Intellectuals Audiobook

" Very informative, written in a manner to hold one's interest (it held mine, anyway). I learned a lot from it. "

" the intellectuals are more screwed up than the rest of us "

" Reading this book made me feel kinda... I dunno... intellectual? "

" Demonstrates what dirt bags these guys were. "

" Magnificent, all the emeperors without clothes, about time these rascals were exposed for the frauds they were! "

" Almost done. Will let loose then. This is a fantastic book, however. "

" A devasting critique of the intellectuals who have "shaped the modern world". One after another, Johnson examines the disconnection between the great works and ideals of these world shapers on one hand, and their personal lives on the other. It's a gruelling catalogue of hypocrisy, ego, broken relationships, dishonesty and spectacular moral failure. A difficult but engrossing read. Written before the fall of the Soviet Union, communism seems to be Johnson's ultimate opponent, and he makes a convincing case for the near total failure of the socialist philosophies of almost every intellectual he describes. The portraits of Rousseau, Shelly, Marx, Ibsen, Brecht, Russell and Sartre left me with reduced interest in their work, but I did gain a heightened interest in reading Tolstoy and Hemingway. The final chapters on more recent figures were disappointing -- a similar pattern, but figures of less interest and influence. In the final chapter, "The Flight of Reason", Johnson seems to present portraits of George Orwell and Evelyn Waugh to highlight failings in his other subjects. The final page of the book is a bleak rejection of the ability of intellectuals to provide any helpful guidance for society. "

" Is there no subject on which Paul Johnson has not written? This is a volume I will return to many times I think. I read the Kindle version and could not find when it was written. Probably sometime after 1987 and maybe in the mid 1990's. "

" Wonderful book. Makes one realize the core of the Utopian ideal is rotten. "

" The dark side of those that would teach us how to live. "

" This is a must read for anyone who is concerned about the people who have shaped thought and culture in the last century. A troubling work that will force you to reevaluate much of what you know about these individuals. "

" Fascinating biographies on the leading Intelectuals from Rousseau to Chomsky and many in-between (Shelly, Brecht, Edmund, Baldwin, Russell etc)and their penchant for self aggrandizement and hypocricy. As always with Paul Johnson's books wonderful, insightful and amusing read. "

" Interesting view on personalities behind post-modern culture "

" Very interesting read on some of the intellectuals that our society has followed the last 100 years. After looking at what these intellectuals stood for, how they handled their private lives and their morals, why was the world so eager to follow them? "

" A very strange book. It began well and declined from there, almost page by page. That said, there is too much love of intellectuals in our age and any book that deflates intellectuals is worthwhile. "

" This book helped me pinpoint what it is I don't like about self-proclaimed "intellectuals." I don't mean all intellectuals, of course, but a certain species of them that look down on those they consider lesser beings and who mistreat and neglect their own families or loved ones. "

" Illuminating, with fun prodding against these intellectuals when necessary. "

" Amazing read. Get this one only when you have extended periods of time to read, absorb and reflect. "

" A very fun book to read, as Johnson gives us the personal background of so many memorable characters who dominate what has come to be considered modern thought. One of the few books I regret having given away....would be worth re-reading to see how detailed his research was... "

" Amazing how many of these people had poor hygiene. "

" I am so affected. I thought I was reading my personality on bits and pieces on the lives of these intellectuals. Very neurotic indeed. "

" An absolutely fascinating study of some the most influential intellectuals of Western Civilizations history, and their failure to live up to standards they themselves prescribe. "

" Not sure I would have read this book without it being required...let's just say I'm glad that happened. Extremely interesting work. "

" This is an excellent look into the minds of the intellectuals herein. Johnson is a very capable scholar and an excellent writer. "

" Interesting philosophical biography of some leading intellectuals. But I've never been a fan of biography and found myself bored with it around half-way through. "

" Almost done. Will let loose then. This is a fantastic book, however. "

" Illuminating, with fun prodding against these intellectuals when necessary. "

" Interesting book about great philosophers and how they influenced our thinking today. "

" Reading this book made me feel kinda... I dunno... intellectual? "

" This is a must read for anyone who is concerned about the people who have shaped thought and culture in the last century. A troubling work that will force you to reevaluate much of what you know about these individuals. "