DRAGONS FOR SALE

by Robert E. Wheeler

Reviewed by Bob MacKenzie

It is clear from the outset that, when the late Robert E. Wheeler wrote Dragons for Sale, he had in mind an audience of people Cornelia Fuykschot Wheeler, his wife and posthumous editor, in her foreword describes as "the general reader". That is to say, rather than simply an academic exercise, this is a book Wheeler had hoped you and I could read with some ease.

In fact, Dragons for Sale makes an interesting read but is not nearly as accessible as its author had hoped it would be. Here, for instance is Wheeler explaining why he chose the final content for this book.

"Realizing that no one individual, however learned, could write an adequate chronicle of unreason, it has been my more modest intention to focus upon a few illuminating illustrations of human cruelty, self-deception, erudite nonsense, and sacrosanct humbug."

Wheeler has done a commendable job of condensing two thousand years of philosophy into a manageable package. In doing so, through, he has created what is more an academic publication than popular philosophy. The back of this 162 page book lists 118 books and articles as references. That is, there are two reference volumes for every three pages of this book. In fact, Dragons for Sale reads like a catalogue of every great thinker of the past two millennia.

As well, Wheeler's vocabulary, while imposing, tends also to be intimidating, filled with words of many syllables and words which most likely will not be recognized by the general reader.

That said, for the general reader interested in the politics of unreason, in how the structure of society can depend on the blind trust of the people, this book is more than just worth the effort. It's heavy reading, but it's like digging for diamonds. For those readers who make the effort the rewards are great.

As Robert E. Wheeler says, "Like cluttered houses, our minds require periodic renovation in order to eliminate the mental cobwebs." Dragons for Sale is just the book to do the job, but keep your dictionary handy.