Radicals

Portraits of a Destructive Passion

By: David Horowitz

Narrated by: John McLain

Radical liberals want to make America a better place, but their utopian social engineering leads, ironically, to greater human suffering.

From Karl Marx to Barack Obama, Horowitz shows how the idealistic impulse to make the world a better place gives birth to the twin cultural pathologies of cynicism and nihilism and is the chief source of human suffering. A former liberal himself, Horowitz recounts his own brushes with radicalism and offers unparalleled insight into the disjointed ideology of liberal elites through case studies of well-known radial leftists, including Christopher Hitchens, feminist Bettina Aptheker, leftist academic Cornel West, and others.

Exploring the origin and evolution of radical liberals and their progressive ideology, Radicals illustrates how liberalism is not only intellectually crippling for its adherents but devastating to society.

David Horowitz is one of America’s most original and iconoclastic political commentators. He is the best-selling coauthor of The Rockefellers and The Kennedys and the president of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture. He lives in Los Angeles.

©2012 David Horowitz (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"David Horowitz is one of America’s most important and interesting thinkers." (Bernard Goldberg, best-selling author)

slightly older book but so relevent for today

For me the book jumped out at me toward the end when he was talking about Saul Alinsky. Suddenly it all made sense! Like a light bulb went off in my head! It is hard for me to figure out why so many democrats seem to be bent on America's destruction. Why would they do that? Well if they are Alinsky worshipers that is what he said to do. Lie. Cheat. Steal...no matter. It is for remaking America. So glad I got this book for understanding what is happening now.

Very clear analysis

It's difficult to navigate the often murky waters of causes and motivations of political radicals, especially nowadays in the 21st century. Horowitz succeeds not only in analysing roots and causes, but also to share this analysis in a way that is easy enough to follow. Each chapter focusses on a different person from recent American history, whose particular brand of political activism is used to illustrate the points in the author's analysis of political radicalism.

It's narrated very clearly, easy to listen to.

This was my first book by this author, I'll definitely try another one.

Sobering

I always thought Cornell West was a clown, but I didn't realize what a douche he is too!
I love David Horowitz's work because he shoots from the hip without being subjective. He uses fact instead of theory which is something never seen in the leftist world.

Biographical studies of narcissism wrapped in political grandiosity and religious fervor.

Using the political and personal lives of a group of intellectually dishonest radicals known to the author: the author reveals what drives these tormented, self-righteous activists in their never-ending search for personal fulfillment and religious experience no matter what the ultimate cost in human lives and human misery will come from their utopian schemes.

fantastic

Horowitz just goes for the jugular. impressive, engaging, this was worth my time. detailed, yet looking at the bigger picture.

Timeless analysis about where the modern world went crazy

Horowitz exposes the roots of our cultural insanity, and he regrets that helped start it all.

Radically Insightful!

While this book started off a bit slow, once you get past the first or second chapter you won't be able to put it down.

Absolutely loved the Cornel West chapter. But more than that Horowitz did a fantastic job of threading the needle between marxism and collegiate black studies, feminist studies and American studies courses.

In fact, the only reason I didn't give it an all around five is because of the slow beginning. But outside of that Radicals: Portraits of a Destructive Passion is a real winner!

TOPICAL

When I started this book I was unsure who some of these folks were or why I should be interested. As I neared the middle however I was amazed at how the themes adopted by 60s radicals were so similar to today’s political rhetoric. The 50 years between the cicil rights act and now apparently accomplished nothing of note. Not exactly true, but to hear people talk today you would think it was. The folks in this book are the grandmas and grandpas of Antofagasta and BLM.

Excellent insight into idiocy!

Exposes the conspiracy of the radical liberals/progressives to undermine our country by any means necessary. They stoke hate through racism, hatred and violence with little regard for right or wrong. Amazing to realize the close ties between Obama and these self admitted radicals and communist sympathizers. Should be mandatory reading for all who vote for liberals in this country!

Review of Radicals

Loved the book. David is awesome. Good back story on our current situation too.