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Talk:We Are Doomed

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Reviews

[edit]

The following reviews were in the article. They are uniformly positive. Given the contentious nature of Mr. Derbyshire's writings it seems unlikely that all notable reviews of his book were positive. Including only positive reviews would thus violate NPOV. Also, some of the reviews appear to be from not terribly noteworth sources. If we're going to include reviews they should a more diverse selection of sources and a more noteworthy selection of sources. Readin (talk) 01:51, 7 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Grant Morgan wrote for the online magazine Canada’s Journal of Ideas that Derbyshire "makes a surprisingly energetic and amusing case" and "does so in a style that is accessible and sharp-witted, though at times unfocused." Morgan commented that he thought Derbyshire's views on culture and religion seem to reach too far and did not fit well with the material on public policy. Overall, Morgan wrote that the author "is likely to convert many readers to congenital pessimism" but fails to conclude the book with any kind of real recommendations or advice about how to fix these failing policies.[1]

Taki Theodoracopulos, a columnist and publisher of Taki's Magazine, commented, "Just when you thought there was nothing to American conservatism but a bunch of blue-blazered fuddy-duddies who talk about global democracy, here comes John Derbyshire, who reminds us all of the place of pessimism and skepticism in the Western tradition. Not a moment too soon."[2]

Theodore Dalrymple, a British author and columnist, referred to the book as, "A funny and brilliant call to pessimism, Man's last, best hope for a tolerable life." He also remarked about it that "Pessimists are not only the only realists; they have all the best jokes." Judge Robert H. Bork commented that Derbyshire's "argument is wide-ranging, erudite, and invigorating, but, paradoxically, delivered with cheerful panache."[2]

We do not remove sourced positive reviews because the subject is contentious. You are free to add negative reviews if you think that will improve the article. I looked at the sources and they appear to be ok. If you still have concerns ask at WP:RSN. Keep in mind it is important for a book article to have reviews otherwise it may be deleted per WP:NBOOK.– Lionel (talk) 07:03, 7 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Quite. All of these edits, all probably because of the one single C.o.I.-tag that I put on the article for John Derbyshire. Anyway, who is not note[-]worth[y]? (The word is spelled, or spelt, with a "y", by the way.) -- KC9TV 05:38, 8 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

References

  1. ^ Morgan, Grant (December 14, 2009). "The Audacity of Despair: Book Review of We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism". Canada’s Journal of Ideas. Retrieved July 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b "We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism". indiebound.org. Retrieved July 9, 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)