Orwell is a visionary whose idea(l)s are way ahead of his time. I am especially taken by the sections "Why I Write" and "Politics and the English Language" -- the former for capturing clearly the pervasive, all-encompassing nature of politics, and the latter for showing us how political language "is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind".

His observations of England and its politics are ... (show more)

Orwell is a visionary whose idea(l)s are way ahead of his time. I am especially taken by the sections "Why I Write" and "Politics and the English Language" -- the former for capturing clearly the pervasive, all-encompassing nature of politics, and the latter for showing us how political language "is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind".

His observations of England and its politics are insightful -- critical of her Empire and yet he highlighting the "hypocrisy" of its leaders who were ironically critical of another conqueror, Hitler. While critical of the establishment, he has spoken against the leftists (who in most societies act to check on the establishment) for toying with the idea of wanting to form an allegiance with the Nazi founder.

Meanwhile, his list of 6 policy pro-Socialist recommendations are telling of his years as a poor Englishman. I like that even as he expresses allegiance for Socialism, he is pragmatic and does not claim them to be the end-all. (show less)