Eating right with diabetes
Eating right is one of the themes of controlling blood sugar to combat diabetes. This is one of the several books available in book stores; then what makes this different from other books? A critical review reveals that all these books follow the same general principle; make good choices for your nutritional needs and follow a plan that fits your needs.
You will find delicious recipes such as: Whole wheat blueberry muffins, berry smoothies, curried chicken skewers with yogurt dipping sauce, spinach salad with carrots, oranges and sesame; peanut noodle salad, chicken enchiladas, Vegan black bean burgers, grilled marinated shrimp skewers, Greek-style garlic-lemon potatoes, banana ice cream and much more. This book is helpful and but does not stand out as unique from other books in this area.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Friday, December 7, 2018
Book Reviewed: The Non-Jewish Origins of the Sephardic Jews by Paul Wexler
Sephardic Jews: From a historical perspective
It is generally thought that Jews did not marry non-Jews, and they never converted non-Jews into Judaism. Then how is that after 2,000 years of diaspora, they have different physical features? A Jew could be a European, Yemeni, Moroccan, Indian, or Ethiopian. Besides, in Europe, there are two racially different groups, the Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews. Does this mean that their ancestors originated from ancient Israel? In this book, the author evaluates the history of Sephardic Jews whose ancestors migrated from Middle East to Iberian Peninsula perhaps in early eighth century. During the first two centuries, some of the local Iberian population converted into Judaism or formally followed the cultural practices of Judaism and thus, together they emerged as the Sephardic Jews. The author also observes that Jewish languages like Greek and Hebrew were abandoned to adapt Spanish version of Hebrew language. The life of Jewish communities in Iberia was generally difficult one. During 900-1150 C.E. although Judaism evolved into a strong minority group along with expanding Muslim population, the Christian Spain was dominated by Roman Catholic Church. Despite numerous odds, Jews made significant contributions to Spanish art, literature and culture. Majority of Jewish literary figures inhabited Spain during this period. There was a transition period between 1100 and 1300, when Jews resided in both Muslim and Christian regions of Spain; and finally, during 1250 to 1492, most Jews inhabited the Christian regions of the peninsula. The Alhambra Decree by Spain's Catholic Monarch in 1492, and then by the edict of expulsion of Jews by Portuguese king Manuel I in 1496 resulted in executions, mass conversions and migrations. During the late 15th century, Sephardic Jews migrated to North Africa, Anatolia, the Levant, Southern Europe, and the Americas. Some followed the spice-trade route to Malabar coast of India, where they settled among the established Cochin Jewish community whose ancestors arrived during the first millennium C.E.
The author also suggests that some Jews from ancient Israel may have migrated to Iberia in the first millennium C.E. but the history and archeological facts are sketchy to make positive conclusions. The ancestors of Ashkenazi Jews migrated from Middle East and settled in France and Germany in eighth century. Prior to this another ancient Jewish group migrated from Middle East to the Khazarian Empire in Southeastern Russia during sixth century. In both the regions of the European continent, there have been conversions that led to European admixture which resulted in more defined physical characteristics of European Jews. When the tenacity of Christian crusaders and general intolerance to Judaism increased in Western Europe; and after the fall Khazarian Empire, Jews migrated to East European nations like Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania. Where the religion grew stronger.
Genetic archeology of Ashkenazim suggest that they have Middle Eastern ancestry complemented by European admixture. Various studies have arrived at diverging conclusions regarding both the degree and the sources of this admixture in Ashkenazim particularly with respect to the extent of the non-Levantine genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi maternal lineages. These studies indicate that Jewish migrations since the beginning of first millennium before common era (B.C.E) resulted in some local admixture and led to distinct characteristics, of Moroccan, Indian, Chinese, and Ethiopian Jewry. In fact, many Jews who lived in the Middle East for more than 2500 years do not regard Ashkenazim, usually characterized by blonde hair and blue or green eyes, are the real representatives of the original inhabitants of ancient Israel.
This book is well written and the historical and linguistic impact on Jewish population in Iberian Peninsula is well discussed.
