Do you ever get confused about what the heck is going on in the world? Are you wondering what is going on in Korea, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Somalia or Kosovo? Well, have I the book for you.
Bob Harris’ book Who Hates Whom? Well-Armed Fanatics, Intractable Conflicts, and Various Things Blowing Up: A Woefully Incomplete Guide (Three Rivers Press $11.95) gives the reader a good account of the world’s trouble spots. His chapters offer concise information on most of the raging conflicts and does so by giving historical context as well as describing them with both humor and compassion.
By way of example, in discussing the on-going Basque separatists in Spain, Harris writes:
“…Franco’s fascist regime ruled with an iron grip until 1975, when his persistent death brought Saturday Night Live into power in the U.S. However, Franco’s intended successor had been killed by car bomb planted by Basque separatists. As a replacement dictator, Franco designated Juan Carlos I, a descendent of every blueblood from Queen Victoria to Burger King.”
Other things the reader might learn include where Waziristan, Bangsamoro, Kurdistan, Ituri, Baluchistan and Jubaland are located. Or which royal family were respected as gods, until the crown prince gunned down the king and queen. Or in which bodies of water are the world’s most active pirates.
Harris previously penned Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy!, a rather loving look at his obsession with that quiz show and his participation as a contestant.
Who Hates Whom? is available at Jackson Street Books and other fine independent bookstores.
democommie could not participate in this book report as he is busy instigating third world revolutions.
I've become a pretty accomplished and I might also add indiscriminate hater. I feel like this book is missing the point, based on your review. It appears to be promoting discriminatory hate which I found to be woefully inadequate when confronted with the bliss provided by the hate on a scale apparently unimagined by the author. I practice an all encompassing form of hatred that spares no one, including myself. There is real inner peace to be found in this unbiased, all encompassing hatred. I'll have to pass on this one, I'm afraid it might bring me down.
ReplyDeleteBrother Knowdoubt:
ReplyDeleteWhile I applaud your fervent stridency, I must take issue with the notion that inchoate, unfocused hatred is, somehow, "better" than that sharply focused variety so prevalent in places like Sicily, Albania or the Middle East. What do you think gives those people the will to live, why it's the knowledge that their lives have but one purpose--to wipe out their neighbor and all of his ilk. Diffusing that hatred across cultural, national or racial lines can only weaken it to the point of Nambypambyfascism. Rethink that whole thing or, apostate, prepare to die!
SeattleDan:
We (that's me and my little soldier) prefer to characterize our work as "Adminstrationalist Adjustimentification". No heads roll, till we say, "Roll 'em!".
As for your report:
"Other things the reader might learn include where Waziristan, Bangsamoro, Kurdistan, Ituri, Baluchistan and Jubaland are located. Or which royal family were respected as gods, until the crown prince gunned down the king and queen. Or in which bodies of water are the world’s most active pirates."
Please allow me to answer those questions in reverse ordure.
D. ) The Gulf of Aden.
II. ) Nepal
One.) Who gives a fuck? Nuke 'em, Dano!
I've been working on a book of the occult. It's going to be ghostwritten, but he says he needs an advance of genuine do-re-mi. Do you think that maybe you could set up a PayPal account in my name (he prefers to remain anonymous) to that end?
Thanks brother commie, I confess, that when it comes to things of blessed hate I tend to become over enthusiastic. The guiding hand of a deacon of your stature helps focus my enthusiasm lest it become weakened by my over generous tendencies resulting in too much dispersal of the blessings. I shall repair to the prayer room and listen for the other guiding inspirational voices.
ReplyDeleteI knew where most of those places are (except Ituri, but at least I've heard the name someplace.) But "Bangsamoro"? C'mon Dan, you're making that up! I know, I know, I could Google it, but I'm writing a comment, aren't I? How many tasks can I be expected to multi at once?
ReplyDeleteOne thing not mentioned in Dan's review -- does it cover who hates whom in the good ol' USA? Because that might make an entire second volume in itself.
OK, I Goggled it. I shoulda known where it was, because I work with all sorts of Filipinos. I'll try to work "Bangsamoro" into a conversation next chance I get. Let's see if I get my face slapped. It sounds dirty.
ReplyDelete