The Book of Calamities: Five Questions about Suffering and Its Meaning

I am SO glad I read this book. Despite my initial hesitations (just wasn't eager to read about suffering), once I committed myself to the book, I couldn't put it down. Peter Trachtenberg does an excellent job of summarizing intelligent related work I would like to read directly but probably never will (Epic of Gilgamesh, Book of Job, Simone Weil)and interwtining it with engrossing narratives of people making sense of their own suffering. The author adroitly weaves these strands together leading the reader through important questions and answers without being intrusive. I plan to read it again ( & some parts again & again as they will continue to intrigue me). I recommend it for thoughtful reading on universally relevant topics.

I just attended a reading by Peter Trachtenberg, of the last chapter of this book, and it was breathtaking-- so compelling and smart and sensitive. The writing is superb and so interesting.

i could not put this book down. it proved novel and enlightening in so many ways. it is an exciting exploration of human suffering and god's place in the world. Trachtenberg is a tremendous writer and thinker and i can't wait for additional writings.

The Book of Calamities is collection of stories demonstrating suffering and the way people react. The stories range from governmental, natural phenomenon, terrorist attacks to ancient events and Biblical accounts. Different cultures and individuals face tragedy in different ways. Peter Trachtenberg shows the mistaken belief of much of the world concerning Americans. "Why do so many Americans think of suffering as something that happens to other people--who usually deserve it?" He shows Americans facing suffering head on and growing stronger from it. In the midst of suffering and tragedy, it is only natural to search for answers. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen to bad people? Why do bad things happen? How do we continue? Where do we go from here? Trachtenberg is to be commended on his tasteful approach to this tough topic.

When they tell us the so-called Facts of Life, the inevitability of suffering is often left out. This is a dazzling, erudite, unstintingly humane look at how we suffer, an intimate tour of the dark planet that takes us from the body's failures to government breakdown. What particuarly strikes me is that it is written with such love of humanity that, despite its subject, The Book of Calamities (BOC in my house) becomes oddly comforting.