It is shocking the Steven Johnson does not get the same attention as the Erik Larsons and David Granns of the world. His writing is considerate and thIt is shocking the Steven Johnson does not get the same attention as the Erik Larsons and David Granns of the world. His writing is considerate and thoughtful, and he makes astute observations without making assumptions. It is refreshing to read someone whose work just bleeds authenticity.
I picked up 'The Infernal Machine' after a friend's recommendation without knowing too much about it. What I found is a work that charts the rise of anarchism from the birth of dynamite, through the assassination of Alexander II and President McKinley, all the way to the establishment of NYPD's anti-terrorism unit and finally the creation of the FBI with Edgar Hoover. Along the way we have numerous attentats (a fun word to say and a popular word choice for Johnson), both successful and unsuccessful, that target key political players and members of the gilded age royalty.
How could all of this not seem interesting? This is a history book for which everyone should make time. A high four stars, and I reserve the right to bump it to five after further consideration. I will be reading more Johnson too....more
Brunt's book starts off as a biography of the inventor of the Diesel engine, but quickly transitions into the development of the engine and its impactBrunt's book starts off as a biography of the inventor of the Diesel engine, but quickly transitions into the development of the engine and its impact on early 20th century economies and geopolitics. The final part of the novel turns its focus towards the disappearance of Diesel himself, in which Brunt hypothesizes on what really happened.
It is surprising that a man of such impact could be so quickly forgotten by history, but, if Brunt's thesis is correct, the end of Diesel's career largely explains that. I also appreciated the research Brunt did on the long-term impacts of the Diesel engine, up to the present day. This is a thoroughly researched project and therefore very informative for the reader. Brunt is a quality writer, although nothing flashy. I recommend it to history fans, of course, but I think this would interest a wider audience as well. Wouldn't shock me to see Hollywood poking around this story too. ...more
This almost reads like an essay collection, but Roberts book has a nice flow to the structure that gives it a sense of being whole. Roberts starts witThis almost reads like an essay collection, but Roberts book has a nice flow to the structure that gives it a sense of being whole. Roberts starts with a couple of chapters talking about some of his favorite explorers as well as some of his own adventures (Roberts was an accomplished climber himself). About halfway through the book Roberts begins to consider the future of exploration. The tallest peaks in the world have been tackled, and the blanks have been filled in on the maps. So where will the explorers turn their attention? Space is an obvious answer. But Roberts also talks about options existing here on earth, specifically caving. Lastly, the book takes an emotional turn as Roberts provides the reader with a sense of perspective from his own experience. Roberts, who was dying of cancer when he wrote this book, wants to convey that adventure and exploration are worthy pursuits, but the memories most dear to him have nothing to do with a tackled peak. When he thinks back on his life, he envisions time spent with friends and the soft touch of his wife. I found it moving. Low four stars. Roberts was a good writer....more
Comparisons to 'Into the Wild' are fair. McGrath is a quality journalist and the writing here does indeed remind me of Krakauer. If you are a fan of tComparisons to 'Into the Wild' are fair. McGrath is a quality journalist and the writing here does indeed remind me of Krakauer. If you are a fan of that book, you will like this one too. The problem for me with 'Into the Wild' was that I didn't find McCandless all that interesting, and that is the case again here. Sure, most of us harbor at least a small sentiment of wanderlust, but anecdotes about a sociable drifter doesn't grab my attention very much. Two stars might seem rough, especially since I have no qualms with McGrath's structure or writing, but I found this pretty boring. Just okay....more
A fantastic look at the paradoxes created out of the rise of quantum mechanics. Or perhaps it is better to say that Egginton's book illustrates the paA fantastic look at the paradoxes created out of the rise of quantum mechanics. Or perhaps it is better to say that Egginton's book illustrates the paradoxes of our concept of reality as evidenced by the developments in quantum mechanics. Thematically complex, yes. But Egginton is a wonderful writer and thus every time my head started to swim, his prose brought me back on course. That is not to say that his writing allows for us to understand everything that is being presented. That is, of course, nonsense. You will re-read passages constantly. But Egginton does allow us to keep from feeling overwhelmed. I do not recommend listening to this on audio book though, for the simple reason that you will be rewinding the tape regularly.
