This book is sub-titled "Why You Lose Your Car Keys but Never Forget How to Drive, and Other Puzzles of Everyday Life".
The authors are two Ph.D. neuroscientists.
This book is right down my alley. By that I mean it has plenty of good solid science, but not a lot of complex verbiage that just slows down the reader. It is arranged in 31 chapters that tackle the typical myths and misunderstandings that pervade popular culture.
One of these misunderstandings or myths is the idea that we only use 10% of our brain.
Unfortunately, this is not true. If it were true, then 90% of car crashes involving head injury would result in no harm done to the person involved. Perhaps my logic is slightly flawed, but I think you see the point. Even minor head injury seems to result in permanent consequences in terms of lost memories, lost coordination, motor skill defects, or personality changes. So, I think we can clearly see that we use all of our brain.
The authors debunk a large number of myths, but they also give a lot of good information based on thorough research, such as how to best avoid jet lag (the opposite of what I did on my recent trip to Manila) or how to make dieting easier.
Just to whet your appetite, here's what to do to make dieting easier:
1) make sure you keep your metabolism up high, through diet or careful food choice
2) do something to keep your stress level down - yoga, massages, a hobby
3) spread your eating out as much as possible - six slices of pizza eaten at six different times is much better for you than eating six slices all at the same time
4) eat breakfast - this kind of goes with #3, but basically it kick starts your metabolism first thing in the morning
In the book, the authors go through the hormonal and metabolic reasons that these strategies work. All of the bodies hormones are controlled by the brain and its mechanisms.
There are plenty of additional valuable insights in this book - for this reason, I recommend it to everyone. It is easy to read, written for the lay person, and fun as well.
The book is published by Bloomsbury USA, and distributed by Macmillan.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Book Review - Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama
This is Barack Obama's first book, written before he became Senator, while he was in law school, and after he had become the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review.
He talks about his childhood and teenage experiences, and his trip to Kenya. He also talks about his experiences as a community organizer. I was reminded of another book that I've read - "The Color of Water", by James McBride.
I don't know what to say about this book. It made me uncomfortable - with how much race has divided us as a country and a planet. It made me more comfortable with Mr. Obama - with how his experiences have helped prepare him to be President, and more importantly, with how they have prepared him to be a good leader.
I think I understand race better as a result of reading this book. I think I understand why people feel divided and discriminated against even when they aren't. And, I can see how they are discriminated against extensively.
And the book has a number of episodes that I can relate to, such as the one of page 104-105, from Mr. Obama's first year of college at Occidental:
I can relate to this quote. I think all of this envy others, or feel left out for one reason or another. In this case, Mr. Obama didn't feel like he fit in with whites or blacks, because he didn't share their experiences, when in some cases others envied him for his experiences.
He talks about his childhood and teenage experiences, and his trip to Kenya. He also talks about his experiences as a community organizer. I was reminded of another book that I've read - "The Color of Water", by James McBride.
I don't know what to say about this book. It made me uncomfortable - with how much race has divided us as a country and a planet. It made me more comfortable with Mr. Obama - with how his experiences have helped prepare him to be President, and more importantly, with how they have prepared him to be a good leader.
I think I understand race better as a result of reading this book. I think I understand why people feel divided and discriminated against even when they aren't. And, I can see how they are discriminated against extensively.
And the book has a number of episodes that I can relate to, such as the one of page 104-105, from Mr. Obama's first year of college at Occidental:
Her voice evoked a vision of black life in all its possiblity, a vision that
filled me with longing - a longing for place, and a fixed and definite history.
As we were getting up to leave, I told Regiona I envied her.
"For
what?"
"I don't know. For your memories, I guess."
Regina looked at me and
started to laugh, a round, full sound from deep in her belly."What's so
funny?"
"Oh Barack, " she said, catching her breath, "isn't life something?
And here I was all this time wishing I'd grown up in Hawaii."
I can relate to this quote. I think all of this envy others, or feel left out for one reason or another. In this case, Mr. Obama didn't feel like he fit in with whites or blacks, because he didn't share their experiences, when in some cases others envied him for his experiences.
I think it is impossible to sum up this book, for you need to read it to really absorb the message in a way that will stick with you. Mr. Obama does a good job of summarizing, or at least concluding, in his epilogue, page 439:
"In my legal practice, I work mostly with churches and community
groups, men and women who quietly build grocery stores and health clinics in the
inner city, and housing for the poor. Every so often I'll find
myself working on a discrimination case, representing clients who show up at my
law firm's office with stories that we like to tell ourselves should no longer
exist.... at some point both plaintiff and witness decide that a
principle is at stake, that despite everything that has happened, those words
put to paper over two hundred years ago must mean something after all (referring
to the bill of rights - my comment inserted). Black and white, they make
their claim on this community we call America. They choose our better
history."
That, I believe, is what leadership is all about - all of us choosing our better history, and making our better future. Choose what is right about our history, and choose to carry that right forward into our own future, and our children's future.
Mr. Obama is a good writer, and the book is easy to read, but thought provoking. It is published by Three Rivers Press, a part of Crown Publishing, http://www.crownpublishing.com/, which is in turn a part of Random House, Inc.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Dan Brown - Angels and Demons
Here's a quick book review of the book I just finished.
"Angels & Demons" is the first adventure of Robert Langdon, who is familiar to most readers and movie goers as the hero of "The Da Vinci Code".
I thought this was a quick read, and very accessible, even though it was over 700 pages.
The plot got a little muddy at the end, with, I thought, more twists than necessary. It almost seemed like a science fiction story to me, except that the author made a couple of classic mistakes when including the science.
One classic mistake you often see a mainstream writer make when they attempt to include science in a story is to bend the science to fit the plot, instead of the other way around. In this case, the design of the "containment vessel" was needlessly complex, in a way that no practical scientist would have done. However, it was needed for the plot, so that is how it was written.
There were a couple of neat themes that Mr. Brown included, such as a sideline discussion of why there is a conflict between faith and reason. The plot gives us several answers.
He also had the odd way of including some ideas in a prominent way, that didn't seem to advance the story at all. The high speed airplane was one such idea. I don't see how it advanced the story at all.
I think this was a good book but not a great one.
The paper back is published by Pocket Books.
"Angels & Demons" is the first adventure of Robert Langdon, who is familiar to most readers and movie goers as the hero of "The Da Vinci Code".
I thought this was a quick read, and very accessible, even though it was over 700 pages.
The plot got a little muddy at the end, with, I thought, more twists than necessary. It almost seemed like a science fiction story to me, except that the author made a couple of classic mistakes when including the science.
One classic mistake you often see a mainstream writer make when they attempt to include science in a story is to bend the science to fit the plot, instead of the other way around. In this case, the design of the "containment vessel" was needlessly complex, in a way that no practical scientist would have done. However, it was needed for the plot, so that is how it was written.
There were a couple of neat themes that Mr. Brown included, such as a sideline discussion of why there is a conflict between faith and reason. The plot gives us several answers.
He also had the odd way of including some ideas in a prominent way, that didn't seem to advance the story at all. The high speed airplane was one such idea. I don't see how it advanced the story at all.
I think this was a good book but not a great one.
The paper back is published by Pocket Books.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Making Stuff Up
In the past few weeks, my wife and her sister have suggested that I make stuff up, and pass it off as the truth.
Of course, from my perspective I don't do this at all, but as I think about it, I think I know what is happening.
Sometimes I come up with an observation, or an opinion, and I don't say it very clearly, and it comes off like a statement of fact.
Other times, I am passing along something I read in a book, and agreeing with it, so I'm making someone else's opinion sound like a fact.
For example, in the book "Freakonomics", the authors make a case for legalized abortion having reduced the crime rate in the United States. They quote from detailed studies which analyze several economic and social factors, and which show a correlation between the rate of abortions in a large number of urban areas, and subsequent drops in crime rate 10 to 20 years later. The curve of drops in crime closely correlates to the curve of abortion rates.
I won't go into the idea further here, since I couldn't do a good of job as the authors, Steven Levitt, and Stephen Dubner, but mostly because that's not the point I'm discussing here.
I've discussed this idea with several friends, and I can see from the benefit of hindsight that I talked about the idea as if it were a fact, instead of an interesting correlation. I think that the idea has merit, and that it is a likely phenomenon that seems plausible, but neither of these observations means that it is a fact. I also believe the authors made a convincing argument, and I am convinced that there is some sort of link between the two phenomena. Again, that doesn't make it a fact.
My sister-in-law suggested another occurrence of this recently. I made some comments about calculating global carbon emissions. As I remember it I was just making an observation based on some ideas that had occurred to me just then. I don't remember exactly what I said, but it was something about a way to measure carbon emissions by inventorying all sources of carbon emissions. I must have made it sound like this was an obvious and easy thing. In reality it is tedious, uncertain, and incomplete. In essence, my statement was a hypothesis, and not meant to be fact.
I will be more careful in the way I speak in the future.
Of course, from my perspective I don't do this at all, but as I think about it, I think I know what is happening.
Sometimes I come up with an observation, or an opinion, and I don't say it very clearly, and it comes off like a statement of fact.
Other times, I am passing along something I read in a book, and agreeing with it, so I'm making someone else's opinion sound like a fact.
For example, in the book "Freakonomics", the authors make a case for legalized abortion having reduced the crime rate in the United States. They quote from detailed studies which analyze several economic and social factors, and which show a correlation between the rate of abortions in a large number of urban areas, and subsequent drops in crime rate 10 to 20 years later. The curve of drops in crime closely correlates to the curve of abortion rates.
I won't go into the idea further here, since I couldn't do a good of job as the authors, Steven Levitt, and Stephen Dubner, but mostly because that's not the point I'm discussing here.
