2023-08-07 Just finished this yesterday and it is the best new book I have read in several years. Absolutely a gem.
The title sounds almost preposterou2023-08-07 Just finished this yesterday and it is the best new book I have read in several years. Absolutely a gem.
The title sounds almost preposterous, I know. But I urge you to give the book, or at least the first chapter, a chance.
If you are concerned about the environment - this book is crucial.
If you are concerned about the future of the country or world - this book is a must.
If you are concerned about good government and policies regarding environmental issues - do NOT miss this book.
If you want to know what the real scoop is on electric cars, subsidies, mandates, etc. - get this book immediately.
If facts and logic are at all important to you on any of these issues, you will love this book.
Don't hesitate, the book is hugely important for your future and our future.
If you want to avoid a world of poverty, black outs, brown outs, coercive rationing, conflict, etc. etc. this book will show the way.
If you think you know what the deal is with all these issues above, but still have a tough time persuading others, you will find clear ideas in the book that will amaze you as to how you can be more successful, with a new approach....more
2021-12-01 I read the "Works and Days" part of the book, but not the "Theogony" part. 2 Separate works in the same Kindle edition.
Fascinating, but not a2021-12-01 I read the "Works and Days" part of the book, but not the "Theogony" part. 2 Separate works in the same Kindle edition.
Fascinating, but not as long or deep as I thought it would be. This part of the book focuses on domestic/economic/living issues, unlike Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, which dealt more with war. Both dealt with the gods.
Many admonitions on how to lead a good life. Great on the benefits for self and others of Work, vs. idleness.
Some interesting guidelines on farm tips (e.g., when to plant what, based on star positions - time of year) Probably very practical back when it was written, and for many years after too.
Short, readable book.
This Kindle edition was crippled by not having links to the endnotes, which would have been very helpful to easily use while reading.
Translation seemed reasonable, but not stellar....more
2021-07-29 I listened to the Audiovox.org NOT this Audible edition of the book - so take that into account in my review.
This book (volume 1 only) has 2021-07-29 I listened to the Audiovox.org NOT this Audible edition of the book - so take that into account in my review.
This book (volume 1 only) has been on my "To Read" list for almost as long as I have known about it - possibly my High School World History class, freshman year, since it had a very significant section on Rome. I am very glad it stayed on my To Read list and that I finally got around to it.
Fascinating book, for sure. And I believe there are some excellent "lessons" to be learned from this book about Rome, but which may also apply to United States of America, especially the America of recent times. Even though it is about 250 years old, it is still quite "readable" - the style being quite pleasurable to listen to and not archaic. This first volume is another of the great works published in 1776, along with the magnificent "Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith and of course the brilliant "Declaration of Independence." How many people have any idea that all three of these greats came from that auspicious year?
The number one lesson from this first volume of the full volume set - not sure when I will get to the other five, but doing long road trips sure makes it easy and pleasurable - is that having a powerful military accountable to an emperor (president?) and NOT to the civilian Senate/Congress, can literally be a killer. And by "killer" I mean literally of emperors, Senators, empires, civility/civilizations, etc.
There are other lessons and great parts to the book, but I need to find my brief notes taken from the long car ride that made listening possible.
A note on the Librivox edition (NOT Audible) I listened to: The book was narrated by a funky tag-team of volunteers, each reading 2-4 chapters or so, before yielding to the next. Most were not too hot, but there was one truly outstanding British fella who read about 10 chapters or so, just before the ending chapter, read by I believe, an American, who was not bad, but too halting and pedestrian for my taste. A few of the readers tried really hard to do well, but their accents just made it too tough for this listener to follow, understand and enjoy. The various Indian, British and Finnish accents kept me wondering about the spelling of certain emperor's/generals/wives/Senators/etc. names and some other key parts of the book too often. But the Librivox.org price of the audiobook was hard to resist - FREE.
Hopefully I will append this review in the not-too-distant future, when I find my notes, or think of additional comments worthy of adding.
