Author: Ryan

The Republic

Background

Believed to be written around 375 BC, Plato’s “The Republic” is a foundational philosophical text that explores the nature of justice, the structure of an ideal society, and the role of individuals within it. Written as a Socratic dialogue, it primarily features Socrates engaging with various interlocutors on topics such as justice, governance, education, and the human soul. The text introduces key concepts, including the tripartite structure of the soul, the allegory of the cave, and the theory of forms. Plato uses these ideas to argue for a society governed by philosopher-kings, where rationality and wisdom guide decisions for the collective good. The Republic remains a seminal work in Western philosophy, influencing discussions on ethics, politics, and epistemology.

The Republic
The Republic

My Thoughts

When reading through Socrates’s proofs, I feel like a steel ring is put in my nose and I’m led calmly along to the slaughter. This was even more the case as I was listening to it via audiobook. So often through the text, I wanted to stop Socrates and make contrary points. Or at least grab the interrogator and slap him a few times for his one word replies. The subject matter in the narrative is treated as black and white, but there is so much gray, it was very difficult to move on to another topic. I wanted to engage more on reflect on it much more than I took to the time to do so. I guess people have been engaging with it for over two thousand years so maybe I shouldn’t feel too bad about it.

I took a course on this work that had an interesting take on person of Socrates. Namely, Plato invented Socrates to establish a groundwork and then build off of that work. His “teacher” was in fact his creation which would speak even more to the genius of Plato and his rhetorical abilities. That thought in mind extensively colored the reading and caused my perspective to be even more contrary than my norm.

Recommendation

This is seminal importance to western thought and, as such, deserves some time and thought. However, it will take time and thought so I would recommend to plan accordingly.

The Reason I Jump

Background

Published in Japan in 2007 and in English in 2013, “The Reason I Jump” was written by Naoki Higashida, who is described as a severely autistic teenager. This book offers insight to the personal mind of someone living with autism. Structured as a series of questions and answers, the book addresses common misconceptions about autism and provides explanations for behaviors that might seem puzzling to neurotypical individuals. Higashida conveys his thoughts and feelings with clarity and emotion, aiming to foster understanding and empathy. The book was translated into English by David Mitchell and Keiko Yoshida, with Mitchell, a parent of an autistic child, contributing an introduction.

The Reason I Jump
The Reason I Jump

My Thoughts

This was one of those rare works where with the introduction and the afterward were of more value to me than the actual narrative. The text itself made some definitive statements about how people living with autism perceive the world. While the author is certainly able to describe his experience, blanket statements about everyone along the spectrum of autism felt arrogant and inappropriate. A fundamental misunderstanding of what a spectrum implies seems to be sadly lacking in the general population and the narrative seemed to feed this misunderstanding. That said, I was pleased to hear Higashida is now a public speaker who actively engages with people and tries to help them understand autism. This condition certainly warrants more study and understanding.

I found the book by the author or more precisely, the author’s name. I have a friend named David Mitchell and wanted to see what the author wrote. I didn’t know this was a translation until I had already ordered it and started the book. However, I’m currently about a third through another David Mitchell book, “Cloud Atlas” which I’m really not enjoying so it may not make this blog. I really try to finish books, even when they are difficult yet I’m not sure about this one. Please forgive my occasional selection bias.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence here. It wasn’t great but it did give me some things to think about.

How to Eat: All Your Food and Diet Questions Answered

Published in 2020, “How to Eat: All Your Food and Diet Questions Answered” was co-authored by Mark Bittman and Dr. David L. Katz, How to Eat addresses common questions about food, health, and diet in a straightforward Q&A format. The book covers topics such as optimal dietary patterns, the role of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and the impact of specific foods like grains, meat, and dairy on health. Bittman and Katz aim to dispel myths and clarify misconceptions surrounding nutrition, providing readers with practical advice for making informed dietary choices. The content is inspired by their popular article on Grub Street, where they shared their perspectives on food and diet.

How to Eat
How to Eat

My Thoughts

This is my wife’s favorite book on dieting or to be more specific, it is on a how best to make a permanent change. Again and again, Bittman and Katz make the point that we know a great deal about what people should eat. What we should eat shouldn’t be in excess or based on one food or even macro nutrient. Our food should be minimally processed and we likely don’t need to eat meat in our food rich country. They also dive into sustainability and ethical considerations.

I liked the book in that the recommendations were based on robust studies and declared biases. A common refrain in the text was, “compared to what” when asked if something is bad. (E.g. Is bread bad? Compared to what? If donuts, yes. If whole grain, no.) The book was easy to read as it is largely in-line with my existing thoughts about food. I don’t know I agree about their position on meat and protein, but I do agree with the rest. The book was a success in that it served to motivate me to eat better.

My Recommendation

Good book

The Odyssey

Background

Believed to date from the 8th century BCE, “The Odyssey” is attributed to the poet Homer. The Odyssey is an epic poem that follows the Greek hero Odysseus as he attempts to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Over the course of ten years, Odysseus encounters numerous obstacles, including mythical creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, the enchantress Circe, and the Sirens, as well as divine interventions from gods like Poseidon and Athena. Meanwhile, his wife Penelope and son Telemachus contend with suitors vying for Penelope’s hand, believing Odysseus to be dead. The poem explores themes of loyalty, perseverance, cunning, and the human struggle against fate. Written in dactylic hexameter, The Odyssey remains a cornerstone of Western literature, reflecting the values and culture of ancient Greece.

The Odyssey
The Odyssey

My Thoughts

I have read this before but this time I listen to it on audio book. I believe I was able to enjoy it much more this way as I wasn’t forced to sound through all the names and places. If I were to do it again, I believe the best way would be to read it while listening to the narration for the best effect.

However, I can’t really say I enjoyed it. My reading of this work is much more in line with wanting to have a familiarity with the story rather than deriving joy from the process.

Our hero ‘Odysseus’ is consistently helped along by Athena herself and given several reassurances from Zeus. Odysseus is a manly man who is the Greek ideal. Smart, cunning, and extremely strong. If this were the 1980’s, he would be lifting his sword and saying, “By the power of Greyskull!” And then give us our moral for the day. Poseidon is angry with him because he had the nerve to blind the cyclops rather than be eaten like several of his crew. (While tragic in the moment, the loss of so many didn’t seem to be truly felt.) Unfortunately, men are hanging out at Odysseus’s home and are making a play for his wife. During which, they are all eating Odysseus’s food and bullying his staff. His son, Telemachus, is a pansy who can’t manage to throw them out. (In fairness, Telemachus does eventually get the nerve to help out, but he had wait for his father to return and clean house.) Now, does Odysseus just show up and toss them out? Of course not! He shows up as a beggar, gets abused, and then shows up everyone in a test of manhood. Then he kills the suitors, the staff who didn’t seem to miss him, and leaves again to fulfill the prophecy given to him in Hades.

As a modern reader, several of the ideals seem to be very familiar. A sense of justice for one. However, I would qualify it as Disney justice though because only the main protagonists receive justice. Some of the staff continued to pray for the return of Odysseus and they were rewarded, yet this is the exception. Most characters felt the sword of justice rather than rewards.

What was striking to me was the ancient world’s view of the gods. The sacrifices at every meal, the ability to offend one by pleasing another. That must have been a very confusing time to live.

All that said, I’m sure I missed a great deal as there are entire courses on this work. I will have to look into it a bit more.

Recommendation

It is worth the read. Not only is a cornerstone of Western thought, it is a mark of education and culture to understand the names and references.

Bastille vs the Evil Librarians

Background

Published in 2022, “Bastille vs the Evil Librarians” co-written by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson, the focus shifts to Bastille, the fierce and pragmatic knight from the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series. This story takes place after the events of the original series and delves into Bastille’s perspective as she takes on a mission to save Alcatraz and restore order. As Bastille grapples with her responsibilities and insecurities, she must confront the Librarians’ schemes and rally allies to prevent their plans from succeeding.

Bastille vs the Evil Librarians
Bastille vs the Evil Librarians

My Thoughts

As the last of the “Evil Librarian” books, Sanderson and Patterson did a great job in bringing it all together in a neat bow. This series seemed like it was fun to write as again and again the text refers to writing devices, methodologies, and terms in the course of the story. It was a fun read.

Recommendation

Great series. I recommend it for younger readers.

World War Z

Background

Published in 2006 “World War Z” by Max Brooks is a fictional oral history that recounts a global zombie pandemic through a series of interviews conducted by the narrator, a United Nations Postwar Commission agent. The book chronicles the outbreak, from its origins in China to the collapse of societies and the eventual fight for survival. Each account offers unique perspectives, including military personnel, scientists, and civilians, highlighting humanity’s resilience and ingenuity. The narrative explores themes of geopolitics, survival, and human behavior in the face of catastrophe. Brooks creates a detailed and chillingly realistic portrayal of a worldwide crisis, presenting the events through a wide lens that captures the complexities of a global response to an unprecedented disaster.

World War Z
World War Z

My Thoughts

First off, as I mentioned in my recent review of “Elantris” zombies are likely the lamest of all monsters. (Pun intended.) They don’t make any sense at all to me. I will concede there have been different versions of zombies over the years and many of them are different. Regardless, every version of the zombie (e.g. fast, shambling, radioactive, voodoo, alien, and even Rob Zombie) are beyond my understanding of why they have any appeal at all.

That said, I enjoyed the fractured perspective of the book. All of it was in the form of post-encounter first hand reports from various sources from all over the globe. This gave Brooks the ability to briefly introduce each character and look at what was unfolding from their particular point of view. The reader quickly gets use to the slang terms of “Zack” or “G” for the undead along with inferring the heroes and events that had become common knowledge in this post-apocalyptic world.

I remember the discussion when the CDC interviewed Max Brooks about the book. There was a bit of interest in it as I was involved in military training and we were writing instruction manuals about CBRN Recon and the like. I remember starting the book but I don’t know if I completed it. Honestly, there isn’t too much of an ending beyond thinking they got most of them and some speculation about how their children might live in the world after. Perhaps it just wasn’t that memorable.

One thought that’s caused me some self reflection is how people were rated as near useless because they didn’t have any tangible skills. The white collar workers in the story weren’t very much help when everyone was needed to farm, mine, or fix things. The book uses the example of a “creative executive” as a particular someone who was of no use. I enjoy working with my hands but I wonder if I have the stamina to make a living at it. I’m glad I don’t have to find out in the near future.

Recommendation

Zombies are dumb, but it wasn’t a bad read.

The Dark Talent

Background

Published in 2016, “In The Dark Talent,” fifth book in Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series, Alcatraz Smedry grapples with the consequences of his unique abilities as he faces his most personal and dangerous mission yet. Determined to rescue his father and stop the Evil Librarians’ growing influence, Alcatraz must venture into the Highbrary, the Librarians’ central stronghold. The story explores Alcatraz’s struggle with self-doubt, his evolving understanding of his powers, and the challenges of living up to the expectations placed upon him.

The Dark Talent
The Dark Talent

My Thoughts

Most of the book was very similar to the rest of the series with the exception that it had a very abrupt end. The fifth book was repeatedly touted as the last book in the series and it just ended on a sad note somewhat like the Empire Strikes back. It left the reader wanting more. Unfortunately, for readers who read the “last” book right after it came out, the next book was 8 years in coming. Fortunately for me, that was a couple of years ago and the new last book is available at my library. 🙂

Recommendation

A great fake ending!

The Shattered Lens

Background

Published in 2016, “The Shattered Lens” by Brandon Sanderson is the fourth book in the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series. Alcatraz Smedry faces a critical challenge as he works to defend the Free Kingdom city of Tuki Tuki from an impending invasion by the Librarians. With his talent for breaking things and the support of his allies, including Bastille and his extended Smedry family, Alcatraz confronts the Librarians’ advanced weaponry and their attempts to seize control. The story delves into themes of leadership, responsibility, and ingenuity as Alcatraz navigates the complexities of protecting his world while growing into his role as a leader.

The Shattered Lens
The Shattered Lens

My Thoughts

This was a fun read and full of odd one offs and insider humor. I love that! As with the other books in the series, I feel like it would have been more effective if Alcatraz was older. Much of the narrative and actions of the characters feel like they are a few years older at a minimum. Regardless, I’m almost to the end of the series and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.

Recommendation

Fun quick read.

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Background

Published in 2018, “The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton is a mystery set in a crumbling estate called Blackheath. Aiden Bishop, finds himself trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over with the task to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. Each morning, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest, gaining their unique perspective and skills, but also inheriting their flaws and biases. As Aiden pieces together the events of the day, he must contend with hidden agendas, shifting alliances, and others determined to thwart his progress.

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

My Thoughts

This book was recommended by a couple of friends of ours and so I was excited to get into it. I didn’t read the summary and I put out of my mind everything our friends told us about the book. (Other than they really liked it.) My wife and I decided to read it together and we did so separately. On retrospect, that wasn’t the best idea due to the subject matter.

The first part of the book is all lived through a “host” and didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t supposed to at the time but I thought the guy was simply insane. As the book kept going, more and more made sense. Although, it does keep you guessing till the very end. Every theory I had throughout the book wasn’t even close to the eventual plot.

Recommendation

It was ok. I didn’t really love it but mysteries aren’t my preference.

Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship

Background

Published in 1993, “Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship” is a non-fiction book by Tom Clancy. The book offers an in-depth exploration of the inner workings of both attack and nuclear submarines, with tours of the USS Miami (SSN-755), an improved Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine, and the British submarine HMS Triumph. Clancy provides detailed insights into submarine design, construction, and operations, supplemented by diagrams, photographs, and previously classified information. The book also delves into the history and evolution of submarines, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of these complex vessels.

Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship
Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship

My Thoughts

This book was much more of a reference than a story so it was a little hard to push through it. Clancy does give some scenarios and speculations of how a submersible ship could be used in war and politics, but most of it read more like a text book. It truly is amazing what marvels of engineering these vessels are and how much they can do! It’s important to keep in mind this was written 30 years ago. I can only imagine what the new Columbia class boats are able to achieve.

Clancy reinforced my desire to never step on one of these boats. My hat is off to all the intrepid submariners who have endeavored to keep us safe. I sincerely hope they found joy in their service, but I would politely decline the opportunity if it ever presented itself. Seriously, I thought it was extreme to be shipped off to Mars and yet every habitation scenario I saw was better than life on a submarine.

Recommendation

This is dated information but still interesting.