BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster Hardback - 2009

by Rebecca Solnit

Add to wish list

A startling investigation ofwhat people do in disastersand why it mattersWhy is it that in the aftermath of a disaster-whether manmade or natural-people suddenlybecome altruistic, resourceful, and brave? What makesthe newfound communities and purpose many findin the ruins and crises after disaster so joyous? Andwhat does this joy reveal about ordinarily unmet socialdesires and possibilities?In A Paradise Built in Hell, award-winning authorRebecca Solnit explores these phenomena, lookingat major calamities from the 1906 earthquake in SanFrancisco through the 1917 explosion that tore upHalifax, Nova Scotia, the 1985 Mexico City earthquake,9/11, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Sheexamines how disaster throws people into a temporaryutopia of changed states of mind and social possibilities,as well as looking at the cost of the widespread mythsand rarer real cases of social deterioration during crisis.This is a timely and important book from an acclaimedauthor whose work consistently locates unseen patternsand meanings in broad cultural histories.

Summary

A startling investigation of what people do in disasters and why it matters

Why is it that in the aftermath of a disaster? whether manmade or natural?people suddenly become altruistic, resourceful, and brave? What makes the newfound communities and purpose many find in the ruins and crises after disaster so joyous? And what does this joy reveal about ordinarily unmet social desires and possibilities?

In A Paradise Built in Hell, award-winning author Rebecca Solnit explores these phenomena, looking at major calamities from the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco through the 1917 explosion that tore up Halifax, Nova Scotia, the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. She examines how disaster throws people into a temporary utopia of changed states of mind and social possibilities, as well as looking at the cost of the widespread myths and rarer real cases of social deterioration during crisis. This is a timely and important book from an acclaimed author whose work consistently locates unseen patterns and meanings in broad cultural histories.

Reader reviews for A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

From the publisher

A startling investigation of what people do in disasters and why it matters
Why is it that in the aftermath of a disaster? whether manmade or natural?people suddenly become altruistic, resourceful, and brave? What makes the newfound communities and purpose many find in the ruins and crises after disaster so joyous? And what does this joy reveal about ordinarily unmet social desires and possibilities?
In "A Paradise Built in Hell," award-winning author Rebecca Solnit explores these phenomena, looking at major calamities from the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco through the 1917 explosion that tore up Halifax, Nova Scotia, the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. She examines how disaster throws people into a temporary utopia of changed states of mind and social possibilities, as well as looking at the cost of the widespread myths and rarer real cases of social deterioration during crisis. This is a timely and important book from an acclaimed author whose work consistently locates unseen patterns and meanings in broad cultural histories.

Details

  • Title A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
  • Author Rebecca Solnit
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 353
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Viking Books
  • Publication date 2009-08-20
  • ISBN 9780670021079 / 0670021075
  • Weight 1.25 lbs (0.57 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.14 x 6.34 x 1.19 in (23.22 x 16.10 x 3.02 cm)
  • Age range 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Category Sociology
  • Library of Congress subjects Disasters - Psychological aspects, Disasters - Social aspects
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2009004101
  • Dewey Decimal Code 303.485

About the author

Rebecca Solnit is the author of numerous books, including "Hope in the Dark," "River of Shadows: Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild West," "Wanderlust: A History of Walking," and "As Eve Said to the Serpent: On Landscape, Gender, and Art," which was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism. In 2003, she received the prestigious Lannan Literary Award.

More Copies for Sale

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Solnit, Rebecca

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780670021079 / 0670021075
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$11.87
A$17.36 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Viking Adult. Used - Good. Ships from UK in 48 hours or less (usually same day). Your purchase helps support Sri Lankan Children's Charity 'The Rainbow Centre'. Ex-library, so some stamps and wear, but in good overall condition. 100% money back guarantee. We are a world class secondhand bookstore based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and specialize in high quality textbooks across an enormous variety of subjects. We aim to provide a vast range of textbooks, rare and collectible books at a great price. Our donations to The Rainbow Centre have helped provide an education and a safe haven to hundreds of children who live in appalling conditions. We provide a 100% money back guarantee and are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest standards of service in the bookselling industry.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$11.87
A$17.36 Delivery to USA
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Solnit, Rebecca

  • Used
  • Hardback
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780670021079 / 0670021075
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$13.87
A$32.93 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Viking Pr. Hardcover. Used; Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there’s something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. 08/20/2009
Add to wish list
Item price
A$13.87
A$32.93 Delivery to USA
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Solnit, Rebecca

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • first
Condition
Acceptable
Edition
First Edition
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780670021079 / 0670021075
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$15.29
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Viking Adult. First Edition. Acceptable. With dust jacket. The item might be beaten up but readable. May contain markings or highlighting, as well as stains, bent corners, or any other major defect, but the text is not obscured in any way.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$15.29
Free Delivery to USA
A Paradise Built in Hell : The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell : The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Solnit, Rebecca

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780670021079 / 0670021075
Quantity available
2
Seller
Item price
A$18.46
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$18.46
Free Delivery to USA

A Paradise Built in Hell : The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

Solnit, Rebecca

We're sorry, this copy is no longer available.
A Paradise Built in Hell : The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell : The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Solnit, Rebecca

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780670021079 / 0670021075
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$18.46
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$18.46
Free Delivery to USA
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Solnit, Rebecca

  • Used
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
Used
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780670021079 / 0670021075
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$25.21
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
2009-08-20. First Edition. hardcover. Used: Good. 6.32x1.25x9.32. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$25.21
Free Delivery to USA
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Solnit, Rebecca

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780670021079 / 0670021075
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$27.28
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Viking Adult. hardcover. Good. 0x0x0. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$27.28
Free Delivery to USA
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Solnit, Rebecca

  • Used
  • Hardback
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780670021079 / 0670021075
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$39.54
A$6.24 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
New York, NY: Viking Books, 2009. Hard cover. Viking Press, 2009, 353 pages, hardcover in a very good unclipped jacket, no owner's mark or underlining, light wear
Add to wish list
Item price
A$39.54
A$6.24 Delivery to USA
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

by Solnit, Rebecca

  • New
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
New
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780670021079 / 0670021075
Quantity available
6
Seller
Item price
A$77.82
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
2009-08-20. First Edition. hardcover. New. 6.32x1.25x9.32. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$77.82
Free Delivery to USA