Sampling this classic is highly recommended for any history buff, interested person in Rome, or someone concerned about the stunning loss of liberties in the US these days and threats to their own freedoms....more
2021-03-17 This was the main and only text for the humanities class I took in college, taught by the school minister, and written by two of his collea2021-03-17 This was the main and only text for the humanities class I took in college, taught by the school minister, and written by two of his colleagues in the religion/humanities dept. I remember generally liking the book, since it summarized and clarified many great philosophers and religious thinkers in the cannon of western thought.
I remember differing in opinion from the authors and teacher, since I was not very religious, but also thinking that the spirit of the text and the class was quite benevolent and really focused on thinking clearly about difficult, big, issues and searching for the truth. Amen to that. The polemics, sarcasm, ad hominem, and general nastiness toward dissenting opinions found so frequently in the social "sciences" (History, sociology, government/political science and even economics) were at a much lower, and hence more civilized level.
I remember doing pretty well in the class, but not liking the final test too well since it got too "nit-picky" as opposed to focusing on an understanding of the big ideas covered in the text and class.
I do recommend this book... even though there are big gaps in ideas covered that with later year's reading I found and would have wished were in this. But the scope of the book is huge and the way it covers the material was very well done....more
2021-01-24 I have a story about this book. I read it because the author contacted me because of my interest in the books/ideas of Ayn Rand! He was a f2021-01-24 I have a story about this book. I read it because the author contacted me because of my interest in the books/ideas of Ayn Rand! He was a former priest who took some interest in Rand's work, and put some (little) amount of her ideas into his book(s).
Not sure how, but he found out that I was a leader of a little group that admired, read and discussed books/ideas by and about Ayn Rand. But somehow he did and asked to meet. We met, had a good conversation and I got interested in reading his book. The book is a good murder-mystery, has some fascinating discussions on philosophy, religion (between a catholic bishop(?) and a protestant proselytizer) and a reference or two(?) about Rand or her ideas.
Sorry, but I can't remember what the reference(s) was/were about, but I do remember that the author did not represent Rand's idea(s) fairly/truthfully. I remember having several phone &/or e-mail/letter discussions with the author about it too. He was obstinate that he was right, even though he knew little about Rand's ideas, and typically misrepresented them. Sad. But all too common.
Even though Ayn Rand was a VERY clear writer, people have and continue to misinterpret her ideas - whether consciously or not, is hard to say sometimes. But the amount and degree of false statements about what she wrote about is incredible. Her ideas, and the basic logic she uses, contradicts what so many people were brought up to believe (as opposed to reasoning things out) that it seems they just can't fathom the reality of the ideas.
But this book is not primarily, or even secondarily, about Rand's ideas at all. It is a neat mystery/thriller and can be appreciated fully on that level. But because of my experience with this particular issue, which is important to me, is why I gave the book only 3 stars.
2022-08-25 Just read the second of a series of two wonderful articles by Dan Sanchez at FEE-dot-org "How a Tiny Minority Can Lead the World Toward Lib2022-08-25 Just read the second of a series of two wonderful articles by Dan Sanchez at FEE-dot-org "How a Tiny Minority Can Lead the World Toward Liberty" that used the ideas of this book by Leonard Read to explain how positive change can and does work. The first article was entitled: "When Meddlers Run Amok."
And here is the brief statement by Read, quoted in both articles, which sums up this book: “Here, then,” Read wrote, “is the key question: What constitutes an influential opinion? In the context of moral, social, economic, and political philosophy, influential opinion stems from or rests upon (1) depth of understanding, (2) strength of conviction, and (3) the power of attractive exposition. These are the ingredients of self-perfection as relating to a set of ideas. Persons who thus improve their understanding, dedication, and exposition are the leaders of men; the rest of us are followers, including the out-front political personalities.”
I highly recommend those recent articles as well as this book, that is the key to them.
2021-01-16 - I read this book (an earlier edition) in the late 70s or early 80s and was very taken by it's lessons. It dealt primarily with the proper methodology of promoting a free (libertarian) society.
Proper premises and methods were key to Read. I fully agree with him on that, and why I am writing this review today, since I recently read a letter on one group's method for moving the country in a more free and just direction and it reminded me of this book.
