How Evil Works: Understanding and Overcoming the Destructive Forces That Are Transforming America |  | Author: David Kupelian
Publisher: Threshold Editions
Category: Book
List Price: $26.00
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Rating:  27 reviews
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 289
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1
ISBN: 1439168199
Dewey Decimal Number: 170
EAN: 9781439168196
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Product Description
Despite the human race's extraordinary capacity for invention and progress, we clearly have a millennia-old blind spot in one all-important area: We don't understand evil -- what it is, how it works, and why it so routinely and effortlessly ruins our lives. Put another way, we don't understand ourselves.David Kupelian, the bestselling author of The Marketing of Evil, probes the ancient question of evil through a modern journalist's eye, once again demonstrating his uncanny knack for demystifying complex, elusive, and intimidating subjects with fresh insights into the hidden mechanisms of seduction, corruption, and power politics. Diving into today's most electrifying news stories -- from terrorism and school shootings to high-profile sex scandals and political dysfunction -- Kupelian explores such profoundly troubling questions as: - How does terrorism really work?
- Why are New Age religions becoming so popular?
- Why do so many celebrities who "have it all" -- talent, fame, good looks, wealth, adoration -- end up self-destructing?
- Why are big lies more believable than little ones?
- Why are boys doing worse in school today than girls?
- Why do we treat mental, emotional, and spiritual problems, like anger and depression, with drugs?
Here's the good news: Once we really understand "how evil works" -- not just in the disasters and mega-crimes that dominate the headlines, but in our own lives as well -- evil actually loses much of its power over us, and the way out becomes more clear. Thus, How Evil Works bears a powerful message of genuine hope.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
 Fascinating Look at Evil from a Conservative World View February 19, 2010
O. Brown (Twopeas, WA)
140 out of 148 found this review helpful
*****
This book is a follow up to the author's previous book, "The Marketing of Evil", which I haven't read. You can read this book without having read the former; I can say that it stands alone as a provocative and challenging book that will appeal to people, primarily Christians, with a strong conservative world view. I am NOT one of those people (I am a more liberal, moderate Christian) but despite my beliefs, I found it interesting, compelling, and convicting. I have to admit that it made me think and perhaps reconsider some of my views, many of which I can now see are heavily influenced by my culture. This is a very, very controversial book as it is Bible-based, coming from a thoroughly Christian world-view, patriotic, pro-capitalism, anti-global warming, and pro-life. Many people will see these biases as negative or naive or even dangerous, and if that is you, this may not be the book for you. If however, you are a Christian, and you are curious as to how your stand on these things and many others relate to the concept of evil, deception, and truth, you will be fascinated by the book; I certainly was. If you are a liberal Christian and are open-minded to understanding a more intelligent presentation of conservative faith, I think you will find much to like here as well.
The author's premise is that we don't understand the mechanism of evil and how it works in American society today. He demonstrates how he sees evil working using examples from current events, science, and psychology, and of course, many Biblical references. The book is heavily footnoted and has a very detailed index. I especially appreciate the index because this book is one that I will think about and refer back to again and again, and look up examples the author discussed. This is a book I definitely want to discuss with others.
The book includes chapters focusing on diverse topics including: the failure of marriages, what the author calls "sexual anarchy", terrorism, neopaganism, the overuse of psychiatric prescription drugs, militant atheism, the demise of fatherhood and education for boys, celebrity culture, the power of hate, and so much more. It is well organized and contains convincing arguments that make the author's central point that we are corrupted by anti-biblical philosophies and societal confusion and that, as Christians, we lack courage and moral clarity. I think that he makes his point well and I have to agree with him. It made me want to become braver and it helped me to become clearer on what I really do believe. It helped me to see deception and yes, even evil, in many of the arguments for situational ethics and moral relativism. The author explained how many of the politically correct views we have today are based upon things like pride, a need for approval, and even narcissism. He demonstrates this in a powerful way. Unlike some conservative books that are more like rants or screeds, this book is calm and based upon reasoning---still, it is like a wake-up call for Christians. It certainly was a wake-up call for me.
