Alyeska Alaska Inupiat Ilitqusiat

William L. Iggiagruk Hensley has written a wonderful autobiographical romp through Inupiat history, Alaskan statehood, and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act establishing Alaska Native rights to 44 million acres and a billion dollars.  Maybe chump change in retrospect but for the time a wonderful victory.  You will enjoy his life and career in Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People, and learn what we should have been shown as children in school.

His Inupiat childhood had much to tell the rest of us about family, community, living with an environment, and respecting culture, not to mention their food.  Pass a bowl of akutuq and save some utraq for latter.  Their deprivation caused by naluagmiut and Federal policy could have shown us lessons of immeasurable grace and tolerance in our national and world affairs.

This is a politician’s story that does not end in disgrace or embarrassment.  His flaws do not involve greed or incompetence.  Good story, well told.  Charles Marlin

Used Bookstores

My grandma is, once again, determined to get a bunch of book by one author (she has this thing where she has to read every book an author has written before reading another author) but she refuses to pay more than a couple dollars each. She won’t use Amazon ($3 shipping is too much!) and both Powell’s and Alibris don’t have enough on decent shipping.

I figured that many of you buy your books online. If you buy them used, where do you get them? I need a place where the shipping isn’t outrageous.

"From the Lower East Side to Hollywood" book review

Book review of From the Lower East Side to Hollywood: Jews in American Popular Culture by Paul Buhle (Verso Books, London & New York, 2004)Jewish film, television and popular culture are endlessly fascinating - at least to we Jews - and every couple of years a new book is published with yet more information.  One recent addition to the genre is Paul Buhle’s From the Lower East Side to Hollywood: Jews in American Popular Culture.  Buhle is a Lecturer at Brown University in the USA, a columnist for Tikkun magazine and one of the most noted experts on the Hollywood “blacklist”.  He is an acknowledged leftie, and noted commentator on Jewish cultural issues.

But here’s the interesting thing:  Buhle is not Jewish.  This fact certainly puts a whole different perspective on his writing, when you realise that this is not someone who grew up in a Jewish household, seeing the world through a Jewish lens that he later applied (as so many of us do) to his academic pursuits.

Buhle’s book is very up-to-date, and is therefore able to draw upon the extraordinary research of what has become the recent classic in the field of Jewish film and TV, J. Hoberman and Jeffrey Shandler’s collection entitled Entertaining America: Jews, Movies and Broadcasting (Jewish Museum, NY, 2003), which was also an extraordinary exhibition in New York’s Jewish Museum in 2003 (more on both Shandler and Hoberman another time).  Buhle takes a thematic approach to his subject, with chapters entitled “Where Did It Come From?”, “From Jewish Stage to Screen”, “The Printed Word and the Playful Imagination”, “Assimilation” and “Up From the Avant-Garde”.  By his own admission, his categories are not strictly chronological and “drift toward the present”.  The result is a relatively dense and at times rambling read, but not without its many pleasures and insights.

One insight, clearly enunciated and thoroughly supported, is the role of Yiddish in the development of Jewish influence in popular culture. Yiddish was the natural territory for the artistic vernacular, just waiting - some centuries in preparation - “for the moment when a mass, commercial, popular culture could be created”.  And the Jewish propensity to rebel - not only against the non-Jewish world but against Jewish institutions, helped to “forge the keen edge of innovation” that made Jews so successful. Buhle puts it simply: “Jews happened to be in the right place at the right time, and kept on being there ….” Others have covered this territory, most notably Neal Gabler in his book An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood (a great read), and Michael Rogin’s Blackface, White Noise: Jewish Immigrants in the Hollywood Melting Pot.  But Buhle brings a special style, more akin to Irving Howe (The World of Our Fathers).

There is much that is new in From the Lower East Side to Hollywood, notably numerous capsule biographies which elucidate the subjects. I did not recall Lenny Bruce’s upper middle-class background of a podiatrist father and his joining the navy at age seventeen.  Nor was I aware that Brooklyn-born Jewish singer Cindi Lauper managed a women’s wrestling champion (although do I care?).  And that the rarely-seen film Romance of a Horsethief (1970) was the revolutionary Yiddishist version of Fiddler on the Roof.  And I certainly did not make the direct Jewish connection from Mad Magazine (”certainly the most Jewish and easily among the most influential comics ever”) to Saturday Night Live to The Simpsons.  (More on the Simpsons another time.)

But perhaps Buhle’s greatest contribution to our understanding of Jews and popular culture (one rarely mentioned by most scholars) an extensive analysis of Jewish comics (yes, illustrated stories), dating this back to Morris Winchevsky, and his 1880s column in Arbeter Fraynt (Workers’ Friend) of London, the first widely circulated Yiddish labour paper.  This tradition was followed by Harry Hershfield, whose “Abie the Agent” (about a Jewish salesman) ran from 1914 to 1940 in the New York Journal.  Buhle also traces the careers of Rube Goldberg, Milt Gross, Al Capp, Max Gaines, Art Spiegelman, Bob Kane (the inventor of “Batman”) to R. Crumb (not Jewish, but both of his wives were) and Harvey Pekar (of American Splendor fame).

“And who was Spider-Man anyway?” Buhle asks.  “Peter Parker, his alter-ego, lives in Forest Hills, Queens, a probable next Jewish stop outward from Brooklyn.”  He quotes The Jewish Forward when it complained that “The trouble with Tobey McGuire’s Spidey … is that he isn’t Jewish enough.”

From the Lower East Side to Hollywood: Jews in American Popular Culture is a bit like a rave from a highly intelligent and entertaining friend, free-associating as he goes along, all 280 pages worth.  If, like me, you are endlessly fascinated by Jewish participation in English language popular culture, this is an essential reference.

(review first published in the Australian Jewish News 2004; not available online.)

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Ask Me Anything

Ask Me Anything

By: J. Budziszewski (aka Prof. Theophilus)

A collection of questions and letters to Professor Theophilus about everything from Courtship to Faith on Campus to Hot topics. I know that I’ve had a number of these questions answered before, but reading this put the answers in a new light and helped me to see it from a different angle.  As with anything, make sure you back up these answers with what the bible says. And if you’ve got more questions after reading this, that’s good. It means you’re thinking.

Review: Richard Price's Lush Life

Because news is slow towards the end of the week, and because I figured reviews might make an entertaining source for new posts, here’s my take on Richard Price’s crime novel (recently published in paperback!), which, contrary to common belief, holds little information on Lushs. It might go without saying, but don’t go traipsing drunk at 3 a.m. in New York. At least, that’s the (or, for the more meaningful of you, a) moral of Lush Life, which concerns itself with the fallout of a black shoots white killing.

The book begs to be read out loud, as Price writes the dialogue with snappy precision and creative-yet-not-far-fetched names abound. The plot, (which I’ll not describe here, go find another review for that, or better yet, just read the book itself, is full of twists and turns, but I found the overall mystery quotient to be lacking. We don’t need Sherlock Holmes to solve this one, but Price doesn’t seem to care.

The most fascinating thing about Lush Life is its vast array of characters. The major protagonists are well-rendered, though some subplots are under-developed. As an example, a principle police officer is distracted by some serious shenanigans perpetrated by his loser kids, yet doesn’t seem to take a keen interest in their survival. At least, not compared to the amount of attention he lavishes on the father of the crime victim…

This doesn’t stop the enjoyment of the myriad cast, however, most of whom are dolloped with just enough desciption to let their personalities ooze their way off the page and into your mind. The pair of class-skipping schoolboys are standouts, as they receive a small amount of page time yet seem as well-rounded as the detectives we follow around.

If there are any other flaws in Price’s book, it’s that there are times when the novel seems to have gone on a bender. Events, like a gigantic funeral march, happen that don’t seem realistic considering the relatively common nature of the crime. Also, the grieving father becomes just about the best spy I’ve ever known, as he’s able to evade his family and the police constantly, before randomly appearing wherever the characters happen to be.

Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and wound up reading it cover-to-cover in a single weekend. 480 pages, but so chocked full of dialogue that it goes down faster than a New York-style pizza at bar-close. Get it, read it.

Book Review: Confessions of an Economic Hitman

I just realized that my book group book, Confessions of an Economic Hitman, is due back at the library today, but I have to write about it before it goes back to the shelf. It is not the sort of book toward which I would ordinarily gravitate. And yet I’m obsessed with it.

It’s a horrifying and riveting true tale of an EHM, an economic hitman whose job it is to implement policies in developing countries that will leave them indebted to the United States; once indebted the U.S. could call upon these countries for their pound of flesh, be that money, oil, UN votes or sundry other benefits. It’s a system author John Perkins describes as “the most subtle and effective form of imperialism the world has ever known.”

The book is well-written and truly though-provoking. It also had me seething at many, many moments, especially reading how much the government is tied up in private business and how many government decisions, such as the 1989 invasion of Panama (which President Bush called a way of ending Noriega’s dictatorship and Perkins calls “an unprovoked attack on a civilian population”), were based on business concerns (oil, disputes over who should control the Panama Canal…). I know that I shouldn’t be surprised, and in many ways, I’m not. I am horrified nonetheless.

While there were points were I alternately felt sorry for Perkins because he felt trapped in this system and annoyed at his justifications of his own involvement, I realize that the good of his experience is that this book could come from it. And hopefully this book will enlighten and help to end the cycle.

On top of that, I must say that I loved it for the travel journalistic qualities it had about it. Perkins visited some fascinating places and describes them vividly, along with his interactions with real people there, and real glimpses into the cultures of these places. It was refreshing that, amid all the gloom and doom of discovering what a monster your country is, you get inside glimpses at the indigenous cultures of Ecuador or a puppet show (dalang) in a tiny town of Indonesia.

And, ultimately, the book is about memory. It’s about the writing of history, how the we write it and also how we read it, and, most importantly, what is left out. By telling his story, Perkins helps to reclaim a little of that history, but the most important part of reclaiming history, it seems, is to learn from it.

