The Establishment Is Dead

by Ben Shapiro

In his latest column collection, controversial conservative radio host Ben Shapiro breaks down the Trump phenomenon and its implications on the political establishment and conservativism. He’s unafraid to point a finger at all those accountable for his rise and election—Democrats and Republicans alike, the media, Hollywood elites, and even the cult of personality—and offers lessons that Trump’s nomination should teach Republicans.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

120 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2017

About the author

Benjamin Shapiro was born in 1984 and entered UCLA at the age of 16, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in June 2004 with a BA in Political Science. He graduated Harvard Law School cum laude in June 2007. Shapiro was hired by Creators Syndicate at age 17 to become the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the U.S.

His columns are printed in major newspapers and websites including Townhall, ABCNews, WorldNet Daily, Human Events, FrontPage Mag, Family Security Matters, the Riverside Press-Enterprise and the Conservative Chronicle. His columns have also appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, RealClearPolitics.com, Arizona Republic, and Claremont Review of Books, among others. He has been the subject of articles in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Associated Press, and Christian Science Monitor; he has been quoted on "The Rush Limbaugh Show," "The Dr. Laura Show," at CBS News, in the New York Press, in the Washington Times, and in The American Conservative magazine, among many others.

The author of the national bestsellers, Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth (WND Books, May 2004), Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism Is Corrupting Our Future (Regnery, June 2005), and Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House (Thomas Nelson, 2008), Shapiro has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows around the nation, including "The O'Reilly Factor" (Fox News), "Fox and Friends" (Fox News), "In the Money" (CNN Financial), "DaySide with Linda Vester" (Fox News), "Scarborough Country" (MSNBC), "The Dennis Miller Show" (CNBC), "Fox News Live" (Fox News Channel), "Glenn Beck Show" (CNN), "Your World with Neil Cavuto" (Fox News) and "700 Club" (Christian Broadcasting Network), "The Laura Ingraham Show," "The Michael Medved Show," "The G. Gordon Liddy Show," "The Rusty Humphries Show," "The Lars Larson Show" (nationally syndicated), "The Larry Elder Show," The Hugh Hewitt Show," "The Dennis Prager Show," among others.

Reviews

[Zak · Rating 3 out of 5]

One might agree or disagree with Shapiro's views but he does make some intelligent arguments and has been generally consistent on the main issues through time. One con about this book is that it's not really a book, but a collection of his previously published articles. As such, it feels like a patchwork of ideas on Trump and his impact on the political sphere (Republicans included), lacking the kind of central narrative flow that holds it all together and argues its logic systematically. [Rating: 3.5*]

[Roy Murry · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ESTABLISHMENT IS DEAD
The Rise and Election of Donald Trump

BEN SHAPIRO

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Not being a political fanatic or hack, I am still interested in what politically knowledgeable people think. Leaving Mainstream Media, a long time ago, I now watch YouTube for the news of what is happening in the world.

There is where I found Ben Shapiro. After listening to him a few times, I read his biography on Wikipedia and then bought this book.

Although I do not agree with some of his discourse in The Establishment is Dead, I did enjoy Shapiro's commentary about Hillary R. Clinton and Donald J. Trump's run for President in 2016. His insights were sharp, not pulling any punches, and comical at times.

I don't think The Establishment is Dead yet, and I don't believe Ben thinks so. But it is a good title for a conservative's book that is well-written.

It seems that Mr. Shapiro was writing the book as 2016 transpired diary style and added in his commentary and hyperbole to spice up the events (Pro and Con) leading to Trump's victory. I enjoyed his philosophical endings of each chapter but not all his conclusions - I am not that conservative.

All in all, I learned something from a younger man than I and will listen to more of his YouTube commentary.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I consciously read this book to get a view in opposition to my usual beliefs. I was not persuaded. Clearly, Shapiro in an intelligent man who writes well, but I too often found the writing provocative for its own sake. I was open-minded, but never given an opportunity to understand his reasoning. That being said, the one point where I can agree with him, is the lack of tolerance for opposing points of view, especially on campus.

[Rafal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Niezaleznie od opcji trzeba przyznać, że Shapiro zauważa problemy związane zarówno z Demokratami ("lewicą") jak i z Trumpem (który nie jest prawicą - jest według autora populistycznym egocentrykiem o autorytarnych zapędach, który nie szanuje konstytucji).

Dzieki książce można lepiej zrozumieć konserwatywne, tradycyjne wartości, które są jak najbardziej pozytywne. Można poczytać o nadużyciach Demokratów. Można też zaniepokoić się anegdotycznymi "dowodami" i zero-jedynkowymi wyobrażeniami świata, które odrzucają systemowe problemy na rzecz nielogicznych implikacji i samoutwierdzania się w wygodnym poczuciu słuszności.

[Luis Travieso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to know what Shapiro was thinking during the 2016 Presidential run.

[Karen Koslowsky-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of short, analytical and sometimes comical essays as it relates to the election of Donald Trump.