Other aspects to appreciate about the book are the biographies of the three men mentioned in the title. All are interesting individually and their accomplishments professionally warrant study. We also get to see the roles of other titans such as Einstein, Shrodinger, Boethius and Dante.
A passage that I think sums up the gist of the book:
"What Borges's stories, Heisenberg's discovery, and Kant's system all reveal is that the assumption underlying this fantasy, the full coincidence of knowing and being, self-destructs on closer examination. On the one hand, to measure something is to differ from it in some minimal but irreducible way, and hence the very condition of knowing anything about the world demolishes the possibility of doing so perfectly. On the other hand, full presence, being truly and completely a part of the flow, requires eradicating such difference and hence makes knowledge impossible. One can imagine knowing or one can imagine being identical with the world, but only at the cost of knowing it. Like what Heisenberg's most famous principle revealed about momentum and place, we can't have both."
Deserving of its place in the pantheon of American fiction. Though the plot is seemingly simple, 'Huck Finn' has undertones that elevate the novel. ThDeserving of its place in the pantheon of American fiction. Though the plot is seemingly simple, 'Huck Finn' has undertones that elevate the novel. The choice of Huck Finn as the narrator is brilliant. His misinterpretations of several situations provide both the humor and acute observations of late 19th century American culture. Huck's grappling with societal norms versus his personal feelings is powerful as well. I am sorry for the poor souls who think this is a racist novel that should not be taught in schools. The whole thing flew over your heads.
Now, let's go see what Percival Everett has to say about this thing....more
They say great literature is inexhaustible. I would say that applies to McCarthy. Here, he revisits similar themes from his previous work, but everythThey say great literature is inexhaustible. I would say that applies to McCarthy. Here, he revisits similar themes from his previous work, but everything still seems so fresh because, well, it's McCarthy and his talent and his prose provoke wonder.
McCarthy appears to be in a particularly reflective mood. Given his age, this is unsurprising. This is a dialogue driven novel, and what plot there is only serves as fodder for the discussions of the characters. That is not to say that 'The Passenger' is boring. Far from it. Characters such as Western, Long John Sheddan, Borman, Royal, and Alicia are quote maestros that force you to slow your reading pace. They are funny, they are sad, and they are memorable. Some of McCarthy's best characters are here.
To avoid the tl;dr pitfall, some brief thematic highlights:
Regret. Every line is a broken line, you can't go back and fix everything. Life is a struggle to avoid regrets. A life isn't lived without grief, but a life can't be fully lived if it is full of regret.
Belief. The need for belief in good. There would be only hopelessness without it.
Forgiveness. Timeline of forgiveness is much shorter than that for revenge.
Faith. God's goodness appears in strange places. Keep an open mind. A Godless life does not prepare for a Godless death.
Fear. Is it something that can be overcome or only dealt with? Fear is always there, waiting for you.
Suffering vs misery. Suffering is part of the human condition. Misery is a mindset one adopts. You can't escape suffering, but you can avoid misery.
And there is much, much more. I have not yet nailed down the significance of the passenger, or who he or she is. Maybe the answer will be found in 'Stella Maris'. Maybe it will become evident with future re-reads.
Any reader who requires a good amount of plot in their fiction will be left disappointed. If you can appreciate thematic discussions, coupled with great characters, dialogue, and wonderful prose, then McCarthy is for you, and you will love 'The Passenger'. A proper rating cannot be given until 'Stella Maris' has been read, so take this with a grain of salt for now. But it is quintessential McCarthy. One of his books that I will be returning to again and again over the years....more
To the surprise of no one, the prose is great. Akbar is a well regarded poet, so I came into this expecting strong writing and we get exactly that. AlTo the surprise of no one, the prose is great. Akbar is a well regarded poet, so I came into this expecting strong writing and we get exactly that. Also not surprising given Akbar's poetic background, 'Martyr!' is thematically compelling. Language, addiction and depression are all addressed continuously throughout the book. I'm only giving this three stars because I never felt engaged with Cyrus or his mother or his father. Or Zee. Or anybody. This is a good book, so it is a strong three stars, but Akbar has more to offer. I hope he continues to write novels, because the potential is huge. A really good first effort....more
The conquest of Mexico is the New World's version of Troy, though in this case we have historical fact supported by primary sources from both sides. LThe conquest of Mexico is the New World's version of Troy, though in this case we have historical fact supported by primary sources from both sides. Levy's book on Hernan Cortez's destruction of Tenochtitlan and the Aztec empire is remarkable. His descriptions of events and historical figures is compelling, but the primary and secondary sources he uses allows him to provide not only a wonderfully two-sided story, but also introduces the reader to the immense culture clash that took place in a space of just three short years.
There might not be a more complicated historical figure than Hernan Cortez, but the feats he accomplished in Mexico are nothing short of extraordinary. He is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of natives and his accomplishments gave rise to the age of colonialism, but it is also impossible to dismiss his intelligence, decisiveness, political genius, and immense good luck.
This is a captivating read for its adventurous tales of battles and exploits, but it is also valuable for its social, religious and cultural observations. Bravo to Levy. Five stars....more
O'Brien is as fed up with the bullshit as the rest of us are. In his latest and supposedly last novel, O'Brien addresses the mythomania crisis that isO'Brien is as fed up with the bullshit as the rest of us are. In his latest and supposedly last novel, O'Brien addresses the mythomania crisis that is devouring the country. 'America Fantastica' is a dark satire with a story that fits neatly into the American genre. That is, road trips, guns, gambling, sex and politics. O'Brien has a history of astutely portraying certain eras of America history, especially the 70's, and he has captured the zeitgeist of the last 8 years here in America. It's very good, but the satire is too thick at times, which makes certain aspects of the story too strange for my taste. The characters are really well done, and O'Brien certainly has not lost a step with his writing, but I cannot quite call this excellent. It's a strong three stars, and I think this book will be worth reading thirty years down the road when someone wants to understand what the hell was going on during this time in America. It reminded me that I want to go back and read some of his older work. I haven't read him since high school....more
Kaplan's writing can be a little dry, but I love his work for the humility and realism it displays. Kaplan has been a geopolitical journalist for fiftKaplan's writing can be a little dry, but I love his work for the humility and realism it displays. Kaplan has been a geopolitical journalist for fifty years now, and his experiences have provided him with all-encompassing perspectives that few can match. His pragmatism is a breath of fresh air. I wish we had more people like him in government. Or at least more people like him on the news networks.
This latest offering from Kaplan focuses primarily on the Greater Middle East (think everything East of the Mediterranean to China). We get an update on recent geopolitical events of the region, and then Kaplan offers opinions on how certain countries might move forward in the near future. Kaplan also opines on the geopolitical approach of the US versus that of China. Spoiler alert; the US is dumb and China is kicking our ass.
It can be a bit dry at times, but this is a helpful update on a region of the world that will drive trade and economic competition in the coming decades, and there is nobody who covers this area in such an understanding and respectful manner as Kaplan....more
To call this book a retelling of 'Huck Finn' is inaccurate. These two books share common characters, and some of the events from 'Huck Finn' do reappeTo call this book a retelling of 'Huck Finn' is inaccurate. These two books share common characters, and some of the events from 'Huck Finn' do reappear here, but for the most point the plot is entirely James'. The intent of the novel is wholly different as well. Twain wrote an adventure novel with a unique narrative voice. Everett has written a novel that focuses on prejudices and the power of language.
This review might appear to have a negative bent, so I want to make clear that this is an excellent novel. The plot is exciting and James is a memorable character. That being said, the "big reveal" towards the end of the novel detracts from the power of Everett's focus. It cheapens the difficult decision James has to make during the riverboat scene. There was an opportunity there to highlight a complicated relationship, and Everett chose an easy way out which felt cringe-worthy.
