Strange New World book review by Carl R. Trueman
"Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution" by historian Carl R. Trueman explores the disorienting landscape of identity politics in the contemporary world. Tracing influences from traditional institutions to modern technology and pornography, Trueman uncovers the shift toward an era of "expressive individualism" that characterizes the current cultural climate. This thought-provoking book investigates the philosophies of key figures like the Romantics, Nietzsche, Marx, Wilde, Freud, and the New Left, offering a historical overview of Western thought that led to the sexual direction of present-day identity politics.
Delving into the profound question of how the world reached its current state of identity politics, Trueman provides readers with a clearer understanding of the implications of these ideas on religion, free speech, and issues related to personal identity. Building on the insights presented in his previous work, "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self," this new book by Trueman offers a more concise presentation and application of critical topics relevant to our time.
A reviewer notes the significance of Trueman's earlier book, "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self," published in late 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown, calling it one of the most important works of recent decades. The book provides a penetrating analysis of intellectual history, connecting contemporary thinkers like Charles Taylor, Philip Rieff, and Alasdair MacIntyre with past figures such as Rousseau, Nietzsche, Marx, Darwin, Shelley, and Blake. Through this historical lens, Trueman explores why modern individuals are inclined to embrace ideas that would have been rejected by their grandparents just two generations ago.