A Career Anti-Fascist - George Orwell - WW2 Biography Special

[@WorldWarTwo]

Research and writing this episode was one of the last things our fantastic intern, Rune, did for us before he left TimeGhost to move onto newer horizons. He worked with us for around a year and in that time answered loads of your comments, researched Out of the Foxholes answers, and fact-checked all the scripts. We'll miss him a lot, but we're sure he has a very bright future ahead. We're also very excited to welcome our new team of interns who will be with us for around a year. We're sure you'll see their names and maybe even their faces pop up here and there soon enough. We hope you're enjoying all our content. If you would like to know something about a smaller topic and give our new interns some extra work then make sure to submit a question for Out of the Foxholes. You can do that right here: community.timeghost.tv/c/Out-of-the-Foxholes-Qs. Cheers, Francis Before you comment, read our rules: community.timeghost.tv/t/rules-of-conduct/4518

[@indianajones4321]

@World War Two the tie auctions bidding wars are getting real, this is modern war

[@thebunkerparodie6368]

may I spoil animal farm (also the movie are verry different from the book ,althoguh I prefer the aesthetic of the 1954 movie,per example Jones situation in the 1954 is worst than in the book and he doesn't have a wife ,the crow doesn't have that much of a role beside being here for the death[wich are honestly horrible , and when napoleon do his sound ,you know it's gonna get verry bad] and some pig don't appear in the 1954 movie too)

[@AlbeitBasilisk]

Why did rune leave

[@44zaydin]

Very good work, Rune. All the best for your future.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Am Person his internship was over, but more importantly he was accepted into the Danish Army Translator School, and is now on course to become an officer and a spy, for real.

[@gianniverschueren870]

Speechless

[@gianniverschueren870]

That's the second time my haste to rate a tie has been my undoing. All I can say is thanks to Astrid, Indy, Spartacus and everyone else involved with the production of these amazing videos. I hugely enjoy these little reviews and the subsequent back and forth in the replies, and I urge everyone who enjoys my weirdness to check out Indy's Tie Barn and the listings on Ebay! There's some excellent ties already available!

[@JorgeRodriguez-de6eo]

Felicidades man, do take that tie out for a spin!

[@gianniverschueren870]

​@@JorgeRodriguez-de6eo I'm actually torn tbh. I'll definitely send the gang a photo of me wearing it, but I also like the idea of framing it and putting it on my wall

[@WorldWarTwo]

@@gianniverschueren870 frame it or wear it as you will. Whatever you choose to do with it, it's just a small token of appreciation for all the fun and very welcome distraction from the darkness of our topics that you provide.

[@gianniverschueren870]

@@WorldWarTwo I will wear it with pride. And when this pandemic is over and you guys decide to do a bit of on-location stuff again, I'll happily grab a drink with you all if it's anywhere near

[@ColonelFrontline1152]

*"If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever."* - George Orwell.

[@ФилиппЛыков-д8е]

"And if you want to imagine the future, imagine a boot . . . no, imagine a sneaker, laces trailing, kicking a pebble; imagine a stick, to poke at interesting things, and throw for a dog that may or may not decide to retrieve it..." Terry Pratchett, Neil Gailman. Good Omens.

[@TheLoraxshadenough]

Sounds like 2020 so far

[@ФилиппЛыков-д8е]

@@tigercap100 In my opinion, Orwell was pro-proletarian.

[@ProjectEkerTest33]

@@tigercap100 Call it anti-totalitarian

[@chuckygobyebye]

@oil9vinergar Turns out it's a knee on a neck.

[@indianajones4321]

This channel is the best history channel out there

[@indianajones4321]

Oh yes, between two wars and the Cuban Missile Crisis were also very well done.

[@cainsy8124]

Yes, and great for ties as well!

[@firingallcylinders2949]

I can't wait for the Pearl Harbor special and the war from there on. I love the aspect of the Pacific war, Indys insights should be great

[@CeruleanBlue61]

Time ghost and Mark Felton

[@the_powerdirector5315]

This should be a TV show

[@donfeloni3923]

"Well, Gianni..." keeping an eye contact with the camera and starts to unbotton his vest :O

[@gianniverschueren870]

I have to admit I got a little tingly

[@trizvanov]

, have you ever ....

[@Raskolnikov70]

Yeah, I got a Captain Oveur vibe from that too.... "So, Gianni, do you like gladiator movies?" LOL

[@gianniverschueren870]

@@Raskolnikov70 Excellent reference

[@joeh8785]

Like climbing the rope in gym class....

[@christianweibrecht6555]

George Orwell: prime contender for most frequently misunderstood authors of all time

[@theobuniel9643]

Ha, true. It's very evident when you see American conservatives like Ben Shapiro and Dennis Prager co-opt Orwell's writings for their own political agenda.

[@jameswight6259]

In what way misunderstood?

[@joeh8785]

And Frank Herbert

[@christianweibrecht6555]

@@jameswight6259people of all beliefs and affiliations believe that Orwell's writings support them

[@podemosurss8316]

That's being a trotskyte in a nutshell...

[@Roronoa79]

"I have seen wonderful things, and at last really believe in Socialism, which I never did before." Too many forget Orwell's ardent socialism. All too often his name is invoked by the Right to shut down even basic social democracy. Animal Farm was an indictment of Stalinism, not socialism.

[@mjbull5156]

Socialism has inherently totalitarian tendencies as its system breaks down if there is dissent.

[@lexingtonbrython1897]

@@mjbull5156 Catalonia wants a word with you.

[@maddyg3208]

Stalinism was the dominant form of Socialism in Orwell's time. That in itself suggests Socialism suggests has fundamental problems.

