Does anybody read anything by Tim Weaver or Mark Dawson?
2 of my favourite authors and really kept me going during lockdown
2 of my favourite authors and really kept me going during lockdown
Books The BOOK thread
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Has anyone read American Dirt?
I started reading last night after a recommendation. I’m 3 chapters in and it’s been genuinely gripping so far. I can’t wait to pick this back up this evening but I decided to actually look it up and it appears to be marred in controversy. Loads of negative headlines. I’m unwilling to read any of the articles or watch any of the videos discussing it before I’ve finished the book but I wonder if any of you can give me a brief and vague outline of what the controversy is about without giving away any plots or story lines?
I started reading last night after a recommendation. I’m 3 chapters in and it’s been genuinely gripping so far. I can’t wait to pick this back up this evening but I decided to actually look it up and it appears to be marred in controversy. Loads of negative headlines. I’m unwilling to read any of the articles or watch any of the videos discussing it before I’ve finished the book but I wonder if any of you can give me a brief and vague outline of what the controversy is about without giving away any plots or story lines?
It's a fecking clusterfeck. Nobles, Clergies, Third Estates, Jacobins, Girondists, Feuillants. Not easy to get your head around for sure. Robespierre is interesting, however.
An Account of Egypt by Herodotus (5th Century BC)
The 'father' of history, and Greek philosopher's first-hand account of his travels through Egypt during the Ptolemaic period. Significant, not least of all because it's a primary source depiction of the culture, daily life, geography, religion and customs of Egypt. Fascinating reading about ancient history through the eyes of a (then) contemporary experience.
The Egypt account is taken from his larger Histories volumes, which detail the entirety of his travels throughout Northern Africa, the Mediterranean and the east.
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Hitler in Two Volumes: 1889-1936 and 1936-1945 by Ian Kershaw
Perhaps the finest, and most exhaustive account of the development, rise and fall of not only Adolf himself, but also of Germany as a nation. Demonstrates that anti-Jewish rhetoric was gaining increasing popularity way into the 19th century, and rather than Hitler being an anomaly, he was simply a very gifted, and troubled individual, with a knack for propaganda, intuition and rhetoric who knew how to tap into the existing paranoia in a post-WW1 (and Versailles Treaty) Germany and mobilise a nation. The author makes the contention, and rightly so, that a very unique and unusual set of circumstances allowed for such a man to thrive.
The 'father' of history, and Greek philosopher's first-hand account of his travels through Egypt during the Ptolemaic period. Significant, not least of all because it's a primary source depiction of the culture, daily life, geography, religion and customs of Egypt. Fascinating reading about ancient history through the eyes of a (then) contemporary experience.
The Egypt account is taken from his larger Histories volumes, which detail the entirety of his travels throughout Northern Africa, the Mediterranean and the east.
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Hitler in Two Volumes: 1889-1936 and 1936-1945 by Ian Kershaw
Perhaps the finest, and most exhaustive account of the development, rise and fall of not only Adolf himself, but also of Germany as a nation. Demonstrates that anti-Jewish rhetoric was gaining increasing popularity way into the 19th century, and rather than Hitler being an anomaly, he was simply a very gifted, and troubled individual, with a knack for propaganda, intuition and rhetoric who knew how to tap into the existing paranoia in a post-WW1 (and Versailles Treaty) Germany and mobilise a nation. The author makes the contention, and rightly so, that a very unique and unusual set of circumstances allowed for such a man to thrive.
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What always blows my mind is stuff like the fact that by the time Herodotus visited Egypt, the Great Pyramid of Giza was already well over 2,000 years old. My brain just can’t process that shit.
Cleopatra lived closer to the computer age than the age of the pyramids! How in the world is that possible?! The pyramids should have been her 80's nostalgia; but no, she was probably already running around talking about Ancient Egypt even back in 40 BC.
We’re closer in time to T-Rex than T-Rex was to Stegosaurus...sorry to contribute to the derailment, but it’s one of my favorite little tidbits.
I retreated to the comfort of Simon Goddard's excellent Songs That Saved Your Life.
Re: Robespierre - there seems to be a theme to revolutionary leaders; they often become convinced that their way is the only way, to the detriment of just about everyone including themselves.
That ending though.
I didn't mind the ending so much. It certainly wasn't great though.
The ending of It was also disappointing.
That's why I stopped reading his books in the end it became a joke - every ending was weak to the point of wondering if he was deliberately taking the piss.
Desperation, had a good ending.
Bought what I didn't realise was a 50 page book the other day: The Burnout Society by Byung-chul Han.
TL;DR Our obsession with (often unattainable) forms of productivity causes unhappiness. I think it's an extremely powerful point right now in these """""unprecedented times"""". It's probably the type of thing you'd read in a self-help book but it's more interesting coming from a philosopher IMO.
