Vollman lingers in this massive tome of a book, painstakingly trying to understand violence. He delves deep into various aspects, attempting to fathom when and if ever it can be justified.

I still vividly recall the meditative visit with the coroner in San Francisco. The book then progresses to accounts of class conflict, street crime in Madagascar, the Japanese feudal code, the sadism of torture, the role of violence in punishment, and the role of revenge and retaliation.

This book is truly a massive exploration of violence in all its forms. It is an abridged version of a much longer collection, consisting of over 700 pages. I earnestly hope that one day, I will at least have the opportunity to peruse the full collection in person.

Encyclopedic, engaging, and a tour de force, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex and often disturbing nature of violence.

I read the 700-page abridged version of this 3,000-page work.

Although it was long and dense, by the end, I couldn't help but think that if I was going to read it at all, I should have read the long version.

Vollman, as always, combines philosophy, history, and his own investigations and life experiences to create a very compelling examination of violence.

He explores how violence is used and when it is justified.

The conclusion is that it is not often justified, but figuring out when it is becomes the tricky part.

This work offers a deep and thought-provoking look into a complex and often overlooked topic.

It makes the reader question their own assumptions and beliefs about violence and forces them to consider the consequences of its use.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the nature of violence and its role in society.

Reading this book has truly ignited my desire to read the entire seven-volume set.

Specifically, the section on the defense of the earth and animals has piqued my interest.

Until such time as I have the financial means to obtain the full set, this abridged version will have to suffice.

One thing is for certain, one simply cannot go wrong with Vollman.

His most outstanding quality is undoubtedly his profound sense of sympathy.

It is this very trait that makes his works so engaging and thought-provoking.

Each page seems to be filled with his genuine concern for the world and its inhabitants.

I look forward to delving deeper into his writings and exploring the many themes and ideas he presents.

Whether it's through the full seven volumes or this abridged version, I know that I am in for a treat.

Vollman's work is a testament to the power of literature to touch our hearts and open our minds.

What can one say about this mammoth treatise on violence? I don't know.

However, it is somewhat ironic that the sheer size of this book makes it a potential deadly weapon in and of itself. The unintelligible cut and paste "science" within its pages is so frustrating that it makes one almost want to take the book and bash the author over the head with it.

And then, perhaps, one could claim that such an act is justified by using the author's own absurd Moral Calculus. It's a strange and rather comical situation, really.

This book seems to have gone wrong in so many ways, from its convoluted and often nonsensical content to the very nature of its physical manifestation as a large and imposing volume.

One can only wonder what the author was thinking when they created this monstrosity.

I read this for the money.

It might seem a rather straightforward and perhaps somewhat unromantic reason for engaging in the act of reading. However, one cannot deny the practical aspect that money brings.

In a world where financial stability is of utmost importance, reading can sometimes be a means to an end. Maybe it's reading professional books to enhance one's skills and increase job prospects, thus leading to a higher income.

Or perhaps it's reading for research purposes in order to write articles or papers that can be monetized.

Even reading novels or other forms of literature can have an indirect connection to money, as it can expand one's vocabulary and improve communication skills, which are valuable in many aspects of life, including the workplace.

So, while the love of reading for its own sake is wonderful, let's not overlook the fact that sometimes, reading can indeed be a lucrative endeavor.

A remarkable book indeed. However, it is not a book for everybody. It is dense, intellectual, and highly articulate. Vollman is truly a wonderful story teller. His calculus in this book requires one to ingest and digest it a bit at a time. This particular book is a condensed version of his 7 volume treatise on violence. It offers a unique perspective on the complex and often disturbing topic of violence. The author's writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, yet it can be challenging for some readers due to its density. Nevertheless, for those who are willing to invest the time and effort, this book has the potential to provide valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the nature of violence.

I don't believe that anything I could add about Vollmann's survey could do it justice.

His survey is a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of a particular topic. It delves into various aspects, presenting a wealth of information and perspectives.

Any thoughtful person should read it, take notes, and begin to contemplate his or her life and choices.

By engaging with Vollmann's work, one can gain a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around them.

The survey challenges us to question our assumptions, reevaluate our priorities, and consider new possibilities.

It is a thought-provoking piece that has the potential to inspire personal growth and transformation.

Whether you are interested in philosophy, sociology, or simply looking to gain a new perspective on life, Vollmann's survey is well worth reading.

So, pick up a copy, sit down, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Vollmann's research.

You won't be disappointed.

This is truly an outstanding book for individuals like me, who frequently grapple with and attempt to answer questions regarding what is right or wrong.

Vollmann essentially endeavors to depict a comprehensive and logical system for determining when any violent act is justifiable or not. He employs extensive historical research and examples from his own extensive experience as a reporter operating in various "hot spots" worldwide, such as former Yugoslavia, Southeast Asia, and the inner-city gang neighborhoods of the U.S., among others.

Not only is it well-conceived and complete, but Vollmann writes exquisitely, making the subject (almost) a delight to read rather than a dull treatise.

This is the abridged 700-page version. The original was a 7-volume set, and he labored on it for approximately 23 years.