[@mikefay5698]

No Communism. He thought all Communist ideas lead to Stalinism. He liked British nice Monarchy and Church of England Liberalism.

[@lexingtonbrython1897]

@@mikefay5698 An Homage to Catalonia would like a word with you.

[@cortster12]

I love how you made a distinction between fascism and totalitarianism. Since fascism is totalitarian, but not all totalitarian regimes are fascist. It good to make that clear as people seem to forget that these days.

[@seanconnolly6002]

Who seems to forget that? I have never heard any one say that totalitarian regimes are all fascist.

[@cortster12]

@@seanconnolly6002 I have, it's very a very common belief now. Or maybe just the loudest voices? Either way, I hear it a lot.

[@marinazagrai1623]

Bose...we had one but my son took it to college. Listen, today if it's not on Instagram it is unimportant. I'm not over the hill, but I'm not one of today's generation. Were you to spend any time with a youth you could not talk to them about anything because they (generally) don't know anything...sad as can be!

[@lafuffarosa562]

Sorry but I don't get it... How exactly a totalitarian regime is not fascist as well?

[@cortster12]

@@lafuffarosa562 Fascism is a specific type of totalitarianism. It has unique economic, social, and hierarchical systems. Another example of totalitarianism is the government that comes about whenever anyone attempts communism. And that most definitely is not fascist, even if it has plenty of similarities.

[@kampfret]

I read Gianni's comment on Indonesia's war of independence episode too... congrats to him

[@gianniverschueren870]

Much appreciated!

[@Darwinek]

@@gianniverschueren870 Congratulations, Gianni. Well deserved!

[@pjishomo]

@@gianniverschueren870 wat is u fetish met dassen ?

[@gianniverschueren870]

@@pjishomo I like ties

[@mikefay5698]

1M Communists and supporters were killed in the CIA Coup in Indonesia.

[@captainkevgames4761]

I love the fact that this channel reads and listens to the comments as well. It makes you feel like part of a community especially in times like now. I'm a mid west Canadian watching my brothers and sisters south of us go through some terrible and incredible at the same time. So I've watched a lot of time ghost, great war and world war II and feel very optimistic if a bit trepidatious for the future.

[@ZER0ZER0SE7EN]

The same from the US West Coast seeing all the craziness north of the border. Wish Canadians all the best.

[@jokuvaan5175]

Could you do a video of Sir Christopher Lee. The British special agent who fought in the Winter War and became a well known wizard, vampire prince of darkness and lightsaber wielding count

[@ArkadiBolschek]

@Egert Roos Yup, he totally did.

[@YTMarnixR]

second! just a fun story proving what a baddass he is (from the lotr): According to the video, Jackson was blocking a scene in which Wormtongue (Brad Dourif) stabs Saruman (Lee) in the back. Jackson goes into a long explanation about how he wants Lee to react and Lee says, "Have you any idea what kind of noise happens when somebody’s stabbed in the back? Because I do.”

[@12345678900987659101]

Fun fact: During the filming of Return of the King he corrected Peter Jackson on how a man sounds when getting stabbed. Most likely having personal experience having been a veteran of the British Special Forces during WW2, Jackson took his advice.

[@GeneralSmitty91]

I wonder what went through Sir Christopher Lee's mind watching all the action movie stars over the years lol

[@jokuvaan5175]

Reporter: "Have you ever killed a man?" Lee: "Can you keep a secret?" Reporter: "Yes." Lee: "So can I."

[@Mondo762]

Actually Orwell's mentor, Aldous Huxley, is also an interesting study. He wrote Brave New World. I consider him a true original.

[@pkz420]

Both were giants. But I think Huxley is more relevant to the West, today. Orwell described the bullet we dodged, maybe thanks to him. Huxley predicted the bullet that got us in the end.

[@aadritoroy388]

I didn't knew huxley was Orwell's mentor

[@youtubeusername7856]

Aadrito Roy That’s because he wasn’t, lol. They were friends though

[@Chrins99]

I saw a comment somewhere which went along the lines of “It’s ‘1984’ at work and ‘Brave New World’ at home.” Or something to that effect

[@Vanhala]

You should read Yevgeny Zamyatin, who wrote We as he predated Huxley's Brave New World by almost a decade. Also Jack London's The Iron Heel.

[@andypants1000]

Gianni is a tie-rant

[@markcaffrey7332]

lmao

[@JurgenADV]

Andypants wins the internet today

[@gianniverschueren870]

Well played, sir. That is a title I will relish

[@DaleBryand]

@@gianniverschueren870 the legend is here

[@gianniverschueren870]

@@odonovan ಠ_ಠ

[@andrewgrandfield7214]

Geor Geor Well

[@kostassalerakis1024]

This is the kind of stuff I read the comments for

[@catlat3606]

barck barck bama

[@tucopacifico]

Shades of Lathe of Heaven

[@Sinstarclair]

Geor Geor Well (not George Orwell) is maybe greater or as great as Jar Jar Binks

[@xXDimistreoXx]

That's Georwellian

[@jamesmmcgill]

*"He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past."* -George Orwell-

[@pnutz_2]

he got it from Kane

[@Afdch]

@@pnutz_2 Kane lives!

[@Quincy_Morris]

@@pnutz_2 KANE LIVES IN DEATH!

[@Casual_Killroy]

I'm reading homage to Catalonia right now and it is so good! Probably on of the best first hand accounts of the Spanish civil war on the POUM side!

[@ajsimo2677]

Agreed. He is very entertaining as a writer and gives the impression that he is writing very honestly.