Other reviews here have talked about how much they enjoyed Everett's prose. I have enjoyed both of the Everett novels I have read, however his prose, while solid, is not noteworthy. It is not descriptive. It is not flowery. Nor is it lean. It is solid and safe. I would be curious to hear further explanations of what those readers noticed about Everett's prose.
I prefer this novel to 'Huck Finn'. The Tom Sawyer section of that earlier novel felt like an unnecessary deviation. 'James' is an intellectual novel with some powerful scenes. I loved how menacing the Duke and King were in this version. All in all, an excellent novel. High four stars. I expect we will see this book a lot during award season. ...more
Michael Lewis' trademark storytelling is here, but SBF, FTX and the crypto bros are boring to read about. I have no complaints about how Lewis construMichael Lewis' trademark storytelling is here, but SBF, FTX and the crypto bros are boring to read about. I have no complaints about how Lewis constructed this narrative. He does a good job of telling the events through the eyes of the people involved, the problem is that the people involved are bland personalities. Two stars seems a bit unfair because the writing is solid, but this really is just an okay book. If you haven't read Lewis before, please don't start with this one....more
There is a growing tendency today to classify works such as this as "popular history". These are works that aim to capture a wider reading audience, rThere is a growing tendency today to classify works such as this as "popular history". These are works that aim to capture a wider reading audience, rather than works of true scholarly or historical analysis. This classification is accurate for many historical books being published today. Hampton Sides does not quite fit neatly into that category. His books are structured and written in a way to capture a wider audience, yes, but Sides also takes great pains to critique individuals and historical events from a multitude of angles.
In the case of James Cook, Sides considers the natives' perspectives and rationale behind their actions. This is a difficult task given that the Polynesian and Hawaiian historical records have been passed down orally over the generations. Sides is clearly appreciative of Cooks' accomplishments, but this is an objective work.
Sides is also one of the best historians working today in terms of constructing a narrative and telling an incredible story. This is the "pop history" aspect of his work. But it does not cheapen the scholarly quality of this new book either. It's a wonderful work and perhaps Sides' best book to date. If you are new to Sides, this is a great one to start with. Another personal favorite is 'Blood and Thunder'. Easy five stars....more
I was really just here for the chapters on Phil and the insider trading conviction. I am not a sports gambler, and I didn't find Walters' back story aI was really just here for the chapters on Phil and the insider trading conviction. I am not a sports gambler, and I didn't find Walters' back story all that interesting, but those three or so chapters are worth the price of admission. You don't need to be a gambler to find this interesting, but I do think you need to be a sports fan. High two stars. Some interesting bits, but maybe a little bit disappointing considering how long people have been talking about this book before it came out....more
This is being marketed as a sci-fi thriller type of novel, but I think that does it a disservice. This is a novel about the power of grief. About how This is being marketed as a sci-fi thriller type of novel, but I think that does it a disservice. This is a novel about the power of grief. About how regrets can dog you every day and eventually consume you. Sure, the last few chapters, in which the science fiction aspects of the story take center stage, are a little bit dizzying and create an element of suspense, but that is not where the novel packs its punch. This is an emotional story about a young family struggling with grief, and as a father with a young family of my own, there were moments I found quite stirring. The time travel aspects of this book really serve as a literary device with which the author can structure his novel in an intriguing way. It allows Chong to peel the layers away using the same scenes multiple times. It's pretty cool and Chong pulls it off well. He is a talented story teller and an author worth keeping an eye on. I enjoyed this one and it is undoubtedly a good book, but I'm not quite sure I can call it excellent. A fun, quick read that is plenty deserving of ones time. Solid three stars....more
My second time reading this, and it is as great as I remembered. McCarthy takes on the task of deconstructing the glorified myth of the American West My second time reading this, and it is as great as I remembered. McCarthy takes on the task of deconstructing the glorified myth of the American West through a tale of unparalleled brutality. McCarthy was obsessed with humanity's inherent heartlessness. Our innate ability to harm one another. I have read all of his novels, and this theme is present in every single one of them, but 'Blood Meridian' is the zenith of his bloody ouevre. I could argue that Cormac was even too heavy handed with it here, but by the concluding scene with the Judge you realize it all works.
