Status
Available
Collection
Publication
New York : Ballantine Books, [2014]
Description
Russell Brand wants YOU to join the revolution. We all know the system isn't working. Our governments are corrupt and the opposing parties pointlessly similar. Our culture is filled with vacuity and pap, and we are told there's nothing we can do - "it's just the way things are". In this book, Russell Brand hilariously lacerates the straw men and paper tigers of our conformist times and presents, with the help of experts as diverse as Thomas Piketty and George Orwell, a vision for a fairer, sexier society that's fun and inclusive. You have been lied to, told there's no alternative, no choice and that you don't deserve any better. Brand destroys this illusory facade as amusingly and deftly as he annihilates Morning Joe anchors, Fox News fascists and BBC stalwarts. This book makes revolution not only possible, but inevitable and fun.… (more)
Subjects
Language
Physical description
xiv, 299 p.; 25 cm
Media reviews
What hasn't been noted sufficiently about Revolution is that it's unreadable. Brand's narrative voice, insouciant and charmingly offensive in both Booky Wooks and various newspaper columns, is a real gift, and it appears only in glimpses here, being otherwise smothered by an invective of
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meaningless jargon so pompous and indecipherable that it induces headaches. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member AliceaP
There's a very good reason that it took me several weeks to finish up Russell Brand's newest book. When you read a book that questions the very fabric of reality which you have been indoctrinated into...well it takes a bit to let it all sink in. What can I say about Revolution except that it was
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utterly brilliant? It's clear from the opening pages that Brand is passionate about the topic of change on a global level. The book focuses on environmental and economic change which can only occur if our current system is overthrown completely. He makes several valid points and backs it up with solid data. The only problem I really had with Revolution is that there was no index (which anyone who is a nonfiction guzzler will say is a big no-no). It won't be difficult to verify the facts but it does lend firing power to anyone who seeks to argue the credibility of the work. He doesn't pull any punches (when does he?) and I think for a work such as this you can't if you sincerely want people to rise up and unite. So basically I think you should all give this book a read. It will make you think about the current system we have in place and make you question why we accept it knowing that it's faulty. Show Less
LibraryThing member ozzer
Brand’s erratic narrative is often hard to follow and this detracts greatly from what are indeed serious and quite possibly existential topics—inequality, dysfunctional government, continuous war, environmental degradation and especially rampant corporatism. His solutions are vague, calling on
He makes many good points. On materialism: “What Bernays established was the connection between consuming a product and feeling better.” Abuse of drugs and alcohol: “If you can’t escape the system, you’ve got to escape yourself.” Spiritualism: “The only meaningful interpretation of any religious teaching is to honor the divine within ourselves and love the divine in one another.” The Iraq war: “The only real link between al Qaeda and Iraq was the letter Q.” Capitalism: “Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men for the nastiest of motives will somehow work for the benefit of all.”—Maynard Keynes. Unfortunately, Brand doesn’t develop any of these ideas in systematic ways. Instead he seems to use them much like he would in a stand-up comedy routine. Indeed, Brand’s sense of humor is the most redeeming feature of this otherwise disappointing book.
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individual responsibility and getting in touch with the spiritual. “The only revolution that can really change the world is the one in your own consciousness, and mine has already begun.” He makes many good points. On materialism: “What Bernays established was the connection between consuming a product and feeling better.” Abuse of drugs and alcohol: “If you can’t escape the system, you’ve got to escape yourself.” Spiritualism: “The only meaningful interpretation of any religious teaching is to honor the divine within ourselves and love the divine in one another.” The Iraq war: “The only real link between al Qaeda and Iraq was the letter Q.” Capitalism: “Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men for the nastiest of motives will somehow work for the benefit of all.”—Maynard Keynes. Unfortunately, Brand doesn’t develop any of these ideas in systematic ways. Instead he seems to use them much like he would in a stand-up comedy routine. Indeed, Brand’s sense of humor is the most redeeming feature of this otherwise disappointing book.
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LibraryThing member AidClu06
Enjoyable but political ideas lack a clear direction. Felt very “under-graduate”, the cries of a man upset with the system but doesn’t know what he wants instead.
