Spring has sprung
On one of the few Saturdays I have to sit on the couch and read/hang out, I am sitting here with my wife, baby, and mom, who has come up to be with us on Easter. Thursday was the first day of Spring, and I am excited. Yesterday was beautiful here in Nashville, and I am happy to have winter behind us. I look forward to many days at the park, now that AC and Kim can join me and the dogs on walks.
Another nice thing about this Saturday in particular is the book I have to curl up with on the couch. 1421: The Year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies (not a theologian,
Pentecostal or otherwise) is about how the 3rd emperor of the Ming Dynasty sought to have the whole world pay him tribute, so he built the biggest armada ever seen (unduplicated till WWII) and sent them out to chart all unknown waters and explore all unknown lands. It is fascinating, and though I know there are detractors to Menzies theories (he would not call them such) it has been a delightful read.
My current trend of reading history started with Galileo's Daughter: A Memoir of
Science, Faith, and love, by Dava Sobel. It is a biography of Galileo as seen through the correspondence he carried on with his elder Daughter, a nun. It was an excellent read as well, a well researched study of the man, a realistic appraisal of his many achievements, and how his times both enouraged and hindered his talents. To hear his story from his daughters' perspective if pretty fascinating. Inspired by this book I am now combing McKays for a bio of Copernicus.
If you have any interest at all in history, these are some great reads. They are certainly written for general audiences, but are well put together and deal with subjects directly connected with how we see the world, or worlds as it were.
Peace.
Another nice thing about this Saturday in particular is the book I have to curl up with on the couch. 1421: The Year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies (not a theologian,
Pentecostal or otherwise) is about how the 3rd emperor of the Ming Dynasty sought to have the whole world pay him tribute, so he built the biggest armada ever seen (unduplicated till WWII) and sent them out to chart all unknown waters and explore all unknown lands. It is fascinating, and though I know there are detractors to Menzies theories (he would not call them such) it has been a delightful read.My current trend of reading history started with Galileo's Daughter: A Memoir of
Science, Faith, and love, by Dava Sobel. It is a biography of Galileo as seen through the correspondence he carried on with his elder Daughter, a nun. It was an excellent read as well, a well researched study of the man, a realistic appraisal of his many achievements, and how his times both enouraged and hindered his talents. To hear his story from his daughters' perspective if pretty fascinating. Inspired by this book I am now combing McKays for a bio of Copernicus.If you have any interest at all in history, these are some great reads. They are certainly written for general audiences, but are well put together and deal with subjects directly connected with how we see the world, or worlds as it were.
Peace.
I think I am not a good reader. I get distracted so easily. My Myers -Briggs personality profile says I am a "dynamic learner" which means I get distracted easily once my initial interest in a topic is satisfied.
I find it easier to watch a documentary on the History Channel than to read about it (it's only 2 hours and covers the high points).
This book sounds very interesting. I think I have watched something about this on TV which unfortunately means I won't be able to make myself read the whole book.
:)