The New Puritans

How the Religion of Social Justice Captured the Western World

By: Andrew Doyle

Narrated by: Andrew Doyle

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Engaging, incisive and acute, The New Puritans is a deeply necessary exploration of our current cultural climate and an urgent appeal to return to a truly liberal society.

The puritans of the seventeenth century sought to refashion society in accordance with their own beliefs, but they were deep thinkers who were aware of their own fallibility. Today, in the grasp of the new puritans, we see a very different story.

Leading a cultural revolution driven by identity politics and so-called 'social justice', the new puritanism movement is best understood as a religion - one that makes grand claims to moral purity and tolerates no dissent. Its disciples even have their own language, rituals and a determination to root out sinners through what has become known as 'cancel culture'.

In The New Puritans, Andrew Doyle powerfully examines the underlying belief-systems of this ideology, and how it has risen so rapidly to dominate all major political, cultural and corporate institutions. He reasons that, to move forward, we need to understand where these new puritans came from and what they hope to achieve. Written in the spirit of optimism and understanding, Doyle offers an eloquent and powerful case for the reinstatement of liberal values and explains why it's important we act now.

©2022 Andrew Doyle (P)2022 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

'A sober but devastating skewering of cancel culture and the moral certainties it shares with religious fundamentalism' Sunday Times

'Andrew Doyle has written a masterful broadside against the woke that will also discomfit the anti-woke, proposing to both the radical notion that rather than being identities, we embrace our status as individuals' Critic

Well written and much needed

Andrew Doyle writes beautifully, explains the problems he observes fairly and is an excellent narrator for his book. He educates and entertains and his dedicated defense of liberal values is a great comfort to all lovers of freedom.

Very Enlightening

You did a wonderful job with both the content and presentation. Keep up the good fight against the Woke madness. Everybody should read this book.

An absolute must-read for anyone interested in the culture wars.

I’ve read most books out there about this subject and found this one to be among the best, possibly #1. Andrew Doyle’s clarity of thought, beautiful and captivating writing style, and ability to reason his way through complex ideas with the reader are masterful. The parallels he draws between religious Puritanism and the new secular religion of wokeness are brilliant, frightening, and comical in equal measures. If we are ever to condemn the idiotic philosophy of Critical Social Justice to burn at the stake of reason and true liberalism, this Holy book should guide us there. God help their intersectional souls.

Eloquent and masterful

Andrew Doyle’s writing is a pleasure both because of his mastery of the English language and his ability to make a lucid argument. His vast vocabulary is used not in a boastful manner, but rather each word perfectly fits the situation so the prose easily flows. He has a knack for making analogies which are spot on. Drawing from his knowledge of literature and history he provides humorous as well as terrifying examples to illustrate his points. His voice is clear and expressive denoting a polished performer. I found myself frequently rewinding just for the pleasure of listening again to a passage or to jot down a phrase or quotation. I wish I could have had him as one of my college professors. Beyond the artistry is a cogent argument against post modernism and the religion of its proponents. Although hazardous to do so he makes a strong case for why it is imperative to speak up to oppose this illiberal movement. This is a pleasurable read on a timely subject.

This is a must read book.

Well researched, informative, thought provoking and inspiring. this book lays out in clear terms. what's been happening in the world and how to have a reasonable response.

So Important

One of the best written books I've heard in a long time. I wish everyone would hear this. He really nails our current political climate and makes a hopeful plea for how we can get out of this "culture war".

pretty good

well written and narrated but doesn't really add anything new to the discussion of what to do about woke excesses.
maybe it's because I've read similar books and essays making more or less the same points and using many of the same examples.

If this topic is new to you, it does cover it all very well.
I also thought that because Doyle is a comedian, it would be a bit funnier.

Great read

The author definitely has his finger on the pulse of what’s really going on. Very good book. Should be required reading for everyone whether they like it or not.

Good

Enjoyed the book, those interested in this topic should check out YouTube channel “Ryan Chapman”. Goes into the political historical development of the ideas talked about in a neutral manner.

Sooo good!!

As a PhD student of clinical psychology, whee wokeism and social justice ideology is now replacing individual based psychotherapy and intentionally excluding people of conservative or libertarian beliefs, I found this book to be the key to helping me fight against the new puritans in academia. An absolutely brilliant read for those who do not understand the mind of the woke left and how to best navigate their double standard gaslighting tactics.