Prof. Anthony Esolen is an English professor at Providence College who wrote a good survey undermining the childish politically correct nonsense re Western Civilization. The book titled THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT GUIDE TO WESTERN CIVILIZATION (PIGWC) is a good book for the unitiated as well as for those who are seasoned readers of what constitutes Western Civilization.
When this reviewer first received this book, he thought that was little to learn for those who have studied European History. This book was a pleasant surprise and informative even for those learned in European studies.
Prof. Esolen began this book with a good introduction to the history, political systems, and literature/philosophy of the Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans. Esolen gave a good explanation of the politcal loyalties of the Greek Polis, especially Athens and Sparta, and the Roman Republic. He gave a much needed explanation of the conflict between the Ancient Greeks and the Persians during the Persian Wars (490-479 BC). Esolen intelligently explains the reasons for the Greeks loyaly to the Polis and the Roman loyalty to the Roman Republic and the city of Rome. There is a further explanation for the demise of the Greeks especially the Peloponnesian War (c. 431-404 BC.). There is a good explanation for the disintegration of the Roman Empire. Esolen explains that the Romans, who could be harsh and severe, were also tolerant of the different peoples whom they ruled. For example, those from North Africa, Western Asia, Greece, Gaul or France, the British Isles, etc. could be Roman citizens regardless of their origin of birth and geography.
Esolen excelled in this book in describing Ancient Greek and Roman literature and philosophy. Esolen's description of Ancient Greek drama is profound, and even those who are well read in Ancient Greek drama would learn from this book. Esolen's explanations show knowledge and careful thought. His explanations of Ancient Greek philosophy also demonstrate Esolen's knowledge and ability to convey ideas and serious thought. This part of the book was surprisinly good.
Esolen also gave readers a complex but clear summary of monotheism. He gave a detailed explanation of Judaism and Chrisianity which was informative and undermined the politically correct childish views. Esolen, who honestly admitted he is a devout Catholic, was surprisingly honest in writing clear explanations of both of these monotheisitic religions. He compared and contrasted the early Church Fathers with the then emerging Judaism. Anyone who has an interest in biblical studies and history would learn from this part of the book.
Esolen then ventured into the studies of the Middle Ages. His list of Catholic achievements and contributions are unanswerable. Esolen cited examples of the Medieval monks, the Medieval frairs, etc. He explained the livliness of Medieval universities and Scholastism. Those who think the Catholic Church tried to hinder learning would learn so much to the contrary. Esolen spent pages in explaining the thinking of St. Thomas Aquinas (1224-1275)and compared his thinking with other Scholastics. Esolen, while giving the Franciscan Father Roger Bacon (1214-1294)proper credit, was clear that experimental science and the scientific method predated Father Bacon by centuries by other monks and frairs.
Esolen exposed the European Renaissance for what it was and what it was not. Esolen did not condemn the Renaissance per se, but he was also clear that Renaissance political developments were at times dangerous to the Catholic Church and those who little or no political power or wealth. Esolen explained that the drive for contralization of political power among Renaissance crowned heads often threatend the buffer the Catholic Church authorities provided for the powerless and those who were victimized by such political concentrations. On the other hand, Esolen wrote vivid descriptions of Renaissance literature and political philosophy. His treatment of Dante's (1265-1321)THE DIVINE COMEDY is simply brilliant.
Esolen's study of early Modern European History and the "Enlightenment" is thought provoking. He explained that the Age of Scholasticism was the the actual Age of Reason as opposed to the Enlightenment. Readers may disagree, but Esolen presents a good argument to support his thesis. Esolen showed the internal contradictions of Enlightenment philosophers' thinking. He also showed that the Age of Enlightenment Despots was one of continous war especially the tragic Thirty Years War (1618-1648).
Esolen had little sympathy with 19th. century political thought and philosophy. He excorated Marxism in this book and showed that the actual political events under Marxist banners who lethal disasters and tragedies. He showed that Darwin's work(1809-1882) was corrputed by those who favored eugenics and racist power. Yet, while Esolen was critical of Nietzche (1844-1900), Esolen stated that Nietzche was at least "an honest atheist."
Esolen undermined the politcally correct nonsense that has had a free ride until recently. The insane effort to drive the Great Books and ideas from higher (hire?) education has finally met resistence, and this book is a good antidote. There are some criticisms of this book. At times Esolen preached too much. He oversimplified his explation of recent history. This reviewer thinks Esolen could have enhanced this book with discussions of Classical Music beginning with Gregorian Chant. The Classical Music of Western Europe is a major contribution.
However, these criticisms are overcome by Esolen's well written explanations of the literature and philosophy of Europe. The book is clearly written and informative. Readers would also benefit from reading Prof. Thomas Woods' HOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILT WESTERN CIVILIZATION and Father Duffy's well written book titled QUEEN OF THE SCIENCES. This book was recently published in 2008 and is part of the Politically Incorrect Series of Regnery Publishing, Inc. This reviewer is critical of some of the other books in this series, but this reviewer highly recommends THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT GUIDE TO WESTERN CIVILIZATION.
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Mark Anderson
A Refreshing Antidote To The Warped and Distorted Anti-Western Views Which Predominate Modern Academia, Media and Politics
Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2015
