Overview

"WILLIAM GAIRDNER has published a dozen books, a half-dozen journal articles, and hundreds of insightful essays online. As a consequence, many eager to read his work, are not sure where to begin. Disruptive Essays was created to help them. It is what some call a ""Reader,"" offering a fascinating and varied selection from his bestselling books, articles, and blogs. The disruptive title was chosen because, as Gairdner warns: ""There Are No Safe Spaces In This Book!"" It's only for those who enjoy deeply-deployed, tough arguments on a wide range of politically-incorrect topics, from the failures of socialism, to the falsities of feminism, to the folly of gay marriage, to the many popular illusions about, well, almost everything. Yes, everything. Readers will come face to face with the perhaps fatal weaknesses of democracy, with Karl Marx, with Lance Armstrong, Rousseau, Hitler, Mill, and Nabokov, and with the broader case for why Liberals and Conservatives will never, ever agree. And more: with the attack on traditional marriage, with sexing society, with objections to global warming, with the war between Christianity and Islam, with moral relativism, and with how there are six kinds of freedom, not just one. This is a book for those keen to challenge themselves with the clarity and controversy of no-holds-barred debate."

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9781988360263

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Reviews

Disruptive Essays is like a greatest hits album from a tireless musician, although the melodies are formed with words and ideas, not musical notes. And the most wonderful thing about Bill's books is that they are not written for specialists. Any educated and reflective person can understand them ... his books have informed and inspired a generation ... after reading this collection, you will see why. -- From the Preface, by Tom Flanagan, Professor Emeritus of Political Science University of Calgary In these iconoclastic essays, William Gairdner challenges us to rethink what we thought we knew about climate change, capitalism, sex differences, daycare, Quebec, Islam -- and a host of other topics. He draws the reader in with great verve and energy, and a writing style that is crystal clear. -- Ian Gentles, Professor Emeritus of History, York University For some four decades, William Gairdner has warned Canadians of how their country has been hollowed out by left-wing ideologies such as have ruined so many countries around the world. In this collection of essays, old and new, Gairdner informs, questions, and unsettles his readers by disrupting their unexamined or complacent views about politics, culture, religion, and always as a teacher, encouraging them to think for themselves anew. -- Salim Mansur, Professor of Political Science, University of Western Ontario

Author Information

As a young athlete, Bill competed in the decathlon at the Pan-Am Games in Brazil and at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964, and then in two Commonwealth Games (Jamaica, 1966, and Edinburgh, 1970), in the 400 metre hurdles event. After earning a PhD from Stanford University, he taught English Literature at York University, then pursued a career in business, from which he retired in 1988 to devote his time to writing. In quick succession he produced a string of bestselling books, including The Trouble With Canada, The War Against The Family, The Book of Absolutes, and Canada's Founding Debates - an historical landmark. His most recent is The Great Divide: Why Liberals and Conservatives Will Never, Ever Agree. Blog: www.williamgairdner.ca Twitter: @williamgairdner

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