Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America

by Kurt Andersen
Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America cover
Good Books rating 4.0
History, Political, Military, Adventure
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 5463
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2026-02-02
  • ISBN: 9781473583689
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2020-08-27
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Evil Geniuses delves into the hidden narrative of how, over the past half-century, America shifted from a vision of progress for all to a system benefiting only the elite. This exposé reveals how a group of industrialists, business leaders, and libertarians built an empire of think tanks and political organizations to reshape the nation's economy and laws, all while selling their agenda as a return to traditional values. /n/nThrough meticulous research, Kurt Andersen maps the intricate networks and dark truths that have led to the current political and economic landscape, offering a compelling look at how America arrived at this point and what steps might be taken to reclaim its progressive future.

Reviews
Bookmarks Reviews · 2025-12-24
entertaining 4.50

The book is surprisingly entertaining and engaging, with the author's lively and humorous writing style making complex topics accessible. It provides a critical examination of the deliberate reengineering of American society and economy since the 1960s.

The reviewer found the book to be a surprisingly entertaining and engaging read, despite its heavy subject matter. The author's lively and humorous writing style makes complex topics accessible and engaging. The book provides a critical examination of how a confederacy of the rich and the right have deliberately reengineered American society and economy since the 1960s. The reviewer appreciates the thorough research and the insightful analysis presented in the book, making it a compelling read for those interested in understanding the current state of American politics and society.

Quick quotes

    The book is, perhaps counterintuitively, terrifically entertaining and engaging.

    Andersen is a lively and funny writer who has honed his voice through a long career in journalism and cultural commentary.

    Evil Geniuses chronicles the quite deliberate reengineering of our economy and society since the 1960s by a highly rational confederacy of the rich, the right, and the corporate world.

George Kelley's Blog · George Kelley · 2021-01-01
entertaining 4.00

The book isn't afraid to delve into the political weeds to identify significant but low-profile figures who have shaped America's trajectory. It's a deeply researched and entertaining expose of the cultural and economic forces at play.

George Kelley appreciates how Kurt Andersen isn't afraid to go into the political weeds to identify significant but low-profile figures who have shaped America's trajectory. The book is a deeply researched and entertaining expose of the cultural and economic forces that have led to the current state of America. Kelley highlights Andersen's ability to name names and provide a detailed account of the individuals and groups who have influenced the country's direction. The book is a bit dense, but it's an important read for anyone interested in the political and economic landscape of America. It's a call to action for those who want to see a more fair and equitable society.

Quick quotes

    Kurt Andersen isn't afraid to go into the political weeds to identify significant but low-profile Evil Geniuses.

    Take Grover Norquist as an example.

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

Auxiliary Memory · The reviewer · 2021-01-01
fascination 3.50

The book provides a fascinating look at how conservatives have manipulated the law schools and the judicial system. It's a well-researched and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the hidden forces shaping American society.

The reviewer at Auxiliary Memory appreciates the depth of the analysis in 'Evil Geniuses'. They highlight the book's fascinating look at how conservatives have manipulated the law schools and the judicial system. The reviewer appreciates the book's well-researched and thought-provoking analysis and its ability to shed light on the hidden forces shaping American society. However, they also note that the book's conclusions can be tough to digest, as it paints a picture of a system that has been manipulated by a small group of powerful individuals. The reviewer's opinion is that the book is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the current state of America, but it's not an easy read.

Quick quotes

    Andersen chronicles how conservatives began manipulating law schools and the judicial system back in the 1970s.

    A well-researched and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the hidden forces shaping American society.

    A must-read for anyone trying to understand the current state of America.

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.

Appears in Lists