The Terror of the Unforeseen (LARB Provocations) - Softcover

Giroux, Henry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1940660491 ISBN 13: 9781940660493

Publisher: Los Angeles Review of Books, 2019

Synopsis

In a searing takedown of the populist authoritarian vision of America, The Terror of the Unforeseen tackles the resurgence of fascism in the age of Donald Trump’s presidency. Through the mendacious exchange of facts for “fake news,” Henry A. Giroux examines the language of hatred that activates neoliberal fascism, complete with state-sanctioned racism, casino capitalism, and fear-mongering at federal and local levels. In this “age of disposability,” Trump’s rhetoric eschews reason and democratic principles in favor of impetuous politics rooted in bigotry, all to injuriously catastrophic effect. Through protests, strikes, and education, Giroux proposes an international social movement that joins together various modes of resistance to illuminate a democratic renewal, and proves himself once again as one of the great public intellectuals of our time.

About this title

About the Author:

Henry Giroux is scholar and cultural critic. One of the founding theorists of critical pedagogy in the United States, he is known for his pioneering work in public pedagogy, cultural studies, youth studies, higher education, media studies, and critical theory. He has published more than 60 books, and is published widely throughout education and cultural studies literature.

Julian Casablancas is an American singer/songwriter and lead singer of The Strokes. He works at the intersection of music and politics. His political philosophies question the economies of capitalist greed and the dominating relationship of political institutions over democracy.

Review:

"Henry Giroux, a brilliant and revolutionary thinker, helps us understand why we must refuse to equate capitalism and democracy, or to normalize greed or accept individualism as the highest form of human life. In this exciting new take on social reality, Giroux describes how the neoliberalism that has for the past 40 years has been paving a path to fascism that will have a distinctively contemporary flavor, yet will be just as destructive as fascisms of the past. Filled with passion and insight, The Terror of the Unforeseen is a book that should be read by anyone who wants to understand and prepare for the dangers and opportunities of political struggle in the 2020s." ―Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor of Tikkun Magazine and author of Revolutionary Love (Rabbi Michael Lerner)

"Henry Giroux has, for decades, combined passion and intellect to map out the often terrifying directions of US politics and economics, while recognizing, as too few on the left have, that culture matters. Refusing to give in to despair, The Terror of the Unforeseen argues that education is the necessary cornerstone of any democratic political struggle. It demonstrates, once again, why Giroux is one of the most important public intellectuals in the United States." ―Lawrence Grossberg, Morris Davis Distinguished Professor at UNC Chapel Hill (Lawrence Grossberg)

"Henry Giroux's The Terror of the Unforeseen provides an urgent warning in response to Donald Trump’s collapsing of language, showing us an alternative path through his own thoughtful, compassionate, sincere, and sophisticated writing." ―Nick Pemberton (Nick Pemberton)

"Henry Giroux is aware that only vigilance will save us from the erosion of democracy that is occurring daily in the US and in other parts of the world. As a public intellectual propelled by a strong moral imperative, he has taken on the task of analyzing the causes and effects of this alarming situation in all their complexity. The Terror of the Unforeseen is a compelling addition to this ongoing, vital project." ―Carol Becker, Dean of Columbia University School of the Arts (Carol Becker)

About this edition

• Publisher: Los Angeles Review of Books
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1940660491
• ISBN 13: 9781940660493
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 245