Excruciatingly ambitious, this work is truly a feat that leaves one in awe. However, it is also excruciating to read. It's as if a powerful chemical paint-stripper is being applied, flaying the human mind off the planet's face. The author's genius is undeniable, with ideas and concepts that are far-reaching and revolutionary. But the way it is presented makes it borderline unreadable. The language is complex, the structure convoluted, and the ideas are so abstract that they require a great deal of effort and concentration to understand. It's a work that demands a lot from the reader, but at the same time, it offers little in the way of immediate gratification. It's a challenging read, but for those who are willing to put in the effort, it may just be a rewarding one.
Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book
Rising Up and Rising Down #1-7
Rising Up and Rising Down: Some Thoughts on Violence, Freedom and Urgent Means
...
Show More
The authorized, abridged edition of the 3,000-page, seven-volume magnum opus, which was nominated for the US National Book Critic's Circle Award. The LA Times has said of Vollmann: 'He has an uncompromising intelligence that will change the way you think about all of history.' In this book, a labour of twenty-three years, Vollmann will change the way you think about violence. Vollmann brings to this subject compelling logic, knowledge, research and authentic experience. His research is legendary. He has immersed himself in the hazardous worlds he covers and has put himself in harms way. He has been burned by skinheads, nearly frozen to death on the Arctic tundra, and almost blown to pieces by a mine in Bosnia which killed two of his friends. The history of the world is a history of violence. Vollmann looks at violence through the prism of ethics, and honestly addresses both its value and waste. Rising Up, Rising Down is Vollmann's meditation on the age-old conundrum: when is violence justified? Vollmann writes: 'My own aim in beginning this book was to create a simple and practical moral calculus which would make it clear when it was acceptable to kill, how many could be killed and so forth.' Vollmann has consulted hundreds of sources, scrutinizing the thinking of philosophers, theologians, tyrants, warlords, military strategists, activists and pacifists. He has visited more than a dozen countries and war zones to witness violence firsthand - sometimes barely escaping with his life. The result is a deeply personal book, full of insight, that is a major publishing event, hailed by Zembla magazine as possibly 'the most ambitious literary project ever'
733 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1,2003
This edition
- Format
-
733 pages, Hardcover
- Published
-
January 27, 2005 by Gerald Duckworth \u0026 Co Ltd
- ISBN
-
9780715633748
- ASIN
-
0715633740
- Language
-
English
About the author
...
Show More
William Tanner Vollmann is an American author, journalist, and essayist known for his ambitious and often unconventional literary works. Born on July 28, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, Vollmann has earned a reputation as one of the most prolific and daring writers of his generation.
Vollmann's early life was marked by tragedy; his sister drowned when he was a child, an event that profoundly impacted him and influenced his writing. He attended Deep Springs College, a small, isolated liberal arts college in California, before transferring to Cornell University, where he studied comparative literature. After college, Vollmann spent some time in Afghanistan as a freelance journalist, an experience that would later inform some of his works.
His first novel, You Bright and Risen Angels (1987), is a sprawling, experimental work that blends fantasy, history, and social commentary. This novel set the tone for much of his later work, characterized by its complexity, depth, and a willingness to tackle difficult and controversial subjects.
Vollmann's most acclaimed work is The Rainbow Stories (1989), a collection of interlinked short stories that explore the darker sides of human nature. His nonfiction is equally notable, particularly Rising Up and Rising Down (2003), a seven-volume treatise on violence, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.
Over the years, Vollmann has continued to write prolifically, producing novels, short stories, essays, and journalistic pieces. His work often delves into themes of violence, poverty, and the struggles of marginalized people. He has received several awards, including the National Book Award for Fiction in 2005 for Europe Central, a novel about the moral dilemmas faced by individuals during World War II.
Vollmann is known for his immersive research methods, often placing himself in dangerous situations to better understand his subjects. Despite his literary success, he remains somewhat of an outsider in the literary world, frequently shunning public appearances and maintaining a low profile.