I've discussed this idea with several friends, and I can see from the benefit of hindsight that I talked about the idea as if it were a fact, instead of an interesting correlation. I think that the idea has merit, and that it is a likely phenomenon that seems plausible, but neither of these observations means that it is a fact. I also believe the authors made a convincing argument, and I am convinced that there is some sort of link between the two phenomena. Again, that doesn't make it a fact.
My sister-in-law suggested another occurrence of this recently. I made some comments about calculating global carbon emissions. As I remember it I was just making an observation based on some ideas that had occurred to me just then. I don't remember exactly what I said, but it was something about a way to measure carbon emissions by inventorying all sources of carbon emissions. I must have made it sound like this was an obvious and easy thing. In reality it is tedious, uncertain, and incomplete. In essence, my statement was a hypothesis, and not meant to be fact.
I will be more careful in the way I speak in the future.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Agents of Light and Darkness by Simon R. Green
I was looking for something fun to read this morning, and found this book on the shelf. I've read it before and enjoyed it, and thought enough of it to keep it, instead of consigning it to Goodwill, or the Library book sale.
It's a quick read, at least the second time through, only about three hours counting breaks to grab some food.
This is part of a series, and usually I don't like to jump into the middle of a series, because it often seems like you miss some of the subleties. In this case, the series is "The Nightside". The author doesn't spend any discernible time bringing you up to speed either, which is a clever trick. He uses his description of the Nightside as part of the description and setting of each scene, so you learn about the world as you go. However, I never felt like he was springing something on me because he just realized he needed a plot twist.
Instead, it is almost as if he is giving you the picture one piece at a time, so that you can get used to each idea as he builds up your picture of the Nightside. The ideas that make up this story are pretty big - the agents of light referred to in the title are agents of good, as in Good with a capital G. That in itself may not seem very big - but he goes to significant effort to show you a glimpse of the power that the supernatural really would be.
I have read several stories of the supernatural, and this is the first one that seems to live up to the "super" part of the term. By "super" in this context I mean "beyond" or "exceeding" the natural.
I won't spoil the story by saying more, except for this: Normally in a novel the character undergoes a transformation or growth. In this novel, a character in the story other than "our hero" undergoes a growth, and it is only our understanding of the main character that evolves.
I recommend this book strongly.
It's a quick read, at least the second time through, only about three hours counting breaks to grab some food.
This is part of a series, and usually I don't like to jump into the middle of a series, because it often seems like you miss some of the subleties. In this case, the series is "The Nightside". The author doesn't spend any discernible time bringing you up to speed either, which is a clever trick. He uses his description of the Nightside as part of the description and setting of each scene, so you learn about the world as you go. However, I never felt like he was springing something on me because he just realized he needed a plot twist.
Instead, it is almost as if he is giving you the picture one piece at a time, so that you can get used to each idea as he builds up your picture of the Nightside. The ideas that make up this story are pretty big - the agents of light referred to in the title are agents of good, as in Good with a capital G. That in itself may not seem very big - but he goes to significant effort to show you a glimpse of the power that the supernatural really would be.
I have read several stories of the supernatural, and this is the first one that seems to live up to the "super" part of the term. By "super" in this context I mean "beyond" or "exceeding" the natural.
I won't spoil the story by saying more, except for this: Normally in a novel the character undergoes a transformation or growth. In this novel, a character in the story other than "our hero" undergoes a growth, and it is only our understanding of the main character that evolves.
I recommend this book strongly.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Now I understand
Now I understand what my parents were feeling when they would talk about Kennedy's assassination. They would say, "I'll never forget what I was doing when I heard Kennedy had been shot."
For me, 9-11 is one such moment. I'll never forget when I first heard about it. I had just arrived at work around 10 to 8 Iowa time, and a co-worker said a plane had just hit the World Trade Center. We happened to have a satellite based training system in our conference room, and it had Bloomberg on it, so we turned that up and watched for the next hour, transfixed by events.
I remember thinking and talking about how it was such a freak accident. We were all pretty complacent, and could not even conceive of being attacked. In fact, until the second plane hit, we didn't even have an inkling that it was an attack. And we questioned it then. That tells you something about how America felt about itself at the time.
I remember feeling sad later that day, when I realized what had happened. The terrorists had used our own planes, and our own freedoms, against us as a weapon.
They had entered our country, trained as pilots, bought plane tickets, then hijacked the planes and turned them into weapons. I felt sad that our freedoms had been perverted in such a way.
Until 9-11 I didn't really understand my parents. Now I understand them better.
For me, 9-11 is one such moment. I'll never forget when I first heard about it. I had just arrived at work around 10 to 8 Iowa time, and a co-worker said a plane had just hit the World Trade Center. We happened to have a satellite based training system in our conference room, and it had Bloomberg on it, so we turned that up and watched for the next hour, transfixed by events.
I remember thinking and talking about how it was such a freak accident. We were all pretty complacent, and could not even conceive of being attacked. In fact, until the second plane hit, we didn't even have an inkling that it was an attack. And we questioned it then. That tells you something about how America felt about itself at the time.
I remember feeling sad later that day, when I realized what had happened. The terrorists had used our own planes, and our own freedoms, against us as a weapon.
They had entered our country, trained as pilots, bought plane tickets, then hijacked the planes and turned them into weapons. I felt sad that our freedoms had been perverted in such a way.
Until 9-11 I didn't really understand my parents. Now I understand them better.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Can Iowa Catch A Break?
Here are some of the challenges that have faced our state in the past year:
1) a winter with near record high snowfalls, and
2) a flood that damaged hundreds of city blocks in Cedar Rapids, and
3) widespread flooding that damaged crops throughout the state
4) high oil prices that doubled and in some cases tripled fertilizer and other costs for farmers
So, guess what?
Tonight's low temperature is predicted to be nearly freezing.
This is at least four weeks early, and is likely to stunt crops that are already expected to be later than normal at reaching maturity.
Can we catch a break?
1) a winter with near record high snowfalls, and
2) a flood that damaged hundreds of city blocks in Cedar Rapids, and
3) widespread flooding that damaged crops throughout the state
4) high oil prices that doubled and in some cases tripled fertilizer and other costs for farmers
So, guess what?
Tonight's low temperature is predicted to be nearly freezing.
This is at least four weeks early, and is likely to stunt crops that are already expected to be later than normal at reaching maturity.
Can we catch a break?
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Bloodsucking Fiends, by Christopher Moore
This isn't the first Christopher Moore book I've read, so I was prepared for some of the recurring characters, and I enjoyed the San Francisco setting, since I've recently traveled there.
He clearly studies the history of any topic he takes on, and then twists it to his own particular humorous bent. In this case, the topic is vampires, and love stories. There are plenty of twists and twisted humor in this book. And, perhaps it is hard to believe, but there are poignant moments in this book as well, such as the end of chapter 20.
There are also moments where you find yourself thinking: "He couldn't have made these characters up out of whole cloth, could he? He must have known some people like that, or worked at that job, or something."
One of the strengths of Moore's writing, especially well done in this book, is the depth of characterization. These characters are full of dimension, and idiosyncrasies of their own. And they behave in such a human, and humorous way, without even trying to be funny.
The book is published by Simon & Schuster, and they have a web site at http://www.simonsays.com/, where you can get more information about this and other books.
I highly recommend this book, I laughed out loud several times, and it is a fast read.
He clearly studies the history of any topic he takes on, and then twists it to his own particular humorous bent. In this case, the topic is vampires, and love stories. There are plenty of twists and twisted humor in this book. And, perhaps it is hard to believe, but there are poignant moments in this book as well, such as the end of chapter 20.
There are also moments where you find yourself thinking: "He couldn't have made these characters up out of whole cloth, could he? He must have known some people like that, or worked at that job, or something."
One of the strengths of Moore's writing, especially well done in this book, is the depth of characterization. These characters are full of dimension, and idiosyncrasies of their own. And they behave in such a human, and humorous way, without even trying to be funny.
The book is published by Simon & Schuster, and they have a web site at http://www.simonsays.com/, where you can get more information about this and other books.
I highly recommend this book, I laughed out loud several times, and it is a fast read.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Lamb, by Christopher Moore
This is a humorous alternate gospel of Jesus Christ, as told by Biff, Christ's childhood pal.
If you are a person who views the Bible as the literal Word of God, inerrant in word and spirit, to the extent that the contradictions in the Bible are mysteries, instead of typographical errors, you will be unlikely to enjoy this book.
If on the other hand you realize that God, after all, does have a sense of humor, then you should pick up this book and read it. In fact, there is a quote from Voltaire at the beginning of Chapter 1 that expresses this idea better than I could:
"God is a comedian playing to an audience that is afraid to laugh."
This was the first Christopher Moore book I had ever read, and I was a bit skeptical that such a book could be respectful to the spirit of Jesus' life while still being humorous. I found that in fact, it is possible to be respectful while being side-splittingly humorous.
The story framework is that this book attempts to fill in what Jesus was doing between his famous visit to the temple and his public ministry in his 30's. It is told through the viewpoint of his childhood pal, Biff, who is the 15th apostle, depending on how you count. Biff's real name is Levi, and he met Jesus at age six, and stayed with him until the end.
There are many things that amaze me about this book. The first is how believable it all is, even the stories of the boys' misadventures in their younger years. The second is how poignant it all becomes. The third is how it illuminated my faith.
The author has a web site at www.chrismoore.com. The book is published by Harper Perennial.
If you are a person who views the Bible as the literal Word of God, inerrant in word and spirit, to the extent that the contradictions in the Bible are mysteries, instead of typographical errors, you will be unlikely to enjoy this book.
If on the other hand you realize that God, after all, does have a sense of humor, then you should pick up this book and read it. In fact, there is a quote from Voltaire at the beginning of Chapter 1 that expresses this idea better than I could:
"God is a comedian playing to an audience that is afraid to laugh."
