American Government 2e by Krutz, Glen 2020 / 654 pgs. Political Science/Textbook
American Government2e is a textbook for PSC-1030. Another Community College class that I will be teaching in the fall. Like previously, I needed to completely read this book to assure my course is built and ready for my class. I’m not trying to kill my brain reading two textbooks.
This textbook breaks down the government in a simple order. However, what is very different than the previous textbook is the detailed information that I felt was missing. Also, this is designed as an introduction to American Government. Naturally, it is divided into sections that start with how the government was formed, born from the failures of the Articles of Confederation to the evolution and adoption of the Constitution, same as the previous textbook I read for my course in American Government.
Between the two books, I would recommend this one. It’s better detailed and easier to digest. Plus, the bonus, this book is free to download on the Openstax site.
If one wants a desire to understand the US government in simplistic terms, this is a wonderful book. However, it is a textbook, so I would imagine that not many finish reading this, including my future students.
American Government: Roots and Reform by O’Connor, Sabato, and Yanus 2016 / 550 pgs. Political Science/Textbook
American Government is a textbook for PSC-1030. A Community College class that I will be teaching in the fall. Naturally, I needed to completely read this book to assure my course is built and ready for my classes. If an individual would like a good understanding of the political system of the United States, this is a good book. It can be very dry at times, naturally, that is the nature of textbooks.
This textbook breaks down the government in a simple order and is not very detailed. It is designed as an introduction to American Government. Naturally, it is divided into sections that start with how the government was formed, born from the failures of the Articles of Confederation to the evolution and adoption of the Constitution.
Other sections break down into more details to understand the progression of our Federal system. Also, explaining the three branches of government and the challenges they have all faced over the years. Details of other impacts on our system like political parties, news media, and domestic policy and also explained in the book.
If one wants a desire to understand the US government in simplistic terms, this isn’t a bad book to read. However, it is a textbook, so I would imagine that not many finish reading this, including my future students.
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein 1959 / 208 pgs. (84,769 words) Sci-Fi/Philosophy
A curious narrative that could easily be finished in a couple of hours. A novel that at first appears as a future war narrative is also a philosophical discussion on the wrongs in American Society. The story starts with a simple bounce-and-drop mission. However, like all warfare, no combat goes as planned. At the end of the first chapter, Dizzy is dead, and they move back to the rendezvous point to evac as planned.
Returning to high school, the commentary builds from Johnnie and how he enlists in Federal Service. Interestingly, in the book, all personnel that works in the recruiting building are discouraging Jonnie from joining, even the Sergeant at the desk with no legs and only one arm. Obviously, this is vastly different from enlisting in the service today. Johnnie ships off to Basic at Camp Arthur Currie (Named after Gen Sir Arthur Currie, Canadian Army).
The majority of the narrative is set at Camp Currie. Johnnie explains everything about basic training. One chapter is an explanation of how the mechanical suit works. After one incident, a deserter is returned to camp, and punishment is executed, Johnnie remembers a discussion in his History and Moral Philosophy class in High School. Heinlein uses this point to explain what he believes is wrong with 1950’s American society and how it could be changed. This is the section that explains why a citizen gains more rights than a civilian, for example, the right to vote. The famous quote in Chapter II, “A Citizen accepts the personal responsibility for the safety of the body politic, defending it with his life, a civilian does not” is expanded upon and clarified as to why the Federal Service was created and changed society for the better.
After basic, Johnny then reports to Camp Spooky Smith for climbing training and goes on leave in Seattle. It is there that he and a few other troopers experience what some people truly think of those that serve in uniform. After training, our second battle occurs. This is the point where the novel picks up from the beginning of the book. He reports to the Roger Young (named after Corporal Roger Young, USMC, Medal of Honor) and joins Rasczak’s Roughnecks. Johnnie goes to Career and then reports to Officer Candidate School. During school, he is assigned to a unit as a Third Lieutenant and takes part in the battle of Plant P. After which, we reach the end of the book and his next drop as he leads his Platoon.
