Once again, Howells brings us the story of the March's. The travel to Europe to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.
I don't think this is one of his best books. There is too much description of the traveling and not enough story. Where there is story, the story is entertaining. It is not about the March's, but about the people they befriended on the voyage over--through their eyes. I loved the dialogue between them, as they discussed their friend's romances.
My advice, skip the travel descriptions and read the rest.
Friday, September 22, 2017
Book Review: "Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court" by Sandra Day O' Connor
The title says it all. I have always been fascinated by the Supreme Court, and I wanted to learn more about it. Who better to do that but from a former Supreme Court Justice.
I really liked this book. It was easy to read--even though I don't have a background in law. It explains how the court works, its history on how it got where it is today and some entertaining stories from the court.
It filled in a lot of gaps on my knowledge of the court and made that learning an enjoyable experience.
I really liked this book. It was easy to read--even though I don't have a background in law. It explains how the court works, its history on how it got where it is today and some entertaining stories from the court.
It filled in a lot of gaps on my knowledge of the court and made that learning an enjoyable experience.
Friday, September 15, 2017
Book Review: "All Under Heaven" by Pearl S. Buck - 1973
I love Ms. Buck's books that are about China, but I never read any of her other ones. This one was only 50 cents, so I thought I would give it a try. It didn't sound all that interesting, and it was definitely not the kind of book I would pick out if it wasn't bu a favorite author.
It's about a man who worked for our embassy in China for 25 years, who is forced to come home with his Russian wife and 2 children when the Communists took over China. n They decide to try to live in the US--basically a foreign land for all of them.
Nothing really happened that was interesting to this single woman with no children until the last few chapters. The man decides to write about his experiences in China as a warning to us, here. He wanted to promote the possibility of peace--if we chose it.
When his book was finished, he went on a book tour. All along the way, he kept encountering those who would say, "Just nuke them." and the rest of the people who were silent. When he got home, he was so discouraged from what he saw.
Within the last few pages, Ms. Buck wrote:
"I have come back realizing that history and facts mean nothing here. To our people everything is a matter of feeling and emotion, a curious mixed sort of idealism that is powerful because in some ways it is very sound. Bur it is unrelated to the facts of the world. The problem is much more severe than I thought. People cannot learn by hearing, because there is no foundation of knowledge. They do not read history. They read only newspapers, which deal with today's events, but these events are the result of yesterday's and it is necessary to know those which come first."
Ms. Buck, in the epilogue, explains that she wrote this due ti China opening her doors to us. She wanted us to try to understand each other. Things haven't changed, though. We have managed to keep the peace with China, but it is questionable whether the average American knows or cares anything about them. It is also questionable whether the average American knows or cares about much of anything at all--let alone our history. Her words still apply, today, sadly.
It's about a man who worked for our embassy in China for 25 years, who is forced to come home with his Russian wife and 2 children when the Communists took over China. n They decide to try to live in the US--basically a foreign land for all of them.
Nothing really happened that was interesting to this single woman with no children until the last few chapters. The man decides to write about his experiences in China as a warning to us, here. He wanted to promote the possibility of peace--if we chose it.
When his book was finished, he went on a book tour. All along the way, he kept encountering those who would say, "Just nuke them." and the rest of the people who were silent. When he got home, he was so discouraged from what he saw.
Within the last few pages, Ms. Buck wrote:
"I have come back realizing that history and facts mean nothing here. To our people everything is a matter of feeling and emotion, a curious mixed sort of idealism that is powerful because in some ways it is very sound. Bur it is unrelated to the facts of the world. The problem is much more severe than I thought. People cannot learn by hearing, because there is no foundation of knowledge. They do not read history. They read only newspapers, which deal with today's events, but these events are the result of yesterday's and it is necessary to know those which come first."
Ms. Buck, in the epilogue, explains that she wrote this due ti China opening her doors to us. She wanted us to try to understand each other. Things haven't changed, though. We have managed to keep the peace with China, but it is questionable whether the average American knows or cares anything about them. It is also questionable whether the average American knows or cares about much of anything at all--let alone our history. Her words still apply, today, sadly.
Friday, September 8, 2017
Book Review: "The Comedians" by Graham Greene - 1966
This is not a comedy. The title refers to people playing a part in life. It is a good book, but not his best. It takes place in Haiti a few years after the dictator, Baby Doc, took over the country. Our main character, Mr. Brown, is a hotel owner that is suffering from the lack of tourists. He meets up with Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones. What follows next is violence, political intrigue, secret police encounters, rebels and secret love. I liked this book for the story, but I liked it even more for bringing me into the world of Haiti under its dictatorship. One of the best part of good fiction is that it can bring a different time and place to life.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Tickseed Sunflower
These are my favorite wild sunflowers. They grow profusely in Parma, so a few years ago, I gathered up some seeds and spread them around my yard. Would you believe--the deer leave them alone everywhere but in my yard! Enough of them survived that I have a few in my garden. One year, I put them in containers on my patio, and that is what is pictured. They do great in the pots.
The only problem with the is the tickseeds. The seeds have little antennas that stick to your clothing. It is a small price to pay for such lovely flowers.
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