A Short Presidential History Lesson

Based on my need to read on every topic possible, it should be no surprise that I chose to read Presidential Command by Peter W. Rodman. This book discussed the presidency from Nixon to W., and how foreign policy changed. It was an interesting read, especially in the sense that I learned many details that were ignored in my high school history classes.

I think the biggest lesson I got from this book was what makes a good Secretary of State. Rodman mentions that "Naming a strong individual...requires a considerable self-confident on the part of a president" (p.60). This really explains why Barack chose Hillary.

Overall, I would recommend this book to my friends who enjoy political science, but I'm very much looking forward to a different book.

Room

Room by Emma Donoghue was one of those books that really made me think. What would it actually be like if you never knew outdoors? If the extent of your existence was an 11x11 garden shed?

The fact that Donoghue is able to re-create the voice of an (extremely sheltered) five year old boy speaks wonders about her writing. His mother, known only to us as "Ma", was kidnapped at age nineteen while crossing the street for class. She spent two years alone before she had Jack. I can't say if I would do the same in her position. And hopefully, I'll never know.

It's nice to read a book as fresh and new as this one. It's not the same re-packaged concept you see regularly in the book store.

Cutting For Stone

Why this book didn't get more praise, I'll never understand.

Cutting For Stone is a first time novel by Abraham Verghese, a Professor of Medicine at Stanford. I mention this because he uses his knowledge throughout the entire book. Set between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and New York City, Verghese weaves the story of twin brothers. At times gut-wretching and other times inspiring, this novel made me appreciate good story telling. Since I'm getting to this post almost a week after finishing this book, I don't have any fresh thoughts. I did, however, bookmark the book like a crazy person.

'Life...is like that. You live it forward, but understand it backward." p. 9

"To be around someone whose self-confidence is more than what our fist glance led us to expect is seductive." p.53

"...there was no single equivalent English word. Tizita meant memory tinged with regret" p. 152

I love words like this. It makes you realize the English language doesn't really explain emotions very well.

"the uneventful day was a precious gift." p.317

"you must always look in the direction you want to go and never at what you are trying to avoid." p. 323

My current life motto. You must envision the positive to bring the positive into your life.

"She fingered the diamond ring on her finger, a present that he'd given her the last time they renewed their yearly vows." p. 429

One of my favorite parts of the book was the love story between Hema and Ghosh. Ghosh was in love with Hema for years, and when the twins were born, Hema made a marriage pact with Ghosh that was supposed to last a year. It ended up lasting over twenty years. It's such a simple idea: a yearly vow. With almost 50% of marriages ending in divorce, I myself have become skeptical of the concept. But a yearly vow is an easier achievement. And it's a more new-age, realistic approach to marriage.

"Death is the cure of all disease." p. 486

I think some people forget that there is only one real cure.

"'Call me old-fashioned,' Deepak said, 'but I've always believed that hard work pays off.'' p. 508

The first thought that popped into my head after reading this line was "God I hope so!" I've always admired (and secretly despised) people who can accomplish a lot with very little work. However, I am not one of those people. I've come to value hard work as it's own lesson. Much like the quote from Arthur Ashe, "Success is a journey, not a destination."

On a final note, I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I think the book does a wonderful job explaining what love looks and feels like. My favorite character had to Ghosh. What an inspirational man.