I have read one Michener book, The Source, which I read it long ago ... in fact, long before I became Christian ... just as a compelling way to travel...moreI have read one Michener book, The Source, which I read it long ago ... in fact, long before I became Christian ... just as a compelling way to travel through the history and people of a region. I still recall much of it vividly.
Michener was brought to my attention recently when I was looking through Kindle samples and reviews of more recent versions of geographical/gigantic historical fiction. As I discarded author after author, I found myself captivated by the couple of Michener samples I'd downloaded (specifically Caravans and The Source). And I realized I'd forgotten his shorter fiction such as Sayonara and The Bridges at Toko-Ri.
So here I go on my occasional quest to read more Michener. I am really interested to see his view of Afghanistan from the 1960s.(less)
I listened to the LibriVox free audio version, narrated by the wonderful Mark Douglas Nelson.
Radar expert and electronic engineer Terry Holt has been...moreI listened to the LibriVox free audio version, narrated by the wonderful Mark Douglas Nelson.
Radar expert and electronic engineer Terry Holt has been recruited by a scientific expedition in the Phillipines to make underwater listening devices. They won't tell him what his inventions are meant to investigate. And that makes him mad.
He has some ideas though. Orejas de ellos, the things who listen, have been the explanation by fishermen about strange catches of fish. Are they real or just superstition? What are the mysterious shooting stars that seem to fall with such frequency into the Luzon Deep? Why do mysterious swarms of fish gather in one specific area of the ocean?
Had Leinster been reading Jules Verne? Had he been reading H.G. Wells? Or is this a completely new creation? Those are the questions I repeatedly asked as I vacillated between three different theories about the mysterious "fish herding" and who is doing it. As Leinster always does, I was glued to this adventure story investigating what comes from the abyss, which may be deadly, especially to those who are set on discovering the truth. I will disclose only this ... I was very surprised by the end of the story. Bravo, Murray Leinster.(less)
FINAL I am not sure when De Wohl wrote this in relation to his book about St. Augustine, but this one shows considerably more expertise in conveying in...moreFINAL I am not sure when De Wohl wrote this in relation to his book about St. Augustine, but this one shows considerably more expertise in conveying information while keeping the reader engaged. Although we see St. Thomas fairly rarely, when we do the impact is all the greater. I may never forget the vivid description of him dismantling the opposition's faulty treatise in front of the board of cardinals. I read it three times for the beauty and clarity of the passages.
Highly recommended.
UPDATE 1 I am thoroughly enjoying this book which, thus far, has spent as much time on the Aquino family and their Holy Roman Emperor problems as it has on youngest, stubborn son Thomas. My admiration for De Wohl increases as I see how he is using both storylines to paint a full picture of the times. Thomas is in Paris beginning to prove that "this dumb ox" has a roar that will be heard throughout the world, while English knight Piers is headed off to (St.) King Louis's court in Paris. I had no idea that these two saints were contemporaneous.
Also, I really admire Thomas's tendency to let insults slide off, simply ignoring them. This goes hand-in-hand with reading Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word yesterday about the beatitude discussing meekness. Saying that meekness is not being a doormat but is the ability to always be open to the opportunity to do good, to turn evil into a work for God. Methinks there is a very powerful message for me in all this.
BEGINNING Having almost finished G.K. Chesterton's The Dumb Ox for my book club, I thought it would be good supplementary material to read a more straight forward biography of this saint. Chesterton is amusing and clever and does a fine job of making me appreciate Aquinas, but he is somewhat counting on you to already know the basics. And I know only a smattering of legends. Based on reading de Wohl's The Restless Flame about Augustine, I am in for a treat with this book.(less)
Bujold mentions that this is her first book and it shows, although it is a good enough read. Mostly to me it suffered from a case of the advice Bon Jo...moreBujold mentions that this is her first book and it shows, although it is a good enough read. Mostly to me it suffered from a case of the advice Bon Jovi's manager gave him, "Don't bore us, get to the chorus!"
Over and over.
Not bad, just not enough to make me want to read more.(less)
Read this for our July book club. It did a great job of forcing me to read Chesterton's nonfiction, which has always eluded me when I've tried it befo...moreRead this for our July book club. It did a great job of forcing me to read Chesterton's nonfiction, which has always eluded me when I've tried it before. Until the very end, when he was summing up Aquinas's philosophy I enjoyed the book a great deal. I am sure the end was praiseworthy as well, I was just not mentally prepared enough.
It seems to me that Chesterton assumes a level of knowledge of Aquinas's life and work which is just not a standard in these modern times. For my own part, I know a little, but I felt it was a very little as I occasionally had to hang on for dear life, pulling meaning from context rather than facts.
That is not to say that the book wasn't good, but it did mean that I will be reading another book to actually get a more linear biography of Aquinas's life.
I foresee many pleasurable rereadings of this book, which I am sure will reward me increasingly each time.
Also, I really appreciate this book for forcing me to come to grips with Chesterton's nonfiction, as I mentioned above. In particular, I am looking forward to reading his commentary and biographical writing about another "new" classic favorite of mine ... Charles Dickens.(less)
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