One of RJ Snell’s earlier books was one of my favorite books the year I read it. It can be found here:

I know it sounds abstract and dense, but it is beautifully written and worth the effort. 

Snell’s latest book is Lost in the Chaos: Immanence, Despair, Hope. Immanence (popularized by Charles Taylor) is basically the idea of living from a frame of reference that is only horizontal. There is no transcendence or at least you can’t be sure that there is.

Snell’s book is divided into three sections: a description of the “immanent frame,” how people try to find meaning bereft of the transcendental, and last, where hope can be found.

I found the first two sections brilliant and incisively argued. Snell’s description is one of the best I’ve read.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the third section. Snell clearly sought to be rigorous and honest in how to best address our malaise, but I’m afraid his rather dense philosophizing got in the way of making this work.

I’m still very glad I read this book!