Derrick Jensen's "A Language Older Than Words",

[La Coliniere]

I've been brought to tears twice already and I haven't even read 100 pages yet. Jensen articulates and confirms what I've known for most of my lifetime: I am an animal, no more or less than my dog, my cat, a mouse, horse or snake. Has anybody here read any of his work?

[The Doctor.]

1. not yet, but I suddenly find myself interested...

Provided I don't forget, I'll be looking into his work shortly.

[Hamlette]

3. you can do a list of books you might want to read on barnes and noble

or amazon. I add it to my wish list on one of the sites, I try not to buy there but admit I do sometimes (usually used). But at least this way I don't forget what I want.

[Tafiti]

2. Yes!!!

Finally, someone on DU who has read Jensen!

I actually read The Culture of Make Believe before I read A Language Older Than Words. Both absolutely magnificent books. I suppose I knew what I was getting into with 'Language', but I cried a few times reading 'Culture'. He's the only author that has ever done that to me.

The thing is, he articulates many of the same ideas in both books, but if you get a chance, do read 'Culture'. It's quite a bit longer (600+ pages), but it's phenomenal. I was just thinking recently how I wanted to re-read it, but I have too many goddamn books on the docket, I don't know what to do with myself. Seriously, I probably have over 20 books that I've bought but have not had the chance to read yet. I'm hopeless!

[La Coliniere]

4. I know what you mean.

I'm glad to find another DUer who has read Jensen as well. I'm presently reading "Culture of Make Believe" and you are correct, many of the issues and ideas overlap with "Language". What can I say about both? Moving, incredibly insightful, political ( though not overtly books about "politics", every page wears its politics on its sleeve). Radical, beautiful, provocative, unforgettable, painful and most importantly, truthful. What more can I say about these important books? I've given copies of "Language" to a few of my "environmentalist", SUV driving, canoeist snob Sierra Club friends. So far, no response, but I'm prepared for the debate that I know is just around the corner. I'm hoping that Jensen's writing wakes them or shakes them up.

[CrispyQ]

5. To anyone who has read this book in entirety,

I have to ask, does the author continue these violent & abusive descriptives throughout the entire book?

I've read about his father's horribly abusive behavior toward the entire family, vivisection of dogs, what goes on in a slaughter house, electric shock experiments on dogs & cats & the slaughter of an Indian village of women & children & I'm not even finished with chapter two!

I am all too aware of what awful things humans inflict on animals & other humans & how we have extracted ourselves from the natural world & our insane justifications & rationalizations for our horrendously inhumane behavior.

If this continues into chapter three, this book is going to the library donation bin.

[La Coliniere]

6. The unspeakable is spoken throughout the

entirety of his masterpiece. THAT IS THE POINT. So many of us live in complete denial of how our everyday actions have the most dire of consequences for the spirit and health of the planet. Please don't give others the impression that this book is not a worthwhile read, that you are ready to toss it into some bin. True, it isn't an easy read, especially for those with tender sensibilities, but I believe Derrick Jensen is entirely sincere and painfully heartfelt in what he is trying to portray. He relates the personal to the public, and micro to macro consciousness with devastating force. Again, an important book of undeniable power and truth that needs to be more widely read.
I like my literature straight, no chaser.

[CrispyQ]

7. I am not implying others should not read this book,

however, it is not for me. I'm fully aware of the horrors we inflict on the animal kingdom in the name of science, for our palates, our beauty, our superstitions, our comforts & our convenience. Descriptives like Jensen's haunt me for weeks. I'm also very involved in the eco movement & am knowledgeable about the impact my daily choices have on the world around me.

Thanks for the heads up on the rest of the book. I will drop it off at the library & perhaps someone else will be enlightened. (Not that I can’t use all the enlightenment I can get, but graphic descriptions of cruelty are counter-productive to my already misanthropic tendencies.)

If you like your literature straight up, may I suggest "Mad Cowboy" by Howard Lyman. He tells the horror of what used to be called animal husbandry without gory details or proselytizing. (I'm not saying Jensen does this, simply pointing out that Lyman does not.) The chapter, "Bovine Planet" is a shocking portent of our future.

[Tafiti]

8. I can understand what you're saying.

You may feel like the book really has nothing to offer you, nothing new, you've heard it all before. You're aware. True, an important part of his book's "mission" is to open the eyes of the reader. Instead of reciting sterile facts, he wants you to feel it. He is very graphic with his descriptions, and it is indeed jarring. But like La Coliniere said, that's the point.

However, I'm sad to see you discard it after only two chapters. He does not fill his entire book with these horrors - I think the beginning especially is setting the scene for what he really wants to say. The point of his overly-descriptive passages is to first, create awareness in the reader, (OK, done), but more importantly, to explore what it means or doesn't mean, within the context of psychology, sociology, philosophy, politics, etc. for human beings, human relationships, our relationship with nature, etc. These insights are really the driving force behind the book, and it really is worth reading.

But, of course it's your choice. Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. :)

[CrispyQ]

9. Thanks for your gentle input.

I see what you're saying, but my heart cannot tolerate another bad dog story. Hopefully someone else will get something positive from this book.