"This is Burning Man"

affinity · Post by **affinity** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 7:44 am

I just finished "This is Burning Man" by Brian Doherty and I loved it. I have heard complaints that it doesn't include the powerful BM women and that some of the anecdotes are fluffed up to make it more interesting, but I still loved it. It seems to accurately reflect the people that I have met, it is charming, entertaining, it speaks eloquently to the excitement and gift of collaboration, drama and sometimes pain of creating large art in a harsh environment, of the grizzled DPW and the sometimes isolation and joy of both building the city and picking up trash after everyone is gone (even as I write) and the making of community around service together that I think most of us have experienced. It explores the past, present and possible future, what it all might mean and above all and explores the mystery of the appeal of BM. I say WELL DONE!!!

thinkcooper · Post by **thinkcooper** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 11:25 am

I heard that Brian attempted to do a cover to cover reading of the book this year, but with all the dust and whiteouts, Flash ended up stopping him for sanity's sake.

I agree, the book is a great post playa read. Along with constantly looking for galleries of images and reading threads here, "this is burningman" helped me wean off the dusti-headedness.

orangepeelmoses · Post by **orangepeelmoses** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 12:01 pm

out of curiosity,
where did you pick up the book?

opm

thinkcooper · Post by **thinkcooper** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 4:15 pm

Borders in Santa Cruz had it on the shelf. They have a book search kiosjk system that'll find if they have a ttile in stock and then tell you where in the store it's located. "This is Burningman" was shelved in Sociology.

I'm pretty sure our two independants carry it as well.

PetsUntilEaten · Post by **PetsUntilEaten** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 7:20 pm

Yes I agree. I posted my comments in this thread:

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... c&start=15

I did go out for Brian's reading. We have pictures - it's ridiculous. His face is wind & dust chafted, red eyes, reading using pen light & a small amp & mic. Thank God he was stopped. He did about four hours or so I think - maybe more.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 9:35 pm

You can go to the Borders website and see if they have it in stock at a local store, and even have it held for you if it's in.

I'm about halfway thought the book (I literally just got to the section that starts after the picture insert) and while I'm really enjoying the read, I'm a little bit miffed and concerned about the minimal (I think I've read maybe three sentences so far) refences to the leave no trace philosphy. I'm hoping there will be more than a passing mention of it later. (But don't tell me 'cause I don't want to spoil the ending : )

Brian Doherty · Post by **Brian Doherty** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 10:38 pm

Howdy, I'm the author of this here book being discussed. Ivy, I don't want to ruin anything for you, but look at the title of chapter 11 and perhaps your mind will be eased.

I'm very gratified to hear people are enjoying the book. Yes, it's true, after reaching page 114 in my read-it-all-out-loud-at-once death march, begun around 9 pm on Tuesday night, Flash advised me that I was harming myself needlessly, and I packed it in. I suppose it was the right thing to do, though I'm still a bit mad at myself for not soldiering on. I still don't know if it would have been physically possible--people warned me my throat would just seize up at a certain point. It felt like it was getting pretty close.

Thanks to everyone who stopped buy, massaged me, said kind words, brought warm clothes. I love Black Rock City.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 7:07 am

Goddamnit, I said don't ruin it for me!

thinkcooper · Post by **thinkcooper** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 8:01 am

Brian, did you have a chance to see the Mousetrap in full action over the weekend? Perez and team have it down now, and Jason, his eloquent empresario has revived gobs of citchy circus-speak to accompany the trap's drop. It was great entertainment. We were hanging out at a party Sarturday with Das Mann, Gadekin, Dave X, a bunch of the Lotus Girls, and all headed down to Headless Point for the event.

Perez seems delighted to hear from folks that saw the trap on the playa in '96 and can now actually see it work. Maybe I'm projecting my experience - It's worth setting aside a night to check out. They may not be dropping it again until Halloween.

Thanks again for the great book!

PetsUntilEaten · Post by **PetsUntilEaten** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 8:21 am

AW - It's just like people with one post to say something and then wander off . . .

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 8:42 pm

I gotta say, I just finshed chapter 11 ("leave No Trace") and I'm a little disappointed. I think it might have been more appropriately titled "The DPW Clean Up Crew."

Don't get me wrong, I got nothing against DPW clean up crew. But I was really curious as to when the such strong ethic of LNT started in regards to burning man, how it evolved over the years of the event, how averge attendees--not just the DPW--handled LNT, as well as artists with large installations. Why do we leave nothing? When did the practice start? Were all thsoe people out there in the 90's blowing shit up and firing guns out there picking up their burnt shrapnel and shells? How does it tie in with the "philosphy" (for alack of a better word) of the temporary nature of BM? Etc.

I guess I expected more than just a cursory summary of the LNT policy and what the DPW does after the event is over--but I suppose that's what I get for having expectations. : )

PetsUntilEaten · Post by **PetsUntilEaten** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 3:45 pm

Ivy -

Perhaps it will warm your heart - at least to Brian - if I tell you that he kept the Center Camp Cafe from opening on Monday for quite a while by putting up caution tape & telling people they were still under construction.

- K./Pets.

mowgli · Post by **mowgli** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 1:49 pm

Thanks Brian. Your book is really fueling this new obsession. There's alot of amazement and inspiration in those pages.

birdbrain · Post by **birdbrain** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 1:54 pm

affinity

Good to hear about the book. And if you are the Affinity of Billion Bunny, I salute you and your people for a great camp, great fun, and your generosity.

I still salute you even if you're not!

birdbrain

gibbon · Post by **gibbon** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 2:32 pm

Ivy wrote:I gotta say, I just finshed chapter 11 ("leave No Trace") and I'm a little disappointed. I think it might have been more appropriately titled "The DPW Clean Up Crew."

Don't get me wrong, I got nothing against DPW clean up crew. But I was really curious as to when the such strong ethic of LNT started in regards to burning man, how it evolved over the years of the event, how averge attendees--not just the DPW--handled LNT, as well as artists with large installations. Why do we leave nothing? When did the practice start? Were all thsoe people out there in the 90's blowing shit up and firing guns out there picking up their burnt shrapnel and shells? How does it tie in with the "philosphy" (for alack of a better word) of the temporary nature of BM? Etc.

I guess I expected more than just a cursory summary of the LNT policy and what the DPW does after the event is over--but I suppose that's what I get for having expectations. : )

I think that you can finger Michael J. Bilbo (formerly of the BLM Winnemucca Field Office) for burningmans LNT policy. You might also finger him as the BLM ranger most responsible for letting burningman happen in the first place.

PetsUntilEaten · Post by **PetsUntilEaten** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 3:00 pm

(In Los Angeles tonight)

Bookstore reading and signing this coming Sunday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Skylight Books in Los Feliz neighborhood. 1818 North Vermont Ave, slightly north of Hollywood Blvd. and slightly South of Franklin.

arthur · Post by **arthur** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:22 am

I must admit I haven't seen Brian Doherty's new book but I read a review which stated that it almost totally ignores the contribution that gay men and women have made to the Burning Man Festival. If this is true, I find it puzzling. Aren't gays worth celebrating?

playasnake · Post by **playasnake** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:55 am

arthur wrote:I must admit I haven't seen Brian Doherty's new book but I read a review which stated that it almost totally ignores the contribution that gay men and women have made to the Burning Man Festival. If this is true, I find it puzzling. Aren't gays worth celebrating?

dude, read the fucking book, then come back.

you sound like a republican.

"This is Burning Man"

"This is Burning Man"

this is burning man

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