As long as I can read this week's book in five days, I'll be set! That shouldn't be too hard. Meanwhile, here's an American classic. Since I only have about six weeks left in this grand nation, I figure I'll spend as many of them as possible reading books by American authors that are either classics or about the country itself in some way. You're welcome to consider Generations a head-start in this area if you like, although White Fang is the true first installment.
June 10-16: White Fang by Jack London
Literature (1906 - 194 pp.)
Much like In the Days of the Comet, I'd been waiting years to read this, only saved from that waiting by Book a Week. Also much like In the Days of the Comet, White Fang was released in 1906 to great commercial success and critical acclaim. The page counts are also far lower in my versions than any others I have come across, making these deceptively long books. There are no other similarities, I assure you.
The most striking aspect of White Fang is how gory it is. Far from the early '90s movies and TV show, which portray White Fang's world just a teensy bit rosier than Jack London does, White Fang reads like it influenced slasher movies. Graphic descriptions of assault, murder and cannibalism are found frequently - indeed, they personify the nasty aspects of nature London is intent on letting the reader feel. He certainly succeeds in making the world that shapes and damages his eponymous character not only appear but also feel terrible. The Nietzsche meets socialism meets scientific racism that pops up whenever poor little White Fang learns a lesson about the world call to mind more easily the rantings of a deranged lunatic than a celebrated historical figure, yet this is what London establishes as the savagery of the wild.
Whatever London's political leanings, debated as they are by people far more educated in literature than I am, it is plainly clear that White Fang is not really about wolves at all. It is for all the allegory and symbolism about human nature, and its interactions with the natural world, that I find the lack of realism completely acceptable. Wolves simply do not eat lynx or dogs, yet White Fang imagines a world so horrible they do. This book shouldn't be taken literally as some sort of manual regarding the habits of wild animals. If at least that lesson isn't learned, maybe a sad part of this book's legacy involves some unwarranted mistrust of forested areas and the canines inhabiting them. The wild of White Fang is like a city in Paul Auster's In the Country of Last Things, released eighty years later, a distortion of the real crafted to illustrate a point. London's point is at least as much about the nature of man and society as it is about the harsh cold of Yukon.
As to whether this was a fun read, it's tough to say. The first third flew by, the second third became difficult, and then the last third flew by again. It's definitely worthwhile for its narrative structure. To see White Fang's life unfold is impressive. To see a book I thought of as the most disturbing thing I'd ever read transform into something truly tear-jerking in the span of about three or four pages is even more impressive. The political insertions can get a little jagged at times, in that didactic Rasselas way, yet London replaces Dr. Johnson's attentive teacher with a prophet of doom. How a cartoon boy and his faithful furred pal emerged from this tale of carnage, I'll never understand.
Ease of Reading: 6
Educational Content: 2
Monday, June 18, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Another Book Before Last Week's Book: Ender's Shadow
Hard to believe a week has flown by already... I'll catch up soon though! Look for blog posts about non-Book a Week subjects too.
June 3-9: Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction (1999 - 379 pp.)
Ah, young Bean and his perspective on the sci-fi classic Ender's Game. It's amazing I hadn't read this by now considering how much I love the original. First things first: in the introduction, Card claims this to be a standalone book from Ender's Game, with it being just as easy to read either one first. I beg to differ. I had a tough time recalling events while reading this, having not read the first one in years, and it would have helped a lot to have re-read Ender's Game in advance of this one. Certain knowledge is assumed that makes Ender's Shadow a bit of an odd standalone read.
It's not common to see a book effectively rewritten from another character's perspective. That immediately wins my respect. More to the point of the book's contents, the Bean origin story that takes place on the streets of Rotterdam is a welcome surprise, showing sides of him and of background non-Ender's Game characters we would never have seen otherwise. It was also interesting to see an extended version of how these characters act outside of Battle School. Bean's young age makes the whole thing a little less plausible, but this is not a genre known for being plausible and Card makes the characters work well. Poke attracts a combination of sympathy and disdain, for example, while Sister Carlotta acts as one can only imagine a nun may in that bizarre world.
