The Ministry of Truth

The Biography of George Orwell's 1984

De: Dorian Lynskey

Narrado por: Andrew Wincott

"Rich and compelling. . .Lynskey’s account of the reach of 1984 is revelatory.” --George Packer, The Atlantic

An authoritative, wide-ranging, and incredibly timely history of 1984 - its literary sources, its composition by Orwell, its deep and lasting effect on the Cold War, and its vast influence throughout world culture at every level, from high to pop.

1984 isn't just a novel; it's a key to understanding the modern world. George Orwell's final work is a treasure chest of ideas and memes - Big Brother, the Thought Police, Doublethink, Newspeak, 2+2=5 - that gain potency with every year. Particularly in 2016, when the election of Donald Trump made it a best seller ("Ministry of Alternative Facts", anyone?). Its influence has morphed endlessly into novels (The Handmaid's Tale), films (Brazil), television shows (V for Vendetta), rock albums (Diamond Dogs), commercials (Apple), even reality TV (Big Brother).

The Ministry of Truth is the first book that fully examines the epochal and cultural event that is 1984 in all its aspects: its roots in the utopian and dystopian literature that preceded it; the personal experiences in wartime Great Britain that Orwell drew on as he struggled to finish his masterpiece in his dying days; and the political and cultural phenomena that the novel ignited at once upon publication and that far from subsiding, have only grown over the decades. It explains how fiction history informs fiction and how fiction explains history.

©2019 Dorian Lynskey (P)2019 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Perhaps the best book of its kind that I've ever read. The portrait it provides of Orwell is sharp, nuanced, and moving, and its capsule histories of the major and minor planets in orbit around 1984 are surprising and deeply informative. Above all, it's just flat out fun to read. With The Ministry of Truth, Dorian Lynskey has done anyone who loves literature a great service." (Tom Bissell, author of Apostle and co-author of The Disaster Artist)

“Gaslighting, doublespeak, the horror of a crowd of human ‘gramophones...playing the same tune’ at frenzied rallies where mob and demagogue crescendo together in an orgasm of hate: Orwell saw our future and sent us a time capsule to be opened in case of emergency. That moment is now. Briskly written and brilliantly argued, The Ministry of Truth delves deep into the cultural impact - and terrifying relevance - of a book that, 70 years on, still delivers the jolt of a torturer’s electrodes.” (Mark Dery, author of Born to be Posthumous: The Eccentric Life and Mysterious Genius of Edward Gorey)

"A deeply researched and highly readable intellectual history, providing a wealth of information and anecdotes about Orwell's life and work. Lynskey skillfully weaves together literary and political histories to create a rich tapestry, full of context, color and insight into one of the most important books of the last century - and thus far, this century as well. The Ministry of Truth is an illuminating and entertaining companion to 1984, a novel whose relevance and necessity are more evident than ever, at a time when the very concept of objective reality is under attack.” (Charles Yu, author of How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe)

Definitely will listen again!

Dorian Lynskey has written a phenomenal biography of the book 1984 and Orwell's life , work, and the influences that affected his thinking and creation. It is interesting the life the book has had since the publication and Orwell's death and the arguments it continues. This book is certainly one that I will listen to again and revisit some of the other books and authors discussed.

Strong Analysis of Orwell

This book is definitely worth reading as its analysis of the sources and thinking behind 1984, as well as the book’s influence on and relevance to our world today, is illuminating and thought-provoking.

However, the reader’s rendition of the book is less than optimal, for he reads it with an annoying “conspiratorial” voice that quickly becomes tiresome.

Required Reading

This is an intelligent look at the history of dystopian literature using "1984" as an anchor. It traces the history of such literature with attention to the writers. Part Two presents the effects of " 1984" after the death of George Orwell. It refrains from hysterical interpretations but serves as a warning to not let this happen.

As timely now as when it was written

The book keeps your attention from start to end, educating and warning about the dangers of complacency, of trading freedom for security. Excellent analysis with historic context and biographical details of, as writer frames it, of the book and also its author.

The best possible book on this topic

George Orwell has always been my favorite author in the English language, so this timely exposition of his biography connected to the writing of 1984 was wonderful. It was appropriate it was narrated by a British-speaking person. The book was interesting on three levels: general biography of Orwell. The circumstances surrounding his writing of the book. Observations over time about the book and it’s impact on modern political thought.

Exceptional book full of insights

Truly a great biography of the book and all those who followed in Orwells footsteps, including the arch villains of our own time. What does it mean to be “Orwellian”? This book touches on ever aspect of the meaning.
The narrator was mesmerizing.

The amount of work that went into the book by the author.

Got Trump wrong. Anti-VAXers!?😂 I’m working right now with a shovel and don’t have time to write a complete review. However, I did appreciate the book very much. It was a little ridiculous though and completely oxymoronic that Dorian would say what he said about the year 2020.

Really an awesome book

I've always argued since reading 1984 in the 60's in high school that you can't understand politics - and especially American politics today - unless you've read 1984. This book makes that so clear, and is such a fascinating and easy book to listen too - I highly recommend it!

Important to understanding 1984

Very interesting and well presented.

Goes around the clichés which have grown up like barnacles on the book.

Highly interesting book

A very interesting read that focuses on the more interesting aspects of Orwell’s political thought and world but be prepared for the author’s frequently shared, liberal anti-communist bias.