The Ancient Art of Thinking For Yours..., Robin Reames
The Ancient Art of Thinking For Yours..., Robin Reames
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

The Ancient Art of Thinking For Yourself
The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times

Author: Robin Reames

Narrator: Kim Niemi

Unabridged: 9 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/13/2024


Synopsis

The discipline of rhetoric was the keystone of Western education for over two thousand years. Only recently has its perceived importance faded.

In this book, renowned rhetorical scholar Robin Reames argues that, in today's polarized political climate, we should all care deeply about learning rhetoric. Drawing on examples ranging from the destructive ancient Greek demagogue Alcibiades to modern-day conspiracists like Alex Jones, Reames breaks down the major techniques of rhetoric, pulling back the curtain on how politicians, journalists, and "journalists" convince us to believe what we believe—and to talk, vote, and act accordingly. Understanding these techniques helps us avoid being manipulated by authority figures who don't have our best interests at heart. It also grants us rare insight into the values that shape our own beliefs. Learning rhetoric, Reames argues, doesn't teach us what to think but how to think—allowing us to understand our own and others' ideological commitments in a completely new way.

Thoughtful, nuanced, and leavened with dry humor, The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself offers an antidote to our polarized, post-truth world.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Rj on August 28, 2024

There us some good information here and some techniques that will be helpful in identifying how rhetoric is being used in a multitude of media. I also enjoyed reading how Reames describes the historical beginnings of rhetoric as a subject to be studied. Reames's political views are apparent despite......more

Goodreads review by Jess on April 17, 2025

This text offers techniques on how to think critally about any information that we come across in the world. The ability to think critically is a crucially valuable skill in a technological world full of misinformation. I recommend everyone read it and approach the subject with an open mind, because......more

Goodreads review by Sita on November 19, 2024

I think everyone should read this book because holy, was it very enlightening. I love how it talked about very current things and explained everything to eloquently/effectively. I will take what I have read here and definitely implement it in my life.......more

Goodreads review by Kristin on September 19, 2024

This wasn’t the easiest book to read, but it was very helpful in explaining how rhetoric can be used to mislead people. Reames explains the history of rhetoric and how it was used by the Sophists to bring down Athenian democracy. Are we in a similar position? Maybe so. But we can learn to spot dange......more

Goodreads review by Brandon on December 20, 2023

Ancient thinkers can still be influential today. Stoicism is in vogue these days, but Robin Reames makes the case that we can look to the ancients for help with rhetoric. Using Aristotle to consider media, for example, gives us a bit more insight into how people work to adapt their message to their......more