Book Review: 1491 by Charles C. Mann

1491
New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
Second Edition
by Charles C. Mann


Recently I posted an image of a new book on Facebook and a friend asked that I post back after I'd read it in order to inform others what it was like.  That got me thinking about reviewing books, something I haphazardly did on Amazon over a decade ago for a short time, but haven't touched since.  (Sidenote: while just investigating those old Amazon reviews I discovered a snippet from my review of The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams posted on the author's website, which was cool to see)  I figured that rather than posting my thoughts on Facebook it would be better to enter them here on my blog.  So here goes.

Earlier this year a colleague recommended 1491 and I spent some time talking about the book with him.  I then added it to my list of books that I want to buy.  This extensive electronic list both helps me to come up with ideas of what to buy if I come into possession of a gift card, but also serves as a starting point for my wife when she is looking for gift ideas.

Unbeknownst to me my wife purchased this book as a Christmas present for me even before it was recommended several months ago.  We opened gifts a day early this year on Christmas Eve since we were spending the week with my in-laws and some of them had to leave where we were staying on Christmas Day.  I spent the next couple days reading and by the end of Boxing Day I'd completed my reading of this engaging volume.

The premise of 1491 is that the traditional view of the Americas before Columbus landed are quite far from the mark and most likely portray a very different picture of what was actually present on the continents of North America and South America.  The argument presented is that Indian* civilizations were must larger than previously thought, had been on the continents longer than assumed, and had had a much bigger impact on the land.  The three sections of the book cover these topics with titles Numbers from Nowhere?, Very Old Bones, and Landscape with Figures.

*Mann acknowledges that there is no single good-term to describe the pre-1492 inhabitants of North and South America (for example technically anyone born on either continent is a "Native American") and has settled on Indian since he says that most people he has interviewed and talked to used the word to describe themselves.

Mann explained that the more he learned the more he was fascinated to discover that the truth might be different than what he was taught.  He figured that this undoubtedly fascinating story would make a wonderful book.

I kept waiting for that book to appear.  The wait grew more frustrating when my son entered school and was taught the same things I had been taught, beliefs I knew had been sharply questioned.  Since nobody else appeared to be writing the book, I finally decided to try it myself.  Besides, I was curious to learn more.  The book you are holding is the result.  ~1491, preface, x

I found the ideas most interesting and the arguments presented persuasive.  For example I've been working on researching the Viking arrivals in the New World circa 1000 AD and remember that one of the reasons the saga give for them leaving was the hostility of the natives.  While later European settlements in North America didn't always get along with the local inhabitants there were not many times when they were powerful enough to force the colonizers to give up and go home.  It would definitely make sense that the Indian population loss after waves of smallpox and other pandemics had swept across both continents several times would preclude them from being able to easily defend themselves and their homelands against invasion.

The most fascinating section to me was the third one that talked about the extensive Indian impact upon the land.  For example the often quoted numbers of tens of millions of bison and billions of passenger pigeons throughout North America are quite likely to be population explosions that occurred after the mass die off caused by European diseases.  It reminds me of the stories of deer or reindeer on isolated islands where the populations boom, then crash, and then repeat the cycle due to the lack of predators.  I can understand the argument that if numerous groups of people had been managing the landscape but were suddenly removed that animals would expand into the habitat.  Also that habitat encountered by Europeans that suddenly wasn't densely populated by Indian tribes could seem like natural wilderness when it was instead managed land.  "Native Americans ran the continent as they saw fit.  Modern nations must do the same.  If they want to return as much of the landscape as possible to its state in 1491, they will have to create the world's largest gardens. (p 375)"

The book also includes a number of maps and pictures that illustrate the text.  I found the maps quite useful as they list the various locations directly described in the text.  I did find some of the map printing a bit hard to decipher against the background, but I was able to make out everything with some work, so it isn't anything big to complain about.

I know I'm not doing an excellent job portraying Mann's arguments, but that truly isn't the point of the review.  Rather I'd encourage you to check out his book directly if you're interested in this portrayal of the Americas on the eve of the Colombian Exchange.  Speaking of that, I've already placed an order for his sequel/companion book 1493 that covers the aftermath of the European-American interaction.  I can't wait for it to arrive next month (sadly free shipping is slow) so that I can read it.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary: If you enjoy history and want to discover a different perspective on early American history definitely check out this well-written, reasoned, and compelling volume.

