Category Archives: Literature

Russia Against Napoleon

This is a comprehensive overview of the Russian struggle against Napoleon. The author begins with the political maneuverings after the Peace of Tilsit in 1807 and carries through to the Allied entrance into Paris in 1814. The main focus is on Russian political and military affairs beginning with the invasion by Napoleon in 1812 and continuing on to the peace of 1814.

Most people are familiar with the 1812 campaign, but the author spends time dissecting why Napoleon’s invasion failed, and shows that it was not a matter of chance and a severe winter; instead the Russians had planned carefully on how best to defeat the French. What is interesting to me is the author’s discussion of the 1813 and 1814 campaigns; both in terms of the politics of the alliance and the actual military events. This is often glossed over, beyond a brief mention of the battle of Leipzig. The French did not collapse after the failed invasion of Russia, and much political skill was required by Tsar Alexander to coax the Austrians into the Russian and Prussian alliance. Despite the failure of the 1812 campaign, the defeat of the French was by no means a foregone conclusion.

The internal Russian politics both inside and outside of the army are also discussed at length. The triumph of Russian arms is in no small part a triumph for Alexander and his vision of how to best fight the French and ensure peace for Russia.

As an aside, it is refreshing to read a military history where logistics are discussed at length. The Russian supply system was one of the crucial factors in the eventual victory of the Allies.

If Kennedy Lived

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I really enjoyed this book; it’s an alternative history based on the premise that JFK survived the assassination attempt in Dallas on November 22, 1963. It is an interesting exploration of the politics of the early and middle 1960’s; including a few scandals which were buried after Kennedy’s death. What people tend to forget is that JFK was a very cautious politician – he was keenly aware of his narrow mandate and never really acted unless he had to. Also, unlike his youngest brother, JFK was not particularly liberal.

Of course the most interesting question is what would have happened in terms of the US involvement in Vietnam, which the author handles in a believable way and shows an interesting connection to the civil rights movement. Granted, we’ll never know what really would have happened, but it’s a plausible story.

Jeff Greenfield is a well-known political writer and is the author of Then Everything Changed which is a collection of alternate history stories. He does a good job with this book, but once we get to 1966 or so, things start to drift a bit. Part of that is of course that the big questions have been answered by then. The book ends right before the presidential election in November 1968. If you like alternative histories, this is a good one.

Gettysburg Address

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Abraham Lincoln, November 1863

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Ich bin ein Berliner

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President Kennedy speaks to the people of Berlin.

I am proud to come to this city as the guest of your distinguished Mayor, who has symbolized throughout the world the fighting spirit of West Berlin. And I am proud to visit the Federal Republic with your distinguished Chancellor who for so many years has committed Germany to democracy and freedom and progress, and to come here in the company of my fellow American, General Clay, who has been in this city during its great moments of crisis and will come again if ever needed.

Two thousand years ago, two thousand years ago, the proudest boast was “civis Romanus sum.” Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is “Ich bin ein Berliner.”

(I appreciate my interpreter translating my German.)

There are many people in the world who really don’t understand, or say they don’t, what is the great issue between the free world and the Communist world. Let them come to Berlin.

There are some who say that communism is the wave of the future. Let them come to Berlin.

And there are some who say, in Europe and elsewhere, we can work with the Communists. Let them come to Berlin.

And there are even a few who say that it is true that communism is an evil system, but it permits us to make economic progress. Lass’ sie nach Berlin kommen. Let them come to Berlin.

Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect. But we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in to prevent them from leaving us. I want to say on behalf of my countrymen who live many miles away on the other side of the Atlantic, who are far distant from you, that they take the greatest pride, that they have been able to share with you, even from a distance, the story of the last 18 years. I know of no town, no city, that has been besieged for 18 years that still lives with the vitality and the force, and the hope, and the determination of the city of West Berlin.

While the wall is the most obvious and vivid demonstration of the failures of the Communist system for all the world to see we take no satisfaction in it; for it is, as your Mayor has said, an offense not only against history but an offense against humanity, separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people who wish to be joined together.

What is true of this city is true of Germany: Real, lasting peace in Europe can never be assured as long as one German out of four is denied the elementary right of free men, and that is to make a free choice. In 18 years of peace and good faith, this generation of Germans has earned the right to be free, including the right to unite their families and their nation in lasting peace, with good will to all people.

You live in a defended island of freedom, but your life is part of the main. So let me ask you, as I close, to lift your eyes beyond the dangers of today, to the hopes of tomorrow, beyond the freedom merely of this city of Berlin, or your country of Germany, to the advance of freedom everywhere, beyond the wall to the day of peace with justice, beyond yourselves and ourselves to all mankind.

Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free. When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one and this country and this great continent of Europe in a peaceful and hopeful globe. When that day finally comes, as it will, the people of West Berlin can take sober satisfaction in the fact that they were in the front lines for almost two decades.

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words “Ich bin ein Berliner.”

John F. Kennedy
June 26, 1963
West Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.

Fall of Giants

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Just finished reading “Fall of Giants” by Ken Follett. This is the first novel in a trilogy covering five interconnected families in the 20th century. This first installment begins before the First World War and ends with the election of the first Labour government in the UK in 1924. This is a very large canvas to paint on, and coincidence seems to play a large role in some of the events – as of course it must, lest the number of characters grow too large for the reader to manage.

Yes, this sometimes does lapse into melodrama, but overall the author does a good job of keep the separate plot threads interesting and establishing some surprising connections. And yes, there are some historical errors here and there, or perhaps the author just favors one interpretation of events over others, but it is an entertaining read, and does bring the period in question to life.

It’s a fairly long book, and unlike the author’s thrillers, such as “Eye of the Needle”, this work does start slowly, but I do recommend it. Once we meet and get to know all of the principal characters, the pace picks up and it is a good read.

Boomerang

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Just finished reading “Boomerang” by Michael Lewis. He’s written several books on topics related to finance. This is sort of a sequel to “The Big Short” and deals for the most part with how the Great Recession has affected Iceland, Greece, Germany and California. As always, it’s a very entertaining and fast paced read, and Lewis imparts a basic understanding of the financial problems faced by each country. On the down side, his relentless use of national stereotypes does make you wonder if he’s really gotten to the root of the problems – his correlation of the causes of the problems faced by each country with its “national character” seems somewhat superficial. Still, it’s a good read and I recommend it.

Washington’s Second Inaugural Address

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Fellow Citizens:

I am again called upon by the voice of my country to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate. When the occasion proper for it shall arrive, I shall endeavor to express the high sense I entertain of this distinguished honor, and of the confidence which has been reposed in me by the people of united America.

Previous to the execution of any official act of the President the Constitution requires an oath of office. This oath I am now about to take, and in your presence: That if it shall be found during my administration of the Government I have in any instance violated willingly or knowingly the injunctions thereof, I may (besides incurring constitutional punishment) be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn ceremony.

George Washington
March 4, 1793
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

135 words.

Herr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland

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This is another of my favorite poems. I first read it in a German Literature class, and I really enjoyed it, which was somewhat unusual for me because at that point I didn’t particularly care for poetry. So this was one of the first poems that I really enjoyed. It helped that pears are my favorite fruit.

Herr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland by Theodor Fontane

Herr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland,
Ein Birnbaum in seinem Garten stand,
Und kam die goldene Herbsteszeit,
Und die Birnen leuchteten weit und breit,
Da stopfte, wenn’s Mittag vom Thurme scholl,
Der von Ribbeck sich beide Taschen voll,
Und kam in Pantinen ein Junge daher,
So rief er: „Junge, wist’ ne Beer?“
Kumm man röwer, ick hebb’ ne Birn.“

So ging es viel Jahre, bis lobesam
Der von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck zu sterben kam.
Er fühlte sein Ende. ’s war Herbsteszeit,
Wieder lachten die Birnen weit und breit,
Da sagte von Ribbeck: „Ich scheide nun ab.
Legt mir eine Birne mit in’s Grab.“
Und drei Tage drauf, aus dem Doppeldachhaus
Trugen von Ribbeck sie hinaus,
Alle Bauern und Büdner
Sangen „Jesus meine Zuversicht“
Und die Kinder klagten, das Herze schwer,
„He is dod nu. Wer giwt uns nu ’ne Beer?“

So klagten die Kinder. Das war nicht recht,
Ach, sie kannten den alten Ribbeck schlecht,
Der neue freilich, der knausert und spart,
Hält Park und Birnbaum strenge verwahrt,
Aber der alte, vorahnend schon
Und voll Mißtraun gegen den eigenen Sohn,
Der wußte genau, was damals er that
Als um eine Birn’ in’s Grab er bat,
Und im dritten Jahr, aus dem stillen Haus
Ein Birnbaumsprößling sproßt heraus.

Und die Jahre gehen wohl auf und ab,
Längst wölbt sich ein Birnbaum über dem Grab,
Und in der goldenen Herbsteszeit
Leuchtet’s wieder weit und breit.
Und kommt ein Jung’ über’n Kirchhof her,
So flüstert’s im Baume: „wiste ne Beer?“
Und kommt ein Mädel, so flüstert’s: „Lütt Dirn,
Kumm man röwer, ick gew’ Di ’ne Birn.“

So spendet Segen noch immer die Hand
Des von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland.

The Land of Beyond

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This is one of my favorite poems. I first heard it in 1999 on vacation in the Canadian Rockies when one of our tour guides read it when we were having lunch at the top of Sentinel Pass.

The Land of Beyond by Robert W. Service

Rainbow in the Canadian Rockies

Have ever you heard of the Land of Beyond,
   That dreams at the gates of the day?
Alluring it lies at the skirts of the skies,
   And ever so far away;
Alluring it calls: O ye the yoke galls,
   And ye of the trail overfond,
With saddle and pack, by paddle and track,
   Let’s go to the Land of Beyond!

Have ever you stood where the silences brood,
   And vast the horizons begin,
At the dawn of the day to behold far away
   The goal you would strive for and win?
Yet ah! in the night when you gain to the height,
   With the vast pool of heaven star-spawned,
Afar and agleam, like a valley of dream,
   Still mocks you a Land of Beyond.

Thank God! there is always a Land of Beyond
   For us who are true to the trail;
A vision to seek, a beckoning peak,
   A fairness that never will fail;
A pride in our soul that mocks at a goal,
   A manhood that irks at a bond,
And try how we will, unattainable still,
   Behold it, our Land of Beyond!

Building 38

Still somewhat unclear on the concept…

Category Archives: Literature

Russia Against Napoleon

If Kennedy Lived

Gettysburg Address

Ich bin ein Berliner

Fall of Giants

Boomerang

Washington’s Second Inaugural Address

Herr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland

The Land of Beyond