tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663390156943844542024-02-20T19:50:17.284-08:00The Thousander ClubYou can never know enough.Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00497887383948788968noreply@blogger.comBlogger457125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-30942668513337884742024-02-16T12:33:00.000-08:002024-02-16T12:33:03.676-08:00Reflections: Charis in the World of Wonder<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbkk6kXVkYuatdtEgueN2oCoYKPXZmvYtd2oV_x1tHty-Je_JYC_DJxf223jOSM29Z3RN6FL3XsvUcJ9TMLC6iChn_z0lfPrOIsBcrmwZPGNDS8AN5OKv2rModj1EGf3hlCZZLOLnb1pRUzwjDxh-oiDE-FjkcbOMjSYtwxz0YnpWuIBisrQNw7LQ2C-Q/s1280/Charis%20in%20the%20World%20of%20Wonder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbkk6kXVkYuatdtEgueN2oCoYKPXZmvYtd2oV_x1tHty-Je_JYC_DJxf223jOSM29Z3RN6FL3XsvUcJ9TMLC6iChn_z0lfPrOIsBcrmwZPGNDS8AN5OKv2rModj1EGf3hlCZZLOLnb1pRUzwjDxh-oiDE-FjkcbOMjSYtwxz0YnpWuIBisrQNw7LQ2C-Q/s320/Charis%20in%20the%20World%20of%20Wonder.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>What a lovely book. Completely unknown to me prior to my wife's introduction of it, I found <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charis-World-Wonders-Puritan-England/dp/1621643042" target="_blank">Charis in the World of Wonder</a> immensely entertaining and I hold its author, Marly Youmins, in high regard. (My wife's involvement in a <a href="https://wellreadmom.com/" target="_blank">Well-Read Mom</a> book club brought <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charis-World-Wonders-Puritan-England/dp/1621643042" target="_blank">Charis</a> to her attention). I'm especially grateful for this kind of surprise since so many of my other risk-taking efforts on books have not worked out as well. (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/God-Small-Things-Novel/dp/0812979656/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XVsN_GeijBBRuQXrCkQ80UW90UvXk5CmGjr72ujgA8wiKF01v8Tj1SdsL_G03UjEe-2rPP1sYcN_YhqUV_lt803XMhLRe36o84thnt_cf3gHb-P1QMhYvkGOPE6TsVPemzPOSYmXrV2HuZ81uqODHypAGoc6oWkLHaOguQCaxZscxXTuGmz8ip51yzRtEl2IbeRqwce-OD5zdmyt6QB6hR_AQMgVXlU7gd1oNU_k_0c.TUKx8GJIxcGinKINDjEO9qpn1aEPK3xG_r2lVJjB7SU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=473192239577&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1015204&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12007703467773127525&hvtargid=kwd-982249857263&hydadcr=7467_9611909&keywords=the+god+of+small+of+things&qid=1708114292&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The God of Small Things</a>—I'm looking at you).<p></p><p>Set in the American frontier during the seventeenth-century, the story begins with a violent exodus of a young Puritan girl—Charis. Her story of discovery, both about herself and the world around her, is rich in character development, setting, tension, romance, even theology. Rarely have I read a work of fiction which touched on treacherous questions of religious belief so delicately and elegantly. The ensuing plot may not have solved theology's most tangled dilemmas, but I repeatedly sat pondering their implications after reading significant passages from the book. The story boasts wonderful and memorable characters, a balanced sense of romance, and a palpable suspense.</p><p>Let me make a special mention of the romance found in the book. There is a subtle but vibrant realism in the descriptions of romantic passion. In literature and film, characters are often flung recklessly into graphic depictions of sexual intercourse that certainly taps into the libidinous desires of humanity but not its emotional or spiritual ones. Human longing, as expressed through romantic attraction and relationships, can displayed with far more tact than it usually is in entertainment. Youmins waxes poetic, almost but not quite saccharine, in her depiction of love and longing. Her descriptions elicited smirks and chuckles in one paragraph and a deep gratitude for the love I have found in my own life in another. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I loved <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charis-World-Wonders-Puritan-England/dp/1621643042" target="_blank">Charis in the World of Wonder</a> and had very little to say against it, until its ending. The book is simply too long; although, it's only too long by several dozen pages. I was rather befuddled by the author's choices in concluding the story. There are some wonderful passages found in the finale of the book, but they easily could have been granted to the reader earlier in the story. Regardless, even with its minimal stumbles, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charis-World-Wonders-Puritan-England/dp/1621643042" target="_blank">Charis in the World of Wonder</a> is an excellent work of fiction.<br /><br />Frankly, I'm desperate for more books like this one. So much fiction of today writhes and flails under its own existentialism and moral ambiguity. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charis-World-Wonders-Puritan-England/dp/1621643042" target="_blank">Charis in the World of Wonder</a> is not an unchallenging book. On the contrary, it faces terribly difficult questions about the human experience just the same as many other works of difficult fiction. But it doesn't buckle under despondency. It doesn't leave the reader as morally abandoned as its characters. I loved it. I recommend it. I was blessed by it.<br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflections-dragonsbane.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Dragonsbane</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/09/reflections-ocean-at-end-of-lane.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Ocean at the End of the Lane</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/03/reflections-flowers-for-algernon.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Flowers for Algernon</a><br /></p>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-47451286150599028912024-01-16T17:29:00.000-08:002024-01-16T17:29:54.666-08:00Reflections: The Cost of Discipleship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmNUCnUCH60ISXgmhcQvzyRvSW0iOiZvLpdau0NvuS88kLBVfdgWSKoUHAMfggfZmLsIUfS3byAbr8HNmuh_ecAm4SakMhurFmcbb6SC5Bqa4WKfvwTdcPWqal4ieuYzeDobisbx1Yqan8VvoDKPpHKbuxt-LGsDWGh-y-WID2HhKTyU7xf6BBoTijSw2/s1000/The%20Cost%20of%20Discipleship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="657" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmNUCnUCH60ISXgmhcQvzyRvSW0iOiZvLpdau0NvuS88kLBVfdgWSKoUHAMfggfZmLsIUfS3byAbr8HNmuh_ecAm4SakMhurFmcbb6SC5Bqa4WKfvwTdcPWqal4ieuYzeDobisbx1Yqan8VvoDKPpHKbuxt-LGsDWGh-y-WID2HhKTyU7xf6BBoTijSw2/s320/The%20Cost%20of%20Discipleship.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><a href="https://oll.libertyfund.org/page/1776-paine-common-sense-pamphlet" target="_blank">Thomas Paine</a> wrote this famous line in 1776, "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian and societal critic, tries to put a price tag on some of those goods in his <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Discipleship-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0684815001" target="_blank">The Cost of Discipleship</a>. Not even Bonhoeffer, though, would know the full cost of his own discipleship until the Third Reich's war on the world was underway. I came to know about Bonhoeffer first through an <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/why-marriage-why-family?lang=eng" target="_blank">ecclesiastical talk</a>, then a <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2016/09/reflections-bonhoeffer-pastor-martyr.html?q=bonhoeffer" target="_blank">biography</a>, and now finally through his theology. As a standalone work of exegesis, it's amusing but not spiritually overwhelming. Taken within the context of the author's life, it's meaningful and heartbreaking.<br /><br />The most important discussion Bonhoeffer brings to bear is that of "cheap grace" and "costly grace." I found it to be truly illuminating. Protestantism, so Bonhoeffer accuses, had fallen prey to <i>cheap grace</i>—a grace offered by God which costs the receiver nothing—no discipleship (or discipline), no commitment, no fealty or love. <i>Costly grace</i>, on the other hand, demands the receiver pay a price. The call to the apostles was not one of trifling suggestion—"follow me"—but a divine decree meant to be obeyed. Are we any different? Can we exact from God a gift which cost so much—an infinite payment—for nothing at all? From a Latter-day Saint perspective, the answer is symmetrical—yes and no. Some gifts from God are simply given. Others are not and require costly grace. Bonhoeffer's condemnation of cheap grace and elucidation of costly grace gives radiance to a sometimes thorny theological issue. His explanation reminded me that I can understand something—at least assume to do so—and yet gain further guidance, line upon line (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/28?lang=eng&id=30#p30" target="_blank">2 Nephi 28:30</a>) when the time is right and the teacher inspired.<br /><br />The rest of the book meanders through a series of commentaries on several theological and ecclesiastical issues, some of which are probably too provincial for the average reader. For those involved in the polemical debates of the time, I'm sure his writings carried more weight. I tried reading the book through the lens of the coming war. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Discipleship-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0684815001" target="_blank">The Cost of Discipleship</a> was written in 1936. The horizon looked bleak but history had not turned its hinges quite yet. But, as we know, it would. Bonhoeffer would pay the ultimate mortal price for his discipleship, and I wonder if writing this book steeled his soul for the end that came. In the context of Nazi Germany, cheap grace easily intertwined with Nazism's corrupted morality and left the world in ashes. What corrupt ideas of today are warming the embers of tomorrow's conflagration?<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Discipleship-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0684815001" target="_blank">The Cost of Discipleship</a> is probably best enjoyed as an artifact of history. Its theology, aside from the wonderful exploration of cheap and costly grace, is amusing but not moving. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was an extraordinary person with a clear-eyed perspective on a coming evil. This alone should provide to him a pulpit from which to instruct us. The cost of our discipleship is high, so heaven wills it be so. The possibility of discipleship—gradual sanctification and eventual perfection - required the greatest price existence has ever witnessed. Why should we treat cheaply that which was so costly? We shouldn't. Bonhoeffer taught me that.<br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>: <br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2023/05/reflections-book-thief.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Book Thief</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflections-if-truth-were-child.html" target="_blank">Reflections: If Truth Were a Child</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/12/reflections-martin-luther.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Martin Luther</a><br />The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-20033352600335448622023-12-18T10:44:00.000-08:002023-12-18T10:49:11.529-08:00Reflections: Atomic Habits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu1ZVQQBUzoSg5NarsrWFPfCM9X0-rGbqM1VuEqxZDKM6UiIdaQcsd7r4d01B4BTMxf_epc8k2ZSDSWRFyzTBDuzbAP5QN2JaV5FNTt1oCmIlkWpKL2vT5-VdBMUiq8dProa97Kl5agkPabGI5vM4y1GtK3Cpbg4I1SMlaD5zuj_0e9vm2HlbbdtjD5d5/s400/Atomic%20Habits.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu1ZVQQBUzoSg5NarsrWFPfCM9X0-rGbqM1VuEqxZDKM6UiIdaQcsd7r4d01B4BTMxf_epc8k2ZSDSWRFyzTBDuzbAP5QN2JaV5FNTt1oCmIlkWpKL2vT5-VdBMUiq8dProa97Kl5agkPabGI5vM4y1GtK3Cpbg4I1SMlaD5zuj_0e9vm2HlbbdtjD5d5/s320/Atomic%20Habits.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><i>By small and simple things</i>. This is the overriding principle behind the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299" target="_blank">Atomic Habits</a> by James Clear. With so many business and self-help books published each year, there are only a few that gain wide, mainstream attention. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299" target="_blank">Atomic Habits</a> captured its share of cultural attention and has some wisdom to offer, but it's not a particularly memorable book. In fact, it specifically references a much better book —<a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/04/reflections-power-of-habit.html" target="_blank">The Power of Habit</a> by Charles Duhigg—which I recommend without hesitation to any interested reader. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299" target="_blank">Atomic Habits</a> is good but doesn't add too much to the overall discussion of personal development—either in content or storytelling prowess.<br /><br />What the book seeks to do above everything else is be practical, and it largely succeeds in that regard. I have implemented a few of the author's recommendations, such as habit stacking, to satisfactory effects. Furthermore, the principle of marginal gains, 1% improvement, is singularly powerful. If nothing else, James Clear makes the case for this effectual approach. I think we do get too stuck on the big improvements too often. Our goals can be too lofty and, therefore, unachievable. We fall short and become despondent thereby diminishing or obliterating any motivation we might have felt to pursue our own improvement. (This outlook is relevant to teams and organizations as well). Although the big revolutionary changes are sometimes needed, we can fall into stagnation between those revolutions when we should be incrementally improving.<br /><br />Another beneficial insight from book is its focus on environment. In other words, when developing new habits, rely less on the force of willpower and more on the environment around you which influences a behavior. Make good habits easy and bad ones hard. Observant readers have seen this theme in a variety of places (see <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/03/reflections-happiness-advantage.html" target="_blank">The Happiness Advantage</a>), but it was a good reminder. We probably do make habit change so much harder for ourselves than we should. Our 1% improvement in our habits should be accompanied by 1% improvement in our surroundings. Take social media, for example. Do you want to spend less time on Facebook? Delete it from your phone. Your willpower will not be enough to stop you from selecting the icon when you're tired or bored. Want to watch less television? Unplug your TV after each viewing. That small change increases <a href="https://jamesclear.com/chemistry-habits" target="_blank">activation energy</a> the next time you want to watch something, and it just might dissuade you from your next entertainment binge. (I heard a <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/10/good-better-best?lang=eng" target="_blank">potent critique</a> the other day worth repeating: "Some young people are amusing themselves to death—spiritual death.").<br /><br />As mentioned before, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299" target="_blank">Atomic Habits</a> is good. It has great suggestions on how to practically implement the principle of <i>small and simple things</i>. It's worth reading, but it's not a luminous new addition to the voluminous catalogue of self-help and business books. It's a great reminder but not revelatory. In fact, it might be exactly what it celebrates—a marginal, 1% contribution to something greater.<br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/02/reflections-year-of-yes.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Year of Yes</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/06/reflections-lifes-lessons-learned.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Life's Lessons Learned</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/03/reflections-battle-hymn-of-tiger-mother.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother</a><br />The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-27707461328544873982023-12-15T07:42:00.000-08:002023-12-15T07:42:12.269-08:00Reflections: Men at Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYsPqxRTcBS-tMSirtHC4fcR6g_lYJ_d5vRoGq1v71CXoFZDpHou6OSfW339_HYaK3xepQtW-HdQuBnmCoqdOIxxSLlCedmIunETfUCz2y49TrSkffSdhOIiWwnEWGe0zeMDRJU2x7MLKwU_ocZDAVtL8KdbWQOPkD1fGER5vKHjgdRWFB2RSA9ztDXiJ/s978/Screenshot%202023-12-13%20at%207.53.44%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="646" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYsPqxRTcBS-tMSirtHC4fcR6g_lYJ_d5vRoGq1v71CXoFZDpHou6OSfW339_HYaK3xepQtW-HdQuBnmCoqdOIxxSLlCedmIunETfUCz2y49TrSkffSdhOIiWwnEWGe0zeMDRJU2x7MLKwU_ocZDAVtL8KdbWQOPkD1fGER5vKHjgdRWFB2RSA9ztDXiJ/s320/Screenshot%202023-12-13%20at%207.53.44%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="211" /></a></div>As a political and cultural commentator, there aren't many better than George Will. His writing is succinct and incisive. His insights are always thought-provoking. It came as a surprise to me many years ago when I learned he was an avid baseball fan. As a fellow lover of baseball and wanting to learn more of the idiosyncrasies of the sport I love, I thought it would be enjoyable to read a great author write about a great sport. I was mostly right.