A Canticle for Leibowitz - Dystopias and Apocalypses - Extra Sci Fi

[@extrahistory]

Inspired by his own experience being part of the bombing campaign that leveled the ancient monastery of Monte Cassino during World War 2. and the fear of nuclear annihilation that gripped America during the Cold War, Walter M. Miller Jr. imagined the world in a brand new dark age, ushered in by the hubris of humankind--in the only novel he ever published.

[@pepitocuentos5276]

Extra Credits more history please I am a history nerd

[@sethleoric2598]

Oh my God finally something where religion is good

[@Coty_20]

Hey, there is a grafic novel from Argentina call "El Eternauta" thats another post apocaliptic "novel" that i think ir will be good yo ser un this section. PD. Sorry for the vas writing my narices language is spanish.

[@VonGuildehaus]

Thank you so much! I have been hoping that you would do this video in the future and you’ve turned my whole day around! Thank you for listening!

[@Ivar2x4]

Hey guys, I'm really loving this series, keep up the great work! Do you have a recommended reading list posted anywhere?

[@gordongraham2064]

You guys, this book is SO GOOD. One thing I've got to impress on people is that it's surprisingly funny, and the characters bounce off one another in fun ways. In particular I like the contrasts of the three Abbots we see across the segments.

[@rohanmoore7546]

Funny seeing you here!

[@jamesmcclure3907]

I was surprised that I found a laugh on almost every page…truly a standout gem in the genre

[@jesseberg3271]

"Forgive me father, I ate a lizard."

[@PhauxTheFox]

"everyone knows how to make another human, but the secrets to making a P94 plasma rifle are all but lost." - Brotherhood of Steel

[@OGSpaceMarine]

It’s all good just go find a vendor and they got plenty in stock at least…in fallout 4

[@inzyniertv9305]

​@@OGSpaceMarineThe P94 isnt really a rifle its a heavy plasma gun also known as a plasma caster

[@OGSpaceMarine]

@@inzyniertv9305 Oh Gunners then

[@inzyniertv9305]

@@OGSpaceMarine Not even them have it, mostly the Enclave

[@OGSpaceMarine]

@@inzyniertv9305 Depends on what level and if the Enclave are around

[@RedOblivion7]

It's quite refreshing to see religion in a science fiction being used like this. Reminds me of what the monasteries in our own time had to do after the Fall of Rome, preserve knowledge.

[@lucidnonsense942]

They didn't though, the monasteries became important after the reconquista, for translating and copying classical works that were preserved by Islamic scholars. Until then, they pretty much just copied Christian tracks.

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

Lucid, you are wrong, the monasteries and nunneries copied the works of antiquity constantly since the Fall of the West and not just Christian works. Just because the Islamic world and Byzantine Empire did still have other records does not make this any less true. And people in Middle Ages had much richer understanding of ancient world many people understand.

[@SonofSethoitae]

@@sarasamaletdin4574 People tend to think of Medieval peoples as backward idiots with no understanding of anything, but the truth is so much more complex than that. And interesting.

[@Inoka01]

@@sarasamaletdin4574 Exactly. The rediscovery of the Classics within monasteries was the fuel for the early Renaissance; exactly paralleled by Miller in Canticle.

[@g-money9009]

I'm taking a course on early medieval history and we're reading this book to show how media has made that same connection and whether or not it is fully true

[@crashstudi0s]

I must admit, i screamed like a child when i saw you made a video on this. Truly a master piece, and a book you must read to have a better view in postapocaliptyc genre

[@brupendragon]

One of the most underrated dystopias, a true masterpiece overshadowed by 1984 and Brave New World. Miller’s story is also worth telling. This is my favourite book ever. Congrats on your initiative!

[@LogicalMan6]

This is a pleasant surprise, not enough people know of this story.

[@SgtCandy]

Woohoo! I've been waiting for this one. "Perdition! Progress! Perdition! Progress!"

[@Donleecartoons]

Need to read this again. What stuck with me from the last time I read it was the monks' understanding, building over generations, of what they were copying. That and the holy significance attached to what was essentially the contents of an abandoned lunchbox. Makes you wonder about our contemporary understanding of what went before us.

[@timurtheterrible4062]

Props to them for copying the Minecraft guide. The art of redstone shall not be lost

[@nanda_gamedev]

The Redstone Clock keeps ticking...

[@atticusbeachy3707]

Just curious, why would you use the symbol of an ideology that killed 90 million people as your profile pic?

[@The360MlgNoscoper]

@@atticusbeachy3707 it's a meme

[@MortalWombat4480]

Atticus Beachy Uh oh BOOMER ALERT BOOMER ALERT

[@adem9599]

Yes

[@kutaybr]

That was by far the most impressive book I've ever read. I wish he wrote more.

[@TheJboy88]

Reminds me of those times I used to hear about how monks used to be the only ones capable of writing books, and how they'd have to painstakingly recreate every page by hand. Nothing but props to those kinds of guys back then :)

[@1987MartinT]

6:24-6:33 I'd say that both of those are equally true and realistic. Sometimes changing the world takes a group effort by many people. Sometimes it takes an individual or a small group.

[@merrittanimation7721]

A spiritu fornicationis Domine, libera nos From the Lightning and the Tempest Oh Lord, deliver us From the scourge of the earthquake Oh Lord, deliver us From plague, famine, and war Oh Lord deliver us From the place of ground zero Oh Lord deliver us From the rain of the cobalt Oh Lord deliver us From the rain of the strontium Oh Lord deliver us From the fall of the cesium Oh Lord deliver us From the curse of the Fallout Oh Lord deliver us From the begetting of monsters Oh Lord deliver us From the curse of the Misborn Oh Lord deliver us A morte perpetua Domine, libera nos Peccatores te rogamus, audi nos, That thou wouldnst spare us We beseech thee, hear us That thou wouldnst pardon us We beseech thee, hear us That thou wouldnst bring us truly to penance te rogamus, audi nos.

[@elgostine]

amen

[@davehall4343]

Yes.

[@turquoisity6555]

Amen

[@TiroDvD]

And then you read the actual Litany of the Saints and there is a section just like this.

[@lordgeneralmilitantdeezy7550]

Amen

[@eap96]

Oh man I didn't think they would feature this book. One of my favs!

[@christopherbacon1077]

No mention of the books oddest and, to me at least, most memorable character, the (probably) Wandering Jew?

[@K5RTO]

relevant

[@Speederzzz]

The man who took the entire nation of Israel upon himself

[@RMoribayashi]

If this reminds you Babylon 5 fans of the Abby segment of The Deconstruction of Falling Stars, good catch. JMR got about halfway through the segment and went "Oh Sh!#" this is Liebowitz. After realizing just how many have followed that road, (even bits of Asimov's Foundation series), he then finished writing the scene.

[@offduty23]

This, and Asimov's foundation series, are my two favorite Science Fiction novels, and this one tanks in my top ten "must read" stories.

[@Dickens76]

I absolutely loved this book. One of those rare gems that I couldn't put down and didn't want to end. It is a brilliant work.

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

One of my fav sci-fi books, on a par with Clifford D. Simak's 'Cities', another very similar story of a long past era worth being revived out of the ashes (in one case, revived by monks, in the other one by dogs)...

[@wk3820]

I love Simak, and City is one of his best. I keep a copy on my bookcase. Another novel that was very Simak-like was The Long Tomorrow by Leigh Brackett. She normally wrote space opera, crime novels and screenplays, but this stands out as her best novel.

[@davidcollier2500]

I just finished this book and wow. I feel like I'm going to have to sit with it for a while to unpack it. Thanks for recommending this book!

[@BothHands1]

Wow, this sounds like an amazing book Thanks for the recommendation, and the insights into its message. Absolutely love this vid

[@ngoziharrison7002]

An amazing book, one of the most underrated sci fi classics

[@davehall4343]

My favorite book read many times since the 70's. Brother Francis pray for us!

[@Dr3adn0ught35818]

Please make sure Ursula K. Le Guin's "The Left Hand of Darkness" is on your to-do list!

[@lucaswatson1913]

Yes! So good

[@messofgeckos5524]

Le Guin's Darkness, truly a unique take on the future. loved it.

[@jjfoerch]

Such a good book, but don't forget Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Women, published post-mortem, also excellent, though slower paced than Canticle. (And at 5:03 did you mean "anachronism"?)

[@duckrutt]

Forgive me Father. I ate a lizard.

[@samcavanagh7993]

natural or prepared?

[@samcavanagh7993]

@Skelley-Priest I was quoting the book too

[@meta5273]

I laughed so hard I just read this part 10 mins ago

[@christophersnedeker]

Lizards are actually considered fish for lent.

[@elimccuskey1809]

1:35 He has three hands!

[@user-th6tc5un1s]

That pesky Fallout will do a number on you!

[@Triviata84]

Thank you so much for covering this book! Such a great novel - a fascinating use of monastic practice and faith in the post-apocalyptic landscape, and definitely a must-read in terms of the sci-fi canon.

[@GabrielRicardoFreeman-Gabe]

So glad to see A Canticle for Leibowitz get its due!

[@MWhaleK]

The thing about the historical Dark Ages (that we know of) is that they weren't all THAT dark and human kind continued to advance. Further the "Dark Age" that followed the fall of Rome as only "Dark" in Western Europe.

[@lucaswatson1913]

The idea of the dark ages is so Christian-Eurocentric

[@GaborSzabo747]

It's dark because a lot of things happened, and we know little about them. Tho' the official term is Early Medieval Period, or Early Middle Ages.

[@lucaswatson1913]

@Rifle Eyez Great Britain

[@Sara3346]

AW HECK YES, you guys talk about the best books that get neglected.

[@michaelcaggiano3033]

Gosh, imagine not covering the book's robust Catholic meaning. It's like that Disney Tolkein theme that just misses the most important thing the author wants to impart on the reader.

[@TiroDvD]

Yes I use this in my classes. The book provides excellent discourses on the actual theological ideas of miracles, original sin, and lukewarmness. I.e. miracles are to show God's presence not breaking the laws of nature. As Man strive to recreate metaphorical Eden with modern comforts they just hit the uncanny valley and see all the missing things; therefore smash everything. And how "Comfort" from the "Mercy Camps" is a horrible portrayal of Jesus the Christus.

[@petersattler4577]

This is my favorite book, I love the cyclical nature and the writing style

[@kaelaleedaley]

I love this Dystopian series!

[@csodhi9969]

Pure awesomeness... Is, of course, the name of a futuristic book about the dystopian future that awaits us in a world devoted to maximizing awesomeness!

[@venmis137]

I hope we never reach the point where such a monastic institution becomes necessary, but I fear that we may rapidly be approaching such a scenario. I hope we are smarter and more resilient than that.

[@d3251704]

I’ve probably read this book 10 times. It just gets better with each read.

[@Melody_Raventress]

It's a tragedy that more people haven't read this. My usual reading material is either technical or more "proper" literature rather than genre fiction, and I'd rank "Canticle" up there with some of the great novels ever written, as well as being both quite entertaining, and increasingly, terrifyingly, relevant.

[@Erik_Armando_123]

Guys, your videos are so addictive! I really enjoy them and watch them more than once!

[@moonscore]

A remarkable work. One of my favorites.

[@MrDevling]

There are two kinds of scientific progress: the methodical experimentation and categorization which gradually extend the boundaries of knowledge, and the revolutionary leap of genius which redefines and transcends those boundaries. Acknowledging our debt to the former, we yearn, nonetheless, for the latter. -- Academician Prokhor Zakharov

[@ourtube4266]

My steam name is Rain of Cobalt because of this novel, I’ve read it 3 times and discovered something new every read through

[@benjaminnelson5455]

How much did this inspire the Galactica reboot, I wonder? "All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again."

[@barrybend7189]

I hope you get into Japanese Sci-fi and Cyberpunk.

[@wheretowatch5568]

@@jens6851 ghost in the shell, Akira, etc.

[@sebastiannawara5943]

@@wheretowatch5568 Or Girls' Last Tour

[@BothHands1]

Where To Watch Serial Experiments Lain, and Texhnolyze You'll like them if you like Akira and GitS

[@lemmingrad]

Likely though, they’ll do William Gibson’s Neuromancer and its influences on anime like Ghost in the Shell. Gibson is also important for also coining Cyberspace in the short story, Burning Chrome.

[@markadams7046]

Much of the classical world that was relearned during the Renaissance was from classical works that were preserved in monasteries.

[@TedSeeber]

And if you like this one, you really need to read Lord of the World by Robert Hughes Benson

[@ramiromen6595]

My favourite sci fi/post apocalitpic media! Thanks!

[@robdisner]

Read this in high school. And then many times since. Might be time for another go at it!

[@anobody6234]

This is literally my favorite book of all time

[@bowl-of-petunias5671]

I was hoping you'd do a canticle for leibowitz soon! Such a favorite of mine.

[@MichelNJoia]

Just finished this book. What an amazing read!!!!

[@roguepawn8963]

I LOVE this story!

[@patrickflanary8195]

Do a video on Pat Frank's "Alas Babylon ", please.

[@tiplady44]

One of the great sci fi stories

[@Tomes23]

This was an optional book to read in one of my history classes. I bought it because it was thinner than some of the other ones. It was a good read. All of these years later I still remember it.

[@messofgeckos5524]

Isn't that the test of a great book? Remembering it years later?

[@sirsquidly3537]

Man, I might actually need to give this a read, certainly one of the more creative types of post apocalyptic fiction i've ever heard of!

[@Helpful_Corn]

I absolutely adore that book!

[@dylanchouinard6141]

A new video! Saint Leibowitz be praised!

[@carterl369]

Legitimately my favorite book!

