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Reviews (7)
Jan 02, 2009
Great story! I doubt this book can be improved !
My daughter -- an incurable romantic -- asked for ths book for her birthday. It arrived promptly & in good condition, & she immediately read it through twice ! & this was at a very busy time of year! so I picked it up to see how it was -- & couldn't put it down. As daughter says, it's "WAY better than the movie" (sorry, Disney). The characters have quirks & minor imperfections just like anyone, & circumstances don't always go just as wished or planned -- so the book seems very realistic. This re-telling of the old story can be enjoyed, & viewed, on several levels; I think it'd make a good choice for a book club to discuss, or even for an English Lit class to analyse. But make sure you don't have anything in the oven that you don't want burnt ! It's a real page-turner !
Jan 02, 2009
Really helps to clarify a murky sunject !
1 of 1 found this helpful Writing a book for the general public, especially in such a diverse culture as the USA, is a daunting task. Robert Whitaker has done a really good job of it. The topic, America's view of the mentally ill and the way they've been dealt with, is a big topic, but he did a good job of pointing out the historical beginnings, why they had such impact, what caused this attitude or that approach to become popular or die out, where we're at today, etc.
Although the book is very well reseacrhed & supported, it's easy to read. It doesn't have a pompous, scholarly tone that puts you to sleep: no, it reads almost conversationally. You can tell the author is sympathetic, both to the patients and to those who wanted to help them, but where injustice is done he calls it exactly like it is. He offers realistic suggestions of how to improve on some things.
After reading the book, I felt unafraid of the mentally ill: not foolishly unafraid of a real danger, but I felt I'd had my ignorance replaced with understanding & compassion. I'd be pleased & honored to have Robert Whitaker as a neighbor. I'd be even more pleased if his attitude & suggestions were to become the norm for treatment of the "feeble-minded".
Apr 02, 2007
worth the money
Well-researched and easily readable, this book explains the inconsistencies & shortcomings of a major political party. The author "tells it like it is", but calmly; he doesn't have an angry tone: it's a book you can give to a Democrat friend to read, and after they read it they'll still be your friend. In fact, Democrats SHOULD read it, so they can learn from an objective reporter how to improve their party. There's very little actual commentary; most of the book is simply a collection of quotes from, and actions by, Democrats. That's why it's so eye-opening. I love that the tone is NOT "outraged"; the author assumes that I have a brain & he doesn't have to tell me how to feel or what to do.
Please note that the book addresses the problems within the current DFL party. The Democrat party of the 1960's and '70's was very different. If it's been a decade or two since you really, really sifted through your reasons for being Democrat, I'm telling you, my fellow citizen: it's time. Assumptions make a very shaky foundation for our votes, especially when the actions & attitudes of our country have such a far-reaching affect on other countries for generations.
Through my 25+ years of political activity, due to some jarring let-downs I've become skeptical of all who seek or hold office: no party is perfect, & no one gets my endorsement until I've examined their voting record. I wish more people would do some thinking & not merely swallow the tiny info-bytes the mass media feed us.
The chapters are broken down into 2-to-5-page sections, subtitled, so it's easy to put the book down for a bit -- to ponder a point, absorb a new thought, check out a reference, answer the phone, etc -- & then later you can pick it up & go right back to it. At 427 pages it's about twice as long as most books I read, but it doesn't seem long; I got caught up in it. I'd recommend reading it all, and read twice any parts that make you go "huh?" The book passes my "oh yeah? test", meaning I mentally assess every paragraph, assertion, & recommendation.
...buy a copy for yourself to keep, at least one to lend, and another to donate to your local library or college Political Science department. The freedom to speak one's thoughts, and work to change the system, is one of the unique aspects of this country that have been so admired & copied by the world. This book is that ideal in a [paper-&-ink] nutshell.