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.)

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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.