Chris Hedges (born September 18, 1956) is an American journalist, Presbyterian minister, commentator, and author. He has written for many publications, including The New York Times, where he was a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter.
Hedges is also a senior fellow at The Nation Institute. In his writing, Hedges often focuses on the problems with American society and culture.
Here are some recommended books by Chris Hedges.
A Collection of Essays by George Orwell
A Collection of Essays by George Orwell is a book that includes a number of essays written by the author. The essays cover a wide range of topics, from politics to art and literature.
Orwell was a prolific writer and his essays provide valuable insights into his thoughts on a variety of subjects. This collection is an excellent introduction to his work for those who are not familiar with it.
The essays in this book are: “Politics and the English Language,” “How the Poor Die,” “Shooting an Elephant,” “A Hanging,” and “Bookshop Memories.
Democracy Incorporated by Sheldon S. Wolin
In his book Democracy Incorporated, Sheldon S. Wolin argues that the United States has become a plutocracy or a government controlled by the wealthy.
He contends that the wealthy have used their economic power to influence the political process and create policies that favor their interests. As a result, the poor and middle class have seen their incomes stagnate while the rich have gotten richer.
Wolin explains how the wealthy have been able to exert their influence over the political system. They have used their money to buy politicians and fund think tanks that promote their agenda.
They have also used their economic power to influence public opinion through mass media. As a result, the American people have become increasingly divided along economic lines.
The wealthy elite has not only rigged the economy in their favor, but they have also subverted democracy itself.
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a novel about a man named Marlow who ventured into the Congo in search of adventure. However, what he found was much more than he bargained for.
The novel addresses the topics of colonialism and human nature, and how both can lead to darkness and destruction.
Marlow’s journey into the Congo is a descent into madness, as he witnesses the brutality of colonialism firsthand.
The novel raises questions about the true nature of man, and whether we are capable of great good or evil. It is a dark and haunting tale that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
French writer Marcel Proust published a novel in seven volumes called In Search of Lost Time. The book is considered by many to be one of the most important literary works of the 20th century.
It follows the life of protagonist Marcel as he reflects on his childhood memories and experiences in turn-of-the-century France.
Proust’s writing style is unique in that it includes very long and detailed descriptions. This, combined with the fact that the book is over 3,000 pages long, has made it a challenging read for many people.
However, those who have persevered have been rewarded with one of the most beautiful and complex novels ever written.
Kolyma Tales by Varlam Shalamov
Kolyma Tales is a collection of short stories by Russian author Varlam Shalamov, first published in English in 1980. The stories are based on Shalamov’s own experiences as a political prisoner in the Kolyma region of Siberia during the 1930s.
Kolyma Tales is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of Russian literature from the 20th century. The stories are marked by their brutal honesty and unsparing portrayal of the human condition under extreme conditions.
They offer a rare glimpse into one of the darkest periods of Soviet history.
Highly recommended for fans of Russian literature and anyone interested in learning more about the Gulag system, Kolyma Tales is a must-read book.
Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman
Vasily Grossman’s novel “Life and Fate” is about a Russian War and Peace. It is the story of the Battle of Stalingrad told through the lives of a group of people who experience the horror and brutality of war.
The novel is a masterpiece of Russian literature and a must-read for anyone interested in the history of World War II.
Moral Man and Immoral Society by Reinhold Niebuhr
In his book “Moral Man and Immoral Society”, Reinhold Niebuhr criticizes the idea that individuals can be moral while society as a whole is immoral.
He argues that individuals are capable of morality, but it is only when they come together as a society that they can achieve true immorality.
Niebuhr begins by pointing out that most people view morality as an individualistic endeavor. We often think of ourselves as good or bad based on our own actions, not on the actions of those around us.
However, Niebuhr argues that this view is naïve. He says that while individuals are capable of morality, society itself is immoral.
This is because society is made up of institutions and systems that encourage self-interest and greed. Individuals may be moral, but when they come together in a system, their morality is corrupted.
The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning
Olivia Manning’s The Balkan Trilogy is a wartime saga that follows the lives of a British couple, Guy and Harriet Pringle, as they move from England to Bucharest to Cairo during World War II.