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Men-at-Work-Craft-Baseball/dp/0061999814/ref=asc_df_0061999814/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312176357948&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17266955759956076290&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015204&hvtargid=pla-525454000924&psc=1&mcid=5d176f4759483f75b412b66efd835ea7&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60258871137&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312176357948&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17266955759956076290&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015204&hvtargid=pla-525454000924&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyeWrBhDDARIsAGP1mWRdxNriADVZN4FCoLz66OvoK-U9SjLkSSkYBR18xKgdItl43bdY93waAgAjEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Men at Work</a> is a great book . . . for its time. When Will writes about baseball itself—its inner workings, its philosophy, its driving principles —it's great fun to read the book. But when he writes about specific players the book feels dated, unavoidably so. This isn't a problem for Will as it is for me as a reader. I'm a few decades late to the proverbial party. I was hoping the book would speak about the majesty of baseball in more philosophical terms more often, but it is largely devoted to the experiences of individual players. I know the names—Tony Gwynn, Sandy Koufax, and a few others—but I wasn't aware of these players when they were at the peak of their powers, and it makes the book feel distant.<br /><br />Having said that, when Will writes about baseball itself and its history, I was genuinely engaged. The history of the sport's transformation is interesting enough, but discerning culture's impact on how it's played and what it means for the "men at work" has application beyond entertainment. Take, for example, the following statement, which has obvious practical implications: "[Baseball] involves constant attention to the law of cumulation, which is: A lot of little things add up, through 162 games, 1,458 innings, to big differences. A 162-game season is, like life, an exercise in cumulation." Fabulous. I'm sure others could write poetically about any number of sports, but, for me, there is something uniquely special about baseball.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Men-at-Work-Craft-Baseball/dp/0061999814/ref=asc_df_0061999814/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312176357948&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17266955759956076290&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015204&hvtargid=pla-525454000924&psc=1&mcid=5d176f4759483f75b412b66efd835ea7&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60258871137&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312176357948&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17266955759956076290&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015204&hvtargid=pla-525454000924&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyeWrBhDDARIsAGP1mWRdxNriADVZN4FCoLz66OvoK-U9SjLkSSkYBR18xKgdItl43bdY93waAgAjEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Men at Work</a> is a fantastic product of its time but not as timeless as I hoped. It did give me a better appreciation for the craft of baseball. Dilettantes might bloviate about any number of things, baseball included, but it's obvious when you come across an actual expert. It's not just the depth of knowledge, but the depth of love someone possesses. George Will loves baseball. He sees more meaning in baseball than some see in life. In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Men-at-Work-Craft-Baseball/dp/0061999814/ref=asc_df_0061999814/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312176357948&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17266955759956076290&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015204&hvtargid=pla-525454000924&psc=1&mcid=5d176f4759483f75b412b66efd835ea7&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60258871137&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312176357948&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17266955759956076290&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015204&hvtargid=pla-525454000924&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyeWrBhDDARIsAGP1mWRdxNriADVZN4FCoLz66OvoK-U9SjLkSSkYBR18xKgdItl43bdY93waAgAjEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Men at Work</a>, he has articulated that meaning, and that is what I most connected with.<br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflections-tyranny-of-metrics.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Tyranny of Metrics</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/09/reflections-flow.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Flow</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/01/drive-i-have-watched-many-many-ted-talks.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Drive</a><br />The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-47910392144364650732023-12-06T17:13:00.000-08:002023-12-06T17:13:46.353-08:00Reflections: The Remains of the Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5N7rISxO_t_cLdselUvvDSXWVgT5vCEzq4KtmJ3suVjTU-_PBTya5uvTk63TMGo4wIxTTXAOC4uc8nBjMkv4H1fQjK2v6SJiZL3An9PY61z1DPZOXZNxPGac2V8NPiJmnFMtb01-sAsc3lHIuG1rYgAwY-E0sLwEnXFdrT5mHey7b6l6_UseGOSXcwRw/s500/The%20Remains%20of%20the%20Day.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5N7rISxO_t_cLdselUvvDSXWVgT5vCEzq4KtmJ3suVjTU-_PBTya5uvTk63TMGo4wIxTTXAOC4uc8nBjMkv4H1fQjK2v6SJiZL3An9PY61z1DPZOXZNxPGac2V8NPiJmnFMtb01-sAsc3lHIuG1rYgAwY-E0sLwEnXFdrT5mHey7b6l6_UseGOSXcwRw/s320/The%20Remains%20of%20the%20Day.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Remains-Day-Kazuo-Ishiguro/dp/0679731725" target="_blank">The Remains of the Day</a> is one of the most unique and interesting narratives I have read in a long time. Its themes are deeply relevant for our time, and perhaps for every time but with a different emphasis in each. The book is subtle but consistently arresting. Its pathos is muted but nevertheless poignant. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Remains-Day-Kazuo-Ishiguro/dp/0679731725" target="_blank">The Remains of the Day</a> is a thoughtful, affecting, and sometimes upsetting book which deserves attention and praise.<br /><br />How much should institutions bind us? How much should tradition do the same? Vapid self-discovery and self-aggrandizement appear to be our culture's contemporary obsession. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Remains-Day-Kazuo-Ishiguro/dp/0679731725" target="_blank">The Remains of the Day</a> presents a protagonist—an English butler, Stevens—who is almost entirely molded by the institution of his profession. This profession restrains what he says, what he does, and who he loves. In some ways, the restraints are arguably good; in others, the restraints, when taken to an extreme which sabotages moral judgment, are a terrible shackle. Where can the balance be found? Surely there must be one. For me, this was the single most fascinating theme in the book. There are very few stories which have explored it more skillfully.<br /><br />One of the unique elements of the book is its narrative approach. Told as memories from Stevens, the story's layers and complexity don't become apparent until you start to realize that the narrator—Stevens —is holding things back. However, the parsimony of details isn't done in bad faith, as would be consistent with the trope of an "unreliable narrator"; rather, the character reveals what is being revealed to himself in the course of self-reflection. He doesn't know himself, so how could he adequately reveal himself to the reader? During key moments of the book, it is only when other characters, observing from outside of the protagonist's own mind, express details that are heartbreaking but stunningly unnoticed by the main character. It's an amazing thematic technique, one that was no doubt exceptionally difficult to write.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Remains-Day-Kazuo-Ishiguro/dp/0679731725" target="_blank">The Remains of the Day</a> is a fabulous example of actual <i>modern literature</i>. The book left me reflective and meditative. The book is sober but not despairing. It's not a story about existential dread but about personal expression and restraint. It's a beautiful, albeit sad, love story. It solemnly asks "w<i>hat could have been</i>?" But is also brave enough to ask "<i>should it have been</i>?" Kazuo Ishiguro has written an excellent book, well worth the praise it has received, and I hope plenty of readers will benefit from its insights.<br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/01/reflections-gilead.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Gilead</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/04/reflections-road-to-character.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Road to Character</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflections-david-copperfield.html" target="_blank">Reflections: David Copperfield</a><br />Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00497887383948788968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-42999472606034468212023-11-21T13:53:00.000-08:002023-11-21T13:53:17.122-08:00Reflections: The Invisible Man<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9zExkcnQUg88I-XjVbPcep6Gdfnrac7LgoCIbKf_Jvej1e5Zssz1Vb1CFABHP9Cn2QoLOE9J3fIJFOhRkUcWsUGbUGw-iyNZwiOEHqLU_gwT_Halvx-qTJmRLGba6y93-XIIEvmAkWQk3UuXQgqph0GHuJik0NRBDe7rN7Nr2F-qAbR_7SbMI-IJGZWj/s1000/The%20Invisible%20Man.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9zExkcnQUg88I-XjVbPcep6Gdfnrac7LgoCIbKf_Jvej1e5Zssz1Vb1CFABHP9Cn2QoLOE9J3fIJFOhRkUcWsUGbUGw-iyNZwiOEHqLU_gwT_Halvx-qTJmRLGba6y93-XIIEvmAkWQk3UuXQgqph0GHuJik0NRBDe7rN7Nr2F-qAbR_7SbMI-IJGZWj/s1000/The%20Invisible%20Man.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="609" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9zExkcnQUg88I-XjVbPcep6Gdfnrac7LgoCIbKf_Jvej1e5Zssz1Vb1CFABHP9Cn2QoLOE9J3fIJFOhRkUcWsUGbUGw-iyNZwiOEHqLU_gwT_Halvx-qTJmRLGba6y93-XIIEvmAkWQk3UuXQgqph0GHuJik0NRBDe7rN7Nr2F-qAbR_7SbMI-IJGZWj/s320/The%20Invisible%20Man.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>I'm always up for an H.G. Wells novel. The science fiction of Wells was of course groundbreaking, but is also a great deal of fun. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Man-Original-Classic-Classics/dp/1954839421/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=38YGCP4LR1SKB&keywords=the+invisible+man&qid=1700602987&sprefix=the+invisible+man%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1" target="_blank">The Invisible Man</a> seems to meander at first, but it eventually finds its footing—allowing for fun debate and spirited discussions. The story hearkens back to some classic mythology, as well as ever present fears about human nature. Thankfully, the story becomes much more than a circus-sideshow and allows for deeper pondering.</div><br />There seems to be a strong thread of misanthropy in the book I wasn't expecting. Why, for example, does Griffin almost immediately seek to initiate a reign of terror once his unnatural experiments reach their desired end? Would we all seek to fulfill our most prurient or violent intentions if presented the opportunity without any culpability? Simmering in all of us is no doubt a dark shadow which is hemmed in by cultural and institutional restraints. But are we all so base that sans those restraints our internal ethical or moral restraints would not suffice to regulate wicked intents? This is the theme I found most entertaining in the book, although the book takes some time to focus on it.<br /><br />Toward the beginning and middle of the book, I actually wondered to myself why it existed at all. Having a scientist discover the nature of invisibility and be able to harness its attributes is a fun contrivance, but it certainly doesn't justify the telling of a story. Wells finds the right themes and subsequently the right conflicts to propel the book forward. It becomes somewhat of a tale of horror and not only science fiction. Ironically, the storytelling of the book is visually arresting. I think most people recognize the wardrobed outline of the invisible man—existing somewhere on the edge of normal and macabre. It's a striking image, firmly engraved in popular culture.<br /><br />What would you do if you were invisible? More specifically, what would do if you felt there was no consequence? That, I think, is the central question of the book. Griffin chose the darker angels of his nature. Would we be different? There is some thematic value to be found here that extends beyond the pulp fiction I expected. It's a fun book, yes, but it's also a lot of fun to discuss. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Man-Original-Classic-Classics/dp/1954839421/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=38YGCP4LR1SKB&keywords=the+invisible+man&qid=1700602987&sprefix=the+invisible+man%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1" target="_blank">The Invisible Man</a> exposes some of the invisible motives circulating within all of us, and it provides a good reason to re-examine what they are and what they impel us to do.<br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>: <br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/05/reflections-macbeth.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Macbeth</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflections-rebecca.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Rebecca</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2014/02/memorable-moments-heart-of-darkness.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Heart of Darkness</a><br />The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-19596587706488773412023-11-21T12:43:00.000-08:002023-11-21T12:43:53.748-08:00Reflections: How We Learn<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GWAuBIgQz12MKZsEdggLm2aA5jwlBaqawweS-oWkEdyoYSJgXzycxGIwQur4kLSVobCcdIRxA_T2IIdJQOGcxqz2kIA4l9Ki-JrWhzlUdqc4drfFjRMlF9RPSh0zaNn7NaRVQgo91jzniErozk2XUu8fovJJxaG92d_bm6WQ2xTNb8Pt2GUQFcO6zSPQ/s1000/How%20We%20Learn%20Book%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="656" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GWAuBIgQz12MKZsEdggLm2aA5jwlBaqawweS-oWkEdyoYSJgXzycxGIwQur4kLSVobCcdIRxA_T2IIdJQOGcxqz2kIA4l9Ki-JrWhzlUdqc4drfFjRMlF9RPSh0zaNn7NaRVQgo91jzniErozk2XUu8fovJJxaG92d_bm6WQ2xTNb8Pt2GUQFcO6zSPQ/s320/How%20We%20Learn%20Book%20Cover.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>The science of learning, like the science of anything, is packed with myths and ancient wisdom. Some of it true. Some of it not. Even among talent development professionals, there are old ideas that simply won't fade away. A book like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Learn-Surprising-Happens/dp/0812984293/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2R2UXIBSHQ0TP&keywords=how+we+learn&qid=1700598715&sprefix=how+we+learn%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1" target="_blank">How We Learn</a> is a nice reminder, albeit not groundbreaking, of what we might take for granted in a domain like learning and teaching. Learning, I have I found, is a lot like listening. People think they do it naturally and well, but more often than not they're not particularly good at it and could be much better with a little more knowhow.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Learn-Surprising-Happens/dp/0812984293/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2R2UXIBSHQ0TP&keywords=how+we+learn&qid=1700598715&sprefix=how+we+learn%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1" target="_blank">How We Learn</a> is very similar to the excellent <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/08/reflections-make-it-stick-science-of.html" target="_blank">Make It Stick</a>—a book which I have pondered and referenced over the years. Knowing many of the concepts outlined by the author already, I wasn't surprised by what I read, but it was a great reminder. I have been interested in implementing several of the ideas into my profession, such as interleaving and low-risk testing. The professional world, no doubt like the academic world, has become calcified in many ways—leaning on old but sturdy methods to disseminate information. I think there is more out there worth trying.