53 - The Long Walk, by Slavomir Rawicz, 273 pages, Globe Pequot,1956
WHY I PICKED IT: Picked it up in Powell's Books in Portland
ELAPSED TIME: 4 days
RATING: REQUIRED READING
The gripping tale of Rawicz' experience in the Siberian Gulags... from being arrested (for being middle class and Polish before WWII) through his torture, transport to the prisons, time there... and most gripping of all, the harrowing escape. There are portions of the story that are a little unbelievable, but mostly we fall in love with the people with whom he encounters and escapes.
Looking back on it - Given when it was initially published, I would not be surprised if the story was funded by a US Government intent on sharing stories of the evils of "Communist Russia." This doesn't take away from the gripping story that sucks you in and doesn't let go until they clear the Gobi Desert and Himalayan Mountains into India.
SPOILER ALERT (don't scroll down if you may read this book).
That he never saw his fellow escapees again, after release from the hospital in Calcutta is a bit heartbreaking. But I guess that's just life.
This blog is a simple review of every book that I read... For all books I’ll tell you why I picked it, how long it took me to read it, and give it a rating (burn it, not good, meh, good, very good, and required reading). I ask (encourage?) all readers of my blog to post their thoughts of any of the books in my comments :). Thanks!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
2011-52 - The Perfect King, by Ian Mortimer
52 - The Perfect King, by Ian Mortimer, 402 pages, Random House, 2006
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by my friend Monika C.
ELAPSED TIME: 3-weeks
RATING: Good
This biography of Edward III of England is an intense read... but easily 200 pages too long. The first 150 pages, describing his family, his childhood, and his upbringing were painful... I was worried it would be another Alexander of Macedon (looong boring look at what should be an interesting character); but like Peter Green's work, Mortimer writes the wars extremely well.
Edward's strategic view of war and his expansion into France was gripping. Edward was courageous, leading his men into battle rather than directing them into it... his tactical view was phenomenal, but it was his strength and confidence is what inspired his men and enabled them to successfully take on armies many times their size.
That he outlived almost all of his friends and most of his family is really sad and an end un-befitting ... and reaffirmed my view that a long life is not to be desired. Better to burn out than to fade away... right?
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by my friend Monika C.
ELAPSED TIME: 3-weeks
RATING: Good
This biography of Edward III of England is an intense read... but easily 200 pages too long. The first 150 pages, describing his family, his childhood, and his upbringing were painful... I was worried it would be another Alexander of Macedon (looong boring look at what should be an interesting character); but like Peter Green's work, Mortimer writes the wars extremely well.
Edward's strategic view of war and his expansion into France was gripping. Edward was courageous, leading his men into battle rather than directing them into it... his tactical view was phenomenal, but it was his strength and confidence is what inspired his men and enabled them to successfully take on armies many times their size.
That he outlived almost all of his friends and most of his family is really sad and an end un-befitting ... and reaffirmed my view that a long life is not to be desired. Better to burn out than to fade away... right?
Friday, November 18, 2011
2011-51 - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, by Dai Sijie
51 - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, by Dai Sijie, 184 pages, Random House, 2001
WHY I PICKED IT: Picked it up in Powell's Books in Portland
ELAPSED TIME: 2 days
RATING: Very Good
This story was both a learning experience and a joy to read. I didn't know of Mao Zedong's "re-education" efforts of sending the children of the bourgeois to remote villages to learn the value of real work... the lost intellectual opportunity for a generation of children through the rejection of literature and science is sad.
Despite this backdrop, the protagonist and his best friend Luo, survive and find joy in secreted books (including Balzak's Ursule Mirouet), and a friendship with the daughter of the region's tailor.
I enjoyed this story and would wholeheartedly recommend it.
WHY I PICKED IT: Picked it up in Powell's Books in Portland
ELAPSED TIME: 2 days
RATING: Very Good
This story was both a learning experience and a joy to read. I didn't know of Mao Zedong's "re-education" efforts of sending the children of the bourgeois to remote villages to learn the value of real work... the lost intellectual opportunity for a generation of children through the rejection of literature and science is sad.
Despite this backdrop, the protagonist and his best friend Luo, survive and find joy in secreted books (including Balzak's Ursule Mirouet), and a friendship with the daughter of the region's tailor.
I enjoyed this story and would wholeheartedly recommend it.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
2011-50 - The Descendents, by Kaui Hart Hemmings
50 - The Descendents, by Kaui Hart Hemmings, 283 pages, Random House, 2011
WHY I PICKED IT: Picked it up in Powell's Books in Portland
ELAPSED TIME: 2days
RATING: Very Good
This is a melancholic story of a man who is trying to connect with his daughters, while saying goodbye to his wife (who is being taken off the ventilators, as directed by her living will).
The drama of the story is poignant and quite real. The experience of their interaction is phenomenally well constructed:
- That someone would "forget" that their wife and mother is slowly dying in a hospital bed, and sharing a laugh for a moment is a completely believable (especially when you consider the book starts more than 2 weeks into the Joanie's coma).
- That the death of his wife is the awakening of Matthew... that he now understands that he is responsible for his family, and for their future.
I strongly recommend this book.
WHY I PICKED IT: Picked it up in Powell's Books in Portland
ELAPSED TIME: 2days
RATING: Very Good
This is a melancholic story of a man who is trying to connect with his daughters, while saying goodbye to his wife (who is being taken off the ventilators, as directed by her living will).
The drama of the story is poignant and quite real. The experience of their interaction is phenomenally well constructed:
- That someone would "forget" that their wife and mother is slowly dying in a hospital bed, and sharing a laugh for a moment is a completely believable (especially when you consider the book starts more than 2 weeks into the Joanie's coma).
- That the death of his wife is the awakening of Matthew... that he now understands that he is responsible for his family, and for their future.
I strongly recommend this book.
2011-49 - One Day, by David Nichols
49 - One Day, by David Nichols, 435 pages, Random House Vintage Books, 2009
WHY I PICKED IT: Ling Sian recommended it
ELAPSED TIME: 6 days
RATING: Required Reading
This is the second time I've read this book, and I'm rating it higher than the initial read... The story is of Dexter and Emma's friendship... on July 15th of each year for 20-years from graduating from University, through to building careers, and figuring their way in the world.
Dex and Em are people to me now, and I will miss having them in my life.
Friday, October 21, 2011
2011-48 - The Life You Can Save, by Peter Singer
48 - The Life You Can Save, by Peter Singer, 176 pages, Random House, 2009
WHY I PICKED IT: Read an article of his on Al Jazeera, and wanted to read more.
ELAPSED TIME: 2 weeks
RATING: Good
Singer takes us through the moral reasons for giving to humanitarian relief - to save a life. He systematically breaks down the reasons why people don't give, and implores people to give more.
Interesting notes:
a) People give more when they think others have given more... so unlike what is taught in the Abrahamic faiths and modern culture where we are encouraged not to not talk about charity, he says the opposite.
b) He says that we shouldn't give because we're worried about wastage - there are organizations that track how much money is spent and how effectively... and they can be used as a guidepost.
c) He dismisses the "fair share" argument pretty compellingly - with a hypothetical situation of 10 kids drowning in a pond, and 10 adults able to help... but if only 5 step up to help, should they only save 1 life each ("it's only fair") or should they save two each because it's the right thing to do? If that's the case, shouldn't we give as much as we reasonably can afford?
d) He proposes an formula that is remarkably like progressive taxation, to determine how much he thinks each person should give - and what that would yield if only the top 10% of income earners in the USA followed it (more than $140 billion).
Overall, it was a bit preachy, and he recommends some NGOs that I don't personally love... but his fundamental premise is worthwhile, and he raises some good points (even for people who currently give money to other causes).
WHY I PICKED IT: Read an article of his on Al Jazeera, and wanted to read more.
ELAPSED TIME: 2 weeks
RATING: Good
Singer takes us through the moral reasons for giving to humanitarian relief - to save a life. He systematically breaks down the reasons why people don't give, and implores people to give more.
Interesting notes:
a) People give more when they think others have given more... so unlike what is taught in the Abrahamic faiths and modern culture where we are encouraged not to not talk about charity, he says the opposite.
b) He says that we shouldn't give because we're worried about wastage - there are organizations that track how much money is spent and how effectively... and they can be used as a guidepost.
c) He dismisses the "fair share" argument pretty compellingly - with a hypothetical situation of 10 kids drowning in a pond, and 10 adults able to help... but if only 5 step up to help, should they only save 1 life each ("it's only fair") or should they save two each because it's the right thing to do? If that's the case, shouldn't we give as much as we reasonably can afford?
d) He proposes an formula that is remarkably like progressive taxation, to determine how much he thinks each person should give - and what that would yield if only the top 10% of income earners in the USA followed it (more than $140 billion).
Overall, it was a bit preachy, and he recommends some NGOs that I don't personally love... but his fundamental premise is worthwhile, and he raises some good points (even for people who currently give money to other causes).
Sunday, October 9, 2011
2011-XX - Extreme Rambling, by Mark Thomas
XX - Extreme Rambling, by Mark Thomas, 336 pages, Ebury Press, 2011
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by my friend Chris H.
ELAPSED TIME: 7 days to read 49 pages
RATING: Meh
So I have been in a reading funk for a while... Nothing started much less finished in a month-and-a-half. With a series of flights ahead of me, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get back into it, and this book has been on my shelf for over a month waiting for me.
Sadly, despite my interest in travel writing, and my interest in world issues. This book, by an English comedian who walked the length of the barrier that Israel has erected on stolen Palestinian land just did not succeed in pulling me in.
It's not a knock against Thomas, who I'm sure shared some interesting insights... I just think I may not have been the target audience of the book (perhaps under-informed people who need the humour of his style would be better suited), or it may just be where my head is at this point.
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by my friend Chris H.
ELAPSED TIME: 7 days to read 49 pages
RATING: Meh
So I have been in a reading funk for a while... Nothing started much less finished in a month-and-a-half. With a series of flights ahead of me, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get back into it, and this book has been on my shelf for over a month waiting for me.
Sadly, despite my interest in travel writing, and my interest in world issues. This book, by an English comedian who walked the length of the barrier that Israel has erected on stolen Palestinian land just did not succeed in pulling me in.
It's not a knock against Thomas, who I'm sure shared some interesting insights... I just think I may not have been the target audience of the book (perhaps under-informed people who need the humour of his style would be better suited), or it may just be where my head is at this point.
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