I think it's all about relevancy. Orwell was a supporter of Democratic Socialism as seen in countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Germany, Canada, Zealand, etc. He was a relentless enemy of the Totalitarianism of Communist regimes and the Dictatorships that spring from fascism.

l would suggest reading the book while looking for similarities seen in today's governmental systems. Russia and China, remain as the prime examples of Communist Totalitarianism, while the United States is slowly moving towards the dictatorships found in fascist oligarchies. In Russia, Pravda is MinTru (Ministry of Truth), while in the US the Major Media companies such as Fox News and MSNBC fulfill that role is the United States. The infamous KGB (currently being re-implemented under another name) and the NSA are reasonably accurate examples of of MinLuv (Ministry of Love). How about we call Putin's Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and Wall Street's plethora of lobbying groups MinPlenty (Ministry of Plenty). And while some would insist there is no comparison between "The American Military Industrial Complex" and the Russian Defense Ministry, I would argue that the Pentagon is just another front for MinPax (Ministry of Peace).

At the very least, measuring the actions of today's societies as compared to those of Orwell's 1984, can be quite entertaining. In my opinion this book is a well deserved 5 star cautionary tale that should heighten our vigilance. But I have to deduct one star for the stark, grayness that he uses (perhaps out of necessity) to deliver it.