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astroemi's reviews
406 reviews
Les impatientes by Djaïli Amadou Amal
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
God and the State by Mikhail Aleksandrovich Bakunin
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
First of all it’s an unfinished and chaotic book, but let’s not go there. Second, it gives a series of arguments and history lessons that may be informative to anyone who reads them.
The value I see in this book is in positing freedom of thought (which is hindered by religious faith), as intrinsically connected to freedom of action (which is hindered by the state).
The value I see in this book is in positing freedom of thought (which is hindered by religious faith), as intrinsically connected to freedom of action (which is hindered by the state).
The Measuring Tap: A Chan Buddhist Classic by Thomas Cleary
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
In this book, Yuanwu is even less helpful than in his Blue Cliff Record. Can’t recommend this enough to anyone who is interested in the Zen tradition.
Shakuntala: Kalidasa by Arthur Ryder
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Felt like a great introduction to the literature of ancient India. The translation was easy to understand and fun to read.
Fields, Factories, and Workshops - Or Industry Combined with Agriculture and Brain Work with Manual Work: With an Excerpt from Comrade Kropotkin by Victor Robinson by Peter Kropotkin, Peter Kropotkin, Victor Robinson
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.0
I think most people would enjoy this book, and learn more about the argument its making, if they skip the first three chapters, which go into great detail about the economic landscape of Europe. Basically it’s a bunch of numbers which are hard to have a context for as a modern reader.
Other than that, Kropotkin is always great to read and you can see how observant and thoughtful he was about the challenges of his time (and our time) and how we might come to overcome them.
Other than that, Kropotkin is always great to read and you can see how observant and thoughtful he was about the challenges of his time (and our time) and how we might come to overcome them.