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The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy Audiobook
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(4.02) - 658 listener ratings
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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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"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 (5 out of 5 stars)
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“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
The Vision of the Anointed Listener Reviews
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Clarence J Johnson, 6/10/2021
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John Hembling, 10/9/2020
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" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" I only wish that I had half of Dr. Sowell's perceptiveness and ability to craft his thoughts into words. "
— Don, 2/7/2014 -
" Highly recommend all Sowell books. "
— Nedland, 1/5/2014 -
" I love people who think in straight lines. "
— Douglas, 12/12/2013 -
" It's so true - we must get rid of the politicians "
— Tim, 11/30/2013 -
" Amazing and insightful. Greatly recommended. "
— cristina, 11/19/2013 -
" 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 -
" Every book I've read by Tom Sowell is pure gold to me. This was no different. "
— Steve, 11/9/2013 -
" This is the book I would recommend every American to read immediately!!! "
— Merianne, 9/16/2013 -
" Self Congratulation as a basis for social policy. Thought provoking. "
— Bobby, 2/8/2013 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" Well thought-out critique of liberal economic and social policies. "
— David, 7/15/2012 -
" Politics & Christian Commonwealth "
— Lisa, 3/13/2012 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" Highly recommend all Sowell books. "
— Nedland, 12/11/2010 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" Every book I've read by Tom Sowell is pure gold to me. This was no different. "
— Steve, 4/26/2010 -
" A smart man said me, "Figures lie, and liars figure." <br/> <br/>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 -
" Deeply flawed argumentation, as conservatives have all the same problems when it comes to how they treat the opposition as liberals do. <br/>His philosophy is Stoic and pagan; troubling that so many Christians buy into it so deeply. "
— W., 11/3/2009 -
" Great book! Everyone should read it. "
— Aaron, 5/11/2009 -
" 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 Thomas Sowell
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 Tom Weiner
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 is an Audie Award finalist. He is a former member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.