Irreverent, touching, and enjoyable. Petropolis is a great look at late Soviet life and is the fantastic tale of the life of a young girl struggling to find herself as the world changes. Young love, adventure, and disappointment all play a role in helping the main character construct a non-traditional family for herself. A recommended read!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Book: New England White
Carter, Stephen L. New England White. 9780375413629 (2007).
A fast paced and enjoyable read. Addresses issues of class and race in a way that raises essential questions about the nature of power -- all wrapped in the midst of an enthralling mystery. Politics, academe, secret societies, small town struggles, and the encroachment of gentrification -- all find themselves fair game for Carter's story. A powerful novel.
A fast paced and enjoyable read. Addresses issues of class and race in a way that raises essential questions about the nature of power -- all wrapped in the midst of an enthralling mystery. Politics, academe, secret societies, small town struggles, and the encroachment of gentrification -- all find themselves fair game for Carter's story. A powerful novel.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Book: Gentlemen of the Road
Chabon, Michael. Gentlemen of the Road. 9780345501745 (2007).
A new form for Chabon and one in which his fantastic ability to create sympathetic characters and evoking landscapes are used in full force. A quick read and a read that will set your mind wondering through the interplay of the religion in a region of the world oft ignored. It is a fitting next act to Chabon's acclaimed The Yiddish Policemen's Union and magical in much the same way. Bravo! A recommended read.
A new form for Chabon and one in which his fantastic ability to create sympathetic characters and evoking landscapes are used in full force. A quick read and a read that will set your mind wondering through the interplay of the religion in a region of the world oft ignored. It is a fitting next act to Chabon's acclaimed The Yiddish Policemen's Union and magical in much the same way. Bravo! A recommended read.
Book: High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them
Rischard, JF. High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them. 0465070108 (2002).
A fascinating look at a series of critical problems facing the world. Rischard has an insightful style and his clear overview of each issue and the struggles that preclude a quick solution is both troubling and worthwhile. Given that this is at the heart of the NAIS 20/20 Initative, it is intriguing to consider how global relationships between high school students may lead to a generation of trans-global problem solvers along the model of his proposed solutions.
Thoughts:
A fascinating look at a series of critical problems facing the world. Rischard has an insightful style and his clear overview of each issue and the struggles that preclude a quick solution is both troubling and worthwhile. Given that this is at the heart of the NAIS 20/20 Initative, it is intriguing to consider how global relationships between high school students may lead to a generation of trans-global problem solvers along the model of his proposed solutions.
Thoughts:
- Could the central section of the book serve as a basis for a long-term in-class project?
- Would Blair be amenable to developing a project to participate in the 20/20 iniative?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Book: The Haunting of Hill House
Jackson, Shirley. The Haunting of Hill House. (0140071083), 1959.
A classic psychological horror novel. A weaker cousin of We All Lived in the Castle, but still a very fun read. Intriguing and thrilling. A must for Shirley Jackson fans.
A classic psychological horror novel. A weaker cousin of We All Lived in the Castle, but still a very fun read. Intriguing and thrilling. A must for Shirley Jackson fans.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Book: Henry V and the Battle that Made England: Agincourt by Juliet Barker
Barker, Juliet. Henry V and the Battle that Made England: Agincourt. 978-0-316-01503-5 (2005).
A fast-paced and lucid account of the Battle of Agincourt. Full of the anecdotes that make histories such as these a true pleasure to read, Ms. Barker gets at much of Henry V's personality and its impact on the outcome of the battle itself. A fascinating sojourn in an age of chivalry, as the medieval stumbled toward its end and the modern world began. Recommended.
A fast-paced and lucid account of the Battle of Agincourt. Full of the anecdotes that make histories such as these a true pleasure to read, Ms. Barker gets at much of Henry V's personality and its impact on the outcome of the battle itself. A fascinating sojourn in an age of chivalry, as the medieval stumbled toward its end and the modern world began. Recommended.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Book: The Book of Ebenezer Le Page
Edwards, G.B.. The Book of Ebenezer Le Page. 978-1-59017-233-9 (1981).
By far, the best novel I have read in a long time. This story's ability to transport you to both another time and another land is noteworthy. With characters both real and extraordinary, it reminds me both of the quirky characters of my own youth (and thus of any small town in a simpler time) and elements of the magical realism of Garcia Marquez. I appreciate its use of the first person narrative and applaud the creation of such a daring character as Ebenezer Le Page. While for all the world a lonely and isolated bachelor, Ebenezer writes in his book of a life filled with love (and love lost), deeply emotive friendship (and its passing), family (and its inevitable conflicts), loyalty, honor, truth, perpetual youth, and his own run-ins with a significant portion of 20th century history (and its implications for a modern world). I can only pray that Ebenezer is continuing to write in his book of a life lived with appreciation for all that creation presents each of us. We would all do well to savor an ormer, sit in the sun on a flat rock by the ocean, warm ourselves by a fire, and reflect on those lives that have touched our own. A must read and an early favorite for my "book of the year".
By far, the best novel I have read in a long time. This story's ability to transport you to both another time and another land is noteworthy. With characters both real and extraordinary, it reminds me both of the quirky characters of my own youth (and thus of any small town in a simpler time) and elements of the magical realism of Garcia Marquez. I appreciate its use of the first person narrative and applaud the creation of such a daring character as Ebenezer Le Page. While for all the world a lonely and isolated bachelor, Ebenezer writes in his book of a life filled with love (and love lost), deeply emotive friendship (and its passing), family (and its inevitable conflicts), loyalty, honor, truth, perpetual youth, and his own run-ins with a significant portion of 20th century history (and its implications for a modern world). I can only pray that Ebenezer is continuing to write in his book of a life lived with appreciation for all that creation presents each of us. We would all do well to savor an ormer, sit in the sun on a flat rock by the ocean, warm ourselves by a fire, and reflect on those lives that have touched our own. A must read and an early favorite for my "book of the year".
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Book: Rome and Jerusalem
Goodman, Martin. Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilization. 9780375411854 (2007).
A rather tedious exploration of the scope Roman civilization and the inevitable conflicts w/ the rise of judaism and life in Jerusalem. While in and of itself an important review of the history and literature, it could be a more specifically focused.
A rather tedious exploration of the scope Roman civilization and the inevitable conflicts w/ the rise of judaism and life in Jerusalem. While in and of itself an important review of the history and literature, it could be a more specifically focused.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Book: The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin
Toobin, Jeffrey. The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court. 978-0-385-51640-2 (2007).
A revealing look inside the Rehnquist court with some great insight into the most important judicial moments in modern memory. An easy read with fun personal anecdotes about the justices. The discussion of the role of the court in the Bush v. Gore case is interesting.
Thoughts:
A revealing look inside the Rehnquist court with some great insight into the most important judicial moments in modern memory. An easy read with fun personal anecdotes about the justices. The discussion of the role of the court in the Bush v. Gore case is interesting.
Thoughts:
- Use more court cases in US History. Modern cases in the expansion of civil rights...
Book: How the Irish Saved Civilization
Cahill, Thomas. How the Irish Saved Civilization. 0-385-41849-3 (1995).
The initial offering in the "Hinges of History" series, Cahill explores the the fall of the Roman Empire and the role of the Irish in bridging the gap between the failing of classical civilization and the birth of the Middle Ages. Full of interesting characters, lovely images, and great overview, the book is a nice introduction to late classical history. In typical Cahill style, the narrative is a bit harried -- but it accomplishes the task of making history an appealing component of thought in an age overwhelmed by modern media.
The initial offering in the "Hinges of History" series, Cahill explores the the fall of the Roman Empire and the role of the Irish in bridging the gap between the failing of classical civilization and the birth of the Middle Ages. Full of interesting characters, lovely images, and great overview, the book is a nice introduction to late classical history. In typical Cahill style, the narrative is a bit harried -- but it accomplishes the task of making history an appealing component of thought in an age overwhelmed by modern media.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Book: The Gathering
Enright, Anne. The Gathering. 0-8021-7039-0 (2007).
Winner of the 2007 Man Booker Prize and, like previous winners, it is a powerful novel. Emotional and reflective, this story of the disintegrating (more probably already completely disintegrated) Hegerty family is troubling. The narrator struggles with the pain of a dark secret and her own inability to distinguish where the lines of reality are drawn. Deftly walking through four generations and yet centering around the wake and funeral of a lost brother, the novel is an exploration of religion, death, depression, and the blights on each of our souls. Wonderfully set in a bleak Irish landscape.
