reality

[spades]

it was published in '49, but it was written in '48 (hence the year 1984[48 backwards])

[Unregistered]

The book was written in 1948, he switched the last 2 digits to get the title of the book.

[Unregistered]

very true (sad but true)<br>only thing you need to change is a few names :(

[Emily]

Although some of the media propaganda problems that occured in this book coincide with todays world, Orwell wrote the book more as a warning and "what if" rather than a true prophecy or criticism of the future...

[Unregistered]

I was born in 1948 and this book was required reading when I was in High School. My daughter and students 10 years older and younger did not have this experience. I wonder if more fear would be inspired by the current US regime, Patriot Acts, etc had more people read this book?

[m]

I was in the eighth grade in 1984 and we had to read it that year. I remember we got new books to commemorate the year. I was thirteen. I thought it was required reading in the eighth grade throughout the country. Everyone to whom I have talked about the book has said it was required reading for them in the eighth grade.<br><br>That being said, I didn't actually read the entire book the first time until I was in my late twenties. I was reading everything I thought an intelligent person should have read. It creeped me out. <br><br>I am in a political science class in which we were to pick a political book for a book report. I chose this. I cannot think of one more apropos (sp?) for the times.

[Cuyahogen]

I find it very irritating when everybody gushes on about what Orwell 'predicted' in 1984.<br><br>Orwell did not predict anything. He was not warning about a world to come; he was criticizing a world that existed. The original title of the book was to be '1948', but his publishers thought this was a bit too cutting.<br><br>I recommend Anthony Burgess's book '1985' which is both a criticism of Orwell and also contains Burgess's own prediction of the future. His vision has not come to pass, which just proves once again that no-one can predict the future accurately.

[Poco (the white latino)]

i believe that the book was not a prophecy but a mere warning of what the people can let happen if they believe that is in their security. Orwell was trying to tell us that our freedom should be our first priority and not let the government take that away in the name of "security". Thank you my children and i hope that you all will learn from this valuable learning experience. I shall see you in the future because one day i shall be this leader.

[Ciprian]

Actually, the book is becoming less and less true. It was true until the late 80's, when the communist regimes of Eastern Europe fell. I wish all of you lived in a communist country like me to see the regime of 1984 in action and know how lucky you are to live in the United States.

[Unregistered]

Actually the book was written in 1948, he inversed the numbers to make it in a not so far future date!

[Ebuj]

I have not read this book. Unless, unless. far too long have we fought over who's at fault. We as people cannot even suffer the discomfort af missing a meal, how then could we even consider making a sacrifice. NO ONE knows what IT is. I urge you to keep one eye fixed on the sky and see the sun sink into the yellow, and warning colors that enshroud the innermost circles of this once magnificent loving earth. The sun burns us, and what sea is the Dead Sea? Our lives too short to see things change with these eyes.

[george]

OK we rerad the books ,we talked about them.Now how about acting?<br>Stop the talk and get out there and call others.revolt.resist .stop religions.stop working for the rich .stop assisting multinational corporate hawks to take over what is left from earth.and after they are done they will eliminate us ,in order to be able to enjoy what they ve stolen.<br>I say kill the enemy now.before its too late.<br>Not physically but kill the ideas odf capitalism,americanism,and kill this arrogance of humans so they can start respecting others ,the natural environment and all othr animals .<br>As for educating the people.they dont need it,they know,they can feel.what they need is someone to givwe hope,someone to get them organised,someone to give the signal for the final tale over of our world from us,,the people.<br>We will claim back everything from the hawks,the few,the rich who became so by stealing abusing and opressing.<br>Slave work is not allowed and slaves will be compensated for the years of hardunpaid work they ve givento our society.<br>

[Liz]

As time has passed 1984 is becoming more of reality. You should learn from reading books and that is exactly what Orwell wants you to do from his. He is a smart man who has predicted things that were not heard of in 1949 (when the book was written). Live, learn and act as a team upon the things that diminish our freedom. So you better start thinking now.