Beneath the Scarlet Sky

John's selection is an historical semi-fictional book about a bigger than life Italian WW2 war hero. Although he faces extreme violence and injustice, he somehow does not succumb to the evil all around him. With the aid of the Catholic Church he assists in the escape of Italian Jews before serving as a spy while driving for a top Nazi general. He falls in love, performs daring driving escapes, and confronts both Nazi's, fascists, and partisans. Even after witnessing the extermination of Jews and slave labor by the Nazi's, along with the killing of his friend and lover by the partisans, he keeps his faith. The book focuses on man's inhumanity to man and I cannot recall Pino taking a life. He is a war hero that was not a killing machine.

The American Story

Stanley's selection is a series of conversations by David Rubenstein with expert historians on key individuals in "The American Story". Each of the historians interviewed studied their subjects for several years with Pulitzer prize publications. The chapters included Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Lindberg, MLK, Johnson, Nixon, and Reagan. The final chapter was an interesting conversation with the chief justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts. The book was a great history lesson despite being redundant and a little disjointed. A good read nonetheless.

The Midnight Library

Matt Haig is is children's book writer that takes on the very serious subject of depression, despair, and suicide in a positive and actually uplifting way. The down-and-out 30 something young woman travels through multiple alternative universes in her "midnight library" to discard her "book of regrets" and begin to write her blank "book of her future".  With the limited help of her imaginary librarian, Nora rediscovers her will to live and the endless opportunities available to her. The author injects words of wisdom and helpful philosophy to guide the reader to Nora's rebirth...I AM ALIVE.

American Dirt

American Dirt is a fictional tale of the plight of undocumented immigration from Latin America by a myriad of characters. The main characters are a mother and an 8 year old son that flee the cartel in Acapulco after all 16 of their family members have been killed. The story line includes two other asylum seekers that are sisters from Honduras, a young boy from the TJ slums, a young man from the cartel, a college student, a mother from San Diego, and seasonal workers from Veracruz. The coyote is an admirable man and the bad guys are the cartels and narcos, the border control, and American vigilantes. 

The author works Spanish words in the narrative, particularly in relation to the world of immigration. She uses "el norte" for the US, "la bestia" for the Mexican freight trains, and "la migra" for the US Boarder Patrol. It makes the read a little more challenging and I am glad I have been doing Duolingo. The story line is a bit far fetched and the author does get a little wordy, but overall the book is an enlightening look intro the world of refugees. 

Twilight of Democracy

 The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism

Bob's selection is written by a long-term, well-connected political journalist. Applebaum has personal connections to her homeland of Poland, Hungary, Great Britain, and the US. She is also an author and expert on the Soviet Union. This makes her an expert on both current right-wing as well as previous left-wing authoritarians of whom she makes little differentiation. Both seek to create a one-party system that controls the military, the press, and the judiciary. 

Applebaum describes herself as politically center right. On the other hand, she uses the word liberal to describe the the need for democracies to demand participation, argument, effort, struggle and tolerance. I particularly like the way she explains the difference between reflective nostalgia and the restorative nostalgia used by authoritarians. The restorative nostalgia creates a past that fits their grim narrative that only they can fix. It is eerie how the four right wing parties share the same memes, conspiracy theories, and platforms. From George Soros, to Covid, to immigration, to racism. She explains how many of her former friends have been lost to the movements of their respective authoritarians. 

Sapiens (a not so brief history)

Harari's 2014 book is a comprehensive work covering most every subject involving homo sapiens. The author takes you through a journey of Physics (14b BC), Chemistry (4b BC), Biology (300k BC), first humans (70k BC), Cognitive cooperation and Agricultural Revolution (10k BC), early empires (2000 BC), religion, money, politics, scientific revolution (1500), technology, military, and modern scientific developments. Much of the book focuses on the last 500 years and does not shed a positive light on human development. The author has a low opinion of humans being able to collaborate and solve problems and even suggests that we are biologically predestined to fail.

The author writes in the final chapter that homo sapiens are, "Self-made gods with only the laws of physics to keep us company, we are accountable to no one. We are consequently wreaking havoc on our fellow animals and on the surrounding ecosystem, seeking little more than our own comfort and amusement, yet never finding satisfaction." 

