books

BOOKS
Good God Almighty! Reading the comments section the last week was painful. It seemed that as soon as I gave a logical argument for Peak Oil ( which was a potential disaster I was a Johnny-come-lately to and has been portrayed much better by many others ) the troll section sent out recruiters to gather as many disgruntled readers as possible to band together in blaming me. I'm just reporting it, not causing it. But Yuppie Scum and followers who will condemn as many citizens as necessary to death in the vain hope of not having to suffer any fall in their standard of living can not hear the truth. It is far too painful. So they attack me personally rather than the argument since they know that is sound. But let's try to discredit the author. Rancid puke ingrates. That's okay, I see an upsurge in readers, they read the truth that frugal survival is about sacrifice instead of clipping coupons, they leave and my numbers go back down to my core of loyal minions. I don't need people to agree with me. I prefer when any of my errors are reported ( speaking of which, belatedly, thanks for pointing out my idiocy naming Muslims as enemies of Rome. I amended my book to read eastern empires ). The comments section is to add to my information or to correct misinformation. I won't keep the idiots from posting jokes or lies about me, for reasons already mentioned. Just be warned that you will get weeks like this one.
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For lack of much else to talk about today, here are a few books I've read recently from the library. I go through two or three a week but these were the more notable ones. "The Rising Sun" by Douglas Galbraith. A first time Scottish author. This is based on the true account of the Scottish expedition to Panama, to set up a colony. The plan was to build a road from sea to sea, and charge to have freight transported across land. One ship would drop off goods, they were carted overland and another ship would pick them up. This would have avoided the need to sail around South America, saving much time and cutting down on the number of lost ships. The book is written as fiction but is based on the expeditions quartermasters journal. It covers the time in Scotland raising money, the trip there, the time spent in Panama and the return home after most colonists had died of disease. It is dense print and five hundred pages. Who would have thought he could have stretched it out so far, but the author does and rather well. The book reads so you feel pretty close to events. He doesn't write with present day prejudices. A neat trick. It isn't exactly a old world trade instruction manual, lacking details. But it touches on a lot of them and you do get a feel for it. If you have the time, an enjoyable read.
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"Artic Homestead" by Norma Cobb was written by the last woman to file for a homestead grant up in Alaska ( during the 1970's ). It was quite a remarkable journal with the kids and husband to establish their home and a guide business. All the trials and tribulations. Again, not exactly an instruction manual. More like an inspirational tale. It might get you thinking what can be accomplished with little more than stubbornness and perseverance. You couldn't give me land and a job in Alaska. I have nothing but respect for those making a go of it outside the city there, but I couldn't deal with that kind of winter. I'd rather try to survive in the desert with five inches of rain a year after another mega-drought has started ( which might already be the case out West here ). But we all have different goals and desires. To each his own.
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"The Kingdom Of Fear" by Hunter S Thompson. I love this guy. The original gonzo journalist. If it wasn't for Hunter, most authors would still be writing in dry, inoffensive journalistic style. By blazing the pathway, he made it much more interesting to both write and to be a reader. I give Thompson his due. The first, the original, the trailblazer. That said, this book pointed out something I'd failed to see before. Hunter hated the system, but he was part of it. Which is why he was allowed to keep stirring the pot of crap. He points out the many failings, but ultimately is satisfied when justice prevails. He is only blaming the individuals for misconduct. Not the system itself. Perhaps I'm full of crap. Analyzing too much into things. Making a mountain out of a molehill. I hope so. No one likes to see the feet of clay. An interesting read. Some parts are too slow and deserve to be skipped, others are the full on Hunter we know and love, reporting on the lovable adventures of dope fiends on far too many pharmaceuticals, being armed and behind the wheel.
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That's it for today. I'll try to be more earth shaking on Monday. In the meantime, try to adjust your sense of humor. I try to pick on everyone including myself. Lighten up and enjoy the ride. We are all going to Hell in a hand basket on a rocket ship. Take the time to enjoy the scenery. You might as well have fun observing the decline of the Oil Age. And I'll work on getting pictures. Not because I need to prove anything ( the trolls will merely claim I drove to a nearby spot from the trailer park for pictures, or took pictures of a friends place ) but because I've been meaning to for some time. Sorry if I don't have a digital camera or a cell phone to snap pics. Not all of us spend money on such things.
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