A paradise built in hell: the extraordinary communities and strange joys that arise in disasters

**A startling investigation of what people do in disasters and why it matters** Why is it that in the aftermath of a disaster? whether manmade or natural?people suddenly become altruistic, resourceful, and brave? What makes the newfound communities and purpose many find in the ruins and crises after disaster so joyous? And what does this joy reveal about ordinarily unmet social desires and possibilities? In __A Paradise Built in Hell__, award-winning author Rebecca Solnit explores these phenomena, looking at major calamities from the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco through the 1917 explosion that tore up Halifax, Nova Scotia, the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. She examines how disaster throws people into a temporary utopia of changed states of mind and social possibilities, as well as looking at the cost of the widespread myths and rarer real cases of social deterioration during crisis. This is a timely and important book from an acclaimed author whose work consistently locates unseen patterns and meanings in broad cultural histories. Why Is It That In The Aftermath Of A Disaster, People Suddenly Become Altruistic, Resourceful, And Brave? Award-winning Author Solnit Explores This Phenomena, Looking At Major Calamities From The Past 100 Years. Prelude : Falling Together -- A Millennial Good Fellowship : The San Francisco Earthquake -- Halifax To Hollywood : The Great Debate -- Carnival And Revolution : Mexico City's Earthquake -- The City Transfigured : New York In Grief And Glory -- New Orleans : Common Grounds And Killers -- The Doorway In The Ruins. Rebecca Solnit. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [321]-345) And Index. Explores the phenomenon through which people become resourceful and altruistic after a disaster and communities reflect a shared sense of purpose, analyzing events ranging from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to Hurricane Katrina.