"John Patrick Leary's bracing study of the market regime's signature catchphrases and word clouds allows us to see how the dogmas of late capitalism increasingly shape not merely the taken-for-granted order of things but also the very language we might otherwise employ to challenge that order. Still, even as Leary's dogged philology points us toward grim conclusions, his critical voice also showcases the best uses our common tongue can serve--calling out the lies and cruelties of the patois of the capitalist market for what they are. Keywords is a worthy successor to the groundbreaking work of Raymond Williams, and deserves just as wide a readership." --Chris Lehmann, author of Rich People Things

"John Pat Leary has written a history of the present in the form of lexicon of its keywords. Resilience, flexibility, passion, wellness, synergy, and dozens more - he explains the political work done by words that fuel and beset our imaginations, that hail and exhort us to keep working and buying things and paying our debts in times of crisis, decline, and uncertainty about the future. We don't have nearly enough bulwarks against despair. This book is it!" --Sarah Brouillette, Professor, Department of English, Carleton University

"In this masterful dissection of capitalism's modern lexicon, John Patrick Leary elucidates the ideas--and ideology--shaping our contemporary political moment." --Nicole Aschoff

"If you feel like you're drowning in the endless torrent of capitalist bullshit, turn to this excellent glossary which explains what all those terms really mean. Dip into it, use it as a reference, or read it cover to cover - however you approach it, you'll find it immensely clarifying (and sanity-restoring)." --Doug Henwood