All You Ever Wanted (Or Needed) To Know About Alaska

Alaska by James A. Michener

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is my second Michener book after shying away from him for years and years because of his reputation.  Now, I find myself enjoying the books for all the knowledge I get in very palatable form.  As in the earlier book of Michener's that I read, "The Source," he starts with prehistoric times, and then mixes stories with facts to give a complete history of the place.  It's not a great work of literature, some of the stories are too cheesy.  But without this book, I would never have bothered to learn much about Alaska beyond what has been in the news the last two years about its flaky former governor.  The book is more than 1,000 pages long, but if you take it in little bites (it took me almost four months to finish it,) it's worth the effort.

Obed Report: Grandson Number One is Here!

Not all newborn babies are cute. I'm so glad that we were lucky enough to get a cute one. Obed arrived yesterday morning at 12:49 a.m., missing by 50 minutes our hope that he would be born on 10-20-2010. He is a biggie -- 9 pounds, 6 ounces and 21 inches long. He was about three weeks overdue, which I think accounts for his size and alertness. He looks like he is well aware of what is going on and is taking it all in.

Obed Report: Still Waiting

So, The Wife and I are in New York this week, awaiting the arrival of Grandson Number One, Obed Henry Otto. He was due October 1, but he is following the example of several relatives (not me) who tend to be late. Yesterday, we spent most of the day at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (yes, I, too, thought it was Botanical Gardens, because that would make sense, but it's not.) The weather was perfect yesterday and today.

Today, we went to Manhattan and walked around the Union Square area. The specific errand was to go to the Farmer's Market, but an added benefit to going anywhere in New York City is to watch the people. This is a libertarian's paradise. Anything goes, from a man, clothed only in a hat, shoes, socks and a placard (in front; nothing but the cool Manhattan breeze in the back) reminding people to remember Eric Williamson to a poor ex-(we hope)prostitute, just trying to get some donations in order to stay ex-. You don't know who Eric Williamson is? I didn't either, until I googled him and found these stories,here, here, and here.

The picture of the ex-prostitute flatters her. Forgive Crockhead for being cynical, but despite the man talking to her, business could not have been booming before she decided to rehabilitate herself. She probably needs better advertising. Maybe some flyers promoting a going-out-of-business sale would attract some better heeled customers.

JACK Report: Sold Out in Germany

Here, courtesy of Google translate, is a German newspaper account of a festival in Germany where JACK will be playing in two weeks. As best as I can make out, there are no more tickets available, not even for standing. Woo Hoo!

"Four wins at the Music Days 2010
Von Schwarzwälder-Bote, aktualisiert am 01.10.2010 um 22:31 From black-Bote, updated on 01.10.2010 22:31

Von Steffen Maier Steffen Maier

Donaueschingen. Donaueschingen. Viele sagen ihm jetzt "Mensch, Georg, das ist ja super", aber dem Georg, dem ist derzeit alles andere als super zumute. Many say it now "Hey, George, that's great," but the George, which is currently anything but super mood. Georg Riedmann sitzt an seinem Schreibtisch im Kulturamt, vor sich den Computer, schaut auf die vielen E-Mails, die meisten davon drehen sich um ein Thema: Die Absender wollen, möchten, brauchen unbedingt noch Karten für die Donaueschinger Musiktage, die Stadt in zwei Wochen zusammen mit der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde und dem Südwestrundfunk wieder auf die Beine stellt. Georg Riedmann sits at his desk in the Department of Culture, in front of the computer looks at the many e-mails that turn most of it is an issue: The sender will want, really need any tickets for the Donaueschingen Music Festival, the city in two weeks along with the Friends of Music Society and the South-West Radio is back on its feet. Aber es gibt keine Karten mehr. But there are no more tickets. Und das ist ja eigentliche eine gute Nachricht. And that's real good news.

Streng besehen sind schon mehr Karten weg, als Plätze in den Spielstätten vorhanden sind – im Flugzeug würde man sagen: die Musiktage sind überbucht. Strictly inspect even more cards away, as space is available in the venues - would tell you on the plane: the music days are overbooked. Nur dass in Donaueschingen kein Ersatzflieger bereit steht. Except that no replacement ready in Donaueschingen fliers. Wer zuerst kommt, darf auf Stühlen sitzen, viele müssen aber auch auf Hallenböden Platz nehmen oder während der Konzerte stehen. First come, must sit on chairs, many must also take place on indoor surfaces or stand during concerts.

