Customer Reviews

Drawing Life

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an outstanding example of inspiration without the saccharine that afflicts most inspiring books today. Professor Gelernter survived the nearly fatal attack by the unabomber through gallantry, the ability to find something to be grateful for even in the midst of tragedy, and the support of his family, his friends, and his faith. He has shed nearly all of his bitterness, and his story is a text for recovery from tragedy. It is more than that, though. It is also in the tradition of authors like George Steiner, seeking to diagnose the ills of a society in which, using Gelernter's own words, the twentieth century has become itself a crime scene. Gelernter writes sparsely and bluntly about the transformation which has taken place in America since the 1960's. Traditions and restraints have been broken, and putting things back together will take a long time and a lot of perseverence. We have spent our grandparents' moral capital and have surrendered traditional values to the new intelligensia. Whether you accept all of Gelernter's social criticism or not, you must read the book for the stirring recitation of recovery which rejected victimization in favor of redemption. The tale of a gallant and noble soul.

For one of his last targets, the Unabomber selected David Gelernter, a computer science instructor at Yale. Wouldn't you know, Gelernter writes, that this anti-technology terrorist picked one of the few computer science people who doesn't even like computers? But Gelernter dismisses the Unabomber as a worthless fool undeserving of serious attention, except to put him to death for his murders. Instead, Drawing Life uses the attack on the author as a starting point for a critique of our nation's culture of "victimology," of undue tolerance, of liberals, and of intellectuals. Full of sharp opinions, Drawing Life is bound to anger many who would prefer simply to sympathize with Gelernter for his injuries. The book is full of digressions, returning to Gelernter's personal situation from time to time as though only to renew his energy for another attack on the intelligentsia. But the writing is superior, and the arguments are cogent. If it does nothing else, Drawing Life should provoke worthwhile discussions on the direction in which our society is headed.

As a psychiarist I am most interested in how injured souls assign meaning to personal tragedy. Gelernter, in this highly personal book, is able to metabolize his injury and set out on a crusade to heal a culture which "understands the validity" of the unibomber. His own healing is through healing others. This is the right stuff. In Freud's day being "outspoken" was a virtue. Gelernter is outspoken, provocative and an iconoclast- given the icon is celebrating tolerance. I was thoughtfully provoked and recommend Drawing Life to all who are concerned about our cultural life.

Gelernter, an associate professor of Computer Science at Yale who has little use for computers, wades into the current "politically correct" acedemic world with guns blazing and a "take no prisoners" attitude that is all too often lacking from those on the political right, who seem too intent on appearing moderate and in the process lose all sense of outrage, said outrage being Gelernter's primary stock in trade. Along the way, the author delves into religion, music and art with a seriousness and grace that are all too often lacking in political discourse. This is a thin, tightly written book which could and should be discussed for years. BRAVO!

One of the most powerfully written and elegantly thought out books I have ever read. Should be mandatory reading for every American. I used to think only Vietnam veterans had this kind of sane view of the world after adversity. I was wrong. Buy it, read it, pass it along.

While interwoven with the story of his comeback from a horrific explosion by a "hutman" (author's word) whose ideas will not work, he explains the rise of an "intellectual class" into positions of power in our society and the effect of this rise on the American people by this same class whose ideas also will not work. The author has fascinating undeniably true insights into the reactions of various segments of our society (the media for instance) and how these twisted and passive views came about.

Gelernter's endictment of America is dead on. He addresses problems here that the proponents of popular culture, rather threatengly I think, have told us to ignore. Thank god that David Gelernter chooses not to.

This is a worthwhile read! Gelernter presents his personal story - and views - with grace and clarity. You don't need to agree with his views - but they WILL make you think!

This is a really "heavy", shocking, frustrating, frightening, uplifting - overall important book that I highly recommend. Really important messages and ideas. Read it, it'll make you think.

This is a beautifully written book by a courageous man. It has a unique perspective. Gelertner values what is important in life. But the politics are moronic. In spite of that, the book makes you think. Freddy Sweet, Ph.D. sweet@well.com