Sit Down, Start Writing, No Excuses
Author: Bill O'Hanlon
Genre: nonfiction, how-to
Publication info: F+W Publications, 2007
Pages: 212 (plus bonus DVD!)
The title says it all. Just get writing, because writing begets writing. The more you write, the more you write. And the better you get at it. So that's what I'm going to do.
But if you, like me, aspire to be a writer and, also like me, need a good kick in the pants, this book might be helpful to you.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Prince
Author: Niccolò Machiavelli, translated by Peter Bondanella
Genre: nonfiction, politics
Publication info: Oxford World's Classics, 2005 (originally published in 1532)
Pages: 130 (including notes)
Take it from me: The Prince is not exactly a beach read. Or an exercise-bike read, as the case may be. This book takes some serious thinking, which I wasn't always able to give. So I probably didn't get as much out of this book as I could have, but I definitely found it interesting.
You may have heard of The Prince, or maybe you've heard Machiavelli's name. Perhaps what comes to mind is the maxim "The end justifies the means." Well, as it turns out, Machiavelli never actually said that. Not in those exact words, anyway. But in this book he does put forth some principles that may be a little alarming to most decent people. For example, it is most important for a prince to be feared by his subjects. He should always keep his promises, unless he needs to break them in order to maintain his power.
For reasons like those, The Prince has been condemned by many people and organizations. Now I'm not necessarily supporting everything that is said in this book, but I think we should be careful not to take this book for something it isn't. Machiavelli wasn't trying to write a book on how to be a good person. His intention was to instruct princes on how to be effective princes (not good, but effective). And we also need to keep in mind Machiavelli's ultimate goal in writing this book, as he discusses in the final chapter: he wanted a strong leader to come forward that could unify Italy and fortify it against outside influences.
If you want a deeper understanding of The Prince, there are a bazillion scholars who have written about it. My purpose in reading it was actually a little different. I really did want to learn how to be a strong, effective, even ruthless prince, so I could put those abilities and traits into a character I have plans for in a future novel. And I was pretty pleased by the ideas this book gave me. I also simply enjoyed how much this book made me think.
So if you want a real thinker, give this book a try. But don't necessarily try to live by it.
Genre: nonfiction, politics
Publication info: Oxford World's Classics, 2005 (originally published in 1532)
Pages: 130 (including notes)
Take it from me: The Prince is not exactly a beach read. Or an exercise-bike read, as the case may be. This book takes some serious thinking, which I wasn't always able to give. So I probably didn't get as much out of this book as I could have, but I definitely found it interesting.
You may have heard of The Prince, or maybe you've heard Machiavelli's name. Perhaps what comes to mind is the maxim "The end justifies the means." Well, as it turns out, Machiavelli never actually said that. Not in those exact words, anyway. But in this book he does put forth some principles that may be a little alarming to most decent people. For example, it is most important for a prince to be feared by his subjects. He should always keep his promises, unless he needs to break them in order to maintain his power.
For reasons like those, The Prince has been condemned by many people and organizations. Now I'm not necessarily supporting everything that is said in this book, but I think we should be careful not to take this book for something it isn't. Machiavelli wasn't trying to write a book on how to be a good person. His intention was to instruct princes on how to be effective princes (not good, but effective). And we also need to keep in mind Machiavelli's ultimate goal in writing this book, as he discusses in the final chapter: he wanted a strong leader to come forward that could unify Italy and fortify it against outside influences.
If you want a deeper understanding of The Prince, there are a bazillion scholars who have written about it. My purpose in reading it was actually a little different. I really did want to learn how to be a strong, effective, even ruthless prince, so I could put those abilities and traits into a character I have plans for in a future novel. And I was pretty pleased by the ideas this book gave me. I also simply enjoyed how much this book made me think.
So if you want a real thinker, give this book a try. But don't necessarily try to live by it.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Flatland
A Romance of Many Dimensions
Author: Edwin A. Abbott
Genre: science fiction?
Publication info: Oxford World's Classics, 2006 (originally published in 1884)
Pages: 124 (including notes)
I mentioned the Childcraft books in my last post. I don't know if those books are still around, but it is thanks to those books that I also heard about Flatland. I feel bad for people that grew up without Childcraft.
