"To compensate a little for the treachery and weakness of my memory, so extreme that it has happened to me more than once to pick up again, as recent and unknown to me, books which I had read carefully a few years before . . . I have adopted the habit for some time now of adding at the end of each book . . . the time I finished reading it and the judgment I have derived of it as a whole, so that this may represent to me at least the sense and general idea I had conceived of the author in reading it." (Montaigne, Book II, Essay 10 (publ. 1580))

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

The Chaos of Empire - The British Raj and the Conquest of India (Jon Wilson, 2016)

(504 pp)

Another recent book reviewing the history of the Brits in India.  As with this book (but in a different way), the author looks to challenge the view that Britain provided order if not enlightenment to significant benefit for India.  Author instead seeks to show that the British project was "rooted far more in violence than virtue, far more in chaos than in control."

Which seems right . . . but somehow the author seems to strain a bit too hard to make the point, constantly tossing in loaded words.

Still, this was useful in filling in more pieces of the puzzle.

A few things I noted:

1.  I didn't read this for a geography lesson, but the author had a comprehensible way of describing the country's geography and physical features in big-picture terms.  Including why that strip along the southwest coast is so different.

2.  Useful description of the incremental approach by which the British exerted control over various portions of the country.  Opportunistic not planned.  Business concerns not "good governance."  Widely varying structures (fortified ports from the 1600s; Clive's eastern India territories; Mysore/Marathas collaboration; "cantonments" in native states); never brought together effectively.

3.  I liked the discussion of the governance structures that preceded the Brits.  India was a sophisticated place where things worked reasonably well even if Mughals were in decline.  The story line has been that India needed the Brits to oversee the anarchic (backward) locals, but that seems to be mostly a story.  Brits mostly succeeded in breaking the old governance patterns without adequate replacement. 

4.  And many local bonds broke as new land policies etc. were pursued.  Of course that may have happened with or without the Brits.  Interesting idea that religious affiliation may have intensified because so many other bonds broke down; the idea is cited in Bengal/Calcutta breakdowns in the run-up to WWII (and the Partition violence; unaffiliated males migrate and cluster.

5.  Pretty much no discussion of caste.

6.  Discussing the thin overlay of Brit authority; but for many influential Indians the Brits were a source of order (profit) given that other structures were no longer operative, so there were plenty of locals willing to support the Brits.

7.  The dramatic effect of 1857 ("mutiny" or "rebellion" depending on one's perspective).  Delhi pretty much starts over.

8.  Brits managing to avoid socializing with or otherwise getting to know Indians.  Kind of weird.

9.  Robert Clive - perhaps the best opportunist on the scene.

Monday, December 11, 2017

The Shadow of the Wind (Carlos Ruiz Zafon, 2001)

(487 pages)

Book club selection (via NOC; session held 9 December 2017).

Protagonist Daniel - son of a bookseller - is taken by his father to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books - where he takes responsibility for a novel by a certain Julian Carax.  From there the author takes us on a journey around Barcelona (with a stop in Paris) over the course of quite a few years, with the main action taking place in and around the time of the Spanish Civil War.  Involving Julian's school pals, Fermin, three women, etc., etc.

Beautifully written.  Perhaps too many plot twists - made it challenging for the author to tie it all together - but this also kept things moving along.

Monday, December 04, 2017

Bhagavad-Gita (between 5th and 2nd centuries BCE?)

(130 pages)

Wasn't familiar with this until Dharma sent us a link to a TED talk - in which a pretty engaging speaker sought to pull some lessons for current application - the talk was good enough to encourage me to read the entire work.

Which consists of 700 verses in the midst of a very long Hindu epic named Mahabharata.

Prince Arjuna is speaking to his charioteer Lord Krishna - though not recognizing him until later in the discussion.  The conversation takes place just before what is certain to be a major battle - Arjuna recognizes family and friends on the other side - despairs whether fighting is the right thing to do.  Lord Krishna explains why Arjuna should fight; speaks with compassion, insight, patience (and much much more); lets Arjuna make his own decision.

Useful thoughts throughout; many overlap, almost down to the word, with Bible passages.  I liked Krishna's way of advising to focus on what one can control without being overly concerned with the outcome; with doing one's duties well, choosing responsibilities wisely, in part to reciprocate for what's been given.

"See a bit of yourself in everything around you, and a bit of everything in you" - nice.

Some discussion of castes; need to figure out better how this fits in.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Bewilderments - Reflections on the Book of Numbers (Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, 2015)

(311 pp)

Religion pretty clearly has been crucially important throughout history, and I need to know more about it.  On the Judaeo-Christian side - have pretty well made it through a re-read of the Old Testament (mostly skipping the wisdom literature), including the Pentateuch.  Saw a favorable review on this author's deep dives into the Old Testament; this one focuses on the Book of Numbers.

I didn't love it, and will take a break before picking up more of her work (if I ever do).  I expected to appreciate the deep dive aspect - but often it felt as though the author was straining to find meanings and subtexts, perhaps to fill out a book-length effort (actually a lecture series turned into a book)?  Or perhaps I just don't get it.

I was bewildered, so to speak.

The Book of Numbers takes place after the Jews have been delivered from Egypt; they are rather grumbly and some even express a preference to return.  The Spies check out the Promised Land but suggest great problems overcoming the locals.  God decides that the Jews will wander in the desert for 40 years - ensuring that all of the faithless will be buried in those sands - a new generation will finally reach the Promised Land.

Not including Moses - the 2x rock tap episode gets a lengthy, and quite different, treatment here (including speculation that he was supposed to "speak" to the rock in front of the people).

I learned something about Talmud and midrashic sources, which was interesting.

Miriam - song/dance.  Joshua. 

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

Swann's Way (Marcel Proust, 1913)

(462 pp)

Re-reading Remembrance of Things Past; this is the first volume.

I dearly love the passages where the author - as a youngster - spends time in Combray.  The descriptions of poor Aunt Leonie are perfect.  The sorrows of the author when sent to bed; the descriptions of the town and the church; Swann's visits at Combray.  Then a lengthy discussion of Swann and Odette (which I don't enjoy as much as the Combray scenes); Swann visiting the Verdurins.  Author meeting Gilberte.

Throughout - the author's effort to understand memory - at the end of this volume:  "The places we have known do not belong only to the world of space on which we map them for our own convenience.  None of them was ever more than a thin slice, held between the contiguous impressions that composed our life at that time; the memory of a particular image is but regret for a particular moment; and houses, roads, avenues are as fugitive, alas, as the years."  Curious how that would come across in the original French. (Is "regret" the word here?  Maybe in the sense of "longing for what cannot be regained?")

The very first page refers to the rivalry between Francois I and Charles V, who else talks about this kind of thing.

Haven't decided how quickly I'll proceed, other than "not very."

Monday, October 30, 2017

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win (Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, 2015)

(317 pp)

Book club selection (via POC; session held 29 October 2017).

