false 3 7 false false Mon Apr 21 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Mon Apr 14 07:17:47 -0700 2008 Thu Apr 24 13:39:55 -0700 2008
The main weakness of this book for me is that it's a 350 page rant directed toward liberal intellectuals who already agree with Jacoby. I think what she's saying about our culture is important, especially when she talks about the influence of the media and of celebrity culture on our intellectual life. After reading this book I am more convinced than ever that we as a nation need to have a conversation about intellectualism and education, and how to encourage true learning and critical thought in our children, and I had high hopes this book would serve as a starting place for that conversation. Unfortunately, I don't think it will, precisely because Jacoby, like the conservatives she pillories, isn't talking to anyone who doesn't already agree with her.

I wish the book were written in a way that it were more accessible to those who disagree politically with Jacoby. Her underlying message is definitely one all Americans should hear, not just those who are democrats, and I think it highly unfortunate this is written in such a way anyone of a different political stripe will likely dismiss the good points of her argument because of her politics. I would suggest this to everyone to read, but I will warn those of you who are LDS that she sees the Mormon church as a fundamentalist cult, and says so repeatedly. ]]>