As far as the events overlapping with Ender's Game go, the different perspective allows for the reader to get a greater handle of what it's like to live beside the spectacular Ender. So many books discuss the surroundings of a dominant character through his or her perspective, or following his or her events, but it's not as common that the dominant character is one of the surroundings. An outsider's look at subjects like whether Ender is worth all the hype, how he acts in individual versus group settings, how his beliefs and actions are interpreted, and everything else about him make curious objects of study. That Ender's selflessness could be deemed inexplicable, for example, makes the reader consider Ender's heroism in an entirely different light... until Bean understands his own lack of perspective.
If I were to have a qualm with this book - other than the VH1 Behind the Bean Revenge of the Sith-style atmosphere that pervades the whole story - it would be how close Ender's Shadow comes to threatening Ender's mystique. There are times when it seems as though Bean is just as special as Ender, and even smarter, making Ender's exclusively special nature less determined. There are other times when Bean venerates Ender, especially when the two interact, but the taste remains. Whether this is simply due to Bean's hubris or due to Ender not being as far ahead of some of the other students is I suppose debatable.
Ease of Reading: 10
Educational Content: 1
June 3-9: Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction (1999 - 379 pp.)
Ah, young Bean and his perspective on the sci-fi classic Ender's Game. It's amazing I hadn't read this by now considering how much I love the original. First things first: in the introduction, Card claims this to be a standalone book from Ender's Game, with it being just as easy to read either one first. I beg to differ. I had a tough time recalling events while reading this, having not read the first one in years, and it would have helped a lot to have re-read Ender's Game in advance of this one. Certain knowledge is assumed that makes Ender's Shadow a bit of an odd standalone read.
It's not common to see a book effectively rewritten from another character's perspective. That immediately wins my respect. More to the point of the book's contents, the Bean origin story that takes place on the streets of Rotterdam is a welcome surprise, showing sides of him and of background non-Ender's Game characters we would never have seen otherwise. It was also interesting to see an extended version of how these characters act outside of Battle School. Bean's young age makes the whole thing a little less plausible, but this is not a genre known for being plausible and Card makes the characters work well. Poke attracts a combination of sympathy and disdain, for example, while Sister Carlotta acts as one can only imagine a nun may in that bizarre world.
As far as the events overlapping with Ender's Game go, the different perspective allows for the reader to get a greater handle of what it's like to live beside the spectacular Ender. So many books discuss the surroundings of a dominant character through his or her perspective, or following his or her events, but it's not as common that the dominant character is one of the surroundings. An outsider's look at subjects like whether Ender is worth all the hype, how he acts in individual versus group settings, how his beliefs and actions are interpreted, and everything else about him make curious objects of study. That Ender's selflessness could be deemed inexplicable, for example, makes the reader consider Ender's heroism in an entirely different light... until Bean understands his own lack of perspective.
If I were to have a qualm with this book - other than the VH1 Behind the Bean Revenge of the Sith-style atmosphere that pervades the whole story - it would be how close Ender's Shadow comes to threatening Ender's mystique. There are times when it seems as though Bean is just as special as Ender, and even smarter, making Ender's exclusively special nature less determined. There are other times when Bean venerates Ender, especially when the two interact, but the taste remains. Whether this is simply due to Bean's hubris or due to Ender not being as far ahead of some of the other students is I suppose debatable.
Ease of Reading: 10
Educational Content: 1
Sunday, June 10, 2012
The Week Before Last Week's Book: Generations
I have a relatively free summer and I'm a solid two weeks behind on these. Let's get reading!
May 27-June 2: Generations by William Strauss and Neil Howe
History (1991 - 538 pp.)
Generations is, by any measure, very atypical for a history book. It relies more on statistical analysis and journalism-style digging than traditional primary- and secondary-source research. It applies normative judgments here and there, much as it is usually successful in its attempted neutrality. It even has an entire part at the end predicting the future, the exact type of writing that makes historians bristle. All of these things are what make Generations so fun for someone interested in learning more about his or her place in American history. One of its authors holds a doctorate in history, the other a master's in public policy and a law degree, a perfect mix for this type of study.