The main thing I remember, after all these years after reading this book, is that the problem is not a "selling" one - how to sell the ideas of a free society better than the "Know-it-alls" who are constantly putting up government constraints on individuals living their lives in peace. The real problem is how people can learn better to be better examples of the benefits of free societies, shining beacons of the truth, the beauty and excellence of a free and just society.
Encouraging everyone to be the very best self-learner and best example of virtuous and wise living is what Read was most trying to convey.
And on that point, I will stop, for I certainly need to re-read this book, to correct any errors I have already made in this review, after so many years from when I read it. For I really do want to be a good example and just be the best explainer of free markets vs. socialism/authoritarianism/coercive collectivism, etc. I can possibly be.
and immediately downloaded the Kindle edition and put the book at the top of my To Read list.
2020-08-24 - Just finished reading - WOW!!!!!! Super hard to put down. So engrossing. The language was a little tough, after all it is 224 years old. So glad for the quick and easy dictionary functionality of the Kindle reader, which I used often for this book and was handsomely rewarded. But the English is still beautiful and not that difficult. Lots of poetry too, with often very clever and revealing. And sex, galore. Not the crude, modern stuff, but still hot and true. And humorous dialog - loved it, especially in some very unexpected places.
I took a little time to reread the Caroline Breashears article/review of the book, listed above, just a few min. ago, and appreciated it even more - for cluing me into the novel as well as the excellent points she highlighted about the novel, the times, the takeaways and relevance for our times now. Both the article and the novel are HIGHLY recommended.
She does such a better job of telling you about the totally pertinent to our times themes, scenes and characters in the book than I can. I took many notes though, so I may add a few later if/when I have time. But considering all the riots this summer, all the death and destruction of innocents, and the descriptions in the book and article, I urge you to at least check out the article, if not the book too....more
2020-06-09 Just finished this yesterday. Wow. Read it in about one week, almost a record for me, for a book of this length. I'm taking time with this 2020-06-09 Just finished this yesterday. Wow. Read it in about one week, almost a record for me, for a book of this length. I'm taking time with this book to review it way more thoroughly than any of the others in the series, since so much came together for me in this book. And I took pretty good notes in my Kindle, so I don't want to waste them. Apologies for this being really long - hope you enjoy it though. I tried to note the spoilers at the very end, but apologies if I let other cats out of the bag earlier too.
"I’m just trying to make it a little harder for people to feel comfortable killing each other.” “And keep the part where we kill each other to a minimum,” he said.
This is a major theme of the book, and main character Jim Holden's main purpose and sometimes skill. Sounds boring, or possibly too "goody-goody" right? Well, this book, and series, is anything but boring or goody-goody. I love the combination of important ideas, great dialog, character development, super exciting plot, humor and more, all in one book. Well, the rest of the previous five books in the series are wrapped up in here too.
Here's one of the great observations by Holden, who understands how people can rationalize killing others: "They didn’t kill people, they killed Earthers. Martians. Dusters. Squats.” Many studies have show that tyrants/mass murderers (and others!) use dehumanizing terminology like that to the max to describe their enemies, to condition their own lieutenants, armies, populace to hate and make the killing possible. This understanding is used to great effect in this and the other books in the series.
But this is a work of fiction, not a dry social or psychological science tome. The humor in this book is fantastic... but probably mostly only if you have read all or most of the previous books in the series. They build on each other. The back stories of the main characters (from the earlier books) are crucial for appreciating the plot, the changes, the humor in this book - geez, the humor - so great.
For libertarians and objectivists: The main theme of the book is a total winner, see above. But then the authors throw in some additional tidbits: two of the ships (unfortunately inconsequential, but still...) are named after iconic Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand characters: John Galt and Dagney Taggart. Another ship is named the Mart Watney, the main character in the cool SF novel "The Martian" loved by many objectivists and libertarians. There is also this little ambiguous mention not long after Galt and Taggart are named of a key negative concept for objectivists "this irrational bit of altruism". And the power of ideology (ideas) is stated clearly at one point: "nothing had overcome entropy or ideology or bad judgment."
"I trust Emily Richards [Mars' Prime Minister] to look out for her own best interests and Mars’ too. In that order." Excellent "public choice" point on priorities of politicians (or bureaucrats), just like any other person.
For the geeky science types: "History itself was a massive n=1 study, irreproducible. It was what made it so difficult to learn from." Very good point - similar to Ludwig Mises' point about the proper methodology of social sciences and where history fits in."
Wise parenting advice: "“Thank you,” she said, her heart thick and heavy. “For caring. For trying to watch out for me. But I lost Filip [her son]. I couldn’t save him when he was a baby. I couldn’t save him now that he’s essentially a man. That’s twice, and twice is always. I can’t stop hoping that he’ll be all right in all this. But if he’s going to get saved, he’s going to have to do it himself.” She pushed away a betraying tear. Jim took a half step toward her. “He’ll have to do it himself,” - Great smash of the "helicopter parenting" ethic that has infected far too many, with such terrible consequences.
"Coordination and distribution. Exactly the job we’re looking at.” “Well,” Alex said, “except with less piracy this time. I mean, assuming.” Commitment to the NAP? Ha!
Humor: Lots of "in" jokes, but if you have paid any attention at all to the main characters and plot, it will be easy to catch, and be great for breaks in the pervasive tension in the book. One of those characters is Fred Johnson. Whenever the leaders of the Free Navy referred to him in this book, which was very, very often, he was called "Fred Fucking Johnson." Backstory is important, but the effect always brought a grin to my face.
And on the other hand, even his friends made fun of some of Fred's efforts: "“The pajama party.” Fred winced. “I wish you wouldn’t call it that.” “Sorry. I just like the visual. Your very serious meeting of OPA leaders.”"
But Fred could dish it out to Holden too: "If we’re tiptoeing around the Free Navy, it makes it seem like we’re afraid of them. It strengthens my hand if these people see me coming in unafraid. Not foolhardy, but not intimidated.” “Like on a gunship,” Holden said. “But not one that works for Earth or Mars. Maybe an independent that’s done some work with the OPA on and off. One that Marco has already tried to blow up a couple times and failed.”
And speaking of Fred (and himself) in literary terms, the main bad guy Marco [and his son Filip] make a little blooper: "“I told you before that Johnson would be off the board, and he will be. We didn’t take him at Tycho, and we’ll take him somewhere else. He is my white whale, and I will hunt him to the end of time.” Rosenfeld looked down at his bulb, his body hunching a degree in submission. Filip had felt his father’s victory like it was his own. “Didn’t finish reading that book, did you?” Rosenfeld asked mildly." Great reference to Moby Dick, of course - the whale killed Ahab!"
"You know what I’d like?” Alex yelled down from the cockpit. “If we could get out of here?” Holden yelled back. “If we could get out of here. At this rate we’re going to be sitting here with our jumpsuits around our ankles when the bad guys get back,” Alex said. “There’s a reason they don’t call those things slow-attack ships.”"
The nearer of the ships had altered its path, and the projected curve put them through the ring and into the slow zone five minutes after the Roci and Giambattista made the transit. They weren’t breaking off. That was too bad. “Do we have a plan for dealing with that?” Alex answered over the ship comm. “I’d vote for shooting them.” And a moment later, Clarissa, “Seconded.”
"The others—mostly technicians and maintenance—were confined to their quarters with the doors locked by the station system. Which meant, in the end, by Holden. He couldn’t help feeling like he’d just sent a thousand people to their rooms to really think about what they’d done."
"she tried to get me named as the head of the spacing guild.” “You know that name’s not going to stick, right?” Alex said." (This is VERY funny, if you have read any of the series books.)
Humor AND good advice: "I’m going to go get dressed and head over.” “You wearing your power armor just walking across the tube?” Alex asked. “You know how it is,” Bobbie said. “Never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
"But I myself will stand now and forever against the tyranny of the inner planets and their exploitation and slow genocide of my people.” She saluted the camera and the message ended. Holden sighed, started up his broadcast again. “Sounds good,” he said. “We’ll be right over.” He killed the broadcast. “Seriously?” Alex called from above. “‘Sounds good, we’ll be right over’?” “I may kind of suck at this job,” Holden called back. The voice over the ship’s comm was Clarissa’s: “I thought it was sweet.”
