Out of the Ashes

Rebuilding American Culture

By: Anthony M. Esolen

Narrated by: Adam Verner

It's not your imagination: civilized human society is collapsing. Communities no longer work toward a common good; children are no longer our first priority; businesses no longer value hard work; arts and skills have been lost; and gender is decided by the individual, not biology.

We cannot reverse national and global trends, says professor Anthony Esolen, but we can build communities that live up to humanity's promise and responsibility. In Out of the Ashes, Esolen identifies the gaping problems in our society and lays out a blueprint for reconstruction that puts our future in the hands of individuals focused on the good of the local community.

©2017 eChristian (P)2017 eChristian

Spot on

We can thoroughly relate as we have watched in likewise dismay the destruction and perversion of our culture. Thank you for your witness, your insights, and most of all the hope this book instills.

Esolen shows American Phoenix is possible

As is usually the case with Esolen, this book is well done overall. He does a great job putting flesh on the bare bones of a problem by providing many anecdotes and historical precedents. My only objection is his literary prowess can sometimes use things that perhaps are not as fitting for our Catholic faith as he presents them... for example, I would shy away from using Tolkien or any other myth based literature to buttress arguments. Contrary to modern thinking, myth has never been used well to support truth. One other objection is that sometimes he can be a little too immodest in explaining issues surrounding the lust-filled world we live in. That having been said, I and others with me have listened to a couple of his chapters in this book on manhood and womanhood several times without tiring. Esolen is truly an excellent author and I recommend ALL his books.
“Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry”

Excellent! Anthony Esolen hits it out of the park!

Very quotable. That's the only downside of the audible version- no ability to underline the great parts!

A Book That Gives Hope

With our culture and authority, schools and government, parenting and parental authority going down the cesspool, this book reminds us of the old days and gives hope. That hope is in Christ as Christians are on a pilgrimage. If one is divorced from God, then life on the horizontal level is lost.
Esolen uses examples from the Renaissance, Dante, Michelangelo, and many of the lost beauties of humanity to encourage reclamation within the family unit and NOT to be ashamed of it. Darkness cannot overcome the Light.

Intelligence, manly spirit, politically incorrect

This is a must read for anyone who likes to be challenged. Even if you disagree with much, which is likely, you will be challenged to say why. Is American democracy a barbarous tyranny? Whatever your political persuasion, he argues persuasively from the twin perspective of Catholicism and the Pagan Greeks that something has gone terribly wrong in America (and in Canada too). Whether or not you appreciate that he calls Hillary Clinton a whore, he explains why in such a way that elevates the conversation. His analysis of modern culture as either garish or drab is spot on, and his use of metaphor is memorable, for example: plywood.