Against the Web

A Cosmopolitan Answer to the New Right

By: Michael Brooks

Narrated by: Sam Seder

Michael Brooks takes on the new "Intellectual Dark Web."

As the host of The Michael Brooks Show and cohost of the Majority Report, Brooks was a progressive fighter whose work brought people together from around the world. In this, his first book, he lets his understanding of the digital media environment direct his analysis of the "conservative rebels" who had taken YouTube by storm in 2018.

Brooks provides a theoretically rigorous but accessible critique of the most prominent "renegades," including Sam Harris, Jordan Peterson, and Brett Weinstein while also examining the social, political, and media environment that such rebels thrive in.

©2019 Michael Brooks (P)2023 Tantor

Great analysis of the right wing grift machine.

The only thing I don’t like about this book is that it’s the only one Michael Brooks wrote. Great job picking apart the inconsistencies of reactionary personalities on the right.
Michael exquisitely dissects their methods and turns them inside out, exposing their hollow nature for all to see. Then, he offers a humble and consistent argument for progress. It’s a shame he didn’t live long enough to do his own impersonations for the audio. Would’ve been a nice cherry on top. Still, I could hear his voice in my head through Sam’s valiant attempts.

Great writing from a great mind.

Still relevant today even with some of these grifters losing relevancy.

solidarity with workers

A great takedown of right-wing culture warriors

Relevant in 2023, even if some of those discussed (Dave Rubin) are not. Michael did a good job deconstructing the most pernicious arguments made by the right-wing demagogues who still dominate online discourse, which inevitably trickles down into the mainstream, and does so with historical context. If only Michael could have seen the new faces who have come to the fore and the right's ironic and unabashed embrace of things they once criticized (like liberal cancel culture) since Michael's passing, there would possibly be an updated edition; however, the analysis and tactics to combat them, as presented in this book, are still be relevant.

Sam does a good job at narrating this book. Sam's impersonations pale into comparison to what Michael could do (Michael could pull off a better Sam somehow than Sam himself), but I couldn't think of a better person to narrate this book except Michael Brooks himself.

Informative

Was a good read and now it’s a good listen too. I highly recommend. Maybe buy the book too.

Michael wrote a good book that stands up to time

Sam did a good job reading this book, as it takes a look at the motives and tactics of right wing grifters.

sadly money will continue to pour in and pay gritters and buy off corporate democrats but Michael shows there is a space for progressive voices to build coalitions and carve out power and progress for people.