’ve been resisting for so long, I don’t think you know how to stop”
And then at one point the main character says something like, “if I continue pushing the subject he’ll get suspicious. For now, I’ve planted the seed so that when I broach the subject later he’ll think what I want him to think.”
“Better to wait”
These aren’t direct quotes. They’re from memory. But, for me, a person with no tact whatsoever, these are invaluable lessons on how, when, and why someone might want to function with a bit more subtlety.
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Rethinking Narcissism
- The Bad - and Surprising Good - About Feeling Special
- By: Dr. Craig Malkin
- Narrated by: Kiff VandenHeuvel
- Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 501
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 431
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 430
In Rethinking Narcissism listeners will learn that there's far more to narcissism than its reductive invective would imply. The truth is that narcissists (all of us) fall on a spectrum somewhere between utter selflessness on the one side and arrogance and grandiosity on the other. A healthy middle exhibits a strong sense of self.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Great info, but proceed with caution
- By Caterina M. Platt on 11-16-17
- Rethinking Narcissism
- The Bad - and Surprising Good - About Feeling Special
- By: Dr. Craig Malkin
- Narrated by: Kiff VandenHeuvel
Love the spectrum
Reviewed: 05-17-23
Dr. Malkin talks about how narcissism is a spectrum and too little narcissism is just as bad as too much. I agree. In a way, the book gave me permission to enjoy public speaking and to continue having the desire to be an influencer. While, at the same time, it provided me guidance on how to avoid harming others with my desire to feel special. We’re all special. And I can be special in my own way without stealing the spotlight or putting someone else down to retain my need to be special. I can allow other people to hold the spotlight and be special without it ruining my self image.
I’m not an extreme narcissist, but I would say my narcissistic traits are higher than normal. I’d probably be a 7 on his scale. I’m not quite healthy. I still have things to work on. But, I was grateful Dr. Malkin didn’t say that all narcissism was bad. I was feeling like I needed to either throw caution to the wind and embrace being an extreme narcissist or give up my career aspirations as unhealthy fantasies. It’s nice to know that I can strive for a healthy medium and keep finding joy in my career goals without harming others.
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