LibraryThing member dickmanikowski
While I didn't finish this one (too many books, too little time), it was interesting in an offbeat way. I didn't know much about Russell Brand, other than that he's a Brit who used to be married to American pop singer Katy Perry and that he had done some reality TV program.
After dipping into the
He makes it a point not to take his own celebrity too serious.
Interesting ideas. Since the book (or at least as much of it as I read) appears to be more of a series of topical essays, it lends itself to reading in fits and starts.
My only problem with it (other than the fact that it was competing against more compelling reads in my stack) was occasionally having to untangle some impenetrable bit of English slang.
After dipping into the
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book, I now know he's an articulate man who's deeply dissatisfied with many of the same things about modern society that I'm not very happy with myself. However, he advocates more radical methods (as the book's title suggests) of addressing those problems.He makes it a point not to take his own celebrity too serious.
Interesting ideas. Since the book (or at least as much of it as I read) appears to be more of a series of topical essays, it lends itself to reading in fits and starts.
My only problem with it (other than the fact that it was competing against more compelling reads in my stack) was occasionally having to untangle some impenetrable bit of English slang.
Show Less
LibraryThing member dickmanikowski
While I didn't finish this one (too many books, too little time), it was interesting in an offbeat way. I didn't know much about Russell Brand, other than that he's a Brit who used to be married to American pop singer Katy Perry and that he had done some reality TV program.
After dipping into the
He makes it a point not to take his own celebrity too serious.
Interesting ideas. Since the book (or at least as much of it as I read) appears to be more of a series of topical essays, it lends itself to reading in fits and starts.
My only problem with it (other than the fact that it was competing against more compelling reads in my stack) was occasionally having to untangle some impenetrable bit of English slang.
After dipping into the
Show More
book, I now know he's an articulate man who's deeply dissatisfied with many of the same things about modern society that I'm not very happy with myself. However, he advocates more radical methods (as the book's title suggests) of addressing those problems.He makes it a point not to take his own celebrity too serious.
Interesting ideas. Since the book (or at least as much of it as I read) appears to be more of a series of topical essays, it lends itself to reading in fits and starts.
My only problem with it (other than the fact that it was competing against more compelling reads in my stack) was occasionally having to untangle some impenetrable bit of English slang.
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LibraryThing member LARA335
In Revolution Russell Brand considers why he doesn't vote. And the result is a quick, entertaining, funny and thought-provoking read. Brand is articulate, impulsive and refreshingly idealistic. His life has been a series of addictions: materialism/drugs/sex/self-promotion/love/spirituality, and I'm
In the meantime I'm watching politicians/the media/the local shopping centre with fresh eyes. Thank you Russell.
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fascinated to see in what direction he will ricochet off to next.In the meantime I'm watching politicians/the media/the local shopping centre with fresh eyes. Thank you Russell.
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LibraryThing member pivic
This book is fair. Not more.
Or rather, it contains a lot of great information and thought-worthy elements, but given Brand's a) ADHD way of acting out - which I think works well in condensed textual form, or while performing stand-up - and b) how the book should have been much better edited, it's a
Brand obviously caters to Noam Chomsky - whom I love - and Bill Hicks - whom I also love - but can't pull off what they brought to the table. I mean, his thoughts are interesting but not much more. I hope this book will work as a kind of trampoline for people who will reach Chomsky and Hicks because of it.
Or rather, it contains a lot of great information and thought-worthy elements, but given Brand's a) ADHD way of acting out - which I think works well in condensed textual form, or while performing stand-up - and b) how the book should have been much better edited, it's a
Show More
bit of a failure.Brand obviously caters to Noam Chomsky - whom I love - and Bill Hicks - whom I also love - but can't pull off what they brought to the table. I mean, his thoughts are interesting but not much more. I hope this book will work as a kind of trampoline for people who will reach Chomsky and Hicks because of it.
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LibraryThing member sami7
Lots of conspiracies in this funny nicely written book. TL;DR: Capitalism has to go!
Pages
xiv; 299