Facts Don't Care about Your Feelings

by Ben Shapiro

They say history repeats itself. We’ve got a lot of work to do to end up on the right side of it after Election Day 2020. This curated selection of columns is quintessential for any Ben Shapiro fan or skeptic. He offers a sharp, insightful reflection on American politics and culture over the last few years. Between elites who just can’t get down from their soapboxes, the left’s “thought fascism,” the rampant media, and more, the nation is in trouble. And if conservatives don’t act fast, they’ll get what they deserve . . .

“Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings” is a collection of columns written by Ben Shapiro. Published between 2016 and 2019, these columns highlight Donald Trump’s campaign, election and presidency. The book is divided into 10 chapters that run the gamut from religion to government to the First Amendment and other compelling issues readers on either side of the political aisle will enjoy.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, American, Sociology, Psychology

231 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2019

About the author

Benjamin Shapiro was born in 1984 and entered UCLA at the age of 16, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in June 2004 with a BA in Political Science. He graduated Harvard Law School cum laude in June 2007. Shapiro was hired by Creators Syndicate at age 17 to become the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the U.S.

His columns are printed in major newspapers and websites including Townhall, ABCNews, WorldNet Daily, Human Events, FrontPage Mag, Family Security Matters, the Riverside Press-Enterprise and the Conservative Chronicle. His columns have also appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, RealClearPolitics.com, Arizona Republic, and Claremont Review of Books, among others. He has been the subject of articles in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Associated Press, and Christian Science Monitor; he has been quoted on "The Rush Limbaugh Show," "The Dr. Laura Show," at CBS News, in the New York Press, in the Washington Times, and in The American Conservative magazine, among many others.

The author of the national bestsellers, Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth (WND Books, May 2004), Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism Is Corrupting Our Future (Regnery, June 2005), and Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House (Thomas Nelson, 2008), Shapiro has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows around the nation, including "The O'Reilly Factor" (Fox News), "Fox and Friends" (Fox News), "In the Money" (CNN Financial), "DaySide with Linda Vester" (Fox News), "Scarborough Country" (MSNBC), "The Dennis Miller Show" (CNBC), "Fox News Live" (Fox News Channel), "Glenn Beck Show" (CNN), "Your World with Neil Cavuto" (Fox News) and "700 Club" (Christian Broadcasting Network), "The Laura Ingraham Show," "The Michael Medved Show," "The G. Gordon Liddy Show," "The Rusty Humphries Show," "The Lars Larson Show" (nationally syndicated), "The Larry Elder Show," The Hugh Hewitt Show," "The Dennis Prager Show," among others.

Reviews

[Giulio Ciacchini · Rating 1 out of 5]

To be honest it was a waste of time.
Shapiro comments on old stuff, mainly political, which nowadays longs so briefly, are outdated.
I have skimmed through the book hoping to find something relevant, but there wasn't.
Sure some arguments against woke extremists are right, but overall he doesn't brought anything new to the conversation.

[Stu Schwarzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shapiro Unloads!

Shapiro writes intelligently about some very tough current issues. He is super smart, writes well, and is very tough on his political opponents. The book is a collection of his columns from 2017 to early 2019. It barely dips into the 2020 campaign, he does touch on it. This is a worthy read that will leave political wonks wanting more, much more.

[Paul Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facts are the only way to weigh the logic behind an argument or an opinion.

[Ella Vee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening

I greatly appreciate the clarity on so many of the political issues that I found myself ill-informed or lacking a deeper understanding.

[Care Bear · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yawn.

[Bonnie L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have great respect for Ben Shapiro but don't always agree with him. This is a good book to read but can be on the boring side at times. It's real politics though. I much rather read a novel. I learned things I didn't know. I would recommend this book for a shot in the arm on politics when you think you may need it. Ben is a very bright mind. I would trust his analysis on just about anything.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I REALLY like Ben Shapiro, and picked this book up without knowing anything about it. I thought it was going to be an actual book- it's a compilation of his columns (many of which I have already read). It's a quick, easy read (and easy to take breaks if you have to put it down since it's all divided up into columns vs chapters). He covers many topics throughout the collection of articles. The one I found most interesting was titled "The Ungrateful Nation" and cites surveys that show that LESS THAN HALF of Americans are proud to be American (despite this being the greatest country in which to live, which is absolutely mind-boggling to me). He also discusses the national deficit, fiscal responsibility (and lack thereof), nationalism vs patriotism, religion, victim mentality, the myth of "raising awareness," racism, media censorship and control, scientific "experts" who defy/contradict real science, the current push for the feminization of men, how the education system is indoctrinating our children, abortion, and the #metoo movement, amongst others. Some of the quotes I highlighted and appreciated:

