| Username |
Post |
| Trailokya Aryal |
Posted
on 22-Apr-01 03:47 PM
Hi all,
sorry to be bombarding this board with my use (ful/less, depending on what you think) postings. But, I just couldn't resist my temptation to let everyone know about a new book which came out just this week, and which I have been reading now.
The book is called "The Trial of Henry Kissinger" by Christopher Hitchens. In this book, as the title itself suggests, Hitchens exposes to his readers what has been deliberately kept secret by the FBI, CIA and Mr. Kissinger himself.
The book is a continuation of the lively discussion between Hitchens and Kissinger in the New York times in the fall of 2000.
Trailokya
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| ashu |
Posted
on 22-Apr-01 11:19 PM
Hi Trailokya,
Be sure to read Walter Issacson's brilliantly written
biography of Kissinger. I read it about four years ago, and enjoyed it immensely.
Kissinger appears as an incredibly smart, extremely
complicated human being.
oohi
ashu
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| Hari |
Posted
on 23-Apr-01 11:17 PM
Since we are talking about Kissinger, don't forget:
"Diplomacy" by Kissinger
Also recommended:
"A Life in the 20th Century" (an autobiography of Arthur Schlesinger)
Hari
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| ashu |
Posted
on 23-Apr-01 11:39 PM
I tried to read Kissinger's "Diplomacy" once, but
couldn't and didn't get beyond 10 pages or so.
It's a fat, fat book.
On another note, just read a review -- in the
Economist -- of this latest book on Kissinger.
This particular review, though short, is more
charitable to Kissinger than to his
attacker-author Hitchens.
Kissinger is a formidable figure and a few attacks
here and there against him is not going to
affect him.
As the Economist ko review says, "If you want to
attack the King, you must kill him totally."
Else, the attack only tires the attacker.
oohi
ashu
|
| Kali Prasad |
Posted
on 23-Apr-01 11:42 PM
The other day, I was listening to the FRESH AIR program in the NPR (national public radio). It featured an interview with Dr. Manil Suri and his personal testemony about his book "The death of Vishnu". Dr. Manil Suri is a professor of Mathematics (Numerical Analysis) at the University of Maryland. I wonder if any one has read that book. I also heard it was featured in the new yorker's book review section.
One particular statement striked me when he said "mathematicians are like writers. Both allow their thought processes to roam freely hoping that they will come up with some kind of brilliant ideas."
Who said you have to be an literature major to be a writer? Let your mind float freely, may be you will come up with a brilliant (hopefully saleable idea?).
Cheers,
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 24-Apr-01 12:03 AM
Hom Raj,
Since you have met with Manil Suri and you are also a
first-rate writer yourself, would you be interested
in reviewing Suri's book for The Kathmandu Post Review of
Books at a time of your choosing?
Or, if not this book, then something else, some other time?
oohi
ashu
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| Hom Raj |
Posted
on 24-Apr-01 12:15 AM
Ashu-jee,
Are you telepathic or something? I was actually thinking I would like to do that. Especially comparing Suri with Mistry. However, I didn't mean to imply he's my buddy or anything! I just met him briefly and chatted. Thanks for the compliment but there is a long way to go until I feel like I am a first-rate writer. Btw I just this minute posted something to the literature page.
Hom Raj.
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 24-Apr-01 12:33 AM
Hi Hom Raj,
No, I am not telepathic :-)
BTW, please call me just Ashu.
I gathered that I am younger than
you are.
oohi
ashu
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| Trailokya Aryal |
Posted
on 24-Apr-01 12:33 PM
>I tried to read Kissinger's "Diplomacy" once,
> but
>couldn't and didn't get beyond 10 pages or
>so.
>It's a fat, fat book.
I agree, its a fat, fat book. But, I had to read it for my class, so there was no way out. Its a good book though. Gives its readers an interesting acoount of the post WWII diplomacy and concepts such as realpolitik, geopolitic etc. I highly reccomend that book to everyone.
>
>On another note, just read a review -- in
>the
>Economist -- of this latest book on
>Kissinger.
>This particular review, though short, is
>more
>charitable to Kissinger than to his
>attacker-author Hitchens.
I am yet to read that review, but I think Hitchens has a point. He is always opposed to Kissinger and he doesn;t hide that fact. The book is a very interesting read. Its hard to believe what he has written but at the same time, we can't totally dismiss his findings. He has worked hard on that book, supports each and every line with evidence!
>Kissinger is a formidable figure and a few
>attacks
>here and there against him is not going to
>affect him.
>
>As the Economist ko review says, "If you
>want to
>attack the King, you must kill him totally."
>
>Else, the attack only tires the attacker.
In Hitchens'-kissinger's case, I think the reverse happened.
Trailokya
|
| sally |
Posted
on 24-Apr-01 03:41 PM
Since there's been some postmodernist discussion on this site ...
Q: What do you get when you cross a Mafioso and a postmodernist?
A: A guy who makes you an offer you can't understand.
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