Katharine Washburn and John Thornton, Editors

Dumbing Down

Passionate observers across the political/intellectual spectrum confront the downward spiral of American life, art, and thought.

With vigor, wit, learning, common sense, and urgency, twenty-three essayist—including John Simon, Cynthia Ozick, Phillip Lopate, George F. Kennan, Sven Birkerts, Joseph Epstein, and Brad Leithauser—examine aspects of our pan-cultural "dumbing down" and offer both diagnoses of and possible cures for this wasting disease.

"What distinguishes this collection is its breadth, its liveliness. This valuable book provides much ammunition for . . . unrepentant elitists." —Lisa Zeidner, Philadelphia Inquirer

"A collection of savagely witty essays by a hardy band of cultural commentators who believe things are bad, really bad out there, and are not at all reluctant to say so." —Florence King, National Review

"Provides the best picture we have of the declining and embarrassing condition of discourse in America." —Neil Postman

"Welcome to the Apocalypse. If we end up in the toxic landfill of history it won't be because the writers in this witty, wonderfully entertaining collection failed to warn us." —Kirkus Reviews

"A terrific book. It is unsettling, arresting, and compelling, and its publication is a public service."—William J. Bennett

Katharine Washburn is a writer, translator, and freelance editor. John Thornton was a book editor for many years and now works as a literary agent. They both live in New York.