|
The question asked by PostGlobal editors this week stems from “Are we Rome?”, Cullen Murphy’s book comparing the United States to the Roman empire. Anyone who reads Murphy’s powerful book will have a long list of examples in which America does indeed resemble Rome: an over-stretched military, increasing mistrust of government, fear of immigrants, even America’s obsession with celebrities (Paris Hilton would fit right in among the decadent Roman elite).
This summer, I have decided to go back to my late adolescence and read some horror literature (what better way to deal with terrorism that to read about ghosts and demons while walking down Broadway?). A friend of mine recommended a couple of books that I have just finished reading: "A Heart Shaped Box" by Joe Hill, and "A Good and Happy Child" by Justin Evans. My rule with scary books (and films) has always been this: if they can give me one good scare -- one adrenaline sting, one good, old-fashioned hair rising – they've made the grade.
Comments (93)