Excellent! ( )

History for the unwashed masses, or, why all these pointy-headed folks from Rousseau on down were really horrible people and why thinking gets you nowhere.

Hardly necessary in an America where anyone holding a book not written by Tom Clancy or Bill O'Reilly is instantly suspected of being a dangerous subversive or, at the very least, a weirdo.

Good review of Johnson's book at a Cornell web page copied here:

"... Johnson's definition of "intellectual" is a person who feels called, and qualified, to formulate and promote theories and schemes for "improving" the human condition, without reference to, and often in opposition to, established traditional and religious norms. To Johnson, it seems rather arrogant for a single human being, limited as we are in our ability to know and comprehend the history of human behavior, to presume to create an ultimate plan for the improvement of humankind...."

" 'intellectual characteristics' in the index to Intellectuals:

* anger, aggressiveness, violence
* cowardice
* cruelty
* deceitfulness, dishonesty
* egocentricity, egotism
* genius for self-publicity
* hypocrisy
* ingrattitude, rudeness
* intolerance, misanthropy
* love of power
* manipulativeness, exploitativeness
* quarrelsomeness
* self-deception, gullibility
* selfishness, ruthlessness
* self-pity
* self-righteousness
* shiftlessness, spongeing
* snobbery
* vanity

One of the most beneficial aspects of this book is as a cautionary tale for those who aspire to improve the world with their ideas. The flaws of Johnson's "intellectuals" are common to humanity. Some individuals are blessed or cursed with sufficient influence to see their schemes implemented. Very few are able to resist the abuse of this power...." Link Here