Deep South

Paul Theroux documents four seasonal trips through the back roads of "the lower 20"with a collection of interviews. He provides a window into the lives of unique characters from black spiritual and community leaders (Virgin Johnson and Eugene Lyles), to fellow writers (Randall Curb and Mary Ward), to the valiant Delores Walker Robinson, to the energetic social worker/agitator Pam Dorr, to the Indian/Patel hotel operators and the Iranian entrepreneur. He also provides history and insight on Bill Clinton, John Lewis, Strom Thurmond and William Faulkner. Theroux even seems to imitate Faulkner by getting wording and verbose in his writing, particularly in the interlude sections. 

Overall, the book is a pretty depressing and sad depiction of the southern American backcountry. Segregation is alive and well. There are too many very large poor families with no mention of family planning. The people are often unhealthy, everything is deep fried, the fields are underutilized, too many are obsessed with guns, and there are very few jobs. Outside help is often shunned and white people still have priority over people of color.

In this grim environment only a few are able to shine. In searching for a cause the writer does a lot of bashing of the establishment from foreign aid, Clinton, and outside agitators. Yet most of the problems in the south originate from it being stuck in the past. I came away from reading the book thinking the southerners need to stop glorifying the Civil War, stop with the segregation, forget the belief in white supremacy, get rid of the Klan, disarm yourselves, stop being takers, and get to work.

Confidence Man

Maggie Haberman's book is the latest in a long series of books on Donald Trump. Although many have come before, her book is undoubtedly the most comprehensive and well researched of the lot. Trump has been part of her beat since the late 80's and her detailed, chronological telling of Mr. Trump's misadventures is disturbing and brings back unpleasant memories. She provides the back stories and the complete cast of characters that have created the alternate reality of Trump World. Her retelling is very matter of fact yet flows well. She ends by quoting Trump from their third and final meeting, "I love being with her, she's like my psychiatrist." She took the statement as an empty compliment and ends by saying "he is often simply, purely opaque, permitting people to read meaning and depth into every action, no matter how empty they may be." If we ever get through this mess, Maggie's 508 pages should be required reading in American history.

Originals

John's selection is full of information nuggets and practical advice. As an educator, I can see how John chose the book for advice on how parents and teachers can help encourage innovative thinking throughout child development. Adam Grant's advice applies to all types of organizations trying to adapt to an ever changing environment. To a fault, the book seems to contain a little bit of everything. His case studies such as Bridgewater are insightful, and who knew the people and the story behind the women's suffrage (Lucy Stone), digital photography (Land), the cell phone, the internet (CIA, Medina), and the Segway? The book includes humor and one-liners, insight to non-violent revolutionary leaders (MLK, Popovic), traits of famous innovators (Da Vinci, Einstein), and even a cold water swimmer (Pugh). Personally, I don't buy into all the benefits of procrastination and the virtues of the determined pessimist, and his deliberate methods of testing and analysis would drive me batty. Nonetheless, he could be right.

"The greatest tragedy of mankind comes from the inability of people to have thoughtful disagreement to find out what is true."

The Girl with Seven Names

The Girl with Seven Names is a remarkable tale written by a remarkable young woman. She was able to escape from North Korea at 17, make her way in China, and settle in South Korea. On top of that she was able to aid her mother and brother to escape to South Korea. Her travels and tribulations were tremendous and it took all her intelligence, persistence, language skills, and good looks to make it. Even then, she needed the aid of a stranger and a boyfriend to prevail. The book makes you realize how difficult it is for a North Korean to defect and the power of brainwashing in a totalitarian state. As she pointed out, not only are so many others ready to deport North Koreans, North Koreans themselves do not understand that they have basic human rights.

Skeletons at the Feast

Although David's selection has romance and a relatively happy ending, I found the book disturbing. The brutality of the German and Russian soldiers, the bombing and strafing by the German and Allied planes, the raping and pillaging, and especially the persecution of the Jews, it is a painful reminder of man's inhumanity to man. I am reminded of a book I read in high school called the "Painted Bird" involving a 14 year old Jewish boy enduring the atrocities in Eastern Europe at the end of the war. I also also am reminded of the book we read, "Slaughterhouse 5" involving the senseless bombing of Dresden. The story is told from the perspective of the German family fleeing their estate in occupied Poland. The family has to live with the guilt that they benefited under the Nazi's and the men fought for the 3rd Reich. On the other hand, the main characters are decent and one can say goodness won out, but just barely.

