Glenn Alan Cheney
Author of Thanksgiving: The Pilgrims' First Year in America
About the Author
Works by Glenn Alan Cheney
How a Nation Grieves: Press Accounts of the Death of Lincoln, the Hunt for Booth, and America in Mourning (2012) 15 copies
Drugs, Teens, and Recovery: Real-Life Stories of Trying to Stay Clean (Issues in Focus) (1993) 5 copies, 1 review
Promised Land: Nun's Struggle against Landlessness, Lawlessness, Slavery, Poverty, Corruption, Injustice, and Environmental Devastation in Amazonia (2013) 5 copies, 2 reviews
His Hands on Earth: Courage, Compassion, Charism, and the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (2017) 5 copies
Teens With Physical Disabilities: Real-Life Stories of Meeting the Challenges (Issues in Focus) (1995) 4 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Cheney, Glenn Alan
- Legal name
- Cheney, Glenn Alan
- Birthdate
- 1951-09-06
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Fairfield University (BA, Philosophy)
Fairfield University Graduate School of Communication (MA, Communication),
Universideade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil (MA, English)
Vermont College (MFA, creative writing) - Occupations
- writer
journalist
translator - Nationality
- USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Reviews
Promised Land: A Nun's Struggle against Landlessness, Lawlessness, Slavery, Poverty, Corruption, Injustice, and Environmental Devastation in Amazonia by Glenn Alan Cheney
Brazil’s 1968 constitution promises that government-owned (Union) land will be distributed to landless farmers—but much of that land is currently occupied by powerful ranchers: megawealthy, megapowerful squatters who oppose redistribution. Landless farmers set up camp on the edge of a piece of Union land and begin the long process of trying to gain title, but with the ranchers and corrupt law enforcement against them, the odds are slim and the threat of death high.
Glenn Alan Cheney spent show more time in the company of Sister Leonora Brunetto, a nun who advocates for the poor and landless, research which put his life at risk—as hers is, daily. The result was published in the June 2013 issue of Harpers as “Promised Land.” This book is an expansion on that article, giving more details about the farmers, the struggle, and more on Brazil’s modern-day slavery and environmental issues.
These extras I found fascinating. Some, as you might imagine, are terrifically depressing. Cheney observes, at the start of a chapter entitled “The Way the World Ends,”
But Cheney does manage to pull back from that abyss, talking, for instance, about one farmer who did manage to get title to some land, and who now grows a multitude of fruit trees, all without chemical fertilizers, and about other farmers, still landless, but hopeful:
And I was stirred by his description of Sister Leonora’s approach to solidarity economy—an alternative to greed-based capitalism. Wikipedia has an entry on it; the term apparently began gaining traction around 2001.
Also cheering is the fact that Cheney’s own journalism may have had a salutary effect. In his epilogue, he writes,
This is a theme that’s dear to my heart: the power of people in different parts of the world to speak up for one another—a power that social media vastly enhances.
Cheney’s especially interested in the work of activist nuns; this interest also has taken him to Timor-Leste (which is how I became acquainted with him), and he’s also written on nuns’ work fighting HIV in Swaziland. show less
Glenn Alan Cheney spent show more time in the company of Sister Leonora Brunetto, a nun who advocates for the poor and landless, research which put his life at risk—as hers is, daily. The result was published in the June 2013 issue of Harpers as “Promised Land.” This book is an expansion on that article, giving more details about the farmers, the struggle, and more on Brazil’s modern-day slavery and environmental issues.
These extras I found fascinating. Some, as you might imagine, are terrifically depressing. Cheney observes, at the start of a chapter entitled “The Way the World Ends,”
I have the feeling that in Mato Grosso I am glimpsing a microcosmic view of the end of the world. This is how it will end: The last of the resources peter out. A minuscule sliver of society owns virtually all assets and exploits for itself the last that the earth has to offer. The poor huddle at the edges of highways, occupying the least space physically possible, consuming barely enough to sustain life. Eather’s most abundant resources—land and water, the very stuff of the planet—are contaminated, depleted beyond use, or precious beyond the reach of all but a few.
But Cheney does manage to pull back from that abyss, talking, for instance, about one farmer who did manage to get title to some land, and who now grows a multitude of fruit trees, all without chemical fertilizers, and about other farmers, still landless, but hopeful:
People have things planted all over the camp in all kinds of containers: food cans, paint cans, soda bottles, crates, curved bark, plastic tubs, old juice pitchers, tires, a section of a tire, a cracked tea pot . . . little pieces of farm perched everywhere.
And I was stirred by his description of Sister Leonora’s approach to solidarity economy—an alternative to greed-based capitalism. Wikipedia has an entry on it; the term apparently began gaining traction around 2001.
Also cheering is the fact that Cheney’s own journalism may have had a salutary effect. In his epilogue, he writes,
I was very worried that the article would make its way to Brazil, with repercussions falling on Sister Leonora. Heedless of such a possibility, Leonora cast the article far and wide along with a translation. In August [2013] I received email from her. She said [the relevant authorities] were reaching an agreement to distribute land to 250 families, with other cases to continue in the courts . . . She said it wasn’t easy, but that it seemed the article, which is to say international attention, was helping.
