leondumoulin.nl: The Great Derangement: A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics, and Religion at the Twilight of the American Empire (Audible Audio Edition): Matt .
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They joined what he calls The Great Derangement.
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- A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics, and Religion?
- A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics, and Religion at the Twilight of the American Empire!
Taibbi tells the story of this new American madness by inserting himself into four defining American subcultures: Together these four interwoven adventures paint a portrait of a nation dangerously out of touch with reality and desperately searching for answers in all the wrong places. Funny, smart, and a little bit heartbreaking, The Great Derangement is an audaciously reported, sobering, and illuminating portrait of America at the end of the Bush era.
An unstinting reporter and sensational writer, Taibbi shines a light on the corruption, absurdities, and idiot pieties of modern American politics. Beneath his cynical fury, though, are flashes of surprising compassion for the adrift, credulous souls who are taken in by it all. I loved this book. As The Great Derangement shows, he has absolutely no shred of fear in confronting the corruption that plagues our government and exploring the desperation that is rising in America. And somehow, he pulls it off while making us simultaneously weep in sorrow and laugh our asses off.
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The Great Derangement
Please try again later. One in four Americans believe the sun revolves around the earth. A little more than four in 10 Americans think that God created humans in their present form 10, years ago. So it was no surprise to me when Mr. With stats like that, so-called American exceptionalism must be based on very low standards indeed. The author gives the reader a closer look into the minds of these tin-foil-hat people. I swear, the manure these pastors were throwing out as reality to their non-critical-thinking audiences made my head spin.
While the followers of these religious hucksters are overwhelming, if not exclusively, conservative, Mr. Interspersed between these two derangements, the author explains the backroom shenanigans of congressional leaders in parceling out goodies for their big-money contributors. The congressional sections of the book may cause you to bang your head against a brick wall. The author's work is entertaining, informative, and loaded with a lot of laughs.
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However, especially in the first quarter of the book, Mr. Taibbi's cynical humor was frequently even too nasty for my crude sensibilities. He had zero qualms about ridiculing people of both political persuasions. Senator Bernie Sanders is the only one to come out of this thing smelling like a rose because of his decent forthright nature.
I must not have been the only one because Mr. Taibbi felt it necessary to add an afterword to the paperback edition explaining his objectives. It was a fun quick read, but I finished the book not knowing if I should laugh or cry. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. He was brave enough to infiltrate the church to write about it. This world needs more of that type of thing: When you do that you learn something of how and why "the enemy" is both scarier and more relatable than ever before imagined possible.
Whether they will ultimately be successful is still up for argument, but so far, well They're kind of freaking me out. The take-home message from the book is this: There have been far worse times to be in the United States, and our nation has seen its way through far greater trials. But each one is different, born of different causes and with different effects, and we do not have the benefit of being able to look back and see how everything works out. It is much easier these days to find people you agree with and isolate yourself with them, and every time Congress or the President or the Media lets us down, it's more and more tempting to do so.
But that way lies madness. The madness of an evangelical movement that is anticipating the end of days, the madness of a conspiracy of vast and perfect proportions. The answer is not to isolate ourselves with the like-minded but to seek out those with whom we disagree and make sure that we're all living in the same world, no matter what it's like. Rather than dividing ourselves into two giant camps of Us and Them, pointed and aimed by people whose only interest is in seeing us rip each other to shreds, maybe we can finally see what it is that unifies everyone.
Once we can do that, once we can fight the derangement, perhaps we can see our way to making our country into the one we want it to be. When the government sees its people as the enemy, sooner or later that feeling gets to be mutual. And that's when the real weirdness begins.
Sep 29, Kristina rated it liked it Shelves: If anything, this presidential election, between two of the most disliked and untrustworthy candidates in American history, holds true to predictions Taibbi makes in this book. I am familiar with Taibbi because of his profanity-filled, politician bashing articles he writes for Rolling Stone.
