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The Right Side of History
- How Reason and Moral Purpose Made the West Great
- Narrated by: Ben Shapiro
- Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: History, Religious
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- By beka on 06-06-18
Summary
America has a God-shaped hole in its heart, argues New York Times best-selling author Ben Shapiro, and we shouldn't fill it with politics and hate.
In 2016, Ben Shapiro spoke at UC Berkeley. Hundreds of police officers were required from 10 UC campuses across the state to protect his speech, which was - ironically - about the necessity for free speech and rational debate.
He came to argue that Western civilization is in the midst of a crisis of purpose and ideas. Our freedoms are built upon the twin notions that every human being is made in God’s image and that human beings were created with reason capable of exploring God’s world.
We can thank these values for the birth of science, the dream of progress, human rights, prosperity, peace, and artistic beauty. Jerusalem and Athens built America, ended slavery, defeated the Nazis and the Communists, lifted billions from poverty, and gave billions spiritual purpose. Jerusalem and Athens were the foundations of the Magna Carta and the Treaty of Westphalia; they were the foundations of the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail.
Civilizations that rejected Jerusalem and Athens have collapsed into dust. The USSR rejected Judeo-Christian values and Greek natural law, substituting a new utopian vision of “social justice” - and they starved and slaughtered tens of millions of human beings. The Nazis rejected Judeo-Christian values and Greek natural law, and they shoved children into gas chambers. Venezuela rejects Judeo-Christian values and Greek natural law, and citizens of their oil-rich nation have been reduced to eating dogs.
We are in the process of abandoning Judeo-Christian values and Greek natural law, favoring instead moral subjectivism and the rule of passion. And we are watching our civilization collapse into age-old tribalism, individualistic hedonism, and moral subjectivism. We believe we can reject Judeo-Christian values and Greek natural law and satisfy ourselves with intersectionality, or scientific materialism, or progressive politics, or authoritarian governance, or nationalistic solidarity.
We can’t.
The West is special, and in The Right Side of History, Ben Shapiro bravely explains that it’s because too many of us have lost sight of the moral purpose that drives us each to be better, or the sacred duty to work together for the greater good, or both. A stark warning, and a call to spiritual arms, this audiobook may be the first step in getting our civilization back on track.
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What listeners say about The Right Side of History
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- David
- 26-03-19
Incredible
Shapiro provides a comprehensive overview of our historical roots of morale reasoning and the evident straying from sense and logic so succinctly. This book could not have more relevance than in this day and age where reason is being increasingly abandoned all so that everyone with a victim persona does not experience the ‘trauma’ of their precious self esteem being offended... the world has gone mad and it is so refreshing to have thinkers and commentators such as Ben Shapiro to bring light to reality. The final chapters 4 lessons for his children are absolutely phenomenal- I am going to teach my own children these crucial lessons as now that I know, it is my responsibility. I am so grateful for this book. Thank you Ben.
10 people found this helpful
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- gearoid amazon
- 28-10-19
Leabhar suimiul le thesis suimiul
Ceapaim go bhfuil leabhar maith é le spríoc soléír. Bhí maith liom an stair ach níl mé ró-chinnte faoin loighic.
Níl a fhios agam go leor faoi diderot, decartes, agus voltaire. Tá beagánín amhras agam go bhfuil a lán claontacht sa leabhar ach níl mé abalta é a chruthú
3 people found this helpful
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- Gabriel Amorim
- 24-03-19
A great compilation and critique of the current date of sociopolitical affairs
I have been twice through this book now and absolutely loved it. It is a great tool to explain where and how we got to the point we are right now with respect to the social debate in western culture.
For me, the only point I wish Ben had dwelt a bit more was on the contribution of Christianity itself in the points it can be contrasted to Judaism brought to the mix, especially after the Reformation. It is totally understandable- he talks from his viewpoint - but I wished more research and light was given to that issue.
Overall, Ben brings in the clarity, tenacity and capacity to interrelate multiple streams of contributions that forms the Western thought.
