Don LeClair > Recent Status Updates

As I read this book at home, it is snowy, 7 degrees fahrenheit, and windy. Miserable conditions, yet it is like a tropical wonderland compared to conditons on Mt. Everest. The team is currently enroute to the peak, and something bad will happen soon!

Krakauer has started his ascent of Mt Everest and is getting close to the base camp.

Wine picks up and takes the lead over beer as the luxury beverage and trade commodity. About 2000 years it it was most popular in Rome and Greece. Loved that "symposia" was the Greek term for a drinking party.
We thank the arabs who developed and documented the joys of distilled spirits. As concentrated alcohol that was easily transported spirits became a huge part of international trade in the colonial era.

This book is off to a fun and interesting start. At some point over 6000 years ago people starting making and drinking beer in Mesopotamia, and Egypt shortly afterwards. One survey said the Egyptian word for beer is recorded more than anything else.
Apparently the norm in Mesopotamia was to drink beer through a straw made from a reed. Seems unappealing to me.

Seems like disaster (for Custer) is approaching.

Arriving in Pittsburgh and getting close to the end of his tour of the 24 states of the union in 1824.

The level of adulation that LaFayette received on his return to the United States in 1824 is beyond compare. It had been over 40 years since he returned to France, yet everywhere he goes the public response was incredible.
Auguste Levasser observations from his diary are fascinating, especially his confusion as to how the issue of slavery had not been already been dealt with nationwide.

This is definitely the funniest murder-mystery I have ever read. Awesome so far!

My preorder of this book arrived this afternoon, so it moves to the top of the pile. Hopefully Preston and Child actually finish the story the started in the previous book!

Interesting the Scots Irish were in many ways the backbone of the the Continental Army. John Witherspoon, took over Princeton College in 1768. He added science and non-religious humanities and focused on training people to govern (not just be ministers). He recruited people who disagreed with him because he felt to defend your ideas you have to be able to face your challengers best arguments. Nice concept!

Apparently by the 1760's the Scots were the primary trade partner for tobacco growers in America. In 1768, the author claims that the Scots created the first suburb - New Town Edinburgh

Dying quote from Lord Kames in 1782: “Fare ye well, ye bitches!”

Given the title of this book, I thought there might be a trace of humor in this book. As maybe it was a little overblown. Instead, it is clear that the author is deadly serious.
Thus far the focus is on religion and philosophy.