Monday, January 30, 2017

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
2008
Weight: 8 oz
Method of Disposal: Leave in a Lending Library


There are no words other than the author's own to explain what happened to him and those around him.  The horror of his story is more than could be imagined.  One piece that haunts me even weeks later is the way the war followed him.  Each time he thought he was safe the war would catch up to him.  The pain of losing those he loved over and over and over again.  I cannot help but wonder what Ishmael is doing now and what he thinks about America in her current state.  Is he afraid?  Is he done being afraid?  Is this nothing to worry about?

I hope, so much, that he never has to experience violence again and that he will be happy.

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds Charles Mackay
1995
Weight: 1 lb
Method of Disposal: Leaving in Decatur, GA


2017.  It is quickly becoming a year that will be difficult to forget.  We have elected a monster, and he is proving himself to be more immoral/vindictive/cruel than simply dumb.  People are standing up for justice in cities all over the country, though we fluctuate between being frightened and furious.  You cannot look at your phone without another news story popping up that makes you feel like you have swallowed bricks.

I am scrambling to find my footing and a focus for my action.  I feel attacked on all sides.  Our president says he does not read.  He is a quoted as saying to Megyn Kelly in and interview, "I read passages, I read areas, chapters, I don't have the time.  When was the last time I watched a baseball game? I'm watching you all the time."  I am still reading, pouring through pages and pages, looking for some answer to this mania, this complete breakdown of human decency.

I did not find the answer in Extraordinary Popular Delusions, but you can understand why I looked there.  I did find more evidence that I should, in fact, be worried and that en masse people can be nonsensical,unreasonable, and incredibly dangerous.  I am not a religious person, but God help us.