While traveling with D'backs, POC had gone with a group to visit a Navy SEALs post in San Diego; they recommended this book.  The ex-SEAL authors run a consulting business - they try to translate SEALs training/methods to business clients.  That's what the book is about.

The consulting business stuff was so-so - while the case studies rang true, the too-tidy application of very general principles did not.  (But I'm not a fan of business books in general - typically an individual or an entity experiences some success, then looks back and tries to guesstimate what made the difference; then to monetize the advice.  Not a winning formula.)

The book's value to me was glimpsing a world that is so incredibly different from the lives most of us lead.  Setting aside the politics ("why are we sending soldiers to these countries") - the guys that go execute these misbegotten missions are exposed to dangers I cannot imagine. 

Some of it reminds of what one reads about training of elite athletes - but then you realize the SEALs-types execute their tasks in the face of live ammo sent their direction by entirely unfriendly folks - amazing. 

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Unshackling America - How the War of 1812 Truly Ended the American Revolution (Willard Sterne Randall, 2017)

406 pp

Well reviewed; overlapping time periods from a different perspective, so seemed like a good follow-on to this biography of Napoleon and Uglow's study of then-conditions in England.  And it was.  Plus I didn't know much of anything about the War of 1812.  Recommended.

A useful idea: looking at the War of 1812 as a continuation of events commencing in the 1760s and continuing through 1814.  Even though the Revolutionary War had ended in Britain withdrawing, Britain's view of the colonies hadn't changed dramatically.

The pressures of the Napoleonic wars, the Continental System, the British blockades, the importance of navies - all fed into the War of 1812.  Economic pressure as trade is disrupted, with threats of worse.  Impressment remained a huge issue - British soldiers want to escape to American employment; Brit press gangs are so aggressive per Uglow's discussion; Britain needed bodies, and often had a reasonable position since the line between British subject and British-subject-turned-American-citizen was highly fluid.

U.S. not united in war aims; Senate approval is only 19-13.  Deep resentment in northern and eastern states.  "Tories" who had relocated to Canada would have welcomed British success.

Indians allied to British; turns out badly for them.

U.S. seemed in a strong position initially what with Britain preoccupied with Napoleon, and the U.S. far away.  But U.S. forces severely disorganized and its leaders incompetent, in part a result of Jefferson's cutbacks.  U.S. makes no progress in first couple years; burns through available cash; then Napoleon surrenders in 1814 and additional British ships and soldiers start showing up in force.  Many are veterans of the Peninsula campaign - things looking very bad for U.S.

Many interesting elements to the war, including battles on the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.  Fort McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner - actually a compelling story even if the anthem is over-used (and perhaps not the greatest anthem).

Book of course isn't directly about the Revolutionary War, but offered an entirely useful discussion of the lead-up to the Declaration of Independence - some of the taxes, tariffs, miscalculations.

Interesting discussions around Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison; initial divisions into political parties - with the basic fault line so similar to today's.  Truculence in politics is normal!  Adams as effective ambassador to the court of Tsar Alexander, which relationship Britain was required to take into account.

Brits burn down much of DC in 1814 (evoking negative response even in London) - somehow this finally shocked the U.S. into focused action.  Better training and equipment, better morale.  Brits consider sending over Wellington, but things not going so well at Congress of Vienna and France is restive.

So Brits decide to cut a deal for peace - even if U.S. in a weak position - Treaty of Ghent ends up moving the ball pretty much not a whit from where the combatants started.  But a useful discussion of how all this did push along the process of making the U.S. into a more coherent nation.

Also connected to recent reading - John Jacob Astor and Astoria - including the stories of conflicts with the British in the town's early days, as recounted in this book.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Full House - The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin (Stephen Jay Gould, 1996)

(228 pp)

Book club selection (via Lon; session held 24 September 2017).

The various ideas in this book were interesting, though it wasn't always clear to me how they fit together.  Main theme seemed to be debunking the idea (or our somewhat sentimental attachment to the idea) of evolutionary linear progress - the notion that creatures on planet Earth today, especially humans, were somehow destined to end up in their current format.  Emphasizes the randomness of evolution; and that simpler organisms also are hugely (if not more) successful (see bacteria, antelopes).  Darwin himself didn't see evolution as embodying general upward progress, but as a response to local conditions (can't say I picked up on that here), though he softened that message because of the implications.   

Also some useful discussions of statistics, with focus on left wall/right wall analyses.  Helpful in dealing with the deluge of statistical claims that we encounter (so often skewed to support whatever narrative is being promoted).  Lots of baseball discussion - 1996 so preceding much of the analytics advances - I certainly agree with his idea that the demise of the .400 hitter results from improved play (not deteriorating hitting skills).

The "right wall" - areas where humans are pushing toward it - how far can sprinting/running records fall?  The idea that German composers (he uses dates 1685-1828) progressed so far that others have given up trying to improve and branched into different areas; perhaps also in painting, where representational techniques were pretty much perfected.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Martin Luther - Renegade and Prophet (Lyndal Roper, 2017)

(416 pp)

Martin Luther can't help but fascinate; it's the 500th anniversary of posting the 95 Theses; this book received favorable reviews; so it seemed like time to read more about him.  I much liked it.

(Initially nervous because the author tries to differentiate this bio from the massive stack of extant Luther bios by claiming a focus on "psychological" factors - ugh - but other than a bunch of references to Luther's father, and a passing reference to Freud, this element didn't much get in the way.)

What to make of Luther?  Certainly in the early going he appears clear-thinking, engaging, earthy; vaguely (very vaguely) reminiscent of Napoleon personality traits (or perhaps Napoleon is just top of mind these days).  Luther also adept at public relations - very impressive in Luther's case given the newness of print technology.  As far as PR - in addition to the printers, Cranach's shop churned out those memorable drawings.

Shows lots of courage in those early days ("here I stand") - this at a time when protection of his local "elector" wasn't necessarily a sure thing.  He stood up to the church hierarchy and Charles V.

Yes there were plenty of Germans sick of the Italians, and getting pushed around by local bishops; and the corruption in the central Roman Catholic structure was pretty overwhelming at this time (as discussed here).  So while Luther no doubt benefited from timing (again reminiscent of the Napoleon/"great man" discussion/French Revolution timing), it certainly seems that a unique individual was required to push reforms forward.  For starters, being put to death was a huge risk.

Author does a good job of explaining why Luther was such an unlikely candidate for what he did - modest education, grew up in what was then a backwater in Germany.

Some much less positive traits emerge if not predominate as the years go by.  Seems that the lengthy confinement in the castle - for Luther's protection - took a toll.  Deeply anti-Semitic.  "Protestants" (not sure when that term came into usage) were taking different paths; Luther seemed to rather like his first/supreme role, and as the years went by was never able to work very well with others.  Too often didn't even engage in useful discussions - just said "the devil" was driving his foes (reminiscent of how "racism" or "fascism" is used today).  Combative, insulting, personal. 