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Learn-Surprising-Happens/dp/0812984293/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2R2UXIBSHQ0TP&keywords=how+we+learn&qid=1700598715&sprefix=how+we+learn%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1" target="_blank">How We Learn</a> is largely written for the individual learner rather than for organizational ones. No matter. I think the individual techniques described by Benedict Carey can be perfectly helpful for those within an organization and for those leading the educational activities. I think this is a great book to share within a learning team as a springboard for discussion and to energize ideation. It's odd to me how often talent development professionals become stale in their practice and resistant to new ideas. I would hope we would be foremost in any organization as lifelong learners and experimenters.<br /><br />Although not revolutionary, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Learn-Surprising-Happens/dp/0812984293/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2R2UXIBSHQ0TP&keywords=how+we+learn&qid=1700598715&sprefix=how+we+learn%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1" target="_blank">How We Learn</a> is a good jolt of learning concepts to reinvigorate someone who may have become moldy in their methods. Teaching someone something—some new truth, some new process, some new thing—is an exhilarating exercise—almost a sacred act. It's how we as human beings progress as a collective. There are methods available to do it better than we're probably currently doing it. We should give them a try.<br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/06/reflections-think-again.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Think Again</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/04/reflections-power-of-habit.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Power of Habit</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2017/05/reflections-learning-in-light-of-faith.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Learning in the Light of Faith</a><br /><p></p>Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00497887383948788968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-21627285938929952252023-07-27T13:03:00.002-07:002023-07-27T13:03:23.045-07:00Reflections: The Children of Men<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Men-P-D-James/dp/0307275434" target="_blank"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9nSJdUGbYhik449DSYkz9IZp1Mvo5Bfph5AJUsDmnQJl-q5MtaVlFtKlTQ-KkDuo1HpUVifzTid2JDqH5ZELCTvmZ3M_y_tSutLbSpeZQnjfgAHPUxNXGUFN5ucOkQWQv0NqhDwXOAM8ECtWnWsH3NTerhBSZwG3BFmBEGB_jcEGj4VTvfIetVjMqRbZ/s1000/The%20Children%20of%20Men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9nSJdUGbYhik449DSYkz9IZp1Mvo5Bfph5AJUsDmnQJl-q5MtaVlFtKlTQ-KkDuo1HpUVifzTid2JDqH5ZELCTvmZ3M_y_tSutLbSpeZQnjfgAHPUxNXGUFN5ucOkQWQv0NqhDwXOAM8ECtWnWsH3NTerhBSZwG3BFmBEGB_jcEGj4VTvfIetVjMqRbZ/s320/The%20Children%20of%20Men.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>The Children of Men has one of the most interesting and provocative plots I have ever come across. What would happen if everyone on the earth became sterile? We casually take for granted the idea of a future. Embedded in that future are our implicit hopes. Those hopes reside in our children, even if we don't verbalize the sentiment. What good are museums if there is no hope for a future learner? What good is knowledge for that matter? The questions posed by the book are numerous and unsettling.<p></p><p>A great plot device is one thing. Is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Men-P-D-James/dp/0307275434" target="_blank">The Children of Men</a> a great book? Almost. The sheer weight of its central premise carries the book beyond its own value as a narrative. The story itself, and the characters within it, struggle to shine with the same brilliance as the singular theme that surrounds them. The ending was completely befuddling to me. MacGuffins abound and I couldn't grab hold to what the author was trying to do or say as I turned the last page.<br /><br />Returning to its fabulous premise, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Men-P-D-James/dp/0307275434" target="_blank">The Children of Men</a> is an important additive to several critical societal debates we're having. The whole of humanity has not become infertile, but we have stopped having babies. Not completely, of course, but the birthrates in many advanced countries is signaling a transformation of society we have never experienced before. Very often those debates focus on the impact of social and welfare programs, but what about the psychological impacts in a society of very few children? Could we see some of the same outcomes, perhaps on a lesser scale, as found in the fictionalized world of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Men-P-D-James/dp/0307275434" target="_blank">The Children of Men</a>? Are we not seeing some of them now? (The need to care for and love something, including a pet or even an ersatz child, was convincingly portrayed in the book and disturbing). With less children, do we have less of a future? So often debates of population or generations focus on overpopulation, but I don't think we have fully come to grips with the effects of its opposite.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Men-P-D-James/dp/0307275434" target="_blank">The Children of Men</a> is an important book for its excellent science fiction premise, which masterfully echoes our own societies, but falls short as a narrative. The book was much more enjoyable for me as I wrestled with the hard questions it poses through proxy with the characters. I enjoyed it less as P.D. James tried to weave together a thriller-esque type of tale with an ending that falls with a thud rather than a bang. I recommend the book. It's important and seemingly becoming more so every year. What future do we have without children? <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Men-P-D-James/dp/0307275434" target="_blank">The Children of Men</a> provides a troubling answer. <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2016/08/reflections-ready-player-one.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Ready Player One</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2015/08/reflections-forever-war.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Forever War</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2014/10/reflections-canticle-for-leibowitz.html" target="_blank">Reflections: A Canticle for Leibowitz</a><br /></p>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-62892081649532214312023-07-27T12:52:00.002-07:002023-07-27T12:52:18.516-07:00Reflections: The Great Partnership<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqiPG8S7Lu9Z2yrnrbSUv-UV6TQtCIpaZCKQRLeT9lpqt1HJGbJbFJWPAa8DMy0B_SwlRNaQg_2afpS_vSfH-RKsJrUGko3kJD60DtnNoUh97HpadsmW0WKCzojiU5k03Tqs6Mn-R2gyXEj7XiGUQLQbmxhqzEdwYr9MxWPbP0vOs67mmQY5PTBF-eY_y/s1000/The%20Great%20Partnership.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="658" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqiPG8S7Lu9Z2yrnrbSUv-UV6TQtCIpaZCKQRLeT9lpqt1HJGbJbFJWPAa8DMy0B_SwlRNaQg_2afpS_vSfH-RKsJrUGko3kJD60DtnNoUh97HpadsmW0WKCzojiU5k03Tqs6Mn-R2gyXEj7XiGUQLQbmxhqzEdwYr9MxWPbP0vOs67mmQY5PTBF-eY_y/s320/The%20Great%20Partnership.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>It has been a long time since I have read a book which so intelligently and clearly described the importance and impact of ideas on society. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Partnership-Science-Religion-Meaning/dp/0805243011" target="_blank">The Great Partnership</a> is so much more than a treatise on the overlapping concerns of science and religion. It's not a trite statement of "science and religion don't have to be in conflict" but a re-thinking of the entire domain. It's a brilliant exploration of massively important ideas, which challenged my thinking and illuminated my mind.<br /><br />The reason I find a book like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Partnership-Science-Religion-Meaning/dp/0805243011" target="_blank">The Great Partnership</a> so compelling is because of its range. Sacks pulls from a vast collection of human knowledge—both secular and spiritual—and binds it all together to bring true inspiration to learning. Far, far too often, we isolate truths from each other, and they become cold, unimaginative, and prodigal. Sacks masterfully weaves together information from great thinkers from across intellectual and spiritual disciplines, including those who directly conflict his thesis. It's a wonderful sign of humility and true education.<br /><br />Sacks's thesis—that science takes things apart to understand them and religion binds them together to infuse them with purpose (I'm paraphrasing)—is expertly argued throughout the book. Showing the consequence of religion without science (it's blind) and science without religion (it's lame), Sacks accomplishes a marvelous feat in the service of all interested and eager learners. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Partnership-Science-Religion-Meaning/dp/0805243011" target="_blank">The Great Partnership</a> gave an articulate voice to so many of my thoughts on this subject. In addition, it contested some of my perspectives in new ways—much welcome ways.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Partnership-Science-Religion-Meaning/dp/0805243011" target="_blank">The Great Partnership</a> is an excellent book. As a book of commentary on human knowledge, the history of science and religion, and the consequence of ideas, it belongs on the same shelf as books like <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/02/reflections-structure-of-scientific.html" target="_blank">The Structure of Scientific Revolutions</a> or <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/01/reflections-why-nations-go-to-war.html" target="_blank">Why Nations Go to War</a>. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks just might be one of the great thinkers of our generation. There aren't many of them. But his ability, at least in this book, to elucidate complex and essential ideas in an understandable and persuasive way has made me an admirer. I will certainly be reading more from Rabbi Sacks in the months and years to come. <p></p><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/06/reflections-think-again.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Think Again</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/05/reflections-protestants.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Protestants</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2017/08/reflections-iliad.html" target="_blank">Reflections:The Illiad</a><br />The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-34780267298587258062023-07-27T12:40:00.002-07:002023-07-27T12:40:20.762-07:00Reflections: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kXbcnqObufH76PCsfoBeoVc8b5ikN1QQVSPWKJFKQt2CYaFJkaWsx1HxNPV1iS8F122KPh30mInJAntNFSPhPua53G-872uMuvyQ4wX9jw2nUeBHGbk_WI8lj6QdKmsk4jT43BbaALMM7hiM9Ntzrxmh4De5CGzUzvFsILrtKLsTo5b9fSefeQXUlM3E/s500/Tinker,%20Tailor,%20Soldier,%20Spy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kXbcnqObufH76PCsfoBeoVc8b5ikN1QQVSPWKJFKQt2CYaFJkaWsx1HxNPV1iS8F122KPh30mInJAntNFSPhPua53G-872uMuvyQ4wX9jw2nUeBHGbk_WI8lj6QdKmsk4jT43BbaALMM7hiM9Ntzrxmh4De5CGzUzvFsILrtKLsTo5b9fSefeQXUlM3E/s320/Tinker,%20Tailor,%20Soldier,%20Spy.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>Spy thrillers have never been my go-to genre of choice. I have read a few. I have enjoyed them mildly but haven't appreciated some of their coarser elements. The pay-offs are muted, and the hero often trundles off into the horizon and into the next sequel. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tinker-Tailor-Soldier-Spy-George/dp/0143119788/ref=asc_df_0143119788/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312021423027&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7940001071785304666&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012416&hvtargid=pla-449088135506&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63669393273&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312021423027&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7940001071785304666&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012416&hvtargid=pla-449088135506" target="_blank">Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy</a> by John le Carre' is a staple of the spy novel genre, yes, but is also heralded to be something more. In comparison to other books of its kind (that I have read), I will give it credit where it is rightly due. Yet, it is also so obtuse in its plot and narrative that I felt left behind by the author and his characters. Perhaps one must be a part of some secret espionage society in order to fully appreciate <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tinker-Tailor-Soldier-Spy-George/dp/0143119788/ref=asc_df_0143119788/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312021423027&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7940001071785304666&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012416&hvtargid=pla-449088135506&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63669393273&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312021423027&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7940001071785304666&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012416&hvtargid=pla-449088135506" target="_blank">Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy's</a> brilliance. I admit my lacking membership and have to look to others to explain not only what this book is but also why it's so great.<br /><br />To be fair, I was immediately intrigued by the story. The characters are vibrant, and there are a lot of them. This leads to one of the first major confusions in the book—remembering who is who and where they are. The timeline itself is also confusing since it portrays multiple chronologies, interweaving between one and and the other. The central mystery is wonderfully tantalizing. I was impatient to finally find the "mole" and unravel the Russian spy ring. I tried following the nuances of each conversation and tease together the many, many threads and breadcrumbs distributed throughout by le Carre'. With so much detail and so much build-up, I hoped for a wallop of an ending, something to set me back on my heels. It never came. When the reveals did arrive, I was so buried by the intricacies of the book's plot, I wasn't able to breath any thematic or emotional fresh air.<br /><br />But, that's me! Others might be able to follow this story just fine. Some readers who are more familiar with this genre or even le Carre's writing might find plenty to love in this book. I wanted to love it so badly but simply couldn't because I couldn't understand it. I think another reading tactic that might help for a book like this is to read it as quickly as possible. With minor details making such an important difference in the story, it's hard to jump back into it after a week's respite or even after a few days. Perhaps that could have made a difference for me.<br /><br />I recognize <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tinker-Tailor-Soldier-Spy-George/dp/0143119788/ref=asc_df_0143119788/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312021423027&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7940001071785304666&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012416&hvtargid=pla-449088135506&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63669393273&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312021423027&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7940001071785304666&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012416&hvtargid=pla-449088135506" target="_blank">Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy</a> for what it is and what it represents to its genre. I can absolutely appreciate others' admiration of the story and the genre defining elements it created. I would love to chat with someone who read this book and was able to discern its various elements and enjoy it on the first-read. I would like to know what I missed or what I'm still missing. I'm willing to admit I got this one wrong. In the meantime, I'm not planning on becoming a spy because I'm clearly really, really bad at it. <p></p><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/01/reflections-and-then-there-were-none.html" target="_blank">Reflections: And Then There Were None</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2017/01/reflections-third-policeman.html?q=policeman" target="_blank">Reflections: The Third Policeman</a><br /><a href="https://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2016/09/reflections-bonhoeffer-pastor-martyr.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Bonhoeffer</a>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-58697449294716618992023-06-01T09:35:00.004-07:002023-06-01T09:36:26.330-07:00Reflections: Option B<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFSVy7GwKWcBa6wk8wHwjmltnrsLsNdCWHslkRRpFL5iK-KpTPUs9yb9NLKe4FFe2vafDFR3BMOdHMRbjV8fxy6pzQekAZE0zW-DpwWUx2ry3zHzIGcKm7hhC8cN833FiPtfbO0my2cd7127QMcwWJ_5yQTsB9EW7nkuigu6kWmlPCy8DsetSc8DSwA/s1000/Option%20B.