Recent Reads and Recommendations

¡Hola amigos! Perhaps it will be obvious, because I am writing again so soon, but I am happy my computer is back online. As promised in my previous post, I am publishing a list of books I have recently read and am going to elaborate on those which I recommend. This is the first post of this kind for my blog. I will adopt a rating system similar to my husband's (0-5 astericks, more is better). In general, I will only be recommending 3 or higher. Let's get started!

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies - Jared Diamond

Rating: **** (4)

In what is, essentially, a whirlwind history of the world, Jared Diamond analyses history to deduce the necessary conditions to

development of a conquest society. His thesis is that certain environmental conditions favoured the development of guns, germs, and steel which gave the colonial advantage to Eurasians rather than Americans, Africans, or Australians. Diamond focuses primarily on questions of timing and diversity of agriculture as well as timing and diversity of husbandry as the catalysts for marked population growth, which -- consequently -- spurred innovation and disease.

Diamond uses some of the most recent discoveries in geography, anthropology, and environmental history to build his argument. This book is a must for a contemporary understanding of our world history, economics, and politics.

Coming Home to the Pleistocene - Paul Shepard

Rating: ****1/2 (4.5)

A brief book chock-full of information on humanity's roots in the Pleistocene --- and the implications of this fact on humans in industrialised society. Shepard argues, based on studies from evolutionary biology, that we are creatures of the Pleistocene --- we are hunter gatherers at heart, more or less. The thesis is that many of the psychological, physiological, and physical problems we have in modern society are closely related to the denial of our roots. Plainly, our development is stunted by industrial society.

Recognising that we cannot return to the life of pure hunter gatherers, Shepard closes the book by making recommendations of how we can re-incorporate the Pleistocene lifestyle into the Modern one, ultimately improving life for individuals and society.

The Kite Runner -- Khaled Hosseini

Rating : *** 1/2 (3.5)

A contemporary fiction book set in Afghanistan, The Kite Runner touches on many relevant issues related to current events. Through the eyes a middle-aged man reflecting on his life, we experience the last 40 years of Afghan history. It is an intensely personal story of regret, friendship, courage, loss and redemption.

I hesitate to describe in detail what happens as it will all be irrelevant without spoiling one of the most important scenes in the book. I will say, however, that the story centers on the asymmetric friendship of the narrator and a childhood companion and the narrator tries, throughout the book, to regain balance in the relationship.

It is an easy, quick read. There is some graphic imagery (sexual and violent) which may not be appropriate for children under 15 and may disturb readers. However, the lesson from the book and the powerful themes inspire an appreciation of Afghani culture that is worthwhile.

NOTE: The Kite Runner, to me, is a parallel story to A Thousand Splendid Suns. I recommend reading this, then A Thousand Splendid Suns in succession.

A Thousand Splendid Suns --- Khaled Hosseini

Rating: *** (3)

Rated a half-star less than The Kite Runner, this book is not as thematically powerful, in my opinion, as The Kite Runner. It does, however, tell an important story from the female perspective of the last 40 years of Afghani history, the Taliban, and Shar'ia Law in Islam.

A Thousand Splendid Suns tells the story about how two Afghani women are brought together and have to learn to depend on each other to survive. Its salient themes are love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and friendship.

Beautifully written, particuarly in the final chapters. Some violence, but not as graphic as The Kite Runner.

NOTE: Recommended to be read with/after The Kite Runner.

Sex, Economy, Freedom and Community --- Wendell Berry

Rating: **** 1/2 (4.5)

A collection of essays by Wendell Berry, this books discusses important economic and social issues in the Industrialised world

--- environmental degradation, corporatism, consumerism and globalism. Berry argues strongly for localisation of economy in order to preserve the planet and it's resources. Written in the early 1990s, Berry seems to have been one of the first scholars to speak out against globalism and corporatism. Now, twenty years later more and more groups in society are recognising the negativity of non-localised economics.

This is a great book for a budding localist.

I have not finished this book, but feel that it is, already, worthy of being recommended.

Other books I have read recently:

Risk and Reason: Safety, Law and The Environment --- Cass Sunstein, **1/2 (2.5)

Pathways to Bliss --- Joseph Campbell, *** (3)

Luna Nueva (New Moon, Spanish) --- Stefenie Meyer, ** (2)