Also became pretty conservative - again, after the castle episode - realized he needed the elector and his ilk to survive - spoke out against the Peasants War, and generally advised submission to authority.  Which - coming from him - was rather rich.

Married a nun - a nice touch - several children - described as a loving father.

Lots of debate over the "Real Presence" issue in the Eucharist - many Protestants wanted to say it was symbolic, Luther kept insisting on a literal Real Presence.  Divisive issue, hard to now imagine how much energy was expended on this.

Enduring contributions in hymns, German translation of the Bible.

Luther dies in 1546.  Lots of bloodshed ahead.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

In These Times - Living in Britain Through Napoleon's Wars, 1793-1815 (Jenny Uglow, 2014)

(641 pp)

I very much like this kind of history - the author delves into what must be an incredible stack of period correspondence and documents, then finds a way to condense, organize and present it in a compelling manner.  Small-bore experiences playing out against the wide-ranging Napoleonic wars.

And it was an ideal follow-on to this just-read biography of Napoleon - useful to read it while the Napoleon sequences are freshly in mind.

A few thoughts -

1.  Virtually entirely from a British perspective - Napoleon from across the Channel.  Somewhat distant - yet very worried about invasion in the pre-Trafalgar days.

2.  Gave a better appreciation for how long these wars lasted - partly through stories of British families that sent more than one generation off to the war.

3.  Disruption of the British economy over a prolonged period - with, as usual, the common folk bearing the brunt of the economic pain.  (As well as providing the bulk of the cannon fodder - though I'd think a much higher percentage of "higher class" folks went into the military in those days, as compared to 2017 America.)  Smugglers take advantage of the trade restrictions - like always.

4.  While all this seems "long ago" - the letters consistently reveal attitudes and concerns so reminiscent of current times.

5.  After all - we have our own version of perpetual war.  British also masters at government propaganda to prop up the war effort.  (Never mind if the economy is harmed and so many folks are getting maimed and killed - be patriotic!  The threat is terrible!)

6.  Lots of dissent.  Lots of repression.  Free speech under attack.  What we would call "protesters" injured or killed by militia - who are acquitted.  Getting in trouble for not vigorously saying "God Save the King."

7.  Everybody hated the press gangs.  Many communities fought back, hard.  Led into some discussion of how the War of 1812 fit in.

8.  Much correspondence from well-known families - such as the Austens.  Lord Byron, Dickens relative, Walter Scott.  Etc.

9.  Nelson and Wellington as big-time heroes.

10.  Enclosure and agricultural improvement underway.  First railways.  War promotes some types of industrial or mechanical development.  Britain an impressive place, deeply struggling with working class, but staving off any real reform until 1832, per this.

11.  Sadness of injuries and deaths of soldiers on campaign - as reported in the correspondence.  Prisoners; prison brigs.

12.  Waterloo - culmination of a trend of higher casualty rates (better guns, etc.)  So many visitors picking up souvenirs on the battlefield; recall scenes in famous novels such as Vanity Fair or Les Miserables  Can better see why this made such an impression.

Author ends by giving some follow-up on the families of some of the prolific letter writers, which was a nice touch.

The returning veterans had it tough - low or no pensions, injuries, too many returnees to incorporate into the economy - selling trinkets on the streets - quite a change from chasing Napoleon' armies.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

In Spite of the Gods - The Strange Rise of Modern India (Edward Luce, 2007)

(356 pp)

Author was South Asia bureau chief for the Financial Times (something I've never seen) between 2001 and 2006; he married into an Indian family.  The book is described as a helpful introduction for a "generalist" reader - which seems accurate - very accessible.  How accurate are the author's viewpoints?  I don't really know, but he seems rather measured in what he says.

Talks a lot about problems, but overall seems quite "taken" with India, and optimistic on balance.

Includes some discussion of "the present" i.e. the few years prior to publication in 2007 - useful though these parts of course have more of a shelf life.

Lots to digest; here are a few areas where I think I learned a little more (not in order of importance):

1.  I keep seeing references to "corruption" in Indian politics - the author certainly sees plenty - in some ways reminding of the way the US fritters government revenues, except the percentage being diverted seems quite a bit higher, and the needs are greater (so the waste hurts more).  Agriculture programs hijacked for benefit of a few big farmers (like US).

2.  Government jobs viewed as highly desirable; temptations when obtain them.

3.  Formation of voting coalitions - issues like caste and religion.  Politicians chase votes and emphasize divisions (caste and religion)  . . . the identity politics are somewhat reminiscent of US . . . Brits encouraged the differences (intentionally and otherwise) way back when but Congress party pursued more of a "unity" viewpoint.  Historically a significant amount of blurring occurred between say Hindu/Muslim notwithstanding the tensions; but author sees this as breaking down, cites as an example that in recent years Muslims becoming more likely to wear "Muslim" clothes at all times, not (for example) saris . . . identity politics do create unnecessary divisions, just like here.  Ugh.

4.  Caste - too complex for me to understand - author thinks it is somewhat weakening in cities, especially in the south; quite strong elsewhere.  Reserved jobs for Other Backward Classes, etc.  Need to learn more about this.

5.  Religious personal law continues alongside civil law (Islamic triple taliq in the news recently) - how to create commonality if this continues?  A 1947 compromise that will be hard to change.

6.  Hindu nationalism rising when this was written; BJP not in power when book published, but is now (Ram Temple symbolic like Trump's border wall perhaps?)  This seems really complicated, perhaps (hopefully?) it's more about chasing votes than actually implementing policy? State level politics very important, coalitions differ from national level.

7.  Background information on the License Raj, 1991 dismantling, etc.  The economy has responded; still lots of (too much) regulatory overlay.  Courts super-slow.

8.  Government workers essentially unfireable - worse even than in the US (which is saying a lot) - discouraging, this is a huge problem with so many governments.  Apparently private workers have similar protections in India - which sounds appealing - until you realize this discourages employers from hiring folks at all (too risky if they can't be fired).

9.  Continuing political emphasis on villages - yet might be like rural Iowa in the end, a dead-end?  Don't know.

10.  Advances in south India (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) - which makes sense for several reasons - I had always assumed more action in the north since that's where the Brits (and Mughuls) seems to concentrate, and where the more familiar cities are located.  Wrong again.

11.  Partition; relationship with Pakistan.

12.  China!

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The Brain Defense - Murder in Manhattan and the Dawn of Neuroscience in America's Courtrooms (Kevin Davis, 2017)

(295 pp)

Book club selection (via Nick; session held 28 August 2017).

Title is pretty descriptive of content - author looks initially at the Weinstein case - seemingly aberrant behavior, defendant has a very large tumor, evidence of this is ruled admissible in part.  Discussion about (questionable) evidentiary value of the neuroscience, and the cottage industry that has grown up involving expert witnesses and defense lawyers.

