Ships from: Lansing, KS
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
The title of this book is Reinventing Collapse, and I have to say that's exactly what this book manages to do. It's a short book, so you could reqad it in just a few hours, but it is packed with information and "make you think" moments. Orlov's unique perpsective on American life engages the reader and opens your eyes to what life in America is like to an outsider.
Without a doubt the most useful aspect of this book are the details of what the situation was like in Russia after their political collapse. This book is a tutorial on how the reader might modify thier life in the future if (or when) America collapses.
Reviewed by Matt Mayer - Groovy Green
In the waning days of the American empire, we find ourselves mired in political crisis, with our foreign policy coming under sharp criticism and our economy in steep decline. These trends mirror the experience of the Soviet Union in the early 1980s. Reinventing Collapse examines the circumstances of the demise of the Soviet superpower and offers clear insights into how we might prepare for coming events.
Rather than focusing on doom and gloom, Reinventing Collapse suggests that there is room for optimism if we focus our efforts on personal and cultural transformation. With characteristic dry humor, Dmitry Orlov identifies three progressive stages of response to the looming crisis:
He argues that by examining maladaptive parts of our common cultural baggage, we can survive, thrive, and discover more meaningful and fulfilling lives, in spite of steadily deteriorating circumstances.
This challenging yet inspiring work is a must-read for anyone concerned about energy, geopolitics, international relations, and life in a post-Peak Oil world.
Dmitry Orlov was born in Leningrad and immigrated to the United States at the age of twelve. He was an eyewitness to the Soviet collapse over several extended visits to his Russian homeland between the late eighties and mid-nineties. He is an engineer and a leading Peak Oil theorist whose writing is featured on such sites as www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net and www.powerswitch.org.uk.
Anonymous
Posted December 6, 2011
This is an engaging and strangely humorous book that compares the Soviet economic collapse of the early 90's with current conditions in the United States today. This book has more wit and is an easier read than related Peak Oil statistic-laden tomes, such as the works by Deffeyes or Simmons. This is an affordable book in the paperback, and very much worth it, even if you've already "read everything" about the coming energy crisis.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Orlov's descriptions are not exaggerated, and, in fact, you can feel a little bit better about the prospects of an America very much reduced in standing on the world stage. What are your memories of the decline of the USSR? Beyond the photo-ops of the "bring down this wall" speeches, the passing of the Soviets was as routine as the passing of all empires. Why would it be any different for EmpireUSA? We need not envision Rome in flames, but rather a renewed focus upon locality. As top down control loses its grip, people step-up to the plate at the community level. It's really not that bad a deal. Sure, it's a temporary upheaval, but it may be inevitable...only time will tell.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 14, 2013
This book is an obviously pretentious attempt to make money from the Soviet collapse, in a cheap manner.
This author provides nothing new, only re-hashed general knowledge, while playing off the fears and paranoia’s of Americans to try to make a buck.
Not worth that buck....
Anonymous
Posted February 13, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 27, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 24, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 25, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
The title of this book is Reinventing Collapse, and I have to say that's exactly what this book manages to do. It's a short book, so you could reqad it in just a few hours, but it is packed with information and "make you think" moments. Orlov's unique perpsective on American life engages the reader and opens your eyes to what life in America is like to an outsider.
Without a doubt the most useful aspect of this book are the details of what the situation was like in Russia ...