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Forbidden Conversations
This book contains a series of conversations, rendered in the form of a dialogue, between three friends on topics which Americans are actively prevented from discussing, except perhaps in private, behind closed doors. The prevention of these discussions is destructive both to American social discourse and to the future of our democracy. Dialogues are not plays. They are an ancient and venerable pedagogical technique for introducing controversial or difficult subjects, and have been used to great effect by well known philosophers. Easier to read than essays, dialogues should not be confused with the sort of conversations one finds in novels or movies. George Berkeley skillfully used the dialogue format to introduce his radical form of idealism: the notion that everything that exists depends upon minds for that very existence. In 1632, the great Galileo famously used a dialogue to argue for the heliocentric theory of the solar system. His book 'Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems' was so powerful and controversial that Galileo was convicted of heresy by the Catholic Inquisition. Though the topics of the conversations recorded herein are themselves quite controversial, the fact that they are now in your hands is due to something even more controversial: one of the participants of these conversations died in an effort to bring them to the reading public. Whether that death and its accompanying violence were worth it we will leave to the reader to decide.
132 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2013
About the author
Tara Fox Hall
74 books451 followersTara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She also coauthored the essay “The Allure of the Serial Killer,” published in Serial Killers - Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Her first full-length action-adventure novel, Lash, published in April 2012. Her vampire series begins in June 2012, with the 1st novel Promise Me. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 1, 2013
Freedom to speak is right and a privilege that is greatly taken for granted in North America. We protect it fiercely, encourage it in other parts of the world where voices are silenced to protect greater agendas, and embrace it as a birthright fought for and won by our foreparents. And yet...there are still certain topics that are universally considered taboo, some issues that are difficult to discuss, ground where we fear to tread in our social talk.
That's where Forbidden Conversations comes in.
We're invited to listen in as a few ordinary Americans discuss some very hot-button issues, outside of academia and television, and encouraged to consider all sides of relevant issues. It's not without risks, which the characters appreciate and accept, eventually riling up other eavesdroppers to their peril. It very well might inflame the reader as well.
Dare to read Forbidden Conversations, and you are challenging yourself to rethink the world you know with fresh eyes.
That's where Forbidden Conversations comes in.
We're invited to listen in as a few ordinary Americans discuss some very hot-button issues, outside of academia and television, and encouraged to consider all sides of relevant issues. It's not without risks, which the characters appreciate and accept, eventually riling up other eavesdroppers to their peril. It very well might inflame the reader as well.
Dare to read Forbidden Conversations, and you are challenging yourself to rethink the world you know with fresh eyes.
July 7, 2013
FORBIDDEN CONVERSATIONS by Eric Dietrich and Tara Fox Hall takes us with Raquel, Shannon, and Sophia to coffee shops, traditionally used as places of open political discussion in the past, where in private conversation they discuss topics that should be discussed in public forums but are not. The conversations range from suicide, assisted suicide, rape, death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, religion, medical breakthroughs, overpopulation, justice, education, politicians and more. Other patrons eavesdrop on their conversation, put their closed minded thoughts in, and the three are given the boot from these coffee shops. When did it become wrong to state an opinion in a private conversation? When did the rights of the individual become lost in the political rhetoric of the day? Our Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves.
This provocative book made me think. Each topic talked of is too hot to be spoken of in the public forum. People are so polarized on these topics that to speak of them makes you “un-American” and yet they need to be spoken about and debate needs to be started on them. With that debate needs to be people with open minds to see the other point-of-view and not shout the other side down which FORBIDDEN CONVERSTIONS shows how to do.
There is humor in the book so the dialogue does not bog the reader down by thinking of these topics as depressing. Both sides get to state their position (Raquel and Shannon) with a moderator (Sophia) getting clarification on some statements and reiterating others so the reader has an understanding of what has been spoken (trying to watch those prepositions at the end of sentences.) The current political climate has been taken into account and is stated. I appreciated the mention of books and articles through the dialogue so I could validate what was said during the conversation. Some them I have heard of or read; others are new to me. A wide range of topics are here. Much public dialogue needs to be done.
FORBIDDEN CONVERSATIONS is a timely book. It clearly states what needs to be fixed in the United States and gives ideas on how to make these topics the center of informed discussions, taking emotion out of it. We also need to look at the criteria we use to choose our leaders. I am definitely thinking where I stand on these topics, how I want my leaders to think about them, and where I can find information where I can make informed decisions without kneejerk reactions. This is only the tip of the iceberg. I shudder to think how nasty these debates will get if finally open debate is allowed in the public forum. Not since the Revolution of 1776 have topics been so politically explosive.
