Something is profoundly wrong with the way we think about how we should live today. In "Ill Fares The Land," Tony Judt, one of our leading historians and thinkers, reveals how we have arrived at our present dangerously confused moment. Judt masterfully crystallizes what we've all been "feeling" into a way to "think" our way into, and thus out of, our great collective dis-ease about the current state of things. As the economic collapse of 2008 made clear, the social contract that defined postwar life in Europe and ...
Read More
Something is profoundly wrong with the way we think about how we should live today. In "Ill Fares The Land," Tony Judt, one of our leading historians and thinkers, reveals how we have arrived at our present dangerously confused moment. Judt masterfully crystallizes what we've all been "feeling" into a way to "think" our way into, and thus out of, our great collective dis-ease about the current state of things. As the economic collapse of 2008 made clear, the social contract that defined postwar life in Europe and America - the guarantee of a basal level of security, stability and fairness -- is no longer guaranteed; in fact, it's no longer part of the common discourse. Judt offers the language we need to address our common needs, rejecting the nihilistic individualism of the far right and the debunked socialism of the past. To find a way forward, we must look to our not so distant past and to social democracy in action: to re-enshrining fairness over mere efficiency. Distinctly absent from our national dialogue, social democrats believe that the state can play an enhanced role in our lives without threatening our liberties. Instead of placing blind faith in the market-as we have to our detriment for the past thirty years-social democrats entrust their fellow citizens and the state itself. "Ill Fares the Land" challenges us to confront our societal ills and to shoulder responsibility for the world we live in. For hope remains. In reintroducing alternatives to the status quo, Judt reinvigorates our political conversation, providing the tools necessary to imagine a new form of governance, a new way of life.
Read Less
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $0.99, fair condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. This copy has clearly been enjoyed-expect noticeable shelf wear and some minor creases to the cover. Binding is strong and all pages are legible. May contain previous library markings or stamps.
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $0.99, good condition, Sold by ZBK Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Woodland Park, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Used book in good and clean conditions. Pages and cover are intact. Limited notes marks and highlighting may be present. May show signs of normal shelf wear and bends on edges. Item may be missing CDs or access codes. May include library marks. Fast Shipping.
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $1.94, good condition, Sold by The Maryland Book Bank rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from baltimore, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $1.94, fair condition, Sold by Gulf Coast Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Memphis, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $1.95, good condition, Sold by Books-FYI rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from cadiz, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $1.99, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $1.99, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $2.21, good condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Gently used with minimal wear on the corners and cover. A few pages may contain light highlighting or writing but the text remains fully legible. Dust jacket may be missing and supplemental materials like CDs or codes may not be included. Could have library markings. Ships promptly!
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $2.99, very good condition, Sold by Fort Hill International rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hillsboro, OH, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
The dust jacket shows normal wear and tear. Hardcover Book, Very good condition, but may have some minor wear to the cover or dust jacket, Pages are clean with little to no markings. May have name or inscription inside cover, Email with questions, Items are uploaded with their own individual photo, but when Multiple Items are for sale only one representative photo may be shown. Actual Photos are availible upon request. Fast Shipping Monday Through Saturday! -Safe and Secure!
Add this copy of Ill Fares the Land to cart. $3.00, good condition, Sold by HPB-Red rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Penguin Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
To me this book came across as distasteful and uninteresting. After reading a few pages, and skimming a few more, I put it away. If I got paid to review it, I believe that I might have read it. However, absent ulterior motivation, I see no point of spending my time with it.
Randall C
Mar 17, 2011
The cure for what ails us
Tony Judt was one of a rare breed we call public intellectuals. As he lay dying, he insisted on getting this book done as a way of trying one last time to show us what is possible, if only we try.
As we watch the Western world's governments struggle to right the capsized ship of laissez faire capitalism, Ill Fares The Land stands by as the answer, whether we call that social democracy or democratic socialism.
But this is not only a political or economic prescription. Rather, Judt wants a better world because he thinks we're capable of it. We don't have to succumb to the easy answer that the capitalists provide; we don't have to say that selfishness is the dominant human condition.
Judt gives us a brilliant analysis of what is, an incisive history of where it came from, and a reason to hope that we can all do better. And he does it in clear and riveting prose that makes the reading of Ill Fares The Land go as easily as any non-fiction book can.