[@Daniel-kq4bx]

Yeah its good. However i would not take his impressions for coined. He even said he might not be correct in the book. I realised this when i read an Article criticizing his view

[@Robbi496]

His attitude (Among other opinions) was that you can have socialism without a dictatorship. He wrote "Animal Farm" as an anti-Soviet expose

[@podemosurss8316]

Yes: it's a sort of "what can go wrong when you have a revolution", and the last chapter predicted Perestroika...

[@crapposter8201]

Also "Animal Farm" has very blatant criticism/satire of capitalist world. There was a cat who didn't want revolution because they were comfortable enough, and there was a goat (or whatever animal was that) that was truly loved by its owner, so it didn't want revolution either.

[@essexclass8168]

Ironically it's portrayal of snowball was (either accidentally or on purpose) a criticism of Trotsky or even the alt left, lib left and anarchism in retrospect , someone or something who/that claimed to have good ideas but didn't have the connections or support to bring changes he/it wanted,.

[@Robbi496]

@@essexclass8168 But the point remains that it went after anyone who created a system of equality (Supposedly) and then a small group of greedy "revolutionaries" took control and were just as bad, if not worse, than the system that was overthrown. The animated cartoon version ends differently than the book in that the other animals rise up and overthrow the pigs!

[@essexclass8168]

@@Robbi496 yes

[@andrewsoboeiro6979]

There's a darkly funny moment in Homage to Catalonia when Orwell is describing how all the doctors kept saying he was só "lucky" that his neck wound didn't kill him or render him unable to speak, & he says he can't help but think it would be luckier to not get shot in the first place

[@someidiotwithnoname]

“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.” ― George Orwell, Animal Farm

[@alkberg2140]

So cool to recognize Gianni. I've enjoyed his comments, the reason I actually read and respond every so often. If there were more gentlemen like him online, the atmosphere would be improved tremendously as well as the appeal of reading comments. Well done!

[@notroll1279]

"Career anti-fascist" sounds a bit as if he was just an opportunist jumping on some bandwaggon. As a matter of fact, his opposition to totalitarianism on both sides isolated him and severed his ties with most of the British left. He wrote 1984 a very ill man working hard to finish his book despite his health deteriorating. I think that in the face of death, he cared more about telling bis story and conveying his message than about stardom.

[@jagerisbae6481]

Most of the British left? Really?

[@minuteman4199]

It would have been interesting to see how he developed had he lived longer. He died ten years younger than I am now, and as far as I'm concerned I'm still a young man.

[@imperium3556]

@@jagerisbae6481 At that time, yes. The British left of the 30s and 40s was much more hard-line than it is nowadays, and heavily influenced by communist movements, which brought with them a strong sympathy for the USSR (even the Trotskyists who hated Stalin still romanticised the Soviet Union, helped by the fact most of the worst Soviet atrocities either were unknown in the west or could be dismissed as pro-fascist propaganda). Among the more far-left groups there was also a degree of actual direction from Moscow. It didn't help that Orwell made regular written attacks upon them as well...

[@fclp67]

ah yes this comment comes from some disdain towards antifa

[@notroll1279]

@@fclp67 Which comment? Mine?

[@Paris-xv9sj]

THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER Before : 1) Whatever goes upon two legs is an ennemy 2) Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend 3) No animal shall wear clothes 4) No animal shall sleep in a bed 5) No animal shall drink alcohol 6) No animal shall kill any other animal 7) All animals are equal After : 1) Four feet good, Two feet better 2) The pigs end up thinking any animal who walks on four legs or has wings is inferior 3) The pigs all end up wearing clothes 4) No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets 5) No animal shall drink alcohol to excess 6) No animal shall kill any other animal without cause 7) All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others

[@leonardoespino9780]

And don’t forget the lambs “two feet good, four feet bad” and after “four feet good, two feet better”

[@amandaclairmont4259]

I saw the animated movie of Animal Farm in school. "Without cause" the addition to the sixth command was written with the blood of one of the animals that protested the pigs actions after he was killed by the dogs. Quite a chilling moment.

[@scottklocke891]

Communist AND Nazi societies.

[@Paris-xv9sj]

@@leonardoespino9780 yes thank you!

[@jamesmoist1184]

8) Vuvuzela iPhone 100 trillion

[@jonforbes9792]

Thank you for your overview of Orwell's life. I have seen both members of the left and the right try to claim Orwell as one of their own, but he clearly was a supporter of social democracy. He hated totalitarianism, whether it came from the left or the right. And he was astutely aware of how language can affect thought and how thought can affect language. He did not tolerate Stalin's murderous tactics, nor did he tolerate the efforts to defend Stalin.

[@ZER0ZER0SE7EN]

@Pack -A- Punch Democratic socialism is an oxymoron. Socialism is communism which has to be anti-democratic to function.

[@MrMalvolio29]

Superb literary-historical context for one of the 20th century’s greatest British authors. I greatly enjoyed it, Indy!

[@yukaritomo6330]

Unfortunately in the U.S. at least all of the anti-imperial and and anti-fascist discourse is often erased or ignored and they only focus on teaching the anti-communist part. My teachers would often tell us that he became disillusioned in the Spanish civil war and became a committed anti communist and that all his later writings are only to teach us why communism is always bad.

[@jamertheramer240]

@Sandy Jones Not sure how schools are now, but when I left HS about 5-6 years ago it was still /just/ anti-communist teachings of him. Only one teacher (my economics teacher) mentioned his democratic socialist views and then he brought up social democracy of Scandinavia.

[@mitchellsmith4690]

We were taught the evils of fascism in the 70s...

[@cudanmang_theog]

There are no working class rally or worker unions in selfclaimed Marxist-Leninist states. Marxist-Leninist-Bla bla are authoritarian and state capitalist

[@chrisdaniels3929]

Yes, it is anti totalitarian. The Stalinists are totalitarian. 1984's theme is how a ruling group ensure their rule cannot be challenged. This is portrayed as bad because endless misrule is successful in the primary aim of remaining in power. Animal farm is a criticism of the Marxist's idea that workers can run the country. Only a small number really have power and they realise they don't have the same interests as the workers.

[@ZER0ZER0SE7EN]

@@jamertheramer240 The "social democracy" of Scandinavia is not to be confused with democratic socialist (communist) views. Scandinavia is not socialist (communist), but are welfare state systems.

[@gerardodonnell4942]

Great job

[@talktidy7523]

As a very literal minded 13 yo I had trouble wrapping my head around Animal Farm's allegory. I have never forgotten that book, though, and the older I get (am now in my sixties) the more chilling and disquieting the material of the Eng Lit classes, conveyed some fifty years past.

[@nickhtk6285]

Homage To Catalonia is an excellent read. There is in that book, a whole episode on just his experiences. For those film buffs, Ken Loach made a film called Land and Freedom based loosely on Orwell's book and experiences. Its fantastic.

[@barryirlandi4217]

thanks

[@thegorb2653]

George Orwell was one of the reasons I first got into politics after reading animal farm in school and after reading homage to Catalonia it only cemented my views, no matter what the tankies say Orwell is a true hero for the socialist, anti-fascist and freedom loving cause and will always be remembered.

[@barryirlandi4217]

and for me motivated me to be a pacifist, 'all wars are a con'

[@mikefay5698]

Orwell was a sick man and very depressing!

[@samdumaquis2033]

If only more people read his works and understood them, we might live in a better world

[@mikefay5698]

He was buried in a Church graveyard by by the Church of England. Elizabeth 11 is head of the Church her Uncle was an exposed Nazi spy!

[@allbutperfect]

That is a beautiful tie, great video!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you! Indy’s tie game is always on point!

[@chegeny]

“Not merely the validity of experience, but the very existence of external reality was tacitly denied by their philosophy. The heresy of heresies was common sense.” --George Orwell, 1984

[@neilwilson5785]

Oh boy, that rings true in the 'post-truth' 2020's.

[@Raskolnikov70]

@@neilwilson5785 Considering we're now at the literal "2+2=5" stage of cultural marxism, yeah... I fear for our future.

[@mjbull5156]

In come the post-modernists.

[@serendipitousconversations]

I'm now reading 1984, one of Orwell's books, and now you made a video abouts the guy! How serendipitous :) stay awesome team

[@jjeherrera]

I've been a fan of Orwell for years, but I must confess I like him most as an essayist and chronicler (as in Homage to Catalonia) than as a novelist.

[@kostassalerakis1024]

Same. Read Homage to Catalonia during Quarantine this year. A great read!

[@lubu2960]

@@kostassalerakis1024 the inefficiency of the anarchist militia my god

[@markriley7723]

What a great choice for a Biography Special. Keep up the amazing work team!

[@patrickazzarella6729]

Where is Johnny!!!

[@jakkkovos]

What a wonderful recognition and appreciation of the "tie guy". Loved that! Also loved this episode for teaching me a lot of new stuff about Mr Orwell. We've all (I guess) read at least one of his 2 famous books in our lives but I for one actually knew nothing about the man himself. Fascinating as always and wonderful job! And now I am off to think about an opportunity to wear a tie so I can start bidding on one :-)

[@joanignasi91]

His writings have become frighteningly relevant nowadays.

[@AlfredFJones1776]

Explain.

[@bobo9519]

1984 depicts a police state like china or whats being built in the US thats why its so relevant. @Alfred F. Jones

[@tilburg8683]

For sure

[@AlfredFJones1776]

Bobo The China part of your statement is correct. The US part is not.

[@redsands1001]

The rejection of truth and constant push of disinformation you see coming from the presidency.

[@erikdohme1097]

The amount of love you guys have for your fans really helps set y’all apart from the rest.

[@aleksandarnikolic7757]

His works are still relevant today.

[@thepowerofwill2696]

Too relevant, unfortunately.

[@JonaRosalinaRose]

@@thepowerofwill2696 In the sense that the right wing are co-opting his works when Orwell not only thought punching nazis was fine but went to catalonia to kill them. His works are relevant in the sense that we need to do more to oppose fascists.

[@joeh8785]

Wasn't supposed to be an instruction manual...

[@JonaRosalinaRose]

@@markhenley3097 Way to put words I never said in my mouth. No there are plenty of fascists around today. Currently a rising ideology in Eastern Europe.

[@robert48044]

sure seems that way

[@Mr110074]

Awesome! I loved reading Animal Farm during my sophomore year of high school. He did a really good job with the allegory. Making a what seemed to be a kids story into sort of a parody of the Russian Revolution and the rise of the Soviet Union was both weird and genius.

[@FreakishSmilePA]

Came for History, stayed for ties 💛

[@DominikKost]

Oh, you tie fighter! :)

[@endcensorship874]

Holy crap. Did not expect to see a picture of Orwell with a Hitleresque toothbrush mustache. That blew my mind.

[@Stalysfa]

I could not recommend enough people to read "Homage to Catalonia" which is not only well written and very informative but also very funny !

