World Made by Hand Audiobook

" I originally wanted to give this novel a four-star review as it was a well-written and engaging book. I wanted to like this book more than I do. It's a dystopian novel set in the not so distant future where society and modern technology have fallen apart leaving the survivors left to rebuild a new world. That's the kind of stuff my favorite novels are made of! But Kuntsler presents us with a world where gender roles revert back to the dark ages without so much as a whimper from women or an explanation why. Seriously? Am I, the reader, just supposed to accept that women who were successful leaders and equal community members suddenly have no problem serving only as the cooks, maids, and caretakers for men? Oh, and these formerly independent women are seemingly satisfied with fulfilling the sexual needs of these men regardless of age or attractiveness? I don't think so, Kunstler. Nice attempt, but what could have been a great book (you are a talented writer which is why I gave this three stars) examining how a society rebuilds itself when all of its conveniences are gone ended up reading like some bitter, middle-aged man's fantasy of once again being king of the hill. Ugh. "

" I occasionally like reading Kunstler's OpEd's and gave this a try. Pretty decent, but he's not really what I'd call an accomplished novelist. "

" It's a scary world after the bomb is dropped, flu takes thousands, no medicine. Houses are scavenged for usable materials. I sure hope we don't end up like this! "

" Got this as a birthday gift last year. Thought it was so great had to read more Kunstler. A realistic view of what we may face. "

" Though this book was long on dialogue and short on character development, I did end up enjoying it despite myself. Bits of it were clever, but there were certain scenes that seemed out of place, unless a sequel is forthcoming. For instance, when the New Faithers come to the community and buy the local high school building, Robert is given a tour by Brother Jobe (leader of the New Faith community). He is allowed to meet...what the heck did they call her...Great Mother (Mary Beth Ivanhoe)? Who appears to be a grossly obese psychic woman - the queen bee of their "hive." The encounter is weird and disturbing - even the mention of the "hive" and building of "cells" seems to hint at foreshadowing, but nothing eve comes of it. Then, when Robert and Loren go to the trailer park to formally arrest Wayne Karp, Loren is subjected to the worst torture, but Robert escapes with only a bucket of outhouse slops poured over his head. This seems at odds with the mood of the Karp crowd and Wayne himself. Not believable. "

" Very interesting concept of life after destruction of the American economy. Life reverts back to the way it was before technology. "

" Overall, I think life post-peak-oil-collapse would be very much like this in terms of the losses of things that people are used to. Other aspects of the book were extremely unrealistic and I didn't like the depictions of women. "

" Very trippy book and so interesting. Its an account of what it would be like to be living in a post-apocalyptic US town with no outside communication, no power or fuel, and the way people must adapt to survive. Makes you think. "

" Great book on a dystopian future. "

" So far I like it. It's about the world in the not-so-distant future. There are no cars or machines. There is rare, spotty electricity. "

" This book gives you so much to think about. Luckily the dentist still had his job after the world changed. "

" Very well written and interesting. That said, several points felt unresolved, and some elements felt placed for future books to resolve. This tacked-on aspect took away from the story's pace. "

" A light easy read. I can't wait for the sequel. "

" What happens when the oil wells run dry? It's not The Road but it's still pretty bleak picture. This doesn't have the most well-developed story or characters, but a real glimpse into the details of a postapocalyptic world. "

" This was an interesting post modern world book, similar to Alas Babylon, which is one of my favorites. In this book, it has been some years since the occurrence that sets the world back, and you can see the different ways of coping. "

" I loved this book. So applicable to today's world. I plan to read everything this author has written. "

" Dan and I read this together about two years ago, and I've thought about it time and time again. I loved the premise and I think we would do great in a world like that because my husband is so darn handy! "

" Very interesting concept of life after destruction of the American economy. Life reverts back to the way it was before technology. "

" Great work of fiction...not so far off from the future that could happen...the follow-up isn't quite as good. "

" An interesting post apocalyptic novel set in washington County NY. "