Tacoma Reads
Of course, one of the things about Tacoma Reads is that it’s more than just the book: it’s supposed to spark discussion and such. Past books chosen include “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Fahrenheit 451,” “Animal Mineral Vegetable,” “Frankenstein,” and “The Crucible” (not really a book). Here’s a couple thoughts that occurred to me tonight. And fair warning, these are going to be random, and biased toward fiction. “2001”. It lets you talk about technology, exploration, our place in the universe. And the Grand could show it. (Truth be told, I like “2010” better, but “2001” is probably a better choice.) Read more…
The Grandchild Rule
Regarding the idea of Washington taking into account posterity when considering his actions, the author seems to use this as a way to say, "Well, Washington wasn't being totally selfless here." Which is true, but at the same time, totally besides the point. We collectively seem to understand that if I help an old lady across the street in order to impress a pretty girl that's watching, I wasn't being selfless. But if I did it because I thought it was going to help me get into heaven, is that still a selfish act? Ellis refers to Washington seeking "secular Read more…
“His Excellency, George Washington”
My appreciation for George Washington rose after reading Joseph Ellis' book His Excellency, George Washington (which was actually his title during the Revolutionary War. The book is an attempt to reveal the character and the man of George Washington. In my opinion, it succeeded. One of the central questions it asks we take for granted now: why didn't George Washington make himself king after the war? It's a weird question, because of course we have mythologized him so much, it would be sacrilege to consider. But some people were afraid he would attempt to do so in the early 1780s. Read more…
The “Ryanverse”
I've recently read both The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games, and I'm currently planning on going through the "Ryanverse" as I guess all of the Jack Ryan books by Tom Clancy are called (or at least, the books that take place in the universe of Jack Ryan, whether he is featured or not. We'll see how far I'll make it. Awhile ago I read Clancy's Red Storm Rising, which is his take on what World War III would look like (circa 1988). It's a really great read. Red October was similarly good, but I found Patriot Games rather Read more…
Play to the End
I just finished Play to the End, by Robert Goddard. I've never heard of the author, but he can tell a good murder mystery, that's for sure. I've been reading a lot of mysteries in the last few years, which has a lot to do with my interest in writing in the genre. This book was the first in a while that I had to put down so that I could work on my own. I don't know what it was, but but it got me going! Set in Brighton, the book takes place over a week. The "detective," as Read more…
Lauren Bacall is getting an honorary Oscar
I have had a crush on Lauren Bacall for the last 10 years. I was flipping channels and saw the last half of To Have and Have Not (movie still above) on AMC. I'd read the book so I thought I'd see what the movie was like. Turns out it had absolutely nothing at all to do with the the book. But I did fall for the 20-year-old Lauren Bacall. I quickly watched the other three movies she did with her husband Humphrey Bogart: The Big Sleep, Key Largo, and Dark Passage (don't bother with that one). I've also read Read more…
Glen David Gold’s “Sunnyside”
This novel of Charlie Chaplin only has its main character in about a third of the book. The rest is … everywhere. To say that this is a "sprawling" novel is an understatement. There are some wonderful parts, but I had a hard time figuring out how they all related to each other. By the end, the through-line appear to be simply, "movies." And Gold really captures the way that they cross culture and boundaries. (I recall Kate Winslet telling a story of hiking somewhere remote in northern India, where she met a monk. The monk squinted at her and Read more…
The Constitution as a comic book …
via feedproxy.google.com This actually seems like a good way to learn something.
If you’re in to this sort of thing …
The famed diarist Samuel Pepys kept a meticulous diary for years and years. It has proven to be a huge historical resource for looking into the lives of Londoners in the 1600s. Pepys was also on hand to describe the Great Fire of London, which started September 5, 1666. One website has been posting a diary entry every day from Pepys. Today's is August 28, 1666, which means that next Saturday, the Great Fire begins!
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