The Ministry of Truth: The Biography of George Orwell's 1984

"Something, some psychological vitamin, is lacking in modern civilization, and as a result, we are all more or less subject to this lunacy of believing that whole races or nations are mysteriously good or mysteriously evil…" Orwell.Although I consider Nineteen Eighty-Four one of my favorite books, and with Animal Farm also high on my list, I never dug into his writings any deeper. This book persuades me to break more dirt i.e. blow the dust off of the books that seem to salute me from the shelf, now. Like many of the authors of his period, his life appears as stirring as his written fiction. He was a British Imperial police officer in Burma, a volunteer for the Spanish Republic in its Civil War (where I sniper's bullet spiraled through his throat), a BBC broadcaster and WWII propagandist; a British Patriot (claimed by the Right and the Left); a fervent anti-totalitarian; a advocate for truth and self-examination and criticism; and a Socialist.The book takes a unique shape in focusing on the influences, events, and activities that lead Orwell to write Nineteen Eighty-Four (and, to a lesser extinct, Animal Farm). The book captures an exciting blend of politics, current events (then and now), "starving artist" struggles, and a brief history of Dystopian fiction.For me, some of the more enjoyable sections discussed the early Utopian and Dystopian fiction of H.G. Welles, London, Bellamy, Zamyatin, and Huxley (later chapters discuss touch upon the modern Dystopian fiction authors such as Margaret Atwood).Moreover, who knew that Nineteen Eighty-Four has two different published endings? The early version, which has one slight difference, hasn't been published in years, and conspiracy theories abound. And, though, it may have been merely a publishing error, it changes the atmosphere of the story. Regardless, this "biography" has given me some new insights—especially in the "Appendix" of Nineteen Eighty-Four that I had casually flipped through previously—on how to read the book. Alternatively, how not to read the book? I think that is what Orwell wanted: to think critically! The truth is in yourself. Find yourself. Examine yourself. Criticize yourself. Examine yourself. Criticize yourself…."Nationalism is power hunger tempered by self-deception. Every nationalist is capable of the most flagrant dishonesty, but he is also—since he is conscious of serving something bigger than himself—unshakable certain of being right." George Orwell.

I am a big fan of George Orwell and I love 1984. I have read it many times. I have also read biographies of the author and his own autobiographical writings. Mr. Lynskey’s book claims to be something different—a biography of the novel 1984. For the most part, that seems pretty on target.In the first part of the book there is some biography, to be sure, but it mostly is brief and begins mainly with Orwell’s experience in the Spanish Civil War, which informs some of the elements of 1984. There biographical chapters alternate with much more interesting chapters where Mr. Lynskey exams books and authors that influenced 1984. He has a chapter on the utopia-writers who preceded Orwell (particularly August Bellamy’s Looking Backwards). He also writes about the influence of H.G. Wells and Yevgeny Zamyatin, especially the latter’s We. In these novels, we can see elements that will work their way into Orwell’s thinking on 1984.The second part of the book is also engaging. In discusses the reception of the novel as well as the growing impact it has in the decades to follow, up to the present day. Mr. Lynskey looks at its influence during the Cold War and its impact on music, movies and TV. He devotes a chapter to the celebration of the novel in the actual year 1984, which I remember well as a sophomore in high school studying the novel in depth for the first time.As Mr. Lynskey points out, a strange thing has happened to 1984. It’s sensibility and language have become such a part of our culture that, for a novel written by an avowed but independent leftist, it is now embraced (and criticized) by everyone—left, right, and center. There is something about the world that Orwell creates in 1984 that speaks to the fears we all have about the workings of society and government. In a strange way, the novel has become a warning sign for us all against a willingness to manipulate history and truth. Because of that, it will remain a novel that is read, and Mr. Lynskey has provided an easily readable insight into this important work.

