What do you think?
Rate this book
The New Thought Police: Inside the Left's Assault on Free Speech and Free Minds
Stop the Left from Policing Your Mind
Our freedom to speak our minds is under attack. Like the Thought Police of George Orwell's 1984, powerful special interest groups on the Left are mounting a withering assault on our rights in the name of "social equality." Liberty has been turned on its ear as the rights of the few restrict the freedom of everyone. In The New Thought Police, author Tammy Bruce, a self-described lesbian feminist activist, cuts through the deluge of politically correct speech and thought codes to expose the dangerous rise of Left-wing McCarthyism. Provocative and persuasive, this book is a clarion call to anyone interested in preserving liberty.
Our freedom to speak our minds is under attack. Like the Thought Police of George Orwell's 1984, powerful special interest groups on the Left are mounting a withering assault on our rights in the name of "social equality." Liberty has been turned on its ear as the rights of the few restrict the freedom of everyone. In The New Thought Police, author Tammy Bruce, a self-described lesbian feminist activist, cuts through the deluge of politically correct speech and thought codes to expose the dangerous rise of Left-wing McCarthyism. Provocative and persuasive, this book is a clarion call to anyone interested in preserving liberty.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Tammy Bruce
12 books29 followersTammy K. Bruce is an American conservative radio host, author, and political commentator who currently serves as Spokesperson for the United States Department of State in the second Trump administration. She has been a Fox News contributor and hosts Get Tammy Bruce on the Fox Nation streaming service. Once a prominent liberal activist and president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women, Bruce became increasingly critical of what she viewed as the failures of modern feminism and the intolerance of the political left. Her shift to conservative politics became a defining feature of her public persona.
Born in Northridge, California, Bruce left formal education at an early age but later earned a degree in political science from the University of Southern California. She began her career in entertainment and publicity before moving into feminist activism in the 1990s. Following a controversial censure by NOW, she resigned and launched the Women’s Progress Alliance. Bruce later transitioned to national radio and conservative media, becoming known for her outspoken views on political correctness, gender politics, and liberal ideology. Openly gay and pro-choice, Bruce has often challenged ideological conformity, drawing both praise and criticism from across the political spectrum.
Born in Northridge, California, Bruce left formal education at an early age but later earned a degree in political science from the University of Southern California. She began her career in entertainment and publicity before moving into feminist activism in the 1990s. Following a controversial censure by NOW, she resigned and launched the Women’s Progress Alliance. Bruce later transitioned to national radio and conservative media, becoming known for her outspoken views on political correctness, gender politics, and liberal ideology. Openly gay and pro-choice, Bruce has often challenged ideological conformity, drawing both praise and criticism from across the political spectrum.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 26, 2008
I like books written by intellectually honest people who aren't afraid to call out BOTH sides on their BS.
September 15, 2007
Not everything in this book is a lie or a misrepresentation. Just most everything, starting with the author's depiction of herself in the first few pages as a progressive liberal feminist—a self-portrayal that is belied by every single other thing written in the book or on its cover.
Bruce plays with the facts in an embarrassingly transparent way. Her main thesis—that "The American Left" is working as a bloc to stifle freedom of speech and bring about a totalitarian regime in the U.S.—is undermined by a few simple facts:
a) Most of the examples Bruce musters of "liberal censorship" or "oppression" (such as GLAAD's mean, bullying attempt to silence the selfless, hardworking, loving Dr. Laura) are actually examples of the exercise of free speech, not the suppression of it—an exercise conservatives are as "guilty" of as liberals, and rightly so.
b) Other examples (such as when she cites Rudolph Giuliani on the subject of "sensitivity training") do not even involve liberals.
c) From her description, it sounds like the evil, soul-blighting punishment she accuses liberals of meting out to those who transgress their speech/thought laws is nothing more than the social disdain and ostracism that is the natural consequence of saying or doing something offensive, insensitive, idiotic or otherwise socially unacceptable.
d) The "American Left" as she characterizes it is a myth invented by right-wing wingnuts like Bruce. Everyone knows that neither the left nor the right are monoliths; anyone who says differently is either not operating on all cylinders, or is trying to get you to shut off your own brain.
