Summer vacation and weather are finally here. I thought we might take time out from the usual political battles and talk about what books we are reading, films we are watching and leisure activities we are doing this summer. There is nothing better than reading a good book at the beach as far as I am concerned—unless it’s too hot, in which case it’s off to the movies where there is air conditioning!
Started last weekend at Rio del Mar beach, I have read “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” a novel by British author Mark Haddon and winner of the Whitbread Book of the Year Award in 2003. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes something offbeat and different. It’s a very quirky, original work that sucks you into its world in the very first page. Christopher Boone is a British teenager with “special educational needs” and apparent difficulty in relating to the real world like a “normal” person. A brutally honest, highly intelligent mathematics and science whiz, he sets out on a quest to discover who killed his neighbor’s dog and uncovers many family and neighborhood secrets along the way. While he is at it, he “writes” the book you are reading. It’s practically incomparable to another work of literature; the closest thing I can think of is the world of “Edward Scissorhands.”
One of my favorite beach books of the past couple of years is Tracy Chevalier’s “The Girl with a Pearl Earring,” the story of Griet, a young women who goes into domestic service in the household of Jan Vermeer, the great 17th century Dutch painter. The meticulous descriptions of social, religious and political life in Delft and the techniques of painting and science of mixing pigments at the time are fascinating. The books climactic title scene is very moving and the whole experience stays with you long after you have finished. It can be read in one long day at the beach which is good because you won’t want to put it down. It was also made into a very good film, but the book is much more detailed. It’s one of those rare novels that you could actually read several times over the course of a lifetime and still enjoy it.
If you are interested in modern cutting-edge science, popular physicist Brian Greene’s “The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time and the Texture of Reality” is the book for you. It explores several aspects of cosmology and astrophysics for the general reader. No specialized knowledge is necessary, although it helps if you have an interest in physics and astronomy. Greene’s explanation of string theory, the latest concept of the smallest basic building block of matter, is compelling and very thorough. He also goes into special relativity, the possibility of time travel, and other subjects pushing the leading edge of human imagination. It’s one of those books that take some concentration but you feel all the better for having read and understood it. Greene’s three-part Nova series, “The Elegant Universe,” is also worth checking out on DVD.
My favorite movie of the summer so far is the documentary “The Rape of Europa.” It has been playing at Camera 12, but I think it may have moved on. It is worth looking out for. The film is about the effect of World War II on European art, mostly how the Nazis tried to steal many of the great works from national and private collections and the lengths that museum workers went to in order to keep them from doing so. It also details damage to Italian art and architecture during the liberation of that country. The scenes of retreating Germans blowing up the beautiful centuries-old bridges across the Arno in Florence and the allied bomb damage to Renaissance frescoes in the Camposanto in Pisa (near the Leaning Tower which was fortunately spared) will bring tears to your eyes.
What are you reading, watching and doing for fun this summer? Please share your tips for books, movies and activities with us.
Living in San Jose’s perfect climate, it’s easy to forget that winter basically sucks. Here’s an avalanche story that will make you remember:
http://www.whitecascade.com/index.html
A summary of reviews is here:
http://home.att.net/~gkrist/twcrev.htm
My Summer reading list so far, has included:
A Storm In Flanders – The Ypres Salient, 1914-18, Tragedy and Triumph On The Western Front- By: Winston Groom
The stalemate that was the Western front of the First World War is chronicled in this work. Detailed accounts of the conditions and day-to-day horrors that were faced by The Allied powers (and the Central powers) are related and explored. The state of warfare with its advancements and technical exploits are juxtaposed to the basest of the human condition.
The Millionaire’s Unit – The Aristocratic Flyboys Who Fought the Great War and Invented American Air Power- By: Marc Wortman
This is a comprehensive and highly researched work concerning the formation of the Yale Aero Club, and its subsequent transformation into the Naval Reserve Flying Unit. These determined men set upon a course of action to ensure that their country would be well represented in the impending War to end all Wars. Their actions shaped the modern Navy and Air Force service branches, as we know them today. Written with candor as to the thoughts and decisions that had to be made under the most extreme of conditions.
The two preceding works were read for gathering additional background information for a project that I have undertaken to research.
