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A Paradise Built in Hell
- The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
- Narrated by: Emily Beresford
- Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
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A Paradise Built in Hell
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Summary
The most startling thing about disasters, according to award-winning author Rebecca Solnit, is not merely that so many people rise to the occasion, but that they do so with joy. That joy reveals an ordinarily unmet yearning for community, purposefulness, and meaningful work that disaster often provides. A Paradise Built in Hell is an investigation of the moments of altruism, resourcefulness, and generosity that arise amid disaster's grief and disruption and considers their implications for everyday life. It points to a new vision of what society could become - one that is less authoritarian and fearful, more collaborative and local.
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What listeners say about A Paradise Built in Hell
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 20-06-22
Community not bureaucracy
This book gives examples of how in disaster community matters most and how bureaucratic institutions usually harm these communities.
The book eloquently explains how for the elite and those in charge protecting property is often what is most important in a crisis, whereas ordinary people seek to save each other.
Well worth a listen
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gregory Monk
- 19-07-17
Similar to Shock Doctrine but from another angle
What was one of the most memorable moments of A Paradise Built in Hell?
The descriptions of the aftermath of Katrina were shocking to a non-American and something I was surprised to hear. The basic failures of the government during this time was something that I was aware of but the details were grisly and something I won't forget, and nor should I.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The entirety of the book was filled with moving encounters of underrepresented examples of humans at their best in the worst possible scenarios. I certainly recommend it to those who have lost their faith in the people of the modern world.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rebecca Mair
- 19-05-20
Great book, accents were a bit much.
The book was fantastic and brought together a different and more positive view of the world. The reader was very strong, but I think she got a bit too much with the accents- was a bit embarrassing. Great read though.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Pmc
- 25-10-22
Awful narration
Interesting subject but I just couldn't get on with the style of narration. It is read so quickly you don't get a chance to think about what is being said. Didn't get past the first chapter
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Richard
- 02-04-20
Boring. Too American.
This is very American centric which makes it a lot less interesting than it could have been. I listened to the first couple of hours and it takes too long to say anything so I shall ask for a refund.
The narrator’s performance is dull too.
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2 people found this helpful