I will not go into depth describing the theory behind the book, as that is already recounted in countless places, so this entry may seem a bit confusing to those unfamiliar. The basics are that generations repeat themselves every ~88 years based on "social moments" in the form of Awakenings and Crises. About every 22 years, the type of generation changes based on its reaction to the social moment in question. As such, Idealists come of age during an Awakening, Reactives are born during an Awakening, Civics come of age during a Crisis, and Adaptives are born during a Crisis, with a few years' give and take at times. Each generation then has a collective identity, or a "peer personality", it takes with it to the grave. No effort can possibly enshrine terms like "The Lost Generation" and "The Baby Boomers" more than something like this.
Generations truly is a compelling story regardless of the criticism it has drawn. Any blanket theory like this one is bound to be full of holes, and indeed, Strauss and Howe attack their biggest one (the U.S. Civil War) head-on. What it does provide are some comparisons between generations I had not previously known and some insights into the human side of American history. It also allows me to see my own (Millennial) generation in context. The values and ideals used to describe Civic generations like mine seemed like the utmost compliments, while the ones ascribed to others seemed less than flattering. I imagine Adaptives, Idealists and Reactives could all say the same thing. I certainly identify with the Republicans (not named after the party, but rather the founding of the Republic) and the G.I.s better now too, much as my ancestors had different perspectives from them.
Almost exactly one generational cycle after Generations, it is truly amazing how well Strauss and Howe have called events. Shift the end of Generation X, which they call the "13ers" for being the 13th generation of U.S. citizens, back to 1979 from 1981 for a moment. Many historians and sociologists place it there, and I agree with them. Fast-forward 22 years and you have 9/11, an event lining up with what Strauss and Howe estimate as the beginning of a new crisis, and they even post a potential crisis as involving terrorists and New York City. Their warnings of Boomer (Idealist) religious fervour becoming a topic of political discourse have come true as well. A less violent outcome Strauss and Howe did not predict was that the Silent Generation (b. 1925-1942) has never produced a U.S. president and likely never will - an atypically young Bill Clinton saw to that only a year after Generations was released.
As a Canadian, Generations felt relevant to me and my last few generations of ancestors. However, this is a self-aware book about American history, with historical events perceived from American eyes. Wars like the French and Indian War and World War I may have been critical parts of alienated Reactive lives in the United States, but to continental Europeans they were Crises. This is not even really a criticism, though, as the book not only does not intend to be global but encourages other historians to write similar volumes for their parts of the world. It is worth mentioning, though.
Ease of Reading: 8
Educational Content: 6
...and what a fun read this was. Shame I can't go on about it forever, because I could seriously write a 10-page essay on it. Be thankful I haven't said that about Dickens or Wells, I suppose.
May 27-June 2: Generations by William Strauss and Neil Howe
History (1991 - 538 pp.)
Generations is, by any measure, very atypical for a history book. It relies more on statistical analysis and journalism-style digging than traditional primary- and secondary-source research. It applies normative judgments here and there, much as it is usually successful in its attempted neutrality. It even has an entire part at the end predicting the future, the exact type of writing that makes historians bristle. All of these things are what make Generations so fun for someone interested in learning more about his or her place in American history. One of its authors holds a doctorate in history, the other a master's in public policy and a law degree, a perfect mix for this type of study.
I will not go into depth describing the theory behind the book, as that is already recounted in countless places, so this entry may seem a bit confusing to those unfamiliar. The basics are that generations repeat themselves every ~88 years based on "social moments" in the form of Awakenings and Crises. About every 22 years, the type of generation changes based on its reaction to the social moment in question. As such, Idealists come of age during an Awakening, Reactives are born during an Awakening, Civics come of age during a Crisis, and Adaptives are born during a Crisis, with a few years' give and take at times. Each generation then has a collective identity, or a "peer personality", it takes with it to the grave. No effort can possibly enshrine terms like "The Lost Generation" and "The Baby Boomers" more than something like this.
