Workin' on the Chain Gang: Shaking Off the Dead Hand of History

by Walter Mosley

Book Overview

A passionate examination of the social and economic injustices that continue to shackle the American peoplePraise for Workin' on the Chain Gang: ". . . bracing and provocative. . . ."--Publishers... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345430697
• ISBN13: 9780345430694
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Thought Provoking

When Walter Mosley wrote this essay, he intended it to make people think about the way things are, and the way things can change. However this book was not a one-sided rant, nor is just for African-Americans. This issues addressed in this essay, ranging from capitalism in America to voter apathy, reveal some profound insights and proposes soulutions to the problems brought forth. To many people this book will be an eye-opener; it certainly was for me. While I might not agree with the degree of some of Mr. Mosley's assertions, I recommend this book highly for anyone trying to gain a different perspective of the United States than what you see in the news or read in the paper.

Stunning

I am about half-way through reading this book. I am stunned. I am encountering the observations and thoughts that I have been trying to graple with for several years now. And here they are in a well thought out, articulate, literate book.I am recommending this book to a lot of friends and family. I recommend it to you.

Excellent Analysis of Modern American Life

Once again, Walter Mosley pitches a great game. This book may be light in physical weight, but it is full of heavy thinking.Mosley examines modern American culture in a way that probably seems heretical to most Americans. Mosley asks his readers to do things most people would never seriously (I mean really seriously) consider.The light stuff includes viewing people as individuals, not skin colors. Getting to know someone before passing mental judgement on them. Treating everyone with respect, until a person gives you reason to do otherwise. Ensuring all the elderly and all children have adequate food and medical care. Yeah, everyone's with Mosley on those ideas; if not deep inside, at least the majority of Americans realize that is the way it should be.However, can you name three close friends or family members whom you could convince to give up all television for three months? How about a season's moritorium from sporting events and sports news? While you're at it, locate a group of friends also willing to forgo other forms of LCD (lowest common denominator) entertainment.If you find it easy to contemplate abandoning those activities, Mosley has another suggestion for you. Let's dump capitalism as a way of life, as a staple of American society. There, are you still with me? Your job is slowly killing you. Going to work daily is like going to the plantation, except the whip has been replaced with credit card debt . . . that is, if you're lucky enough to have a credit card. By eagerly participating in the world as it is, you are no less brainwashed and perversly dependent than a woman who stays with a physically abusive man.Perhaps even more amazing than the fact that Mosley considers and suggests such actions, is that he presents a convincing argument for all of his suggestions. You may not always agree with Mosley (though I did), but he always presents a logical line of thinking.Once again, Mosley has produced a book that I am recommending to everyone I know. So far, Mosley is pitching a perfect game.

Unrecognized genius

I believe that Walter Mosley is the greatest author I have ever read. That is no small feat. His works of fiction paint a picture so vivid, I find myself believing and becoming his characters.Workin' on the chain gang is a different story. This book has changed my way of thinking. Mosley references to the human's quick judgement i.e. the blue car, the dead tree. This is what causes most of our problems with other people.I now see that the "people" I see everyday, are not limited to their physical frames. That is not really them at all. They are a consciousness that is so deeply rooted, that they themselves may not be fully aware of it.This book should be read to children everywhere and taught in every school. To let this genius go unnoticed would be a travesty.

brilliant

I've been enjoying the author's fiction career for some time. With Always Outnumbered,Always Outgunned, I started to think he was becoming one of the great writers of our century. When he branched out from his original genre to speculative fiction with Blue Light my respect grew.This non-fiction analysis of our current life has little to do with the problems of 'race'. As in his fiction, it has to do with the problems and solutions of humans imbedded in an inhumane system.I belive the 21st century equivalent to Luthers manifesto to the ruling church will be a team effort. Walter Mosley is a member in good standing in that team.I suggest reading Birth of the Chaordic Age by Dee W. Hock in close proximity to this book. Members of the team come from all races and classes.Vivez la revolution! Vivez l'humanite!