A Dance to the Music of Time (Volumes 1-3) (Anthony Powell, 1951 - 1955)

(728 pages)

Powell wrote a 12-volume series between 1951 and 1975; this book includes the first three volumes (A Question of Upbringing, A Buyer's Market, The Acceptance World). 

Author is looking at English political, cultural, military life in mid-20th century.

Narrator is Nicholas Jenkins.  He has school chums or acquaintances in the early going - Kenneth Widmerpool, Charles Stringham, Peter Templer, Quiggin, Mark Members, etc.  There is an Oxford don named Sillery (manipulative).  He meets family members of the schoolmates. 

Mr. Deacon - eccentric; hangs with Gypsy Jones.  St. John Clarke (Quiggin and Members compete for him).

The characters graduate from school and begin their professional careers, relationships.

I've seen some comparisons to Proust's novel, but so far it hasn't struck me in that manner (unfortunately).  Still, I think I'll continue reading.  Hopefully things pick up.

Wild Problems - A Guide to the Decisions That Define Us (Russ Roberts, 2022)

(207 pages)

The author is or was an active blogger, and I found his thoughts consistently useful.  Now he's doing "Econtalk" - pretty much the only podcast I ever listen to. And he writes a few books. 

In this one he's talking about a framework for approaching life's biggest decisions - who to marry, whether to have children, where to live, how to live well - things that can't be solved by measurement or calculation - in part because living with the decision changes the decider in significant ways while living out the decision.  

The author would be first to admit there is no answer here. He talks about some artists, scientists and how they approached big issues. Don't chase "maximum happiness" - be open, use energy trying to figure out who you want to be. Accept uncertainty. Nothing drastically new here, but he has a very useful way of talking about it.

Some focus areas - 

-- develop the pause before reacting - because we all have that innate or visceral response on various topics - don't give in to it.

--in conversation - just wait! learn how the other person is feeling, what's top of mind for them.  maybe I get to what I thought I might want to talk about, maybe not - either is OK

--a very useful idea - contrasting being the central character v. being part of a larger ensemble.  This is often a problem - we all would love to be the star of our show.  He recommends thinking of perhaps a group of dancers where success is found by working together, subordinating individual priorities.

--contract v. covenant.  the covenant strengthens love into loyalty. don't inspect whether you're getting whatever full contractual benefit you imagined

--repeating - a lot boils down to just honing the art of "catching yourself" as you are.  so very difficult. Proust; Cather, Mann, Conrad - these are writers that I think (or at least hope) help me in this regard. 

And my heroes Calvin & Hobbes appear in the finale!!!  "It's a magical world, Hobbes, o' buddy . . . Let's go exploring!"

Endurance (Alfred Lansing, 1959)

(353 pages)

I thought I was pretty familiar with the Shackleton expedition.  But not really. For one thing, I wasn't even aware of this book - available for over 60 years - and I didn't know that so many diaries and logbooks were available.  The author relies on those sources - detailed, intimate; he's skillful at working with this.

The chairman of the board of a publicly-held company that I represented was a direct descendant of Shackleton, and it was interesting talking to him back in the day; he had traveled to Antarctica.  Neither here nor there.

I was pretty far into this book when hanging out with my dad during his last days. We talked about this in quite a bit of detail - he had great recall about aspects I hadn't known about, such as crossing the island. Like most of us, I think he was most impressed by the navigation skills - just incredible that the island was found - even more incredible when considering the description in this book of some of the details of the navigation challenges (not that I understood them very well).

General courage and good spirits through so much; perhaps author being a bit kind, but numerous time he states when folks faltered - impressive.

Building the ship; its fight against pack ice; a good follow-on to "Six Frigates."

The magnitude of the drift and life on an ice floe  in that part of the world; the complete isolation - wow.

The photos - I had no idea these survived - incredibly interesting.

The challenge for the author of writing day after day of highly similar things - yet it did not feel repetitive. Somehow.  Episodes - 

--living on icebound Endurance

--Mark Time Camp - near the boat

--Patience Camp

--a few days on a floe

--Boat trip to Elephant Island

--boat trip to South Georgia Island

--Crossing the center of the Island

--Traveling through ice back to Elephant Island

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain - In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life (George Saunders, 2021)

(408 pages)

Rote gibes in the early going directed at whatever it is that the author thinks of as "capitalism" made me unreceptive, but then I have to admit that the author does say a lot of useful things about writing.  Perhaps can't help it that he spends a lot of time in campus environment? [As the book goes on, annoying comments about climate change activism, gender/class, "my truth" as a useful concept - pretty much the entire catechism. Why are politics even invoked?  Whatever, the book remains quite useful.]

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He head-on addresses in a useful way (first at page 102) something we've noticed and talked about but not really nailed down - 

--that the appreciation of an art work at its deepest level happens when there is that instant of recognition that something special, or moving, is hitting us; and we can ride that for a while depending on the nature of the art work (and what's happening in the immediate environment - distractions?)

--that instant is somewhat sharable without words - the knowing look at another contemporaneous observer - we know there is some element of sharing but cannot know the extent of the overlap of our respective appreciations.  which is fine.

--that moment will fade away every time . . . we may remember aspects of it, and we definitely will remember that it happened

--often it's followed by an attempt to verbalize or write down what was experienced (what I sometimes am trying to do in a weak way here in this blog).  sometimes we do a decent job of that, but we (I don't think it's just me but who knows) always and quickly get the feeling that our words are mostly failing to express the experience

--which is interesting in itself.  humans have developed this marvelous capacity for language, and for writing things down to speak across geography and years.  And it's super-valuable.  But - as valuable as words are - the "words cannot express" concept is real.  Everyone knows/accepts it.

--the "instant of recognition/appreciation" is the best moment - better than the subsequent point at which we try our hardest to share via words - Proust/Mann as great at trying to put that experience into words but I don't recall, or didn't pick up, how they made this point.  (Mann with music in Doctor Faustus; Proust with Elstir/painting, Bergotte/writing, Berma/acting, Vanteuil/composing)

Turgenev in "The Singers" - the reaction of the sharp-eyed innkeeper's wife (the author is telling us by this adjective that she's not sentimental or easily-swooned) - as soon as the second singer got going, she immediately "drew herself up to her full height" - eventually had to leave the room (we conclude because the performance was so striking).  Wow - a wonderful way to tell us about the quality of the music via an observer's reaction - we all know that feeling even if we can't put it into words.  Turgenev's description of other listeners also good but I thought this was the best.