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="603" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFSVy7GwKWcBa6wk8wHwjmltnrsLsNdCWHslkRRpFL5iK-KpTPUs9yb9NLKe4FFe2vafDFR3BMOdHMRbjV8fxy6pzQekAZE0zW-DpwWUx2ry3zHzIGcKm7hhC8cN833FiPtfbO0my2cd7127QMcwWJ_5yQTsB9EW7nkuigu6kWmlPCy8DsetSc8DSwA/s320/Option%20B.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>What would I do if the imaginable happened? Specifically, how would I react if my spouse were to unexpectedly and shockingly pass away? Sheryl Sandberg, the former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, faced this reality and shares her experience in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Option-B/dp/0753548291/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JI46L1U5Q6JJ&keywords=option+b+book&qid=1685636992&sprefix=option+b%2Caps%2C481&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Option B</a>. It's not often, at least as I'm aware, that a high-profile business leader shares very personal experiences related to personal tragedy. In that way, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Option-B/dp/0753548291/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JI46L1U5Q6JJ&keywords=option+b+book&qid=1685636992&sprefix=option+b%2Caps%2C481&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Option B</a> is an interesting read, and this is where it finds its value. In other ways, such as a statement on social issues, it stumbles badly.<br /><br />Partnering with the ubiquitous scholar Adam Grant can certainly elevate the perceived value of your book. The autobiographical details, coupled with Grant's research and expertise, provide a nice amalgamation of the personal and the academic. You probably won't find too many revolutionary principles here, nor will you find a uniquely erudite expression of them, but it was valuable to read of psychological principles applied in practical ways. How does grit, growth mindset, or explanatory style help children navigate through and endure grief? <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Option-B/dp/0753548291/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JI46L1U5Q6JJ&keywords=option+b+book&qid=1685636992&sprefix=option+b%2Caps%2C481&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Option B</a> is its best when it addresses such questions.<br /><br />The book is at its worst when Sandberg wanders into perfunctory commentaries about social issues or policy debates. These sections, usually only a few paragraphs in length, feel out of place and passionless. Most of the recommendations feel tired and<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684935416&sr=8-1" target="_blank"></a>—above all<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684935416&sr=8-1" target="_blank"></a>—politically correct. Sandberg doesn't do much to persuade her reader, and I'm not sure why she included those elements at all. I enjoyed reading about her experience far more than I did her policy recommendations. The option b she experienced is the most interesting aspect of this book, and it should have remained its focus throughout.<br /><br />If ever faced with the type of grief experienced by Sandberg, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Option-B/dp/0753548291/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JI46L1U5Q6JJ&keywords=option+b+book&qid=1685636992&sprefix=option+b%2Caps%2C481&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Option B</a> is a book which will become much more important in hindsight. It's a terrible trial to lose a loved one, especially one so young and so unexpectedly. I think there are methods and principles to manage grief, including fully embracing it, which are valuable for us to understand. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Option-B/dp/0753548291/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JI46L1U5Q6JJ&keywords=option+b+book&qid=1685636992&sprefix=option+b%2Caps%2C481&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Option B</a> highlights some of those, even if it's imperfectly. <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflections-infinite-atonement.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Infinite Atonement</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/04/reflections-road-to-character.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Road to Character</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/09/reflections-pathways-to-bliss.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Pathways to Bliss</a><br /><p></p>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-55631889963875058592023-05-24T06:56:00.002-07:002023-05-24T06:56:09.236-07:00Reflections: The Book Thief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5-93zGTY90XwTBCxTac3q68_vrZ9ktLYAMJW1Pt8e6jpsQ7PnAwvSPlihzu6NBUBYPyb1Sojiql_CZk4ZBQeG1s4NAIhZVFn4OjDrIpfppp4fSgKnc0wAz4RDrkTvbeQKWnwhj8MVvx2F6V3A004hLDeYLPbqZnY0q6yCxyXgGT61xD_JRvDS060dg/s1000/The%20Book%20Thief_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="645" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5-93zGTY90XwTBCxTac3q68_vrZ9ktLYAMJW1Pt8e6jpsQ7PnAwvSPlihzu6NBUBYPyb1Sojiql_CZk4ZBQeG1s4NAIhZVFn4OjDrIpfppp4fSgKnc0wAz4RDrkTvbeQKWnwhj8MVvx2F6V3A004hLDeYLPbqZnY0q6yCxyXgGT61xD_JRvDS060dg/s320/The%20Book%20Thief_.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>Nazi Germany was an unthinkable time. A period of human history unique in its bureaucratic efficiency in eliminating human beings. Death as a character and narrator seems like an obvious choice. It’s the first thing you might notice about <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684935416&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Book Thief</a>—its unexpected narrator. In a time of death and carnage, perhaps only Death could tell the story appropriately. Yet, as in all epochs of history, amidst death and destruction is life and light. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684935416&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Book Thief</a> does what it can to highlight both and does so effectively, even it outlasts its welcome a bit too long.<br /><br />I hate to say it; I really do. But I feel it's hard to tell a unique story about Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. So many tales have been spun out of that horrendous and shameful period of human history. There is plenty to learn from it, and I would never suggest I have filled my repository of knowledge to its brim. Yet, I found myself somewhat unengaged from portions of this story simply because I felt like I had read it before. The emotions of the book, although present and meaningful, failed to fully clasp my heart. Part of the problem in that regard is I felt the book was too long. The themes didn't necessarily outlive their welcome but the plot did. I think the story could have been tighter, more direct, and seemingly more impactful.<br /><br />The most meaningful and insightful moments for me in the book come directly from the narrator, Death. Death, if personified, would have been very, very busy in the twentieth century. And what have we learned from those inexplicably horrible events? I think we have learned some things but fail to associate many bad ideas to their inevitable ends. Perhaps the books that are stolen in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684935416&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Book Thief</a> are meant to remind us of where we need to look to find the connective tissue between ideas and consequences. On the other hand, it can also be books which carry the worst of ideas into the hearts and minds of individuals. It's a dual-edged sword. But the moment you start burning one kind or another, I think you've probably lost your way.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684935416&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Book Thief</a> is good. I did enjoy it. I struggled to love it, partly because it doesn't fully set itself apart from the many books that echo its themes, narrative, and characters. That doesn't mean it's not significant or couldn't be an extraordinary experience for a younger reader who is unaware of that acutely horrific time. Among the horror, as we have learned from many stories, there was also heroism. Death attests to both.<div><br /></div><div><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>: </div><div><a href="https://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2016/09/reflections-bonhoeffer-pastor-martyr.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Bonhoeffer</a></div><div><a href="https://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2016/05/reflections-march-of-folly.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The March of Folly</a></div><div><a href="https://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2016/11/reflections-victory-of-reason.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Victory of Reason</a></div>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-85161720299927369642023-02-28T06:16:00.005-08:002023-02-28T06:16:59.210-08:00Reflections: The Crucible of Doubt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEFa1QucgVXeevYCa4Bo76ywkKIf-rOAw9C4hDCBKAhKja7gX_oWoYBslCBmMB0_5QV-Kixn9SlKHTwt9Ofx1_ivltzlweSyKHp2FVN-_6xNDpHHyImiLMai4Act9oH0jh5T5OjUNOkwKFCxjbv12xh6LT_0kGVOtWv1uXMJMKVVwK-_6Xps6MdK0JQ/s500/Crucible%20of%20Doubt%20Boo%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEFa1QucgVXeevYCa4Bo76ywkKIf-rOAw9C4hDCBKAhKja7gX_oWoYBslCBmMB0_5QV-Kixn9SlKHTwt9Ofx1_ivltzlweSyKHp2FVN-_6xNDpHHyImiLMai4Act9oH0jh5T5OjUNOkwKFCxjbv12xh6LT_0kGVOtWv1uXMJMKVVwK-_6Xps6MdK0JQ/s320/Crucible%20of%20Doubt%20Boo%20Cover.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>"I know." It's a powerful claim heard time and again in innumerable Latter-day Saint testimony meetings, Sunday school classes, leadership trainings, conferences, and Family Home Evenings. To feel the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost when you say it is truly indescribable; it stubbornly refuses to adhere to normal rules of human expression. Yet, what happens for a Latter-day Saint, or any believer for that matter, when they lack the conviction to use those bold words: "I know"? <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crucible-Doubt-Reflections-Quest-Faith/dp/1609079426/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DV8D50AE1UD5&keywords=the+crucible+of+doubt&qid=1677592849&sprefix=the+crucible+of+doubt%2Caps%2C747&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Crucible of Doubt</a> explores some of the thorny aspects of faith, and I found it useful and insightful.<br /><br />The fundamentals of a faith are different from its appendages. In Latter-day Saint theology, the following quote from <a href="https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/elders-journal-july-1838/12" target="_blank">Joseph Smith</a> summarizes our doctrine effectively: "The fundamental principles of our religion is the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ, 'that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven.'" Many faith crisis stem from focusing too exclusively on appendages rather than on the fundamental principles; yet, it doesn't change the fact that the appendages are there, seemingly leading to unknown places where faith struggles to find answers. Some seem more prone to faith than others. (Consider the story of the Apostle Thomas). Why? I don't know. But I feel a greater sympathy for those who struggle to know in the same way others do.<br /><br />I loved the erudite insights the authors bring to issues like the way we are prone to use scripture as a "cannon" rather than as "canon." The trouble with our wrestling with theology isn't only limited to our lack of faith but sometimes our over-zealous use of that faith. Paul referred to it as having a "zeal of God, but not according to knowledge" (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rom/10?lang=eng&id=2#p2" target="_blank">Romans 10:2</a>). Belief, faith, testimony. They are gifts from God above to empower us to embrace Christ and His gospel. We sometimes use them as tools to justify our own predilections and prejudices. Such misuse of faith or doctrine makes it even harder for struggling believers to find a respite from the chaos of worldly impositions. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crucible-Doubt-Reflections-Quest-Faith/dp/1609079426/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DV8D50AE1UD5&keywords=the+crucible+of+doubt&qid=1677592849&sprefix=the+crucible+of+doubt%2Caps%2C747&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Crucible of Doubt</a> was an excellent reminder for me to couple my zealousness for God and His Church with true doctrine and a "pure religion and undefiled" (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/james/1?lang=eng&id=27#p27" target="_blank">James 1:27</a>). <br /><br />Between the Givens' <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/03/reflections-god-who-weeps.html" target="_blank">The God Who Weeps</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crucible-Doubt-Reflections-Quest-Faith/dp/1609079426/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DV8D50AE1UD5&keywords=the+crucible+of+doubt&qid=1677592849&sprefix=the+crucible+of+doubt%2Caps%2C747&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Crucible of Doubt</a>, I felt the latter was much better and more deferential to ecclesiastical leaders. I haven't struggled with doubt as some others have. I have, of course, found myself confused or uncertain, but these feelings of discomfort has never driven me close to the edge of abandoning my faith. Questions remain but so does my faith. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crucible-Doubt-Reflections-Quest-Faith/dp/1609079426/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DV8D50AE1UD5&keywords=the+crucible+of+doubt&qid=1677592849&sprefix=the+crucible+of+doubt%2Caps%2C747&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Crucible of Doubt</a> helped me appreciate more of the complexities of doubt and hopefully made me more empathetic. Among a society of believers, perhaps doubt is one of the greatest crucibles of all. <div><br /></div><div><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:</div><div><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2012/02/reflections-people-of-paradox-history.html?q=people+of+paradox" target="_blank">Reflections: The People of Paradox</a></div><div><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/04/saints-vol-1-standard-of-truth.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Saints, Vol. 1: The Standard of Truth</a></div><div><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2017/08/reflections-that-ye-may-believe.html" target="_blank">Reflections: That Ye May Believe</a></div>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-27827825018108903362023-01-26T17:38:00.001-08:002023-01-26T17:38:12.428-08:00Reflections: Two Old Women<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtZqjdCCh38_xVqX0N5s-5XjH7ewTITPbONFETL2EfSByfui6UpRSiqs7ynMRQsXmlluYychpAVa-Eamvh_Clbv8XUGazT91J1VG3lQUE7UjGvYc5qtVM49VwFScWCBNxhwJMqX4JWPAjFIdz2F-Wwrrv74sHyR1LSuRme4Hc_nUpE_ZpaEEqqC-DwQ/s500/Two%20Old%20Women.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="362" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtZqjdCCh38_xVqX0N5s-5XjH7ewTITPbONFETL2EfSByfui6UpRSiqs7ynMRQsXmlluYychpAVa-Eamvh_Clbv8XUGazT91J1VG3lQUE7UjGvYc5qtVM49VwFScWCBNxhwJMqX4JWPAjFIdz2F-Wwrrv74sHyR1LSuRme4Hc_nUpE_ZpaEEqqC-DwQ/s320/Two%20Old%20Women.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Two-Old-Women-20th-Anniversary/dp/0062244981/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5W7OXPB073Y7&keywords=two+old+women&qid=1674782083&sprefix=two+old+women%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Two Old Women</a>. It's an apropos title for a simple, straightforward, and sometimes poignant story. Exploring themes of age, independence, and societal usefulness, the story, which borrows heavily from ancient myths of the Athabaska people, is a valuable allegory, even if it's not particularly moving. Generational conflicts abound in modern culture as it did in ancient ones. It's good to remember what those conflicts are, and how individuals can navigate them.<br /><br />How <i>does </i>a society care for its elderly members? How <i>should </i>a society do so? In addition, how can we care for them without removing their dignity or independence? These are hard questions, usually whittled down to useless platitudes in political debates. In myth and story we find something much more interesting and worth discussing. The two characters central to this story are devastated by their abandonment but also find new capabilities and strength in the aftermath of the betrayal. They had so much to complain about before they were left behind. Once they were on their own, they didn't have time to complain, only time to survive.