generation of vipers

so now i’m reading Philip Wylie’s GENERATION OF VIPERS which though not following a story line, it is following a theme. that theme being (and i quote):

“…that Americans have lost their moral sensibilities by living too objectively and with too little subjective awareness”

just as good as OPUS 21, even without following a “story.” i am still awed by how remarkably well these books fit these times. Wylie says in his preface that if you like it, then you should write him and let him know. i really wish i could!!!

i have a special war edition (WWII), with smaller print to conserve paper. i wonder what the regular size print was, ’cause small is still kind of big.

i would have quoted OPUS but that would have ended up being practically the entire book. but here’s a little nip from VIPERS:

“Man’s physical senses were extended enormously by science. The degree and the speed of that achievement are, indeed, the most common sources of our contemporary vanity; they form the whole preposterous case for the claim that we are civilized.”

there is much more too, but it’s best to read for yourself. slowly and with determination.