The Book Vipers discussion

The discussion thread is now open. Spoilers are allowed on this thread. Don't read on if you haven't finished the book. Can you also unclick the 'Add to my update feed' people don't see your comments in their home screen. Things to consider:

1. Did you like the book?
2. Do you think that the author covers the subject adequately?
3. Do you like the tone and language of the book?
4. Was there any part of the book that was important or significant to you?
5. Have you learnt anything from the book?
6. Has reading this encouraged you to look for other books on the subject?

Although it's early, I've just finished reading this one as it was a library book that had to go back. I enjoyed it, although it is pretty lightweight and doesn't scratch the surface of the issues raised by Ronson. But it does encourage you to think about them.
I was particularly struck by Lindsey Stone's case, she didn't mean to disrespect the dead soldiers at Arlington cemetery but of course it could easily have been misconstrued and it was.
There are a huge amount of tasteless jokes that don't receive condemnation. You may even pass some on yourself (as I know I have). In addition there are those jokes you may not even think would cause offence but there is bound to be someone who will take offence, I can only feel there but for the grace of God go I.
Rated it 4 stars, review to follow.

1. Did you like the book? Yes
2. Do you think that the author covers the subject adequately? I think he did considering what a small book it was.
3. Do you like the tone and language of the book? yes
4. Was there any part of the book that was important or significant to you? no
5. Have you learnt anything from the book? Yes, be aware of what you post online!
6. Has reading this encouraged you to look for other books on the subject? Yes

Catherine wrote: There are a huge amount of tasteless jokes that don't receive condemnation. You may even pass some on yourself (as I know I have). In addition there are those jokes you may not even think would cause offence but there is bound to be someone who will take offence"

I agree Catherine, I myself said something last week in a supermarket in jokey frustration with my great aunt about her age, it was an innocent bit of banter that I said a bit louder than I should have. Behind her in the queue were two other people who I found out to be the same age, luckily they didn't take offence and we all had a bit of a laugh about it. But had I been like the two computer tech men in this book at the conference and overheard by someone who did take offence, I guess I could have been in a trouble over ageism. Even worse had I Tweeted or posted on Facebook, it would stay with me forever as 'the person who is rude to the elderly.'

I have given thought to that incident by reading this book and I can say, I do feel a touch of shame for voicing something I should have, in this modern day and age given more thought to. After all I would never say anything racist or derogatory to other cultures, the less able bodied or any other people, so I need to think about the elderly in that same way. After all, if I am lucky enough I will be one of them at some point!

Compassion is something I think this book highlighted for me. The lack of it. It is so easy nowadays to sit on high as a judge and jury over anything we read on the internet. We don't generally get the full, or accurate story but as a body of people we decide who is and who isn't guilty before there has been a trial. It is scary, so I hope that if anything, by reading this book, people will think about what they post on line and read it before pressing that 'send' button.

Really enjoyed this one. Ronson has a very readable, easy style and is particularly good at dialogue and the sort of layman's analysis made popular by Louis Theroux etc too. This isn't one of his more revealing books but it is a very relevant, timely topic and is very thoughtfully presented. It's genuinely fascinating on the history of shaming and he has achieved quite a feat in getting his subjects to talk to him when they were probably loath to bring it all up again. As Saffron says, compassion and the lack thereof is what you take away from the book and it certainly made me rethink some issues around what we put out about ourselves on social media.

Just starting this one now.
I have high hopes, as I have enjoyed all his other books and love his humour.

I do like Ronson books. He has a way of getting under the skin of a subject and to the very essence of what is going on. He is not a brash overbearing character, so he manages to draw out of people more than you would normally get.

I think that the thing that I would most take from this is that you need to think very hard before posting anything online. Even if you think that it is private, then there is a high chance it could go public, then there is an equally high chance that it could go public, and you could be thrown to the lions.

It was a quick read, but had about the right amount of depth. Did make for uncomfortable reading at times. My review is here

Agree with everything you say, Paul. He is brilliant at reporting conversations, the nuances of people's reactions and speech patterns as they talk.

And did you hear his voice when reading at times?

Paul wrote: "I do like Ronson books. He has a way of getting under the skin of a subject and to the very essence of what is going on. He is not a brash overbearing character, so he manages to draw out of people..."

Totally agree with your thoughts on this. He does have a way with people in bringing out the humanity behind a story.

Lisa wrote: "Agree with everything you say, Paul. He is brilliant at reporting conversations, the nuances of people's reactions and speech patterns as they talk.

And did you hear his voice when reading at times?"

Thanks Lisa. I heard those distinct tones all the way through