Customer Reviews

Between Two Ages : The 21st Century and the Crisis of Meaning

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wishard has captured his perspective of this century in a remarkably short volume. His integrated review of the events of the last 100 years is impressive in itself, but his ability to define the meaning of those events and point us toward the really important questions of the next century make this book stand alone in its genre. The second half of the book moves us squarely into the ether of our own making; not only by providing a series of predictions, but also by provoking introspection into what we might want the future to be. Wishard is not afraid to define the basis for meaning for us as individuals and as a human family, and then offer alternative choices. Altogether scholarly, thoughtful, and provocative.

When I was handed an early copy, I expected it to be good, but it was way beyond that. I think BETWEEN TWO AGES may be the best analysis of why we're where we are that's out there. Wishard looks into the heart and mind of the age and the ages, does it memorably, and you get an education while you're being fascinated. It's obviously the result of a lifetime of thought and work.

The forecasts of technology for the next two decades are quite amazing, well researched, and not a little scary. But, of course, look how far we've "advanced" in the last twenty years! He writes about C.G. Jung and the "psychological interpretation of history." That analysis is an excellent framework for the elements he brings into the book. Very worth reading.

In Between Two Ages Van Wishard has done a service for those of us concerned about the age we live in and its future direction. He writes with clarity and style that moves along at a fast clip. He condenses the sweep of events of 20th centry western civilization, with a special focus on the US, into a manageable framework. He surveys a wide array of events and devlopments, drawing on the insights and views of leading thinkers of the time.

The second half of the book summarizes his findings and creates a context that helps us inderstand this critical period by asking the question,"what is the meaning of our new century and where are we going?" It offers a bold and original approach for the next 30 years as technology exerts an ever more powerful hold on our lives.

Wishard explores these questions in a way that is both unexpected and profound, going to the very root of the nature and makeup of the human individual. His conclusions suggest ways of raising the level of human consciousness that could enable us to live in an ever more complex and integrated world.

Quite a read.

This is a book that matters! Give it five stars for content (incredible compilation and integration of facts and themes to paint a forceful picture) and well written premise. This is not a quick or easy read- it actually asks you to think! And that's one of the reasons to like it.

Wishard states that the next three decades may be the most decisive 30 year period in the history of mankind. He's offering a perspective on the meaning of our times, trying to understand how all the monumental changes of science, psychology, technology and culture are affecting how we live and how nations live. And he asks how we can find new inner meaning amidst this "soul-crushing change". That's a huge chunk to bite off and I wasn't sure he'd make it. The satisfying thing about this book is just how well he fulfills his goal. In broad strokes he moves from the picture of a present interregnum period where change is bringing the birth of a whole new civilization, to a decade by decade historical recap of those 20th century changes in science and technology, economics, social and politcal life, and global events. I found this a well paced and fascinating historical ride. (An appendix at the book's end neatly summarizes this data and is worthy in itself.) He doesn't stop with mere diagnosis, lucid as it is. His analysis, deeply rooted in a moral and ethical context, gives modern man a corageous challenge to "rethink what is the very purpose of human beings in a world of total technological possibility." Between Two Ages ends up being a book of hope based on reality and a dose of vision.

I've been in and out of this book over the past couple of months and I would sum up my reactions in three ways: 1) I will never be able to sum this book up or feel I have gotten all I could out of it--it would be on my list of books to take to a desert island and read over and over again; 2) it is, together with Will and Ariel Durant's "The Lessons of History", a remarkable short-hand survey of the past two centuries; and 3) at the end it cuts to the chase--the big global challenge today is about moral, ethical, cross-cultural, philosophical *grounding*.

I don't see the author's vision happening in any sort of structured officially-sanctioned way. And I don't see this book impacting on people the way "IMAGINE" or "Cultural Creatives" can impact--but if you have the time and the intellectual curiosity to go deep, this is a very engaging book that will take a long time to fully appreciate.

If the enlightenment represents the death of the Judea-Christian epoch, what has risen to replace it? Nothing, according to this book. This is the essence of the title "Between Two Ages". Americans are between periods in human history, where we no longer accept the view of the world as explained by religion, but can't fully embrace the dissatisfying view of the world explained through science.

The book, in essence, tries to explain and defend three basic principles:
1. The last 100 years has been the most significant in all of human history
2. We have not developed an overarching view of the universe that satisfies our souls
3. The speed of our ever changing world, is out pacing our ability to recenter our collective morality

Sound ambitious? It is. And the book succeeds in doing all of this. More impressively is the way the author reaches across so many different sources of information to tie it all together. 70 percent of the book is a revisiting of the last 100 years, with lens of narrating how America moved into moral purgatory. He draws from art, literature, politics, science, organizational theory, sociology; and anything relevant to paint the right picture. This 70 percent is worth the price of the book. The remaining 30 percent is his treatment for our illness. This part is really worth reading though the build up might leave you a little peckish, especially with the simplicity of his advice.

This book is really amazing, I read it over four years ago and still think about it often. It frames how I view post-modern living, and I see his diagnosis continuing to play-out all the time. This is most obvious in movies and television we create, with Mad-Men being the best example.

I can't recommend this book highly enough! If you can take the time to digest the perspective Wishard offers, you'll find your understanding of our current situation significantly enhanced.