Ryan's Book Blog – Page 5 – I read therefore I am.

The Hunt for Red October

September 23, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 1984, “The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy, is a Cold War-era novel that follows the pursuit of a Soviet submarine captain, Marko Ramius, who seeks to defect to the United States with the USSR’s newest ballistic missile submarine, the Red October. As the Soviets launch a massive search to stop Ramius, American intelligence officer Jack Ryan is the first to discover Ramius’s intent and finds himself in the thick of the fray to secure the ship and prevent a potential nuclear disaster.

My Thoughts

It was a great book and a great movie. Of course the book doesn’t match the movie, but it is close enough to enjoy without too many issues. Clancy has a highly readable style to keep the reader engaged throughout the book. However, it does jump around quite a bit particularly during the action scenes. Regardless, it was fun to see what the original words were that inspired the movie. It was also fun to hear the commentary about personal computers from 1984.

Recommendation

It was worth the time. If you have interest, you would like it.

Hell’s Foundations Quiver

September 22, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2015, “Hell’s Foundations Quiver” is the eighth book of David Weber’s Safehold series. The conflict between the Charisian Empire and the Church of God Awaiting continues to escalate. Emperor Cayleb and Empress Sharleyan continue their struggle to liberate Safehold from the Church’s technological and ideological stranglehold. As new alliances are forged, the Empire advances in its technological innovations with Merlin Athrawes’ guidance, bringing the conflict to a critical turning point. Amidst political and military upheaval, Weber deepens the themes of faith, rebellion, and the cost of progress.

My Thoughts

This one wasn’t quite as much of a push as the last Safehold book. Technology has progressed past ironclads and now has WWI style swivel mount guns. Shotguns are introduced, along with lighters, and prop propelled ships.

There is some interesting interplay with personality between Merlin and Namoo. The book explores how people can change given their differing circumstances. It’s a interesting take on the nature and nurture dichotomy.

Recommendation

In for a penny, in for a pound… I’m going to finish it, but you certainly don’t have to.

Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family

September 15, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2024, “Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family” by Mark Daley is a candid and emotional journey through the U.S. foster care system. Daley and his husband, Jason, embark on a quest to become parents, navigating the often broken and bureaucratic world of foster care. Their experiences highlight the complexities and challenges of adopting children who have faced severe trauma and instability. Daley’s narrative also reflects on the broader issues within the foster care system, while providing a personal look at love, resilience, and the lengths people will go to create a family. The memoir serves as both a critique of the system and a hopeful story of the transformative power of parenthood.

My Thoughts

This book was hard to get through the beginning, as Daley centered largely on his own issues and early marriage. I imagined this served as the platform as to why they wanted to foster children, but it came across like overcompensation for coming out as gay or like he was trying to force acceptance or validation from the reader. For example, there were a number of very specific physical descriptions like kissing, “on the lips” which felt like the author desperately wanted the reader to know they are actually gay. It felt out of place and unnecessary given the topic at hand.

Thankfully, when the book starting getting better when it dealt with the issues of the children. The foster system has a lot of problems and this book highlighted a few of them. The book is anecdotal to their experience, yet it showed how easily children can be lost in the system. This was an issue of interest to me some time ago and more particularly for those who are aging out of the system. At age 18, the funding for this population dries up completely, making them high risk for crime, drugs, homelessness, and so on. I’m personally thankful for all those people who open their homes to those that need it.

Recommendation

I’d steer clear of this book. It puts a human face on the problem, but there are better books that do the same.

The Well of Ascension

September 10, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2007, “The Well of Ascension” is the second book in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series. Following the death of the Lord Ruler, Vin and her crew face the challenge of holding together the city of Luthadel as various factions vie for control. With Elend Venture now king, political intrigue grows as enemies close in from all sides. Meanwhile, Vin begins to sense an ominous force rising and is drawn toward the legendary Well of Ascension, a mystical location that may hold the key to saving—or destroying—the world. As Vin grapples with her identity and the responsibilities of power, she must also confront darker truths about the nature of Allomancy and her own destiny.