This provocative book made me think. Each topic talked of is too hot to be spoken of in the public forum. People are so polarized on these topics that to speak of them makes you “un-American” and yet they need to be spoken about and debate needs to be started on them. With that debate needs to be people with open minds to see the other point-of-view and not shout the other side down which FORBIDDEN CONVERSTIONS shows how to do.
There is humor in the book so the dialogue does not bog the reader down by thinking of these topics as depressing. Both sides get to state their position (Raquel and Shannon) with a moderator (Sophia) getting clarification on some statements and reiterating others so the reader has an understanding of what has been spoken (trying to watch those prepositions at the end of sentences.) The current political climate has been taken into account and is stated. I appreciated the mention of books and articles through the dialogue so I could validate what was said during the conversation. Some them I have heard of or read; others are new to me. A wide range of topics are here. Much public dialogue needs to be done.
FORBIDDEN CONVERSATIONS is a timely book. It clearly states what needs to be fixed in the United States and gives ideas on how to make these topics the center of informed discussions, taking emotion out of it. We also need to look at the criteria we use to choose our leaders. I am definitely thinking where I stand on these topics, how I want my leaders to think about them, and where I can find information where I can make informed decisions without kneejerk reactions. This is only the tip of the iceberg. I shudder to think how nasty these debates will get if finally open debate is allowed in the public forum. Not since the Revolution of 1776 have topics been so politically explosive.
September 11, 2013
Hott Synopsis:
Suicide, Euthanasia, Religion, Atheism, Diversity, Criminal Punishment, Government, War, Politics.
Hot button topics, right?
Forbidden from ‘polite conversation’?
Maybe, but how will you ever decide where you stand if you don’t work through the topic. Try “Forbidden Conversations” and see if you know yourself as well as you think you do!
Hott Review:
I KNOW these are some very touchy subjects and while I can’t say that I agreed with the turn of the conversations I have to say that I needed to read this book. This book brought me out of the small-town mindset that I have an challenged how I view and understand others and their feelings. It didn’t change my feelings or views but it was extremely enlightening.
Overall, this book confirmed my love for this country. I love living in the United States of America and although I do not believe that it’s perfect, I do believe that God watches over us and will continue to do so as long as we include Him in our decision-making.
What I liked: I liked that these friends were able to have these conversations and discuss openly their differences and views. It encouraged me that these people were willing to discuss such hot-button topics but I felt like they were pressuring the others to believe the same.
What I didn’t like: I felt that many of the examples were too sweeping. Not all Christians are radicals. Not all politicians are evil. Not all people with money are republicans. Not all religious people are hypocrites. & So on. It was quite discouraging to me that
More…
Author: Tara Fox Hall & Eric Dietrich
Source: PAGE TURNER BOOK TOURS
Grade: B
Steam: Adult
Suicide, Euthanasia, Religion, Atheism, Diversity, Criminal Punishment, Government, War, Politics.
Hot button topics, right?
Forbidden from ‘polite conversation’?
Maybe, but how will you ever decide where you stand if you don’t work through the topic. Try “Forbidden Conversations” and see if you know yourself as well as you think you do!
Hott Review:
I KNOW these are some very touchy subjects and while I can’t say that I agreed with the turn of the conversations I have to say that I needed to read this book. This book brought me out of the small-town mindset that I have an challenged how I view and understand others and their feelings. It didn’t change my feelings or views but it was extremely enlightening.
Overall, this book confirmed my love for this country. I love living in the United States of America and although I do not believe that it’s perfect, I do believe that God watches over us and will continue to do so as long as we include Him in our decision-making.
What I liked: I liked that these friends were able to have these conversations and discuss openly their differences and views. It encouraged me that these people were willing to discuss such hot-button topics but I felt like they were pressuring the others to believe the same.
What I didn’t like: I felt that many of the examples were too sweeping. Not all Christians are radicals. Not all politicians are evil. Not all people with money are republicans. Not all religious people are hypocrites. & So on. It was quite discouraging to me that
More…
Author: Tara Fox Hall & Eric Dietrich
Source: PAGE TURNER BOOK TOURS
Grade: B
Steam: Adult
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews