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Audiobooks > Political Science >  Public Policy > The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy
The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy Audiobook, by Thomas Sowell Play Audiobook Sample

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4.0031847133758 out of 54.0031847133758 out of 54.0031847133758 out of 54.0031847133758 out of 54.0031847133758 out of 5 (4.00) - 628 customer ratings
The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy Audiobook, by Thomas Sowell Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Thomas Sowell Narrator: Tom Weiner Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Audio Length: Release Date: August 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781481586900
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Publisher Description

In this devastating critique of the mindset behind the failed social policies of the past few decades, Thomas Sowell sees what has happened not as a series of isolated mistakes but as a logical consequence of a vision whose defects have led to disasters in education, crime, family disintegration, and more. This is an empirical study in which “politically correct” theory is repeatedly confronted with facts, and the sharp contradictions between the two are explained in terms of a set of self-congratulatory assumptions held by political and intellectual elites. These elites—the anointed—often consider themselves “thinking people,” but this thinking is actually rhetorical assertion, followed by evasions of mounting evidence against these assertions. The vision of the anointed is seen not merely as a failure but as a fatal danger to the values and the future of American society.

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Quotes

  • “An important and incisive book.”

    - New York Times Book Review

  • “As compelling an explanation as any for the seemingly disproportionate amount of condescension and politically correct invective that emanates from the liberal side of the political spectrum toward the conservative opposition.”

    - Wall Street Journal 

  • “Sowell, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, offers some strenuous arguments.”

    - Publishers Weekly

  • “Avid conservatives, for whom Sowell is a true-blue intellectual force, will certainly seize upon his analysis for succor.”

    - Booklist

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A conservative, thought-provoking commentary on liberalism. It brings to mind the quote by Winston Churchill, "Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has not heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains." "

    - Heather, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It's hard to put into words how powerful and compelling this book is. It is simply outstanding. If I had the choice between reading Thomas Sowell or an all-expenses-paid Harvard education, I would choose reading Dr Sowell. "

    - Richard, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An interesting look at liberal and, to a lesser extent, neo-conservative ideology. He provides some sound responses to faulty statistics and arguments. However, I'm a bit skeptical about his psychologizing and parts of what he calls the tragic viewpoint. "

    - Jonathan, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The subtitle of this book is awesome. It implies that liberals, progressives and socialists are motivated by ego, not by compassion for the poor. For liberals, self-respect depends primarily on their political philosophy. They see themselves as a moral elite, surrounded by ignoramuses. They will resist any evidence that their methods for helping the poor do more harm than good, because to accept the truth will have the consequence of loss of self-respect. This is an argument for basing ones self-respect on something deeper than politics. The way one treats other human beings in ones personal life, and intellectual integrity, sound like good candidates to me. "

    - Michael, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I only wish that I had half of Dr. Sowell's perceptiveness and ability to craft his thoughts into words. "

    - Don, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Highly recommend all Sowell books. "

    - Nedland, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I love people who think in straight lines. "

    - Douglas, 12/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It's so true - we must get rid of the politicians "

    - Tim, 11/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Amazing and insightful. Greatly recommended. "

    - cristina, 11/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a groundbreaking book that I didn't seem to pick up on since I read this when I was too young. "

    - James, 11/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Every book I've read by Tom Sowell is pure gold to me. This was no different. "

    - Steve, 11/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is the book I would recommend every American to read immediately!!! "

    - Merianne, 9/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Self Congratulation as a basis for social policy. Thought provoking. "

    - Bobby, 2/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A very well-written critique of the methods used by modern media and universities to shape thought in the country. Thomas Sowell uses thorough research to back up his points which can be a bit much if all you want is a light read on media bias. Look elsewhere if that is what you want. "

    - Ryan, 2/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Audiobook - This book is definitely in the category of "continued" education. The view from the right, it has a lot of interesting information about changes to the legal system, some good some not. "

    - Bebe, 9/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Well thought-out critique of liberal economic and social policies. "

    - David, 7/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Politics & Christian Commonwealth "

    - Lisa, 3/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Thomas Sowell is now officially my favorite author. A must read for anyone who is seeking to understand the psychology of the left. "

    - Gary, 10/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I would say that this book changed the way I viewed the world, but that might be a little misleading. I was already looking at the landscape, Sowell just pointed out more of the details. Books like this should be required reading. "

    - Brady, 9/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Damning thesis of the "liberal" agenda! Another well articulated argument adduced with several classic examples from America's greatest living philosopher. "

    - Brendan, 9/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a groundbreaking book that I didn't seem to pick up on since I read this when I was too young. "

    - James, 4/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Highly recommend all Sowell books. "

    - Nedland, 12/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Thomas Sowell is now officially my favorite author. A must read for anyone who is seeking to understand the psychology of the left. "

    - Gary, 11/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An interesting look at liberal and, to a lesser extent, neo-conservative ideology. He provides some sound responses to faulty statistics and arguments. However, I'm a bit skeptical about his psychologizing and parts of what he calls the tragic viewpoint. "

    - Jonathan, 10/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I would say that this book changed the way I viewed the world, but that might be a little misleading. I was already looking at the landscape, Sowell just pointed out more of the details. Books like this should be required reading. "

    - Brady, 7/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Every book I've read by Tom Sowell is pure gold to me. This was no different. "

    - Steve, 4/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A smart man said me, "Figures lie, and liars figure." This book is an illustration of the bending of statistics to influence public policy. It makes it clear--all the more--how important it is to be truly informed. "

    - Rachel, 1/21/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Deeply flawed argumentation, as conservatives have all the same problems when it comes to how they treat the opposition as liberals do. His philosophy is Stoic and pagan; troubling that so many Christians buy into it so deeply. "

    - W., 11/3/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book! Everyone should read it. "

    - Aaron, 5/11/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Thoughtful critique of the way in which much of social policy is formed and implemented. My favorite part was the analysis of commonly cited statistics which are used to justify certain questionable policies. Challenges many assumptions. This was the Freakonomics of the nineties--but better. "

    - A.K., 2/12/2009

About the Author

Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is the author of dozens of books and the recipient of various awards, including the National Humanities Medal, presented by the president of the United States in 2003.

About the Narrator

Tom Weiner, a dialogue director and voice artist best known for his roles in video games and television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Transformers, is the winner of eight Earphones Awards and Audie Award finalist. He is a former member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.