Tom Clancy delivers again with a page turner of the Jack Ryan (Sr. and Jr.) line of books. A terrorist group has nukes, John Clark is on the run, Jack Jr. has a date, and Jack Sr. is on the road campaigning for the White House.
Very well written, though I seem to sense the politics of the right invading the series. I consider myself centre-left and would support the Jack Ryan (Sr. ) candidate over the Kealty.
Anyway, a book very much worth reading.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Christopher Hitchens - 13 April 1949 – 15 Dec 2011 - RI?
Given Hitchens open hostility toward religion, I'm unsure what type of post-partum existence he's undergoing.
He does now understand what we can only speculate on.
He does now understand what we can only speculate on.
Finished (Audiobook): "Hitch-22: Some Confessions and Contradiction" - Christopher Hitchens
Hitch-22: Some Confessions and Contradiction is the autobiography of Christopher Hitchens, who died on December 15, 2011, during the period that I was listening to his book.
Hitchens lived an interesting life. I've recently read his views on religion (he's not a fan), but have never read his other works, newspaper articles etc.
He spent most of his life "on the left", referring to himself as a socialist, though his actual view was increasing critical of the actual manifestations of socialism, particularly as many regimes are dictatorial, which would be the key complaint. His views on all things seem well considered, thus, they are normally not very simple to isolate and label - I would hope all people, regardless of the direction of their views, adopt a similar style of actually thinking about and creating a nuanced opinion , not a knee-jerk one.
Hitchens primary enemy was not religion or political views per se, but as he terms it "stupidity". He rallied against poorly thought out opinions on a range of issues, not all simply cast as "left" vs "right". His support for the Bush (Jr.) war in Iraq certainly moved him out of mainstream "leftist" thinking and he gained support from the "right", which I'm sure his religious views killed or maimed.
His book is very open with aspects of his life that scream "1970's" where sexual experimentation and openness and heavy drinking were not seen negatively, as similar behaviour would be seen today.
I was unaware of how hostile, and bullying private English schools were, and how common homosexual relations were among folks who would not later remain homosexual, nor would they have, at any point, considered themselves to be anything other the heterosexual.
All in all, a very long audiobook, but it did maintain the listener's interest.
As a postscript to the book, there was a short interview with Christopher Hitchens, where he "backslides" a bit on his earlier criticisms of audiobooks. His initial view was that reading is a commitment, and that it should be done with a physical book in hand, and a silent environment in which to partake. As he is the actual reader of the book in audiobook format, he somewhat softened on that stance. He was convinced to listen to some audiobooks, and gave a grudging acknowledgement of the format, but still expects that the listener is engaging fully in the exercise. He would not have been approving of my listening, as it is 100% in the car, chopped and parsed not by the narrative, but by arrival at destination and/or presence of little ones in the car.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Finished (Audiobook) - "The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Non-Believer" - Christopher Hitchens
Having recently listened to "God is not Great" by Christopher Hitchens, "The Portable Atheist" speaks much the same message. I found "God is not Great" to be more compelling, but that is likely because of the ordering. As both books cover much of the same material, it is much stronger on first sight than on subsequent re-tellings.
Again, I'd recommend both, or either, to anybody who is firmly religious, or firmly non-religious - it would lack the strength to anybody hovering without strong convictions. As with "God is not Great", Hitchens takes a very strong anti-religious, and anti-faith stance, considering both harmful to the species, and primarily a vehicle for power and control of some humans over other humans, with very little supporting the "higher" aspects.
If you feel strongly about religion, pro or con, the essays and arguments will be sure to stimulate dialogue, even if it is primarily internal dialogue. Strongly religious folks should listen/read, just to understand problems with human organizations, and the potential to abuse power, even if they can't question the underlying faith they should be able to evaluate/criticize the human aspects and learn from human problems.
My biggest issue with religion is the mixing of religion and politics - this book should provide some of the necessary cautions, and support the distinction between the government and the church. Everyone should imagine the most polar-opposite religion from themselves, and consider that group in a society-power position - only if you can consider living in that society should you persist in moving secular governments along your religious lines. If not, consider the effect your proposed changes would have on other faiths/non-faiths and act accordingly.
Again, I'd recommend both, or either, to anybody who is firmly religious, or firmly non-religious - it would lack the strength to anybody hovering without strong convictions. As with "God is not Great", Hitchens takes a very strong anti-religious, and anti-faith stance, considering both harmful to the species, and primarily a vehicle for power and control of some humans over other humans, with very little supporting the "higher" aspects.
If you feel strongly about religion, pro or con, the essays and arguments will be sure to stimulate dialogue, even if it is primarily internal dialogue. Strongly religious folks should listen/read, just to understand problems with human organizations, and the potential to abuse power, even if they can't question the underlying faith they should be able to evaluate/criticize the human aspects and learn from human problems.
My biggest issue with religion is the mixing of religion and politics - this book should provide some of the necessary cautions, and support the distinction between the government and the church. Everyone should imagine the most polar-opposite religion from themselves, and consider that group in a society-power position - only if you can consider living in that society should you persist in moving secular governments along your religious lines. If not, consider the effect your proposed changes would have on other faiths/non-faiths and act accordingly.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Finished (E-Reader) - "The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood" - Jane Leavy
I knew of Mickey Mantle, mostly as a name - I don't recall any games, or him being an actual ballplayer during my lifetime (though, as a boy he would have). I think of him like one of the past greats, particularly, past Yankee greats - Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle.
I guess I knew he was a drinker, as I suspect most of the historical ballplayers were (or they were staunch abolitionists), however, until reading "The Last Boy" by Jane Leavy, I didn't know either how great a ballplayer he was, the speculation of how much better he could have been (without early serious knee problems), and how badly and tragically he shortened his career and his life through alcohol abuse.
I was stunned at how openly he kept other women, both one-nighters and long term non-wife relationships, and how inattentive he was to his children.
However, it would be hard to design an icon like Mickey Mantle, because it wouldn't ring true - the life he lived was really larger than a real life, both the ups and down were extreme.
As a book, I really did enjoy the story, though the language was a little odd, and it was occasionally difficult to keep track of the characters, as many appeared for short times, or single recalled episodes. It was a compelling read - did want to hear how/if he reconciled with his family, did he find peace at the end?
The book shows some of what a ballplayer's life is about, and how the "lifestyle" of late nights, parties, drinking (and I assume in many cases harder drugs) come about when you have a large population of wealthy, young atheletes, away from home for extended trips, with a ready supply of "opportunities". There is also insight into how a decent man can become estranged from his own family and lose the "fatherly" connnection, and most other family connections as well.
You come away from the book wanting to be Mick's friend - this was also a key reason he turned out the way he did - everyone (male or female) wanted to be a friend, drinking buddy, or more, of the Mick. He had a lot more "friends" then he did strong, supportive influences. You feel both amazed and amused at what he did, and how he did it, an also somewhat saddened by the peculiar loneliness that comes from never being alone.
I guess I knew he was a drinker, as I suspect most of the historical ballplayers were (or they were staunch abolitionists), however, until reading "The Last Boy" by Jane Leavy, I didn't know either how great a ballplayer he was, the speculation of how much better he could have been (without early serious knee problems), and how badly and tragically he shortened his career and his life through alcohol abuse.
I was stunned at how openly he kept other women, both one-nighters and long term non-wife relationships, and how inattentive he was to his children.
However, it would be hard to design an icon like Mickey Mantle, because it wouldn't ring true - the life he lived was really larger than a real life, both the ups and down were extreme.
As a book, I really did enjoy the story, though the language was a little odd, and it was occasionally difficult to keep track of the characters, as many appeared for short times, or single recalled episodes. It was a compelling read - did want to hear how/if he reconciled with his family, did he find peace at the end?
The book shows some of what a ballplayer's life is about, and how the "lifestyle" of late nights, parties, drinking (and I assume in many cases harder drugs) come about when you have a large population of wealthy, young atheletes, away from home for extended trips, with a ready supply of "opportunities". There is also insight into how a decent man can become estranged from his own family and lose the "fatherly" connnection, and most other family connections as well.
You come away from the book wanting to be Mick's friend - this was also a key reason he turned out the way he did - everyone (male or female) wanted to be a friend, drinking buddy, or more, of the Mick. He had a lot more "friends" then he did strong, supportive influences. You feel both amazed and amused at what he did, and how he did it, an also somewhat saddened by the peculiar loneliness that comes from never being alone.
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