Michael

Timeless and uncomfortably of its time

Revisado: 05-18-20

Robert Penn Warren’s captivating Depression-era masterpiece still delivers epiphanies in the 21st century regarding good & evil, corruption, love and betrayal, history and date and more. But be warned: the fictional (unreliable) narrator and author were products of their time and place: the pre-Civil Rights South; and they espouse a world view steeped in racial prejudice. The n-word appears with shocking regularity, and people of color are relegated to insignificant, subservient and disparaged roles. We should feel offended, yet like the narrator-protagonist, take lessons from the past. The novel is substantial and complex, and not fully appreciated without multiple readings, preferably at different stages of life beginning in young adulthood. The plot is gripping and the writing absolutely dazzling to the point that one can delight in reading passages several times before moving on. Yet, a large portion of the novel and dialogue take place inside the narrator’s head, thus All the King’s Men is the book lover’s book; no film can ever do it justice.

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For liberals only

Revisado: 03-02-20

In Un-Trumping America, Dan Pfeiffer puts forth ideas of aggressive counterattack against recent conservative gains. Dan’s analysis of why liberals hold less power despite winning more votes and his vision for creating a fair and just democracy are emotionally satisfying. It’s red meat for liberals and revolutionary unrest for conservatives.

Dan’s war plan is rooted in the assumption that conservatives are morally bankrupt, incapable of voting in their own self interest and irreparably destroying American democracy. He believes deeply in the virtuousness of his liberal cause, and his commitment to personal transparency is commendable in an era of hidden agendas, obfuscation and hypocrisy. He writes from a position of integrity, although his frequent use of expletives will likely offend readers from his mom’s generation. He holds nothing back for the sake of political consensus or accommodation. He’s angry and prepared to take up advanced weapons to defeat the enemy: Trump Republicans. And (spoiler alert) he furiously hates Paul Ryan.

Dan’s performance in reading his book is good overall and adds a level of authenticity, but at times he’s rushes through passages as if he was on a deadline to go record his next podcast. Overall, it’s a great listen for liberals, especially fans of the Pod Save America podcast. Most conservatives will find it a complete waste of time and money—other than to learn how the political opposition is thinking.

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Read epilogue first

Revisado: 04-05-17

With White Trash, Nancy Isenberg throws open the curtains on a room of American history few ever examine so meticulously or think about. I listened with fascination after having just read Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton and Jon Meecham's Thomas Jefferson. White Trash filled in wide gaps of history those admirable biographies largely ignore. The performer mispronounces many names, but otherwise reads the book well. While I found Isenberg's thorough study of 400 years of class distinctions in Great Britain and America revealing, I spent most of the book wondering what conclusions or lessons the author wished her readers to take away. It seemed a mere academic exercise cataloging the views of the white lower class by elites like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt without much analysis of the accuracy of that critique. The author at times seems to embrace the notion that the white underclass is ignorant, violent, unemployable, bigoted and incapable of acting in its own self interest. Does she too blame the victims? Does she see any hope of addressing the deep societal problems caused by class divisions? We don't get her analysis and the lessons to be drawn until the epilogue. I was left wishing I'd read it first to give context and understand to the research. Overall, White Trash is an important book that should be required reading.

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A classic tale, beautifully read (and sung)

Revisado: 01-14-13

Would you listen to The Hobbit again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to it again. I read The Hobbit as a pre-teen in mid-1970s and enjoyed it. I wished to read the book again before viewing Peter Jackson's film, released in late 2012. With limited time for reading, I bought the audio book to listen to during my commute to and from work.

The story was as imaginative and exciting as I remembered it as a boy. I enjoyed the audio book even more than the book. Why? As a boy, I found the many songs rather boring and skipped them. But Rob Inglis sings the songs in this recording, really bringing them to life. It added a whole new dimension which I quite enjoyed.

What did you like best about this story?

It's easy to get lost in the fantasy, yet there's more to the book than an interesting narrative and characters. The Hobbit is a morality tale in which human flaws and higher qualities are represented in the character of dwarves, hobbits and dragons. We learn that true happiness is found in simple pleasures and friendships, not in hordes of gold and jewels.

Which character – as performed by Rob Inglis – was your favorite?

He does a particularly wonderful job reading the voices of the dwarves.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Plot Spoiler Alert: I was more struck in reading the book as an adult than when I last read it as a boy with Bilboa's willingness to forego promised treasure in order to help negotiate a peaceful outcome to the conflict between dwarves, elves and men.

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