Social Critic

This is a judicious selection of H. L. Mencken's insightful and witty observations, which were written and published before 1923. Mencken popularized Nietzche in America and was not shy or hesitant in pointing out the ironies and contradictions of American life. Brilliant, controversial, and acerbic. Mencken was a thinker before his time when it came to the conflict between religion and science.

For John Freeman—literary critic, essayist, editor, poet, “one of the preeminent book people of our time” (Dave Eggers)—it is the rare moment when words are not enough. But in the wake of the election of 2016, words felt useless, even indulgent. Action was the only reasonable response. He took to the streets in protest, and the sense of community and collective conviction felt right. But the assaults continued—on citizens’ rights and long-held compacts, on the core principles of our culture and civilization, and on our language itself.

Hillary Clinton has dark secrets. These secrets she doesn't want you to know. Under the guise of social justice, equality for all, progressivism, and care for the common man, Hillary Clinton and the political regime of the Democrats have long been tricking America into believing a false rhetoric that can bring America to the brink of losing itself.

Throughout recorded history, many thinkers have noted the importance of being articulate and the power of words; you'll find a few of their comments in the book. Pete, however, goes a giant step further by connecting articulation to wealth and happiness and to the clear thinking and better decisions that thwart mediocrity. He quite correctly points out that we think in words, and we need more words to think with as the issues we need to resolve become more complex, as they do as we rise in any organization and as our close relationships mature.

Over the course of eight years, Barack Obama has amassed an array of outstanding achievements. His administration saved the American economy from collapse, expanded health insurance to millions who previously could not afford it, negotiated an historic nuclear deal with Iran, helped craft a groundbreaking international climate accord, reined in Wall Street, and crafted a new vision of racial progress.