The All New Don't Think of an Elephant!

Know Your Values and Frame the Debate

By: George Lakoff

Narrated by: Chris Sorenson

Since it became an international best-seller in 2004, Don't Think of an Elephant! has been the definitive handbook for progressives who want to articulate their goals and values to voters, understand how conservatives think and why people often vote against their best interests, and frame the political debate. Completely revised and updated to tackle today’s issues, the 10th-anniversary edition not only explains what framing is and how it works but also reveals why, after a brief stint of winning the framing wars in the 2008 elections, the Democrats have gone back to losing them, and what can be done about it. In this powerful new volume, George Lakoff delves into the issues that will dominate the midterm elections in 2014, the coming presidential elections, and beyond. He examines the current progressive and conservative frames on climate change, inequality, immigration, education, abortion, marriage, healthcare, national security, energy, and more. He explores why some issues have been difficult to frame, guides listeners on how to frame complex issues without losing important context, and drives home the important differences between framing and spin. Do you think facts alone can win a debate? Do you think you know what makes a Tea Party follower tick? Do you think you understand how to communicate on key issues that can improve peoples’ lives? Whether you answer yes or no, the insights in Don’t Think of an Elephant! will not only surprise you, but also give you the tools you need to develop frames that work, and eradicate frames that backfire.

©2014 George Lakoff (P)2014 Recorded Books

Essential guide to progressive politics

The ideas in this book are revolutionary. The narrator was less then stimulating , but the book itself more than made up for it .

Awful narrator. Excellent substance.

Listen at 1.4+ speed at least or else you'll want to stop listening before 10 minutes. I made it 3 minutes before realizing I would rather slam my head against a wall than listen to this voice actor painfully speak words as if he hates the American language. Incredible substance to this book and a must read.

Don't let the reader make you turn this off

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Listen. Get the print our kindle and flip back and forth if the reader bugs you, but still... Find some way to invest this book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The history. The missed opportunities. The hubris. The hope.

Must read!

Despite people's opinion about Lakoff, his ideas are very interesting and worth your time knowing! There was a line in a TV show, "You call the conservatives stupid, the liberals losers." It's hilarious and kind of true. This book tells you why it is true lol!

Exposition of conservatives' and progressives' frames

Good content, but the reader... I thought I would lose my mind listening to his mindless, dead, robotic, patronizing, mechanically sing-song delivery. He sounded like a robot programmed by a psychopath to "lecture to kindergarteners, and make it clear you think they're idiots." This book should've been read by the excellent Rob Shapiro, who read The Information, by James Gleick. I should think author George Lakoff was by very put out by the publisher's choice of reader.

I only wish it were longer.

Some great insights here - no matter where you stand on an issue, understanding the conceptual basis is crucial to resisting manipulation. As a linguistics student, I'll probably read Lakoff's other books too.

Indispensable Reading

This ia a how-to manual on how to communicate the most important American ideas and ideals.

On point... And sobering

I didn't care for the reader but the content was terrific. So interesting! I believe it will change my conversations and viewpoints going forward. I have already recommended this book to so many people. Democrats - we need to get our act together!

The book was great. The voice actor was weak.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great insight and thoughtful. Some of the points were slightly off in the "messaging" he developed in response to conservative frames. Overall, this blew my mind though.

The voice actor sounded somewhat meek and snoopy to me. I would have liked a stronger voice actor.

Overall, an amazing book. Highly recommended.

a must read for everyone who wants social change

highly recommend to anyone trying to understand and impact systemic issues in US and beyond