Suggestion Posed ... Remains a Suggestion
929726
In his Preface, Russell Jacoby says that his book is "putting together histories and reflections" to suggest that likeness breeds greater malice than "the other". The subtitle indicates that root of violence will be explored.

From Rome's civil wars (p. 65, erroneously cited as beginning with Caesar - while the first was Sula) to the French Catholics and the Huguenots to the Hutus and the Tutsis, Jacoby notes the brutal persecution of populations united in language, appearance and social customs.  For every atrocity mentioned, there are large and powerful counter examples such as the decades of the Mongol campaign across Asia, the Rape of Nanking or the enslavement of new world natives and Africans....just to  name only a few..

A large part of Jacoby's argument, that similarity provokes more violence than the "other", relies on the Holocaust. 20 pages (of this 158 pp book) are devoted to how Jews, but for religion, were indistinguishable from non-Jewish Germans. While the cultural integration is persuasively argued, its link to hatred and ultimatly, violence, is not.

Jacoby's chapter on more personal similarities breeding more contempt (than "the other") uses primarily mythical and literary examples, such as Dorian Gray and Narsissus. For every mention of twins as a curse (evidence being some tribes where the twins and the mother are killed) there are, surely, at least as many unnamed tribes where the twins are prized. Similarly, the highest profile examples of fratricide rely on examples such as Cain and Abel and Romulus and Remus.

There is a long discussion of what Freud called "the narcissism of minor differences" and how this effects the relationships of men and women. While this (along with 6 pages of offensive material from Otto Weininger) helps to develop the concept of women and Jews as being "other", it says more about the roots of sexism and anti-Semitism than the "root of violence".

One of the most intriguing topics was that of Rene Girard on "mimetic rivalry", which is described as the fear of losing one's self by mimicking another entity. The example is Islamic terrorists seeking to keep their culture pure from western values and behavior. It is the "resemblance embitters them". (p. 154).

While the primary title "Bloodlust" and the cover graphic sensationalize the topic, the role of proximity, "blood" and culture in large scale violence is a serious and important area of study.  Jacoby brings together some interesting material but, the topic remains in need of a better book.
1622863
There are a few good suggestions in this book.
3835448
This is not a review of the book but a question to others who might read this book, and others, that seem to have, as a premise, the basic thought that problems each have (one) solution and a leader need only know how to overcome barriers to achieve the (one) solution.

It seems to me that a given situation may only appear as a problem based upon one's worldview. Income inequality, for example, may not appear as a problem to some while it is a problem to others.

So, does this book offer any guidance on informing oneself to determine "problem or no problem" before it speaks to leading to a solution? There have been leaders, in the past, who led quite effectively, for a time, but toward a destination that was antithetical, in most minds I would say, to the idea of a civilized society.
4546303
The book was intended to inspire.  It has some beautiful ideas, but not what I personally want to do.  I am working with one suggestion, but not succeeding.  That is not the fault of the creator of the project, but I'm disappointed.

the book itself was in perfect condition as received.
2423891
See comments submitted with cover pls. Thx, Ed Yori, Cheyenne, Wyoming, ednharley@hotmail.com Thank you, again, and again .Filling  word  reqirement. ..LOL
4378521
Mr. Hitchens, regarding the audiobook version, PLEASE SLOW IT DOWN. You speak way too fast, my man. It it almost impossible to keep up with all your detailed thoughts. Thanks
1823210
What is good about this book is that it does look at 1948, rather than 1967 as the better place to look for an eventual peace agreement. As such, he proposes a way to re-integrate some of the originally disenfranchised Palestinian families into a remaining state of Israel. So, definitely more agreeable to Jews and Israelis than most Palestinians, especially those who only want a one state solution. So, a welcome addition to the discussion, but likely to go no where until the Palestinians come up with some peace deals which most Palestinians want.....then Israel can respond to those. I'd be interested in a response to this book by some Palestinian leaders who want a peace deal.
2598940
I'm enjoying the read so far, but the author raises several potential issues one might encounter (like a kid who won't participate), without satisfactory solutions. If this strategy is as effective as the author frequently boasts it is, I would expect some more concrete answers.
1968424
Refer to my comment to this review for more details.
1863388
Nice to have someone else come up with ideas!  Thanks.
3240702
This tribute to a founder of the Intelligent Design Movement remains, while justly challenging Darwinism, mired in a mistaken view of the conflict over whether organisms are subject only to blind natural forces or also to goal-directed ones.