His book is also like this, but more personal. What he found in common with both of these groups is their complete disillusionment with American government: There was a consequence, a flip side to the oligarchical rigged game of Washington politics: On both the left and the right, huge chunks of the population were effecting nearly identical retreats into conspiratorial weirdness and Internet-fueled mysticism 3. This is certainly the case this year. Both Democrats and Republicans rejected the typical candidates in overwhelming numbers and the excitement was for Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.
Trump, if not Clinton who represents status-quo, business-as-usual government seems to be an obvious pick for many voters when you consider how disillusioned we all are and how much distrust there is for the news media: One last quote from Taibbi, a quote that seems so incredibly prescient considering how shattered the Republican party is now: But out there, on the campaign trail, you can already feel the vibe changing.
Even the conservative stalwart, the National Review , is not above scrutiny by its own targeted readers. This is a dangerous development: What information do we base our judgments on? Some people are turning to extremist views found primarily on the Internet and posted on social media. I prefer to recognize that most media outlets have corporate owners and that can affect the content of their coverage and perhaps how coverage is presented. Five or six major corporations control most of our news coverage.
This is why I try to get my news generally, not just political from many different sources. His anger and irritation at people for investing in conspiracy theories when the real corruption is right out in the open is evident, as is his sympathy for the same people who feel abandoned both by their elected leaders and journalists. Mar 19, Andrew Hecht rated it really liked it Shelves: For fans of Taibbi, this is pure gold.
If you want a sense of how fucked up things are, it's a perfect read: Nov 24, Mike rated it really liked it. After having spent time as a participant-observer with extreme evangelical christians and hardcore believers in as government conspiracy—more time with the former—reporter Matt Taibbi examines both as reactionary faiths: His encounters are with those who have been—pardon the pun—left behind by the prime movers of society.
He After having spent time as a participant-observer with extreme evangelical christians and hardcore believers in as government conspiracy—more time with the former—reporter Matt Taibbi examines both as reactionary faiths: He posits that the superstitious means by which these folks construct their worldview is a response to a grievous lack of meaning via empirical means. Taibbi's ability to sympathise with those he encounters no mean feat in the case of the 'truth' movement, which has publicly reviled the man and sent him tons of hate mail lets him avoid the easy characterization that these people are uninformed and stupid; however his sympathy does not segue into hagiography, circumstance does not absolve the ignorant of all complicity in their failure, and particular venom is directed towards those who would personally profit oily church leaders and militant leftists from the ersatz logic of their milieu.
Most political writing has a short shelf-life. People are finally starting to talk to each other as informed members of a tessellated electorate instead of as allies or enemies divided by the Fox News view of the world. This book was a gift from buddy of mine who, despite his cannibal nature, has managed to peel back the dead skin mask of American politics quite effectively.
Aug 08, Jeff rated it really liked it. If it weren't so grim, Taibbi's book would be perfect. I went in expecting a thorough shredding of the modern dominionist movement, and while there are certainly some damning passages, the book's emphasis is more nuanced. Taibbi studies three worlds in turn: Taibbi's premise is that as Democrats and Repub If it weren't so grim, Taibbi's book would be perfect.
Taibbi's premise is that as Democrats and Republicans drag more and more of the work of governing into the world of late-hours behind-closed-doors old-boys wrangling, more and more citizens are pushed towards the fringes of conspiracy theory and rage -- regardless of their underlying political orientation. It's a hard theory to dismiss as the book unfolds; no real conclusion is offered, but it's a startlingly charitable way to view groups that are often demonized. May 05, Douglas rated it did not like it. Reading this book was a spectacular waste of time.
Where a competent journalist might offer an analysis and commentary demonstrating new insight and understanding of the phenomena, Taibbi comes off as a duplicitous and arrogant narcissist. Unable to offer a trenchant discussion on his chosen question, he provides profanity-laced narrative and dialogue that all too frequently read like many conversations among inebriated college fraternity men.