<br /><br />The brevity of the story makes it accessible for most readers. It's a straightforward tale<span style="font-size: small;">—</span>short on exposition, details, or character entanglements. It feels more like a cultural myth to be spoken than to be read. The relationship between the two main characters<span style="font-size: small;">—</span>how they support and encourage each other<span style="font-size: small;">—</span>provides the story's humor and heart. We can do more than we think<span style="font-size: small;">—</span>regardless of age. Perhaps that's the main message of the story.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Two-Old-Women-20th-Anniversary/dp/0062244981/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5W7OXPB073Y7&keywords=two+old+women&qid=1674782083&sprefix=two+old+women%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Two Old Women</a> is a short and thoughtful story, but I didn't find it emotionally compelling. Around the same time I read Leo Tolstoy's short story <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Two-Old-Men-Classics-Go-ebook/dp/B00S8SG76W/ref=sr_1_4?crid=4JBHF7NFWPS1&keywords=two+old+men+leo+tolstoy&qid=1674783186&sprefix=two+old+men%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-4" target="_blank">Two Old Men</a> and was deeply moved. Reading these two stories in quick succession probably lessened the overall impact of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Two-Old-Women-20th-Anniversary/dp/0062244981/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5W7OXPB073Y7&keywords=two+old+women&qid=1674782083&sprefix=two+old+women%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Two Old Women</a>. I liked but didn't love it. Its brevity allows it to be easily enjoyed, but it also leaves unsaid too many important elements of its central conflict. Or maybe it didn't say it quite right. Not sure. <br /></p><p><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>: <br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/02/reflections-death-of-ivan-ilyich.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Death of Ivan Ilyich</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/04/reflections-generation-me.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Generation Me</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflections-my-antonia.html" target="_blank">Reflections: My Antonia</a></p>Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00497887383948788968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-75794824979369836822023-01-11T17:34:00.006-08:002023-01-11T17:34:50.873-08:00Reflections: The Great Influenza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTFILjMtYADWHA3Z9hFoJSRIOLITD4fzJJJAHzUyWynkoPzPKzVn-pgDAupwjOZH5w03VIYatat2Gc9uxyB3HjR4v_QYvkjy04qdrlSSM5kIfkiv0pvzoXh8KyqFGMlJr0XTD0xypxbqfH4Y5Pgo8MyvGJ3LgrNdmhE5bU_xQSmCICUQQNYBHOPdK8w/s500/The%20Great%20Influenza.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTFILjMtYADWHA3Z9hFoJSRIOLITD4fzJJJAHzUyWynkoPzPKzVn-pgDAupwjOZH5w03VIYatat2Gc9uxyB3HjR4v_QYvkjy04qdrlSSM5kIfkiv0pvzoXh8KyqFGMlJr0XTD0xypxbqfH4Y5Pgo8MyvGJ3LgrNdmhE5bU_xQSmCICUQQNYBHOPdK8w/s320/The%20Great%20Influenza.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><p>The consequences of COVID-19 will be discussed, dissected, debated, rehashed, regurgitated, and wrestled with for generations. I can't imagine I'll forget many of the experiences I had during that terrible time period<span style="font-size: small;">—</span>the raging, the fear, the misinformation, the disappointments. It was all there. But what about the pandemics that came before? Surely there were similarities and analogies we can identify. Maybe we could even learn from those dreadful moments in the past. I read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Influenza-Deadliest-Pandemic-History/dp/0143036491" target="_blank">The Great Influenza</a> in hopes of finding those lessons.<br /><br />Careful observers can immediately see parallels between the awful pandemic of 1918 and that of 2020. Those same observers can also discern surprising differences. One of the ferocious debates that swirled around COVID-19 was its severity. Was it really as dangerous as the media portrayed it? What about the 1918 influenza? It seems from my unprofessional perspective that the influenza that ravaged the earth toward the beginning of the twentieth century was in significant ways far more deadly than COVID-19. When reading about the explosion of infection that occurred in Philadelphia, it was hard to comprehend a modern equivalent. Having said that, reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Influenza-Deadliest-Pandemic-History/dp/0143036491" target="_blank">The Great Influenza</a> didn't necessarily close a conclusive door on any public health debate that raged around all of us. It did, however, provide valuable perspectives that I lacked at the beginning of the most recent pandemic.<br /><br />Reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Influenza-Deadliest-Pandemic-History/dp/0143036491" target="_blank">The Great Influenza</a> left me with a sense of deep helplessness in the face of severe infectious diseases. There seems to be so little that we can do. Unless you live on an island and can literally restrict all outsiders from penetrating your physiological space, then infection seems inevitable. Medical interventions can get better and antigen drift could glide toward your favor, but the pernicious nature of viruses makes most mediations seem tragically ineffectual. I found myself engaged in many debates related to the approaches needed to balance the many competing priorities within a society at the outset of the pandemic. I feel less confident now than I ever have before. History, as well as our recent experience, has shown the immense complexity of managing an infectious disease. It staggers me. And, unfortunately, the human suffering caused by such viruses seems nearly limitless.<br /><br />The book itself is well written but lacks focus. The author makes a noteworthy effort to track the genesis of modern medicine, but it feels disconnected from the main event simply because not much could be done. We had learned a great deal more about viruses and their symptoms<span style="font-size: small;">—</span>yes<span style="font-size: small;">—</span>but when the great influenza hit, it seemed we were as helpless as before. Numerous medical professionals and researchers are detailed in the book, and it became a tedious and taxing endeavor to try and track each one. I would have preferred a more fixed focus on the societal impacts of the influenza. He does spend time on this, but it's often interrupted by short biographical extracts that splinters the pace of the book.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Influenza-Deadliest-Pandemic-History/dp/0143036491" target="_blank">The Great Influenza</a> is an excellent view into a pandemic past. The similarities were striking but the differences were befuddling. Having lived through the COVID-19 pandemic and still seeing some of its aftershocks, as well as its persistence, I remain mostly in the dark on how to manage the outbreak of a new, destructive, and contagious disease. Viruses are insidious things, and they're here to stay. If nothing else, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Influenza-Deadliest-Pandemic-History/dp/0143036491" target="_blank">The Great Influenza</a> taught me that. <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/09/reflections-mountains-beyond-mountains.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Mountains Beyond Mountains</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/07/reflections-dreamland.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Dreamland</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/12/reflections-together.html" target="_blank">Reflections:Together</a></p>Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00497887383948788968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-1477363411013128852022-12-09T12:18:00.002-08:002022-12-09T12:18:18.508-08:00Reflections: Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMmAUNvz40bWNHI8i36ZuhiCfAXlODXtS_PT7bbvmEmIwqecEzKb7J2fZIVXQIsDYlfi9NLD_9AMStBgk_3PULIR3vMo5ory0Nus1JPi4a7skeeh-BH-qvsIxCyTetLZEJTF2GwEc70WPBDG1oI5R_eQnqsgETyZSboItJDQg2ANN0N7iGtD_kxgh-Q/s648/Together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMmAUNvz40bWNHI8i36ZuhiCfAXlODXtS_PT7bbvmEmIwqecEzKb7J2fZIVXQIsDYlfi9NLD_9AMStBgk_3PULIR3vMo5ory0Nus1JPi4a7skeeh-BH-qvsIxCyTetLZEJTF2GwEc70WPBDG1oI5R_eQnqsgETyZSboItJDQg2ANN0N7iGtD_kxgh-Q/s320/Together.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>I don't know when loneliness became an acute public health concern, but it seems here to stay. I'm grateful for that. My interest in the topic peaked when I entered a remote work position over four years ago (before the COVID-19 pandemic). Vivek Murthy's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Together-Connection-Performance-Greater-Happiness/dp/0062913298/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1670616644&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Together</a> puts a spotlight on the issue. Having a Surgeon General focus his attention on the problem certainly raises its importance in relation to policy decisions and other conversations. Yet, many of the prescriptions to ameliorate loneliness coming from a public health professional seem short-sighted or even totally ineffective.<br /><br />Are we more lonely now than we were fifty years ago? Why? What's driving this trend toward depressive solitude? Murthy offers a few explanations, but I remained unconvinced by some of his responses to the problem. I'm dubious that governmental agencies can effectively respond to loneliness through programmatic policies. I admit my own bias in relation to the problem, but the alarming <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/341963/church-membership-falls-below-majority-first-time.aspx" target="_blank">decrease in religiosity</a> seems correlated to rising rates of loneliness. But what politician would encourage more participation in church as a viable public health solution? Limited by their own frameworks and tools, governmental agencies will approach any public health issue with bureaucratic solutions. In some cases, this might be effective; in response to this problem, I remain unconvinced.<br /><br />I remember the radiant promises of social media. By connecting us all through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, we would come to understand one another better, find greater empathy, and society would flourish. It seems obvious at this point that those promises are not only unfulfilled but have been shattered by the very tools intended to realize them. Rising rates of loneliness appear to be strongly correlated with the use of social media. But we're not closing that Pandora's Box. So what to do now? Murthy provides some useful <i>personal </i>strategies to avoid misuse of social media but once again falls short of providing compelling solutions for the greater society. Self-control is the best societal control, but I think we have a genuine mental health issue correlated with social media, and I think we're still floundering around to discover an effectual resolution.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Together-Connection-Performance-Greater-Happiness/dp/0062913298/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1670616644&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Together</a> is a valuable book for highlighting the problem of loneliness in society; yet, it felt lacking in its response to it. Perhaps some of the solutions detailed in the book would be valuable, but the flat writing lacks the authority necessary to capture the reader's attention or their acquiescence. I think loneliness is an immensely important topic. But I think superior books need to be written that can better explore its intricacies and solutions. <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/02/reflections-waste-land-and-other-poems.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Wasteland and Other Poems</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/07/reflections-dreamland.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Dreamland</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflections-love-your-enemies.html" target="_blank">Reflections:Love Your Enemies</a><br />The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-5669042907290303832022-12-09T12:06:00.003-08:002022-12-09T12:08:21.567-08:00Reflections: A Land Remembered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n31_DgZwAUuoUWwgQgAd1pJsalc4j--153AjS5R64v4rCTJK0CymjOYrG4T_U4qQx7ghs0oYn-5NsOdhxAiHn8nVMCXy18_q9pyp2yPCIpuCBuuxQshgyX9XxYwPZu4bgHdgarzVshHgKBnfeC4yQM_QDmaPXNXcrsTdcE38OKx7TTecG_dU6lltng/s500/A%20Land%20Remembered.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n31_DgZwAUuoUWwgQgAd1pJsalc4j--153AjS5R64v4rCTJK0CymjOYrG4T_U4qQx7ghs0oYn-5NsOdhxAiHn8nVMCXy18_q9pyp2yPCIpuCBuuxQshgyX9XxYwPZu4bgHdgarzVshHgKBnfeC4yQM_QDmaPXNXcrsTdcE38OKx7TTecG_dU6lltng/w214-h320/A%20Land%20Remembered.jpg" width="214" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">I have discovered that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Land-Remembered-Patrick-D-Smith/dp/1561641162" target="_blank">A Land Remembered</a> is a seminal work of historical fiction for anyone interested in or having a familial connection to Florida's past. Focused on the Florida frontier in the 19th and first of the 20th century, the book is like a post-apocalyptic story but before the apocalypse. You'll see similar threads of dystopian struggle in this book as you will in stories like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Road-Cormac-McCarthy/dp/0307387895" target="_blank">The Road</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alas-Babylon-Pat-Frank/dp/0060741872/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Z84VL9Z5YUQB&keywords=alas+babylon&qid=1670615940&s=books&sprefix=ala%2C+bab%2Cstripbooks%2C103&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Alas, Babylon</a>. The difference is that this story takes place <i>before </i>civilization. Wandering marauders, nature raging against mankind, inescapable privation. It's all there. But it also gives way to progress—for better and worse.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;">Historical fiction works best when it's laden with interesting characters. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Land-Remembered-Patrick-D-Smith/dp/1561641162" target="_blank">A Land Remembered</a> has a few to spare. The MacIvey's are the fictional personification of rugged pioneers. Tough, determined, simple, and fiercely dedicated to each other. Although the book endears each character to the reader very effectively, the author does precious little to spare the reader from the emotional trauma of sudden—sometimes gruesome—deaths. It's a reflection of the time period and the environment more than a storytelling technique. The 19th and early 20th century on a frontier was a brutal existence. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Land-Remembered-Patrick-D-Smith/dp/1561641162" target="_blank">A Land Remembered</a> is a fine reminder of that.<br /><br />The thematic elements of the book are both thought-provoking and slightly confusing. Is progress good? Certainly it's good to not live on an untamed frontier where "might makes right," but what are some of the drawbacks to so-called progress? If we're progressing technologically, can we say the same morally or ethically? Does modernity cripple family life? Does it enshrine it? What are the elements of a happy life—family, children, or maybe the absence of those things? Perhaps the most interesting theme for me was the exploration of the narrative reflection of the axiom: "Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." I think <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Land-Remembered-Patrick-D-Smith/dp/1561641162" target="_blank">A Land Remembered</a> shouts a rejoinder but leaves the thinking to the reader.<br /><br />I enjoyed <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Land-Remembered-Patrick-D-Smith/dp/1561641162" target="_blank">A Land Remembered</a> a lot. I hadn't read historical fiction in a good while. It was fun to jump back in. Florida is a magical place, and is a perfect place for a great many stories. Anyone who claims a love for Florida should probably read this book. It's not one you'll soon forget. </span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2014/10/reflections-canticle-for-leibowitz.html" target="_blank">Reflections: A Canticle for Leibowitz</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/12/reflections-o-pioneers.html" target="_blank">Reflections: O Pioneers!