In addition to his writing, Vollmann is also an accomplished photographer, and his photographs often accompany his written work. Painting is also an art where's working on, celebrating expositions in the United States, showing his paintings. His diverse interests and unflinching approach to his subjects have made him a unique voice in contemporary American literature.
Vollmann's early life was marked by tragedy; his sister drowned when he was a child, an event that profoundly impacted him and influenced his writing. He attended Deep Springs College, a small, isolated liberal arts college in California, before transferring to Cornell University, where he studied comparative literature. After college, Vollmann spent some time in Afghanistan as a freelance journalist, an experience that would later inform some of his works.
His first novel, You Bright and Risen Angels (1987), is a sprawling, experimental work that blends fantasy, history, and social commentary. This novel set the tone for much of his later work, characterized by its complexity, depth, and a willingness to tackle difficult and controversial subjects.
Vollmann's most acclaimed work is The Rainbow Stories (1989), a collection of interlinked short stories that explore the darker sides of human nature. His nonfiction is equally notable, particularly Rising Up and Rising Down (2003), a seven-volume treatise on violence, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.
Over the years, Vollmann has continued to write prolifically, producing novels, short stories, essays, and journalistic pieces. His work often delves into themes of violence, poverty, and the struggles of marginalized people. He has received several awards, including the National Book Award for Fiction in 2005 for Europe Central, a novel about the moral dilemmas faced by individuals during World War II.
Vollmann is known for his immersive research methods, often placing himself in dangerous situations to better understand his subjects. Despite his literary success, he remains somewhat of an outsider in the literary world, frequently shunning public appearances and maintaining a low profile.
In addition to his writing, Vollmann is also an accomplished photographer, and his photographs often accompany his written work. Painting is also an art where's working on, celebrating expositions in the United States, showing his paintings. His diverse interests and unflinching approach to his subjects have made him a unique voice in contemporary American literature.
Readers also enjoyed
Community Reviews
Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
31(31%)
4 stars
32(32%)
3 stars
36(36%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews All reviews
...
Show More
...
Show More
Let me begin by making it crystal clear that my review is founded entirely and is aimed solely at the abridged version of RURD. Consequently, I have wavered between 2 and 5 stars. For me, Vollman's writing is truly remarkable, and his way of contemplating violence and its justification is extremely eye-opening in a manner that few things I've ever read can match. This is most especially due to his discussion of specific conflicts through his conversations with rather ordinary people who are caught up in those conflicts. On the flip side, I believe that the abridgment has stripped the work of its coherence. What I will state (and this is ultimately the reason for my awarding 4 stars) is that while I had thought that despite my fondness for Vollman's other books, I would never have imagined reading the full seven-volume version. Now, it is most definitely on my bucket list.
...
Show More
Let's face it:The heft of this book (and this is the abridged version), Vollman's sadsack writing style and even more sadsack photo, and the huge portions of the book devoted to detailing in excruciating detail the "moral calculus" of the author do not bode well. It seems rather intimidating and off-putting at first glance.But in spite of the pompousness and excess, this is an amazing book, or compilation, or whatever one may call it. Vollman takes us through his life as a witness of war zones and poverty, bravely attempting to figure out a rational philosophy of when it's moral to fight back. He's no pacifist, and there are indeed occasions when fighting is the right thing to do. If Gandhi had written this book, it would've been less dynamic, for sure.I didn't really go through the flowchart style "moral calculus" as it seemed unnecessary at the time. I'm still pretty sure I'd find it unnecessary now. Also, I don't think some of Vollman's better essays are included here, but I can't remember exactly which ones are missing.I think this book is rather rare, but if nothing else, you should read one of Vollman's essays (I highly recommend "They Came Out Like Ants!") from McSweeney's. If you like it, then search this book out and buy it. Or else William T. Vollman has the right to kill you, because "not buying my book" is a valid excuse for murder in his moral calculus. Which was quite shocking. And my review "humor" seems to be getting stupider and lazier as I go along.
