Chris Orwa

I picked up this book since I am on an essay-reading spree. It didn't take long for me to realize I was going to enjoy it. Thomas Paine makes a compelling case for the separation of the United Colonies (the United States) from their “parent” country, England. The pamphlet offers a sharp critique of monarchy and monarchical systems of government, arguing that “it is the pride of Kings which throws mankind into confusion... Holland without a King hath enjoyed more peace for this last century.”

Paine vividly illustrates how Americans have no need for a king and how it is not in their interest to remain subjects of one. He points out that being under England's rule would drag America into conflicts with England's enemies, such as Spain and France, with whom America does not quarrel.

In conclusion, Paine aims at a Quaker pamphlet advocating for reconciliation with Great Britain rather than separation. The Quakers, believing that kings are ordained by God, oppose any effort to overthrow them. Paine pointedly responds that they should then accept the outcome of the impending war as divinely ordained.

A murder mystery of the highest caliber! This captivating tale takes a thrilling turn with an unexpected twist: the writer himself is the murderer, meticulously documenting the facts while cleverly concealing his involvement with the calm demeanor of a gentleman. In modern terms, he would be considered a sociopath, fit for a lunatic asylum.

Initially, I was convinced that the murderer was one of the household servants. After reading “The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher,” I learned that once an external intruder is ruled out, the killer is almost certainly someone within the house. It then becomes a matter of identifying who had both the means and the motive.

In the case of Ackroyd's murder, all the servants had the means and motive to kill him. However, it was Hercule Poirot's brilliant detective work that uncovered the true culprit—the person with the most compelling means and motive: Dr. Sheppard!

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 picked up this book anticipating a detailed, minute-by-minute account of the Opium War. Instead, it turned out to be an overview of the war and its lasting impact on modern Chinese attitudes towards the West. A chronological narration of events would have been more effective than the current approach of jumping between dates and outcomes.

One of my easiest read. The book is easy to read and goes straight to the point on all explanation. That said, this is a gruesome book about the atrocities committed by the Japanese army when it sacked the Chinese city of Nanking.

My previous reading on the 2nd SS panzer division killing of civilians ranked number on the atrocities list. The Japanese soldiers out did the SS. Children were boiled alive, women raped then bamboo ramped into their vagina.

The worst of the atrocities was using prisoners of war for bayonet practice. Two soldiers competed in who will kill 100 people fastest with their bayonets.

The best book to combine murder and poison. Simply explained with good examples.

A compelling story revealing China's early dominance as a naval power, predating European nations. Setting sail with over 100 vessels, a monumental voyage departed China to explore uncharted territories, resulting in the creation of the world's first precise map. European powers later utilized these maps to assert control over distant lands through colonization. Historical evidence suggests that the Chinese reached the Americas before Columbus and other European explorers. Without the invaluable maps crafted by the Chinese, the conquest of the Americas would likely have been delayed.

I found the book's ending rather abrupt, leaving me wanting more information. Although I enjoyed the initial part, I struggled towards the end due to repetitive points. I had hoped for a detailed history on the origin and development of Calvinism, as well as its influence on capitalism, which was missing. Examples of wealthy Calvinists would have been beneficial.

The book's central theme of ‘economic adventure' and frugality among Calvinists influencing wealth acquisition is intriguing. While Protestant asceticism may have waned, its impact persists.

I would rate the book three stars because while the religious aspect is well-explored, the economic connection feels underdeveloped.

It's truly remarkable how this work of fiction resonates so deeply with reality. I stumbled upon this book amidst the COVID lockdown, prompted by numerous recommendations, and I can say they were absolutely on point. Albert Camus masterfully depicts the human response to a plague in the city of Oran, drawing striking parallels to our own encounter with COVID-19. The city's imposition of lockdown renders its inhabitants unwitting captives within their own walls. Mobility becomes restricted, scarcity grips the food supply, hospitals overflow, and alcohol consumption skyrockets.

Finally I got down to reading the overquoted book. I read it in a day and I wasn't disappointed. The best summary of the book is to always be ruthless. Ruthless leaders succeed while benevolent ones struggle to maintain control of their territories.

I am on my third book by Albert Camus, and I begining to like him. The author came to my attention during the COVID lockdown as lots of folks recommend his book ‘The Plague'. I didn't get to read this publication but ended up with an interest on the writer.

The first boo I read by Camus was ‘A Happy Death'. It turned out to be one of the most twisted ideas about life that I had read. And now this book seems to have continued where ‘A Happy Death' stopped.

The collection of essays capture the struggle of human with society norms and expectations. Of course Camus adds his dark perspective to each story. Most of his stories explore loneliness and introspection. It focusses on an individual and their struggle.

In each story, a man or woman is struggling with deeper thoughts and yearning to burst out and live life according to their own understanding of it.

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 overview of the clergy that created one of the most sort after version of the Bible (The King James Version). The book is not a narrative of exactly how the KJV Bible was created, nor an deep analysis on it's fair language, but rather a fly by account of why and when it was made.

A rushed history of the Habsburgs empire that lasted 1,000 years. Too many Habsburgs to remember all of them individually and their main achievements. The writer omits major events that shaped the history of Europe and the fate of the Habsburgs.

A harrowing account on the persecution of Jews in the Near East and Western Europe. It is wonder how Judaism survived after attempts to kill off the religion by Christian & Muslim countries.

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.

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 great philosophical take on revolutions as sanctified mass murder. The author focusses on the difference between rebellion and murder; “rebellions kills men, revolutions kill men and ideas”. In it, Albert Camus is in favour of reformation (rebellion) rather than revolutions which usher in more authiritarianism than the deposed system.

The book carries the essence of a sequel to Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto. Within its pages, Ted Kaczynski explores the bourgeoisie's relentless attachment to technology and the resulting erosion of human relationships and freedoms. His hypothesis contends that a society driven by industrialization becomes one of domestication, where genuine freedom can only thrive within a semi-primitive framework. Much like manifestos typically do, the writing serves to ignite revolutionary passion among the populace rather than offering tangible solutions to the challenges of society.

The manifesto arouses emotions on the inequality between workers and capitalists but falls short of providing great solutions. The overthrow of the Bourgeoisie and replacement with the proletariat isn't sufficient as has been the case in Russia and China. Socialism provides better solutions than Communism.

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.

I am enthralled by the practical guide to becoming an effective leader from the 5th-century Barbarian leader. Converting many savage tribes into a civilized and formidable force required a transformation of the tribal leadership. Attila developed a set of guidance on different aspects of leadership that lead to the dominance of the brief Hunnic Empire.

A straightforward account of beekeeping from a woman who tamed bees to extract their food (honey). It doesn't read as a cut-and-dry manual of beekeeping, but rather a prose on the beautiful life of bees.

I have never read a book that has taught me a lot such as ‘The Way of the Sufi'. It is a collection of short stories and quite from great Sufis who lived hundreds of years ago. So who are the Sufis? These are Islamic teachers who focused on the spirituality, ritualism, asceticism and esotericism of the Islamic faith. The most popular of the Sufis is Rumi, the renowned Persian poet who gave the modern world quotes to live by.

A rather weird and twisted book on the meaning of happiness. The main character Patrice Mersault moves from a poor person to a rich person and is still puzzled by the meaning of happiness. It seems in the end he didn't get it. The novel puts forth more questions on what's happiness rather than providing answers. In the end, money didn't but Mersault's happiness, but it allowed him to explore what's happiness, for money buys freedom.