Bhautik > Recent Status Updates

The fact that this is semi-autobiographical, and that some of the most outlandish parts did happen, makes this a fascinating work of art. I was worried about starting this one, as it felt the most *different* from the previous works of his I have read (sci-fi). This, I dont think it qualifies as sci-fi.
To me this still resonates for example, to the experience of unhoused in CA today.

Jefferson Mays is the god of audioboom performers. So good. Made an 8 hour drive a breeze of sorts.
To the books content: it seems, perhaps, more focused than the last one, feels almost smaller again, which I think works better here.
I don't think the mechanics/plot are as tight as they used to be, but they get the job done.

Reading these early stories of PKD (compared to the writer he becomes later), they pulp sci Fi in the best way possible. Any of these could be a Twilight Zone episode.
Faves so far: Beyond Lies The Wub, a very Twilight zone ish story..
Paycheck, a fun time travel esque story,
And Second Variation, a The Thing like story (fun even when I could see the twist because of exp).

This has sparked my love of reading once more. Philip K Dick has such piercing imagination. Specifically loved the introduction, as an insight into why I find his work so intriguing.
"Kabir, the 16th cen poet worte, 'If you have not lived through something, it's is not true.' So live through it; I mean, go all the way to the end. Only then can it be understood, not along the way."
-PKD

Its weird that very problems he describes for 19th century are the same we face today. Even some of the characters involved, for example Vanderbilt family capitalist empire is mentioned, and then you remember Andersoon Cooper is a Vanderbilt still in our lives ruling.

Pytor drops viscious truths in every sentence and paints a picture of a world that could be better. I can only read it 10 mins at a time because this book makes me too horny for socialism.

I love the author's notes after each chapter about as much as I like the stories. Seeing the process of crafting these stories is interesting.
Only the last author's note is 2 hours long so i havent finished it yet.

Frederick Douglass' words remain as potent and powerful as ever. They light a fire in my heart, and renew my own struggle for justice today. When I am tempted to be moderate, to compromise the vision of what's possible, I listen to this book, and find inspiration, that these fights are old, but if he could find courage in such oppression, what cowards are we to not?

Not at all what I expected this book to be. I got it knowing nothing but the title, and the fact that he is the creator of Bojack Horseman. I thought it was going to be a non-fic or realistic fic. But its more like surreal, Nightvale/Twilight Zone short stories about relationships. And they are very good. The audiobook is especially good with unique performers for each story.

What a great start to explaining why Colonial American states, and its imperialism is so little known in mainland due to deficient education. (And logo map idea)

This part of the book is probably the most exciting to me. The build up to invading USSR. And operation barbarossa.
Especially having read it from Stalin's perspective.
I am still waiting for volume 3 of that, but meanwhile, this is fun as well. It would be interesting to compare them eventually.

After finishing Shrier's book, this was initially more dry. Though, I am starting to like it again, it does focus on different things, and getting various different perspectives is nice.

This book is delicious. Very well written and woven by the author. Sprinkled with his own eye witness accounts of the events and people in the story, it makes for a riveting read compared to other works on the subject.
Especially the part with negotiations with the Soviets. I would recommend Bio of Stalin by Kotkin as it has the secret documents from Soviet side released recently, very revealing.

This is my comfort read. I have heard this story from so many different media, authors, and perspectives, and yet it's still gripping each time.
I love this particular perspective of a journalist who witnessed these events and times.
I think this is the best work I have found of a survey/summary of the Third Reich. Which makes it compelling on it's own.

One of the reasons I am struggling right now is that the author interjects his voice quiet often and I dont like his voice. But I feel like he does this because so much of this part of the book has been covered by Douglass and others. Whereas, the stated goal for the book is to cover the later 3rd of his life, which few people have.

I am reading this quiet a bit after getting into early 20th century history, so some of it s retread. But this is a great narratively written history of the 3rd Reich, and feels like the best starting point for anyone interested.
Newer books have the benefits of access to Soviet archives as well as the American. But the overall picture laid out here is great

I love the wealth of nations, and Adam Smith. Especially as a socialist. But boy does it start off with some casual racism (and unsubstantiated) about "savages". I figure Adam Smith is writing for an audience he knows would listen to such arguments.

I have to say this is no longer a captivating book. For one, the writing is a bit dry. And also I have seen this particular history from more interesting perspectives, that Hitler, and the Nazi state appear a bit one note and simplistic. I will eventually finish it. But for now, I have more interesting places to go in history.

This has been a hard read for me, because of how bittersweet it is. To me, its awe inspiring that a leader and a state could seek to undo it's own power in order to achieve their lofty ideals of a humane socialist state. As tragic as it is beautiful.
Meanwhile fascist right will kill us all before giving up their futile attempts.

I will preface this by saying that this is my introduction to Frederick Douglas, and as such, I cant say whether Blight does him full justice or not. The author states that he doesnt intend to make Frederick into a saint, but to show his humanity, as he became the hero of his time.

I can say that I cried for majority of the time while reading the book so far. I found his story relatable even today.