Generations truly is a compelling story regardless of the criticism it has drawn. Any blanket theory like this one is bound to be full of holes, and indeed, Strauss and Howe attack their biggest one (the U.S. Civil War) head-on. What it does provide are some comparisons between generations I had not previously known and some insights into the human side of American history. It also allows me to see my own (Millennial) generation in context. The values and ideals used to describe Civic generations like mine seemed like the utmost compliments, while the ones ascribed to others seemed less than flattering. I imagine Adaptives, Idealists and Reactives could all say the same thing. I certainly identify with the Republicans (not named after the party, but rather the founding of the Republic) and the G.I.s better now too, much as my ancestors had different perspectives from them.
Almost exactly one generational cycle after Generations, it is truly amazing how well Strauss and Howe have called events. Shift the end of Generation X, which they call the "13ers" for being the 13th generation of U.S. citizens, back to 1979 from 1981 for a moment. Many historians and sociologists place it there, and I agree with them. Fast-forward 22 years and you have 9/11, an event lining up with what Strauss and Howe estimate as the beginning of a new crisis, and they even post a potential crisis as involving terrorists and New York City. Their warnings of Boomer (Idealist) religious fervour becoming a topic of political discourse have come true as well. A less violent outcome Strauss and Howe did not predict was that the Silent Generation (b. 1925-1942) has never produced a U.S. president and likely never will - an atypically young Bill Clinton saw to that only a year after Generations was released.
As a Canadian, Generations felt relevant to me and my last few generations of ancestors. However, this is a self-aware book about American history, with historical events perceived from American eyes. Wars like the French and Indian War and World War I may have been critical parts of alienated Reactive lives in the United States, but to continental Europeans they were Crises. This is not even really a criticism, though, as the book not only does not intend to be global but encourages other historians to write similar volumes for their parts of the world. It is worth mentioning, though.
Ease of Reading: 8
Educational Content: 6
...and what a fun read this was. Shame I can't go on about it forever, because I could seriously write a 10-page essay on it. Be thankful I haven't said that about Dickens or Wells, I suppose.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Late May's Book, At Long Last: In the Days of the Comet
This should have gone up a couple weeks ago. I also graduated a couple weeks ago. Figures, doesn't it? Book a Week should be back on track after another couple days of, well, hitting the books. Expect some more sci-fi, albeit a lot easier reading, and some historically focused books in the next few days.
As there's just so much to say about anything by H.G. Wells, this is my longest entry.
May 20-26: In the Days of the Comet by H.G. Wells
Literature (1906 - 162 pp.)
My last three books have been The Hunger Games, The Dilbert Principle and Fool. Apparently I thought these books were too easy...
A quick disclaimer on In the Days of the Comet that is necessary for any science-fiction fan like myself: Do not expect another The Time Machineor The Island of Dr. Moreau, which I read at 16 and 12 respectively. Difficulty-wise, In the Days of the Comet is far more like Bleak House, which I read back in January. Do not be fooled by the 162 pages listed here; according to other sources (okay, "other sources" is Wikipedia, but I am not digging up a bunch of editions of the book), it clocks in at 378. My version is in an old leather-bound compendium I keep handy to make my bookshelf look more impressive or something.
Now that I have properly outlined the extent of this book's pedantry, I will attempt to discuss the subject matter in a way that, as always, does not spoil the book for any prospective reader. The book's three parts detail the world before the comet, the impact of the comet, and the world after. Part I is concerned with the socialist perspective on Victorian/Edwardian industrial relations and society, as well as the stunted romance between our hero William Leadford and his paramour Nettie Stuart. Part II consists of the world as altered by the comet and what William makes of it. Part III resolves the whole thing by discussing the nature of human relationships, the departure of the new from the world, and the fashioning of a far more pleasant order than existed in the past. Part I is a dystopia and Part III is a utopia, making In the Days of the Comet a rare work of both dystopian and utopian fiction.