George Orwell is a hero of mine; not a saint, mind you, but a hero nonetheless.Orwell once praised a British weekly newspaper for making "a genuine effort ... to combine a radical Socialist policy with a respect for freedom of speech and a civilised attitude towards literature and the arts."The same could be said of George Orwell.Dorian Lynskey describes "The Ministry of Truth" as "a book whose central theme is the importance of objective truth." His research is solid; his interpretations are persuasive.This year marks the 70th anniversary of the publication of "1984." Very few books deserve their own biographies. "1984" is one of the exceptions.Postscript:Dorian Lynskey's "The Ministry of Truth" inspired me to reread George Orwell's dystopian classic. Part horror story, part cautionary tale, "1984" is a work of great literary imagination and political insight.Knowing in advance how badly things end somewhat lessens the story's emotional impact, but Winston and Julia's capture by the Thought Police is still soul crushing, as are Winston's betrayal of Julia in Room 101 and the vividly bleak final meeting "in the Park on a vile, biting day in March, when the earth was like iron and all the grass seemed dead."Orwell's dissection of authoritarian regimes is as timely as ever. We live in an age of government and corporate mass surveillance, drone warfare and militarized police but, for the sake of future generations, I need to think we might yet turn this ship around.

It was spot on and a much-needed book for the times. Everyone should read it or be silent when your rights are gone forever. Well you will need to silent because they will take you out and you have no recourse.

Liked, nay, loved everything about it. Hate what it says: the truth. Used for confirmation as though I needed it.

The media could not be loaded.  Chegou em perfeitas condições. Com capa dura e sobrecapa que protege muito bem o livro.Recomendo esta edição que chegou perfeita e sem problemas.

Titulo engañoso. yo queria leer el libro original de Orwell. el autor hace muchas referencias a otros autores y habla mucho de otros personjes dejando a Orwell en un tercer plano

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This is a tour de force, a superb piece of work by an author who is obviously fully engaged with, and deeply knowledgeable of his subject, not just Orwell himself, but the context of his works, in particular Ninety Eight Four. It is written with deep empathy for his subject, I was so sad when I finished it.I would recommend it unreservedly, not just to Orwell fans, but to anyone who cares about the preservation of truth in our public life.The title is slightly misleading, but no harm is done. The book divides into two (the first section being somewhat longer than the second). The first section contextualises Orwell’s writings, his books and the vast amount of other work he produced, via books, articles, essays and radio broadcasts. It begins with a general introduction to Orwell’s fixation with truth in public life, with particular focus on his experience as a volunteer soldier in Spain during the civil war (1936 to 1939). We move on to the literature of Utopia, then to 1938/40. Moving on to the futuristic works of HG Wells and Orwell’s work at the BBC (widely misunderstood to be the driving force behind Ninety Eight Four). We then move on to Zamyatin’s influential book “We” (1920/21) and the years 1944/45 with a focus on Animal Farm. Next to 1946/48 and the beginnings of the writing of Ninety Eight Four. And finally the publication of Ninety Eighty Four, its critical reception, and Orwell’s tragically early death.The second section deals with the cultural impact of Ninety Eighty Four, decade by decade, right up to the 2016 US election. Its absolutely fascinating, not least for the overview of 70 years of politics in which Ninety Eighty Four was deeply embedded.There is a precis of Ninety Eight Four at the back of the book, which is very helpful if (like me) it’s been a long while since one last read it.

This is an amazing book. Such extraordinarily good work ...I'm of the generation that absorbed Orwell - in fact the original television production of 1984 was - with Peer Gynt - the only television programme I was forbidden to watch, so naturally I found my own copy as soon as I could. And I grew up idolising the truth-tellers and communicators, like Orwell and Ed Murrow and Shostakovich. So of course I ordered this book as soon as hearing about it, and I thought it would be rather like catching up with an old friend I hadn't seen for years - easy, interesting, filling in gaps.Not so. This is a book that makes you slow down, because it's not for skip-reading; there's a gem on every page. The author has done an amazing job of going back into history's utopias and their opposites, from many different cultures; he weaves their influence on the growing - and thinking - Orwell. Then he reaches to the present day, taking in David Bowie, Margaret Atwood ... He shows the historical currents - socialism and totalitarianism, of course - that made him. It is so utterly interesting, told me so much more than I expected. (It's also beautifully written).And he loves his subject. Not, of course, blindly, but he writes of Orwell as if he were a friend. Someone said that when you dined with Gladstone you came away thinking how clever he was, but if you dined with Disraeli you came away thinking how wise you are; this book comes from a wise man who's proudly introducing his magnificent friend. It sent me to re-reading the actual novel, after a few years, and I realised again what a cracking good novel it is. Thank you very much indeed; I hope you had a wonderful time writing it.