4 people found this helpful
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- Mr GS Mccreadie
- 05-03-20
credit where it is due
i tried to keep an open mind and surprising myself somewhat, found very little - if any - room for disagreement in this book. it is what it is and the narrative here is constructed on far more solid foundations with much appropriate referencing (and potentially counter factual hypotheses) than many other theories - old and new - that purport to shine the light on ignorance's darkness. maybe the scope for accommodating alternate worldviews is on thin ice and until reconciliation is possible then it will not be apparent. nonetheless there is plenty to think on in what is presented even if i would be wary of certain logical conclusions of the author's personal outlook being taken as policy prescriptions for national or even global legislative constructs - in sum, there is surely scope for more nuanced approaches to freedom and liberty even if we currently lack much of that balance. the call to 'god-based rationality' (my interpretation and translation of judeo-greco-christian) is clearly being made in context and i think that retaining an open mind of tolerance, life-long learning and a preparedness to be proven wrong without fear of harmful consequences are positive ways to progress. the analogy of a tree made is also prescient and appropriate - our roots need care because if we are not grounded - as individuals, as populations or as a species - then that rush of blood (that national socialism so virulently proved is possible and soviet doctrine somehow managed to stabilize institutionally, albeit temporarily) can result in all kinds of subsequent order consequences that then leave us...
1 person found this helpful
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- Vinicius R.
- 25-08-19
Very good book
I am positively surprised by the quality of the content presented in this book. As a jew, Ben sharipo knows how to keep his religious views at bay and state things as they are.
Whether you agree with him or not, you will gain from listening/reading this book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Nathan Beckett
- 31-05-19
A Brilliant Overview of Western Thought
Ben Shapiro's short but inclusive analysis of the key thinkers and ideas in Western history is captivating down to the last second. Readers who enjoy this may also enjoy 'A History of Western Philosophy' by Bertrand Russell which, at 5 times the length, covers the subject in much greater detail.
1 person found this helpful
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- H. P.
- 24-03-19
Decent overview of ideas, but not much more
At its best, Shapiro does a great job of pointing out lacunae in rationalist positions. He also summarises some complex views succinctly and reasonably accurately. However, I didn't come away feeling that this book offers much that is new.
3 people found this helpful
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- Joe Boothby
- 28-08-21
wtf
very disappointed. this was a prolonged odd religious sermon totally absent of authors usual characteristic logic and critical thinking.
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- Garfield Braithwaite
- 06-05-21
fabulous
i started reading this book in an effort to understand my enemy. in so doing, i found that i agreed with Mr Shapiro on many things. The realisation was instructive and moving. If you're convinced that Shapiro is deplorable, read this book
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- Anonymous User
- 17-03-21
It's worthwhile
Profound. Inspiring. Very worthwhile. The book is well researched. The narration was good as well. Read it.
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- Sander
- 05-08-19
Not Shapiro at his best
Look, you can easily call me a fan of Shapiro, but this is not very good, He makes some good points, but they are all marinated in fallacious attacks of people he disagrees with, and dismissal of strong points without argumentation. Half way through I didn't really want to read any more, since I was feeling my respect for him dwindle. I'm glad I finished, however, since it gave me a better understanding of Ben himself, and the ending was very wholesome. Good luck on the next one, man, I hope it'll turn out better than this.
25 people found this helpful
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- Benjamin
- 27-03-19
As an atheist
As an atheist I want to let others like me know that the book has a lot of religious material. And there is a slight slant towards making atheism seem illogical. Dont let that deter you though. There is a fantastic underlying premise to the book and as someone who loves history, Ben is spot on when he points to the merging of Jewish spirituality and Greek reasoning as the turning point for society into modernity. And it is undeniable that the church built a framework for the rise of European societies. While I dont actually believe in God, the belief in him might be the only reason we made it. If only because it humbled people to see themselves as equal in the 'eyes of God'.
277 people found this helpful
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- TM
- 10-06-19
Shapiro's approach contradicts his thesis
I had heard of but never read or seen Shapiro himself before. I agree with him re: the value of free speech and open debate of ideas, which is why I chose to listen to this book. His conclusions that we need to hold onto the values that have been passed down to us, and pass them down to our children are important arguments. His underlying thesis that we are the inheritors of a great (though not flawless) cultural tradition based on reason and strong values is well founded. In making this argument he runs through an impressive array of Western thinkers, but does so in a cursory fashion and presents judgment on them based on very narrow selections of their work. Ultimately he appears to discard most without really presenting a fair view of them - even though this is exactly what he suggests he's against. I'm fortunate enough to have read many of the works he references (and by his own report dismantles); it is sad to think that his interpretation may be the only one many of his readers will ever hear. He is defending reasoned argument and open debate but doing so by presenting only a fraction of the other side and not applying sincere reason. The best example of this I recall was his comparison of the relative strength of Western vs Muslim culture, that basically the Christians won the Battle of Tours, therefore Western civilization is superior. Such flimsy argument/conclusions contradict his (well-founded) thesis on the value of seeking truth by using reason applied to full presentation of arguments.
