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jayrbradley's review against another edition
3.0
a missed opportunity for a more deep and academic intellectual exploration of these figures and this phenomena, struggles to find a target audience, but has some good insight here and there
dingodog's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
Truly a shame that Michael Brooks could not take his cosmopolitan socialism farther. RIP, Left is Best
liambetts's review against another edition
3.0
I recently began watching The Majority Report, ignorant of Michael Brooks and his passing. I stumbled across his book when researching the IDW for a potential essay. About two years ago I went through a period of consuming IDW content, which I attribute mainly to my search for a political identity separate/distinguished from that of the people around me (my main concern being that in discussion with friends/family, it felt like there was little substance behind their arguments). I'm well past that phase and hold little respect for the IDW at this point, but the experience was definitely beneficial for me in clarifying my own viewpoints and learning how to defend them.
I agree with pretty much everything in this book. That said, it's not really a book, it's more of an extended blog post (and it reads like one, hence the rating). Much of what it said I'd heard before. It was mainly the last chapter, where Brooks offers his own personal vision, that I found meaningful. I have a lot of respect for what Michael believed in, and I'm looking forward to watching his content post-humously.
I agree with pretty much everything in this book. That said, it's not really a book, it's more of an extended blog post (and it reads like one, hence the rating). Much of what it said I'd heard before. It was mainly the last chapter, where Brooks offers his own personal vision, that I found meaningful. I have a lot of respect for what Michael believed in, and I'm looking forward to watching his content post-humously.
okcomp16's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of the fastest reads in a long time, he writes the way he talks, I learned a great deal and had a lot of fun.
Is a joy to read Michael dissections of the IDW. He's is meticulous and I particularly enjoyed the fact that he provides a historical context for the manipulative use of history in their arguments.
The Sam Harris chapter is half the book, and you can tell Michael is having extra fun with exposing Harris inconsistencies.
I especially loved the final chapter, in it, he focuses on the solution to the problems discussed here, is a wonderful ending, where he advocates for the need for an international socialist politics.
Difficult to believe is the last chapter we'll get from Michael Brooks but even so, in a way is perfect, a beautiful coda.
Is a joy to read Michael dissections of the IDW. He's is meticulous and I particularly enjoyed the fact that he provides a historical context for the manipulative use of history in their arguments.
The Sam Harris chapter is half the book, and you can tell Michael is having extra fun with exposing Harris inconsistencies.
I especially loved the final chapter, in it, he focuses on the solution to the problems discussed here, is a wonderful ending, where he advocates for the need for an international socialist politics.
Difficult to believe is the last chapter we'll get from Michael Brooks but even so, in a way is perfect, a beautiful coda.
saltypandas's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
ruthlemon08's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent, concise and insightful. Devastating that we’ll never get to hear more of his thoughts and ideas.
wjnwhitehead's review against another edition
4.0
A few problems with the last chapter, but overall a really good intro for anyone wanting a strong and solid argument against the IDW
sterlinglacroix's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent piece of writing from the late Michael Brooks. Heartbreaking this was the only published work we were able to enjoy from him. While the main push of this is to identify and outline the fraudsters and snake oil salesmen of the right-wing "Intellectual Dark Web", I believe the last chapter is the most important and impactful. This is where Brooks outlines his idea of what a socialist future looks like to him and how we can begin to work towards it.