What are you currently reading?

[The new erato]

I read both the Sea of Cortez, Point Counterpoint and Rouge and Noir in my youth. These days I mostly read non-fiction, biographies and crime novels for lighter relieff.

[aligreto]

That is a book I read and enjoyed many years ago and which I've been planning to re-read.

It would be interesting to read your thoughts whenever you do so.

[Florestan]

May I point out that you found enough in Rouge et Noir  on the first try to read it a second time, and then a third time?

True. 

I admit that I have never read a page of Stendahl.  Any suggestions on which to try first?

If you like your psychological analysis wrapped in rather page-turning action, try La chartreuse de Parme. If action is not much of a concern, then Le rouge et le noir.

[SimonNZ]

Aldous Huxley: Point Counter Point

This is a re-read after many years. I cannot remember how I got on the first time, even tough I read quite a lot of his novels when I was a young man. This time around, however, I found it tough going. Perhaps as one grows older one gets impatient when a plot or character development is slow and tedious?

Huxley's Point Counter Point made a big impression on me when I was in my late teens, in a way that none of his other novels quite matched.

Coincidentally I found one of his essay collections I hadn't yet read in a secondhand shop just a few days ago and am looking forward to getting into it:




recently finished:



Jack Reacher No.8. This is the one that's set back in 1990. The writing, structure and plots  keep getting better in steady increments, but he still hasn't learned how to wrap things up well. A couple of plot twists were obvious right from the start. But I'll continue with the series.

on the go, depending on whether I want something a litte easier or a little heavier:

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Had a wonderful time voraciously working my way through Ken Follett's Kingsbridge series, e.g. Pillars of the Earth, World Without End and lastly, A Column of Fire.  I had purchased the first book in the series ages ago, but for some reason or another (I'm embarrassed to admit), had never gotten around to reading it 'til about a month or so ago.  I can certainly see why it was a world-wide best seller!

I thought of it the other day whilst watching the news coverage of Notre Dame; they even contacted Mr. Follett--who, from what I understand, had spent an extensive amount of time in the cathedral researching it for his novels and discussing what he thought about the fire and how it had spread so rapidly, etc. and also bringing up what one of his characters had done in Pillars.  I don't want to say more and spoil it for those who are interested in reading the book(s).

Are there other fans of this series here? 

Serendipitously, I ran across a nice used hardcover copy of Fall of Giants by him at a bookstore whilst waiting for a takeout.  Hope to start that one in the near future.

Best wishes,

PD

[aligreto]

Huxley's Point Counter Point made a big impression on me when I was in my late teens, in a way that none of his other novels quite matched.

Coincidentally I found one of his essay collections I hadn't yet read in a secondhand shop just a few days ago and am looking forward to getting into it:

I have not read those essays. I would be interested in reading your thoughts whenever you get to read them.

[Florestan]

Although it's mostly too technical for me, I greatly enjoy the general comments he makes and his humorous and witty style. Lots of stuff for the Quotations thread, actually, liek for instance this one: Liszt's early works are shallow and great, his later ones are admirable and minor.

[Ken B]

The Great Awokening. https://areomagazine.com/2019/04/17/listening-at-the-great-awokening/

Andrei, do look at this.

[Florestan]

The Great Awokening. https://areomagazine.com/2019/04/17/listening-at-the-great-awokening/

Andrei, do look at this.

I just did and I have only one comment:

Quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat.

[greg]

The Great Awokening. https://areomagazine.com/2019/04/17/listening-at-the-great-awokening/

Andrei, do look at this.

So what do you think is the fundamental drive for people joining the cult?

I saw an interview recently with Anton LaVey and what he said about God and Satan is the same basic concept. People want to be on the correct and winning team, but they also need an enemy. Without the existence of Satan, think of how much less the impact is of the goodness of God. Without there being any sports teams in other cities, the local football team will have no opponents, and therefore won't be able to win anything.

So it's all tribalism. To appear good, you need an enemy at any cost, even at the expense of facts (as demonstrated by the article). Which weirds me out as someone who actually doesn't want to "fit in" with a group, to see people so desperate to belong somewhere.

As for the end of the article, as the saying goes... Get Woke, Go Broke (it's a saying supported by many examples over the last few years).

[ritter]

Revisiting that monument of world poetry that is Baudelaire's Les fleurs du mal, this time in the edition illustrated by Henri Matisse:

[asin]2754109536[/asin]

« Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté,
Luxe, calme et volupté ».

[Florestan]

Revisiting that monument of world poetry that is Baudelaire's Les fleurs du mal, this time in the edition illustrated by Henri Matisse:

[asin]2754109536[/asin]

« Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté,
Luxe, calme et volupté ».

Pour l'enfant, amoureux de cartes et d'estampes,
L'univers est égal à son vaste appétit.
Ah! que le monde est grand à la clarté des lampes!
Aux yeux du souvenir que le monde est petit!

[Ken B]

A long but excellent article explaining the technical issues in the 737 Max

https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/aviation/how-the-boeing-737-max-disaster-looks-to-a-software-developer

[JBS]

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-disquieting-power-of-wilhelm-furtwangler-hitlers-court-conductor/

[André]

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-disquieting-power-of-wilhelm-furtwangler-hitlers-court-conductor/

Interesting article. I wonder if the title is the author's own or if some editorial board plugged it on ?

Knappertsbusch disliked rehearsals and recordings, relying on the inspiration of the concert/opera night. I don't think that would make his a 'more disciplined approach' than Furtwängler's.

[Ken B]

Interesting article. I wonder if the title is the author's own or if some editorial board plugged it on ?

Knappertsbusch disliked rehearsals and recordings, relying on the inspiration of the concert/opera night. I don't think that would make his a 'more disciplined approach' than Furtwängler's.

Especially as Furtwangler had a reputation for being demanding. I too think the headl8ne unfair.

[Brian]

In my experience writing for various publications, I've been asked to suggest headlines if the editor isn't clear what point I'm trying to make  , but generally that is the domain of the editors, not the writers.

I thought the article was a fascinating read.

André, I have hardly listened to any Knappertsbusch, but I interpreted that discipline comment as referring to audible traits like rubato rather than work habits.

[André]

In my experience writing for various publications, I've been asked to suggest headlines if the editor isn't clear what point I'm trying to make  , but generally that is the domain of the editors, not the writers.

I thought the article was a fascinating read.

André, I have hardly listened to any Knappertsbusch, but I interpreted that discipline comment as referring to audible traits like rubato rather than work habits.

That could be. The article doesn't make it clear IMO. Having Karajan and Knappertsbusch as examples of 'more discipline' in the same sentence/context does invite questioning. Still, a very interesting read as you mention.

[SonicMan46]

Well has been a few months since my last posting and onto some new books - the top two are currently being read (first in hardback & second on my iPad - same author); the lower two are hardbacks in my 'to read' pile - Dave

The Great War in America: World War I and Its Aftermath (2018) by Garrett Peck - a different look at the Great War through an American perspective - short review HERE for those interested in the topic (and its aftermath relative to WW II and the Middle East).

The Prohibition Hangover: Alcohol in America from Demon Rum to Cult Cabernet (2009) by Garett Peck - enjoyed the author's writing in the Great War book and looked for others by him - this one on 'alcohol in America' piqued my interest being an avid wine drinker - short description below from Amazon.

Heirs of the Founders: The Epic Rivalry of Henry Clay, John Calhoun and Daniel Webster, the Second Generation of American Giants (2018) by H.W. Brands - biography of the three giants who dominated Congress in the first half of the 19th Century, namely Henry Clay, John Calhoun and Daniel Webster.

The Pirate World: A History of the Most Notorious Sea Robbers (2019) by Angus Konstam - I've loved pirates since boyhood and could not resist this new book on the topic; plus, living just hours from the Carolina coast where Blackbeard roamed furthers the interest - looking forward to starting this one soon!  Dave

Society is constantly evolving, and so are our drinking habits. "The Prohibition Hangover" examines the modern American temperament toward drink amid the $189-billion- dollar-a-year industry that defines itself by the production, distribution, marketing, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Based on primary research, including hundreds of interviews with those on all sides--clergy, bar and restaurant owners, public health advocates, citizen crusaders, industry representatives, and more--as well as secondary sources, Garrett Peck provides a panoramic assessment of alcohol in American culture and history. (Amazon Source)

 

 

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-disquieting-power-of-wilhelm-furtwangler-hitlers-court-conductor/

$229 for a collection of 70+ year old recordings?