Almost

by Stefan Molyneux

Genres: Nonfiction

Audiobook

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Stefan Molyneux is the founder and host of Freedomain Radio, the largest and most popular philosophical show in the world. With more than 2,600 podcasts, 10 books and 50 million downloads, Stefan has spread the cause of liberty and philosophy to listeners throughout the world.

As the host of Freedomain Radio, Stefan has interviewed experts Noam Chomsky, Dr. Nathaniel Branden, Dr. Warren Farrell, Peter Schiff, Dr. Peter Boghossian, Dr. Mary J. Ruwart and many others.

Prior to launching Freedomain Radio, Stefan built a thriving career as a software entrepreneur and executive. In 2006, he left his work in the tech industry to devote his efforts to Freedomain Radio. Now a self-identified full-time parent and philosopher, Stefan speaks regularly at liberty-themed events all over North and South America. His speeches cover subjects ranging from politics, philosophy, science, atheism and economics to relationships, parenting and how to achieve real freedom in your life.

Stefan is the author of two novels, "Revolutions" and "The God of Atheists," as well as eight non-fiction books on relationships, government and religion.

Past live appearances include presentations at the New Hampshire Liberty Forum, the Porcupine Freedom Festival, Libertopia, Students For Liberty, FreedomFest, LibertyNow, Capitalism and Morality, LibertyFest West, the Brazilian Mises Institute's Idieas em Movimento, Freedom Summit, and the Global Escape Hatch.

Stefan has participated in a number of live debates, among them: "Bitcoin vs. Gold: The Future of Money" with Peter Schiff, "Zeitgeist Versus the Market" with Peter Joseph, "The Function of the State in Society" with Professor Vladimir Safatle and "How Much Government is Necessary?" with Michael Badnarik.

In addition to hosting his own regular show, Stefan has been a guest on audio and television programs such as RT America's "Breaking the Set" with Abby Martin, "Adam vs. The Man" with Adam Kokesh, "The Keiser Report" with Max Keiser and "The Joe Rogan Experience" with Joe Rogan.

Reviews

[Lando Universe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work is shockingly good. The characters feel so real, so palpable. You can feel the tension, the razor like tension in various scenes. With bated breath, wondering what will happen next. An excellent blend of fiction and philosophy. Of fiction and truth.

[Emily Palmieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and timely read, powerful ending. I love the web of connections the author creates between characters across countries and families. My only complaint would be that the transcripts of political speeches and debates can be a bit dry and long. The novel excels at conveying the conflicts, atmosphere, and emotions in Europe during the rise of Nazism through its characters.

[Roxana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the beginning AT ALL ! I might have gone with just 2 stars for that. It is probably supposed to be some deep philosophical statement, showing the reader the pitfalls of postmodern life; showing us the importance of having values, the existence of good and evil and of making good life choices. Basically just another of Molyneaux' youtube clips or podcast...AND probably written for 12 year olds. Giving it all to you on a plate, without subtleties, without doubt, without letting the reader draw conclusions based on actions or context of a character; spoon feeding you the exact moral of the story.

Luckily, I felt that the book redeemed itself a bit when the war was getting closer. The plot, and the politics seemed to me a bit more captivating and not so moralising and patronising...

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrribe Book !!! Beware Dumpster Fire!!


I will start of by saying I this books has such a slow place that it makes Ann Frank's Diary look like a action packed Noval. The slow small pace of this book wilk root your brian. I tried too finish this pile of turd of a book. The Title is Called Almost, Yes you will Almost Die of Boredom in this dumpster pile of trash if this was a printed copy I wouldn't wipe my ass with this . You would waste your time even reading/ listening too this while taking a hot shit.


I was recommended this book & when I researched this Stefan molyneux on Wikipedia I see this Egg
headed Midget Pedo on the page and he turns out too be some lunatic who was on Joe Rogan and Dave Robin going on a crazy rant about IQ this pedo is insane.


This Clown larps as a philosopher when no one has ever heard of him ,this guy is married to a creepy looking psychologist who is a criminal.