Und genau das bereitet Georg Riedmann, dem Kulturamtsleiter einige Sorgen. And that's what prepares Georg Riedmann, the culture department head a few worries. Was, wenn etwas passiert? What if something happens? Aber Neue-Musik-Fans sind ja zum Glück kultivierte Menschen mit Anstand und Niveau, die Musiktage sind ja auch kein Massen-Rock-Konzert unter freiem Himmel, da wird schon alles gut gehen. But new music fans are fortunately cultured people with dignity and class, the music days are not much of a mass rock concert under the stars, as even all will be well.

Musiktage: Worüber viele Donaueschinger den Kopf schütteln, weil sie mit den Klängen der Musiker so rein gar nichts anfangen können, ist bei Liebhabern aus aller Welt beliebt und angesagt. Music Festival: Shake What many Donaueschingen head because, with the sounds of music as pure can start anything, is in its devotees from all over the world, popular and fashionable. Der Termin des seit 1921 in Donaueschingen stattfindenden und weltweit bedeutendsten Festivals für Neue Musik ist ein Muss in der Kenner-Szene. The date of 1921 in Donaueschingen taking place and the world's most important festivals for contemporary music is a must for the connoisseur scene.

Im Zentrum der diesjährigen Auflage steht das Streichquartett. In the center of this year's edition is the string quartet. Herzstück des Programms ist die Quardittiade am Samstag: Mit dem "Arditti Quartet" aus London, dem "Quatuor Diotima" aus Paris und dem "JACK Quartet" aus New York treffen Streichquartette dreier Generationen und Interpretationskulturen aufeinander. The heart of the program is to Quardittiade on Saturday: "Arditti Quartet" By from London, the "Quatuor Diotima" from Paris and the JACK Quartet from New York to meet one another string of three generations and cultures interpretation. Die Musiker haben einen Marathon vor sich: Jedes Quartett spielt sein Konzert an diesem Tag drei Mal, wechselnd im Strawinsky-Saal der Donauhallen, in der Christuskirche und in der Erich-Kästner-Halle. The musicians have a marathon itself: each quartet will perform his concert on that day three times, alternating in the Stravinsky Hall of the Danube halls, in the Christ Church and the Erich-Kästner-Hall.

Diese "Quardittiade" ist nach der "Ensembliade" 2008 und dem Schwerpunkt Sinfonieorchester 2009 der dritte und abschließende Teil des von der Ernst von Siemens-Stiftung geförderten Trilogie-Projekts zu instrumentalen Gattungen. This "Quardittiade" after the "Ensembliade" 2008 and 2009, the focus Sinfonieorchester third and final part of the instrumental from the Ernst von Siemens Foundation funded project trilogy genera. Diese Siemens-Förderung – satte 110 000 Euro in den vergangenen beiden und in diesem Jahr –ist damit erst einmal beendet. This Siemens Promotion - whopping 110 000 euros in the past two and this year is terminated for the first time. Finanziell gesichert sind die Musiktage dennoch: Weiterhin wird die Kulturstiftung des Bundes das Festival mit alljährlich 210 000 Euro unterstützen, für die Siemens-Stiftung springt ab dem nächsten Jahr das Land Baden-Württemberg ein, zusätzliche Gelder kommen vom SWR und der Stadt Donaueschingen. backed financially the music days are yet, is further support the Federal Cultural Foundation, the festival each year of 210 000 €, for the Siemens Foundation jumps in from next year, the state of Baden-Württemberg, additional funds come from the SWR and the city of Donaueschingen.

Neben den Konzerten sind in diesem Jahr auch wieder Klangkunst-Objekte Teil der Musiktage – wenn auch nur zwei, im Spiegelsaal des Museums Biedermann und bei Häring in der Josefstraße. In addition to the concerts this year again sound art objects of the music days - even if only two, in the Mirror Hall of the museum and Biedermann, Josef Haring Street. Insbesondere die Installation "Salon Q – Übungen mit Bögen, Haaren, Wangen, Wirbeln, Schnecken" von Georg Nussbaumer (Häring) soll das Schwerpunktthema Streichquartett klangkünstlerisch aufarbeiten. In particular, the installation "Salon Q - Exercises with bows, hair, cheeks, vertebrae, worm" by Georg Nussbaumer (Haring) avoid becoming the main topic string quartet sounded artistically.

