Polictical

The Iliad

Background

Tales as old as time… The Iliad, also known as the “Song of Ilium”, is an epic poem traditionally attributed to Homer in the 8th century BC. However, all of it is debatable. What isn’t debatable is it tells the story of the Trojan War, the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles, the climatic fight between Achilles and Hector, and all the Greed gods causing issues.

The Iliad
The Iliad

My Thoughts

My first thought was the translation I had was hilarious in terms of the wording. “Bite the dust,” “hurly- burly,” and other such gems were fun to come across in the Trojan setting. There were several Roman crossovers as well, “Juno” rather than “Hera” and so on. The biggest stars of this book was really Zeus and the rest of the gods. Everything was blamed on them and they were in every detail. They were constantly fighting and picked sides in the conflict.

Recommendation

It was pretty underwhelming to read but so important to Western culture that it is worth the time.

A World in Disarray

Background

Published in January of 2017, A World in Disarray is a sobering view of geopolitics from Richard Haass who is an American diplomat and has been president of the Council on Foreign Relations since July 2003. The book outlines the major struggles and players of the world at the time President Trump came into office.

A World in Disarray
A World in Disarray

My Thoughts

As the book started, I thought this was very dated material. It is amazing how much has changed since early 2017. I think few people have really been paying attention of how the United States has moved throughout the international community during the Trump administration. There was real fear with Russia, North Korea, and China before he took office. While there are still issues there, we aren’t anywhere close to what existed as he took office.

That said, it is vital we keep looking back to history to instruct our steps forward. In our hyper-connected world, we seem to be so swayed in the thoughts and trends of the moment that we forget these roads have been traveled before. We can watch how they play out and it isn’t pretty.

I’m very interested to see where we go under the Biden administration. Will the world powers took to the United States for guidance? Will they the respect us? Fear us? Perhaps they will simply disregard us as we squabble over the ridiculous and eat ourselves alive with a runaway debt.

Recommendation

A great book and a snapshot of the times

Post Corona

Background

Published in November of 2020, Post Corona is the predictions of celebrated advertising theorist and Professor at the New York University Stern School of Business. He details how the COVID-19 virus has impacted our lives and what it means going forward into the future.

Post Corona From Crisis to Opportunity
Post Corona From Crisis to Opportunity

My Thoughts

This was one of the few books that made enough of an impact on me that I mentioned it to my wife! A high bar indeed.

I had no idea that Amazon had already jumped ahead into healthcare. I knew it was only a matter of time but I didn’t know that had happened. I didn’t know so many business had fallen and what was happening to those who were still around… There was much I thought I had a handle on but so much swept by without my notice.

I’m in Mr. Galloway’s camp. I am free market kind of guy and I really think there shouldn’t be anyone who is “too big to fail”. After all, where was my bail out when my business tanked in 2007? I adapted! I had to fire my employees and pick myself up again. It hurt and it sucked but I’m better off in the long term. Anyway, he gave me a lot more to think about.

Recommendation

Great book.

Madeleine Albright

Background

Hell and Other Destinations: A 21st-Century Memoir is the biography of Madeleine Albright who was the first female Secretary of State under President Clinton.

Hell and Other Destinations
Hell and Other Destinations

My Thoughts

I’m always interested in people who have lived interesting lives and that certainly applies to Madeleine Albright. As an immigrant from Eastern Europe, she certainly had some interest in the world outside of the United States.

I enjoyed hearing about her journey and how she thought others perceived her. I even enjoyed hearing about her pins and feel like I’m part of the insider crowd by knowing about them. The book was well written and I feel it did a good job representing her personality and beliefs. (For all I know about them.)

In general, I’m not really a fan of hers when it comes to politics. The world is a complex place and it is imperative we understand other countries. I believe she does a good job of that. However, I don’t share her optimize that most people in power will work for the good of everyone. It is sad commentary but people in power rarely want to give it up and do destructive things when they are faced with the possibility.

Recommendation

As hers is a name to know, I recommend the book.

The Lincoln Conspiracy

Background

Published in May of 2020, “The Lincoln Conspiracy” is the story of the first plot to kill Abraham Lincoln before he was able to take office. This book also gives the beginnings of the Pinkerton Detective Agency and gives some background on the first woman detective.

The Lincoln Conspiracy
The Lincoln Conspiracy

My Thoughts

Yet another testament to the character of our most beloved president, Abraham Lincoln. The more I read about the man, the more I like him.

Of course, it’s hard to look through the glass of time and really distinguish the man from the myth. He was the classic underdog. He was belittled, hated, and eventually murdered and yet still did what he thought was right. Not a bad way to live. It really is a pity we have so few shining examples of integrity today.

Recommendation

Great read and worth the time.

My Vanishing Country

Background

Published in May of 2020, My Vanishing Country is a quazi-autobiography of Bakari Sellers who was one of the youngest state representative from South Carolina. He reflects on his childhood and his rise into politics. He also talks about the state of the world today.

My Vanishing Country
My Vanishing Country

My Thoughts

I read this book because it was a recent release and thought it might be interesting. It wasn’t… I thought there was a lot of hate in the book and I didn’t enjoy it. I don’t agree with several of the statements made but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Recommendation

A waste of time.

Countdown to 1945

Background

Published October of 2020, Chris Wallace writes about the development and the use of the atom bomb. He takes us through the process of the arms race and tells the story from multiple people and their points of view.

Countdown to 1945
Countdown to 1945

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed the book. Chris Wallace didn’t spend a lot of time giving his opinion, rather he told the story from what others had written about their personal thoughts and insights. I also thought the addition of the survivors from Hiroshima gave good depth to the story.

Recommendation

I think this story is an important one to get our collective minds around. It was worth the read.

The Art of Her Deal

Background

Mary Jordan gives us a story of our First Lady from her growing up in Slovenia to living in the White House.

The Art of Her Deal
The Art of Her Deal

My Thoughts

I have to admit I didn’t really think of Melania Trump. I knew President Trump was married but didn’t think much about who he had married or what she was about. Also, I don’t know that I still know anything. It seems she is more than happy to make up things about herself so I don’t know how much of this is real and how much was also a story. It reminds me of a Daniel Tosh joke. “Plastic surgery gives you the rare chance to make your insides match your outsides. You know, Fake!”

If you can take this at face value, both she and everyone in her circle seems morally bereft. I’m saddened that these are who my children have to see as their top government officials.

Recommendation

If you like a good train wreck, you might like this book.

China’s Great Wall of Debt

Background

Published in 2018, this book talks about how China has backed themselves into a corner and how the author really didn’t see a good way forward for them.

China's Great Wall of Debt
China’s Great Wall of Debt

My Thoughts

If true, this was a very disturbing book. The notion that China was on the edge as much as it seemed could have huge ramifications in the near future. This is particularly true with the COVID-19 pandemic going on now.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence with this one

Churchill

Background

Published in 2017, Jacob Bannister tells the story of one of those larger than life people, Winston Churchill. We are taken through his life and share in his rise in power to one of the main figures of World War II.

Churchill
Churchill

My Thoughts

I found this to be a very interesting read. I knew of most of the stories in the book but I believe this one did a great job of bring the character of Churchill to life.

Recommendation

Great book. Worth the time.