Very interesting work. Some of Escher's most famous works with an explanation of each. I'm a rank amateur so had to look up quite a few of the conceptVery interesting work. Some of Escher's most famous works with an explanation of each. I'm a rank amateur so had to look up quite a few of the concepts he talked about but still found it all intriguing. ...more
A beautiful gem of a book. I truly enjoy Momaday's prose. He deserves all the awards and accolades he's received, and they have been many. This is a sA beautiful gem of a book. I truly enjoy Momaday's prose. He deserves all the awards and accolades he's received, and they have been many. This is a short book of essays, most of them no more than 100 to 200 words. Each captures a moment in time in which Momaday is immersed in nature or reflecting upon his perceived role as "earth keeper." Well worth a read. This will go on my inspirational shelf....more
An excellent small book discussing details of Native American archery practice, along with the construction of bows and arrows. Very short but very inAn excellent small book discussing details of Native American archery practice, along with the construction of bows and arrows. Very short but very informative. It's amazing how much was lost in just a short period about the ways Native American's constructed and used their bows. This is one of the only studies of its kind and extremely important. ...more
This was written in 1973 and I probably read it around 75 or so. It purports to be a true story of a shipwreck at sea and the resulting struggle for sThis was written in 1973 and I probably read it around 75 or so. It purports to be a true story of a shipwreck at sea and the resulting struggle for survival of the family who owned the ship. It's written by Dougal Robertson, the father of the family. The basic story is certainly true but some of the details always seemed a little "fantastic" to me. But whether it's literally true in all details or not, it was an exciting and gripping read for this teenaged boy (at the time). ...more
This is another book I read while working as a library floor supervisor while I was in grad school. Stephen King wrote the text to this book, which isThis is another book I read while working as a library floor supervisor while I was in grad school. Stephen King wrote the text to this book, which is full of photos of gargoyles and other gothic architectural marvels from around the United States. Although the photos are well done, much of the architecture shown is pretty worn so I didn't particularly find the images or the text to be particularly compelling. ...more
Capstick is one of our best adventure writers. I first read some of his stories in hunting magazines back in the 1970 and 80s and became addicted. I'vCapstick is one of our best adventure writers. I first read some of his stories in hunting magazines back in the 1970 and 80s and became addicted. I've read most of what he's written since. Here we have stories of other African hunters and adventurers besides Capstick himself, so it's more second hand and not as powerful. But still quite interesting. ...more
A strong book. I teared up a few times. There's nothing earthshaking here. It's good advice that could have been given, and I'm sure has been given, bA strong book. I teared up a few times. There's nothing earthshaking here. It's good advice that could have been given, and I'm sure has been given, by many teachers and many parents. It's too bad that people so often won't listen unless it's a "last" lecture like this one. I've had this book quite a while but finally was in the mood for it. Enjoyable. ...more
It's not easy to place this book. It's nonfiction, but not quite a memoir or how-to guide. It's a collection of positive anecdotes or observations aboIt's not easy to place this book. It's nonfiction, but not quite a memoir or how-to guide. It's a collection of positive anecdotes or observations about the everyday world that helps the reader appreciate the small, pleasant experiences that most of us take for granted. I was glad to read it and I think I needed the message, that I don't have to dwell on the negatives of a day but can take joy in small moments. Well written. Poignant in places, humorous in others. A fun book. ...more
A series of essays about nature conservancy. Some good thoughts here but not much earthshaking. The book may have been meant to raise money for conserA series of essays about nature conservancy. Some good thoughts here but not much earthshaking. The book may have been meant to raise money for conservationism. Not sure. It didn't seem to add a whole lot to the argument from my perspective. Worth a read, though....more
What a lovely book. Simply beautiful, contemplative writing. If you're coming for a story, you won't find it. There's a theme but it is a grand theme What a lovely book. Simply beautiful, contemplative writing. If you're coming for a story, you won't find it. There's a theme but it is a grand theme and certainly not plot driven. The pleasure here is in the reading, and putting yourself into the world that Henry Beston illuminates as he spends a year on the beach of Cape Cod. It took me quite a while to get through it because it is not a page turner. Instead, one wants to linger on the pages, to see and taste what Beston is describing. It's meant to be savored. This is going on my inspirational shelf of beautiful writing. ...more
a collection of purportedly true stories of ghosts, including Abraham Lincoln and the ghosts of The Little Big Horn. A couple of interesting stories ba collection of purportedly true stories of ghosts, including Abraham Lincoln and the ghosts of The Little Big Horn. A couple of interesting stories but mostly ones I'd heard before. ...more
The book delivers a thrashing to Donald Trump and the bizarre cast of characters that he has surrounded himself with in the White House. There wasn't The book delivers a thrashing to Donald Trump and the bizarre cast of characters that he has surrounded himself with in the White House. There wasn't much here that I didn't already know. I would imagine that most people who have been paying attention would say the same. The writing style is mostly clear and straightforward, but there is some repetition. I found some of it a bit boring, but that may have to do with my general lack of interest in politics rather than the writing itself.
I doubt that the book will have much impact, although it will likely sell well. Those who already dislike Trump will see plenty to support their views, while those who like Trump will probably simply disregard or disparage the book. ...more
I remember reading this soon after it was published. It's a short work, full of passion and fire against injustice. I didn't get a sense of the largerI remember reading this soon after it was published. It's a short work, full of passion and fire against injustice. I didn't get a sense of the larger context in which the events happened, and I thought the term "rebellion" in the title was deliberately chosen to mislead rather than lead toward a greater understanding. I could understand the anger that led to the choice of that word, but it didn't work for me. Perhaps for others it did....more
This is a collection of nonfiction essays on topics such as love, aging, racism, and life in general. I enjoyed this very much. Very well written and This is a collection of nonfiction essays on topics such as love, aging, racism, and life in general. I enjoyed this very much. Very well written and it certainly reads as extremely honest, even painfully so in places. ...more
Have to say I was pretty disappointed in Kierkegaard here. The piece is well written and if you accept his underlying principles then his reasoning isHave to say I was pretty disappointed in Kierkegaard here. The piece is well written and if you accept his underlying principles then his reasoning is sound. However, I can't accept his underlying principles and, in fact, believe they are horrible principles for anyone to try and live by. His basic point is that merely to question those things that most Christians take on faith is blasphemy. He states repeatedly that one must consider God and Christ absolute authorities and that their statements are not be approached philosophically but simply taken on authority. Although I can see a Christian accepting this concerning God and Christ, the problem is that Kierkegaard also extends this to the apostles, as if there is no chance that they could have been mistaken in their revelations. He appears to be arguing that Apostle Paul's words, for example, must be completely accepted as having arisen from the authority of Christ, or they must be wholly rejected. No analysis of Paul's words need be done. To me, there is a long way between the divinity of Christ and the revelation of Paul. Paul was not divine and therefore not infallible. His words "must" be analyzed and considered before they can be accepted. At least that's my feeling on the matter. ...more
This is basically an interview that Bill Moyers conducted with Joseph Campbell. They touch on many of the basic elements of Campbell's ideas. I enjoyeThis is basically an interview that Bill Moyers conducted with Joseph Campbell. They touch on many of the basic elements of Campbell's ideas. I enjoyed reading it and did obtain some interesting insights, particularly into religion. There is also plenty of stuff, though, that sounds rather fancy but really says nothing at the core of it. That may be partially due to the nature of the interview format. Probably a pretty good introduction to Campbell but to really understand his views will call for more in depth study....more
An inspirational, self-help book. Lots of folks seem to love it. Mostly rah rah stuff it seemed to me. I liked it alright. It was decently written. I An inspirational, self-help book. Lots of folks seem to love it. Mostly rah rah stuff it seemed to me. I liked it alright. It was decently written. I didn't love it certainly....more
This was written in 1984 and most of the things Postman warns about have come to pass by now. TV has turned everything into entertainment, including pThis was written in 1984 and most of the things Postman warns about have come to pass by now. TV has turned everything into entertainment, including politics and education. Now we have the rise of the internet world, which may overthrow TV but probably won't change a lot of what is happening. I found a few areas I didn't agree with Postman on, but in generally he was uttering the same thoughts I've had myself over the last 20 years....more
I basically enjoyed it. It probably accurately portrays the Hells Angels and their drug and criminal activities. Makes them look pretty sad in a lot oI basically enjoyed it. It probably accurately portrays the Hells Angels and their drug and criminal activities. Makes them look pretty sad in a lot of ways....more
This is actually not the version I originally read, when I was in graduate school. That one contained just the critique itself with very little about This is actually not the version I originally read, when I was in graduate school. That one contained just the critique itself with very little about Kant. I started reading the book as a challenge to myself, to see if I could understand it and make my way through it. At first it seemed a bit of a chore but I actually got pretty interested in it as I went through it and I can say I enjoyed it....more
