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.

Promised Land

Between Kindle and Audible I was just able to complete Barack Obama's lengthy book covering his rise to the presidency and his first couple of years in office. I was reluctant to take up a book recanting an inspirational leader from a more optimistic time. Nonetheless, Obama's voice comes through, not just on Audible, and the spirit of "Yes we can" remains. I miss the intellectual statesman that carefully read the PDB's and sought consensus from his capable cabinet before making the hard decisions. As he explains, decisions that reach the president are never easy and often require the least worst option. Barack's human caring side comes through from his regular visits to Walter Reed to townhall meetings with young people all over the world. He was, and still is, the ambassador of the "Promised Land.", and that "America's democratic, rights-based, pluralistic system, could still deliver on the promise of a better life." I felt that Obama wanted to set the historical record straight. Upon reflection, he also provides some warning and prophecy. "Except now I found myself asking whether those impulses of violence, greed, corruption, nationalism, racism, and religious intolerance, the all-to-human desire to beat back our uncertainty and mortality and sense of insignificance by subordinating others, were too strong for any democracy to permanently contain." Can America rekindle the audacity of hope?

Bruno, Chief of Police

My book selection is the first of several stories by Martin Walker involving a local policeman in a small fictional village in the Dordogne region of France. There are currently 19 books in the series (see https://www.orderofbooks.com/characters/bruno-chief-of-police/). I just finished my eighth one, The Patriarch, and I feel like I know the main characters and can almost taste the food and the wine. The books are a great escape and are more about the region, the people, the food, and the wine than the crime stories themselves. On the other hand, Walker is a great story teller and each book comes to an exciting climax that somehow pulls together a complex plot. As the author says in the Forbes article below, "I am a story teller. Its the people, and the setting of the people. The Perigord is the real star."

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/24/dining/martin-walker-bruno-chief-of-police-perigord.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickpassmore/2017/07/15/author-martin-walker-on-bruno-chief-of-police-of-saint-denis-and-his-life-in-food-wine/?sh=3bd68b6e112a

Grant

Chernow's book is a long detailed account of the life of an American hero, US Grant. Grant was a flawed man that was brave, honest, and loyal to a fault. In his own words concerning his mistakes, "If a mistake was made, it was a mistake of the mind and not of the heart." His major flaws were alcohol and naivete in business that the author exposes in detail. On the other hand he was a brilliant general whose master plan won the war for the North after a series of failed leaders. He built a team with Sherman, Sheridan and others that turned the tied. He was the perfect support for Lincoln and realized that slavery was the central issue of the war. As president he brought peace, reduced the army and the debt, and protected the 4 million freed slaves. He was a champion of all races and was president under the 13th (slavery), 14th (citizenship), and 15th (voting rights for all male citizens), as well as the first civil rights act. His presidencies were plagued by corruption and petty politics, and he struggled with the challenges of implementing reconstruction in a racist country. Interesting that the "radical republicans" were the civil rights activists and the democrats were mostly racists. It sometimes feels like the "Lost Cause" will never die, particularly in the South. I took away an appreciation of the greatness of Grant and a feeling that his place in history has been unfairly tarnished.

Suggestible You

Bill's selection is a collection of stories, tricks, and narratives that can alter the human mind by changing our expectations. Much of the book explores the placebo effect in treating pain and chronic illness. He explores the challenge of separating the placebo effect from the chemical effect of a drug. He also examines the ability of the human body to produce it's own defenses to combat a illness. The author is raised as a Christian Scientist and does not turn away from the effectiveness of his religion in helping true believers. On the other hand, he points out that placebos do not work on cancer, broken bones, and many other maladies. The author divides people in categories based on there genetic code as met/met (25%), met/val (50%), and val/val (25%) with the met/met group being most open to suggestion (placebos, hypnosis, false narratives). Makes you wonder if the vast majority of Trumpians and Christian Scientists are met/met. The book concludes that all of us should consider the power of suggestion in improving our wellbeing. 

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.