The time: 2000 to 2005, the years of neoconservatism, terrorism, the twenty-four-hour news cycle, the ascension of Bush, Blair, and Berlusconi, and...
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reviews
Feb 18, 2010
Kate
rated it: 
Umberto Eco likes to think of himself as disagreeable. Being described as such, he says, “fills me with pride and virtuous satisfaction”. To this end, he exhorts readers to, amongst other things, insult the dead, ritually sacrifice presidents, choose their own judge, and boycott products sold on state-owned television channels. None of which, it could possibly be argued, is entirely unreasonable or disagreeable.
What is disagreeable – more irritating, really – is Eco’s tone. Supercilious, pond More...
What is disagreeable – more irritating, really – is Eco’s tone. Supercilious, pond More...
Dec 10, 2008
Robert
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Umberto Eco’s new collection of essays, entitled “Turning back the clock: hot wars and media populism,” is a mixed bag. Some of the essays are so specific to particular moments in Italian politics that they are hard for Americans to understand. Some are fun and amusing but aren’t of much lasting interest. Some, however, are masterpieces of the genre.
One of the best essays is called “The wolf and the lamb: The rhetoric of oppression.” The centerpiece of the essay is the fable of the wol More...
One of the best essays is called “The wolf and the lamb: The rhetoric of oppression.” The centerpiece of the essay is the fable of the wol More...
Oct 22, 2011
Lisa
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Umberto Eco wrote many of these essays in the aftermath of 9/11 and comments on the ridiculous state of the world's political situation. "What led us into this age of hot was and media populism, and how was it sold to us as progress? Eco discusses such topics as racism, mythology, the European Union, rhetoric, The Middle East, technology, September 11, medieval Latin, television ads, globalization, Harry Potter, anti-Semitism, logic, the Tower of Babel, intelligent design, Italian street
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Jan 30, 2011
Tancredi
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"Uno degli aspetti positivi della felix culpa è che, se Adamo non peccava, non avrebbe dovuto guadagnarsi il pane col sudore della fronte, e a gingillarsi tutto il giorno nell'Eden sarebbe rimasto uno zuzzurellone. Dal che emerge la provvidenzialità del Serpente."
Personalmente, detesto l'Umbero Eco autore di romanzi - Il nome della rosa? Un noioso ed inutile sfoggio di erudizione - mentre amo e venero l'Umberto Eco saggista ed opinionista. Ho amato tutte le sue "Bustine" sull
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Jan 29, 2012
dario
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El libro, dado el tiempo transcurrido, se debate entre parecer maniqueista (el paso del tiempo no le juega a favor) o merecer otra suerte (Existe?). Me explico: en varios escritos, se necesita -a rabiar- o ser italiano o vivir el día a día de la sociedad italiana o cuanto más no sea, ser un admirador de la política y liturgias propias de aquel país. Si desconocés éste o aquel apellido, aquella región lombarda, aquella canzonetta o aquella carta de Fátima, wikipedia will do the rest!. Deberás inv
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Jul 08, 2011
Mina
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All I had read of Eco before this essays were his novels, that even though they're really great, they don't really read easily. His essays seem much more vital to me, more true to narrative probably because so many of them are anecdotal -all of them, perhaps? If you understand his conclusions and predictions and vagaries as a result of his experience, which they are.
His views on politics are terrifyingly close to home for me -I had never thought my country would have so many points o More...
His views on politics are terrifyingly close to home for me -I had never thought my country would have so many points o More...
Oct 28, 2008
Robertisenberg
rated it:
For years, Umberto Eco has always shown up at the right time to signal a new era in my life. "The Name of the Rose" propelled me from weaselly sci-fi dork to aspiring culturatus. "How to Travel With a Salmon" inducted me into the world of humor. "Travels in Hyperreality" transformed my vision of "truth" and "authenticity" just as I entered my most happily skeptical period. "Foucault's Pendulum" mirrored my actual social life in so many
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Aug 09, 2008
Cindy
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This book is better than others. Here is an excerpt from (the lighter side of) Eco:
Recently a pensive disciple of mine (a certain Criton) asked me: "Master, how can we best approach death?" I replied that the only way to prepare for death is to convince yourself that everyone else is a complete idiot.
Seeing Criton's amazement, I explained. You see, I told him, how can you approach death, even if you are a believer, if you think that, as you lie dying, desirabl More...
Recently a pensive disciple of mine (a certain Criton) asked me: "Master, how can we best approach death?" I replied that the only way to prepare for death is to convince yourself that everyone else is a complete idiot.
Seeing Criton's amazement, I explained. You see, I told him, how can you approach death, even if you are a believer, if you think that, as you lie dying, desirabl More...
Feb 01, 2010
Cdan
rated it:
if you want to read some good essays, and if you want to read something new and cool by Eco, don't read this. try Baudolino. this collection is rather simplistic and very boring (italian internal politics, Berlusconi, social bla bla.However, it contains an absolutely impecable text, memorable indeed: "On the shoulders of giants". It's about the way we use today the notion of relativism. brilliant.
