In 500 years, what will people remember about our era? What music will be remembered? What authors? Which scientific and technological insights will be the path to greater understanding and which will be nothing more than footnotes in a history book?

Klosterman writes about these topics with extreme scepticism. If a candidate seems like a logical choice for canonization (i.e. The Beatles will represent twentieth century music), it’s likely wrong. He argues this way by examining the past. The people we remember are not necessarily the most popular or logical choices for posterity. We remember people because they resonate with our current values.

In But What If We’re Wrong?, Klosterman has written some of his best cultural criticism. He sees everything we take for granted with an odd slant. After all, “the juice of life is derived from arguments that don’t seem obvious” (92). Klosterman’s trademark sense of humour and entertaining use of footnotes are in full display.

The rock critic turned cultural analyst has written another insightful book that draws on his knowledge of music and culture while stretching his boundaries. Read and prepare to question everything.

—Chuck Klosterman, But What If We’re Wrong? Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past (New York: Blue Rider Press, 2006).