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"Pattern stories" - where repeat certain elements but with variation and escalation - I often think this exact thought with the piano works that I try to learn.  Those works are relatively short, just a few minutes - I think they can be fairly compared to short stories - these piano works introduce a theme, it comes back but escalates.  Interesting.  (This was "The Darling" by Chekhov.) (Also true of larger musical works but I don't play those on piano.)

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Master and Man - a story I've loved for decades.  Author telling us how Tolstoy wrote with "facts" - I'll try to watch for this.  Then the author annoys me with early 21st century "woke" criticism (about treatment of the peasant) - I'm pretty sure that criticism won't age as well as Tolstoy's story.

the moment when the "master" decides to take action - so powerful; it creates that "instant of recognition."  The build-up pays off, immensely.

reminders of "The Death of Ivan Ilych."

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Gogol's "The Nose" - I find it worthless.  And I find worthless the author's effort to explain why it's not worthless.  (I also didn't much like "The Overcoat", but found "Dead Souls" great, so who knows.)

___________________________

The remaining stories and commentary not as striking.

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More generally - made me think why I don't read a lot of short stories - maybe because, like poetry, they often make the reader work harder?  My habit is to rather rapidly read extended novels or history - I'm steadily rewarded with interesting or perhaps even moving passages that don't so much require me to stop and think; constantly presented with something new.  I do believe this is my problem with poetry, something to work on.  Short stories less of a problem, there are quite a few that I like a great deal.

The Rise of Germany 1939-1941 - The War in the West (James Holland, 2015)

(594 pages)

This is another guy who can really write.  This is a topic we've read so much about - but new sources are available, this writer uses them, and can keep the story arcs moving along in a really interesting way.

Part 1 of a trilogy, I'm looking forward to further reading.

One source - a diary kept by the indiscreet Italian leader - it was dangerously frank and thus useful to historians led to a bad outcome for him. 

Author is really effective at weaving primary sources into the larger narrative - constant movement from macro to micro works so well.

Working through the early years of the war - author has paid a lot of attention to resource and supply issues - crucial but I don't think I've ever seen this much detail. Nazi Germany makes great territorial advances at incredible speed - lots of London bombing and shipping harassment - but at great cost of resources and without actually winning the "Battle of Britain" or the "Battle of the Atlantic".  Meaning great work remained to be done, with diminished resource base.

And specter of US resources available to Britain.

Italian ally as mostly a problem - required resources rather than reduced the need for them.

Six Frigates - the Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy (Ian Toll, 2006)

(467 pages)

This was a highly interesting read, much liked.  Core premise was infant-US authorizing construction of six frigates - and taking the recommendation of some expert builder, these were larger than normal for this kind of vessel, though not as large as a ship of the line. But as hoped - they had good success against what previously were considered peer ships. A big lift for the US as it faced off with Britain (the acknowledged superpower in naval matters) in various venues.

The author is the same guy who did such a great job with the WWII Pacific theater trilogy (focused on the navy).  He makes things highly readable. 

So many interesting angles.

Partisan rancor from the get-go; concerns about the loss of freedom, loss of democracy, etc.

Decatur's rise - destroying the Philadelphia.

Looking to set up a puppet in Tripoli but backing off . . . also sounds very current.

The difficult life of sailors.

The idea that young hawks pushed the war of 1812, they did not remember the revolutionary war. This thought strikes me more and more often watching the 30 year cycles recur.

Utter lack of preparedness, getting pulled along by ridiculous war fever. 

Exact overlap with Napoleon's invasion of Russia and acceleration of Peninsular Campaign

USS Constitution - details of its escape at commencement of War of 1812 - kind of amazing that the ship still sails; that folks can walk its deck and pose alongside cannon (including college-age me)

Stories of sailing ships so interesting - weather mattered so much; but techniques also.  USS Constitution "escape" a good example - finding itself becalmed amidst overpowering British squadron - first it puts out small boats to tow, which the Brits match. Then a maneuver with super-long rope attached to anchor (they were in relatively shallower waters) - small boat puts anchor way ahead and the Constitution is more or less pulled toward the anchor.  Brits match but don't catch up; when wind rises, newly-debarnacled Constitution pulls away.

Details of combat, how commanders would issue positioning orders, deployment of sails - so many intricate things happening, absolutely fascinating

War of 1812 - my primary impression was that US got pushed around, Britain didn't pursue only because of Napoleon etc., and the peace accomplished exactly nothing - those impressions are basically correct but author emphasizes that the US did show some power and resolve that headed off getting further pushed around in its infancy - an important idea.

Remembrance of Things Past - The Guermantes Way (Marcel Proust, 1920)

(620 pages)

Continuing an enjoyable and slow-paced re-read of Proust.  This is the third volume (or section), at least in the way my copy ( the Moncrieff-Kilmartin translation) is broken up.

There are several posts already on this blog about this wonderful work.  I don't think I need to repeat what I've written before about the high value and sheer pleasure from reading this.  Four more sections to go in this re-read, looking forward to it!

In this volume/section - 

• The narrator and his family move into an apartment in a wing of the Hotel de Guermantes.  Narrator becomes infatuated with the Duchess de Guermantes.

• Narrator visits the Duchess's relative (already his friend) - Saint Loup in barracks at Doncieres, having issues with his mistress (who narrator had met in a different setting).

• Narrator's grandmother is getting progressively more ill.  These sections are particularly well done.

• Lengthy discussion of a party at Mme de Villeparisis's residence.  Lots of portrayal of society, the salons.

• Baron de Charlus - kind of weird behavior.

• Dreyfus case discussed at length.

• Albertine visits.

• Lengthy scenes of dinner with the Guermantes; Faubourg Saint-Germain matters.

Vertigo (W.G. Sebald, 1990)

(263 pages)

This is an odd book.  Saw a review that sounded interesting; enjoyed reading it; but I don't know what to make of it.  

Starts with an episode from the Napoleonic wars - the invasion into northern Italy in 1800.  One of the French soldiers has experiences there. These are reflected back on, amplified, re-examined over the years.

Makes me think of Proust - role of memory, how memory works; in-depth local history; comparisons to art works. 

