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The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature (Politically Incorrect Guides)
'The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature' exposes the PC professors and takes you on a fascinating tour through our great literature - in all its politically incorrect glory.
Included: a syllabus and how-to guide to give yourself the English lit education you were denied in school.
Included: a syllabus and how-to guide to give yourself the English lit education you were denied in school.
Paperback, Politically Incorrect Guides, 278 pages
Published
October 1st 2006
by Regnery Publishing
(first published January 1st 2006)
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blurb - The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature exposes the PC professors and takes you on a fascinating tour through our great literature-in all its politically incorrect glory. Included: a syllabus and how-to guide to give yourself the English lit education you were denied in school.
#1 Beowulf
#2 Battle of Maldon
Anglo Saxon poetry is little taught nowadays; rather than being read for its own sake, it is pawed over to support feminism/homo-erotic/ marxist stand points...more
The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature, by Elizabeth Kantor ***
As I state elsewhere, few things make me feel as defiled as the post-modern take on literature. English departments throughout the United States have abandoned the classical canon for contemporary claptrap. Shakespeare has been replaced by “Betty the Yeti”, Milton and Spenser by Pound, and Austen by Atwood. True analysis and education have been replaced by politically correct Marxist/feminist/queer literar...more
As I state elsewhere, few things make me feel as defiled as the post-modern take on literature. English departments throughout the United States have abandoned the classical canon for contemporary claptrap. Shakespeare has been replaced by “Betty the Yeti”, Milton and Spenser by Pound, and Austen by Atwood. True analysis and education have been replaced by politically correct Marxist/feminist/queer literar...more
This breezy but knowledgeable overview of English literature is unabashedly pro-Western Civilization, pro-Christianity, and anti-Feminism. It does a good job of delivering what one expects from it. As part of a series (the Politically Incorrect Guides--modeled, it seems, on the popular "for Dummies" or other explanatory series but intended for decidedly conservative audiences), this book can seem a bit formulaic and shallow in spots. But then, it is written as a introduction for the average pers...more
This one was sort of amusing, if perhaps not very deep in some ways. It had some points: my initial courses as an English major (even at BYU) turned my stomach, and I don't even want to think about some of the drivel I read through in some of those literary journals. What a crock. Why in the world should a great story or poem or such be shoehorned into a limited number of (evidently popular and largely ridiculous) theories of literary criticism? It's like they want to kill literature before anyo...more
This entire line of books is incredibly good, chocked full of information you usually don't find in history books or classes, giving new light to "accepted" history.
This one refutes the ideas that the great literature of the English-speaking world is racist and sexist, and that female writers were unquestionably feminist. Excellent portion on "Beowulf."
This one refutes the ideas that the great literature of the English-speaking world is racist and sexist, and that female writers were unquestionably feminist. Excellent portion on "Beowulf."
An interesting overview of important literature to American culture, with brief literary analysis in some cases. The perspective is a bit provocative, as intended, to my left-leaning mind and definitely raised my hackles a number of times (I think her definition of feminism is especially narrow-minded) -- she rants about so many perceived problems with English departments and professors throughout, though she does mention at the end that it is good for the canon of literature making up a college...more
So many books I have neglected to read in my life! This book is a very straight forward understanding of English and American literature. It is not a book that finds hidden meanings in authors poetry (like racism/feminism within Shakespeare's writing). Rather it is a book to explain that not everything we read has to have a hidden meaning. It explains that our English professors of today's colleges are forgetting to read authors for the enjoyment of reading them alone. It is also a reminder that...more
There are not words to describe how aggravated I was with this book. The author's points were very biased, which is exactly what she accused the "liberal professors" of being. She used extreme examples and I found her definition of feminism to be ridiculous. I consider myself to be a feminist, yet I do not view marriage as a form of slavery, nor do I see all sex as "rape." Although she felt that Christianity was the most important aspect of all of these books/poems, etc., she discussed how ignor...more
Mar 01, 2013
Jimmy
added it
Let me preface my review with my observation of English classes at the college level. I've always felt that English class was a way for some professors to sneak in ideological causes to their students from other fields but without the academic rigors required in the respective field it came from. For instance Marxism or Fabian socialism wouldn't stand up in the field of economic and historical analysis, but in the past I’ve seen it imported wholesale into the English classroom. Certain philosoph...more
Love this book. Although I attended a Christian Liberal Arts College and was not subjected to the approach by secular institutions of imposing viewpoints on interpretations, I had some exposure in high school, through my literary criticism college class, and reading I did after college. This book was great at exploring the deficiencies and recommended some unknown authors I've since enjoyed. Other authors that are highly recommended in mainstream schools are not so enjoyable and I still fail to...more
The program for a recent convention of the Modern Language Association lists 794 different panels on subjects including "Redeeming Violence", "Marxism Now", "Film after Brown vs. Board of Education", and even "What Video Games Can Teach Us About Literature", but not one on Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Coleridge or Keats.
English literature is not taught in College English Departments anymore.
Political posturing is.
The Politically Correct faculties have thrown away our heritage.
If you would like to re...more
English literature is not taught in College English Departments anymore.