This is a theme that’s dear to my heart: the power of people in different parts of the world to speak up for one another—a power that social media vastly enhances.
Cheney’s especially interested in the work of activist nuns; this interest also has taken him to Timor-Leste (which is how I became acquainted with him), and he’s also written on nuns’ work fighting HIV in Swaziland. show less
I'm usually not harsh when reviewing a book. Realizing that reviews are subjective, I'll state upfront that I have an aversion to selfishness and arrogance.
It wasn't until 3/4 of the book when facts began to appear regarding the horrific meltdown of the Chernobyl reactor number 4. Most of this book seems to be written tongue in check with an arrogance that I'm sure the Russian people did not appreciate.
The author appeared to be judging the culture harshly. Case in point -- he seemed to brag show more about his totally rude behavior throughout a good bye party held for him by people who went out of their way to help him navigate through a country wherein he didn't bother to even try to know the language before taking it upon himself to give an accounting of an accident that required more than snarky descriptions.
Though, he did admit to tears when visiting a facility for children whose bodies were cancer ridden as a result of radiation from the meltdown. Other than that, while acknowledging that meals were prepared for him when food was not readily obtained, again he seems to put nose and pinkies in the air, acting like a spoiled college brat when in fact he was indeed a rude adult author.
There could have been less of him, and more of the Russians who continue to this day to go through bloody hell as a result of sheer incompetency of performing a test while shutting down all back up modes that might have ended the travesty of Chernobyl.
No stars for this author. show less
It wasn't until 3/4 of the book when facts began to appear regarding the horrific meltdown of the Chernobyl reactor number 4. Most of this book seems to be written tongue in check with an arrogance that I'm sure the Russian people did not appreciate.
The author appeared to be judging the culture harshly. Case in point -- he seemed to brag show more about his totally rude behavior throughout a good bye party held for him by people who went out of their way to help him navigate through a country wherein he didn't bother to even try to know the language before taking it upon himself to give an accounting of an accident that required more than snarky descriptions.
Though, he did admit to tears when visiting a facility for children whose bodies were cancer ridden as a result of radiation from the meltdown. Other than that, while acknowledging that meals were prepared for him when food was not readily obtained, again he seems to put nose and pinkies in the air, acting like a spoiled college brat when in fact he was indeed a rude adult author.
There could have been less of him, and more of the Russians who continue to this day to go through bloody hell as a result of sheer incompetency of performing a test while shutting down all back up modes that might have ended the travesty of Chernobyl.
No stars for this author. show less
Promised Land: A Nun's Struggle against Landlessness, Lawlessness, Slavery, Poverty, Corruption, Injustice, and Environmental Devastation in Amazonia by Glenn Alan Cheney
Brazil’s 1968 constitution promises that government-owned (Union) land will be distributed to landless farmers—but much of that land is currently occupied by powerful ranchers: megawealthy, megapowerful squatters who oppose redistribution. Landless farmers set up camp on the edge of a piece of Union land and begin the long process of trying to gain title, but with the ranchers and corrupt law enforcement against them, the odds are slim and the threat of death high.
Glenn Alan Cheney spent show more time in the company of Sister Leonora Brunetto, a nun who advocates for the poor and landless, research which put his life at risk—as hers is, daily. The result was published in the June 2013 issue of Harpers as “Promised Land.” This book is an expansion on that article, giving more details about the farmers, the struggle, and more on Brazil’s modern-day slavery and environmental issues.
These extras I found fascinating. Some, as you might imagine, are terrifically depressing. Cheney observes, at the start of a chapter entitled “The Way the World Ends,”
But Cheney does manage to pull back from that abyss, talking, for instance, about one farmer who did manage to get title to some land, and who now grows a multitude of fruit trees, all without chemical fertilizers, and about other farmers, still landless, but hopeful:
And I was stirred by his description of Sister Leonora’s approach to solidarity economy—an alternative to greed-based capitalism. Wikipedia has an entry on it; the term apparently began gaining traction around 2001.
Also cheering is the fact that Cheney’s own journalism may have had a salutary effect. In his epilogue, he writes,
This is a theme that’s dear to my heart: the power of people in different parts of the world to speak up for one another—a power that social media vastly enhances.
Cheney’s especially interested in the work of activist nuns; this interest also has taken him to Timor-Leste (which is how I became acquainted with him), and he’s also written on nuns’ work fighting HIV in Swaziland. show less
Glenn Alan Cheney spent show more time in the company of Sister Leonora Brunetto, a nun who advocates for the poor and landless, research which put his life at risk—as hers is, daily. The result was published in the June 2013 issue of Harpers as “Promised Land.” This book is an expansion on that article, giving more details about the farmers, the struggle, and more on Brazil’s modern-day slavery and environmental issues.
These extras I found fascinating. Some, as you might imagine, are terrifically depressing. Cheney observes, at the start of a chapter entitled “The Way the World Ends,”
I have the feeling that in Mato Grosso I am glimpsing a microcosmic view of the end of the world. This is how it will end: The last of the resources peter out. A minuscule sliver of society owns virtually all assets and exploits for itself the last that the earth has to offer. The poor huddle at the edges of highways, occupying the least space physically possible, consuming barely enough to sustain life. Eather’s most abundant resources—land and water, the very stuff of the planet—are contaminated, depleted beyond use, or precious beyond the reach of all but a few.
