http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Every-Day-Seneca-Court-ebook/dp/B00F8F7OZQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400368262&sr=1-1&keywords=dying+every+day+seneca+at+the+court+of+nero
http://www.amazon.com/Birth-West-Germany-Creation-Century-ebook/dp/B00B3M3UMO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400368346&sr=1-1&keywords=birth+of+the+west+collins
The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe by David I. Kertzer (Feb 27, 2014)
http://www.amazon.com/French-Intifada-Between-France-Arabs-ebook/dp/B00F1R0RYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400368169&sr=1-1&keywords=french+intifada
http://www.amazon.com/Taste-Intrigue-Multiple-Fran%C3%A7ois-Mitterrand-ebook/dp/B00FOAJ8WC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400368393&sr=1-1&keywords=taste+for+intrigue+the+multiple+lives+of+fran%C3%A7ois+mitterrand
http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Warfare-History-Americas-Undeclared-ebook/dp/B00H6UOCS8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400368437&sr=1-1&keywords=shadow+warfare+the+history+of+america%27s+undeclared+wars
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Why Laissez-Faire is not right
The word itself is significant; the French Right is as rabid as anybody. For example their business practice was quite harsh, as harsh as any, during the Modern Era. As we all know, it led to Vichy France, spelling the end of the Third Republic.
Anyway, the myth that market can regulate itself is a fantasy. History proves it wrong. Modern Capitalist economy endured countless cycles of depressions, it's practically a routine. And we all know how those two economic disasters came about, the Great Depression and the more recent one in 2008(before that, 1997 in East Asia).
How about Gun regulation. Gun lovers say that people is the problem, not the gun.
Of course, since people uses the gun.
But the problem of that position is, human nature DOESN'T CHANGE.
How virtuous do you think we are compared to the ancients? We might be greedier actually, since the tempering factor, Religion, has been losing its grip on the human conscience for some time.
Hence, more regulation as the solution is only a logical one. More strict background check, AND strict regulation AFTER buying it, not unlike Driving License. Of course education and psychiatric attention is important as well.
Anyway, the myth that market can regulate itself is a fantasy. History proves it wrong. Modern Capitalist economy endured countless cycles of depressions, it's practically a routine. And we all know how those two economic disasters came about, the Great Depression and the more recent one in 2008(before that, 1997 in East Asia).
How about Gun regulation. Gun lovers say that people is the problem, not the gun.
Of course, since people uses the gun.
But the problem of that position is, human nature DOESN'T CHANGE.
How virtuous do you think we are compared to the ancients? We might be greedier actually, since the tempering factor, Religion, has been losing its grip on the human conscience for some time.
Hence, more regulation as the solution is only a logical one. More strict background check, AND strict regulation AFTER buying it, not unlike Driving License. Of course education and psychiatric attention is important as well.
Trigger happy Americans; a disease?
Americans are familiar with countless gun 'accidents' occurring in their country.
Cops' shoot first 'policy' is one of them.
Just finished Michael Dobb's
Six Months in 1945: FDR, Stalin, Churchill, and Truman--from World War to Cold War
And this 'disease' was apparent even in post War Berlin; American soldiers committed more gun related accidents that any other countries(that is, the other 3 nations that administered the city). A soldier even accidentally shot a conductor of Berlin Philharmonic to death.
An army officer is said to have explained that it is an historical outcome of the Wild West, saying that they had to shoot first to ensure survival at that time.
How reassuring. And alas, it will continue..America really might be a country of Gun & God; is that ironic?..
Cops' shoot first 'policy' is one of them.
Just finished Michael Dobb's
Six Months in 1945: FDR, Stalin, Churchill, and Truman--from World War to Cold War
And this 'disease' was apparent even in post War Berlin; American soldiers committed more gun related accidents that any other countries(that is, the other 3 nations that administered the city). A soldier even accidentally shot a conductor of Berlin Philharmonic to death.
An army officer is said to have explained that it is an historical outcome of the Wild West, saying that they had to shoot first to ensure survival at that time.
How reassuring. And alas, it will continue..America really might be a country of Gun & God; is that ironic?..
The Economist is afraid of Thomas Piketty & his book
Unusually, they wrote TWO articles about his book Capital in the Twenty-First Century. One a Leader, then a more detailed look in a single print edition.
They even mention that the magazine didn't pay attention to Karl Marx' magnum opus when it was published, like it's anything to be proud of lol.
So this time, they're not taking any chances; they're aiming to 'nip in the bud'.
Should be interesting.
They even mention that the magazine didn't pay attention to Karl Marx' magnum opus when it was published, like it's anything to be proud of lol.
So this time, they're not taking any chances; they're aiming to 'nip in the bud'.
Should be interesting.
Friday, May 9, 2014
'Respectable' Playboy magazine
Don't underestimate Playboy.
In the 1970s, it actually published articles on some serious topics.
For example, David M .Glantz's Operation Barbarossa which I'm skimming through;
Seaton, Albert. The Battle for Moscow. New York: Playboy Press, 1971.
Mind boggling, isn't it lol.
In the 1970s, it actually published articles on some serious topics.
For example, David M .Glantz's Operation Barbarossa which I'm skimming through;
Seaton, Albert. The Battle for Moscow. New York: Playboy Press, 1971.
Mind boggling, isn't it lol.
Richard Overy complains
Just started his recent book The Bombers and the Bombed
On his Acknowledgments, he said he was indebted to many archives EXCEPT U.S. National Archives at College Park, Maryland, complaining that it's a researcher's nightmare lol.
I've never seen this open complaint on numerous Acknowledgements before, pretty hilarious haha.
On his Acknowledgments, he said he was indebted to many archives EXCEPT U.S. National Archives at College Park, Maryland, complaining that it's a researcher's nightmare lol.
I've never seen this open complaint on numerous Acknowledgements before, pretty hilarious haha.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Novel I'm reading
Yes, as D.H.Lawrence declared, the world needs tender fucking, not war. Love his insights on various topics(especially on female psyche; Doris Lessing says Proust was THE master of it, interesting), enjoying so far.
I'm becoming partial to these Penguin clothbound editions...
Notes on what I borrowed
MOVIES
1 by 1 (Motion picture) 39009040396265 04/28/2014 05/05/2014 0
Documentary about Formula One, I'm not a fan but thought it could be interesting.
Museum hours by Cohen, Jem. 39009040404374 04/28/2014 05/05/2014 0
You get to see Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Art Museum, so why not.
Reaching for the moon by Reaching for the moon (Motion picture : 2013) 39009040395697 04/28/2014 05/05/2014 0
Renoir by Bourdos, Gilles, 1963- 39009040404242 04/28/2014 05/05/2014 0
Tous les matins du monde All the mornings of the world / by Livi, Jean-Louis 39009040393734 05/01/2014 05/09/2014 0
Saw this such a long time ago, time to rewatch.
The hunger games. Catching fire by Hunger games, catching fire (Motion picture) 39009040455871 05/02/2014 05/09/2014 0
You see, even though I think Lawrence is overrated, I do watch her movies..or just because that it's an action movie, which I like lol. Yeah, you can borrow this for free, no need to go to movie theatres... :)
MUSIC
Library has a nice Classical music collection so took advantage of it
Bluebeard's castle op. 11 (Sz 48) : opera in one act / by Bartók, Béla, 1881-1945 39009025821402 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Heard good things about this.
Das Rheingold by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883 39009022114322 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0 Das Rheingold by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883 39009038688632 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
The famous Solti version(I don't have this one, only a short compilation)
Tannhäuser by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883 39009031535566 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Tannhäuser by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883 39009033591484 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Yes I'm sucker for visuals; the cover 'art' was just too much.
Wagner's Ring collected highlights. by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883,
BOOKS
War
Archduke Franz Ferdinand lives! : a world without World War I / by Lebow, Richard Ned 39009050767389 04/14/2014 05/22/2014 1
Counter-factual history.
Operation Barbarossa : Hitler's invasion of Russia, 1941 / by Glantz, David M. 39009040049039 04/16/2014 05/07/2014 0
Glantz is THE expert you want to read on regarding the Eastern Front.
The bombers and the bombed : Allied air war over Europe, 1940-1945 / by Overy, R. J. 39009050795828 04/28/2014 05/19/2014 0
A look on a much maligned campaign by a renowned? historian.
The guns at last light : the war in Western Europe, 1944-1945 / by Atkinson, Rick 39009040237535 04/14/2014 05/22/2014 1
I know I know, it's my 2nd reading, but Rick's writing is so entertaining lol.
Monty's men : the British Army and the liberation of Europe, 1944-5 / by Buckley, John (John D.) 39009050752100 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Atkinson is pretty harsh on Monty, so let's look a bit close at how his Army faired, from a British point of view?
FDR and the Jews / by Breitman, Richard, 1947- 39009050543889 04/19/2014 05/10/2014 0
An intriguing subject, Jews were poorly treated by USA during those times; but should have a closer look.
Genesis : Truman, American Jews, and the origins of the Arab/Israeli conflict / by Judis, John B. 39009050789391 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
The above subject naturally leads to this.
Six months in 1945 : FDR, Stalin, Churchill, and Truman-- from world war to cold war / by Dobbs, Michael, 1948- 39009050446463 04/16/2014 05/07/2014 0
A pivotal period in history; I'm not that interested in the Cold War period, but still. Should read this long with a bio or expose on the Dulles brothers by Stephen Kinzer.
POLITICS
Chomsky and Dershowitz : on endless war and the end of civil liberties / by Friel, Howard, 1955- 39009050786975 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
I just know their name, not much, so thought this interesting.
HISTORY
Constellation of genius : 1922: modernism year one / by Jackson, Kevin, 1955- 39009050680731 04/14/2014 05/22/2014 1
This is a year around diary like entries on 1922, a very fun read.
Danubia : a personal history of Habsburg Europe / by Winder, Simon 39009040447761 04/28/2014 05/19/2014 0
I always was fascinated by the Habsburgs.
The restoration of Rome : barbarian popes and imperial pretenders / by Heather, P. J. (Peter J.) 39009050824982 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
This is probably the 3rd part of the Barbarian Trilogy by Heather, very looking forward to it as I'm interested in this period.
The savage storm : Britain on the brink in the age of Napoleon / by Andress, David, 1969- 39009050746771 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Napoleonic Age is another period I'm interested in; from a Conservative British viewpoint? Why not.
ART
Piero's light : in search of Piero della Francesca : a Renaissance painter and the revolution in art, science, and religion / by Witham, Larry, 1952- 39009050761010 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
I've read some Renaissance books from the 2nd part of last year. Let's continue. And of course I need to learn more about Art history.
Richard Wagner : a life in music / by Geck, Martin 39009050796610 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Heard Wagner was a major pain in the ass lol. This is more of a technical biography, concentrating on his music and what Wagner sought to express by it.
1 by 1 (Motion picture) 39009040396265 04/28/2014 05/05/2014 0
Documentary about Formula One, I'm not a fan but thought it could be interesting.
Museum hours by Cohen, Jem. 39009040404374 04/28/2014 05/05/2014 0
You get to see Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Art Museum, so why not.
Reaching for the moon by Reaching for the moon (Motion picture : 2013) 39009040395697 04/28/2014 05/05/2014 0
Renoir by Bourdos, Gilles, 1963- 39009040404242 04/28/2014 05/05/2014 0
Tous les matins du monde All the mornings of the world / by Livi, Jean-Louis 39009040393734 05/01/2014 05/09/2014 0
Saw this such a long time ago, time to rewatch.
The hunger games. Catching fire by Hunger games, catching fire (Motion picture) 39009040455871 05/02/2014 05/09/2014 0
You see, even though I think Lawrence is overrated, I do watch her movies..or just because that it's an action movie, which I like lol. Yeah, you can borrow this for free, no need to go to movie theatres... :)
MUSIC
Library has a nice Classical music collection so took advantage of it
Bluebeard's castle op. 11 (Sz 48) : opera in one act / by Bartók, Béla, 1881-1945 39009025821402 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Heard good things about this.
Das Rheingold by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883 39009022114322 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0 Das Rheingold by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883 39009038688632 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
The famous Solti version(I don't have this one, only a short compilation)
Tannhäuser by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883 39009031535566 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Tannhäuser by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883 39009033591484 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Wagner's Ring collected highlights. by Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883,
BOOKS
War
Archduke Franz Ferdinand lives! : a world without World War I / by Lebow, Richard Ned 39009050767389 04/14/2014 05/22/2014 1
Counter-factual history.
Operation Barbarossa : Hitler's invasion of Russia, 1941 / by Glantz, David M. 39009040049039 04/16/2014 05/07/2014 0
Glantz is THE expert you want to read on regarding the Eastern Front.
The bombers and the bombed : Allied air war over Europe, 1940-1945 / by Overy, R. J. 39009050795828 04/28/2014 05/19/2014 0
A look on a much maligned campaign by a renowned? historian.
The guns at last light : the war in Western Europe, 1944-1945 / by Atkinson, Rick 39009040237535 04/14/2014 05/22/2014 1
I know I know, it's my 2nd reading, but Rick's writing is so entertaining lol.
Monty's men : the British Army and the liberation of Europe, 1944-5 / by Buckley, John (John D.) 39009050752100 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Atkinson is pretty harsh on Monty, so let's look a bit close at how his Army faired, from a British point of view?
FDR and the Jews / by Breitman, Richard, 1947- 39009050543889 04/19/2014 05/10/2014 0
An intriguing subject, Jews were poorly treated by USA during those times; but should have a closer look.
Genesis : Truman, American Jews, and the origins of the Arab/Israeli conflict / by Judis, John B. 39009050789391 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
The above subject naturally leads to this.
Six months in 1945 : FDR, Stalin, Churchill, and Truman-- from world war to cold war / by Dobbs, Michael, 1948- 39009050446463 04/16/2014 05/07/2014 0
A pivotal period in history; I'm not that interested in the Cold War period, but still. Should read this long with a bio or expose on the Dulles brothers by Stephen Kinzer.
POLITICS
Chomsky and Dershowitz : on endless war and the end of civil liberties / by Friel, Howard, 1955- 39009050786975 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
I just know their name, not much, so thought this interesting.
HISTORY
Constellation of genius : 1922: modernism year one / by Jackson, Kevin, 1955- 39009050680731 04/14/2014 05/22/2014 1
This is a year around diary like entries on 1922, a very fun read.
Danubia : a personal history of Habsburg Europe / by Winder, Simon 39009040447761 04/28/2014 05/19/2014 0
I always was fascinated by the Habsburgs.
The restoration of Rome : barbarian popes and imperial pretenders / by Heather, P. J. (Peter J.) 39009050824982 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
This is probably the 3rd part of the Barbarian Trilogy by Heather, very looking forward to it as I'm interested in this period.
The savage storm : Britain on the brink in the age of Napoleon / by Andress, David, 1969- 39009050746771 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Napoleonic Age is another period I'm interested in; from a Conservative British viewpoint? Why not.
ART
Piero's light : in search of Piero della Francesca : a Renaissance painter and the revolution in art, science, and religion / by Witham, Larry, 1952- 39009050761010 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
I've read some Renaissance books from the 2nd part of last year. Let's continue. And of course I need to learn more about Art history.
Richard Wagner : a life in music / by Geck, Martin 39009050796610 05/01/2014 05/22/2014 0
Heard Wagner was a major pain in the ass lol. This is more of a technical biography, concentrating on his music and what Wagner sought to express by it.
'Les Vampires(1915)' mentioned on the movie Renoir
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