Comments (32)

Empire of Illusion

the End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle
Community comments are the opinions of contributing users. These comments do not represent the opinions of Strathcona County Library.
What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 32 items
Apr 03, 2023dirtbag rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A good read that is slightly dated now. His predictions are right on the money. After finishing the book I would say the guy is absolutely prophetic.
May 27, 2017abcDena rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I will read more by Chris Hedges.
Oct 10, 2015rswcove rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Once upon a time, I would have given this book a rating that was much higher. I found the book to be insightful and compelling and quote jarring in its ability to cut through to the beating heart of our cultural problems. I have since read…
Oct 03, 2015StarGladiator rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The commenter below, shawnrichardlindsay, is sooo completely off the mark. Hedges is simply hardhitting and scathingly on target. The last time I heard Mr. Hedges in public was at a Town Hall-type stop on his book tour, and the limousine…
Aug 18, 2015mclarjh rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Highly biased, but still persuasive.
Apr 25, 2015shawnrichardlindsay rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Hedges is so completely lacking in self-awareness, sophistication, and respect for his readers' intelligence, one can't help but wonder whether he means to demonstrate his thesis rather than essay it. The Empire of Illusion is to cultural…
Mar 06, 2015Avantel rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Empire of Illusion is a book that most people in our nation (and much of the world) will hate indeed because the entertainment media has become their religion. It’s a religion that author Chris Hedges lashes out mercilessly to the point of…
LRS1969
Feb 03, 2015LRS1969 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
What Mr_Pear said!
Jan 26, 2014stewstealth rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
This book is Mr. Hedges polemic against American Society. Though eloquently written with many varied topics, unfortunately it is backed up with little fact. There are too many times where the author uses quotes to justify his opinion but…
Jan 05, 2014richibi rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
the sky is falling, and we've let it happen, shame on us, in a final chapter Hedges argues, utterly convincingly, that our only salvation, though it might sound corny, is indeed love, what could you recommend better, or even else
Dec 18, 2013
This book is nakedly honest and poweful. Must read.
Oct 15, 2013openstrings rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A must read! A little over-the -top at times but having been educated in the US , I can say that there is a lot of truth in the illusions that exist in the US. Points out the hypocracy in our democracy and our multi-media society!
May 30, 2013Mr_Pear rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
"Scathing" does not even begin to describe this book. "Biting, blistering, and exorbitantly critical" would be a better start. Chris Hedges is what I think a citizen should be: dedicated to the idea of the common good without being blind…
May 14, 2013kabra007 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Empire of illusion gives you an insight of what drives spectacle, specifically in the United States, and the ties it has to corporate greed. It is a good, enjoyable and informative book.
Feb 28, 2013erinsnest rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Started (again) March 25, 2013 this is so very interesting!.......March 27, jaw dropping. March 31, only 25 pages to go. This book is an eye opener. It'll make you think about things in a whole new light. The descriptions of the porn…
Oct 20, 2012anthonybencivengo rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Thought-provoking, disturbing, and written with the relentless build of a horror film, this is a book that will affect you deeply. However, it does have a tendency towards alarmisim and presents a vastly oversimplified look at American…
q22
Jul 16, 2012q22 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Comprised of 5 chapters that easily stand alone, two of them - the illusions of the education system and the concluding chapter, illusions of a future for America - made up for the 3 chapters of obvious american nonsense - the illusions of…
Mar 03, 2012
The author was interviewed about this book on the CBC Radio program "Ideas" on March 2, 2012. A podcast may be listened to by going to: cbc.ca/ideas and follow the links.
understandinglife
Jan 30, 2012understandinglife rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Hedges delivers a necessary and timely critique of American culture. It is definitely an eyeopening read which forces you to question your reality as an American living in a time of great corporate control and influence. Although the book…
Nov 12, 2011mexicanadiense rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Something of a disjointed rant. Which is not to say that Mr Hedges isn't completely correct at times, but the overwhelming tone of alarmism and contempt for mainstream cultures' trends for the past 20, 30 years or more is nothing new. …
Sep 30, 2011bloggermusicman rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Hedges is a powerful and lucid writer, but most importantly he's a great teacher. When you're done finishing this book, what you'll take out it is not a marked increase in your knowledge of world affairs, but a sobering enrichment of your…
Aug 04, 2011iorfanides rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding....very thought provoking on what is wrong with our culture today.
May 04, 2011kpjorgen rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A very relevant and chilling read.
Dec 23, 2010ECSander rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Very articulate and far-reaching critique of modern American and North American popular myths as manifested in mass culture, academia and politics.
Dec 11, 201021288004246712 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Bit of a left wing rant, but with Palin's Tea Party on the rise there is growing reason to heed his warnings