Cider Press Hill

Shock Doctrine

A couple of days ago, I checked Naomi Klein’s new book out of the library—The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. I have a pretty strong stomach, ordinarily, but I’ve been queasy since starting the first page of the book. This is a book where you really want to read the Introduction. Unlike many books, the Intro is as well written and lively as the guts of the book. I am not in a very good mood and that’s bound to last for a while—I’m only into the the third chapter. It’s not a book to sit down and read from cover to cover in one sitting.

There’s a little video on the Amazon page linked above (recommended). It gives a taste for what’s in the book. If I’d looked at the video before starting the book, I probably would have been inclined to say, “No way. She’s cracked.” Funny thing, though. After the first three chapters, the context is there and she’s not cracked. Naomi Klein is a superb writer, a superb investigative journalist, and a first rate historian. I am impressed. And nauseated. And not just a little worried.

I’m not exactly expecting a happy ending in this book. But, on the brightest possible side, at least knowledge is power. Sometimes. What I didn’t understand could fill a book. Like the one I’m reading. It connects dots and ties up so many of the loose ends that were dangling in my mind. I hope there is a silver lining in the book someplace because we’re in trouble. Especially when we consider what’s coming down the pike—effects of global warming and energy shortages. What a perfect palette of shock and awe to work with. Scares the crap out of me.

Posted on 10/24/07 at 05:17 PM
 




Linkmeister

Like I haven’t reviewed enough non-fiction already this week?  I’ll have to look this one up.

United States   Posted by Linkmeister on 10/26/07  at  02:14 AM





Kate

If you’re ‘enjoying’ American Theocracy, you’ll *really* love this one. I can’t think of another book that has disturbed me this much.

United States   Posted by Kate on 10/26/07  at  06:33 AM





Linkmeister

Oh, the other one I have that I haven’t cracked yet is Phillips’s book about the Bush family—American Dynasty.  I’m not sure I can bear to read it; fortunately it’s a libary copy.

I am the first person to reserve the (so far) ONLY copy of Shock Doctrine our library system has.  It’s so new it’s still marked as “in cataloging.”

United States   Posted by Linkmeister on 10/26/07  at  02:11 PM





Kate

When I reserved my copy of Shock Doctrine, my library system had me listed as #5 on the waiting list. I thought it would take a long time before I got it, but they had ordered 12 of the books and I ended up getting the book a week after I placed the hold. I’m the first person to borrow my copy, too. I hope lots and lots of other people borrow it, too. It’s essential reading.

Somewhere packed away in my boxes of books, I also have American Dynasty. I haven’t read it yet—I just couldn’t bring myself to open the cover. Maybe after the next election...barring a Guiliani win, I’ll at least have something to be thankful for when I read it.

United States   Posted by Kate on 10/26/07  at  04:11 PM





cyn

Funny you mentioned this one.  My son had suggested I order it for his Dad so he could read it too.  I did, it is here along with a few others I thought the two of them might enjoy.  That is the problem with ordering online I can never just get one!!  I have not opened it yet to see what it is all about.  Oh, and I ordered something for myself as well--The new Bruce Springsteen CD.  Guess we know where my head is!! ;)

United States   Posted by cyn on 10/28/07  at  09:20 PM





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