Weblog
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
-
Currently
Empires of Trust: How Rome Built--and America Is Building--a New World
By Thomas F. Madden
see relatedRead This!
I don't think I've ever told anyone, "If you only read one book this year, read this." That's about to change. This is my advice: If you only read one book this year, read this.
Beginning with the preface, this is a readable, well-researched book. The author starts out with an assessment of Americans' view of history (short), and the value of being able to draw analogies from farther back than a half century or so.
The book is an extended analogy comparing the US with the Republic of Rome, including development, philosophy of government, failures, challenges (including terrorists) and more.
The author's assessment of the causes of mid-eastern terrorism are different, and more believable, than anything I've heard yet, although I'm still reading up on it--starting Worlds at War: The 2,500-year Struggle Between East and West next.
Feel free to comment--or email me.
Diane
Sunday, 07 December 2008
-
Currently
Brisingr
By Christopher Paolini
see relatedThanksgiving, or giving thanks
Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday, whether I've been hosting, going to someone else's house, or even dining out, although that's never my first choice.
I've heard complaining among the young that there shouldn't be a holiday centered on simply getting together with those we love, eating and having fellowship--in our case talking nonstop, but for others cheering on their team in football. I have to admit, I don't really understand the football thing, but OK, there are many things I don't understand.
In any case, my brother and his wife and daughter came out for Thanksgiving, we had my grandmother's delicious rolls that I always make, and life was very good. No football. No Jeopardy. Lots and lots of talking. Too cold to want to take a walk, just sit and talk and talk.
Friday I had to work, but I did get off early to come eat leftovers with friends and family before my brother had to leave. Ah, heaven. Diane
Sunday, 09 November 2008
-
Currently Reading
Real Education: Four Simple Truths for Bringing America's Schools Back to Reality
By Charles Murray
see relatedLet's see if this works. This should show a link to a cool geography site. And since I've edited it to show "currently reading" as well, I'll give a little review:
The "four simple truths" noted on the cover are: 1. Ability varies--a truth that the readers of this blog will be well aware of; 2. Half of the children are below average--true by definition, but totally unacceptable to say out loud; 3. Too many people are going to college--although most require some training beyond high school, the author doesn't feel that either society or individuals benefit from the current system requiring 4 years of watered-down academics; and 4. America's future depends on how we educate the academically gifted.
Have fun! D
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
-
I'm back! Xanga offered to delete my blog if I didn't post, so here I am.
Monday, 26 March 2007
-
Currently Reading
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
By Jean Lee Latham
see relatedOK, so now I'm using this site for book recommendations. The Man Time Forgot is great--read it when you're trying to get through The Great Gatsby. Or not. I tried The Great Gatsby but couldn't do it. But The Man Time Forgot is a page-turner. It's about the cofounders of TIME magazine, the early history and prehistory of the magazine, and what happened then.
The other book I'm reading is Carry On Mr. Bowditch, which I'm awfully fond of. Boy genius gets contracted in a nine-year indenture at age 12 when his actual dream is to go to Harvard (a dream ignited when, as an eight-year-old schoolboy, his schoolmaster told him, "If your Latin were half as good as your arithmetic, you could get into Harvard today.") How does he serve out his indenture and still receive a degree from Harvard? And what does "the Bowditch" refer to today? Great reading, and fast, although it's pretty thick. I'd guess the reading level is maybe aimed at (boys, only boys) about age 12 or so. Diane
dwesner123
-
- Member Since: 4/8/2006
Connect
Weblog Archives
Don't worry - your calendar is here… to see it in action just click "Save"
above and refresh the page.
About Me
Pulse
dwesner123 has no pulse!...
Chatboard (0)