I eagerly bought this after I was impressed by the previous parts of the Penguin History of Europe series (The Pursuit of Glory by Blanning and The PuI eagerly bought this after I was impressed by the previous parts of the Penguin History of Europe series (The Pursuit of Glory by Blanning and The Pursuit of Power by Evans), but I was in for a disappointment.
Unlike the aforementioned titles, here Kershaw manages the feat of saying nothing that is new and nothing that is interesting. Partly this is on me (I am better read on WW2 than the 17th - 19th centuries), but I believe my assessment has some objectivity to it.
Not all fault lies on shoulders of the author, as choice of time periods allocated to each book in the series imposes awkward limitations: starting at 1914, the author is invited not to discuss the long roots of Hobsbawm's "short 20th century", instead painting very, very broad strokes of explanation why Europe experienced decades of total of war, to the extent at times I thought I was looking at a rushed narrative made of journalistic talking-points, not a serious historical work. At the same time, no doubt because of the page limit (distilling all of 1914-1949 into abut 500 pages forces one to pick and choose), detailed discussion of the included events is scarce. Sometimes the events are so succinctly described that they are barely recognizable.
However, some of my complaints can't be excused. The maps have several mistakes, which extra awkward because the maps are very low on details.
Summary and reviewer's recommendations: If you were awake in the school or especially if have read any serious work that covers the time period 1914-1949, it is better to not get this book It is not a very bad book, but it will be quite useless. It you are not familiar with World Wars at all, this book isn't maybe bad place to start, but there isn't anything special in it to recommend it either over any other comparable account....more
Very readable biography of individuals who had a pivotal impact on history of science fiction genre. It also an era when astounding technological progVery readable biography of individuals who had a pivotal impact on history of science fiction genre. It also an era when astounding technological progress was going on with full speed and it was anyone's guess where it would go, which was a monumental place and time to be involved in writing science fiction. Very exciting time period to read about!
(It is not like we don't have technological progress now in 2021, but after a century, I think we have grown to used to it. SpaceX can build rockets that are more sophisticated in their flight and landing capabilities than seen before, scientists can develop mRNA vaccines, or we know more about neuroscience and workings of mammalian brain, but it is not the same as the discovery of nuclear fission or building the first rockets to reach orbit --- new, but an old kind of new. I also think we also have better ideas about the limits of natural laws and what is possible in our universe.)
The individuals covered also were obviously imperfect and flawed in so many ways (in their own ways, some more than others), the kind who are interesting to read about from the safety of your couch.
My main complaint is that the author's chosen focus excludes authors and developments I would have liked to know more about. Also, even within the ramifications, I got the feeling lots interesting history of stories printed on Astounding alone were also skipped over....more
Quite good read: entertainingly written biography about a person whose biography is worth reading, though written more in popular style than a scholarQuite good read: entertainingly written biography about a person whose biography is worth reading, though written more in popular style than a scholarly account.
The first part corresponding Franklin's early and middle period are heavily based on his (partial, unfinished) autobiography that I already was familiar with, so not many surprises there. However, Brands' version is in less archaic English and thus easier to read. In later parts the author more heavily has to lean on letters, other contemporary accounts and similar sources, which makes for a more balanced feel.
In addition, the author also adds historical context, which is very helpful when it comes to understanding the political situation in 1700s America and Britain to those not familiar with them.
One criticism I have is that Brands in many bases seems to avoid being overtly critical of Franklin, maybe too much so. For example, at times he takes as a granted that Franklin was a lone voice working for public good and public good only, instead of pursuing personal profit like some others (who are portrayed as envious and spreading bad word about Frankling because they don't understand how someone could not be corrupted). I am slightly skeptical, or at least I would prefer if Brands would present some more concrete evidence....more
Especially the essays on Dickens, Kipling, the famed elephant shooting, English language, Gandhi, and England Your England have tAlways worth reading!
Especially the essays on Dickens, Kipling, the famed elephant shooting, English language, Gandhi, and England Your England have timeless relevance.
Unfortunately this particular edition is another quite incomplete collection (especially I miss the essay on Bookshops: one day I will muster the money for the complete collection). However, it is a passable selection to get you started....more
Very readable (and as far as I can discern, also scholarly and factual) account of the beginning of the end of the Roman republic.
The author has quiteVery readable (and as far as I can discern, also scholarly and factual) account of the beginning of the end of the Roman republic.
The author has quite simple and easily defensible basic thesis: the downfall of the republican government of Rome was intimately connected to breakdown of customs of the republic, mos majorum in a spiral of breaking of norms and also breaking of lives with violence. However, Duncan also discusses the economical and geopolitical background the contributed to the developments.
This is a sizeable collection of writings by Mr Burke with introduction by Jesse Norman.
First, the 18th century political literary style is wordy and This is a sizeable collection of writings by Mr Burke with introduction by Jesse Norman.
First, the 18th century political literary style is wordy and surprisingly difficult to digest. I loathe to confess this, but I would have had much easier time with more lengthy introduction and other context and commentary. (Why I should be interested in any particular letter or essay?)
However, the titular essay and others (eg. private letter to Depont in November 1789, Letter To A Member of The National Assembly, Speech on Conciliation with America) are useful if difficult reading to a reader who wants develop a more thorough understanding of the contemporary political thought during the era of the American and French revolutions. A Vindication of Natural Society works as an cultural intelligence test (I confess I had difficulties realizing it was supposed to a satire of certain kind of Enlightenment-adjacent thought until I read an explanatory comment to that effect).
I have studied only a handful of the works collected in this volume, so won't / can't comment in more detail yet. Will hopefully update review later....more
It was ... okay: a nice speculative science fiction idea and passably executed Trek comedy. However, it was not excellent either. At the end I was alrIt was ... okay: a nice speculative science fiction idea and passably executed Trek comedy. However, it was not excellent either. At the end I was already quite bored with the characters. Maybe it could have worked better as a short story / mini-novel? Would still recommend to Trekkie friends, but with reservations. Three stars....more
As a history geek I found Wolfe's description of the rise of popular culture Americana interesting, but I had difficulties in adjusting to Wolfe's wriAs a history geek I found Wolfe's description of the rise of popular culture Americana interesting, but I had difficulties in adjusting to Wolfe's writing. I can not pinpoint down the exact reason why: Maybe it is because that while Wolfe makes many to the point observations that crystallize the atmosphere of the 1960s, I personally do not like the atmosphere (or maybe I am picking up Wolfe's own dislike). Maybe it is his prose, which near over-the-top brilliant (and the author is also self-conscious about it).
In my opinion, the best essay in the collection is not the one that lent the book its title, but The Marvelous Mouth, in which one day of the life of Cassius Clay is described, and it is truly larger than life. (And I feel that Wolfe is laughing with Clay, not at him. At least, not too much.)...more
Difficult one to review. The narrative does have some aspects of greatness and it deals with heavy-weight topics, yet on the other hand
... the main pDifficult one to review. The narrative does have some aspects of greatness and it deals with heavy-weight topics, yet on the other hand
... the main protagonist of this episode is "Barbie" from The Doll's House. And it just does not work. I would not call that choice meta-level post-modern intertextuality, which (I suppose) it is intended to be; I'd say it is just an annoying and unoriginal storytelling choice. Maybe such "ideas" sounded novel and fresh in early 1990s, but such cheap tricks have not lasted the test of time....more
It has excellent worldbuilding, excellently told, engaging characters ... yet there is something too cynical and too cold in its worldview that I can'It has excellent worldbuilding, excellently told, engaging characters ... yet there is something too cynical and too cold in its worldview that I can't truly enjoy it.
((view spoiler)[Namely, the Anasûrimbors' unearthly ability to observe and manipulate other people and the amoral ruthlessness they demonstrate when applying that skill. (hide spoiler)])...more
Antagonistit ovat geneerisen täydellisen inhottavia moraalittomia paskiaisia (loppunäytös: haukotus), päähenkilö Zinzin miehet joko geneerisen jännittäviä paskiaisia tai geneerisen jännittäviä täydellisyyksiä, Zinzi itsessään täysi klisee. Laitetaan mukaan puolivillaista yhteiskunnalliseksi kritiikiksi tulkittavaa elementtiä, ja eikös vaan tämä ole kaikenlaisia palkintoja voittanut arvostelumenestys. (hide spoiler)]
Kielenkäyttö on paikoitellen ihan nokkelaa, mutta siihenkin kyllästyy melko pian.
Kaksi tähteä eläinkonseptista ja kaoottisesta Johannesburgista, joiden kuvaukset voi helposti kuvitella mielessään visuaalisesti jännittäviksi....more
In brief: I don't fully buy Pirsig's Philosophical Theory of Quality (even less his interpretation on the questions like arguments betwen Plato vs SopIn brief: I don't fully buy Pirsig's Philosophical Theory of Quality (even less his interpretation on the questions like arguments betwen Plato vs Sophists); I do not recommend anyone to use this as the basics of their philosophical education. (Get some textbooks instead, and then get primary sources of philosophers you find yourself fascinated about.) Nevertheless, this is a superbly interesting book. You don't have to agree with it all, or maybe even with nothing, but I recommend observing the thoughts you have about it.
Most importantly, it is fascinating to observe both how the ideas described in the book seem to be common today (I'd love to see a proper cultural history about it; the book was published in 1970s and became immensely popular) and yet still Pirsig's ideas sounded fresh and relevant.
My original review from 2018 was 4 stars, today (2021) after some reflection I am upgrading it to five. Personally, I think the best source of personal growth in past years has been my realization that I should resist some of my habitual or near instinctual attitudes. One of those instincts, which was grown out of having read a lot of books as teenager other people had not, was the habit of putting other people down when they try make sense of the world and share their insights but are not entirely correct. I think reading this book some years ago was helpful. Now, it is better to be correct than not, and Pirsig is not correct about everything, but I think investigating this package of thoughts can be helpful and thus is greatly recommended.
The more extensive description of the book from 2018 is below:
The book is really three separate books: firstly, on surface it's a travelogue, of the author narrating road trip through America with his young son Chris. This overarching frame story is interspersed with the second them, Pirsig's recollection of his academic career (before he had a major mental breakdown and was hospitalized) and finally, also presentation of his philosophical ideas concerning metaphysics, rationality and scientific method, Henri Poincaré, mathematics, life, technology, 1960s hippie anti-technology ideas, history of Western philosophy, rhetorics, and Quality. In Pirsig's philosophy, everything is connected to Quality. (However, there is much less Zen involved than the title suggests.)
The travelogue part alone is fun to read. My opinion on Pirsig's philosophy is far more ambivalent. Sure, Pirsig has many good ideas and to-the-point observations. The ideal that being a confident user of a technology involves not only using the piece of technology but having a certain kind of attitude towards it is easy to accept. For example, author tries to convey this by describing a motorcyclist who possesses ability to understand how his bike works and maintain and tune it, and do it properly. This 'art' (possessing 'Quality') is portrayed as a certain kind of way of life, an important skill into living a good life in modern, technological world.
(As an aside, it's remarkably uncanny to notice how much similar or quite likely, these very same ideas are reflected in GNU/Linux and hacker culture. Spend a week reading HackerNews, and have field day spotting aspects of thoughtspace that almost surely can traced back to Pirsig: Compare the author's attitude to Sutherlands' approach to motorbike maintenance to how your stereotypical geek (like yours truly) likes complain how common sheeple people treat their iDevices (and all things software) like magic. Changing only few surface-level details one could translate this book into other one called Zen and the Art of Linux System Maintenance. Or Zen and the Art of .vimrc Maintenance.)
However, it's not enough for Pirsig to present cogent observations on technology and culture and draw some conclusions and suggestions, in this book he is also obsessed in building a full, systematic all-encompassing metaphysical framework about Science and Subjectivity and Objectivity that is supposed to explain everything: the centerpiece of this philosophical theory is his idea of Quality. What is meant by 'Quality', you ask? I already tried to give a some kind of explanation above, but I am not sure if I can give an answer Pirsig would agree with, because the concept is frankly quite confusing: On one hand, he defines it as undefinable, but on the other hand, he also attempts to convey its nature by various examples and stories about motorcycle maintenance and other things (and, I suppose, by the whole book itself). His Quality is the quality in motorcycle maintenance and quality in the English composition and in use of technology and in life and in everything. Beauty. Goodness. Virtue.
I do not even try to summarize all of his philosophical theory of Quality, because it gets kinda weird at places, and I'm not convinced if it truly works nor I am sure if I even understood it fully enough to point out the mistakes and dismiss it. However, I do say this is a very interesting book, and can recommend it....more
I disagree with Chesterton on a great many things, but he is witty and his writing does have a certain adorable style that makes him fun to disagree wI disagree with Chesterton on a great many things, but he is witty and his writing does have a certain adorable style that makes him fun to disagree with....more
A short comment: a quite run-of-a-mill A Boy and His X story. (Here the X is a flying dragon creature, the eponymous Lindbergh.) Narrative is a bit siA short comment: a quite run-of-a-mill A Boy and His X story. (Here the X is a flying dragon creature, the eponymous Lindbergh.) Narrative is a bit simplistic and stereotypical (Welcome to the secluded kingdom ruled by a fat, evil monarch! his son the prince, heir to the throne, is stupid-but-evil! a cool stranger appears! and so on).
Not exactly bad, but merely an "okay" work, and not terribly interesting.
Might check the next part to see if the story picks up any steam or achieves new depths....more
Positives: It's an important story, nay, an important part of history. As an European, I had never heard about John Lewis or these particular episodesPositives: It's an important story, nay, an important part of history. As an European, I had never heard about John Lewis or these particular episodes of American history in this detail before, and I feel like I've learned a lot. This Lewis' (auto)biography is well worth reading.
Negative: I have two complaints, one major and one minor.
First the major one: the art is solid, but the comic book format feels superficial, not really connected to the narrative. It reads like an illustrated history book or memoir, not a graphic novel where the visuals help to advance the story. (Edit. Re-reading the book, I must backtrack a little. Intro section, pages 5-9, have a sequence that has proper, well-executed visual storytelling. Also page 107, in a court where the unnamed judge swivels his chair to turn his back on the defense attorney. However, these moments are a bit too few and far between.)
The other minor complaint: I don't like the framing device of congressman Lewis narrating the story to two kids, it is a bit too cliche-y for my taste. Yes, I get that this book is dedicated "to the past and future children", but c'mon, I'd like a more subtle approach....more
The art is fun to look at and it channels the visual spirit of Gottfredson era Mickey comic strips (and also the old animatIt's so mediocre-it's-okay?
The art is fun to look at and it channels the visual spirit of Gottfredson era Mickey comic strips (and also the old animations) very well; maybe Loisel is Gottfredson fanboy? If so, despite the story having its moments, it seems that Loisel likes different quite things about classic Mickey's adventures than I do: ...Mickey is not much of a detective here; he more like stumbles on adventures, and then some comic violence ensues (on a second thought, maybe the inspiration comes more from the animated shorts than Gottfredson's comic strips). Ultimately the "mystery" and how it's resolved is quite disappointing. Also the visit to Donald's boat feels totally irrelevant excuse to tell some practical jokes about boats and spend several strips telling how Mickey et co are so good friends and have such an awesome vacation?
But the art is fun to look and the story isn't that bad. Three stars....more
A passable introduction to main characteristics of the many totalitarian regimes of the 20th century in Europe: how they rose, how they operated, how A passable introduction to main characteristics of the many totalitarian regimes of the 20th century in Europe: how they rose, how they operated, how the local resistance either survived or was crushed. However, it also disappoints.
Firstly, Snyder has nothing to say to a person who is already familiar with the political history of the 20th Europe. Maybe this book is a revelation for a person who did not already know what happened in 1930s Germany or how NKVD silenced the opposition to the Soviet regime.
Secondly, he presents an infuriatingly simplistic analysis. The "lessons" he gives are not wrong; on the contrary, they often have a kernel of truth into them. (Yes, it is important to defend democratic principles and institutions when they seem to be under threat!) But the parallels he draws to the contemporary American political climate strike me as superficial and dismissive of the peculiarities social and economical background of post-WW1 Italy or Germany.