James Fraser of Brae (by Alexander Whyte)

This brief account was originally a chapter in a book called Thirteen Appreciations by Alexander Whyte. Whyte wrote a volume on Fraser called James Fraser, Laird of Brea. Fraser’s autobiography is included in Scottish Puritans (a two-volume set published by Banner of Truth).

The religious literature of Scotland is remarkably rich in books of religious autobiography. Telling us each one his own spiritual story we have James Melville, and Robert Blair, and John Livingstone, and Alexander Brodie, and James Fraser, and Thomas Halyburton, and Thomas Boston, and Hugh Miller, and John Duncan, and William Taylor, and Andrew Bonar. And there are not a few fragments of the same kind quite worthy to stand beside those full and finished works; such as the autobiographical remains of the Lady Coltness, the Lady Anne Elcho, and Marion Veitch. Every one of those famous autobiographies has its own individuality, idiosyncrasy, and physiognomy; and each several one of them makes its own special contribution to the noblest catalogue of the books of our native land. I know something of all those great books; but there is none of them that draws me and holds me and keeps possession of me like the Memoirs of Sir James Fraser of Brea, written by himself. Dr. Jowett, writing to Lady Airlie, said that he had just finished Boswell for the fiftieth time, and Mr. Spurgeon was wont to say that he had read Bunyan a hundred times. I shall not attempt to count up the times I have read James Fraser of Brea, but if I did I feel sure that I would run both Jowett and Spurgeon hard.

Dr. Aird of Creich has collected the chief facts of Fraser’s life into a short biographical sketch which will be found prefixed to the Inverness edition of Fraser’s autobiography. And Dr. Elder Cumming of Glasgow has an admirable appreciation of Fraser in his Holy Men of God. The following are the main outlines of Fraser’s much-tried life. He was born at Brea, his father’s estate in Ross-shire, on the 29th of July 1639. His father died while his son James was still a child, and some of his greatest troubles in life came to him out of his ownership of that estate. Although he began to study for the legal profession, young Fraser eventually gave himself up to the study of divinity, to which study he brought a mind of the first intellectual order. From his earliest days the Laird of Brea identified himself with the outed evangelical ministers of the north, and all along he was a most pronounced Presbyterian and Covenanter, and both by his tongue and by his pen he fought unflinchingly for the freedom of his Church and his country. Both in the Bass and in Blackness and in Newgate he suffered the most unjust imprisonment, and the wickedest and the most malicious ill-usage. After the Revolution we find Fraser settled as parish minister of Culross, where he closed his troubled career about the year 1698. Dr. Aird adds this note to his short sketch of Fraser’s life: ‘He was assisted at a communion at Culross, very shortly before his death, by the celebrated Boston of Ettrick, then a young man.’

But with all that it is in his Memoirs of Himself that James Fraser of Brea will live, and he will live in that remarkable book as long as a scholarly religion, and an evangelical religion, and a spiritual religion, and a profoundly experimental religion lives in his native land. In saying that I do not forget the warning that Dr. Elder Cumming gives me to the effect that Fraser’s will be a Scottish reputation only, and even that will be limited to readers of a special cast of religious experience and spiritual sympathy. At the same time, Dr. Elder Cumming adds that Fraser’s autobiography is a book that for depth and for grip has few, if any, equals among the foremost books of its kind in the whole world.

Now you will naturally ask me at this point just what it is that gives James Fraser such a high rank as a spiritual writer, and just what it is that so signalises his Memoirs of Himself. Well, in his own characteristic words, his Memoirs is ‘the book of the intricacies of his own heart and life,’ and that on their purely spiritual side. Now, Fraser’s mind was by nature of the most intricate kind that is to say, his mind was naturally of the most acute and subtle and penetrating and searching-out kind. Had he gone into law, as at one time he intended to do, he would infallibly have taken rank as one of the acutest of our Scottish lawyers. And with his immense industry he would to a certainty have left writings behind him that would have been of classical authority in that great profession. But to the lasting enrichment of his own soul, and to the lasting enrichment of all his kindred-minded readers’ souls, Fraser was led of God into divinity, and into divinity of the deepest, acutest, most evangelical, and most experimental kind. ‘I chose divinity,’ says Butler, ‘it being of all studies the most suitable to a reasonable nature.’

Unhappily for us, many of Fraser’s private journals, family papers, and estate documents are hopelessly lost. But if ever they are recovered I feel sure it will be found that he had made out more than once a most exact map and inventory of his inherited estate with his own exact and intricate hands. I can see the delineaments and the depictments of the whole estate of Brea as they were laid down by the honestest, and the exactest, and the intricatest of pens. I can see its hills and its glens, its farms and its crofts, its streams and its lochs, its cattle and its game and its fish, and all laid down with a mathematical exactness and a geometrical completeness as if he were preparing his estate for the Inverness or Edinburgh market; and as if he were determined to do so with the most absolute justice both to the seller and the buyer. Now whether those maps and plans and accompanying documents are ever recovered or no, most happily we have some still more important documents preserved to us from Fraser’s faithful and careful hands. I refer to the delineations he made of the inward estate of his own soul: a delineation and an inventory that has been preserved to us to this day, I will say, under the special and adorable providence of Fraser’s God and our God. And it is an analysis and a delineation and a depictment of such a kind that I know nothing to approach it in any language that I read. And I thank God every day that so intricate and so spiritual a book is not in Hebrew or Greek or Latin, but is in my own Scottish tongue wherein I was born.

Fraser describes his spiritual autobiography as ‘The Book of the Intricacies of his own Heart and Life.’ And so it is. It is a book of such intricacy and sinuosity and complication and reticulation and involution, that in all my experience of such books it stands simply unparalleled and unapproached. No labyrinth ever constructed by the brain of man comes near the heart of Brea. Not even that wonder of the world — the labyrinth of Egypt with its three thousand secret chambers. Not even the Cretan labyrinth of Daedalus with its blood-thirsty monster at its centre, and with only a thin linen thread to lead you out through its endless tortuosities to the open air. All that is but a faint and feeble description of the always spiritually intricate book that Fraser of Brea has bequeathed to his fellow-countrymen and his fellow-churchmen. To as many of them, that is, as have an intricate life of their own, and a labyrinthine heart of their own. And among the thousands of his Christian fellow-countrymen in our day, there must surely be some men still left with something of the intellectual strength, and the spiritual inwardness, and the experimental concentration, and the holy fear and the close walk with God, of the Laird of Brea. Some men who will feel that they are not such absolute monsters among men, and so much alone in Scotland, as they always thought they were till they were told about James Fraser, the Laird of Brea. Well may Dr. Elder Cumming say that Brea’s is a book to be read by all men with wonder and with awe; and, I will add, to be read by some men with an ever-increasing thankfulness and an ever-increasing hopefulness. Yes, well might his old publisher in first venturing Brea’s autobiography out on the market go on to say: ‘There is perhaps no other Performance giving a more distinct Account of a supernatural Work of Grace. And it is thought not to be unseasonable at this juncture for reviving Piety and the Exercise of Grace, and convicting those who make a jest of these serious Matters.’

Now in summing up all I have already said about Fraser and his autobiography, I will say a single word here about the immense importance of intellect in our evangelical preachers and experimental writers. And instead of any weak words of my own on that matter, take these so fresh and so pointed words of Santa Teresa: ‘I always had a great respect and affection for intellectual and learned men,’ she says. ‘It is my experience that all who intend to be true Christians will do well to treat with men of mind when they are being deeply exercised about their souls. The more intellect and the more learning our preachers and pastors have, the better. The devil is exceedingly afraid of learning, especially when it is accompanied with great humility and great virtue. Let no one be taken into this religious house of ours unless she is a woman of a sound understanding. For if she is without mind, she will neither know herself nor will she understand her best teachers. And ignorance and self-conceit is a disease that is simply incurable. And, besides, it usually carries great malice and great malignity along with it. Commend me to people with good heads. From all silly devotees may God deliver me!’ Had Santa Teresa lived in Scotland in the seventeenth century she would to a certainty have taken a house at Culross in order to sit under Fraser’s ministry. Nay, she would to a certainty have taken service as a scullery-maid on the Bass Rock just to be under the same roof with a man of such learning and such intellect in his religion; and a man, at the same time, of such a broken heart in his daily devotions.

And, then, one of the best of intellects of that intellectual day is here to be seen employed, exclusively and unceasingly, upon what its owner conceived to be the best, the noblest, and the most commanding of all occupations — the salvation of his own soul; and in and after that the same salvation of other men’s souls. Let a man constantly examine himself on that supreme matter, says the Apostle. Well, James Fraser has only one fault in that respect: he takes the Apostle much too seriously and much too literally, for he is always and in everything examining himself. Whether Paul would have praised Fraser or blamed him for that incessant introspection of his, you have your opinion, and I have mine. Watch and pray, says our Lord also. Well, did any of the twelve do that like the Laird of Brea? No, I am quite sure that none of them did not, at any rate, to begin with. ‘My people do not consider,’ complained the God of covenanted Israel. Now, our complaint here again with Fraser is this, that he considered too much, and that he would do nothing else all his days but consider inwardly and then act outwardly. Fraser believed with all his deep mind and with all his renewed heart that there was but one thing absolutely and supremely necessary as between him and his God; and he wrote his book and lived his life accordingly. In season and out of season Fraser of Brea pursued that one thing with an intricacy, and with a tenacity, and with a perspicuity unparalleled in all my reading or hearing of such men and such matters.

And then I have this also for my defence and apology in taking up such an out-of-date man — Fraser of Brea is one of ourselves. He is one of our own covenanted household of faith. He is one of our own cloud of witnesses. ‘People are variously constituted,’ says Dr. Newman in an exquisite essay. ‘What influences one man does not in the same way or to the same extent influence another man. What I delight to trace,’ he says, ‘and to study, is the interior life of God’s great saints. And when a great saint himself speaks to me about himself, that is what I like best, and that is what is done by those early luminaries of the Christian Church, Athanasius, and Hilary, and Ambrose, and Theodoret. This is why I exult in the folios of the Fathers. I am not obliged to read the whole of them. I read what I can, and am content.’ And if I may be bold enough to borrow that from Newman, I shall be loyal enough to apply that to myself and to say that that is the very same reason why I so exult in Bunyan, and in Baxter, and in Goodwin, and in Brea, and in Halyburton, and in Boston, and in Chalmers: a body of men who, as Coleridge has it, are, for the matter in hand, worth a whole brigade of the Fathers.