And on a local subject:
Pen Pictures From The Garden of The World – Santa Clara County [History], 1888- By: Horace S. Foote {editor}
As is typical to this era, this general history is informative and contains details that the passage of time has omitted from later works as more pressing details have unfolded. The real gem of this work is the biographical section of ‘leading citizens’. As Leonard McKay explained to me long ago, most of these sketches were considered ‘puff’ pieces as a scale of subscription pricing determined the length and detail of the biographies. The more you paid, the better your accounting was related to the reader. None the less, an insightful and highly useful work for discovering more about our local region.
Have a great summer!
During this week when we celebrate our countries Independence watched the following DVD’s – Bridge Over the River Kwai, Letters from Iwo Jima and Flags of Our Fathers. Bridge is from 1957 and a classic. Letters and Flags are companion movies telling same story of battle of Iwo Jima from Japanese perspective and then American – see both for full effect.
In theatre saw Sicko. Went in a skeptic, left a convert. Considering I’m not a Michael Moore fan and as a Canook know many Canadian health care horror stories, had to give kudos to the fat man for convincing me that our system is in shambles and we have to do something about it – now.
Books – currently A Thousand Splendid Suns, not as fabulous as the Kite Runner, but how will he ever top that? Other good ones Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (all you want to know about footbinding and more), Slave by Mende Nazar (Nubian girl kidnapped into slavery – yes this is still happening in today’s world), and Enrique’s Journey (if you interested in immigration issues, this is must read.)
And for the really important issues of the day, online TMZ and X17. Gotta keep up with Paris.
I’m currently reading “Istanbul: Memories and the City,” by Orhan Pamuk, and “The Race for Timbuktu: In Search of Africa’s City of Gold,” by Frank Kyza, both recent publications.
The Istanbul book is a literate memoir and ode to an historic city which supposedly won a Nobel Prize for literature (per a sticker on its cover). The Timbuktu book involves British explorers in pre-colonial Africa. Both books are very engrossing and are perfect complements to languid summer evenings.
As far as summer movies, here’s a pitch to go see a one-night benefit showing of the movie “Offsides,” which I have not seen but has received good reviews and I’m told tells the plight of Iranian women guilty of the “crime” of wanting to watch soccer matches.
“Offsides” will be showing the evening of Sunday, August 5 at 6 pm at Camera Cinemas in Downtown San Jose. Tickets are only $5. Sponsored by Soccer Silicon Valley, the San Jose Earthquakes and J. Ben Absalom for the Bay Area’s Iranian-American community, all proceeds from the showing will go toward the effort to build an Iranian-American cultural center in San Jose.
Jack—When considering “unprecedented” novels written by the main character, you overlook “Tristram Shandy” by Laurence Sterne—perhaps the very first real novel in English containing every literary experiment in the novel that has ever followed. And, I don’t think any novel to this day, including Harry Potter, has sold more copies in England than TS when it first came out—and it was a sensation in Europe. But++++ it’s one of those books you like instantly, from the first word, or give up on immediately.
Calvin Trillin’s “About Alice”, John McPhee’s
“Deltoid Pumpkin Seed”—“Oranges”, and so many other bits of long non-fiction, Charles Seife’s “Zero, The Biography of a Dangerous Idea”—and, of course, The New Yorker every week for the real news in Iraq and DC that the Murky can’t get off the wire. George Green
In #4 Don mentioned the benefit screening for Jafar Panafi’s film “Offside”. If I may add a couple of details; Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub and Restaurant is also a sponsor, and tickets for the movie (called a “smart comedy” and a “satire”) will go on sale sometime next week. There is a trailer and information about the film available at http://www.sonyclassics.com/offside/ . Panafi almost didn’t get the picture finished as the authorities caught on to what he was doing during his last week of filming – the story is on the website. Soccer Silicon Valley believes that bringing together different groups to share this movie experience can help strengthen community and celebrate diversity.
Jack—sorry to change gears on you, but I’ve been troubled by the seemingly lack of concern by San Joseans over the commuting of Libby’s sentence by President Bush. This action again smacks of the blatant disregard for the law by this administration. Think about it—if this was a regular “Joe”, do you think the same actions would be accorded to him? Bush has the gaul to say he thinks the sentence was too severe—sure he thinks that way—Libby was a “Good soldier and kept his mouth shut—and as such should be rewarded”. To quote from Bloomberg’s article on their web site:
“`All Citizens’ Equal
Patrick Fitzgerald, the U.S. attorney who prosecuted Libby, took exception to Bush’s characterization of the sentence as too harsh, defending the punishment imposed last month by U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton. “It is fundamental to the rule of law that all citizens stand before the bar of justice as equals,’’ he said in a statement. “That principle guided the judge.’’