[@deaconlasagna8570]

PLEASE DO CITY! Clifford D. Simak deserves the recognition, and it's actually several dystopian/post apocalypse stories nested inside a framing device that is itself one of the greatest post apocalyptic stories ever. Whenever i even think about the dogs and Jenkins for too long i start to weep. You guys have a lot of reach, help this book gain it's classic status.

[@raybarron316]

One of my favorite Sci Fi books of all time. thanks!

[@corwin32]

My single favorite novel of all time

[@kehribar1599]

Best sci-fi book ever

[@TomLeg]

One of the few books I've keep decade after decade, move after move.

[@Numba003]

Oh man this is one of my favorite books!

[@roflcopterIII]

Yo can yall do left hand of darkness, since you're covering sci fi canon pieces.

[@lyreparadox]

+

[@TiroDvD]

"I ate the lizard."

[@jameswatrous2109]

Good analysis of Walter Miller's classic novel.

[@b.delacroix7592]

OOh, I was hoping you all would do this one. Let there be blood, iron and weeping.

[@PtolemyJones]

Having read all of these books, albeit decades ago, this is a fun series. That said, I doubt the cycle discussed. We have stripped the Earth of all easy to reach resources, I don't think anyone who survives the next collapse will ever be able to rise again.

[@Speederzzz]

The sequel (I'm currently listening to the audiobook) talks about how the mines are almost empty and people look for metals in the ruins of cities. They also note petroleum is a big problem.

[@PtolemyJones]

@@Speederzzz awesome. Who wrote it?

[@Speederzzz]

@@PtolemyJones The first 2/3rds of the book are by the same author and the last bit was done by Terry Bisson I believe

[@PtolemyJones]

@@Speederzzz I wonder about the differences of working iron, and worked metals like steel. Not that I expect I expect you to know, I am just curious... harder or easier.

[@Speederzzz]

@@PtolemyJones I don't know if there is a difference, but I do know you can forge steel into weapons with more primitive forging methodes. (Seen a few times in episodes of Forged in Fire) The main thing they discuss (up to the 1/5th part where I am) is Hannegan getting copper for a telegraph line

[@Villanuevac4]

You guys need to make an Extra Sci-Fi video on Command and Conquer?

[@sethleoric2598]

Sounds good

[@jeffthomas601]

Amazing book, highly recommended. And, I see what you did there with the Monty Python & The Holy Grail monks at 2:43

[@humanharddrive1]

i really liked the illustrations in this video

[@Frank-zs1wk]

wonderful book, truly amazing!

[@AnimeAngel88]

I've never even heard of this book. Now I'm curious.

[@yernoi2167]

yassssss i love this channel you guys should post more often

[@pant0sand0hat]

Excited for this. Thank you!

[@MagisterCobb]

A very compelling video, the book has been added to my reading list.

[@merain]

2:11 look at that skull on the far right and tell me with a straight face that that isn't Undertale sans

[@jedidalek]

Bought this after your video. Amazing book thanks.

[@mikaelimanov6810]

1:02 Doesn't that monastery resemble Noravank?

[@dushmanmardom]

I was just thinking if there is some good talk about Canticle on KZbin and bang! EC to the rescue!

[@jburns272]

Yes! I was hoping you'd do this book. It's one of my favorites.

[@tiscotisa9731]

After the End, an game mod, is inspired by this book.

[@mathieuleader8601]

my great-uncle Leslie was at the battle of Casino

[@CaptApril123]

That reminded me, i've got to hit the grocery store today.. must make a list.

[@ViscountAlexOfTheHorsePeople]

Any plans to do A Boy and His Dog or I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison?

[@BarbarosaAlexander]

Have you guys put together a bibliography or recommended reading guide for this series? That would be brilliant.

[@carolfirst9195]

always fun to learn from you guys!

[@kildogery]

As a lapsed Catholic and now atheist. This is one of my favourite books ever. The faith at the heart of the story really touched me.

[@jameswatrous2109]

Good synopsis of the novel and its literary and philosophical themes.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Do one about the classical Fallout games. They are spectacular in terms of themes and writing.

[@curiousworld7912]

One of the best.

[@vazak11]

Fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing!

[@AxioProductions]

Did Book of Eli got inspiration from this book?

[@roguevector1268]

If they say yes, I would not be surprised at all.

[@pancudowny]

4:40 - Oh-look! An early-model gooblebox! :)

[@Roflmaolinde]

Dammit! This is almost exactly the outlier of what imagined my breakthrough novel would be about! So no Nobel prize for me I guess, but another interesting read added to the list!

[@ITS_GR4CE]

Correct

[@simusar]

Can you make a video about the Night Angel Trilogy?

[@robertoleary5470]

Jason Downs I would love that! One of my favorite book series

[@bobzar77]

Good Job. This book needs more promo.