bibliotechno

• Rated 4 stars

“Ernst Toller was a men of letters, as a playwright, and a man of action, as a soldier and then a socialist during the November revolution in Germany (he was elected president of the short-lived Bavarian Soviet). Like so many other left wing (and Jewish) intellectuals, Toller experienced imprisonment (and, like Koestler, near death) as counter revolution swept Germany and Europe generally. This is a very fine, albeit short memoir. Readers would benefit however from some basic knowledge of the revolution that swept the Kaiser from power. The sections on the White Terror are deeply moving and remind us that revolutionary violence always pales in comparison to the counter revolutionary violence of a ruling class trying to take back control. ”

bibliotechno wrote this review 2 days ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“What began in Arrow in the Blue as rollicking post-Edwardian adventure, descends into 1930s nightmare as darkness falls across Europe and totalitarianism, fascist and Stalinist, begins to wipe out Europe's left intelligentsia and its Jews. There is just so, so much in these volumes for students of twentieth century politics and history to reflect upon. So tragic, and yet so alive with intelligence and wit, these two volumes form one of the greatest works of autobiography ever penned. Simply required reading for anyone seeking to understand the last, bloody, century. ”

bibliotechno wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The first of two volumes of sublime autobiographical writing. Koestler's autobiography is essential to understanding the twists and tragic ideological turns of the first half of the twentieth century. A first-hand witness, chronicler and participant in the upheavals that culminated in the Midnight in the Century, Arrow in the Blue also vibrates with wit and penetrating insight. Simply a classic. ”

bibliotechno wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“While the details in Boyd's witty diatribe against the ugly hodgepodge of Australian architecture have dated, his central premise is still relevant. He puts a good case for functionalist beauty versus superficial featurism. ”

bibliotechno wrote this review Saturday, February 9, 2013. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“A brilliant combination of autobiography, reportage and political commentary, Scum of the Earth is both a memorial to the European left destroyed by fascism and a ringing condemnation of the proto-fascist, collaborationist and defeatist tendencies in French society, particularly in the ruling class, around the time of the German invasion. It's no wonder that this was a controversial book in France for a long time. ”

bibliotechno wrote this review Thursday, December 20, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“We are often told that people are set in their ways, that it is impossible to change human nature, that we are wired a particular way and that is that. For many years, scientists who studied human development concurred with that view and ignored evidence to the contrary. Fortunately, modern neuroscientists have challenged this and now there is compelling evidence that the human brain is capable of change and development throughout the lifespan. This is an extremely inspiring and readable account of the theory of neuroplasticity. It also has a subversive implication that is not teased out: that if we as individuals are capable of radical mental transformation, then that is true for society as a whole. ”

bibliotechno wrote this review Friday, November 23, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“A huge tome for a huge life, Scammell's giant portrait of the mercurial Koestler is worth staying with to the end. While there's no getting around his personal flaws, especially his appalling attitude to women (poor Cynthia!), it's his writing and his on the spot involvement in just about every intellectual and political movement of the twentieth century that makes him compelling. I've only read Darkness at Noon, a great novel, but this biography makes me want to read his other novels, autobiographies and scientific works. Might steer clear of the ESP stuff though. On the scientific works, Scammell gives glimpses of Koestler's gift for metaphor and ability to explain abstract scientific concepts in concrete terms--exciting for a technical writer like me. ”

bibliotechno wrote this review Saturday, November 17, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Another classic short story collection from a great writer. Dahl loves to delve into the nastier, mercenary side of people. He depicts marriage as a miserable psychological battleground. There's also rich dark humour in abundance. Favourites: Neck (love a sinister butler!), The Way Up To Heaven, Parson's Pleasure.”

bibliotechno wrote this review Monday, September 24, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I didn't quite find this as satisfying as I should have. Maybe there needed to be a bit more biographical background to those who were interviewed about their books, or maybe some of them just weren't that interesting as subjects. Also, I found myself a little unnerved by the photos of those bookshelves that were extremely neat and tidy. I think I definitely prefer a messy library. ”

bibliotechno wrote this review Monday, September 24, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“McEwan is a very fine stylist and you see him demonstrate this to the limit in this excellent novel of Britain between the wars. Wonderful writing.”

bibliotechno wrote this review Monday, July 2, 2012. ( reply | permalink )