Reception and Program featuring Rebecca Solnit, author of A Paradise Built in Hell.

First in a series called "Searching for Democracy" sponsored by the Long Beach Public Library, will be Rebecca Solnit, author of A Paradise Built in Hell, of whom The New York Times says, “Rebecca Solnit is the kind of rugged, off-road public intellectual America doesn’t produce often enough.”

After experiencing the 1989 Loma Prieta (San Francisco) earthquake, Solnit observed a creative resurgence of social order, including kindness and thoughtfulness among strangers, which led her to examine other massive disasters and survivors.  Because Long Beach has survived some similar disasters, including the devastating 1933 Earthquake, her book provides a template for discussion: “What sort of society would we have when even the government is crippled by a massive disaster?” 

Drawing on the chaos following Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 attacks, Solnit posits that such events can bring out our best behavior and feelings. Our founding fathers no doubt counted on this collective character trait when determining that Democracy was their government of choice.

Solnit will speak Monday, April 23, at the Bixby Knolls Expo Center, 4321 Atlantic Avenue. Reception at 6:00 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m.