Summary

In "Life During Wartime," Chapter 1, Solnit tells the history of her desk. A Victorian piece, the desk was gifted to her by a close friend. She describes its appearance and its contents, all the things she has written and read on its surface. While some pieces of furniture may connect the individual to rich and magical histories, Solnit says hers connects her to violence against women. The friend who gave it to her was almost murdered by her husband. She escaped him and disappeared not long after, the culture silencing women with experiences like her.

Solnit then tells the story of Dana Lewis, or Connie Sublette, a young woman raped and killed in the street not far from her Lyon Street apartment. After researching the case, she noticed how the victim was blamed and demonized, the murderer acquitted and...