This is by the guy who got me to think I could do this history thing, back when I was his undergrad student for several courses in US history, as well as to appreciate that the written word should be beautiful not just functional. I've already read the dissertation on which this is based—it alternately delighted and irritated me with is playfulness—but I decided to throw him a few royalty pennies by buying the book.
Finally finished this (more showers than baths of late). I recommend it if you want to read the kind of book that historians enjoy reading. That is, it's an exercise in following weird rabbit holes to see where they go and then be delighted in the tantalizing results. It's the joy of research and letting the strange parts of the past emerge. Even if you don't care about secession—I can't say I do—it's about immersing yourself in the obsessions and idiosyncrasies of Charleston in the 1850s and not caring about answers, just questions.
Up next:
I've had this on the shelf for awhile, so it's next. All I know is that it's highly regarded and about Berlin between the wars.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Barely read anything this year. I'll blame the virus. However, I have started to review books for a horror site. What a grift! They just send you the books for free. Hah, great.
a lifetime serving one machine
Is ten times worse than prison
This is by the guy who got me to think I could do this history thing, back when I was his undergrad student for several courses in US history, as well as to appreciate that the written word should be beautiful not just functional. I've already read the dissertation on which this is based—it alternately delighted and irritated me with is playfulness—but I decided to throw him a few royalty pennies by buying the book.
Finally finished this (more showers than baths of late). I recommend it if you want to read the kind of book that historians enjoy reading. That is, it's an exercise in following weird rabbit holes to see where they go and then be delighted in the tantalizing results. It's the joy of research and letting the strange parts of the past emerge. Even if you don't care about secession—I can't say I do—it's about immersing yourself in the obsessions and idiosyncrasies of Charleston in the 1850s and not caring about answers, just questions.
Up next:
I've had this on the shelf for awhile, so it's next. All I know is that it's highly regarded and about Berlin between the wars.
Well shit. I should read that just because I’ll know the places and some of the people.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson
Well shit. I should read that just because I’ll know the places and some of the people.
A fair chunk of it is presented as walking the streets of Charleston and stopping in at various merchants and other buildings. That part would probably be a bit of a kick for you. And it's beautifully written. Larry was the one who instilled in me that academic writing should strive to be beautiful.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Well shit. I should read that just because I’ll know the places and some of the people.
A fair chunk of it is presented as walking the streets of Charleston and stopping in at various merchants and other buildings. That part would probably be a bit of a kick for you. And it's beautifully written. Larry was the one who instilled in me that academic writing should strive to be beautiful.
Cool. I’m gonna seek this out.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson
Taken from this, which was a poster from the 70s or early 80s. A friend got me this on a shirt. I occasionally wear it to the last class of term.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
9) Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? - Mark Fisher. 2009. Audiobook read by Russell Brand. A short but invigorating book where the writer uses movies and his gripes about his own job as a way in to criticise the managerial and neoliberal approach to the economy. Clever writing, passionate, and a pleasantly off kilter approach made this work. The title came from Thatcher's acronym TINA: there is no alternative. The self fulfilling prophecy.
a lifetime serving one machine
Is ten times worse than prison
9) Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? - Mark Fisher. 2009. Audiobook read by Russell Brand. A short but invigorating book where the writer uses movies and his gripes about his own job as a way in to criticise the managerial and neoliberal approach to the economy. Clever writing, passionate, and a pleasantly off kilter approach made this work. The title came from Thatcher's acronym TINA: there is no alternative. The self fulfilling prophecy.
Excellent book—read it a few years ago. Unfortunately, he suffered from mental illness and killed himself several years ago. His collected writings were published a year or so back, called K-Punk.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft