Steve Middendorf

“Since 1945, the United States has supported a liberal international order underpinned by a variety of international institutions intended to strengthen military and economic security. The United States has violated the liberal values underlying that order on frequent occasions, most notably in Asia and Latin America, but these same values did become norms that could then be used to criticize such behavior.”
― Rana Mitter, China’s Good War: How World War II Is Shaping a New Nationalism

“The damned monotonous summer,” Joyce called it, and I remember with horror the mosquitoes which, high on San Giusto’s hill, used to hurl themselves at the mosquito nets of my youth.”
― Jan Morris, Trieste And Meaning Of Nowhere

“In the store the old men gathered, occupying for endless hours the creaking milkcases, speaking slowly and with conviction upon matters of profound inconsequence,”
― Cormac McCarthy, The Orchard Keeper

“I need to be alone sometimes. I would never dare confess it to Michele, I’d be afraid of upsetting him, but I dream of having a room all for myself.”
― Alba de Céspedes, Forbidden Notebook