Jun 03, Adam rated it really liked it. The Derangement is about the loss of a collective public narrative during the Bush era. He finds an America disenchanted with its political options, seeking easy superhero narratives the Matrix and V for vendetta being common touchstones , and mostly very lonely. I found this book deeply sad, the optimis The Derangement is about the loss of a collective public narrative during the Bush era.
I found this book deeply sad, the optimism of the conspiracy theorist even though they think they are facing a truly evil and murderous foe versus the cynicism, disinterest and shabbiness of reality is deeply depressing. Taibbi finds humanity in both of these camps and avoids easy humor, even though he exposes some troubling beliefs and subtexts in the current era of popular movements. Jul 08, Jack rated it it was amazing. The comparisons to Hunter S. Thompson are widespread and inevitable. But Taibbi also shows a voice of his own, updating that sense of moral outrage and energetic despair for the modern political climate.
His discussions of where and how American government have gone wrong, and how it has left Americans on both sides of the political spectrum moving around in bewildered inani The comparisons to Hunter S. His discussions of where and how American government have gone wrong, and how it has left Americans on both sides of the political spectrum moving around in bewildered inanity show an admirable humanity towards his subjects without pulling any punches. No one gets completely off the hook for the bankrupt content of American culture, but the culture itself is a cause as well as a symptom.
The chapter on how legislation works in today's congress is terrifying and, in the purest sense of the word, outrageous. Jan 18, Kam rated it really liked it. I love his point of view. I didn't click "amazing" above because I didn't really understand the tie-ins of the Christianity with the derangement, aside from just "going out there", meaning way out in weird land. He'd kind of pop around, and have very savable sudden insights, but I couldn't really put together the different areas.
And lots of time was spent on them, "the Truthers"; Does n Great writing. And lots of time was spent on them, "the Truthers"; Does not have substance there to continue holding my interest. He is brave and interesting and refreshing. Oct 22, Ken rated it really liked it.
THE GREAT DERANGEMENT by Matt Taibbi | Kirkus Reviews
A very enjoyable and educational read. Just how much bullshit can the American public be expected to absorb before we all collectively Lose Our Shit!! Both The Left and The Right are bristling with righteous indignation and rage, but it is all misdirected at the wrong targets. The media has failed miserably to keep the nation informed, and The Internet only added to the confusion. Dec 01, flannery rated it did not like it. Prep school douche travels to middle America and chuckles at fatties?
I agree with everything Taibbi says but I still found this book unpleasant and unfunny. Rolling Stone journalist from NYC insinuates himself in a Texas megachurch, exhausts himself early thinking of creative ways to describe white trash, makes some pretty obvious points about church and state, sits on his laurels as "the next Hunter S. Great for people who haven't seen "Jesus Camp" but still would Really? Great for people who haven't seen "Jesus Camp" but still would like to have an opinion. Sep 04, McGrouchpants McGrouchpants rated it it was amazing.
Hilarious, empathetic, and edifying. Matt Taibbi goes places most people wouldn't go — and places those people wouldn't go, to those other places over there, to where that first group wouldn't've been caught dead — to do the footwork and give you the skinny on the "political spectrum" in contemporary America. Read this one or risk being less prepared. Word to your mother! Oct 18, Connie rated it really liked it. I am only a few chapters in to this book, but am enjoying it thoroughly.
Of course, the subject matter is depressing as hell, but his writing is superb. Presently I am nearing the end of the chapter in which he recounts his foray into the world of the fundamentalist 'Christians'. He attends some 'seminars' and 'encounter weekends' under an assumed name and identity, for one thing. Having at one time in my life been exposed to this type of religious whackiness, his recounting of his experiences ri I am only a few chapters in to this book, but am enjoying it thoroughly.
Having at one time in my life been exposed to this type of religious whackiness, his recounting of his experiences rings true. He is also wickedly funny. Jul 23, Tamara added it Shelves: I wanted to read something mean and funny, only to feel a bit bad when he says in the introduction he doesn't want to be that guy that people only think of because he's mean and funny, but still. Not bad otherwise, particularly for the look into the specific varieties of crazy out there.
