First published in 2003 and now in paperback, Susan Sontag's slim volume examines the history of media's presentation of wartime horrors on humanity. From pre-photograph newspaper descriptions of wars' physical atrocities to the modern broadcast news-censored feeds we now receive on CNN, the book brims with examples of how the media opts to present wartime suffering to the public.
"Regarding the Pain of Others" handles its topic in a nearly objective fashion, which makes the book much more important than an opinionated view on the publication of gruesome images. Nearly each page includes a new example of some past media portrayal of a battle, war or atrocity.
The book also addresses the concerns many have with images of pain and violence, be they in the name of information or in the name of entertainment.
Does too much exposure to horrific imagery desensitize the viewer, or will images of other humans in pain always cause a sympathetic response? Sontag opts on the side of human decency, but accedes that the current onslaught of violent images in media cannot serve to soften the public's reactions to such images.
Without laying blame, Sontag does question the media's reliance on shocking visuals to keep the public's interest. She also addresses the public's complacency in being wooed with morbid images of others' suffering.
It seems it's human nature to be keenly intrigued by the grotesque. However, have we become inured to the suffering of others? Even slightly? Sontag's book states, "This seems normal, that is, adaptive. As one can become habituated to horror in real life, one can become habituated to the horror of certain images."
Sontag made an interesting choice in not supplementing her commentary with visual examples of the photographs, lithographs, paintings, etc., which she discusses within the test. The lack of visual aid is important in forcing the reader to mind the book's literal contents. Still, I couldn't help but yearn for visual aid during some of Sontag's longer discussions on certain specific photographs. No amount of description could bring to mind an exact image being discussed, and the distraction of knowing I was missing out was occasionally irritating.
Sontag's writing is eloquent. She presents her subject matter with very little in the way of personal aside. Instead, the book relies on its fascinating information and abundance of historical examples to grab the reader. At only 126 pages, "Regarding the Pain of Others" is little more than a long essay. But, within those pages, the book manages to raise questions of morality, conscience and social responsibility.
Bottom line: definitely worth the three hours it takes to read cover to cover. Hopefully you'll spend more time pondering the message and questions raised than you will reading the book.