THE AGE OF AMERICAN UNREASON

Anti-intellectualism is destroying America, says author Susan Jacoby, a "cultural conservationist." From the vast number of people who believe in creationism, angels, and the paranormal to the growing contempt for the intelligent and thoughtful, a lack of reason--and knowledge--in our culture is affecting our political choices. But Jacoby spends too much time giving a litany of negatives, rather than offering suggestions as to how to make things better--other than to turn off the TV and read a book. Cassandra Campbell's slow, monotonous reading of detail after detail makes this book sound even more like a screed. While Jacoby may be right about most of what she says, her book is too long, and Campbell's narration does not enhance it. K.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2008]