</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2016/11/reflections-world-war-z.html" target="_blank">Reflections: World War Z</a></span>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-22023783898846679262022-09-17T20:23:00.005-07:002022-12-09T11:55:31.588-08:00Reflections: Saints, Vol. 3: Boldly, Nobly, and Independent<a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/saints-vol-3-boldly-nobly-and-independent-1893-1955?variant_id=200644-hardcover" target="_blank"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/saints-vol-3-boldly-nobly-and-independent-1893-1955?variant_id=200644-hardcover" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4kB2N_qgvi7Na9YXfFPWoNIb2M1sYDy4Mrt0M1feuAwdbw-FkiQDsA6PrejoSF2E1xBjfc38igNdz2sGiULCP8vikx3TDum2SK7esGLBWy5B05CGqJplAsUkEa6dsCXC4dEABm0GN027Gg_oUkOVqxWdWreDF1y_nNNLfJw7bQBy3l5kUaKm01ef6g/s1280/Saints%20Volume%203.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4kB2N_qgvi7Na9YXfFPWoNIb2M1sYDy4Mrt0M1feuAwdbw-FkiQDsA6PrejoSF2E1xBjfc38igNdz2sGiULCP8vikx3TDum2SK7esGLBWy5B05CGqJplAsUkEa6dsCXC4dEABm0GN027Gg_oUkOVqxWdWreDF1y_nNNLfJw7bQBy3l5kUaKm01ef6g/s320/Saints%20Volume%203.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/saints-vol-3-boldly-nobly-and-independent-1893-1955?variant_id=200644-hardcover" target="_blank">Saints Vol. 3: Boldly, Nobly, and Independent</a> continues the extraordinary narrative of <i>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</i> into the 20th century. Where <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/03/reflections-saints-vol-2-no-unhallowed.html" target="_blank">Vol. 2</a> focused on a mostly insulated religious society trying desperately to gain its footing and stabilize its own existence, <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/saints-vol-3-boldly-nobly-and-independent-1893-1955?variant_id=200644-hardcover" target="_blank">Vol. 3</a> ventures out beyond the borders of the mountain West into an unfamiliar, sometimes hostile, and exciting world. This time the narrative bounces back and forth across continents. With this vast expanse, however, this volume struggles under its own weight. Where the first and second volumes thrived on the personal stories of a handful of Saints, the third volume seeks to do the same but struggles to fully illuminate the personalities in the same way. <br /><br />It is remarkable how formative the 20th century was for the entire planet. Societies, governments, technologies—so much was reshaped within that relatively brief time period. The Restored Church's growth and progress was equally influenced by those significant hinge points. We sometimes lose perspective on the significance of the events happening during our self-centered experience in the flow of history. Certainly the COVID-19 pandemic was significant, but what must it have been like to live through the 1918 influenza pandemic? We have seem armed conflicts during our time, but we have very little personal context to appreciate the global impact of the first or second world war. <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/saints-vol-3-boldly-nobly-and-independent-1893-1955?variant_id=200644-hardcover" target="_blank">Saints, Vol. 3</a> reveals valuable details about how the general leadership of the Restored Church and how individual Saints responded to these critical moments. The stories are instructive and their insights are precious. For the careful reader, I believe many of the accounts in this volume, as well as the previous two, are indispensable additions to our spiritual understanding about how to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ under any situation or circumstance. <br /><br />Where this volume is at its best is when it focuses in on individual Saints living through very specific circumstances. For example, what does being a Latter-day Saint mean to a young woman living in Germany during the reign of Nazism? What kind of dogged faith does it take to lead a congregation as a black member of the Restored Church and <i>not</i> hold the priesthood? How does a priesthood leader submit to higher authorities even when they feel wronged by them? There are very specific situations detailed in this volume which caused me considerable reflection and admiration. The story of B.H. Roberts continues to fascinate me, and he just might be one of the most interesting figures in all of Church history. The intersecting of political power and religion comes screaming to the foreground of many of the stories within this volume because of the evils of Nazism. How do leaders continue the work of the Lord—baptizing, confirming, preaching the gospel—while surrounded and oppressed by a hostile regime? What is the significance of the Nazi flag being displayed in the mission office in Germany? With modern eyes we are rightly aghast, but we must recognize the untenable conditions Latter-day Saints found themselves in. In fact, such times may return again—somewhere, sometime. <br /><br />It will be interesting to see how the fourth volume handles the ever-expanding scope of <i>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</i>. As the Lord's work continues throughout the earth, the stories available for the telling will increase dramatically. In fact, by the time this volume ends, the work has barely begun in Central and South America. Furthermore, in our modern era, the work of the Lord in <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast/2022/9/6/23338637/elder-rasband-elder-palmer-growing-influential-church-in-africa-guest-host-sheri-dew-episode-100" target="_blank">Africa</a> is staggering. I could see future volumes being dedicated to individual continents or even countries. As much as I loved reading this previously unknown history about the growth of the Restored Church, it's hard to overlook the strain the writers must be under to cover so many tendrils of history. <br /><br /><a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/saints-vol-3-boldly-nobly-and-independent-1893-1955?variant_id=200644-hardcover" target="_blank">Saints, Vol. 3</a> is yet another indispensable edition of history for Latter-day Saints. There are stories of faith so profound in this volume, as in the other volumes, they could easily be their own Sunday School lessons; if given an appropriate focus, we could dissect, discuss, and determine important lessons of gospel living from so many of the stories in this narrative. By ignoring these works of history, Latter-day Saints are leaving on the floor of inattention powerful testimonies of the work of the Lord and of the Lord Himself. The Lord insisted His work would be a <i>marvelous work</i> and a <i>wonder</i> in the last days (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/29?lang=eng&id=14#p14" target="_blank">Isaiah 29:14</a>). These three volumes proves it to be so. <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/04/saints-vol-1-standard-of-truth.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Saints, Vol. 1: The Standard of Truth</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/03/reflections-saints-vol-2-no-unhallowed.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Saints, Vol. 2: No Unhallowed Hand</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/05/reflections-protestants.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Protestants</a>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-7065269954131998122022-08-31T09:57:00.002-07:002022-08-31T09:59:29.328-07:00Reflections: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6FtYfKGE9BPrw9DD2QWbmcgSaaMFdDwXPQ4o58YW7co6JWIjm_7K5xUPdADNuRyIZorXjuGRSmlYoGgOZGKxQQ6SpGVYhYsh155Ke1M4Htcu1fN6WiulrToZGaWXJ56g1CaXQFK6HvCQOMlQ0ioQx_pRt61e4EZWefj4J5unTzG7jKk0a0jGDwuUAQ/s2410/The%20Murder%20of%20Roger%20Ackroyd.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2410" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6FtYfKGE9BPrw9DD2QWbmcgSaaMFdDwXPQ4o58YW7co6JWIjm_7K5xUPdADNuRyIZorXjuGRSmlYoGgOZGKxQQ6SpGVYhYsh155Ke1M4Htcu1fN6WiulrToZGaWXJ56g1CaXQFK6HvCQOMlQ0ioQx_pRt61e4EZWefj4J5unTzG7jKk0a0jGDwuUAQ/s320/The%20Murder%20of%20Roger%20Ackroyd.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Murder mysteries will follow an expected and comfortable pattern. In some ways, they're a literary comfort blanket—just enough mystery to keep the reader intrigued but not enough ambiguity to confuse them. Agatha Christie's catalogue of murderous tales show all of the expected hallmarks of the genre, and probably created many of them. Having only read <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/01/reflections-and-then-there-were-none.html" target="_blank">And Then There Were None</a> and watched several film adaptations of other stories—<i>Murder on the Orient Express</i> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071877/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3" target="_blank">1974</a>, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3402236/" target="_blank">2017</a>) and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7657566/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0" target="_blank">Death on the Nile</a> (2022)—I was happy to join Christie on another story of homicide, secrets, and surprises. Thankfully, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Roger-Ackroyd-Anniversary-Collection/dp/1956221859/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=PYO6KNA6T5AA&keywords=the+murder+of+roger+ackroyd&qid=1661964322&sprefix=the+murder+%2Caps%2C280&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1" target="_blank">The Murder of Roger Ackroyd</a> goes a little beyond—although not too far—other stories by interweaving a few interesting themes and a fun narrative gambit.<br /><br />Christie does a nice job of interlacing the theme of human weakness in this story. In particular, she challenges the reader to ponder their own weakness if faced with unconscionable deeds. Perhaps in a state of luxury and security we wouldn't possibly consider committing terrible crimes—whether legal or ethical —but what happens if we're in a state of trauma or distress? Does our moral calculus change based on our circumstances? Is our power of rationality infinitely elastic with the ability to justify a variety of cruel deeds? The extreme nature of the question makes it no less fun to ponder. One often wonders what propels some to the most ghastly of crimes. Could those impulses exist within you (reader)? I think Christie surreptitiously but effectively asks that question in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Roger-Ackroyd-Anniversary-Collection/dp/1956221859/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=PYO6KNA6T5AA&keywords=the+murder+of+roger+ackroyd&qid=1661964322&sprefix=the+murder+%2Caps%2C280&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1" target="_blank">The Murder of Roger Ackroyd</a>, and it was a nice thematic addition to an otherwise familiar plot.<br /><br />Of course you read a book like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Roger-Ackroyd-Anniversary-Collection/dp/1956221859/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=PYO6KNA6T5AA&keywords=the+murder+of+roger+ackroyd&qid=1661964322&sprefix=the+murder+%2Caps%2C280&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1" target="_blank">The Murder of Roger Ackroyd</a> to momentarily be mystified so that you may eventually be satisfied. I won't spoil any of the book's surprises. Historically speaking, I am terrible at deciphering the clues and bread crumbs provided by storytellers in stories like these. (For example, I had to scrape my brain off of the theater floor after watching <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482571/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3" target="_blank">The Prestige</a> for the first time). In the case of this book, I was pleasantly surprised by my sleuthing abilities. The reveal was more of a confirmation than it was a shock. Having said that, books like these always leave a multitude of hints and evidences that could lead in one direction or another. (The classic film <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088930/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0" target="_blank">Clue</a> is a perfect example). The conclusion of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Roger-Ackroyd-Anniversary-Collection/dp/1956221859/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=PYO6KNA6T5AA&keywords=the+murder+of+roger+ackroyd&qid=1661964322&sprefix=the+murder+%2Caps%2C280&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1" target="_blank">The Murder of Roger Ackroyd</a> didn't feel cheap but was perfectly satisfying, wrapping up a fun narrative and a thought-provoking theme.<br /><br />I'm not an expert on Agatha Christie and haven't read nearly enough of her books to appreciate where this book falls in comparison to her other works. I thought it was good. I was intrigued from the very beginning and was consistently entertained. This isn't my normal genre, but I'm always happy to jump into something different. Christie, so far, seems to be a consistent author to go to when you're looking for something a little familiar, a bit macabre, and thoroughly entertaining. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Roger-Ackroyd-Anniversary-Collection/dp/1956221859/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=PYO6KNA6T5AA&keywords=the+murder+of+roger+ackroyd&qid=1661964322&sprefix=the+murder+%2Caps%2C280&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1" target="_blank">The Murder of Roger Ackroyd</a> checks off each box with aplomb. <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/01/reflections-and-then-there-were-none.html" target="_blank">Reflections: And Then There Were None</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflections-rebecca.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Rebecca</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/09/reflections-whisper-man.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Whisper Man</a><br /><p></p>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-489739925427169842022-08-24T10:47:00.002-07:002022-08-24T10:50:52.358-07:00Reflections: Crucial Conversations<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Tools-Talking-Stakes/dp/1260474186/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1661362529&sr=8-1" target="_blank"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81_DsfFzh2qwnT6ojdtgwrG6k70Zc6ibjmWMLlfMWe6opnYEswDp3c9wYhjk1i_2b4rV1u6E-ThoTqHgQ2m4xjVJisZMjQFnmzx5ys-uI_rTghEtNdhIAD8t7se5Jn4Ja2f_NTfQyabxA6DBkXb5lhWDy0fgyjjZSWhm9mIj9iMfuIYhqQ3oOIqY5iw/s1799/Crucial%20Conversations.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1195" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81_DsfFzh2qwnT6ojdtgwrG6k70Zc6ibjmWMLlfMWe6opnYEswDp3c9wYhjk1i_2b4rV1u6E-ThoTqHgQ2m4xjVJisZMjQFnmzx5ys-uI_rTghEtNdhIAD8t7se5Jn4Ja2f_NTfQyabxA6DBkXb5lhWDy0fgyjjZSWhm9mIj9iMfuIYhqQ3oOIqY5iw/s320/Crucial%20Conversations.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Tools-Talking-Stakes/dp/1260474186/ref=asc_df_1260474186/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=508977995883&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6431823637324914272&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015204&hvtargid=pla-1267108559751&psc=1" target="_blank">Crucial Conversations</a> is one of those seminal business books that has had a long shelf life. In not only modern life but modern professional life, effective communication is an indispensable skill. This book is a valuable contribution to the overall conversation about conversation; in particular, the focus on a crucial conversation, which includes three key ingredients—strong emotions, opposing viewpoints, and high stakes—highlights the types of conversations many of us avoid entirely or botch completely.<br /><br />The authors at one point talk about two distinct approaches to crucial conversations—<i>violence</i> or <i>silence</i>. (They don't, of course, mean <i>literal</i> violence, but the type of emotional outburst and verbal badgering that could be metaphorically called violence). I admit my tendency toward silence. I generally don't gravitate toward wild expressions of anger or displeasure. I do have a tendency to "shut down' (to use another a metaphor) when faced with high stakes type of conversations, especially those which are personal or familial in nature. Reading this book helped me understand that either approach—violence or silence—is not helpful in resolving difficulties or disagreements. Letting grievances simmer can be a recipe for disaster. The following quote illustrates this point nicely: "You can measure the health of relationships, teams, and organizations by measuring the lag time between when problems are identified and when they are resolved."<br /><br />Another key take-away from the book was what the authors call "The Path to Action"—See & Hear, Tell a Story (a deep and often misunderstood point on how we make sense of our world), Feel, and then Act. As someone interested in and having studied emotional intelligence, I loved reading about the interweaving concepts of conversational quality and emotional regulation. Here is a deep insight: "When adrenaline does our thinking for us, our motives flow with the chemical tide." Emotional intelligence and being able to participate in effective crucial conversations seem inextricably linked to me. Furthermore, coming to every conversation, not just crucial ones, with a sense of genuine curiosity is good advice for everyone. When attempting to understand the behaviors of others, I love the following question posed by the authors: "Why would a reasonable, rational, and decent person do what this person is doing?" We may not have the answer, but the act of exploring it could make all the difference in the world.