Chris Orwa
Vincent Cronin uses words so vivid that no illustration can capture in his quest to inform the world of the enterprising Florentine citizens and how they changed the artistic world by revisiting the ancient Roman and Greek Ideals. From Coluccio Salutati, the Chancellor of the Republic of Florence who bestowed upon the citizenry the necessary education for prosperity to Girolamo Savonarola who according to Cronin eroded the resilient and enterprising spirit of the Florentine that led to fall of the city.
In between, the book covers the life of great Florentine residents such as The Medici, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Leornado Bruni, Filippo Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Donatello among other but it is Cosimo de' Medici who stands out as the patron of Renaissance Florence. The day to day narration of the Florentine life encapsulating all aspects of living makes a satisfactory read and agreeable conclusions. The most outstanding mark of the book are personal letters and relation among prominent personalities that crowns the writing.
Perhaps the most honest of thoughts put to paper. You might say Socrates reborn as Kahlil Gibran dissects all facets of life delivering succinct answers to questions put forth to him by citizens of the imaginary city of Orphalese. After the read the meaning of prophet is flipped in the mind, not the archetypal religious zealot but a philosopher with unbiased view on life.
All the evidence points to the mysterious Russian as the author of this terrible series of crimes. The missing logic in the book is whether the mysterious Russian was capable of writing the ripper letters - that hasn't been properly dissected.
A good read but some parts feel repetitive and the chronology of events is not well broken down - at least the parts that dissect the evidence.
A brief history of the great merchant bank of Europe and America. It is an easy read, some banking families are covered in-depth others in passing. Makes a god quick overview on how banking pervades trade.
A book of quotes/poems and I liked this one in particular - “In one drop of water are found the secrets of all the endless oceans”
Every page of the book justifies the paper and ink it's printed on. Reverend Thomas Malthus ranks among the most misquoted and misunderstood authors. His treatise on human population is remarkably accurate, highlighting the critical issue that a population cannot outgrow its ability to sustain itself—whether through subsistence or wage labor. When population growth exceeds the available means of subsistence, checks like famine or vice inevitably come into play.
Malthus's most controversial point is his argument that the poor should refrain from reproducing if they cannot provide for themselves, as this exacerbates society's problems. Criticizing the poor is always unpopular and earns anyone a bad reputation.
A madman, a resurrected disciple of Jesus and his family arguing on the bliss of death
Gibran takes it a notch higher on his lamentations on the dichotomy that exists between the rich and the poor by espousing the ills of civilizations and wealth. He carries the story of inequality in life by using love as the pivot to display the disparities between the halves and have nots - you are more likely to find love in the lower wrung of life than its upper parts.
A recommendation is to read this book before The Prophet or any other writings by Kahlil Gibran since it tells about why the man wrote, how he wrote and his inspiration for writing.
In summary, the book has insights into leadership and what defines a great soldier. The lessons it offers are highly relevant to business and life. A quote that encapsulates its essence is: “In forming a plan for a campaign, it is crucial to anticipate everything the enemy might do and be prepared with the necessary means to counteract it.”
It seems St. Augustine struggled the most with chastity. In his dreams and real life, he struggled to remain chaste. So he calls upon the Lord to purge him on this addiction. Overall, the most candid confession of a man and his struggles to live a just and peaceful life.
A short story about Inessa, the woman who helped Lenin bring his communism ideas to life. She also became his ‘dirty' jobs operator with the last job causing her life after she contracted Cholera.
There is less evidence of the Romantic life between Inessa and Lenin. Its seems theirs was a love shared to bring communism to lige.
This is one of the best books I have read this year. It's funny that I learned so much about government and law from a religious book. The Calvinists are one of the most pragmatic sects of Christianity, blending Christian teachings with the realities of the world. For example, among the reformed churches, Calvinists uniquely endorse going to war, while other groups remain pacifists.
The book delves into Calvinism and its relationship with the world, exploring how Calvinists perceive the world. It also details how Calvinist ideas have significantly influenced the governance and administration of state affairs.
I came to this book after watching the 1990s UK TV series ‘Sharpe' that tracks as corporal Sharpe rises through the ranks in Wellington's army during the Peninsula Wars. I expected deeper details about Arthur Wellesley (Duke of Welington) but the book did not serve it. It is quick glance at the life of Wellington without any particular in depth details. I suppose that's what a pocket biography ought to do.
An exploration of the origins and practice of observing the Sabbath. The Jewish people were the first to dedicate one day each week to rest, and their steadfast commitment to abstaining from work on the Sabbath laid the foundation for the modern weekend. While the author delves into the rituals and significance of the Sabbath for the Jewish community, the treatment feels somewhat lacking in depth or satisfaction.
If you are into predictions, then David Bossie will convince you that 9/11 was a perfectly predictable events. He states that the first bombing on the World Trade Center in 1993, the Embassy bombing in Kenya & Tanzania in 1998 plus other terror activities were enough signals that Osama Bin Laden was planning a major terror activity to harm the US.
In his conclusion, 9/11 was a preventable event and it's success can be blamed on former president Clinton on his lax stand on terror plus humanistic and political ideologies that weakened the intelligence gathering capabilities of the CIA & the FBI.
The book though lacks depths to explore all the issues mentioned as failures that led to 9/11.
What a story! I first learned about John O'Neill through a documentary—the man who foresaw Bin Laden's attack on America but tragically lost his life in the World Trade Center on 9/11. His warnings to the U.S. government went unheeded, leading to his frustration, resignation from the FBI, and eventual role as Director of Security at the Twin Towers.
I picked up this book to learn more about O'Neill's fascinating story, and it did not disappoint. It explores his early life, shaping the man who became a top anti-terrorism investigator. The storytelling is clear and engaging, making it an effortless yet compelling read.
The book is a difficult read. It assumes prior knowledge of Catholicism and hence makes it more of a catholic encyclopedia rather than an entitling history of those who dont know and understand Christianity.
Another poem book from Gibran. I like the poem - Your most radiant garment is of the other person's weaving; your most savory meal is that which you eat at the other person's table; your most comfortable bed is in the other person's house. Now tell me, how can you separate yourself from the other person?
It is the world's oldest legal document, dating back 4,000 years, and bears a strong resemblance to the Code of Hammurabi. Given its age and origin in the Babylonian city of Ur, it is reasonable to view the Code of Hammurabi as an extension of this earlier code.
A striking difference between the two is that this code emphasizes compensation for most offenses, while the Code of Hammurabi frequently prescribes death as punishment for transgressions. Additionally, the latter code introduced regulations on trade, likely reflecting the more complex trade systems that emerged during King Hammurabi's reign.
This book is not about a bookseller, nor is it about books, but rather about life in Afghanistan from the perspective of one family headed by a bookseller. It cuts through ordinary life, the mundane, the things that keeps everyday life going on. It is the portrayal of ordinary life that makes the book a worth read - no heroes, just everyday people.
The storyline's lost me, and the flood of new characters isn't helping. I'm calling it quits after this volume.
I enjoyed this volume better than Vol 8. A more coherent story line and lots of gruesome violence.