My Thoughts

Not a bad sequel to the first of the mistborn series. Sanderson did a good job on building on the first novel and expanding it into a bigger more complex world. This book touches on political revolution and some of the “no win” issues in war while still keeping the story going. It also sets up for the next book nicely.

Recommendation

The first book could have stood on it’s own. However, this one follows it nicely. I’d recommend it if you have the time.

Like a Mighty Army

September 5, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2014, “Like a Mighty Army” is the seventh book in David Weber’s Safehold series. The story continues the on going saga of the Empire of Charis as it battles the oppressive Church of God Awaiting on the planet Safehold. As Emperor Cayleb and Empress Sharleyan strive to unify the world and advance their society, they are aided by Merlin Athrawes, a cybernetic avatar with the memories of a long-dead woman. The novel explores the escalating conflict as both sides adopt new technologies and strategies, leading to pivotal battles that will shape the future of humanity. Themes of faith, freedom, and innovation are woven throughout, highlighting the struggle against tyranny and the quest for enlightenment.

My Thoughts

I can’t really put my finger on why, but I’m burning out on the series. I had to push a few times to continue the story. There were plenty of good narratives, side stories, drama and so on that I would expect to keep my attention. However, this one was a hard push.

Recommendation

It is still a good story. However, it is book seven so read the preceding books or you will find yourself very lost.

In the Mind of Stalin

August 31, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2023, “In the Mind of Stalin” by James Greensmith, provides an in-depth exploration of the psychological landscape of one of history’s most enigmatic and ruthless dictators, Joseph Stalin. Through meticulous research and analysis, Greensmith delves into the paradoxical nature of Stalin, examining how he could display moments of personal tenderness while orchestrating mass atrocities that led to millions of deaths. The book seeks to unravel the complex motivations, fears, and strategies that defined Stalin’s rule over the Soviet Union, offering readers a nuanced understanding of the man behind the iron fist. It is a compelling study for anyone interested in the darker aspects of political power and totalitarianism.

My Thoughts

Not exactly a book to pick you up and put a smile on your face. I didn’t like this one. I didn’t like how it read and I didn’t enjoy how everything was put together and referenced. Ironically, it read like propaganda with the exception of it being anti-Stalin.

I am no fan of Stalin, but I don’t know this narrative was an accurate picture of him. I found myself feeling like very little was definitive and I really wonder if the public will ever really know what happened.

Recommendation

Skip this one.

The Fifth Act American’s End in Afghanistan

August 22, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2022, “The Fifth Act: America’s End in Afghanistan,” Elliot Ackerman provides a firsthand account of the final days of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. Drawing from his experiences as a Marine and CIA paramilitary officer, Ackerman recounts the evacuation of Afghan nationals who had worked closely with the American forces as the Taliban closed in on Kabul in August 2021. The memoir intertwines personal narratives with a broader reflection on the two-decade-long conflict, highlighting both the heroism and the failures that marked America’s longest war.

The Fifth Act American's End in Afghanistan — The Fifth Act American’s End in Afghanistan

My Thoughts

It’s always interesting to hear the first hand accounts of people living through moments in history. We know our part and have our specific observations on the greater whole. Sometimes those observations come through the keyhole of our limited experiences. The author had the benefit from personally seeing for multiple keyholes and even from differing organizational vantage points. However, it is still a first hand account.

I sympathize with his opinion that the withdrawal from Afghanistan was one of the most embarrassing moments in our history. I do think we needed to leave, but how we went about it will go down in history as a black mark on the United States for all time. We signaled weakness to the rest of the world and our foreign policy lost any teeth it had.

Recommendation

I enjoyed it. It was both readable and relatable.

