"New proposal: when discussing the future of America, don’t indulge Rome analogies from people who don’t know which Gracchus brother came first." Indeed, And quite. And even yeeeah buddy.
Thank you. Your review of Demons made me want to read the book. I’ve never quite ‘got’ Dostoyevsky but now I think I see a way in. No higher praise for a book review!
Jane, my second baby is 17 months and my garden is also a catastrophe and my newsletter had half as many posts as it did in 2023, you are definitely not alone in only keeping it up because it feels a little bit like work to write, but I'm glad I do it.
For Jane: if you haven't already read them, the Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold are a delight. Science fiction that's thoughtful about costs, consequences, and character (both at an individual and societal level).
They’re favorites! I think they trail off a bit after A Civil Campaign, but I sometimes go back and read the “arming montage” bit in Memory when I’m having a rough day.
I'm at the end of a year off with my youngest child (which has been the best year of my life) and have really enjoyed the deep dives into domestic life and history, especially both!
“…all the trends that seemed new c. 2015 actually began in the 1970s, which were a lot more insane and violent than I was taught in history class.”
Having been brought into the world in July of 1955, I was learning to think in the 1970’s, and I can confirm the truth of your statement noted above.
As for the upcoming New Year, I have a book recommendation: The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity by Steven D Smith
Steven D. Smith is the Warren Distinguished Professor of Law, University of San Diego and Co-Executive Director of the USD Institute for Law and Religion.
Finally - I enjoy your work very much. Your writing leaves me hungry for more, and I find myself wishing I could live next door (or near enough) so as to visit you for a coffee and a chat…
More reviews of math books please.
"New proposal: when discussing the future of America, don’t indulge Rome analogies from people who don’t know which Gracchus brother came first." Indeed, And quite. And even yeeeah buddy.
I love the math textbook reviews.
Thank you. Your review of Demons made me want to read the book. I’ve never quite ‘got’ Dostoyevsky but now I think I see a way in. No higher praise for a book review!
Dang it, stop adding excellent books to my to-read queue.
Jane, my second baby is 17 months and my garden is also a catastrophe and my newsletter had half as many posts as it did in 2023, you are definitely not alone in only keeping it up because it feels a little bit like work to write, but I'm glad I do it.
I hope you keep on being relatable 👊 👊
For Jane: if you haven't already read them, the Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold are a delight. Science fiction that's thoughtful about costs, consequences, and character (both at an individual and societal level).
They’re favorites! I think they trail off a bit after A Civil Campaign, but I sometimes go back and read the “arming montage” bit in Memory when I’m having a rough day.
I'm at the end of a year off with my youngest child (which has been the best year of my life) and have really enjoyed the deep dives into domestic life and history, especially both!
I just discovered The Ballad of the White Horse (through Malcolm Guite’s wonderful Advent book) and it is indeed magnificent.
“…all the trends that seemed new c. 2015 actually began in the 1970s, which were a lot more insane and violent than I was taught in history class.”
Having been brought into the world in July of 1955, I was learning to think in the 1970’s, and I can confirm the truth of your statement noted above.
As for the upcoming New Year, I have a book recommendation: The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity by Steven D Smith
Steven D. Smith is the Warren Distinguished Professor of Law, University of San Diego and Co-Executive Director of the USD Institute for Law and Religion.
Finally - I enjoy your work very much. Your writing leaves me hungry for more, and I find myself wishing I could live next door (or near enough) so as to visit you for a coffee and a chat…
🤓