Missive #207 Published 26 January 2024
19. THE BEGGAR AND THE FOOD VENDOR…
A beggar eating a crust of stale bread stood next to a shish-kebab vendor, inhaling deeply. The smell made even his stale bread taste good.
“You must pay for the smell!” shouted the vendor.
When the poor man couldn’t pay, the vendor took him to court.
Nasruddin was the judge.
He listened to them both, and then he took some coins from his pocket, cupped his hands, and shook the coins.
Missive #206 Published 24 January 2024
George MacDonald Fraser—beloved for his series of Flashman historical novels—offers an action-packed memoir of his experiences in Burma during World War II. Fraser was only 19 when he arrived there in the war's final year, and he offers a first-hand glimpse at the camaraderie, danger, and satisfactions of service.
Missive #205 Published 21 January 2024
Agrippa XII
by James Winthrop
To the Massachusetts Convention
Missive #204 Published 19 January 2024
18. NASRUDDIN VISITS THE PRISONERS
I liked this book because it discusses desert plants in that part of Arizona where I grew up. A lot of area covered is also in Sonora, MX which I have some familiarity. The information about the desert foods is also very interesting. The author has written a lot more books that I want to try to read.
Missive #203 Published 17 January 2024
This is the last book in the trilogy but Severin has some more novels that I will read. I think I like his novels better than his later non-fiction.
Missive #202 Published 15 January 2024
I liked this book! Perhaps it is because I am of a like age and can empathize with the author's writing. He wrote one more book that was published posthumously that I will read. Then perhaps read some of his earlier books but not his poetry although you may like that as well.
Missive #201 Published 14 January 2024
Continuing The Federalist Papers.
Federalist No. 12
The Utility of the Union In Respect to Revenue
Author: Alexander Hamilton
To the People of the State of New York:
Missive #200 Published 12 January 2024
17. NASRUDDIN AND THE SACKS OF WHEAT…
I did not like these essays as much as those that Wendell Berry has written. The very last one by Wes Jackson could have been given a miss.I don't suggest that you read any of them other than the one by Gary Paul Nabhan.
Missive #199 Published 11 January 2024
MaCarthy was known for his graphic depictions of violence and his unique writing style, recognizable by a sparse use of punctuation and attribution. That is very true of this book although not so much in his Border Trilogy. I did not like this one as well as that series or his first book but will read more of his.
Missive #198 Published 9 January 2024
"Honour and drugs don't always mix in the Caribbean… Nick Breakspear thinks he's opted for the easy life, but acting as nursemaid for the idle rich aboard the luxury yacht Wavebreaker in the Bahamas does have its downside. Especially when you come across a bullet-ridden boat not far from the infamous drug baron's hideaway island of Murder Cay.