The first book in the trilogy, The Great Fortune, opens in Bucharest in 1940, as the Romanians are preparing for the German invasion. Guy and Harriet are caught up in the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere, despite the looming threat of war.
The second book, The Spoilt City, is set in Cairo in 1941. With the British army now stationed there, Guy and Harriet find themselves at the center of a social whirl. But as the war takes its toll on Egypt, they begin to long for their former life in England.
The third and final book, Friends and Heroes, is set in 1942.
The Best of I.F. Stone by I.F. Stone
In his book, The Best of I.F. Stone, I.F. Stone has collected some of his best work from over the years. This collection highlights Stone’s incredible investigative journalism, which has led to many important discoveries.
One of the most impressive things about Stone’s work is his fearlessness in taking on powerful institutions and individuals. He has never been afraid to speak truth to power, no matter the consequences.
This has often put him at odds with the mainstream media, but it has also resulted in him uncovering many important stories that would otherwise have gone untold.
Stone’s work is required reading for anyone interested in investigative journalism or American history. His fearless reporting and willingness to stand up to power make him one of the most important journalists of our time.
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s classic novel The Brothers Karamazov is the story of four brothers, each with their own distinct personalities and view of the world. The eldest brother, Dmitry, is a hot-headed young man consumed by jealousy and rage.
The second brother, Ivan, is an intellectual who turns his back on religion. The third brother, Alyosha, is a gentle and compassionate soul. And the fourth brother, Smerdyakov, is a calculating manipulator with a dark secret.
The Brothers Karamazov is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of faith, doubt, reason, and morality. It is a powerful tale of love and loss, hope and despair, and good and evil. Above all, it is a story of redemption.
The Divide by Matt Taibbi
In The Divide, Matt Taibbi takes an in-depth look at the growing rift between the rich and the poor in America. He paints a stark picture of two Americas: one for the privileged few who live in a world of luxury and abundance, and one for everyone else who struggles to make ends meet.
Taibbi argues that this growing divide is not just about money, but about power. The rich have used their economic power to rig the system in their favor, leaving the rest of us to fight over scraps. This has led to a country that is deeply divided, not just economically, but also politically and socially.
The Divide is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the current state of America. Taibbi offers a provocative and insightful look at our country’s growing inequality and its implications for our future.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
In 1963, James Baldwin published The Fire Next Time, a book consisting of two essays: “My Dungeon Shook — Letter to my Nephew on the One-Hundredth Anniversary of Emancipation” and “Down at the Cross — Letter from a Region in My Mind”.
In the first essay, Baldwin urges Americans, both black and white, to face up to the racism that infects their country. In the second essay, he reflects on his own experience as a black man in America and how racism has shaped his life.
Baldwin’s writing is powerful and urgent, driven by deep anger at the injustice of racism. But it is also hopeful, ultimately believing that America can live up to its promise of equality for all. The Fire Next Time is an essential work of American literature, one that every reader should experience.
The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popper
In The Open Society and Its Enemies, Karl Popper critiques the ideologies of Plato and Hegel and their impact on society. Popper argues that Plato’s philosophy leads to totalitarianism, while Hegel’s philosophy leads to revolution.
He believes that both philosophies are based on a false understanding of history. Popper advocates for an open society, which he believes is the only way to avoid these dangers.
The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt
In The Origins of Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt argues that the rise of totalitarianism in the early twentieth century was due to a combination of anti-Semitism, imperial expansion, and class conflict.
Arendt contends that these factors created an atmosphere in which people were willing to accept the idea of a powerful central government that could protect them from their enemies. She also argues that the rise of totalitarianism was aided by the fact that many people felt rootless and uncertain in an increasingly modern world.
The Oxford Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
The Oxford Shakespeare is one of the most popular and well-known books by William Shakespeare. It was first published in 1623 and has been reprinted many times since then.
The book contains all of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as some of his poems. It is considered to be one of the most important works of English literature.
Ulysses by James Joyce
Ulysses by James Joyce is a novel that follows the lives of two men, Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus. The novel is set in Dublin, Ireland, and follows the two men as they navigate their way through the city.
The novel is full of symbolism and allegory, and Joyce uses stream-of-consciousness writing to give readers a glimpse into the minds of his characters. Ulysses is considered to be one of the most important novels of the 20th century, and its influence can still be seen in modern literature.
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