Evil: An Investigation

by Lance Morrow

Book Overview

Long couched only in theological terms, and popularly personified by the despots of history, the nature of evil has resisted explanation. In this singular survey of this mysterious but all too often... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465047556
• ISBN13: 9780465047550
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Everyone should read this book

I am enjoying this book. I've recommended it to others. When I'm finished it, I'll read it again. That's the biggest compliment I can give it. I see where others have called it "light." People do often look down their noses at things they don't understand, or at writing that they envy. This book has initiated some interesting discussions in my house. I think everyone should read it. Some of it isn't comfortable, I'll grant you, but a discussion of evil -- including where we might find it -- should be that way.

Not smug Not arrogant Not easy

Morrow asks hard questions, real questions about evil. Morrow also states the obvious. The fact that he does state the obvious might turn off the smug and arrogant, but I find it refreshing. The book is also extremely well written and researched. Does evil exist? Yes. And if you disagree, I wish you well during the belly button gazing process.

SailorSolo

Lance Morrow is singularly one of the most engaging writers in American journalism, and has been for years and years. His cover stories and essays for Time Magazine have surpassed almost anything that appears in that publication, just as with his earlier books. "Evil" continues this standard of excellence. He writes with intrigue, curiosity, drama, thoroughness and eloquence. Reading it will not only be a pleasure -- as you enjoy his mastery of the language -- but it will also make you smarter.

An outstanding book!

One of the best books that I have read in a long time. Morrow is a fantastic writer and the way that he approaches the subject is fascinating. In the troubled times in which we now live, it takes someone of Lance Morrow's talent to break down a subject as broad as evil and turn it into utterly compelling reading. I could not put this book down.Highly recommended!

One of the best books I've found on the subject of evil.

I've spent a fair amount of time researching this theme in preparation for writing a sequel to a novel. There are a number of good books on the subject, "Evil in Modern Thought" and "A Problem from Hell," are two that I recommend highly. Morrow's book is, however, in a class by itself, because of the way he directs questions of morality to the reader so that you have little choice, but to get personally involved in his exposition. This, in my view, is the whole point of studying the matter.I find the smug and condescending review by Publishers Weekly to be excruciatingly irritating and suggest that the reviewer should take a hard look at his or her own objectivity. Morrow's book is incredibly thoughtful and deserves a wide audience.