The line between punishment and torture can be thin; but the entire world agreed it was crossed at Abu Ghraib. Or was it? George W. Bush emerged from the scandal relatively unscathed; winning a second term months later; only a few low-ranking soldiers involved in the crimes were prosecuted; and the issue went almost entirely unmentioned during the mid-term elections in 2006. Where was the public outcry? Why was the American public largely unmoved by the images of torture and humiliation? Stephen F. Eisenman posits an unsettling explanation; which is rooted in the character of the Abu Ghraib photographs themselves.Eisenman argues that the complex of violent and sexual motifs found in the photographs constitutes the lsquo;Abu Ghraib effectrsquo;; an instance of a longstanding Western lsquo;pathos formularsquo;; whereby victims are shown taking pleasure in their own chastisement and pain. The cruel formula is widespread in the history of art and visual culture from Hellenistic Greece to modern times; and generally serves as an instrument of imperialist self-justification and racist violence. But Eisenman also argues that it has not gone unchallenged. Artists from Hogarth and Goya to Picasso and Leon Golub; as well as other dissidents; have worked assiduously to undermine this vicious tradition of torture images.By identifying the pathos formula at work in the Abu Ghraib images; and by explaining how this insidious form of visual propaganda has been resisted; Eisenman points the way towards a more effective use of political images in the war against the war on terror. A subtle; yet uncompromising analysis of the iconic photoshy;graphs of torture from the prison at Abu Ghraib.
#1138496 in eBooks 2012-06-01 2012-06-01File Name: B0081RLG0W
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Word Nerds UniteBy Branden JohnsonIm a word nerd. I mostly wanted to start out this review that way because it rhymes. However. it does help explain why the subject matter of this book appeals so much to me. Theres just something about quotation marks. and their rampant misuse. that makes me laugh. The pictures throughout the book are excellent examples of well-meaning people trying and failing to communicate. but the real treat is the commentary provided by the author. Snark is doled out efficiently and with no malice. It never feels like were laughing AT the writers of these signs and notices. More like were laughing NEAR them. and hoping theyll see us laughing and decide to laugh along with us.Well deserving of a place on your bookshelf or coffee table.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A quick funny read. Got a coffee table? Get this book.By Happy MonkeyThis book is not very long and easily finished in one sitting. But if you have a basic understanding of English grammar youll laugh a little at the mistakes themselves but laugh a lot of the inspired literal interpretations.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The captions by the author are the best.By Caring ConceptsA really cute book for a coffee table. I gave it to my boyfriend for part of his birthday present and we laughed at a lot of them. The captions by the author are the best.
