Finished reading Inside the Kingdom by Robert Lacey. Having read Lacey's previous work on Saudi Arabia, The Kingdom much of this book was a review and synopses of that work. However, this book does cover the period after 1985 into the present and, as such, contains information on Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda including how the man and the organization he built grew from a very religious young man into the most famous terrorist of this generation. This book, as his previous book on the Kingdom, gives a wonderful introduction to the Saudi Arabia and the particular brand of Islam practiced there - including the problems that arise from the Saudi system and how that effects the Islamic world and the Western world when that religion is confronted by forces and ideas outside the religion. Anyone interested in Mideast studies, Islam or as general information as to what the US and it's allies are doing over in that part of the world right now should probably read this book.
Reading this book, in light of the book on Scipio which I completed just prior, I find that my understanding of the war in general and our position there has been quite illuminated. I wonder what, exactly, our end goal is in the Islamic world. I understand the need to deny extremists the ability to wage a war of terror so the military objective is clear. However, I'm not sure what the political agenda is. Ideally it is to create and promote a better peace after the fact - but what does that peace look like? To my mind it would be a stable Middle East, this would include an answer to the Palestinian question (i.e. creating a stable and functioning Palestine - as a country all its own.) as well as an answer to the Jewish question (i.e. having a stable and secure Israel that is accepted or, at the very least, amicably tolerated by it's Arab neighbors.) In order to accomplish this it seems clear that Saudi Arabia needs to be quite involved in the process.
For my next book I will be focusing on Daniel Defoe's famous work Robinson Crusoe. As it clearly falls into the category of "classic" and as it is a book I have not yet read though I am quite familiar with the Hollywood interpretations of the story I'm quite excited about this next read.
On another note I made it back to the gym today after about three weeks absence. Quite good considering I'm paying for it and it would be quite a waste if I didn't utilize the opportunity to remain in some semblance of physical health.
As for my publishing this particular missive a day late, I worked on my truck last night replacing the fuel pump and then went and saw a movie at the Laurelhurst which is an experience all it's own. For both I owe a debt of gratitude to the Big Tiki for both his assistance and his company.
Until next we meet, challenge yourself and live life to it's fullest.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Three categories of explosives
I've had a fairly productive week. Perhaps too productive. How can one be too productive you might ask. Well, allow me to illuminate...
I finished reading "Scipio Africanus: Greater than Napolean" by B.H. Liddell Hart on Wednesday last. 280 pages in all of about 48 hours. Thursday I began reading "Inside the Kingdom" by Robert Lacey. Now, although I was, admittedly, excited at the speed with which I had ripped through the first book and moved on to the next, thus making my prospects of actually completing the Herculean task of reading a book a week for a year somewhere within the realm of possibility, I found that the further I got away from Scipio the less effect it had on me. Books, by and large, effect me rather deeply. I am usually changed in some small measure by each book that I read. And although I truly enjoyed Scipio and felt a good deal of reflection coming on through the reading I find that by moving on to the next book so quickly that I have not been effected as deeply as I could have been with a bit more time to reflect on the deeper messages within. That said, I will take the opportunity to reflect here.
I am a student of History. Which is not to say, by any means, that I am a History student. In other words, I try to "remember my history" but I am not devoted to history at the exclusion of other disciplines. Liddell Hart at one point makes the argument that to be a true student of history one must, in fact, be a student of military history. It is a point I would wholly agree with for it is in the conquests and squabbles of states that problems are worked out among nations. And what is history if not human history?
Scipio led Rome's war against Carthage and, as such, against the quite famous Carthaginian general, Hannibal. (Side note: Hannibal is a conjoining of two words "hanni" meaning "favored" and "Baal", the god. Thus "favored of Baal." Now most people remember Hannibal, or more literally, have heard of Hannibal as it is doubtful anyone is old enough to remember him. But Scipio? An obscure and unknown Roman general, of him few have heard. As Liddell Hart points out in this book that is an historical wrong. To quote"
"In assessing the world's great figures, other than the definitely religious, we have tended to base our estimate mainly on concrete achievement and mental calibre, overlooking the moral values - the same lack of balance between the three spheres which has been remarked in the conduct of policy in peace and war. Even this test of achievement has been based on quantity rather than quality. That Caesar's (speaking of Gaius Jullius Caesar - first emperor of Rome) work is known universally, and Scipio little more than a name to the ordinary educated man, is a curious reflection on our historical standards, for the one inaugurated the world dominion of civilization, the other paved the way for its decay."
Liddell Hart's book not only gives blow by blow of each battle (as any good book analyzing military tactics and strategy would) he also delves deeper into the man himself and his uncanny ability to understand human nature and, through this, the true nature of war. War as a means to a more perfect peace. Upon conquering Carthage he left the Carthaginians with self respect - something the West failed to do with German at the Versailles treaty at the end of World War I. And something we are again failing to do in the current war in the Middle East. But I digress.
This week has been productive in other areas as well. I have eaten much good food, discovering three new restaurants. Well, two new restaurants and a tea room. I also had the privilege of seeing a production of "Dead Man's Cell Phone" by Sarah Ruhl at Theatre Vertigo. I had thought to review the play here (as the reviewer obviously has little experience of theatre or the art of reviewing) but I will refrain and say only that on the whole I enjoyed the production and would recommend that people see the show and support local theatre. I had my personal issues with the show but the crowd, in general, seemed not to notice and, ultimately, that is what theatre is about. I, however, reserve the option to review the show in the future should the mood strike me.
And that, for me, is all for this week - books, food and theatre. What more does one need for a little explosion in the soul? Perhaps someone to share those experiences with - and for that I have you.
I finished reading "Scipio Africanus: Greater than Napolean" by B.H. Liddell Hart on Wednesday last. 280 pages in all of about 48 hours. Thursday I began reading "Inside the Kingdom" by Robert Lacey. Now, although I was, admittedly, excited at the speed with which I had ripped through the first book and moved on to the next, thus making my prospects of actually completing the Herculean task of reading a book a week for a year somewhere within the realm of possibility, I found that the further I got away from Scipio the less effect it had on me. Books, by and large, effect me rather deeply. I am usually changed in some small measure by each book that I read. And although I truly enjoyed Scipio and felt a good deal of reflection coming on through the reading I find that by moving on to the next book so quickly that I have not been effected as deeply as I could have been with a bit more time to reflect on the deeper messages within. That said, I will take the opportunity to reflect here.
I am a student of History. Which is not to say, by any means, that I am a History student. In other words, I try to "remember my history" but I am not devoted to history at the exclusion of other disciplines. Liddell Hart at one point makes the argument that to be a true student of history one must, in fact, be a student of military history. It is a point I would wholly agree with for it is in the conquests and squabbles of states that problems are worked out among nations. And what is history if not human history?
Scipio led Rome's war against Carthage and, as such, against the quite famous Carthaginian general, Hannibal. (Side note: Hannibal is a conjoining of two words "hanni" meaning "favored" and "Baal", the god. Thus "favored of Baal." Now most people remember Hannibal, or more literally, have heard of Hannibal as it is doubtful anyone is old enough to remember him. But Scipio? An obscure and unknown Roman general, of him few have heard. As Liddell Hart points out in this book that is an historical wrong. To quote"
"In assessing the world's great figures, other than the definitely religious, we have tended to base our estimate mainly on concrete achievement and mental calibre, overlooking the moral values - the same lack of balance between the three spheres which has been remarked in the conduct of policy in peace and war. Even this test of achievement has been based on quantity rather than quality. That Caesar's (speaking of Gaius Jullius Caesar - first emperor of Rome) work is known universally, and Scipio little more than a name to the ordinary educated man, is a curious reflection on our historical standards, for the one inaugurated the world dominion of civilization, the other paved the way for its decay."
Liddell Hart's book not only gives blow by blow of each battle (as any good book analyzing military tactics and strategy would) he also delves deeper into the man himself and his uncanny ability to understand human nature and, through this, the true nature of war. War as a means to a more perfect peace. Upon conquering Carthage he left the Carthaginians with self respect - something the West failed to do with German at the Versailles treaty at the end of World War I. And something we are again failing to do in the current war in the Middle East. But I digress.
