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June 26
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Brett
is currently reading:
Galileo: A Life (Paperback)
by James Reston Jr.
bookshelves:
currently-reading
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Brett said:
"Half way done with this and I left it on a plane! But I really liked the half I did read.
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June 25
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Brett
gave
to:
My Land and My People: The Original Autobiography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet (Paperback)
by Dalai Lama XIV
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in June, 2008
Brett said:
"This book was written some time ago and although it's often referred to as the sort of quintessential account of the siege of Tibet, I don't think it really stands up to others I've read. It's a good, quick read. It's not a great book. It seems to...more
This book was written some time ago and although it's often referred to as the sort of quintessential account of the siege of Tibet, I don't think it really stands up to others I've read. It's a good, quick read. It's not a great book. It seems to suffer most from a lack of flow and cohesion. Plus, I think his holiness often has to err on the side of diplomacy and 2nd person accounts because of his position and his perspective on the situation. It may be a result of translation but there is a definite shift half way through in narration and the book feels a bit disjointed. That being said, the first half is a great account of His Holiness's rise to the seat of the Dalai Lama and it's quite interesting to hear from the Lama's mouth what his life was like before and after China, which is what I think the true merit of this book is....less
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Brett made a comment on Chris's profile:
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Brett
is currently reading:
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness and the Fair that Changed America (Audio Cassette)
by Erik Larson
bookshelves:
currently-reading
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Brett
gave
to:
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values (Mass Market Paperback)
by Robert M. Pirsig
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Brett
gave
to:
To Have and Have Not (Scribner Classics)
by Ernest Hemingway
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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April 02
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Brett
gave
to:
Seven Years in Tibet (Paperback)
by Heinrich Harrer
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in April, 2008
Brett said:
"A very moving and detailed account of a beautiful society that will unfortunately never be the same. Being one of the few westerners to experience Tibet before Chinese occupation, Harrer offers an interesting perspective on a great peaceful civiliza...more
A very moving and detailed account of a beautiful society that will unfortunately never be the same. Being one of the few westerners to experience Tibet before Chinese occupation, Harrer offers an interesting perspective on a great peaceful civilization and it's tragic and untimely downfall at the hands of greed, progress, and modernization. Tibet was truly the last vestige of a time when science did not rule over magic, mysticism, and spiritualism.
Particularly remarkable is Harrer's insights into His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama at an very young age. Harrer provides a many faceted perspective of young lonely boy thrust into an unwinnable fight against a world power, a masterful and wise mind in a young body, and a very charming, and lovable soul capable of unfathomable compassion, curiosity, and hapiness.
Highly recommended to anyone with the slightest amount of interest in the situation in Tibet, India, and Nepal with the current protest. It will shed a whole new light on what's at stake and what has been lost. This book is not always expertly written, sometimes a bit slow, and dry like a travel log. However, there are moments of true insight that are absolute treasures. I've overlooked a lot to give it five stars, but I think that those fine and incredible moments that you can mine from this work are that valuable. ...less
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May 25
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Brett
gave
to:
East of Eden (Centennial Edition)
by John Steinbeck
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Brett
gave
to:
The Grapes of Wrath (Centennial Edition)
by John Steinbeck
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in May, 2008
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