...
Show More
This is a very difficult review. Certainly, it is an intense and violent book, the result of years and years of experience, reflection, rereading, and the construction of a structured point of view on the topic of the legitimacy of violence, both as a weapon of offense and defense. On the other hand, it is an inevitably engaging read (it's almost a thousand pages), at times exhausting (I carried it forward for almost three months), which requires a certain knowledge of certain events and historical passages to best savor its philosophy. It is not a friendly or gentle read; rather, if it can, it will hit you with fists. And despite this, despite requiring a great deal of commitment and constancy, it does not always offer a true and proper return, often leaving you dissatisfied or with a sense of incompleteness. Overall, this book is a complex and challenging work that demands a lot from the reader but may not always deliver the expected rewards. It forces you to grapple with difficult ideas and question your own beliefs about violence and its place in society. However, for those who are willing to invest the time and effort, it can also be a thought-provoking and eye-opening experience.
...
Show More
Imagine that one of the French Encyclopedists had been reborn 50 years ago. He is a strange character with a wierd gun fetish. His obsession with guns borders on the creepy, and he gives off an air that might make one suspect he could be a serial killer. Despite his oddities, he has a deep need for companionship. However, due to his strange nature, he resorts to hiring prostitutes for this purpose. This is the book that such a guy would write. It would likely be a disturbing and unconventional work, delving into the dark recesses of his mind and his unusual lifestyle. Perhaps it would explore his gun fetish in detail, along with his experiences with the prostitutes he hires. It might also touch on his sense of isolation and the lengths he goes to in order to find some form of connection. The book would be a unique and thought-provoking read, challenging readers to confront their own prejudices and assumptions about human nature.
...
Show More
I'm finally done with this. It took me nearly four years to complete. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the books are quite heavy, and I didn't want to carry them around all the time. Secondly, it was such a huge project that I often found myself asking 'why bother?' as it was going to take an extremely long time. And thirdly, to be honest, the essays at the end were often rather boring, long, and lacking in context. It just felt like Vollmann was aimlessly bumming around, trying to investigate but not really getting anywhere.
I believe the strength of this collection lies in the first four volumes. I absolutely love his historical investigation into when, if ever, violence is justified. Looking at these historical instances is truly fascinating.
On the other hand, the essays at the end, which were collected from his journalistic articles for various magazines, are supposed to demonstrate how difficult it is to apply these ideas to real-world scenarios. And that's a great idea. However, because these essays were originally written for magazines with different intentions, there is often very little context or in-depth analysis, which I would have really appreciated. In other words, if these essays had been rewritten specifically for this mega project, I think he would have added more and said something like "here is an example where it is difficult to apply X because of Y and Z". And don't get me wrong, we do sometimes get such examples, but they are few and far between. This is probably also why I really enjoyed the introductions to the various country sections, as he directly discusses the Moral Calculus and its applications or the difficulties in applying them.
Actually, I much preferred "Europe Central" as an example where you can see people in incredibly complex moral scenarios and understand how difficult it is for them to make the decisions they do. Although, once again, this is more of a historical account than real-world reportage.
In conclusion, I think this work could really benefit from a rewrite or editing of the essays at the end... if this book ever gets another edition.
For those who are wondering whether they should bother reading the abridged version or invest in the seven volumes, I would suggest first reading the abridged one. If you like the reportage more than the historical analysis, then try to get hold of the last two volumes. If you enjoyed the historical analysis, try to obtain the first four volumes. If you loved both, then yes, you'll probably get a lot of enjoyment from the full set. If it was just so-so for you, then you're not really missing out on much. I guess what I mean is that I don't feel like I gained a whole lot from reading the full collection of reporting... But I do feel like I benefited from reading the full collection of historical analyses.
I believe the strength of this collection lies in the first four volumes. I absolutely love his historical investigation into when, if ever, violence is justified. Looking at these historical instances is truly fascinating.
