Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America

Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America cover
Good Books rating 4.25
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Technical
  • ID: 5463
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9781473583689
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2020-08-27
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Evil Geniuses delves into the hidden networks and dark truths that have shaped America's political and economic landscape over the past half-century. From the chaos of the 1960s through the rise of Donald Trump, a cabal of industrialists, business leaders, and libertarians worked behind the scenes to reshape the nation's values and institutions. This deeply researched exposé reveals how they built an empire of think tanks, media outlets, and political groups to promote their agenda of unchecked profit and self-interest. The book also explores the cultural and economic implications of this shift, showing how America's progressive vision was overshadowed by the unchecked power of the super-rich./n/nKurt Andersen's engaging and meticulously researched narrative maps the intricate connections and strategies that have controlled the nation. By exposing these hidden forces, Evil Geniuses offers a critical look at how America arrived at its current state and suggests paths to reclaiming a more equitable future. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the underlying forces shaping modern America.

Reviews
The New York Times · 2020-08-28
provocative 4.00

The book argues that America's political economy has been hijacked by capital over the past several decades. It provides a fresh and provocative history of this shift.

The reviewer highlights that the book offers a deeply researched and brilliantly woven cultural, economic, and political chronicle. They argue that Andersen's work is a fresh and provocative history that sheds light on how America's political economy has been hijacked by capital over the past several decades. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to provide a new perspective on a complex issue.


Quick quotes

    In 'Evil Geniuses,' Kurt Andersen argues that, over the past several decades, America's political economy has been hijacked by capital.

    Andersen offers a fresh, provocative, and eye-opening history.

    The book provides a new perspective on a complex issue.

Daunt Books · 2020-08-28
entertaining 4.50

The book is described as a hugely entertaining and deeply researched cultural and economic expose. It maps the rich history of America's political economy.

The reviewer describes the book as a hugely entertaining and deeply researched cultural and economic expose. They appreciate how Andersen maps the rich history of America's political economy, providing a comprehensive and engaging narrative. The reviewer finds the book to be a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of America's political and economic landscape.


Quick quotes

    In this hugely entertaining and deeply researched cultural and economic expose, New York Times bestselling author Kurt Andersen maps the rich history of ...

    Andersen provides a comprehensive and engaging narrative.

    The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of America's political and economic landscape.

Mal Warwick on Books · 2020-08-28
critical 4.25

The book dives into the history of a campaign and names the men who pandered to the backlash. It provides a critical examination of how the wealthy elite and corporations have shaped American society and politics.

The reviewer appreciates how the book dives into the history of a campaign and names the men who pandered to the backlash. They find the book to be a critical examination of how the wealthy elite and corporations have shaped American society and politics. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to provide a nuanced and insightful analysis of a complex issue.


Quick quotes

    In Evil Geniuses, author Kurt Andersen dives into the history of this campaign and names the names of the men—they were all men—who pandered to the backlash.

    He provides a critical examination of how the wealthy elite and corporations have shaped American society and politics.

    The book offers a nuanced and insightful analysis of a complex issue.