Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free

By Charles P. Pierce

Book Overview

NATIONAL BESTSELLER The three Great Premises of Idiot America: - Any theory is valid if it sells books, soaks up ratings, or otherwise moves units - Anything can be true if someone says it loudly enough - Fact is that which enough people believe. Truth is determined by how fervently they believe it With his trademark wit and insight, veteran journalist Charles Pierce delivers a gut-wrenching, side-splitting lament about the glorification of ignorance in the United States. Pierce asks how a country founded on intellectual curiosity has somehow deteriorated into a nation of simpletons more apt to vote for an American Idol contestant than a presidential candidate. But his thunderous denunciation is also a secret call to action, as he hopes that somehow, being intelligent will stop being a stigma, and that pinheads will once again be pitied, not celebrated. Erudite and razor-sharp, Idiot America is at once an invigorating history lesson, a cutting cultural critique, and a bullish appeal to our smarter selves.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767926153
• ISBN13: 9780767926157
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Anchor Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Terrible Book

It makes no sense. The Author cites examples of idiocy that are simply his opinion of idiocy which most people would simply say is an example of just another persons opinion. So to accept his opinion is to deny another person's ability to express his opinion. In the land of the "free", we accept that all people are entitled to their opinion whether we agree or not with that opinion. To call a person an "idiot" because you don't like his opinion is to deny him that right and hence restrict his freedom. I found nothing at all "funny" about the book.

Titled incorrectly, not informative, very needlessly complicated

Loved the title and hoped for some useful and interesting information, but didn't find any. Lots of history, but too much barely uninteresting, long-winded verbiage that doesn't relate well to the title. Also, too much name-calling. Very opinionated without supporting facts.