"I [Avasarala] knew the builder. He was a fake too. Pretty, though. God save us all from good-looking men.” [or women] - yes, funny, and true. It is how some evil people get into power/have power over others - sex appeal (or charisma).
"Jim was giddy because, for once, he’d just avoided being responsible for the future of the whole human race." Yay! similar to George Washington resigning, several key times, and thereby 1. being able to enjoy some of life and 2. setting a great new precedent for preventing tyranny!"
Theme: Transformations/Redemptions This has been throughout the book/TV series - an important part of the characterizations and making them very special to the reading/viewing audience. Book 1 showed Holden's transformation from little caring to hugely caring. Other books showed transformations or redemptions in: Miller, Amos, Alex, Naomi, Clarissa/Peaches.
Here's Naomi's observation of Fred's transformation, and a great libertarian theme in the book: “I was thinking about Fred,” he said. “This? It’s what he did. Lead armies. Take stations. This is what his life was like.” “This is what he retired from,” Naomi said. “When he decided to start trying to get people to talk things out instead of shooting people, this is what he left behind.”
Cool Stuff: Another image drawn about the actual reality of revolutions that I loved: "“Still,” Roberts said. “Why bother pushing off the inners if it’s just to have a Belter foot stepping on our necks instead?” There's a great scene in the movie "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson, about another revolution, where Gibson makes a very similar observation.
"too many reminders from the still-official security apparatus that Pinkwater was an unaffiliated corporate entity with no political litmus tests and only the safety and well-being of the citizens of Ganymede at heart. The sorts of things people said because they weren’t true." - Perfecto - such a good observation - since it holds in real life all too often - especially for such things as mass media that calls itself 'objective'
"feel like I understand what I have to do in the next ... I don’t know. Five minutes? Maybe ten? Then after that, things get muddy.” “Next is enough,” Naomi said. “As long as you always see the next step, you can walk the whole way.” - Very wise advice - when fear or circumstances just seem overwhelming.
"We’re spending our whole lives together, so we need to be really gentle." Quite true and important for adults, parents and kids.
Problems with the book (and series) too: - the benefits of "market forces" are acknowledged, but the concept and value of private property and the pricing mechanism integral to the market are portrayed with in a very fast and loose way or even more often, not at all, far from acknowledging their crucial importance for civilization in directing or coordinating the market forces, and efficient allocations and creativity.
- "But it’s all the crap we’ve been doing since that first guy sharpened a rock.” Naomi pulled herself closer, tucked her head against his shoulder. Probably people had been doing that since the dawn of time too, just not in freefall." Big theme throughout the book/series - interhuman violence/war is inevitable. It seems that the authors really need to read some authors who attack this theme. I suggest: a. Ludwig Mises and his focus on how economics and liberalism have made real material progress and peace possible and that violence is not necessary or inevitable. b. James Payne and/or Stephen Pinker on the history of measuring the taming of violence over the last three centuries or so.
- “Against all evidence, I keep thinking the assholes are outliers.” - One of the things that endears Holden to the readers, Naomi and the rest of his crew, as well as most anyone in the stories that actually works with him. Well, "all evidence" is not quite right. There is certainly evidence of some assholes in the universe. But most people are the opposite. Assholes are indeed the ouliers, and the more liberal (peaceful, property rights, limited government ruled) the society, the fewer assholes there are.
- Avasarala's new governance proposal - "It was over a thousand pages long," Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!!!! Having foundational documents so long is NOT a good idea. Having basic, simple and short documents that people can and do actually read and can follow is crucial! So much more can and needs to be said about this, because it is one of the biggest problems of the US (and other world) governments RIGHT NOW!!!!
- "Maybe, if they could find a way to be gentle, the stars would be better off with them." Sure, but kinda like and almost s tough as the Christian devotion to "love thy neighbor" - virtually impossible for most to accomplish. The far less difficult to actually hope for and accomplish with most folks, the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP) combined with the understanding of the mutual benefits from the law of comparative advantage and mutuality of interests, seems much more realistic for making positive change.... especially since it already has in the last 300 years, transformed the world for the better.
- Closing book reference to Tolstoy? Really? That religious mystic?
--------------------------------- SPOILER ALERT (don't read further unless you don't worry about finding out about big changes occuring relatively late in the book): Transformation/redemptions:
Filip's - "It was like everything in his private world had doubled. One Callisto that had been the target of his raid. His critical victory that led to the bombardment of Earth and the freedom of the Belt. Another Callisto that he walked through now, where normal people had lost their mothers and children, husbands and friends in a disaster. The two places were so different, they didn’t relate. Like two ships with the same name but different layouts and jobs." The start of his crucial understanding of the horror of offensive war, what he had done, and what what right and wrong.
"And he had two fathers now. The one who led the fight against the inners and who Filip loved like plants love light, and the one who twisted out of everything that went wrong and blamed anyone but himself." Filip's understanding of his father.
Michio Pa's (or is it?): "She didn’t know she was going to speak until she said it. “I’m sorry.” What she meant was I’m sorry I didn’t stop the attack that killed your husband [and the other billions of people on Earth who died] and I’m sorry I didn’t see Inaros for what he was sooner and I would do it all differently if I could live my life backward and try again. Avasarala paused, looked deeply into Michio’s eyes, and it was like seeing someone through a mask. The deepness there startled her. When she spoke, it was as if she’d heard every nuance."...more
2021-08-23 I just came across this excellent article that uses Nixey's book as the focal point for a critique of various present day trends! Don't mis2021-08-23 I just came across this excellent article that uses Nixey's book as the focal point for a critique of various present day trends! Don't miss it. https://symposium.substack.com/p/our-...
On rereading my review below and noting that I only gave the book 3 stars, I changed the rating to 4 stars, which seems more in keeping with how good the book seems to me after about two years of reflection and how many times I have referred to it.
4 Sept. 2019 I finished this yesterday. Very powerful. Very sad.
Answered a question I had had since my high school history class days that I had never gotten a good handle on: what happened to the vast amount of philosophical, scientific, artistic and other great achievements of the Greek and Roman classical world? And why did it take about 1000 years to "discover" Aristotle and most of the other great minds of that world?
I had had many hints over the years, but this book is the first that finally hit the nail on the head.
For anyone concerned with: - history - especially Greek, Roman, Dark Ages, Christianity, art, architecture - Philosophy - Science - toleration - Religions - especially comparative and a whole host of other important issues - this book will really be eye-opening.
Warning - the book is not without faults, for sure. There is a distinct bias and an asymmetry in some of the analysis. But overall, it is way more objective and enlightening about this subject than the standard mumble-mumble, shift the subject, "we just don't know why" answers typically given....more
17 Dec. 2018 - I remember reading the title essay and some of the other essays in college for an independent study class and generally liking it, but 17 Dec. 2018 - I remember reading the title essay and some of the other essays in college for an independent study class and generally liking it, but not being as impressed as I was expecting to be, considering the renown of the author.
This essay I believe, is where the famous phrase: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" comes from....more
3 Oct. 2018 - I think I read this about 20 years ago, (so my (Dates Started and Finished" below are a guess) not long after I read the first book in t3 Oct. 2018 - I think I read this about 20 years ago, (so my (Dates Started and Finished" below are a guess) not long after I read the first book in the series. I liked it very much.
Things I liked about it (after ~20 years) - knowing what so many others found interesting or were really passionate about too - seeing comparisons to the movie(s) - grand strategy over planetary systems, dealing with some economic as well as political, religious , leadership and warfare questions - characterizations
If I read faster, I would read the rest of the series too.
9 March 2019 - just finished this after reading all week. Very good book. I had never heard of TRM Howard till I saw some reviews of this book. I'm glad 9 March 2019 - just finished this after reading all week. Very good book. I had never heard of TRM Howard till I saw some reviews of this book. I'm glad I read it - since it was very well written, about a very significant figure in the civil rights movement of the 40s-60s who had apparently been left out of the history till this book.
