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A review by krys_kilz
Disasterology by Samantha Montano
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This book dissected a lot of common myths and tropes associated with disasters in a really intriguing way. She assessed our current reality in regards to climate change with an unflinching honesty I found incredibly refreshing within our dominant culture of climate denial. I really appreciated her emphasis on disasters as social experiences rooted in political decisions. That our system is not broken, but rather functioning exactly as it was intended. I also really liked the last chapter where she traded hope for courage. That felt really powerful to me.
The strategies presented towards the end of the book felt at odds with her radical analysis. If the system is working as it was intended, how is seeking change through that system a viable option? In this way, I felt her actions weren't completely aligned with her beliefs/language. I also would have appreciated more emphasis on how colonialism and the theft of indigenous land has shaped our current climate and structures. To include no indigenous perspectives, especially in the suggested reading list, was incredibly disappointing to me.
The strategies presented towards the end of the book felt at odds with her radical analysis. If the system is working as it was intended, how is seeking change through that system a viable option? In this way, I felt her actions weren't completely aligned with her beliefs/language. I also would have appreciated more emphasis on how colonialism and the theft of indigenous land has shaped our current climate and structures. To include no indigenous perspectives, especially in the suggested reading list, was incredibly disappointing to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death