What to do if the judge or jury is convinced that the defendant cannot control his/her behavior because of brain issues?  Much of this is playing out in a binary setting (guilty or not) that doesn't accommodate nuance.

Author pursues perhaps too many major threads here - juveniles, veterans, NFL players, etc.  The purpose of sentencing - rehabilitation, deterrence, etc.

At book's end, author provides what seems a useful summary - very cautionary about probative value, he concludes we know something but not enough.  So continued reliance on normal evidence seems wise!

More generally - this brings to mind the problematic invocation of "science" to support desired judicial outcomes, broad policy preferences, etc. - this problem seems worse than ever.

The book triggered more discussion than usual, which is good.

Friday, August 04, 2017

Paris 1919 - Six Months That Changed The World (Margaret MacMillan, 2001)

(624 pages)

Interesting and useful review of the Paris peace conference following World War I.  Many, many threads that lead to conflicts in the run-up to WW2 and in numerous cases thereafter.  Easy to criticize what happened here, but the book gives a good idea of the difficulties the participants faced.

Of all the ideas - the main thought for me - and one that strikes me more strongly than ever - the profound perniciousness of Wilson's ballyhooed notion of "self-determination" as promoted in his "Fourteen Points."  Plenty of folks recognized the danger even then.  What did it ever mean?  That any group that can somehow identify as ethnic, or "a people" - should get its own territorial state?  That any such majority in a given territory decides (and too bad for the minority)?  The concept was hopeless yet stirred up nationalist/ethnic hopes - and hatreds - around the world.  Of course not the only contributing factor to this trend - but I think a major one.

[A thought experiment (if off-topic a bit):  had the war affected US territories - should Arizona and California be returned to Mexico? to Spain?  to Native Americans?  Take a vote based on whoever currently resided there?  Include folks who had been relocated out?  Etc.]

Far better if politicians had devoted their energies to exhorting citizens to accept territorial designations, and then get along with each other within them.  That would have left plenty enough problems to work out - but would have set a better tone than the nationalist/ethnic battling and cleansing that rather naturally followed throughout the balance of the 20th century (and to this day).  One example among so many:  sounds like the Kurds had never thought of themselves as a people, or wanting a territory - until 1919; remains an issue in 2017.

A classic example of territorial confusion:  how to handle a situation like Poland?  What about the Balkans?  Way too much movement of way too many peoples over way too many centuries for "self-determination" to have any practical use as a guiding principle.  A political slogan for which anyone could fill in the desired meaning (see "sustainability," "diversity," "New Deal", "Fair Deal", "Hope and Change," "MAGA" etc.)

By coincidence, today I saw that yet another paper on this theme was recently published, per this link.  Wilson's slogan, and mischief, not likely to be undone.

The second major thought - the overwhelming difficulties facing the big three negotiators (or four, given that Italy was a token presence).  Setting borders around the world - literally.  With only so much knowledge.  And only so much time (the big three had pretty demanding day jobs!)  And domestic political constraints.  And exhausted victor countries/lack of resources to enforce anything.  Hard enough in western Europe - but consider eastern and central Europe; the Middle East; Africa; Balkans - impossible complexity, few good answers.  US had some resources but withdrew from the stage.

Wilson always seems profoundly annoying - the archetype progressive - an arrogant know-it-all, busy-body, telling everyone else how they should behave.

German provisions harsh; if not a major cause of the events leading up to WW2, the treaty certainly provided a major excuse/talking point for Hitler-types.

So many decisions that reverberate in international disputes to this day.

Monday, July 31, 2017

Hopi - Susanne & Jake Page (1982)

(224 pp)

This had been recommended by Joseph Day (he and his Hope wife run a shop on Second Mesa, discussed here).

Hopi are famously reluctant about allowing photos etc.  This book-project was unusual - undertaken in late 1970s (with initial publication date in 1982) - they explain that the tribe was amenable in part because a book about the Navajo had been well-received a few years earlier.  So I think it was a bit of a PR project.

But nothing similar has since been permitted, so this one is particularly worthwhile.

Interesting discussions of internal politics within Hopi as this existed at that time (no doubt somewhat similar now).  Great photography.  The dances (social and religious).  Hadn't realized the importance of eaglets.  Discussion of spirituality, or spirit world.  How the San Francisco Peaks and other key areas fit into the origin narrative and current locations.  Transition in white man world.  Interactions with Navajo, ongoing border issues.

Incredible continuity over so many centuries.

It's all rather amazing - and centered just a few miles N/NE of here.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

The Sorrows of Young Werther (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1774)

(110 pp)

Book club selection (via me; session held 23 July 2017).

Last read in 2009; my summary from back then still works well enough.

Biography of Goethe summarized here.

Discussion at session useful/interesting - partly as we wrestle with understanding blockbuster status when initially published.

Held the session at CPG house due to air conditioner failure(s) at ours.  PJ with some good cooking, including Grandma's peach pie.


Friday, June 30, 2017

Napoleon - A Life (Andrew Roberts, 2014)

(810 pages)

Napoleon's story line is pretty familiar by now . . . pops up in so many books/contexts . . . but this author had access to more of his letters than previous biographers - 33,000 letters in total . . . so it seemed like a good idea to re-up.  And it was - this bio is readable, useful.

After reading all those letters - the author was generally sympathetic to Napoleon.

I have the impression that the "great man" [person] theory of history is pretty much out of fashion, and I'd think for good reason.  Still - if any one person can be said to have moved the needle - Napoleon is a pretty good candidate.  Amazing accomplishments across a broad range of topics at a very young age.  Everyone is reacting to him across all of Europe for many decades - politics, military, legal, arts.  (Interesting that Tolstoy was sufficiently moved by Napoleon to include as a central theme of this novel a refutation of "great man" theory.)

A few thoughts:

1.  Only in the chaos resulting from the Revolution could someone like this advance so rapidly.  (Not a criticism - he dealt with the circumstances as they existed.)

2.  In his youth - into adulthood - he read high quality books incessantly.  Viewed this as the best possible preparation.  Agreed!

3.  Of course ambitious - very much so - wanted to be remembered like Alexander or Caesar.

4.  Yet able to connect with common soldiers; really with pretty much anyone - including British jailers - generally a good listener, able to absorb competing viewpoints and modify his own.

5.  Author cites some major blind spots - economics (believed the Continental System would work); naval operations; putting his brothers in charge of key tasks; obsessed with Britain.

6.  Biggest blind spot in my view - perhaps willful - pursuing policies/campaigns that resulted in the deaths of so many soldiers.  And exhausted France.  There had to be a better way.  The "ambition" problem.

7.  Military genius - seems definitely yes - innovator; though he fared less well as opponents adopted his innovations.  Stories of the famous battles.  Perceptive, decisive, personally brave.

8.  Must have been an all-around genius - not just military.  Rapid-fire and on-target decision-making in an astonishing array of subjects.  Could handle both big picture and details - rare.  Prolific letter writer - how things got done.

9.  "Enlightenment on horseback" - gets back to Paris after initial wars, implements Code Napoleon - the truly lasting contribution; influence throughout Europe.

10.  Information on Elba and St. Helena largely new to me.

Napoleon impresses, mightily.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War, 1890-1914 (Barbara Tuchman, 1966)

(531 pages)

Unusual structure -Tuchman provides eight lengthy essays on various topics affecting England, France, Germany, Russia and the US in the two decades leading up to World War I.  The essays are related but not all that closely connected.  She writes really well.  I'd highly recommend.

Partly because - in addition to giving all kinds of perspective on that era - so much resonates with today.  Concerns about expanding the franchise - what would happen with additional voters, many less interested or informed than the limited group previously able to vote - will they vote themselves unaffordable benefits, fall for demagoguery, etc.?  Violence from the left, justified in various ways.

She doesn't believe - and shows - that the prewar "Le Belle Epoque" was nearly as great, or orderly, as nostalgia later recalled it.  So many making the exact error today when looking back at the 1950s.

The eight essays:

"The Patricians" - upper-crust England faces changes.

"The Idea and the Deed" - very good background on Anarchism - no interest in government; Proudhon, Bakunin; bomb-throwing (with consequences discussed at length in this book for the Balkans, also in this book for Russia; Joseph Conrad's excellent novel version here).  Gave me a little idea of where these folks fit in.

"End of a Dream" - the US builds up its navy, goes into Cuba and the Philippines - over the strong objection of those who felt this betrayed founding principles.  This is where Puerto Rico became ensnared.  Isolationism wasn't dead, but severely chipped away at - unfortunately.  I didn't know much about this story line.

"Give Me Combat" - France coping with the Dreyfus affair - added a lot of useful context to items recently read - more detail on the effect on French society.  Trump Derangement Syndrome resonates.  Multiple newspapers and viewpoints - unabashedly partisan - seems better than today's fake veneer of objectivity.

"The Steady Drummer" - discussion of Hague peace conferences.  Genuine fears emerging of mechanized warfare.  But the nations don't change course.

"Neroism is in the Air" - much discussion about German culture, primarily through Richard Strauss - also Nietzsche; a tale of rising militarism.  German intellectuals withdrawal tracing to 1848 failures and disappointments.

"Transfer of Power" - discussion of a topic I've wondered about - what process transitioned from aristocrats to more "modern" politics and parties?  Labour didn't exist as a party - Liberals prevail in 1906 with a few Labour seats; Liberal party on its way to oblivion.  More voters.  More literacy - more involvement - more perceived to be at stake - voters understanding that they can vote stuff for themselves.  Liberal disenchantment/disillusionment with Democracy, Enlightenment-style progress.  Rise of the mob.  Myth of rational voter.  The "transfer of power" in England, "not a mere political transfer from the in-party to the outs but one more profound, to a new class."

"The Death of Jaurès," - discussion of the birth of socialism - the splits among those expecting capitalism to fail (Marxian prediction) and those wanting to participate in the government and pursue changes via that route.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Everything Flows (Vasily Grossman; unfinished; last worked on in 1964)

(208 pp)

Book club selection (via PJ; session held 25 June, 2017).

Another book that held up really well on second reading; see discussion from first reading here.  Also a good book club selection, interesting conversation as these topics remain relevant.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

An Officer and a Spy (Robert Harris, 2013)


(425 pp)

Book club selection (via PJr; session held 14 May, 2017).

Book held up well on second reading; see discussion here.  Also a good book club selection.  Plus the beer selection was good, also chicken divan.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

An Era of Darkness - The British Empire in India (Shashi Tharoor, 2016)

(291 pp)

The author argued during a speech at Oxford in 2015 that the British domination of India was deeply negative for India in pretty much every way.  The lecture ended up becoming very popular online - reportedly rapidly exceeding three million views on one site - and is now revised into book form.  Pretty clearly it struck a chord.  I know almost nothing of Indian politics but it sounds like a nationalist strain has emerged there in recent years (not equating this with nationalist strains elsewhere as I don't know if/how comparable) (Modi).

My untutored impression of the matter has always been that yes of course the Brits took advantage of the situation in India in various ways, and generally acted as racists - but that's sort of how things were done back then.  And I also have a vague impression that the Brits also were looking out for the Indians in many respects and seeking to make things better.  White man's burden sort of thing, I suppose.

This author makes a pretty compelling case that his viewpoint is more accurate (Brit influence almost entirely negative).

A few thoughts:

1.  Author makes interesting comparisons between India and England at the time of England's entry into east India - including India's relative economic strength, its long history compared to England's - and then offers comparisons between the two as a couple centuries roll by - with England consistently drawing off resources and interfering with whatever might have been the ordinary course of Indian economic development.  I don't know if the author's data is accurate or useful, but it's thought-provoking for sure.  Of course we don't exactly know how India would have developed with less or no interference - but its performance in the 21st century suggests it would have worked its way forward just fine.

2.  India paying for its own exploitation - essentially billed for all costs of running the country, etc.

3.  So many Englishmen making their fortunes in India.  This seems telling.

4.  Especially after the 1857 rising (or mutiny, as Brits would call it) - divide and conquer became a more conscious policy - emphasizing differences especially as between Hindu and Muslim (but also Sikh etc.).  Of course there were plenty of divisions independent of the Brit influence (including caste), but it's hard to believe that the situation wasn't antagonized; let alone the uncontrollable run-up that led to the Partition.

5.  Terrible famines.  Though not since Brits left.

6.  Brit's widespread presence and control not the result of a long-term strategic plan.  A business sets about making profit in a risky new market in 18th century, and learns how to take control of territories in support of the business plan.  Then the perimeter of the territory needs to be controlled, as well as the perimeter of the perimeter - the usual expansion rationale.  Then the crown takes over from the business after 1857.  One thing leads to the next in terms of territorial control, economic measures, etc.

7.  Assuming Brit influence was consistently malign - why didn't India rise up?  I think the explanation I usually see makes sense - that the Brits could tip the balance in various power struggles at the early stages and then - once in place - pick off control of additional states/territories by essentially cutting deals with the leadership.  Author argues this was pretty lucrative for the Brits and for the compliant local leaders, pretty negative for everyone else.

[Interesting that places like Peru and Mexico had similar experiences - an opening appears when the ruling party in disarray, rivals are rising, and a small force with advanced weaponry - and yes, no small measure of courage and/or greed - can then tip the balance and obtain outsized influence.]

Interesting throughout.  The author doesn't duck a fundamental question - the "so what" - even if Brit influence was deeply negative, India has been independent since 1947 and has adopted plenty of not-optimal policies in its own right - why burn energy looking back?  I think the usual answer applies - foundation myths are powerful in any country, and must be viewed critically if/as countries seek to move forward.

Thursday, May 04, 2017

The Millionaire and the Bard - Henry Folger's Obsessive Hunt for Shakespeare's First Folio (Andrea Mays, 2015)

(281 pages)

Surprisingly similar to this just-read book.  In both cases the author tries to make a book-length story out of something that should be much shorter.  And the stories are somewhat similar - seeking earliest copies of some of the most famous, and best, literature in the world.  With way too much time spent on the details of the chase - when more information about the historical setting would have been far more useful.

The Quaritch book store in London (which I'd never heard of previously) even figures in both stories.

Henry Folger made his money as a senior executive with John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil companies.  Somehow he got the collecting bug - but unlike many wealthy collectors in those days, he specialized.  And ended up with a colossal haul of Shakespeare materials.

The most interesting part was the explanation about why Shakespeare himself hadn't bothered putting the works into formal written format; the source materials that the two compilers - both knew Shakespeare well - could have worked from in coming up with the First Folio.  The printing process.  Paper was expensive!  Shakespeare not so widely known for some time, then becomes much more recognized as 18th century passes.  Samuel Johnson a big fan.

Biographical information on Folger, of course, including details about his disposition of the collection.  Mrs. Folger a key player throughout.

Now I need to visit the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Monday, May 01, 2017

Guard of Honor (James Gould Cozzens, 1948)

(631 pp)

Saw a couple highly favorable references so thought I'd give it a try.  I liked it.

Won Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1948.

Story takes places over three days; almost all of the action takes place at a fictional Florida base for the Army Air Forces (I think this preceded a separate Air Force?)  Quite a few characters, but focus on just a few and the character development is strong.

Beyond just the story-telling, I think this is useful in giving a glimpse of how the military might have felt on a domestic base in 1942 (in that respect sometimes made me think of this excellent novel); the way that career Army fellows interacted with one another (with the combat vets in particular bonded closely); the contrasting way that civilian types in the Army operated as among themselves and with the career guys - effective, respected, but just not as closely tied in.  Early 1940s army was full of draftees or enlistees - in this respect the story line mostly involves professional public relations and media types (which I learned was the author's role in the war).  Glimpses of the unwritten rules among the military types as they cope with issues and decisions.

"Bus" Beal is the general in charge - correctly views himself as a "flyboy" - never to be an all-star administrative-general type, but also the kind of person that is needed to win wars.  Most of the story line involves Captain Hicks and Colonel Ross - civilians.  Issues arise at a Florida base when a contingent of Negro flyers and support folks arrive, with Washington DC intending that this will become a showcase unit.

Amanda Turck.  Beal's wing-man - Benny Carricker.  Mrs. Ross; Mrs. Beal; Lippa; Captain Wiley (Southerner with combat experience); Jo Jo Nichols; Colonel Mowbray; etc.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

The Lost Book of Moses - The Hunt for the World's Oldest Bible (Chanan Tigay, 2016)

Entertaining and useful - but for my taste, way longer than it needed to be. (332 pages)

Book focuses on Moses Wilhelm Shapira, who in 1883 showed up in London with what he claimed was the world's oldest Bible scroll.  Rejected as a fraud - but when the Dead Sea Scrolls are found some 70 years later, the authenticity issue is reopened.  But by then no one knows where Shapira's scrolls ended up.

Shapira as an unlikely antiquities vendor - based in Jerusalem in second half of 19th century.  Problems with his sales of Moabite pottery.  His shop in the old city is a mecca for tourists - tourism being rather a new idea in Jerusalem in those days.

The author gets into long discussions of his detective work in trying to track down the scrolls - well-written, clever - but really who cares?  (I guess it did give some insight into how these artifacts - accumulated starting in 19th century - end up more or less lost or findable, as the case may be, in museum boxes - the fate of so much stuff, apparently.)

An interesting angle:  the discussions, if short, about the history of the Bible - Shapira's heyday overlaps with the first scholarly analysis of the development of the Old Testament.  Interesting to think that, until this time, so much rock-solid belief that e.g. the 10 Commandments were written on tablets by finger of God, etc.  Religion changes a lot if one considers that the foundational texts might be affected by the hand of man (similar strands with Mormon texts, also Islam).

Jerusalem's history so interesting - like so much of that part of the world, conquerors sweep through from time to time over the millennia - so in that sense, lots of conflict.  But when Shapira is active - 19th century - Jerusalem is coming off a period of relative neglect - no sign of the three-way fight among Christians, Jews, Islam that - here in 21st century - one would assume has been going on for centuries.  But to get started on that topic, I'd recommend this book.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

The Fixer (Bernard Malamud, 1966)

A ne'er-do-well "fixer" (someone who makes a living, sort of, as a handyman or doing small repairs) reluctantly moves from the shtetl - embarrassed that wife left him, looking for change - to Kiev.  Early 20th century.  Fixer uneducated but finds an interest in reading, picks up quite a bit of learning here and there (Spinoza).  Chain of circumstances leads him to reside and work, under a false name, in an area forbidden to Jews.  Christian child is murdered with multiple stab wounds; the fixer is arrested for ritual murder.

Malamud wins Pulitzer Prize for fiction for this novel.  I liked it.  Consistent with discussion of anti-Semitism in Russia as discussed in this review of the Romanov dynasty.  Belief in things like the forged "Protocols" even among the supposedly educated upper classes - in the 20th century.

I read that Malamud considered writing a novel about the Dreyfus affair (novel form here; history focus here) - certainly plenty of overlapping elements - but settled on this instead.  Prejudice, maltreatment in prison, entrenched institutional forces, false witnesses, emerging community support.  (Malamud's novel is based, pretty closely as I understand it, on a true story.)

Author has an interesting way of describing what the protagonist felt while imprisoned for a prolonged period awaiting indictment and trial.  Wife visits him in prison.  Father-in-law (Shmuel).  Conversations with an honest investigator, and later with his lawyer - author uses these as devices to lay out some history on Russian pogroms.

262 pp in this edition.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Incarnations - A History of India in Fifty Lives (Sunil Khilnani, 2016)

The author observes that India is often discussed in terms of groups and areas - that with few exceptions, we hear little about individuals.  So he sets out to write a book consisting entirely of short biographies of 50 individuals that he considers highly important in Indian history.  (Not all are Indian.)

I saw some favorable reviews; also a fair amount of criticism - how do you select the "right" 50? How to properly describe each in a few pages?  No doubt there are flaws.  But for an uninformed reader like me, I think this book is highly useful.  If nothing else it reinforces that India is really large, and really complicated, and has a history that is really long.

Geography, religion, caste, race, distance, language, etc.  "Diverse" doesn't begin to capture it - in some ways it seems almost impossible that India is even a single country (and one that probably should have been formed with Pakistan).

[Was thinking that the U.S. has many of the same potentially divisive factors but also many unifying principles not applicable to India - a far shorter history; everyone arrived as immigrants so expressly or implicitly "signed on" to the American project at some level; everyone learns English (so far); somehow our shared secular religion (in "America" as an idea), or perhaps just all the prosperity, or some combination, seems to override, for the most part, allegiance to particular religions that creates divisions elsewhere.  Etc.]

Not going to try to summarize 50 bios!  Mixture of religious, literary, artistic, political, figures from across the country; I tried to focus on those from the south.

Read the book - good baseline info!

Also:  would enjoy feedback from anyone that knows something about these 50.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

The Last Samurai (Helen DeWitt, 2000)

Unusual for me; I voluntarily selected current/modern fiction.  This one was based on recommendations I had spotted from at least two sources I trusted, or thought I could.  I also saw that this book shows up on "best novel" lists.

But I didn't like it very much.  530 pages and I didn't dog ear a single one.

I was constantly thinking that the author is saying "look at me, see how clever I am!"  Which I found annoying (or maybe threatening, she clearly does know lots and lots of stuff).

Ludo - main character - is a child genius.  His mother - Sibylla - clearly highly intelligent but for some reason (sort of explained) prefers to work as a typist.  So they live in poverty.

We know who Ludo's father is, but he doesn't.  Much of the plot revolves around his efforts to find a father.

Title of the book refers to the movie, The Seven Samurai, which Sibylla (and in turn Ludo) watch constantly, and turn to for guidance, or something.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

The Wright Brothers (David McCullough, 2015)

Book club selection (via Emily; session held 9 April, 2017).

I have under-appreciated, or perhaps just not paid enough attention to, Wilbur and Orville.  Quick/easy retelling of their achievements; I liked it.

Also a useful next step to this history of ballooning - very close in time.

Incredible teamwork between the two; each was brilliant, practical, hardworking - a potent combination.  Almost unbelievable how they could move from bicycle shop to flying; how one of their employees could come up with a lightweight gas engine pretty much from scratch!  Conservative Midwest family; author gives good background on their father and sister.

Three ideas I found interesting:

1.  I hadn't thought about how uniquely difficult "learning to fly" would be.  WB recognized that the previous aviation pioneers were not in the air enough to learn adequately - very few flights, very short duration, perhaps only minutes in the air in total - how to learn to handle flying, including inevitable difficulties such as cross-winds and the like?  How to spend enough time in the air - in those early phases where the plane wasn't properly designed, and the pilot was utterly inexperienced - without getting killed or seriously injured?  WB spent time gliding at low altitude; spent time tethered; Kitty Hawk was an ideal spot because it allowed relatively soft "in-sand" landings; etc.  (Kind of reminded me of Humphrey Davy figuring out anesthesia - how to safely learn?)

2.  Reiterates Matt Ridley's discussion of how tinkerers can lead science.  WB were theoreticians for sure, but seems like their practical/tinkerer side was more important.

3.  Reiterates Ridley's question (in same book as linked above) about inventions - i.e., how much difference does any one specific inventor make?  Ridley says "not much" - and that could well be the case here - as impressive as W and O's achievements, all of a sudden there were a raft of similar achievers coming along right behind (which Ridley explains is pretty typical) - the book doesn't address whether the close followers were derivative of WB's work, or making it on their own.

Friday, March 31, 2017

Civilization & Capitalism, 15th - 18th Century - The Perspective of the World (Fernand Braudel, 1979)

Started this book in 2012 and left off for whatever reason.  Resumed this year, but I still don't really get it.  Interesting information throughout on an anecdotal level, but I don't have enough knowledge to grasp what he's saying about "world economies" and the like.

French author; this translation from 1992.

The idea that cities in the north - Bruges etc. - were built from scratch.  Italian cities hearkened back to Rome, Byzantium, etc.

Reiterates that the Champagne fairs were a big deal; year-round; gathered from north and south;  in 12th and 13th centuries.

Lots of interesting discussion about the rise of the Dutch, the manner in which they operated their colonies, and then being overtaken by Britain.  The idea that England gained from finally "losing" its French possessions and becoming a true island.

Sections on Russia, Ottoman Empire, China, etc.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

The Lost World of the Old Ones - Discoveries in the Ancient Southwest (David Roberts, 2015)

I enjoyed this - helps with bits and pieces of information on the "ancient southwest" - which we think of as a large area around Four Corners.  The author isn't a professional archaeologist - but is a heckuva rock climber and has written on many topics.  He had written a very popular/successful book on this topic a few years before - which I've not read - this one seemed like a sequel.  Picked up a variety of topics that don't fit together particularly closely - but all tied into this area.

One takeaway - still not much resolution on the depopulation that happened shortly before the Spanish showed up.  Also mysterious:  the populations in the pueblos at the time the Spanish showed up (down to now) - language and pottery patterns don't fit together cleanly - backgrounds?

The utter beauty of this stark area; the ingenuity of the ancient populations; great stuff here about the rock art in various forms.  Inaccessible granaries indicating protection of precious grains in starvation-times.  An interesting "meridian" theory about moving some of the population centers.

We have visited the general area quite a few times but haven't explored it nearly as much as we'd like.  A strange kind of beauty, captivating.

First chapter involves exploring Cedar Mesa - author spent lots of profitable time with an old-timer (Waldo) who was born and raised in the area - this quote made me think of my dad and his knowledge of the St. Joe area (other than the "vague sorrow" thing):  "The more time Greg and I spent in Waldo's company, the more we realized that he was a walking encyclopedia of local lore, or knowledge that had escaped the historians and archaeologists, of understandings that would evaporate with his passing.  Waldo knew it:  that sense of impending loss, I guessed, was at the core of the vague sorrow he seemed to carry with wherever he went, even as he told funny stories about the blatherings of self-styled "experts"."

They take a rafting trip into Desolation Canyon (named by John Wesley Powell) - author gets bummed because the trip is going too fast - just how it feels when we are hiking in Grand Canyon!  He writes:  "Twenty-nine of our eighty-five river miles were behind us.  I felt the adventure already slipping through my fingers - I wanted to make the journey last forever.  I thought of Edward Abbey [rafting through Glen Canyon] . . . "The time passes slowly," Abbey wrote, "but not slowly enough."  So true.

Sunday, March 05, 2017

The Princess of Siberia - The Story of Maria Volkonsky and the Decembrist Exiles (Christine Sutherland, 1984)

Decembrists (so named because their short-lived revolution was launched in December (1825)) are oft-encountered in Russia history and literature, but I never had read any detail about them.

The Decembrists were aristocrats (often military); exposed to liberal ideas via French Revolution and Napoleonic wars; anxious for drastic change in Russia but lacking organizational skills and ruthlessness - it's hard to run a revolution!  Splits develop in revolutionary groups in northern and southern Russia; things are drifting; then the Tsar suddenly dies and the Decembrists decide they need to strike during a momentary potential power vacuum.  But many don't follow through; secret police are reasonably effective; the movement entirely fails.

