Ian Beardsell > Recent Status Updates

"...immortality is but ubiquity in time"

Solzhenitsyn: Woe to that nation whose
literature is disturbed by the intervention of power. Because that is not just a violation against freedom of print, it is a closing down of the heart of the nation, a slashing to pieces of its memory. The nation ceases to be mindful of itself, it is deprived of its spiritual unity, and despite a supposedly common lang, compatriots suddenly cease to understand one another.

Really nice. The book itself is hygge.
Think: "How would a viking squirrel furnish a living room?"

Interesting idea of restorative nostalgia: reliving an idealization of the past without paying attention to historical accuracy

Very good writing. Builds up proper context before delving into each plot against Hitler.

Every paragraph seems to be packed with meaning...of what, I'm not entirely sure. Many descriptions of religious concepts such as wonder, awe, sublimity, etc...

Very interesting idea of the "spiral of silence". Knowing but not knowing what was truly happening to the Jews...

I had never heard of Ilyin before, but Snyder makes a very good case for how Putin and many modern Russians are basing their latest geopolitics on this philosopher/historian's ideas. Per Tim Adams (Guardian): the "people would speak 'naturally' with one voice, dependent on a leader who was cast as 'redeemer' for returning true Russian culture to its people. Elections would be “rituals” designed to endorse that power"

I was originally worried that this great icon of American literature would go over my head. Seems OK so far, and I'm finding it easier to get drawn into the tale than I expected. It is a little like a 19th Century soap opera, and I'm curious as to how Steinbeck will interweave the characters together.

I read this a few years ago and enjoyed it, but many of the names and events went over my head. It somehow feels more readable this time, perhaps because I am now slightly more aware of the Jewish terminology and issues.