It is generally thought that Jews did not marry non-Jews, and they never converted non-Jews into Judaism. Then how is that after 2,000 years of diaspora, they have different physical features? A Jew could be a European, Yemeni, Moroccan, Indian, or Ethiopian. Besides, in Europe, there are two racially different groups, the Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews. Does this mean that their ancestors originated from ancient Israel? In this book, the author evaluates the history of Sephardic Jews whose ancestors migrated from Middle East to Iberian Peninsula perhaps in early eighth century. During the first two centuries, some of the local Iberian population converted into Judaism or formally followed the cultural practices of Judaism and thus, together they emerged as the Sephardic Jews. The author also observes that Jewish languages like Greek and Hebrew were abandoned to adapt Spanish version of Hebrew language. The life of Jewish communities in Iberia was generally difficult one. During 900-1150 C.E. although Judaism evolved into a strong minority group along with expanding Muslim population, the Christian Spain was dominated by Roman Catholic Church. Despite numerous odds, Jews made significant contributions to Spanish art, literature and culture. Majority of Jewish literary figures inhabited Spain during this period. There was a transition period between 1100 and 1300, when Jews resided in both Muslim and Christian regions of Spain; and finally, during 1250 to 1492, most Jews inhabited the Christian regions of the peninsula. The Alhambra Decree by Spain's Catholic Monarch in 1492, and then by the edict of expulsion of Jews by Portuguese king Manuel I in 1496 resulted in executions, mass conversions and migrations. During the late 15th century, Sephardic Jews migrated to North Africa, Anatolia, the Levant, Southern Europe, and the Americas. Some followed the spice-trade route to Malabar coast of India, where they settled among the established Cochin Jewish community whose ancestors arrived during the first millennium C.E.
The author also suggests that some Jews from ancient Israel may have migrated to Iberia in the first millennium C.E. but the history and archeological facts are sketchy to make positive conclusions. The ancestors of Ashkenazi Jews migrated from Middle East and settled in France and Germany in eighth century. Prior to this another ancient Jewish group migrated from Middle East to the Khazarian Empire in Southeastern Russia during sixth century. In both the regions of the European continent, there have been conversions that led to European admixture which resulted in more defined physical characteristics of European Jews. When the tenacity of Christian crusaders and general intolerance to Judaism increased in Western Europe; and after the fall Khazarian Empire, Jews migrated to East European nations like Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania. Where the religion grew stronger.
Genetic archeology of Ashkenazim suggest that they have Middle Eastern ancestry complemented by European admixture. Various studies have arrived at diverging conclusions regarding both the degree and the sources of this admixture in Ashkenazim particularly with respect to the extent of the non-Levantine genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi maternal lineages. These studies indicate that Jewish migrations since the beginning of first millennium before common era (B.C.E) resulted in some local admixture and led to distinct characteristics, of Moroccan, Indian, Chinese, and Ethiopian Jewry. In fact, many Jews who lived in the Middle East for more than 2500 years do not regard Ashkenazim, usually characterized by blonde hair and blue or green eyes, are the real representatives of the original inhabitants of ancient Israel.
This book is well written and the historical and linguistic impact on Jewish population in Iberian Peninsula is well discussed.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Book Reviewed: The Origin of Ashkenazi Jewry: The Controversy Unraveled by Jits van Straten
Who are Ashkenazi Jews and how are they related to non-European Jews
Historically, it is thought that Jews did not marry non-Jews, and they never converted non-Jews into Judaism. Then how is that after 2,000 years of diaspora, they have different physical features? Jews could be of European origin, Moroccan, Indian, or Ethiopian origin. Did they originate from the ancient Israel? This book goes into the roots of Judaism and interprets the results of genetic archeology from historical perspectives and traces the lost Jewish tribe of Ashkenazi Jews. The author offers his own insight into the possible differences between Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi Jews. Ashkenaz, according to the Hebrew Bible, is one of the descendants of Noah. He is the first son of Gomer, and a Japhetic patriarch.
Ashkenazi Jews are popularly contrasted with Sephardi Jews, who settled in the Iberian Peninsula, and Mizrahi Jews who remained in the Middle East. When Romans commanded by Titus destroyed the Second Temple, and the city of Jerusalem. A large population of Jews were either killed or held for slavery. The reminder fled to other continents.
Recent genetic studies suggest that Ashkenazi Jews has Middle Eastern ancestry complemented by European admixture. Various studies have arrived at diverging conclusions regarding both the degree and the sources of the Middle-Eastern admixture in Ashkenazim particularly with respect to the extent of the non-Levantine genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi maternal lineages. Jews migrated to France and Germany in eighth century C.E; and another migration occurred to Iberian Peninsula from Central Asia. The author also postulates that just before common era, there was also a large migration from Middle East to Khazar Empire (Southeastern Russia). During the Khazarian Empire, Judaism prospered and there was a large-scale conversion of local population into Judaism. When the empire was defeated by Kievan Rus, the Ashkenazi migrated to Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania. In the first millennium before common era, the genetic background of East European Jewry was very heterogeneous. Admixture with local population changed that. The author also suggests that since the migration of ancient Jewish tribes into different continents, there was admixture with local population wherever they went, and this led to phenotypic differences among Indian, European, and Ethiopian Jews.
Religious persecution of Jews was of common occurrence throughout Europe by Christians, and later by Muslims in the Middle East. But in India, Jews lived in peace and harmony largely due to dharmic principles practiced by Hindus. Acceptance of alternative ideas of religion and spirituality was respected throughout its history since Vedic times. In fact, Buddhism grew into a prosperous religion in India before the common era.