This week has been productive in other areas as well. I have eaten much good food, discovering three new restaurants. Well, two new restaurants and a tea room. I also had the privilege of seeing a production of "Dead Man's Cell Phone" by Sarah Ruhl at Theatre Vertigo. I had thought to review the play here (as the reviewer obviously has little experience of theatre or the art of reviewing) but I will refrain and say only that on the whole I enjoyed the production and would recommend that people see the show and support local theatre. I had my personal issues with the show but the crowd, in general, seemed not to notice and, ultimately, that is what theatre is about. I, however, reserve the option to review the show in the future should the mood strike me.
And that, for me, is all for this week - books, food and theatre. What more does one need for a little explosion in the soul? Perhaps someone to share those experiences with - and for that I have you.
Monday, October 11, 2010
The children remained as they were...
I've taken a good number of creative writing classes. Quite more than necessary some might say. Often, writing is compared to children - and, like children, one should be comfortable with allowing their writing to be bloodied up once in awhile. I speak of the red pen in the hand of an editor.
Now, I'll grant you, it's been a number of years since I pursued the written form - I delved into the photographic as well as other media for a time. Writing has always been, and remains, my first love for no other form of expression can be so easily grasped at. With a bit of paper and some sort of writing implement one can express whatever thought or feeling inhabits their mind at a given moment. And this is good. This is very good. However, often as expresser's of emotion we feel not quite full without the approval or understanding of others. To this end we publish, or blog, or find some way to share our work with others.
If we share that work with close friends, friends who do not write themselves, or perhaps with our mother's or significant others we may hear of our wondrous and magical use of words. We may, from them, receive praise and applause and feel that we are somehow special and unique. But submit those same words to a larger audience and we may find our words are trite, overused and cliche.
I abhor the cliche. At least in my own writing. I strive to cut it out like a bad lung. To that end, and to reconnect with a lost love, I enrolled in yet another creative writing class. You see writing, for me, is a social activity. True, much of the early production takes place alone but the editing, the revising, the cutting out, adding to and making better is social. I had high hopes for the class. I would submit my work to a wider audience than myself and seek their disapproval - for it is only in finding out what doesn't work that I am forced to expand my command of the language by seeking out what does work, which words create the intended effect. But, alas, this particular creative writing class is structured more toward being fed a strict diet of what the instructor feels is important rather than in each writer being shepherded through a process leading to them finding out what it is in themselves that is important.
Which is why I am happy that as I began this class I also began a separate project involving reading. The best writer's are usually the best readers as well. Or should be at any rate.
As you may recall from my last post my book for this week was "The Sheltering Sky" by Paul Bowles. Now I've read much of Bowles' work previously. I even went so far as to purchase Bowles' music, just to see what it was like (much different than his writing!) But I digress. The book is a work of fiction and one which I had put off reading for quite some time (over fifteen years.) I am, however, quite happy that I finally got around to it. The person who gave it to me suggested that he wrote as I write. I find this an immense compliment and entirely untrue. His writing has a psychological depth to it that is severly lacking in my own work and even in the work of Camus (whom I adore, though he falls short of perfection in many instances.) At any rate, though I could compare and contrast these two fine authors I will refrain. I digress much too often as it is.
Some quotes which stirred me:
"If I watch the end of a day - any day - I always feel it's the end of a whole epoch. And the Autumn! It might as well be the end of everything," he said. "That's why I hate cold countries, and love the warm ones, where there's no winter, and when night comes you feel an opening up of the life there, instead of a closing down. Don't you feel that?"
Yes, yes I do...
"And it occurred to him that a walk through the countryside was a sort of epitome of the passage through life itself. One never took the time to savor the details; one said: another day, but always with the hidden knowledge that each day was unique and final, that there never would be a return, another time."
How often do we leave things undone? Trips to wherever our heart may lead us. Words left unspoken? Things put off to another time? Too often, perhaps. That Bowles points this out through the character of Port I find quite nice actually. Perhaps it connects to some deeper human understanding as I see it. Nevertheless...
At any rate I found the book to be a quite fulfilling read and even managed to get a few ideas for the improvement of a story that I've had collecting dust for several years - a story which takes place in Greece and involves prodigious use of the elements of heat and locusts, something Bowles mentioned briefly in this novel (perhaps that, along with my love of Bowles, is why my friend suggested I read the book those many years ago.)
