2024 – Page 3 – A Four Score Graybeard

Missive #373 Published 25 October 2024

58. Nasruddin’s Two Wives

Nasruddin had two wives and he loved them both, but they were very jealous of one another, always competing for his affections.

In order to make peace in the house, Nasruddin got two identical green ribbons. He took each wife aside in private and gave her one of the ribbons. “Wear this under your clothes, but secretly; don’t show or tell anyone.”

The next time the two wives ambushed him, asking which of them he loved more, Nasruddin smiled and said, “All I will say is that the one wearing the green ribbon is the one I love the most.”

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Missive #372 Published 24 October 2024

The first third of the book is an essay with the same title as the book Adonis and Alphabet which was rather difficult reading for me. The rest of the book was an essay with the title of Ozymandias which was an easier read and I was able to understand more of what he wrote. Both of the essays were better than his later nonfiction where he tries to incorporate his philosophy into a novel.

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Missive #371 Published 22 October 2024

Stories and essays about the future of war and conflict discuss tank warfare, alternative future histories, weapon systems, and the Soviet Union. This is the seventh book in the series.

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Missive #370 Published 21 October 2024

A new collection of alternate history stories speculates about how world history would have been changed if the great battles, from the battle for the Philippines during World War II to Joan of Arc's campaign to free France, had been fought under different circumstances. This was the last book in the Alternate Generals Series. Not as good as the first two books but still interesting.

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Missive #369 Published 20 October 2024

Continuing The Federalist Papers.

Federalist No. 32
The Same Subject Continued: Concerning the General Power of Taxation
Author: Alexander Hamilton
To the People of the State of New York:

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Missive #368 Published 19 October 2024

There is not much new in this book if you have read his previous books or his blog. What he has done is provide evidence from the Ukraine and Israel/Gaza Wars to support what he said over the past 10 years or more. If you don't read the entire book do read the Conclusion Chapter — it is good!

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Missive #367 Published 18 October 2024

57. The Sound of a Cloak

Nasruddin and his wife were arguing loudly, and the neighbors heard everything, as usual.

But then there was a loud bump bump bump and finally a big thump.

The arguing stopped after that, and the neighbors wondered what had happened.

The next day one of the neighbors said to Nasruddin, “What happened last night? Is everything okay at your house?”

“Everything’s fine!” Nasruddin replied. “My wife just threw my cloak down the stairs.”

“I didn’t think a cloak could have made that much noise,” said the neighbor.

“Well,” Nasruddin admitted, “I happened to be wearing the cloak at the time.”

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Missive #366 Published 16 October 2024

The first books that I read by McCarty were his Border Trilogy which I liked. I then read some of his earlier work and did not like them very much. This book is as good, maybe better, than the Trilogy. Highly recommended.

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Missive #365 Published 14 October 2024

A good read but not at the same level as her father. The language used in the book is very British English and laced with British legal terms; this could be a put off. I'll continue to read the series and see how she matures.