Anyway, I'd been meaning to read this book for a long time, having always been interested in math and especially in the theory of multiple dimensions. So I finally bought a copy of this book in Oxford during my trip to the British Isles last summer (I thought it would be fun to be able to say, "Yes, I bought that novel in Oxford. Would you like a digestive?"). And then, a few months after finally buying it, I finally read it.
As you might guess, Flatland is the story of a world of only two dimensions. How can a story about a two-dimensional world be "a romance of many dimensions," you ask? Good question. Basically it works by analogy. We are introduced to the narrator, A. Square, who gives us a detailed description of his world and how his society functions. This first part of the book is less of a math treatise and more of a social satire, but it's still pretty interesting.
But the second half of the book is where the good stuff starts. First A. Square has a vision of a place called Lineland, a world that exists entirely on—you guessed it—one line. A. Square wonders how anyone could live in such a world. But the one-dimensional people can't imagine anything better. Just as A. Square can't imagine anything beyond his two-dimensional world. Just as we three-dimensional beings can't imagine . . . See where this is going?
Well, after A. Square's vision of Lineland, he has an even more interesting experience: a visit from a sphere, a resident of Spaceland. This otherworldy being teaches our incredulous narrator about the nature of three dimensions. As this goes on, we begin to see what it might be like to live in four dimensions or more. It's really fun to think about, but it can also be pretty mind-blowing. Imagine the things we could do, the ways we could move and interact, the methods by which we could travel. It's great exercise for the mind.
But I also believe it's more than that. I think this vision of multi-dimensional worlds gives us a glimpse into the workings of God. If all things past, present, and future are before Him, then I think this is a sensible way to imagine that concept. Just as a three-dimensional being can survey a two-dimensional world all at once from above, I think God looks on our world in a very similar way. Just how many dimensions does God have? That's a matter of speculation. But I think this is one of the reasons God is incomprehensible to us. As it says in Isaiah, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (55:8).
Just something to think about. That's why I loved Flatland so much: it really got me thinking.
Author: Edwin A. Abbott
Genre: science fiction?
Publication info: Oxford World's Classics, 2006 (originally published in 1884)
Pages: 124 (including notes)
I mentioned the Childcraft books in my last post. I don't know if those books are still around, but it is thanks to those books that I also heard about Flatland. I feel bad for people that grew up without Childcraft.
Anyway, I'd been meaning to read this book for a long time, having always been interested in math and especially in the theory of multiple dimensions. So I finally bought a copy of this book in Oxford during my trip to the British Isles last summer (I thought it would be fun to be able to say, "Yes, I bought that novel in Oxford. Would you like a digestive?"). And then, a few months after finally buying it, I finally read it.
As you might guess, Flatland is the story of a world of only two dimensions. How can a story about a two-dimensional world be "a romance of many dimensions," you ask? Good question. Basically it works by analogy. We are introduced to the narrator, A. Square, who gives us a detailed description of his world and how his society functions. This first part of the book is less of a math treatise and more of a social satire, but it's still pretty interesting.
But the second half of the book is where the good stuff starts. First A. Square has a vision of a place called Lineland, a world that exists entirely on—you guessed it—one line. A. Square wonders how anyone could live in such a world. But the one-dimensional people can't imagine anything better. Just as A. Square can't imagine anything beyond his two-dimensional world. Just as we three-dimensional beings can't imagine . . . See where this is going?
Well, after A. Square's vision of Lineland, he has an even more interesting experience: a visit from a sphere, a resident of Spaceland. This otherworldy being teaches our incredulous narrator about the nature of three dimensions. As this goes on, we begin to see what it might be like to live in four dimensions or more. It's really fun to think about, but it can also be pretty mind-blowing. Imagine the things we could do, the ways we could move and interact, the methods by which we could travel. It's great exercise for the mind.
But I also believe it's more than that. I think this vision of multi-dimensional worlds gives us a glimpse into the workings of God. If all things past, present, and future are before Him, then I think this is a sensible way to imagine that concept. Just as a three-dimensional being can survey a two-dimensional world all at once from above, I think God looks on our world in a very similar way. Just how many dimensions does God have? That's a matter of speculation. But I think this is one of the reasons God is incomprehensible to us. As it says in Isaiah, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (55:8).
Just something to think about. That's why I loved Flatland so much: it really got me thinking.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Phantom Tollbooth
Author: Norton Juster
Genre: children's fiction
Publication info: Random House, 1961
Pages: 256
My sister basically told me I had to read this book. Frankly, I'm surprised I had gone this long without reading it. I remember hearing my sisters talking about it when we were kids, I remember watching an animated adaptation of it, and I remember looking at pictures from excerpts in the Childcraft books we always enjoyed at home. But for one reason or another, I had never read the actual book. Well, now I have, thanks to my sister's prodding.
Why did I wait so long? This book is a blast. I may have mentioned before that I enjoy offbeat fantasies—the sort of stories like Coraline and Everlost that have fantastical elements but don't really fit into the mainstream. The Phantom Tollbooth is one of those (but because of the nature of the category, it is still unique).
It's the story of a boy named Milo. He's a sad kid, though not so much sad as uninterested in life. Then a mysterious package arrives containing a kit for building a tollbooth. This tollbooth is a gateway to a strange land, a land where abstract ideas are literal. Milo travels through two rival kingdoms: first Dictionopolis, where people sell words in the marketplace and feast on half-baked ideas; then Digitopolis, where numbers are the commodity people work in mines for. The only hope for this land in chaos is to rescue the sisters Rhyme and Reason, and Milo resolves to do just that. But it's not going to be easy.
It's a funny little book (the half-baked ideas were one of my favorite parts) that will probably make you laugh, or at least chuckle. It's aimed at kids, but I think adults could enjoy it just as much. It will make you think about the way you think. True, it is strongly driven by a moral message, which can be annoying sometimes in literature, but the uniqueness of the idea makes that less of a problem.
I can't believe I missed out on this book all these years.
Genre: children's fiction
Publication info: Random House, 1961
Pages: 256
My sister basically told me I had to read this book. Frankly, I'm surprised I had gone this long without reading it. I remember hearing my sisters talking about it when we were kids, I remember watching an animated adaptation of it, and I remember looking at pictures from excerpts in the Childcraft books we always enjoyed at home. But for one reason or another, I had never read the actual book. Well, now I have, thanks to my sister's prodding.
Why did I wait so long? This book is a blast. I may have mentioned before that I enjoy offbeat fantasies—the sort of stories like Coraline and Everlost that have fantastical elements but don't really fit into the mainstream. The Phantom Tollbooth is one of those (but because of the nature of the category, it is still unique).
It's the story of a boy named Milo. He's a sad kid, though not so much sad as uninterested in life. Then a mysterious package arrives containing a kit for building a tollbooth. This tollbooth is a gateway to a strange land, a land where abstract ideas are literal. Milo travels through two rival kingdoms: first Dictionopolis, where people sell words in the marketplace and feast on half-baked ideas; then Digitopolis, where numbers are the commodity people work in mines for. The only hope for this land in chaos is to rescue the sisters Rhyme and Reason, and Milo resolves to do just that. But it's not going to be easy.
It's a funny little book (the half-baked ideas were one of my favorite parts) that will probably make you laugh, or at least chuckle. It's aimed at kids, but I think adults could enjoy it just as much. It will make you think about the way you think. True, it is strongly driven by a moral message, which can be annoying sometimes in literature, but the uniqueness of the idea makes that less of a problem.
I can't believe I missed out on this book all these years.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Selected Books
The Pilgrim's Regress / Prayer: Letters to Malcolm / Reflections on the Psalms / The Abolition of Man / Till We Have Faces
Author: C. S. Lewis
Genre: all sorts
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2002
Pages: 623
This was one of the many books I bought during my stay in the British Isles. You know I can't resist a C. S. Lewis title, so five titles in one is impossible to resist. What attracted me mainly was Till We Have Faces, Lewis's final and favorite work of fiction. It helped also that four out of the five books included were ones I didn't own nor had read (The Abolition of Man being the exception).
