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Comment by Randall Smith on February 19, 2017 at 7:55am

Just finished “The Book that Changed America (How Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Ignited a Nation)”, by Randall Fuller.
From a single copy of “Origins”, the intelligentsia of Concord eventually read and expressed opinions about Darwin’s bombshell.
Only a few (Asa Gray and Thoreau) really accepted the theory of natural selection. The rest either totally rejected it or tried to assimilate it into their own beliefs (Emerson for one).
As I read the book, I was constantly (but not surprisingly) amazed at how the power of belief and faith (in god) swayed the opinions of very learned men and women (Louisa May Alcott). I am perplexed as to why reason and factual evidence were ignored. Spontaneous generation caused by a divine “Artist” was the prevailing choice.
Thoreau, however, stated “It is a vulgar prejudice that some plants are ‘spontaneously generated’, but science knows that they come from seeds”. (I became a much greater admirer of him than ever before.)

Despite its “preaching to the choir”, I do recommend
reading this book for its historical content. The account of issues and concerns that were a part of the mid 19th century are “still very much with us today, including racism and the enduring conflict between science and religion”.

Comment by Randall Smith on February 15, 2017 at 7:26am

Always appreciate recommendations, Daniel.

If you’re into astronomy, I learned a lot from The Glass Universe, by Dava Sobel. It’s about “How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars”, a historical story of the late 19th and early 20th century.

Comment by Plinius on February 13, 2017 at 1:39pm

Sounds fascinating, Daniel!

Comment by Daniel W on February 13, 2017 at 12:10pm

Just finished a book that I liked a lot. This was via the public library’s audiobook lending system, Overdrive. Trust No One by Paul Cleave.

The storyline involves a murder mystery writer who develops early Alzheimers. He begins to confuse his memory with that of his pseudonym and of the serial killer characters in his books. Then we start to question – is HE the serial killer? Who do we trust? I enjoyed the book with its twisted story line, and his portrayal of forgetfulness that is true to what I saw for many of my patients. Although as far as knew, none of them were suspected of serial murder. The narration was quite good too.

Comment by Daniel W on February 3, 2017 at 8:55am

Randy, sounds like a good book. I’ll have to look for it at the library.

Comment by Daniel W on February 3, 2017 at 8:52am

I’ve read all of the mystery series from Jonathan Kellerman. Put “read” in quotes, since it’s via audio-books. Most of them twice. New one coming put this month. The narrator is John Rubenstein, he’s half the reason I listen. Great narrator. The series is a psychologist who contracts with the police to solve murders, along with his friend, a police detective who grew up in Indiana and happens to be a big bear sized gay Vietnam veteran with a bad attitude.

Comment by Randall Smith on February 3, 2017 at 7:21am

Quiz: What do you consider “Famous Works of Art” and why? Well, a book by that title answers the question (by John Nici).

The “art” includes sculptures and things like the Egyptian Great Sphinx and Tomb of King Tut. Also listed are The Parthenon Sculptures, Apollo Belvadere, Nike of Samothrace, and The Thinker.

The rest are paintings and one photograph. Ready? The Birth of Venus, Mona Lisa, Sistine Madonna, The Burial of Count Orgaz, Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer, Washington Crossing the Delaware, Luncheon on the Grass, The Starry Night, The Scream, American Gothic, Guernica, and Campbell’s Soup.

The photo is Migrant Mother. And the author threw in The Vietnam Vererans Memorial for some reason.

Interesting history of each explaining why he chose the ones he did. If you want to know the artists, just ask (or google). I really enjoyed the book.

Comment by Randall Smith on December 27, 2016 at 7:05am

I agree, Bertold.

Daniel, we have similar tastes in reading material. I should re-read “Grapes”. Of course, I’ve read all of Vonnegut, being a fellow Hoosier. Enjoyed “Augie March” by Bellow, way back when. As a young man, Michener’s Fires of Spring inspired me to travel, as did Kerouac (sp?). I don’t read many novels anymore, however.

Comment by Bertold Brautigan on December 26, 2016 at 9:12pm

I finished The Big Picture a little while back. Great read.

Comment by Daniel W on December 26, 2016 at 7:51pm

Randy, I will have to look for Carroll’s book. I like your review.

Reading Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”. Way back when, when I was a young soldier stationed at remote posts in Turkey, I read most of Steinbeck’s works – and Vonnegut, and Bellow, and a bunch more. I had forgotten how poetic Steinbeck wrote. Wonderful reading. Available from my library via Overdrive, which is great for me.

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