Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds

by Michael Knowles

Overview

“Political correctness” has taken politeness and turned it into a weapon of censorship and intimidation. In the workplace, on social media, and even at the dinner table, Americans are confronted daily with a laundry list of words they’re “not allowed” to say—and that list is updated constantly and without warning.

How did so absurd a concept become so dangerous—and come to dominate our public discourse over the last quarter-century?

In Speechless, #1 nationally bestselling author and political commentator Michael Knowles masterfully traces the history and effects of political correctness from the early twentieth century to the present, revealing its insidious roots, exposing the power-hungry language architects behind its ever-growing control, and examining what this concerted manipulation of speech means for the future of American culture, politics, and minds.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665046039
Publisher:	Blackstone Publishing
Publication date:	06/22/2021
Product dimensions:	5.28(w) x 6.69(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

MICHAEL KNOWLES is the celebrated host of The Daily Wire’s The Michael Knowles Show and PragerU’s The Book Club and the #1 national bestselling author of Reasons to Vote for Democrats: A Comprehensive Guide. Speechless is his first book to contain words.

Table of Contents

Preface xv

Chapter 1 The West in Wonderland 1

Chapter 2 Redefining Reality 9

Chapter 3 Cultural Hegemony 15

Chapter 4 Standards and Practices 31

Chapter 5 Mao Goes Mainstream 41

Chapter 6 The Tolerant Left 59

Chapter 7 Nothing Personal 73

Chapter 8 The School of Resentment 87

Chapter 9 Campus Codes and Coercion 103

Chapter 10 The New Cold War 123

Chapter 11 Trading Taboos 141

Chapter 12 The War on Christmas 159

Chapter 13 The Battle for the Sexes 175

Chapter 14 Locking Down Dissent 195

Chapter 15 The Purge 211

Conclusion Back to Methuselah 223

Acknowledgments 237

Appendix: Glossary of Jargon 239

Works Cited 251

Notes 303

Index 357

Editorial Reviews

Every single American needs to read Michael Knowles’s Speechless. I don’t mean ‘read it eventually.’ I mean: stop what you’re doing and pick up this book.”

—CANDACE OWENS, bestselling author of Blackout, founder of BLEXIT, and host of Candace

“Michael Knowles is one of the most important conservative leaders of his generation. . .. Speechless is the most important book on free speech in decades—read it!” —SENATOR TED CRUZ, #1 bestselling author of One Vote Away

“Michael Knowles is a rare combination: the conservative who understands the roots of his opponents’ thought, and the fighter who understands the necessity for tactical aggression.” —BEN SHAPIRO, #1 bestselling author and host of The Ben Shapiro Show

“This book is a howitzer in the fight against the totalitarians. . ..” —DAN BONGINO, bestselling author and host of The Dan Bongino Show

“Magnificent. . .. like nothing you’ve ever read. . .. Tough love for hapless right-wingers forfeiting our culture to the radical Left.” —ANN COULTER, political commentator and bestselling author of ¡Adios, America!

“This book is a must-read for anyone who hopes to preserve our culture.” —MIKE POMPEO, former U.S. secretary of state

“Michael Knowles is a national treasure.” —CHARLIE KIRK, bestselling author and host of The Charlie Kirk Show

“This book is a must-read for anyone wanting a diagnosis on how American culture and politics became so ill.” —ANDY NGÔ, journalist and bestselling author of Unmasked

“Knowles has written an insightful and gripping deconstruction of the mind-prison called political correctness. . .. This is a must-read.” —ANDREW KLAVAN, Edgar Award-winning and bestselling author and host of The Andrew Klavan Show

From the Publisher