The most interesting aspects of In the Days of the Comet lie in its carrying of the dystopian, transitional and utopian worlds. The vividness of their portrayals is evident is passages like "I held up my left hand and arm before me, a grubby hand, a frayed cuff; but with a quality of painted unreality, transfigured as a beggar might have been by Botticelli" ("The Change", p. 1). The more political side of the book has its merits too, like the convincing demonstration of the hapless British Cabinet that finishes Part II, and indeed even makes reference to Bleak House as a point of comparison for how far removed the politicians are from their surroundings. The statements made in the book are pointed and relevant regardless of your views on them. As a capitalist and as someone whose grandparents were born more than a decade after In the Days of the Comet's release, I suppose I am somewhere between disagreeing and uninformed. Past Victorian reading and historical research helps here, thankfully.
My least favourite aspect of the book is one I was not expecting given my previous adventures with Wells. His other works tend to contain adventure, excitement, and usually some breed of monster. In the Days of the Comet barely has a plot, often preferring to spend pages on setting description or political musing rather than advancing a character's interests. There is also very little science fiction, it being entirely an appellation of the comet. At times, though, it feels like anything could have caused the change, not necessarily a comet. It is tough to imagine anything more realistic, odd as this sounds, and that may indeed be a point Wells is making. To suddenly halt a prophetic Anglo-German war (the book was written in 1906), to make a would-be murderer turn placid, and to make Britain's politicians act responsibly as Wells would have it, a comet may have truly been necessary.
I had been wanting to read this book for at least a decade and now I can say I have. I am aware this is an egregiously late entry but sometimes life gets in the way. More entries will follow soon.
Ease of Reading: 1
Educational Content: 9
As there's just so much to say about anything by H.G. Wells, this is my longest entry.
May 20-26: In the Days of the Comet by H.G. Wells
Literature (1906 - 162 pp.)
My last three books have been The Hunger Games, The Dilbert Principle and Fool. Apparently I thought these books were too easy...
A quick disclaimer on In the Days of the Comet that is necessary for any science-fiction fan like myself: Do not expect another The Time Machineor The Island of Dr. Moreau, which I read at 16 and 12 respectively. Difficulty-wise, In the Days of the Comet is far more like Bleak House, which I read back in January. Do not be fooled by the 162 pages listed here; according to other sources (okay, "other sources" is Wikipedia, but I am not digging up a bunch of editions of the book), it clocks in at 378. My version is in an old leather-bound compendium I keep handy to make my bookshelf look more impressive or something.
Now that I have properly outlined the extent of this book's pedantry, I will attempt to discuss the subject matter in a way that, as always, does not spoil the book for any prospective reader. The book's three parts detail the world before the comet, the impact of the comet, and the world after. Part I is concerned with the socialist perspective on Victorian/Edwardian industrial relations and society, as well as the stunted romance between our hero William Leadford and his paramour Nettie Stuart. Part II consists of the world as altered by the comet and what William makes of it. Part III resolves the whole thing by discussing the nature of human relationships, the departure of the new from the world, and the fashioning of a far more pleasant order than existed in the past. Part I is a dystopia and Part III is a utopia, making In the Days of the Comet a rare work of both dystopian and utopian fiction.
The most interesting aspects of In the Days of the Comet lie in its carrying of the dystopian, transitional and utopian worlds. The vividness of their portrayals is evident is passages like "I held up my left hand and arm before me, a grubby hand, a frayed cuff; but with a quality of painted unreality, transfigured as a beggar might have been by Botticelli" ("The Change", p. 1). The more political side of the book has its merits too, like the convincing demonstration of the hapless British Cabinet that finishes Part II, and indeed even makes reference to Bleak House as a point of comparison for how far removed the politicians are from their surroundings. The statements made in the book are pointed and relevant regardless of your views on them. As a capitalist and as someone whose grandparents were born more than a decade after In the Days of the Comet's release, I suppose I am somewhere between disagreeing and uninformed. Past Victorian reading and historical research helps here, thankfully.