TL;DR Our obsession with (often unattainable) forms of productivity causes unhappiness. I think it's an extremely powerful point right now in these """""unprecedented times"""". It's probably the type of thing you'd read in a self-help book but it's more interesting coming from a philosopher IMO.
"Why the West Rules - for Now", was a fascinating read. The best thing I've read in a long time. I even made a goodreads review for it.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes history.
I hated it. It was literally:
God detonating an atomic bomb. I mean, what the feck, this is Deus ex machina at its best.
I thought it was OK, but I imagine it must hurt real bad reading such a long story and hating the end. I'd never forgive King. I tend to be less critical of a bad ending if I invested a lot of time in getting there. Best to just double-think my way out of admitting I wasted my time.
I finished this book last night. It was a bit of a slog in the end, certainly not as good as the opening few pages had indicated. I was bored for long stretches, occasionally thrilled by an action packed couple of pages - my problem with the book was rooted entirely in the author's storytelling and the writing style.
The book tells the story of a Mexican bookstore owner whose entire family is murdered by the cartel after her journalist husband writes an exposé article in the paper about the cartel leader. She then goes on the run with her 8 year old son and from that point until the end, the story follows this mother and her son as they join a group of migrants on a dangerous journey to the US border, hopping on and off moving freight trains, encountering some quite frankly heartbreaking scenarios along the way, the end goal being crossing the border illegally to find a new life in the States.
The controversy surrounding the book however, has very little to do with the author's talent for storytelling. It was more of a ideological debate about who gets to tell the stories about the struggle and hardship a particular community has gone and continues to go through. This author, Jeanine Cummins, is a white woman and the main criticism appears to be that the book is riddled with lazy stereotypes and the unrealistic, exploitative depiction of Mexico and the struggle and pain in general faced by the Latin community - also that Latin writers have been writing about this struggle for years without the recognition and million dollar backing Jeanine Cummins received by her publisher, eventually honing in on the crux of the problem, that the publishing industry in the US is an almost completely white dominated space (79% white, about 5% Latin, less than 5% black). It's important to note that I have not yet come across anybody who has said you can't write about a topic that is outside of your own lived experience - the challenge, if you insist on doing it, is making sure you have genuinely done your due diligence.
I've read and watched most of the articles, reviews and video discussions I could find. The one below is the most interesting of them all.
The woman on the panel called the book "trauma porn that wears a social justice fig leaf".
Although I wasn't particularly enthused by the book, and wouldn't recommend it based on the quality of the storytelling, I was glad I read it, if only because it opened my eyes a little to the wider discussion people have been having in the book reading bubble that I had previously been oblivious to.
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Finished The Grapes of Wrath last night. What a gut-wrenching read. Great book though.
These arrived during the week:
Have three books to wrap up first, then I’ll start, I’m kind of delighted they’re a bit smaller than I expected.
Have three books to wrap up first, then I’ll start, I’m kind of delighted they’re a bit smaller than I expected.
Halfway through Mao’s Great Famine via Audible at the moment. I am glad to fill more dark spots in my understanding of history even though the subject is not pleasant.These arrived during the week:
Have three books to wrap up first, then I’ll start, I’m kind of delighted they’re a bit smaller than I expected.
I read it a few weeks ago. It is pretty harrowing, but with hope running through it at the same time.
No idea how much artistic licence it takes in terms of viewing it as a piece of social history, but agree it's a really good book.
Mary Beard's fascinating Pompeii.
Larry McMurtry's iconic Lonesome Dove.
Hans Fallada's Little Man, What Now? (his work banned by Hitler from being translated).
Larry McMurtry's iconic Lonesome Dove.
Hans Fallada's Little Man, What Now? (his work banned by Hitler from being translated).
How did you like Lonesome Dove?
The Selfish Gene - what a read, wow, what a read.
On this and ‘Why the West Rules’ I read a couple of weeks back, I have read two of the best books ever. Fascinating and thought-provoking.
On this and ‘Why the West Rules’ I read a couple of weeks back, I have read two of the best books ever. Fascinating and thought-provoking.
The Blind Watchmaker is even better if you haven’t read it yet.
I haven't. Read only The God Delusion and the Selfish Gene from Dawkins, with the Selfish Gene being far better.
I am planning to read many of his books in the future. Maybe the Greatest Show on Earth being the next, but I will definitely go to the Blind Watchmaker (and also to the Selfish Gene follow up which is focused on the effects of the genes in the environment).
Dawkins is condescending but he is also a good author and offers very interesting and thought-provoking ideas.