At the same time, I do not forget that people are very variously constituted. What influences one does not in the same way influence another. Nor am I obliged to read the whole of our evangelical and experimental and Puritan Fathers. I read what I can, and am content; or rather, I for one exult and then, as a wise old writer has it, ‘the judicious are fond of originals.’ And then, as to the reward that we may confidently look for from our study of Fraser’s autobiography. In his dedication to Thomas Ross of Tain, our author says: ‘I have in nothing been more refreshed, quickened, and edified than by hearing and reading of the experiences of others of God’s people, and in nothing more comforted and sanctified than by a serious recalling to mind of the Lord’s intricate dealings with myself.’ And far on in the body of the book he returns to that subject, and says: ‘The calling to mind and seriously meditating on the Lord’s secret dealings with myself as to soul and body; my recalling of His manifold and intimate mercies to me has done me very much good; has cleared my case ; has confirmed my soul concerning God’s love to me, and of my interest in Him; and has made me love Him more and more. O what good hath the writing of this book of my Memoirs done me! What wells of water have mine eyes been opened to see that before were hid from me! Scarce anything hath done me more good than the writing of this book!’ And I will say that scarce anything hath done the writer of this Appreciation more good than the reading of such chapters in this book as these: i., iv., vi., xiii., xvi., xviii., xx., xxiv., and three times as many and all as good. Till this line about a great man in a very different dispensation comes to my mind: ‘Probed many hearts, beginning with his own.’

 

Review: Sonata for Miriam by Linda Olsson

Sonata for Miriam by Linda Olsson is about silence and loss.  On the day his daughter Miriam dies, musician Adam Anker visits a War Memorial Museum in New Zealand, where he finds a photograph of a man who shares the name he was born with, Adam Lipski, and a note from Adam’s sister. Putting that information aside as he grieves the loss of his daughter, he returns to the mystery of his past a year later.  His quest for answers takes him to Krakow, Poland, where he meets an old friend of Lipski’s who can fill in the blanks of his past for him. There is also some unfinished business with Cecilia, the mother of his daughter, who he hasn’t been in contact with for 19 years- the entirety of their daughter’s life.

Adam’s mother was silent about their family, where they came from, and who his father was.  As frustrated as Adam had been throughout his life about this lack of fundamental information, he did the very same thing to his daughter Miriam.  He never told her anything about her mother, even though she had begun to ask, and with her death he regretfully could never make that right.

Cecilia has lived alone on the island where she spent her childhood summers for the entire time she and Adam have been apart.  The symbolism in the fact that both Adam and Cecilia live on islands, worlds away from each other, wasn’t lost on me- we humans are all islands in a sense, but these two cherish their solitude more than most and shy away from human connection.  Cecelia’s story takes some major twists- large events worthy of their own separate novel.  One important thing we find out is why she gave Adam the painful choice of being her partner or being Miriam’s father (one or the other, not both).  

I thought that after nearly two decades of silence, Cecilia would crave information about the daughter she let go the way the desert craves the rain.  Adam awakened long-buried feelings in Cecilia, and he does tell her about Miriam eventually, but it feels like Adam is the one who needs to tell, rather than Cecilia is the one who needs to hear.  The beautiful sonata he has written for their daughter is what finally unlocks the silence between them.

This book has a dreamlike quality that I enjoyed, although, as often happens with dreams, I wasn’t always clear about what was going on.  The book is divided into 6 sections, with the first three narrated by Adam, four and five narrated by Cecilia, and the 6th back to Adam. The transition was a little disorienting. When I realized there was a new narrator I had to go back and re-read several pages with that new voice in my head.  At some point, maybe about 100 pages in, Adam starts speaking directly to Cecilia as if she is the reader.  When Cecilia takes over, she is speaking directly to Adam as if he is the reader.  It took a little getting used to.  However, I enjoyed the book for it’s exquisite prose, and would recommend it to those with an appreciation for beautiful language.

Linda Olsson is also the author of the acclaimed novel, Astrid and Veronika.  You can visit the author’s website HERE.  Thanks to Penguin for sending Sonata for Miriam for me to review.

Sell and Sell Short Dr. Alexander Elder

(Australian CFD Traders - Contract for difference - Share Trading - Forex Trader - Stock Indices - Commodities Trader) - In his latest book, “Sell and Sell Short”, author and trader Dr. Alexander Elder discussed one of the most contentious topics in trading and investment: short selling. It is contentious in the sense that the word short selling evokes a lot of contrasting emotions and opinions from people.

Like any other divisive topic, short selling attracts its share of harsh critics as well as ardent supporters. However, Dr Elder’s book did not get distracted by any of the emotions people attach to short selling. Instead he focused on what could be one of the most understated or least discussed topics in trading and investment, that is: the inevitability of selling (whatever you bought).

The book, which has more than 230 pages is divided into three parts. The first part laid out the ground work for every trader and covers the critical topics such as how to buy (the use of indicators and what to look out for before you buy/open a trade); trading psychology and risk management (detailed discussion of the 2% and 6% rule) and keeping records.

In part two, Dr. Elder discussed what he described as one of the least considered aspects of trading, particularly for new traders, which is the selling or exit point. As he rightly pointed out, many traders put a lot more weight and emphasis on the entry (buy) aspect of trading while spending too little or not enough consideration on the exit (selling) aspect of it.

Dr. Elder advocates that traders set a profit target for each trade. He said when he was a novice trader he had a “misguided notion that I was going to get into a trade and get out when the time is right.” At that time he said he was afraid to set a profit target for fear that it would reduce his profit potential. It did him no good during those early days as he had very little profit but no shortage of losses.

He also cited one of his interviewees for his other book, Entries and Exits, who said this about setting profit targets: “People want to make money but do not know what they want from the markets. If I’m making a trade, what am I expecting of it? You take a job – you know what your wages and benefits are going to be, what you’re going to be paid for that job. Having a profit target works for me, though sometimes it leads to selling too soon.”

Dr Elder mentioned several indicators and tools, which he himself use to set profit targets including moving averages, envelopes and channels, support and resistance zones.

As in his other previous books and manuals, Dr. Elder used some of his previous (actual) trades to illustrate two types of selling: Selling at a target and Selling on a stop. He said setting price targets (for a trade) helps you hold on to stocks that move in your favour. Setting stop levels helps you sell when the stock turns against you.

Dr. Elder said using a stop (loss level/order) could be likened to a pre-nuptial agreement when you get married. He said, “If your happy relationship hits the rocks, the prenup will not take away the pain, but it will reduce the hassle, the uncertainty and the expense of separation. What if you’re a happy bull and you discover that your beloved stock has been sneaking out with a bear? Any breakup is going to hurt, but the best time to decide who gets what is when you still tenderly hold each other’s hand.”

Other benefits of using a stop (loss level/order) he mentioned include:

> A stop provides an essential reality check for any trade.

> A single bad trade, if large enough, can punch a hole in your account. A group of bad trades can destroy it. Set stop loss (level/order).

> Not using stops and holding on to bad trades interfere with making good trades.

> Holding on to a losing trade cost you money, pain and missed opportunities.

In part three of the book Dr. Elder talked about what could be one of the most controversial and divisive topics in the markets today: shorting or short selling. In his introduction to this chapter he said, “Everybody understands how to make money from buying low and selling high, but many have no concept of how to profit from price drops.”

After discussing the basics of shorting, its benefits and risks, Dr. Elder talked about specifics of shorting stocks as well as non-equity instruments. This may come handy for those trading indices, futures and currency – which are freely and totally available for shorting. These instruments have the inherent ‘shorting’ feature in them. Those markets simply could not exist without shorting, according to Dr. Elder. This chapter is full of examples to show patterns, tools and ways to find shorting opportunities.

Knowing that not a lot of traders are used to the concept of shorting, Dr. Elder offered a few suggestions on how to go about your first short trades.

His first point is: “Do not try to make a lot of money on the first short,or on the second short for that matter. Go short just a few shares.”

Second point: “Take baby steps without having to worry about money.

Third point: “When you are still learning to short, trade a small size. This is because trade size serves as a huge emotional amplifier. The bigger the size of your trading position, the greater the stress. To reduce stress, limit the size of your trade especially if you’re just learning to short.”

A quote that stands out for me from this book says: “Amateurs don’t know how to short and are afraid of it, but professionals love shorting and profit from declines.

Source: Sell and Sell Short Dr. Alexander Elder

 

03.24.2009 New Release: City of Glass (Mortal Instruments 3) by Cassandra Clare

CITY OF GLASS

Mortal Instruments Series, Book 3

by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: march 24, 2009

Buy Now from AMAZON

Book 2: City of Ashes

Book 1: City of Bones

Synopsis

To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters — never mind that enter-ing the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City — whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

Kirkus Reviews

How could things possibly work out for Shadowhunter Clary in this trilogy conclusion? Her mother’s still in a coma, her boyfriend Jace is still her brother and her best friend Simon is still a vampire. As the Shadowhunters prepare for war against the army of demons raised by Clary’s father, Valentine, Clary’s bound for inspection in Idris, the Shadowhunter country. She’s joined there by Simon and her werewolf father-figure Luke, though as Downworlders, their presence in Idris is illegal. Soon all the magical beings readers have met in Manhattan-vampires, warlocks, faeries and werewolves-have converged on Idris in a last-ditch effort to save the world. Betrayal and intrigue suffuse Clary’s world as she navigates between angels and demons, politics and war. As lurid battle scenes cut to the requisite shocking revelations and angst-drenched reunions, readers will almost hear the John Williams music swelling. Derivative though it may be, melodramatic emotional wallowing has never been so much fun. (Fantasy. YA)

Undercover by Beth Kephart

Another engaging and delightful book! Elisa is the second daughter - the plain, invisible daughter to the older, beautiful Jilly. “In a modern day Cyrano de Bergerac, Elisa ghostwrites love notes for the boys in her school. But when Elisa falls for Theo Moses, things change fast. Theo asks for verses to court the lovely Lila - a girl known for her beauty, her popularity, and a cutting ability to remind Elisa that she has none of these.”