But Cheney does manage to pull back from that abyss, talking, for instance, about one farmer who did manage to get title to some land, and who now grows a multitude of fruit trees, all without chemical fertilizers, and about other farmers, still landless, but hopeful:
People have things planted all over the camp in all kinds of containers: food cans, paint cans, soda bottles, crates, curved bark, plastic tubs, old juice pitchers, tires, a section of a tire, a cracked tea pot . . . little pieces of farm perched everywhere.
And I was stirred by his description of Sister Leonora’s approach to solidarity economy—an alternative to greed-based capitalism. Wikipedia has an entry on it; the term apparently began gaining traction around 2001.
Also cheering is the fact that Cheney’s own journalism may have had a salutary effect. In his epilogue, he writes,
I was very worried that the article would make its way to Brazil, with repercussions falling on Sister Leonora. Heedless of such a possibility, Leonora cast the article far and wide along with a translation. In August [2013] I received email from her. She said [the relevant authorities] were reaching an agreement to distribute land to 250 families, with other cases to continue in the courts . . . She said it wasn’t easy, but that it seemed the article, which is to say international attention, was helping.
This is a theme that’s dear to my heart: the power of people in different parts of the world to speak up for one another—a power that social media vastly enhances.
Cheney’s especially interested in the work of activist nuns; this interest also has taken him to Timor-Leste (which is how I became acquainted with him), and he’s also written on nuns’ work fighting HIV in Swaziland. show less
I've read many books on the subject of the Chernobyl accident, and I've seen references to this title pop up every now and then. It only seemed natural for me to read it.
With a couple of exceptions, this book is a complete waste of time.
This book's main offense is the author, who seems to be completely unable or unwilling to write from a neutral point of view. Having written many general-interest books and articles on the dangers of nuclear power, nuclear testing, and nuclear show more proliferation, Glen Alan Cheney pounces on every opportunity to throw in a gratuitous attack on every subject dealing with nuclear industry. While Chernobyl was a catastrophic event, florid descriptions of the world's plight on every other page are unnecessary, and insulting to the reader's intelligence.
Perhaps even worse is Cheney's attitude to his host country and its populace. Every description of a place, person, or action is seasoned with a snide remark, thrown in for no apparent reason other than to add further despair and misery to his narrative. Most telling is the fact that the author is completely unwilling to even attempt to learn the local language, and is proud of it! In this, Cheney is the stereotypical "American tourist."
Lastly, Cheney travels to Ukraine more than seven years after the disaster with a complete ignorance of the events that occurred, the medical and ecological consequences of the radioactive fallout, the government's response to the accident, or really anything pertaining to Chernobyl. One does not have to read between the lines to detect this ignorance; his words say exactly that - in black and white - right in the first chapter. Personally, I prefer to read books written by people who are smarter and more knowledgeable than me on the given subject.
The above reasons cause one to lose all confidence in the author's objectivity, which can make the actual information contained in the book untrustworthy. In general terms, his stories are consistent with information available from other sources, so I have no reason to doubt the broad strokes of Cheney's narrative. However, any specific information present in the book is not given from a position of authority and becomes utterly worthless for the purposes of research.
Not recommended. show less
With a couple of exceptions, this book is a complete waste of time.
This book's main offense is the author, who seems to be completely unable or unwilling to write from a neutral point of view. Having written many general-interest books and articles on the dangers of nuclear power, nuclear testing, and nuclear show more proliferation, Glen Alan Cheney pounces on every opportunity to throw in a gratuitous attack on every subject dealing with nuclear industry. While Chernobyl was a catastrophic event, florid descriptions of the world's plight on every other page are unnecessary, and insulting to the reader's intelligence.
Perhaps even worse is Cheney's attitude to his host country and its populace. Every description of a place, person, or action is seasoned with a snide remark, thrown in for no apparent reason other than to add further despair and misery to his narrative. Most telling is the fact that the author is completely unwilling to even attempt to learn the local language, and is proud of it! In this, Cheney is the stereotypical "American tourist."
Lastly, Cheney travels to Ukraine more than seven years after the disaster with a complete ignorance of the events that occurred, the medical and ecological consequences of the radioactive fallout, the government's response to the accident, or really anything pertaining to Chernobyl. One does not have to read between the lines to detect this ignorance; his words say exactly that - in black and white - right in the first chapter. Personally, I prefer to read books written by people who are smarter and more knowledgeable than me on the given subject.
The above reasons cause one to lose all confidence in the author's objectivity, which can make the actual information contained in the book untrustworthy. In general terms, his stories are consistent with information available from other sources, so I have no reason to doubt the broad strokes of Cheney's narrative. However, any specific information present in the book is not given from a position of authority and becomes utterly worthless for the purposes of research.
Not recommended. show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 40
- Members
- 325
- Popularity
- #72,883
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 21
- ISBNs
- 78
- Languages
- 3
- Favorited
- 2