Finished Su 9/ll/ll
This is the Children's Edition of Mann's book, yet I think that it covered the essential points.
Modern historians tend to believe that The New World was relatively 'untouched' before the arrival of the Europeans. However, it is Mann's contention that it was disease that decimated the native populations before the large influx of immigrants, and this is why the land seemed to be pristine.
-The forests of Amazonia contained thousands of carefully planted tree gardens which were used as a food source.
-Sophisticated cities and huge pyramids existed before those in Egypt.
-Native American cities were much larger and more complex than previously thought.
-Maize(corn) was biogenically engineered by the Indians.
-Indians did manage game populations. Burning large sections of landscape late in the year guaranteed new growth in the spring which would attract animals to hunt.
-Diseases were spread by the invaders use of domesticated animals such as pigs and cattle. Local populations had no history of domestication, and this left them vulnerable.
-"Zoonotic" is a disease transmitted from animals to humans. Measles, smallpox, influenza, and diphtheria are examples of this form of contagion.
-When the Europeans arrived in New England 90% of the indigenous population had already succumbed to disease.
"Milpa"- The traditional Mesoamerican field or garden plot, in which farms grow both maize and beans, together with a variety of other crops, such as squash, peppers, and avocados. This insured soil conservation.
FUN FACT: One hundred and two English people on the Mayflower arrived on the coast of Massachusetts six weeks before the beginning of winter without food or shelter. What were they thinking?
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
THE GANYMEDE TAKEOVER by Philip K. Dick and Ray Nelson
Finished Fr 9/9/11
THE GANYMEDE TAKEOVER embodies the strengths and weaknesses of most of Philip K. Dick's work. He conjuers wild and masterful ideas, yet his storytelling is sometimes sub-par at best.
In this novel, which he co-wrote with Ray Nelson, the Earth has been conquered by an alien race of worm-like beings. Nearly all of the planet is under their control except for a small group of Black Nationalists operating out of what was once, Tennessee, USA. Dick employs robots, telepathic abilities, a Bureau of Psychedelic Research, vid-phones, ionocraft bombers, a machine which induces wild hallucinations which Do Not End, and other science fiction gambits, yet he is really attempting to develop and present the psychological differences and personal dilemmas of the characters. Also, the author adds an extra dollop of satire through the use of a kind of antiquated racism between some of the characters. The novel was written in 1967, and at that time the US was in the midst of a backlash against the nascent civil rights movement, and the emergence of Black Power.
And, one of my favorite aspects of a Philip K. Dick novel are the odd and quirky names of his characters. Here are a few from THE GANYMEDE TAKEOVER:
Dr. Rudolph Balkani
Joan Hiashi
Percy X
Ed Newkom
Paul Rivers
Gus Swenesgard
Lincoln Shaw
(Alien Names)
Marshal Koli
Mekkis
This is a short novel, and chock-full of strange and compelling ideas, but a rather clunky story-line with little resolution. But, if you are a fan of the Dick genre this is a 'must read', and it is also a good starting point if you are unfamiliar with his work.
THE GANYMEDE TAKEOVER embodies the strengths and weaknesses of most of Philip K. Dick's work. He conjuers wild and masterful ideas, yet his storytelling is sometimes sub-par at best.
In this novel, which he co-wrote with Ray Nelson, the Earth has been conquered by an alien race of worm-like beings. Nearly all of the planet is under their control except for a small group of Black Nationalists operating out of what was once, Tennessee, USA. Dick employs robots, telepathic abilities, a Bureau of Psychedelic Research, vid-phones, ionocraft bombers, a machine which induces wild hallucinations which Do Not End, and other science fiction gambits, yet he is really attempting to develop and present the psychological differences and personal dilemmas of the characters. Also, the author adds an extra dollop of satire through the use of a kind of antiquated racism between some of the characters. The novel was written in 1967, and at that time the US was in the midst of a backlash against the nascent civil rights movement, and the emergence of Black Power.
And, one of my favorite aspects of a Philip K. Dick novel are the odd and quirky names of his characters. Here are a few from THE GANYMEDE TAKEOVER:
Dr. Rudolph Balkani
Joan Hiashi
Percy X
Ed Newkom
Paul Rivers
Gus Swenesgard
Lincoln Shaw
(Alien Names)
Marshal Koli
Mekkis
This is a short novel, and chock-full of strange and compelling ideas, but a rather clunky story-line with little resolution. But, if you are a fan of the Dick genre this is a 'must read', and it is also a good starting point if you are unfamiliar with his work.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
TWENTY BLUE DEVILS by Aaron Elkins
Finished We 9/7/11
This kind of novel is my least favorite format for a Mystery-Thriller. These works generally are introduced by the commission of a crime, and then numerous characters with conflicting motives are presented as the possible perpetrator, and the reader is invited to 'figure out who done it'. Needless to say, Agatha Christie is The Worst (or, The Best) at this type of storytelling, and she is one of my least favorite authors.
However, TWENTY BLUE DEVILS does have a few redeeming qualities.
-It happens on the island of Tahiti on a coffee plantation near the city of Papeete
-There is a lot of information on the cultivation and distribution of coffee
-Some techniques of forensic anthropology are used
-Certain aspects of Money Laundering are examined
The only reason that I picked this novel is that it featured Elkins most famous character, Gideon Oliver. This is the kind of novel that would work best on a long plane ride or at the beach. A bit of light diversion, but, in the end, unsatisfying because it is just 'light diversion'.
This kind of novel is my least favorite format for a Mystery-Thriller. These works generally are introduced by the commission of a crime, and then numerous characters with conflicting motives are presented as the possible perpetrator, and the reader is invited to 'figure out who done it'. Needless to say, Agatha Christie is The Worst (or, The Best) at this type of storytelling, and she is one of my least favorite authors.
However, TWENTY BLUE DEVILS does have a few redeeming qualities.
-It happens on the island of Tahiti on a coffee plantation near the city of Papeete
-There is a lot of information on the cultivation and distribution of coffee
-Some techniques of forensic anthropology are used
-Certain aspects of Money Laundering are examined
The only reason that I picked this novel is that it featured Elkins most famous character, Gideon Oliver. This is the kind of novel that would work best on a long plane ride or at the beach. A bit of light diversion, but, in the end, unsatisfying because it is just 'light diversion'.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time
Finished Tu 9/6/11
I first heard of this book in an interview on Jon Stewart's Daily Show. Here's the link
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/09/watch-jon-stewart-talk-ma_n_921969.html
Here is a link to the Wikipedia entry about the explorer, Hiram Bingham III
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Bingham_III
Basically I spent several hours reading and skimming through this book. It is an interesting tale of a contemporary travel editor, Mark Adams who despite having no experience as an outdoorsman, becomes part of an expedition to one of the most intriguing archaeological sites on the planet.
I first heard of this book in an interview on Jon Stewart's Daily Show. Here's the link
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/09/watch-jon-stewart-talk-ma_n_921969.html
Here is a link to the Wikipedia entry about the explorer, Hiram Bingham III
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Bingham_III
Basically I spent several hours reading and skimming through this book. It is an interesting tale of a contemporary travel editor, Mark Adams who despite having no experience as an outdoorsman, becomes part of an expedition to one of the most intriguing archaeological sites on the planet.
RABBIT REMEMBERED by John Updike
Finished Mo 9/5/11 Labor Day
RABBIT REMEMBERED is a John Updike novella which is included in a collection of his short stories called, LICKS OF LOVE. Updike's 'Harry Angstrom' books occurred to me when I read Jonathan Franzen's, FREEDOM, and I did not realize that Updike had written a new work in The 'Rabbit' Series which takes place ten years after the main character had died. Both authors construct wonderfully diverse and multi-faceted family situations which occur over long periods of time.
Here is what Publisher's Weekly had to say about RABBIT REMEMBERED-
Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom has been dead for a decade in Rabbit Remembered, the novella that closes this latest, richly evocative Updike collection. His widow, Janice, is married to Ronnie Harrison, the widower of Thelma, with whom Harry had a long-time liaison. His son Nelson's wife, Pru, whom Harry also briefly bedded, has left Nelson, who has kicked the coke habit and still lives in the old Springer house with Janice and Ronnie. The past surfaces unexpectedly when Annabelle Byers, Harry's illegitimate daughter, makes herself known to the family. The ramifications of Harry's legacy include a strained Thanksgiving dinner that degenerates into political argument and acrimonious insults, and a mordantly funny flashback to a scene in which Harry's cremated remains were inadvertently left on a closet shelf in a Comfort Inn. While Updike explores the dark territory of bitterness, resentment and guilt, he also includes his trademark ticker-tape of current events (Hillary's candidacy, etc.), a typically muddled millennium New Year's Eve and a surprisingly upbeat denouement. For Rabbit fans, this is a must-read.
One of these days I want to go back and read the other books in the series one more time. RABBIT REMEMBERED can be read as a 'stand alone' novel, or, as in my case, it can whet your appetite for more of the Harry Angstrom saga.
RABBIT REMEMBERED is a John Updike novella which is included in a collection of his short stories called, LICKS OF LOVE. Updike's 'Harry Angstrom' books occurred to me when I read Jonathan Franzen's, FREEDOM, and I did not realize that Updike had written a new work in The 'Rabbit' Series which takes place ten years after the main character had died. Both authors construct wonderfully diverse and multi-faceted family situations which occur over long periods of time.
Here is what Publisher's Weekly had to say about RABBIT REMEMBERED-
Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom has been dead for a decade in Rabbit Remembered, the novella that closes this latest, richly evocative Updike collection. His widow, Janice, is married to Ronnie Harrison, the widower of Thelma, with whom Harry had a long-time liaison. His son Nelson's wife, Pru, whom Harry also briefly bedded, has left Nelson, who has kicked the coke habit and still lives in the old Springer house with Janice and Ronnie. The past surfaces unexpectedly when Annabelle Byers, Harry's illegitimate daughter, makes herself known to the family. The ramifications of Harry's legacy include a strained Thanksgiving dinner that degenerates into political argument and acrimonious insults, and a mordantly funny flashback to a scene in which Harry's cremated remains were inadvertently left on a closet shelf in a Comfort Inn. While Updike explores the dark territory of bitterness, resentment and guilt, he also includes his trademark ticker-tape of current events (Hillary's candidacy, etc.), a typically muddled millennium New Year's Eve and a surprisingly upbeat denouement. For Rabbit fans, this is a must-read.
One of these days I want to go back and read the other books in the series one more time. RABBIT REMEMBERED can be read as a 'stand alone' novel, or, as in my case, it can whet your appetite for more of the Harry Angstrom saga.
Monday, September 5, 2011
DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD by Eric Burdon with J. Marshall Craig
Finished Mo 9/5/11 Labor Day
A very enjoyable glimpse into the spirit and soul of the man who headed one of the best British invasion bands of the 60's. The book is chock full of interesting anecdotes about how the band (actually, 'bands') were formed, but also he has some very interesting information about the legal side of being a performer. I would almost recommend this book to anyone who is beginning a career in the music business. Pay close attention as to how Eric Burdon handled his contracts and lawyers, and then do the exact opposite.
I have read that John Fogerty is a very angry man due to his adventures in The Music Biz, but it sounds like Eric Burdon might have even more issues.
Great scene where Burdon sings 'House of The Rising Sun' in an empty Karaoke bar, and where he actually visits the real 'House of The Rising Sun'.
A very enjoyable glimpse into the spirit and soul of the man who headed one of the best British invasion bands of the 60's. The book is chock full of interesting anecdotes about how the band (actually, 'bands') were formed, but also he has some very interesting information about the legal side of being a performer. I would almost recommend this book to anyone who is beginning a career in the music business. Pay close attention as to how Eric Burdon handled his contracts and lawyers, and then do the exact opposite.
I have read that John Fogerty is a very angry man due to his adventures in The Music Biz, but it sounds like Eric Burdon might have even more issues.
Great scene where Burdon sings 'House of The Rising Sun' in an empty Karaoke bar, and where he actually visits the real 'House of The Rising Sun'.
Friday, September 2, 2011
CHINABERRY SIDEWALKS by Rodney Crowell
Finished Fr 9/2/11
This is one of the best memoirs that I have ever read. You don't have to have the slightest interest in country music to appreciate and enjoy Rodney Crowell's tale about life in the Houston suburb of Jacinto City in the late 50's and early 1960's. Each character is multifaceted, and nobody is either 'all good' or 'all bad'. Rodney's father is a rather violent alcoholic, yet capable of deep passions, and his mother is a borderline neurotic who loves her family in the best way that she can.
Like the best of biographies, at the end of the book you feel that you are meeting a friend that you never knew that you had. And, you find yourself looking back on your own life when you were that age.
CHINABERRY SIDEWALKS is a wonderful read, and has the absolute ring of truth.
This is one of the best memoirs that I have ever read. You don't have to have the slightest interest in country music to appreciate and enjoy Rodney Crowell's tale about life in the Houston suburb of Jacinto City in the late 50's and early 1960's. Each character is multifaceted, and nobody is either 'all good' or 'all bad'. Rodney's father is a rather violent alcoholic, yet capable of deep passions, and his mother is a borderline neurotic who loves her family in the best way that she can.
Like the best of biographies, at the end of the book you feel that you are meeting a friend that you never knew that you had. And, you find yourself looking back on your own life when you were that age.
CHINABERRY SIDEWALKS is a wonderful read, and has the absolute ring of truth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)