Fitzgerald and Walton are both appointees of Bush.”
Does anyone in their right mind think Libby isn’t now set for life. His defense fund already has more than enough money to pay his legal fees as well as any and all fines and if he should need more—the donors are already lined up to give more. And as for his ability to earn an income—Cheny will provide for that through Halliburton and also key donors are already poised to assist Libby in his future careers.
I’ve never seen such a corrupt administration in my life and an administration that has a total disregard for the laws of the land. This brings up my next concern—why people haven’t shouted in an uproar about all the actions this administration has taken in total disregard of law and the Constitution that the President has sworn to uphold.
What do you readers of the “Inside” think—- any comments?
Concerned Citizen
Dear Jack,
Thanks for your kind plug of our film, “The Rape of Europa.” At first, Camera Cinema was skeptical of devoting one of their screens to a historical documentary when so many blockbuster summer movies are in release. But my colleagues and I are pleased that, in the end, after they saw that it did well in San Francisco and at the Rafael Theater in Marin, they booked it themselves for a short run. Plus, the theaters there are beautiful—a great resource for San Jose—and I was proud to have our film shown in such a fine venue. We have found that the film has been well-received by audiences….when they have a chance to see it. With our miniscule marketing budget, we can’t afford to advertise properly, so we have to depend on word-of-mouth recommendations to keep the film going. So thank you again!
If any of your readers are interested in seeing the film, it is still playing at the Elmwood Theater in Berkeley. And on August 10, it opens at the Nickelodeon Theater in Santa Cruz and at the Osio Theater in Monterey.
Best regards,
Richard Berge
Co-Director
Actual Films
San Francisco, CA 94103
“concerned citizen” is as cheeky as Hillary clinton. James taranto sums it best here:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110010296
begin quote:
You almost can’t help but grudgingly admire the absolute and total shamelessness of Hillary and Bill Clinton, the former and possibly future first lady. Given Mrs. Clinton’s lesser half’s troubled history with the pardon power, one would have expected it to be an awkward moment for her when President Bush spared Scooter Libby prison time in the Valerie Plame kerfuffle. How would she finesse this one?
By being completely brazen, as it turns out. The Associated Press reports from Keokuk, Iowa, that Mrs. Clinton “drew a distinction” between the Libby commutation—“which she has harshly criticized—and her husband’s 140 pardons in his closing hours in office”:
Her husband’s pardons, issued in the closing hours of his presidency, were simply routine exercise in the use of the pardon power, and none were aimed at protecting the Clinton presidency or legacy, she said.
Earlier, Mrs. Clinton issued a statement saying, “This commutation sends the clear signal that in this Administration, cronyism and ideology trump competence and justice.”
But let’s go back and review some of Mr. Clinton’s pardons. The one everyone remembers is that of Marc Rich, the fugitive tax evader who renounced his citizenship and whose wife was a big Clinton donor. (Coincidentally, Rich was a client of Scooter Libby, then a lawyer in private practice.) But from CNN, here’s a contemporaneous list of other 11th-hour pardons:
Roger Clinton, who was convicted of drug-related charges in the 1980s. He was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in 1985 to conspiring to distribute cocaine. He cooperated with authorities and testified against other drug defendants.
Susan McDougal, a former real estate business partner of the Clintons. She was sentenced in 1996 and released from prison in 1998. She was convicted of four felonies related to a fraudulent $300,000 federally backed loan that she and her husband, James McDougal, never repaid. One tenth of the loan amount was placed briefly in the name of Whitewater Development, the Arkansas real estate venture of the Clintons and the McDougals. . . .
Henry Cisneros, who served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development during Clinton’s first term in office. He was convicted of making false statements to FBI agents conducting a background investigation of him when he was nominated to the Cabinet post in 1993. They included misleading investigators about cash payments he made to a former mistress.
Former CIA Director John Deutch. The one-time spy chief and top Pentagon official was facing criminal charges in connection with his mishandling of national secrets on a home computer.
Among the beneficiaries of Mr. Clinton’s pardons, then, were his own brother, a central figure in the Whitewater scandal, and two members of his own cabinet, one of whom, unlike Libby, actually faced charges of mishandling national secrets. Yet Mrs. Clinton can keep a straight face while throwing around charges of “cronyism”? This borders on sociopathy.
I have heard that Knocked Up, A Mighty Heart and Death at a Funeral are not to be missed at the movies! I plan to catch them all…..
It’s a Safety Issue
In a surprising move, Councilman Forest Williams has placed on San Jose’s August Council agenda a proposal to mandate that all future building development within the City be restricted to single story design; both for residential and commercial. And that any further development of high rise / high density residential housing in central and north-central San Jose be halted effective immediately.
Cited as justification for this drastic change of course of land use policy is recent report which suggests that San Jose firefighter disabilities are rooted in poor diet and strains from such mundane chores around the station as cooking – and that three out of four firefighters are overweight; and in that condition, responding to any threatened structures over one story could result in elevated risks to both citizens and firefighters alike. In short, it’s a safety issue.
CC,
Quite a lengthy post, to save the readers some time, may I sum it up for you “I hate President Bush!” There are plenty of things dislike about a man who could quite easily be the worst president in the history of this great country, but get over the righteous indignation over a sentence commuting. While you are at it I suggest a little research into our previous president’s use of presidential powers to pardon(that’s right it was legal when Clinton pardoned 140 too!)
P.S. Google Henry Cisneros, you might find some interesting reading (lied to the FBI?)
#12 was intended to be placed on Open Thead. Don’t know what happened. Maybe a senior moment.
Jack,
It’s good to be back at this key board after so many days afield.
I glanced over the latest postings and found the pardon of John Michael O very funny! Kathren and her friends on immigration was interesting. The obious is, don’t eat any thing that has been illigally harvested, better yet ask your favorite resturant for papers on every individual that works in the kitchen. Don’t buy anything made in China by children.
The only books I read thus far is the Calif. Fishing Rules and Regulations and the directions to my fish finder, that I did not use, because I was too busy fishing. Go figure!
In the past week, I have enjoyed the most spectacular foods and places. I even had time to write my thoughts of my life in the moment.
The weather at Albion, Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Vandam was perfect. This year our group included Tim a Chef from Nevada. Imagine , the finest of foods, and Anderson Vally wines. Abalone, Salmon, rock fish, Uni, rack of Lamb, and all this around a camp fire, with the sounds of the waves and the sea birds to remind us of our special place in life. Returning Monday, I left Tuesday for Meeks Bay at Lake Tahoe. The Mackanaw and the fresh water Lobsters continued the fat of the land cuisene. The Meeks Bay Volunteer Fire Dept pancake breakfast was jammed packed.
Our Crawdad Derby was more exciting than the Johanson, Patterson fight. Little Natallie won the camp ground championship with a little dad with only one claw.
Sunrise on Lake Tahoe is magical as I troll lead core line trailing my favorite lures.
Take a child fishing. My grandchildren did not want to leave. This is a way of life that must be protected for our next generation of river and forest saviours.
I will leave this post with these two profound thoughts spoken around the camp fire. “Oh, leave him alone, his only being a Dog!” & To change this world, We simply change ourselves, there is no power greater than Self.
The Village Black Smith
Knocked Up is the funniest movie I’ve seen since Wild Hogs! A real must see. Evening was also a very good movie.
I’m reading “The Secret.” Will let you know how that is.
On the 15th, I’m going to see Ella. My boss saw it and she said it was fantastic! She said the woman portraying Ella is awesome.
I’m going to see Sicko this week. A few friends said it was very good, but very upsetting. Will let you know.
UPDATE:
“The Rape of Europa” is still playing daily at the Camera 12 at 3 p.m. Don’t miss it!
Hey, it’s summer time—LIGHT reading… Most books posted are for dark & stormy nights – winter fare. Try “Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal” by Christopher Moore. Talk about a different perspective. If “religion” is a turn-off, try his book “A Dirty Job”.
Movies? We watched Flags of our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima last weekend. Moving just doesn’t describe it. Eastwood is at the top of his craft. Guess we need to see Knocked Up next to lighten up.
I just got home from the SJ Rep. Ella was in a word, FANTASTIC! If you haven’t seen it, you MUST!