The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

9/10

Absolutely fantastic. Probably the most creative work in regards to Christianity ever written. Completely memorable and extremely insightful. The premise is that there is a junior devil who has yet to master the art of tempting his subjects. He solicits the help of his Uncle Screwtape who knows and understands human nature better than even humans themselves do. The book is a compilation of letters from Screwtape with suggestions and advice on deviltry. When reading this book it is very easy to notice flaws and weaknesses in ourselves that aren't too recognizable. This book is amazing, witty, funny, revealing, and even inspiring, believe it or not. All rolled into one, folks.

Also, one of my favorite book covers of all-time. This is the only picture I could find of the cover that I have.

C.S. is the master of the quotes: (Keep in mind that the quotes will be in the context from a devil's viewpoint. Tips on how to tempt and overcome us. When he mentions "the Enemy" he is speaking of the enemy of devils, a.k.a. God.)

This quote, however, is found in the preface and therefore shouldn't be read in the devil narrator context. "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight."

Now to the devil letters. "It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out."

"All extremes except extreme devotion to the Enemy are to be encouraged."

"He wants them to learn to walk and therefore must take away His hand; and only if the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles."

"A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all - and more amusing."

"The safest road to Hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts."

"The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel."

"Your patient has become humble; have you drawn his attention to the fact?"

"Our best weapon - the belief of ignorant humans that there is no hope of getting rid of us except by yielding."

"They, of course, do tend to regard death as the prime evil, and survival as the greatest good. But that is because we have taught them to do so."

"Pilate was merciful till it became risky."

"He did not become one of them and die among them by torture - in order to produce candidates for Limbo, 'failed' humans. He wanted to make Saints; gods; things like himself."

You don't get that many great quotes within a 172 page book all that often, no sir.

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

10/10

First things first, check out this huge picture. What the? That is a representation of how big the stakes are for the characters in this book. Sometimes I'm just all about the symbolism.

We are now at the conclusion of the trilogy. Part Three. The Final Act. The Grand Finale. And so forth. Obviously, it is tremendous. Again, however, the first half of the book covers the other portion of the Fellowship who aren't Frodo and Sam. They take part in some pretty high drama themselves though. Certainly nothing to shake a stick at. But with the state of affairs in which Frodo and Sam left us at the conclusion of 'The Two Towers', it could fairly make a guy go insane with anticipation. What could be more intense than two halflings meandering their way through the heart of enemy territory and straight into the cracks of Mount Doom? Not much, I say. About the most exciting storytelling in the history of storytelling.

Also, the climax reaches it's peak a lot sooner than you'd expect. Which was both good and bad. Good because I didn't see it coming so soon. And bad because of the partial drag after all was said and done. I also happen to be the type who feels the need to read everything contained between the covers. This happens to include, in this particular instance, a number of appendices. Appendix A through F as a matter of fact. That was an interesting and ultra-nerdy time learning all about the family history of hobbits, the details of different invented languages, and the Shire calendar, and etc. and etc. and etc. Oh boy. Why does my OCD require me to read what I don't want to read? I highly recommend this story. Just not the Appendix portion. Unless a chemical imbalance requires you otherwise.

Now for a gratuitous Gandalf quote, like you knew I would:

"It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till."

Fictions of Empire

8/10

This is a concoction of works from a bunch of different authors covering a variety of themes. The main focus of the book centers around three short stories: 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad, 'The Man Who Would Be King' by Rudyard Kipling, and 'The Beach of Falesa' by Robert Louis Stevenson.

The first half of the book is a bunch of different essay or story excerpts from various authors. Letters from different dudes are also included. Mostly some pretty bland stuff in my opinion. I'll just come out and say it...I'm not a big fan of excerpts. There, I said it. I have a hard time getting into stuff without having read the entire thing. So mostly I didn't really care too much about all these super brief and random chunks I was reading because I couldn't really invest myself into caring about it. I'm sure they were fairly insightful and even appropriate, but I was mostly just wanting to get to the short stories. And I guess I should clarify that they are actually novellas, short novels, rather than short stories.

