By Drake

This review covers books the author has recently finished reading, as well as those they are currently working on.

Completed Readings

"Four Quartets" by T.S. Eliot

This book is a near-constant re-read for the author and one that will undoubtedly stay with them for life. Its small size makes it convenient to carry everywhere. The author expresses profound gratitude that this book, like "Paradise Lost," was written in English, believing humanity does not deserve it. The book is a perpetual presence on the author's current reading list, whether they are consciously aware of it or not.

"Prometheus's Remorse: From the Gift of Fire to Global Arson" by Peter Sloterdijk

This short work, estimated to take about two hours to read, delves into the myth of Prometheus, who gifted fire to humanity. The author examines how this gift, initially intended for aid, has led to the current state of "global arson" through the use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Sloterdijk suggests that Prometheus would feel profound remorse witnessing humanity's responsibility for the planet's destruction. The book also offers an anthropological perspective on the contemporary world through the lens of the baby boomer generation, particularly from a European authorial standpoint. Despite Sloterdijk's accessible language, he engages with philosophical concepts, requiring the reader's attentiveness. The author notes Sloterdijk's breadth of vision, surpassing many of his contemporaries, including figures like Bernie Sanders. The book is a high-level synthesis of ideas, effectively linking Western philosophical ideology with imperialism and extractive technologies.

"Hinterland: America's New Landscape of Class and Conflict" by Phil Neel

Published by Reaction Books in association with Brooklyn Rail, this book is a blend of creative journalism with an academic bent. Neel's writing style occasionally evokes genre fiction prose, which the author finds refreshing when reading a Marxist analysis of class and conflict in contemporary American society. The book, released in 2018, features vivid descriptions and reflections on the future, which the author likens to their own memories of that period. Neel manages to cover a wide array of topics, including China, Europe, climate, global trade, economics, and politics. The author expresses a desire to see more analyses of the current political landscape from such a broad perspective.

Current Readings

"Late Victorian Holocausts: El Niño and the Power of Catastrophe" by Mike Davis

This monumental work is seen as a continuation of Eric Hobsbawm's tetralogy ("The Age of Revolution," "The Age of Capital," "The Age of Empire," "The Age of Extremes"). Davis points out the inexplicable absence in Hobsbawm's writings of any mention of the catastrophic famines caused by imperialism, primarily in India and China, but also in Brazil, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. The book combines political ecology and climate science, offering a fascinating historical overview of the understanding of the El Niño phenomenon (El Niño-Southern Oscillation). The author plans to dedicate a separate video to this book after reading it in its entirety. Particular attention is paid to the description of the creation of the modern world through the lens of the ruthlessness of the British and French Empires, as well as the American Empire in the Philippines. Davis criticizes the economic policies and scientific racism that led to horrific consequences. The author highly praises Davis's writing style, comparing it to Hobsbawm's, and notes his ability for detailed analysis and presentation of statistical data. The book has received positive reviews from Kenneth Pomeranz, Tariq Ali, and Immanuel Wallerstein.

"Children of Earth and Sky" by Valeria Luiselli

Valeria Luiselli is one of the author's favorite contemporary writers, alongside Benjamin Labatut and Alice Oswald. This recently released novel tells the story of a mother and daughter embarking on a journey to Sicily. Against the backdrop of changing winds, volcanic tremors, and sudden storms, they find themselves near ancient ruins where the mother's grandmother once worked. The narrative touches upon themes of marital breakdown, the mother's memory loss, and the daughter's coming-of-age as she asks difficult questions. The author, having read about 20 pages, notes Luiselli's strong style. He also mentions that he was not fully captivated by the author's previous work, "The Story of My Teeth," and expresses great interest in her current art project, "Echoes from the Borderlands."

"The Heliodromus of Helon: West-Asian Elements in Greek Poetry and Myth" by M.L. West

This work by M.L. West, a renowned scholar, explores the influence of West Asian cultures (Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Hittite, Phoenician, Punic, Hebrew, Canaanite, and Egyptian) on Homeric culture and Greek poetry and mythology. The author compares this work to another of West's books, "Indo-European Poetry and Myth," which is considered the "Heliodromus of the North." West argues that Egypt is not the primary source of influence on Greek culture. The author considers West's works to be masterpieces and notes that this study is a struggle against "mad particularism" and "Western-chauvinist ideology" that denies the connection of the West with the Middle East. The book is substantial, and the author has not yet decided whether to read it in its entirety at once or in parts.