48 people found this helpful
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- Paul
- 05-04-19
Over simplified
Very over simplified view of history that is extremely misleading. Historical figures are constantly name dropped and a one line quote is given to paint them as either good or bad. Not really trying to persuade anyone of anything. I did think his conclusion of lessons on what to teach to children were mainly good but don't see how the rest of the book contributed to those.
17 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 02-04-19
Peterson's immature little brother.
My review of this book will be an analogy which goes something like this:
Imagine big brother Jordan Peterson, who has gone out into the world, brought meaning to himself and those around him. Dedicated most of his life toward some higher ideal, profession, and society, where it is easy to recognize his true and genuine interest in these values.
Then comes little brother Ben Shapiro along, who has seen all the success and fame big bro has accomplished. Ben Shapiro thinks that he can accomplish the same, in fact, he thinks he can overthrow big bro( considering the aim and scope of the book). Little bro finishes writing book. Little bro is very pleased with his outcome. Little bro goes on Dr.Phil show and get his uncle to affirm his brilliance(even tho, uncle only wanna promote commercially in falsity). Little bro gets disregarded by serious academics and scholars. Little bro gets mad at the world. Little bro gets even more fixated that his Judeo-Christian-Judeo-Judeo-reason- Judeo world view is true.
Now over to the more serious review. Shapiro tries to cram in 2000 years of western thought into a school project, with little to no critical evaluation of the ideas and concepts which are in question. He extracts peanuts premises or conclusion out of these theories or theses, only so he can fit them in his worldview or thesis for the book. A very immature contribution from his side, that will only be appreciated by people who don't like other peoples opinion, and who only want to reinforce their own.
Seriously, how can a reader take him seriously when he constantly mispronounce Nietzsche( how much time do you need to sacrifice to check how to pronounce his name correctly?) or calling Freud a charlatan is a pretty bold accusation. Again, a very immature book, with little practical use and no theoretical use.
17 people found this helpful
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- Jane
- 23-03-19
I didn’t know Ben could talk so slow
For those that know Ben and listen to him speak you know he talks very fast. In this recording he slows it down A LOT. If you speed it up to 1.25x or 1.5x you will have normal Ben speed and finish the book quicker. Great Work Ben!
184 people found this helpful
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- Foxmulder
- 10-04-19
Just Ben ranting for 6 hours about culture wars
I really wanted to like this book. I listen to Ben's show every day, but where he really loses me is his incessant obsession with culture wars, and this book is chock-full of these diatribes. He regularly makes claims of what "leftists" seek to accomplish to ruin the country, but he never really cites any specific examples. I expect him to ramble and sometimes not make much sense on his show, but I thought he'd take his task more seriously when writing a book. His talk about God sounds like something more out of an evangelical Christian self-help book and not in the vein of an Orthodox Jew
20 people found this helpful
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- Jodi Lewis
- 09-08-19
constructive critic
great read, very factual, but dry and monotone in naration. although content is rich, left me exhausted.
3 people found this helpful
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- CV Padre
- 22-04-19
History of Philosophy
The book reads very much like a philosophy class. I enjoyed the historical review. Shapiro makes few conclusions in the bulk of the book, although his tone does occasionally reveal his viewpoint. The end of the book is worth the wait, though. He states clearly the greatest imperative to people who believe in hard work, individual merit, freedom and respect for everyone - retake the (read the book)!
26 people found this helpful
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- Hunter Jacen Taylor
- 02-04-19
Thorough and brilliant
You ever get the sensation when someone explains something to you, that you knew it all along but never had the ability to put it into words?
That’s what this book is and is a testament to the veracity of this work and the clarity and precision of its language.
Shapiro does a wonderful job of summarizing the history of Western values as well as the forces currently besieging them. I cannot recommend this work highly enough, and this will forever be one of the 5 books I will have wherever I go.
36 people found this helpful