Stone walls; concrete walls; chain-link walls; border walls: we live in a world of walls. Walls mark sacred space and embody earthly power. They maintain peace and cause war. They enforce separation and create unity. They express identity and build community. Yard to nation; city to self; walls define and dissect our lives. And; for Thomas Oles; it is time to broaden our ideas of what they can—and must—do. In Walls; Oles shows how our minds and our politics are shaped by–and shape–our divisions in the landscape. He traces the rich array of practices and meanings connected to the making and marking of boundaries across history and prehistory; and he describes how these practices have declined in recent centuries. The consequence; he argues; is all around us in the contemporary landscape; riven by walls shoddy in material and mean in spirit. Yet even today; Oles demonstrates; every wall remains potentially an opening; a stage; that critical place in the landscape where people present themselves and define their obligations to one another. In an evocative epilogue; Oles brings to life a society of productive; intentional; and ethical enclosure—one that will leave readers more hopeful about the divided landscapes of the future.
#2781783 in eBooks 2014-12-26 2014-11-28File Name: B00QSW9RSA
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Wow.By KerryDuran Duran was - and still is - my favorite band of all time; so of course I was interested in reading a book about my favorite band member. Wow. What we make up and believe happens "behind the scenes" when you are a young teenager is so not reality. John Taylors account of his childhood years; then taking the reader through the bands beginnings; through the bands success and fame; to where he is today - all through his eyes - is absolutely wonderful. He writes with such courage; selflessness; down-to-earth raw candor that I have an entirely new type of respect for him (and the rest of the band). I truly appreciate him for writing his story and the powerful message it could bring to those "up and coming" today in the music/entertainment industry today. His words offer inspiration; hope; and of what it takes to be successful - hard work. Thank you; John; for writing your story ... I appreciate and respect you even more now at "40 something" years than I ever have. May you and your family continue to have peace and joy in your life.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Entertaining; insightful; well done. So he is human; after all!By KristinsKindleAs a teen in the 80s; I was "in love" with John Taylor and pretty much most of the band as most young girls were. I never knew about his battles and looking back; it amazes me at all that happened but how well the publicity managers did their jobs. Its hard to imagine how he could have made it through so much; and at times; I found myself asking; "how is he even still here?" Thankfully...he is and sometimes you just know that things happen for a reason that we cannot begin to understand yet our lives play out day by day to the tune of a play written out long before we drew a first breath. Yes; JT; you are right where you are meant to be and thanks for sharing your story so honestly and openly. It helps the teen in me who drove 5hrs to see your final 2016 US date in Durant realize that yes; he and the guys are human. There are songs on Paper Gods that speak to me; especially Pressure Off as I deal with my moms third battle with a rare form of cancer that we know; ultimately; will win the war in this life; but not the next. Thanks for helping me through my own battles; and for always being there when I turn on my playlist.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Life time Duran Duran fan.By Tricia JohnstonI was and still am a HUGE Duran Fan. I really enjoyed knowing more about John Taylor. And what fame and success can do to ones life. Good and the bad. I highly recommend this and Andy Taylors book as well.