I enjoyed this book because it talks about language and evokes feeling through poetry. Because the Lily’s of the world will try to hold the Elisa’s back but this Elisa rises. She is a strong girl and knows her self-worth (thanks, Dad!). She is courageous even in the face of truth (she never tries to put her own physical beauty on the same level as Lily or Jilly, but she brings out what she can and finds a different kind of beauty - one that Theo, showing his depth, appreciates and chooses in the end). Well-paced and realistic, Kephart weaves a story about every-day school experiences, marital problems and joys, friendship and first love into Undercover. I can’t wait to recommend it to my teens because I couldn’t put it down and wanted more when it ended (though she ended it perfectly, if in a slightly Hollywood fashion). I’m sorry this one didn’t make it to the 2009 Garden State Teen Book Award List.

Book Review on To The Rising Generation: Addresses Given to Children and Young Adults

(Post by Joseph Grigoletti)

Book Review: To The Rising Generation: Addresses Given to Children and Young Adults

Author: Jonathan Edwards

Buy here 

Introduction:

Jonathan Edwards is considered to be one of the greatest American theologians of all time. His books continue to encourage, teach, and convict countless people, and this collection of his sermons is no different. To The Rising Generation is a wonderful addition to any layperson’s library. Personally, I have been wanting to read this book for some time now, and I got the opportunity to do so as Reformation Heritage Books sent me a copy to review.

In this review, I will look at three areas. First, the physical book itself. Second, the theology; and Third, the doctrinal applications found in it. I want to divide the review into these three sections because I believe that writing or reading for the sake of oneself alone is harmful to both the writer and the reader; there must be a proper focus in all we do so that the glory of Christ will be seen. It is my hope that these sections will provide just that.

The book itself:

My initial impressions of the book were very positive. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the glossy dust cover is really beautiful and a delight to look at. Inside, the font is rather large and doesn’t quite suit the book, and another problem in terms of size is the size of the margins. When reading Edwards, it’s almost a necessity that you take notes and write your thoughts down to interact with this great theologian and learn from him. Wider margins would make this so much easier. In this case, I simply underlined and used a number system with a personal notebook; but it’s generally preferred to write notes in the book itself. But in all, the book is of amazing quality. It’s clear that Soli Deo Gloria wanted this book to last a long time – which is so important for anyone who buys books. I believe Soli Deo Gloria exceeds any other publisher when it comes to quality of cloth-bound books.

In all, it would be a big mistake to try to find these sermons online and print them out yourself. If you want to keep these sermons, you will definitely want to buy this book.

The Theology:  

I first encountered Edwards in a high school class at the age of 16 through his infamous sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. That one-hour class more than five years ago changed how I viewed God; He went from being just one of my many friends, to being my Holy God. It is somewhat ironic that it was through secular school curriculum that I discovered Reformed Theology.

Dr. Joel Beeke described Edwards as “intellectually brilliant, multifaceted in his interests, and abundantly creative. Spiritually, he was profound, reflective experiential, and intense.” This book, To the Rising Generation, reveals Edwards not as the brilliant theologian who wrote Religious Affections or The Freedom of the Will, but rather as a pastor of a local church who gave himself to be used by God in the sanctification of young people. I’m not sure if I’m still considered young at the age of 21, but there was much in this book that fed my soul regardless.

Edwards said that “when a young person has not only morality, but true grace, this is especially lovely in the sight of God Himself,” and that “God will be more ready to bestow converting grace on those who seek it earnestly while young since He loves His own glory; for the conversion of young people is more to the glory of God than the conversion of others.” These two statements made me think deeply about the mystery of my own sovereign election, and also what unconditional election actually means. I don’t know if Edwards is correct here, however, there is a certain logic to what he says that I find beautiful. The idea that “youth is the best and prime of our life, and we ought not to turn God off with evil days, days wherein we ourselves have no pleasure” is an encouragement to young people – especially those in high school and junior high – to continue to persevere in their faith – particularly for those who attend public or nominal Christian schools. Being young gives you the “freest opportunity to spend [your] time in seeking God” and it is a time that should be used to grow in grace, rather than wasting it doing trivial things. Why should young people be encouraged to focus on the things of God as opposed to the things of this temporal world? Because God, in His providence, has usually given them the most free time to read, pray, fast, serve others, etc., and they have the responsibility and obligation to redeem that time for the good of themselves and others.

Another aspect of Edwards’ writings here that I would like to mention is his focus on death. Edwards lived in a time when people actually believed in heaven and hell, and Edwards’ theology is based on this assumption. This was the motivation for his preaching. He so thoroughly understood the terrors of hell and the loveliness and beauty of heaven, that it spurred him on to preaching; it was just something he had to do. He had to try to persuade sinners to seek salvation because he loved them and knew God’s promise of divine judgment that would be upon them. In the 21st Century, Christians often affirm with our lips the existence of hell, yet we refuse to share the gospel of the Saviour we claim has saved us.

Young people need to remember that justification is by faith, not by age. God calls parents to share the gospel with their children, and not to simply assume that they are saved because of their young age, cuteness, seeming “innocence,” or even because of their own faith as the parent. This was something Edwards knew on the day he preached at the funeral of his beloved daughter. This is a powerful testimony to the greatness of God, as Edwards talked about the signs of conversion that were found in his daughter’s life, as opposed to just assuming she was saved. He used her early death to preach the gospel to the lost.

Doctrinal Application:

The Church has an obligation to realize that being young is a hard yet wonderful time. It is a unique time in an individual’s life that can be used to prepare them for either lifelong piety, or a life of sin. This is why it is vital that older folk take up the Apostle’s call for discipleship and help whoever we can, because they are the future of the church of Christ.

Another practical application to think of is that of youth ministry. In this economy, one of the last ministries we should cut funding for is youth ministry. According to Campus Crusade for Christ, most people come to Christ between the ages of 15 and 27, and even though God works in all people at any age, there is something unique and special about those particular years. It is important to be mindful of this, and to do what we can to reach out to youth.

Final Thoughts: 

This is a book that should be given to all young people between the ages of 16-21.  The reason I would not recommend it to those younger is because Edwards can be difficult to read. A friend of mine was looking at the book and made the comment: “this man is the master of the redundant and run-on sentence!” Most people tend to react that way the first time they pick up Edwards’ books. One must read his work regularly in order to truly be able to read with some ease and to profit from him. So, don’t let the smaller size of this book fool you – it will not be an easy read for younger kids. But for those a bit older, if they put in the effort to read Edwards, they will profit from him greatly.

This would make a great small group study, or would be great to use in a Senior High study. For young adults, pastors, elders, or layperson, this book is very useful. I give it 4 ½ out of 5 stars.

 

Interview with Bev Walton-Porter, Editor of Scribe & Quill

Bev Walton-Porter is an author, reviewer, freelancer, editor and publisher. She's the lady behind the succesful ezine, Scribe & Quill. Her books include Sun Signs for Writers, The Complete Writer: A Guide to Tapping Your Full Potential, and Mending Fences. Her work has appeared on many publications, both print and online. In this interview, Porter talks about her ezine and about various aspects of book reviewing. How long have you been reviewing? Wow…let me think! About 11 years, when I first became a full-time professional with my writing. I have reviewed books for Inkspot (the awesome site run by Debbie Ridpath Ohi many years ago), The Charlotte Austin Review website (now defunct), Bridges (based out of B.C. Canada), Suite101, Inscriptions, and, of course, Scribe & Quill.   Please tell us about Scribe & Quill. How and when did it get started? My site isn't just for book reviews. Scribe & Quill covers many areas related to writing, reading and publishing - including book reviews. I first launched Scribe & Quill as a small e-zine on ListBot in the late 90s and it has evolved into a larger e-zine with 6,000+ subscribers, plus a web site, editing services and online professional writing courses that dovetail with and complement the zine.    I think longevity is our greatest hallmark. Scribe & Quill has been around in some form or another for over a decade, and in the online world (especially for small-size e-zines), that's a long time!  What is the most challenging aspect of running a review site? Finding reliable reviewers who are also willing to review both print and electronically published books. We also like our reviewers to be willing to review any type of book, and sometimes that can be a challenge as well.  How many books do you review a month? Since we no longer publish monthly, but rather quarterly, we publish five to ten reviews per issue. Due to the influx of review books, it's likely we'll publish additional ones on the site in between issues of the zine.  How many staff reviewers do you have? Ten, but we are looking for more.  Are you currently recruiting more reviewers? If so, what are your guidelines? Yes we are! Our guidelines can be found here. For further information, send an e-mail to scribequill@gmail.com with REVIEWER in the e-mail subject line.  How should an author contact you about a review request? Do you review e-books as well? Have them send an e-mail to scribequill@gmail.com with REVIEW REQUEST in the subject line. We welcome e-books and actually prefer electronic copies of review books.  How do you select the books you review? How do you determine which reviews to post on your site? If you send us a book, unrequested, we may or may not review it, depending on our current queue. It's best to send a query first, then we'll let you know how to submit your book for review. We receive countless books per year for review and most are suitable for review. However, if your book includes questonable or perhaps illegal content, we may choose not to review it. In all cases, we reserve the right not to review any particular book due to a variety of reasons. However, we publish reviews of all books we select for review.  Do you think there’s a lot of ‘facile praise’ among many online review sites? What is your policy when it comes to negative reviews? First and foremost, we want honest reviews. That means that while we are always pleased to find books that get an excellent review from us, we are aware that some books won't always hit that top mark. Therefore, while we will run a review about a book that may not be completely positive, we try to be tactful about our criticisms and comments about a book.  There's usually something constructive that can be said in the face of a not-so-good book. For instance, there's a tactful, yet honest way of mentioning that a book's characters could be fleshed out, and then offering suggestions for how the author might have done that more successfully.   There was a lot of controversy last year between print publication reviewers and online bloggers. In your opinion, what defines a ‘legitimate’ reviewer? If you review a book, whether in print or online, you're 'legitimate.' I think it's a silly argument that is a waste of time and breath. Just review books and stop with the silly in-fighting over such things. We have better tasks to accomplish and can better use our energies.  What is your stand on paid reviews? I believe if a publication pays for reviews, that's obviously a good thing. However, if you're asking if I think it's legitimate for authors or publishers to pay for people to review their books, I would have to say I believe that's unethical. If you pay someone to review a book and you're an author or a publisher, then it seems you're 'buying' a positive review.  In addition, I believe if you have a personal or professional 'axe to grind' against an author or publisher, I believe you should not review any books related to said author or publisher. I've seen reviewers and others try to inflict damage on an author's reputation and work by posting less-than-positive reviews that were based on a personal vendetta rather than an objective view of the book itself.    Do you think it’s okay for reviewers to resell the books or advance review copies they review?  If a reviewer has many books and needs, for whatever reason, to thin out his/her previously read and reviewed books, then I think donating them to the library would be the first recommended action. I don't believe advance review copies should be sold or donated under any circumstance, though.   What are the most common mistakes amateur reviewers make? Going over or under the word count. This is because they either haven't been detailed enough with their review, or they haven't imparted the necessary information and criticism in a succint and cogent manner.   With so many major newspapers getting rid of their book review sections, how do you see the future of online review sites? I believe online review sites will continue to grow, and if there's a shortage of reviews in print papers, that void will be filled by online reviews and reviewers.  Do you keep the author’s feelings in mind when you review? Yes, in that comments or criticism about a book and its author should always be constructive, as well as honest. I believe a criticism or a comment should be constructive rather than just mean or intentionally nit-picky. Authors put their hearts and souls into their books.   Have you received aggressive responses from authors or publishers because of a negative review? If yes, how do you handle it? Yes, on occasion. I respond to the author and/or publisher and explain that we strive for honest reviews of books, but realize that reviews ARE subjective. While one reader or reviewer may love a book, another one may not for various reasons. My stance is if you don't want an honest review of your book by a reviewer, then perhaps you shouldn't send us a copy for review. Also, keep in mind that one reviewer's take on a book does not necessarily reflect how *I* personally would view that book, nor is it the end-all, be-all review of the book.   What does your site offer readers? We offer articles, interviews, columns and book reviews about all aspects of writing, authors and publishing. We also occasionally publish fiction and poetry, so there's a smorgabord of available 'treats' for people who love to read.  What promotional opportunities does your site offer authors? Authors may send us press releases about their upcoming book releases and we'll run them in our e-zine for no charge. In addition, if an author is launching a promotional tour, we'll run announcements on that as well. Finally, we do offer paid text ads and banners for more lengthy and concentrated exposure.  What is the most rewarding aspect of being a reviewer? The most challenging? The most rewarding is, of course, discovering new authors and books that you may not have otherwise discovered. The most challenging is balancing the commitment to both readers and authors/publishers when it comes to a fair and honest assessment of a book.  Is there anything else you would like to say about you or Scribe & Quill? I'd also like to invite readers to also visit a couple of my other sites they may find of interest: Sun Signs for Writers, Int'l Order of Horror Professionals site and my own website with links and information on my nonfiction and fiction books Thanks for giving me this opportunity!   Thank you, Bev!

Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor

** out of 5 stars

 

                                                                           ”Abandoned pregnant and penniless on the teeming streets of London, 16-year-old Amber St. Clare manages, by using her wits, beauty, and courage, to climb to the highest position a woman could achieve in Restoration England-that of favorite mistress of the Merry Monarch, Charles II. From whores and highwaymen to courtiers and noblemen, from events such as the Great Plague and the Fire of London to the intimate passions of ordinary-and extraordinary-men and women, Amber experiences it all. But throughout her trials and escapades, she remains, in her heart, true to the one man she really loves, the one man she can never have. Frequently compared to Gone with the Wind, Forever Amber is the other great historical romance, outselling every other American novel of the 1940s-despite being banned in Boston for its sheer sexiness. A book to read and reread, this edition brings back to print an unforgettable romance and a timeless masterpiece.”

I hate this book with a passion. “Forever Amber,” as a historical book, was very well written. The description of its time period was amazing and at times I felt as if I were actually situated in the grimmy streets of London. Butwhat in God’s name possessed anyone to consider this novel to be a great romance? When I think of great romances, titles such as “Jane Eyre,” ”Wuthering Heights,” and “North and South” comes to mind. I can’t even consider “Forever Amber” to be an alright romance. Thus this novel, romance wise, was complete trash. What Carlton (male protagonist) felt was not love, and if it was, the author did very poorly in convincing this reader. He was portrayed more as the heartless devil-may-care man who only used Amber for this selfish desires. I hated him.  As for Amber, was what she felt love? If it was, it was creepy, and annoying. I had to skim through this book and wasn’t able to appreciate the rich historical details because each time Amber’s obsessive love for Carlton popped into the text, I had to skim. I wanted to shake this pitiful, ridiculous woman! Where is her dignity, clinging onto Carlton as she did! Once or twice is acceptable, but after that, in fiction, you would expect that the author would instil more sense into this chit. I stayed up till seven in the morning hoping their would be more character development, but in the end, I was left horribly disappointed. I nearly hurled the book across the room in anger. I would have read the book straight through, word by word, had I liked the herione. But with ‘Forever Amber’ you’re stuck having to read 972 pages about the life of selfish, heartless, unloveable, unadmirable, characters who never learn from their mistakes, even if its committed again and again throughout the novel (Rex was an exemption; he seemed to be the only decent character). So, to conclude, if you’re looking for a good historical novel and wouldn’t mind a very distorted romance, I would recommend this. But, if you’re searching for a historical novel with some depth to its characters…..you’ll be sadly disappointed.

EMN Mailbag: Book for hearing-impaired kids

Ms. Saxton –

I’ve recently published a children’s book called “Princess Maggie and the Magic Ears” for hearing-impaired children being fitted with hearing aids.  I first wrote the story for my daughter when she first started feeling self-conscious about wearing her hearing aids to school or around other kids in general.  It is written in fairy-tale form about a princess needing aids, but also includes real descriptions of hearing tests, getting fitted for ear molds, and hearing aids.

Please pass this around to anyone you think might be interested in getting a copy, such as audiologists, ENT’s, family doctors, librarians, parents, teachers, and speech therapists.  I can also get a bulk discount ($4 each) on large numbers of copies.

Thank you so much for your help!  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  If you’d like a photo of the cover art to use, please let me know.

Sincerely yours,

Kimberly Bright

kimberlybright@verizon.net

317-224-6123

Edward Fudge's Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement for Believers Today

Lawyer-theologian Edward William Fudge is one of the Christian writers I greatly admire not only for his wisdom-packed writing  but also for his humility and his genuine love for people.  Although associated with the (Stone-Campbell) Church of Christ, he has steered clear of the sectarian bent of many in his denomination and has served Christians in other church groups.  His website, www.EdwardFudge.com, is a rich resource for Christians seeking answers to various religious issues.

Three of his books have a special place in my library:

1. The Great Rescue: The Story of God’s Amazing Grace. Orange, CA: New Leaf Books, 2002. Consisting of 18 short chapters of simple yet powerful prose, it retells the Biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. My favorite section of the book is chapters 13-16 where he lucidly expounds on grace and faith and on how these work in the life of the church.

2. Beyond the Sacred Page: A Testimony to the Guidance of God in the Life of One Man. Houston, TX: Providential Press, 1995. This is a touching autobiographical account which weaves both family and church history (especially that of the ultra-conservative wing of the Church of Christ in which Edward grew up) to come up with a tapestry that beautifully depicts a life that progressed from rule-keeping to Grace-consciousness, sectarianism to ecumenism,  and setbacks to success.  Edward’s life of faith is partly expressed in this lines:

God answered my earlier requests for his guidance but he also gave me something far greater — the experiential knowledge of God himself as the living, personal God who sees us, hears us, and who sometimes answers our prayers in immediate and dramatic ways. (88)

3. Two Views of Hell: A Biblical and Theological Dialogue. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. With Covenant Theological Seminary professor Robert A. Peterson as co-author, Edward passionately advances the  “Conditionalist” view as against Peterson’s “Traditionalist” position on a hot issue in the Evangelical world — the nature of eternal punishment– arguing, among others, that the doctrine of  the soul as essentially immortality is a product of Greek philosophy and not of proper Biblical exegesis and that the biblical doctrine of “eternal punishment” does not actually mean “eternal torture” but a divine judgment which is of limited duration commensurate to the degree of one’s wickedness and which ends with the wicked ceasing to exist (i.e., eternal separation).

Now he has come up with a soon to be released 262-page commentary entitled Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement for Believers Today (Abilene, TX: Leafwood Publishers, 2009 — $ 19.95) — a work which will surely bless those who read it, especially in these desperate, confused times.  For more details, go to Edward’s website.

Some of his works can be downloaded for free from  www.freedomsring.org.

books and reading

A lot of people have been asking me what I am going to do while my sweetheart is away.  I’ve thought about it, and three or four things are officially on the list of “deployment duties” for me.  One, however, stands out a little bit more than the others.  

 

I am going to read.   

 

This is partially because I recently discovered that I can, in fact, read for pleasure.   It is also partially because I will be going back to school (doesn’t quite fit into the reading for pleasure category, unfortunately).  Since I will be reading so much, I thought I’d offer up a book review of sorts.   Here we go! 

 

I spent an evening completely wrapped up in the first half of this book…and spent the next day sneaking in little snippets as time allowed.  All in all, an entertaining and interesting read, although I wouldn’t recommend trying to re-tell the story to someone over the phone.   The plot doesn’t seem as good that way.   (For those of you who don’t know, Nick Hornby also wrote About a Boy).

 

I spent approximately 10 minutes trying to like this book.  It didn’t work out between us.  I tried really hard.  

 

I have a stack of 7 or 8 books on the coffee table just waiting to be cracked open.  Once I’ve gotten through the first one (or decided that it just isn’t going to happen), I’ll be sure to offer up my opinion

 

Peace

Book Review: Brisingr

And no, for the last time, I didn’t spell the title wrong. I can’t help it when authors use made-up words for their titles. It’s their perogative.

Overall: Decent series so far, it’s worth a read if you like fantasy. It’s not my favorite, but it’s not terrible either.

Brisingr is the third installment in the Inheritance Cycle (that was supposed to be… and probably should have been a trilogy) by Christopher Paolini who had most of Eragon written when he was just fifteen. If nothing else, I read Eragon simply because I wanted to know if a fifteen year old really could write a decent novel. I was surprised, and actually enjoyed Eragon and most of Eldest. Brisingr, overall, was not a disappointment but there were a few things that had me shaking my head. First off, each book keeps getting longer and longer as though Mr. Paolini is thinking ‘I wonder how long I can make the next book?’… and Brisingr is no exception. In fact, Brisingr was in dire need of a non-biased editor. This definitely could have been a trilogy because this third book should’ve been about half its size– each journey Eragon takes has 2-3 pages simply describing the journey. It doesn’t make your characters seem more realistic if you have them eating a meal and complaining about how hard it is to get to sleep at regular intervals… it just makes the book drag. And drag. And drag. I really wish I still had a copy of the book to count up how many times we get a description of Eragon eating or complaining about how exhausted/sore/tired/but-still-couldn’t-sleep he was feeling.

That said, I did manage to trudge through the entire book and it was decent, I still like the series. It’s exciting (overall… including Eragon and Eldest), and I’m anxious for the fourth and final (it better be) installment of the series. It’s true that you can see the author’s influences (and love of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy) but I think he does bring his own adjustments to the story that sets it apart from Lord of the Rings and Star Wars (mostly).

Another good thing about this series is that it is relatively PG rated. Which is nice to find. You can still tell a good story without resorting to base language and sexual themes. Does Eragon have a love interest in the series? Yes, but descriptions of her are tasteful and pure. It makes for a better story, in my opinion. Plus, he has a little bit of trouble wooing her, as it is… but he likes her as her, not her as a body and so presents a better idea of the ‘love story’ aspect of the adventure.

Despite the length issues of Brisingr, I still thought he managed to tell a decent story and I hope the fourth book is published soon.

Christianity In Crisis 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff

I chose this book to review for Thomas Nelson primarily because of the title. I had not heard of Hank Hanegraaff before but the title caught my eye and I was curious in what way did Hanegraaff believe Christianity was in Crisis.

Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, John Hagee, TD Jakes and others are all very familiar names on Christian television. They appear to have very successful ministries. But what about their theology? What do they actually BELIEVE, and what message are they preaching.

 

Hank Hanegraaff has combed through the theology, talks and beliefs of these preachers and has exposed what they truly belief – and it is not orthodox, biblical understanding of God. In fact, much of what they believe and preach will shock you.

 

In one way this book made me frustrated and angry. Frustrated that such preachers are given such exposure and angry that so many people are being led by them.

 

Hanegraaf’s research is heavily footnoted this supporting what he is writing not as hearsay but as documented and on the record. Such as Joel Osteen’s belief that Jesus did NOT finish the work of redemption on the cross – in fact Osteen says it is far from finished; or John Hagee’s belief that Jesus wore designer clothes, “Jesus had a seamless robe so valuable that Roman soldiers gambled for it at the cross. It was a designer robe”; or Joyce Meyer who says that Jesus, having spent 3 days being tormented in hell by demons, is resurrected as the ‘first born-again man’; or finally TD Jakes who encourage people to raise their wallets up to heaven and pray that God will heal their money.

 

These are but a few of the many examples Hanegraaf refers to in this book showing the lack of basic, foundational theological understanding.

 

This book does not focus just on the bad – the last section of the book outlines  a strong, basic understanding of faith and Christianity – called Back To Basics, which balances and provides the plumb line of foundational belief.

 

If you are, or have been involved in the Faith Movement then this book will be of help to you. If you are wondering what the Faith Movement is, or you have heard of TD Jakes, Benny Hinn et-al and wanted to know more – this book is also for you.

 

Much of the book will shock you and even make you depressed. But it is important to understand what these preachers and teachers are truly saying to so many people.

Book Review - The Twelve Kingdoms Vol 1: Sea of Shadow

The Twelve Kingdoms Vol 1: Sea of Shadow - Written by Fuyumi Ono, Translated by Alexander O. Smith and Elye J. Alexander.

Published by Tokyopop.

Since I already reviewed the anime in this post. I’ll talk mostly about the differences between the novel and the anime. I’ll try to avoid heavy spoilers, but since this is meant to be a companion post with my anime review, then you’re probably fairly spoiled already.

The core story of this novel is exactly the same as the anime, but the key difference mentioned before is that the anime had the characters Sugimoto and Asano who after reading this book I realized do a lot more than I initially gave them credit for. Some of their role is to be the ones expressing doubts or asking questions that in the novel is part of Yoko’s internal monologue. Yoko is alone during the majority of the story, but even when she’s around other characters her internal monologue is constant. I give the anime writer major props for all the ways they managed to make the novel more interesting as a show. Actually I’ll get to that in a bit, because I’m supposed to be talking about the novel.

I think what I like more about the novel than the anime is how much greater Yoko’s struggle seems to be. More is made about the long passage of time from when she arrives in the world of the Twelve Kingdoms until the end of this novel. It’s several months that she travels, with days of fighting off demons in the woods every night with no food to eat.

There’s also attention to detail that I’ve come to expect from this author that get missed in the anime. One being that having a creature inside your body that knows all about sword fighting is all well and good, but if you’ve never used those muscles then you’re going to be sore as all heck. I like that things like this are described in the book, it adds a new layer of depth to the story. It’s again this world logic that Fuyumi Ono created that I appreciate she adheres to so strongly. I think just like how I enjoy the new Battlestar Galactica because of its hard science-fiction, I enjoy this story for being a sort of realistic take on a fantasy genre story.

Gonna be sore in the morning

Also, the internal monologue helps to understand Yoko’s character and motivations better. There’s a moment in the story when Yoko almost enjoys slaughtering the Youma that attack her, saying that she’s become like a beast. In the anime it wasn’t out of place, but I didn’t quite understand what drove her to feel like this. This is because in the anime, her hardship wasn’t quite as great at this point as it is in the novel. In the anime, Yoko’s friend Sugimoto has betrayed her and defeated her in battle after which the rat Rakushun finds and nurses Yoko back to health. In the novel, the time previous to Rakushun finding her spanned several days, at least a week or longer of roaming in the woods, killing Youma at night and sleeping during the day on no food. At this point in the novel she’s back at full strength and takes pleasure in fighting against the monsters and the world that has been hunting her and beating her down for so long.

This insight into her character definitely made the novel a worthwhile read for me, especially since at this point I’ve watched the anime twice through, and know that more isn’t coming.

Why so serious?

So aside from acting as Yoko’s internal monologue proxies, Sugimoto and Asano help the story along in other ways. Actually, Asano’s impact is pretty minimal in this story arc. Sugimoto’s is more important because it creates an antagonist and also augments the presence of the character who turns out to be sending the Youma after Yoko all this time. That being King Kou, and evil ruler who does not with the kingdom of Kei to become great because it will reflect badly on his own kingdom’s rule. In the anime we see him sending his minions off, and also using Sugimoto as a tool to destroy Yoko. In the novel you aren’t aware of his presence until it’s almost over. The effect being that the novel stays focused just on Yoko, whereas the anime by intercutting other events going on in the story at the same time makes things build more dramatically.

From the beginning of the anime you see characters that you won’t know who they are until much later, and by the time you meet them you’ve probably forgotten you saw them in the first place. This is something else I enjoyed about the anime and novel is that there are bits and details that you don’t even absorb until the second viewing.

For example, one antagonist in the story is a monkey-like character who haunts Yoko with words expressing her greatest fears and doubts. It turns out that this monkey is actually the sheath of her sword that has been set loose upon her when it’s separated from the sword early in the story. When the monkey is “vanquished” he disappears and we see the sheath of the sword (which Yoko had thought was long lost), but this imagery isn’t explained until much later. It’s only in retrospect did I realize they planted this image not expecting us to understand it until we see it again. Even at the monkey’s introduction in the anime he’s intercut with a shot or two of Yoko’s sword.

Just looking at this makes me want to watch it again!

For the purposes of the anime, the adaptation is really very well done in keeping the same basic story, but adding more action and plot to make things exciting without detracting from the main storyline. After reading the novel I’m very impressed with just how much was added to the anime for the sake of making a more visual story that still manages to have strong character development. Though reading the novel, I never felt bored by what was going on. Only towards the end was I starting to feel a bit like the novel should go on longer than it was going to, because the last bit of story where she collaborates with the King of En seems almost rushed. I don’t know if it’s actually rushed, or only felt that way because I was expecting it to happen.

Translation - The book’s translation is good with only a few spelling mistakes that I could probably only count on one hand. There are a few little translation things that miffed me a little bit. One is the word “hanjyuu” which means a half beast, half human person. Though they use the word “hanjyuu” in the novel, they favor the word “beastling.” There are also some things that I felt should’ve been romanized differently like the word “Shirei” is “Sirei” in the novel. Since at my job I’m used to spotting Japanese names accidentally written “SI” instead of “SHI” (there’s no “SI” sound in Japanese) this distracted me, and instead I just continued reading it in my head as “Shirei.” One other bit is the fruit that in the world of the Twelve Kingdoms babies come from. These are called “ranka” which is a made up word, but instead they decided to translate the made up word into “egg fruit.” It certainly illustrates the object better, but since it’s a made up word already I didn’t see the point.

New Yarn in the Shop

I’ve added a few new yarns to my Etsy shop at Nordy Knits in neutral shades (Debbie Bliss Luxury Donegal Tweed in Natural, Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton in Cream, Louisa Harding Hand-Dyed Grace in Light Dusty Rose/Blush) and the colors of an intense cherry pink orange sunset (Araucania Quellon and Pehuen).  The Araucania Quellon feels just like chenille and would be perfect for this flower wash cloth pattern I just found in Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick.  First you make the petals and then join them to start knitting in the round, decreasing your way to the center.  The sample in the photo was made with Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille (100% cotton).  The pattern calls for 1-98 yd. skein for each flower.  There is also another really fun pattern in this book using double knitting for a checkers game board with a matching tote bag.  I made it a personal goal this month to learn intarsia and double knitting and have a half knit mouse (intarsia, the version I’m making is with flowers) from Lucinda Guy’s Handknits for Kids, and the beginnings of the stained glass scarf from Hand Knit Holidays on the needles.  I found the intarsia to be much easier.  Switching from Fair Isle to Double Knitting felt like a real challenge but once you get the hang of it, it feels natural.

Challenges - The State of Leisure

We have a choice: 

Instead of bemoaning the piss poor mental and spiritual state of some of the youth in the United States of America, we should try to spark a fire in their hearts and minds to improve themselves.  However, are there any more stories to be told?  The first time that a corporation creates a smash hit plotline by pressing a button on a computer program, artists are doomed.  You had best pack your bags and head to a cave and hope for inpiration from God.  Given what people are buying now, if you have an ounce of intellectual capability you should go and become a day trader on Wall Street.  There is no money to be made from Art itself, only from its licensing.  I hope your protagonist is emblazoned on lunchboxes, keychains, and McDonald’s Happy Meals everywhere.        

Mass produced entertainment has become the narcotic of the masses, and its waste products are utter boredom and apathy to the point of nihilism.  Without constant stimulation, some people fall into a state of depression that is only alleviated by their next hit off of the comic book express train to infinite bliss.  It is no wonder that Hollywood has gone from the novel to the comic book in search of stories that can entertain this particular market.  Product placement is possible in still pencil whipped frames, with ample cleavage to boot.  I am not against cleavage, but would rather have it described to me in words or a photograph.  It is easy to draw sexy breasts, try drawing little mosquito bites or misshapen milkers once in a while.  The world isn’t pretty, and it is often not size double D.

I once asked a colleague of mine who was discussing a movie, “But what did it mean?”  He said, “It’s entertaining.”  Entertainment as a distraction from life and death.      

Ralph Waldo Emerson, that old and tired philosopher stated that if one is to be a man, he must be a nonconformist.  It has been the same message since Socrates drank the hemlock.  However, no one is buying this tired old message anymore.  Your message is conform!  Tow the line.  Type your internal memorandum.  Measure it word by word for length and consistency.  Forget all about your impending death.  And by all means BUY!  In the end you will have participated in the largest ever mass delusion.  And I too am delusional.

Book Review ~ 'Whom the Gods Love'

Julian Kestrel is back in this third Kate Ross mystery, Whom the Gods Love, again faced with a murder the authorities cannot solve.  The larger than life Alexander Falkland, one of the leaders of The Quality, young, handsome, with a beautiful wife, elegant home and many admirers, is found murdered in his study, bludgeoned with a fireplace poker during a house party.  Falkland’s father, Sir Malcolm, so frustrated by the dead-end investigations of the Bow Street Runners, turns to Kestrel to find his son’s killer.  Faced with a good number of suspects among family, friends and servants (so many in fact, that Ross prefaces the work with a listing of the cast of characters!), Kestrel falls whole-heartedly into his role as amateur sleuth.  A dandified man of fashion [but we the reader know him to be so much more], Kestrel knows many of Falkland’s set and embarks on his questioning of all suspects in his charming way, all the while wondering if Alexander Falkland may not be all that he seems. 

Ross is a master of plot and character - even the minor parts are well-fleshed out, and as the story turns and clues are uncovered with each chapter (Ross’s chapter headings alone are perfectly tuned), the reader is drawn deeper and deeper into the complicated mystery surrounding Falkland’s death.  Kestrel stumbles upon another murder, and as in Ross’s previous two mysteries, Cut to the Quick and A Broken Vessel, Kestrel needs to identify an unknown woman as well as unravel the mystery of who had reason to kill her. 

We are again transported into Regency London, with all the social life at Almacks, Tattersalls, Cornhill, Rotten Row, the Grand Strut in Hyde Park, and various outlying Inns, all portrayed as it would have been.  The language of the lower classes and the “Beau Monde” is spot-on [blue-deviled, missish], the carriages: gigs, cabriolets, hackneys, etc.; architectural details abound; fashion description is so exact, you feel you are there, sitting in the room:  in this passage, one of the “Quality” suspects is thusly described:

 Felix was about Julian’s age, the son of an autocratic peer from the bleak northeastern counties.  Julian suspected that the grey, barren landscapes of his childhood accounted for his taste in clothes, which certainly needed excusing.  Today he was wearing a canary-yellow tailcoat, white trousers, and two waistcoats, the inner of scarlet satin, the outer with black and white stripes.  His neckcloth was a cherry-coloured India print, splashed with blue and yellow flowers.  A bunch of gold seals, all shaped like chessmen, dangled from his watch-chain.  He had an amiable rangy figure and curly brown hair that tended to stand on end.  [p. 132]

[Yikes!]

[from The Regency Fashion Page]

Ross depicts the legal system in England at the time - Lincoln’s Inn figures prominently, and Kestrel is often critical of the lack of a strong police force and the present state of law enforcement [the magistrate system and the Bow Street Runners].  There is much scholarly discussion between the characters, with references to Wollstonecraft’s “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” and the state of the woman’s position in society; there is even a bit of phrenology thrown in! 

But it is Julian Kestrel who pulls all these diverse goings-on together.  He is witty ["I'm afraid I'm obliged to trample on your sensibilities"], with a ready retort always at hand to put one on edge, but also sensitive and sympathetic, always with a kind word or deed to put one at ease.  And, as in the previous two books, Ross gives us fleeting glimpses of Kestrel’s own past, his background as mystifying to the other characters and to us readers as the mystery he is set on solving.  In this book, we hear only a faint mention of Sally from A Broken Vessel; we learn that he and his father went to London plays; that he gained his wide knowledge from his own stay on the Continent where he read the controversial Wollstonecraft in French translation; and we learn more about his actress mother and his disinherited father.  Kestrel remains the most loveable enigma, with all his shadowy past life, his apparent shallow present life of leader of fashion extraordinaire:

      In the afternoon, Julian went home for a session with his tailor.  His hobby of detection could not be allowed to interfere with his profession of dress.  The tailor measured him for some sporting garments for the autumn and made yet another attempt to persuade him to pad his coats.  ‘The very latest fashion, Mr. Kestrel!’ he pleaded.

      ‘My dear man, if I followed the fashions, I should lose any power to lead them.  And not for you nor anyone else will I consent to look like a pincushion with legs.’ [p. 169] 

With all this, Kestrel masterfully guides us along in solving the murders, feeling at home in the halls of the Quality, as well as in the environs of the poorer classes. I will tell no more of the plot - it is a fabulous journey, and leaves me quite anxious to get on to the next book!

5 full inkwells

 See my reviews of Cut to the Quick and A Broken Vessel

Dragon's Bait

Title: Dragon’s Bait

Author: Vivian Vande Velde

Genre: YA Fantasy

Dragon’s Bait carries a sense of humor and twisting of cliche that elevates Vivian Vande Velde’s work above typical YA fantasy fare.

When teenager Alys is falsely accused of witchcraft and receives the sentence of sacrificial lamb for a hungry dragon, she is sure she will die without avenging her ruined reputation. Yet dragons are unpredictable, and this one, named Selendrile, not only decides not to eat her but offers to help her take revenge on those who accused her. Now Alys must figure out how to juggle being a fugitive from her village with seeking revenge and dealing with a dragon whose mood is mercurial at best.

The characters are strongly written, with a great sense of chemistry between Alys and Selendrile in particular. Though the dragon is able to shift into human form, his personality remains alien to both Alys and the reader. Villain Inquisitor Atherton is slightly one-dimensional, yet the strokes used to paint the portrayal of this character are interesting enough to keep him out of cardboard territory.

Some may be disappointed at the briefness of this story; after the gargantuan sizes of the later Harry Potter novels, YA fantasy in general has blown up in size. Not Dragon’s Bait. Then again, this is hardly a bad thing, as there is not an ounce of fat to detract from the reader’s attention.

Final Words

A slim story with vivid characters and sly humor. 4/5 stars.

The Reading Group

The Reading Group by British author Elizabeth Noble is about five women of various ages, brought together monthly for a book club meeting and their daily struggles through all sorts of issues and problems. Quoted as a “female-bonding” novel by Glamour (UK), I’ve had The Reading Group sitting on my bookshelf for months, waiting to be read.

The Reading Group, as it turns out, isn’t really about the reading group at all. The back stories of these characters is the real plotlineof the novel. Whether Nicole will ever leave her cheating husband, or if Harriet will find happiness at home, or if Susan will get over the guilt of putting her elderly mother in a nursing home are a few of the issues this novel tackles. Their book club is really just a clever way to connect all of these women, in the span of one year, who are all going through some sort of transition in their lives.

Nicole and Harriet were in Harriet’s kitchen. Harriet was slicing the two quiches Nicole had brought; Nicole was making a salad dressing, whisking vinegar, whole-grain mustard and sugar into olive oil in a jug. The other women were next door, and their lively chatter filtered through the open doors. Everyone had loved this month’s book, and there had been no awkward pauses. Spines were well-broken, yellow Post-it notes and folded down corners had marked favorite passages and the characters had come alive in their discussion. Now it was time to eat.

I have to say that the first forty pages were a struggle for me. It didn’t have to do with the story, which I found interesting, but the actual number of story-lines and characters being introduced all at once. Luckily, the author included a handy character guide at the very beginning of the novel, which included each of the five main characters names and a little about their families. After flipping to this intro numerous times, I finally got a grasp of the characters. All thoroughly likable and dealing with real life modern day problems, The Reading Group is an good book, but suffered from one fatal flaw - too many things going on at once. I think the book would have been more successful had Noble focused on two or three of the women in the club, but five was just too much. The Reading Group had the potential of being a great read, but was just too jam packed.

Once, when talking to an author on the phone during my own book club meeting, someone asked her “why did you decide to tackle so many issues in one book?” The author responded jokingly “I wasn’t sure if this would be the only book I’d ever get published, so why not!”  As it turns out, she’s written a few other successful books since then, as has Noble. I’m curious to read Noble’s newest book, Things I Want My Daughter to Know , which has received some good reviews around the blogsphere (including this one by Lesley). Will I enjoy it more than The Reading Group? Lucky for me I won’t have to wait too long to find out, since the lovely Dawn over at She is Too Fond of Books has offered to mail me her copy of the book once she is finished reviewing it. Thanks so much Dawn!

Marshmallows for Breakfast - Dorothy Koomson

I definitely wasn’t expecting a story with such a serious undercurrent of reality when I picked this book at the library. I thought it was just another one of those light fiction books but it turned out to be something else.

Kendra Tamale moves back to England after a 2 hour stay in Australia and befriends Kyle Gadsborough and his kids, Summer and Jaxon (twins aged around 5). Almost unwittingly she becomes an important part of their family while trying to help the children deal with the absence of their mother Ashlyn, an alcoholic who abandons them out of the blue. From then on the story takes on a serious note, as the children become increasingly attached to Kendra, so does Kyle. The only thing stopping Kendra from opening up to the children or the landlord or her employer/friend Gabrielle is her dark past….she was a victim of rape as well as her rather confusing relationship with a married guy, Will who seems to struggle between his wife and Kendra.

As the story progresses, the past of each character is revealed either through a conversation or through a flashback memory. The end is kind of unexpected in the sense that although Kyle and Kendra become closer, Kendra still hopes for a chance to renew her relationship with Will but forgoes the relationship and decides to stay in England for the sake of Summer and Jaxon. The author doesn’t indicate if Kendra and Kyle get together again though.

The story moves at a very slow pace with the past being woven into the present. Every character in this book including Kendra has a story to tell, and it’s definitely not a happy story either. As the seasons go by, the characters seem to be healing and moving on in life. New bonds are forged and characters acquire a new perspective but then that’s about it. None of the relationships get a conclusive end and are left hanging.

Jew Of The Week

Peter S. Beagle is a Jew!  Who knew!?

I entered geekdom in grade 7, shortly after reading The Lord Of The Rings.  In an effort to recapture the magic of Middle Earth, I started reading all the fantasy novels I could get my hands on.  Unicorns and dragons replaced brumbies and dogs.  Just around puberty…perrrfect!  Anyhoo, one of my favorite finds was The Last Unicorn.  Like Narnia and LOTR, The Last Unicorn was one of those rare books that could genuinely transport you to an alternate universe, a different reality.  One of my favorite reads ever.  I recently purchased a copy of the book for my kids…and gosh, I might have to reread it as well.  I also just bought Peter’s new collection of short stories, We Never Talk About My Brother. The last Unicorn has also been made into a wonderful animated movie which may be purchased here.

Book Review: Schindler's List

Pushing through nights of tears and heartache, I finally finished reading Schindler’s List. Crying while reading books is not new to me, I often cry during a good book; but these tears were a bit different. The book gives a life account of Oskar Schindler, who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust of WWII.  While the account shows that he was definitely no saint, what he did for the Jewish people was above and beyond any question.  

The book starts out a bit slow, talking about pre-war issues and giving a background into Schindler’s up-growing. Some of it was hard to follow, but as this was a story about him, I understood why it was necessary.

Once the war began, and his antics were unveiled, it was evident to see how he un-selfishly gave all he had to save as many as he could.  Oskar was an extremely wealthy man, and used all his material wealth for the good of mankind.  What I found interesting was that after the war, he lost everything: job, factories, money, etc. and was basically poor from that time on.  He moved to Argentina for a brief stint, but returned to Germany to live out his last days.  

There were a couple moments in the book that I was so overwhelmed… where the tears were flowing and I just sat to take a moment in order to grasp the realness of it all. One time was during the very end of the war, when Schindler had just found out the Germans had surrendered and he was making the speech to all his Jewish survivors. He told them he had to now flee Germany in order to escape being killed by the Russians (he was still German, after all).  The Jewish men got together and made him a gift, to repay him for all he had done to save them.  They had nothing to make the gift out of so one of the men, Mr. Jereth, opened his mouth and insisted they take out the gold fillings.  With it, they melted down the gold and made a ring for him…engraving in Hebrew a Talmudic verse, which was quoted to Schindler at the beginning of the war by his Jewish friend/manager.

“He who saves a single life saves the world entire.”

It is said that when they presented it to Oskar, he put the ring on and could not even speak as he was so filled with emotion.

The other moment was at the end of the book, when it tells of Oskar’s post-war days.  He was so poor and had nothing, and by this time many of his Jews had gone on to become successful and wealthy. Many of them came together and ended up supporting him, financially, until his death.  He had paid for them and kept them alive during the war, and now they believed it was their turn to do so.

The book is very graphic and definitely not for the weak of heart.  It is written to tell the truth about what really happened, and at that time, the truth was extremely hard to swallow.  For me, it was so important to read it in order to have a tiny, sliver of a glimpse into the history of the lives I am now living alongside.  But, even if you do not live in Israel, or are not Jewish, I would still recommend you to read this book.  It is after all, a part of our world history!

Flashback

This morning around 1am, due to sheer boredom, I opened the book “Flashback” by Navada Barr. I finished it a little after 7am.

It is one of the books I really didn’t give a fair chance the first time I opened it because I don’t like books that flash back and forth between the past and present. I don’t like movies that do either - they rather annoy me. Ghost movies are different because the ghosts are seen in present time though they lived long ago…those are more appealing to me.

However, in reading this book again with an open mind, I found I liked it better this time around. The book centers around Anna Pigeon who is stationed with the park service at the Dry Tortugas for a couple of months. Her sister sends her letters from an ancestor who spent years on the Tortugas when the fort was used as a prison.

The ancestor, Raffia and her little sister Tilly, are stationed there with Raffia’s husband Joseph who runs the place. Joseph, who Raffia had fallen out of love with sometime earlier but who stayed out of duty, was a stern task master who was quick to brutally punish anyone who disobeyed him. The man believed, as many did back then, that control could only be maintained through discipline and hard-handed authority.

In the end, Joseph does a humane act for an old friend which costs him everything short of his life. Raffia also loses big due to Joseph’s decision and dire mistakes of her own. Their fate is as predictable as the fate of those in the present day part of the story. I mean, how could it not be? We all seem to like our stories summed up and parroting a controlled ending that is so lacking in our lives. We like our characters tucked nicely into bed with lollipops probably because it provides us with some semblance of order in our daily chaotic world. ‘If our characters live happily ever after, maybe we can too’ - some seem to irrationally reason. I’m not knocking it - I like my stories to make sense too and the characters to live for another great, though improbable, adventure.

Seeing the Dry Tortugas was always on my list of places to visit when I was in Florida but I never got around to going out there. Between Florida and the Tortugas is the 1715 treasure fleet shipwreck that Mel Fisher found before his death - I always wanted to boat over the site just to say I had.

Anyway, the book has nothing to do with the shipwreck but the history of the Tortugas which was almost as captivating. I had read about the Tortugas before - the history - but Barr makes it come alive in her intriguing story. She has a way of making me want to charter the next plane to visit the places she writes about. Well, all but the cave one - forget that.

Some day I will make it out to the Dry Tortugas and even to Isle Royale. Instead of dry history books explaining the history at each locale, I think I’ll pack Barr’s Anna Pigeon to show me around.

 

On My Booklist ~ 'Jane Austen & Marriage'

A new book alert:  Jane Austen & Marriage by Hazel Jones, to be published in July 2009, is now available for pre-order.

 

Jane Austen & Marriage

by Hazel Jones

Continuum Books, 2009

 “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” –Pride and Prejudice

Description:

The question of marriage lies at the center of Jane Austen’s novels. The issues bound up in the pursuit of love, happiness, money, and status were those of her day and informed the plots and morals of her work. In this fascinating book, Hazel Jones explores the ways in which these themes manifest themselves in Jane Austen’s life and fiction, against the backdrop of contemporary conduct manuals, letters, diaries, journals and newspapers. Drawing on original research, this entertaining and detailed study provides a charming and profound insight into the world of Jane Austen. 

 

Table Of Contents:

 

Acknowledgements

 

Introduction

1: The Advantage of Choice

2: The Power of Refusal

3: An Acquaintance Formed in a Public Place

4: White Satin and Lace Veils

5: Where N Takes M, For Better, For Worse

6: Wedding Journeys

7: Scandal and Gossip

8: A Contract of Mutual Agreeableness

9: Domestic Happiness Overthrown

10: The Simple Regimen of Separate Rooms

11:The Years of Danger

12:  An Old Maid at Last

 

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Review at Continuum Books:

Hazel Jones has written a masterful accounting of the crucial role played by marriage in Jane Austen’s novels and the world she and her characters lived in. Brilliantly researched and documented  — including information taken from the fascinating and sometimes troubling “conduct manuals” on the proper interaction between the sexes — Jane Austen and Marriage offers deep insights that inform not only one’s reading of Austen’s novels but of the treacherous social bedrock underlying the lives of women living in that time. And in so doing, Hazel Jones has presented the reader with another testament to the long, hard march of women throughout history. It is a book that reflects Jane Austen’s own penetrating gaze and insight into Regency society and no doubt will find a place in the library of even the most sophisticated “Janeite”.’  

[Alice Steinbach, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman.]

About the Author:

         

Hazel Jones taught English at Exeter University, specializing in Jane Austen. She tutored courses on the novelist for the thriving Summer Academy Programme, which attracted students from all over the world. She continues to organize Jane Austen residential courses for adults at various venues in the UK, focusing on her novels and her life and times.

 

Pre-order at Continuum Books [$29.95] or Amazon.com [$19.77]