The Seven Deadly Virtues: 18 Conservative Writers on Why the Virtuous Life is Funny as Hell

ISBN: 1599475073

Author: Last, Jonathan V.

Condition: Used

An all-star team of eighteen conservative writers offers a hilarious, insightful, sanctimony-free remix of William Bennetts The Book of Virtues-without parental controls. The Seven Deadly Virtues sits down next to readers at the bar, buys them a drink, and an hour or three later, ushers them into the revival tent without them even realizing it.The books contributors include Sonny Bunch, Christopher Buckley, David Iowahawk Burge, Christopher Caldwell, Andrew Ferguson, Jonah Goldberg, Michael Graham, Mollie Hemingway, Rita Koganzon, Matt Labash, James Lileks, Rob Long, Larry Miller, P. J. ORourke, Joe Queenan, Christine Rosen, and Andrew Stiles. Jonathan V. Last, senior writer at the Weekly Standard, editor of the collection, is also a contributor. All eighteen essays in this book are appearing for the first time anywhere.In the books opening essay, P. J. ORourke observes: Virtue has by no means disappeared. Its as much in public view as ever. But its been strung up by the heels. Virtue is upside down. Virtue is uncomfortable. Virtue looks ridiculous. All the change and the house keys are falling out of Virtues pants pockets.Here are the virtues everyone (including the books contributors) was taught in Sunday school but have totally forgotten about until this very moment. In this sanctimony-free zone: Joe Queenan observes: In essence, thrift is a virtue that resembles being very good at Mahjong. Youve heard about people who can do it, but youve never actually met any of them. P. J. ORourke notes: Fortitude is quaint. We praise the greatest generation for having it, but they had aluminum siding, church on Sunday, and jobs that required them to wear neckties or nylons (but never at the same time). We dont want those either. Christine Rosen writes: A fellowship grounded in sociality means enjoying the company of those with whom you actually share physical space rather than those with whom you regularly and enthusiastically exchange cat videos. Rob Long offers his version of modern day justice: if you sleep late on the weekend, you are forced to wait thirty minutes in line at Costco. Jonah Goldberg offers: There was a time when this desire-to-do-good-in-all-things was considered the only kind of integrity: Angels are better than mortals. Theyre always certain about what is right because, by definition, theyre doing Gods will. Gabriel knew when it was okay to remove a mattress tag and Sandalphon always tipped the correct amount. Sonny Bunch dissects forbearance, observing that the fictional Two Minutes Hate of George Orwells 1984 is now actually a reality directed at living, breathing people. Thanks, in part, to the Internet, Its targets are designated by a spontaneously created mob-one that, due to its hive-mind nature-is virtually impossible to call off.By the time readers have completed The Seven Deadly Virtues, they wont even realize that theyve just been catechized into an entirely different-and better-moral universe.