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Title: Prisons We Choose to Live Inside
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Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
List Price: $11.00
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| Customer Reviews: |
| Prisons We Choose to Live Inside by Harper Perennial Beyond Revealing for some, a reminder for others |
So often one comes across a piece of literature that asks for nothing from the reader, this is not one of those works.
We are all guilty of branding and labeling, the point is that one examine oneself during the process so that we understand the meaning behind those labels. AS humans we have a tendency to use words in ways that make them meaningless or less powerful. Yet the implications are still evident and strong. So often we fall prey to the whimsy of the age we live in, yet Lessing implores us to look deeper. If you enjoy the metaphysical in literature and other Lessing works such as The Golden Notebook, then Prisons we Choose to Live Inside will be a riveting read. Please do not become discouraged by those who say this is a tough read (or scholarly), this book is a MUST read for those of us who are, or would like to become more self aware. |
| Prisons We Choose to Live Inside by Harper Perennial Brilliant Essays on Sociology |
| Doris Lessing's collection of essays are very insightful into human behavior and how society is changing as a whole. Even though this collection is slightly dated, it is eerily appropriate for today and the current world situation. It has helped to change my perspective on current events and the world in general. |
| Prisons We Choose to Live Inside by Harper Perennial Things You should have been taught. |
In a time of polarization, Lessings small book shines a much needed light on how we use out-groups and outsiders in general as projection points for the feelings that society and religion tell us are unacceptable. We want to think of ourselves as noble when we identify some evil to correct and go about righteously eradicating it. Unfortunately, the core problem is that we are angry and feel a need to hurt someone or something. That is the real evil that we never look at. How noble were the people in her book who cut down a beautiful and historic tree because it was used to hang someone they liked? Was it the trees fault or did their need to express rage simply find a helpless victim?
The behaviors discussed in this book need to be recognised, not only because we will engage in them without thinking, but because they can be used against us by governments, religions and other social groups who fully understand their power. No group can survive for long if the natural aggressions of its members is not diverted toward some outside source. Every group is going to have something, or someone that they are against.
While she can go on too long in making some points, If you really think about the studies discussed in this book and began to apply them in your life, you will wakeup to some uncomfortable "slights of hand". Currently religion and politics in this country seem to be focused on homosexual marriage and abortion as "the problems". The message is, "spend your time fixing these people and you are part of the good group." You might want to stop for a moment and ask yourself why someone is trying to divert your aggressive feelings toward social groups and issues that there is a 95% likelihood you will never be part of and whose members are unlikely to ever impact your life. When that righteous feeling wells inside you ask yourself...what is this great group I belong to asking me NOT to look at? |
| Prisons We Choose to Live Inside by Harper Perennial A must Read!!! |
| I love Doris Lessing! I have read many of her works of fiction but, I am new to her essays. I was blown away by her honest "bird's eye view " of our world. She has the insight to look around us and truely see what the world has become and how we got here. Her points are simple yet, seem to escape most of us. Reading Prisions will give a first time reader the oppertunity to experience the witt and prose of a master. After finishing try The Fifth Child! |
| Prisons We Choose to Live Inside by Harper Perennial Could be one of the most important books you'll ever read |
| In straightforward, unsentimental language, Doris Lessing gives a message we all need to hear. Reading 'Prisons...' will take about an hour of your life but may change it forever. |
| Prisons We Choose to Live Inside by Harper Perennial Product Description |
| The celebrated author explores new ways to view ourselves and the society we live in, and gives us fresh answers to such enduring questions as how to think for ourselves and understand what we know. |