Political posturing is.
The Politically Correct faculties have thrown away our heritage.
If you would like to re...more
This is one of the books from my nonfiction section of my personal reading challenge for this year. The library had it. I picked it up. Haven't done more than flip through it, but I am mystified by the complete lack of Steinbeck from the index.
However, I'm interested to see what the author says and what books I may become interested in while reading it.
UPDATE
The next book I've chosen from my personal "challenges" list. Thus far I am disappointed by the repetitive scorn heaped on current thinking...more
However, I'm interested to see what the author says and what books I may become interested in while reading it.
UPDATE
The next book I've chosen from my personal "challenges" list. Thus far I am disappointed by the repetitive scorn heaped on current thinking...more
1 like · like · see review
I find this guide to literature to be substandard compared to The Western Lit Survival Kit: An Irreverent Guide to the Classics from Homer to Faulkner
Part 1 was my favorite part of the three. The brief overview and review of English literature from the 20th century back to the birth of England was enlightening and refreshing. It certainly added to my to-read list. American literature seemed to get the short end of the stick with 7 chapters to the English and 1 to the Yankees, perhaps I overestim...more
Part 1 was my favorite part of the three. The brief overview and review of English literature from the 20th century back to the birth of England was enlightening and refreshing. It certainly added to my to-read list. American literature seemed to get the short end of the stick with 7 chapters to the English and 1 to the Yankees, perhaps I overestim...more
I can’t believe that I completely forgot about having ‘The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature’ in my library! I had read it before, as soon as I bought it, but then I have been filling my library up with so many other books that this one just got lost in them. I am glad that I found it again though. It is a gem of a book and for anyone who is interested in serious reading (which we all are, that’s why we blog about it :-) ) it is a must. Ms. Kantor serves us with quit...more
While this may have been an interesting idea it is executed in a boring manner with several digs at feminists and most professors. I was taught both Chaucer and Beowulf in college and I was taught them fairly to the point I have reread or listened to each more then once.
This is the case of a book where you get out of it what you want to and I got a boring lecture with some interesting history thrown in.
This is the case of a book where you get out of it what you want to and I got a boring lecture with some interesting history thrown in.
Excellent book! I only wish it was a little more detailed, though the level of detail is appropriate for the scope given at the outset. I do think her judgment of American literature (particularly contemporary works) a little harsh, and I would have liked to see her take on the Brontes, but overall a very informative and worthwhile read.
Finished this last night, very funny and informative. A defense of Dead White Males and at the same time a two fisted attack on the revisionist, victim politics usurpers of English Departments across the country. Believe it or not I was once an Honors English student, and this book brought back some almost fond memories.
This book is definitely left wing but gives a lot of food for thought about what literature is currently being taught in universities. It is entertaining and educational all at the same time. "You can leave your job, or your hometown, or your marriage, but you always take yourself with you."
Very thoughtful review of English literature from Beowulf to 20th Century authors, with their impacts on the modern world. Very well reasoned explainations of what they contributed to history and culture. She is positively critical of today's academic departments of English because she believes they teach everything EXCEPT English Literature. I agree with her contention that dead white males (and a few females) contributed significantly to English literature, and you can not fully understand our...more
Reading this book is equivalent to taking a university English Lit. Survey course from an ultra-conservative professor--if that's even possible these days. It's passionately written, brash, and very insightful.
Aug 25, 2009
David Ingram
added it
You will learn how Modernists have interpreted great literature from our past to say the opposite of what was intended. Get your eyes opened with this book.
Love it! The way I like to hear my literature discussed.
I highly recommend this book. It is fascinating to read what is currently being published by current English professors, and then read the rather straightforward rebuke that Elizabeth Kantor gives them as she quotes original texts back. The original texts seem stimulating and interesting while the modern English revisionist history machinations seems dull and contrived in comparison. This book was worthwhile for me primarily because of her chapter on Jane Austen, which is brilliant, and the chap...more
unreadable.
I gave the book four stars because, while full of excellent information and recommendations, I found the us versus them mentality to be too strong. Nevertheless, this book is for any and all who speak English as their primary language. This book will help you recognize the true genius of the works that have been created in our language; that these have true merit and value; that we the readers can truly benefit from them and become better people because of them.
Boring, dry and WAY too focused on christianity and feminism. I did learn a few things here and there, but it was a chore to struggle through this yawn inducing book.
This would have made a great CHAPTER in a P.I.G. to Education. As a stand alone publication, at times it seems to have been stretched kind of thin. Still some fun facts, but it came across as kind of slight.
I learned that what authors write and what critics believe a text is about are usually conflicting. If you love to read and know as much as you can about famous (historic) authors--this book is for you.
May 07, 2013
Sarah
is currently reading it
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I love your review and appreciate your last comment about bailing out ... I would have done also. I must confess I do not like politically in...more
Oct 25, 2012 08:18am
I love your review and appreciate your last comment about bailing out ... I would have done also. I must confess I do not like...more
updated Oct 25, 2012 10:02am
Pretentious junk, I would say.
Oct 25, 2012 10:27am