Technical: 553 pages, text: 392 p, appendices: 21 p, notes 53 p (no footnotes in text).  Includes index and bibliography.  Second edition only available as trade paperback (no hardcover)

~Matt

Library Sale

Today was the first day of the December Kenton County Library book sale.  I've learned that if I want to get the best choices I have to be there on the first day of the sale, which is normally Sunday.  I've noticed that there are often used book dealers there at the head of the line with their scanners, trying to find out what books are the best values for them to snap up.  I'm not totally opposed to them going to the sales as they're just trying to make a living, but it does seem a shame when regular people just trying to find a good deal have to struggle to get in ahead of them.  But anyway, Sunday is always a good day to hit the sale as you'll usually find the best selection.  Most of the books that haven't been put out yet are in boxes below the tables that you can browse through, so you're not really missing much.

When we first arrived at the library many people were lined up waiting outside.  It is normal for a few people to be waiting since the library doesn't open until 1:00 on Sunday afternoons, but there are always more on a book sale day.

I forgot until we entered that the book sales are in a new part of the building instead of the meeting room at the front of the library.  Thankfully there are handy signs to guide you in case you forget.

The room holding the sale is decently large and can hold a number of tables and people.

I have a friend that really enjoys Winston Churchill's books and so I keep a lookout for ones she doesn't have whenever I go to a sale.  Sadly she already had this one.

This was what our basket looked like partway through collecting books (okay, this was near the end, but before a couple of the best finds had been made).

I've enjoyed Star Trek for many years, so I jumped at the chance to pick up another reference volume when I saw the Start Trek The next Generation Companion.

Dragons and Unicorns, A Natural History by Paul and Karin Johnsgard is a volume that I'd never heard of before.  It is a number of years old, but looks to be an intriguing book purporting to examine the history of dragons and unicorns.

 I really enjoy reference books based upon fantasy and sci-fi universes.

 It even has maps, which is another huge plus to me because of how much I enjoy geography.

My wife really enjoyed Kay Thompson's Eloise books, so she grabbed these two as soon as she saw them.  The one on the left (The Absolutely Essential Eloise) contains the original book as well as a scrapbook of material about the book.

She also knows that I really enjoy Bill Peet's illustrated children's books, so when she found three hardcovers she put them into our basket.  I absolutely love his illustrations and his stories are so clever.  I might already have The Wump World and Huge Harold, but I think they're in paperback, and even if I have them it is definitely worth having another copy as I hope our kids read these books many, many times over the years.

No Such Things is a wonderful tale about various imaginary creatures that Peet invented and then proceeded to illustrate, like the Snoof with backwards facing feet.

I've enjoyed every one of Terry Pratchett's books that I've ever read, so a while ago I made a list of all the ones I was missing just so I would have an easy time figuring out which ones I should pick up at library sales.  I haven't seen one at a library sale and this time I found two (Guards, Guards! and Wyrd Sisters), but I already had a copy of the other one, so I left it for some other fortunate treasure hunter to discover.

I've enjoyed Jan Brett's illustrations for a number of years.  When my wife found Daisy Comes Home I knew that we had to get it as the story looked quite charming, and it is set in a different location than many of Brett's tales.  I've tried to make sure our kids get stories from around the world and not just from North America and Europe.

I lost track of the books that Donna Andrews wrote a number of years ago, but I have many of her first few books, so when I found these three I realized that it was a great opportunity to start catching up on the ones that I'd missed.  I found The Nightingale Before Christmas and Six Geese A-Slaying in the Christmas book section and then picked up The Real Macaw in the mystery section.

 Amy also found the classic volume When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne.  I'm sure it will be fun to read these to our kids.

I didn't spot the small Tolkien section until just before I got ready to leave the sale.  There were a number of volumes that I already had (The Hobbit and various volumes of The Lord of the Rings), but then I saw these two books and knew that I had to get them. I heard about Tolkien's Roverandom a number of years ago and had mentally added it to the list of books I wanted to find.

 Tree and Leaf contains two stories by Tolkien, On Fairy-Stores and Leaf by Niggle.  They're both excellent, but On Fairy-Stories is definitely a classic treatise on the writing of fantastic fiction and the creation of secondary worlds.

We ended up with all of these books for just $17.75.  I really like the Kenton County sales as they tend to have the best prices in the area.  Cincinnati sales have good selection but are much more expensive.

I hope that you've enjoyed reading about this books, though probably not as much as I'll enjoy reading these books over the coming days, weeks, and months.  You can see all the pictures from the sale in this album.

~Matt

Pointy Things

Why am I writing about pointy things?  Well, a book was just made available for pre-order today, a book by one of my favourite authors.  There are only a couple authors on my "must order" list when they write a new book.  There are several that I like to order, but those I can hold off if necessary.  David Weber, Jim Butcher, and Howard Taylor are all on my short list of books that I must order when they come out.  Their genre's are slightly varied also: military sci-fi, urban fantasy, and comic space opera graphic novel.

I've enjoyed Howard's comic strip Schlock Mercenary for quite some time.  I know that I started reading in college--and at least once during my initial read of the backlog I stayed up all night reading new (to me) installments.  I also pre-ordered his first book back in 2006 and greatly enjoyed it.  In fact I also blogged about that, ;-).

Well I came home to find that my book had arrived. Which book? I'm glad you asked. Schlock Mercenary: Under New Management. I must apologize though, the Amazon page doesn't have much really. I would link to the order page on the main Schlock site, but alas orders aren't being accepted yet. I preordered my book and as a result it was signed! :-) But you can't make regular orders yet--I'm not sure when, but it might not be until all of the preorders have been shipped, including the sketch editions. I headed down to the library after work and read the book. Sure I'd read them before, but it was still great! There was some new content, plus it was printed on glossy pages in beautiful crystal clear colour. Ahhh... 'Tis a sight to behold. I'll definately be ordering the next book when it comes out. [Obligatory link to original post--which has more content.]

 At the time I bemoaned the fact that while the book was great it didn't start at the very beginning of the saga, with the original strip from June 12, 2000.  Of course as Howard says on that page if you start reading there you get to watch his "artwork evolve from bad to, well, marginally less bad. It's your call. Thanks for clicking in!"  Personally I think that it is quite worth it--and I did end up ordering the first two books when they were produced.  I've actually ordered each and every book when it has come out.  Last year the pre-order for the last book was scheduled to open while I was gone on my honeymoon!  Now I love my wife and wouldn't have derailed the honeymoon for Schlock Mercenary (as amazing as it is!), but I thought it was worth asking to see if something could be done.  I've seen pre-orders sell-out in the past and didn't want to get left out just because I was out of the country at the time.  I'm frequently hesitant to do things like this as I work with the public and describe actions like this as "guesty" (not a complimentary term), but the occasion was worth it.  I drafted an e-mail to the Taylors and waited...

I have a slightly unusual question. I just read earlier today that the pre-order date of Schlock Mercenary: Emperor Pius Dei has been pushed back.  I had been planning to order a copy of the book as soon as orders were open (I have all the others--mostly sketch editions) and was hoping to be able to get a sketch edition.  However, I won't have internet access on June 27.  I'm getting married on June 25 and will not be back from the honeymoon until July 3.  I was wondering if there was any way that I could arrange to reserve a sketch edition because of these unusual circumstances.  I remember previously that sketch editions have sold rather quickly.
I understand if it isn't possible, but I assumed that I couldn't hurt to ask.  Thanks.

Amazingly I got a reply back the next day:

Hi Matt,
We'd be happy to hold a copy for you. Just email us when you're back from your honeymoon and we'll help you place the order.Thanks for supporting Schlock,--Sandra Tayler

Let me just say, they didn't need to say yes, but they did.  I've always enjoyed Howard's comics, and his books, and they have great customer service also.  I would highly recommend that you check out the comic strip if you enjoy sci-fi and/or if you enjoy humour.  You'll find it at www.schlockmercenary.com.  Or you can borrow my books--if you live nearby and promise to take care of them (no bent spines!).

~Matt

PS I almost forgot to mention, one of the great things about the books, besides being able to read without having to use a computer is that you get to read bonus stories that aren't available anywhere on-line!  Go order a book today, especially the pre-order for "Sharp End of the Stick."  And you thought I'd forget to explain the title of this post, ;-).

Audible Fantasy

When I was a kid I really enjoyed reading.  Now that I'm an adult (and even an old married adult, ;-)) I still enjoy reading--even more in some ways--but I find that I don't have as much time.  When I was young, in the days before I discovered the joy of sleeping in, I would make sure I had a book by my bed so that I could read first thing when I woke up.  I even went through college not always finishing my assigned reading, but definitely read plenty of other books.  One way I've found to deal with this is to listen to audiobooks.

Several years ago I signed up for a membership with Audible.com and I've yet to regret it.  For a small monthly fee (I think it is $14.95) I get one credit--in the past I had one of their higher plans, but in the interest of balancing the budget I scaled back.  Each credit may be used to buy a book--most books sell for one credit, though a few are two credits.  I've found it a good deal since the list price of most books, even at the members price (which I never pay, I only buy books with credits) is more than what I pay each month.  I've listened to many hours of books while driving to work and on trips.  Even if a few books that I've downloaded are duds, most have been excellent.  It has occasionally let me get through books that I didn't have time to read (recently I listened to Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxas).

Currently I'm listening to the Shadowmarch series by Tad Williams.  I first encountered Tad several years ago when I picked up Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and I enjoyed a read through the Otherland saga.  One warning about Tad's books--they tend to be long.  The third book of MST had to be split into two for paperback publication (I think I read that the hardcover was over 1,000 pages and the paperback would have been longer).  I tend to read faster than audiobook narrators, but the recorded length of a book can still be a good indication of its length.  The entire Shadowmarch series (as sold by Audible) spans almost five complete days of listening.  I'm somewhere less than half-way through the first volume, so I won't be done for a while yet.  I'm enjoying the listen however.  Because of the stereo I installed in my car last fall (with the help of my nephew Erik) I can plug my iPhone directly into the stereo and control playback with the stereo controls.  I should mention that one of my coworkers (Chris) helped me to find the site where I bought the stereo.  I do like the fact that I can be listening to one book on my commute while I'm reading another book during part of my free time.  I also like the fact that I have the files for all of the books I've purchased saved--but I can re-download them if necessary, so that just as I've re-read books in the past I'll have the option to re-listen to books in the future if I so desire.

~Matt

An Explosive Read

I just finished reading this book on the explosion of Krakatoa in 1883. Now I'm not sure I'd actually call it an "explosively good read" as that might be a bit over the top--but I did quite enjoy it.

The book covered the European voyages to (and through) the East Indies as well as their eventual colonization. There was also an extensive section about this history of plate tectonics. I appreciated all of these sections along with the main sections that dealt with what preceded and followed the eruption on August 27, 1883.

Here you can see where Krakatoa lies, directly between Sumatra and Java, in the midst of one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. It is marked by the yellow square in the middle of the Sundra Strait.






There are actually four islands today. Two on the sides of the group are thought to be the remnants of an ancient super-Krakatoa (immediately post-Flood I'd think), while the one to the bottom of the group--as viewed in this picture--is the remnant of the mountain that blew itself to bits in 1883. The center spit of land is Anakrakata, or Anak Krakatoa, "Son of Krakatoa." It started to rise above the waters in 1930 and after three false starts really started growing and now is considered a real island.

The author also had some very interesting thoughts about the growth of radical Islam in the Dutch East Indies after the eruption and the similarities to today (for example the bombings in Bali in 2002). Indonesia is the largest populated Muslim nation on earth.

All in all I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who would enjoy such a historically enjoyable trip through time. It was definitely worth the four dollars I paid for it last Friday.


~Matt

-- Posted from my iPhone
(c) 2012 iWolff Ltd.

Library Sale in Cincy

Thursday night into Friday morning I worked an overnight at the Creation Museum.  But I'd gotten work done the day before, so I didn't have too much to do after the overnight was done.  I actually left by around 10:30 and was home well before noon (which was a nice switch from other days where I didn't home as soon as I'd wanted).  After I ate lunch a bit later Amy and I were sitting on the couch when an alarm on her phone went off.  It was a calendar reminder to go to a library sale.

Several weeks ago I'd seen the information in an e-mail from the Cincinnati library that there would be a library sale in Clifton (on the west side of Cincinnati) on March 15-17.  Well I knew I was working the 15th and 17th, but I'd have the afternoon of the 16th off due to the overnight.  I'm glad I put the reminder on the calendar--otherwise I would have forgotten.  It took a little while to find the place, but we finally did--thanks to our GPS.  We drove past the building at first (but that meant we got go see some amazing old homes as we turned around) but then came back and found some parking behind it.  This wasn't the library, but all the signs said that it was the Clifton Cultural Arts Center.  I gathered from a display inside that the library is looking for a new home, or perhaps they've found it but need to remodel it.  Anyway, the building that housed the sale was pretty interesting, but more about that later.  [Yes, the Friends of the Library site says that "Proceeds from this sale will benefit the Clifton Library renovations."]

I looked through the old book section rather thoroughly.  I found quite a few books from the 1800s--several from the middle part of the century and some from the later part.  I even discovered one volume from 1810!  However, I only ended up buying one book from this section.  They were all (except for the most beat up of the old books) priced at three dollars or above.  I'm used to much cheaper library sales.  We'll likely end up going back to the "Warehouse" their main location that is open several times a week.  Though I might have to save up some money before I go there.  I didn't end up buying any of the really old books (at least not for myself--I bought one for someone else) because none of them were quite interesting enough to justify their "high" price.  With a regular library sale I can justify buying the book because I'll eventually read it and I can get a couple dozen for $10.  I bought an old (of indeterminate age) copy of Swiss Family Robinson, since the only copy of the book I own is an old Scholastic paperback edition.  I also picked up a book on Krakatoa from the historical section.

I couldn't help but notice several cool features of the building as we walked around the book tables.  Finally after we'd paid for our books (Amy picked up a likely original copy of Elsie Dinsmore--which I'd never heard of, but was all the rage when she was a kid I guess).  There was tile on part of the wall--and I took a picture of the corner of one section of wall.  Sure, it isn't the most amazing picture, but I just had fun capturing some of the old architectural features of the building.

The stairwell was what had first caught my eye inside--especially the front of the steps.  They looked to be somewhat of a latticework pattern.  We also looked up the stairs and saw more interesting things there.

I noticed an interesting grille along the floor as well as the stair rails.  Both were obviously older construction.  I like seeing old architectural details (it is one of the reasons I really appreciate Cincinnati's Union Terminal).

Outside you can really appreciate the architecture of this more-than-a-century-old building.  I'm so glad that it wasn't torn down after the decision to relocate the school was made.  Too many old buildings have been torn down because they couldn't be repurposed.

I took a couple shots of the front of the building--one was from further away while the other was closer and mainly of the upper part of the structure (I was also trying to avoid photographing the kid hanging out on the balcony).  This view with the large banners hanging down reminded me of "classic" museums like the old Smithsonian buildings, the Field Museum, and the American Museum of Natural History.

After walking to the front of the building we headed back to our car to leave.  But I had one more picture to take.  Looking through all of the old books (I must have handled every one in visible in the picture above--or at least all of the ones with really dark covers--in the process of looking over their titles and publication dates) my hands had gotten quite dirty looking.  I took a picture before we walked off--though by that point they weren't quite as dirty as they had been but a few minutes earlier.

~Matt

PS The very top picture is a panoramic that I stitched together with an app on my phone.  I need to remember to use this more often when I'm looking at large buildings or when we travel out west this summer!

The End of a Circle

I just finished reading Ted Dekker's Circle books...and it was an interesting trip.  I won't deny that they were a thrilling read--I was glued from the first few pages of Black.  However, I have some thoughts...and I'm not sure what I think of everything right now.  If you haven't read the books then I have two warnings: 1) this might not make much sense and 2) there might be spoilers.  I'll try to avoid the first, but not as hard to avoid the second.

The Circle is a series of books involving Thomas Hunter, the central character, who travels between two worlds--a version of the present day, and what appears to be the far future, where spiritual realities appear to have taken on physical form.

The original version of the books circle around, or form a loop.  Its interesting, and something that I've seen before in sci-fi circles.  I thought how it might be possible when reading through.  However, the further on that the books go the clearer it is that they're not just fantastic, or some form of science-fiction.  They're allegorical--talking about Christianity in some sense.  So I found the following interesting in light of that connection to reality and true history:

Excerpt from an interview with Dekker, printed in the back of the omnibus edition of The Circle (ISBN 978-1-59554-792-7)
8) Black is a redo of history.  Do you think history will be redone in the far future?
Ted: I'll answer with a question.  Do you believe that humans will retain their humanity in the next life?  That is, will they still have a free will?  If so, they would still have a choice for evil, yes?  Remove that choice and we essentially become like robots in the future.
So if evil exists in the next life, will anyone choose it, the way Lucifer first did?  I suppose so.  And if so, would the event involve another fall so to speak?  We don't know.  Perhaps this allegory I've penned is closer to the truth than one might think.  Then again, probably not.

He isn't stating anything absolutely here, and to be fair this is the first of his books (and the only interview with him) that I've read, so I might be taking things out of context.  If I am, then I'm more than willing to be corrected or advised of the truth.  However, I find this slightly worrisome.  We'll leave aside the issue of predestination versus free will for now.  But he essentially asks if evil will exist in "the next life."  I don't see how that can be read from scripture. I would say that the Bible is clear that Hell, sickness, death, disease, and everything that has to do with the curse will be cast into the Lake of Fire, forever.

All quotations from the New American Standard Bible
Revelation 20:14
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.

Revelation 21:4
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away

Revelation 22:3-4
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.  They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

These aren't the only verses, but the ones easiest to find when I flipped to the end of my Bible.  I find the Circle an interesting story...but in the end it is only that.  I don't see how you can read Scripture and seriously postulate that there will be another opportunity to sin, to fall, to disobey God.  The reality of Heaven is that we will forever be in the presence of God and will forever worship Him.  To me the possibility of another fall sounds like reincarnation or a yin-yang cycle.  Frankly it isn't an appealing future at all.  I look forward to heaven where I will be without the failings of my mortal flesh, where I will not sin, where I will be in the presence of God forever instead of a world full of temptation.

If God is truly omnipotent then why does evil get "another chance" to tempt mankind?  Does it mean that the second death mentioned in Revelation above is only the second of an endless cycle?

Are we to be pitied if our hope doesn't rest in Christ and in eternal life, but instead has the possibility of an eternal cycle of "re-do?"  The original ending of Green involves Thomas Hunter going back to the start of Black with the "God" character Elyon sending him there so that he can "do things over" in an effort to save his son (an apostate who doesn't enter heaven--like the dwarves in the stable in The Last Battle).  My interpretation of the implication of the "circle" that Thomas keeps repeating his life in the same way, unable to save his son.

This was typed a bit quickly, and as I said I haven't read more of Dekker's writing.  I'm not trying to condemn the man, not at all.  I just noted the theme of the book and the interview question above and was slightly concerned.  If you've read his books and see something different then please enlighten me--I'd love to learn more.

~Matt

A Swampy History

I had to buy some souvenirs while I was down in Georgia.  I searched through the visitor's center bookstore and found some interesting items (I had two birthdays to shop for also).  I was going to buy a T-shirt, but I could only find very environmental designs.  I found out later that there was another gift shop that I didn't know about.  One of the best things that I found was a volume entitled "History of Okefenokee Swamp."  I discovered a site where you can find the book in your local library.

The book was originally published in 1926.  After I started reading and discovered how fun it is I'm quite tempted to find an original copy on-line.  Several years ago I did go through a period of buying old books and they are very enjoyable.  However, the copy that I have was reprinted in the 90s by the Charlton County Historical Society.  The perspective is definitely different from what you'd encounter today.  At the time the book was written the swamp was privately owned and people were logging and had had tried to drain the area.  I'll retype the opening paragraphs below to just give you a taste of this book.  I haven't finished it yet--but I'm in no rush as I don't want the experience to end too quickly.

In southeastern Georgia, extending along the Florida border, there lies, until recently unheralded and unsung to the outside world, one of the wonder-spots of this great country.  The subject of this sketch is what is known on all the maps of the State of Georgia s the "Okefenokee Swamp."  This Swamp, if it can rightfully be described as a swamp, covers from 600 to 700 square miles of territory, is 60 miles long and varies in width from 18 to 30 miles, comprising a total area of from 500,000 to 700,000 acres, and lies principally in the counties of Charlton, Ware and Clinch.

This magnificent Swamp, one of the very largest, if not the largest, in the entire United States, is truly a nature-lover's paradise.  The scenic beauty and grandeur, with its changing vistas of island, dense bays overgrown with moss-covered trees, open prairies covered with lily-pads of incomparable beauty, lakes--from the miniature pools to the great ponds--infested with alligators, reptiles and fish, giant trees reaching far into the skies, and over all the flitting to and fro of the hundreds of water birds of every species, delights and thrills the heart of any one who has a spark of the artistic in his nature.

The artist can find in this Swamp scenes for masterpieces--from the beautiful to the sombre--for while there are scenes of unsurpassed beauty, there are others dark, dangerous and foreboding.  The ornithologist is thrown into an ecstasy of delight, for birds ranging from the majestic whooping crane to the lowly wren, inhabit this swamp, and, too, there are many rare species almost extinct in other sections of the country to be found here.  The ivory-bill woodpecker, thought to be wholly extinct, is still to be seen in the heart of this great swamp, and many species of heron, egret, and other plumed birds can be found in numbers.  To the hunter of game--those who hunt for the primitive passion of killing--and th those who like to observe and study the wild in its native haunts, it is an enchanting spot, for all the animals native to this section can be found, from the scurrying water-rat to the vicious panther, the amiable bear and the harmless, beautiful deer.  The trapper for the fur-bearing animal finds it a most lucrative place to ply his trade, for in the Swamp can be caught otter, raccoon, o'possum, bob-cat, mink, etc., and the lakes and prairies are infested by the alligator.

If you are interested in the history of the Okefenokee, and if you like period pieces (this reminds me of historical travelogue videos I've downloaded) then check out this fascinating book.
~Matt

LEGO at Borders

I think it is a good combination. I'm not buying any LEGO today (only a couple books), but I like to see the sets here.


~Matt

-- Posted from my iPhone
(c) 2010 iWolff Ltd.

Location:Crestview Hills,United States

Second

I finally made it to the second book of the trilogy I'm reading--mainly because I got so much reading done while working Gold on Wednesday.

A reviewer complained about the geographic and other descriptions in the books. I'm actually enjoying the larger picture of the world being painted by the descriptive language.  Apparently the author owns a atlas company and spent quite a bit of time making an atlas of the world before publishing the books.  You really do get a picture of the different scenery and seasons the characters are traveling through.




~Matt

PS I typed this shortly after midnight but fell asleep before I could post it.

-- Posted from my iPhone
(c) 2010 iWolff Ltd.

Location:Highland Ave,Fort Mitchell,United States

Too tired to read

I know it is late (or early) but I was going to read for a few minutes. I think I'm going to turn out the light before one, probably... ;-)


~Matt

-- Posted from my iPhone
(c) 2010 iWolff Ltd.

Location:Highland Ave,Fort Mitchell,United States

Is there any news?

Yes, I know that I've been mainly photoblogging this week. This week was due to a trip through the Creation Museum Botanical gardens earlier this week. One day during lunch I strolled through the gardens and snapped a few pictures, which I immediately blogged from my iPhone. They weren't long on text, but it was an easy way to share several days worth of pictures without having to find a new one each morning. I don't expect to keep doing this, as I'd like to have a nice mix of pictures up here instead of just a batch of similar ones each week.

Today I'm sitting at home (though I've had a few calls and e-mails about work already, ;-)), and relaxing. It is a slightly rainy day, but with no blowing wind...so I'm in my living room with open windows enjoying the weather. I can hear cars driving by on the wet road and occasionally the sound of rain falling. I just wish that I had bigger windows and perhaps a fireplace (though for the second option cooler weather would be required).

I just started a new book last night that is turning out to be rather interesting. I found it at the library on the shelf that is part of their permanent book sale (they have several book sales a year, and then two shelves that always have cheap books on them). It is called Pirates of Pensacola and appears to be a humorous tale of modern-day pirates (not like the real pirates off Somalia or Indonesia--but a la the Pirates of the Caribbean romanticized version).

~Matt

Book Sale

Now if I'd read a blog title like this one I'd be drooling already. And it almost happened that way anyway... I was off on Thursday and actually stayed home (that is I didn't go to the Creation Museum at all). In the afternoon I saw that a friend updated their status to say they were going to a booksale. Immediately my interest was piqued. I looked up the location of the library, realized it wasn't that far (far is relative anyway when you're talking about cheap books!). I quickly went over to my sister's place, recruited a couple of nerfs for slave labor...I mean so they could browse books for themselves and their siblings, and took off.

I ended up spending $17. I procured somewhere between two and three dozen books, including at least a dozen for the nerfs. You can see a 2008 Hammond Atlas here--I have many Hammond Atlases from different time periods in the twentieth century, this is now my newest. I found an 1800s edition of Ben Hur that matches my edition of another of his books. I did mistakenly buy two history books I already had--but they were just fifty cents, and one was nicer than the edition I had already...

I love library sales!!!

On Target

I am currently meeting my goals, okay not all of them, but one in particular I have met thus far.  I started re-reading the Harry Potter series two days ago after work.  That first evening I finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  Yesterday I finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.  Finally a minute ago I finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  Now after this point the books are a bit bigger, so I'm not planning to finish them in one night.  The only problem is that I'm afraid that I might finish before I can get my hands on book seven.

I don't want to cut things any closer, because I don't want to overshoot the deadline either though.  It is a tough dilemma.  Right now I'm going to go start on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as a way of distracting myself from the problem, ;-).  But before I go I do want to leave you with the closing paragraphs from book three.  I love reading such quality humour. I  was laughing (or at least chuckling) out loud as I reread this passage.

"What's that?" [Uncle Vernon] snarled, staring at the envelope Harry was still clutching in his hand.  "If it's another form for me to sign, you've got another--"

"It's not," said Harry cheerfully.  "It's a letter from my godfather."

"Godfather?" spluttered Uncle Vernon.  "You haven't got a godfather!"

"Yes, I have," said Harry brightly.  "He was my mum and dad's best friend.  He's a convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison and he's on the run.  He likes to keep in touch with me though...keep up with my news...check if I'm happy...."

And, grinning broadly at the look of horror on Uncle Vernon's face, Harry set off toward the station exit, Hedwig rattling along in front of him, for what looked like a much better summer than the last.

I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed these books.  Even when I'm re-reading them for the second time and I know everything major that happens, I'm still thoroughly enjoying the ride.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to say that all the way through Half-Blood Prince, but I'll try.  ;-)

~Matt

--
"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

Busy, Busy, Busy

First of all I should have mentioned it earlier, but today is Free Comic Book Day! If it isn't already too late in the day click the link above, enter your zip code, and find a participating store near you! You may not go to all the activities you'll find, but at least you can go and get free stuff. It is great fun!

Of course that isn't all I'm doing today. I've switched days at the Museum this weekend (I go in tomorrow after church to work instead of today). Today I am going up there to see Titanic with my sister, brother-in-law, Chris, and his girlfriend. Hopefully we can get up there in the first batch of people so we can avoid most of the crowds that may come later in the day. Many people still think this is the last weekend even though the exhibit has been extended for another week.

After we get through the exhibit I'll come home for my main reason for taking the day off (I planned to go through the exhibit with family earlier, but my brother-in-law flew an extra flight that interfered with those plans). I'm going to take three of my nerfs (the youngest boys) and head out to local comic book shops. Last year we just hit three. We'll be starting a bit later, but I plan to hit the two in Kentucky and at least a couple in Cincinnati. I figure the fun will be worth the extra gas--even if it is above $3.00 a gallon at every station I see!

Well now I need to head off to take a shower and get ready for the day. I just need to remember that I'm going to have fun today. That should be my primary concern as I'll try not to get annoyed by jerks on the road or other potential distractions. :-)

~Matt

Assuming the worst

Reading named worst for families

When I saw the preceding headline by the BBC I immediately assumed the worst, that they were claiming that reading was bad for families.  Then I reconsidered and wondered if it was something that families weren't doing enough of (I'm sure that is true) and that thus current conditions were bad for families.

Then I started to read the article and it all made sense.  I do enjoy reading Commonwealth (UK, Australia, New Zealand) news, but some things do trip me up because I'm not familiar with them.  Place names are one of those, especially on a local level.  I know Manchester, or London, or Canberra, but smaller locales aren't quite so familiar.

A Berkshire town has been named the worst place in Britain to bring up a family, according to a new survey.
The Reader's Digest poll asked 1,000 parents to list the things that make for a family-friendly environment.
The researchers then ranked places on how they scored against the criteria - which included crime rates, good local hospitals and affordable housing.
Reading was last in 408th place, while Oxford was 399th. The Scottish district of East Dunbartonshire came top.

~Matt


--
"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

PS

Thanks to OneRing.net I found the following review of the Children of Húrin at LibraryJournal.com. If you didn't like LotR (Like Mark the Heretic) then don't bother to glance at this volume. It isn't LotR II either, but set much earlier in the history of Middle-earth during the eras covered by the Silmarillion. As I mentioned in my last post I'm swinging by my local Borders to pick this up as soon as I get off work! Then I'm putting my other books on hold so I can immediately delve into the tale!

~Matt

Clear the calendar

Tomorrow the Children of Húrin is released. I would pick up my copy before work if I could, but I'll have to content myself with acquiring it between morning and evening jobs.

~Matt
--
"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

Feliz Cumpleaños

One of the best birthday presents I received yesterday didn't cost very much at all. Chris was just out in Colorado and he found a good used book. I was quite happy to discover that it wasn't one of the ones I already had (or contained in the treasuries).

Something Under the Bed is Drooling was only the second Calvin and Hobbes book published. :-) I'm slowly re-reading it and came across something that I had to blog about. I know there were many reoccurring plot details, but if you ever read the strip can you forget Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs? The picture I'm looking at shows Calvin and Hobbes sitting in an easy chair. Hobbes is sticking his tongue out at a bowl of cereal while Calvin has swirly eyes and is eagerly munching while he rots his brains out watching TV.

Here I leave you with what Wikipedia claims is Calvin's first in-strip consumption of the delectable cereal in question. I really only enjoy Cheerios, but I could sure go for a bowl of CFSBs and several scoops of sugar some mornings!

Enjoy!

~Matt

Overdrawn Humour

Earlier this evening I watched an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (my first actually) with my sister and nerfs. It was a hilarious ride through a bad movie. The movie in question was Overdrawn at the Memory Bank. The film features a character who ends up stuck in what is essentially virtual reality.

When the character ends up gaining control of his environment he begins to make changes. One of these changes is to apparently generate heavy snowfall inside the atrium of a building. One of the MST viewers remarks that this (snowfall) must be how much pure cocaine it takes to enjoy the movie.

At this point we were cracking up so much that my sister had to pause the tape for a couple minutes. Then we even replayed the segment a couple times for my nephew that didn't watch the entire show.

I can hardly wait to see more episodes. I bought my sister a DVD pack (unfortunately with only one DVD, :() today at the book sale. That book sale was a great haul, including an 1890 volume by Henry Stanley (the man famous for discovering Dr. Livingston in Africa). I'll try to nail down exactly what I got later. It was especially fun finding several things for my nerfs, I love giving them books.

~Matt

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