My least favourite aspect of the book is one I was not expecting given my previous adventures with Wells. His other works tend to contain adventure, excitement, and usually some breed of monster. In the Days of the Comet barely has a plot, often preferring to spend pages on setting description or political musing rather than advancing a character's interests. There is also very little science fiction, it being entirely an appellation of the comet. At times, though, it feels like anything could have caused the change, not necessarily a comet. It is tough to imagine anything more realistic, odd as this sounds, and that may indeed be a point Wells is making. To suddenly halt a prophetic Anglo-German war (the book was written in 1906), to make a would-be murderer turn placid, and to make Britain's politicians act responsibly as Wells would have it, a comet may have truly been necessary.
I had been wanting to read this book for at least a decade and now I can say I have. I am aware this is an egregiously late entry but sometimes life gets in the way. More entries will follow soon.
Ease of Reading: 1
Educational Content: 9
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
This Week's Book: Fool
I'm a bit late in posting this entry, I know. I've needed a bit of rest over the past couple days so I'm around to it now. The next one should come soon enough. For those unfamiliar with the phrase "non-RYM", refer to the link I posted in my first Book a Week post here. These are copypasted from my account on that exquisite site.
May 13-19: Fool by Christopher Moore
Comedy (2009 - 311 pp.)
Fool tells the story of King Lear, from the fool's perspective, with patchwork references to other Shakespeare plays and with some very creative artistic license. There is also a nice big helping of, as Christopher Moore's fool (Pocket) describes it, "bonking." The book is a fun, quick read, with enough wit to be at least a little intellectual but far more buffoonery. The ratio works well.
There is enough quasi-mashed-together-medieval to make things work, much in the same way fiction has been done in the past. Think of something like The Sword in the Stone, which shamelessly blends circa 1500 French imagery with a character like Merlin. Moore does this sort of thing but in such a self-aware way it is impossible not to laugh along with him. Then there are the more observational jokes, like Pocket's bells making him particularly ill-suited to stealth. Identification with the characters happens more in the way of constantly enjoying being let in on Pocket's outlandish jokes than through anything particularly emotionally moving, but I would not have wanted to cry for anyone anyway.
Much as with Lamb*, which I read last summer and also recommend, Fool has the kind of humour that can really appeal to the religious. Seeing people with Three Stooges-level intellects attempt to practise any kind of faith turns into a frenzy of poorly hidden sins and doctrinal flip-flopping (see page 16 for a great paragraph on this in the middle of the page). The mechanics of the royal court are easily spoofed - Regan asking for an execution in return for her non-existent virginity being taken is a good example - with Lear coming off as less of a tragic figure and more of a nincompoop. Amazingly, not all of the characters in this book qualify for that distinction. I'll leave which ones do not as a surprise.
As an interesting aside, from my March 16 entry on John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces: "I learned a couple words from this book, specifically 'coxcomb' and 'eruct'. Not sure what I'll do with them, but I always like a little extra vocabulary in the quiver." The word "coxcomb" appears more times in Fool than in any other piece of writing I have ever read, and I knew exactly what it meant every time. That, plus the word "quiver" in the preceding passage, really makes me think there is some clairvoyance going on. Or a complete coincidence, you be the judge.
Thanks to a non-RYM friend for the recommendation, and for recommending Lamb last summer. Thanks to the same friend for lending me Fool.
*Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff is a fictional account of Jesus Christ's life as according to his best friend who did not appear in the Bible. It is exactly as funny as it sounds, which means extremely.
Ease of Reading: 9
Educational Content: 2
May 13-19: Fool by Christopher Moore
Comedy (2009 - 311 pp.)
Fool tells the story of King Lear, from the fool's perspective, with patchwork references to other Shakespeare plays and with some very creative artistic license. There is also a nice big helping of, as Christopher Moore's fool (Pocket) describes it, "bonking." The book is a fun, quick read, with enough wit to be at least a little intellectual but far more buffoonery. The ratio works well.