Starship Troopers is considered a classic Sci-Fi/Philosophy novel from one of the big three in Sci-Fi. It is a quick read; anyone could finish it in a day. Taking my hour allocation, it only took me 7.5 hours to finish the book. If one is looking for a book about a large space war, this is it as much is discussed on how the world is running in the future. As mentioned, there are a few spots of battle that do not disappoint. This novel is written as a narrative from Johnny Rico’s view, meaning much is what he thinks and recollects. Would I recommend it? It is not horrible, easy-paced, and does not get boring. Not a page-turner though, does not leave you at the seat of your pants.
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells 1897 / 192 pgs. (57,408 words) Classic/Sci-Fi
Another H.G. Wells classic. A quick read, also a straightforward story. Many details within the narration ensure the reader stays glued.
Griffin is a gifted physicist who has a passion for the study of refraction. He feels he can make anything invisible. Griffin experiments on objects around his room at first, believing it is possible to make a human invisible. He first tests on a cat. He tries it on himself when this experiment is successful, turning invisible. The horror of his results appears not after the experiment is complete. The results are not instantaneous, it is when he answers a knock on his door, and the inquiring individual on the other side runs away in fear.
The invisible man works without an aid because of Griffin’s conniving professor, who steals results and publishes them under his name. Griffin, also paranoid of people being able to replicate his work, does not leave any trace of his experiment. The other challenge that produces itself after he burns down his apartment is the world outside. The paranoia of people dealing with an invisible man creates vast challenges for Griffin to do simple things like eat and stay warm.
The story starts with the Invisible Man, wrapped from head to toe, renting a room with his boxes of tubes with various liquids trying to reverse the invisibility. The property owners look on suspiciously as the man does not interact with people and eats alone while working in his room.
This was a simple read. The novel could be finished in just one day if one sits down and enjoys it. There is not too much of a twist; however, the start does bring just enough curiosity to see how the narration would go. It would not be the first H.G. Wells novel I would recommend; it is still a good read.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer 1960 / 1264 pgs. (316,000 words) Political/History/Military and War
What an epic! Sixty-nine days were taken to finish this monster. What a beast it is! This was a unique read; when I ran across that finish line and turned the page into the notes section, I was not disappointed and did not feel like I had wasted my time reading this book. Like At Dawn We Slept, some of my favorite history books are written by historians who had access to papers and witnesses after the day’s events. Most, if not all, were never there to witness the events they wrote on.
Mr. Shirer witnessed many of the events during the Third Reich’s rise—watched many of the famous Nazi rallies and important events and then reported for CBS radio from Berlin. His relaying of the feeling of the people on 1 September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland is a complete contrast to what standard scholarly works state. After the War, he had access to the secret government papers and diaries of prominent Nazi leaders the United States collected and brought to the U.S. after the War. He researched this book before the documents returned to Germany in the late 1950s.
Unlike many history narratives dense with information per paragraph, this book is an easy read. It is easy to follow and does not get the reader lost in multiple mounds of facts. The flow is simple; although sometimes not in a linear direction, it is still easy to enjoy. While reading this, I never felt like I was falling asleep with information overload. I never looked at the time, wondering if my allocated hour was up. The timer would often ring, and I would keep reading, at least finishing the section that I was devouring.
Mr. Shirer starts with the birth and history of Adolf Hitler until his introduction to the German Workers Party in 1919. Then he continues with the historical rise of Hitler to Chancellor of Germany in 1933 and even the gritty details of how he gained absolute power over Germany after the Reichstag fire on 27 February 1933.
Then, Shirer paints a picture of Germany starting by rebuilding her economy. Led to Anschluss, then the occupation of the Rhineland, to the invasion of Poland in 1939, while leaving out no details of other events in those times. The beginning of W.W. II. is only the 52% mark in the book. The many pieces of events from 1933 to 1939 are so delicious that it is difficult to put the book down.