The book discusses the remedy for cultural disarray--authentic Christian faith--which looks pretty different from the lifestyle of the typical American Christian. He interprets Bible passages that make sense to me in light of the times, and in a way that is not hateful, ugly, and judgmental. He calls evil "evil" which is a pretty brave and hard thing to do, especially in a way that is caring, concerned, and even loving. He makes the point often that the truth can be hard, but that it doesn't make it any less true, and he demonstrates this well, I think. It is a modern book for a modern time.
I don't want to be too over-the-top here, but this book was life-transforming for me. If you are ready for this, buy the book.
Highly recommended.
*****
A Must Read Book For Everyone To Understand the Evil in Our Current World February 22, 2010
C. Ragsdale (Irving, TX USA)
64 out of 73 found this review helpful
I just finished reading this book yesterday and had a hard time putting it down. However, the chapter on Rejecting God really made me sad because I am someone who has a close relationship with God and am a diehard Conservative Republican. You will not see this book as controversial if you are someone like me who is a Christian close to God and does notice all the satanic evil in the current world (i.e. in regards to our corrupt Government and the narcisstic leader in the White House who continues to thrive on all the lies he continues to tell the American people, self-absorbed celebrities, how people are addicted to anything related to sex, etc.) I love the fact that this author uses bible verses from the bible because I would question whether I should read it otherwise. If you are someone who believes in fighting for our God-given human rights, preserving our constitution written by our forefathers, advocate of capitalism rather than socialism (pure evil in intself), do not support the theory that we are faced with a global warming crisis (this is just the current administrations ploy to take more of our hard earned money by taxing us), and are against abortion then I highly recommend you read this book. I already knew there was alot of evil in the world and this book just proves my point. I also do not see this book as a threat to anyone as long as you have an open mind and are able to realize there are clearly some destructive forces in our country that are transforming our nation. I do not see this book being for someone who is out of touch in the world and/or someone who does not like to read Christian-based books (the best ones to read these days since God is truly the one and only savior we can trust in this evil world).
I totally support all the information this book points out about the current nefarious president of the United States and is very accurate in their information. I knew this book had a chapter about the government and why politicians lie which is the main reason that sold me on reading this book. This book definitely proves to be an eye-opener if someone is oblivious to the evil in our world. I can really appreciate this author's last chapter of the book about turning the tables on evil in America. If we as a nation care about protecting ourselves, our future way of life and other people in the world it is high time we rid our country of all the evil or our country will likely be doomed forever.
Worth every penny! February 25, 2010
JCPhelps (USA)
46 out of 52 found this review helpful
I'd heard about this book and found a sample for the Kindle. I didn't even finish the sample before I knew I wanted to own this book. I bought the Kindle version and didn't put it down. I plan to buy a paper version of this book as well. I want it on my bookshelf.
The book is written from a conservative Christan point of view but I believe it will appeal to other groups as well. The author cites his sources throughout the book, which I found added weight to his argument.
He writes about our downfall from humanity and why it is happening and what we can do to stop it. The book touches on many subjects that are important to our day to day freedoms. His explanations of human nature really made sense to me and explained a lot about why we find our world as it is today.
He uses religion throughout the book but I took much more from the book than that. This is one of those books that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Powerful and Profound April 22, 2010
DBA Susy (Boca Raton, FL USA)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
This is the most thought-provoking current events book I've ever read; far and away the best book of the 21st century so far. If you're confused by all the chaos around us today and don't know what to think, this book will help you to crystallize your thoughts and beliefs.
If you hate God, hate morality, hate liberty - you, like some other reviewers, will probably not care for the message in this book; it will hit way too close to home. However, if you are a mature, intelligent person, there are many topics within the book worthy of your consideration and attention.
Kupelian doesn't make it about left-wing and right-wing, men and women, heterosexual and homosexual; he makes it about being godly or being godless; doing good or doing evil. He writes in a loving, yet firm style that makes the truth of his message shine out.
This book will lead to far more interesting discussions around the water cooler than the plot of last night's episode of "24."
Enlighening and encouraging March 22, 2010
H. L. Bradshaw II (Tennessee)
21 out of 26 found this review helpful
Enlighening far beyond what I expected - encouraging in that if you understand the core and intent of evil you can protect yourself and your family from IT!!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
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