The depth and breadth of Vollmann's work are truly remarkable. His detailed research and personal experiences add authenticity and credibility to his arguments. The way he presents the material makes it accessible and engaging, even for those who may not be well-versed in the subject matter.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex issues surrounding right and wrong and the justifications for violent acts. It offers valuable insights and perspectives that are sure to stimulate thought and discussion.

Great, great book! The author's pen seems to be bleeding pure and uncompromised writing power here. The language is extremely diverse, which, admittedly, didn't always make it easy for me as a non-native speaker. It was a real challenge at times, but also a great opportunity to expand my vocabulary and understanding of different expressions.

The philosophy presented in the book was, for the most part, very convincing to me. Even though his arguing didn't always work for me, such as the defense of ground and the defense of honor, I still found a lot of value in it. However, I must admit that it wasn't entirely cohesive, but perhaps it's unfair to judge based on the abridged version alone. There could be more context and details in the full text that would make the arguments more coherent.

The case studies in the book were truly terrific. They provided real-life examples that helped to illustrate the concepts and theories discussed. They were so interesting and engaging that they are the main reason I would love to read the whole thing one day, even though I know it would probably take me a lifetime to finish. But I'm willing to take on that challenge because I believe it would be a truly rewarding experience.

I've only been able to explore the stars so far, as this is just the abridged version.

It's a pity because I really don't know when I'll ever have the opportunity to get my hands on all seven volumes.

The stars in this abridged version are truly captivating, but I can't help but wonder what more lies within the complete set.

Each volume must hold a wealth of knowledge and adventures that I'm eager to discover.

Maybe one day, I'll be able to obtain all seven volumes and fully immerse myself in this fascinating world.

Until then, I'll continue to be content with the stars I have and hope that the day comes soon when I can expand my exploration further.

I keep imagining the possibilities and excitement that await me when I finally get to read the entire series.

It's like a dream that I'm constantly striving towards, and I won't give up until it becomes a reality.

Whatever words I pen in this review will surely fall short. "Rising Up and Rising Down" simply resists synopsis. It's a reading odyssey with its fair share of, well, highs and lows, to be certain, yet it stands utterly distinct from any other work I've ever bothered to plow through.

I can still vividly recall sitting in my college library back in 2003, perusing a review of this then-burgeoning book. (I didn't have internet access at my apartment and had to trudge to the library to make use of it.) The sheer audacity of the concept truly seized me, and all these years, I've yearned to get my hands on a copy. It was an early offering from McSweeney's, and as I recollect, they printed a mere 3000 copies of the unabridged edition. Since then, an abridged version has been published, but it seems to me that if you're going to delve into this one, you might as well go all out. Vollmann himself admits he permitted the abridged version to be published solely "for the money."

I embarked on this 8-book set five and a half years ago and have finally made my way through it. While the writing style isn't academic in the traditional sense, it's dense and erudite, demanding the reader's full concentration. Reading one volume after another is no easy feat, though you'd be better off reading more swiftly than I did, as I struggled to remember some of the earlier material by the time I reached the end.

This book's ambition knows no bounds. Vollmann endeavors to arrive at a satisfactory moral calculus for when violence is justifiable and when it isn't, across virtually all settings, cultures, and times. It amasses vast arrays of historical examples and anecdotes to illustrate ideas and pose challenges. It presents a rather exhaustive list of commonly cited justifications for violence and then attempts to construct a framework for each, complete with assumptions, corollaries, caveats, and all manner of probing into the adequacy of each moral actor's motivations.

Volume I encompasses introductions and definitions; volumes II through V discuss various justifications such as Self Defense, Defense of Honor, Defense of Class, and so on.

Volumes VI and VII contain what he terms "studies in consequences." These sections feature writings stemming from his experiences as a journalist amidst various forms of violence in societies worldwide. These stories range from his attempts to interview Pol Pot in Cambodia to his encounters with sex slavery in Thailand, to Yakuza violence in Japan, to harrowing accounts of violence in Bosnia where Vollmann himself narrowly escapes death (and has to witness his companions perish), and many other locales.

Vollmann approaches his task with the utmost seriousness; it's a genuine attempt to answer the question of when violence is permissible and when it isn't. But Vollmann also exhibits great humility, openly acknowledging the impossibility of actually reducing things to a series of laws and the enormous amounts of motivated reasoning that humans who engage in violence bring with them. It's simultaneously as good a job as I can realistically envision someone doing on this question, while also remaining a will o' the wisp; chasing something elusive and ultimately unattainable.

As I've stated, there are few reading experiences that can truly compare to this. Tracking down one of these sets isn't straightforward these days, and it will set you back a pretty penny if you desire to own one (I'm not parting with mine, sorry). But for that minuscule segment of the population that takes an interest in material of this ilk, there's simply nothing else quite like it.

Mr. Vollmann has created a rather extensive 20-book series.

Many fans and enthusiasts have been left wondering if he has any plans at all to release the full volume of this ambitious work.

The anticipation is palpable, as readers eagerly await the conclusion of this literary journey.

Moreover, the mention of the price being that of a yacht adds an element of mystery and extravagance.

Could it be that the cost of producing and publishing this entire series is so high that it rivals the price of a luxurious yacht?

This only serves to heighten the curiosity surrounding Mr. Vollmann's intentions and the future of this remarkable 20-book series.

Will he finally decide to release the full volume and satisfy the longing of his readers? Only time will tell.