Author(s): Laurence Simmons (ed.)

NZ History/Society

Public Intellectuals Re-Think New Zealand Eggheads...the chattering classes...the ivory tower... This is a book about a contentious subject, intellectual life in today's New Zealand. Speaking Truth to Power is organised around interviews with leading intellectuals, such as Jane Kelsey, Brian Easton, Marilyn Waring and the late Michael King, and is introduced by reflective essays by Roger Horrocks, Andrew Sharp, Stephen Turner and editor Laurence Simmons. What is very clear is that however much ideas and thinking are the subject of public scorn, these people have a huge impact on the sort of country we live in and the way we treat each other. In their commitment to understanding and improving the social world they have faced hostility, incomprehension and rejection but their lives are rich, complex and dramatic as this book shows. Speaking Truth to Power will annoy, excite, inspire and anger but, it will get this topic into the open and make readers realise just how important these people are and how little they are recognised. First published April 2007. superb stimulating introduction [by Roger Horrocks] - Philip Matthews, NZ Listener a provocative collection of essays, interviews and roundtable discussion. - Chris Trotter, NZ Independent Business Weekly Just getting these thoughts out there has value. - Mark Broatch, Sunday Star-Times There are many other strong and insightful opinions in this book, along with rare outbreaks of intellectual passion - from Ian Wedde and Michael King, in particular.