Robert Sheaffer

The author starts out well in an attempt to detail the rise of anti-intellectualism and rage against achievement, but he quickly falls prey to anti-intellectualism himself. His biggest problem is his definition of achievement, which seems to be based solely on how much money you make, and relegates all the academics and other intellectuals into the dustbin of failure. The author assumes, also, that they desire what he has, and are eager to take it away from him. His talk of "bristling arrows show more of resentment" is amusing, because this book fairly bristles with resentment against those who don't recognize his achievement, and instead feel free to offer up their own version, based on what's important to them. The author writes with an easy style, but his angry libertarianism detracts immensely from the value of the book. show less