Ebenso wieder Teil des Festivals sind die Donaueschinger. Similarly, again part of the festival are the Donaueschingen. War es vor zwei Jahren ein Müllwagen, hinter dem die Stadtkapelle durch die Karlstraße zog, so geben am Musiktage-Sonntag Schüler der Erich-Kästner-Schule unter der Anleitung von Christoph Hutter und Bernhard Rißmann um 15 Uhr ein Konzert in der Kästner-Halle mit selbstgebastelten Instrumenten. Was it two years ago, a garbage truck, behind which drew the chapel by the Charles street, so be on music day Sunday school of the Erich-Kästner-school under the guidance of Christoph Hutter and Bernhard Rißmann by 15 clock a concert at the Kästner-hall self-made instruments. Darauf folgt dann noch das Abschlusskonzert um 17 Uhr im Mozart-Saal der Donauhallen "Orchester, Streichquartett, Zwölftonpianos". This is followed then the final concert by 17 clock in the Mozart Hall of the Danube halls "orchestra, string quartet, Zwölftonpianos. Und dann werden die Musiktage 2010 schon wieder Geschichte sein. And then the Music Days 2010 will again be history. Und wenn alles gut gelaufen ist, dann ist auch Georg Riedmann wieder super zumute. And if everything went well, then Georg Riedmann is again felt great.

Book report" "The Castle In The Woods" by Norman Mailer

The Castle in the Forest: A Novel by Norman Mailer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Norman Mailer, at the top of his game, is really good.  The problem with Norman Mailer is that for too many years he was his own biggest fan. It took him 10 years to get this one written, but it was worth waiting for.



The form of the book is a study of the young and adolescent Hitler and his family, as narrated by a demon assigned by "The Maestro," to make him really evil.  But the book really is a religious meditation on the nature of good and evil, the struggle between "The Maestro" (the devil) and "The Dumkopf" (God) and the extent to which our fates are determined by ourselves and forces external to ourselves.



Mailer never forgets in this book that the purpose of a novel is to tell a story, and tell a story he does, in all its unsavory details.  This is not a book for persons easily offended.  It is a book for persons who enjoy a well-told story.

JACK Report: You Can't Buy Better Publicity Than A Feature in the New York Times

Son Number Two and fellow violinist playing with JACK

I've been eagerly checking Google for a week now, looking for the feature I knew was coming in the New York Times about JACK Quartet, the group of talented young musicians of which Son Number Two is a part. I usually go buy several of the newspapers when they run a review of JACK, which they frequently do, just for the archives. Finally, last night, the article showed up on-line. But, alas, the print version was published the day before, on Thursday, and all of those papers are off the shelves. I am tempted to go to the library and smuggle a copy out in my briefcase. Read the article here. It is very flattering and it even mentions the expected arrival of my new grandson in several weeks. The photographs are from the NYT and hopefully this acknowledgment gives me permission to post them. If not, and the Times notices, I may have to take them down.

JACK Quartet at The Stone in NYC several weeks ago

 

Here's A Song I Thought About A Lot Today For Some Reason

Book Report: "Deception," by Philip Roth

Deception by Philip Roth

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Philip Roth is a good writer, and I'm sure from a technical standpoint this is an excellent book. But as a nonacademic, the post-modernist structure of this book gets to be a bit much.

The book purports to be a series of conversations between an author, named Philip; an English woman who may or may not have been his mistress, a Czechoslovakian woman who may or may not have been a prostitute, and Philip's wife. The wife discovers the book and is convinced it describes actual affairs Philip has had, although he denies that they occurred anywhere except in his mind. After the confrontation with the wife, the conversations go back to the English woman and Philip discussing what he told the wife. The book leaves the reader to form his own opinion about whether any of the conversations actually occurred or are made up in Philip Roth's head.

I can take a little post-modernism, but by the end of this book, I was longing for just a straight forward story by an author who doesn't insert himself into the middle of it.

Insincere bigotry

This is the best discussion I have seen anywhere on the gay marriage debate, and how the evidence in the recent California trial should shut up any reasonable opponent of gay marriage. The post is called Insincere bigotry and is published on a blog called slacktivist

Book Report: "Zeitoun," by Dave Eggers

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Don't read this book if you don't want to be upset by the U.S. government. This is a nonfiction book in which Eggers follows what happened to a Muslim family in New Orleans before, during and after the Katrina Hurricane. The husband, a building contractor, insisted on staying in New Orleans during the storm, sending his wife and children to stay with relatives in Baton Rouge. He was well-prepared and in the immediate aftermath of the storm, he was able to assist many people and animals with a canoe he owned. A week later, however, after National Guard and police from other places were sent in to maintain "order," things turned chaotic for him. He wound up getting arrested in his own home, held in a Guantanamo-style cage for several days and then put in a prison. He was not permitted to call his family nor a lawyer; he was not told the charges against him, and he was held without access to even a judge for three weeks before he was released.

Eggers is an excellent writer and this book contains no hint of the self-importance that turned me off about his first book, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. This book actually is a heartbreaking work of staggering genius and it's not about Eggers.

