Jacob > Recent Status Updates

Exhilarating to read Chapter 3: From Enlightenment to Second International. The best explanation of commodity fetishism I have read. Eagleton drives home Marx's staggering contributions to political and philosophical thought. He questions these thinkers on every assumption, which can get tiresome, but it makes for engaging and thought provoking reading.

The writing has that cheeky, much too clever British voice to it. First chapter is packed with ideas. Just when I think I have a handle on it, Eagleton circles back around and adds another point of contention. I think I should read this first chapter again after I've finished the book.

This section was on the fragmentation following the collapse of the Qing and the leadup to WW2. There is a dreadful anticipation building in the writing. The narrative of the struggle between the Nationalists, Communists and warlords is history at its most dramatic. I am going to take another break to read some Turkish and Islamic history, as I am going to be visiting this winter.

Welt, the Qing dynasty has fallen. A great book so far but it is long and dense. I am going to take a break and read some fiction.

I have to read Pynchon slowly to fully appreciate it. I can feel an Obsession with Astronomy, Gadgetry, and all things Scientifick beginning to take hold.