1984 is one of the greatest books of the 20th century and is living on into the 21st. It offers unmatched insights into the nature of totalitarianism, the use of language to control thought and narrative, and the nature of fear and betrayal. Is a profound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating book. Highly recommend!

I bought this copy of 1984 because;1. It stated "Quality Very Good" (it was 'Acceptable' at best).2. I wanted the book cover as advertised (it was a different cover)Why do WOB permit their sellers to mislead customers so often?I now see this 'store' as way less reliable than Amazon. Cheaper - yes, but in both senses of the word.Could do better...

Att läsa om 1984 var både roligt men även skrämmande. George Orwells förutspåelser är förvisso i tid något felaktiga men nu aktuellare än nånsin.Lite favoritcitat på originalspråket:It was not desirable that the proles (the common people) should have strong political feelings.Men in the mass were frail cowardly creatures who could not endure liberty or face the truth, and must be ruled over by others who were stronger than themselves.It presupposed that somewhere or other, outside oneself, there was a "real" world where real things happened. But how could there be such a world? What knowledge have we of anything, save through our own minds? All happenings are in the mind. Whatever happens in the mind, truly happens.Doublethink means the power of holding two ... MoreAtt läsa om 1984 var både roligt men även skrämmande. George Orwells förutspåelser är förvisso i tid något felaktiga men nu aktuellare än nånsin.Lite favoritcitat på originalspråket:It was not desirable that the proles (the common people) should have strong political feelings.Men in the mass were frail cowardly creatures who could not endure liberty or face the truth, and must be ruled over by others who were stronger than themselves.It presupposed that somewhere or other, outside oneself, there was a "real" world where real things happened. But how could there be such a world? What knowledge have we of anything, save through our own minds? All happenings are in the mind. Whatever happens in the mind, truly happens.Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.The heresy of heresies is common sense.Until the people become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.There was no imbecility, absolutely none, that she was not capable of swallowing if the Party handed it out to her.The terrible thing that the Party had done was to persuade you that mere impulses, mere feelings, were of no account, while at the same time robbing you of all power over the material world.Applied to a Party member, it means loyal willingness to say that black is white when Party discipline demands this. But it means also the ability to believe that black is white, and more, to know that black is white, and to forget that one has ever believed the contrary.No change in doctrine or in political alignment can ever be admitted. For to change one's policy, is a confession of weakness.I understand how, I do not understand why.If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever.From the age of uniformity, from the age of solitude, from the age of Big Brother, from the age of doublethink - greetings!

I've ordered a few books from WOB now and the quality has massively varied. I've only received one good quality book. My most recent book (1984) looked like it had been put through a washing machine with the cover and back pages completely unreadable. Prior to this, I'd ordered Zog for my 4 year old, which was torn and covered in felt tip pen. I won't be buying again.

A Warning For The Future

Nineteen Eighty-Four was first published in 1949 when the year 1984 was 35 years away and one could imagine the vast changes that may occur in the interim. Orwell envisages a dystopian future world where England is in the grip of a despotic tyranny controlled by a ruthless faction named the Inner Party. Its members live a life of luxury while the workers live in squalor, deprivation and fear. The Party demands absolute obedience, under threat of death, and the workers are constantly reminded that their supposedly benevolent leader, the possibly fictitious Big Brother, is always watching them. The main protagonist, Winston Smith, works in the so-called Ministry Of Truth, rewriting the past to conform to the needs of the Party and giving them endless undeserved ... MoreNineteen Eighty-Four was first published in 1949 when the year 1984 was 35 years away and one could imagine the vast changes that may occur in the interim. Orwell envisages a dystopian future world where England is in the grip of a despotic tyranny controlled by a ruthless faction named the Inner Party. Its members live a life of luxury while the workers live in squalor, deprivation and fear. The Party demands absolute obedience, under threat of death, and the workers are constantly reminded that their supposedly benevolent leader, the possibly fictitious Big Brother, is always watching them. The main protagonist, Winston Smith, works in the so-called Ministry Of Truth, rewriting the past to conform to the needs of the Party and giving them endless undeserved credit. Smith is tired of the lies and yearns for truth and freedom and a return to the former world. He finds a measure of happiness in a secret affair with young vibrant Julia and he discovers that there is a faction who are working to depose the ruling party. His future is fraught with danger but he is determined to persevere. Nineteen Eighty-Four is a dark but interesting story that holds a grim warning.

Weighty Political drama webbed throughout our Human Society.

Orwell was presumably pschic. The daily scream at the enemy is highly appropriate re: moder media The nameless, endless war that excused the authoirity from helping it's People and required unending emergency powers. I read this around 1990 when I was 16 and it has become more relevant each time I lift my head to think clearly. Huxley is good too.

Yes

1984 was written after the horrors of the Second World War and the atrocities committed in the holocaust. The novel is an indictment on tyranny and totalatarism . The focus on Big Brother controlling every single thing. The rewriting of history and the complete diminishing and deletion some history. It shows risk control where you are not allowed individualism or an opinion , lest you be eliminated. This novel has long been used as a text for higher levels if high school . Excellent novel and excellent teaching resource. Highly recommended.