Naturally, 1939-1941 was an excellent time for the German military as it conquered and occupied much of Europe. Shirer illustrates how Hitler demanded the Army conduct operations as he envisioned and was victorious until the fall of France. Because of his victories, he believed he was the greatest leader in Germany’s history and that his armies could not lose. This belief would eventually lead to his downfall with Operation Barbarossa, 22 June 1941, the invasion of the Soviet Union. This date is synonymous with Napoleon crossing the Niemen in 1812 on his way to Moscow; Germany crossed the same river at the start of their invasion of the Soviet Union. However, unknown at the time, this was the beginning of the downfall of the Third Reich.
The disaster that is the invasion of Russia decimates the German army. The inclusion of the United States in the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan strengthened the power of the Allies. Shirer then details many events and several assassination attempts on the Fuhrer, including the infamous 20 July 1944 plot, known as Valkyrie. After Hitler’s survival, circumstances led to the last German assault, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Soviets surrounding Berlin. Details of the final days in the Fuhrer bunker. Finally, concluding with the suicide of Hitler on 30 April and Germany’s unconditional surrender on 7 May 1945. This narrative has everything in between and is a delicious delight to devour.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. It is an effortless read, not dense. Although, as previously mentioned, it does mess with chronology, it is not making crazy loops like other history books I have read. I would forewarn you that this is a monster; this will take some time unless you are a speed reader! Also, I would read this only if you are interested in this subject. For those with no interest in history or W.W.II, you would shred this book and then burn it to assure it was gone from your library. Or use it as a doorstop.
Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a delightful book!
Lopaka
NOTE: I noticed after I finished the book and was relaxing while thinking about what I was going to write that today is 7 May, the 77th Anniversary of V-E day. Yes, I did find it ironic that I finished a book about the rise and fall of the Third Reich on the 77th anniversary of its fall into history.
1st Lt Ian Archer, USAF, an F-15C fighter pilot, is cocky and flamboyant; however, he does have a heart that doesn’t appear too often. Grounded is a dreaded word for any flyer. A simple meaning, his flying days are over. From his USAF Academy days to flying the vaunted F-15C, all that he worked for is gone in a flash. What is going to happen next? Is his career finished? Not only is Archer grounded, but he is also ordered to report to a missile base in Montana to sit in silos waiting for World War III.
After arriving, he discovers that he is not there for the Missile assignment. He joins a highly classified squadron, the 13th Fighter-Intercepter Squadron, the Bulls, that fly the F-23 Black Widow. The leadership is unconventional, and Ian has to deal with unusual rules and the mission profile of an aircraft that officially was retired after the ATF program. As his training goes south in this military thriller, he starts to question himself and his abilities.
In the beginning, it’s hard to get into as Ian is a cocky-arrogant flighter pilot that can’t do wrong. However, the narrative starts to chip away at Ian’s armor over time. The narrative gets exciting once the reader pasts the ego of Archer.
I enjoyed the challenges that Archer had to take on both as an officer and individual. For the last 145 pages, I couldn’t put it down because I was so curious to know what was going to happen. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a fighter pilot-oriented story. This book is a Tom Clancy meets Ian Fleming. The technical military thriller style of Clancy and the center-focused character of Fleming. I truly enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading what is next for Archer and “The Bulls.”
Different Seasons by Stephen King 1982 / 527 pgs Fiction
Different Seasons is a collection of four Novella’s that depart from the horror world that has made Mr. King infamous. The first three novels have a minor link between them. The last one is a good shock-an-ah horror-ish story. Interestingly, all four have been adapted into movies.
Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption The movie The Shawshank Redemption has all the highlights in this story. The plot from both is almost the same. Unlike most books, more is added to the movie to build the story. The story is still a good read even if you’ve seen the movie, as there are details in the story that are not in the film. Also, I prefer some parts of the film, like what happens to Capt Hadly and Sam Norton, over how they end up in the book.