Haran is like a Bill Bryson with fewer cleaver stories. He covers most every human related subject imaginable, however the book lacks continuity. I took away from the book a negative view of homo sapiens with a defeatist attitude about the future. Yet this book was written before a US administration that was a climate change denying, white supremacist promoting, arms race disaster. This book could have been named the Problem is Us vs. the Power of Us. 

The Power of Us

The Power of Us is a book about the benefits of open and sharing organizations in today's world. David Price addresses how successful companies and schools utilize open participation and learning to engage users to achieve personal interests, social goals, as well as organizational goals. Control is garined by giving it up. Open organizations gain support and commitment through sharing. David has a unique ability to relate and appreciate young people and see the potential they have to solve the many problems facing the world today.

David was kind enough to join our meeting today from the UK and was a terrific addition to our discussions. Thank you David!

Socrates Express

Bill's selection is an unusual collection of an author's take on 12 of his favorite philosophers combined with 12 train trips. Having spent some time myself on trains, I can relate to the time alone to think big thoughts. The author describes the varied philosophical ideas in relatively simple terms with a positive spin. My favorite quote is from Nietzsche in addressing contentment, "Don't resign yourself to your fate. Don't accept your fate. Love it. Desire it." I enjoyed the curiosity of Socrates, the joy of the Epicurians, the Asian appreciation of the small things, the kindness of Confucius, and the caring and attention of Simone Weil. The book made me think about how great life is, or as my grandkids have all said, "again, again."

Killers of the Flower Moon

John's selection is a cold case study of the murders of the Osage Indians in Oklahoma during the 1920's. Much of the book deals with the 24 known killings for the headrights, or oil rights, that were investigated by local law enforcement, private investigators, and the newly created FBI.  The guilty parties included a wealthy rancher, a banker, outlaws, spouses, and guardians. It turns out there are hundreds of suspicious deaths in the "Reign of Terror" that involved countless evil opportunists. 

The book is a sad reflection of how a blessing of oil rights became a curse to the Osage. On the one hand, they became the wealthiest people of their time by retaining mineral rights to their assign land. On the other hand, they became the target of abuse and murder. The Osage murders are yet another ugly chapter of America's abuse and injustice involving Native Americans.

Man of the Future

 Was/is Jerry Brown a man of the future?

The biography is a travel though time in California for our generation. From his father's state college and aqueduct projects, to Watts, Black Panthers, Manson, Jim Jones, SLA, and OJ, to anti-Viet Nam, drugs, and anti-Nukes, to anti-tax Prop 13 and anti-immigrant 187, to justice reform and climate change action. Jerry was there throughout lending his insight and guiding hand.

Jerry Brown lives by two credos, "Do what you are doing" and "Live in the inquiry". At the end of the book he describes himself as a "skeptically Catholic enthusiastic romantic". He is a unique liberal politician that also believes that "small is beautiful". He served two 8 year terms as the Governor of California with 28 years in between. Always thinking, argumentative in a good way, and a man of great wisdom. 

I think he is a man for the present...too bad he is not younger. Maybe he can be on our next Zoom meeting?

Whitehead - Underground Railroad and Nickel Boys

The first book is a story about the terrible ordeals endured by a young black slave that escapes her bondage though the aid of the Underground Railroad. The book describes in explicit detail the inhumane treatment on the large Georgian plantation, the creepy new order and subjugation of South Carolina, the murderous mobs of North Carolina, the disorder of Tennessee, and the brief but not lasting comfort of Indiana. The runaway, Cora, is pursued by the Slave catcher Ridgeway, aided by Caesar in her escape, abolitionists along the way, and Royal on her final leg. The evil, cruelty, and death are almost too much to take, yet she escapes it all to journey west. 

David's second selection, The Nickel Boys, involves the trials and tribulations of a black man growing up in the South in the 60's. The story revolves around a reform school in Florida that tortured and abused young men, particularly the "colored" boys. The main character, Elwood, is a morally strong young man that appears to somehow survive his unjust fate, with a twist at the end.

Both books show the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. As Elwood quotes Martin Luther King..."But be assured that we will wear you down by our capacity to suffer, and one day we will win our freedom. We will not only win freedom for ourselves, we will so appeal to your heart and your conscience that we will win you in the process and our victory will be a double victory."

Educated

Educated is a remarkable story of a young Mormon girl from rural Idaho that overcomes incredible obstacles to obtain a Phd from Harvard and Cambridge. She grows up in a poor family with a bipolar father, and absent mother, and 6 siblings. She endures physical and mental abuse and somehow tests in to college despite limited home schooling.
The story is one of an endless attempt by Tara to be part of an abusive and dysfunctional family. She is finally able to break away and obtain her independence, as are two of her siblings. The other four siblings never obtain an education and remain a part of their family compound at Bucks Peak.
The book is a study of two worlds in America, the god-fearing, anti-government, end of world zealots, and the Illuminati. Scary stuff.

The Body

The Body is the fourth book we have read by Bill Bryson and it is similar in style to A Short History of Nearly Everything. Instead of being about nearly everything about us, the body attempts to cover nearly everything within us. Bryson covers all of our major body parts, explains our internal bodily systems, guts, and microbes, explains how the body functions, and describes the threats of disease, treatment, aging, and death. Bryson again takes on an extremely complex and grand topic and explains it in a way that we can all comprehend...at least on some level.
The insight concerning infectious diseases is particularly timely and the specific information on prostate cancer hit close to home. The book ends by reminding us all of our imminent demise, however Bryson again brings to our attention the wonder of our existence.

The Story of More

or everything you wanted to know about Climate Science by the author of Lab Girl.

I enjoyed the short and concise book that covers a broad range of environmental issues facing today's world. The author focuses on the 50 years since she was born in 1969 from the prospectus of someone who grew up in America's heartland. She mixes in interesting stories and factoids that make the material more interesting and relatable. Her message to the developed countries is that we need to conserve and share all of the Earth's food, energy, and other resources.
More than once she states that our energy consumption should be no more than the Swiss in the 1960's. Each of us should use less plastic, eat less meat, drive less, fly less, and use less energy. She downplays wind and solar (<5%) and technology in general for solving our "Story of More." It is up to each of us to save ourselves by consuming less.

The Accidental President

...and the four months that changed the world.
The book is a about the unlikely rise of Harry Truman to President of the United States and how he handled the first four months of his presidency. The author takes the somewhat questionable position that Truman never wanted to be president. He allows him significant relief from responsibility due to being thrust on the scene in the most difficult of times with little preparation. Truman proves to be hard working and decisive and up until Potsdam and the dropping of the atomic bombs, I admired his accomplishments.
On the other hand, the challenges of the world may have been too much for Truman. I am not sure any one man could have lead us successfully through those months of 1945. Where were the woman and the scientist in the decision making? Why did we drop the A-bomb on Hiroshima, much less on Nagasaki? We have all heard the military establishment argument that the A-bombs possibly saved the lives of more soldiers on both sides from a prolonged war. But why didn't we simply demonstrate its power? For that matter, why did we constantly firebomb civilians in Tokyo? Was racism a factor?
The Truman Doctrine and the Marshal Plan were very successful in rebuilding Europe and Japan and the U.S. somehow avoided hyper-inflation and recession after the war. On the other hand, the Cold War with the USSR, the civil war in China, and the Korean conflict started under his watch. The author points out that although Truman did not have high approval ratings after his first couple of months, he is now considered one of the nations top 10 Presidents. Although I like the way Harry Truman is portrayed as a man, I see the danger of someone in over his head surrounded by too much testosterone. At least he read briefs and tried to do the right thing.

The Splendid and the Vile

Review by Bill...

"The Splendid and the Vile is a recounting of the hectic first year of Winston Churchill's Prime Ministership, from May 1940 to May 1941. As I hope most readers already know, Churchill took office at a moment of extreme challenge for the British Empire, when Nazi Germany had conquered most of Europe. Over the next year Churchill guided his nation through innumerable perils, as bombs flattened cities and killed thousands while a badly outnumbered but valiant air force fought back against a seemingly all powerful foe.

This is a tale which has been told many times before, but it always bears recounting, especially at the hands of such a masterly story teller as Erik Larson, who is well known for creating works of history that read like the most sensational fiction. Here Larson portrays Churchill not only as the indomitable war leader but also as a harried husband and father, dealing with a wayward son and daughter in law, a teenage daughter, a loving but mercurial wife, and a lifetime habit of lavish spending that his income could not support. Churchill the crafty diplomat and Machiavellian is also well depicted, especially in Larson's recountings of the Prime Minister's efforts to convince the US President (another Machiavellian) to bring his country into the war. We also get personal views of what life was like during the Blitz and the Battle of Britain from the memoirs and other accounts of countless numbers of ordinary Londoners, along with asides from the German leadership's own point of view."

The Overstory

The book is a collection of 8 separate stories tied together like branches on a tree. Each of the characters are connected to trees in some fashion and five of them ultimately participate in acts of eco-terrorism. Doug-fir, Mulberry, Watchman, Maple, and Maidenhair take their passion for saving the forests to the extreme and end up paying dearly. In addition, a troubled couple find comfort and peace in their overgrown property, a highly successful paraplegic programmer designs an alternate computer game to try to stop mankind form environmental suicide, and a botanist writer finds an audience to listen to the trees.
At the same time, the book is about the trees and looking at the world from their perspective. Powers teaches us about Chestnuts, Aspens, Oaks, Redwoods, Firs, Mulberries, Maples, Ginkgoes, and so many more that humans often fail to observe. "You can't see what you don't understand. But what you think you already understand, you'll fail to notice." He tells us that 1.5 billion years ago we evolved separately from trees but still retain 25% of their genes. Nonetheless in a fraction of the last second of the world's evolutionary clock we have destroyed nearly 80% of the world's forests.
It is a sobering story that makes you think about your place in the world.

Washington Black

Stanley's book is an adventure story about an emancipated slave growing up in the 1830's. He is born a slave on a plantation in Barbados, balloons and sails to adventures in the Arctic, makes a life and avoids a bounty hunter in Nova Scotia, moves to London with a marine biologist and his daughter, and reunites with his mentor in the African desert. Characters include Wash, his mother Big Kit, his mentor Titch, plantation slave owner Erasmus, their cousin Philip, marine biologist Goff, and his companion daughter Tanna. There are issues of slavery, dependency, independence, pride, and the mental baggage from discrimination and abuse. I am not sure what I take away from the book and the ending..."What is the truth of any life, Titch?..."You cannot know the true nature of another's suffering." Nonetheless, in following the fanciful life of a disfigured ex-slave, the reader gets a picture of the racial prejudice that persists to this day from the many years of slavery.

Ordinary Grace

Krueger's novel is a coming of age story revolving around five deaths in a small Minnesota town in the summer of 1961. The story is told by 13 year old Frank as he describes the effect of the deaths on his family and the community. The author develops the characters of his brother Jake, father Nathan and mother Ruth, his father's friend Gus, sister Arial, Emil and Lise, Karl Brant, Warren Redstone, and more. There is mystery and intrigue in a who done it story in which Frank states, "there is no such thing as a true event?" The book explores the role of religion in families and communities, as well as the way we recognize death. "The dead are never far from us. They're in our hearts and on our minds and in the end all that separates us from them is a single breath, one final puff of air."
Overall it is a very good read that I recommend.

Permanent Record

Ed Snowden's book is an interesting read and thought provoking. He is on the one hand a disturbed and selfish individual, but also a young man of principals. His computer skills enable him to perform programming tasks with ease and utilize tools to avoid detection. His life navigates the evolution of computing from a Commodore 64, to mainframes, to PC's, to cloud computing. His security skills allow him to read, write, execute, encrypt, and hide. His security clearance working with the NSA and CIA provides him access to the inner workings of the intelligence community, ultimately leading to his decision to become a whistleblower on the practice of mass surveillance.
The book is good at giving insight to the intelligence community, the "deep state", Wikileaks, metadata, cloud computing, and the potential threats of mass surveillance. I am not sure I share Ed's level of paranoia, however he does raise my level of concern that we are being watched.