Tuesday, August 30, 2005
I can read
Starting from June, I've read seven books while infirmed.
Angels and Demons, The da Vinci Code - Dan Brown's two thrillers with title character Robert Langdon. Fast and funny. I love fiction with actual history mixed in. Of course, the problem for me is not knowing what was true and what was imagination. Ultimately, I don't care as long as it holds my interest and these books surely did that.
Good Omens - Written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Wickedly funny and rather obviously an attack on all humans over the age of twelve. Myself being deeply disappointed in my shaved-ape brethren, I agreed with the authors' evaluation, as well as their resolution. Bloody great characters and hilarious images for the reader.
Autumn Bridge - Written by Takashi Matsuoka. The second of his two book tale set in both Japan and America in the mid to late 19th century. I loved the blatant contrast between the two cultures and the highlighted foolishness of putting pointless custom ahead of one's true nature. Takashi is a student of Zen and that is a strong undercurrent in his books. Very cool books. (the other book is Cloud of Sparrows)
Rainbow Six - Written by Tom Clancy. I'm not the biggest Clancy fan but I do love the John Clark character. The first Clancy book I read was Without Remorse. That one is all about Clark, and it is perfection. Rainbow Six isn't half as compelling as Remorse was because, for my taste, it has too many characters. And frankly I've lost interest in military action. Also, I found myself siding with the bad guys in this one, as I too believe the only way the planet can heal is if humans are removed from it. Go bad guys!
Still the Mind; An Introduction to Meditation - written by Alan Watts. Alan found fame first as a brilliant intellectual and then as a serious student of buddhism and meditation. This is a small book and is very plainly written. Alan is so good at making what can sometimes be very complicated eastern philosophy seem as simple as fire is hot, ice is cold. The core of Ch'an(zen) is illustrated in this book in a manner that provides the unitiated with a very fine introduction to an incredibly simple method of discovering truth.
The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan - Written by Wong Kiew Kit. It is as complete as the title implies. Basic hand techniques, footwork techniques, full illustrated patterns of six major styles. As well as methods for developing internal force, qi flow, and achieving a state of zen. Lots of history and some very useful self-defense patterns using various postures from the forms. Great book for all students of this amazing art. ¶ 9:45 a.m.
Angels and Demons, The da Vinci Code - Dan Brown's two thrillers with title character Robert Langdon. Fast and funny. I love fiction with actual history mixed in. Of course, the problem for me is not knowing what was true and what was imagination. Ultimately, I don't care as long as it holds my interest and these books surely did that.
Good Omens - Written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Wickedly funny and rather obviously an attack on all humans over the age of twelve. Myself being deeply disappointed in my shaved-ape brethren, I agreed with the authors' evaluation, as well as their resolution. Bloody great characters and hilarious images for the reader.
Autumn Bridge - Written by Takashi Matsuoka. The second of his two book tale set in both Japan and America in the mid to late 19th century. I loved the blatant contrast between the two cultures and the highlighted foolishness of putting pointless custom ahead of one's true nature. Takashi is a student of Zen and that is a strong undercurrent in his books. Very cool books. (the other book is Cloud of Sparrows)
Rainbow Six - Written by Tom Clancy. I'm not the biggest Clancy fan but I do love the John Clark character. The first Clancy book I read was Without Remorse. That one is all about Clark, and it is perfection. Rainbow Six isn't half as compelling as Remorse was because, for my taste, it has too many characters. And frankly I've lost interest in military action. Also, I found myself siding with the bad guys in this one, as I too believe the only way the planet can heal is if humans are removed from it. Go bad guys!
Still the Mind; An Introduction to Meditation - written by Alan Watts. Alan found fame first as a brilliant intellectual and then as a serious student of buddhism and meditation. This is a small book and is very plainly written. Alan is so good at making what can sometimes be very complicated eastern philosophy seem as simple as fire is hot, ice is cold. The core of Ch'an(zen) is illustrated in this book in a manner that provides the unitiated with a very fine introduction to an incredibly simple method of discovering truth.
The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan - Written by Wong Kiew Kit. It is as complete as the title implies. Basic hand techniques, footwork techniques, full illustrated patterns of six major styles. As well as methods for developing internal force, qi flow, and achieving a state of zen. Lots of history and some very useful self-defense patterns using various postures from the forms. Great book for all students of this amazing art. ¶ 9:45 a.m.
