CCBC-Net Archives
coming of age books
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Don Bolognese <don>
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 18:15:14 -0500
I wrote THE WARHORSE (Simon & Schuster) over the winter of 2000 - 2001. I considered it then to be in the tradition of "coming of age" stories that test a young person's readiness for the challenges of adulthood; and I saw the decisions of the two central characters as suited to their time and circumstance. Since the book's publication, however, the world has taken a turn that underscores the timelessness of their situation. The fates of our communities are as interconnected as were those of the small city states of 15th century Renaissance Italy. And it is not a state that suffers; it is each and every human being, young and old, that suffers. Then, as now, words words like "bravery" and
"courage" and "patriotism" were used by those in power to coerce the populace into enduring and inflicting the horrors of war. Young people around the world are being asked to participate in senseless bloodshed for - take your pick - their country, their god or their cause. They are told that their efforts will instantly confer upon them the status of patriot, martyr or hero. There is no suggestion that there may be a viable alternative to war; there is no Martin Luther King Jr. to passionately invoke the image of the courageous non-violent peacemaker. Young people are left to fend for themselves. Efforts to find peaceful solutions are nearly nonexistent, or, if voiced, labeled as "treason". Young people deserve better. A full, broad?sed, international public debate would be constructive and empowering, but the likelihood of that is slim. But we must start somewhere and I offer two books that were formative in my youth and are, tragically, still relevant today. They should be on every high school reading list: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT by Erich Maria Remarque and THUCYDIDES' HISTORY OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR. Together these two books expose the futility and folly of war, from the senseless loss of one young man to the infectious insanity of politicians caught in the grip of hubris and greed. Peace, Don Bolognese Author/Artist www.thewarhorse.com
On Thursday, November 20, 2003, at 04:48 AM, Erzsi Deak wrote:
coming
are Writing
girl reflecting
all
Received on Mon 24 Nov 2003 05:15:14 PM CST
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 18:15:14 -0500
I wrote THE WARHORSE (Simon & Schuster) over the winter of 2000 - 2001. I considered it then to be in the tradition of "coming of age" stories that test a young person's readiness for the challenges of adulthood; and I saw the decisions of the two central characters as suited to their time and circumstance. Since the book's publication, however, the world has taken a turn that underscores the timelessness of their situation. The fates of our communities are as interconnected as were those of the small city states of 15th century Renaissance Italy. And it is not a state that suffers; it is each and every human being, young and old, that suffers. Then, as now, words words like "bravery" and
"courage" and "patriotism" were used by those in power to coerce the populace into enduring and inflicting the horrors of war. Young people around the world are being asked to participate in senseless bloodshed for - take your pick - their country, their god or their cause. They are told that their efforts will instantly confer upon them the status of patriot, martyr or hero. There is no suggestion that there may be a viable alternative to war; there is no Martin Luther King Jr. to passionately invoke the image of the courageous non-violent peacemaker. Young people are left to fend for themselves. Efforts to find peaceful solutions are nearly nonexistent, or, if voiced, labeled as "treason". Young people deserve better. A full, broad?sed, international public debate would be constructive and empowering, but the likelihood of that is slim. But we must start somewhere and I offer two books that were formative in my youth and are, tragically, still relevant today. They should be on every high school reading list: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT by Erich Maria Remarque and THUCYDIDES' HISTORY OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR. Together these two books expose the futility and folly of war, from the senseless loss of one young man to the infectious insanity of politicians caught in the grip of hubris and greed. Peace, Don Bolognese Author/Artist www.thewarhorse.com
On Thursday, November 20, 2003, at 04:48 AM, Erzsi Deak wrote:
coming
are Writing
girl reflecting
all
Received on Mon 24 Nov 2003 05:15:14 PM CST
