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A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster by Rebecca Solnit
bluestarfish's review against another edition
4.0
This book is an investigation into a feeling, something almost intangible but real that also shows up in disasters - namely joy. Our depiction of disasters have very little to say about the communities and the joy it also brings, sometimes this might be suppressed by elite panic and a media focus on the dramatic horror stories, but it does seem to be a real feature too. The Hurricane Katrina bits were the most eye-opening and scary, and William James' essay on the moral equivalence of war still seems to be worth pondering.
paintchips1003's review against another edition
5.0
Pure coincidence I was reading this as we watched the coronavirus spread from China to Italy and Spain and then to the U.S. Everything she wrote about came true. The government botched and bumbled and delayed. While the people made their own communities, created their own pathways to deliver aid, helped strangers. This book is full of hope, not that the gov't. will do better next time. It will always fail us. But we will not and do not fail each other.
kwheeles's review against another edition
4.0
Uplifting and topical for times (I am reading this during the COVID-19 pandemic). Reviews a number of disaster situations (Katrina, 9/11, San Francisco earthquake in early 1900s, Halifax explosion during WWI, Mexico City earthquake) and examines the immediate aftermath of disasters, the communities of self-help that they form, the responses both healthy (mostly) and unhealthy. The disproportionate fear of the mob (elite panic) and the differences that lead to better or worse responses to disaster. Well researched and written (could use some editorial trimming, in my opinion). Disaster brings forth and magnifies our humanity - innate goodness and desire for meaning that can be met and boosted through helping others, as well as our less attractive traits in some cases. And it can be transformative at both the personal and societal levels.
"to heck with this idea about regular people panicking; it’s the elites that we see panicking. The distinguishing thing about elite panic as compared to regular-people panic, is that what elites will panic about is the possibility that we will panic. It is simply, more prosaically more important when they panic because they’re in positions of influence, positions of power. They’re in positions where they can move resources around so they can keep information close to the vest."
"to heck with this idea about regular people panicking; it’s the elites that we see panicking. The distinguishing thing about elite panic as compared to regular-people panic, is that what elites will panic about is the possibility that we will panic. It is simply, more prosaically more important when they panic because they’re in positions of influence, positions of power. They’re in positions where they can move resources around so they can keep information close to the vest."
lindsayb's review against another edition
5.0
What an extraordinary piece of work. Several books I've read recently referred to Paradise, and I'm so glad I followed through. It was especially interesting to read in 2021...it's hard not to apply the research here to everything that has happened over the past year and a half. This book solicited such a range of visceral emotion from me and prompted me to finally consider that maybe I'm an anarchist at heart.
aleffert's review against another edition
5.0
When I was very young, one of the first books for adults I read was One Hundred Years of Solitude and on that book was an intense pull quote: "One Hundred Years of Solitude is the first piece of literature since the Book of Genesis that should be required reading for the entire human race."
As much as I love One Hundred Years of Solitude, I'm not really sure it deserves that claim—I'm not really sure Genesis does either. This book might.
Solnit examines a series of disasters, including the San Francisco fire, the Blitz, and Hurricane Katrina, and through them presents an inspiring, optimistic view of humanity WITH CITATIONS. She talks about how disaster often creates fulfilling communities to deal with it. She, obviously, does not advocate for more disasters, but instead encourages us to look for why those circumstances cause us to from bonds and find fulfillment.
Read this book to believe in people. The more people believe in and count on each other, the more they respond to difficult situations with love and support. This is basic tit-for-tat prisoner's dilemma game theory, but it's also a refutation to centuries of garbage about the beast within.
As much as I love One Hundred Years of Solitude, I'm not really sure it deserves that claim—I'm not really sure Genesis does either. This book might.
Solnit examines a series of disasters, including the San Francisco fire, the Blitz, and Hurricane Katrina, and through them presents an inspiring, optimistic view of humanity WITH CITATIONS. She talks about how disaster often creates fulfilling communities to deal with it. She, obviously, does not advocate for more disasters, but instead encourages us to look for why those circumstances cause us to from bonds and find fulfillment.
Read this book to believe in people. The more people believe in and count on each other, the more they respond to difficult situations with love and support. This is basic tit-for-tat prisoner's dilemma game theory, but it's also a refutation to centuries of garbage about the beast within.
lernstreads's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting. Uses disasters from various time periods as examples. Makes one see disasters with new eyes.
whichthreewords's review against another edition
5.0
In normal circumstances I might give this four stars (it's a bit repetitive in spots) but in current circumstances it was comforting and actually inspiring enough that I'll cheerfully give it five. Highly recommended to anyone experiencing a Trump-induced sense of panic and disaster, although the Katrina chapters read perhaps a little bittersweet in this context.
sweeneysays's review against another edition
4.0
read for itsradishtime's hopepunk book club: https://youtu.be/BGGAKQJ2mPw
booksinthebush's review against another edition
5.0
Such an interesting in depth look at communities in emergencies