Being Logical (D.Q. McInerny)

In Being Logical, D.Q. McInerny's "governing purpose was to write a practical guidebook, prsenting the basic principles of logic in a way that is accessible to those who are encountering the subject for the first time." He divides the book into five parts:

• Preparing the mind for logic
• The basic principles of logic
• Argument: the language of logic
• The sources of illogical thinking
• The principal forms of illogical thinking [fallacies]

I liked this work. It's a little more foundational/basic than A Rulebook for Arguments, but in the same vein- giving foundational principles. It was succinct, sharing only basic examples, which I enjoyed. I'm not sure I learned any new concepts, but I learned the language to label those concepts, and was reminded of a good many things to do (or not do) when thinking. This is another book similar (in approach) to Strunk & White's Elements of Style. Recommended.

Rating: A-

Stepper

It's been only 11 months since I purchased my gravel bike, Shadowfax. It's been fantastic, working exactly as advertised- like a road bike that can handle gravel and easy trails. But as we approach our return to America, I got to thinking . . . America lacks the paved/easy bike trails Germany has, and American drivers are much less aware of cyclists. I want to continue biking, but do it safely. So yesterday, I bought a mountain bike, christened Stepper (after a horse in The Wheel of Time fantasy series). 

I didn't make this decision lightly. A few things swayed me:

- Bikes are cheaper and more available here than in America.

- I tested Shadowfax on some of the harder trails (more rocks and roots), and it became clear that it wouldn't do on the trails in MD.

- I suspect my running days are numbered. I still enjoy it, but my legs feel . . . worn . . . after a run. After biking, they feel good. I really want to keep up the cycling in MD.

- It's better for 'touring' rides I take with the kids. Shadowfax is all about showing the meaning of haste, after all. The kids can't keep up with him yet. 

I haven't done a 'real' ride yet with Stepper, but should get plenty of opportunity before we leave here this summer. Welcome, Stepper, to the family. Long may you ride.

The Force Unleashed II (Various)

One year before the events of A New Hope . . . 

Starkiller died at the end of The Force Unleashed, saving the nascent Rebellion's leadership from Vader and Palpatine. But he's back . . . Vader had him cloned (I guess he wanted a do-over). But the clone has escaped and is tearing up Imperial facilities, looking desperately for Juno Eclipse, the woman he loves. Vader turns to the world's best bounty hunter to track Starkiller down . . . but is Fett up to the challenge?

The sequel wasn't nearly as good as the original story (see previous post). The graphic novel was rushed, confusing, and ultimately uninteresting/anticlimactic.

Rating: C-

The Force Unleashed (Various)

In the years after Revenge of the Sith, Darth Vader has taken on a secret apprentice. Trained in the Force and used as an assassin, "Starkiller" tracks down and destroys remaining Jedi. But all is not as it seems: Vader has a new secret mission for his pupil. Tasked to foment rebellion against the Emperor, Starkiller must now find leaders throughout the galaxy to create a Rebel Alliance. Will he succeed? Or is there more than meets the eye?

In 2008, The Force Unleashed was a major canonical event that spawned all forms of media: video game, novel, comics, even a Star Wars Miniatures expansion. The highlight was the video game, but the related media was impressive in its own right. I read this comic years ago and enjoyed revisiting it. There are layers of plot twists here, and its ultimately an origin story of the Rebellion. The story here was rushed and the confusion/omissions bothered me. But it's still decent.

Rating: A-

The Loyal Subject (Heinrich Mann)

 

The Loyal Subject, also published in English as The Patrioteer or Man of Straw, is the satirical story of Diederich Hessling, a man fiercely loyal to the Emperor at a time of societal upheaval (early twentieth century, just before the outbreak of WWI). The story follows him as he experiences college, romance, taking over his father's business, trying to establish himself in the town, marriage, and so on.

Hessling is "an average man, with a commonplace mind, the creature of circumstance and opportunity, without courage so long as things were going badly for him here, and tremendously self-important as soon as they had turned in his favour." He worshiped power, believed "Blood and iron are still the most effective remedy!" and learned that "public opinion was veering round quietly to the side of those who were more clever and powerful." He was a scoundrel and hypocrite; proclaiming courage, he was a coward; righteousness, he was wicked; truth, he was a liar. He questioned it at times- at one point, he "was forced to question the value of what he had attained or was still striving for; Guste [his wife] and her money, the [Kaiser Wilhelm] monument, the favour of the authorities, Gausenfeld [business venture], distinctions and high office." Yet "What had he now? What were the rewards in the service of Power?" But ultimately, he cared only for power, even as "on all sides Europe is being driven along this road to national ruin."

This was a heartbreaking and sobering read. I wanted to put it down at times because I disliked the main character so much. It was a good portrait of a person who believes he is right(eous) and will commit any manner of wickedness to further his aim (which was mostly power and self-indulgence). He hardens his heart to justify his misdeeds, making others out to be the enemy (or blaming them for his own follies). Though set in the context of warring political factions, his story is indicative of us all and the reality of our sinful hearts in any sphere- we justify misconduct, we blameshift, etc. all in the means of attaining whatever it is we seek- whatever our idols happen to be.

The book was good. I missed some things, I'm sure- I had trouble following some of the dialogue and plot, but I suspect this is due to my own ignorance of the culture of the time. I got the main point, and how sad it was (especially in light of what Germany would experience in the subsequent decades). There are some disturbing parallels to recent history and even present day. Power ebbs and flows, and sometimes we see that the power of those in charge "has brought neither more intelligence nor more kindness into the world." People will side with power, even when those in charge are wrong and lead the land into disaster.

