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Who wrote 1984? (Original Post) rug Jun 2013 OP
David Robert Jones pintobean Jun 2013 #1
Eric Arthur Blair. Chan790 Jun 2013 #2
He saw what was coming before it got here. In_The_Wind Jun 2013 #3
Between Animal Farm and 1984... Chan790 Jun 2013 #4
I agree with you! In_The_Wind Jun 2013 #5
I love Animal Farm even more than 1984 pink-o Jun 2013 #9
A Penguin, of course. Dash87 Jun 2013 #6
1983. kwassa Jun 2013 #7
At least some of the credit has to go to Zamyatin and his "We." dimbear Jun 2013 #8
I always thought Huxley's 'Brave New World' owed a lot to 'We' struggle4progress Jun 2013 #11
I believe it's generally agreed both authors owe that debt. dimbear Jun 2013 #15
We actually read it in my very first college class, back in the Nixon era struggle4progress Jun 2013 #17
Haven't read that one yet - I should one of these days - but older sci-fi (19th/early 20th century) nomorenomore08 Jun 2013 #16
Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan struggle4progress Jun 2013 #10
Edgar Cayce and Nostradamus. Tuesday Afternoon Jun 2013 #12
Jack London's Iron Heel was a good start.. easychoice Jun 2013 #13
one of my favorite authors! Tuesday Afternoon Jun 2013 #18
You know, if you're trying to black out a name sakabatou Jun 2013 #14
Jane Austen LiberalEsto Jun 2013 #19
 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
4. Between Animal Farm and 1984...
Sat Jun 8, 2013, 06:24 PM
Jun 2013

I'm convinced if he were writing today, he'd be under constant surveillance as a suspected insurrectionist.

dimbear

(6,271 posts)
15. I believe it's generally agreed both authors owe that debt.
Sun Jun 9, 2013, 04:56 AM
Jun 2013

Strange book, "We." Ought to appeal to your mathematical side.

struggle4progress

(118,041 posts)
17. We actually read it in my very first college class, back in the Nixon era
Sun Jun 9, 2013, 06:11 AM
Jun 2013

I may still have my copy of it in one of my dusty stacks of books

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)
16. Haven't read that one yet - I should one of these days - but older sci-fi (19th/early 20th century)
Sun Jun 9, 2013, 05:25 AM
Jun 2013

is always an interesting thing. In the sense that it's a strange mix of the futuristic and relatively primitive. Think H.G. Wells.

easychoice

(1,043 posts)
13. Jack London's Iron Heel was a good start..
Sun Jun 9, 2013, 01:24 AM
Jun 2013

frighteningly insightful for its time...

In North America, the Oligarchy maintains power for three centuries until the Revolution succeeds and ushers in the Brotherhood of Man. During the years of the novel, the First Revolt is described and preparations for the Second Revolt are discussed. From the perspective of Everhard, the imminent Second Revolt is sure to succeed but, from the distant future perspective of Meredith, we readers realize that Everhard's hopes were to be crushed for centuries to come.

The Oligarchy are the largest monopoly trusts (or robber barons) who manage to squeeze out the middle class by bankrupting most small to mid-sized business as well as reducing all farmers to effective serfdom. This Oligarchy maintains power through a "labor caste" and the Mercenaries. Labor in essential industries like steel and rail are elevated and given decent wages, housing, and education. Indeed, the tragic turn in the novel (and Jack London's core warning to his contemporaries) is the treachery of these favored unions which break with the other unions and side with the Oligarchy. Further, a second, military caste is formed: the Mercenaries. The Mercenaries are officially the army of the US but are in fact in the employ of the Oligarchs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Heel

sakabatou

(42,083 posts)
14. You know, if you're trying to black out a name
Sun Jun 9, 2013, 01:33 AM
Jun 2013

Do it better. We can still make out the author's name.

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