34 pages • 1 hour read
Chris HedgesEmpire Of Illusion: The End Of Literacy And The Triumph Of Spectacle
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle by Chris Hedges examines the detrimental effects of mass media and popular culture on American society, politics, and the economy. It discusses the themes of celebrity culture, pornography, elite higher education, positive psychology, and the moral and political decline of the United States, ultimately arguing that the corporate state has damaged American society and that salvation lies in citizens' ability to distinguish illusions from reality. The book addresses the human consequences of pornography.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Empire of Illusion by Chris Hedges offers a thought-provoking critique of modern society's obsession with celebrity culture and the decline of intellectualism. Praised for its compelling prose and incisive analysis, some readers find it overly pessimistic and lacking in nuanced solutions. Overall, it’s a powerful, if somewhat bleak, reflection on contemporary cultural and social issues.
Who Should Read Empire Of Illusion?
Readers who appreciate critical analyses of contemporary society will enjoy Empire of Illusion by Chris Hedges. This book is ideal for those interested in cultural commentary, like fans of Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death or Noam Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent. The reader seeks to understand the influence of media and corporate power on public consciousness.