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.

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.