I won't bother to summarize each book individually, but I will say that I enjoyed them all. They made me think; they made me feel; they made me wonder. The Pilgrim's Regress was Lewis's first work of fiction. It's an interesting allegory that documents a man's journey into Christianity. It's a pretty interesting story, but it does have its flaws (such as sexism, which Lewis is often accused of). I also had a hard time understanding what each allegorical element represents. If I had lived in Lewis's time, maybe I would have understood better.
Prayer and Reflections are both fascinating theological treatises. Although I would be lying if I said I always understood what Lewis means, I will say that he definitely makes me think about things. Even if I don't always agree with specific doctrines he believes in, I think he makes some excellent points. You'll just have to read the books to see for yourself.
But of all the books in this collection, Till We Have Faces is definitely my favorite. It's a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche (you don't need to know the original myth—in fact, Lewis summarizes it in the introduction). Even so, it is actually the story of Orual, Psyche's half-sister. Orual is ugly and unloved, while Psyche is exactly the opposite, but still they enjoy the closest relationship sisters can have. All is well until Ungit, the goddess of the land, demands a human sacrifice, and Psyche is to be the victim. What happens as a result transforms both of them in ways they could not have imagined.
I remember reading The Chronicles of Narnia and finding The Last Battle to be particularly mind-blowing. Till We Have Faces had the same effect on me. At the end, I felt that I had come to the conclusion of a long journey and that I had changed as a person. I can see why this book was Lewis's favorite. His writing, I think, is much more masterful and well-crafted than in the Narnia books. It's a shame that this book is not as well known among his millions of fans. If you enjoy C. S. Lewis's work, I recommend this to you, and if you aren't familiar with him yet, perhaps this book would be a good introduction.
Author: C. S. Lewis
Genre: all sorts
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2002
Pages: 623
This was one of the many books I bought during my stay in the British Isles. You know I can't resist a C. S. Lewis title, so five titles in one is impossible to resist. What attracted me mainly was Till We Have Faces, Lewis's final and favorite work of fiction. It helped also that four out of the five books included were ones I didn't own nor had read (The Abolition of Man being the exception).
I won't bother to summarize each book individually, but I will say that I enjoyed them all. They made me think; they made me feel; they made me wonder. The Pilgrim's Regress was Lewis's first work of fiction. It's an interesting allegory that documents a man's journey into Christianity. It's a pretty interesting story, but it does have its flaws (such as sexism, which Lewis is often accused of). I also had a hard time understanding what each allegorical element represents. If I had lived in Lewis's time, maybe I would have understood better.
Prayer and Reflections are both fascinating theological treatises. Although I would be lying if I said I always understood what Lewis means, I will say that he definitely makes me think about things. Even if I don't always agree with specific doctrines he believes in, I think he makes some excellent points. You'll just have to read the books to see for yourself.
But of all the books in this collection, Till We Have Faces is definitely my favorite. It's a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche (you don't need to know the original myth—in fact, Lewis summarizes it in the introduction). Even so, it is actually the story of Orual, Psyche's half-sister. Orual is ugly and unloved, while Psyche is exactly the opposite, but still they enjoy the closest relationship sisters can have. All is well until Ungit, the goddess of the land, demands a human sacrifice, and Psyche is to be the victim. What happens as a result transforms both of them in ways they could not have imagined.
