Taken from my review on Goodreads
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was anxious to read this book because of the excellent reviews and buzz surrounding it. I was not aware of the structure of the book where it was basically four novellas that presented different viewpoints and perspectives from different writers. I enjoyed the first novella and was somewhat disappointed and shocked that the story was about to change. Nonetheless I continued to read but found that my interest had lessened.
I am glad that I finished the book as I was able to find out the “secret” of how Benjamin became rich. And it struck me that this secret was somewhat plausible.
The book did provide one of the most interesting and provocative aphorisms that I have read.
“God is the most uninteresting answer to the most interesting questions.”
I did not find that the lifestyles of the characters were particularly interesting – – in fact they were a bit boring. Nonetheless, the book did provide some surprises and the ending justified my efforts in finishing it. I’m not sure how attractive this book would be for readers who have no interest in finance or in the period around the great depression.
A modest start to my new year of reading…
View all my reviews
Tag: trust
Muses on a Cold Winter Morning
My writing efforts resemble my pickleball game performances. Brief flashes of brilliance mixed with plenty of unforced errors and faults.
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The experience of watching televised college and pro sports during Covid is like viewing a sitcom without a laugh track.
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Parler: politics = Pornhub: love
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So who stands “in the dock” for the various atrocities and abuses to our democracy and laws committed in the past four years? A number of Trump sycophants, enablers and officials, in a bid to salvage their reputations and careers, finally bailed out from the “Herrenvolk.” Nikki Haley, Bill O’Reilly, Betty DeVos, Elaine Chao, Mitch McConnell, John Kelly, John Bolton, Mike Pence and many other Trump supporters are fleeing from Trump like Melania avoids child refugee camps.
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Rush Limbaugh’s receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom is as appropriate as the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences awarding Bonzo its Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Professional sports championships are generally decided off-season and by General Managers and less by players. College championships are generally decided in recruiting, less on the field or court.
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How Trumpism mimics the coronavirus: (1) Can damage or kill the host (U.S.) if untreated or unopposed. (2) Moves quickly through the populace through spreader (campaign) events. (3) Spurs denials by naysayers as to its existence and dangers. (4) Adverse after effects continue for many months (years) after initial contagion. (4) Mutates frequently posing additional dangers. (5) Remedied by inoculation (election results).
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The biggest editors when many write are psychological, concerns for acceptance and approval plus the fear of speaking one’s mind and upsetting a career and reputation. How freeing to be retired and of advanced age when those editors are not as binding! While I still value the opinions of others, it’s more important that I move ideas and thoughts from my brain to screen, while I can.
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Tell me how many books and what you you read on a topic and I can tell you how seriously I value your opinions on that topic.
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As I get older what has tragically declined faster than my physical and mental capabilities has been my decline in trust for most people to simply do the right things, especially when it comes to acting in the best interests of the nation, community or fellow man.
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Esot-eric 