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Tools-Talking-Stakes/dp/1260474186/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1661362529&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Crucial Conversations</a> has justifiably remained relevant in the professional world. It feels like a foundational type of book, something akin to <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2017/03/reflections-good-to-great.html" target="_blank">Good to Great</a> or <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/01/reflections-emotional-intelligence.html" target="_blank">Emotional Intelligence</a>. Communicating with one another is such a basic function of our lives, but we often mishandle the most important and most consequential conversations. I think reading a book like this can at least illuminate possible steps for navigating the toughest types of interpersonal communication. I feel better equipped as an individual and leader. Now comes the hard part of actually participating in crucial conversations. Wish me luck! <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflections-love-your-enemies.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Love Your Enemies</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/05/reflections-essentialism.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Essentialism</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/02/reflections-influence-psychology-of.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</a><p></p>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-21494308837550446322022-08-02T05:07:00.001-07:002022-08-02T05:07:24.266-07:00Reflections: The Infinite Atonement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5he2jBSTRxeewKLABxFisnZRkKl6s1WHNwIcYD8-AjIVTaBXMcq4u_hW-DNKv40163axXL5mGazeuz7FopnSRNaGek4xbwGiHSRli_EFPcpv23TgBUFmATVCA8aVALX1_v6iieHJQmY1DMI1xRg-q1TWnlHe3tcExo75AukYHEYWyZIjZNQ7iw_Gvg/s2560/The%20Infinite%20Atonement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5he2jBSTRxeewKLABxFisnZRkKl6s1WHNwIcYD8-AjIVTaBXMcq4u_hW-DNKv40163axXL5mGazeuz7FopnSRNaGek4xbwGiHSRli_EFPcpv23TgBUFmATVCA8aVALX1_v6iieHJQmY1DMI1xRg-q1TWnlHe3tcExo75AukYHEYWyZIjZNQ7iw_Gvg/s320/The%20Infinite%20Atonement.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>In 1992, Neal A. Maxwell gave a talk at Brigham Young University titled <a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/neal-a-maxwell/inexhaustible-gospel/" target="_blank">The Inexhaustible Gospel</a>. As the title of his talk suggests, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a limitless well of cooling and saving water. No matter how many times we read <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/06/reflections-new-testament-part-1.html" target="_blank">The New Testament</a> or the <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/07/reflections-book-of-mormon-part-3.html" target="_blank">Book of Mormon</a>, the Lord is able to reveal a little bit more of His nature and His divine ways. Tad R. Callister's book <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/infinite-atonement-tad-r-callister-1725?variant_id=110191-hardcover" target="_blank">The Infinite Atonement</a> is a great example of how an eternal topic—that of the Savior's atoning sacrifice—doesn't have a beginning or end of spiritual value. The questions surrounding the atonement of Jesus Christ are spiritual cavities of infinite depth. It seems a few books come along every generation to remind us of this exciting reality. <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/infinite-atonement-tad-r-callister-1725?variant_id=110191-hardcover" target="_blank">The Infinite Atonement</a> provides a lovely reminder of the extraordinary importance of who Jesus Christ is and what He did, as well as effectively compiles meaningful insights that can be appreciated by any disciple or Latter-day Saint.<br /><br />Callister's writing is more legalistic than poetic. Sometimes this an unfortunate byproduct of his training as a lawyer. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is best understand in poetic and lyrical terms; in other words, its meaning must be <i>felt</i> at some deep, spiritual, and even emotional level rather than in cold logical terms. Having said that, logic and legalism of eternal law cannot be ignored. Callister's methodical approach to this singular event is very effective. He addresses one question at a time, assembling witnesses from across the standard works of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng" target="_blank">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> and beyond. There were several questions I had not considered in any kind of meditative way, and I was greatly benefited by the exercise. Even if I felt comfortable and familiar with the majority of the doctrine presented by the author, I may have never considered certain possibilities or potential realities. Challenging my current understanding was a lovely exercise in my faith.<br /><br />The single most serviceable feature of <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/infinite-atonement-tad-r-callister-1725?variant_id=110191-hardcover" target="_blank">The Infinite Atonement</a> was to strip away all other doctrinal considerations—however important—and force the reader to focus exclusively on the Savior Jesus Christ. The question of what our existence would be like without Jesus Christ is acutely terrifying. After reading a book like <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflections-zealot.html" target="_blank">Zealot</a>, I mentioned I wanted to reconnect with Jesus Christ in a personal way. Although <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/infinite-atonement-tad-r-callister-1725?variant_id=110191-hardcover" target="_blank">The Infinite Atonement</a> feels more like a case study than a personal introduction, I was able to spiritually re-connect with the God I consider to be not only my Savior but the rescuer of all mankind. Pondering His sacrifice and commitment to the Father's plan leaves me awestruck. Yet, having an inability to truly understand what was accomplished compels me back into the realm of faith. This isn't a bad place to be, and I'm happy to find solace there.<br /><br /><a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/infinite-atonement-tad-r-callister-1725?variant_id=110191-hardcover" target="_blank">The Infinite Atonement</a> is a good addition to any believer's reservoir of knowledge regarding the most universally important moment of all existence. For those seeking to believe, I think it can bolster and boost faith. The book is also a reminder of the untouchable depths of eternal knowledge, what Paul called "the things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:11). Those "things" are only "spiritually discerned" (v. 14). Jesus Christ performed the miracle of miracles when He completed His infinite atonement. My soul aches to understand it, but I find myself coming up short. Regardless, my testimony burns with trusting assurance. Perhaps more than anything else, I am grateful for this book because it revealed once again the God I worship and the reasons I do so. <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflections-zealot.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Zealot</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflections-problem-of-pain.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Problem of Pain</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/06/reflections-new-testament-part-1.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The New Testament, Part 1</a>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-49938866183534707922022-07-18T20:01:00.003-07:002022-07-18T20:03:07.251-07:00Reflections: Stardust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uWg1S0wT5PLYpJTEowsi1PrR7C2nAnSdF1lH_nv43QQ4O1IaGhCGvxDLUq-yKdGx3GNVUTdWVtvIxxjnZ422tFIzpoup5S-hOALISXftODGjG3YGgPP8GRWYdTBpeQQeDcIiqSSMC91gBc6nyFqfWWkJxG2pSQf6eVVEhXr9B0BoPnJSd8H_nozjBg/s500/Stardust.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="279" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uWg1S0wT5PLYpJTEowsi1PrR7C2nAnSdF1lH_nv43QQ4O1IaGhCGvxDLUq-yKdGx3GNVUTdWVtvIxxjnZ422tFIzpoup5S-hOALISXftODGjG3YGgPP8GRWYdTBpeQQeDcIiqSSMC91gBc6nyFqfWWkJxG2pSQf6eVVEhXr9B0BoPnJSd8H_nozjBg/s320/Stardust.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>I enjoy Neil Gaiman's works, even if I have found his body of work somewhat inconsistent. <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/09/reflections-ocean-at-end-of-lane.html" target="_blank">The Ocean at the End of the Lane</a> is spectacular. <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflections-graveyard-book.html" target="_blank">The Graveyard Book</a> is entertaining but a bit rambling. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stardust-Neil-Gaiman/dp/0061689246/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MFMAEG0H6NAW&keywords=Stardust+book&qid=1658199335&sprefix=stardust+book%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Stardust</a> is somewhere in between. It never reaches the literary heights of Gaiman's best work, but it's also consistently engaging. Mixing the fantastical and the domestic, the book frames the adventure in a way to encourage you to believe the world is not so simple as it seems. We might be a stroll away from stumbling into a fable of our own. <br /><br />The driving force of the book—that of young love and a fallen star—is a compelling reason for an adventure. As would be expected, the story takes on a greater significance and greater peril than originally expected by the characters or the audience. There are fun moments of originality, even if some of the facades will feel familiar. Yvaine is a great character; Tristran also successfully captures your attention, albeit he begins his journey rather helpless. A menagerie of characters fill the pages but few are as interesting as the expiring princes. They're all on the hunt for the fallen star, but their conflicting ambitions preclude each other's success. It's a fun dynamic and gives the story some of its more amusing subplots. <br /><br />For a fantasy story, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stardust-Neil-Gaiman/dp/0061689246/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MFMAEG0H6NAW&keywords=Stardust+book&qid=1658199335&sprefix=stardust+book%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Stardust</a> is surprisingly short. This is a welcome relief from the usual over stuffing which occurs in the genre. This book is simple, straightforward, and doesn't overburden its reader with exposition. You might be hard pressed to build table-top games or launch multiple seasons of a streaming show from this story, but its brevity is part of its charm. There is plenty of story here, as well as character development for Tristran and Yvaine, and I was fine to the put the book down at its conclusion. Some stories don't have to be over-extended in order to entertain. (<a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/09/reflections-ocean-at-end-of-lane.html" target="_blank">The Ocean at the End of the Lane</a>—one of my favorite fiction stories of the last several years—is very short). <br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stardust-Neil-Gaiman/dp/0061689246/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MFMAEG0H6NAW&keywords=Stardust+book&qid=1658199335&sprefix=stardust+book%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Stardust</a> is fun and amused me throughout its duration. Neil Gaiman has written better stories, but I found plenty to enjoy here. I was disappointed in some of its coarser elements, but that's unfortunately to be expected from many books—especially fantasy. I'm not aware of any additional stories set within the world of this particular fictional universe, but I think it could easily be done. Gaiman is a creative author, and I wouldn't be opposed to returning to the town of Wall and wandering back into Faerie. <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/09/reflections-ocean-at-end-of-lane.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Ocean at the End of the Lane</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/09/reflections-pathways-to-bliss.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Pathways to Bliss</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/05/reflections-search-for-delicious.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Search for Delicious</a>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-68348800122291873722022-07-01T20:54:00.004-07:002022-07-02T09:56:17.885-07:00Reflections: In the Heart of the Sea<span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina3NoOHsVpr5laUjyiH86FD1S6fPFCkf_l-Z0DB1Pf-MFEquLhI1UHANK8aaqocYNmTgFDVQ2OkUiTWaDXUtYLdBt-NHAs2G2GAnl15QDoOhfJCof7gtFd_TY6ONgu0GUJ2QapvkwqDmS-xcBj6sot4bEEr1JBf8YEbiKavseczM-qL397uWZ_QQv7A/s475/In%20the%20Heart%20of%20the%20Sea.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina3NoOHsVpr5laUjyiH86FD1S6fPFCkf_l-Z0DB1Pf-MFEquLhI1UHANK8aaqocYNmTgFDVQ2OkUiTWaDXUtYLdBt-NHAs2G2GAnl15QDoOhfJCof7gtFd_TY6ONgu0GUJ2QapvkwqDmS-xcBj6sot4bEEr1JBf8YEbiKavseczM-qL397uWZ_QQv7A/s320/In%20the%20Heart%20of%20the%20Sea.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>I can recall a few moments in books that are so memorable and so indelible that I can describe them with specific details and feelings, even after years have separated me from the original experience. <a href="https://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/04/reflections-professor-and-madman.html" target="_blank">The Professor and the Madman</a>, for example, is one such book. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Sassy-Tree-Olive-Burns/dp/0618919716" target="_blank">Cold Sassy Tree</a> is another. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harper-Lee/dp/0060935464/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1656733799&sr=1-1" target="_blank">To Kill a Mockingbird</a> has a moment so poignant I can remember where on the page particular sentences rest. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Sea-Tragedy-Whaleship-Essex/dp/0141001828/ref=sxin_15_entity_rec_bsx_s_def_r00_i_aufl?content-id=amzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c%3Aamzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&crid=35WB13AGU7XIJ&cv_ct_cx=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&keywords=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&pd_rd_i=0141001828&pd_rd_r=f1f87e92-1560-496e-8c2f-0ea9c8b8d328&pd_rd_w=4uzaM&pd_rd_wg=bn0p2&pf_rd_p=d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&pf_rd_r=AT3AFA0ENRFYJQP7JM1V&qid=1656733841&s=books&sprefix=in+the+heart+of+the+sea%2Cstripbooks%2C97&sr=1-3-bc8857be-3dda-4d87-931c-fb888d986596" target="_blank">In the Heart of the Sea</a> has not only one but several of those enduring moments. It is a book of shocking brutality, gore, and suffering. It is also a book of profound emotion. Its setting is foreign, but its humanity is not. <br /><br />There is plenty of myth surrounding the story of Nantucket's whale ship Essex. Herman Melville immortalized portions of the true story, including some fictional elements which live on more forcefully than the historical details that inspired them. Yet, this is still a story which is in many ways stranger than fiction. A massive Sperm whale did indeed attack and sink the Essex. The subsequent story of survival is one of unspeakable suffering. I found myself completely enthralled by the tale threaded together by Nathaniel Philbrick. To use a trite phase, I couldn't put the book down. <br /><br />While reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Sea-Tragedy-Whaleship-Essex/dp/0141001828/ref=sxin_15_entity_rec_bsx_s_def_r00_i_aufl?content-id=amzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c%3Aamzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&crid=35WB13AGU7XIJ&cv_ct_cx=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&keywords=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&pd_rd_i=0141001828&pd_rd_r=f1f87e92-1560-496e-8c2f-0ea9c8b8d328&pd_rd_w=4uzaM&pd_rd_wg=bn0p2&pf_rd_p=d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&pf_rd_r=AT3AFA0ENRFYJQP7JM1V&qid=1656733841&s=books&sprefix=in+the+heart+of+the+sea%2Cstripbooks%2C97&sr=1-3-bc8857be-3dda-4d87-931c-fb888d986596" target="_blank">In the Heart of Sea</a>, I was compelled to reflect on our limited ability to understand how we would act in the most extreme situations. (I recommend reading <a href="https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/sds/docs/loewenstein/hotColdEmpathyGaps.pdf" target="_blank">Hot-Cold Empathy Gaps and Medical Decision Making</a> by George Loewenstein for a deeper dive on that issue). As Quaker sailors intellectually and morally wrestled with and eventually embraced the repulsive act of cannibalism, I sat in stunned silence. I certainly won't reveal some of the most shocking moments of the book, but I can say the book visibly shook me. On several occasions, I had to put the book down and simply ponder on what I had just read. When we're pushed to a moment of true crises, do we really know how we would behave? Do any of us truly understand the oppressive pangs of starvation? I don't think so.