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America: The Farewell Tour

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America: The Farewell Tour

By: Chris Hedges
Narrated by: Fred Sanders
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About this listen

 Chris Hedges’s profound and provocative examination of America in crisis is “an exceedingly…provocative book, certain to arouse controversy, but offering a point of view that needs to be heard” (Booklist), about how bitter hopelessness and malaise have resulted in a culture of sadism and hate.

America, says Pulitzer Prize­–winning reporter Chris Hedges, is convulsed by an array of pathologies that have arisen out of profound hopelessness, a bitter despair, and a civil society that has ceased to function. The opioid crisis; the retreat into gambling to cope with economic distress; the pornification of culture; the rise of magical thinking; the celebration of sadism, hate, and plagues of suicides are the physical manifestations of a society that is being ravaged by corporate pillage and a failed democracy. As our society unravels, we also face global upheaval caused by catastrophic climate change. All these ills presage a frightening reconfiguration of the nation and the planet.

Donald Trump rode this disenchantment to power. In his “forceful and direct” (Publishers Weekly) America: The Farewell Tour, Hedges argues that neither political party, now captured by corporate power, addresses the systemic problem. Until our corporate coup d’état is reversed these diseases will grow and ravage the country. “With a trademark blend of…sharply observed detail, Hedges writes a requiem for the American dream” (Kirkus Reviews) and seeks to jolt us out of our complacency while there is still time. Americas Politics & Government Social Classes & Economic Disparity Sociology United States World Socialism Thought-Provoking Liberalism Capitalism Social justice Soviet Union Magic Economic disparity Latin American
All stars
Most relevant
In the decades following Pax Americana (if indeed there are any), historians will look to the works of Noam Chomsky, Morris Berman, Christopher Lasch, Alexander Cockburn, and, of course, Chris Hedges to find out what went wrong. In short: a lot.

From modern day slavery in the US's abhorrent prison system, to the drug and suicide epidemics of the Rust Belt, Hedges takes us of a tour of America's "other side", shadowy and immense.

Trump is terrible, but as Hedges reminds us, he is a symptom of a decaying empire, not a newfound disease. Listening to the accounts of families destroyed by neoliberal economics and a trashy, sadistic culture, it is shown again and again why so many people chose *anyone other* than the business-as-usual candidate in 2016. Who, let's not forget, responded to Trump's moronic slogan by telling voters: America is already great.

What planet is Clinton on?

Ours, unfortunately. There is no shortage of delusional thinking as the old order splutters and breaks down - particularly among those dedicated to extracting the marrow.

Hedges is among those providing vital criticism, and, if American elites had any sense, they would be feverishly reading everything the man has written. They won't, but do yourself a favour and start, if you haven't already.

Oh, and the narrator was the perfect choice.

Sobering and Necessary

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In its overarching view of the cancers within the US social system it presents the solutions no American will find acceptable....the impasse will not stand the vast expense of climate chamge, notr the ever growing rage within the pressure cooker called "democracy".

A book not even Rachrl Maddow and team can present

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The second most powerful book I’ve come across. (The Prince) being the first.
Dark, subversive,and definitely disturbing. An eye opener to what is done in our name.
Never though a Marxist could teach me so much, not just about society, but about my own misguided views.
One of those you can't handle the truth types of books. One I certainly I would highly recommend to all, but the naive.
Some day, some one, will imprison this guy, his crime, revealing the truth in all it's grubby details.

The dirty side of our modern World.

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Fabulous insight to US society. A must read for budding historians or anyone who is objective about the deeds, misdeeds & decline of greedy & corrupt corporate and political leaders. Congratulations Chris Hedges and beautifully read by Fred Sanders.

Superb

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Hedges deploys a brutal combination of individual case studies and broader statistical and other data over a range of topics designed to illustrate his argument. The prose is powerful and often very difficult to handle because the case being made is very disheartening. But in the end there is a call to resistance anchored in a spiritual quest to become more fully human that is inspiring.

The narrator is excellent and I highly recommend this book.

A devastating critique of America and those who would emulate her

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