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No Catholic teen should head off to college without this book! And parents are advised to equip themselves with the wisdom in this book as well. Especially if you've never considered the truth that many college professors have an agenda, and that our college-bound young adults are their targets.
DISOrientation, How to Go to College without Losing Your Mind, the 13 ISMs That Will Send You to Intellectual "La-La Land", is a masterful and much needed expose on the errors being taught by the "intellectual elite" on most college campuses today. Editor John Zmirak has gathered essays from today's top Catholic thinkers and writers, and assembled them into the one resource no Catholic teen starting college should be without. Even if your child is headed to a faithful Catholic University, they will, without a doubt, encounter this tangle of "isms," these mind traps, at some point in their future. Prepare them now! Paperback, 188 pages, 5 ½" x 8 ½".
Beginning with an Introduction entitled "A Syllabus of Errors" and concluding with an Epilogue, "Will your College Years Be a Waste of Time," this text demystifies every "ism," from Hedonism to Marxism to Modernism, and all those in between. Each chapter begins with a cartoon depiction and definition of the particular ideology, "ism," being dismantled, and ends with a list for further reading.
Each of the Catholic authors who share their wisdom are experts in their field:
* Sentimentalism (Elizabeth Scalia)
* Relativism (Eric Metaxas)
* Hedonism (John Zmirak)
* Progressivism (Peter Kreeft)
* Multiculturalism (Robert Spencer)
* Anti-Catholicism (Jimmy Akin)
* Utilitarianism (Fr. Dwight Longenecker)
* Consumerism (Eric Brende)
* Feminism (Donna Steichen)
* Cynicism (George William Rutler)
* Scientism (John Keck)
* Americanism (Mark Shea)
* Marxism (Jeffrey Tucker)
In the Introduction Zmirak explains that these "isms" or ideologies "narrow our vision, whip up our emotions, and tempt us to throw aside common sense, faith and finally logic. They are like intellectual drugs, and yes, they can be addictive." And he warns "The questions raised in this book are going to come up again and again throughout life when you have to make basic, real-world decisions. Your dating behavior will be affected by where you stand on Relativism, Hedonism, and Feminism. Your choice of career may hinge on how much you have been influenced by Consumerism and Cynicism. How you vote will be influenced by your attitude toward Sentimentalism, Americanism, Marxism, and Multiculturalism. Life and death medical decisions regarding your parents as they age will depend on where you stand on Scientism and Utilitarianism. The state of your soul when you die may hinge on how you have reacted to Progressivism, Modernism, and Anti-Catholicism."
The stellar collection of essays then deliver the understanding and Truth that our college students urgently need to respond to these crucial life issues. The reading level is what most college-bound readers would expect, though, not surprising considering the topic, there are some challenging passages. For the most part, difficult words are defined within the well-researched text. A friendly tone and added humor work well to make these writings easy to absorb. The essays are divided under the chapter headings: Freshman Errors, Sophomore Follies, Junior Delusions, Senior Dreamworks, and Commencement Heresy.
The Epilogue, "Will Your College Years be a Waste of Time?" answers that query with a solid suggestion of courses that will not only fill those dreaded GE Requirements, but also lead to real learning. Zmirak (a college professor himself) delivers this message "to students who want to make a difference in the world someday: Sign up for hard-core, serious courses and for the love of God do the reading." He lists a "do-it-yourself" curriculum of eight core courses that will "replicate (as best as we can today) the education that informed America's founders. Most importantly, you'll deepen your understanding and appreciation for your Faith." He also stresses the importance of making friends with those who are open-minded and sympathetic; people you'll feel comfortable talking with about doubts and difficulties.
Sometimes our children seem so mature, so grounded and confident and poised and …just so ready to leave home for college, that we parents are left feeling like we have little of consequence to offer. Change that feeling and their college experience! Tuck this book into one of your loved one's college-bound boxes! You'll know that you've provided both a crucial heads-up of what's coming their way, and a sound way to handle the conflicts between their faith and the "bold new ideas" they'll learn about in college.
If only my husband and I had discovered this resource before our son graduated from a well-regarded California University. "The students here are so smart, Mom!" he exclaimed over the phone his freshman year. I assured him that he was their academic and intellectual equal, and that he had much to offer. After all, he'd earned admission to this fine institution. Right? Sadly, this revered University proves the assertions in DISOrientation too true. My brilliant, fiercely logical, leader-not-a-follower, faith-loving son barely managed to keep his head above the epic waves of cynicism and scorn manufactured by the "intellectual elite." So you see, when these authors say that many college professors have an agenda and are looking for converts, and that our college students are their targets, I know it's true. My son graduated with a new perspective on life. Not one I'd hoped or prayed for. He could have used a life preserver. Like this book.
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