Customer Reviews

Generation 9/11: A Generation in a State of 911

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

 

 

Even if this were fiction, this book felt disjointed and surreal. I had actually hoped to learn more about "generation 9/11" .. and instead read the private journal of Tom Reissmann. While I appreciate the writing style, I think the title is misleading. Did not enjoy this book.

I have read other books about globalization, politics and philosophy but I have never enjoyed it as much as with this one. It's a wonderful love story that goes down like a good glass of wine and I actually picked up some useful information and great ideas on the way - DNA as the collective unconscious -what a great thought. The book really provides some optimism and faith, despite all the problems it deals with. I guess the message is this: it's all part of the process and we'll get there one way or another.

The 9/11 attacks do not define a generation, but rather provoke another painful wake up call that no one lives in isolation but chooses daily to perpetuate or not - economic, social, and ecological inequity. Thomas Reissmann cleverly strings seemingly disparate ideas into a story of not only his life after 9/11, but of a global generation. Accept the red pill if you dare; unplug and witness the matrix, the collective unconscious, and old archetpyes of power, resistance, and love resurfacing through a web of digital imagery - choose to accept responsibility and enjoy.

By superimposing the tipping point onto ways in which we consume, behave and indeed perceive reality, Reissmann takes Gladwell's mainly marketing-oriented notions to a whole new level and provides a platform for changing the way we work as a society and individuals. I don't know how realistic any of this is and he does not provide a great deal of actual evidence in the same way Gladwell does, but it is a creative way of viewing today's mass-media culture, which is somewhat reminiscent of Marshall McLuhan.

Finally his thoughts on Lamarck and intelligent design could inject a much needed new perspective into an increasingly polarized debate.

Reissmann has got some great ideas about how to change the way we live. It really is about choice, because we decide what we do with our lives and ultimately with the planet. We think that we don't have a choice and that we kind of serve the system, but the truth is that the system is supposed to serve us or we better get rid of it. If we want to change the way we live we have to change the way we think. What did Einstein say? We cannot change our problems with the same kind of consciousness that gave rise to it - we better raise our consciousness or we will have to learn the hard way.

This is what we are, Generation 9/11, everybody you talk to knows exactly what they did on that day, at that certain hour, everybody you talk to interestingly has watched the second plane flying in to the tower, the moment it happened they say, even the ones in the tiniest communities anywhere in the world saw it or heard about it. There must be something big going on.......
Very strange but from that moment on we started getting aware, questions came up which were not there before, and some of us went on a search.
The journey continues for Thomas after the attacks, to Mexico to New Zealand and many other countries. He got to talk to lots of people finding solutions to currant problems, he experiences meditation, a connection to a soul mate, gains more insights globally and the journey within continues universally.....
It's all a big puzzle and by traveling either one or the other way we are step by step finding parts which lead us to some more of a truth.
Thomas puts this all together, a wonderful book, a gripping journey through emotions and dreams, loving, educating and stunning at some point, funny and critical at another, reminding us to be aware.
Many people probably had conversation and thoughts like Tom did, and that's where the importance lies.

Although this is non-fiction I had the feeling I was reading a novel. Reissmann blurs the line between truth and fiction, but apparently it's all true, which makes it even more fascinating. I can only say that with this book truth is stronger than fiction.

Humorous & thought provoking all at the same time. So hopeful that these young adults have a global perspective and are striving towards a sustainable and balanced lifestyle,while still making room for the Divine.