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November 05, 2005
I recently spent $50 on six books at Powells.
The first, "The Anti-Bride Wedding Planner," did not blow me away. I think my approach to wedding planning is too low key to warrant a book. I'm not the extravagant type, so I don't need to be told which extravagances I should stick with and which I should regret. I can figure it out on my own, thank you.
Today I finished my second Powells book, and it redeemed the entire order. About the events that precipitated World War I and the first month of combat, "The Guns of August" is the best work of non-fiction I have ever read. Every other non-fiction book I've read this year has disappointed me with bad writing, weak organization, or dull subject matter.
Earlier this year, I read "Will in the World," which has an OK narrative, an interesting subject matter (Shakespeare), but frustrated me with its dry writing.
"The Outlaw Sea," about piracy and commerce on international waters, had strong prose and an interesting subject, but no thesis or narrative to connect its chapters.
"The Smartest Guys in the Room" was amazingly organized, with a strong flow. The writing was solid, but not lovely enough to make any readers not already interested in the story behind Enron stay engaged through hundreds of pages.
From its opening paragraph to its final sentence, "The Guns of August" is a beautiful book to read. It's thorough, well-organized and enlightening.
I've also been doing a bit of reading about ancient Rome lately, and I've discovered that the more I know about history, the deeper my understanding of current events.
Even 90 years ago, generals were second guessing the decisions of their commanders. Wars were waged on false pretenses. Propaganda and news media competence varied from country to country. Evidence was discarded when it didn't bolster preconceived notions. Cultural miscues made things worse.
Much has also changed. The European generals of World War I were learning about the different strategic needs brought on by modern artillery for the first time, 50 years after the Civil War led Americans to similar troubling discoveries. Fewer people die in 21st century battles, even though weapons are far more destructive. The physical and mental trauma of modern warfare remains, but it is much more contained.
I need to check out more of Barbara Tuchman's work.
First, though, I plan to spend the rest of November doing my part to add to the world's already vast supply of inferior literature. That's right, I think I'm going to have another go at NaNoWriMo.
Posted by Courtney_Sherwood at November 5, 2005 11:41 AM
Comments
I have gotten The Guns of August from the library. It is not something I'd have found on my own. But I haven't seen you this enthused for something in awhile so I shall give it a shot.
Posted by: Rian at November 8, 2005 07:13 PM
Right on! It's not like any other book I've read. It just totally blew my mind. It's not fast or easy reading, though. Took about four times as long as the most recent Harry Potter, despite being a similar length.
Posted by: Courtney at November 9, 2005 08:13 AM