Daniel Deronda (George Eliot, 1876)

Final novel for Eliot; per here and here, I do like her work very much.

This is rather long - 695 pages - but Eliot is pretty much always interesting.  There are two major story lines - beautiful-but-poor Gwendolyn Harleth; spoiled, immature, but with potential - enters into a loveless marriage.  Daniel Deronda lives with his uncle - generally quite happily - but he doesn't know details of his parentage and wonders about it, plus tends to be the selfless sounding board for his friends to the point where he doesn't really have peer relationships.

The paths of Harleth and Deronda intersect in various ways.

Deronda is increasingly interested in Judaism due to a series of events - including getting to know Mirah and her brother.

Mirah lives with the family of Deronda's friend (Hans).

Story lines are set in English aristocratic society of the 1860s, with many topical references (so I was grateful for useful end-notes).

The Riddle of the Labyrinth (Margalit Fox, 2013)

Book club selection (via Lon; session held March 20, 2016).

So this turned out to be pretty interesting.  Writings are found on Crete in 1900 - and absolutely no one can figure out how to decipher them.  No Rosetta Stone-type device emerges.  Not much to go on.  3,400 year old stuff.  How does it relate to classical Greece (which came along later)?

The finder (Arthur Evans) was a celebrated archaeologist who didn't have much linguistic experience (if that's the right term), and didn't bother to get very systematic.  But as finder, he had first shot.  And didn't go out of his way to make materials accessible to others.

The author focuses on a second researcher - an American named Alice Kober - her role appears to have been under-appreciated.  While she didn't solve the puzzle, her contributions were critical.

The solver-of-the-puzzle was a brilliant amateur - Michael Ventris.  Everyone suspected that the writings primarily were administrative stuff - lists, receipts, tax administration - but unfortunately pretty much nothing else was found.  So while it was neat to solve "Linear B", it isn't clear that all that much was gained.

Kober working in post-WWII austerity conditions as she visits England.  She creates cigarette boxes full of what amount to punch cards in an effort to find patterns.

How different it would have been to pursue this analysis with present-day communications and compute power.

Christendom Destroyed - Europe 1517-1648 (Mark Greengrass, 2014)

Saw a favorable review, and am trying to get a better handle on this period (some overlap with this book, for example).  But while there were endless interesting items in the book - I think the scope was overwhelming, at least for me.  Too many details, too many countries/regions, too many moving parts.

Also not sure of his premise - though I'd trust Greengrass more than me! - but he suggests that there was some sort of unified vision of Christendom prior to 1500 - and that a big change was the breakdown of that world.  I can scarcely believe that to be the case.  And certainly wouldn't think the average European (however defined) at the time viewed him/herself as part of a large, unified structure.  But whatever.

The Columbian exchange was a big deal.  New World silver was a big deal - finances Hapsburgs.  Luther's activities - part of larger trends - became a very big deal. Worldwide economy.  The amazing Dutch.  Religious conflict mixed up with all sorts of other bases of conflict.

All the religious-based scrapping going on in the 16th century . . . then things would seem to settle down . . . but then the so-awful 30 years war (ended 1648), particularly in Germany.  But this book also gave a little more perspective on what Montaigne was dealing with in France in late 16th century.

Counter-reformation; Jesuits.  Ottoman threat.  Protestant groupings become increasingly segmented.  England.

Etc.

Etc.

I'd recommend skipping this and picking up better-focused books on individual topics.

Shadows on the Rock (Willa Cather, 1931)

Book club selection (via me; session held February 21, 2016).

Third time I've read this short novel.

I much enjoy, find it valuable, selected it for our little book club (session held February 21, 2016).

Something fun:  my little wife made up a delightful cassoulet to serve.

My prior discussions are here, and (to a lesser extent) here.

I find it impossible to wander around Quebec (city) without thinking of Jacque and Cecile.

Cather researched carefully and makes it possible for the reader to imagine this tiny rock . . . across a wild ocean . . . amidst a sea of green/trees . . . the effort to preserve French (home) culture . . . etc.  The excitement as the ships arrived from France after so many months of complete isolation.  Entirely wonderful.

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon - A Journey Through Yugoslavia (Rebecca West, 1940)

I keep trying to make more sense out of the Balkans/SE Europe, it's not easy.

In 1937, West travels for about six weeks through what was then "Yugoslavia".  (She had gotten intrigued with the area on a visit the prior year.)  Yugoslavia - cobbled together after WWI - is struggling to form a state . . .  out of multiple and incredibly disparate pieces.  Reading this book gives a sense of just how disparate.  As her little tour group proceeds, Italy (Mussolini (cum Hitler)) is closing in.  (Feels a bit like this work in that regard.)

An absolutely delightful 1,150 pages.  My sense is that she researched meticulously; yet she had strong opinions, was biased toward certain groups; makes for an amazing combination of highly-readable-yet-informative.

The author apparently had a pretty interesting personal life - mistress to H.G. Wells, etc.

