Rating: 
Summary: 3 and 1/2 Stars
Review: This book is not what one might assume merely from seeing the title and knowing nothing about it: it is not a sequel to Brave New World - it is not, indeed, a work of fiction. Truly, it is, at most, a cousin to it, and one assumes that Huxley used the title he did mainly for pecuniary reasons. One need not have read the fictional work in order to appreciate this. What the book consists of is a systematic examination of the social and political forces that may one day lead us into the kind of false Utopia present in Brave New World - or, looked at another way, the factors that keep a democracy from flourishing in our present day society (or during the time the book was written.) This book still hits the nail hard on the proverbial head in quite a few of its points: the use of propaganda and, especially, advertising methods in the systematic brainwashing of the masses. Some of the other factors, however, show the book's age. One must realize the time in which this book was published, 1958 - smack dab in the middle of Cold War paranoia and still reeling from WWII (references to both Hitler and Communism are rampant) and before the 60's counterculture and modern postmodern (nice phrase, that) movements gained a true foothold. Consequently, many of Huxley's points still hit home, as they probably always will, while others reek positively of era concerns. Still, Huxley's writing is invariably vibrant and crisp, not to mention immensely readable - he succeeds in making information that may, in essence, be dry to many appear fresh and exciting. I, then, reccommend this book to all who loved the fictional work and are looking for more along the same lines - especially if you're interested in the practical aspects of the theories involved therein - as well as anyone interested in this kind of rigorous social examination.
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting collection of essays
Review: This work by Aldous Huxley is one of the best nonfiction books I have read. I couldn't help but realize this man's genius as I read this book. His understanding of science is evident and only surpassed by his knowledge of the psychological. I recognized some of what I read, and believe that "Brave New World Revisited" must be the original source. Additionally, the book contains much information I had never heard before.The book is a collection of twelve essays written on how to prevent the world from "Brave New World" from coming into existence. Already in 1958, Huxley paints a bleak picture for our future. One of the main problems Huxley forsees is the lack of desire for freedom. In 1958, a study showed that American youths were indifferent to rule by a few experts instead of a democracy. He sees a need to increase critical thinking in the individuals of a society. He also explains the current methods of involuntary mental manipulation. The "Brave New World Revisited" is an informative collection of essays that has risen my awareness of psychological dangers.
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