Rating: A-

Inkheart (Cornelia Funke)

Meggie and her father, Mo, enjoy a quiet and somewhat nomadic life. She's used to following the mysterious bookbinder on his often-abrupt moves. One day, she realizes why: they're on the run. And in fact they always have been; the evil Capricorn wants Mo, and will stop at nothing to get him. For Mo has the power to bring stories to life- to read characters out of them and into the real world. And he can read characters into them, too- is that where Meggie's mother disappeared, all those years ago? He can't control what goes in or comes out, but Capricorn doesn't care; he wants to force Mo to read a horrible monster into the world. Will Capricorn succeed? 

I listened to this on a long car ride 13 years ago, and now realize I remember none of it. That said, this was an outstanding read, and I'm glad to revisit it. The first of a trilogy, I look forward to the rest. Another winner in the 'German fantasy' category.

Rating: A

Spider-man 3

The final film in the original Spider-man trilogy, Spider-man 3 starts with Peter Parker in an unusually pleasant situation: his studies are going well, he's dating MJ, and everyone loves Spidey. But things soon take a turn for the worse when Harry (who knows his identity) attacks, an alien symbiote bonds to him, MJ breaks off the relationship, and two new villains arise: Sandman and Venom. Is this finally the end for Spider-man?

This film received mixed reviews; I liked it. The main themes are the enemy within, forgiveness (everyone does terrible things) and reconciliation. No superhero movie before or since has explored these in quite the depth that this movie did; Spidey's selfishness shows how everyone needs help- and everyone needs forgiveness. I give it high praise for tackling the theme, even if it doesn't get it exactly right. 

The main dig is too many villains; I agree. Sandman is a fascinating character- a sympathy-evoking villain- but he was insufficiently explored to make room for Venom, who was similarly rushed. Throw Goblin Junior in there and it's all too hastily done.

Rating: B+

Mephisto (Klaus Mann)

 

Hendrik Höfgen is a gifted actor in Hamburg, obsessed with his career. He has communist leanings, but as the Nazis come to power in 1930s Germany, he quickly sheds his idealogies (and wife, and mistress) to pander to the powerful. He enjoys an exploding career in Berlin and has fame, success, money . . . but at what cost?

Written in 1936 (while in exile in Amsterdam), Mephisto is the chilling portait of both the rise of the Nazis and the reaction to that ascendancy in some Germans. Though it appears that Höfgen cares only about his career, in reality he cares more about survival: he is willing to sacrifice ideals and loves for the favor of those in power, even if it means selling his soul. Though he performs occasional good deeds to assuage his dying conscience and take out 'insurance' should the tide ever turn, "Success, that sublime and irrefutable justification of every infamy, had made both of them [Hendrik and a friend] forget their shame." 

Mann does a good job of portraying Nazi terror and just how quickly Höfgen caves- it's almost without a thought. And I suspect it was so for thousands of Germans, terrified out of their wits and willing to sacrifice much for themselves or their loved ones. But what was the cost? 

I'm impressed that this was penned before WWII. It's horrifying that people could see the coming conflagration, yet be so powerless to stop it. 

My wife is glad I'm done this book; even the cover is creepy. (She made me keep it upside-down on the table.)

Rating: A

Spider-man 2

Continuing on our Spider-man kick, yesterday we watched Spider-man 2 (technically, the extended version, Spider-man 2.1).

Living a double life has its drawbacks; nothing seems to be going right for Peter Parker. He's nearly failing school, the love of his life is dating another, and financial woes continue to plague him and his Aunt May. He starts to question: why can't he have what he wants? Does he really have to be Spider-man? Maybe it's time to hang up the suit.

A brilliant scientist, Doctor Otto Octavius is nearing a monumental breakthrough in a clean energy source. But when a demonstration gone awry leaves four autonomous mechanical arms welded to his body and in control of his mind, he becomes a menace nobody may be able to stop- not even Spider-man.

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I really liked this movie "back in the day" (it was released in 2004). It has held up pretty well- perhaps not as good as I remembered it, but solid nonetheless. I loved most of the characters (especially portraying Parker in his angst), but what endeared this to me was its exploration of choice vs. destiny. Can Peter Parker choose to walk away from Spider-man, or will his power compel him to use it? What about all of us- we all have talents ('powers')- what are they for? Must we use them?

Also prevalent is the idea of finite capacity. Peter struggles, in part, from trying to do too much, and keep too much from those he loves. He distances himself to focus on his responsibilities. But need that be the case? And do a multitude of duties- to the city, to loved ones, and more- mean that he has to make difficult choices, and (in fact) cannot do it all?

The film doesn't always have the right answers, but it has some good ones, and is more story/character-driven than most movies in this genre. It remains one of my favorites.

Rating: A

Death in Rome (Wolfgang Koeppen)

I cannot improve upon the back cover's summary: "A tragic portrait of Germany after World War II, mirroring the social and political upheaval following the defeat of Nazism, Death in Rome tells the story of four members of a German family- a former SS officer, a young man preparing for the priesthood, a composer, and a government administrator- reunited by chance in the decaying beauty of postwar Rome." 

Guilt, confusion, anger, hatred, and longing pervade this novel. The SS general rails against perceived betrayals as he longs for the old days. His son seeks refuge in the church. The government administrator, whose indifference contributed to the horror, looks to make his way in the new world. His son composes music "out of fear, out of desperation, because of the apparitions and terrible dreams . . . I guessed, I asked questions, I didn't know the answer, I had no answer, I could give no answer; there was no answer." He wants to change Germany, but "it already seemed to me that Germany was past changing, that one could only change oneself . . ." 

I was both enthralled and bored by this work. It's not my preferred style- was this stream-of-consciousness writing? Sections seemed to drone on and were dreadfully dull, but the latter third of the book in particular was a poignant window into the variety of emotions and responses of a conquered and reeling people.

Rating: B-