A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Rebecca Solnit
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster cover
Good Books rating 4.42
History, Identity, Culture, Sociology
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Paperback • £12.99–£16.99
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  • ID: 8681
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781101459010
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2010-08-31
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

In A Paradise Built in Hell, Rebecca Solnit investigates the remarkable human responses to disaster, from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to Hurricane Katrina. She reveals how crises often bring out the best in people, fostering communities and purpose that are usually unmet in everyday life. Solnit challenges common myths about social deterioration during crises and highlights the joy and resourcefulness that can arise in these moments. This timely and important book offers a fresh perspective on human behavior and the potential for social change in the face of adversity. Through her exploration of major calamities, Solnit uncovers the hidden patterns and meanings that emerge when society is thrown into chaos, providing a compelling narrative that is both thought-provoking and inspiring.

Reviews
Stanford Social Innovation Review · Unknown · 2025-12-22
brilliant 4.75

The book documents the often-overlooked positive aspects of disasters, showing how they can bring people together. It's a brilliant and engaging read that challenges conventional wisdom.

This review from the Stanford Social Innovation Review praises the book for its brilliant documentation of the positive aspects of disasters. It highlights how disasters can sweep away barriers that isolate people, fostering a sense of community and cooperation. The review notes that the book is engaging and well-researched, providing a fresh perspective on human behavior in crises. It's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the social dynamics of disasters. The detailed examples and clear writing style make it accessible and thought-provoking for a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    Rebecca Solnit's brilliant new book documents and explains the other side of disasters: how they often sweep away the barriers that isolate people from each other.

    It's a game-changing book. Everyone ought to read it.

    Solnit documents, in clear and engaging style, the myth of panic and the reality of community resilience.

John Walters Writer · John Walters · 2019-08-31
powerful 4.50

The book delves into the dark side of disasters, providing a gut-wrenching yet insightful look at human resilience and the impact of such events. It's a powerful exploration of community and survival.

John Walters' review highlights the book's unflinching look at the darker aspects of disasters. He appreciates the author's detailed and often harrowing accounts of how communities respond to crises. The review notes that while the book is powerful, it can be quite intense due to its graphic descriptions. Walters finds the book's exploration of human resilience and community spirit particularly compelling. He suggests that readers should be prepared for an emotional journey but will come away with a deeper understanding of human nature in the face of adversity.

Quick quotes

    There's a dark side to disasters too, and Solnit brings it out in gut-wrenching detail.

    It's not the deaths caused by the disasters themselves, but the systemic failures and human responses that are truly shocking.

    The book is a powerful exploration of community and survival.

The New York Times · Unknown · 2009-09-01
insightful 4.00

The book challenges the myth of panic during disasters and highlights the resilient and cooperative nature of communities. It offers a fresh perspective on human behavior in crises.

This book is a fascinating exploration of how people respond to disasters. It counters the common narrative that people panic and descend into chaos, instead showing how communities often come together in remarkable ways. The author provides compelling examples from various disasters to illustrate this point. It's a thought-provoking read that challenges our preconceived notions about human nature. The detailed accounts of community resilience and cooperation are both inspiring and enlightening. However, the book could benefit from stronger editing to make it more accessible to a broader audience.

Quick quotes

    Rebecca Solnit argues that historical responses to disaster tell us much about human nature and social control.

    A landmark book that gives impassioned challenge to the social meaning of disasters

    It counters the institutional narrative that when a crisis erupts, people will descend into anarchy.

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