This was the first Christopher Moore book I had ever read, and I was a bit skeptical that such a book could be respectful to the spirit of Jesus' life while still being humorous. I found that in fact, it is possible to be respectful while being side-splittingly humorous.
The story framework is that this book attempts to fill in what Jesus was doing between his famous visit to the temple and his public ministry in his 30's. It is told through the viewpoint of his childhood pal, Biff, who is the 15th apostle, depending on how you count. Biff's real name is Levi, and he met Jesus at age six, and stayed with him until the end.
There are many things that amaze me about this book. The first is how believable it all is, even the stories of the boys' misadventures in their younger years. The second is how poignant it all becomes. The third is how it illuminated my faith.
The author has a web site at www.chrismoore.com. The book is published by Harper Perennial.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Six Prayers God Always Answers by Mark Herringshaw & Jennifer Schuchmann
I was browsing at Barnes and Noble's and came across this book. I picked it up and read it a bit while sipping my Cafe Mocha.
Heather and I often do this - going to the bookstore, picking out a tall stack of likely looking books, then reading a few pages of each while drinking foofy coffee or creme' drinks, leaving the losers behind to be reshelved and taking a few winners with us.
Religious books are a small category for me, but I've read more than a handful over the years. It always takes something meaningful to me before I'll make the effort to read a religious book. This time it was no different. I started reading and found something that caught my eye.
The thing that caught my eye was that somehow the authors had qualified what makes a "bona fide" prayer. They talked about what prayer is, and what prayer is not. They talked about it in such terms that it triggered a memory for me. It's odd that I can remember the experience exactly but not what year it was, although it was probably 2001.
At the time, I was living with my first wife east of Marion, and we had just returned from Wisconsin where she had purchased some lambs of a rare breed. While they weren't terribly expensive it was money and we didn't have a lot of money. While we were unloading them, one was terribly scared and started running around the yard. My wife told me to go catch it so that it wouldn't hurt itself. I suggested that we should just leave it alone - that trying to catch it would be more traumatic for the lamb than just leaving it alone.
She told me that we had to catch it, even though it was in a fenced enclosure. So I dutifully went to catch it, and spent several minutes making it more and more scared. Eventually it butted its head against the wire fence until it broke through, and ran the 100 yards down the lane and across the busy highway into the quarry across the road. Remarkably it did not get hit by a car.
My wife (at the time) asked me to go over and get it. So I went over and found it easily enough, but couldn't get close to it. I waited half an hour, and called it with a lamb's bleat until I was within six feet of it, then it made a break for it and went down by the lake. Remember, this was a large quarry so there was a large lake. I wandered down there and it jumped in the water. So, to add nonsense to nonsense, I peeled off my shoes and other leather items and jumped in to swim after it. Unfortunately, I should have peeled off everything except my briefs, so about 20 yards out in the lake I discovered that my wet clothes were literally dragging me under.
I finally made a good decision, and turned to head for shore. Each stroke was harder and harder, and I realized that I had not swum for years, so I was out of shape, and probably poor form to boot. Soon the water closed over my head and I was swimming under the surface, rapidly approaching that point where I would black out from no air. I redoubled my efforts, only to find I was still slowing down, and going farther below the surface. I could barely see the sun through the black water. I said to myself, "I don't want to die here, now, chasing a stupid lamb." Then I made a bargain and said: "God, if you will make it possible for me to reach shore alive, I will make a change in my life."
At that point, it could have gone either way. But I resolved that, if God would make it possible, I would do my part. I stroked as hard as I possibly could with my leaden arms and cramping legs, and the sun became closer, bit by bit until I broke the surface and could take one desperate breath, then a few more strokes and my feet touched the sandy bottom of the lake and I stumbled forward into a half-standing position and just breathed heavily for about five minutes. I could see stars and black spots in my vision and knew just how close it had been.
I knew that I would live, and would begin to make the necessary changes in my life. I looked over, and saw the lamb gasping for breath on the opposite shore. I shook my head, making the first decision of my changed life, and began to gather my things to stagger across the road and return to the house.
This was a huge turning point for me in my life, and it was the result of a bargain I made with God, in that life changing moment. I may share more about that life changing moment in the future. But for now, this book had reminded me of that life changing moment, so I picked it up and kept it.
In the book, the authors describe six types of prayers that God always answers. One of those types is the bargaining prayer that I had made. The example is given of the Biblical story of Abraham bargaining with God against the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, with Abraham hoping to save Lot and his family.
I'm not sure I enjoyed this book, but I think it did me some good. The authors use examples that are much more accessible than most of the usual religious books out there. The typical religious book will take a Bible verse and analyze it to death, saying a variety of things about it that are frankly difficult to understand and sometimes difficult to believe.
In "Six Prayers" the examples are drawn from movies you have at least heard of, if you haven't seen them; from popular TV series like "The Simpsons"; from classical mythology, and from popular science. So, this is a much more effective book in many ways. I was left understanding prayer in a more personal way, and also understanding more deeply how that swim in the lake had affected me.
The authors have a website at www.sixprayers.com, and the book is published by Tyndale House Publishers. At 277 pages it is not a long book, but I think it will take you a while to get through it, at least if you stop to think along the way.
Heather and I often do this - going to the bookstore, picking out a tall stack of likely looking books, then reading a few pages of each while drinking foofy coffee or creme' drinks, leaving the losers behind to be reshelved and taking a few winners with us.
Religious books are a small category for me, but I've read more than a handful over the years. It always takes something meaningful to me before I'll make the effort to read a religious book. This time it was no different. I started reading and found something that caught my eye.
The thing that caught my eye was that somehow the authors had qualified what makes a "bona fide" prayer. They talked about what prayer is, and what prayer is not. They talked about it in such terms that it triggered a memory for me. It's odd that I can remember the experience exactly but not what year it was, although it was probably 2001.
At the time, I was living with my first wife east of Marion, and we had just returned from Wisconsin where she had purchased some lambs of a rare breed. While they weren't terribly expensive it was money and we didn't have a lot of money. While we were unloading them, one was terribly scared and started running around the yard. My wife told me to go catch it so that it wouldn't hurt itself. I suggested that we should just leave it alone - that trying to catch it would be more traumatic for the lamb than just leaving it alone.
She told me that we had to catch it, even though it was in a fenced enclosure. So I dutifully went to catch it, and spent several minutes making it more and more scared. Eventually it butted its head against the wire fence until it broke through, and ran the 100 yards down the lane and across the busy highway into the quarry across the road. Remarkably it did not get hit by a car.
My wife (at the time) asked me to go over and get it. So I went over and found it easily enough, but couldn't get close to it. I waited half an hour, and called it with a lamb's bleat until I was within six feet of it, then it made a break for it and went down by the lake. Remember, this was a large quarry so there was a large lake. I wandered down there and it jumped in the water. So, to add nonsense to nonsense, I peeled off my shoes and other leather items and jumped in to swim after it. Unfortunately, I should have peeled off everything except my briefs, so about 20 yards out in the lake I discovered that my wet clothes were literally dragging me under.
I finally made a good decision, and turned to head for shore. Each stroke was harder and harder, and I realized that I had not swum for years, so I was out of shape, and probably poor form to boot. Soon the water closed over my head and I was swimming under the surface, rapidly approaching that point where I would black out from no air. I redoubled my efforts, only to find I was still slowing down, and going farther below the surface. I could barely see the sun through the black water. I said to myself, "I don't want to die here, now, chasing a stupid lamb." Then I made a bargain and said: "God, if you will make it possible for me to reach shore alive, I will make a change in my life."
At that point, it could have gone either way. But I resolved that, if God would make it possible, I would do my part. I stroked as hard as I possibly could with my leaden arms and cramping legs, and the sun became closer, bit by bit until I broke the surface and could take one desperate breath, then a few more strokes and my feet touched the sandy bottom of the lake and I stumbled forward into a half-standing position and just breathed heavily for about five minutes. I could see stars and black spots in my vision and knew just how close it had been.
I knew that I would live, and would begin to make the necessary changes in my life. I looked over, and saw the lamb gasping for breath on the opposite shore. I shook my head, making the first decision of my changed life, and began to gather my things to stagger across the road and return to the house.
This was a huge turning point for me in my life, and it was the result of a bargain I made with God, in that life changing moment. I may share more about that life changing moment in the future. But for now, this book had reminded me of that life changing moment, so I picked it up and kept it.
In the book, the authors describe six types of prayers that God always answers. One of those types is the bargaining prayer that I had made. The example is given of the Biblical story of Abraham bargaining with God against the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, with Abraham hoping to save Lot and his family.
I'm not sure I enjoyed this book, but I think it did me some good. The authors use examples that are much more accessible than most of the usual religious books out there. The typical religious book will take a Bible verse and analyze it to death, saying a variety of things about it that are frankly difficult to understand and sometimes difficult to believe.
In "Six Prayers" the examples are drawn from movies you have at least heard of, if you haven't seen them; from popular TV series like "The Simpsons"; from classical mythology, and from popular science. So, this is a much more effective book in many ways. I was left understanding prayer in a more personal way, and also understanding more deeply how that swim in the lake had affected me.
The authors have a website at www.sixprayers.com, and the book is published by Tyndale House Publishers. At 277 pages it is not a long book, but I think it will take you a while to get through it, at least if you stop to think along the way.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen
This is the first book I've read by Carl Hiaasen. I wanted something light to read on the plane ride to Louisville, since I figured the business meeting I was going to was not going to be pleasant.
I've got to say this book was hilarious! It was just what I needed at the time. There are characters here to despise, admire, relate to, and pity. And most of all, to laugh at.
The humor here was subtle, gross, physical, and puns. Some of the humor was situational, some of it was just laughter at the human condition.
After reading this book, I certainly will never treat a call from a telemarketer the same.
Since I work in telecommunications, some of the fun was stuff I could personally relate to, so maybe that made it better.
The book is from Hachette Book Group, and is 399 pages. It's a fun fast read.
I've got to say this book was hilarious! It was just what I needed at the time. There are characters here to despise, admire, relate to, and pity. And most of all, to laugh at.
The humor here was subtle, gross, physical, and puns. Some of the humor was situational, some of it was just laughter at the human condition.
After reading this book, I certainly will never treat a call from a telemarketer the same.
Since I work in telecommunications, some of the fun was stuff I could personally relate to, so maybe that made it better.
The book is from Hachette Book Group, and is 399 pages. It's a fun fast read.
Red Thunder by John Varley
The Washington Post said it well - "A realistic and funny novel."
John Varley reminds me a bit of Robert Heinlein, and I found out later was influenced somewhat by him in his career.
This book has unforgettable characters, believable plot lines, and a thrilling conclusion.
The best of science fiction, in my opinion, takes the world as we know it, and makes one changed assumption, and then proceeds logically from there. As you can figure out for yourself, how well any given book "proceeds logically" from there is dependent on the author's ability to explain the steps of his reasoning. It also depends on whether he can tell a story without the explanation getting in the way.
Without giving the story away (since it says so on the cover) this is a "trip to Mars" story. The characters in the story do a believable job of making that happen, and give an interesting perspective on the role of technology in space travel while they do it.
The one changed assumption has to do with energy. It takes a while for the author to get there, but the trip includes some very memorable characters, so I didn't mind the wait.
I would say this is a good book for young adults to read. It isn't too cerebral, and there is fun along the way to keep you engaged in the story.
It is a Penguin book, and 411 pages long. I recommend it for your kids, or for a plane flight.
On the book cover the blurb compares it to a "comic caper of Carl Hiaasen", quoted from Science Fiction Weekly. I've recently had the chance to read a Hiaasen book, and would agree.
John Varley reminds me a bit of Robert Heinlein, and I found out later was influenced somewhat by him in his career.
This book has unforgettable characters, believable plot lines, and a thrilling conclusion.
The best of science fiction, in my opinion, takes the world as we know it, and makes one changed assumption, and then proceeds logically from there. As you can figure out for yourself, how well any given book "proceeds logically" from there is dependent on the author's ability to explain the steps of his reasoning. It also depends on whether he can tell a story without the explanation getting in the way.
Without giving the story away (since it says so on the cover) this is a "trip to Mars" story. The characters in the story do a believable job of making that happen, and give an interesting perspective on the role of technology in space travel while they do it.
The one changed assumption has to do with energy. It takes a while for the author to get there, but the trip includes some very memorable characters, so I didn't mind the wait.
I would say this is a good book for young adults to read. It isn't too cerebral, and there is fun along the way to keep you engaged in the story.
It is a Penguin book, and 411 pages long. I recommend it for your kids, or for a plane flight.
On the book cover the blurb compares it to a "comic caper of Carl Hiaasen", quoted from Science Fiction Weekly. I've recently had the chance to read a Hiaasen book, and would agree.
Variable Star by Robert Heinlein and Spider Robinson
This novel has been written by Spider Robinson from an outline by Robert Heinlein.
When I sat down to read it I felt like it was going to be a special experience because I figured it would be the last new Heinlein novel I would ever read. The book cover describes it as a powerful and passionate tale of two young lovers driven apart by pride, power, and the vastness of interstellar time and space. It is that story as well as it is a novel.
To me, a novel is defined as a story in which the protagonist goes through a series of experiences which lead to personal growth or at least change. This story certainly qualifies as that. It also encompasses a lot of of by-the-way ideas, or ideas which at least seem as by-the-way ideas. I think this novel is different from Heinlein's novels in that some of the by-the-way ideas in Heinlein's other books seeem truly to be by-the-way ideas.
In Variable Star, these ideas and observations all seem to be essential to the story, even if you don't know it at the time. Even the small plot elements become important to the story later.
In the introduction and after note, Spider Robinson talks about how he came to know and enjoy Heinlein's books, and how he got to know Heinlein himself. It is interesting to me as a fan to know a little bit more of the background. I don't think I'll ever go to a convention, but I am interested in some of those human elements.
I would venture to say that this is a better book because Spider Robinson worked so hard on it to live up to his opinion of Heinlein.
It's in paperback from Tor, and is 339 pages. It is perhaps denser prose than other Heinlein books, so it read a little bit slower for me. But, I think that is because Spider put more into it, and made it more intricate. I really could relate to the main character, Joel, and feel for his emotions as he went. Spider also references 9-11-2001 and Star Wars. Those references alone are worth the read, and make this a uniquely post-Heinlein take on a Heinlein idea.
I would say this is the best book I've read in a long time.
When I sat down to read it I felt like it was going to be a special experience because I figured it would be the last new Heinlein novel I would ever read. The book cover describes it as a powerful and passionate tale of two young lovers driven apart by pride, power, and the vastness of interstellar time and space. It is that story as well as it is a novel.
To me, a novel is defined as a story in which the protagonist goes through a series of experiences which lead to personal growth or at least change. This story certainly qualifies as that. It also encompasses a lot of of by-the-way ideas, or ideas which at least seem as by-the-way ideas. I think this novel is different from Heinlein's novels in that some of the by-the-way ideas in Heinlein's other books seeem truly to be by-the-way ideas.
In Variable Star, these ideas and observations all seem to be essential to the story, even if you don't know it at the time. Even the small plot elements become important to the story later.
In the introduction and after note, Spider Robinson talks about how he came to know and enjoy Heinlein's books, and how he got to know Heinlein himself. It is interesting to me as a fan to know a little bit more of the background. I don't think I'll ever go to a convention, but I am interested in some of those human elements.
I would venture to say that this is a better book because Spider Robinson worked so hard on it to live up to his opinion of Heinlein.
It's in paperback from Tor, and is 339 pages. It is perhaps denser prose than other Heinlein books, so it read a little bit slower for me. But, I think that is because Spider put more into it, and made it more intricate. I really could relate to the main character, Joel, and feel for his emotions as he went. Spider also references 9-11-2001 and Star Wars. Those references alone are worth the read, and make this a uniquely post-Heinlein take on a Heinlein idea.
I would say this is the best book I've read in a long time.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Revolt in 2100 / Methuselah's Children / Robert Heinlein
I originally had read these two novels some years ago, perhaps as early as 1985. It has been long enough that I had forgotten the names, but not all of the plot details. Now that I've re-read them I know that they are certainly among the most enjoyable of the Heinlein future history stories, and they are also among the shorter, if an off-hand judgment serves as an indication.
This particular pair of books deals with the post-Prophet period, and the early interstellar space exploration period. As always with Heinlein, there are many sub-texts and these are instructive and interesting by themselves. There are also a few very memorable alien species and swashbuckling characters, such as the remarkable Lazarus Long.
I was at the airport on the way to Manila reading Revolt in 2100, and a fellow traveler said that she had read it, under protest, at the suggestion of her husband, and she had really liked it.
Combined paperback edition from Baen at 480 pages.
This particular pair of books deals with the post-Prophet period, and the early interstellar space exploration period. As always with Heinlein, there are many sub-texts and these are instructive and interesting by themselves. There are also a few very memorable alien species and swashbuckling characters, such as the remarkable Lazarus Long.
I was at the airport on the way to Manila reading Revolt in 2100, and a fellow traveler said that she had read it, under protest, at the suggestion of her husband, and she had really liked it.
Combined paperback edition from Baen at 480 pages.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin
This review is a guest post by my lovely wife, Heather.
This book is the gripping account of the sudden, devastating blizzard that struck the Dakotas in 1888. It is sometimes referred to as the Children’s Blizzard because of the number of children that froze to death trying to get home from school. Some of their bodies weren’t found for months.
I was delighted to find this story as it has special meaning to me. I’ve always had a love of genealogy. My maternal great-great grandparents were homesteaders in Dakota territory in the 1880's. My great great grandpa Samuel was 33 in 1888. His parents had come to America in 1851 through New York. His parents settled in Wisconsin. I would guess that the offer of free land is what drew he and Hettie to Dakota.
I’ve always heard the story of how Sam was caught in the Blizzard of ‘88. He froze his tear ducts and was never able to produce tears again.
Laskin’s story is non fiction but with some liberties in imagining what particular victims may have felt or thought as they were caught in this tragic weather event.
Wessington Springs, SD is featured in the story of May Hunt, a school marm, and her seven students at the country school. The storm hit around noon. By 4 pm the school had run out of fuel. She had to choose whether to stay and freeze or try to make it to one of the farmsteads a mere 140 yards away on the other side of steep gully. An older student offered to scout it out. When he made it back unscathed the eight set out. They were quickly overcome with the freezing temperatures. Their eyelashes, eyes, and nostrils filled with ice. They were finally able to seek shelter in a haystack just a few yards from the invisible farmstead. However, they were not yet safe. You’ll need to read the story yourself to see if they live or die.
The storm hit on January 12. It started as an unseasonably warm day. People were able to come out of their sod houses for the first time in weeks and breathe fresh air. Children went to school for the first time in weeks, many dressed in little more than cotton shirts and pants with no sweaters or jackets.
The Blizzard affected the entire center of North America. The cold front dropped the temperature 18 degrees in 3 minutes. Farmers were caught outside caring for their animals. A single cow or pig might be all these families had to keep them going. It was imperative that the animals be saved. The homesteaders were immigrants from Northern Europe lured to America with the promise of 160 acres and freedom from persecution. Many had no idea what they were getting into on the wide, endless, harsh prairie. But they had spent everything and risked their lives just to get here. Many had nothing to go back to - if there was something for them there was no way they could afford to return to their homeland.
Laskin has done deep research into his subject. He read historical accounts, spoke with victims’ families, scoured old news papers as well as read scientific research about the weather phenomenon.
I suppose this might be a bit dry for some readers. I found it fascinating. Perhaps it’s because of my family connection to the event. I recommend the tale to anyone who has an interest in history or in understanding what the promise of America used to be. It’s relatively short with just under 300 pages.
This book is the gripping account of the sudden, devastating blizzard that struck the Dakotas in 1888. It is sometimes referred to as the Children’s Blizzard because of the number of children that froze to death trying to get home from school. Some of their bodies weren’t found for months.
I was delighted to find this story as it has special meaning to me. I’ve always had a love of genealogy. My maternal great-great grandparents were homesteaders in Dakota territory in the 1880's. My great great grandpa Samuel was 33 in 1888. His parents had come to America in 1851 through New York. His parents settled in Wisconsin. I would guess that the offer of free land is what drew he and Hettie to Dakota.
I’ve always heard the story of how Sam was caught in the Blizzard of ‘88. He froze his tear ducts and was never able to produce tears again.
Laskin’s story is non fiction but with some liberties in imagining what particular victims may have felt or thought as they were caught in this tragic weather event.
Wessington Springs, SD is featured in the story of May Hunt, a school marm, and her seven students at the country school. The storm hit around noon. By 4 pm the school had run out of fuel. She had to choose whether to stay and freeze or try to make it to one of the farmsteads a mere 140 yards away on the other side of steep gully. An older student offered to scout it out. When he made it back unscathed the eight set out. They were quickly overcome with the freezing temperatures. Their eyelashes, eyes, and nostrils filled with ice. They were finally able to seek shelter in a haystack just a few yards from the invisible farmstead. However, they were not yet safe. You’ll need to read the story yourself to see if they live or die.
The storm hit on January 12. It started as an unseasonably warm day. People were able to come out of their sod houses for the first time in weeks and breathe fresh air. Children went to school for the first time in weeks, many dressed in little more than cotton shirts and pants with no sweaters or jackets.
The Blizzard affected the entire center of North America. The cold front dropped the temperature 18 degrees in 3 minutes. Farmers were caught outside caring for their animals. A single cow or pig might be all these families had to keep them going. It was imperative that the animals be saved. The homesteaders were immigrants from Northern Europe lured to America with the promise of 160 acres and freedom from persecution. Many had no idea what they were getting into on the wide, endless, harsh prairie. But they had spent everything and risked their lives just to get here. Many had nothing to go back to - if there was something for them there was no way they could afford to return to their homeland.
Laskin has done deep research into his subject. He read historical accounts, spoke with victims’ families, scoured old news papers as well as read scientific research about the weather phenomenon.
I suppose this might be a bit dry for some readers. I found it fascinating. Perhaps it’s because of my family connection to the event. I recommend the tale to anyone who has an interest in history or in understanding what the promise of America used to be. It’s relatively short with just under 300 pages.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Timothy Zahn - Night Train To Rigel
It would be easy to under-appreciate this book. At first look, it's a classic mystery novel, with a former spy in the lead role, set on a train trip. It's even a bit predictable, in a science fiction plot of a scary alien race bent on galactic domination. What makes this a decent book is the way the author delivers it, and the plot twists along the way. While many science fiction enthusiasts would see this as just a variation on a theme, there are a number of interesting ideas thrown in along the way.
For one, the concept of a network of "hypertubes" or "wormholes" to travel the galaxy has been done before, but to put it in the context of a framework of trains is a neat twist.
For another, the necessary background and experience to be a successful spy in a galaxy filled with fifteen alien empires is neatly realized, and figures in to the realism and pacing of the story many times along the way. Alien empires aren't new, but this is well done.
Finally, he keeps some things about the protagonist hidden until the final quarter of the book, adding to the suspense.
I have read several other Timothy Zahn books, such as the Star Wars (TM) trilogy - Heir to the Empire.
I would say this one is competently done, worth reading once, but I doubt I'll read it again. The others were better, but this one had plenty of neat ideas.
For one, the concept of a network of "hypertubes" or "wormholes" to travel the galaxy has been done before, but to put it in the context of a framework of trains is a neat twist.
For another, the necessary background and experience to be a successful spy in a galaxy filled with fifteen alien empires is neatly realized, and figures in to the realism and pacing of the story many times along the way. Alien empires aren't new, but this is well done.
Finally, he keeps some things about the protagonist hidden until the final quarter of the book, adding to the suspense.
I have read several other Timothy Zahn books, such as the Star Wars (TM) trilogy - Heir to the Empire.
I would say this one is competently done, worth reading once, but I doubt I'll read it again. The others were better, but this one had plenty of neat ideas.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Citizen of the Galaxy, by Robert A. Heinlein
I always consider it a great day when I come across a Heinlein book that I haven't read yet. I think I picked this one up years ago in a library and read a few pages, always meaning to get back to it. I remember the early part of the story where the young boy is being sold at a slave auction for a rediculously small price.
I really enjoyed this book, and found myself rooting for the protagonist. There are two characteristics that are often found in Heinlein's books that are found in great amounts in this one:
First, there are all sorts of observations about the nature of culture, and how arbitrary that our customs sometimes are, and yet how critical they are to proper functioning. Some people have no respect for customs, and act as if it doesn't matter whether they follow custom at all.
Second, there is a strong father figure in this story, not unlike Jubal Harshaw in "Number of the Beast", or "Stranger in a Strange Land". There is also an element of how such a father has to manipulate his son for the sake of the son.
There is also a progression - in a sense that the protagonist can not absorb all of the knowledge about himself all at once, but must accumulate it bit by bit.
I also was struck by the number of times Heinlein comments that people are able to ignore facts that are right in front of them, or even horrific facts if they are separated by enough time or distance.
This book was first published in 1957, and at 282 pages, I would say it is of middling length for a Heinlein story. There are several that are much longer. It is one of only a few books that I've been reading that my son Nick has picked up and read.
It is well recommended.
I really enjoyed this book, and found myself rooting for the protagonist. There are two characteristics that are often found in Heinlein's books that are found in great amounts in this one:
First, there are all sorts of observations about the nature of culture, and how arbitrary that our customs sometimes are, and yet how critical they are to proper functioning. Some people have no respect for customs, and act as if it doesn't matter whether they follow custom at all.
Second, there is a strong father figure in this story, not unlike Jubal Harshaw in "Number of the Beast", or "Stranger in a Strange Land". There is also an element of how such a father has to manipulate his son for the sake of the son.
There is also a progression - in a sense that the protagonist can not absorb all of the knowledge about himself all at once, but must accumulate it bit by bit.
I also was struck by the number of times Heinlein comments that people are able to ignore facts that are right in front of them, or even horrific facts if they are separated by enough time or distance.
This book was first published in 1957, and at 282 pages, I would say it is of middling length for a Heinlein story. There are several that are much longer. It is one of only a few books that I've been reading that my son Nick has picked up and read.
It is well recommended.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
At first the average guy might think this is a "woman's" book, and be unlikely to seriously consider reading it.
Or, if you are skittish of such topics as meditation, divorce, depression, gurus, and so forth, it might scare you off.
But I think it would be a mistake to let any of those things keep you from reading this book. I myself put it off for a while, but once I had read just three chapters, I knew I would finish this book gladly.
For one thing, the author is truly going through an adventure, spending four months each in Italy, India, and Bali. For another, the author is simply a likeable person, and you can derive vicarious enjoyment from her experiences. Further, there is enough good solid heft to this story to satisfy the most demanding mind. In essence, this story is as deep as you care to take it.
Along the way, you learn many interesting details about life in each of these countries, and Elizabeth makes a fun person to serve as the point of view for experiencing these places.
The book has 108 chapters for an interesting reason, and you'll find that out when you read it. I found much to relate to in the book, including her experience with divorce and her joy in travel. My reading of the book was interrupted for a couple of weeks with our floods in eastern Iowa, but I found it easy to get back into and enjoy again.
Perhaps this is a book that only needs to be read once, if you read it carefully, but it was fun enough to enjoy reading again - perhaps on one of our own trips.
My final comment is that this book answers the question of how you can have everything but still be unhappy.
Or, if you are skittish of such topics as meditation, divorce, depression, gurus, and so forth, it might scare you off.
But I think it would be a mistake to let any of those things keep you from reading this book. I myself put it off for a while, but once I had read just three chapters, I knew I would finish this book gladly.
For one thing, the author is truly going through an adventure, spending four months each in Italy, India, and Bali. For another, the author is simply a likeable person, and you can derive vicarious enjoyment from her experiences. Further, there is enough good solid heft to this story to satisfy the most demanding mind. In essence, this story is as deep as you care to take it.
Along the way, you learn many interesting details about life in each of these countries, and Elizabeth makes a fun person to serve as the point of view for experiencing these places.
The book has 108 chapters for an interesting reason, and you'll find that out when you read it. I found much to relate to in the book, including her experience with divorce and her joy in travel. My reading of the book was interrupted for a couple of weeks with our floods in eastern Iowa, but I found it easy to get back into and enjoy again.
Perhaps this is a book that only needs to be read once, if you read it carefully, but it was fun enough to enjoy reading again - perhaps on one of our own trips.
My final comment is that this book answers the question of how you can have everything but still be unhappy.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
"Cross" By James Patterson
Heather told me "read something light!" so I read this book.
I was also in need of something to read on the flight back from San Francisco, and Heather had this along.
First, some nuts and bolts. The story is 377 pages long and available in paperback. It is the 12th book featuring "Alex Cross" as a character. The same author wrote "Kiss the Girls".
Heather asked me what I thought of the book, and my gut response was "it's a bit sparse". What I meant by that was that it didn't have a lot of flowery words or fancy vocabulary, which means it is pretty readable, and the action moves quickly.
The book is a thriller, a police story, a detective story, a murder mystery, and it appears to carry the Alex Cross character forward in a compelling way. The bad guy is truly bad, in a memorable way. The author also moves back and forth between the bad guy and our hero, so that sometimes you know things the good guy doesn't, which adds tension to the story. I would say that the book is competently written, but not real heavy. I don't think there were any obvious gaffes in the book, so I didn't have any moments where I wanted to put it down.
I would recommend it when you have time to fill, or need a break from something heavier.
I was also in need of something to read on the flight back from San Francisco, and Heather had this along.
First, some nuts and bolts. The story is 377 pages long and available in paperback. It is the 12th book featuring "Alex Cross" as a character. The same author wrote "Kiss the Girls".
Heather asked me what I thought of the book, and my gut response was "it's a bit sparse". What I meant by that was that it didn't have a lot of flowery words or fancy vocabulary, which means it is pretty readable, and the action moves quickly.
The book is a thriller, a police story, a detective story, a murder mystery, and it appears to carry the Alex Cross character forward in a compelling way. The bad guy is truly bad, in a memorable way. The author also moves back and forth between the bad guy and our hero, so that sometimes you know things the good guy doesn't, which adds tension to the story. I would say that the book is competently written, but not real heavy. I don't think there were any obvious gaffes in the book, so I didn't have any moments where I wanted to put it down.
I would recommend it when you have time to fill, or need a break from something heavier.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides
Heather, my wife, recommended this book after running across it at the bookstore. We happen to be thinking about a trip to Manila this summer, and so I read it in hopes of learning more about the history of the area, in particular the World War II history.
I figured it would be a dry history, and given that I'm not much interested in battle strategy and the like, I doubted I would finish it. Instead, I found it to be a real page turner, and a compelling read. I learned a lot about the war, and about the Filipino people. I was truly impressed by the suffering our soldiers went through, and the suffering of the Filipino people.
The author did a tremendous amount of research to make the story as accurate as possible. It's a thrilling book, and comes highly recommended. The only thing I can nit pick about the book is that I got a little confused by the setup in the beginning of the book. Just watch the dates on the sections when you read it. It's worth it to get that background - it makes the rest of the book even better.
The book left me wanting to visit the cemeteries and pay my respects when I'm in Manila this summer. It also left me wanting to read some of the other books about the period. A great read.
I figured it would be a dry history, and given that I'm not much interested in battle strategy and the like, I doubted I would finish it. Instead, I found it to be a real page turner, and a compelling read. I learned a lot about the war, and about the Filipino people. I was truly impressed by the suffering our soldiers went through, and the suffering of the Filipino people.
The author did a tremendous amount of research to make the story as accurate as possible. It's a thrilling book, and comes highly recommended. The only thing I can nit pick about the book is that I got a little confused by the setup in the beginning of the book. Just watch the dates on the sections when you read it. It's worth it to get that background - it makes the rest of the book even better.
The book left me wanting to visit the cemeteries and pay my respects when I'm in Manila this summer. It also left me wanting to read some of the other books about the period. A great read.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Job: A Comedy of Justice
Or, perhaps, I should call this "Job: Revisited".
This book is a retelling of the story of Job from the Bible. For those of you not familiar with the story, Job is an upright man of God, and God decides to put him to the test, to determine if he will keep his faith, under distress. God proceeds to cause, or allow to be caused, many calamaties to befall our poor hero, Job.
The author is Robert Heinlein, who is a master science fiction storyteller who has written many great works, with religion being a theme of many of his books, although not generally the primary theme.
Along the way, Robert often debunks popular myths, such as the popular interpretation of the commandment against lying. In this particular case, the popular understanding of the commandment is "Thou Shalt Not Lie". The protagonist is struggling with the dishonesty his struggles are putting him through - namely that if he admitted that he believes God is persecuting him, he would probably be labeled a crazy person and confined to an institution. So, he comforts himself by reminding himself that the commandment is actually "Thou Shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." (Exodus 20:16.)
When I say he debunks popular myths, I am referring to a strict interpretation of the ninth commandment, in the sense that no lie is ever acceptable. When I look around at the world, I see something quite different - it seems almost as if people lie all of the time, and it is merely a matter of degree - whether it is pretending you like someone just to be polite, or whether it is stating an opinion about a matter for which you have no knowledge, or simple white lies like "you look fine".
Heinlein's books often make me think, by scattering nuggets like the above throughout the text, often prompting me to do research later on what the Bible text says, and what other thinkers have to say about it.
In the Biblical story, along the way we discover many attitudes that are uncomfortable today, such as the concept that Job is finally rewarded for his faith by being given new wives and properties, and particularly that he is happy with these. In other words, wives and children are generic and interchangeable. He is not given his original wives back, but new ones, and he is well pleased by the quantity and quality of these new wives.
In the Heinlein story of Job, we find other ways to be uncomfortable. The hero in this story is one Alexander Hergensheimer, who has long been the successful fund raiser for an ecumenical brotherhood of Christians. Unfortunately, the works of this brotherhood are not the praiseworthy (in my mind) comforting of the sick, feeding of the hungry, and housing of the poor. This brotherhood works for political change and counts a long list of accomplishments, among them the outlawing of abortion, banning of birth control, censoring of books, and so forth. Future plans include the ghetto for black people, bans on Catholic churches, and similar ideas which would not currently be regarded as examples of Christian love.
However, Alexander proves that he is faithful to God, and refuses to curse Him, no matter how many trials he is put through. He continues to work for the salvation of others, and is in a perfect state of grace, kneeling penitent in prayer when the Trump and Shout occur, and he is taken bodily up to Heaven.
The book is excellent, thought provoking, and a great read. I recommend it highly. I'd love it if others would read it and post their comments.
This book is a retelling of the story of Job from the Bible. For those of you not familiar with the story, Job is an upright man of God, and God decides to put him to the test, to determine if he will keep his faith, under distress. God proceeds to cause, or allow to be caused, many calamaties to befall our poor hero, Job.
The author is Robert Heinlein, who is a master science fiction storyteller who has written many great works, with religion being a theme of many of his books, although not generally the primary theme.
Along the way, Robert often debunks popular myths, such as the popular interpretation of the commandment against lying. In this particular case, the popular understanding of the commandment is "Thou Shalt Not Lie". The protagonist is struggling with the dishonesty his struggles are putting him through - namely that if he admitted that he believes God is persecuting him, he would probably be labeled a crazy person and confined to an institution. So, he comforts himself by reminding himself that the commandment is actually "Thou Shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." (Exodus 20:16.)
When I say he debunks popular myths, I am referring to a strict interpretation of the ninth commandment, in the sense that no lie is ever acceptable. When I look around at the world, I see something quite different - it seems almost as if people lie all of the time, and it is merely a matter of degree - whether it is pretending you like someone just to be polite, or whether it is stating an opinion about a matter for which you have no knowledge, or simple white lies like "you look fine".
Heinlein's books often make me think, by scattering nuggets like the above throughout the text, often prompting me to do research later on what the Bible text says, and what other thinkers have to say about it.
In the Biblical story, along the way we discover many attitudes that are uncomfortable today, such as the concept that Job is finally rewarded for his faith by being given new wives and properties, and particularly that he is happy with these. In other words, wives and children are generic and interchangeable. He is not given his original wives back, but new ones, and he is well pleased by the quantity and quality of these new wives.
In the Heinlein story of Job, we find other ways to be uncomfortable. The hero in this story is one Alexander Hergensheimer, who has long been the successful fund raiser for an ecumenical brotherhood of Christians. Unfortunately, the works of this brotherhood are not the praiseworthy (in my mind) comforting of the sick, feeding of the hungry, and housing of the poor. This brotherhood works for political change and counts a long list of accomplishments, among them the outlawing of abortion, banning of birth control, censoring of books, and so forth. Future plans include the ghetto for black people, bans on Catholic churches, and similar ideas which would not currently be regarded as examples of Christian love.
However, Alexander proves that he is faithful to God, and refuses to curse Him, no matter how many trials he is put through. He continues to work for the salvation of others, and is in a perfect state of grace, kneeling penitent in prayer when the Trump and Shout occur, and he is taken bodily up to Heaven.
The book is excellent, thought provoking, and a great read. I recommend it highly. I'd love it if others would read it and post their comments.
Friday, May 09, 2008
The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
Author of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"
Non-fiction.
This book is about Venice. But it is also about decay, moral and otherwise. It is a finely wrought story weaved out of the fabric of life in Venice. You will encounter unforgettable characters, both tragic and heroic. Most of us are not familiar with Venice, or Venetians, but after reading this story, you'll have a taste of them, or distaste for them.
Heather and I are planning a trip to Venice for later this year, hopefully when fewer tourists are present. The book refers to the huge flow of tourists almost as a plague or scourge. The great popularity of Venice as a tourist destination certainly has distorted its economy and damaged its beauty.
I think that I recognized people I know in the book, even though all of it is nonfiction about the real world Venice. I think the themes and characteristics of people that John Berendt discovers in Venice are like people everywhere else, even if on the face of it they seem unique to Venice.
I didn't expect to like this book, but once I got to the third chapter, I found that I could not put it down, and the hours of my trip passed quickly.
There is a lot of history here, and the prose is engaging and very readable. It may not be an important book, but it is a good book, and one that I think will stand up well to the test of time.
One piece of advice from the author is one I'm glad we're already planning to follow, even without knowing it ahead of time - we are going for several days, not just a day to say we've been to Venice, but several days - to have a hope of getting to know the city and its people.
But perhaps I already do.
Non-fiction.
This book is about Venice. But it is also about decay, moral and otherwise. It is a finely wrought story weaved out of the fabric of life in Venice. You will encounter unforgettable characters, both tragic and heroic. Most of us are not familiar with Venice, or Venetians, but after reading this story, you'll have a taste of them, or distaste for them.
Heather and I are planning a trip to Venice for later this year, hopefully when fewer tourists are present. The book refers to the huge flow of tourists almost as a plague or scourge. The great popularity of Venice as a tourist destination certainly has distorted its economy and damaged its beauty.
I think that I recognized people I know in the book, even though all of it is nonfiction about the real world Venice. I think the themes and characteristics of people that John Berendt discovers in Venice are like people everywhere else, even if on the face of it they seem unique to Venice.
I didn't expect to like this book, but once I got to the third chapter, I found that I could not put it down, and the hours of my trip passed quickly.
There is a lot of history here, and the prose is engaging and very readable. It may not be an important book, but it is a good book, and one that I think will stand up well to the test of time.
One piece of advice from the author is one I'm glad we're already planning to follow, even without knowing it ahead of time - we are going for several days, not just a day to say we've been to Venice, but several days - to have a hope of getting to know the city and its people.
But perhaps I already do.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Start Late, Finish Rich - By David Bach
A No-Fail Plan for Achieving Financial Freedom at Any Age
By David Bach
I picked up this book because I felt like it was too late for me to have a comfortable retirement. I filed bankruptcy several years ago, and basically started over from scratch. With only a few thousand in a new 401(K) plan, I thought it was going to be a pretty tight budget in my retirement years. With the ideas presented in this book, I can see that if I make good financial decisions, I can still have a comfortable retirement.
The book itself is an easy read - nothing too complicated. And, where the ideas are a bit complicated, or hard for the average person to believe, Mr. Bach has charts and examples. In a lot of ways, the author is your "financial cheerleader".
A lot of the material here can be found elsewhere, as Mr. Bach points out, but the difference is that in this book you are actually given some motivation to believe that you really can do it. Mr. Bach includes a number of success stories to help motivate you and help you believe that success is within your grasp, if you'll take the steps that he tells you about.
Further, he covers some common financial pitfalls that keep people from succeeding - such as the myth that you have to pay off your debt before you start saving. He advocates a 50/50 approach - make some cuts in your lifestyle to free up money, then divide that money between debt reduction and savings. Heather and I have decided to reduce our eating out to one meal a week. It will be a nice one (after all, we're just doing it once!) but even a $50 meal will be cheaper than eating a $20 meal three times. Heather and I have also realized that eating out often is our least healthy meal of the week, if only because it's a big one. Mr. Bach's point is that by doing a 50/50 split, you'll see yourself making progress on both goals - which is motivational. If you don't make progress in both places, then the awareness that you're failing in one of them leads to discouragement, and discouragement leads to giving up on the plan.
Some of the things Mr. Bach talks about are things I already knew, and was doing. Both Heather and I participated in 401(K) plans where available, and Mr. Bach strongly encourages you to participate to the maximum allowed by law, and by your company. I participate to the maximum allowed at the company I work for, although not from the start. I increased it this past January.
He also talks a lot about real estate, and why you should own instead of rent. There is a great section in there about how to be successful in real estate. Heather has always owned, which is great. I have owned as well. Recent tax law changes make it even more attractive.
There are two other sections to the book - making more money, and living more. The making money section has a good coverage of direct selling, franchising, and eBay, among others. The final section has some great ideas about how to teach your children these ideas. We've made some money on eBay, and I've had success through side businesses before. I've also experienced businesses that failed, and learned from that as well.
This book really helped me see that it's not too late for me, and gave me concrete ideas to make a difference in my own financial outcome. We are making decisions every day that can make a long term difference in our efforts to "finish rich". But he also talks about living well, and how you shouldn't wait until retirement to live well. Heather and I are taking some trips this year. We are being as careful as possible about the costs, but also making sure that we make the most of the trips we are taking - by planning ahead, reading, discussing, and then making sure we enjoy it when we go - and not waste time or energy worrying or complaining.
My final observation is that the only remaining obstacle to financial success would be regret about the past. I made mistakes, some of them big ones. But the biggest mistake would be in letting past mistakes keep me from saving money, making money, and finishing rich!
By David Bach
I picked up this book because I felt like it was too late for me to have a comfortable retirement. I filed bankruptcy several years ago, and basically started over from scratch. With only a few thousand in a new 401(K) plan, I thought it was going to be a pretty tight budget in my retirement years. With the ideas presented in this book, I can see that if I make good financial decisions, I can still have a comfortable retirement.
The book itself is an easy read - nothing too complicated. And, where the ideas are a bit complicated, or hard for the average person to believe, Mr. Bach has charts and examples. In a lot of ways, the author is your "financial cheerleader".
A lot of the material here can be found elsewhere, as Mr. Bach points out, but the difference is that in this book you are actually given some motivation to believe that you really can do it. Mr. Bach includes a number of success stories to help motivate you and help you believe that success is within your grasp, if you'll take the steps that he tells you about.
Further, he covers some common financial pitfalls that keep people from succeeding - such as the myth that you have to pay off your debt before you start saving. He advocates a 50/50 approach - make some cuts in your lifestyle to free up money, then divide that money between debt reduction and savings. Heather and I have decided to reduce our eating out to one meal a week. It will be a nice one (after all, we're just doing it once!) but even a $50 meal will be cheaper than eating a $20 meal three times. Heather and I have also realized that eating out often is our least healthy meal of the week, if only because it's a big one. Mr. Bach's point is that by doing a 50/50 split, you'll see yourself making progress on both goals - which is motivational. If you don't make progress in both places, then the awareness that you're failing in one of them leads to discouragement, and discouragement leads to giving up on the plan.
Some of the things Mr. Bach talks about are things I already knew, and was doing. Both Heather and I participated in 401(K) plans where available, and Mr. Bach strongly encourages you to participate to the maximum allowed by law, and by your company. I participate to the maximum allowed at the company I work for, although not from the start. I increased it this past January.
He also talks a lot about real estate, and why you should own instead of rent. There is a great section in there about how to be successful in real estate. Heather has always owned, which is great. I have owned as well. Recent tax law changes make it even more attractive.
There are two other sections to the book - making more money, and living more. The making money section has a good coverage of direct selling, franchising, and eBay, among others. The final section has some great ideas about how to teach your children these ideas. We've made some money on eBay, and I've had success through side businesses before. I've also experienced businesses that failed, and learned from that as well.
This book really helped me see that it's not too late for me, and gave me concrete ideas to make a difference in my own financial outcome. We are making decisions every day that can make a long term difference in our efforts to "finish rich". But he also talks about living well, and how you shouldn't wait until retirement to live well. Heather and I are taking some trips this year. We are being as careful as possible about the costs, but also making sure that we make the most of the trips we are taking - by planning ahead, reading, discussing, and then making sure we enjoy it when we go - and not waste time or energy worrying or complaining.
My final observation is that the only remaining obstacle to financial success would be regret about the past. I made mistakes, some of them big ones. But the biggest mistake would be in letting past mistakes keep me from saving money, making money, and finishing rich!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
God's Problem - Bart D. Ehrman
In a certain way, I purchased this book in an attempt to solve "Kurt's problem", my problem, which is why I fell away from the Catholic faith of my childhood. My life parallels Mr. Ehrman's - strong in my faith as a young man, active in my church, and then eventually as I learned more about the Bible and my faith, becoming more and more disaffected, until finally I dropped away entirely.
In the book, God's problem is the problem of suffering - namely how the world can be filled with suffering if God is who he is said to be - omniscient, omnipotent, and benevolent. The Bible speaks about this topic at length in many contradictory ways. Mr. Ehrman's book is thorough, easy to understand, and easy to read. He walks you through his arguments, and analysis, without truly taxing your thinking skills. However, he does tax your faith.
My way of dealing with the obvious contradictions throughout the Bible was to conclude that the primitive men who wrote the stories in the Bible were just trying to understand God in their own way, and that I could choose not to believe in a God who would willingly drown thousands of Egyptian soldiers just so slaves could escape. I would instead believe that the Israelites wrote the story that way because they were so angry at the Egyptians, and would tell the story of their utter defeat at the hands of the enslaved Israelites. I preferred to think of a God who could push the Egyptians back gently and irresistibly, but without catastrophic bloodshed. I preferred to think of a God who could produce great results without small interventions, that is, who could work with God-like efficiency.
I probably spent five or six hours reading the book, and more thinking about it. Mr. Ehrman recounts and analyzes several key stories, such as the book of Daniel, the book of Revelation, the book of Ecclesiastes, the writings of Paul, and finally, significantly for me, the book of Job.
As a young man preparing for confirmation, I was stung by the criticism of a fellow student at the public school I attended, who stated that Catholics did not study the Bible like Protestants did. As a result, I picked up a Bible and began reading. After reading the book of Job, I sought out this student to ask what the story meant, since it seemed like gibberish to me. As it turned out, this student had not read it, and was simply echoing a piece of prejudice about Catholics, no doubt learned from his parents' mouth.
So, I remember studying the book of Job, and not making sense out of it. In "God's Problem", Mr. Ehrman analyzes the book of Job, and points out that the current version of the book of Job is actually assembled from the work of two different authors, who have different styles, and who wrote in different dialects. The two parts of the story actually contradict each other, which no doubt explains why an inexperienced Biblical scholar like myself couldn't understand it.
You will have to read the book to find the explanation Mr. Ehrman provides for this story.
The book also includes relations of the central discussion about suffering to other literary work, both religious, like the apocryphal books of the Bible, and not, such as "The Brothers Karamazov".
I am drawn to the same conclusion that Mr. Ehrman reaches, and for the same reason. He feels most comfortable with the theology of Ecclesiastes, as do I:
"This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is our lot. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19)"
I can not recommend this book more strongly. It is an excellent book.
In the book, God's problem is the problem of suffering - namely how the world can be filled with suffering if God is who he is said to be - omniscient, omnipotent, and benevolent. The Bible speaks about this topic at length in many contradictory ways. Mr. Ehrman's book is thorough, easy to understand, and easy to read. He walks you through his arguments, and analysis, without truly taxing your thinking skills. However, he does tax your faith.
My way of dealing with the obvious contradictions throughout the Bible was to conclude that the primitive men who wrote the stories in the Bible were just trying to understand God in their own way, and that I could choose not to believe in a God who would willingly drown thousands of Egyptian soldiers just so slaves could escape. I would instead believe that the Israelites wrote the story that way because they were so angry at the Egyptians, and would tell the story of their utter defeat at the hands of the enslaved Israelites. I preferred to think of a God who could push the Egyptians back gently and irresistibly, but without catastrophic bloodshed. I preferred to think of a God who could produce great results without small interventions, that is, who could work with God-like efficiency.
I probably spent five or six hours reading the book, and more thinking about it. Mr. Ehrman recounts and analyzes several key stories, such as the book of Daniel, the book of Revelation, the book of Ecclesiastes, the writings of Paul, and finally, significantly for me, the book of Job.
As a young man preparing for confirmation, I was stung by the criticism of a fellow student at the public school I attended, who stated that Catholics did not study the Bible like Protestants did. As a result, I picked up a Bible and began reading. After reading the book of Job, I sought out this student to ask what the story meant, since it seemed like gibberish to me. As it turned out, this student had not read it, and was simply echoing a piece of prejudice about Catholics, no doubt learned from his parents' mouth.
So, I remember studying the book of Job, and not making sense out of it. In "God's Problem", Mr. Ehrman analyzes the book of Job, and points out that the current version of the book of Job is actually assembled from the work of two different authors, who have different styles, and who wrote in different dialects. The two parts of the story actually contradict each other, which no doubt explains why an inexperienced Biblical scholar like myself couldn't understand it.
You will have to read the book to find the explanation Mr. Ehrman provides for this story.
The book also includes relations of the central discussion about suffering to other literary work, both religious, like the apocryphal books of the Bible, and not, such as "The Brothers Karamazov".
I am drawn to the same conclusion that Mr. Ehrman reaches, and for the same reason. He feels most comfortable with the theology of Ecclesiastes, as do I:
"This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is our lot. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19)"
I can not recommend this book more strongly. It is an excellent book.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Boundary Waters
The book is 'Boundary Waters - The Grace of the Wild' by Paul Gruchow.
I originally received this book as a gift from my lovely wife, Heather. I read it hoping for some history about the boundary waters canoe area, which I had visited for a canoe trip many years ago, in 1984. There was a little history in this book, and it was nice, but not the real value of this book.
I was also hoping that the book would remind me of some of what I felt when I visited the Boundary Waters, and there is some of that, particularly at the end, when Paul writes about seeing a moose walk through water. A similar moment is one of my most cherished memories of my trip.
Paul speaks about the nature of teaching and education, and about the book "Walden" by Thoreau. He intersperses his observations and comments as a sort of thread throughout the book, as the ideas occurred to him in his life.
Since this book wasn't quite what I thought it would be, it took me more time and effort than usual to get through it - perhaps six or seven hours. But it is a good book, a deep book, a worthwhile book.
The real value of this book, I think, to others, will be the nuggets of thought that are scattered throughout the book. Many readers may not have visited the Boundary Waters area of far northern Minnesota and southern Canada, so they will read it for different reasons. One such nugget concerns the nature of names, near the end of the book:
"Names can be both blessings and curses. ... they can be reductive ... a form of acknowledgment ... a way of establishing ... connection ... Names could be seen ... as ways of calling upon the things we name ..."
It's a good book, one I will read again some day.
I originally received this book as a gift from my lovely wife, Heather. I read it hoping for some history about the boundary waters canoe area, which I had visited for a canoe trip many years ago, in 1984. There was a little history in this book, and it was nice, but not the real value of this book.
I was also hoping that the book would remind me of some of what I felt when I visited the Boundary Waters, and there is some of that, particularly at the end, when Paul writes about seeing a moose walk through water. A similar moment is one of my most cherished memories of my trip.
Paul speaks about the nature of teaching and education, and about the book "Walden" by Thoreau. He intersperses his observations and comments as a sort of thread throughout the book, as the ideas occurred to him in his life.
Since this book wasn't quite what I thought it would be, it took me more time and effort than usual to get through it - perhaps six or seven hours. But it is a good book, a deep book, a worthwhile book.
The real value of this book, I think, to others, will be the nuggets of thought that are scattered throughout the book. Many readers may not have visited the Boundary Waters area of far northern Minnesota and southern Canada, so they will read it for different reasons. One such nugget concerns the nature of names, near the end of the book:
"Names can be both blessings and curses. ... they can be reductive ... a form of acknowledgment ... a way of establishing ... connection ... Names could be seen ... as ways of calling upon the things we name ..."
It's a good book, one I will read again some day.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Book - The World Without Us
This book is by Alan Weisman. It took a few evenings to get through - probably four hours for me. It isn't hard to read, just so thought provoking that you have to pause now and then to think about the ramifications of what you've just read.
The book is filled with facts that I had not heard of elsewhere, such as the underground cities in Turkey, or that Norway is already using underground carbon sequestration, which is the subject of proposals for study here in the U.S. Others I knew about, but didn't realize how important an issue it was until I read this book.
There are several concepts I have learned over the years, that I was finally convinced were false, after reading this book. One was that the "first americans" or "native Americans" lived in harmony with nature, without intruding upon it. I certainly can see how it was a harmony, but it certainly was one of their own making. Even the great plains of our central west were a human artifact - a result of controlled burns to keep the plains open for buffalo and other game.
It is a remarkable book. I am glad I read it. I recommend it to any student of history, of man, or simply any eco-minded person.
The book is filled with facts that I had not heard of elsewhere, such as the underground cities in Turkey, or that Norway is already using underground carbon sequestration, which is the subject of proposals for study here in the U.S. Others I knew about, but didn't realize how important an issue it was until I read this book.
There are several concepts I have learned over the years, that I was finally convinced were false, after reading this book. One was that the "first americans" or "native Americans" lived in harmony with nature, without intruding upon it. I certainly can see how it was a harmony, but it certainly was one of their own making. Even the great plains of our central west were a human artifact - a result of controlled burns to keep the plains open for buffalo and other game.
It is a remarkable book. I am glad I read it. I recommend it to any student of history, of man, or simply any eco-minded person.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Book - Man's Search for Meaning
I finished this book last night. It is by Viktor Frankl, who is a psychiatrist and concentration camp survivor. The first part of the book is a recounting of some of his experiences in the Nazi concentration camps during World War II. It talks about the nature of suffering, and why some inmates in the camps were able to survive while others perished.
The second half of the book is a brief outline of logotherapy, a type of pyschotherapy, or school of thought within psychiatry.
The book itself took only a few hours to read, but I think its impact will be long felt. I found myself highlighting passages, just like I was in school again, and needing to remember certain passages for the test. In this case, the test is likely to be how well I utilize this material in my own life.
There are many possible quotations from the book, but here is one possible guiding principle for your life:
"Live as if you were living for the second time and had acted as wrongly the first time as you are about to act now."
I can truly say this is one of the most meaningful books I have read.
The second half of the book is a brief outline of logotherapy, a type of pyschotherapy, or school of thought within psychiatry.
The book itself took only a few hours to read, but I think its impact will be long felt. I found myself highlighting passages, just like I was in school again, and needing to remember certain passages for the test. In this case, the test is likely to be how well I utilize this material in my own life.
There are many possible quotations from the book, but here is one possible guiding principle for your life:
"Live as if you were living for the second time and had acted as wrongly the first time as you are about to act now."
I can truly say this is one of the most meaningful books I have read.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
An Event (or Two) and a Book
I have decided to start blogging the books I read, and possibly an event or two in my life. This past week, my car died, and I decided to sell. Ordinarily this wouldn't be that big of a deal, but it was my grandmother Marcile's car, which she had for about five years, so it has sentimental value.
But, we don't need three cars any more, since my 17 year old son decided to move out. He decided he had had enough of my parental interference. He will be 18 on April 14th, so it isn't all that early, I guess. I have mixed feelings of relief and sadness.
Now for the latest book I've read. This one is by Janet Evanovich, who is a new author for me - I've not read any of her books. My wife suggested it: "Visions of Sugar Plums". It was funny, a quick read, and basically a fantasy. There are memorable and lifelike characters. My favorite is the grandmother. It took about an hour to read, I think.
My comment to Heather (my wife) as I was reading it was: "and you make fun of me for reading science fiction?"
I said that because some of the events in the book seemed science fantasy-like.
But, we don't need three cars any more, since my 17 year old son decided to move out. He decided he had had enough of my parental interference. He will be 18 on April 14th, so it isn't all that early, I guess. I have mixed feelings of relief and sadness.
Now for the latest book I've read. This one is by Janet Evanovich, who is a new author for me - I've not read any of her books. My wife suggested it: "Visions of Sugar Plums". It was funny, a quick read, and basically a fantasy. There are memorable and lifelike characters. My favorite is the grandmother. It took about an hour to read, I think.
My comment to Heather (my wife) as I was reading it was: "and you make fun of me for reading science fiction?"
I said that because some of the events in the book seemed science fantasy-like.
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