Makes me think of Kafka - the foregoing with the surreal elements.

A character returns to an isolated small town home after decades away living in cities - some of this resonated with me.  The local details, the knowledge of everyone living there.

Overlapping looks at Marengo, visits between Austria and various sites in northern Italy, etc - made me think of the approach used by the authors of very-recently read books: The Alexandria Quartet, Trust.

Trust (Hernan Diaz, 2022)

(402 pages) 

Book club selection, session not held.

The book's structure is clever; and I liked the title of the first part ("Bonds").  But I just read "The Alexandria Quartet", which does a deeper dive into a similar structure.

I didn't care that much about any of the characters. 

Where did Vanner get his information for book one?  Bevel and wife both scrupulously private.   

Author is dutifully feminist, the only two strong figures are the Italian writer and Bevel's wife. 

Author has picked up a fair amount of financial terminology. But the notion that a single individual (even if a brilliant woman) can move multiple markets over multiple years is ridiculous. Also the notion that an individual can study reports overnight and make major moves the next day on a consistent basis (this was going on before brilliant wife took over).

Not to mention that this wife, without much schooling, completely masters disparate disciplines such as literature, painting, music. In addition to high finance. 

Not sure where the author lands on the usual questions about socialism and capitalism (anarchism also in this telling). but it feels standard issue. Capitalism as restricting freedom!

Why did she marry Bevel if so strong, independent - just a victim of the times? Denies him any closeness.

Book 4 - long, lucid explanations of her financial genius don't fit with the rest of Book 4 - short snippets (and why would she write these long explanations, except as a plot device)?

Anarchist father fits the type; see also Joseph Conrad's description in "The Secret Agent."

Nicholas Nickleby (Charles Dickens, 1838)

(831 pages) 

Written early in Dickens's career - shortly after Pickwick, Oliver.

Uncle Ralph Nickleby - venal, Scrooge-like

Title character's father dies of "broken heart" after wife-induced speculation ruins the family financially.

Nicholas - the title character- seems pretty prone to scuffles.

Cheeryble Bros as sort of a deus ex machina; they can fix things!

Newman Nogg - Ralph's assistant, does not share Ralph's meanness.

Schoolmaster - Squeers - keeps showing up.  Not nice.

Minor item - description of promoting a muffin company at beginning of book - pitch-perfect as to how it's still done.

Uncle Ralph Nickleby - great dialogue, lots of good lines.

Chesterton's idea about weakness of female leads (especially Kate).  Mother of Nicholas/Kate a garrulous ditz, I tended to skip passages whenever she started talking.

But overall the characters were entertaining per Dickens usual (meaning unusually good) capabilities.

Lots of characters, lots of plot threads, a lot to wrap up in the final pages.  He does it masterfully.

The Ambassadors (Henry James, 1903)

(430 pages)

Henry James novels aren't the easiest reading.  Long, complex sentences, of course.  One technique is dialogue that is ambiguous to the reader but presented as completely understood by the participants in the conversation.  I rather like being left to guess.  And I like the writing, but would say it's also nice to finish and move back into "easier" writing.

Still - I definitely will continue with more of his stuff.

I like that the characters have a lot of depth, give the reader a lot to think about, James himself doesn't give clear conclusions about them.  Strether (lead character here) - we don't really know how much his judgment was clouded, or assisted (or some of both?), by his personal history (an older, fine, gentlemen but feeling that he had "missed out" along the way) or by his reaction to Madame de Vionnet (charmed to the point of perhaps being a bit in love with her?)

And on down the line - characters with multiple motivations and interests, not always clear what's going on - like in real life!  OK Mrs. Newsome probably unidimensional, though we only know her second-hand.

The descriptions of Paris seem a bit fawning, though author backs off that (just) a bit at the end.

Protagonist:  Lambert Strether (wife died young, son 10 years later)

Maria Gostrey - Strether meets her upon arrival in Europe; immediate affinity; challenges him

Strether's old friend Waymarsh who he meets in England, they go to Paris together for Strether's meeting with Chad Newsome

Mrs. Newsome - Chad's mother - Strether is her "Ambassador" - he's sent to convince Chad to return home after several years in Paris.

Her daughter marries a Pocock - they come to Paris (more "Ambassadors!") when Strether appears to be off track

Mrs. Newsome wants Chad to marry Pocock's sister (another "Ambassador"), she also comes to Paris

Little Bilham

Chad Newsome

Madame de Vionnet and daughter Jeanne

Miss Barrace

The Writing of the Gods - The Race to Decode the Rosetta Stone (Edward Dolnick, 2021)

I had previously read a lot about Napoleon (and his "savants") in Egypt but this still was a useful take.  The understandable ensuing craze for things Egyptian.  (Reading "The Ambassadors" by Henry James right now - protagonist visits a house with a history, including items from Napoleonic era - including a sphinx figurine, of course.)

Thomas Young and Jean-Francois Champollion are the key workers on the project.  It was really difficult!

Reiterated some ideas that appeared in this book (about deciphering Linear B) in an interesting way - this author made more of an effort to explain the decipherer's challenges in terms of challenges encountered in dealing with the English language - helpful.

A good way of describing the incredible importance of writing in human development (if it started rather humbly largely to record transactions) - can speak across distance and time!  Things can be remembered in large measure.

The idea of speaking as something babies learn - long evolutionary history - writing came along so much later, no one learns it without being taught.

The art of deciphering - discussed the skillset in similar terms as the fellows that made the breakthrough contributing to US success in Battle of Midway (per here) - some folks have gut instinct to go along with knowledge of languages, ability to comprehend and retain complex visual fields - seems like you can't get there without educated guesses; and that successful decipherers may not even be able to fully explain how they do it.

A Handful of Dust (Evelyn Waugh, 1934)

(273 pages)

As with other Waugh novels - set between the wars, in a world where traditional Brit aristocracy is experiencing rapid change.

Tony Last loves his huge traditional estate and all the accompanying duties and expenses (which limit spending on anything else); his wife Brenda less fond of the house, she starts spending  more time in London, takes a flat, hangs with John Beaver.

Tony eventually takes a trip to South America with an explorer, because of circumstances.  Meets a strange host who saves his life.

I didn't much care for the book in the early going but am glad I stuck with it.  The cover tells me that the Modern Library selected it "as among the 100 best novels of the twentieth century" - go figure.

