Orwell is a tremendous writing, bringing a poetic simplicity to the daily grind of living as a soldier in a war zone. He has a subtle sense of humor aOrwell is a tremendous writing, bringing a poetic simplicity to the daily grind of living as a soldier in a war zone. He has a subtle sense of humor and a self-effacing style, which are quite winsome. He's someone we want to spend time with in his backwater corner of the front.
While his chapters on the politics of the war are long and of very different style than the narrative, he does warn the reader about them and suggest skipping them if needed. Some of the details were too much, but I appreciated his firsthand reiteration of what I had read in more general history books: the Communists' attempt to take power over the anti-Franco forces (can't help but position themselves as the "vanguard of the proletariat") splintered their sides, suppressed the anarchists, and likely cost the the war, vaulting Franco to power. Once again, it's a message that the means of achieving a new society must match the ends....more
I'll admit that much of this book--despite being short--was over my head, especially listening to it as an audiobook while driving. But my main takeawI'll admit that much of this book--despite being short--was over my head, especially listening to it as an audiobook while driving. But my main takeaways--which I very much appreciated--is that biology is not reducible to physics, and life has emergent properties, a reiteration of the nonreductive physicalism that I've studied before. I appreciate a science-based viewpoint that appreciates and explains the beauty and complexity of life without resorting to hypothetical religious explanations....more
Definitely slower than Heretics of Dune, and even the philosophy/reflections seemed weaker than the equally slow God Emperor of Dune. Still, I appreciDefinitely slower than Heretics of Dune, and even the philosophy/reflections seemed weaker than the equally slow God Emperor of Dune. Still, I appreciate the twists and turns of this universe, the focus on the Bene Gesserit and the unexpected threat of the Honored Matres. There are many intriguing, likable characters and definitely some loose threads (what was Scytale's purpose?). The ending is rousing and surprising.
I'm glad I persisted through my re-read of the series, but some parts were more enjoyable sailing than others....more
There are stronger chapters and weaker ones, but I deeply appreciate the idea and exploration of "richness" or "interest" being a complementary life tThere are stronger chapters and weaker ones, but I deeply appreciate the idea and exploration of "richness" or "interest" being a complementary life to the pursuit of "happiness" and "meaning." I can chart different times of my life when I'm emphasized different of these aspects, so it has a nice explanatory aspect that helps guide my life decisions. Lots of interesting psychological studies discussed....more
A scattered but interesting biography. He jumps around in time, but it's interesting to hear his thoughts and process on life and music... it definiteA scattered but interesting biography. He jumps around in time, but it's interesting to hear his thoughts and process on life and music... it definitely humanizes a musical icon a bit....more
This book contains a slow descent from discussions of the Valar ("demigods"), to the Elves, to humans... It can be quite dense and structurally difficThis book contains a slow descent from discussions of the Valar ("demigods"), to the Elves, to humans... It can be quite dense and structurally difficult, but there is much beautiful writing here, and it provides the backdrop to which LOTR and the Hobbit only allude. As such, it adds so much depth to one's understanding of the Tolkien legendarium.
I've read this book several times and was struck this time by how much focus is on the First Age and its precursors. The more familiar Second Age (the story of Numenor and such) takes up a much smaller portion of the book.
Incidentally, the "Star and Swords" podcast by Alastair Stephens is currently doing a masterful 6 month series on the Silmarillion. His warm, erudite scholarship added so much to my re-reading of this text....more
At times the authors seem overly pessimistic and I was inclined to dislike what they were saying, the book is an important caution to our discussions At times the authors seem overly pessimistic and I was inclined to dislike what they were saying, the book is an important caution to our discussions and plans of space exploration. There are major challenges with establishing and maintaining human existence in space that we have not yet solved. Perhaps their most important point is that the worst situation on Earth (climate change, etc.) is still vastly better than the most "hospitable" environment on the moon, Mars, etc (which aren't hospitable at all). And even if we placed humans on another planet as a kind of insurance policy, it'll be a long time before that colony can survive without the mother planet.
They sound more helpful when they suggest that we wait to colonize space until we can "go big" with enough people, technology, and specializations to create a healthy, sustainable civilization. This is a worthwhile consideration. ...more
In my re-read of the Dune series, if I liked God Emperor less than I had the first time around, I enjoyed this one more. It is such an interesting turIn my re-read of the Dune series, if I liked God Emperor less than I had the first time around, I enjoyed this one more. It is such an interesting turn of events, a story in the same universe and yet different. There is less navel-gazing than God Emperor (and I do like navel gazing to some degree); a far better blend of introspection, characterization, and plot. ...more
Nicely detailed for an introduction and just what I was looking for, never having systematically read Spanish history (only as they intersect with othNicely detailed for an introduction and just what I was looking for, never having systematically read Spanish history (only as they intersect with other histories). Of course there is the usual focus on royalty and nobles, but of course those are the most documented. And I would've enjoyed more detail about the Moorish kingdoms and accomplishments, as well as that of the Jewish people. But this was a helpful foundation for a trip to Spain, to give me a context to fit the historical sites I saw in....more
This short volume problematizes the notion of a "Western way of war," showing that western cultures didn't follow the pattern of open, decisive battleThis short volume problematizes the notion of a "Western way of war," showing that western cultures didn't follow the pattern of open, decisive battles for many centuries. Still, the ways ancient cultures "thought with war" is highlighted, in which warfare both shaped a culture and became a lens through which other cultures were viewed. Ancient art is discussed in an illuminative way, as well as adding nuance to how phalanx warfare with hoplites was conducted. He tries to have a chapter akin to "The Face of Battle" by John Keegan but doesn't quite get into the average soldier's viewpoint. Still, he gives some good insights into naval, siege, etc. warfare in this chapter....more
A helpful recounting of the evolution of cultural, scientific, and political views on sexuality. She offers the illuminating paradigm of sexuality hisA helpful recounting of the evolution of cultural, scientific, and political views on sexuality. She offers the illuminating paradigm of sexuality historically being interpreted through moral, biological, and then social/political lenses. Beyond moral qualms and biological determinism, sexuality lies in a more ambiguous space of socio-political contestation. Ancient cultures viewed sexuality differently, highlight its arbitrary nature. This book was written a few years ago, but there was a decided lack of engagement with trans-sexuality, other than passing references in examples....more
The book focuses more on modern geopolitics and environmental concerns from an anarchist angle. There is some consideration of the major theoreticiansThe book focuses more on modern geopolitics and environmental concerns from an anarchist angle. There is some consideration of the major theoreticians (Bakunin, Proudhon, Kropotkin, etc.), but I was expecting a greater summation of the principles of anarchist critique and organizing, as well as some of the varieties of anarchism. These are all largely missing....more
I never realized how prolonged and elaborate the drama at Fort Sumter was before reading this book. It is full of fascinating details and characters, I never realized how prolonged and elaborate the drama at Fort Sumter was before reading this book. It is full of fascinating details and characters, including the commander of Sumter who was sympathetic to the South but felt it was his duty to remain loyal to the Army and to defend Sumter. Lincoln's cautious journey to D.C. for the inauguration is told in detail. The minds and motivations of many Southerners are portrayed, helping one to try to understand the thinking that fueled secession....more
The story keeps moving... so fast at times that you almost are sad to move on from a certain setting and time. But the characters are well-written andThe story keeps moving... so fast at times that you almost are sad to move on from a certain setting and time. But the characters are well-written and you care about them; the setting is compelling and fits with the historical setting of the day. The magic is subtle and hard-fought. People are complex but do change for the better or worse....more
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