The Madness of Crowds

In his devastating new book The Madness of Crowds, Douglas Murray examines the twenty-first century's most divisive issues: sexuality, gender, technology and race. He reveals the astonishing new culture wars playing out in our workplaces, universities, schools and homes in the names of social justice, identity politics and 'intersectionality'.

We are living through a postmodern era in which the grand narratives of religion and political ideology have collapsed. In their place have emerged a crusading desire to right perceived wrongs and a weaponization of identity, both accelerated by the new forms of social and news media. Narrow sets of interests now dominate the agenda as society becomes more and more tribal – and, as Murray shows, the casualties are mounting.

Readers of all political persuasions cannot afford to ignore Murray's masterfully argued and fiercely provocative book, in which he seeks to inject some sense into the discussion around this generation's most complicated issues. He ends with an impassioned call for free speech, shared common values and sanity in an age of mass hysteria.

“Simply brilliant. Reading it to the end, I felt as though I'd just drawn my first full breath in years. At a moment of collective madness, there is nothing more refreshing - or, indeed, provocative - than sanity.”

Douglas Murray fights the good fight for freedom of speech ... A truthful look at today's most divisive issues Jordan B. Peterson, bestselling author of 12 Rules for Life [Murray's] latest book is beyond brilliant and should be read, must be read, by everyone. He mercilessly exposes the hypocrisy and embarrassingly blatant contradictions that run rife through the current 'woke' vogue. Richard Dawkins Whether one agrees with him or not, Douglas Murray is one of the most important public intellectuals today. Bernard-Henri Levy How can you not know about The Madness of Crowds? It's actually the book I've just finished. You can't just not read these books, not know about them. Tom Stoppard Sam Harris, author of five New York Times bestsellers and host of the Making Sense podcast. An abomination Titania McGrath, author of Woke: A Guide to Social Justice This is an author who specialises in expressing what everyone sort of knows already and is afraid to say ... well argued, well supported and well observed Lionel Shriver, The Times Graceful and witty Guardian Necessary and provocative Evening Standard Impressive and lively ... Murray's comprehensive survey of the prevailing madness will not persuade every reader. But it raises the real questions of our times. Roger Scruton, Unherd Murray's book performs a great service Financial Times Fascinating ... Much of what Murray writes is pertinent and hard to disagree with Sunday Times Murray is a superbly perceptive guide through the age of the social justice warrior Daily Telegraph Murray's book raises urgent questions about how people should conduct themselves in today's age of "wokeness"' Catholic Herald

Douglas Murray is a regular columnist for both the Spectator and Standpoint and writes frequently for a variety of other publications, including the Sunday Times and Wall Street Journal. A prolific debater, Douglas has spoken on a variety of prominent platforms, including at the British and European Parliaments and the White House.

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