Winner of the 2012 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for NonfictionA revelatory look at why we dehumanize each other; with stunning examples from world history as well as today's headlines "Brute." "Cockroach." "Lice." "Vermin." People often regard members of their own kind as less than human; and use terms like these for those whom they wish to harm; enslave; or exterminate. Dehumanization has made atrocities like the Holocaust; the genocide in Rwanda; and the slave trade possible. But it isn't just a relic of the past. We still find it in war; genocide; xenophobia; and racism. Smith shows that it is a dangerous mistake to think of dehumanization as the exclusive preserve of Nazis; communists; terrorists; Jews; Palestinians; or any other monster of the moment. We are all potential dehumanizers; just as we are all potential objects of dehumanization. The problem of dehumanization is everyone's problem. Less Than Human is the first book to illuminate precisely how and why we sometimes think of others as subhuman creatures. It draws on a rich mix of history; evolutionary psychology; biology; anthropology; and philosophy to document the pervasiveness of dehumanization; describe its forms; and explain why we so often resort to it. Less Than Human is a powerful and highly original study of the roots of human violence and bigotry; and it as timely as it is relevant.
Louisa May Alcott 2010-05-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x .25 x 7.01l; .75 #File Name: 116143538768 pagesHospital Sketches
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Hearing the voice of Louisa May from across the years...By Carol E. MenzHaving long been a fan of Louisa May Alcott; I truly enjoyed walking back in time with her to the front in the Civil War and finding her voice so clear; so flippant; so alive. She continues to impress me; every time I read anything of hers; as a bold and brilliant example of clear-thinking and self-defined womanhood at a time when women did not have many rights and most could not have imagined living as a single adult as she did. Her writings about the war bring it so touchingly into focus and are especially poignant to me; given that she was not to live long herself. I believe she ultimately died from the illness she acquired during her Civil War nursing efforts. Her love of language and of free thought burst across every page as she writes often tongue in cheek making fun of herself and delighting in small pleasures. Her love of the soldiers she tried to help also comes across so movingly that they themselves seem to be captured in time in her portrayal of them and their struggles. I can highly recommend this small book; a dense gem with a lot to offer.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Alcott's Hospital Sketches; Great; personalized US historyBy hdwcqaHospital Sketches is a classic of LMA. The first edition was compiled from several letters she wrote to her family while serving as a nurse's helper for wounded soldiers in a hospital in Washington DC during the early part of the Civil War. This short journal was an astounding success because the public was ravenous for any news which related to their husbands and sons; far from home; being killed and wounded in the war. It started her major writing career. Later editions were expanded with more material. The kindle edition is nicely organized and readable. The book is also available in Gutenberg.org.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. WonderfulBy Justjo4nowGreat read; couldn't put it down!!!!!! I recommend anyone interested in the Civil War or history of hospital read it. Humorous as well!!!