Book Report: "Letting Go," by Philip Roth

Letting Go by Philip Roth

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is another extraordinary Roth book. He excels at showing, not telling. It is a psychological study, in the Henry James tradition (from what I've been told about Henry James, I haven't read much of him,)set in Chicago, mostly, about a trio of young people who become involved with each other while at the Iowa Writers' Workshop and then wind up teaching at the University of Chicago. As always in Roth, being Jewish, is a big part of the book. What I like about Roth is he describes situations and conversations and let's the reader figure out motivations rather than spelling them out. The book is a little short on plot, but very interesting.

And Now For A Moment of Truth

A friend of mine sent me this by email. It's probably all over the internet, but it's too good not to use.










Life can be summarized in 4 bottles....

S**t!!! we're on #3!



.

Book Report: "Generosity" by Richard Powers

Generosity: An Enhancement by Richard Powers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of those rare books to which I award more than five stars. It is a tour de force by the smartest man I know. Powers has almost created his own genre, an in-depth exploration of neurological puzzles in a way that is very understandable and readable by a lay audience.

In Generosity, Powers explores the extent to which emotions are controlled by genes. A young woman from Algeria is in Chicago, taking a night class in writing and entrances the teacher and the class with her constantly sunny outlook on life despite hardships that would cause normal people to despair. Eventually her genome is mapped by an entrepreneurial scientist who claims to have isolated a "happiness" gene. Who this person is turns out to be way more complicated than her genes, and Powers does a great job of explaining the nature/nurture duality of all of us.

For someone not used to post-modernist literature, Powers's style might take some getting used to. He inserts himself, as the author, into the book, repeatedly reminding the reader that this is a story that Powers is making up, as he goes. Powers starts the book by sketching the writing instructor stating right up front that "I picture him in the . . . " later saying, "The blank page is patient, and meaning can wait. I watch until he solidifies." At another point, describing a lunch between the instructor and a psychologist who becomes his girlfriend, Powers comments, "Over date pudding, she tells him about negativity bias. I'm not really sure if she tells him this over date pudding, of course, or even if she tells him at this lunch at all. But she tells him at some point, early on. That much is nonfiction: no creation necessary." At another point he writes, "And, by a minor coincidence I don't know how to handle any other way, Candace Weld reads the Time article. . . ."

Although I don't usually like an author to act all authorly in his writing, I don't find Powers's playing around with the third wall as irritating as I might in a lesser writer. Or maybe I'm just prejudiced. In any event, read this book. Even if you're irritated at the tricks, you won't be bored.

Book Report: Anne Tyler Does It Again with "Noah's Compass"

Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a typical Anne Tyler book in that it is full of quirky characters and it is written flawlessly. The thing I like best about Tyler is her respect for the intelligence of her readers. She does not spell everything out for you, but lets you figure out what is going on and what is motivating her characters by her descriptions of what they do. She does not overdo details by dwelling on non-essentials but knows exactly what to describe to give the reader a feel for what is going on. If you like Anne Tyler, you will love this book.

Book Report: "Goodbye, Columbus," by Philip Roth

Philip Roth: Novels and Stories 1959-1962: Goodbye, Columbus & Five Short Stories / Letting Go by Philip Roth


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am a Philip Roth fan, although not an uncritical one.  I don't know anyone who depicts the richness of Jewish life in America with such warmth and humor but fearlessness.  I wish Amish/Mennonites had someone writing who was half as good.

This book is Roth's first one, published in 1959, and winning The National Book Award. I picked this book up at the library, thinking that Goodbye, Columbus, would probably be pretty much like the movie but not having seen the movie in many years I was ready for a repeat of the story.  I won't say the book is nothing like the movie, but significant details are changed.  In the book, the young man doesn't have an affair with the mother -- they never can stand each other, and he doesn't get the advice at the end to go into plastics. (Later Update:  As Anonymous Wendy points out below, I confused Goodbye, Columbus with The Graduate, which has nothing to do with Philip Roth. The only similarity is that Richard Benjamin kind of looks like Dustin Hoffman.)

The other five short stories in the book are the equal of or better than Goodbye, Columbus.  The Conversion of the Jews, is about a young boy who questions Jewish dogma, arguing that if God is all-powerful there could have been a virgin birth as preached by some Christians.  He gets in trouble with the rabbi and winds up forcing the conversion of his entire synagogue to Christianity.  Many Jewish Americans were highly offended by the story, while critics loved it.

The other stories in the book are Defender of the Faith,  Epstein, You Can't Tell A Man By The Song He Sings, and Eli, The Fanatic.  I won't take the time to detail all of them, but generally they follow the same themes as the first two I have mentioned.

If your only knowledge of Philip Roth is the scandal caused by Portnoy's Complaint, when it was published (it wouldn't raise many eyebrows now,) then you owe it to yourself to read some of his other works.  You will feel enriched.