As a former member of something not entirely unlike a cult, I already knew that people who's lives consist of a string of tiny, nameless indignities building up to a banal grey loneliness will go insane in virtu I wanted to read something mean and funny, only to feel a bit bad when he says in the introduction he doesn't want to be that guy that people only think of because he's mean and funny, but still. As a former member of something not entirely unlike a cult, I already knew that people who's lives consist of a string of tiny, nameless indignities building up to a banal grey loneliness will go insane in virtually any way they're offered.
Jun 30, Pat rated it it was ok Shelves: Taibbi is a talented writer. He does a good job of making the bizarre scenes into which he put himself compelling and quite funny. But a shorter version of the book might read like this: Unfortunately, talking to the crazies has made me so tired and cranky that I don't have much of anything to say about what all of this means.
Apr 23, Luke Meehan rated it liked it. At its strongest it details Taibbi's odd integration into an evangelical community, or discusses the essential emptiness of US political journalism. But the argument feel tacked-on, and the over-arching themes fall short. It feels like a very talented journo took a summer break, and needed something to hand in after.
But it could've been much more. Jul 17, Pat rated it it was amazing. Matt Taibbi is a young investigative reporter who writes for Rolling Stone. He embeds with Truthers, Evangelicals and troops in Iraq and lays out his observations. Excellent source of current information for those not involved in these groups yet wonder what they are all about. Oct 27, Jeff rated it really liked it. Taibbi's rage is distracting occasionally, but never inappropriate. Aug 28, David Hunt rated it did not like it.
Thompson as a passive-aggressive hipster instead of a drug and aggression fueled maniac. Jul 15, Wendy rated it liked it. Not my usual cup of tea, but interesting nonetheless. Confirmed my nearly complete distaste for politics.
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Feb 02, Nathan rated it really liked it Shelves: Matt Taibbi writes like a wave breaks, a continuous chaotic turbulent line of prose that explodes and foams but carries you along, thrusts you ahead until finally you hit the shoreline of a chapter break and you can catch your breath before you turn the page and start the next wave. I've never met Taibbi, but I picture him as a thin furious man who stabs his finger onto the table to emphasize the points he's making.
Of course, now I've Googled him, I see he's not thin at all--damn you Google, s Matt Taibbi writes like a wave breaks, a continuous chaotic turbulent line of prose that explodes and foams but carries you along, thrusts you ahead until finally you hit the shoreline of a chapter break and you can catch your breath before you turn the page and start the next wave.
Of course, now I've Googled him, I see he's not thin at all--damn you Google, shattering mental pictures for over a decade now In this book, Taibbi the Rolling Stone political writer who became famous for tagging Goldman Sachs "a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money" tackles the curious intersection of politics and religion that is America. He alternates between Washington DC reporting and an undercover adventure going to Encounter Weekends and religious counselling at Pastor John Hagee's Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, and somehow the parallel stories perfectly describe how fucked the country of America is.
His scathing takedowns of politicians and the system they've built are not just entertaining, they're also well-researched and deep. He pauses a Congressman's pitch of a bill to give us the backstory: The bill, in other words, was written with the aim of sparing less fortunate Americans the pain of spending a tenth of their income on gasoline and helping to avoid even steeper costs.
The repeal of new source review is one of those things—the opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ANWR for petroleum drilling and the repeal of the capital gains tax being two of the others—that Republican lawmakers ask for whenever any hideous crisis hits the newspapers. Terrorists strike New York? We better repeal the estate tax, quick! Asian bird flu on the way? Not surprisingly, the Republicans went after ANWR again after Katrina, and also humped another old target—the prohibited offshore drilling zones of the outer continental shelf. Taibbi is nothing if not detail-oriented.
But it's his assembly of the details, the minutiae that generally bore the shit out of me, into this force of nature description of the decaying body politic that really wins me over: