War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. The mantra of authoritarian government in George Orwell's dystopian novel pulls conventional wisdom inside-out, leaving characters, and readers, compelled to peek under the surface for meaning and truth. This informative edition provides an in-depth examination of abuse of power as presented in 1984, as well as contemporary perspectives on this issue. Discussions include the potential danger of big government, the threat posed by misuse of power, the book as promoting the values of the common person, and industrialization as a dehumanizing factor. Expert writers include Christopher Hitchens, Irvine Howe, and Erich Fromm.