What'cha Reading?

[citizen cane]

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus.

 

[Hermit of the Forest]

Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

 

[citizen cane]

Superfreakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner

 

[Kephalos]

Indian Conquistadors: Indigenous Allies in the Conquest of Mesoamerica. United States: University of Oklahoma Press, 2014.

Summary:

The conquest of the New World would hardly have been possible if the invading Spaniards had not allied themselves with the indigenous population. This book takes into account the role of native peoples as active agents in the Conquest through a review of new sources and more careful analysis of known but under-studied materials that demonstrate the overwhelming importance of native allies in both conquest and colonial control.In Indian Conquistadors, leading scholars offer the most comprehensive look to date at native participation in the conquest of Mesoamerica. The contributors examine pictorial, archaeological, and documentary evidence spanning three centuries, including little-known eyewitness accounts from both Spanish and native documents, paintings (lienzos) and maps (mapas) from the colonial period, and a new assessment of imperialism in the region before the Spanish arrival.This new research shows that the Tlaxcalans, the most famous allies of the Spanish, were far from alone. Not only did native lords throughout Mesoamerica supply arms, troops, and tactical guidance, but tens of thousands of warriors—Nahuas, Mixtecs, Zapotecs, Mayas, and others—spread throughout the region to participate with the Spanish in a common cause.By offering a more balanced account of this dramatic period, this book calls into question traditional narratives that emphasize indigenous peoples’ roles as auxiliaries rather than as conquistadors in their own right. Enhanced with twelve maps and more than forty illustrations, Indian Conquistadors opens a vital new line of research and challenges our understanding of this important era.

Cartimandua - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

A collection of short stories by Thomas Ligotti called Teatro Grottesco. The first story is spooky, seen from the eye of a child that misses details that could make everything coherent. This makes it that much more unsettling.

The others are more like satires of capitalism and didn't unsettled me on the visceral level of the first. I didn't finish it in time for the book club because they wouldn't send it to me until Sunday for some reason. I appreciated most of these stories, but didn't get enough of a horror sensation.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

It hasn't arrived in the mail, but I will be reading Wolf in a White Van, by John Darnielle.

He's the constant force behind The Mountain Goats. He's an excellent lyricist, so I look forward to reading some of his prose.

Here's one of their songs:

 

[Red Herring]

This is the mountain I am currently trying to climb:

I can't vouch for the English translation but the original is phenomenally well written (if you are into his style). Mann is the master of phrases that go on for an entire paragraph, often with slightly mocking undertones. Both pompous himself and making fun of pompousness. Not sure how well known the novel is in the US, but over here it is considered one of the greatest novels of the 20th century.

 

[SearchingforPeace]

This is the mountain I am currently trying to climb:

I can't vouch for the English translation but the original is phenomenally well written (if you are into his style). Mann is the master of phrases that go on for an entire paragraph, often with slightly mocking undertones. Both pompous himself and making fun of pompousness. Not sure how well known the novel is in the US, but over here it is considered one of the greatest novels of the 20th century.

It is considered one of the greatest books of the 20th century in the US as well. It is always on lists of important books to read. I encounter articles on why it is such an important book to read on a regular basis.

 

[Red Herring]

It is considered one of the greatest books of the 20th century in the US as well. It is always on lists of important books to read. I encounter articles on why it is such an important book to read on a regular basis.

I recently came across a lecture on YouTube with the title "Forgotten Thinkers: Goethe", so you never know. Glad to hear it though