Plus: it was terribly written. In summation, the ideas in this book are ridiculous, the writing style cringe-worthy, but it's good for a laugh, if that's your thing.
Bruce plays with the facts in an embarrassingly transparent way. Her main thesis—that "The American Left" is working as a bloc to stifle freedom of speech and bring about a totalitarian regime in the U.S.—is undermined by a few simple facts:
a) Most of the examples Bruce musters of "liberal censorship" or "oppression" (such as GLAAD's mean, bullying attempt to silence the selfless, hardworking, loving Dr. Laura) are actually examples of the exercise of free speech, not the suppression of it—an exercise conservatives are as "guilty" of as liberals, and rightly so.
b) Other examples (such as when she cites Rudolph Giuliani on the subject of "sensitivity training") do not even involve liberals.
c) From her description, it sounds like the evil, soul-blighting punishment she accuses liberals of meting out to those who transgress their speech/thought laws is nothing more than the social disdain and ostracism that is the natural consequence of saying or doing something offensive, insensitive, idiotic or otherwise socially unacceptable.
d) The "American Left" as she characterizes it is a myth invented by right-wing wingnuts like Bruce. Everyone knows that neither the left nor the right are monoliths; anyone who says differently is either not operating on all cylinders, or is trying to get you to shut off your own brain.
Plus: it was terribly written. In summation, the ideas in this book are ridiculous, the writing style cringe-worthy, but it's good for a laugh, if that's your thing.
June 21, 2009
Tammy Bruce compares the left's close mindedness to George Orwell's thought police, as depicted in his book "1984". I liked this book, didn't LOVE it. I really like Tammy Bruce and I agreed with every point she made in the book. And she isn't some raving conservative, by the way. She describes herself as a conservative, lesbian, pro-choice feminist. She worked for the National Organization for Women (NOW) for a long time and uses some of her own experiences as examples in the book. As I read the book I became much more aware of the subtle censorship used by many in the media, and more aware of political correctness gone completely awry. My only complaint was that the book became a little redundant. It seemed like she was making the same point over and over. I struggled to finish because of this.
Read
July 7, 2008Tammy Bruce lays out how the left is slowly curtailing free speech for those they don't agree with, and does so in a very readable manner.
May 5, 2010
"Loaned to me by my Dad. The last one he loaned me "The Death of Common Sense" was very good, so I have high hopes. This one appears to be a conservative agenda, so it can make up for "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" echoing the liberal agenda. This stuff is all quite fun to read. :-)
This book has *one* extremely good premise - and it's on the cover: Beware the insidious tyranny of political correctness as violating political correctness in the interest of examination and learning opens one to criticism of what one is *thinking*. That is, thoughtful examination of any critical topic (race, religion, choice/prolife, etc) requires debating all sides, but examination of any one side invokes cries of 'hate speech' from the *other* side based on what you were *thinking*. Naturally, thinking about a topic is not the same as believing or agreeing with it; and you may not be *thinking* what they *claim* you are thinking in any case. Generally, the punishment is ostracism, not jail, as enforcement is merely to keep one from treading into the thoughtful areas. Also, the book makes a number of other lessor good points. Enlightening. Recommended."
This book has *one* extremely good premise - and it's on the cover: Beware the insidious tyranny of political correctness as violating political correctness in the interest of examination and learning opens one to criticism of what one is *thinking*. That is, thoughtful examination of any critical topic (race, religion, choice/prolife, etc) requires debating all sides, but examination of any one side invokes cries of 'hate speech' from the *other* side based on what you were *thinking*. Naturally, thinking about a topic is not the same as believing or agreeing with it; and you may not be *thinking* what they *claim* you are thinking in any case. Generally, the punishment is ostracism, not jail, as enforcement is merely to keep one from treading into the thoughtful areas. Also, the book makes a number of other lessor good points. Enlightening. Recommended."
