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meganmilks's review
3.0
are you a barbarian, a philistine, or just part of the populace? read this book and find out.
msgtdameron's review
5.0
I'm extremely glad that my youngest recommended this series of essays to me. For those of us who believe in thought instead of blind obedience to a ruling elite this is a must read. Arnolds "Culture and Anarchy" has as many lessons for the reader of 2017 as it had for the reader in 1860's. Arnold cuts society into three classes. Barbarians, the ruling elite, Philistines, the middle class trying to ape the elite, and the masses. Arnold further divides these classes into Hebraists and Hellenistic. Hebraists follow the teachings of Bible blindly with out thought and Hellenistic's follow the sprit of the Bible looking for what Arnold calls "Sweetness and Light". For those of us who think, the vast majority of this country today, the hunt for "Sweetness and light" has become harder, especially since November. Arnold shows us that this hunt, the pursuit of what is right and good for all has always been hard. That the hunt for "Sweetness and Light" is also worth the hunt because it is only through our continued attack on the Philistines and the Barbarians that we can make a country where ALL people are treated equally. The fight was old in the 1860's and is older today but it continues. Arnold gives us succor and courage to continue the battle against the Hebrans, to continue to encourage thought.
catherineofalx's review against another edition
3.0
As it turns out I can tolerate reading about Greek philosophy when it's dressed up in snarky Englishness. Also, this is exactly the kind of book (and society) from which soccer would be born and I'm really excited about it.
ellanarose's review against another edition
3.0
The phrase "of its time" springs to mind.
He does go into quite a bit of detail about the laws regarding marrying a dead wife's sister. A little too much detail.
I found it interesting that, in the preface, Arnold suggests that America is so smart because it has shaken off the shackles of religion.
He does go into quite a bit of detail about the laws regarding marrying a dead wife's sister. A little too much detail.
I found it interesting that, in the preface, Arnold suggests that America is so smart because it has shaken off the shackles of religion.
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