On the other hand, the essays at the end, which were collected from his journalistic articles for various magazines, are supposed to demonstrate how difficult it is to apply these ideas to real-world scenarios. And that's a great idea. However, because these essays were originally written for magazines with different intentions, there is often very little context or in-depth analysis, which I would have really appreciated. In other words, if these essays had been rewritten specifically for this mega project, I think he would have added more and said something like "here is an example where it is difficult to apply X because of Y and Z". And don't get me wrong, we do sometimes get such examples, but they are few and far between. This is probably also why I really enjoyed the introductions to the various country sections, as he directly discusses the Moral Calculus and its applications or the difficulties in applying them.
Actually, I much preferred "Europe Central" as an example where you can see people in incredibly complex moral scenarios and understand how difficult it is for them to make the decisions they do. Although, once again, this is more of a historical account than real-world reportage.
In conclusion, I think this work could really benefit from a rewrite or editing of the essays at the end... if this book ever gets another edition.
For those who are wondering whether they should bother reading the abridged version or invest in the seven volumes, I would suggest first reading the abridged one. If you like the reportage more than the historical analysis, then try to get hold of the last two volumes. If you enjoyed the historical analysis, try to obtain the first four volumes. If you loved both, then yes, you'll probably get a lot of enjoyment from the full set. If it was just so-so for you, then you're not really missing out on much. I guess what I mean is that I don't feel like I gained a whole lot from reading the full collection of reporting... But I do feel like I benefited from reading the full collection of historical analyses.
...
Show More
For interested readers who don't have access to the unabridged, six-volume Rising Up and Rising Down and are not satisfied with the abridgment, there are a few more items that can be combined for a more complete understanding of the RURD project. For the first four volumes, which develop the Moral Calculus through an ethical questioning of various Moral Actors, we have to rely on the selections in the RURD abridgment as that material is not covered extensively elsewhere in his corpus. However, the journalistic pieces in volumes six and seven, which were often shortened in their original periodical appearances, can be seen reworked in some of Vollmann's other books. He does have a tendency to recycle materials for different purposes. The Atlas contains fictionalized versions of many of his world-travel experiences. Poor People explores similar themes under the question, "Why are you poor?" You Bright and Risen Angels addresses the issue of revolution. Europe Central would not have been possible without the prior writing of RURD. An Afghanistan Picture Show is where the entire project began. His journalistic travels also appear in other works like The Butterfly Boy. But the above five books, along with the abridgment, might be a close substitute for having access to the entire RURD. Following is the text of a letter sent by Bruce Trigger to William T Vollmann regarding the Moral Calculus portion of Rising Up and Rising Down. Trigger was a professor in the Department of Anthropology at McGill University. Vollmann consulted him during the writing of Fathers and Crows and also relied on him for parts of RURD. The letter, dated 14 September 2002, can be found on page 120 of volume MC of RURD. From a Letter of Comment from Prof. Bruce Trigger Trigger mentions that there is something missing that Vollmann may or may not address in another book. He used to think the negative version of the Golden Rule was better, but now he believes an underlying consensus about how modern societies should be run is needed. He points to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a remarkable statement of ideals that we should strive to meet. He believes that if people can agree on such issues, Vollmann's calculus will have a stronger foundation for judging human conduct. However, the question remains how to get these issues discussed. [end Trigger's letter] The Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be read here :: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/
...
Show More
The whole is greater than its constituent parts, but even those parts are rather commendable. Each part plays a vital role in contributing to the overall functionality and value of the whole. It's like a complex machine where every cog and wheel has its significance. The annotations I wrote will eventually be electronically transcribed and accompanied by a review. This process ensures accuracy and provides an opportunity for further analysis and improvement. Whilst it might've been preferable to read it without interruptions, certain investigations were prompted by parallels. These parallels can offer new insights and connections that might otherwise have been overlooked. By exploring these parallels, we can gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and enhance our knowledge and perspective. In conclusion, although the whole is of utmost importance, we should not underestimate the value and significance of its individual parts.
Leave a Review