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.

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.

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.