And the new Tsar (Nicholas I) never forgets these traitors - a few executions, most exiled to Siberia.  No amnesty until Nicholas dies about 30 years later.

While Siberian exile wasn't new, this was a fairly novel large-scale deportation.

Protagonist was the young wife of an exile - she was from a wealthy family, completely unaware of her new husband's participation in the revolution.  Yet she immediately followed him to Siberia (as did other wives) - over the Tsar's objections and threats - and she (and the other wives) managed to build interesting lives in an incredibly remote location.  Along with essential support for their husbands.  These wives were impressive - and Maria Volkonsky in fact was commonly referred to as "The Princess of Siberia."

Even after amnesty - many Decembrists remained in Siberia - where they were comfortable after spending decades.

Decembrists have very favorable reputations.

Tolstoy started a novel about them but for whatever reason didn't pull it off.

This is a useful read alongside the Romanovs book, dovetails nicely.

Monday, February 27, 2017

Watchmen (Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, 1986)

Book club selection (via CPG; session held February 26, 2017).

Graphic novel which I've learned is the most highly-regarded of its kind.  Pioneered the concept of caped heroes with very human flaws, complex/mixed motives, etc.

Not knowing anything about comic books or superhero genre in general; not knowing anything about this book or its characters in particular; I seldom connected with what was going on.  Part of the challenge was very basic:  trying to get used to looking at some text, then switching frame of reference to take in the related illustrations.  I found this much more difficult than "regular" reading.

Part of my bad attitude results from Hollywood overkill of this kind of thing - hasn't captured my imagination at all.

Yet the reviews for this book are thoughtful and positive.  There's something here.

And the "who watches the watchmen" quote is always of interest.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

America Walks Into a Bar - A Spiritual History of Taverns and Saloons, Speakeasies and Grog Shops (Christine Sismondo, 2011)

Focusing on bars and liquor laws yields a lot of very interesting U.S. history - I found this book quite helpful; also this one.

But I can't figure out what the author is trying to do with this particular book (or what the editor was thinking, or not thinking).  This book simply rambles across most of the span of U.S. history with some occasional tethering to events in taverns, or saloons, or bars, or whatever they were called at any particular point.

This boring author even goes through a check-the-box exercise with blurbs on bar access by the main identity politics groups.

Not nearly enough discussion of the bars themselves.  Some interesting discussion about how a tavern often was the first gathering spot in new settlements (sometimes remaining that way for years - courts, politics, meetings etc. centered there).

One of the more useless books I've read recently, just blew through it quickly.

Did like the Jack London quotes - he had a way of taking the reader inside the 19th century bar culture.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Romanovs - 1613 - 1918 (Simon Sebag Montefiore, 2016)

"Larger than life" is rather an understatement with these folks (and perhaps with Russia in general).

Key dates to memorize, at least roughly:
  • Ivan the Terrible (not a Romanov) - rules 1547 through 1584
  • Michael I - first Romanov - rule commences 1613 
  • Peter the Great rules 1682 through 1725
  • Catherine the Great rules from 1762 through 1796
  • Alexander I (after his father is strangled) (dealing with Napoleon) - rules from 1801 through 1825
  • Alexander II - reform efforts, then repression - rules 1855 through 1881
  • Nicholas II rules 1894 through 1917
I like the author's writing style, as with here, and also here.

Separate biographies of Catherine the Great and Peter the Great; also "Nicholas and Alexandra" - naturally offered more detail as to those folks; but this is a constantly interesting overview of the entire dynasty.  The author states that extensive archives were now available - not accessible to earlier biographers - the detail is rather amazing - I had no idea so many letters etc. had survived.

Discussions of early negotiations supporting disputes - continuing in 21st century - over relationship of Ukraine to Russia.

Transfers of power were really dangerous for these folks!

Descendants esp. of Catherine the Great - a real question whether there was any Romanov blood involved.  (That likely would apply to plenty of royal families.)

Success in Napoleonic wars but military/technological stagnation - obvious backwardness as 19th century advances; culminating in humiliation at Tsushima, with dire consequences.

Interesting how anti-Semitism pops up here, especially in 19th century.  Nicholas as a big fan of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Close-connectedness to Germany.

A helpful retelling of the Nicholas-Alexandra situation - incredibly isolated even from Russian nobility - I hadn't recalled that they kept the heir's hemophilia a secret.

A little less on the numerous court love affairs would have been fine by me . . . but I guess that was a big part of who these people were, and the overall court dynamics.

Consistently interesting, useful window on various events over those 300 years.

Christmas gift from PJr/NRG.

Friday, January 27, 2017

The Thing Around Your Neck (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, 2009)

Book club selection (via Rose; session held January 22, 2017).

Typically I avoid short stories.  And contemporary authors.  Would have been a mistake to miss this collection, however.  And perhaps I need to revisit my book selection guidelines?

Author communicates things like:  (1) challenges of the immigrant - seemingly mundane things like English usage, grocery store navigation; larger things like attitudes of locals; (2) challenges of the newly-emigrated in dealing with those-who-emigrated-just-a-few-years-earlier; (3) challenges of being female in situations where males are favored - without being preachy or annoying about it; (4) the disorder and perhaps charm of a place like Nigeria.

My favorite stories:

--story #3 - two women in a store during a riot

--story #4 - retired university professor runs into someone he thought had be3n killed in the war following Biafran independence

--story #10 - aunt/uncle arrange their niece's marriage to an American doctor (previously had emigrated from Nigeria) - she meets the doctor - not in love but sticks it out - interesting stuff about transitioning to America

--story #12 - only story set earlier in time - arrival of white men, protagonist's son becomes one of them, next generation rediscovers earlier culture - well written

Thought-provoking throughout, good.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Brideshead Revisited (Evelyn Waugh, 1945, revised 1960)

Charles Ryder becomes close college friend of Sebastian Flyte - then develops relationships with Sebastian's family (wealthy English Catholics with their core estate named "Brideshead", where Ryder often visits).

The book starts with Ryder - in the British army in preparation for WWII - unexpectedly ending up at Brideshead, which had been taken for army use - this about 10 years after his last visit.  (The book also ends with him there.)

Not sure what to make of the "Catholic" angle here - clearly very important for the author, who had converted to Catholicism (interesting that he wasn't the only English author with this facet).  But it's hard to say that Catholicism was very uplifting as experienced or applied by the characters here - hmm.

Sebastian's sisters:  Julia and Cordelia.  His mother - who seemed to be hard to deal with.  His father - in Italy until end of the story.  His brother - an odd character.  Anthony Blanche.  Julia's husband - Rex.  Ryder's wife Celia - his career as an architectural artist.

I did like it well enough;kept pulling me along.