[@jacksonperkins7824]

His comment about how the Spanish are even late when they are fighting a war had me in stitches, just like their trains! hahaha

[@GalootWrangler]

No one I met at this time - doctors, nurses, practicantes, or fellow-patients - failed to assure me that a man who is hit through the neck and survives it is the luckiest creature alive. I could not help thinking that it would be even luckier not to be hit at all. - Homage to Catalonia

[@Canhistoryismylife]

The description revolutionary life in Barcelona is fantastic, the simple act of addressing comrades with tú instead of vous is seemingly insignificant but also gets to the heart of the euphoria of revolution

[@barryirlandi4217]

I was in Pakistan during the 90s and mat many Mujahdeen who had fought the Sovets and truly the book could have been about that war with just a few changes of names.

[@Dave_Sisson]

When I was 14, our English teacher asked us to list the books we had read in the school holidays. I dutifully wrote down 'Homage to Catalonia' and a few other titles. It appears Mr Buckley thought that no 14 year old could read or understand a book like that, so he tried to humiliate me by quizzing me on its contents in front of the class. I was able to respond with the correct answers about the plot and offer reasonable interpretations. So after 5 minutes of trying to show the class that I was fraud, he had to concede that I had actually read Homage to Catalonia. That was decades ago, but I still relish my defeat of the smug teacher. #smallvictories

[@bryanguzik]

Perfect timing. Beginning yesterday, on Twitter of all places, new discoveries in fundamental arithmetic are being "revealed". Exciting times!

[@thecaveofthedead]

Among fans, he also influences conversation about socialism. It's not too surprising that his books criticising totalitarianism became popular - with pro-capitalists misrepresenting it as being purely an attack on the hopes for socialism, despite Orwell himself being a socialist. His best work is in his essays and in his non-fiction writing. He excoriated the corruption of socialist principles of the Soviet Union and its naive cheerleaders in Britain. It's always harder to criticise your own tribe than the enemy's. He was not at all a perfect man. But he hated political hypocrisy.

[@36inc]

I dont think its misrepresntation I think its simply Us capitalists seeing capitalism as a necessary component for freedom we are absolutely not worried about his ideals as a man- since his most powerful Ideas are universal to freedom loving movements like ours. Im no purist when it comes to philosophy I have many a socialist friend and while Im personally libertarian we agree on far more than we disagree on. economics aside-social justice and government accountability are what make up my moral backbone and many others in the right side libertarian camp. He cant help bt see things in his time- and we cant help but see things in ours.

[@thecaveofthedead]

@@36inc I get what you're saying. But you're coming from a more enlightened era and a place of more knowledge. Ask a bunch of older people if what they think Orwell was on about and I very much doubt you'll find many who realise he was arguing for democratic socialism. Or that he hated capitalist oppression and poverty as much as he hated Stalin's dictatorship.

[@36inc]

@@thecaveofthedead well youre right the older generation certianly doesnt read books like we do- part of why Im a libertarian is because Im an avid reader, and Im somewhat at odds with things even in books by people I have alot of respct for and certain ideas I dont think match even from the fourfathers of my ideology simply arent gonna cut it for me, but thats part of being a proactive and adaptive species- humans should learn to reassess their politics even the younger gen does some of this gospel style of philosophy where its almost a complete buy in- its led to some ignorance on either side of the thought bubbles not everyone is willing to put in that work. but you shouldnt really look at any movement especially an opponents view as entirely without merit. ignorance is sometimes unavoidable and my modern libertarian view is only "true" to me right now- we need more people to look at ideas as problems to be solved and less like evils that must be exercised.

[@thecaveofthedead]

@@36inc Well, I really hope you get a chance to read Orwell's essays sometime. Not only did he have some great insights, but he was a stunning craftsperson with language - and that's far more obvious in his essays than in his novels.

[@36inc]

@@thecaveofthedead will do a good read is always appreciated

[@paulfisker]

A tie guy made such an impact. Thank you TG for noticing him. Anyway. This is a great episode. Got me interrested in more Orwells books.

[@kayak2hell]

Many thanks to Indy and his team for their dedication to history and its fans. By honouring Gianni, you honour us all.

[@williamdonnelly224]

Thanks!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you, William!

[@Bluthegamingjunkie]

"It sounds like lunacy, but the thing that both of us [he and his wife] wanted was to be back in Spain. Though it could have done no good to anybody, might indeed have done serious harm, both of us that we had stayed to be imprisoned along with the others" -George Orwell, Homage to Catalonia To say that after being shot in the throat, he must have found something truly worth fighting for.

[@tomjustis7237]

Sadly, I don't remember who originally said this, but I believe it applies to Orwell's statement: "He who has never found anything worth dying for has never found anything worth living for."

[@samdumaquis2033]

Brave people, good people

[@johnsowerby7182]

His novels are superb, but works like Homage to Catalonia and The Road to Wigan Pier are his masterpieces. I read them in the 1990's but still found them to be valuable glimpses into the UK.

[@barryirlandi4217]

so true

[@sonemesis7083]

1984 is one of those books that are simply ahead of their time, and incredibly relevant long after their first publication.

[@chuckygobyebye]

1984 is shorthand for 1948, and it's a banned book where I live. People used to protest by consciously reading it on street corners.

[@DazBull26]

@@chuckygobyebye where the F do you live?

[@chuckygobyebye]

@@DazBull26 Thailand

[@chuckygobyebye]

@@DazBull26 It's a royalist military government that's fixed the most recent constitution so they can be in power. Protesting kids give the three-finger salute from The Hunger Games because lots of forms of expression have been banned.

[@sierra1513]

Nah Orwell was just describing his own job working as a Mi6 propagandist

[@ajeetsmann]

Most WW2-centered channels and documentaries become stale with time and only focus on troop movements and timelines but TimeGhost simply reaches new heights of excellence week after week!

[@NishantShyamGoutam]

The way it was presented here about the dark realities of colonial, fascist, communist and every authoritarian regime is fantabulous.