Paul

Our co-founder and good friend passed away last week. He was our most conservative, yet still non-Trumpian, voice. He was not shy to take up any opposing side on an issue and provided balance and perspective to our conversations. He believed in the power of individual ingenuity to solve the problems of the world and was against excess regulation. Although not the youngest, he continued to work as a mentor for others long after most of us had retired. 

Paul did select more business related books than the rest of us. He had a passion for improving efficiency and empowering entrepreneurs. Many of his selections were challenging reads that greatly expanded our business knowledge, with the possible exception of "Who moved my Cheese". I vaguely remember Paul trying to upgrade the book club by providing the group with a list of 100 classic books that we could choose from. After one Hemmingway and a Tolstoy we all nixed the list. Paul's other selections brought to our group his interest in archeology, synchronicity, and simply stories of human kindness.  

Paul's wit, charm, and insight will be sorely missed and I believe his voice will live on in our future meetings.

On Sunday, July 31, 2022, members of the book club attended Paul's celebration of life. Stanley spoke of Paul's unique personality, their involvement with the SPUSD, and their trips together. David read a letter from Bob about his long term friendship and spoke of his input to the club and to CAS. Bill spoke of his special talents in mentoring others in his professional life and what made Paul special. It was a moving gathering of friends and especially his extended loving family. Thank you Susan!

Midnight in Washington

Dear Mr. Schiff,

We members of the No Name Book Club would like to thank you for your years of honorable service to our country and our district. We are a group of guys from the San Gabriel Valley that just read your book, Midnight in Washington. Mr. Higgins is hosting our gathering tonight just down the street from where you had your wedding reception in Altadena.

We found your book, on the one hand, a sad and painful reminder of the past several years of Trumpian politics in America. On the other hand, you reminded us of the brave women and men that have stood up for democracy including Yovanovitch, Hill, Vindman, Taylor, your fellow impeachment managers, and yourself. We recognize the courage it must take to stand up to the bully in chief, not to mention white supremacy and the Russians.

As a group, we come from a broad range of the political spectrum, however none of us identify with what has become of the Republican party. We have engaged in lively conversation for over 22 years and 270 books and still are the best of friends. Too bad our Republican Representatives, and many of the Senators as well, are unable to practice basic civility.

Keep up the good work, including your recent stand against Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, and know that you have the full support of our book club…for what it’s worth. 

Our sincere thanks,

No Name Book Club

The Geography of Genius

Eric Weiner takes the reader on a trip through time and space to explore locations that experienced brief periods of explosive creativity and genius. From Socrates and the teachings of the ancient Greeks of Athens, to the advances of the poet emperors of 1300 Hangzhou China, to the brilliance of Leonardo and Michelangelo in Florence, to the modern thinkers of Edinburgh, to the random ideas of Calcutta, to the artistic and then scientific advances of Vienna, to finally the technologic advances of Silicon Valley. He tries to tie them all together by the three T's (technology, talent, and tolerance) but more appropriately by the three D's (disorder, diversity, and discernment). Bright individuals from various places came together to drink wine, beer, and coffee and share ideas and talents. The geniuses are the surfers that "will ride the wave beautifully." Or as Linus Pauling said, "You have a lot of ideas and throw away the bad ones."

Catalina No-names

 

The No Name Book Club held their 271st meeting in their 23rd year at the Staff family home in Avalon. Seven members and their wives held separate gatherings with the men outside and in the Ratskeller and the women in the dining room and living room. I hope everyone had a great time on the Island.

Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh

“Calming, smiling, present moment, wonderful moment.”

I hope each of you are getting some “nuggets” from the short book. I find the book one that I can pick up at any point and find something to ponder. I admit, I have not set up a meditation room and I am not going about chanting Om. Yet the author does introduce the reader to the Buddhist teachings including the 3 gems, Buddha (awakening), Dharma (teachings), and Sangha (community). I have not memorized the 14 tenants of mindfulness training, although there is something to consider from each (with the exception of 14b). On the other hand, the point of Buddhism is that each individual needs to find his or her own inner peace.

In Siddhartha, Hess explains the difference between knowledge and wisdom, the importance of listening and understanding, and the personal journey that each of us needs to take. In Hanh’s book “Happiness” when talking about mindful walking, he mentions the quote “There is no way to peace; peace is the way” and asks the reader why rush “our final destination will only be the cemetery”. Our friend Tim Keenen referred to the concept of “the raft is not the shore”. Hahn points out that Buddha’s teachings are only a raft to help you cross the river and that no ideology is worth killing for.

Buddhism supports my core beliefs in family and community (sangha), protecting the environment, moderate consumption, being anti war, and supporting birth control. It allows the individual to have spiritual awareness without worshiping a god or having a rigid set of doctrines that must be followed.

The Chilean Poet

Thank you Bob for introducing us to a new author and the fascinating and passionate world of Chilean poets. I sense that the book loses some of the elegance of the Spanish language in translation, however some of the poetry makes it way through the story. The passion for language and sex comes through load and clear from Gustavo and Carla, to Vincente and Pru, to the rest of the rest of the cast and characters. The many poets have their own level of brilliance and command of words, yet at the same time they are dysfunctional and unproductive. Nonetheless, I am in awe of their poetic talents, knowledge of literature, and command of language (including foreign languages) that I will never have. The step-father and son relationship is a heart-warming conclusion by reuniting two like souls, Chilean Poets.

Iron Lake

Iron Lake is one of a series of detective stories by William Kent Kruger featuring Cork O'Connor. Cork is a hard-boiled former sheriff of the small town of Aurora on the shores of Lake Superior. Cork is part Irish and part Anishinaabe Indian and the book incorporates Indian folklore, particularly the call of death from the "Windigo". Many of the characters are grossly flawed from the town patriarchs, the new sheriff, the corrupt Indian gamers, to both Cork and his wife Jo. It is interesting how Cork and Jo see the infidelity of the other as wrong without also seeing it in themselves. The only truly good soles are the old Indian Meloux who helps save day and Mollie who sadly is murdered. 

Overall a good mystery read that gives you a taste of the cold far north and the potential secrets of a small town.

A Woman of No Importance

Who knew? Virginia Hall, Diane, La Madone...what an amazing individual. The book title is on the one hand mistitled, but on the other hand explains how she was underestimated. This worked to her advantage as a key figure in the French Resistance that avoided capture despite her notoriety. It also worked against her for recognition and promotions. Despite her handicap of a wooden leg, she accomplished amazing physical feats including crossing the Pyrenees in winter. The book gave credit to the many unsung heroes and heroines from the French Resistance, including the many radio operators and those that provided shelter and cover. The book pointed out the evil doers and traitors, particularly the abbe Alesch as well as the butcher of Lyon, Klaus Barbie. The level of evil and betrayal is hard to fathom and would be impossible for many to forgive. In addition, the author was not kind to the glory seeking Guallists and worthless agents that Virginia had to work with. Even after the war, the male dominated state department and CIA continued to overlook and underutilize this woman of significant importance. Only after her passing did Virginia receive much of the credit she richly deserves for helping to make the world safe for democracy. 

The Good Hike

The book revolves around the 172 day, 2,183 mile "thru-hike" by NANEEK (Keenan backwards) of the Appalachian Trail. Mixed in with Tim's daily recap of the highlights of the journey, are flashbacks to his one year of combat duty in Viet Nam. It was a grueling challenge for the 62-63 year old guy and it took the help of his young female hiking partner along with "trail magic" from multiple angels to get him to the finish line. The simple life of eat, drink, sleep, and hike helped the author find an inner peace and address some demons from his time in the infantry. The emotions come through in his reliving the lives lost, the physical and psychological injuries, as well as the joy of returning from a war zone. Tim even goes on to meet his commander "Grisly" and meet former Vietnamese solders to confront his hated and racism. The good hike is not for the faint of heart and Mr. Keenan has much to be proud of.