Author Archives: gordonhastings

10.19.23
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THE ILIAD/EMILY WILSON

Some have, but so very many have not read Homer’s THE ILIAD). Emily Wilson’s translation, THE ILIAD, puts this classic within the scope of almost any reader. Wilson has accomplished a remarkable feat in bringing to the reader in contemporary iambic pentameter this incredible poem of over 500 pages vividly telling the mythical story of the nine year siege by the Greeks of ancient Troy. None of the mythical and mortal characters are missing.

What makes Wilson’s work even more accessible is her carefully detailed introduction which perfectly sets the table for the giant epoch. Furthermore, in THE NOTES, Wilson writes summaries of each of the twenty four books (sections) of the poem. However, don’t look for the Trojan Horse in these verses. That story is told in another ancient tale OF Troy, the Aeneid by Virgil.

When I first opened THE ILIAD I admit it was daunting. But once I ventured into the poem it unfolded very logically despite the enormity of the plot and cast.

The ancient story has contemporary meaning. You can raid fine cattle or well fed sheep, and you can trade to get tripods and horses with fine golden manes. But human life does not come back again after it passes through the fence of teeth. No trade or rustling can recover it. (9.324.29)

Cowards and heroes have the same reward. Do everything or nothing-death still comes. ( 9.493.97)

THE ILIAD teaches: In war, killers recognize no binding obligation to compensate the families of their victims. The only way the bereaved can recoup their losses is to kill the killer-whose comrades will demand vengeance in their turn. Killing begets killing, death begets death, and every loss of life generates further loss of life. ( THE ILIAD Introduction P2)

Ancient perspective for the world affairs of October, 2023.

10.05.23
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ASTOR/ANDERSON COOPER

The perfect author for a book on the Astors. Anderson Cooper is a journalist and he understands the culture because he is a Vanderbilt. Don’t discount the collaboration of Katherine Howe in the research and writing of ASTOR. She is brilliant in her own right as a novelist and historian.

This writer can not think of a better collaboration for the book. ASTOR has the organization, narrative and storytelling that comes from two excellent authors. In the book’s 279 concise pages you will learn of the Astor family and fortune and also receive a continuing glimpse into the vast American income inequality of then and now.

So much to learn of THE RISE AND FALL OF AN AMERICAN FORTUNE in a most rewarding several hours. ASTOR is worth every minute.

ENJOY!

08.24.23
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BATTLE OF INK AND ICE/DARRELL HARTMAN

You’ll explore as much about the New York City competitive newspaper environment at the turn of the 20th Century as you will about the discovery of the North Pole by either Robert Peary Frederick Cook! Darrell Hartman’s book is a fascinating enlightenment of the parallel stories, each with its own surprising turns. BATTLE OF INK AND ICE reads like a historical novel making all of the facts easily digestible.

Who got to the North Pole, Cook or Peary? Better yet, the book raises the prospect that neither of the men may have accomplished the feat.

The personalities of Cook and Peary are fascinating but the in sight into Adolph Ochs of the New York Times, James Gordon Bennett of the Herald, William Randolph Hearst of the Journal reveals the competitive environment of the period amongst the New York media barrons.

Who first reached the North Pole, which newspaper got the story right? You will be the judge.

08.05.23
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AMERICAN PROMETHEUS/J.ROBERT OPPENHEIMER

Without hesitation, this superb work by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin is among the very best biographies I have read in recent years. I place the writing and research on a level with Robert Caro and Jon Meacham.

The wonder of this book is the understanding of Oppenheimer and his time and place in American History. The story of the Atomic Bomb is well known to many. However, the complexity and passages of Oppenheimer himself amid the social and political atmosphere in which he lived and worked is a revelation. The beauty of Bird’s and Sherwin’s writing is that you need not be a physicist to wrap yourself around the life and story of this complex scientist, intellectual and iconic American figure. The dimension of the book is enormous, foremost in its content, but also in size!

I am confident that reading THE TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY of J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER is a plus before seeing OPPENHEIMER the movie.

07.18.23
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THE WIND KNOWS MY NAME

Isabel Allende weaves the characters in her new novel THE WIND KNOWS MY NAME with contemporary themes and political consciousness. The book is a perfect combination of fact and fiction just as she accomplished in another novel A LONG PETAL OF THE SEA.

Here, Allende strikes at the heart of the immigration issue while at the same time tugging at the heart with her prose.

Add THE WIND KNOWS MY NAME To your summer reading.




07.13.23
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AND THERE WAS LIGHT ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE AMERICAN STRUGGLE /JON MEACHAM

Yet another excellent work by Jon Meacham. AND THERE WAS LIGHT ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE AMERICAN STRUGGLE is a detailed chronology of Lincoln’s positions on slavery from his early years in politics prior to the Civil War through the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a remarkable look not only at Lincoln’s changing personal views on abolition but how he managed this toxic issue as a master politician.

Meacham coaxes the reader to evolve along with Lincoln as the president wrestles emotionally, religiously and politically to ultimately envision and execute the correct route to not only abolish slavery but to save The Union.

Search gordonsgoodreads for these other works by Meacham. The Soul of America, American Lion Andrew Jackson and the White House, Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship.

06.28.23
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WHAT TO THE SLAVE IS JULY 4TH/FREDERICK DOUGLASS

I doubt there is a greater perspective on Slavery than the July 4th, Oration by Frederick Douglass, delivered before an audience in Rochester, New York. Applewood Books of Carlisle, New York published the complete text, WHAT TO THE SLAVE IS THE FOURTH OF JULY? It is available of Amazon for $9.99. It is worthy of all American households.

06.16.23
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THE TRACKERS/ CHARLES FRAZIER

I seem to have fallen into a pattern of reading novels whose protagonists are young people born into difficult if not impossible circumstances. Just last week I finished Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver and before that, Nickel Boys by Colin Whitehead. ( Search gordonsgoodreads). Now Charles Frazier of Cold Mountain fame comes along with his new novel The TRACKERS.

This time the protagonist is a young woman ( barely) living the life of a hobo, hopping fast freights, joining a grade B or even lower status cowboy band. Surviving during the Great Depression. Then suddenly catapulted into the lap of luxury!

What’s next? Enjoy.

06.08.23
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THE OLD LION/ TEDDY ROOSEVELT/ SHARRA

I have read most all of Jeff Shaara’s historical novels and his ability to use the medium to awaken history sets a high standard. ( search gordonsgoodreads).

His latest, THE OLD LION, is a great overview of Teddy Roosevelt’s lifetime. Unlike the great biographies by Edmund Morris or David McCullough THE OLD LION moves quickly through the highlights of TR’s career.

This book is a good choice for a first round study of TR from his sickly childhood to the Rough Riders charge up San Juan Hill. After retirement from the presidency Roosevelt’s epic adventurous trip on the headwaters of the Amazon are captured by Sharra.

Enjoy

06.08.23
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TOMORROW TOMORROW TOMORROW/ ZEVIN

When i flipped the first pages of Gabrielle Zevin’s novel TOMORROW TOMORROW TOMORROW I hesitated. Why would I be interested in a young group of MIT stereotypes creating video games? The answer came quickly. The novel is MUCH MUCH MORE! Life is complicated and even more so among a group of brilliant young high achievers. There are love stories among the code writers and keyboard clicks that follow convoluted paths of happiness and sadness. My guess is that like me, you will be quickly drawn in by Zevin’s characters.

Put TOMORROW TOMORROW TOMORROW on your list. You won’t be disappointed.