"So long as there are politicians, there will be policies that achieve the opposite of their intended consequences. Politicians, after all, don't have to show results. All they have to show is a willingness to "help"..."Politics used to be the art of educating the public about reality and pushing for change where change is possible. Now politics is the art of convincing the public that you can make reality disappear if it votes for you..."Reality is unpleasant. Perhaps that's why so few politicians are willing to face up to it"..."There is a lot of profit to be made, both politically and financially, in generating and maintaining stupid controversy. But here's the thing about unjustifiable anger: It's never satiated. So watch for our controversies to get stupider and stupider- and more and more profitable for those who egg them on"..."Misconduct thrives when accountability fades."

The reason I did not give 5 stars: 1) it was a compilation of previously published columns and not an actual "new" book, and 2) I felt he gave too much time (or too many columns) dedicated to Trump (those who support and those who do not aka Trump Derangement Syndrome). This might be because of the year this book was put together, but I felt it could have been a smaller portion and had the same impact.

[Cassie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for ANYONE. An interesting take on the last 4 years, to see the timeline of events that have lead up to our current state of the US. It gave me chills reading it, and thinking about where we are today! America was built on a foundation of free speech, liberty in personal choices and actions, and freedom from governmental tyranny and control of fellow human beings. Sadly we have seen aspiring government “leaders” inform us that they want to dictate what we can and cannot eat (say goodbye to steak, straws, and large sodas), or how to behave, what we are permitted to say, or even how to say it. They want to fine us for addressing another person in a way that has the possibility to offend them, and give those offended people permission to falsely accuse another with zero due process. The line is blurred and has changed from important “women’s health issues” to now allowing and sometimes forcing a doctor to end the life of a newborn baby for reasons no longer having to do with the well-being of anyone involved. The absurd list goes on and on. But regardless of the hypocrisy we witness, the double standard we see occurring daily, the barrage of bullying toward those who dare to disagree with the violently forced beliefs that threaten the very core of the foundation of what our great nation was built upon, it still feels like there is no hope in making a positive difference and getting through to this obstinate bunch who are sadly brainwashed in favor of those so desperate to control the masses. As Ben Shapiro so eloquently sums it up: “Politics should not be allowed to override basic human decency.”

[Kaley Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating based on writing style and argument structure.

I think I am very in the middle of the political spectrum. This book is obviously right-leaning but there were some points I did agree with. There were also points that I completely disagreed with. Overall, it was interesting to read about how people that may not agree with you look at things. I think sometimes he was drawing correlations that are drastic (i.e “The same civilization that sees it as a fundamental right to kill a child in the womb thinks it is utterly out of bounds to film outside a trial involving the abuse of children”). You can agree with abortion and agree that arresting people for filming outside of a courthouse should not happen. Two things can exist, and they can co-exist. I think that my biggest re-occurring problem with this was that if you agree with one left-leaning belief, you must also believe in this other extreme one. I think he also takes slight accountability of some of the things right-leaning people can do wrong but obviously it is not as prominent.

I know this book was a collection of essays that he wrote but I wish it was a little more discussion based. I have plenty of notes in the margins that I think would lead to a good discussion about some of these issues. I think this was good in the way that you can see how certain conclusions are drawn. I think it is missing the HUGE middle ground that most people fall in.

[John F. Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Shapiro uses his newspaper columns on topical issues raised during the Trump Administration to illuminate the conservative perspective on those issues. Topics include the place of patriotism in American society, the tactics of the Progressive Left to undermine normative racial, sexual, and gender cultural practices, the war against religion and its effects on common morality, the cultural genocide perpetrated by leftist universities, immigration issues, and the attack on Constitutional liberties such as free speech and the right to bear arms. Frequent mentions with statistical backing document the ineptitude and incompetence of the Obama Administration’s domestic and foreign policies. If you need ammunition against your smug and clueless leftist friends, you’ll find several full-loaded magazines here.