Reading this book reminded me, no, rather, it highlighted in much greater detail, just how awful the lack of civil rights for blacks in Mississippi (and other places in the country) was in the 30s-50s. It was quite gruesome: the lynchings, the shootings, the beatings, not to mention the terrible treatment in general of blacks. The personal dangers that Teddy Roosevelt Mason Howard went through to stand up for his values - equal treatment before the law, demonstrated great courage and intelligence.
For anyone who wants to find out about the civil rights movement and one towering, but too forgotten, figure in that fight, I highly recommend this book.
For anyone who likes their history straight, with no punches pulled and a highly objective perspective on this period, these issues and an amazing character, this book is it.
For anyone who wants to know about the nitty gritty of how a great leader operated in helping make a major change in our society for the better, check this out.
For those who want to read about an alternative great leader to the preeminent but mythologized civil rights leader ML King, this book is an excellent choice....more
Wow! I can see why it caused such a stir and moved so many (in the north) to finally understand the evil of slavery, and in the south, to cringe and react vociferously, since it nailed the institution so clearly.
This book is really big - bigger than life characters, big effect on history, big setting - the geography it covers -not only the Southern US, but the North and Canada, as well as worldwide scope, a deep and intricate plot, yet not all unbelievable, and of course the political-ethical call to end slavery will be evident throughout, even though some of the slaveholding situations and people were drawn not unsympathetically.
Ever since I heard about this book in junior high, I wanted to read it. But it's size and the press of other assignments and desires kept me from accomplishing that goal... till now. I credit this Librivox organization and their making this fine recording available for free download with allowing me the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from the 20+ hours of listening to this book in my vehicle. My hats off to them.
Since I have been aware, the derogatory term "Uncle Tom" has been a too-oft used racial slur. This book adds huge insight for me into the injustice of the use of that term, on the vast number of occasions I have heard it used. Scorning someone by using the name of the incredible figure in this book, "Uncle Tom" seems to me to be a very pernicious and foolish thing to do. If more people actually read this book, I think they would understand that. But who actually reads this book these days? Not many, I would guestimate.
I highly recommend people read (or listening to, your choice) this important historical and fascinating book.
Note: Harriet Beecher Stowe's evangelical Christianity was very strong in the book, but did not bother this non-believer at all. Seemed quite appropriate for the time and the story. I even loved how she drew one non-believer's character, probably the most witty, and one of the most patient (to a fault) in the book. The melodramatic and Christ character aspects of the book were a bit too much, but considering all, I can certainly see why she did it....more
26 Aug. 2019 - I read this about 10 years ago, since the movie by Robert Redford really struck me. Liked both very much. The writing is beautiful. The st26 Aug. 2019 - I read this about 10 years ago, since the movie by Robert Redford really struck me. Liked both very much. The writing is beautiful. The story memorable. The illusions haunting.
The "other stories" were excellent too, though, as a female friend reminds me, pretty male-centric....more
2021-03-10 I read this about 40 years ago, give or take 5 years. After I read it, I liked it so much and I noticed a sale on this inexpensive edition,2021-03-10 I read this about 40 years ago, give or take 5 years. After I read it, I liked it so much and I noticed a sale on this inexpensive edition, that I bought a big box of them (with 100 books in the box?). I have been giving away copies of the book over the years to folks who do not seem to have any sense of history about Islam, Freedom, Individual rights, etc. Or to folks who do appreciate freedom, but might still be interested in this aspect of it and the history and culture it deals with.
A few folks who I gave the book to read it and thanked me.... but not that many. I still am happy I bought so many copies and have given away most.
I am writing this review today, since I just read a friend's review of a fictional account of a woman in Morocco during British colonial times. She (and the book seems to be) focused on the status of this/any woman/women in that time. Her review reminded me of this book and of the book it is a restatement/interpretation of: The Discovery of Freedom by Rose Wilder Lane.
I highly recommend both Lane's book, and this one. Not that they are without flaws - I certainly would not argue that. But for the perspective, and for at least some of the true things that they get right about the civilized parts of Islamic history (and ideals???).
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