February 2, 2011
I agree with Bruce that the leadership on the left has become very hypocritical and is doing more to take away our freedoms than the right ever did. But, I couldn't help feeling that she had an ax to grind after having been kicked out of NOW. Her rhetoric was just too vitriolic. And while she rants about the left's inability to accept and respect differing opinions, she seems to assume that socialism is inherently bad and anyone who subscribes to it must be bad; it's not just a different opinion. I had some troubles with that. I much preferred Coloring the News.
July 26, 2008
I enjoyed this book more then I thought I would. It is very thought provoking and makes you realize that free speech is under attack.
read-portions-for-class-or-research
June 4, 2022lol I didn't want to get dinged for not having at least a cursory "both sides" in my dissertation research but this is such whiny garbage
May 27, 2020
No idea why I have this book. Anyway, now I finally took the trouble to read it to find out if it should have a place on my bookshelf. It was a strange pastime indeed.
It highlights a serious problem with over-reacting in the US, lack of critical thinking and sense of context. Basically the author identifies a valid problem – to create weird rules and apply these then over-enthusiastically and without much thinking. But somehow she turns most of her criticism into justifying the actions the rules were meant against, like discrimination, rude comments, lame jokes etc. Her line of reasoning includes superficial conclusions, inappropriate examples, shallow analysis, contradictions in argument, weird conclusions, creating an “enemy” and demonizing it (leaving one wondering how the suggested dialog should be possible over the self-built fences). Some of the examples can even be considered funny. Like how the irony of the situation escapes the author when she describes a person working in stray animals’ rescue shelter being actively against abortion. In the end it all feels kind of uncanny and twisted.
The book has its benefits though. First, it gives to a non-American person some insight how segmented, labelling and to some extent simple-minded the US society is. Second, I understand now a lot better why a friend of mine who closely follows the US news labels anything he does not like “leftist”.
It highlights a serious problem with over-reacting in the US, lack of critical thinking and sense of context. Basically the author identifies a valid problem – to create weird rules and apply these then over-enthusiastically and without much thinking. But somehow she turns most of her criticism into justifying the actions the rules were meant against, like discrimination, rude comments, lame jokes etc. Her line of reasoning includes superficial conclusions, inappropriate examples, shallow analysis, contradictions in argument, weird conclusions, creating an “enemy” and demonizing it (leaving one wondering how the suggested dialog should be possible over the self-built fences). Some of the examples can even be considered funny. Like how the irony of the situation escapes the author when she describes a person working in stray animals’ rescue shelter being actively against abortion. In the end it all feels kind of uncanny and twisted.
The book has its benefits though. First, it gives to a non-American person some insight how segmented, labelling and to some extent simple-minded the US society is. Second, I understand now a lot better why a friend of mine who closely follows the US news labels anything he does not like “leftist”.
July 18, 2009
A lot like "The Death of Right and Wrong" by Miss Bruce, which I gave 5 stars, but part of it may be because what I read in "The Thought Police" seems so fundamental to me now, whereas the previous read was great because it was like Miss Bruce was saying everything that had been bottled up inside me without the words to express it. "The Death of Right and Wrong" will always be that book that got me paying better attention to how politics drives our culture.
July 2, 2008
Interesting 'insiders' look at what the 'thought police' are doing to America.
December 18, 2020
Whoaaaa this was a very interesting read no matter where you fall on the spectrum. Published about 20 years ago and still an appropriate read for my 2020 closing book. It’s so to the point it can hardly be called controversial. Love an insider view. Especially one with the ⚽️’s to point out flaws and bs on each side. Thank you sutter hospice for another $.25 gem. #fightevilreadbooks #thoughtpolice #freedomofspeech #ojisnotinnocent #thereisaidit #20booksin2020
July 12, 2018
A book way, way ahead of its time
February 12, 2021
Fantastic book. Most older books written on social issues seem dated. With a few exceptions, this one is still relevant and very well written.