There is enough quasi-mashed-together-medieval to make things work, much in the same way fiction has been done in the past. Think of something like The Sword in the Stone, which shamelessly blends circa 1500 French imagery with a character like Merlin. Moore does this sort of thing but in such a self-aware way it is impossible not to laugh along with him. Then there are the more observational jokes, like Pocket's bells making him particularly ill-suited to stealth. Identification with the characters happens more in the way of constantly enjoying being let in on Pocket's outlandish jokes than through anything particularly emotionally moving, but I would not have wanted to cry for anyone anyway.
Much as with Lamb*, which I read last summer and also recommend, Fool has the kind of humour that can really appeal to the religious. Seeing people with Three Stooges-level intellects attempt to practise any kind of faith turns into a frenzy of poorly hidden sins and doctrinal flip-flopping (see page 16 for a great paragraph on this in the middle of the page). The mechanics of the royal court are easily spoofed - Regan asking for an execution in return for her non-existent virginity being taken is a good example - with Lear coming off as less of a tragic figure and more of a nincompoop. Amazingly, not all of the characters in this book qualify for that distinction. I'll leave which ones do not as a surprise.
As an interesting aside, from my March 16 entry on John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces: "I learned a couple words from this book, specifically 'coxcomb' and 'eruct'. Not sure what I'll do with them, but I always like a little extra vocabulary in the quiver." The word "coxcomb" appears more times in Fool than in any other piece of writing I have ever read, and I knew exactly what it meant every time. That, plus the word "quiver" in the preceding passage, really makes me think there is some clairvoyance going on. Or a complete coincidence, you be the judge.
Thanks to a non-RYM friend for the recommendation, and for recommending Lamb last summer. Thanks to the same friend for lending me Fool.
*Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff is a fictional account of Jesus Christ's life as according to his best friend who did not appear in the Bible. It is exactly as funny as it sounds, which means extremely.
Ease of Reading: 9
Educational Content: 2
Sunday, May 13, 2012
This Week's Book: The Dilbert Principle
About time I read something side-splittingly funny for Book a Week. Seriousness is only good in moderation, as it were. This was a fun one.
May 6-12: The Dilbert Principle by Scott Adams
Humour (1996 - 336 pp.)
The Dilbert Principle, that the most incompetent employees are moved into management positions in order for them to be taken out of the productive flow, is the inspiration for this book. Much of the book consists of old Dilbert comics and emails Scott Adams has received from disgruntled corporate employees sharing their stories. The rest is drawn from Adams's experiences at Pacific Bell, hilarious analogies, and Adams's musings about the working world. Each chapter is about a different aspect of business that you probably were not aware was so funny until you read Dilbert.
While certain buzzwords and trends are different now from what they were in 1996, the The Dilbert Principle is still very on point. Management has not changed incredibly since then, and many of the botched initiatives the book mentions are things that could just as easily happen today. Whether it is a task force to manage other task forces, delegating justification for an assignment to an employee who was openly opposed to that assignment, or the harsh reality of cubicle life, there are continuing trends in business that make much of Dilbert just as fresh today.
How educational The Dilbert Principle is depends entirely on your view of modern business. If you feel cynical about it, or perhaps had your free pop revoked, you will certainly find some sympathetic tales. If your job environment is rosier, you may be a little perturbed with some of the more complaining-oriented parts of the book. Every section at least got a smile out of me, with many having me doubling over in laughter.
Also, Catbert is adorable. As someone who loves cats and loves human resources (I am just that monstrous), he is a furry little guy I can like no matter how horribly he treats the employees. Terrible, I know.
Ease of Reading: 10
Educational Content: 3
-----
On a separate note, here is my favourite early Dilbert comic. It neither appears in the book nor even mentions business, but I think it is a telling commentary of human interaction. Much like The Dilbert Principle, it is still fresh today.
http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/1989-12-01/
Draw whatever conclusion you will. I know mine.
May 6-12: The Dilbert Principle by Scott Adams
Humour (1996 - 336 pp.)
