Christopher Landon: Ice Cold in Alex
Interesting and well developed characters, in genuinely tension inducing situations - even when the matter of "who did it" is not really a mystery. Vivid enough for the place and period - WW2 North Africa to early 1950s Britain - to come to life inside your mind. (***)
Karl Von Clausewitz: On War
I read this first many years ago.
The author then impressed me as being more lucid and broadly learned than many contemporary writers on this and similar areas. He still does. (****)
Loren Lomasky: Person's, Rights, and the Moral Community
Well written, and clear. Many interesting ideas and explications of problems, but his theory itself - on a derivation of rights, seems possessed of unnecessary elements. Worth reading. (***)
J.G.Ballard: The Drowned World
Another (long-time) re-read.
Ballard tends to play one note - but it's a good one - and he plays it VERY well. Some uncontrolled/unforeseen calamity engulfs the world. Protagonist(s) confront general realization of the coldly impersonal nature of the world and how human responses are to a large extent a product of the interaction of those forces with his/there-own biological pre-dispositions - engraved in the structure of each and every one of their cells. And, that the true and only expression of one's authentic self and humanity, lies in how and whether one can/does inwardly accept the truth of these constraints, and expresses that realization, in those (few) opportunities available for actual personal choice.
Intentionally or not his work gives powerful and poetic expression to the Existentialist perspective.
The world of this novel happens to be slowly drowning in the over-heated flood-tides that result from a run-away solar anomaly. But, it could be just about any such occurrence - e.g. A "Wind From Nowhere," or the Japanese invasion of Shanghai (both of which served as the backgrounds of others among his novels). The story-line, character-types, dilemmas, decisions, and general moods are much the same in each story, but the pacing, poetry, intensity, and aggravating authenticity of the characterizations in each instance are gripping enough to make every reading worthwhile. (***)
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...the above mentioned news story - in reporting of activities by Sunni Insurgent groups based in Iran on the border between that country and the Kurdish regions of Iraq - suggests that - as dismal as they may be - the hopes expressed by those expecting the extremists elements amongst the Shi'i and Sunni factions to do us the favour of killing each other off - may be premature.
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Once again, fine essays, generated from your continued, meticulous assessment of the results of potential political moves! Your detailing of the resulting alliances and re-alliances certain strategic actions are likely to engender is a reminder that in this war, nothing whatever is simple.
I'm reminded, too, of how little I understand about the workings of the minds of those central to this battle. Well done!
Posted by: mauve1 | 24 March 2007 at 18:54
What a complicated scenario David..fabulous post..of a very complex political scenario.:)
Posted by: Angel | 21 March 2007 at 22:28