April 16, 2021
This is relevant today, but could also be updated to reflect the continued assault on free speech and free minds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2021
She uncovers and exposes the left wings betrayal of truth! and how the media is complicit in this deceit! Great read!
March 13, 2026
Racist white woman cries about being called racist whilst constantly being racist.
February 14, 2016
Now there's something you don't read every day! A thoughtful, provocative expose on how the American culture is so easily manipulated by groups who have personal animosity towards Christians and the rule of law. The irony of this book is that it was written by a self-labeled lesbian who is both pro-child killing and pro-guns. if that irony weren't enough... the book was published in 2001.
Pretty much all the things that have been happening in regards to "social issues" such as the courts and pop culture embracing the killing of unborn children, homosexuality, racism, sexism, feminism, and many other '-isms" have come from the incremental spoonfeeding (or breast feeding) of the Media (you can no longer call them journalists or reporters) over the past 25 years (1991-2015) has not only gone on unabated, but has achieved impressive results in the wake of the untold lives it has destroyed.
The author is a former NOW chapter president in LA. She apparently felt the heel of the jackbooted thuggery of feminisim on her neck after she decided that using her mind and her heart to work on behalf of improving the lives of women didn't fit their worldview. So despite being a lesbian and agreeing it is okay to kill unborn kids, she was kicked out of the "club." Despite raising more money and increasing membership beyond any previous presidents' abilities.
It is disappointing that someone with such intellectual rigor still struggles not only with homosexuality, but that killing children is okay. I would think she would at least want to protect unborn females if anything. Despite those obvious disconnects from reality, she is willing to call a spade a spade from various viewpoints. Mainly she is taking the "Left" to task, but it is obvious there are plenty on the "Right" who are also soft-headed when it comes to critically thinking about issues and how some people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson want fame and money more than they want to help Black people get jobs, stay out of prison, stay off drugs, and be successful. She really goes into detail explaining out all the various minority groups love to play up the sympathy card -especially since most people are just too stupid to do their homework. One shocking story -that proves i too don't do my homework- is the Rainbow Nazi's glorification of Matthew Shepard's death to rally sympathy to their cause vs. the radio silence paid to the tragic death of Daphne Sulk, a 15 year old teenager who was impregnated by a 35+ year old man who essetially preyed upon her. When she refused to have an abortion, he brutally murdered her. The author posits that one was considered a "hate crime" because it happened to a gay man. Whereas the other wasn't a "hate crime" because it happened to a minor, who was raped, and refused to have an abortion. Double standard anyone?
I will probably re-read this book just because it is so timely. The author regularly acknowledges George Orwell and other authors for their visionary work on how Socialists and Totalatarions corrupt and subvert language to get the masses to buy into their philosophy. The auther proudly touts her homosexuality and her pro-child killing views while also embracing proudly capitalism, independent thought, and rule of law.
I would be interested to hear her radio talk show at some point and to read other books she has written. I don't agree with her personal choices, but she does make a very strong case when it comes to "outing" how the victimhood fraternity works in mischevious and evil ways.
Pretty much all the things that have been happening in regards to "social issues" such as the courts and pop culture embracing the killing of unborn children, homosexuality, racism, sexism, feminism, and many other '-isms" have come from the incremental spoonfeeding (or breast feeding) of the Media (you can no longer call them journalists or reporters) over the past 25 years (1991-2015) has not only gone on unabated, but has achieved impressive results in the wake of the untold lives it has destroyed.
The author is a former NOW chapter president in LA. She apparently felt the heel of the jackbooted thuggery of feminisim on her neck after she decided that using her mind and her heart to work on behalf of improving the lives of women didn't fit their worldview. So despite being a lesbian and agreeing it is okay to kill unborn kids, she was kicked out of the "club." Despite raising more money and increasing membership beyond any previous presidents' abilities.