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Sea-Tragedy-Whaleship-Essex/dp/0141001828/ref=sxin_15_entity_rec_bsx_s_def_r00_i_aufl?content-id=amzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c%3Aamzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&crid=35WB13AGU7XIJ&cv_ct_cx=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&keywords=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&pd_rd_i=0141001828&pd_rd_r=f1f87e92-1560-496e-8c2f-0ea9c8b8d328&pd_rd_w=4uzaM&pd_rd_wg=bn0p2&pf_rd_p=d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&pf_rd_r=AT3AFA0ENRFYJQP7JM1V&qid=1656733841&s=books&sprefix=in+the+heart+of+the+sea%2Cstripbooks%2C97&sr=1-3-bc8857be-3dda-4d87-931c-fb888d986596" target="_blank">In the Heart of the Sea</a> is a look back in time at a brutal industry and the men who penetrated the farthest reaches of nature in search of wealth. Sometimes nature bites back. Sometimes human beings are driven to our most natural and carnal state</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">—</span></span>a hungry animal. Yet, the book also reveals the extent to which the human soul, to say nothing of the body, will push back against despair to live on, to keep breathing. This is a book that forces its emotional power beyond the prison of its pages and into your quivering heart. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Sea-Tragedy-Whaleship-Essex/dp/0141001828/ref=sxin_15_entity_rec_bsx_s_def_r00_i_aufl?content-id=amzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c%3Aamzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&crid=35WB13AGU7XIJ&cv_ct_cx=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&keywords=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&pd_rd_i=0141001828&pd_rd_r=f1f87e92-1560-496e-8c2f-0ea9c8b8d328&pd_rd_w=4uzaM&pd_rd_wg=bn0p2&pf_rd_p=d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&pf_rd_r=AT3AFA0ENRFYJQP7JM1V&qid=1656733841&s=books&sprefix=in+the+heart+of+the+sea%2Cstripbooks%2C97&sr=1-3-bc8857be-3dda-4d87-931c-fb888d986596" target="_blank">In the Heart of the Sea</a> rocked me. Stunning, brutal, blood-soaked, ghastly, and brilliant. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Sea-Tragedy-Whaleship-Essex/dp/0141001828/ref=sxin_15_entity_rec_bsx_s_def_r00_i_aufl?content-id=amzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c%3Aamzn1.sym.d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&crid=35WB13AGU7XIJ&cv_ct_cx=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&keywords=in+the+heart+of+the+sea+book&pd_rd_i=0141001828&pd_rd_r=f1f87e92-1560-496e-8c2f-0ea9c8b8d328&pd_rd_w=4uzaM&pd_rd_wg=bn0p2&pf_rd_p=d7ca851d-9831-4b96-a3fd-4378c3cfb37c&pf_rd_r=AT3AFA0ENRFYJQP7JM1V&qid=1656733841&s=books&sprefix=in+the+heart+of+the+sea%2Cstripbooks%2C97&sr=1-3-bc8857be-3dda-4d87-931c-fb888d986596" target="_blank">In the Heart of the Sea</a> is one of the best works of history I have read ever.<br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2011/07/reflections-mayflower-story-of-courage.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Mayflower</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/07/reflections-paul-reveres-ride.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Paul Revere's Ride</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2013/12/reflections-mooncalf.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Mooncalf</a></span>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-13920404958152451972022-06-21T13:32:00.000-07:002022-06-21T13:32:04.405-07:00Reflections: The Doctrine and Covenants, Part 2<span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj706ViGB7JFmlLlFoVu7YEEGZlfbAl6nYaMxr9W47nLcz5byTMlGAED6lhRl25UmiPyspKD84PGeCXUwRL9OpkDFJw4cYHmlGW902ItVNI55jUvOTtnmZCFqGkDe1Av0lrceCJUUc1xG8IWCTtd5FUBiOEBuTG_eIbEu_VR51xGAogCr2vpxgNGEtWg/s635/joseph_smith_receives_plates_grigware.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj706ViGB7JFmlLlFoVu7YEEGZlfbAl6nYaMxr9W47nLcz5byTMlGAED6lhRl25UmiPyspKD84PGeCXUwRL9OpkDFJw4cYHmlGW902ItVNI55jUvOTtnmZCFqGkDe1Av0lrceCJUUc1xG8IWCTtd5FUBiOEBuTG_eIbEu_VR51xGAogCr2vpxgNGEtWg/s320/joseph_smith_receives_plates_grigware.jpeg" width="252" /></a></div>When I completed the <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament?lang=eng" target="_blank">Doctrine and Covenants</a> again the end of last year, I had found an even deeper appreciation for its unique place in Latter-day Saint canon. Following the outline provided by <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-doctrine-and-covenants-2021?lang=eng" target="_blank">Come, Follow Me</a>, I discovered the profoundly human stories pervasive in the early days of the Restoration. The personalities populating the <i>Doctrine and Covenants</i> aren't distant and untouchable historical figures; rather, they easily could be the Latter-day Saint sitting next to you in Sunday school or elders quorum. We sometimes wag our heads at the early Saints and their foibles; yet, when considered in the full context of the pressure and anxieties in which they lived, I think we can gain a greater empathy <i>for them</i> and even see a little bit of ourselves <i>in them</i>.<br /><br />An extremely valuable addition to my study of the <i>Doctrine and Covenants</i> last year was the collection of <a href="https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/landing/revelations-in-context?lang=eng" target="_blank">Revelations in Context</a>. Although I'm relatively familiar with early church history and have read <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/04/saints-vol-1-standard-of-truth.html" target="_blank">Saints Volume 1</a> (twice), these intimate portraits of individual Saints were illuminating. For example, <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/the-faith-and-fall-of-thomas-marsh?lang=eng" target="_blank">Thomas B. Marsh's</a> spiritual collapse has been taught time and again in Sunday school classes all over The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The story has been transformed into a parable of sorts</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">—</span>filled with warning and admonition. Reading <a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/04/saints-vol-1-standard-of-truth.html" target="_blank">Saints Vol. 1</a> gave me a richer understanding of the full scope of the controversies that led to Brother Marsh's perfidy. But it was the <i>Revelations in Context</i> focused on him that highlighted this vital insight about his thought process:</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><blockquote>“I have frequently wanted to know how my apostacy began, and I have come to the conclusion that I must have lost the Spirit of the Lord out of my heart . . . The next question is, ‘How and when did you lose the Spirit?’ I became jealous of the Prophet, and then I saw double, and overlooked everything that was right, and spent all my time in looking for the evil; and then, when the Devil began to lead me, it was easy for the carnal mind to rise up, which is anger, jealousy, and wrath. I could feel it within me; I felt angry and wrathful; and the Spirit of the Lord being gone, as the Scriptures say, I was blinded, … I got mad, and I wanted everybody else to be mad” (Thomas B. Marsh).<br /></blockquote>Doctrine and Covenants section <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/39?lang=eng" target="_blank">39</a> and <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/40?lang=eng" target="_blank">40</a> are revelations given to or related to a man named <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/james-covel-and-the-cares-of-the-world?lang=eng" target="_blank">James Covel</a>. With only the exposition those sections provide, we can miss important lessons useful for our own spiritual well-being. Brother Covel was called by God to not only join His Restored Church but also to serve within it. In fact, he was promised "a blessing so great [he] never has known" (39:10). But he didn't receive this blessing. When called to Ohio instead of his native lands in the North East, he walked away from his call and what could have been. Why did he do it? The <i>Revelations in Context</i> focused on Brother Covel reveal details which are wonderfully relevant for Latter-day Saints in every congregation. </span><br /><p><span style="font-size: small;">While studying the <i>Doctrine and Covenants</i> last year, I had a discussion with some family members about the usefulness of some of the sections. Admittedly, a non-negligible number of the sections are <i>extremely</i> specific to a situation or person. It was mentioned that perhaps the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would someday make some edits to the standard work</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">—</span></span>possibly removing some sections from the collection if they don't meet a desired relevancy for today. It's an interesting thought. I don't have a strong opinion on the matter. I did find a surprising amount of meaning in some sections which have gone overlooked by me for years. For example, section <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/108?lang=eng" target="_blank">108</a> has become deeply meaningful scripture for me and something I reflect on often. (Modifying the contents of the <i>Doctrine and Covenants</i> is not unprecedented; perhaps the most noteworthy example is the addition and removal of the <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/lectures-on-faith?lang=eng" target="_blank">Lectures on Faith</a>). <br /><br />As our most uniquely modern revelation, the <i>Doctrine and Covenants</i> continues to enrich my life. Furthermore, the fantastic historical resources which are now so easily accessed have augmented nearly every section. The distance between reader and subject has been greatly diminished. The spiritual lessons in the <i>Doctrine and Covenants</i> are thrilling, stunning, and sobering. We are but a continuation of the living history that the early Saints began. Their struggles, contests, and victories are our own, only the façade has changed. </span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflections-doctrine-covenants-part-1.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Doctrine and Covenants, Part 1</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2021/05/reflections-protestants.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Protestants</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2020/06/reflections-lifes-lessons-learned.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Life's Lessons Learned</a><br /></span>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666339015694384454.post-15986996479409666252022-06-18T12:16:00.001-07:002022-06-18T12:16:45.332-07:00Reflections: Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyvjv4yVeGbsNNSapCAQs15axXqqDanUPBViwIppk8-WnkjTm5r-T_vE4V-21Z4ynFZzi7uMQiwVDSMygjpaTAC4FAQLjkczF3kFIL5Sj8SqauyWoycKiPPrzHIY7dl8_aA98ID-6aWF6vPEXDM1F5Is1Jy5QqoyBw-YKxMCQ1e0Q7kNV58yZEDvJdQ/s475/Ben-Hur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyvjv4yVeGbsNNSapCAQs15axXqqDanUPBViwIppk8-WnkjTm5r-T_vE4V-21Z4ynFZzi7uMQiwVDSMygjpaTAC4FAQLjkczF3kFIL5Sj8SqauyWoycKiPPrzHIY7dl8_aA98ID-6aWF6vPEXDM1F5Is1Jy5QqoyBw-YKxMCQ1e0Q7kNV58yZEDvJdQ/s320/Ben-Hur.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>The 1959 film adaptation of <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052618/" target="_blank">Ben-Hur</a> is an undeniable masterpiece and classic. In fact, I would say the film has completely overshadowed its source material since its release. As a fan and admirer of the film, I was interested in reading the book from which it was adapted. The book had a manifest impact on American culture upon its release and decades after. In fact, because of the book's story and purpose, to testify of the Christ, it actually changed the opinion of many preachers toward fiction and its value. Having finished the book, I can say I enjoyed it. Yet, I also find myself in a strange position as a bibliophile in having to say without hesitation that the film is better.<br /><br />To begin with, the book doesn't do nearly enough to establish the core conflict of the story<span style="font-size: small;">—</span>that of the vengeful discord between Judah Ben-Hur and Messala. A passing scene toward the book's beginning establishes their childhood friendship, but little else. The film spends more time in this area and carries the personal tension throughout the story with much greater affectation. The shadow of Messala is certainly a long one in the book, but it doesn't feel personal or raw enough. It was a surprising shortcoming. In other ways, the book does plenty to establish the emotional connection between Ben-Hur and other characters. There are some genuinely moving moments in the book, but its overall impact is hurt by a Messala which doesn't appear in its pages nearly enough.<br /><br />The book is truly "A Tale of the Christ." Whereas the film is for the most part quite subtle in its witness of Christ, the book spends a large portion of its beginning pages telling the story of three wise men seeking him. In fact, Ben-Hur's life becomes far more intertwined with Jesus Christ's in the book. This was actually a fascinating dynamic which is not a central focus of the film. Steeped in Jewish tradition, Ben-Hur is seeking the warrior Messiah who will finally overthrew Israel's enemies and usher in a millennial reign. However, as Christians know, the Jesus Christ of the New Testament was not a military leader but a peaceful prophet. How does this shift in expectation impact Ben-Hur? Or his associates? I really enjoyed this part of the book. I imagined what it must be like to live under an oppressive regime, awaiting promised deliverance, and then realizing the arriving Savior was bringing a different form of deliverance. There are no "undertones" in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0858TGR8M/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0858TGR8M&pd_rd_w=KA8HI&content-id=amzn1.sym.999c0877-3704-4f0f-9726-eebf80846a35&pf_rd_p=999c0877-3704-4f0f-9726-eebf80846a35&pf_rd_r=CDZMHAC323VQVFZKY1QV&pd_rd_wg=lDBV0&pd_rd_r=0d77a7d2-e160-4ff9-b970-8bf7c72e0745&s=books&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNkU3N0EySTBFWktLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODgzNjQwQkpVOTlRNVU3OFdVJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0MTc1NjIzMzg5MVBHT0hYM1hEJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==" target="_blank">Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ</a>. This is a Christian story with a Christian message. For the most part, this is one of the strongest aspects of the book. <br /><br />From a narrative perspective, the book makes some strange choices. It spends entirely too long in its build-up to the infamous chariot race. In other ways, it skips ahead without a second thought, leaving the reader a little befuddled. The book is simply too long. The author also constantly breaks the fourth wall. This isn't necessarily a criticism as it is to comment on an interesting and sometimes jarring approach. Once again, I think the film is a much better paced experience. It spends time where it should, leaps ahead where it ought, and places the greatest emphasis on the most important relationships. The filmmakers should be commended (even after all these years) for taking a good story and making it great.<br /><br />Regardless of my mild disappointment in the book, I recognize the story for the epic and grand tale it is. Furthermore, I loved the strong elements of Christianity which are absent in most popular culture today. The book is as exciting as it is spiritual. Although too long, the book is sometimes captivating and affecting. It's a good book, even if the film it inspired exceeds it in quality in nearly every way. <br /><br /><b>Other Topics of Interest</b>:<br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflections-zealot.html" target="_blank">Reflections: Zealot</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2018/06/reflections-new-testament-part-1.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The New Testament, Part 1</a><br /><a href="http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/2016/03/reflections-lord-of-rings-return-of-king.html" target="_blank">Reflections: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King</a>The Thousander Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685968010647415960noreply@blogger.com0