Product Description

A beautifully-written and thought-provoking collection of essays on social, political and literary issues as diverse as the Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand controversy, violent crime on Britain's streets, the effects of the welfare state, modern architecture and the respective merits of Shakespeare and Dr. Johnson. Dalrymple uses examples from his long career as a prison doctor and his travels to every corner of the globe to illustrate his central view - that Britain is in the throes of social, cultural and political decline.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16567 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 368 pages

Customer Reviews

Our Greatest Living Essayist
Theodore Dalrymple is the most astute essayist writing in English today. His analysis of the decay of modern Western society is too subtle and complex to be labelled simply 'right wing,' too pessimistic to be palatable to the left-liberal elite, and far too important to be ignored. Dalrymple's despair at the collapse of values and standards amongst a once-proud British working-class is exceeded only by his disgust at the cowardice and evasion of the better educated classes who refuse to acknowledge there is a problem. This elite, the old 'clerisy', regard our current slow-motion catastrophe with a sophisticated smile and a refusal to face it truthfully. 'Trivial' is one of Dalrymple's favourite adjectives of condemnation, as is 'frivolous.' His latest, brilliant collection of essays is witty and incisive, but also deeply serious and committed. Read it and consider very hard where we are going.

thought provoking
This is a well written thought provoking and ultimately frightening book, a scathing critique of modern culture in Britain, and its effect upon society. A right wing "Affluenza" (Oliver James). I wish all members of government would read it, particularly the shadow cabinet.

Eloquent and thought-provoking
At times it was tough, having challenged so many of the 'liberal intelligentsia' principles, so hated by Mr Dalrymple and that I (perhaps unquestionably) hold dear, but it was always worthwhile having them examined by such thoughtful and well-reasoned argument. It took me a long time to read because every time I finished a chapter it felt like I had been sent away with my tail between my legs!