The problem with the undemocratic and illiberal forces of the 20th century is that they don't exactly repeat history. How should we defend fundamental rights such as privacy or freedom of expression in the era of social media and ubiquitous smartphones? Snyder seems to only to able to prepare for yet another repeat of rise of Mussolini's blackshirts; his instructions read like he expects to see timetravelling blackshirts right around the corner in the US. Snyder fails to realize that in 1920s Italy, Mussolini was both something new and something contingent on post-WW1 political situation. Decades later, "Mussolini" was a known threat, yet the Berlusconian flavor of illiberal politics was something the Italian democracy was unprepared for; Berlusconi wasn't Mussolini, he operated differently and had different goals (building media empires instead of marching to Rome), and yet he clearly was an absolute nightmare to everyone who cares about spirit of democracy.
This is the reason which makes it so difficult to consistently defend the principles that are necessary for the continued existence free, democratic societies: the most dangerous threats are those that are novel. You can't simply map nazis-vs-allies or Solidarity-vs-communist regime narratives to the present day politics and leave the matter at rest (or you can, but it won't necessarily lead to further understanding nor the survival of the democratic society).
Also, at least in the Finnish translation, there are no sources nor references; an unacceptably sloppy work....more
A fine collection of Plato's classic works: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo.
I confess I did not have patience to read all of the dialogues in deA fine collection of Plato's classic works: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo.
I confess I did not have patience to read all of the dialogues in detail and started skimming at the parts (I was reading this for fun, not for an exam!), but the introductions and comments by Tarrant are excellent and illuminating....more
This is a finely written history of Lenin's famous train journey from Switzerland to the Finland Station in St. Petersburg, both a chronicle of the joThis is a finely written history of Lenin's famous train journey from Switzerland to the Finland Station in St. Petersburg, both a chronicle of the journey itself and a treatise on the historical background and also what happened afterwards. If you want to learn what happened during the February revolution, I can recommend it.
I have two complains or problems with the book, but they are relatively minor ones ... Firstly, its limited scope: because the focus is on the journey and the events surrounding it, it's not a history of the whole history of the revolution. This is understandable given the premise, and the premise did sound interesting while I picked the book ... but only after I started reading it, I realized that I'd also like to know more. Secondly, occasionally author elevates the main character as a maybe too "romantic revolutionary" type of a figure, which is a bit too apologetic to my taste.
Summary: it's a fun read if you are interested in this period of history of Russia but are not a well-versed scholar on it either, but not an exceptional work either....more
Confessions is on of those books that a civilized person should be aware of. Reading it does not sound like a bad idea either: Rousseau lead an superbConfessions is on of those books that a civilized person should be aware of. Reading it does not sound like a bad idea either: Rousseau lead an superbly interesting life and was important Western Enlightenment philosopher. However, around the half-way around I lost interest in this autobiography of his (it is a bit rambling and I started to dislike him and his writing). Soon I found myself reading the Stanford Encyclopedia article instead.
If you are interested in studying Rousseau's philosophy and views and life history in detail, Confessions is an important and probably a more worthwhile book to you than it was to me. It is also one the very early modern autobiographies, so it is a curious item of history of Western literature. However, as I said, I lost interest. If you are not a scholar on Rousseau or don't wish to become one, I'd recommend picking a secondary source (like I did)....more
It was okay specimen of its genre (modern space opera): there is the mostly realistic [1] science fiction setting (imagine our Solar System a couple oIt was okay specimen of its genre (modern space opera): there is the mostly realistic [1] science fiction setting (imagine our Solar System a couple of centuries into future: the humanity has colonized Mars and the asteroids and some outer planet moons; during the recent decades the economic and political tensions rise between the (Asteroid) Belt and Earth-Mars coalition). There's your mysteries and political intrigue and exciting believable-enough space battles; and there is also your occasional romance; all in all, the standard noir-inspired thriller fare.
However, while well-executed, it felt nothing special either; I'm not going to read the sequels. The most exciting aspect of the novel was in the worldbuilding: how the authors imagined that the society and the economy of the Belt would look like, how missile standoffs between ships could play out, what kind of tactics and strategy you'd apply when storming a spaceship ... But that alone is not enough to carry a longer story (the series is projected to have nine books in total), which didn't really captivate me: too much stereotypes and flat characters. (Holden is boring, his crew is uninteresting.) Some elements felt even outright gimmicky rather than anything resembling a proper characterization. (As authors continuously remind us, Detective Miller has a hat!)
A collection of early short Valerian stories: Le fflumgluff de l'amitie, 1970. Tsirillitis l'asteroide, 1969. Les engrenages d'Uxgloa, 1969. La planète tA collection of early short Valerian stories: Le fflumgluff de l'amitie, 1970. Tsirillitis l'asteroide, 1969. Les engrenages d'Uxgloa, 1969. La planète triste, 1969. Triomphe de la technique, 1970. Le grand collectionneur, 1969. Droles de specimen, 1970.
A general remark: these are the early, often short stories and certainly not the very best of the Valerian. Sometimes they are a little bit silly, and even the good ideas are often woefully underdeveloped. However, they also already establish one of the common running theme for the series: the creators are more interested in writing and drawing exciting adventures in space and time with striking visuals, rather than write what would count as serious science fiction (either 'serious science' or 'serious fiction').
Stories themselves are a bit forgettable. I especially liked the story Les engrenages d'Uxgloa, with ancient civilizations and not-fully-explained traditions, honorable duels, and dated technology. Le grand collectionneur worth mentioning: it appears to be an early draft of Les oiseaux du maitre. Triomphe de la technique has one joke, but it's a joke that works....more
The mystery is intricate and satisfying; the setting (the 1930s; Eastern Europe; Simplon-Orient ExprePossibly the best Hercule Poirot detective story.
The mystery is intricate and satisfying; the setting (the 1930s; Eastern Europe; Simplon-Orient Express; stuck in a snowstorm) wonderfully captured by Dame Agatha....more
Also a classic. A fairly good one, but not my absolute favorite of the Valerian series.
I'm not going to write about the plot in detail, that would mosAlso a classic. A fairly good one, but not my absolute favorite of the Valerian series.
I'm not going to write about the plot in detail, that would mostly spoil it. The creators like their occasional political satire (which is amusing to some extent, but also a bit too blatant for my tastes). Otherwise, we have an excellent alien space adventure. Open the album at any page, and it will look like something that could be from graphic novel version of John Carter of Mars. Slaves! Grandiose rituals! Organic-looking megastructures! Alien bird-creatures that loom menacingly on the horizon!...more
This is maybe the classic Valerian comic, and one of my favorites. Apprently the Besson's new Valerian film (that I have not seen as of writing this) iThis is maybe the classic Valerian comic, and one of my favorites. Apprently the Besson's new Valerian film (that I have not seen as of writing this) is based on it, which is not a surprise.
We are introduced to the various aliens and beings and political machinations of the space station Point Central; the Shingouz (master spies and informants for hire) make an appearance; the protagonist duo must deal with the questionable political intrigue and shenanigans of the 28th century Earth diplomatic corps; and the ending is truly a written in the 1970s.
I like it. The we have a classic scifi adventure with action and mystery and fascinating beings not from Earth, the visual storytelling is great (just look at the page 13, the attack on the reception is wonderfully told), and while the authors make a philosophical/political point, it works within the narrative instead hijacking it....more
Direct follow-up to Au bord du Grand Rien / Suuren tyhjyyden reunalla. A part of the grand finale of the Valerian series, and reasonably good one. As Direct follow-up to Au bord du Grand Rien / Suuren tyhjyyden reunalla. A part of the grand finale of the Valerian series, and reasonably good one. As usual, Valerian is more a fantastical adventure in a "scifi" setting (not unlike Star Wars) than true science fiction, but this time the story manages again find the properly grand and mythical tone: Valerian is once again truly fantastical instead of being just silly....more
A very 1960s/1970s Valerian adventure. The heroes follow a dangerous time-traveling criminal Xombul from the mankind's future in the 24th century to tA very 1960s/1970s Valerian adventure. The heroes follow a dangerous time-traveling criminal Xombul from the mankind's future in the 24th century to the New York in 1986, which is ... flooded? Mysteriously the 24th century humankind have lost all records of this particular time period. The agents must investigate and catch the criminal.
The funny thing (of course) is that when the authors decided that the time-traveling space agent duo would travel to 1986, the 1980s were still the future (and turned out totally different than imagined). This caused weird aneurysms in the grand plot arc later on....more
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