Apt Pupil Todd, an inspiring teenager, all A’s in school, confronts an elderly gentleman that, through research, has discovered he is a former SS man that was a concentration camp commandant. Todd demands that to keep his secret; the SS man must tell him all the details about the camps that are not in the history books. This sends them both down a path that they will never return.
This story has one of the best scenes I’ve read that made me sit up and think, WOW…
“Unless there were dreams. The thought shocked him. Dreams? Please God, no. Not those dreams. Not for eternity, not with all possibility of awakening gone. Not— In sudden terror, he tried to struggle awake. It seemed that hands were reaching eagerly up out of the bed to grab him, hands with hungry fingers. (!NO!) His thoughts broke up in a steepening spiral of darkness, and he rode down that spiral as if down a greased slide, down and down, to whatever dreams there are.” – King, Stephen. Different Seasons: Four Novellas (p. 308). Scribner.
The Body Another movie classic for the teens of the ’80s, Stand by Me, is based on The Body. Four young teens travel down a rail track to see a body of a dead teenage boy that was hit by a train. This is a coming-of-age story.
The Breathing Method A lawyer is invited to attend a club with just a few members. At the club, there are drinks, conversation, and books. Members play pool and chess. The highlight is that a member will tell a story ranging from weird to disturbing macabre. The story on Thursday before Christmas is always the highlight of the year. An elderly doctor tells a story about a young pregnant single woman who he teaches the Breathing Method to assist with the birth.
All four stories are great reads! I enjoyed each one. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and The Body show that Mr. King can write more than just horror. I would count this collection as a classic that I would recommend.
The Gunslinger: I The Dark Tower by Stephen King 1982 / 300 pgs Dark Fantasy-Western
The Dark Tower is Stephen King’s seven-volume epic. In Volume One, we follow the Gunslinger (Roland Deschain) as he follows the Man in Black (Walter). Roland will do anything to catch up with the Man in Black as he has the answers to the question that Roland is seeking, what is the path to the Dark Tower.
Through a collection of five stories, we learn that Walter manipulates the environment around Roland; why this is, is truly never revealed. In the first story, Roland narrates to Brown about the town of Tull, which Roland walked into following the Man in Black. Walter brought back from death an addict and put a spell on him that when the number 19 is said, he will attack and kill who said it. Walter gives Allie a note stating the secret is 19, which she knows eventually, she will want to speak like a child wants to when you say they can’t have anything. Walter also impregnates the local priestess with a demon. All this, eventually, encapsulates into the town attacking Roland, causing him to gun down everyone.
The Gunslinger befriends a lost boy, Jake. The boy doesn’t know how he got into the middle of the desert. Through hypnosis, it’s revealed Jake was killed in Manhatten by being pushed in front of a car. The Man In Black allowed Roland to find Jake in the desert, although it’s not mentioned how Jake arrived in the desert. Jake is the death needed for Roland and Walter to start their palaver, a symbol that Roland will do anything to finish his oath. During their palaver, Walter revealed was also a wizard/consort to Steven, Roland’s father. Also, he was the lover of Roland’s mother.
King is starting to build a world and uses narration, like Tolkein, to show much of this different world. There is a mention of Mid-World and another language, High Speech. Another thought is things mentioned during Jake’s narration that we would understand. However, Roland states he doesn’t know them, like subways. Is this a different earth? Maybe future earth? Or another plane of the earth as Jake has already died in the story when Roland meets him. Nothing is spelled out; however, there are six more novels…oh, the suspense!
In the end, the reader still doesn’t know why Roland is trying to get to the Dark Tower or what it is; only the Crimson King rules it. This I remember as the Beast; however, it was changed to the Crimson King in 2003 revisited edition of the Gunslinger for later continuity with the series.
