Doubters Companion: A Dictionary of Aggressive Common Sense

by John Ralston Saul

Book Overview

A long and distinguished tradition of writers have used the form of a satirical dictionary to undermine the received ideas of their day. Voltaire wrote a sharply humorous Philosophical Dictionary,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140237070
• ISBN13: 9780140237078
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: Penguin Books Canada
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.

Customer Reviews

An abecedarium of subversion.

This should truly be compulsory reading for journalists, students, professors, and those who generally like to be informed. Those who prefer to wallow in intellectual mediocrity and ignorance may stay clear of this volume. John Ralston Saul articulates what we all know and yet refuse to believe. Illuminating and necessary.

Biting Commentary Essential to all Concerned Citizens

Saul has attempted to place the current use of language for the purpose of public discussion into historical terms. Through the unusual format of a dictionary-style argument, Saul convincingly argues that our public officials' obsession with a society conceived upon the faith of knowledge specialization and economic quantification has swerved Western Civilization (as defined by the values that emerged out of the Enlightenment) off the very basis of what has allowed our societies to develop, prosper and gain greater informational and monetary wealth. Throughout the argument, Saul points out that historically, it is not through a blinding respect for one (sometimes isolated) principle that Western societies have developed, but that it is through careful (humanist) consideration of the complex and interrelated problems that constantly confront the varying interests of society. Though sometimes appalling in its generalizations and uncited factual accounts, the book is a satirical and correct swipe at our use of language sure to affect your own analysis of daily events.

This book is a must-read!

This book is a remarkable breath of fresh air in an ever more confusing world. John Ralston Saul uses his wit, intelligence and considerable grasp of history to explain the current malaise of the Western world in terms of the patterns of thought from the ancient world to the present. However, this is not a heavy or impenetrable tome, but a clear and accesible joy to read. If I could recommend only one book to anyone seeking to understand the global economy, corporatism, taxation, ethics, competition, efficiency (and many other topics from A to Z) then it would be this one. Saul begins with the definition of a dictionary as 'opinion presented as truth in alphabetical order', but his opinions are well worth your time.

Wonderful, funny, literate and subversive.

This is a remarkable book. It isn't entirely a work of political commentary, or philosophy, or social history, or humor, but is better (funnier, more direct, more critical) than most books that attempt only one of these topics. Quite outrageous, too.

Fabulous

John Ralston Saul teaches us to DOUBT. He satirizes everything from the letter A, to the history of the croissant, to the value of sex. This book could change your life