I remember reading The Chronicles of Narnia and finding The Last Battle to be particularly mind-blowing. Till We Have Faces had the same effect on me. At the end, I felt that I had come to the conclusion of a long journey and that I had changed as a person. I can see why this book was Lewis's favorite. His writing, I think, is much more masterful and well-crafted than in the Narnia books. It's a shame that this book is not as well known among his millions of fans. If you enjoy C. S. Lewis's work, I recommend this to you, and if you aren't familiar with him yet, perhaps this book would be a good introduction.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Author: Susanna Clarke
Genre: fantasy, alternate history, historical fiction, social comedy—you name it
Publication info: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2004
Pages: 1006 (in paperback; the hardcover edition is less than 800)
Best book I have read in a long time. It's also the only book I have read in a long time, but never mind that. This is a really, really good book. It ranks easily among my favorites now. One of the critics called it the kind of book you live in for weeks. I think that accurately describes my experience.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell takes place mainly during the Napoleonic Wars (one of the most entertaining aspects of the book is the way Clarke imitates writing styles of the period). To be a magician is a reputable career in England, although the "practical" magicians have long since died out, and all that are left are the "theoretical" ones, the magical scholars. One society of such magicians in York, however, discover a man who claims to be a practical magician. This man is Mr Norrell. At the risk of giving up their status as magicians, the society invites Mr Norrell to prove himself.
So he does. Magic has returned to England.
Norrell then moves to London, where he hopes to get in favor with the government so he can help the country in the war against France. What follows is some hilarious social comedy reminiscent of Jane Austen's novels. The first part of the book moves pretty slowly, but I found it too dang funny to put down. And little by little, the plot does thicken.
Eventually there comes along a young man named Jonathan Strange, who discovers by accident that he is a very able magician himself. He becomes Norrell's pupil, and the two rise to fame in the country. However, certain philosophical differences threaten to drive them apart. Strange becomes increasingly interested in a historical figure called the Raven King, the founder of English magic, while Norrell prefers the man to be forgotten completely.
Meanwhile, another threat is on the horizon: a fairy has come to England and is starting to make trouble. Serious trouble. This is one of the most fascinating aspects of the book. Britain has a long folkloric tradition of a land called Faerie. These aren't your fairies from Disney movies; these are people with great powers and few morals. As I read this book, I discovered that Faerie can be a very frightening place. Some parts of the book that explore that magical land are downright creepy. I loved it. If you want to learn about the tradition of Faerie, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a wonderful introduction.
I'd recommend this book to just about anyone. If you like fantasy, read this. If you like England, read this. Heck, if you like books, read this. I grant that it is a tad long, and some people complain that there is a lot of superfluous material in it, but I enjoyed it all too much to be bothered by that. I hope you will too. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell really is a book you can live in for weeks, and when it's done, you might not want to come back.
Genre: fantasy, alternate history, historical fiction, social comedy—you name it
Publication info: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2004
Pages: 1006 (in paperback; the hardcover edition is less than 800)
Best book I have read in a long time. It's also the only book I have read in a long time, but never mind that. This is a really, really good book. It ranks easily among my favorites now. One of the critics called it the kind of book you live in for weeks. I think that accurately describes my experience.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell takes place mainly during the Napoleonic Wars (one of the most entertaining aspects of the book is the way Clarke imitates writing styles of the period). To be a magician is a reputable career in England, although the "practical" magicians have long since died out, and all that are left are the "theoretical" ones, the magical scholars. One society of such magicians in York, however, discover a man who claims to be a practical magician. This man is Mr Norrell. At the risk of giving up their status as magicians, the society invites Mr Norrell to prove himself.
So he does. Magic has returned to England.
Norrell then moves to London, where he hopes to get in favor with the government so he can help the country in the war against France. What follows is some hilarious social comedy reminiscent of Jane Austen's novels. The first part of the book moves pretty slowly, but I found it too dang funny to put down. And little by little, the plot does thicken.
Eventually there comes along a young man named Jonathan Strange, who discovers by accident that he is a very able magician himself. He becomes Norrell's pupil, and the two rise to fame in the country. However, certain philosophical differences threaten to drive them apart. Strange becomes increasingly interested in a historical figure called the Raven King, the founder of English magic, while Norrell prefers the man to be forgotten completely.
Meanwhile, another threat is on the horizon: a fairy has come to England and is starting to make trouble. Serious trouble. This is one of the most fascinating aspects of the book. Britain has a long folkloric tradition of a land called Faerie. These aren't your fairies from Disney movies; these are people with great powers and few morals. As I read this book, I discovered that Faerie can be a very frightening place. Some parts of the book that explore that magical land are downright creepy. I loved it. If you want to learn about the tradition of Faerie, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a wonderful introduction.
