The Book : Coming of Age in Babylon (Finding Your Own Reality) by Doug De Bias
This is one of those books people throw at you. And yes, someone DID throw this
book at me. They said "read it and review it". So I obliged. This slim volume
claims to reveal "straight answers to: sex, drugs, your parents, your partners,
religion, politics, the rat race, metaphysics, and other stuff.". With chapters
like Masterbation & Morality, Homosexuality, and Feminine Facial Hair & Other
Imperfections, this book really tries to pitch itself as the answer to all the
ills of life. However, after reading a few chapters, I am only willing to
throw it into one of my already overflowing baskets of self help books that
claim to rid me of my miserable existence.
To be completely honest, I didn't read all the chapters in this book, so don't
blame me if genious lies in the chapters which I missed. The truth is, from
what I read, I could probably fill in the blanks for most of the rest of the
book. Most of what I thought was wrong with this book isn't really in the book
itself, but the reader. I don't see how any little instruction book can offer
cures or answers or even better insights to the problems of life. Basically,
"the self-help book" fails once again, as expected, because of one simple often
overlooked truth : things are easier said than done.
Mr. De Bias overlooked that truth. As well as the millions of self-help
readers. In the introduction, the author states that the book is aimed at
a target audience of "coming of agers".. those around the ages of 18-25,
who are open to life's possibilities. Indeed, the material in the book is
frank, open, and conversational. It offers advice that sounds more like a dying
hippy's last words to his rebellious teenager. Many so-called "answers" to
different aspects of life are uttered in these pages, but the puzzling thing to
me is how somebody can actually claim these as "answers". The answer to "drugs,
sex, religion" etc. may be different to different people. Ultimately, this
advice is tinted with bias (no pun intended). Different people possess
different answers to these questions; it's all part of the human experience.
Another human being can not solve these life problems for you. You must
ultimately find out your own.
De Bias's words may actually be good advice, but advice is rarely taken when
spelled out clear and flat. The best way to experience and learn about life
is, just like everything else, to practice. Practice makes (near) perfect.
My advice? Ignore the advice, and dive in. Have fun.