As I tried to point out in other reviews here, and am treating thoroughly with other known puzzles in my own book, the conflict has wrongly focused on similarity between organisms and man-made devices because of structural functions, overlooking entirely the critical difference between the living and lifeless. This difference is that the living exhibit the sought-after goal-directedness in their very activities, directed toward preservation throughout, irrespective of findings as to whether their functional form was equally an aim, and which in fact is part of the preservational aim of every developing organism.

The considerable efforts of intelligent-design proponents to find support in mathematical probability, structural complexity and other biological particulars, are thus superfluous. The proverbial forest is not seen for the trees. The answer can be found in the large-scale phenomena noted, and depends on putting two and two together in the manner of logical deduction used in other areas.

It is interesting that toward the end of the book (page 308) an author speaks of Phillip Johnson, the man paid tribute to, "as the intellectual leader of a group of scholars that God had raised up to address the question of biological origins..." On the same pages the author speaks profusely of university settings, ones of these scholars. One can wonder if God indeed means to reveal himself in complex ways to privileged dwellers of universities, or rather simply to such as someone rising from the ashes of the Holocaust.
4142263
I'm still coming to terms with the ideas presented in this book. I'm not sure I agree that attaining a selfless state thru meditation is really a desirable thing to do.
720213
The author's scholarship and conservatism have always been guiding lights to those having a dispensational perspective. However even though I can't justify my comments in a few words, it seems that this book expresses a trend in wishful thinking based more on trying to extrapolate from conditions abroad in Cosmos Diabolicus rather than a strict interpretation of events per a dispensational and Biblical viewpoint.
4896784
I will implement most of the suggestions. Let me know when you update.
1250156
The author's views are compelling, but I don't see how he can be wholely correct.... I mean, why are we "stuck" in our own creation? If this is an illusion that just isn't working for us, then why the heck are we not collectively re-creating it? I agree with some other reviewers that this book can be a painful perception of life, especially when there are no answers at hand to fix this "reality". Depression, feeling distanced and isolated from others who don't "get it", a feeling of powerlessness to effect changes... not exactly constructive feelings. If infinite love is what the author is trying to promote, he hasn't done a very good job. I believe we can change the world to make love the prominant force, but we must feel united and powerful together, rather than lost in an illusion.
3523004
I was excited to read this book but was hoping for a lot more. Any suggestions on ideas that are actually new? I felt this book was a bit touchy-feely (which makes me as a customer feel queasy) and not hitting at real issues in customer service communication etc. This book might have had fresh ideas in 1977 but not 1997. Here's some of the ideas I found lacking (too many to list):

- sensitivity training

- estimate on the high side

- make follow-up phone calls

- laptop computer presentation

I mean am I just cutting edge here? If you haven't heard of this stuff, you shouldn't be in business.

I think I got about 5 ideas from this book I hadn't already considered, 2 of which were inspired by reading the book but not really talked about here.
4575941
I loved his premise for a new Constitutional Convention.  And I liked his first couple proposed amendments.  But as he went on, the proposals looked more and more tailored for the issues of the day as opposed to fundamental precepts.  I was hoping for more suggestions that would clarify and support original intent of the framers.  I admit that I skimmed ahead to read the basics of each proposal.  I can understand what is driving the recommendations, but some looked more appropriate to legislation... not fundamentals to be ensconced in a Constitution.  And real dollar values do not belong.  They become obsolete with time.