Thursday, January 19, 2017

Malcolm Gladwell Talking Sense

 Yes, I'm in the camp that feels like my fellow Americans have, somehow, chosen to be led by the anti christ. OK - he's not as charismatic or smart as the AC is likely to be and so there's some hope in that, but - any way, to my point.

 In the midst of all the baying I found respite and hope in this short interview of Malcolm Gladwell.  The interviewer, one of a species of lefty British types who specialize in dudgeon, is outclassed by Gladwell, who is obviously thinking for himself and not regurgitating the script the interviewer seems to have written for him.

Of course I found this over on BBC Radio 4 - which is a wonderful place.  An interview with the writer Lionel Shriver is included as part of the same series and I recommend that one to you too.

Buckle on your helmets, America.  Here we go.  As Gladwell notes, if Trump had more substance we might need to be more concerned. I've decided to look at this next four years as a period of illness that will make us appreciate and safeguard our health much more diligently post-Trump.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Thanks - The Books are in the Mail

Thanks to all who entered the recent Goodreads Giveaway,  The books have been despatched, as some people used to say.  I still have a few of the first editions up for grabs (see previous post) if you're looking for a group-read.

Just for stopping in today I have a little thank you gift for you - a book recommendation.  If you liked Up, Back, and Away I think you will love the trilogy of books written by Adrian Bell about how he became a farmer in Suffolk back in the 1920s.

I read that Bell's books went to war with English soldiers during World War II.  They carried his books in their packs and he carried them home to their countryside.  He's a wonderful writer and you won't be sorry if you give him some of your time.