I'd recommend this book to just about anyone. If you like fantasy, read this. If you like England, read this. Heck, if you like books, read this. I grant that it is a tad long, and some people complain that there is a lot of superfluous material in it, but I enjoyed it all too much to be bothered by that. I hope you will too. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell really is a book you can live in for weeks, and when it's done, you might not want to come back.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Boxen
Childhood Chronicles Before Narnia
Authors: C. S. Lewis and W. H. Lewis
Genre: fiction
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2008
Pages: 240
Do you remember what kinds of stories you wrote when you were eight years old? I remember one about staying overnight in a haunted house, and I thought it was pretty clever. Well, this book has put me in my place.
Boxen is a collection of stories that C. S. Lewis, better known as Jack, wrote with his older brother, Warnie. They began when Jack was eight and continued to develop their fictional world over the next several years. These are no ordinary childhood stories. They don't talk about a frog who is trying to get across the road. They tell of a frog who is prime minister of a joint kingdom who struggles with political factions in the country and deals with enemies outside the country. I still can't imagine how two children came up with all this.
As I said, Boxen (the kingdom) is actually made up of two separate kingdoms joined by an alliance. Animal Land is Jack's creation, and India (a fictional version, obviously) is Warnie's. Together the brothers developed a complex political history for this place, complete with opposing parties, significant monarchs, and warfare. I guess that's what happens when all you have for entertainment is listening to your dad talk politics with the neighbors.
The stories in this book come in several forms. There are histories, written in the style of a history textbook. There are actual stories, both short and long. There are even some plays, which I think might even be the most entertaining. Throughout this book also are illustrations produced by the Lewis brothers, including Warnie's very detailed cross-section of a ship. It just blows me away how creative and intelligent these guys were.
Of course, the stories are not without their flaws. They are preserved exactly how the boys wrote them, including all the misspellings. Some of the plots are very odd, and some never get resolved. But it's important to remember that the Lewis boys had no intention to publish this work. They did it for themselves only. And honestly, I find all the mistakes charming.
So if you're a fan of C. S. Lewis and want to know more about what kind of an imagination he and his brother had, definitely check out this book. Aside from the content, it is a beautiful printing, complete with a ribbon bookmark!
Authors: C. S. Lewis and W. H. Lewis
Genre: fiction
Publication info: HarperCollins, 2008
Pages: 240
Do you remember what kinds of stories you wrote when you were eight years old? I remember one about staying overnight in a haunted house, and I thought it was pretty clever. Well, this book has put me in my place.
Boxen is a collection of stories that C. S. Lewis, better known as Jack, wrote with his older brother, Warnie. They began when Jack was eight and continued to develop their fictional world over the next several years. These are no ordinary childhood stories. They don't talk about a frog who is trying to get across the road. They tell of a frog who is prime minister of a joint kingdom who struggles with political factions in the country and deals with enemies outside the country. I still can't imagine how two children came up with all this.
As I said, Boxen (the kingdom) is actually made up of two separate kingdoms joined by an alliance. Animal Land is Jack's creation, and India (a fictional version, obviously) is Warnie's. Together the brothers developed a complex political history for this place, complete with opposing parties, significant monarchs, and warfare. I guess that's what happens when all you have for entertainment is listening to your dad talk politics with the neighbors.
The stories in this book come in several forms. There are histories, written in the style of a history textbook. There are actual stories, both short and long. There are even some plays, which I think might even be the most entertaining. Throughout this book also are illustrations produced by the Lewis brothers, including Warnie's very detailed cross-section of a ship. It just blows me away how creative and intelligent these guys were.
Of course, the stories are not without their flaws. They are preserved exactly how the boys wrote them, including all the misspellings. Some of the plots are very odd, and some never get resolved. But it's important to remember that the Lewis boys had no intention to publish this work. They did it for themselves only. And honestly, I find all the mistakes charming.
So if you're a fan of C. S. Lewis and want to know more about what kind of an imagination he and his brother had, definitely check out this book. Aside from the content, it is a beautiful printing, complete with a ribbon bookmark!
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