Geography wasn't kind to this part of the world - a crossroads for pretty much everyone (interestingly, the 2015/16 "refugee" "crisis" involves folks criss-crossing this region yet again).  Ottomans, Austrians, Russians, etc.  In midst of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Islam, etc.

Astonishing geography; long, complicated histories; Croatia; Dalmatia; Bosnia; Montenegro; etc.

She has a long and interesting discussion of events in Sarajevo (Franz Ferdinand assassination).

"Constantine" as guide.

As she thinks about what happened in this part of the world - and in context of imminent Nazi threat - she seems to have a kind of epiphany - discusses that it can be necessary and fine to fight for something valuable, and laments that Western Europe seems to have lost its way in this regard.  (Another discussion that is ongoing.)

I read that this appears on lists of 100 best nonfiction books of 20th century.  I enjoyed it, immensely.

Schubert's Winter Journey - Anatomy of an Obsession (Ian Bostridge, 2015)

Unusual, different, interesting; will need to go through this again as there was too much to digest.

Bostridge is a world-renowned tenor - very familiar with him - like his style, not at all the overwrought/tiresome approach.  Pretty clearly, he has what it takes to be a writer as well.

Though the book is nontraditional.  He takes Schubert's Winterreise - a 24-song cycle (lieder) written as Schubert approached his very early death - and constructs a book by devoting a short chapter to each song.  At the outset I wasn't too optimistic about this approach, but in the end it all ties together really well.

The songs are settings for 24 poems written by Wilhelm Muller - not exactly world-famous; a Romantic poet.

Bostridge does an effective job giving context for the poems and the songs - linking it to contemporary events in the world and in Schubert's personal life; explaining areas where German historical references are used; interesting throughout.

Romantic themes - nature, death, feelings.  The linden tree.

Book design is neat.

I had no idea that one of my favorites - Thomas Mann - used Winterreise in The Magic Mountain - Bostridge explains in detail.  Neat.

Zeitoun (Dave Eggers, 2009)

Book club selection (via Zaida; session held December 20, 2015)

Not what I expected!  The story line is unusual/interesting - involves Hurricane Katrina and post-storm life in New Orleans.  The protagonist seems like a pretty capable fellow - nice family, immigrant from north Africa, making a living with some rental properties and construction work.

Some elements of the story line reminiscent of the Galveston story.  Anti-Islamic strains, reminiscent of current issues.  Civic officials and law enforcement dealing with a situation that really could not be prepared for, and plenty of venal behavior to go around.

All that was interesting enough.

But it turns out that the protagonist had some issues with the wife after the hurricane - probably understandable given what they all went through.  Seems like the author should have dealt with this?  Maybe it was a timing thing?

Poland - A History (Adam Zamoyski, 2009)

I find this author quite readable (here, and here).  Motive for reading this book - I know so little about Poland, yet it appears my wife has about 3/4 of her heritage there (meaning 3/8 for our kids)  - that's a lot.

Zamoyski comes from a family with a long history in Polish nobility.

So what did I learn?  Way too much to keep straight, but some useful strands:

1.  Poland had very large land territories at various stages in what I'll call early-modern times.  Arrangements with Lithuania, Ruthenia (Ukraine), etc.  Often lightly populated and loosely controlled - but a large power player.

2.  Russia got stronger.  German states got stronger, culminating in 19th century unification.  But even somewhat before that - an essential issue for Poland is its unfortunate position between Russia and Germany.  A huge effect on its history especially in early 18th century and after.

3.  Hard to believe that Poland was simply partitioned off the map following a sequence of moves primarily involving Germany, Austria, Russia.  Polish politics wrapped up in regaining the homeland; less experience addressing practical governance.

4.  And of course there was the Soviet era.

5.  Farther back - a governing method that involved an elective king and required lots of consensus - in some ways probably quite modern - but in the end this paralyzed the state.

6.  As I've gotten to understand better - in part because of the Zamoyski books linked above - the concept of the "nation" and "patriotism" are incredibly slippery, and dangerous.  So much is invented after the fact for reasons of state.  There does seem to be a core . . . but on the margins, what really is "Poland" and "Polish?"  Borders and peoples have moved around for as far back as our knowledge extends.

7.  A consequence of being positioned so far east - Cossacks, Tatars, Turks.  Important roles in fighting the Ottomans.

8.  And the incredibly large Jewish population - at least compared to other European countries - lightly-populated areas welcomed Jews getting kicked out of western European countries.  Though once in place - often mistreated.

9.  Roman Catholicism certainly not a sure thing!  Look at the geography.

10.  Lots of diplomatic noise in 19th and 20th century about re-forming a nation of Poland - but mostly talk, as the balance of power seemed to work - and radical change like this could upset things.  Short-lived state post WWI.

Nine Stories (J.D. Salinger, 1953)

Book club selection (via Nick P; November 16, 2015)

I too seldom read short stories - and never read Salinger - so this was time well spent.  But I think I will continue to avoid short stories - for whatever reason, I find the format limiting, or frustrating, or whatever; probably it's just me.

The "Laughing Man" story was highly creative.

The "Banana Fish" story was compelling but I would have liked to see it developed a bit further. Gave an insight into the challenges of the returning vet.

"For Esme - With Love and Squalor" - very effective, perhaps because it was a more traditional style of story-telling?

Good stuff.

The Code of the Woosters (PG Wodehouse, 1938)

I keep seeing the most positive reviews of Wodehouse, but so far haven't been moved to read his works.

While I don't expect to spend a lot of time with Wodehouse - I will say that this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I can really see why he is popular.  Incredible skill in telling the stories here.

Main characters:  Bertie Wooster and his (marvelous) valet, Jeeves.  They run into all sorts of difficulties and - primarily through Jeeves's ingenuity - come out on top.

The author's facility with the English language was consistently pleasurable if not amazing.  I read a lot, and don't run into this kind of thing.  Constantly expecting him to say something other than what appears on the page.  Nice.

Midnight's Children (Salman Rushdie, 1981)

Book club selection via Nicole (October 18, 2015).  Interesting to see that it appears on lists of "100 greatest novels" or all time.

I wouldn't say I loved the book, but I would say that I think I benefited - a lot from reading it.  My main downside:  I just couldn't really care about, or connect with, any of the characters.

I did care about the story arc  - India around the time of the partition - but that wasn't enough.  And the virtuoso writing doesn't move me so much.  Same problem for me as with Laurence Stern (Tristram Shandy - which I gave up on pretty quickly so haven't included on this blog) or Marquez.

The protagonist was born at midnight on India's independence day from Britain (Aug 15, 1947).  He had a huge nose (reminiscent of Sterne book, with same humor on that point).  He had super-powers to communicate with others born at the same time - "Midnight's Children."

But even that conceit didn't entirely work - seemed like Midnight's Children didn't really end up doing much of anything, and fell out of the general story line.

Something I liked:  author knew how to tell us about history without telling it directly or pedantically - I think he assumed his readers weren't looking for a direct history lesson - but he gives so much of it.  One example of a clever device:  where the protagonist is cutting letters out of the newspaper headlines as part of a plot sequence.  Guess what:  lots of history is communicated this way.

A glimpse, rare for me, of 20th century India/Pakistan/Bangladesh.

Reminder of Britain's hasty exit - no real preparation - the awful movement of peoples; what real for east-west Pakistan given geographic separation?  The depth of the antipathy Islam/Hindu.

Also liked how he revealed a lot about India/Pakistan geography:  author moves characters around:  Bombay, Karachi, Kashmir, Bangladesh, Delhi.

The Rational Optimist (Matt Ridley, 2010)

Via Paul Jr.  Had read the reviews and it met high expectations.

Essentially:  it recounts, skillfully and inventively the narrative that gets severely underplayed. That things are good; have gotten better; in all probability will continue to get better; it's rational to be an optimist!

Media gets clicks and ratings by emphasizing trouble.  Politicians chase votes by emphasizing the negatives.  Skeptics/cynics come across as smarter/more clever than optimists.

Yet the world is an immensely better place than it's been at any time in history - not even close - and there's no particular reason to think that progress will halt, let alone regress.  Even chronic bad governance - which certainly has held back, or contributed mightily to holding back, so many countries - can't overwhelm the innovation machine in all the places where it is deeply grounded.

The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand, 1943)

This author of course provokes all sorts of reactions.  Complicated by efforts to shape, or modify, her legacy.

My reaction after now reading four of her novels:  she's continually thought-provoking and highly worthwhile.  The characters and the story lines do seem over the top, but I have to believe that's intentional on her part.

The Fountainhead is the story of Howard Roark (the architect).  I've seen most of the movie version (Gary Cooper, Patricia Neal) but for whatever reason hadn't picked up the book before.

Ellsworth Toohey, Peter Keating, Dominique Francon, etc.

The Winter of Our Discontent (John Steinbeck, 1961)

Book club selection (via Chris; August 30, 2015).

As discussed here, I'm a fan of this novel.  Well-received in the book club.

Before the Industrial Revolution - European Society and Economy 1000-1700 (Carlo M. Cipolla, 1993 edition)

Trying to get a little better handle on stuff going on in Europe in this period.  Helpful book (probably primarily intended as a textbook); but the topic is so vast that I don't know that I'm making any progress.

As is true with so much historical reading - one is struck with the idea that "they lived so much like us" - certainly rings true for this fairly recent, increasingly commercial era.

Interesting stuff about the growth of what I'll call commerce - "fairs" in various European locales; towns; free towns; trading leagues; interruptions via plague, war; amazing outliers such as Italy and - perhaps my favorite - Holland.

I keep thinking that Dierdre McCloskey is onto something with her focus on innovation (and governments that allow it to flourish).

Useful, hard to summarize (in part because there is so much variance by geography even within Europe).