I preferred Sword of Honor and Brideshead Revisited.

How China Escaped the Poverty Trap (Yuen Yuen Ang, 2022)

(Kindle)

Book club selection (via Rose; session held (via Zoom) June 12, 2022).

The problem of development.  I much like thinking about it but the challenges, the local difficulties.

calling China "capitalist"; yet all the interviews seem to be with government officials; the entire story is about government control; five levels etc; what relevance the long imperial history - bureaucrats, exams, top-down has been accepted forever - ?

Deng - a leader.  His "Southern Tour" revives lagging momentum.

Willingness to "let some get rich first" was a key.

And China has accomplished a lot.

more broadly:  societies that don't tolerate inequality also don't improve economically.  yet the "inequality" complaint makes people miserable.

TVEs (township and village enterprises) - (from corporate law perspective) who really owned/controlled?  neither state-owned or owned by private individuals - ? surrogate entrepreneurialism - ?  I didn't understand.

what relevance England, US, Holland?  emergence there centuries ago was not complicated by an overweening global economy

author's theme:  coevolution: harness weak instits to build markets; then emerging markets stimulate better instits; strong instits preserve markets.  at the beginning, settle for "good enough" governance (aid agencies shouldn't strictly insist on "democracy", however defined).

corruption

aid agencies killing local initiative, opportunity.  Is it permissible to compare to domestic welfare programs?

functioning administrative states left behind by colonizers (Singapore, India) - to what effect?

Nollywood an odd case

I liked the interview approach, the review of local records - an interesting dive into the situation in various Chinese locales.  Just not sure how far it takes us.

Twilight of the Gods (Ian Toll, 2020)

(792 pages)

Third of a trilogy; part 1 here and part 2 here.  Highly recommended - very readable and I constantly was learning new things.

Opens with Hawaii planning session.

So much happening - at exact time as dramatic events in Europe - much less attention to Pacific (at least by me!)

Japanese fleet as deeply frustrated with years of struggle after some early success; part of the problem is lack of fuel - for example the two brand new super-ships just sit in port because of insupportable fuel consumption.  The idea that the fleet would be sent into battle in the Philippines without useful air support - meaning certain failure - so that it could at least be destroyed with honor.  The meeting at which this is explicitly discussed; the emotions.  Wow.

Interesting discussion of kamikaze.  Didn't realize Japanese were developing a range of suicide devices (not just planes).  Good explanation of how suicide tactics and "no surrender" ethos were perversions of the samurai/historical ethos (which yes did include ritual suicide - a different concept, per author).  So many experienced pilots were lost, the newbies pretty much didn't stand a chance as US resources and tactics ramped up - some school of thought that since the pilots weren't going to come back anyway, just as well give them a simple tactic that had some chance of success.  Incredibly chilling.  Especially as waves of these things are coming in during Leyte battle, etc.  And more waves.  Many enthusiastic volunteers (though later, an increasing number return to base due to "engine trouble").

Story of the Tin Cans - Halsey leaving them unguarded - Evans.

I like the attention given to the submarines - not a topic I otherwise run into.  Wahoo success continues, then O'Kane has his own successful sub.  Technology advancing so rapidly.

B-29 stories are interesting - speed of development, modifications continue even after delivery.  Hadn't realized it was so much larger than the B-17.  Challenge of high-altitude bombing.

Leyte ground battle in general - difficult, Japanese pouring in resources.  Luzon.  In both cases - relatively large-scale ground force encounters - new to the Pacific, terrible per usual.  Manila - I hadn't realized the extent of the damage to what had once been a beautiful city, the horrific treatment of civilians by the Japanese.

Story of the December 1944 typhoon - had never heard of this - Halsey not effective in avoiding it, reasons.

Interesting if short discussion of commencement of home front transition to postwar prep as early as late 1944.  Some of this pulled back as unseemly, morale-damaging for servicemen still in difficult situations.

Hellish fighting on Okinawa .  Hellish, repeated kamikaze attacks.  This went on for a long time (April 1 - mid June 1945).  Description of fresh soldiers coming to the front lines to relieve spent units - made me think of Verdun's Voie Sacree - perhaps the author's intent, as he specifically mentions this a paragraph or three later.  Closest thing to WWI in the Pacific theater - except add modern weaponry, planes & ships.

It's hard to say what is "fair" in war, but the incredible difficulty for US forces dealing with no-surrender ground troops, kamikaze pilots and boats - such a high toll on both sides in a war where the outcome is all but inevitable.  Like Germany - hang on, hoping for something to happen that will cause the near-certain victor to negotiate.  Like Germany - the regime seems indifferent to the cost (which is almost entirely borne by others).

Reading about the nasty fighting in the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa - and thinking what this foreshadowed for a homeland invasion - as A-bomb became available, one can definitely see how using it made sense to so many.  (Setting aside the "message to Russia" element.)

B-29s switch to incendiary attacks on cities - similar awfulness, but what to do?  Stunning ramp-up (some incendiary but mostly strategic) as European theater winds down, I hadn't realized the intensity of the bombing in those last weeks.

FDR succeeded by Truman - with a lot for him to learn, consider.

Potsdam Declaration.  Dropping the two atomic bombs - matter-of-fact descriptions (which I liked and which reminded me of Hersey) - the story tells itself.  Awesome in the old sense of the word - inspiring fear/awe.

The weakness of the peace party in Japan (again suggesting invasion would have been required absent A-bomb (I realize plenty disagree on this point, esp. as to Nagasaki)).  Hirohito's broadcast.  Near-rebellion doesn't get traction; the role of Hirohito and family. 

McArthur's short speech at the surrender ceremony - seems powerful and just right - hard to imagine how that felt after what folks had been through.

Wrap-up with occupation of Japan and returning servicemen, I'd be interested in knowing more about this.

The Alexandria Quartet (Lawrence Durrell, four parts released 1957-1960)

(884 pages)

Setting in this part of the world - Alexandria in particular.  Distinguishing it from Cairo - which is more African/Egyptian - Alexandria founded by a Greek, sited on Mediterranean, more European-focused.  

Be that as it may - I'm always fascinated by the mix of ancient groups happening here, evolving over time.  Islam as vast majority; Coptic Christians (Hosnani family featured), Jews, etc.Multiple ethnicities, religions, crossovers.

Favorite parts are set on the Hosnani lands - the "country squire" life, Egypt-style. Can see how the author would be a successful travel writer. Much liked the descriptions.

Also liked the descriptions of the (Brit) Foreign Service life.  The changes in the 20th century as government is turned back to the Egyptians.

Book 3 - shifts perspective - nice change of pace with a relatively longer read.

A couple of writers as key characters - writers writing about writers is not new and can be tedious - thought this generally was handled well, effective way to handle retelling of events from >1 perspective (in books 1-3).

Angst over love - a lot of this.  Overlapping relationships.

Darley - lead character, I'd say

Pursewarden - writer, a key voice

Pombal - Darley's oft-roommate

Justine - married to Nessim but a history; lost a daughter

Melissa - dancer, simple

Nessim; his brother Narouz; their mother Leila - wealthy, influential, politically active; Coptic Christians

Mountolive - connects with Leila; rises through Foreign Service

Scobie - an odd Brit character; comic relief?

Clea - artist

Destiny Disrupted - A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes (Tamim Ansary, 2009)

(357 pages)

Early parts of the book were making me uncertain about how far to go - author seemed rather credulous as to the activities of the founders . . . seemed to pretty much accept the stories as packaged (in a way that would never happen with Old Testament, Book of Mormon, etc.)  Also seemed to take the position that Islam's earliest days are part of a somewhat systematized history. But then he gets around to discussing how pretty much nothing was written down for literally centuries (as discussed here) . . . and I felt like the overall discussion from there on was well balanced, at least from my limited-knowledge perspective. (And this is not to diminish the founder-achievements, just to note the timing of emergence of written source materials. Which is relevant.)

I thought this was a highly useful overview - necessarily very compact given the geographic scope and long time period, but that's fine.  And I liked his premise - to help Westerners think about how the Islamic world (far from a monolith, of course) might think about the way the West emerged from a well-deserved reputation of "backwardness" relative to the Islamic world, to a position of greater development.

Some ideas that came through - not necessarily in order or particularly important, just thoughts that were new to me or came through in a different way - 

• He explains how there ended up being three caliphates when by definition only one was possible (Spain, Egypt, original (based in Damascus, Baghdad, etc.)]

• Discusses the extensive Persian influence in the "original" caliphate - as this book discusses - sheer numbers and cultural weight were telling.

• Religious tenets that talk about peace, etc. But warrior mentality, head-of-religion conflated with head-of-state; jihad; what can only be called imperialist expansion, right?  A religion that was literally fighting for its existence from day one - constant warfare or expansion coloring the development of the religion in those centuries before things were written down.

• Talks about how the Middle East areas that preceded Islam went through a cycle of expansion when everything works - easier to recruit and motivate warriors when you are capturing new territories and lots of loot that you can parcel out to them.  Clearly applied to Islamic expansion - and Western empires - nothing wrong with any of that, seems to be the normal order of things.  Except things get very difficult when expansion stops, let alone when contraction sets in.

• On the religious side - splits, fundamentalist, mystics (Sufi) emerge - normal for religions. And how the religion evolves to conveniently include principles congenial to those in power.  See also Christianity, LDS, etc.  A useful discussion.

• Part of Western self-loathing?  Our culture-setters endlessly pillory Christianity; European colonization is racist, violent imperialism using religion as a cover; true enough, but how distinguishable from expansion by Islamic or other groups?

• Liked his perspective on the Crusades.  Not nearly as significant to the Islamic world as the immediately-following incursion by Mongols - which was a genuine disaster.  He thinks Crusades were stressful enough, but much more trumped-up now.

• Author moves onto discuss Islam in India, longer discussion in this book.

• Throughout there is helpful discussion of separation of Sunni and Shiite, and how the Shiite portion became centered in Persia/Iran c. 1500. Mentions plenty of other subgroups - Sufi, fundamentalists - Saud/Wahhabi.

• Secular/modernist movements in 20th century - started earlier, but that's the era I'm familiar with from '60s and '70s.  Surprising how much that has changed.

• Good discussion of the failure of most of these countries to make much progress economically.  Abundant natural resources can be a curse - elites sell them off to foreigners in exchange for private riches, little concern about effect on the overall country (author cites Iran, others).

• The difficulty of development of a modern state when there is no separation of church and state.

And more.

The Good Lord Bird (James McBride, 2013)

(458 pages)

Book club selection (via Zach; session held (via Zoom) April 24, 2022).

I was wondering whether this 2013 book would be written the same way in 2022. All-talk wealthy urban whites now are considered  heroes instead of windbags - as unsparingly portrayed in this book. Would the author even use the term "slave" in 2022?  Would it be "enslaved person?"  Anyway.

Author clearly is a good writer, and the book moves right along - gives a glimpse into the world of Kansas-Nebraska when law and order barely existed.  Bad.

Interesting glimpses into slave relationship (even if we have no chance to have a good feel) - the danger of reading; "sir" every time; no backtalking; illuminating conversations about the pain of separation when family members sold down the river (still unimaginable).  Being a slave in any geography at any point in history seems mostly awful.

As Onion deals with Annie - says being invisible as male doesn't make much difference because invisible as a Negro anyway - third parties just see your race. Hmm.

I don't have a good feel for how much John Brown moved the needle.  He certainly was in the 1960s-1970s history books.  His sons play a prominent role. In this telling, he comes across as much like as an insane killer as anything else.

Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman appear.

The Woodlanders (Thomas Hardy, 1887)

(331 pages) 

I continue to very much enjoy Thomas Hardy's novels.

This one is set in a different corner of England - a heavily wooded area (thus the novel's title), with many characters earning a living based on the forests. Towns here are small; townsfolk mostly unsophisticated.

Giles Winterbourne - expert in all tree things, including planting - also operates an itinerant cider-pressing business.

Marty South - also expert, works closely with Winterbourne.

George Melbury - timber merchant who sends his only child, a daughter (Grace), for expensive education and has high hopes for her.

Young doctor (Fitzpiers) has settled in town but stays rather aloof, at least at the beginning.

An attractive, wealthy, young widow (Mrs. Charmond) in a big house.  Also rather aloof.

These and other characters work out their relationships in manner that Hardy accomplishes these things - interesting plot, wonderful descriptions of the local landscape and activities.