[@DrLoverLover]

*stalinist

[@WarblesOnALot]

G'day, A little knowledge is a dangerous thing..., Pilgrim ; you should probably read up on the Tale of the Sorcerer's Apprentice...(?). Then, grab a Dictionary, and look up "Fantastic" to discover that it means "Based In FANTASY"... Then look up "Fabulous" to discover that it means "From or like a FABLE"... Then look up "Confabulate" to discover that it means "Speaking without any connection to Reality - making up a likely-sounding Story on the spot, with no connection to any known facts..." Then, ponder the question of why you chose to call this Video, "Fantabulous"... If'n y're goanna indulge y'r little Self in commitin' Joycean Word Agglomerations in Print..., then y' really do owe it t' y'self t' actually UNDERCONSTUMBLE the Meanin' o' whatever Words ye might choose t' be meldin' together...; least ye successfully (Suck Cess Fully...) carefully contrive t' be sayin' the exact opposite o' whatever ye intended, & tried t' convey. Just(ifiably ?) sayin', Have a good one... Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !

[@zhuohangliu3239]

@@electricpizza5774 Seriously. At least read what socialism and communism are before labeling them along with the Stalinists

[@drnolegs797]

@@electricpizza5774 Poor Venezuela, Poor Cambodia, Poor China and Vientnam, Poor Cuba and and poor Russia. So many people dead not by Forces from another nation, but by their own Governments.

[@lexingtonbrython1897]

@@drnolegs797 Why are you singling out communist countries? Do the famines of capitalist nations not count as bad or worse than those of Stalin or Mao's regimes?

[@Daniel-kq4bx]

I love Orwells quote about his injury. "Everyone told me how lucky i was to survive that shot and how happy i should be. Weird, i felt more happy before i was shot." Also i gotta criticize the usage of that want to kill a facist quote. The quote is relatively at the beginning and he used it while talking about the front experience

[@clasdauskas]

Why criticise it? It seems a laudable aim.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Frankly, I never noticed your ties. I don't care about them. I'm here for the top quality content. Well done Indy and company!

[@mikefay5698]

A tie is to show that you support the Bourgeois and different colours to show you are an individual. Mind you Lenin wore a tie. Trained Lawyer I suppose!

[@brokenbridge6316]

What a great way to thank a frequent commentor. It's wonderful. I can only hope that one day I'm thanked too for being a positive person. And the occasional suggestion I've tried to give this channel. Great job.

[@Chrins99]

I literally just took a break from reading ‘Homage To Catalonia’ to watch some KZbin, mental coincidence. Love the videos guys!

[@AB8511]

You picked very good book. That book put Orwell into a new context for me - shows him as quite ideologically possesed person, which I did not expect. In the end results truly radical left and truly radical right are not that much different and IMHO Orwell was a closed call, fortunately in the end he turned all right.

[@minuteman4199]

You should read "Coming Up For Air", It's certainly not his most famous novel, but I think it's his best.

[@chuckygobyebye]

@@minuteman4199 I don't think it's his best, in a literary sense, but it is very, very good. Mostly overlooked but probably more relevant today.

[@chuckygobyebye]

You mist read Burmese Days, it's funny.

[@angela_merkeI]

@@AB8511 Oh god, a horse shoe centrist...

[@KraytTheGreat]

Orwell isn't just one of the most influential authors of the 20th century, but truely one - if not the - most misunderstood author of that time. And a quite funny story: when i wanted to buy 1984 and homage to catalonia (which is one my favourite books) and asked one of the guys working at the book shop about the books, I had a long conversation about the spanish civil war and anarchist ideas. Orwell would have smiled about that.

[@averagejacobinsubscriber]

I just finished Homage to Catalonia. I love George Orwell.

[@paratrooper6]

Evan B It’s a good book, and essential reading for all those who want to or have read 1984.

[@golibrodagolibroda2071]

Me too, I finished it like few hours ago. What a timing!

[@kostassalerakis1024]

@@golibrodagolibroda2071 read it during Quarantine this year. Great to see it getting some love

[@nationharris]

Wow, I stop by this channel every so often. Wouldnt have expected an Orwell episode, that's great!

[@JoJoJoker]

1984 wasn’t supposed to be an instruction guide.

[@shawnr771]

Sequel to Mein Kampf in some peoples' minds.

[@skabbigkossa]

@@hendriktonisson2915 Man you are so hopelessly brainwashed by right wing media if you actually believe that.

[@trlacr1781]

@@skabbigkossa Keep in mind that 1984 describes totalitarianism in general, both right and left-wing.

[@kostassalerakis1024]

@@hendriktonisson2915 you think Antifa and BLM are in favour of totalitarianism? And the feds making them disappear are freedom fighters or what? Jesus, the mental gymnastics of you guys...

[@kostassalerakis1024]

@@hendriktonisson2915 why do I have the feeling you are one of those kids who think "thinking independently" means dismissing everything you don't like as fake news, while gladly believing some KZbin video of some guy ranting in his pick up; or think "truthaboutcovid.ru" is a credible source? And don't you worry about my analytical thinking ability, I'm doing just fine, thanks :D

[@winstonMay2020]

My favorite history channel talks about my favorite writer, this is fantastic !

[@dylanmilne6683]

I would think career anti totalitarianist is more accurate though much less catchy.

[@profharveyherrera]

You're right. Although Stalin might have been more fascist than even Hitler (methods, not ideologies) it was on the other side of the political spectrum. Antitotalitarian is an accurate term.

[@timothyhouse1622]

Well, Orwell hated totalitarians....BUT...he REALLY hated FASCIST totalitarians.

[@nerdaitami7205]

@@profharveyherrera Except Fascism is an ideology not a method so no...

[@theamici]

​@@nerdaitami7205 You'll find evidence of this ideology in Stalin as well. The biggest differences between Stalinism and Nazism, imo, is Nazist's focus on ethnicity and biology, while Stalinism focused on ideology and personality. In Nazi Germany, the pure Germans subjugated the impure Germans and other ethnicities. In the Soviet Union, the most passionate believers and loyalists to the cause subjugated anyone with a different opinion. Although, it should be noted that Stalin also persecuted ethnic minorities through collective punishment, such as his starving of the Ukrainians in the Holodomor which arguably was a way to deal with the desire among Ukrainians for self-rule (though this included some Ukrainian ultra-nationalists also). And Nazi Germany also engaged in ideological warfare where Germans were intimitated and killed to fall in line with the authorities.

[@ScamallDorcha]

@@profharveyherrera to be a fascist you need to protect the power and privilege of the owner class, the land lords, the stock holders.

[@jjj32801]

Great video. I use Orwell's quote "some animals are more equal than others" when speaking to High School students about the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.

[@southernslav94]

in the time of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act

[@mikefay5698]

Julian Assange; Chelsea Manning; and Edward Snowden will vouch for that.

[@samdumaquis2033]

@Sandy Jones I guess Trump must be a "leftist" then because he sure doesn't like the truth, much less speaks it... get my point ?

[@glenmartin2437]

I read his books as a high school student during the 1960's. He influenced some of the thinking of us kids. Thanks for covering this author.

[@felixgoodhew7723]

I’m about to finish down and out in paris and london and i really recomend it

[@barryirlandi4217]

Truly one of Britain's best! He described the horrors of war thus, cold, hunger, lice, mud, the search for firewood, the search for clean clothes and maybe the enemy

[@Rauschgenerator]

1984 is the book that really everybody should read. Seriously.

[@finchborat]

Especially right now. I'm gonna read it after I finish Animal Farm.

[@caelroighblunt1956]

This may be the most important video you've released. I've been hard on you but occasionally you hit the nail on the head.

[@StartledPancake]

A brilliant tribute to a brilliant man.

[@glennpettersson9002]

To watch a story on a screen is like staring at a lake. To read a story in a book is to swim in the lake. Thank you Eric and Terry R I P.

[@Gabriel-dh6zj]

Thank you, mr. Incredible

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you for watching, Gabriel

[@bobyoung1698]

Nice move with the tie, Indy.👍

[@gabrielrosalesgabrielonix7630]

I just finnish to read animal farm, very interesting book

[@MrUsingb]

There is an animated film of it. Good too.

[@kirbyculp3449]

Supposedly the CIA financed the animated movie.

[@gabrielrosalesgabrielonix7630]

@@MrUsingb i found one here in youtube but i dont know if is the one that you are taking about

[@MrUsingb]

@@gabrielrosalesgabrielonix7630 yes. It is the one from 1954

[@mikefay5698]

Middle Class total Cynicism.

[@Zardagbum]

I'd really like it if you guys did a biography special on Mannerheim. I've been kinda waiting for it since you did the Great War. I mean, the guy made his debut as a cavalry officer in the Russo-Japanese war, taught the Dalai Lama how to shoot a pistol, served under Brusilov, led the whites in the Finnish civil war. The only Finn to be granted the title of Field Marshal. The only military commander who fought against Germany to be awarded the Iron Cross. Apparently his physical presence was so overpowering that when Hitler met Mannerheim for the first time in 1942, it was the Führer who bowed, while the Baron remained stiffly at attention (to paraphrase Trotter). He deserves a proper biography special, more than most, I beg you to make one. PS. If you're someone working for Timeghost could you please let me know you've seen this and passed it along by replying or something so I don't have to copy paste this comment on every one of your videos for the foreseeable future, that would be grand.

[@WorldWarTwo]

An episode for him is on the list

[@lisarand7249]

I was homeless for a year. It was quite a journey, socially, physically, mentally, emotionally, but most importantly spiritually.

[@barryirlandi4217]

have you read his book? Down and out..?

[@toddhill706]

Just discovered this channel. Subbed from Australia. Nice tie. Johnny, you're a lucky guy.

[@mkt1098]

Thanks for pronouncing Motihari correct From Bharat 🤗🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@jackornator]

I’m loving this channel more and more. I’m watching the ww2 series in order (on my treadmill), and in time. I’m into Aug ‘41 and I’ll be watching the Great War and between 2 wars after this one. Balance is great. Loads of detail and also good humour. Hope to see you at tankfest!

[@DoraFauszt]

What an epic tie! 4.8/5, because Gianni will give a solid 5 for this! 😀

[@gianniverschueren870]

I actually gave it a 4.5/5 until he unbuttoned his waistcoat and I saw it in all its glory

[@DoraFauszt]

@@gianniverschueren870 so what's the verdict? 5/5?

[@gianniverschueren870]

@@DoraFauszt I think it's impossible not to rate it 5/5 now

[@henriqueoliveira3872]

Nice!! These are the bios that give that extra magic to the war. This are videos that complete the full scope of the war! Love it! Can't wait to see what you got for us next!

[@darthvaderreviews6926]

I remember a moment where I was looking through a library and found an 1947 essay by Orwell, "Lear, Tolstoy, and the Fool" largely through chance (I was writing about King Lear myself, which is how I stumbled across it). The TL:DR is that Tolstoy is one of those rare literary critics who doesn't like Shakespeare in general, with Orwell laying out his disagreements. What follows is the academic equivalent of a dropkick to the face, with Orwell discussing how Tolstoy's personal life eerily resembles King Lear (hence Tolstoy's particular hatred for the play in Orwell's opinion), and how Orwell believes Tolstoy's inability to enjoy Shakespeare stems from a fundamental disagreement with humanism- Honestly, it was a fun read. I had read Orwell before, but that moment sticks out to me where it felt like I got a look into his passion for writing, beyond his political works that most people know about.

[@markadams7597]

Congrats Johnny! Wear that tie in pride. Thanks Indie, great vid, as always!

[@kingofpointless]

While people of various ideologies try to claim George Orwell today, it's unambiguous that Orwell was a socialist (though an anti-Soviet one), so do with that information what you will, but don't ignore or deny it.

[@clevernamegotban1752]

Cue Republicans calling bernie sanders a communist and complaining about the deep state and fake news.

[@yochaiwyss3843]

@@clevernamegotban1752 He earned that name, right after sucking the USSR's "Real Socialism"

[@BigMikeMcBastard]

​@@yochaiwyss3843 March 2020 Bernie was asked during a Fox News Town Hall about the USSR and said: “What happened and existed in the Soviet Union was not socialism. It was authoritarian Communism." Stop spreading lies please.

[@dbibbyma]

Outstanding special on Mr. Orwell. I didn't know about his other writings. I shall be revisiting his book list. Simply great special. I for one really enjoyed it.

[@phil_cassidy]

Well this is going to be a spicy comment section.

[@seanconnolly6002]

Shut the fuck up idiot

[@canthama2703]

Hey Gianni, congrats my friend, well earned.

[@gianniverschueren870]

Cheers!

[@oldgringo2001]

Real name: Eric Arthur Blair. I think his best book was "Homage to Catalonia".

[@neilwilson5785]

I read it as a teenager. It opened my eyes a bit.

[@DrLoverLover]

Yes, my favourite too

[@barryirlandi4217]

Have you read his others? They are not worse ..

[@oldgringo2001]

@@barryirlandi4217 I've read *1984* and *Down and Out in Paris and London*. Not *Animal Farm* yet, but I remember a critique of it on the BBC World Service saying its biggest flaw was that it has no Lenin figure.

[@Pensivata]

Just finished reading "Why Orwell Matters" by Christopher Hitchens. Its an epic read. My main two takeaways; - 1984 was written not as a warning against Fascism, but about Totalitarian socialism. The spark of which was his participation in the Spanish civil war. - It's not what you think - but HOW you think.

[@JonaRosalinaRose]

Incorrect. The book was about authoritarianism and totalitarianism not specifically socialism. Orwell was a Socialist to his dying breath and would be appalled by the weakness of Antifa today. He would probably ask why we are not just shooting the Nazis, like he did back in Catalonia.

[@Pensivata]

@@JonaRosalinaRose Completely Incorrect. It's true he was a socialist - but he also realised how socialism could so easily degenerate into totalitarianism. Its all on page 83. Why do you think he used the term 'INGSOC' for the ruling ideology? Because it was a newspeak term for English Socialism. I arrest my case.

[@JonaRosalinaRose]

@@Pensivata It is a reference at how movements can be hijacked by the totalitarians. Just like how the moderates were ousted out of the Bolsheviks and the Stalinists took over. So the party in Eurasia is called the Neo-Bolsheviks.

[@ArkadiBolschek]

@@Pensivata 'English Socialism' was also modeled after Hitler's 'National Socialism'. You don't need to rest any cases (much les "arrest" them, whatever that's supposed to mean) when Orwell himself explicitely stated that 1984 was about Fascism _and_ Soviet communism and how the latter was degenerating to the poing of being indistinguishable from the former.

[@Pensivata]

@@ArkadiBolschek Incorrect. the POUM was eclipsed by the Stalinists. Read page 83 and you will see it definitely was not about Fascism. In fact Orwell reckoned Fascism was too obvious an evil, so he barely mentions it in most of his works - i.e. only in a cursory sense.

[@ryanholland6750]

Great to see this in my notifications! I actually missed the notification as I was reading 1984 it's amazing how many things came to be true. Still got quite a way to go in the book but would highly recommend it! Edit: liked it before the video even started!

[@finchborat]

I ordered Animal Farm and 1984 after Christmas. I started reading Animal Farm last night. After I finish it, I'm gonna start on 1984.

[@zenmaster16]

I just got done reading animal farm last night. I feel like Big Brother is monitoring me...

[@mikefay5698]

You Betcha in Utah I believe!

[@andersbrixserup7718]

I have to say, having never really paid anything anywhere for anyone online, having followed Indy, Spartacus and the rest of the team, this is the first time in my life I am seriously considering spending money on Patreon. Not because I have to; but because your series are that damn good. And I am starting to run out of good arguments (with myself) why I shouldn't support your amazing show. Greetings from an impressed, but cheap, historical fanatic.

[@valentinstoyanov304]

My wife and I love "1984".

[@kirbyculp3449]

When Indy announced the gift of his tie to Gianna the portrait of Mr. Orwell flashed a fleeting smile.

[@kyledunn6853]

I'm in the middle of reading "1984" right now. I loved "Animal Farm" and I really can't wait to finish his magnum opus.

[@JorgeRodriguez-de6eo]

Kyle Dunn ohhh my the ending is do damn fantastic. I was shiting my pants

[@danielgreen3715]

Excellent Tie!!! George Orwell is standard tought literature in Schools in England

[@williamoldaker5348]

I have a lot in common with this man, I feel the same about oppression and should take steps like his to better understand their position.

[@ivanc9231]

One of my favorite vids so far