May 24, 2008
Raf
rated it:
It's a collection of essays from Eco, only part of which is about hot wars or media populism (my bad definition - the need of media companies to increase revenues, combined with the use of the media by political powers, leading to lowest common denominator media, which works against the very people they loudly claim to represent and serve). A lot of reflection by a guy who is into history, philosophy, and pop culture. It is witty and dry, and a bunch of it went over my head, but I liked it, an
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Dec 30, 2008
Maureen
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I tend to think that I am a fairly intelligent, well-read person until I pick up any book by Umberto Eco. In this collection of essays from 2000 to 2005, many of which were originally newspaper columns, Eco explores four main themes through his philosophical lens: terrorism, politics (both Italian and international), the media and religion. Too bad that we don't have a U.S. equivalent warning us that "words are stones," or that when someone begins with a concession, " the sting
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Nov 23, 2011
Roberta
rated it:
Si tratta di una raccolta di saggi - scritti tra il 2000 e il 2005 - di vario genere, che spaziano dal populismo mediatico di Berlusconi alla guerra.
A parte in qualche saggio eccessivamente specialistico, il tono erudito ma ironico di Eco si fa apprezzare notevolmente e trasmette alcune riflessioni molto interessanti.
A parte in qualche saggio eccessivamente specialistico, il tono erudito ma ironico di Eco si fa apprezzare notevolmente e trasmette alcune riflessioni molto interessanti.
Sep 10, 2010
Phil
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A collection of essays by one of my favorite writer-philosophers about the modern age. He jumps from the Crusades, to the Carnival nature of sport, to privacy in an exhibitionist society, to almost anything with a real sense of playfulness. I definitely will read more of his work because he is erudite and amusing.
Feb 03, 2012
Indalecio
rated it: 
Libro de ensayos sobre tematicas relacionadas con el cambio del milenio.
Donde el autor gira en torno a temas tales como la globalizacion, la religion, el antisemitismo (y otras multiples formas de racismo), el consumismo, los medios masivos de comunicacion (y su papel de titiriteros de la globalizacion) y la politica. Es sumamente interezante la agudeza y lucidez de los ensayos y a la vez muy claro, pero en cuanto a la politica, mayormente centrada en la Italia Berlusconiana, en lo partic More...
Donde el autor gira en torno a temas tales como la globalizacion, la religion, el antisemitismo (y otras multiples formas de racismo), el consumismo, los medios masivos de comunicacion (y su papel de titiriteros de la globalizacion) y la politica. Es sumamente interezante la agudeza y lucidez de los ensayos y a la vez muy claro, pero en cuanto a la politica, mayormente centrada en la Italia Berlusconiana, en lo partic More...
Jan 25, 2011
Vasil
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Някои от статиите са добри, но по-голямата част не биха били интересни на почти никой (особено нещата около изборната кампания в Италия през 2001).
Sep 10, 2009
Eugenia
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Очень полезная книга для тех, кто задумывается над социальными проблемами. Умберто Эко в роли публициста несколько необычен, но весьма интересен.
Jan 22, 2012
Remya
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The observations made are rather profound .Particularly the piece on being polically correct , jerusalem and holy wars are brilliant !!
Jul 28, 2009
Tyas
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Highly entertaining, while sobering at the same time. I wish everyone were as sane and possessed clarity like Eco.
This book kept me laughing while reading it; I really love pieces like the ones on Passion of the Christ (which shows that actually it's Mel Gibson who loves to torture Jesus, LOL!) and Dan Brown.
Will forever grace my shelves.
This book kept me laughing while reading it; I really love pieces like the ones on Passion of the Christ (which shows that actually it's Mel Gibson who loves to torture Jesus, LOL!) and Dan Brown.
Will forever grace my shelves.
Jan 29, 2009
Kathy
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This is a collection of articles, so doesn't have the cohesiveness of a book with a central theme. However, it's a great introduction to Umberto Eco's political philosophy. In addition, it's a great way to view America from the outside, as many of the articles have relevance to America's political and cultural impact.
Nov 21, 2011
Ch.J.
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 11, 2011
David
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If you haven't read it... go out and buy it now! The english version is "Turning Back the Clock: Hot Wars and Media Populism", 2007, translated by Alastair McEwen
Aug 27, 2009
Mansoor
rated it:
This is the weakest non-fiction book written by Eco that I have read. There is still a great deal of useful information, particularly when he is discussing Italian politics and Anthropology but many of the essay are too topical and could have only been of interest to Italians at the time of their publication.
Mar 04, 2009
Adam
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Brilliant as always, Eco's thoughts on our progress as a species are fascinating, if a bit dry in spots. For the avid CNNer.
Jan 23, 2008
Matthew
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Pedantic and repetitive - I expected more. This is the first nonfiction Eco work I've read, and save for a fleeting reference to Pokemon, some unusual perspectives on Harry Potter, and an essay on the war on terror that weaves a pre-Holmes Dr. Watson into the description, void of surprises.
Oct 06, 2008
Jeana
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The first bit was harder than usual, but I think that's due to my lack of familiarity with Italian politics. The last part of the book I enjoyed very much, especially the final essay.
Mar 16, 2009
Anna
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Umberto Eco explains the political or cultural slogans that appeared in years 2000 - 2005 and leads us between them. Very good esseys. I had few laughs at reading that.
May 18, 2008
Jeremiah
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Another collection of nimble, teasing, brilliant and infuriating little essays and essaylets from Umberto Eco