The first story was awesome: 'The Man Who Would Be King'. It's about these two guys who randomly decide to go and become kings of these tribes out in the middle of nowhere. It's pretty awesome and entertaining. Also contains an exhilarating and crazy conclusion. This is the only Kipling story I've read but makes me want to read more of his stuff. A pretty cool movie with Sean Connery and Michael Caine of this story is worthwhile.

Second story is good: 'The Beach of Falesa'. I wasn't blown away with it. And to be honest, I don't really remember too much about it. I remember it didn't stink up the joint either though. A guy goes to an island and gets into some mischief and then I think other stuff happens. It seemed like mostly some sort of commentary on racial issues? Hmmmm, I'm too lazy to go review it to refresh my memory, so this will have to suffice. I need to read more of Stevenson's works though because he's supposed to be pretty sweet. This is his only story that I've read.

The last one was by far the best: 'Heart of Darkness'. If you haven't read this story then you should really consider it. It is insanely awesome in so many ways. It starts with this guy Marlow sitting around with some comrades and he decides to relate an experience of his. The rest is a narration from this Marlow character. This stylistic technique by Conrad is one of the main appeals of this story. Marlow tells of journeying in this boat up a river in the middle of Africa to go find some rogue Army-type guy named Kurtz. His experiences in the 'heart of darkness' amongst completely uncivilized savages is very entertaining. It is pure madness. Seriously. It is from this story which comes the famous line from Kurtz when he is finally found: "The horror! The horror!". (Seinfeld fans will recognize this reference.) This brief run-down isn't meant to do justice to this story. Everyone should experience the terrifying madness of 'Heart of Darkness'. I completely endorse and recommend this story to one and all. Just go in ready and prepared to experience a touch of insanity. An acclaimed movie called 'Apocalypse Now' is based on this story.

A quote from Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness':

"There is a taint of death, a flavour of mortality in lies."

Richard the Third by Shakespeare

8/10

Bill Shakespeare that is. Richard the Third is one of my favorite Shakespeare stories. It falls in the historical drama category. I haven't read any of his other historical dramas like Henry IV or the like. They seem, for some reason, less appealing than his tragedies or even his comedies. But I loved Richard the Third, so I will certainly give those others a chance some day.

In my Othello post I mentioned Iago as Shakespeare's most sinister creation. Well, Richard the Third is right behind him. Richard the Third may have done more evil and killed more people, but he did it in such a straightforward, in-your-face way that he loses crafty and creativity points. Although he is crafty in his own right. Just not to the psychological level of Iago. There is definitely an argument that he is more evil than Iago. And in this story, he is the main character, whereas Iago was a side character. He is a ruler who has nothing but evil and selfish designs and isn't afraid of killing whoever he wants. He is quite the evil usurper. He eventually goes to battle at the end with his rival, Richmond. Richmond is awesome and one of my most adored Shakespeare characters. He's a god-fearing leader with nothing but noble and righteous purposes. Right before battle he gives an epic speech that is very Captain Moroniesque. This is a cool read.

Shakespeare is always good for some quotage:

"Shall I live in hope?" "All men, I hope, live so."

"A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion, To pray for them that have done scathe to us."

"God is much displeased That you take with unthankfulness His doing: In common worldly things 'tis call'd ungrateful With dull unwillingness to repay a debt Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent"

"So sweet is zealous contemplation."

"I am in So far in..., that sin will pluck on sin."

"True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings; Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings."

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

8/10

In my last post I mentioned that there are only two books that I have ever read in one sitting. Well folks, this here is the other one. It's another shorty. It's also one continuous book with no convenient breaks or chapters or anything. So I was like, "Shoot, I guess I'll keep reading", Forrest Gump style. Also, I had just gone on a canyoneering trip in southern Utah and had a 3 hour or so drive back home. That is when I read the book, as I journeyed past Green River, Price, and on through the long canyon. I offered to read out loud as we traveled, but was denied by the masses. Their loss, they missed out on a fun journey.

This old guy has been a fisherman his whole life but is currently in the biggest slump of his life. He hasn't caught a fish for a long time. He keeps going out and doesn't give up despite his discouragements. He finally latches on to a huge marlin and battles with the fish that likewise doesn't give up. A few days later and the old man has been dragged deep into the ocean and barely hanging on while the marlin is barely keeping up the battle. The story is tragic, yet triumphant. It's some good stuff and my favorite Hemingway story of the few I've read.

One of my favorite parts is that the old man worships baseball and talks/thinks about it all the time to himself while he's out battling with the fish. He loves Joe DiMaggio. His obsession with DiMaggio is symbolic of his own streak and struggle with the marlin. Endurance plays a part with both men.

To the quotes:

"I try not to borrow. First you borrow. Then you beg."

"I must think, he thought. Because it is all I have left. That and baseball. I wonder how the great DiMaggio would have liked the way I hit him in the brain?" This one made me laugh.

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is."

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

7/10

Not to be confused with 'A Christmas Story' with Ralphy. Dickens' story is an absolute classic, a Christmas staple. It gets right at the heart of the Christmas spirit. Pun intended.

On Christmas Eve about three years ago I didn't have much to do and decided to sit down and read this book. It was a fun time, and about three hours or so later I had read the whole book. It is one of two books that I've ever read in one sitting.

Ebenezer Scrooge (perhaps Dickens' best named character ever) is a heartless old miser and one of the most popular fictional characters ever created. One word: iconic. His 'Bah! Humbug!' is about as famous as any interjection ever. My first introduction to Scrooge was way back in the day with the Duck Tales version. Remember that one? I sure do. Ghost of Christmas Future was super scary. In both the Duck Tales and Dickens versions.

This is a must-read. It really gets you to feel like being a good person and gives you a desire to help others. It really does. And it doesn't take too long to read.

**Edit (7/14/18)**

I am adding this edit to mention that I finished reading this book to Mallory about a month ago. She enjoyed it, but I think much of the Dickens-esque flowery language bored her a little bit. But she liked the story itself and enjoyed recognizing parts that she had seen from the Mickey Mouse version. I don't think any other Dickens books will be on our reading agenda anytime soon, however.

**End of Edit**

Quotes:

"'I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.'" One of my favorite quotes ever.

"'No space or regret can make amends for one life's opportunities misused!'"

"'Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business.'"

"The misery with them all was, clearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and had lost the power forever."

"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor."

"'Who suffers by his ill whims? Himself always.'"

"Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make amends in!"

Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

6/10

Come with me as we move deeper, deeper into the Ender saga. This is the third installment in the series which follows Speaker for the Dead. It's a'ight. Similar to Speaker, except I think it is slightly less gooder. It is recommended from me if you are one of those types that still wants to know what happens next. For pure enjoyment, just read Ender's Game. For further information and knowledge, read these other ones. It's still a good story.

A complete removal of a planet is planned to get rid of a deadly virus to prevent it from spreading to other planets. Hence the title of the book being 'Xenocide'. The ship sent to destroy the planet randomly disappears and some Chinese girl genius is sent for to solve the mystery. I guess the intrigue of the book comes from the moral dilemma the girl faces. Should she solve the mystery and allow the planet to be destroyed? Or should she hide her discoveries and preserve an infected, yet living planet? I hate when that situation happens to me. I can never decide what to do.

Quotes:

"The wise are not wise because they make no mistakes. They are wise because they correct their mistakes as soon as they recognize them."

"To stop a human being from doing something, you must find a way to make the person stop wanting to do it."

"There's a longer view, in which life and death are less important matters than choosing what kind of life and what kind of death we have."

"Flattery is never so obvious to the recipient."