American Woman The Transformation of the Modern First Lady

August 21, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in February of 2024, “American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden.” by Katie Rogers explores how the role of the First Lady in the United States has evolved from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden. Rogers examines the shifting expectations, media scrutiny, and political influence that have shaped the position over the past few decades. By comparing and contrasting the last 5 First Ladies, the book provides a look at how each navigated her role, balancing personal identity with public duty in a changing political landscape

My Thoughts

While the book came from a New York Times correspondent, it was decently balanced in terms of political leaning. It was still left of center, but most of political commentary was kept to a minimum. There was a long section on President Biden I could do without, but I appreciated that it largely kept to subject at hand.

It makes me feel old as I remember each of the last 5 First Ladies well. (Same with a few of the previous ones as well.) Rogers was in line with what I remember happening at the time. Plus, after reading a few of their biographies, her research seemed to true to their narrative. I appreciate the aggregation of the information and taking the reader through the lens of precedent and expectation. It does make me wonder what the first “First Gentlemen” will feel and what they end up doing with that platform.

Recommendation

Not a bad read.

A Full Life Reflections at Ninety

August 18, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2015, “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety,” by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, is the reflection on his long and varied life, offering insights into his personal experiences, public service, and enduring values. Written as he reached his 90th year, Carter shares anecdotes from his childhood in rural Georgia, his years in the Navy, his political career, and his post-presidency humanitarian work. The memoir is rich with his thoughts on faith, family, and the principles that guided him through decades of public and private challenges. Carter’s humility, wisdom, and commitment to peace and human rights shine through in this deeply personal and reflective work, providing readers with an intimate portrait of one of America’s most respected statesmen.

My Thoughts

Honestly, I want to like President Carter. I respect that he really was his own person and by most accounts was a legitimately nice genuine guy. His charity work has been nothing short of amazing. He used his position to do as much good as he could and he was himself the whole time. He even mentioned my church in the book… However, I just couldn’t get into this book. I didn’t like the pacing and I feel like something intangible was tugging at me the entire time.

On a separate note, there doesn’t seem to be much room for a nice guy in politics. That thought gives me more pain than I’d like to admit. When I was in high school, I had a saying that if someone wanted to be politics, they shouldn’t be in politics. That’s exactly the kind of self defeating nonsense that justified me staying out of any meaningful work. I really don’t have an answer.

Recommendation

This was a hard one to get through.

Women, Peace, and Security in Professional Military Education

August 17, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2022, “Women, Peace, and Security in Professional Military Education,” edited by Dr. Lauren Mackenzie and published by the Marine Corps University Press, explores the critical integration of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda into military education systems. This book is a compilation of essays and articles published on the relevant topics and arranged to provide a narrative. It examines how the principles of WPS, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1325, are being woven into the curricula of military institutions to ensure that future leaders understand the importance of gender perspectives in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Through analysis and case studies, the book highlights the impact of WPS on operational effectiveness, strategic planning, and the protection of vulnerable populations in conflict zones.

My Thoughts

The book doesn’t really read like a cohesive whole. This was to be expected as anytime you have a variety of authors, you run into this problem. However, the editors struggled to give it flow in areas that were in need of more form and structure.

Most of the segments came from articles or peer reviewed literature. Unfortunately, there are a number of statements and inferences made that seem unsupported unless you delve further into the references. I found myself wondering about a few seeming leaps in logic and occasionally about conflicting ideas. Below is an example.

Several of the studies were using small sample sizes requiring t-distributions. It’s hard to see many of the findings to be much more than anecdotal evidence when you are interviewing 6 people. A specific example would be the quantitative discussion that 20% of women failed a course over a 4 year period only to find out the study was only involved 10 women. It’s hard to follow the sweeping generalizations on such evidence. It is also a little frightening that the evolving military attitude toward female combat fitness could be based on that kind of data. I only hope more data pours in as the years go by and all of us can have an honest look at what happened without the bias of our preconceived notions.

Recommendation

This one was difficult to get through.