Winner of the 2007 Man Booker Prize and, like previous winners, it is a powerful novel. Emotional and reflective, this story of the disintegrating (more probably already completely disintegrated) Hegerty family is troubling. The narrator struggles with the pain of a dark secret and her own inability to distinguish where the lines of reality are drawn. Deftly walking through four generations and yet centering around the wake and funeral of a lost brother, the novel is an exploration of religion, death, depression, and the blights on each of our souls. Wonderfully set in a bleak Irish landscape.
Harper's 2007 Year in Review
YEARLY REVIEW
Eight hundred ninety-nine U.S. troops and 18,610 Iraqi
civilians were killed in the Iraq War. Eighty percent of
Iraqis were reporting "attacks nearby" and it was
estimated that 90 percent of Iraq's artists had fled the
country or been killed. Halliburton announced that it
would add 13,000 jobs, and President George W. Bush
underwent a colonoscopy...
Click here for the full "Review"!
Eight hundred ninety-nine U.S. troops and 18,610 Iraqi
civilians were killed in the Iraq War. Eighty percent of
Iraqis were reporting "attacks nearby" and it was
estimated that 90 percent of Iraq's artists had fled the
country or been killed. Halliburton announced that it
would add 13,000 jobs, and President George W. Bush
underwent a colonoscopy...
Click here for the full "Review"!
Book: The Shape of Things to Come
Marcus, Greil. The Shape of Things to Come. 0-312-42642-9 (2006).
Agonizing in its Beat-esque attempt to connect the future of the nation to its history and its oblique art. Maybe I’m just stupid, but I didn’t find the exploration of David Lynch as a prophet to be all that revelatory. Is it possible and worthwhile to make dramatic assertions about America using popular culture? Does our history really have such a major impact on our TV and music cults? Undoubtedly, I missed too many of the thousands of references to make this overly useful. Although, it did bring up a few interesting approaches to US history.
Thoughts:
• Opening chapter does do a nice job of looking at America as a reflection three major speeches: Winthrop’s “City on the Hill”, Lincoln’s Second Inaugural, and MLK’s “I Have a Dream”. Perhaps a worthwhile way to look at American history for a class. Perhaps a cumulative essay on the dream and its despoilment—do we ever achieve the grandiloquent claims of the founding fathers?
• Reagan use of the “City on the Hill” “as a sign of American triumpahlism, of America as God’s country, of ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth’. (p. 25)
• Mario Savio and the Free Speech Movement (for US II) (p.31)
• Bob LaFollette and WW I filibuster—an attempt to stop the mad rush to war. Compare to 2003?
• Paul Robeson and the Civil Rights Movement? (for US II)
• Read American Pastoral (and related Roth novels)
• Could I use Plot Against America and “Good Night and Good Luck” in US II?—Cold War/Communist irrationalism
• Look at how events in lead up to WW II/Holocaust were portrayed in NY Times (assignment for US II?).... 18 December 1934 and p.91... How different were we than Germany? FDR & Hitler...
• JFK’s Inaugural Address! (for US II) and Reagan’s Inaugural Address!
• “The American voice can only be heard in the collective stories of those who are for some time, no matter how brief, pushed outside of the definition of ‘American’...the American voice is how one responds when silenced because of who he or she is.” (Tanya Kalivas 2000, p. 204).
Agonizing in its Beat-esque attempt to connect the future of the nation to its history and its oblique art. Maybe I’m just stupid, but I didn’t find the exploration of David Lynch as a prophet to be all that revelatory. Is it possible and worthwhile to make dramatic assertions about America using popular culture? Does our history really have such a major impact on our TV and music cults? Undoubtedly, I missed too many of the thousands of references to make this overly useful. Although, it did bring up a few interesting approaches to US history.
Thoughts:
• Opening chapter does do a nice job of looking at America as a reflection three major speeches: Winthrop’s “City on the Hill”, Lincoln’s Second Inaugural, and MLK’s “I Have a Dream”. Perhaps a worthwhile way to look at American history for a class. Perhaps a cumulative essay on the dream and its despoilment—do we ever achieve the grandiloquent claims of the founding fathers?
• Reagan use of the “City on the Hill” “as a sign of American triumpahlism, of America as God’s country, of ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth’. (p. 25)
• Mario Savio and the Free Speech Movement (for US II) (p.31)
• Bob LaFollette and WW I filibuster—an attempt to stop the mad rush to war. Compare to 2003?
• Paul Robeson and the Civil Rights Movement? (for US II)
• Read American Pastoral (and related Roth novels)
• Could I use Plot Against America and “Good Night and Good Luck” in US II?—Cold War/Communist irrationalism
• Look at how events in lead up to WW II/Holocaust were portrayed in NY Times (assignment for US II?).... 18 December 1934 and p.91... How different were we than Germany? FDR & Hitler...
• JFK’s Inaugural Address! (for US II) and Reagan’s Inaugural Address!
• “The American voice can only be heard in the collective stories of those who are for some time, no matter how brief, pushed outside of the definition of ‘American’...the American voice is how one responds when silenced because of who he or she is.” (Tanya Kalivas 2000, p. 204).
Book: The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Hamid, Mohsin. The Reluctant Fundamentalist. 0-15-101304-7 (2007).
Described as “a tale of enormous tension”, Hamid does a very good job of evoking compassion for his main character while assailing the overreaching of America abroad. Set amidst the backdrop of business malaise in 2001 and the impact on New York of the September 11th attacks, Hamid’s protagonist is at once serious about making a name for himself and lost in the romantic world of both his home and his relationship with his only love. Very good descriptions of the “man abroad” and a fine narrative twist. Well done and a quick read.
Described as “a tale of enormous tension”, Hamid does a very good job of evoking compassion for his main character while assailing the overreaching of America abroad. Set amidst the backdrop of business malaise in 2001 and the impact on New York of the September 11th attacks, Hamid’s protagonist is at once serious about making a name for himself and lost in the romantic world of both his home and his relationship with his only love. Very good descriptions of the “man abroad” and a fine narrative twist. Well done and a quick read.
Book: Mister Pip
Jones, Lloyd. Mister Pip. 478-0-385-34106-6 (2007).
“Fairy tale”-like coming of age story. South seas childhood, modern political violence, colonial racial understandings, Dickens, Great Expectations, loss of family, search for self, reality that all of life is a performance which doesn’t take away from its significance. An incredible creation of place with a story compelling enough to get you lost in the moment, and oh yeah, thats part of its magic and commentary. Definitely worth it.
Thoughts:
• Read the Dickens Catalogue, beginning with Great Expectations.
“Fairy tale”-like coming of age story. South seas childhood, modern political violence, colonial racial understandings, Dickens, Great Expectations, loss of family, search for self, reality that all of life is a performance which doesn’t take away from its significance. An incredible creation of place with a story compelling enough to get you lost in the moment, and oh yeah, thats part of its magic and commentary. Definitely worth it.
Thoughts:
• Read the Dickens Catalogue, beginning with Great Expectations.
Book: The World Without US
Weisman, Alan. The World Without Us. 0-312-34729-4 (2007).
An evocative exploration of human impact on the earth and the potential for our impact to be erased with the disappearance of man. From cities, modern houses, and managed woodlands to Chernobyl, the petrochemical corridor of Texas and the Panama Canal—the book looks at how each of these would revert to some form of wild. A great read.
Thoughts:
• WIPP—Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico: storage for spent nuclear fuel. Need for sign-age that will last 10,000 years to let future inhabitants know of the danger awaiting them there.
• VHEMT—Voluntary Human Extinction Movement
• World Population Program
An evocative exploration of human impact on the earth and the potential for our impact to be erased with the disappearance of man. From cities, modern houses, and managed woodlands to Chernobyl, the petrochemical corridor of Texas and the Panama Canal—the book looks at how each of these would revert to some form of wild. A great read.
Thoughts:
• WIPP—Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico: storage for spent nuclear fuel. Need for sign-age that will last 10,000 years to let future inhabitants know of the danger awaiting them there.
• VHEMT—Voluntary Human Extinction Movement
• World Population Program
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