The Gunslinger is a great appetizer that leads the narration into the Drawing of the Three, Part II of the series.
Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a good book!
Lopaka
The Dark Tower Series Volume I-VII
I – The Gunslinger II – The Drawing of the Three III – The Waste Lands IV- Wizard and Glass V – Wolves of the Calla VI – Song of Susannah VII- The Dark Tower
Other stories from the Dark Tower The Little Sisters of Eluria (Short in Everything’s Eventual) The Wind Through the Keyhole (Between Vol IV-V)
A look back at the reading of 2021, WOW. I can honestly say that is the most books that I’ve completed in one year. It’s more books that I’ve completed in the previous two years combined. As I look back on all the reading, I can say that I kept my hour-a-day goal and more. Some days, the hour changed into 3-4 hours as I kept reading. Or those rare days when it was short, 32 minutes as I finished the book and hadn’t chosen the next one to read yet.
The list is one that I reflect on and smile as I see some of my “bucket lists” complete, like A Night to Remember, The Guns of August, and The Time Machine. Many more are on my list lined up this year, ready for devouring.
I’ve learned that it’s not the number of books you finish; it’s the fact that you completed them that matters. Thirty-six books in one year are more than many read in 10 or 20 years. I don’t plan to finish more or reach 40 books this year as that would be easy; just read shorter novels. At the end of 2021, if I wanted to obtain the 40 books in one year, I wouldn’t have started The Two Towers for the final two weeks of the year.
I hope you enjoy the adventure as I review this year’s selection of novels. For those who want to start reading and are wondering if you can also finish 36 novels in one year, I suggest reading just 1 hour a day. You would be surprised how much you can finish in a year.
Well, dear reader, enjoy a good book and a cup of joe!
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien 1955 / 416 pgs Epic Fantasy
The conclusion of the epic, The Lord of the Rings, doesn’t disappoint! Picking up from the end of The Two Towers, Book V moves along with Gandolf and Pippen riding into Minas Tirith. Tolkien describes the city and every layer of it, giving the reader a wonderful picture of this vast city with seven layers and meanings. The current Steward, Denethor, was slowly going mad. Boromir was his favorite son and set to take his chair; what is not understood until later is that Denethor was using a Palantir. As the story slowly but interestingly builds in narrative, Tolkien uses Book V to continue world-building. Several chapters are just conversations between characters giving background information about past times or even the city’s rules. The Battle of the Pelennor Fields is epic, yet only one chapter; however, it is a chapter! This chapter made my hair stand when I read,
“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund’s daughter. You stand between me and my Lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” – Tolkien, J. R. R. The Lord of the Rings.
After this chapter, much of the rest of Book V is about the eventual rise of Aragon to King Elessar. Also, the great debate, the attack at the Black Gate that will divert Sauron’s attention from Frodo and Sam. Leading into Book VI, focused on Frodo and Sam and the eventual fall of the Ring into Mount Doom. After the fall of Sauron, the narrative brings the remaining members of the Fellowship back together for the crowning of the King. Then, as the Fellowship breaks upon their various paths, the Hobbits have one last quest to take back the Shire.
Once the narrative picks up in The Two Towers, this is an epic tale that goes. The details and world-building are stunning! The aspects you don’t see in other books make it extraordinary. For example, Gandolf, naturally, is known by many names depending on the region he is dwelling. While residing at Minas Tirith, they called him Mithrandir. Even the appendix has a vast world-building, including the language used.
Naturally, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone. It is stunning. I would forewarn, get past Tom Bombadil in The Fellowship of the Ring, as the narrative starts slow; however, as it picks up, it goes, and you don’t want to put it down. When I started The Two Towers, I wanted to finish the whole series, not to have it completed, because it was that good! Also, I would recommend having the soundtrack to LOTR or The Hobbit playing in the background sometimes; it makes the scene you are reading very interesting.
nyghteulen 