What I Read (2001)

Transcription of the recently-unearthed book log continues.

Jan. 5, 2001 Fathers and Sons by Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev "Story of conflict between young nihilist Bazarov and aristocratic Paul Petrovich. Great integration of philosophy. Last paragraph sucks."

[DIGRESSION: I'm really curious now what was in that last paragraph . . . I'll have to dig out my copy some day]

Jan. 8, 2001 The Two Cultures by C.P. Snow "Snow's famous thesis that a gulf of communication lies between scientists and humanities scholars. Interesting, though dated."

Jan. 17, 2001 The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James "Really disappointing. Long and dense, but little useful info."

Jan. 22, 2001 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien "What can one say about the book that started it all? So many of today's archetypes in their original form."

Jan. 29, 2001 The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien "Lots of fun, friendship with Sam is best part."

Feb. 6, 2001 The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien "Battle outside Helmsdeep was very exciting and makes you want to cheer. Part w/ Shalob also good."

Feb. 14, 2001 The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien "Last of the trilogy. Spends surprising amount of time after destruction of the Ring on the return to the Shire. Great book, discussion of the end of the age leaves a bittersweet feeling."

Feb. 19, 2001 Hearts of Gold by James Magorian "Farcical account of hunt for a lost gold mine. Takes place in NE. Funny, and nice to see local color."

Feb. 25, 2001 Virgin Islands by Gore Vidal "Collection of essays from 1992-1997. Pretty good, though a bit paranoid on the political stuff. Attack on Updike was wonderful."

Feb. 27, 2001 Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson "Tale of a young orphan kidnapped and taken on sea voyage before escaping and inheriting fortune. Not fascinating."

Mar. 5, 2001 The Lost Prince by Jeffrey Moussaief Masson "Story of Kaspar Hauser, who lived first 17 years in a dungeon. Interesting historical drama."

Mar. 9, 2001 Best American Essays, 2000 "Some real good ones, including 'In Defense of the Book', 'The Resurrectionist', 'Gray Area', and 'A Designer Universe.'"

Mar. 15, 2001 The U.S. Constitution for Everyone by Mort Gerberg "Mainly patriotic propaganda, but does have entire text with comments."

Apr. 1, 2001 The Complete Stories of Saki by Hector Hugh Munro "The best short stories I'ver ever read; funny, ironic, scathing. Of the best, 'The Lumber-Room' is best of the best."

[DIGRESSION: That's strange, my memory now is that the Saki stories were a bit of a slog to get through, with only one or two gems in a big collection]

Apr. 13, 2001 Funny That Way by Joel Perry "Collection of short humorous essays by queer columnist. Well done, if shallow."

Apr. 15, 2001 Why I Am Not a Christian by Bertrand Russell "Second reading."

Apr. 20, 2001 Down & Out in Paris and London by George Orwell "A great fast-paced read, great realism and insight. Some passages are hilariously funny."

Apr. 23, 2001 The Death Penalty: For & Against by Pojman & Reiman "Good arguments, only wish they had critiques of 'desert'".

Apr. 28, 2001 Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë "A great novel! Much better than Jane Eyre. Dark & moody, great characterization."

[DIGRESSION: I re-read Wuthering Heights in November of last year, and thought pretty much exactly the same things: "A great piece of gothic literature, with memorable characters, moody settings, and a very readable plot."]

May 6, 2001 Speaking for the Generations: Native Writers on Writing edited by Simon Ortiz "Most essays weren't terribly interesting, but did learn about Native views of the land and community. Really liked Mayan essay."

May 10, 2001 The Essays by Francis Bacon "Collection of 1-2 page comments on everything from atheism to truth to gardening. Not terribly worthwhile."

May 17, 2001 Atheism in Our Time by Ignace Lepp "Psychiatrist examination of varieties of belief; reasonably interesting, could use more depth."

May 30, 2001 Prejudices: A Selection by H.L. Mencken "Collection of essays on various topics, many rather dated but some good stuff."

June 30, 2001 The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant "A great book! Very readable intros to the classic philosophers, their lives and beliefs. Great for reference as well."

June 30, 2001 Homosexualities by Stephen O. Murray "Sociological survey of varieties of 'homosexuality' in various places throughout history. No original research, but good reference."

July 1, 2001 Shelter: A Cold War Memory by Peter Huidekoper "Told from a child's perspective during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Well done, shows what its real impact was."

July 10, 2001 Even More Letters From a Nut by Ted L. Nancy "Third in series. Not as funny as first, but poetry submissions are hilarious."

July 10, 2001 Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck "Narrative of cross-country trip through America in 1960. Interesting & fast reading."

July 15, 2001 Batman Unmasked by Will Brooker "Very interesting cultural studies look at the Batman, including queer, camp, and other attributes. Good history too."

July 21, 2001 Marvel Universe by Peter Sanderson "A great, very interesting history of the Marvel Universe. Great explanations of big events."

Aug. 8, 2001 Dracula by Bram Stoker "The classic gothic horror story. Great narrative structure and faster paced than expected."

Aug. 11, 2001 Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson "Collection of interlocking short stories. Very insightful, some great stories such as 'Hands.'"

Aug. 23, 2001 God: A Biography by Jack Miles "Examination of Tanakh's God as a literary character. Very interesting, great way to examine book."

Sep. 3, 2001 Sons & Lovers by D.H. Lawrence "Semi-autobiographical novel about his tension between mother and romantic lovers. First part is really good, but then it slacks off."

Sep. 15, 2001 The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells "Classic story. Much better than the movie, especially ending."

Sep. 28, 2001 The Story of My Life by Clarence Darrow "Autobiography. Avoids much of the legal intricacies I would find interesting."

Oct. 9, 2001 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll "Classic children's story. Very enjoyable read--reminds you of that aura of childhood fantasy. Also great to see where many of the great literary characters come from."

Oct. 19, 2001 Home Fronts: Controversies in Non-Traditional Parenting edited by Jess Wells "Some interesting essays, especially on family structures with more than 2 parents."

Nov. 11, 2001 Melmoth the Wanderer by Robert Maturin "Famous gothic novel about immortal wanderer who tries to convince others to take his place. Layered narrative drags."

Nov. 19, 2001 A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole "Very good novel about a great character, Ignatius J. Reilly and his misadventures in New Orleans."

Nov. 23, 2001 How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis "Classic indictment of 19th century tenement housing. Doesn't hold up well."

Dec. 18, 2001 The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky "Novel about a Christ-like figure's interactions with wealthy. Pretty good."

Dec. 20, 2001 Religion and Science by Ian G. Barbour "Great history and synthesis of scientific thought. Bland argument that science and religion are compatible."

Dec. 21, 2001 O Pioneers! by Willa Cather "Good novel, great impression of plains life. Surprising twist with double murder."

Dec. 22, 2001 The Subjection of Women by J.S. Mill "Surprisingly progressive, but now standard, opinions."

Dec. 23, 2001 Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain "Novel about black child raised as white and vice-versa. Pretty good."

Dec. 24, 2001 The Birth of Tragedy by Nietzsche "Argument that great tragic art stems from Apolonnian & Dionysian influence."

Dec. 27, 2001 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann "About entertainment industry; every person is cruel, manipulative, dishonest, and addicted."

Dec. 31, 2001 Thus Spake Zarathustra by Nietzsche "Written in Biblical style, includes idea of Superman and Eternal Recurrence."