Essay 1 Bonus

[Olesya Stryzhak]

Olesya Stryzhak
English 101
Prof. O'Connell
Essay 1 bonus



In a review for a Blood rites (1997), written by Barbara Ehrenreich,
Michael Browning aggressively and mistakenly claims Ehrenreich of
being not clear and straight enough about her arguments regarding the
topic of the book. He also questioning if Barbara can actually be able
to develop her ideas, as well as to support one: "One keeps running up
against tiny details that aren't quite right, or have been
questionably interpreted, or appear out of context". But since the
Blood rites is a book about the origin of a war, about its roots, that
stuck deep inside, when human was the prey of a large animal,
Ehrenreich backs up her arguments and, probably, that is only what she
went for to support her own ideas.
Later in the article Browning (in my own personal opinion) impolitely
mentioned Ehrenreich's inaccuracy in not making the footnote for the
statement, made by J.H. Patterson in "The Man-Eaters of Tsavo",
regarding predator lions held up the building of the Ugandan railway
in 1898. He is pointing all over the article about Barbara's 'hit or
missed' thesis, and, I know, that this is what the review is all
about, synthesizing every statement and critiquing or agreeing about
what was told; many times we don't agree with the statements that were
made, no matter who made one, President of the United States, or
journalist, whose 'imaginarium' is bigger than the world
encyclopedia, the important thing is to be able to respect those, who
found the desire to create a piece, whether it's to write a book or an
article. Many times we become so witty when we get a chance to
critique someone, but whatever people create, there is always someone
who will argue.
There are some parts of the book I personally don't agree with, or
that distracts me, like unnecessary quotes, but for the many parts she
got me to the point. She choose very relevant topic for her book, and
yes, war is present in our every day life. War is on TV, in our mind,
on the freeway during the traffic, in school and even at home... In
the review, Browning mentioned that Ehrenreich hates war, coloring
this statement with the word 'praiseworthy', that was little bit too
much for me. May be if we all would hate war- World, and people in it,
would become not that aggressive. There is nothing to be ashamed of
hating the war, it's like teenager who likes to read but doesn't want
to tell anyone, since everyone will name him a nerd. As for the review
by Michael Browning, I think, first we need to create something
valuable, and then we can let ourselves to accuse others in 'appearing
out of context'.