This desert upon which so many have been broken is vast and calls for largeness of heart but it is also ultimately empty. It is hard, it is barren. Its very nature is stone
That is the theme of 'Blood Meridian' in a nutshell.
I could expound on McCarthy's beautiful prose and the characters of Glanton, the kid, and the judge, but I think all of that is sufficiently covered with other reviews here. After all, it is McCarthy, so of course the writing is exquisite.
Is it McCarthy's best? Probably. Is it my favorite of his works? Maybe not. But I will keep reading McCarthy over and over and maybe by the time I quit this world I'll have made up my mind. I'll never tire of his work.
Everybody dont have to have a reason to be someplace. That's so, said the judge. They do not have to have a reason. But order is not set aside because of their indifference. He regarded the judge warily. Let me put it this way, said the judge. If it is so that they themselves have no reason and yet are indeed here must they not be here by reason of some other? And if this is so can you guess who that other might be? No. Can you? I know him well....more
Groff’s new novel knocked my socks off and I wasn’t expecting it. The thematic elements appealed to me greatly: human nature’s tendency to grapple witGroff’s new novel knocked my socks off and I wasn’t expecting it. The thematic elements appealed to me greatly: human nature’s tendency to grapple with faith, human being’s complicated relationship with itself, our role against nature, gender relations, and colonialism. All of which are tackled with a slim story about a young girl fleeing miserable conditions at a colony that is clearly meant to resemble Jamestown.
Lamentations, as she is sometimes called, is a charming character. One that the reader quickly becomes emotionally invested in. And as we cheer her through her obstacles and the situations become more and more dire, the reader feels despair alongside her. Groff’s writing technique is also interesting. It is both stilted and eloquent. That seems an oxymoron, but allow me an example:
“She slept, and in her sleep, she smiled because she saw glories of sundazzle and water and the night sky white with stars; she was flying once more effortless across the land. The loss of a star dims not the splendor of the constellations; she did not have the force to remember which of her voices had said this.”
Not flowery, but not sparse either. The prose is beautiful but doesn’t feel quite natural. It really reminded me of McCarthy’s prose in ‘Blood Meridian’. Reading her descriptive passages compared to watching a film with beautiful cinematography.
I have seen commentary on this book saying it is light on plot, or the plotline is too slow. I couldn’t disagree more. This is a survival story with beautiful nature settings, evil men, hermits, ocean storms, wild beasts, murder, and a desperate young woman. This is not a slow plot. When you couple this story with Groff’s beautiful writing and the strong thematic elements, then what you are left with is one of the strongest books of the year. I am shocked this isn’t receiving more hype.
I also noticed that Groff thanks Hernan Diaz in her acknowledgments for his readership of this book. Diaz, a recent Pulitzer Prize winner, is also a teacher at Columbia, home of the Pulitzer Prize. ‘The Vaster Wilds’ has a champion with strong ties to the Pulitzer committee, so do not be surprised if this book does some damage come prize season. I for one hope that it receives its deserved recognition. Five stars....more
Very useful for anyone who is thinking about revisiting 'The Iliad'. This could serve as a refresher, something that might help you determine if you aVery useful for anyone who is thinking about revisiting 'The Iliad'. This could serve as a refresher, something that might help you determine if you are really interested in diving back into the world of Homer. I've seen a few comment about the misleading title. To clarify, this is not a narrative about the true Trojan War. This is an analysis of Homer's 'Iliad'. The "true story" that Alexander includes in her title is a reference to her analysis of what 'The Iliad' is really about. What was Homer's main intent with the story of Hektor and Achilles? This is the truth that Alexander is interested in studying.
It has been two decades since I read 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey'. Earlier this year I was considering taking them on once again. Rather, I chose to read Alexander's analysis first. Her book confirmed that I want to get back to those two important works, but not quite yet. Alexander's work is really good, but I think it is better served to have read the original texts first. High three stars....more
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