The Conquering Tide - War in the Pacific Islands, 1942-1944 (Ian Toll, 2015)

(542 pages)

Second of a trilogy focusing on the war in the Pacific (first of the trilogy is discussed here).  As with the first - readable, interesting, full of information I didn't know.  Looking forward to #3.

Guadalcanal (August 1942, ends early February 1943) - lengthy, interesting discussion - challenges, risk, inexperience, relative shortage of equipment - seeking to minimize risk of loss, esp of carriers at this stage.

Submarines - tales of the Wahoo.  Submarines were really important - especially as technology and tactics rapidly improved.

Wondering how carriers would function in 2022?  Presumably better attack and defense systems but to what balance?

Tarawa (November 1943) - bloody assault via beach landing, painful lessons; precursor to Normandy.

Improving radar, more effective bombing runs; though not against bunker-type preparation.

Inter-service rivalries - preceded Joint Chiefs - reminds of 9/11, just add one more layer! Challenging for U.S., worse in Japan.

As move through 1943 and into 1944 - incredible improvement by the U.S. in so many elements.  Better tactics - improved accuracy by fighters and bombers.  Incredible increase in manpower and equipment - including carriers and other huge ships.  Submarine efficacy.  Steep learning curve, impressive.  Better airplanes - once-feared Zeroes now so weak.

Japanese limited in manpower - especially experienced, even decently-trained, fighter pilots.  Limited in fuel - wanted to fight near Borneo oilfields.  Losing equipment that can't be replaced.

Big fights on Saipan and Guam (June -August 1944), but eventual success - lots of casualties even if some benefit from lessons learned on Tarawa.  And accompanying naval/air battles pretty much finished off Japan in those areas.  Now within striking distance of the home islands.

Rather amazing - and the author emphasizes - that the huge Saipan operation (starting June 15, 1944) far west in the Pacific is happening within days, literally, of the Normandy invasion - the US did both!

Starts to sound like the war in Europe at this same stage - the war is over for all practical purposes in terms of identifying the victor; losing side hangs on hoping that winning side will get tired and negotiate (perhaps after losing side manages a lucky victory or two).

American performance - including production from the home front - just incredible.

Not just the battles - author continues to give information about the key personalities, leaders.

Japanese soldiers with no-surrender ethos - suicidal. 

Dune (Frank Herbert, 1965)

(494 pages)

This volume included the entire trilogy (the three books flowing from one to the next without interruption).

I found this pretty much a joy to read.  Imaginative is an understatement.  So much detail - the reader can almost believe in the existence of these imagined places.

Leaving home planet - green - for the desert planet of Arrakis (known as Dune).  Under iffy circumstances.

Desert dwellers (Fremen) at the margins of society on Arrakis.  Their religious beliefs, extending all the way to a well-watered paradise.  Their technology for preserving water (all the way to stillsuits).  Dealing with sandworms.  And the spice.  

The Duke and his consort, Lady Jessica (Bene Gesserit); their son Paul (Maud'Dib)).

Baron Harkonnen and his son (Feyd-Rautha).

Stilgar - Fremen leader.  His daughter - Chani.

The Emperor and his Sardaukar.

Smugglers.  Henchmen or brave fighters (helping bad guys or good guys, respectively).

And plenty of other characters.

I haven't checked how this ties into the Star Wars movies - but there's a lot of overlap.  Which of course is just fine.  Book form is quite excellent, and plenty of good spots in the movies as well.

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence (Michael Pollan, 2018)

Book club selection (via Rose; session held (via Zoom) March 13, 2022).

Another book I wouldn't consider picking up - but this one provoked at least as many interesting ideas per page as compared to any other book club selection.  I liked it.

Also liked a prior Pollan book - "The Botany of Desire"- some overlapping concepts, but not many.

My notes are below - lots to think about.

_____________________

Does mention the botany of desire thesis - perhaps mushrooms learned how to benefit from manipulating humans - seems unlikely.  When author takes the azzies (found near Columbia mouth - the three parks we visited) - this is what he thinks of - communicating with plants (timing of the experience, and conceiving the book?)  (Wife has a painterly experience more specific to her profession.)  End of ch 2 . . . Seems to be the same as my ruminations below about a mere chemical reaction, influenced by one's personal history,

middle aged persons recommended to try (not so much young folks) - ?  maybe more prone to seek/find incremental meaning if not busy enough, not connected enough, "searching" for whatever reason?  Feeling the clock is running out, maybe the job wasn't enough or the family experience wasn't everything one hoped for??

Seems telling that expectations matter so much to the experience that occurs

James's definition of "mystical" - they do try to put some words around it so that it is possible to say the experience is "mystical" - but necessarily vague . . . if religions try to do this, immediate skepticism

Darwin/evolution - what kind of world where one can tap into the main consciousness only if found the right set of chemicals? ["stoned ape" discussion not closely tied to this - hominids finding mushrooms unleashing their brains to put together language - huh?].  That makes no sense to me.

Seems unsurprising that we can stumble upon chemicals that act upon the brain in a fairly consistent way . . . yielding a different experience than available in the absence of those chemicals, but colored by expectations, setting, prior experiences.  Not sure how significant it is.

Except there would be value for folks that are troubled by whatever - without proving anything about consciousness outside the brain - if the experience consistently reinforces the basic values:  the road map thing about trusting, open, being (whatever the fourth item) - "love is everything" - things that might seem prosaic but somehow clarified in this condition?

everyone is "searching" to some extent . . . where does this take us?

I already don't feel up to the task of fully absorbing music, literature, religion - much of this is pretty elevating - not sure why I would want an "artificial" (word chosen intentionally) prop in this enjoyment.

look for:  how this might connect to Eastern spiritualism; Christian mystics; Native American experiences.  Folks get there without drugs . . . 

References to Goethe, Joseph Banks - broader views than modern specialists

1960s - descriptions of LA practitioners making $$ off free samples from Sandoz; Cary Grant's sad story

Some guy named Hubbard credited with spreading around Silicon Valley . . . engineer willingness seems like MLB players looking at steroids.

Leary, Ginsberg - boring to me then and now.  So much blather about change the world, expand consciousness, "squares" refusing to partake.

I emphasize curiosity . . . am I uncurious about this?  Perhaps . . . moreso a feeling that this would be of value, something like religion, to persons who feel something is missing in their lives.  Or looking for something to do.  Or they just enjoy it - there's a lot of stuff people enjoy that I don't understand or desire for myself. Pretty strong reaction that I need to convince myself this isn't useful, at least for me.  why?

Chapter trying to define mysticism - useful - brain is chemical-driven, how much does it matter where the chemicals are sourced?  "Quieting the ego" - less aware of oneself.  Goes on to discuss non-added-chemical approaches that seem to do the trick.  

Discusses how the "trick" as to efficacy might be shutting down brain's default mode . . . the sector where the brain does work when not required to deal with a task.  Might relate to dreaming.  "Default mode" sector identified in early 2000s so not clear.

But might align with evolutionary stuff in Africa book . . . brain development had upside but also consumed so much energy . . . a brain system utilizing shortcuts makes a lot of sense.

Book continues with lots of discussion of the "default mode" issues, how that can start to become a negative if the mind gets "stuck" in defined tracks - addictions, depression (focus on certain harmful issues), etc.  Psychedelics as possibly helping break the cycle.

Interesting discussion comparing children's minds to adults on psychedelics - when very young, much more open to trying out-of-the-box solutions.

Maybe a world of intense specialization makes many of us narrower in some way, makes "breaking out" more important than in less specialized times.

Regaining the sense of awe or wonder (thinking of those Romantic-era scientists).

India in the Persianate Age - 1000-1765 (Richard Eaton, 2019)

(397 pages)

Main premise seems to be what author considers a new and improved thesis - we shouldn't view this era so much on Muslim-Hindu axis, but instead Sanskrit-Persianate.  It's interesting to read about but the difference is pretty subtle for a reader like me. Does point out that Muslim rulers typically were relatively tolerant - even if for practical considerations like inability to regulate behavioral minutiae of a large population over great distances. Perhaps the author is commenting on (chiding) Islamic fundamentalists and/or Hindu nationalists? 

In any event it's a very helpful overview of the years 1000-1765.

Persianate (author's term) rulers arrive in the north, based in Delhi; pushed by Mongols from Persia/Iraq; also from Afghanistan, Hindu Kush. Not always pushed - some saw opportunity.  Expand past the Vindhya mountains into the south; first ring of territory is conquered/administered; further territories are left pretty much alone but required to pay tribute, and take on some Persianate influence.  This is happening starting around 1200.

Deccan peninsula is far from Delhi relative to ability to project power.  Pretty quickly - rebellions.  14th century - Vijayanagar - in the second ring of territories south of the Vindhyas.  Some Persianate forms, but far less influence than further north.  Religious tradition not Persianate - Siva, Rama (evolving, not clear to this reader!)

Vijayanagar as immense; forays into deep south.  1564 - Battle of Talikota - a quick ending to Hampi; what remains of Vijayanagar is centered further south. (Vijayanagar (and the Battle of Talikota) written up in this book . . . which this author dislikes as incorrectly emphasizing Muslim v. Hindu (in his opinion).)

Malabar coast - less influenced by Persianate.  Major trading - mostly due to pepper - all the way back to Roman times.  Tolerant. Syriac Christians, Hindu, Muslim esp around Calicut (the version from Horn of Africa etc,) - even the Islamic influence not so much Persianate.  Not dominated by the various sultanates, not even Vijayanagar.  Portuguese upset the balance.

Sikhs emerge - Guru Nanak dies 1539.  Succession issues.  Amritsar (Punjab).

Discusses the major northern rulers - the Mughals.  Early 16th century.  Babur - Mongol.  Big transition from nomadic/horse to more pastoral life, they didn't always like it at first.  A lucky series of mostly long-tenured, talented rulers.  Abkar.  Jahangir.  Some Europeans at court now.  Jahan (crowned 1628) - perhaps the peak of Mughul power and reach?  Builds Taj Mahal, Red Fort.  Aurangzeb (much less tolerant, more reactionary).  Burning resources in Deccan, Bengal, etc.  Rajasthan. Hard to subdue; expensive; Mughals weakening in general.

At end of book - 1765 -  European presence more and more noticeable; British starting to out-compete European rivals; India growing as part of global trade.

Something missing - there's almost nothing about life of the "common man" anywhere in India - though I guess the book probably doesn't set out to do that.  Lots of discussion about how state revenues were collected, little about taxpayer squeeze, which must have been intense in view of the wealth getting to the top layers.

The Good Soldier (Ford Madox Ford, 1915)

(199 pages)

I very much liked Parade's End, so was quite interested in trying this novel.

Maybe I missed something - but I'm not recommending this one.

An American couple hang out, a lot, with a British couple in Europe.  Florence (wife in American couple) and Edward (in British couple) suffer from heart problems and need to be treated delicately; they spend time at a spa every year.

The books is written entirely from perspective of the American husband.

The author's introduction tells us that he intended to name this "The Saddest Story", but the publisher felt it wouldn't sell.  Author often does describe this as "the saddest story" while recounting innumerable sad things.

Which, for me, is not a recipe for a good read.

Africa - A Biography of the Continent (John Reader, 1997)

(682 pages)

Kind of a strange book - all related to Africa, but bounces around so much (and covering this much territory in one book is of course impossible).  But I much like, enough to do a pretty careful re-read (first read, in 2003, back here).

Maybe too much emphasis on justifying why Africa's population growth and overall development has been slow in comparison to the places where African migrants settled; that it's not due to inferior skills and initiative.  Though I suppose so many non-African experts - and common folk -  over the centuries have drawn that conclusion, that he feels a need to rebut?

Explains why most of Africa was and is generally a challenging place to live - low population densities; growth after periods of "good" years leads to trouble when normal (drier) conditions return.  Conflict, but not large-scale wars (except Egypt).  Lack the manpower; also tended not to own stuff that could be accumulated and fought over.  Seldom enough labor available - a continuing problem.  Unique challenges like the tsetse fly.

A good review of the Portuguese explorers - their rather impressive accomplishments mapping the coast in 15th century and beyond.  Others elbow them out of the picture by end of 16th century.

Influences from abroad not benign - as technologies were developed locally and (more often) brought in from elsewhere, perhaps some sort of sustainable local economic and political systems might have evolved without so much interference.  Seems to lament this quite a bit - but kind of pointless - Africa not the only place where less developed societies get flattened, reshaped by more developed aggressive neighbors.

Though it is so sad in Africa.  Arab slavers bad enough.  Then the system is amped up with the Europeans and the Americas, while the Arabs continue.  Prime labor - always in short supply - is shipped away in exchange for pointless prestige goods, guns, horses that flow to the elite - no motivation to develop local economy and less folks to accomplish it anyway.  (Some of that sounds like more recent foreign aid programs - elite siphon off the goodies; donated goods (especially food) choke off development of sustainable local capacity to supply the same.)

Discussion of how the slave trade affected so much of the continent - even areas far from the coast.  Plenty of complicit locals, but the scale was not driven by locals.

Interesting discussion of South Africa; the Boers; finding diamonds (and gold); solving labor shortages by rather awful methods.

Then the rather amazing late 19th century "scramble", the Congo (again solving labor problems by awful methods), the carving up of states on lines that didn't reflect the locals.

And yet - lots of growth, lots of room for optimism.

Not quite sure how it all fit together, but the book started with lengthy discussions of geologic history and evolution, lots on hominids to humans.  This part was actually quite thought-provoking.  Walking upright; chewing; talking; developing a large brain, taming fire, developing agriculture, on and on - that's a lot to happen!

Interesting idea - that colonial administrators trying to rationalize things post-WWI came on the scene after a devastating cattle plague (rinderpest) and famine - they thought depopulated areas had always been that way - some of the game preserves formerly had human populations, now we think the "natural" state is animals-only.

The Age of Wonder (Richard Holmes, 2008)

(484 pages)

Book club selection (via me; session held (via Zoom) January 30, 2022).

I had read this in 2010, my summary from back then is here.  I think I liked it better this second time around.

Notes used for book club remarks:

Age of Enrichment - starts c. 1800 - how this fit in.  Industrial Revolution and trade preceded . . . knowledge, efficiency, productivity - why we are wealthy today.

General approach - lots of science/technology - this alone made the book worthwhile for me - some of the details about how the pioneers functioned, biographical touches

The difference from similar books:  made far more interesting by linking these developments to how it felt, how it affected thinking about the universe, religion, man's place, etc., biographies

Banks - brought the exotic to life - a different lifestyle - seeing new worlds, new value systems.  Praised by Linnaeus!  Then his long role at Royal Society.

Herschel - size of the universe; likelihood of other galaxies.  Finding Uranus. His sister.  Geography suited to celebrity visitors - fixed location, near London etc.

Ballomania - thinking of today's space entrepreneurs - private wealth funding.  Immediate recognition of military utility.  

Mungo Park. The "unknownness" of Africa.  Imperial considerations.

Davy - Lengthy story but perhaps the most interesting.  The notion that chemistry could explain nearly everything, including workings of the brain and replacement of the soul. That we can invent safety lamps etc to deal with most any problem.  Then discovering how complicated it all is. Important as we consider events of 19th and early 20th century, their optimism was not entirely irrational. Incredible level of interaction with famous poets and others. Defining what “science“ would be going forward, the idea of hope (similar to poetry), looking forward to better things.

Did the Romantic poets and artists inspire the scientists (using the newly-coined term), or vice versa?  Strong synergies, I thought this part was really interesting.

Throughout the book, not this chapter alone, the idea that we knew so little circa 1800s.

When folks look back in say 2222 - how will we look circa 2022?

The ongoing tension with France, the way Bonaparte dominated British thinking. Children were threatened with Boney, not a bogeyman!

Scientists as polymaths . . . Goethe (Sorrows of Young Werther) and study of light.

Frankenstein chapter - this was probably the most interesting - another example of developing a new way of understanding key processes - thinking of Kalinithi and looking at brain lobes.  Vitalism.  Studying the cranium, classifying.  Things we haven't made much progress understanding.

Fear of science destroying wonder - not new.  

The War that Ended Peace (Margaret MacMillan, 2013)

(645 pages)

Discussions of the run-up to World War I are incredibly interesting . . . but I was a little reluctant to take on this one, in part thinking it might be redundant with The Guns of August and The Proud Tower.

And it was, to some extent.

But still - a useful review, lots of analysis was fresh to me.  Good discussion about the situation in Germany, Russia, France, England, U.S., Austria-Hungary, Italy - the alliances that formed and re-formed, some of them rather unusual.

Two things that struck me most - 

One:  the way that the leaders of the various countries spoke of war as all but inevitable.  Seems unbelievable.  But it was so widely believed.

Two:  the problems of identity politics (the various nationalities) in the Austro-Hungarian Empire - did that ever sound familiar!  An ongoing problem - one certainty is that emphasizing nationality (or other identity) in resolving issues isn't going to end well.

Pacific Crucible - War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942 (Ian Toll, 2012)

(491 pages)

Christmas gift from PJr & Nedda.  First of a three-part trilogy.

Reviewers have compared to Rick Atkinson's trilogy on WWII in Europe - high praise - and I think it's apt.  Readable; detail but not too much; biographical background on key figures without getting bogged down.  Leaves the reader looking forward to the next installment.

I liked the description of background in Japan - events leading to the war - the mood of the country, as least as the leaders sought to mold it.  1905 naval battle with Russia; then into China.

I don't recall reading about Alfred Mahan - 19th century thinker on naval strategy - sounds like he was incredibly influential.  And probably had great ideas.  Except airplanes came along.

Pearl Harbor discussion.  The incredible speed of Japanese advances in the early months.

The Doolittle raid - gave me new ideas about this - if only the idea of launching bombers off an aircraft carrier, for the very first time, with no practice.  Strong winds on the day of the attack were good/bad news - the good news is that taking off into the wind works better with more wind; the bad news is that the carrier is pitching up and down.  Pilots sought to time the pitching - accelerate on the downward pitch, then catch the upward pitch to get aloft.  Impossibly short runway.  No practice.  It worked, well enough.

Coral Sea - long/hard to follow.  Difficulties of successful reconnaissance; difficulties of hitting bombing goals; useful in next chapter (Midway).

Decryption - didn't know much about this in the Pacific theater but it was crucial (so much attention in Europe).  This was fascinating.

Battle of Midway - with Coral Sea discussion, gave me a better idea of how these aircraft carrier battles took place - where ships never see one another (I think these fleets were nearly 100 miles apart).  Difficulty of hitting targets - but it only took one or a few hits on a given target for complete success.  Utilization of decryption team's input - big effect on Midway battle.   This part was also a great read.