I have only read the two you have and The Blind Watchmaker but also thought The Selfish Gene was superior. He seems much better when he sticks to biology where he clearly knows his stuff. Agree about the condescension but it is understandable at times when you see the people he is dealing with. Not a very good way to change opinions though.
Interestingly enough, I bought 'Why the West rules for now' a couple of weeks ago when it was cheap on Amazon. I've had it on my wish list for ages so looking forward to starting it soon.
Indeed. Actually, I don't know why I waited so long for The Selfish Gene. I read The God Delusion a decade ago, and found it superb, but in hindsight, I was quite young back then, so I don't think that book would have impressed me right now. The Selfish Gene is much better, and well, it is actually a scientific book, not counter-propaganda.
'Why the West Rules' is amazing. You are gonna get shocked by a very thought-provoking PoV since the first chapter.
Selfish Gene is fantastic. It’s a shame Dawkins has tarnished his reputation in recent years because it’s prompted people to downplay his work. It’s an incredible achievement to have written that, especially in such an accessible way, and it has stood the test of time.
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire.
It's kind of strange concept. It started off slowly and kind of weird - roughly 100 pages in I contemplated giving up, but I'm now 260 pages and boy I'm glad I persisted with it. If it keeps it up it to the end, it has the potential to force it's way onto my books of the year list
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It's kind of strange concept. It started off slowly and kind of weird - roughly 100 pages in I contemplated giving up, but I'm now 260 pages and boy I'm glad I persisted with it. If it keeps it up it to the end, it has the potential to force it's way onto my books of the year list
Simon Schama's Citizens. Easier to understand than most histories about the French Revolution I've read. Very interesting.
It's still full of stories about the varying fortunes of Citizen X, mate, don't worry.
Thought I’d share a few of my favourite books addressing race in Britain given the current climate -
Black and British - David Olusoga. Fantastically written and eye-opening, very accessible. One of my favourite ever reads, easily. Should be part of the history curriculum in schools.
Homecoming: Voices of the Windrush Generation by Colin Grant. This is essentially a compilation of accounts of Windrush migrants. It varies from brutally sad and infuriating to heart-warming and hilarious.
Darcus Howe: A Political Biography by Robin Bunce and Paul Field. More of an academic text than the others but well worth your time, compelling account of a remarkable intellectual who was a prominent figure in civil liberties campaigns.
Natives by Akala. An unorthodox book that weaves Akala’s own experiences into a wider polemic against race and class. I especially enjoy Akala’s ability to highlight things that most people miss/are unaware of but seem so obvious in hindsight.
Black and British - David Olusoga. Fantastically written and eye-opening, very accessible. One of my favourite ever reads, easily. Should be part of the history curriculum in schools.
Homecoming: Voices of the Windrush Generation by Colin Grant. This is essentially a compilation of accounts of Windrush migrants. It varies from brutally sad and infuriating to heart-warming and hilarious.
Darcus Howe: A Political Biography by Robin Bunce and Paul Field. More of an academic text than the others but well worth your time, compelling account of a remarkable intellectual who was a prominent figure in civil liberties campaigns.
Natives by Akala. An unorthodox book that weaves Akala’s own experiences into a wider polemic against race and class. I especially enjoy Akala’s ability to highlight things that most people miss/are unaware of but seem so obvious in hindsight.
Thanks for these, will look into them. Have you read Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race? It’s on my list but haven’t got round to it yet.
No I've not I'm afraid but yeah it's one I've been intending to get round to at some point as well, I believe it's seen a huge spike in sales recently too.
Currently reading Crime and Punishment and oh man this book is addicting. Can't remember the last time I was so gripped by a book, let alone an old classic. I thought it would be much harder than it is but I'm blitzing through it. The language is easier than I expected, maybe it's to do with it being a modern translation (I'm reading the Pevear and Volokhonsky version).
I read that Dostoyevsky is the master at portraying the paranoid mind, and I can see what they meant with that now.
I highly recommend this book.
I'm considering War and Peace next, or I might try some more Dostoyevsky. But I'm thining maybe I shouldn't burn through the Russian classics sequentially, so I might read something else altogether, not sure what though.
I read that Dostoyevsky is the master at portraying the paranoid mind, and I can see what they meant with that now.
I highly recommend this book.
I'm considering War and Peace next, or I might try some more Dostoyevsky. But I'm thining maybe I shouldn't burn through the Russian classics sequentially, so I might read something else altogether, not sure what though.
I didn't care as much for Crime and Punishment as for others like The Brothers Karamazov, The Devils and The Idiot, maybe because it has such a stellar reputation that I was expecting too much of it. So it's my fault...
That’s my go to for the Russian classics.
Forget Tolstoy, go for The Brothers Karamazov next. My favorite book.