The perfect book for the 2012 elections. . . and beyond
Democracy] "is based on propositions that are palpably not true--and what is not true,... read full description
reviews
Feb 05, 2010
Dissident Books
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We are so proud that this was Dissident Books' first release and that it turned out so well. H. L. Mencken's words are as shocking and challenging--perhaps more so--as they were when Notes was first published in 1926. It's hard to think of anything more holy to the American mind than democracy. (Maybe capitalism, and Mencken rips that apart too.) Mencken dissects universal suffrage and the notion of the masses' limitless wisdom with a razor-sharp Ginsu. The introduction and extensive annota
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Oct 21, 2010
Robert
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HL Mencken’s Notes on Democracy, recently republished in a sterling new paperback edition by Dissident Books, was originally published in 1926. Mencken was then a respected columnist and was considered one of the most progressive voices speaking in favour of “liberty”. Though recent years have seen labels of “un-American” pelted against him, Mencken remains, on the evidence of Notes on Democracy, one of the most strident voices of opposition against the religious – specifically Christian – dom
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Oct 12, 2009
Greg
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Another reviewer made a point that everyone who reads this will agree and think that they are part of the non-mob / rabble that makes democracy so terrible. That is probably true. The same reviewer, or maybe it was another, blames this book for not offering a viable solution to the problems of democracy, which is kind of weird to damn Mencken for since he is pretty clear about not offering anything better, and going against the current that holds that if you can't come up with some way to fix
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(19 people liked it)
Sep 04, 2009
Evan
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There's the urge, while reading "Notes on Democracy" to underline Mencken's words and star them and say, "That's so true! People are idiots!" He was a snappy writer, and he uses some turns of phrase that make it seem like he must be right. But then, if you take a step back, you see that Mencken's argument is rather shallow, for all of its ornamentation.
I give this book three stars rather than two, because as a historic document, it's of some extra interest. To see More...
I give this book three stars rather than two, because as a historic document, it's of some extra interest. To see More...
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(1 person liked it)
Sep 10, 2009
Casey
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Trying to read "Notes on Democracy" now and see past the early 20th century scientific conclusions to its supposed brilliance is like trying to watch Eddie Murphy's "Delirious" for the first time and not be distracted by all the dated gay jokes. "Notes on Democracy" has some good stuff in it for sure, but it's also very disjointed, it's arguments imperfect and hard to read for insights with so much talk of "inferior man" and other ideas that just seem sil
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 20, 2010
Lise
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I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads Firstreads.
H.L. Mencken was always one of my father's favorite writers, but until now I'd never read his works. I found he was witty, snarky, sarcastic, educated, iconoclastic and always willing to exaggerate a point for maximum impact (much like my father). Even now, some fifty years after his death, Mencken is still a controversial figure, capable of raising strong emotions in his readers.
"Notes on Democracy" More...
H.L. Mencken was always one of my father's favorite writers, but until now I'd never read his works. I found he was witty, snarky, sarcastic, educated, iconoclastic and always willing to exaggerate a point for maximum impact (much like my father). Even now, some fifty years after his death, Mencken is still a controversial figure, capable of raising strong emotions in his readers.
"Notes on Democracy" More...
Dec 12, 2009
Erin
rated it:
Who is H.L. Mencken and why am I just now reading him!? This book is genius! I started highlighting passages I liked but then realized nearly every page was marked in florescent pink.
I'm not going to say this book is for everyone but it is definitely for those of us out there that watch the news and listen to certain groups or leaders thinking, "Seriously are there people out there buying this?" Then we come into contact with those who are in fact subscribing whole-heartil More...
I'm not going to say this book is for everyone but it is definitely for those of us out there that watch the news and listen to certain groups or leaders thinking, "Seriously are there people out there buying this?" Then we come into contact with those who are in fact subscribing whole-heartil More...
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 07, 2009
David
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Here the enfant terrible Mencken takes on democracy, the ostensible rule of the "common man."
A bit tongue in cheek, of course, but clever and bitingly written. We won't see newspapermen this great again, alas!
This edition is nicely annotated. Some of the period references are obscure.
And democracy is highly overrated. Just watch some of Jay Leno's interviews with men-in-the street, and then tell me with a straight face how great universal suffrage is More...
A bit tongue in cheek, of course, but clever and bitingly written. We won't see newspapermen this great again, alas!
This edition is nicely annotated. Some of the period references are obscure.
And democracy is highly overrated. Just watch some of Jay Leno's interviews with men-in-the street, and then tell me with a straight face how great universal suffrage is More...
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 29, 2009
herstory21
rated it:
I would recommend this book to anybody interested in reading about theories of democracy or early 20th century U.S. History. This particular book is brilliantly annotated. I genuinely enjoyed reading the annotations as much as the book and I can't recall another book I have ever felt that way about. Mencken's writing is accessible and interesting. Nothing is sacred to him and that is refreshing at times. However, he also writes with scathing generalizations and in the end comes off as a jou
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Jan 30, 2011
Kathryn
rated it:
Fun to read and food for thought. What's not to like about the Sage of Baltimore?
Feb 05, 2010
Esther
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I've just started reading the book and already I'm really enjoying it. Good thing I have a pencil and not a pen in my pocketbook so I can highlight parts I like.
Jan 12, 2010
Megan
rated it:
Won through first-reads August 16, 2009. Passed along to my politically active philosopher friend for her enjoyment.
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