I was sent this book by a friend and at 1095 pages I wasn't planning on reading it any time soon. That is until we visited Bishops Museum, Iolani PalaI was sent this book by a friend and at 1095 pages I wasn't planning on reading it any time soon. That is until we visited Bishops Museum, Iolani Palace, and Queen Emma Summer Palace as we live in Honolulu. The visits stirred up my interest and I was able to identify most of the locations and names of places cited in the book. While I would like to know how historically accurate Michener was, I tried to discern his agenda. What point did he want to make? Okay, so some are here to exploit, and some to protect and enhance - politically / economically / etc. Rather, I thought he did a good job contrasting different nationalities thrown together, blending culture, language, foods, and intermarrying... The big melting pot on the mainland and the little melting pot on the Islands called Hawaii....more
Gloomy, but deep. Dostoyevsky has a way making you feel, only it's not pleasant - drunkards who've ruined lives, swindlers on the prowl, helpless victGloomy, but deep. Dostoyevsky has a way making you feel, only it's not pleasant - drunkards who've ruined lives, swindlers on the prowl, helpless victims murdered, children becoming orphans, and all the rest who struggle just to have enough to eat and place to sleep. In the midst of all this he weaves a theme of the conscience battling the rationale. You might be courageous enough to act on your high principles, but you better think twice because reality has a rough way of setting you straight. There are consequences, and accepting one's just punishment may be your only path forward. This is no light read but it will always be a classic....more
I'm glad to be finished! Yeah! The reason, however, I must confess, is that I didn't find Smith's work all that engaging. He discusses virtues in the I'm glad to be finished! Yeah! The reason, however, I must confess, is that I didn't find Smith's work all that engaging. He discusses virtues in the greater context of social order, nobly promoting self-command, admiring the Stoics, and prudence. I liked a few things very much, for example, when he speaks of the Stoic's outlook on danger (pg 329). I also liked what he said (pg 209) when thinking of Hume, "an ingenious and agreeable philosopher, who joins the greater depth of thought to the greatest elegance of expression, and possesses the singular and happy talent of treating the abstruesest subjects not only with the most perfect perspicuity, but with the most lively eloquence."
We need to read both current and older works because that's where we'll find depth and elegance, perspicuity and eloquence. They are worth reading for, even if the gems among the rough are a little harder to find at times, yet nonetheless, they sparkle. ...more
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