Here is the first meeting of
"Second Thursdays: Ladies' Classics Book Club", so called because we meet on
the second Thursday of the month to discuss a classic. Last night was
our first meeting with eight ladies in attendance between the ages of
29-70. Our first read was the famous classic East of Eden by John
Steinbeck. Though I do agree that Steinbeck was a very talented writer I
did not care for this book. But most of the group really liked it and
the book easily provided a few hours worth of discussion. Of course we
enjoyed some treats and wine as well- a few California wines to go with
the Salinas Valley theme of the book.
As people of "The Book" we believe that reading helps us to know the world, to know ourselves and to know God. We have men's and women's book groups interested in exercising our minds and connecting with others who are looking for Gods grace, both common and particular, in great literature. Keep up with us here at the blog or better yet, join us for our next meeting!
Friday, May 15, 2015
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Modern Fascism - Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
This is a very good book
on the rise of German Fascism. I was expecting (hoping) that it would be
more focused on fascism as it is alive today. The history and defining
of fascism was what I found most helpful. I always assumed it was based
on hyper-nationalism but found that it is more based on a rejection of
transcendence with pagan roots, seeds of environmentalism and grounded
in existentialism. I suppose one smarter than myself can make the
connection from the environment of the early 20th century that gave rise
to fascism and the intellectual climate of today. I'm not going to lie,
I was hoping Veith was going to do that for me.
Another interesting part of the story is the development of the phrase "will to power." Power seems to be a major theme of fascist thought and what better basis for it than the autonomous will of man. This of course comes from the rejection of transcendent truth and law (something the Nazis blamed Jewish thought and religion for) and is easily identifiable with Heidegger's existentialism.
Overall a good read, just not what I was expecting.
Another interesting part of the story is the development of the phrase "will to power." Power seems to be a major theme of fascist thought and what better basis for it than the autonomous will of man. This of course comes from the rejection of transcendent truth and law (something the Nazis blamed Jewish thought and religion for) and is easily identifiable with Heidegger's existentialism.
Overall a good read, just not what I was expecting.
Friday, May 1, 2015
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
"In his journal, John Steinbeck called East of Eden "the first book," and indeed it has the primordial power and simplicity of myth. Set in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families--the Trasks and the Hamiltons--whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel."
Dana says: This
was my first choice for my Ladies' Book Club. Ever since
seeing it at the Friends of the Library book sale I was intrigued by it.
Its a large book at around 600 pages and I have to admit I hated it
until around page 325. After that I found few things to like about it. No doubt about it
Steinbeck is a good writer and the story was interesting enough to keep
me reading it but if I hadn't been reading it for the book club (of
which I am the host) I am not sure I would have finished it. I found all
the reading about and the attitude toward prostitution in the book to
be almost more than I could bare. Without the relief given by the
inclusion of the characters of Samuel Trask and Lee I am sure I would not
have made it through the book. All this being said I will give this book
3 stars, but just barely. Steinbeck is very good at character development and he definitely tackles big issues in this book but I really yearned for some redemption. And even though I am at odds with the Steinbeck's view concerning
man and his nature I am glad to have read this and do think it will make
for some good Book Club discussion.
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