51 pages • 1 hour read
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
368
Book • Nonfiction
Various Locations • Various Eras
2009
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit examines people's behavior during and after disasters, exploring five major catastrophes and others to argue that disaster situations often reveal human cooperation and solidarity. Solnit contrasts this with the distrustful and militarized responses of elites, government, and military authorities, which can hinder community efforts and cause harm. Sensitive topics include descriptions of disasters and their aftermath.
Inspirational
Hopeful
Contemplative
Informative
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
3,989 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Rebecca Solnit's A Paradise Built in Hell receives praise for its insightful exploration of human resilience and community spirit during disasters. Critics commend her engaging narrative and thorough research. However, some argue that her analysis can be overly idealistic and occasionally unfocused. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking and inspiring read.
Who Should Read A Paradise Built in Hell?
Readers with a keen interest in sociology, disaster studies, and the resilience of human communities will find A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit compelling. Comparable to Eric Klinenberg’s Heat Wave and Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine, this book will also appeal to those intrigued by the unexpected solidarity that emerges in crises.
3,989 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
368
Book • Nonfiction
Various Locations • Various Eras
2009
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.