Summary of Michiko Kakutani's The Death of Truth

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 There has always been a dark, irrational counter-theme in American history, and it has now reasserted itself with a vengeance. It is being fueled by heated exaggeration, suspiciousness, and conspiratorial fantasy. #2 The modern right wing is fueled by a sense of grievance and dispossession, and they often mobilize by pointing out the changing demographics and social mores that make some white working class people feel increasingly marginalized. #3 Trump’s presidency has been a reflection of his anti-Enlightenment principles. He has denied, diminished, or downplayed intelligence concerning Russian interference in the 2016 election. He spends as much as eight hours a day watching television, which reminds readers of Chauncey Gardiner, the TV-addicted gardener who becomes a celebrity and rising political star in Jerzy Kosinski’s 1970 novel Being There. #4 The declining role of rational discourse and common sense in American politics began long before Trump took office. It was caused by an addiction to infotainment, the continued strength of religious fundamentalism, and a education system that did not teach students the logic behind their skills.