It'd been too long without some Steinbeck in my life. I've not read too much of his nonfiction, but I really enjoyed his travelogue and subsequent socIt'd been too long without some Steinbeck in my life. I've not read too much of his nonfiction, but I really enjoyed his travelogue and subsequent social musings. There is debate as to whether some of the travelogue is fictionalized, but that doesn't seem relevant to me. Even if Steinbeck invented some dialogue, the spirit is true, and the impression that he's shaken by much of what he finds across the country he loves but does not know anymore feels to me like an unstudied, raw, true feeling....more
My knowledge of the Chicago World's Fair (or more properly the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition) before reading this book was as follows: it occurMy knowledge of the Chicago World's Fair (or more properly the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition) before reading this book was as follows: it occurred. I had a little more knowledge of the serial killer H. H. Holmes, since I had read up on him a bit after hearing of his existence earlier in the year. This book alternates long chapters about the planning, construction, running, and destruction of the World's Fair with shorter chapters about H. H. Holmes' predations on fair-goers and newcomers to Chicago. I learned why today's fairs have midways (the Midway was a mile-long row of sideshows at the fair), that the fair featured the first ferris wheel (designed and built by Mr. Ferris specifically to try to outdo Eiffel's Tower at the Paris Exposition), and that the fair actually piped in water from Waukesha County, Wisconsin, since Chicago's drinking water at the time was deplorable. The book seemed unbelievable, both that the vast scope of the Fair could have been achieved and that a serial killer could have operated without hindrance or the smallest police suspicion for so long. But the research was meticulous (abundant footnotes fill the back of the book), even if Larson did do an awful lot of speculation based on said research, and the story was well-told. My main gripe was that the planning and construction of the fair was told quite so thoroughly; it did become monotonous and dull after a time, especially compared to the far more sensational story of H. H. Holmes. The connection between the two halves of the book was a little tenuous at times, but I found I didn't mind too much since both stories were so intriguing....more
I wanted to brush up on my German history before going to Munich, and I found this free ebook...but it soon became clear that there was a good reasonI wanted to brush up on my German history before going to Munich, and I found this free ebook...but it soon became clear that there was a good reason it was free. Written in 1906, it obviously can't cover any modern history, but it doesn't do a terribly good job of history before that either. The author focuses excessively on German art that, while important in 1906, is less so today; the English authoress must have really enjoyed certain artists regardless of their endurance capability. She did do a good job of covering the reigns of Ludwig I, Maximillian II, and Ludwig II, which are extremely interesting. The story of Lola Montez and Ludwig I was enthralling; I had never heard of her before....more
My husband and I are taking a trip to Munich this July, and I wanted to learn more about German culture and etiquette. This little book was perfect! IMy husband and I are taking a trip to Munich this July, and I wanted to learn more about German culture and etiquette. This little book was perfect! It's full of useful information, like these gems:
--Don't jaywalk. This will earn you a fine. --Business and pleasure do not mix. Don't try to take your German coworkers out for Happy Hour. --Credit cards aren't used much; debt is frowned upon. --Almost nothing is open on Sunday. --Germans start counting on the thumb, so be careful when using your fingers to specify how many of something you want.
It also highlights cultural differences I wouldn't have considered otherwise. In the US, it's common for people to say, "We should get together sometime" or other casual statements without firm intention of following through. "I'll try to make it" means "probably not." In Germany, these statements are far more binding (which is how I believe they should be). "We should get together sometime" will probably be followed up with, "How about next Tuesday at 7:00?" "I'll try to make it" will be perceived that you will do your level best to be there. I'm interested to see how many of these cultural differences still exist in the younger generation today; globalization has tended to smooth out the differences between cultures....more
I'm a longtime fan of XKCD, the webcomic done by the author, so I was predisposed to enjoy this. Even if you're not familiar with the author, though,I'm a longtime fan of XKCD, the webcomic done by the author, so I was predisposed to enjoy this. Even if you're not familiar with the author, though, this is an immensely imaginative romp that anyone with a fair bit of scientific curiosity will enjoy. If you've ever wondered how fast you can hit a speed bump and live or what would happen if the moon suddenly disappeared--or if even if you haven't but now it occurs to you that those are intriguing questions, come to think of it--check it out!...more
A coworker loaned me this right before I got married, and I read it in a day. Now, having been married over a year (you can see how behind I was on boA coworker loaned me this right before I got married, and I read it in a day. Now, having been married over a year (you can see how behind I was on book reviews!), I can definitely point to sections that were actively useful. Nothing was a dramatic revelation, but there were many useful reminders. A few generalizations seemed too broad-sweeping (the whole idea of looking at your father-in-law to see what your husband will be like...at least in my case, that is completely inapplicable), but it's a short book that's easy to cherry-pick for the parts that are applicable, so I don't necessarily see that as a flaw....more
A rough read, due to content, not lack of skill. I understand the necessity of being informed about Christian persecution--I am a Christian and must cA rough read, due to content, not lack of skill. I understand the necessity of being informed about Christian persecution--I am a Christian and must care for my Christian brothers and sisters--but too much of literature like this doesn't inspire me to help, it just inspires me to step away, like accidentally dropping a hot plate because your reflex is faster than the thought to set it down safely. I support Voice of the Martyrs (the organization Wurmbrand started) every month, but I can't read their newsletters every month....more
Because I was remarkably ignorant (for a Christian) of the story, I read Heroes of the Faith: Jim Elliot by Susan Martins Miller after receiving it asBecause I was remarkably ignorant (for a Christian) of the story, I read Heroes of the Faith: Jim Elliot by Susan Martins Miller after receiving it as a gift from my boyfriend.
SO. FRUSTRATING. Reading about Jim Elliot was almost painful—not because of what happened to him, but because of what an insufferable jerk he was for most of his life. I wanted to smack him the entire time. I also have mixed feelings about foreign missions anyway, and this brought all of those conflicting ideas to the fore: as the author hinted, the tragedy might have been prevented if more time had been spent in preparation, linguistic study, and less risky forms of outreach before going out to meet the Auca personally. I still gave the book three stars because the author did a good job of relating the story and of being fairly objective....more
The Face of Battle was an enthralling look at the way battle has changed throughout the years. The book does an in-depth study of the Battle of AgincoThe Face of Battle was an enthralling look at the way battle has changed throughout the years. The book does an in-depth study of the Battle of Agincourt (1415), the Battle of Waterloo (1815), and the Battle of the Somme (1916). I had previously done some study of each of these, but this was far more comprehensive, and being able to compare them side by side and see how warfare has changed (sometimes incredibly drastically, as in between 1815 and 1916) was fascinating. I highly recommend this if you’re at all interested in military history....more
Letters to a Young Poet is exactly what it says on the label. Rilke wrote a series of letters to a young poet friend of his; sadly (happily?), the recLetters to a Young Poet is exactly what it says on the label. Rilke wrote a series of letters to a young poet friend of his; sadly (happily?), the recipient of the letters is really only well-known for publishing Rilke’s letters. He became a soldier instead of a renowned poet--though after reading Rilke’s thoughts on poetry, I almost wonder if the young soldier got the better end of the deal. I love poetry, and poets are a treasured breed, but good heavens, they’re bad at living. Rilke sounds like the quintessential tortured poet, all introspection and angst (and eventually dying young). I kind of want to tell him to go eat a sandwich, mop a floor, and work for his living to get a little perspective and infuse just a little bit of practicality into his dreamy musings. At the same time, his thoughts on the virtues of solitude (even of loneliness) and on the poet’s work in general have merit. I think I would enjoy his poetry but would find him tremendously frustrating to know in person....more
If you were to imagine the exact opposite of The Stranger, you would probably come up with a book something like The Rediscovered Writings–reading theIf you were to imagine the exact opposite of The Stranger, you would probably come up with a book something like The Rediscovered Writings–reading the two books simultaneously was fascinating. Wilder’s collection of essays, written before she wrote her famous books, is a beautiful and educational look into the life and times of Wilder, and many of her thoughts, although almost 100 years old, are perfectly applicable today. Wilder advocates personal responsibility, hard work, thrift, and joy in everything. Camus says nothing has importance; Wilder says everything has importance. If you judge a philosophy by the quality of the lives of those who hold it, Wilder is undoubtedly the winner, and I’ll take her musings over Meursault’s vapidity any day....more
I’d always meant to read The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, and it seemed as good a time as any. Machiavelli makes a distressing amount of sense, andI’d always meant to read The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, and it seemed as good a time as any. Machiavelli makes a distressing amount of sense, and if you’re seeking to acquire power and not overly concerned with the morality of how you do it, this is the book for you. Machiavelli himself didn’t seem to really follow his own precepts; he outlined what had worked, historically speaking, and extrapolated what would work in the future based on that, but he made no claims to rightness. One can’t argue with his efficiency, even if it is terrifying....more
In this nonfiction work (a long essay, really), Buck analyzes gender roles in American and China and how neither country has it right if either is conIn this nonfiction work (a long essay, really), Buck analyzes gender roles in American and China and how neither country has it right if either is concerned about the productivity and happiness of its citizens. It was written in 1941, before women had really entered the work force as a result of WWII, and a lot of the points she made are extremely valid for the time. A lot of them are also extremely valid now. I found myself sympathizing with a multitude of her comments, although she does go to some extremes towards the end. ...more
I found Logbook for Grace: Whaling Brig Daisy, 1912-1913 by Robert Cushman Murphy (also at the NC State Library booksale), and it’s delightful. MurphyI found Logbook for Grace: Whaling Brig Daisy, 1912-1913 by Robert Cushman Murphy (also at the NC State Library booksale), and it’s delightful. Murphy was a scientist aboard one of the last whaling ships in 1912, and his log (intended for his new bride, Grace) chronicles the end of an era. It’s a beautiful mix of youthful exuberance (Murphy was only 25, and rather excited by the whole thing), nostalgia for a fast-waning way of life, and wistful sighs (Murphy was madly in love with his young wife, and missed her terribly). I thoroughly enjoyed his adventures....more
I picked up this little gem at the NC State Library book sale just a couple days after I got back from Boston, and the timing couldn't be more perfectI picked up this little gem at the NC State Library book sale just a couple days after I got back from Boston, and the timing couldn't be more perfect. The book is full of beautiful drawings of Boston, and I thoroughly enjoyed going through it to find places that I had just visited....more
Sam gave me a gorgeous copy of Dangerous Work: Diary of an Arctic Adventure by Arthur Conan Doyle. What a neat look into Doyle’s life! The book includSam gave me a gorgeous copy of Dangerous Work: Diary of an Arctic Adventure by Arthur Conan Doyle. What a neat look into Doyle’s life! The book includes facsimiles of the diary itself, so you can read the story in Doyle’s own handwriting (sometimes with a quill pen, sometimes with a fountain pen). He made a lot of illustrations, most of which are gory depictions of seal and whale hunting, but with occasional, beautiful drawings of ships or the crew members. In 1880 when Doyle sailed, the whaling industry was already waning, but it was still the livelihood of quite a few coastal towns, and the diary is a fascinating look at a time period that’s difficult to imagine today....more
I had only vaguely heard of the Great Eastern before reading The Great Iron Ship by James Dugan. It was probably a quick blip in a history book that II had only vaguely heard of the Great Eastern before reading The Great Iron Ship by James Dugan. It was probably a quick blip in a history book that I read. I’m very glad I had a chance to get to know more about her! This book was highly entertaining, and I got the feeling that the author had done so much research on the topic that he had to restrain himself from adding too much detail and run the risk of boring his audience. The book was full of unrelated bits of information: one section mentioned a gentleman named Henry Cole in passing, and a footnote informed us that, “This man invented the Christmas card.”
The Great Eastern, for those who don’t know, was a massive ship launched in 1858. She was almost 700 feet long and could hold 4,000 passengers, though she never actually did. She was also a disaster from the get-go. She was so huge, she couldn’t even be launched properly. It took months and several tries just to get her in the water. She was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (What a name, yeah?), who was famous for his big plans and boundless energy. That’s all very inspiring in theory, but in practice the ship was just too honkin’ huge for her time. She would pull into port and accidentally crush the wharf, other ships, and anything else that got in her way. Logistically, fitting her out properly was a nightmare, and the ship turned out to be a black hole sucking up money and human lives. Finally they gave up on the whole posh passenger liner idea and converted her to help lay transatlantic telegraph cable, so at least she made herself useful. In her final days, depressingly, she was a giant floating billboard for a department store in England. Still, in her day thousands of people came to see her (she was a big site-seeing attraction), and Jules Verne sailed on her while he was writing 20,000 Leagues under the Sea.
I just finished Nautilus 90 North by William Anderson, which a friend found on the free shelf at the library and gave to me. Anderson captained the nuI just finished Nautilus 90 North by William Anderson, which a friend found on the free shelf at the library and gave to me. Anderson captained the nuclear submarine Nautilus during its 1958 voyage from Seattle to England…by traveling underneath the north pole. Doesn’t get much cooler than that, literally or figuratively. A major reason for this little jaunt underneath the polar ice cap? Just to see if they could do it. The captain mentions something about scientific research and possible military advantages (they pop up through a hole in the ice at one point, and he muses to himself that it would be a good location from which to launch guided missiles at Russia), but it all sounds suspiciously like a cloak for exploratory glee, which makes me very happy. The book is quite light-hearted, and makes it sound like life on the Nautilus was pretty darn nice. Come on, guys, let’s go steal a nuclear sub and go fishing.
I picked up George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation while at the Bunker Hill Museum. This little red booI picked up George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation while at the Bunker Hill Museum. This little red book is packed with gems like Rule the 35th: “Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.” Read and be edified. ...more
I’m currently (finally) reading the Elements of Style by Strunk and White and loving it. Strunk private published his “little book” in 1918 for use atI’m currently (finally) reading the Elements of Style by Strunk and White and loving it. Strunk private published his “little book” in 1918 for use at the university where he taught and where E.B. White (author of Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little) took his classes. Years later, White expanded and revised the book for publication. I love this book so far, and its unflinching rules are refreshing after the waffling lists of exceptions and options in today’s grammar books, which are loathe to commit to a single correct usage. Strunk does not suggest; he commands. He will make you a better, more concise writer whether or not you want to be one, and he won’t pull any punches in the process. ”Also to be avoided in introduction is the word funny. Nothing becomes funny by being labeled so.” Here is what he has to say about the word “flammable”: “An oddity, chiefly useful in saving lives. The common word meaning “combustible” is inflammable. But some people are thrown off by the in- and think inflammable means ‘not combustible.’ For this reason, trucks carrying gasoline or explosives are now marked FLAMMABLE. Unless you are operating such a truck and hence are concerned with the safety of children and illiterates, use inflammable.” I miss crotchety old professors correcting my grammar. I’m sure Strunk would have a field day with me these days....more
I picked up Famous Mysteries of the Sea by Patricia Lauber at the Wake County Library Booksale, solely based upon the title. I didn’t look very closelI picked up Famous Mysteries of the Sea by Patricia Lauber at the Wake County Library Booksale, solely based upon the title. I didn’t look very closely into it at the time (at $4 per box of books, I was casting my net pretty wide), so I was surprised to find that this was a book for young readers or some such. Not bad for all that, though. The story of the Mary Celeste, for instance, never gets old. ...more
All Things Wise and Wonderful is James Herriot’s third book recounting his adventures as a veterinarian in Yorkshire, England. His books are always amAll Things Wise and Wonderful is James Herriot’s third book recounting his adventures as a veterinarian in Yorkshire, England. His books are always amusing, but some of the stories in this one had me tearing up, I was laughing so hard. This is not the book to be reading surreptitiously under your desk at work, let me tell you. I snicker every time I think of the story of Mrs. Beck and her holy terror of a cat, and I’ve told it to every friend who will sit still long enough to hear it.
Right now I’m reading a book of essays by Friedrich Schiller, one of which (“On Naïve and Sentimental Poetry”) I read for one of my philosophy classesRight now I’m reading a book of essays by Friedrich Schiller, one of which (“On Naïve and Sentimental Poetry”) I read for one of my philosophy classes in school. I was intrigued and always meant to go back and read the other essays, so I’m finally getting around to it. Reading this while reading The Hunger Games is, I think, the definition of literary whiplash. Excruciatingly different reading. Schiller is so heavy, I can really only read 10 or 20 pages at a time before my mind just wanders away completely, but I really like him, and his ideas are fascinating. I feel very erudite as I trudge along, trying to hang onto his coattails before he loses me entirely.
Years ago, one of my favorite English professors had a classful of us over for dinner to meet two of her friends (also English professors) and to discYears ago, one of my favorite English professors had a classful of us over for dinner to meet two of her friends (also English professors) and to discuss Southern American literature. Seeing three old friends talk with one another was beautiful, and their conversation held all of us completely in thrall. These three women were brilliant in their respective fields, utterly hilarious, and had tremendous strength of friendship. We talked about many authors, but the one that really sticks out in my mind is Flannery O’Connor. Until that evening, I had pretty ambivalent feelings about Flannery O’Connor’s writing. After hearing one of the friends, a brilliant Flannery scholar, hold forth on the topic, I was inspired to read every short story O’Connor ever wrote. This woman’s passion for O’Connor’s work was so strong that she made me love her work too. I remember the professor quoting Flannery, explaining her work’s violent turning points to shock spiritually complacent readers: ”To the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost blind you draw large and startling figures.” The professor recommended the biography Flannery by Brad Gooch, and I finally read it this week. The above quote was in the book, and I was suddenly transported back to my professor’s living room, sitting on cushions and drinking coffee and talking about wonderful books....more
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