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1984 (Signet Classics) | 
 enlarge | Author: George Orwell
Creator: Erich Fromm
Publisher: New American Library
Category: Book
List Price: $9.99
Buy Used: $3.22
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New (79) Used (189) Collectible (14) from $3.22
Rating:  1378 reviews
Sales Rank: 243
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 268
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 4.3 x 1.6
ISBN: 0451524934
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.912
EAN: 9780451524935
ASIN: 0451524934
Publication Date: January 1, 1961
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Amazon.com
"Outside, even through the shut window pane, the world looked cold. Down in the street little eddies of wind were whirling dust and torn paper into spirals, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no color in anything except the posters that were plastered everywhere." The year is 1984; the scene is London, largest population center of Airstrip One. Airstrip One is part of the vast political entity Oceania, which is eternally at war with one of two other vast entities, Eurasia and Eastasia. At any moment, depending upon current alignments, all existing records show either that Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia and allied with Eastasia, or that it has always been at war with Eastasia and allied with Eurasia. Winston Smith knows this, because his work at the Ministry of Truth involves the constant "correction" of such records. "'Who controls the past,' ran the Party slogan, 'controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.'" In a grim city and a terrifying country, where Big Brother is always Watching You and the Thought Police can practically read your mind, Winston is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. He knows the Party's official image of the world is a fluid fiction. He knows the Party controls the people by feeding them lies and narrowing their imaginations through a process of bewilderment and brutalization that alienates each individual from his fellows and deprives him of every liberating human pursuit from reasoned inquiry to sexual passion. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be. Newspeak, doublethink, thoughtcrime--in 1984, George Orwell created a whole vocabulary of words concerning totalitarian control that have since passed into our common vocabulary. More importantly, he has portrayed a chillingly credible dystopia. In our deeply anxious world, the seeds of unthinking conformity are everywhere in evidence; and Big Brother is always looking for his chance. --Daniel Hintzsche
Product Description
George Orwell's prophetic, nightmarish vision of "Negative Utopia" is timelier than ever-and its warnings more powerful.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 a classic, but too full of torture and gore! I hated it!!!! August 22, 2008
C. Bottrell (United States)
This book was very difficult to read. I know it's a classic sci-fi and dystopia read, but I truly hated this book, especially at the end! I also think it's horrible that this book is taught in high-school... It should be for 18 and over only! The original "Big Brother", and a frightening look at what society could become if we let it. Probably so frightening because it is so possible.
The classic dystopia novel August 18, 2008
J. Harrison (Fort Worth, TX)
Orwell displays brilliance at every turn in this acclaimed work. The depth of social commentary, non-stop plot, rich characters and fluid sytle make this a classic in every sense. The aventures of Winston Smith, the main character, provide incisive, memorable insights into the nautre of human affairs. This book deserves all the praise it has received over the years. Highly recommended.
 I love this book! August 15, 2008
Athena S. Whetham
Twisted view of a future world, even more creepy looking at it from a time 20 years after this imaginary future... it is interesting to compare and contrast this book with reality...
 A book I admire, but don't particularly like August 11, 2008
Leandro (Brazil)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
1984 is the kind of book that I admire more than like. I admire Orwell for how detailed and believable the world he builds is. For his efforts to set a dark and unsettling mood and for his detailed analysis of its politics.
The reasons I don't like it as much as so many other people? Well, it didn't do anything for me. I couldn't relate or feel anything for the characters. I didn't find the story haunting or particularly appealing. It didn't even make me think, when I was reading books like Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 or Camus' The Fall I had to close every few pages to think about it, because I couldn't hold my thoughts back, with 1984 this didn't happen at all.
Reading it's a subjective experience, no matter how good a book is, if you don't feel anything as a result of reading it, why then give it a high rating?
I wish I'd liked it better, or at least spotted any major reason for my dislike, but I didn't.
Big Brother is watching you! August 3, 2008
Melissa Niksic (Chicago, IL United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"1984" is George Orwell's warning of the dangers of a totalitarian society. The main character in the novel, Winston Smith, is a low-ranking member of the ruling Party in the country of Oceania. Winston and his fellow citizens are monitored everywhere they go, even in their own homes. Party members spy on everyone using ever-present telescreens, and pictures of "Big Brother," the Party's leader, are on display everywhere. The Party's main goal is to eliminate all forms of individual thought, which can lead to rebellion. In order to do that, the language of Newspeak is being integrated into society in hopes of eliminating 80% of all words and thus reducing the chances of a revolt. Sex is also another aspect of life considered taboo by the Party, and Winston eventually begins an affair with a woman named Julia with full knowledge of the fact that if they get caught, they could both be killed by the government. Winston ultimately finds himself fighting a dangerous battle with the Party, and it's a fight he cannot possibly hope to win.
This novel is as powerful now as it was when it was written in the late 1940s. Orwell's commentary about the dangers of totalitarianism coupled with an analysis of the powers of psychological manipulation are truly frightening. I can't say that this book is enjoyable to read because the subject matter is very disturbing, but "1984" is a well-crafted and thought-provoking book that should be ready by everyone.
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