[Jay Mehta · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good read, especially if one wants a detailed account of the American left's insanity and how realities are often at odds with the narratives. I am late to read this book but it was still interesting to read things in hindsight, now that the Harris administration is there.
I had already known some of the book's content since I have listened to him occasionally and watched Dave Rubin who talks along similar lines. The categorization of the articles is good and it's an interesting read. None of the articles exceed two pages, which can also be a little off-putting.
However, I feel the book could have been structured a little better instead of just being an array of his articles. Especially the point of what's in the title "Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings" could have been better conveyed by taking some examples and elaborating on them (go deep).
Still a good read.

[Olivia Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book talks about a variety of political topics, bringing up specific events that correspond to them and analyzing them and how they relate to modern politics. It is highly partisan and biased toward right wing ideas, but I think it would be a good read for people on both sides of the political spectrum. Shapiro has an in depth understanding of what he's talking about in the book, so you walk away feeling like you know more and not like you reaffirmed what you already knew about a subject. I recommend this book to people who are looking for truth about topics that are often ignored or falsified in order to fit the left's narrative in the media. It can be hard to understand at times, but if you read slowly, you can understand what Shapiro is saying.

[Ryan Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you identify as a Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative, or other I think you will find this book to be not only a good read but a book of rational and reasonable intent. This is a collection of short and digestible articles that I could pick up and read in between other things while also being able to just sit and binge it for a while. Don't be fooled by what the progressive media will claim of Ben Shapiro, read it for yourself and decide.

[Kelsey Beerbower Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to better understand the views of Ben Shapiro. Some really great insights and viewpoints. It was an especially interesting read given I had the benefit of hindsight.

The format was a little difficult in that it felt very disjointed - obviously by design. It’s a collection of his editorials over certain subjects over certain years, grouped but subject. A new style for me and just took so adjusting to.

[Briar · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was hard to get through. I thought it was going to be more a collection of essays. However, it reads more like a condensed version of his show. It lacks consistency between the chapters. There are no ciatations. I wanted to engae with ideas with substance. It was not long before I doubted every way he explained a situation. Some parts of this book reek of denial considering what came after it was published.

[Jerilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So we'll done,I bought book two!

This book was well written. Just written how it is. Then pointed out the truth. This is how politics should be taught in middle and high school. This book led me to buy the second book. Thank you Ben Shapiro, I really enjoyed Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings. I'm off to start book two.

[Keith Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A calm conservative

Mr. Shapiro has given a calm and measured response to what he sees affecting this country. I have seen several of his YouTube videos. He is an excellent voice on the right.

[James Francis McEnanly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear view of the Trump era

This book is a series of articles written between 2016 and 2020, detailing national politics, both Congressional and Presidential, and their effects on the population.

[Steve Sabo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben is a very insightful man. His YouTube clips are amazing in their way of simplifying complex issues into very logical arguments. This was a collection of articles/columns he wrote. I wanted more from it. It wasn't bad, just didn't knock my socks off.

[Ellie Shamlian · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️HAD TO READ THIS FOR CLASS⭐️
i found this book to be so funny because some of his points just confirmed that this man is an incel. great class discussion though! talked a lot about how he may be a closeted sex addict

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I enjoyed my first book by Ben Shapiro. As a frequent listener I like Ben’s take on many topics that span the political and philosophical arenas. Well done, Ben.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben never fails to amaze me.

[Karan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - a great amount of info pact in this book!

[Laura Schrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of these articles are eerie now that so much has come to pass. I love how he can concisely express his thoughts and get his point across in the essays.

[Charles F. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rare talent

Speaks from facts, not politics! Always logical. Fearless. Should be read by anyone with a vote. Keep it up, Ben

[Letisha Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Wa Wa Wee Wa

[Abby Hatch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative, very educational. I wasn't too fond of the format (a collection of columns instead of a fluid nonfiction book), but it was still good

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book in 2022 makes for some dated reading. Even so, still a fun easy read. Each essay is about 1-2 pages so it's a perfect book for people with the A.D.D. like me.

[Andrew Vermiglio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben is brilliant. Hope these collections continue to be published for the good of our society.