Mark Rizk Farag > Recent Status Updates

It is fascinating that a civilisation as advanced and consequential as the Romans, appear to have had no idea who their kings prior to the republic were, and how their republic actually emerged. We don't understand ourselves in the modern era as a result

Meanwhile the Egyptians had an entire kings list, the Athenians could describe many historical figures accurately and even the Israelites had Kings & Chronicles 1&2

Initial points of contention:
1. Hannibal was not a 'Warlord' he was one of histories finest generals (use of that term specifically for an African leader and not for others is interesting...)

2. The Romans didn't 'fight him off', the Fabian strategy was specifically not to fight him.

Bro who translated this? Master Yoda?

Bulgakov is only second to Dostoevsky and I'll die alone on that hill if I must.

In the words of the great philosopher Quavo: 'Wrap it up then'

This book could have comfortably been around 100 pages shorter

The second half has a noticeable dip in quality and the author has made a decision to go on an ill informed somewhat out of place anti Christian tirade 😴

Enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would.. I need to stop putting so much stock into goodreads review ratings!

Despite massive cultural differences, the concept of being haunted by a sassy Grandma while surrounded by spirited and intrusive aunties is deeply compelling 😂.

Our main characters would be villains in almost any reasonable adaptation of the story. I'm not sure if the reason it isn't objectively framed this way is part of the world-building, or due to the fact the author is herself a former corporate strategist?

Genuinely love the main character being an older woman who is coming to terms with the process of aging.

Also love the main relationship between a man and a woman in the plot being platonic, with emotional depth and positive regard.

The main plot is tough to engage with as a socialist, but that could be the point?

A post Earth, Dystopian-Capitalist novel with corporate Samurai? Count me in!

'one should not repress the words, any more than one should hide visible emotion when it is genuine, for this can be just as unkind a wrong as holding back from a man what is due him. Your friend, your beloved, your child, or whoever is the object of your love, has a claim upon its expression also in words when it really moves you inwardly. The emotion is not your possession but the other's.'

Reminds me a lot of Samurai Champloo! But I need a break from heavy historical literature atm

Holding back tears over KongMing's fate and violently suppressing the urge to watch the Ya Boy Kongming Anime now that I understand the context!

Easily one of the most profound books I have read in a while!

Take a shot every time:
- Cao Cao runs away
- Liu Bei claims something something is immoral and does it anyway
- a messenger is beheades
- Zhiang Fei loses his temper
- someone feigns a retreat
- someone falls for a feigned retreat
- Cao Cao executes someone
- Yuan Shao is indecisive

TIL that Confucius hated naps....

Though limited in the amount of focus they receive, the story has spectacular, spirited and decisive female characters in Diaochan and Lady Wu!

Nah they did Zhou Yu so dirty 😭

The Master said 'It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.'

The way that Taoism and Confucianism are represented in the book is fascinating!

While Liu Bei and Cao Cao are meant to be the protagonist and antagonist of the story respectively, I find the Sun family so much more compelling!

'For that very reason Dostoievsky could not be a pessimistic and despairing writer; there is always light in his darkness, and it is the light of Christ. It is indeed true that he shows man wandering among the chasms of inner division (it is a fundamental theme in his work), but this division does not in the end destroy the identity of the individual person. The image of man is restored through the God-man.'

I still love Cao Cao!

The interview section of this book, which allows Kurds of many political and social backgrounds (as well as Armenians and Assyrians) to speak for themselves is a real strength of this book!

My total war campaigns are the main reason I can follow the characters in the narrative thus far 😂

Reading Ken Liu has already compelled me to read Lao Tzu and Zhuangzi.

This book has now led to me purchasing the full edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms 😂

Turkey seemingly had back channels and agreements with ISIS and Al Nusra and did nothing to fight either group.

Very fitting for the country that perpetuated and still does not recognise the Armenian and Assyrian Genocides.