Regarding the Pain of Others

Rating:
Summary: An easy to avoid topic that we should all look at
Review: Susan Sontag seems to be a lightening rod for the political sensitive, rare is the person who has lukewarm feelings about Sontag- people seem to even love her or hate her. Not sure if I am ready to confess my love for her yet but I am defiantly far closer to the love side than the hate side.

Regarding the Pain of Others was my first encounter with her. In truth, I only bought it because I happened upon while browsing thought the bookstore and was struck by its great cover design and bought it knowing little more about it than that. Despite my incredibly poor rational for buying the book (judging it by its cover!) I lucked out immensely with this one!

There are few topics more important or relevant in these times than war and our (the west's) perception of war. Sontag takes an unblinking look at these topics of pain, suffering and there representations in photography and comes away with remarkable insight to share. While occasionally going into enough detail to make me squirm in my seat it is important to stress that this book is enjoyable- it is written well and although meandering at times it is always easy to follow and organized.

Even if you disagree with some of the conclusions that Sontag reaches in this book you will still benefit from the ways that it forces you to crystallize your own views. Above all else thought these topics are so incredibly important that they deserve attention from all of us- if you don't read this book read something else on the topic!

Rating:
Summary: Some interesting material, but too loosely organized.
Review: This book is an extended essay on the proper role of pictures of suffering, and what constitutes a moral way to react to such pictures. Sontag touches on a number of other issues along the way, as well as providing an historical perspective. In fact, Sontag sees such pictures as in the tradition of religious paintings and sculptures which graphically have depicted suffering, in Christianity and in pagan myths. Sontag does not reach many definite conclusions, and those pretty much in the last 2 short chapters, but looks at each issue as objectively as she can. While there was much interesting material, the book, short as it is, is organized much too loosely for my taste, and is even repetitious, so that I often found myself skimming.