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Summary: Intriguing and very thought-provoking.
Review: This book at first seems so far away from the life we live that it is hard to compare to, unitl part two. One has to tolerate alot of abuse from this book, however, it does get the reader thinking about the numerous issues mentioned in 1984. THis book sounds boring, but it does keep the reader intriguied with its variety of vocablulary of the world of Big Brother.
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Summary: one is easily gripped by the horror and turmoil...
Review: One is easily gripped by the horror and turmoil of 1984. George Orwell's novel about a totalitarian state and how it, the government, controls all the people of the state and tries to control thought. The book had a subtle and interesting plot. Orwell's characters generally demonstrated the emotions received within the context of the story. Winston, Orwell's protagonist, acted as a human trying to hold on to what makes him human his, emotions and ability to think freely. Now could a totalitarian state exist as it is portrayed in 1984? Yes, it could occur if we as humans do not fight for the liberty indebted to us by God. We fight totalitarianism by proper education, proper families, and proper participation in society. If nothing, else the message one should get from the book is to simply vote. If we as humans do act lackadaisical with our participation in the democratic governments, then we could lose the freedoms our fore fathers fought so hard to win. That is why one should read this book. One does not have to like what 1984 says or represents. Readers should then learn that "Action is Freedom" and stop a totalitarianistic societies from existing. As a literary work I thought the 1984 was a little too wordy and unfortunately forced up high school students. The ending is not what I hoped for, but none-the-less I think people should read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Still very relevant
Review: As one of the people writing about the book here said, it was not meant to incite paranoia, it was about the evils of paranoia. Also, he was a socialist, so I cannot say that it was just propaganda. And don't forget that Communism isn't dead. There are still a few Communist countries out there, not to mention the many dictatorships. As for the book itself, it was pretty good, once you get into it. I like reading about different worlds myself, so I liked this aspect of it. The characters were also pretty cool. The ending was depressing but very very good. It is still very relevant, but I wouldn't recommend it for action fans.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent does not cut it
Review: Mr. Orwell or should i say Mr. Blair, Orwell was a pen name, tells one of the best stories you will ever read. This book from beginning to end is a true page turner. I could not put the book down. Every chance i got to read some of it i did. I actually gave up an extra hour of sleep to read some more. Winston, Julia, O'Brien they're all great characters that sprung from Orwell's mind. The mind that was almost prophetic in its predictions of the future. He may have been off by his date (1984) but he is correct in his predictions. That is if we do not stop it from happening. Well all i will say is that if you have not read this book yet do so. You will not regret it i promise you.
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Summary: Accurate beyond your nightmares . . .
Review: Huxley predicts the growth curve of our civilization with shocking accuracy. The race toward consumerism and away from the biological imperative is real. Somehow, Huxley looked out into the mist of time and saw it. This book will make you wonder whether you really want to go there.
Rating: 
Summary: It rings false.
Review: The book has not much to say. It is just the common night-mares of its time. The contents can be discussed as a historical document.
Rating:
Summary: 1984- A world within a book
Review: George Orwell, In his book 1984, Creates a world in which the past is determined by the present. Where though itself is no longer free, and where thought-crime is death. Orwell present us his horrific vision of the future through the thoughts and actions of Winston, a member of the outer party who is about to realise "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU" -an apsolute classic. If you havn't read it, you havent seen the future
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Summary: An everlasting masterpiece
Review: This book, first published in 1949, revolves on a couple of lovers, caught with their independent and suspicious brains and memories in the grip of a ruthless totalitarian régime that claims complete control over bodies and minds of its subjects, and considers as a criminal and a crime whomever and whatever does not toe its line. Not only had its author already written about imperialism and totalitarianism, but he had also fought for freedom (Spanish civil war, on the republican side) when he published it. WW2 had recently finished, the cold war was at its beginning and the world had been fully informed about the horrors of Nazi Germany and of the communist Soviet Union. Orwell was one of those Western writers who, though communists, had grown disgruntled with the massive crimes of "real socialism" in the USSR, such as the killing of dozens million people: a feat, against which even the shoah pales. Another one of these writers was Arthur Koestler ("Darkness at Noon"), who however kept to the events in the Soviet Union. Orwell's perspective extends to the whole world in a dismaying prevision; his lucid political and historical analyses, as well as his prophecies on future technological developments from major to minor ones (many of which have been realized), were terrifying. The world was lucky that, eventually, its 1984 did not have to see the forecast of the book, while, indeed, it saw the prelude to the failure and downfall of several of its totalitarian régimes. However, we only have to look around ourselves to realize that the danger still exists, and that the number of people wishful, though not yet powerful enough, to enact it is growing FAST. This book actually is one of the masterpieces of XX century English literature, and should be saved for the future. Whoever calls it "a piece of garbage" can only be either too young and inexperienced, or too ignorant of history and politics.
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Summary: 1984 is the most "contemporary" book around - read it now!
Review: Having just re-read 1984 it struck me that, whilst the quality of the writing is "timeless," (Orwell constructs a better sentence than most "literary artists"), the book's themes get more and more frightening as Western culture decays toward the millennium. My first school reading was in the days when 1984 was literally "the future," (even though Orwell had always intended it as a satire on contemporary Britain, with "1948" the originally intended title); in England today the resonances are especially profound, and what looked "old-fashioned" to 'sixties and 'seventies sci-fi readers has gained a new and bleaker realism. We're beginning to catch up with the US when it comes to presidential-style "leadership" and "spin," whilst the rewriting of history - with its horrible parallels with the politically correct mythologies espoused in transatlantic universities and the like - is already being implemented, with particular regard to the guilty denial of the achievements of the British Empire, (whilst the Roman and Greek civilisations still manage to escape trendy censure).The worst shock comes with the realisation that everything 1984 says about the manipulation and reduction of thought by language-control, (Doublethink and Newspeak, respectively), is demonstrably happening right now. Things you can't say become thoughts you can't think, and an attempted conversation with most contemporary English youths on the street will reveal how hard it has become for our ill-educated masses actually to formulate rationale thought: what you get is a monotonic patois recitation of received simplistic opinion - or a boot stamping on your face, followed by a law-suit for your assault on them! One recent encounter left me with the reflection that we are so far from Shakespeare one could weep; then I read 1984 again, where Orwell has Winston wake up one morning with the name on his lips, a fleeting memory of a better past. The book is brilliantly written, shockingly painful and horribly, horribly relevant! (It's also fantastically entertaining and often very funny). Read it, read it again, and read it to your children!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Book
Review: 1984 is truly a modern classic. It's integration into modern political thought testifies to it's importance in social awareness and the democratic system. And Sandra from Canada, small minded people who flame public speaking areas on the Internet should be banned. I thought spiteful remarks like that weren't allowed.
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