ARA Review by Sherri L Dodd of In It Together
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Sherri L Dodd
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ARA Review by Sherri L Dodd of In It Together
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, In It Together.]
I haven’t read a philosophy book in a while. But I have dozens in my collection and had put those fine jewels on pause while I went chin-deep in psychology books. Nevertheless, I found In It Together and was drawn to the idea of a new perspective on an ages-old notion. That instead of division by race, gender, and religion, to name only a few, we are all Human. Sounded interesting, especially with our current war-torn, politically polarized, and out-of-control issues.
When undertaking a philosophy book, I have three main criteria for a top rating. One – It must be thought provoking, even after I’ve set it down. Two – It antagonizes me in areas not previously explored, tackling my psyche and human nature, that I immediately put to use; and three – I pick it up more than once a day, and have no desire for another book until I have completed it. In It Together met all three. Admittedly, in the very first pages, when the author touched on a sensitive topic, I thought it may be another book attempting to shame me into the doldrums of how little my contributions help. I know well of our world’s shortcomings and need not be reminded when I’m delving into a philosophy book. THANKFULLY, it was only meant to set a precedence for that couple of paragraphs. I’m so glad I pushed through because In It Together became a truly absorbing read.
To name a few aspects I enjoyed, In It Together throws an entirely different spin on self—new and future—and the interesting way of how that relationship improves how we treat ourselves, whether we are acting as the wise and disciplined parent or the snot-nosed immature rebel. This is not just eating well for longevity, but something much more nurturing in a tough-love sort of way. Or how our eyes and notions deceive us of reality. For instance, I know someone who filmed a fight on the last day of high school. The parent who came along to helplessly not help (due to adult/child laws) knew nothing of the daily abuse the instigator had endured throughout the year, and how her mother threatened her to not jeopardize her graduation. I don’t condone violence, and I also understand the why of it in this case. Or how we can tap into fierce emotions with purely fictional characters to the point of tears. Fresh in my mind from watching GoT for the fourth time, was when fans realized why Hodor only says “Hodor.”
I believe when reading philosophy, you cannot just apply the text in a black and white manner to everyday life. Nor can you take that same text out of context with everything else that author has written around it. In doing so, you usually lose the meaning. I think of the reviewer (yes, I read the good and the bad before I buy a book) who griped that the author does not think certain heinous things are evil—her examples, not his—I did not take the verbiage like that at all. Nevertheless, philosophy can be challenging for those unable to tap into the next level of critical and creative thinking. I know my ability to transfer my perceived understanding to another is futile, as I could barely spit out this review. I certainly would not attempt to write philosophy. But Eckhard Aurelius Hughes did … and I thoroughly enjoyed his insight!
~5 out of 5~
***
View In It Together on Bookshelves
I haven’t read a philosophy book in a while. But I have dozens in my collection and had put those fine jewels on pause while I went chin-deep in psychology books. Nevertheless, I found In It Together and was drawn to the idea of a new perspective on an ages-old notion. That instead of division by race, gender, and religion, to name only a few, we are all Human. Sounded interesting, especially with our current war-torn, politically polarized, and out-of-control issues.
When undertaking a philosophy book, I have three main criteria for a top rating. One – It must be thought provoking, even after I’ve set it down. Two – It antagonizes me in areas not previously explored, tackling my psyche and human nature, that I immediately put to use; and three – I pick it up more than once a day, and have no desire for another book until I have completed it. In It Together met all three. Admittedly, in the very first pages, when the author touched on a sensitive topic, I thought it may be another book attempting to shame me into the doldrums of how little my contributions help. I know well of our world’s shortcomings and need not be reminded when I’m delving into a philosophy book. THANKFULLY, it was only meant to set a precedence for that couple of paragraphs. I’m so glad I pushed through because In It Together became a truly absorbing read.
To name a few aspects I enjoyed, In It Together throws an entirely different spin on self—new and future—and the interesting way of how that relationship improves how we treat ourselves, whether we are acting as the wise and disciplined parent or the snot-nosed immature rebel. This is not just eating well for longevity, but something much more nurturing in a tough-love sort of way. Or how our eyes and notions deceive us of reality. For instance, I know someone who filmed a fight on the last day of high school. The parent who came along to helplessly not help (due to adult/child laws) knew nothing of the daily abuse the instigator had endured throughout the year, and how her mother threatened her to not jeopardize her graduation. I don’t condone violence, and I also understand the why of it in this case. Or how we can tap into fierce emotions with purely fictional characters to the point of tears. Fresh in my mind from watching GoT for the fourth time, was when fans realized why Hodor only says “Hodor.”
I believe when reading philosophy, you cannot just apply the text in a black and white manner to everyday life. Nor can you take that same text out of context with everything else that author has written around it. In doing so, you usually lose the meaning. I think of the reviewer (yes, I read the good and the bad before I buy a book) who griped that the author does not think certain heinous things are evil—her examples, not his—I did not take the verbiage like that at all. Nevertheless, philosophy can be challenging for those unable to tap into the next level of critical and creative thinking. I know my ability to transfer my perceived understanding to another is futile, as I could barely spit out this review. I certainly would not attempt to write philosophy. But Eckhard Aurelius Hughes did … and I thoroughly enjoyed his insight!
~5 out of 5~
***
View In It Together on Bookshelves
