Missive #208 Published 27 January 2024
This book may be widely read by high level Chinese political figures and bureaucrats but it is American political figures that need to be reading it. Tocqueville wrote about America after his visit in the 1830 and is frequently quoted but Wang Huning has not been. It is sad that he has not. He had more to say about America in the 1980s and what its future might be than what Tocqueville said. I recommend this book!
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 #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 #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.
Missive #196 Published 6 January 2024
This is the second book in the Tale of Krispos trilogy and the sixth in the Videssos Cycle. A continuation of a good story by Turtledove with only one more book remaining to be read in this Series and the Cycle.
Missive #194 Published 4 January 2024
This is the first book in a tetralogy with the fourth one just published in 2023. I plan on reading them all if I can find them free (I can wait). It is a good book but I have a warning; it is one of the very few books that has had me tear up.