Book 3, nonfiction. I have chosen Scipio Africanus: Greater than Napoleon by B.H Liddel Hart. Having previously read a book by Hart titled "Strategy" and, having found his writing clear, concise and illuminating I feel confident that this book will be quite pleasing. But, as always, I'll let you know.
As for now, I am off to do some of the things that I may otherwise have put off till tomorrow. Until next we meet, dear reader.
Now, I'll grant you, it's been a number of years since I pursued the written form - I delved into the photographic as well as other media for a time. Writing has always been, and remains, my first love for no other form of expression can be so easily grasped at. With a bit of paper and some sort of writing implement one can express whatever thought or feeling inhabits their mind at a given moment. And this is good. This is very good. However, often as expresser's of emotion we feel not quite full without the approval or understanding of others. To this end we publish, or blog, or find some way to share our work with others.
If we share that work with close friends, friends who do not write themselves, or perhaps with our mother's or significant others we may hear of our wondrous and magical use of words. We may, from them, receive praise and applause and feel that we are somehow special and unique. But submit those same words to a larger audience and we may find our words are trite, overused and cliche.
I abhor the cliche. At least in my own writing. I strive to cut it out like a bad lung. To that end, and to reconnect with a lost love, I enrolled in yet another creative writing class. You see writing, for me, is a social activity. True, much of the early production takes place alone but the editing, the revising, the cutting out, adding to and making better is social. I had high hopes for the class. I would submit my work to a wider audience than myself and seek their disapproval - for it is only in finding out what doesn't work that I am forced to expand my command of the language by seeking out what does work, which words create the intended effect. But, alas, this particular creative writing class is structured more toward being fed a strict diet of what the instructor feels is important rather than in each writer being shepherded through a process leading to them finding out what it is in themselves that is important.
Which is why I am happy that as I began this class I also began a separate project involving reading. The best writer's are usually the best readers as well. Or should be at any rate.
As you may recall from my last post my book for this week was "The Sheltering Sky" by Paul Bowles. Now I've read much of Bowles' work previously. I even went so far as to purchase Bowles' music, just to see what it was like (much different than his writing!) But I digress. The book is a work of fiction and one which I had put off reading for quite some time (over fifteen years.) I am, however, quite happy that I finally got around to it. The person who gave it to me suggested that he wrote as I write. I find this an immense compliment and entirely untrue. His writing has a psychological depth to it that is severly lacking in my own work and even in the work of Camus (whom I adore, though he falls short of perfection in many instances.) At any rate, though I could compare and contrast these two fine authors I will refrain. I digress much too often as it is.
Some quotes which stirred me:
"If I watch the end of a day - any day - I always feel it's the end of a whole epoch. And the Autumn! It might as well be the end of everything," he said. "That's why I hate cold countries, and love the warm ones, where there's no winter, and when night comes you feel an opening up of the life there, instead of a closing down. Don't you feel that?"
Yes, yes I do...
"And it occurred to him that a walk through the countryside was a sort of epitome of the passage through life itself. One never took the time to savor the details; one said: another day, but always with the hidden knowledge that each day was unique and final, that there never would be a return, another time."
How often do we leave things undone? Trips to wherever our heart may lead us. Words left unspoken? Things put off to another time? Too often, perhaps. That Bowles points this out through the character of Port I find quite nice actually. Perhaps it connects to some deeper human understanding as I see it. Nevertheless...
At any rate I found the book to be a quite fulfilling read and even managed to get a few ideas for the improvement of a story that I've had collecting dust for several years - a story which takes place in Greece and involves prodigious use of the elements of heat and locusts, something Bowles mentioned briefly in this novel (perhaps that, along with my love of Bowles, is why my friend suggested I read the book those many years ago.)
Book 3, nonfiction. I have chosen Scipio Africanus: Greater than Napoleon by B.H Liddel Hart. Having previously read a book by Hart titled "Strategy" and, having found his writing clear, concise and illuminating I feel confident that this book will be quite pleasing. But, as always, I'll let you know.
As for now, I am off to do some of the things that I may otherwise have put off till tomorrow. Until next we meet, dear reader.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Is That You John Wayne?
Found a blog post by Chris Guillebeau from Powell's Books the other day and felt a bit inspired. Now many of the things that Chris suggests I have done but it's always a good idea to expand your horizons. Learning is a life long endeavor and I've often felt the need to re-evaluate where I am in life and how I'm progressing both intellectually and spiritually.
Items from Guillebeau's list which I am appropriating for myself are the following: read 30 nonfiction and 30 classic books, support Kiva, learn a language (Arabic), learn three new skills (guitar, off road motorcycle, and one as yet undetermined) and starting a blog (this one.) I'd also like to think that I'll learn the names of every country and their leader but we'll see how that plays out.
Book one, nonfiction. I chose Michael Herr's "Dispatches." The book recount's Herr's experience over 18 months as a journalist in Vietnam. He relates a very sober view of war, self and the impotence of governments to see beyond their own rhetoric and ideas. America tends to be very ethnocentric and fails to see the value in other cultures. A rather odd position given the American ideal of 'the melting pot." At any rate, I'd heard of the book before and happened upon it at a thrift store. An interesting side note, Herr co-wrote the screenplays for Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket. Scenes and images from both movies can be seen throughout the book, showing Herr's influence on the scripts. Herr's prose is engaging and well paced and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in US History, Vietnam, war in general or in what war does to the men who participate in it.
Book two, fiction. This choice was sort of made for me about 15 years ago and has just now come home to roost as it were. A bit of a sidebar here - Guillebeau suggests "classic" books and this begs the question "what is a classic book?" Time magazine has it's view and the Guardian has it's view on the matter. The there is the Harvard Classics, a different type of classic altogether. Given the excess of ideas out there concerning what constitutes a classic I've decided to set my own standard. The particular book I chose for my second read of the year was given me by a friend nearly 15 years ago - "Sheltering Sky," by Paul Bowles. It just so happens that this book also made one of the classics list previously mentioned so I don't feel too bad about choosing it. The fact that it was already in my possession and I didn't have to purchase it didn't hurt much either.
I got an iPod nano today and have already downloaded a series of Arabic language lessons. I've toyed around with Arabic before and find the language quite fascinating.
I've got a few other irons in the fire at the moment but I'll get to those later. Need to get some sleep tonight before a 24 hour volunteer shift at the firehouse tomorrow.
Items from Guillebeau's list which I am appropriating for myself are the following: read 30 nonfiction and 30 classic books, support Kiva, learn a language (Arabic), learn three new skills (guitar, off road motorcycle, and one as yet undetermined) and starting a blog (this one.) I'd also like to think that I'll learn the names of every country and their leader but we'll see how that plays out.
Book one, nonfiction. I chose Michael Herr's "Dispatches." The book recount's Herr's experience over 18 months as a journalist in Vietnam. He relates a very sober view of war, self and the impotence of governments to see beyond their own rhetoric and ideas. America tends to be very ethnocentric and fails to see the value in other cultures. A rather odd position given the American ideal of 'the melting pot." At any rate, I'd heard of the book before and happened upon it at a thrift store. An interesting side note, Herr co-wrote the screenplays for Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket. Scenes and images from both movies can be seen throughout the book, showing Herr's influence on the scripts. Herr's prose is engaging and well paced and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in US History, Vietnam, war in general or in what war does to the men who participate in it.
Book two, fiction. This choice was sort of made for me about 15 years ago and has just now come home to roost as it were. A bit of a sidebar here - Guillebeau suggests "classic" books and this begs the question "what is a classic book?" Time magazine has it's view and the Guardian has it's view on the matter. The there is the Harvard Classics, a different type of classic altogether. Given the excess of ideas out there concerning what constitutes a classic I've decided to set my own standard. The particular book I chose for my second read of the year was given me by a friend nearly 15 years ago - "Sheltering Sky," by Paul Bowles. It just so happens that this book also made one of the classics list previously mentioned so I don't feel too bad about choosing it. The fact that it was already in my possession and I didn't have to purchase it didn't hurt much either.
I got an iPod nano today and have already downloaded a series of Arabic language lessons. I've toyed around with Arabic before and find the language quite fascinating.
I've got a few other irons in the fire at the moment but I'll get to those later. Need to get some sleep tonight before a 24 hour volunteer shift at the firehouse tomorrow.
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