It is disappointing that someone with such intellectual rigor still struggles not only with homosexuality, but that killing children is okay. I would think she would at least want to protect unborn females if anything. Despite those obvious disconnects from reality, she is willing to call a spade a spade from various viewpoints. Mainly she is taking the "Left" to task, but it is obvious there are plenty on the "Right" who are also soft-headed when it comes to critically thinking about issues and how some people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson want fame and money more than they want to help Black people get jobs, stay out of prison, stay off drugs, and be successful. She really goes into detail explaining out all the various minority groups love to play up the sympathy card -especially since most people are just too stupid to do their homework. One shocking story -that proves i too don't do my homework- is the Rainbow Nazi's glorification of Matthew Shepard's death to rally sympathy to their cause vs. the radio silence paid to the tragic death of Daphne Sulk, a 15 year old teenager who was impregnated by a 35+ year old man who essetially preyed upon her. When she refused to have an abortion, he brutally murdered her. The author posits that one was considered a "hate crime" because it happened to a gay man. Whereas the other wasn't a "hate crime" because it happened to a minor, who was raped, and refused to have an abortion. Double standard anyone?
I will probably re-read this book just because it is so timely. The author regularly acknowledges George Orwell and other authors for their visionary work on how Socialists and Totalatarions corrupt and subvert language to get the masses to buy into their philosophy. The auther proudly touts her homosexuality and her pro-child killing views while also embracing proudly capitalism, independent thought, and rule of law.
I would be interested to hear her radio talk show at some point and to read other books she has written. I don't agree with her personal choices, but she does make a very strong case when it comes to "outing" how the victimhood fraternity works in mischevious and evil ways.
February 6, 2008
All In all a good read. The writing is somewhat haphazard in places. I am not a fan of alot of rhetoric and this book, while not loaded with it, does have some parts that I had to look past and judge by content rather than the authors word choices. I cannot say this book was of research quality. You would not find it helpful for a term paper as an example...but it is a good jumping off book to start you thinking and to start you asking questions about what you see going on around you.
All in All a worthwhile read if for no other reason than it will set you on a path to better books in its genre
All in All a worthwhile read if for no other reason than it will set you on a path to better books in its genre
May 16, 2012
As 'a Brit' I found the gun-totting photo on Ms Bruce's web-site alienating; I dismissed the book expecting conservative hyperbole. I was wrong. Tammy has observed, from the inside of what has become the hypocritical, hidden agenda ridden, self-serving group politic/leftism. To add to her credence in criticising such, National Organization for Women and Jesse Jackson for eg. Tammy is female and gay (not black but 2 of 3's not bad!)
December 14, 2007
Read it for an AP US Government book report in high school - loved it then. Would probably think a bit more critically of it now. The edition I read was actually the hardcover which came out in 2001, pre-9/11, which pretty much changes everything. It is still thought-provoking, but no longer current.
November 25, 2013
The author an open Lesbian and former womens right activist reveals many disturbing tactics used by the organizations she has personally dealt with and been a part of. I realize that some of the bad tactics could also be used by conservative groups, but it seems that for the most part it's how she says. I recommend this book to anyone interested in politics.
February 2, 2008
A feminist, lesbian former big wig at the National Organization of Women -- and a huge conservative. Fun book with not so surprising insights about her experience with NOW and other traditional bastions of leftist thought.
October 2, 2008
You can't help but feel she is shouting at you.
October 8, 2008
Just because I read this book doesn't make me a right winger... read it for yourself.
March 31, 2017
Tammy Bruce provides a new and interesting perspective into the attack on free speech. As a gay, conservative Republican, she is able to offer a new set of ideas and really delve into the left's true intolerance towards different beliefs, regardless of identity.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews