Geezers 2008-2009 / Blog Retired

BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS 2008-10

2009-12-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

2008

(1) June 08 Selection

The Pillars of the Earth - Follett
The Shack - Young (Not a book club selection)

(2) July 08 Selection

Human Smoke
Plato & The Platypus (Not a selection)

(3) Aug. 08 Selection

The Innocent Man - Grisham
Surrender Is Not An Option - Bolton (Not a selection)
America Alone - Steyn (Not a selection)

(4) Sep. 08 Selection

The Book Thief - Zusak

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Shaffer (Not a selection)

(5) Oct. 08 Selection

The Man On Mao's Right - Ji Chaozhu

(6) Dec. 08 Selection

Misquoting Jesus - Ehrmann

==============================.

(7) Jan. 09

The Mold on Dr. Florey's Coat

(8) Feb. 09

The Most Wanted Man - LeCarre

(9) Mar. 09

I Rose Like A Rocket - Grondahl

River of Doubt - (Not BC))

(10) Apr. 09

Pandoras Keepers - Van De Mark

The Bagel (Not BC)

(11) May 09

Dixie Betrayed - Eicher

What If (Not BC)

(12) June 15, 2009 1:00 p.m.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

(13) July 20, 2009 1:00 p.m.

Inside The Oval Office

(14) August 28,2009 12:15 p.m.

The Nine: Inside The Secret World of The Supreme Court

(15) September 24, 2009 12:15 p.m.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

(16) October 22, 2009
General U.S. Grant's Memoirs

(17) November 18, 2009
Member Biographies

(18) December 21, 2009
Man of the People (Harry s Truman) by Hamby

==============================

(19) January 28, 2010
Hell To Pay by D. M. Giangreco

(20) February 25, 2010
Why Viet Nam Matters by Rufus Phillips

* * * * *

What's So Great About America - D'Souza

2009-12-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

Another good book from D'Souza. In fact this is probably his best. He looks at contemporary America - it's wonders and it's problems - and comes away smiling. His positive outlook is catching. The real and fundamental nature of Islamic terror is put into perspective. The progress of integration in America is exposed. D'Souza makes a loud argument against any sort of racial based reparations. Finally, he is firm and direct in his praise of America and Americans.

Far from beginning a decadent death in the west, D'Souza proudly proclaims that America is alive and well - and making a positive impact on the world everyday.

Recommended.

Two Years Before The Mast - Richard Dana

2009-09-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

I read this years ago but did not recall it until reading it again. A good book. Not great literature perhaps, but an interesting study of early 19th century seafaring. Reading the language of sailing the square rigged wooden vessels of the day is like visiting a foreign technology. The author spends a lot of time describing the great wooden ships and boats, and the life of the sailors that endured the rough life of making them go forward. It's written more as a diary than I remembered. Life on board from day to day, sailing up and down the California coast. The book is rather a log of a ship doing what was necessary to make a successful commercial venture.

On page 21 Mr. Dana describes the discovery of California by Cortez, the early control of the Indians by the Jesuits, their attempts to Christianize the Indians, the expulsion of the Jesuits in all Spanish dominions and the rise of the Franciscans. This part of California history is fascinating. The priests served as area administrators under the Archbishop of Mexico, and the Governor General assumed all civic and military responsibilities.

The government was an arbitrary democracy with no common law and no judiciary. California was treated as a province of Mexico at that time.

In the details of the wooden sailing ships of the day, the book is complete. I was especially taken with (page 251) the description of "smoking the ship". Despite all the Hornblower sagas and the like, this was the best rendition ever on how they found potential leaks - and at the same time cleared the ships of vermin and other pests.

Two Years Before The Mast does a great job of explaining the relationship of the sailors to one another, and how they worked together to run the ship.

A good re-read.

Enrique's Journey - Sonia Nazario

2009-08-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

Thunderstruck! This powerful little book has changed the way I will look at immigrants forever. It is a moving story of determination, squalor, filth, brutality, hopelessness, hunger . . . . and kindness. Carefully written and fully documented, this is a modern story of poverty and corruption that is happening now. As I write this. Everyday.

My family was poor once. Grandfather and Grandmother lived in penniless London among the cobbled streets, grey tenements with no plumbing, horse drawn carts, mud and dirt, sooty fog, and abject poverty. There was little or no work for anyone. Children went to school hungry and shoeless. In those years (around 1900) England was going through a serious recession. Most working people scavenged and bartered in the streets. The government could not care for them and encouraged them to migrate. My family did. They landed in America in 1905.

By the time I came along in the 1930's our family was solidly lower middle class. We were all Americans by then and despite a worldwide depression my parents were able to maintain that status. My father was in and out of work several times as I grew up, but food was always on the table and clothes were always on my back. When I was between the ages of 5 and 15 years old the depression ended, America entered World War II, and my parents purchased our first home in the suburbs of Minneapolis.

Now contrast that with Enrique's experience beginning in Guatamala.

Enrique's Journey describes the world he was born into, the utter lack of a present or future in that world, and the tremendous impetus to go north and find a better life. The story is moving, sad and typical of the situation in Mexico and Central America. Enrique's experiences have the impact of a steam powered ram. His world was nothing like mine, and probably nothing like yours. After reading the book and reliving his impoverished early life and the magnetism of opportunities and family members already living, working, and sending money home from America, my mental picture of todays immigrants from Mexico and Central America changed. Changed a lot.

The book promotes understanding WHY migrants come, and WHY they act the way they do when they get here. For me, this was the most important and most influential book I've read this year.

Strongly recommended.

Moby Dick - Herman Melville

2009-08-24T14:20:00.000-07:00

I read Moby Dick fifty-two years ago while in the Libyan desert somewhere south of Miserata. I was then in the Air Force and working twelve hour shifts monitoring and fine tuning the Shanicle Guidance System that was kept ready to control Martin Matador TM-61-C guided missiles. It was hot and dirty. Food and beer was flown in by Banana Choppers. Water for drinking and hygiene was warm and tasted of rust. When we woke in the morning scorpions were often found in our boots before we put them on. The on-duty shifts were long and boring. I think I read Moby Dick while on duty in the electronics van where the light was better and the temperature a bit cooler.

Now our club picked it as one of the selections for August. I read it (something of a chore) and before the review meeting the club dropped it as the selection. It was such a laborious effort to read that I decided to write this report anyway.

A person starts this book knowing that the overall story is symbolic. Scholars tell us it is allegorical and an important work. Well, I agree but probably not for the reasons usually cited.

On second reading I found that the book dwells (and dwells) on the biology, personality, configuration, habits, and other specific details having to do with whales. Perhaps more that you ever want to know. Out of 650 pages about 450 discuss minutiae about whales. The story of Moby Dick, the sailing ships of the day, the methods used then to kill whales, and the moral (somewhat subliminal) lessons of the good and evil in man's nature - could have been condensed to fit 200 pages.

That is not meant to take away from the scholarship and literary skills of the author. Mr. Melville must have been a brilliant man. There is no question that he was an excellent author. His encyclopedic use of language and his confident sentence structure is outstanding. His philosophic studies of the ethical and moral questions that have bothered mankind forever - are interesting to consider.

All in all, a good solid book of whale-ology and seafaring during the time of wind propulsion.

But long.

The Nine - Jeffrey Toobin

2009-08-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

The sub-title is "Inside The Secret World of the Supreme Court". The book is not a history but instead it is a snapshot of of each jurist more or less since Earl Warren. For me there were several surprises as I read the book.

The author obviously believes Sandra O'Connor to have been a very effective and important jurist. She is depicted as the swing vote and therefore the deciding vote most of the years she spent on the bench. She is also described as very smart, firm in her beliefs, and a jurist that always strives for the middle ground.

The authors' take on Antoin Scalia was less complimentary. Scalia is shown as volatile, argumentative, and not intellectually deep. This was a disappointment for me as I tend to admire Scalia.

Justice Thomas was another disappointment. According to the author Thomas is not admired for his verbal silence on the court and has written few outstanding decisions. He is passed over quickly and the reader is left with the impression that Thomas is not one of the more important justices.

The book goes on to review most of the justices since the time of World War II. It's written by a journalist and generally sticks to the facts as he sees them. There are very few of the author's opinions in the book, but there are a few:

It had been almost twenty years since Roe vs Wade, and while the court ad allowed states to regulate and limit abortion during that time, there had been little doubt that the Constitution forbade a complete prohibition on abortion.
Notably, Scalia's intemperate dissent was joined not just by Thomas (as was customary), but by Roberts and Alito as well - revealing their true feelings about the power of the executive branch, which had been a conservative cause since the Reagan years.
Warren Burger, the former chief justice and hardly a liberal thinker, once made the same point in an earthier way. In an interview, he said the idea that the Second Amendment prohibited gun control was "one of the greatest pieces of fraud" on the American public by special interest groups."

This was a good book to read, a little tedious at times, but an excellent study of just how the Supreme Court works. Recommended.

Workin' on the Chain Gang - Walter Mosley

2009-06-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

One of my many interests is "Black" History.

Sorry, but even before writing further, I need to rebel at the name "Black". It just isn't a proper description. I grew up with the word "negro" - and I still like it better. It is softer and prouder than black, colored or African-American. I think "Negro" History is superior. It has a positive, clear and distinctive ring to it. But onward.

This little book is the finest and most clearly written explanation of Negro history that I've ever read. It recalls a little of the James Baldwin anger, but only as it reasons the past and future for Negros in America.

It is disturbing that Negros are not, as a societal group, doing better in America. Many social critics blame slavery, predjudice, glass ceilings, poor education, discrimination in the courts, and so forth. Mosley does not.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - David Wroblewski

2009-06-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

I didn't really want to read this book but it was a book club choice and therefore difficult to avoid, but the only copy I could find was $25.95 and my theoretical limit has been $10.00 or so for years. Reluctantly, I finally put my $25.95 down and took the damn thing home to read.

Wow. Surprise of the year. Decade even. I was engaged from the first page to the last. For me this was a most unlikely story. Whatever convinced the author to think someone would be interested?

The story line is very strange, almost weird - yet it is written with so much skill even a city bred apartment dweller with two pet cats would enjoy it. Whoa. [Enjoy] is too strong a word. [Learn from it] is a better choice. The author is an excellent wordsmith, but still the text was significantly bloated with extraneous ventures.

The story line weaves many ideas and situations into a believable [boy-dog-forest] tale of troubles. Eventually it smooths out and becomes a [Huck Finn-Horatio Alger-White Fang- Boy Scout] kind of book. These ingredients (at first) seem harmless but they are decidedly not. The book is laced with murder, hardship, disaster, friendship, physical challenges, familial love-hate relationships, and through the entire story, a vivid and accurate picture of small towns, family farms, dog breeders, and the variations of nature in northern Wisconsin.

If I had any real complaint about this book it would be that there are too many elements and several were not essential to the story.

I also found it interesting that the boy, from birth to about 14 years of age, had not one friend other than a canine. Not even one?
He was born mute yet he and his mother were able to read 'sign'. I don't think it was mentioned where this ability came from?
Did the mother learn it somewhere and then teach the boy? Probably.
Did the mother and boy develop a sign language that only they understood? The book never clarified.

Despite these unanswered questions and a few others, the book was one of the most compelling that I've read this year.

On a scale of one to ten, I give it a 9.

Absolute Friends - John Le Carre'

2009-05-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

I picked this book up at a used book shop for no particular reason except that I usually enjoy this author's work. Well, Absolute Friends did not disappoint me. Despite a major flaw, it's a good read. La Carre' knows the 'grimy soot on dirty concrete' european locales - and the slog and sadness of the spy business. He knows it well.

This time La Carre' shows his liberal bias and anti-Americanism - and he doesn't do it honorably. He strikes out with worn complaints. It was, for me, somewhat disappointing to see a writer of good fiction so enamored with slanted statements and stupid fictions about America. Perhaps it's standard fare in Britain but surely he could find honest differences to criticize.

Let me insert a few direct quotes from the book:

After the liberation of Kuwait: "Tony Blair will travel to Kuwait to express his thanks to the Kuwaiti people for their cooperation in the successful conflict. Harumph."
After the start of the second Iraq conflict: ". . . Blair has no doubt that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction will be shortly be found. While . . . .Rumsfield. . . speculates that the Iraqis may have destroyed them before the war began."
Talking about Saddam: "Palaces with attitude. Illusions of power. The less power he's got, the bigger the illusions he builds. Rather like my gallant prime minister, Mr. Blair." A rocket bursts: "Ask Bush and Blair, our two great war leaders, neither of whom has seen a shot fired in anger."
Re:Winston Churchill: "He thought the Indians were a pack of fuzzy-wuzzies, that's why. Flog 'em , hang 'em and teach 'em the Bible."
Vietnam: ". . . .paste them with leaflets exhorting all good Nazis to rally to the American genocide in Vietnam."
A terrorist's sermon: ". . .pour scorn and hatred on America for the carpet bombing of Vietnam's cities, the poisoning of her crops and napalming of her jungles. Reconvene the Nurenberg Tribunal and arraign the fascist-imperialist American leadership before it with charges of genocide and crimes against humanity."
Describing a terrorist: "He has railed against the Shah and his CIA backed secret police, the Savak, and spread himself on the subject of American-sponsored Greek Colonels and the American puppet state of Israel."
Re:War: "He has listed America's wars of aggression, from Hiroshima through Korea by way of Central America, South America and Africa to Vietnam."
And here's a good one: "Herr Pastor . . . from the politics of the pulpit, he had moved to the politics of the pseudo-liberal ballot box. He joined secret right wing societies and was admitted to certain very select Masonic committees. His American-inspired adoration of the God of Wealth goaded me to the point of dementia."
And another: Who is the ultimate class enemy? Answer, unhesitatingly, American military and corporate imperialism. How do we realistically oppose this enemy? Is it by relying on the enemy to destroy himself, but only after he has destroyed the world?"
Regarding the pre-emptive strike on Iraq: "And since the so-called coalition, by making an unprovoked attack on Iraq, has already broken half the rules in the international law books, and intends by its continued occupation of Iraq to break the other half, should we not insist that the instigators account for themselves before the International Courts of Justice in the Haque?"
Another American conceit: "Despite the fact, of course, that America has unilaterally declared itself immune from the jurisdiction of such courts."

These quotes describe John LeCarre' very liberal politics and anti-Americanism. He is apparently disgusted by the posturing of governments everywhere, and a person that believes nothing is quite real. He seems to value no ideas, standards, or philosophies as being worth defending. I have a lot of trouble with that.

By his own words John LeCarre' is a burned out author who no longer offers any relief from his embittered world.

Book Meister Award

2009-05-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

Book Meister Award

Presented To:

LARRY ROBINOW

In grateful recognition and sincere appreciation

for your direction and hospitality as host of our

CALIFORNIA OLD GUYS BOOK CLUB

2009

Dixie Betrayed - David Eicher

2009-05-21T09:47:00.001-07:00

It's written like a text book. That is to say that facts follow facts and are then related to more facts upon facts. The author follows a chronological sequence - with no real attempt to follow an interesting storyline. The style renders the book ponderous, difficult, and anything but a page turner.

That said, I have to admit that I did form a few new impressions as I read it.

Jefferson Davis was shown to be a micro-manager and poor executive. He appointed incompetent friends to powerful positions, which in the end led to the political self-distruction of the Confederacy.
During the war there was a constant tension between the Confederacy and State rights. The arguments were bitter and counter productive and a serious drag on the Davis directed war.
The generals that led the Confederate army units were, for the most part, inexperienced and lacking leadership skills. They made many stupid mistakes.
Most were appointed because they were friends or related to someone known by Davis - and not because of their ability to follow orders or manage and direct troops.
At the end of the war Robert E. Lee was one of the very few heroes of the failed Confederacy. At least some of his enduring popularity is due to the photography of Matthew Brady. Lee was a commanding figure with his white hair, beard, sword, and grey uniform long coat.
His gallant image has outlasted the Jefferson Davis record of failure.

Inside The Oval Office - William Doyle

2009-05-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

This is technically not a book club selection, but it might be classed as an alternate since that is where I heard of it. What a surprisingly great book. I expected something of a gossiping bunch of stories centered on the recorded tapes of events in the oval office. Well, I got that and much more. Eavesdropping of the rich, famous and powerful men that made history turned out to be fascinating. There is little gossip, a lot of facts, and a really interesting view of Presidents from FDR to Bill Clinton. The book seems to be careful to be critical but not partisan. This must have been hard to do, but it works. The book is good and worth reading. On our scale of 1 to 10 I rate this one at nine.

Pandora's Keepers - Brian VanDeMark

2009-03-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

Need to get these notes down while I think of them.

Fission Atomic Weapon = horrific destruction
Fusion Superbomb = weapon of genocide and unlimited destruction.
Nuclear (A) and thermonuclear (H) difference.

Size described:

Hiroshima Atom Bomb = 10,000 lb.s of TNT
Superbomb Thermonuclear = 10,000,000 lbs. of TNT
1954 Thermonuclear Bomb = 15,000,000 lbs. of TNT
1960 Russian Thermonuclear Bomb = 60,000,000 lbs. of TNT

Atomic Bomb = result of Oppenheimer promotion and management.

Thermonuclear Bomb = result of Teller promotion.

Oppenheimer

subject of vicious assault on his integrity
led by Lewis Strauss
pushed by Teller

Against Oppenheimer:

Strauss / Borden / Teller / Lawrence / Griggs / Wilson / Robb (Lawyer)

Supported Oppenheimer:

Rabi / Fermi / Bethe / Szilard / Compton / Lilienthal / Kennan / McCloy
Pike / Bush / Conant / DuBridge / Von Neuman

Pandora's Keepers re-tells the history of both the designers and the design of the original atom (A) bomb and the super (H) bomb. The book is well put together, easily read, and eminently understandable for a non-scientist reader.

The Author describes the personalities directly involved. He zeroes in on the nine main nuclear physicists - each with a powerful and unique personality. The development of the atom bomb was done with great urgency by these men who fitted together awkwardly. Within the group were; jealousy, envy, hatred, egos - and different levels of brilliance. These conflicting elements had to be pushed aside to get the job done, and this was accomplished largely by the original leader, Robert Oppenheimer.

The hint of fission led to the pioneering development work that was followed by the Atom bomb. The physicists working on it knew they were dangerously manipulating Mother Nature and they did not know what might happen should someone order that one of these new bombs be exploded. The decision turned out not to be theirs to make.

The nation's military believed it's use would shorten the war. Our political leaders agreed and ordered the atom bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The unleashed destructive power and it's inhumanly horrible consequences that forever changed the world.

THE PHYSICISTS

After the resultant damage potential was realized in fact, the men that designed and built these new weapons each reacted in his own private way.

A few refused to further develop nuclear weapons altogether.
Some of them believed they had been instrumental in the early close of the war.
And many felt they had given birth to a weapon whose development promised the END OF THE WORLD.

I Rose Like A Rocket - Grondahl (BC Mar 08)

2009-02-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

The sub title is "The Political Education of Theodore Roosevelt" and it turned out to be one of the best reads of the year. It is a history and biography written to inform and entertain. I learned more about Teddy in this book than in all previous books. He was an extremely competant public figure with standards, principles and values we all want our politicians to have. He was a tough little guy with a very big mind. I highly recommend this book. It's a great read.

The Most Wanted Man - Le Carre (BC Feb 08)

2009-02-19T10:42:00.000-08:00

The club took on this book believing it would be of the same high quality as other John Le Carre books. He has written some excellent books but this isn't one of them.

The Mold In Dr. Flory's Coat - Eric Lax (BC Jan.09)

2009-01-22T16:00:00.000-08:00

The strange title hides the fascinating history of penicillin. During World War I casualties often died because there was no known treatment for infections. Injuries were simply cleaned out, sewed up and a dressing applied. Most infected wounds caused death. Then in 1929 Dr. Fleming discovered what he thought was a fungus growing on a mold. He recognized that it affected (killed) many types of nearby bacteria - but he thought it was so unstable it would be impractical to pursue. He quit working on the project - but did publish a record of it. Years passed by and no further work was done.

In 1931 Dr. Flory was working in a small lab on staph infections. One of his partners, Ernst Chain, had read Dr. Fleming's papers and wrote to obtain some residue from that work. Fleming sent it and Chain began preparing the samples for testing. It was a long and tedious procedure. The results were finally published in 1940. The World War II had begun. Dr. Flory's tiny lab was severely limited and the entire production process was moved to the United States. The book gives appropriate credit to Dr. Flory and Ernst Chain whose efforts were responsible for the development of penicillin. Thousands upon thousands of lives were saved by this new wonder drug during and after W.W. II.

The point of the book is to correct the popular history giving Dr. Fleming sole credit for the development of penicillin. He had actually given up on the project a decade or more before Dr. Flory and Ernst Chain produced the wonder drug anti-biotic.

This is an excellent book, well researched and well written. It helps, but is not necessary, to have an acquaintance with chemistry, biology and medical terminology. The rest of us need to keep a dictionary close by.

end

Misquoting Jesus - Ehrman (BC Dec.08)

2008-12-27T09:36:00.000-08:00

An agnostic biblical scholar believes that the Holy Bible is a collection of facts and myths that were distorted (accidentally or on purpose) by the people who transmitted them.

In this book the author, Professor Bart Ehrman, discusses how easily a scribe could misinterpret the meaning of a word, phrase or even a complete text. He notes as an example that in many early texts the words were rarely divided by spaces. He then illustrates using the phrase: godisnowhere. Two very different interpretations might apply.

God is no where, or
God is now here.

The books of the Bible have always been controversial. They were collected from different locations, in different centuries, from the records of different people - and translated from one language to another - several times.

The books that compose the Holy Bible have been interpreted by scribes and scholars who had very different religious or philosophical beliefs.
.
The King James version (published during 1611a.d.) was assembled by many scholars and scribes. It was known then that the original drafts of the individual books within the Bible - had been copied and re-copied. It was well known among scholars that each book contained inevitable mistakes. The author suggests that most of the mistakes occured during the first and second centuries when unskilled scribes did the transciptions. They made mistakes of both commission and omission and these errors were amplified when copied later by skilled and better educated scribes.

The individual books that became the Holy Bible - were selected from many. This raises the questions:
.
(1) Were important texts left out?
(2) If two texts were similar, how was one chosen over the other?
(3) If contradictory, how was one chosen over the other?

Differences between versions of the Holy Bible:
.
(1) On page 97 the author quotes Luke 11:2-4. Father, hallowed be your name. May your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive our sins. for we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation.
.
(2) On the same page he quotes Matthew 6:9-13. Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. May your kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
.
Neither of these two versions is one I learned in Sunday School. I pulled several Bibles from my bookshelf and checked this particular prayer. Only in the 1611 a.d. version of the King James bible was the verse exactly as I had learned it:
.
(3) Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. A-men.
.
Three Bibles. Three versions of a popular prayer. The omitted and the added words make the author's point. .

END

The Man On Mao's Right - Ji Chaozhu (BC Oct 08)

2008-10-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

.
This memoir leaves the reader questioning the author's character. A bright young Chinese boy from a privileged land owning family goes to Harvard, returns to China and becomes an English-Chinese interpreter to the leaders of the communist political movement.

His family is well connected to many Chinese political leaders. The boy studied, and then left Harvard serve them. The book relates his entire career and seems gloss over or overlook the political excesses of Chairman Mao and Zhou Enlai. The reader continually is left to question how this could have happened.

Millions of his own people were being killed by the communist regime. He states the fact but immediately moves on. He apparently bought the communist line without questioning. For a self diagnosed superior intelligence, the book shows him as not very smart after all.

A few quotations from the book:

"Although atrocities had been committed by both sides, it was Chaing (Kai Shek) who committed the true atrocities" . . . and ordered that communists "be rounded up and executed in a grisly fashion. Some had been thrown into locomotive furnaces to be burned alive."
.
". . .MacArthur, the most hawkish, high ranking, and reckless officer in the American military. . ."
.
"Truman had already shown his treachery by breaking his promise not to interfere with China's planned invasion of Taiwan. . ."
.
"After five thousand years of Chinese culture, the warmongers among America's political leaders regarded us as nothing more than ignorant laundrymen."
.
"MacArthur was agitating for the use of atomic bombs on targets along the China-North Korean border."
.
". . MacArthur wanted to throw five hundred thousand Kuomintang troops at our People's Volunteers."
.
"China was fighting a war (Korea)it didn't want and could ill afford, provoked by the North Koreans, who had been egged on by the Soviets, who were supposed to be China's ally."

". . . paying back the huge debts the Soviet Union forced us to pay for accepting their weapons during the Korean War had produced a famine of historic proportions. There would be 30 million fewer of those poor, blank Chinese."

"The vote was 368 to 2. The U.N. was dominated by the Americans, so a quarter of the earth's population would remain voiceless. Meanwhile, the corrupt Taiwan regime was allowed to represent the Chinese people at the United Nations."

Because of famine China's "total population in 1960 dropped by 10 million over the previous year."

From August 1966 to September 1976. . "millions died, and for every person who died an untold number suffered in some way. Like the European Holocaust of World War II, the Cultural Revolution was so horrific and irrational that people all over the globe wonder how it could have happened. So do we Chinese."

The Book Thief - Zusak (BC Sept 08)

2008-09-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

This unusual book immediately engages the reader in wisps of fog. It's different. More of an experience written in pastel colors. The story-teller is not precisely death, but rather the essence that collects souls. Death happens - and the soul collector arrives instantly and relates observations on the life just ended. They, the observations, are chronologically gathered to become the "The Book Thief".

The period covered begins after World War I and ends just after World War II.

The central character is a young orphaned girl named Liesel. The book begins in 1939 when she is 9rs old and her younger brother dies. From that moment forward the book describes:

the spread of European anti-Semitism,
the gathering and destruction of the Jews,
the power of government to dominate centuries of civilization,
the acquiescence of the German professional classes, industrious laborers and farmers, and genuinely devout religious leaders.

My personal choice as the most interesting character is Liesel's step father Hans Hubermann. During the course of the book he becomes a hero. In the bleak surroundings of terror and death, Hans stands out as a person that can clearly tell right from wrong.

The cast of characters live in Germany during a time of national defeat. World War I and the later imposition of the harsh controls of the Treaty of Versailles, emasculated the collective German character. Rampant misery and discontent prevailed over the entire nation and resulted in the engaging rise of the National Socialist Party.

Led by Hitler and other ambitious political minions, the Nazi's sought to regain supremacy. Their scapegoat for all ailments were the Jews among them. Their persecution is described in gruesome detail - as is their subsequent extermination.

The book is at once a recital of known facts as seen through the eyes of victims and described by the collector of souls. It is absorbing, powerful, masterfully imagined and continually presses the reader to turn to the next page.

Once read, I venture to say, this ultimately sad (but outstanding) book will stay in the reader's mind forever.

Dixon

The Innocent Man - Grisham (BC August 08)

2008-08-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

http://ocgeezerbookclub.blogspot.com/

This is John Grisham's first (and only?) non-fiction work. The theme is a detailed criticism of our American system of justice. The book describes the events that finally lead to the conviction of an innocent man.

It begins with the procedural mishandling of a gruesome murder case in a small town, and proceeds to build reader frustration by exposing the layers of corruption found at every turn. The unfairness illustrated is extremely disturbing and ultimately convinces the reader that the victim is innocent, and the system is irretrievably broken .

The reader is informed that:

The rich are vastly favored in our judicial system.
Within States and between States, penalties are uneven at best.
Incarceration does not rehabilitate.
Prison facilities should be more uniform.
Prisoners should receive only the bare necessities.
Prison time must be hard time in order to be a deterrent.

Grisham's main point?

If a person believes that human beings are the most important of all forms of life, it is logical to conclude that no person nor society should take the life of another.

Grisham's second major point?

No system of justice can possibly be free from error because every system depends upon imperfect people to apply it.

END

Human Smoke - Nicholas Baker(BC July 08)

2008-07-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

http://ocgeezerbookclub.blogspot.com/

This is a book of facts taken out of context and used to reinforce the author's predetermined views. An odd format, but not new. The author creates a scatological background of anti-Semitism, bigotry and greed, as he systematically destroys heroic personalities with implied logic. For example he claims:

Anti-Semitism was THE cause of the unnecessary World War II.
Churchill and FDR were the most responsible and evil promoters of WW II.
All wars are caused and ultimately fought by political leaders that lie.
Churchill, FDR, and Hitler lied.
They convincingly pre-sold World War II to the participants.

Winston Churchill is presented as an anti-Semite, an alcoholic failure, and an incompetent bureaucrat. (Surely a one sided picture of a complex person). FDR, Arthur (Bomber Harris), Boom Trenchard, Hugh Dowding, Claire Chenault, James Doolittle and many other wartime leaders, are blamed for provoking World War II. The author doesn't balance his essay with other contributing causes:

The scorched earth severity of the Versailles Treaty at the end of WW I.
The irrational German fear of Bolshevism at the time.
Depressing economic conditions in Germany after World War I.
The NAZI desire for economic and military expansion.
The actual military invasion of other nation-states.
The prospect of German aggression gaining control of our ally Great Britain.
And the Aryan superiority nonsense.

The time line is important.

1. During the 1930's America, France and Britain sold tanks and bombers to Hitler despite the Amnerican Jewish Congress advice not to - and despite Germany's military expansion, known human rights violations, and rising anti-Semitism.

2. In 1934 Japan complained that the increasing American military presence in Hawaii was a clear provocation to Japan - but at the same time Japan continued their violent military expansion in Asia.

3. In 1935 FDR gave(?) Wake Island to the U.S. Navy, and granted Pan Am airfield permits on Midway and Guam. The Japanese considered these actions hostile.

4. In 1936 America loaned China one hundred million yuan to buy American made armaments, and our Treasury Dept. drafted an agreement wherein the U.S. agreed to purchase 26 million dollars worth of silver from China. China was to use the money to by airplanes, ships, tractors, oil, and railroad equipment from America.

5. By 1940 Japan had invaded China and caused FDR to devise a war plan that included the consideration of bombing Japanese cities. By this time Great Britain was already bombing German cities night and day.

6. Juanuary 5, 1937 Capt. Philip S. Mumford (Peace Pledge Union) asked in a speech:

"What is the difference between throwing 500 babies into a fire and throwing bombs and fire from airplanes on 500 babies?"

7. In 1941 the Japanese struck at Pearl Harbor.

Was that a sneak attack or a pre-emptive strike?
The author suggests it was a logical result of American policy that was trying to provoke an excuse for FDR to enter a war with Japan.
Further, that American leaders made many mistakes on pupose at Pearl Harbor.
The Japanese threat was known, but we did nothing to prepare.
FDR wanted Japan to move first.
The author tries very hard to make the case that incompetent American political irresponsibility provoked the war with Japan.

ASIA.

The feudal Chinese, in the midst of a civil war between Nationalist warlords and Communist agitators, were threatened by Japan. America stepped in with manufactured arms and backhanded support for the Nationalists. Much of this aid was channeled through Gen. Claire Chenault - who eventually directed our military intervention between China and Japan - well before Pearl Harbor.

During the 1930's Japan began an aggressive expansion by military force in the region. They intended to enlarge their living space, sphere of influence, political and military power. The more agrarian Chinese, Korean, and South East Asians were almost defenseless without help. FDR decided Japan needed to be stopped before radically impacting American interests in the area. War resulted.

EUROPE

The British began bombing raids on German cities BEFORE the Germans could respond and long before America entered the war. When equipment and crew losses began to hurt badly, the British switched to indiscriminate high altitude and night time bombing of the German cities. They KNEW that they were hitting only 1% or 2% of their military targets, and 98% or 99% of their bombing was on non-combatent and innocent men, women, children, aged, and the infirm.

During the 1930's Germany began an aggressive campaign of expansion by military force. They first attacked their neighbors who buckled under without much resistance. This emboldened Germany to press on. Almost all of continental Europe came under German control before Great Britain, to their credit, stood and said: "no more". They fought bravely against insurmountable odds. Long into the war America helped them by becoming an armaments supplier, the living supplies, amd finally joining the British as a full fledged partner and ally.

AFTER READING THE BOOK

I remain unconvinced that FDR and Churchill and the rest of the allied leaders were bloodthirsty and disgustingly evil. Not true.
My view of indiscriminate aerial bombing has changed completely. I'm against.
The murder of non-combatent men, women and children for the purpose of forcing a much smaller number of violent thugs out of power, is not effective or acceptable.
A person of Baker's talent should direct his intelligence toward eliminating war - rather than formulating a biased structure to examine the past.

END

The Pillars Of The Earth - Follett (BC June 08)

2008-06-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

http://ocgeezerbookclub.blogspot.com/

Themes: 12th Century English Life / Catholicism / Cathedral Building

Mild Flaws:

A bit longer than it needed to be.
Trees hard to find but first 300 pages set in a forest?
Christian cathedral centerpiece but no mention of Jesus, Moses, or the Holy Bible in the first 350 pages. Odd?
Page 770 reference to "GRATIAN" was not familiar nor explained. Obscure? (an 11th Century lawyer known to solve contradictions in the canons from previous centuries).

Story:

Harsh realities of medieval serfdom.
Close ties of people to church.
Political (and often corrupt) nature of Clerics.
Transition of superstition to Christianity.
Church leaders so awful the criticism may be overdone.
The cast of royal characters, every Pope, Cardinal, Archbishop, and Bishop are all portrayed as shamelessly corrupt, aggressively militant, scheming and dishonest. Not one is decent. Odd?

Despite minor flaws this book is terrific. I will never look at a cathedral in the same way again. The book teaches about life during a somewhat overlooked period of time - and it does a wonderful job.

Verdict: Despite the fact that the book was too long, the weeping madonna with crystal eyes was oddly unnecessary, and I had never heard of "The Kiss of Peace" used to seal bargains, treaties, marriages, and so forth, despite it all the book earns the respect and admiration of the reader.

END

Day Of Reckoning - Buchanan(BC 08)

2008-01-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

This is easily Pat Buchanan's best book so far. He ably presents his America Frst conservative politics. He prefers not to use the word isolationism yet it is precisely at the center of his thesis. No matter, Mr. Bucanan prefers America first and what he means by those two words is made very clear in the book.

Mr. Buchanan is more of a thinker than I formerly gave him credit for. Most of his positions are carefully thought out and reinforced by excellent historical references. I should add that many of his positions are very controversial and one really has to read the book to understand where he is coming from.

Free trade is economic suicide for America.
Despite Milton Friedman we need to protect our economy with tariffs.
Not strictly enforcing our immigration laws is stupid.
America must expel illegal immigrants or fail as a nation.
A fence on the Mexican border is (unfortunately) necessary.
America needs to be a creditor nation rather than a debtor nation.
Allowing American industry to move off shore is even more stupid.
Manufacturing is absolutely essential to America.
The Federal govt. is far too intrusive and currently out of control.
It needs to downsize and transfer authority back to the states.
The States must take back authority for of non-constitutional matters.
Decisions are best taken by the smallest unit of government able to decide and implement them.
The courts need to be stripped of their non-constitutional rulings.
Non-elected judges must not reverse majority votes of citizens.
American troops protecting foreign soil must come home.
America must back out of foreign protection alliances and pacts.

This is an excellent and thought provoking book. Debating Buchanan's positions would be fun if it were a future book club selection. With our club divided between (I think) eight political liberals and two political conservatives, "Day Of Reckoning" would spark a lively discussion.

NOT BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS

2007-12-31T10:07:00.000-08:00

River of Death - Alistair MacLean

2007-12-29T10:05:00.000-08:00

Good old Alistair has been writing terrific 'blow 'em up' adventure stories for decades. Most of them are great fun and real 'page turners'.

This one joins his:

Where Eagles Dare,
The Guns of Navarone,
Breakheart Pass,
Ice Station Zebra, and
South By Java Head.

A 9 out of 10.

Precious Cargo - Clyde Ford (Not BC)

2007-12-28T14:03:00.000-08:00

This book introduces an excellent new mystery/crime writer. The background of this particular work is the sea and small ports in the far Northwest. It takes place in and around the San Juan Islands, and involves piloting small and large boats from harbor to harbor. The descriptions of wild and dangerous passages are fascinating and ring as true as a ship's bell.

Precious Cargo is one of those page turner great stories that is interesting, exciting and emminently satisfying.

The Niihau Incident - Beekman (Not BC)

2007-12-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

This is a small, self published book about a strange incident that happened on Dec. 7th 1941. A Japanese pilot strafed his Pearl Harbor target and since he didn't have enough gas to return to the carrier he crash landed on a small private island not far from Kauai. He was to be rescued by a Japanese submarine but it didn't show up as promised. This is the story of his brief stay on the island and how he frightened the residents there. I found this book to be at times boring and at other times interesting.

Parlimiament of Whores - O'Rourke (Not BC)

2007-12-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

This fellow has written several non-distinguished books. I don't particularly like his style. He never got over his beatnik-stoned-wantabe-drunk days. This irreverent review of our American government and other foibles is easily one of his best.

The Killing Ground - Jack Higgins

2007-12-27T09:34:00.000-08:00

Jack has found a formula that works. Change the names and proceed with unbelievable action. This Sean Dillon/Empty Quarter intrigue is still reasonably entertaining to read - despite use of rather obvious plot turns. This one rates about a 6 out of 10.

The Guernsey Literary

2007-12-26T15:40:00.000-08:00

I've just finished this delightful book. It was pleasant and interesting to read, but it would probably not be a good OC GEEZERS BOOK CLUB selection. For one thing it was in part a romance story and the club tends to prefer other things. But it is an excellent book.

When travelling in England years ago I met two ex:Brit paratroops who were both from the Island of Jersey. Together we took in the sights and along the way tested most of the neighborhood pubs we came across. It was more than 10 years after World War II but the bomb damage in London was still being cleared. Rubble and broken buildings were everywhere. My British pals had spent most of their lives on Jersey, and most of the war in North Africa. It was their first visit to London. Among other conversations they talked about their folks on Jersey. They were farm people and had seen terrible shortages and abuse during the German occupation. It was then that I learned Jersey, Guernsey, and the other Channel Islands had been occupied by Germany during the war.

Now (finally) back to the book. I saw the title and was curious. I was aware that Guernsey was occupied during the war, but I knew very little more. The book begins with letters to and from a quietly growing list of interesting characters. Ever so slowly the members of an odd book club become part of a larger story. The club was formed (almost accidentally) to fool the Germans. Soon it became an off and on again gathering for the members to innocently avoid the rules and regulations of the unwelcome occupiers.

It carries forward by means of a woman's correspondence with members of the book club. Along the way, rural and semi-rural life on the island of Guernsey under German occupation is beautifully described. It is a happy story - but it includes tragedy. It tells of several personal experiences with the holocaust. They are told from a slanted view that I've not encountered elsewhere. My bookshelves bend under the weight of holocaust literature, but this little book brought home the human impact with desperately described clarity.

This is a book about:

Intelligent and well grounded small town folks,
an off/on romantic interest,
the impact of the holocaust as seen by the islander's,
and the feelings of a small community occupied by unwelcome foreigners.

I found it to be one of the best reads this year.

END

When The Light Goes - Larry McMurtry

2007-12-26T09:58:00.000-08:00

I bought this at the one dollar bookshop. The author is popular and has produced a few excellent books. This one isn't one of them yet is still pretty good. The story is short, sometimes funny, and typically revolves around small town characters. McMurtry is kind of a Texas version of Garrison Keeler up in Minnesota. I guess I'd rate this book a 6 out of 10.

Pearl Harbor - Newt Gingrich & William Forstchen

2007-12-26T09:45:00.000-08:00

These two authors deliver good books. This is a good example and interesting to read. They have the history down pat and the story with mild novelization is entertaining. Rate at 8 out of 10.

The Secrets of D-Day - Larry Collins

2007-12-26T09:41:00.000-08:00

It's repeats the story of D-Day rather well. Larry Collins is a fairly good author and this is a fairly good book. A short story - well told.

Night Ferry To Death - Patrica Noyes

2007-12-25T09:49:00.000-08:00

I've read this one before. Perhaps many years ago. It's still a good story by an author who keeps the mystery moving fast. She has done several Henry Tibbet/Scotland Yard novels, and they are all delightful to read. This one is quite short - but still rates a 9 out of 10.

Red Earth White Earth - Will Weaver

2007-12-24T16:29:00.000-08:00

I spent summers near Grand Rapids, Minnesota from 1940 to 1947. Being a difficult and agumentative kid, my spending summers with my uncle and aunt at their cabin by Little Split Hand Lake was best for me. The war was on. My mother and father worked all day, and I was over active boy and, at first, not going to school. I don't think they had something called "pre-school" back in those days. My grandmother had come to live with us in St. Louis Park just outside of Minneapolis. She, by osmosis, became saddled with me all day every day. About that time my uncle had a nervous breakdown. He had plenty of money but his business had failed. I don't remember if he was a plumber then or a real estate broker, but one or the other went broke and he became seriously depressed and began to drink more than he should.

Somebody, probably my mother, decided little 4 year old me would be good therapy for my Uncle Warren if I spent the summer with he and my Aunt Erma at the lake. He and Erma liked kids and welcomed me at the lake for the summer. It worked. My grandmother relaxed in St. Louis Park, and my Uncle had a great time teaching me things a city kid never gets to learn. He stopped drinking, Aunt Erma was happy, my mother didn't have to chase me around the house all summer. Uncle Warrem taught me to fish, clean the catch, and provide the dinner. He taught me to hunt, first with a Daisy BB gun, later a single shot Stevens 22, and next a 410 Guage Shotgun. I learned how to pick berries, ride a horse, caulk a wood rowboat and put new planks on the dock.

As you might deduce, it was a magical time for me amd one I would never forget. The first summer went so well that I was invited back every summer for several years.

This book, written by Will Weaver, is a story centered in the exact area near Little Split Hand Lake. He has written several very good and interesting books that are set right there in Northern Minnesota. He illustrates the sad plight of the Indian Tribes, their problems, their newly found casino income and so on. His books weave stories about farm problems, remoteness, the northern woods, the unpredictable weather, and the wild animals of the area.

If you are at all interested in this part of America I recommend this and any other Will Weaver book.

Dixon

Murder At Union Station - Truman

2007-12-22T09:24:00.000-08:00

The author passed away not long ago leaving a legacy of excellent police procedurals. I believe they all featured some element of Washington, D.C. and comments on real people that were prominent at the time of each story. Margaret wrote solid, well grounded mysteries that keep the reader turning page after page. Easily read and enjoyed. This title was one of her best.

Secrets of the Kingdom - Gerald Posner

2007-12-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

.
During the liberation of Kuwait President Bush, Sr. persuaded Saudi Arabia to help. In my opinion we blew the entire military action when we stopped short of eliminating Saddam Hussein and forcing some sort of regime change. I also noticed that the Saudis' were very reluctant allies.

9/11 woke the world to Islamic terrorism. Despite decades of individual acts if terrorism between Israel and Palestine, and despicable horrors visited upon Lebanon and other parts of the world, it took 9/11 to put fundamental, radical, Wahabbist style Islamic terror on the world stage. It's tap root was and is Saudi Arabia.

A few years went by and then, when the next President Bush rushed (rightly) our military forces back to Iraq to finish:

The Iraq threat to middle eastern stability.
Their threat to it's own Kurdish population.
And particularly the immediate threat to Israel.

Again the Saudis' were very reluctant allies. At the time I didn't understand why. Iraq under Saddam Hussein had the horsepower to remove the ruling family of Saudi Arabia and take over their oil fields. The Kingdom was at risk yet the Saudis' gave little support to Bush and Blair? Then we began to learn a little about the religion of Islam and the differences between the Shiites, Sunnis, and followers of the Wahabbi branch. We discovered, to our dismay, that the only basic tenet of all of the branches of the Islamic religion - is total intolerance for any other religion of belief system. All Muslims want all non-Muslims either converted or dead.

Perhaps the most committed Muslims are those that follow the Wahabbi branch. Wahhabism began in Saudi Arabia and is still dominant in that Kingdom. The terrorists of 9/11 came from Saudi Arabia. The medieval anti-western Wahabbi style of Islam that promotes terror as a means of expanding their religion is approved and sanctioned by the Saudi government.

Compared to all corrupt national governments - the Saudis are unbelievably corrupt. After reading this book any person will better understand how the Islamic world works. Most will be sad to find that terror born within this medieval religion is an evil visited upon an brainwashed individuals. There is no relief in sight. The only cure for the religion of Islam is a total revolution and rejection of it's vicious ideas.

No book other than Secrets of the Kingdom so clearly explains the danger of radical Islam.

The Shack - Young

2007-12-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

An unusual book. Oddly not convincing - but still very interesting.

To be sure not every reader will react in the same way. A Christian believer in the Trinity will be more comfortable than most other readers. The Shack is not advertised as a religious book - yet exploring the relationship of the Christian Trinity to humanity is the central theme.

As the book propels the reader from one page to the next, conversations develop topics including: life, death, forgiveness, theology, relationships, guilt, sin, suffering, and pain. One of the members if tge Trinity (God, Jesus & The Holy Spirit) carries part of every discussion. The author's use of this literary device is perhaps too transparent.

For myself (a quite imperfect Christian), there was too much fantasy incorporated within the storyline. Deeply philosophical and religious conversations were glued onto a rather simple plot.

The verdict? A good (but mildly flawed) discussion of the unexplainable facts of life.

END

Surrender Is Not An Option - Bolton

2007-12-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

John Bolton is a brilliant conservative intellectual, and a terrible writer. His book is so filled with minutia that a reader gets lost. Hidden in the bureaucratic maze of details - are a few thoughtful remarks:

George W. Bush comes through as a smart, careful and firmly opinionated leader right more often than not. He gets very high marks.

Kofi Annan does not. He comes on the scene as an imperious, corrupt, and woefully inept manager capable of gross errors.

At one point the author describes the draft of a proposal as "so bad that Kofi Annan and Jimmy Carter would quickly approve it".

James Baker is a key player during John Bolton's rise. He is seen as a tightly remote friend, somewhat above it all, and infinitely capable of moving the chess pieces of our political bureaucracy.

Colin Powell doesn't fare so well. He appears tough, very political, and out of place in the Bush administration. As his rift with the President widened he became very protective of his legacy - instead of right and wrong.

Condoleeza Rice (surprisingly to me)is described as vastly competent person, careful of her image at all times, and solidly supportive of the President. She is seen as a bright and forceful leader.

I got a small chuckle out of the description of Hugo Chavez as Fidel Castro without brains.

John McCain is pictured several times in the book as a strong minded, decisive and principled leader. Quite contrary to the "vascillating mug-wump flip-flopper" in the news every day.

The clearly anti-American Kofi Annan was a disaster for the United Nations and for the United States. He stood for blocking improvements and protecting corruption.

Kofi Annan has since been replaced by Ban Ki Moon (South Korea) as Security General. It is too soon to judge his effectiveness - but not too soon to be glad Kofi Annan is gone.

Following all of the interesting snap shots of these personalities, and the endless bureaucratic manuverings, Bolton comes alive on page number 429. On that page the book changes from boring details to an interesting summary of ideas.

First comes and excellent conversation about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which moves on to describe additional and equally evil threats. Bolton's suggestions are fascinating. He (rightly) contends that tiny Israel is isolated and vulnerable amid extremely hostile neighbors, and despite it's size, Israel is the key to the entire middle east. Bolton postulates that:

If Iran was to erase Israel from the map, the threat to all nations from an politically unstable nuclear Iran would increase exponentially.
Pakistan is also held together with disintegrating threads. Should there be a coup, assassination, or even a trivial sneeze, Pakistan's nuclear arsenal could easily fall into terrorist hands tomorrow.
North Korea's nuclear insanity will end only when Dear Leader is toppled and North and South Korea are united.
China is feels threatened by the American presence in Taiwan and Korea.
Japan is concerned that should America reduce that presence Japan must replace it with a strong military force of their own.
The United Nations are anything but united.

Bolton believes the United Nations is terribly flawed and will remain so until voluntary contributions replace assessed contributions.

"If America insisted it would pay only for what works, and that we get what we pay for, we would revolutionize life throughout the U.N. system".

More later. . .

The Book Of Fate -

2007-12-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

I've read only the first third of the book - and stopped. I am disturbed by the author's

mis-information about Freemasonry.

Some Masons may sell raffle tickets to raise money for a hospital somewhere, but ALL Masons do not.
He suggests Masons are "like the Shriners". Shriners ARE Masons.
He claims that Freemasonry grew "under the cover of charity". Masons tend to be openly charitable but that has very little (if anything) to do with the spread of Freemasonry.
The author says that Masons "claim to be harmless "but The Three know the truth". What is the hell does this mean. Baloney.
He goes on to say "even the church stood against the Masons at their founding". That's a bald faced lie.
He says "at their highest levels the Masons ancient goal has never changed". I guess he is trying to imply some nasty, secret Masonic ambition. There is none. The only Masonic goal is to spread good will and make men better.

I don't think I need to read further. Who needs anti-Masonric nonsense and poor scholarship.

This book is headed for the trash.

Dixon

Indian Summer - Alex Von Tunzelmann

2007-12-14T09:36:00.000-08:00

For anyone interested in the history of India and Pakistan during the time leading up to the collapse of British Empire, this is a terrific read. The young author has carefully crafted the story around four central participants; Louis Mountbatten, his wife Edwina, Pandit Nehru, and Mohatma Ghandi. The history is in a readable story form and it's authenticity is backed up with an extensive bibliography.

Mounbatten is portrayed as a pompous and vain "want-a-be royal" dressed in a spotless white military suit with colorful medals, a brilliant sash, a gleaming silver sword on one hip, and an admiral's hat. He comes off as a shallow, cuckolded man trying to follow the "How To Govern" book.

Edwina Mountbatten, by comparison, is seen as an angel. She is not exactly perfect, but close. Her decades long love affair with Nehru is openly disclosed, but her activities on behalf of India's poor more than compensate for her semi-private romance. She is, for me, a more interesting participant than her husband.

Pandit Nehru is shown to be a complicated person indeed. Devilishly handsome, a delight with the ladies, fiercely devoted to Indian progress, capable of elation one minute and the depth of despair the next. He was, apparently, a very capable and widely admired politician, and was a strong supporter of Ghandi.

Ghandi, that strange little man wrapped in a burlap rag, gathered to himself a tremendous power over the Indian people. His political ideas were widely followed and his influence on political affairs was greatly respected.

The one missing link in this book is the almost surgical removal of anything involving the poverty, pain, filth, and overwhelming numbers of the sick and hungry poor. The entire book is about officers only. No enlisted men need apply. It is a book about the elite ten percent of India's population, and no real mention is made of the other ninety percent. I see this as something of a fatal flaw and therefore recommend this book as good but not excellent.

END

Dubliners - James Joyce

2007-12-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

This is a collection of character studies that combine to portray life in 19th century Dublin. Each story stands alone and describes some element of the virtues, ethics and morals prevalent in those times.

James Joyce (in his inimitable style) discusses people, personalities, dirt, values and manners. In the end the Dubliners is neither upbeat nor sad; it is both. It is a brilliant, well written collection of essays about the drudgery and elegance of life in Irish cities in the early 1800's.

This is probably the most readable of Joyce's work.

It's a good book.

Last Call For Blackford Oakes - Buckley

2007-12-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

W. F. Buckley has never written a bad book. His novels about Blackford Oakes are full of twists and turns, espionage, mystery and daring-do. This one is no different - yet at the same time it is a wildly unique and original story.

Last Call is an engaging, easy-to-read, cloak and dagger piece of fiction - and a terrific read.

The Thanatos Syndrome - Percy

2007-12-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

I knew from the title that this book was somehow connected with evil. I read it with some reluctance. I've been curious about the meaning of the word

"thanatos". Apparently Freud used this word to describe nasty and unusual human tendencies. The word is preoccupied with death, unnatural sex and unspeakable evil. Suicide often terminates life.

I found the book to be exceptionally disturbing; especially the descriptions of child molestation and brutality. However, it is a well constructed and well written book. The plot revolves around the chemical alteration of a municipal water supply. It does not involve terrorism. The story is lead by disturbed characters trying to change society by chemical alteration of the brain.

At best this book is a vividly imagined, very evil study of malignant minds.

But it is not my cup of tea.

End

The Hornet Flight - Follett

2007-12-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

Another good book from Ken Follett. A twisted story set in East Anglia and the Danish island of Sande where a crude but effective RADAR station is directing German interceptors to shoot down incoming British Bombers. The site is discovered by a young hero type who together with a young pretty girl type manage to survey the site, determine how it works, then barely evading capture - fly an antique bi-wing, fabric covered wood plane found in an otherwise empty barn to England with map locations and information about the German RADAR that helps the air ministry direct planes avoiding detection, etc. It's a good story well written.

The Man Who Loved China -

2007-12-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

This excellent book was written by Simon Winchester, one of the best of the current non-fiction writers. The story involves an AMAZING personality, Dr. Joseph Needham, who I had never heard of before reading this book. His life is so full of accomplishments that it is hard to believe. It is all true. The guy was a modern day Leonardo Da Vinci.

Two points.

(1.) The civilization of ancient China produced thousands of complex inventions and made thousands of scholarly discoveries long before Mediterranean-European civilizations. A great many of these were discovered, discussed and verified by Joseph Needham - and detailed in the book.

(2.) China, for some still unknown reason, stopped developing a few hundred years ago. They stopped inventing, discovering, learning, and so forth. Dr. Needham spent most of his life trying to figure out what happened; what caused Chinese societies development to abruptly halt. He died before finding an answer.

A truly great read for anyone interested in what makes China, China.

The Rape of Nanking - Chang

2007-12-09T11:57:00.000-08:00

Iris Chang wrote this carefully researched book with three specific ideas in mind.

(1) To record the little known holocaust that occured in Nanking just prior

to World War II, and

(2) To demand that the Japaneze recognize their responsibility, and

(3) To try to understand how a military organization can be taught to

torture and murder on a horrific scale - without remorse.

The subject of Japanese brutality before and during World War II has been discussed elsewhere at length but I know of few other books that so completely describe man's inhumantity towards man. If any book can turn ones stomach, this one will. The accompanying pictures are undisputable evidence that it happened - and they are grotesque and disgusting.

There remains a huge doubt over the number of Chinese murdered. The author glosses over this as if it is unimportant. Perhaps so, but I found it disconcerting that she could not say with certainty if 300,000 or two million perished. I think the number is important and it should have been answered by her research - but wasn't.

Excellent book.

How to Ruin the USA - Stein

2007-12-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

This fellow is deceptive. He looks like an older version of Peewee Herman in tennis shoes. The real fact is that Ben Stein is a very bright guy and an astute observer of both politics and human foibles.

This is a delightful book that every person seriously interested in politics should read. It's not really Republican, Democrat, Conservative, or Liberal. Old Ben goes for the COMMON SENSE angle every time. A quick and great read.

Recommended.

George Orwell Essays

2007-12-07T14:29:00.000-08:00

George Orwell was a fascinating writer. His style was minimalist yet very effective in getting place and ideas across to the reader. He must have been a brilliant man. Certainly his writing is still, years later, fresh and quite of the moment. This is an excellent cross section of essays. The selections include subjects from Rudyard Kipling, Ghandi, the Spanish War, and England itself.

Any Orwell fan will enjoy this book.

A Murder of Quality -

2007-12-06T14:42:00.000-08:00

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I believe this was John Le Carre's second published book. Regardless, it's still one of his best. It is the quiet and intellectually stimulating story of a murder as investigated by George Smiley - who gains in stature and fame in future Le Carre novels. This one is short, easy to read, and displays the work of an excellent wordsmith.

All mystery readers will enjoy this book.

America Alone - Steyn

2007-12-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

This is an important book but not a particularly good one. Important because the author shines a bright light on a truth no one seems to be facing. Mr. Steyn has taken statistical facts about world demographics and extrapolated a dreadful future for civilization. His thesis is amazingly simple and can be expressed in two sentences:

(1) The birthrate of the most civilized societies has fallen and continues to fall, while in the least civilized societies the birth rate has been increasing rapidly.

(2) The inevitable result is that the most backward, deprived, uneducated and least humanitarian people of the world are taking over.

I've taken the following 16 points from the book. They are presented as facts:

(1) As fertility dries up, so do societies.

(2) Islam is the fastest growing religion in Europe and North America.

(3) In the United Kingdom more Muslims than Christians attend religious services every week.

(4) The world's largest country (Russia) is dying (low birthrate, AIDS, poor food distribution, and etc.) and the question is how violent its death throes will be.

(5) Russia is sitting on top of the biggest pile of nukes on the planet. Of course, they are all in secure facilities.

(6) Probably.

(7) At the present rate of change the fifty million Muslims of Europe will turn it into a Muslim dominated continent within a few decades.

(8) To understand why the West seems so weak in the face of a laughably primitive enemy it is necessary to examine the demographic transformation undergone by almost every advanced nation since World War II.

(9) The bullying, intimidating side of Muslim immigration in Europe seems to be largely absent in America, in part at least because the assertiveness of the indiuvidual American makes it a riskier undertaking.

(10) The fact is that Europe is dying and America isn't. Europe's system doesn't work and America's does.

(11) Almost.

(12) Euro-Canadian socialized healthcare is, in essence, subsidized by American taxpayers: since the end of World War II, Washington has assumed the defense costs of it's allies, thereby freeing up those countries - including Canada - to spend their tax revenues on lavish social programs.

(13) European socialism is not sustainable even with American subsidies.

(14) The particular religion of Islam is historically a somewhat bloodthirsty faith in which whatever your bag violence-wise can almost certainly be justified.

(15) Yes, Christianity has had its blood drenched moments, but the Spanish Inquisition which remains a byword for theocratic violence, killed fewer people in 150 years than the current Islamic jihad does in one year.

(16) Every Muslim who is honest would say, I would like to see America become a Muslim country, and if I didn't think that I wouldn't be a Muslim.

I am reminded of Lindsay's dire predictions in his book "The Late, Great, Planet Earth". If I remember correctly the world was to end in 1988. It didn't. In America Alone the question becomes WHEN will the ignorant Muslim murderers take over?

Steyn says "soon".

I say "never".

Facts represent historical reality. They do not always extrapolate to an expected conclusion. In recent years Islam has gained while other large religions have lost. Two things jump into mind.

(1) The Islam of today teaches evil and will be purged by it's own members and ultimately find it's way back to the PEACEFUL RELIGION OF ISLAM.

(2) The other large religions will gain members by communicating their own humanity and ultimate goodness.

For these two events to happen, it will be necessary for humanity to gain and accept the primary idea of tolerance. Can it happen? Maybe.

More later . . .

The Winter Queen - Boris Akunin

2007-12-04T16:39:00.000-08:00

An excellent Russian police procedural and more. This fellow Boris Akunin writes fine novels of mystery and intrique with logical but convoluted, page turning, action. Recomended highly.

Painting The Map Red - Hewitt

2007-12-03T16:46:00.000-08:00

A somewhat dated book explaining the construction of a political map from a few years ago. It is well written but flawed because it's many predictions turned out wrong. Yet there are many passages that relate to both old and future elections.

The author, Hugh Hewitt, makes a very good case for disregardling third political parties as irrelevant. He believes the only way to make a real impact upon our national politics is to make your views (preferably Conservative) within the Democratic or Republican party - and then throwing your entire support to the party of your choice.

Mr. Hewitt is persuasive.

A good book.

My African Journey - Churchill

2007-12-02T00:50:00.000-08:00

This is a terrific book; small and illustrative of Britain's Empire back when Winston Churchill was a young man. The arrogance of the British as they explored the bush countries of Africa is fascinating.

The young Winston wrote this journal himself, and he did it well. He was a master of words even in his youth. The book is about a time that has passed. Young men out of British public (considered private in America) schools during the early 1900's, all wealthy, class conscious, ambitious and brave, on a well financed trek across an Africa with few, if any, poor and rutted roads.

For most of the book they walked on safari followed by 50 to 100 natives carrying tents, provisions, weapons, and supplies. It was a sporting expedition with political overtones, and what Winston saw and experienced is expressed with great skill.

A very good read.

The Curious Incident - Haddon

2007-12-01T16:54:00.000-08:00

Wow. What a fascinating read. This new author has broken some kind of mold and should win a prize for his effort. The subject is odd, the story is amazingly touching, and the writing is spare and forceful.

This is easily one of the best books I've read in years and would make an excellent read for our OC Geezer Book Club.

Recommended for everyone. Highly recommended.

Mr. Alaska - Chuck West

2007-11-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

I usually stay away from private memoirs. They tend to be boring renditions of an old man's life. Not so with this one. If you have any interest in flying, particularly bush pilot flying, this is one of the best recitations I've ever come across. If you are also interested, as I am, in the unimaginably huge display of mother nature that Alaska is, then you really should read this one.

Bush pilots, wild weather, nature in the raw, beautiful scenery, road less expanses, are coupled with entrepreneurial successes and failures. Learn about the creation of airlines, tourist industries, exploring ships, ocean cruise liners companies, and a heroic man's life of adventure. Yes, the book is very personal - but it's one of the best of it's kind.

Recommended.

The Last Patriot - Brad Thor

2007-11-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

This is a page turning thriller done in a writing style similar to Robert Ludlum. It's not deep but it is exciting and well done. The story accurately details the many problems that radical Islam presents - to both moderate Muslims and to infidels. It revolves around the many interpretations of the Koran - and how the Koran can be so easily considered a text book for crazed radical power hungry Islamists. In so many words this author believes the Koran contains evil passages and until they are purged the entire Islamic religion will remain contaminated.

To Afghanistan And Back - Ted Rall

2007-11-29T10:45:00.000-08:00

A very disturbing view of a terribly dirty, dusty, illiterate and backward country. Life there is described as relentlessly brutal. This very short book is painfully honest, accurate and, in the end, quite sad.

Americans are so very different. Ted Rall's Afghanistan could be on another planet. The book provides an insightful picture of this miserable (but important) part of the world.

Side note. The book would be much improved if the author had not included his political "blame and hate Bush" comments. Where ever they occured in the book they were out of place, historically inaccurate, and hysterically stupid. They detract from the otherwise good 110 page book.

Are You Somebody - Nuala O'Faolain

2007-11-11T16:32:00.000-08:00

Wow! I just finished this amazing little book. It was on a remainder table and I picked it up on a whim. It turned out to be the best buy of the season. I didn't know Nuala from a maple tree but was impressed with the recommendation on the cover from Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes). He hit the mark perfectly and his longer comment can be summarized by an excerpt that says it all: ". . . it glows with compassion and you want more, more because you know this is a fine wine of a life, richer as it ages."

The Good Husband Of Zebra Drive - Alexander Smith

2007-05-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Another quiet, comfortable, everyday story about Botswana life as experienced by Presious Ramotswe. Smith has a knack for presenting the quaint and best side village life. This, like the other books about Precious, is a thoroughly enjoytable story. In reality Botswana is today a desperately impoverished country viciously attacked by AIDs and other terrible problems. As far as I know the author never addresses those problems. Instead he presents an idealized picture of an unsophisticated and generally happy group of carefully drawn African characters living their lives in a backward version of an Africa without blood and grief and other bad things. On a scale of 1 to 10 this novel gets an eight.

The Associate - John Grisham

2007-05-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

The author has discovered a formula style that enables him to sell a lot of books. That's not a disparaging remark because his formula and the stories he places within it are generally excellent. The author is a good (even if predicatable) writer. The Associate, on a scale of 1 to 10 would rate about a seven.

Andean Express - Juan De Recacoechea

2007-05-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

Want something a little different? This is a terrific little book set in Bolivia and Chile, not the usual urban streets. The local way of life is exposed through a medley of wonderfully drawn characters, and the story is full of rural atmosphere with just enough mystery to keep you turning pages. Recommended.

Imagined London - Anne Quindlen

2007-03-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

My parents were from England, Wales, and Scotland. That's the only reason I can think of that explains my Anglo phobia. This book was especially interesting to me.

Anne Quindlen is a very good writer - and much to my surprise, an excellent tour guide. She keeps this little book moving and happy by using references to other poets and writers from the British Isles. As she takes a freewheeling literary jaunt to cities, villages and rural countrysides, she weaves fascinating sidelights into the text. Her comments and her humor are fun and absorbing.

A delightful book.

The Hole In The World - Richard Rhodes

2007-03-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

This author received the Pulitzer for his "The Making Of The Atomic Bomb". So far easily the best history on the subject. Knowing his skill as a writer, when I saw this book, "A Hole In The World" on the remainder shelf, I bought it without knowing what it was about. It was my pleasant surprise of the month.

It is a brutally honest, spare nothing, marvelously recalled personal story of the author from birth to adulthood. He examines the hole left by his mothers untimely death, his revolting non-supportive father, his brutal step-mothers, beatings, starvation, embarrassments, filthy environments, foster homes, and finally the warmth and restoration he (and his brother) found at the Andrew Drumm Orphanage.

Richard Rhodes experienced a dreadful passage to adulthood and he lays it all out in this book for everyone to see. As anticipated, the book is very well written, holds your interest, and disturbs your mind. For those of us who have never been so deprived, it is a powerful learning experience.