Found myself wishing that I could have a mental vacation for a little while. Go back to the days when I felt like whatever place I was in was exactly where I was supposed to be. Growing up and getting "old" sucks. But on the other hand, I know lots more about... stuff. More than I did back in the day, that is. Is it worth the trade off? A person could spend a lifetime asking themself that question and trying to determine the answer to a credible level of satisfaction.
So 'll just post some Thoughts and go back to reminiscing...
Monday, July 30, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Book Review: The Russian Revolution: A Very Short Introduction
My first fresh post since we had to disconnect decent speed ("high" speed would be stretching the truth, Comcast) at home. And come to find out, my review of Luceno's book Star Wars: Darth Plagueis has torn through all previous records of hits to my blog in only a few short days. Hmmm.. Now I wish I had spent more time proof-reading it before I posted it.
Anyway, here is another book review. I'm still reading, even if I don't have convenient internet access, so I'll keep posting at a dispersed rate, as time permits. As always, thanks for your patronage.
The Russian Revolution: A Very Short Introduction by S. A. Smith
From the book’s cover:
This concise, accessible introduction provides an analytical narrative of the main events and developments in Soviet Russia between 1917 and 1936. It examines the impact of the revolution on society as a whole--on different classes, ethnic groups, the army, men and women, youth. Its central concern is to understand how one structure of domination was replaced by another. The book registers the primacy of politics, but situates political developments firmly in the context of massive economic, social, and cultural change. Since the fall of Communism there has been much reflection on the significance of the Russian Revolution. The book rejects the currently influential, liberal interpretation of the revolution in favor of one that sees it as rooted in the contradictions of a backward society which sought modernization and enlightenment and ended in political tyranny.
Anyway, here is another book review. I'm still reading, even if I don't have convenient internet access, so I'll keep posting at a dispersed rate, as time permits. As always, thanks for your patronage.
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| Source: Amazon.com |
From the book’s cover:
This concise, accessible introduction provides an analytical narrative of the main events and developments in Soviet Russia between 1917 and 1936. It examines the impact of the revolution on society as a whole--on different classes, ethnic groups, the army, men and women, youth. Its central concern is to understand how one structure of domination was replaced by another. The book registers the primacy of politics, but situates political developments firmly in the context of massive economic, social, and cultural change. Since the fall of Communism there has been much reflection on the significance of the Russian Revolution. The book rejects the currently influential, liberal interpretation of the revolution in favor of one that sees it as rooted in the contradictions of a backward society which sought modernization and enlightenment and ended in political tyranny.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Temporary Interruption of Service
...and hopefully it'll only be intermittent. In order to pay the mortgage, we've had to tighten the belt. I hate that term, just between you and me. I wear a belt, and it's tight to the last hole. Not that I'm a skinny guy, but I'm not Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons either.
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| Yup. / Source: Socialvirion.wordpress.com |
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Book Review: Fatherland - A Novel
You know what sounds good right now? An apple fritter from Stop and Shop, the local grocery store that went out of business some while back (the one I always called "Stop and Drop"). Or maybe a pizza. I'm not talking out of the freezer section either, I mean from The Pizza Man (a local pizza place). Or how about a big bowl of ice cream? From Farr's ice cream, no less (another local place, for those of you who don't live in the Intermountain area). I'd even take it on a cone. That'd hit the spot. Or maybe a bucket of movie theater popcorn smothered in that butter stuff they use. I'd take that from just about any local theater. And... hey, I think I'm hungry.
Fatherland by Robert Harris
From the book’s cover:
Fatherland is set in an alternative world where Hitler has won the Second World War. It is April 1964 and one week before Hitler's 75th birthday. Xavier March, a detective of the Kriminalpolizei, is called out to investigate the discovery of a dead body in a lake near Berlin's most prestigious suburb.
As March discovers the identity of the body, he uncovers signs of a conspiracy that could go to the very top of the German Reich. And, with the Gestapo just one step behind, March, together with an American journalist, is caught up in a race to discover and reveal the truth -- a truth that has already killed, a truth that could topple governments, a truth that will change history.
Synopsis:
I finished reading this last week, and so (as usual) I’m a bit forgetful of all the details, especially some of the more salient ones. I’ll try to give you a brief overview though. It should be noted that I forgot what sort of book this was before I actually put it on my player, as I obtained it some while back and had thought it was just another documentary-type book on Nazi Germany during the War. The book is, in fact, a hypothetical timeline-based mystery novel in which someone is killing high-ranking Nazi German Party members. The lead character, Detective Xavier March of the German Police (his actual job title is complex, so you’d have to read the book to figure it out better) is thrown into the task of solving this mystery, and he quickly gets in way over his head.
It all starts simply, with just a drowned body on a lakeshore in a sooty part of Berlin and a single witness who won’t tell exactly what he saw. Things get terrifically more complicated soon thereafter, and our protagonist is left wondering who he can trust. I’ll try not to spoil the plot twists for those who may be interested in reading this one (and besides, as I said, I don’t remember all the details). Needless to say, for someone who isn’t much of a mystery book reader, I found the whole plot to be intellectually stimulating and fun, though sometimes complex to the point of confusing. I’d have to attribute that to the stress I’ve been under lately and my lack of familiarity with mystery novels. Harris certainly does an admirable job of painting the scene and giving the reader something to chew on.
 |
| Source: Amazon.com |
From the book’s cover:
Fatherland is set in an alternative world where Hitler has won the Second World War. It is April 1964 and one week before Hitler's 75th birthday. Xavier March, a detective of the Kriminalpolizei, is called out to investigate the discovery of a dead body in a lake near Berlin's most prestigious suburb.
As March discovers the identity of the body, he uncovers signs of a conspiracy that could go to the very top of the German Reich. And, with the Gestapo just one step behind, March, together with an American journalist, is caught up in a race to discover and reveal the truth -- a truth that has already killed, a truth that could topple governments, a truth that will change history.
Synopsis:
I finished reading this last week, and so (as usual) I’m a bit forgetful of all the details, especially some of the more salient ones. I’ll try to give you a brief overview though. It should be noted that I forgot what sort of book this was before I actually put it on my player, as I obtained it some while back and had thought it was just another documentary-type book on Nazi Germany during the War. The book is, in fact, a hypothetical timeline-based mystery novel in which someone is killing high-ranking Nazi German Party members. The lead character, Detective Xavier March of the German Police (his actual job title is complex, so you’d have to read the book to figure it out better) is thrown into the task of solving this mystery, and he quickly gets in way over his head.
It all starts simply, with just a drowned body on a lakeshore in a sooty part of Berlin and a single witness who won’t tell exactly what he saw. Things get terrifically more complicated soon thereafter, and our protagonist is left wondering who he can trust. I’ll try not to spoil the plot twists for those who may be interested in reading this one (and besides, as I said, I don’t remember all the details). Needless to say, for someone who isn’t much of a mystery book reader, I found the whole plot to be intellectually stimulating and fun, though sometimes complex to the point of confusing. I’d have to attribute that to the stress I’ve been under lately and my lack of familiarity with mystery novels. Harris certainly does an admirable job of painting the scene and giving the reader something to chew on.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Post-Independence Day Thoughts from the White Board - July 5
Taking care of my daughter while she had my wife's bronchitis led me to catch it too. So July 4th was kinda quiet around here, except for the coughing. Thankfully I didn't have it anywhere near as bad as my wife or daughter did. The bug must have lost steam on it's path of contagion through the family.
It will be nice when the house is germ free again. Seems like we've had a rash of poor health around here, probably brought on by stress and the upheaval of things as life's events play out. Now if I can just get up the determination to investigate methods that this blog might be "self-sustaining" (i.e.: it pays my internet bill), that would be great. But I'm not counting on it (haha).
It will be nice when the house is germ free again. Seems like we've had a rash of poor health around here, probably brought on by stress and the upheaval of things as life's events play out. Now if I can just get up the determination to investigate methods that this blog might be "self-sustaining" (i.e.: it pays my internet bill), that would be great. But I'm not counting on it (haha).
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