The Ordeal of Change (edit title)

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Liked It Rated 4 stars “"It is my impression that no one really likes the new. ...We have to adjust ourselves, and every radical adjustment is a crisis in self-esteem: We undergo a test; we have to prove ourselves. It needs inordinate self-confidence to face drastic change without inner trembling." So begins Hoffer's...” see full review » see other reviews »

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  • Rated 3 stars

  “My first Hoffer book... he has some brilliance... he has come common thoughts... he has some very dated philosophy... I am holding off on my opinions until I read more.”

  Gary A wrote this review 17 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 4 stars

  “"It is my impression that no one really likes the new. ...We have to adjust ourselves, and every radical adjustment is a crisis in self-esteem: We undergo a test; we have to prove ourselves. It needs inordinate self-confidence to face drastic change without inner trembling." So begins Hoffer's book on change. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was interesting nonetheless, as Hoffer always is. He certainly has intellectuals pegged, especially his insight that they crave to be taken seriously, which is why they rather be persecuted (as under Communism) than ignored. I loved his definition of the uppermost problem which confronts leadership in a Communist regime: How to make people work. Work is viewed a curse under Communism, but satisfying and rewarding under Capitalism. An interesting view that broadens the economist's "incentives matter" outlook. This book was written in 1963, yet Hoffer seemed to foretell the troubles the USSR would face during the 1980s-90s: "...the critical moment for the Communist regimes will come when they begin to reform, that is to say, when they begin to show liberal tendencies." He also offers sage advice for our current economic crisis: "There can be no real freedom without the freedom to fail." Too bad we keep propping up dinosaurs such as GM, Chrysler, etc.
  
  I didn't agree with everything in this book, and it didn't deal directly enough with the topic to meet my expectations. Still, it's a worthwhile read, but I would suggest reading Hoffer's "The True Believer" book first. If you enjoy, then read this one.”

  Ron B wrote this review Saturday, June 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No