'The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy and the Life of John Maynard Keynes', by Zachary Carter

The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy and the Life of John Maynard Keynes, Zachary Carter (4.0)

While this book begins as a documentary of Keynes, it continues past his death to chart his legacy with other economists and specifically his effect on decisions of US presidents to present day. Maybe due to the effect of time, I enjoyed reading the first half of the book as an unemotional education of Keynesian economics. As the book entered my lifetime, the reading was far less enjoyable as it unwrapped the many failings of ALL our Presidents with regards to economics. I do understand there are a lot more factors involved than Mr. Carter’s highlighted points, but I recognize enough of the truth to feel disappointed and let down by ‘democracy’.

'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy (4.0)

Re-reading this book was a real pleasure. I’m sure when I read it in my 20’s, I skimmed the ‘war’ philosophic discussions, Tolstoy’s musings on whether or not Napoleon was a genius. With more time and wisdom (?) I really enjoyed his take on the realities of war versus historians’ interpretation. While the ‘peace’ sections can be quite melodramatic – the scene of Nicholas Rostov nearly fainting at seeing the Tsar in person comes to mind – the characters were compelling enough to keep one interested through a 1000+-page book. Since Tolstoy wrote this just 50 years after the war, his take on the attitudes of the nobility were believable. Their lack of concern with war on their doorstep is frightening and telling. I’m not sure I’m ready for the 4-hour movie and certainly not ready for Henry Fonda as the stout, bookish Pierre, but I do want to read more about Napoleon and particularly his battles with Russia in 1812.

'Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage' by Alfred Lansing

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, Alfred Lansing (5.0)

Wow, it would be hard to find a book that packs more adventure into ~350 pages and is a true story! I’ve heard of many tough experiences, but to endure so many repeatedly was quite remarkable. Lansing has used Shackleton’s and other’s diaries and written the tale as if he was there every step of the way. A bit of a spoiler, but I was hard pressed to find the most amazing survival bit – crossing the treacherous Drake Passage in a 22 foot boat, hiking in the snow over multiple 5k ft passes on Saint George’s island (with no sleep, dehydrated and virtually no food), or the >500 days of cold with constantly wet clothes and sleeping bags. I’m not sure any modern day person, given our wealth of comforts, could survive. While I can understand our forbearers crossing the Atlantic to find the New World, I am harder pressed to understand why one would choose to undergo this type of ‘adventure’, just to have done it, but I can marvel at the story.

'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store' by Keigo Higashino

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, Keigo Higashino (3.0)

I found this a sweet story that drew me in well, but didn’t hold me throughout. I think it had to do with the time jumping narrative and too pat coincidences. The General Store is a run down, seemingly abandoned shop in a distant suburb of Tokyo. The rumor has it that the old owner would give advice – if you dropped off your letter stating your situation and question, he would answer the next day in the box behind the store. Mr. Namiya was wise and his advice thoughtfully given. Early on we realize that something is odd about the store and the advice keeps being give long after the death of Namiya-san. I enjoyed many of the tales as we followed those who got advice, whether they adhered to it or not. While sweet, about two thirds of the way through, the coincidences were too much for me.

'Atmosphaera Incognita' by Neal Stephenson

Atmosphaera Incognita, Neal Stephenson (4.0)

This re-released novella is a short, wild ride – a treat for Stephenson fans that don’t have time for his usual 1000 page tome. Our narrator takes us on a journey to make the tallest building. Being Neal Stephenson, this is not Burj Khalifa type tall, this is a 20 km high behemoth, where near the top you can see the curvature of the earth and have to wear space suits. In just over 100 pages, we follow the design and construction of the building with all its unique challenges (winds, materials, etc.). While there is not a lot of time for character development, we get an Elon Musk type visionary with his childhood friend cum real estate mogul as our narrator. It does work, as the building is really the main character with most of the pages devoted to its description.

'The Better Angels of our Nature: Why Violence has Declined' by Steven PInker

The Better Angels of our Nature: Why Violence has Declined, Steven Pinker (2.0)

I was hoping that this book would be uplifting, but should have realized that with over 1000 pages, we likely would need to review the violence in detail in order to establish that it has declined. I found that to be very painful. For those who want a scholarly review of all the violence of human history, Pinker does an extremely thorough job. Unfortunately I did not need 10-20 cases reviewed for every act of genocide, type of torture and incentive for murder. I almost never do this – but I skipped through many examples. I believe I got the point by reading the first two chapters and the last. One interesting note is that this was published in 2012. There was a particularly prescient comment about narcissistic leaders that should scare us all!

'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman

American Gods, Neil Gaiman (4.0)

Why didn’t the gods of the old country survive the trip across the ocean and thrive in the US? Mr. Gaiman spins a complicated, though poetically written tale discussing their current state. Surprisingly, in his vision, they exist, though diminished due to their lack of devotees, and they are getting ready to go to war with the newer, shinier gods (think of commerce, TV, etc.). In some ways this book reminded me of ‘The Stand’ – albeit no one here really represents ‘good’. While the story and characters can be distracting and sometimes quite unsettling, I loved how I was transported to a truly realistic representation of Northern Wisconsin. His description of a bone-chilling walk 500 ft from his front door convinced me that Gaiman had indeed been to the small town where my parents grew up (a little Googling confirmed this). I can still feel the frost on my eyelashes from 30 years ago while walking to my dorm. Great books do just that: show, don’t tell.