The Dilbert Principle, that the most incompetent employees are moved into management positions in order for them to be taken out of the productive flow, is the inspiration for this book. Much of the book consists of old Dilbert comics and emails Scott Adams has received from disgruntled corporate employees sharing their stories. The rest is drawn from Adams's experiences at Pacific Bell, hilarious analogies, and Adams's musings about the working world. Each chapter is about a different aspect of business that you probably were not aware was so funny until you read Dilbert.
While certain buzzwords and trends are different now from what they were in 1996, the The Dilbert Principle is still very on point. Management has not changed incredibly since then, and many of the botched initiatives the book mentions are things that could just as easily happen today. Whether it is a task force to manage other task forces, delegating justification for an assignment to an employee who was openly opposed to that assignment, or the harsh reality of cubicle life, there are continuing trends in business that make much of Dilbert just as fresh today.
How educational The Dilbert Principle is depends entirely on your view of modern business. If you feel cynical about it, or perhaps had your free pop revoked, you will certainly find some sympathetic tales. If your job environment is rosier, you may be a little perturbed with some of the more complaining-oriented parts of the book. Every section at least got a smile out of me, with many having me doubling over in laughter.
Also, Catbert is adorable. As someone who loves cats and loves human resources (I am just that monstrous), he is a furry little guy I can like no matter how horribly he treats the employees. Terrible, I know.
Ease of Reading: 10
Educational Content: 3
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On a separate note, here is my favourite early Dilbert comic. It neither appears in the book nor even mentions business, but I think it is a telling commentary of human interaction. Much like The Dilbert Principle, it is still fresh today.
http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/1989-12-01/
Draw whatever conclusion you will. I know mine.
Friday, May 4, 2012
This Week's Book: The Hunger Games
I have a tradition of choosing tougher books for less crazy weeks and easier book for crazier weeks. This week is pretty crazy...
April 29-May 5: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Young Adult (2008 - 374 pp.)
I had never heard of this book until the movie came out, which I suppose is the greatest endorsement I can give a movie I have not seen. There has been so much hype I had to figure out why, and this book did not have that Twilight feeling even if there seemed to be considerable overlap in the readership.
Anything I could say about this book plot-wise would be a spoiler, and Book a Week is not about spoiling books. If anything, I would hope people want to read these books more after I get done with my pedantic analyses.
I can leave you with a few things. The book flows well and reads very quickly. The concept of pitting people against each other in a fatal game show has not really been done since The Running Man, which came out well before most of this book's fans were born, so that was fun. In less of a flattering light, The Hunger Games has its share of dangling modifiers, sentence fragment, and general grammatical issues ("try and", etc.). On a more content-based note, is not completely clear why the Hunger Games are occurring, how the cameras are propelled through the arena, or the circumstances surrounding some of the deaths. The ratio of deus ex machinae to chapters is also kind of startling. Well... I was entertained.
As for the naming conventions, I am not Cinna the conspirator, I am Cinna the poet!
Ease of Reading: 10
Educational Content: 1
April 29-May 5: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Young Adult (2008 - 374 pp.)
I had never heard of this book until the movie came out, which I suppose is the greatest endorsement I can give a movie I have not seen. There has been so much hype I had to figure out why, and this book did not have that Twilight feeling even if there seemed to be considerable overlap in the readership.
Anything I could say about this book plot-wise would be a spoiler, and Book a Week is not about spoiling books. If anything, I would hope people want to read these books more after I get done with my pedantic analyses.
I can leave you with a few things. The book flows well and reads very quickly. The concept of pitting people against each other in a fatal game show has not really been done since The Running Man, which came out well before most of this book's fans were born, so that was fun. In less of a flattering light, The Hunger Games has its share of dangling modifiers, sentence fragment, and general grammatical issues ("try and", etc.). On a more content-based note, is not completely clear why the Hunger Games are occurring, how the cameras are propelled through the arena, or the circumstances surrounding some of the deaths. The ratio of deus ex machinae to chapters is also kind of startling. Well... I was entertained.
As for the naming conventions, I am not Cinna the conspirator, I am Cinna the poet!
Ease of Reading: 10
Educational Content: 1
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