"The Shock Doctrine" and a conversation with strangers.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

I haven't read it yet. It's on the top of my next "to read" list. It was actually going to be Christmas gift to me, from my husband.

It's a tradition in our marriage, my gift at the holidays is my most desired book, which over the years has included titles from Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" to Susan Faludi's "Backlash: The Undeclared War on American Women" to Anne Rice's "Lasher", anything from Molly Ivins, and so on and so forth.

This year for the first time I didn't get my book. My requested title was sold out in the bookstore at which he shopped, so he got me the Olbermann book, which was fine. However...

I really thought I would be in the middle of "The Shock Doctrine" this week, and reading excerpts here on DU has really whetted my appetite.

And, today found me at the local mall, shopping with a friend.

As she shopped the after Christmas sales on clothing, I wandered into the bookstore next door.

Bill O's and Lynne Cheney's books were in the 50% off bin, so far so good. I searched the store and didn't find it. I asked the young man at the front counter.

He said that a coworker had checked out what he thought was the last copy, last week. He said his coworker was reading it right now and told him the book was excellent. He then checked the computer and said that his coworker had actually bought the last copy a few days ago. And then this young man asked me what the book was about.

Since he'd opened the door, I jumped in. I told him that I had read excerpts and heard the author interviewed several times. That the author had done meticulous research into the collective and individual responses that we as society had undergone after Sept 11 and over the last seven years, as well as an historical view of our shared journey.

And, that what made this book so compelling is that the author makes all of this understandable and accessible to the average reader.

As I left, another customer, who'd been standing behind me waiting to make a purchase, asked me the name of the book which we'd discussed and then wrote it down. He said it sounded like a great read and said if the bookstore employees were talking about it, it was worth a look.

People are hungry to know. They are hungry for words that describe what they're living, what they're feeling, what they see around them.

Happy New Year, and may all of us here share what we know with those who are only just awakening to the world in which we live.

:toast:

MKJ

[scarletwoman]

1. Thank you for this post!

People are hungry to know. They are hungry for words that describe what they're living, what they're feeling, what they see around them.

That is so beautifully said!

Thank you again,
sw

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. thank you, sw.

Happy New Year, mi amiga. Your words warmed my heart. :loveya: MKJ

[scarletwoman]

5. Happy New Year to you, too!

You are one of the lights of DU, you truly deserve recognition.

Best wishes for the future,
:loveya:
sw

[Blue_In_AK]

2. The Shock Doctrine

was hands down the best book I read last year.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

6. Perhaps you could lend me your copy, LOL.

Just kidding, I'll be hitting The Tattered Cover tomorrow, where I know they'll have it available.

Happy New Year B_I_A! :toast: MKJ

[Blue_In_AK]

8. If Colorado wasn't so far from Alaska,

I'd be happy to. You will really enjoy this book.

And Happy New Year to you, too. :toast:

[Neecy]

4. My copy is on the way...

I got some Borders gift cards for Christmas and ordered it online - it should be here in the next couple of days, along with a bunch of other books and a Pavarotti CD. Should be a good week :)

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

7. Pavarotti and Naomi Klein.

That is going to make both heart and head very happy.

Happy New Year, Neecy!

:-) MKJ

[tom_paine]

9. Hope springs eternal.

:toast:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

10. As Prof West says, "I'll die hoping."

:toast: to my favorite pragmatist tom_paine.

MKJ

on edit, removed comma. :-)

[tom_paine]

11. Thanks. And back atcha.

:toast:

[donheld]

12. Why not try checking it out at the library?

:shrug:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

13. Because, I must confess,

please don't tell anyone,

But, once I have certain books in my possession, I read them over and over, and even, sometimes, mark them when I find particularly galvanizing passages.

This is a vice, I know, and is especially egregious when it comes to my books of poetry. :blush:

I have a feeling I'll be reading this book more than once and possibly marking those passages which resonate.

However, I do check out quick fiction reads, especially certain potboiler authors, who are formulaic, but fun. (second confession)

Happy New Year, donheld! :toast:

MKJ

[donheld]

16. Actually I like to do that same thing

I love the library for a lot of things but some books just need more attention than a borrowed book.


:toast: Happy New Year to you too.

[lovuian]

14. Shock Doctrine Rocks

its like a total view of the whole corporate cycle of power
over and over again

THEY will FAIL

[BadGimp]

15. "People are hungry to know. They are hungry for words that describe what they're living,"

AMEN!

[Eurobabe]

17. I want it as an audio book

going to look now on Amazon.de

[Perry Logan]

18. Here's an excellent lecture by Naomi Klien

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNzcJImX4Ew

[nashville_brook]

19. book lover here with a question -- does anyone remember a book with such street buzz longevity?

street buzz usually dies down after the first month of a release. after the initial talk show interviews and newspaper reports, people have read the book and moved on to the next hottie. not so with Shock Doctrine -- which is essentially a HISTORY book! it's not a novel with vampires or a collection of humorous essays by the latest enfant terrible -- it's a history book (with a coverline written by John Cusack no less!).

holy cripes, what an amazing world we live in.