Finished The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson, it was meh. Niall is a historian writing about economics, apparently not a very good one because this book came across as a pretty biased view of financial history.
I love Niall Ferguson, but he certainly falls in line with the ideology of historians who shape history through their views. Nothing he says (from what Iāve seen anyone, which admittedly is not the book you read) is every āwrongā, but certainly spun to show the benefits of his viewpoints compared to other. Which, I donāt think is always a bad thing, but is certainly something to always be aware of when reading someoneās book.
Feel a bit similar with William Manchesterās Last Lion Trilogy. The books are absolutely phenomenal, some of my all time favorites. That being said, you have to realize that he is a Brit who lived through the Second World War, writing about the man who led them through it. He idolizes the man, and itās a damn good read, but one that 100% gives Churchill the absolute benefit of the doubt on any questionable decision he ever made.
3 Likes
This is an excellent observation. Iāve read all of his books, from apologia-tinted Empire to the most recent Doom.
While I do not agree with some of his views, especially when he strays away from his core expertise of economic history, his works do provide many valuable insights and are well worth reading.
2 Likes
I read The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan over the past couple of days. (For a class.)
Overall, I enjoyed it. Thought it was a neat way of making nonfiction feel like a story.
My question, if any history buffs can help, (@loppar maybeā¦?) - is it a good portrayal of things? I felt like there was a pro-Palestinian angle on it, and a quick Google search seems to be that others felt the same. Which who knows, maybe is the right side to take; Iām extremely ignorant of the history of the situation.
I wouldnāt mind hearing both sides or finding an even better unbiased (or at least as unbiased as a human can be) telling of the history. Maybe something Iāll have to look into.
āThe old man and the seaā - Ernest Hemingway
@atlas13 @loppar thanks for the insight. For the record I havenāt written Naill Ferguson off (pun?). I just ordered Doom and am looking forward to reading it. I think what really frustrated me about The Ascent of Money is he tried to tackle the history of some massive concepts (bond market, insurance etc) in a relatively short book. Each chapter would start with the history of a concept/market, which was great fun to read, then by the end of that chapter he would transition to a modern day economic example that usually came across as a bit one sided.
Also I just finished King Solomonās Mines by H. Rider Haggard. Writing fiction is an art that Mr. Haggard never mastered.
Wish I could help you but unfortunately I havenāt read it.
Yes. The late David Graeber did the same in The Debt but from a far-left perspective. When he was talking about the anthropology - his forte and the creation of money itās incredibly fun and thought provoking yet I do not necessarily agree with modern day paragons.
But to me it was interesting to read how in Ascent of Money and Debt two very smart individuals provided compelling interpretations of early historical events completely at odds with one another.
3 Likes
āthe first humanā - Albert Camus
Orientalism by Edward Said
Chatter by Ethan Kross
I thought this was good.
I really liked his Representations of an Intellectual and essay in Letters of Transit: Reflections on Exile, Identity, Language, and Loss, so I figured Iād delve into his major works. I only just started this one. Good to know Iām in for a treat.
ā coffee, which clears the clouds of the imagination and their gloomy weightā
Quote from This is your Mind on Plants quoting an 18th century frenchman.
Coffee is the bestā¦.
1 Like
Did you read Balzacās musings on coffee?
1 Like
Nope but I might have to now.
Finished the book above this afternoon.
Starting Metabolical by Dr Robert Lustig now.
In the Heart of the Sea Nathianiel Philbrick.
1 Like
https://urbigenous.net/library/pleasures_pains_coffee.html
Youse erudition in heah is way above my pay grade, but that^^, Iām gonna read.
2 Likes
Clearly, a brilliant man, Balzac:
Orientals are far superior to Europeans. Their particular geniusāto observe as carefully as do those toads who spend entire years squatting on their haunches, holding their unblinking eyes open like two sunsāhas revealed to them what our science has only recently been able to show us through analysis.
1 Like
Tragic. Good book though.
The Complete Tales of Nikolai Gogol by Nikolai Gogol
Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putinās War on America and the Election of Donald Trump by Michael Isikoff
Just finished The Dark Tower series. In my opinion, this is the best ending King has ever written, or ever will write. I loved it, which was a very pleasant surprise.
I would advise anyone beginning this series to at least read through Drawing of the Three (book 2) before making any decisions on whether or not to continue, because The Gunslinger (book 1) can only be fully appreciated in retrospect, I think. It was his first novel (though not his first published one), and as such feels very un-King-like.
Now I need to go read Salemās Lot, Insomnia, and Hearts in Atlantis.
4 Likes