The story dragged on & on and went no where. Cleary the writer loves the sound of his own voice while high of his own farts. The story is all over the place. No wonder it's free this guy couldn't make two cents if this dumpster fire of a story.


Cleary this Midget stole this off of other people's work just like he did with his UPB Book.

I would not recommend this book unless you support Midget Pedo/ white supremacists .


This book is just Trash and I wouldn't use it for toilet paper as it would actually be an insult too toilet paper .


This Stefan molyneux is a narcissist and creepy . The guy claims he has saved children and lives when all he does is beg for donations & cry about being deplaetformed on YouTube/Twitter. Cry me a river or goo cry with the Orange man. You guys would make a much better couple over his creepy old hag he is currently married too. I feel sorry for his ex's that dated this racist Midget.


Read Jordan B Peterson or listen too Joe Rogan they are better humans who have made a difference unlike this Pedo Egg headed Racist who claims without any proof that he has saved children and stopped child abuse all while begging for donations & larpping as a philosopher.


Go watch his debates this clown couldn't win a debate with himself looking at a mirror better yet not win a debate with kangaroo.


Terrribe , Terrribe writing ,but this is what you will get from a self loathing narcissist conman.

The guy even lied by making a claim that Madonna was rapped on a Roof top of building , the problem is there is zero mention of it being a black Person, but Stafan Molyneux being the Racist he is blamed a black man .

[Shefi · Rating 3 out of 5]

(This review is of the ebook version).
This is the first Molyneux book I've read. I've watched a couple of Molyneux's videos, tho rarely to the end (the ones I did watch completely were the one on Ayn Rand and the one on slavery). I know he's famous for being some kind of anarchist, and a proponent of "peaceful parenting" tho I'm not familiar with the details.

I was hooked on this book. The characters were all interesting and fleshed out with dialogue as well as narrative. One aspect that kept me hooked was that I could not easily fathom the psychology of the characters, so I kept reading more to try and figure them out. I never quite did, though some characters became more understandable.

Both men and women are portrayed in their strengths and their weaknesses with a frank, sometimes brutal, honesty, but also with humour, understanding and sympathy.

The fraternal rivalry and especially the bitter and poisonous dialogue between them was something quite out of my experience and I surmised that the author had some intimate knowledge and experience of such people and their family dynamics.

"Almost" is a historical novel, set in England and Europe from World War I to World War II. The parents are involved in WWI and the children grow up and become embroiled in WWII, for reasons that have much to do with their parents' experience.

The story revolves around two families and particularly their philosophies or worldview. These I found subtle and difficult to understand. Still, I thought the author did a good job of combining the creation of characters who were both individuals while also being representatives of various worldviews. I have no idea how accurate those characters or worldviews are; I don't know if they represent how people actually thought and felt who lived during those years. (I did find a couple of anachronisms, words used in dialogue that probably were not used until much later).

There are some long speeches, but they are mostly historical speeches by British politicians (Baldwin, Hoare, Churchill, Duff Cooper, Neville Chamberlain). I didn't check against actual speeches, so the author may have added or edited them slightly, but they all ring true, especially the ones by Chamberlain). Personally, I found these speeches interesting, as examples of sophisticated rhetoric (Churchill, especially). At one point, Churchill comes into possession of some vital information regarding Hitler and the German military command. He plans to use it in Parliament but he cannot, must not, reveal that he has this information. The way he goes about it is fascinating.

I found myself looking up various characters in works of reference and reading about their real lives was also fascinating and educational, in particular Duff Cooper and his wife Lady Diana.

A major theme in the story is the pacifists vs the warriors. Churchill and one major fictional character are the warriors: while they dread a repetition of the Great War, they sense that the best way to prevent it is to be prepared to defend England in case it is necessary. The warriors' case is put very well and sympathetically. The appeasers' case is also skilfully made and sympathetically, or perhaps I should say fairly, represented. The appeasers include both politicians and private individuals who desperately want to avoid war for respectively both political and private reasons. The complex web of treaties and political promises are also skilfully and clearly laid out.

My only complaint is a major one: I hated the ending. It was not only unsatisfactory but also wildly unrealistic and seemed to be trying to make a point at the cost of realism. It was also brutally and uncharacteristically gruesome, and made me feel I'd wasted my time reading the whole story. And it's a loooong one (100 chapters).

I liked the sketches of various current opinions, such as the one on self-determination: "It was right to let the Indians rule themselves. Why? Because of the right of national self-determination. The Indian nation was seen as an unjustly imprisoned man, and the British as his jailer. Freedom!

"But it was not so. India was not one person. India was a seething pit of warring tribes. Old wounds bred fresh hatreds. India was not unjustly condemned. India, if one man, was a man given to wild rampages, child abuse, and self-mutilation.
"But that, also Did Not Matter. It Did Not Matter because the idea of national self-determination was a Holy Right, and could not be reasoned away.”

Or what happened when women got the vote: “Ah—what women want. Finally—an answer!”
“Women want protection and goods. They used to get it from men. Now they want it from the state.”
“Why now?”
“There are fewer men, since… And there are always women falling through the cracks. They will agitate for what they need.”

On the inevitable corruption of political power: “Everyone in Parliament spoke about The Good; their devotion to interests over and above petty ambition, but everyone acted to advance their careers. It was a vicious circle, clear to a newcomer. Everyone wants to pursue The Good, but pursuit of The Good requires being in power—and so The Good becomes staying in power.”

There were also some striking and colourful turns of phrase: “The sorrow of the home was the mourning ground of their mutual fusion. They gathered to mourn birds flown, brothers lost and fathers fallen away. The wild grief which sprayed from Ruth’s pores, drowning Tom’s young sapling like an unholy burning rain, was their secret connection.”

And, “She did write wonderful letters, and the welling sadness which Tom felt intermittently, like an inner tide of oiled and sightless otters, rolling slowly in and out, could always be released by his mother’s words.”

And, “Something seemed to have been solved, for the moment. Reginald wondered briefly what it was. But the room was dark with devilry, and he quickly fled to sleep.”

However, I doubt I'll be attempting to read any of Molyneux' other fiction and after listening to a few of his "History of Philosophy" podcasts, I certainly won't be reading any of his non-fiction.

[Jonathan Roseland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hats off to Stefan, this is an amazing historical fiction novel! It’s a family drama, a tale of two families, English and German, caught up in the terribly repetitive momentum of history - you might think of it as Atlas Shrugged meets East of Eden set in inter-war Europe. In the last few years, I’ve read a few of the classics by Steinbeck and Jack London, and “Almost” is of the same caliber in its capturing of human nature.

A few of the philosophical gems that jumped out at me...

"True ethics arise from empathy. The only ethics that can arise in the absence of empathy is conformity. Conformity looks almost good, which is worse than bad…”
"Until the age of about 30, everything a young man loves and hates in the world is really in his own soul."
"The past unexamined is the future, unrelenting"

"Almost" is a lot deeper if you're acquainted with Stefan's work, I do suggest listening to Freedomain before or while consuming "Almost" - and Stefan's verbal range and dexterity makes the audiobook a real pleasure.

[Herald Hildago · Rating 1 out of 5]

A terribly boring plot written with no arcs, no character, and no heart. The author has clearly never lived through any of the fantasies he recounts. It’s a deeply soulless attempt to capture something real.

[Sebi Mihalache · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever wondered how wars in which millions are murdered happen, then this is the book for you.

If you need to understand what happens when good and evil become vague and subjective, then I strongly recommend you read Almost.

We “almost” came to an abrupt end as a civilization and Molyneux managed to put that whole experience into a single, exciting, intriguing, profound and outstanding book.

[Roman Schorscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best novels I´ve ever read. Everything, from the historical setting, the dialogue, and the internal monologues of the characters was just mind-blowing, a really deep, mystifying, and moving read.
The part setting and action in last-days-of-Weimarer-Republik Berlin was especially breathtaking and terrifying.
I thank the author from all my heart for this uplifting experience, and for putting this work out free of charge.
A great book, a great accomplishment.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing