Bertrand de Jouvenel's 'Sovereignty: An Inquiry into the Political Good' examines the nature of sovereignty and its impact on individual freedom and societal order. It critiques the modern concept of absolute sovereignty, arguing that it can lead to tyranny and the suppression of individual rights. De Jouvenel proposes an alternative vision of political authority based on the pursuit of the common good and the protection of fundamental liberties. He emphasizes the importance of moral and cultural restraints on power. The book provides a compelling analysis of the challenges of maintaining freedom and justice in the face of ever-expanding state power.
Alexis de Tocqueville's "The Old Regime and the French Revolution" offers a profound analysis of the social, political, and economic factors that led to the French Revolution. Tocqueville examines the complexities of the Ancien Régime, highlighting the deep-seated inequalities and tensions that existed within French society. He provides insightful observations on the role of the bureaucracy, the aristocracy, and the peasantry in shaping the course of the revolution. His work is notable for its nuanced understanding of the interplay between class conflict and ideological forces. Tocqueville's analysis remains relevant today, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of social change and revolution.
The book explores the concept of seven realms in the spirit world, ranging from what is akin to hell (realms 1-3) to heaven (realms 5-7). It discusses topics such as karma, rebirth, free will, and the nature of good and evil. The author, inspired by messages from her sons who died in a car accident, uses automatic writing to convey the spiritual laws and guide readers on how to lead a spiritual life on Earth and progress towards higher realms after death.
Daniel Mahoney's 'The Persistence of the Ideological Lie' investigates the enduring allure and destructive potential of totalitarian ideologies. It examines historical instances of ideological fervor, from the French Revolution to modern-day political movements. The book dissects the core tenets of ideological thinking, revealing their inherent flaws and dangerous consequences. Mahoney emphasizes the importance of recognizing and resisting these impulses to safeguard individual liberty and societal well-being. The author provides readers with a framework for understanding and countering the ever-present threat of ideological extremism, advocating for a renewed commitment to reason, moderation, and respect for human dignity.
This biography by Stacy Schiff offers a comprehensive look at Samuel Adams's life and his significant impact on American history. With masterful storytelling, Schiff delves into Adams's relentless pursuit of liberty and justice, highlighting his enduring legacy in the context of the American Revolution.
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Published in 1940, 'Darkness at Noon' is a haunting portrait of life under totalitarian rule. The novel revolves around Nicholas Rubashov, a former high-ranking official in a communist regime, who is arrested and subjected to intense interrogation and psychological manipulation. The story explores the moral crises and existential dilemmas faced by Rubashov as he grapples with the consequences of his past actions and the ideologies he once fervently believed in. The book is a powerful critique of Stalinist totalitarianism and the corrosive effects of political corruption, making it a seminal work of 20th-century literature[2][3][5].
The Gulag Archipelago is a three-volume series written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, exploring the Soviet labour camp system through a mix of historical narrative, personal accounts, and literary investigation. The book traces the history of the Gulag from Vladimir Lenin's decrees to the era of Nikita Khrushchev, detailing the arrest, conviction, transport, and imprisonment of prisoners. It includes Solzhenitsyn's own experiences as a Gulag prisoner and accounts from other inmates, highlighting the brutal conditions, forced labor, and the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners. The work is a testament to the human spirit's struggle against evil and serves as a comprehensive critique of the Soviet regime's use of terror against its population[2][5][3].
In his essay, “How the Great Truth Dawned,” Professor Gary Saul Morson muses, “Why is it, Solzhenitsyn asks, that Macbeth, Iago, and other Shakespearean evildoers stopped short at a dozen corpses, while Lenin and Stalin did in millions? The answer is that Macbeth and Iago ‘had no ideology.’” Notwithstanding its rabid inhumanity, Professor Daniel Mahoney asserts, ideology always makes a brutal comeback. Join me and Daniel Mahoney as we explore his chilling and informative new book The Persistence of the Ideological Lie: The Totalitarian Impulse Then & Now on the Evangelization & Culture Podcast.
Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the Evangelization & Culture Podcast biweekly on WordOnFire.org, on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can get more content like this in the quarterly print journal of the Word on Fire Institute, Evangelization & Culture.
Evangelization & Culture Podcast 