This book is fascinating to read for readers interested in understanding the racial diversity of Jews throughout the world. Some of the observation of the author must be substantiated by more archeological and genetic data.
Historically, it is thought that Jews did not marry non-Jews, and they never converted non-Jews into Judaism. Then how is that after 2,000 years of diaspora, they have different physical features? Jews could be of European origin, Moroccan, Indian, or Ethiopian origin. Did they originate from the ancient Israel? This book goes into the roots of Judaism and interprets the results of genetic archeology from historical perspectives and traces the lost Jewish tribe of Ashkenazi Jews. The author offers his own insight into the possible differences between Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi Jews. Ashkenaz, according to the Hebrew Bible, is one of the descendants of Noah. He is the first son of Gomer, and a Japhetic patriarch.
Ashkenazi Jews are popularly contrasted with Sephardi Jews, who settled in the Iberian Peninsula, and Mizrahi Jews who remained in the Middle East. When Romans commanded by Titus destroyed the Second Temple, and the city of Jerusalem. A large population of Jews were either killed or held for slavery. The reminder fled to other continents.
Recent genetic studies suggest that Ashkenazi Jews has Middle Eastern ancestry complemented by European admixture. Various studies have arrived at diverging conclusions regarding both the degree and the sources of the Middle-Eastern admixture in Ashkenazim particularly with respect to the extent of the non-Levantine genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi maternal lineages. Jews migrated to France and Germany in eighth century C.E; and another migration occurred to Iberian Peninsula from Central Asia. The author also postulates that just before common era, there was also a large migration from Middle East to Khazar Empire (Southeastern Russia). During the Khazarian Empire, Judaism prospered and there was a large-scale conversion of local population into Judaism. When the empire was defeated by Kievan Rus, the Ashkenazi migrated to Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania. In the first millennium before common era, the genetic background of East European Jewry was very heterogeneous. Admixture with local population changed that. The author also suggests that since the migration of ancient Jewish tribes into different continents, there was admixture with local population wherever they went, and this led to phenotypic differences among Indian, European, and Ethiopian Jews.
Religious persecution of Jews was of common occurrence throughout Europe by Christians, and later by Muslims in the Middle East. But in India, Jews lived in peace and harmony largely due to dharmic principles practiced by Hindus. Acceptance of alternative ideas of religion and spirituality was respected throughout its history since Vedic times. In fact, Buddhism grew into a prosperous religion in India before the common era.
This book is fascinating to read for readers interested in understanding the racial diversity of Jews throughout the world. Some of the observation of the author must be substantiated by more archeological and genetic data.
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Book Reviewed: The Story of Collapsing Stars: Black Holes, Naked Singularities, and the Cosmic Play of Quantum Gravity, by Pankaj S. Joshi
Cosmic Censorship of Naked Singularity
Conventional wisdom in cosmology and theoretical physics suggest that a large star ends its life by collapsing itself into a black hole. But some theoretical studies suggest it could become a spacetime singularity, i.e. a black hole but without an event horizon. In fact, physical processes leading to star collapse suggests formation of naked singularities, but they have not been detected in the cosmos. If they are discovered, it would revolutionize our understanding of spacetime and quantum gravity. They could provide laboratory conditions to study quantum-gravitational effects and help support or contradict string and loop quantum gravity theories.
In this book Professor Pankaj Joshi argues that cosmic censorship is not necessarily universal; naked singularities (black holes without event horizon) are formed under certain circumstances and may be observed. The spacetime ripples (gravitational waves) are known to be formed when two black hole or two neutron stars collide, but naked singularities may also generate gravitational waves. Gravitational force dominates at the end of a massive star’s life, and its fate is determined by Einstein’s theory of gravitation, which predicts that the star’s core-collapse results in a singularity. Physicist Roger Penrose conjectured that visible (or “naked”) singularities are forbidden in nature, hence they reside within an event horizon of a black hole.
A brief description of this book is as follows:
Just before the star’s death, nearly a quarter of the mass of the star is ejected within the final fraction of a microsecond. Just before this, a faraway observer would have seen a sudden dip in the intensity of radiation from the collapsing star, which would be caused by quantum gravity. In the early universe, the conditions were extreme and quantum-gravitational effects dominated; and big bang became a unique event. If singularities are detected, they would allow astronomers to observe the equivalent of a big bang every time a massive star collapse to form a spacetime singularity. This event associated with the emission of high-energy gamma rays, cosmic rays, high energy particles and neutrinos. The energy spectrum and its physical characteristics would provide a basis for evaluating theories of quantum gravity.
Stellar life cycle consists of birth from gigantic clouds of dust and galactic material in deep space. They evolve and shine for billions of years, and finally descend into its final phase and eventual death. Stars shine by burning their nuclear fuel; initially hydrogen atoms which fuse it into helium, and later into heavier elements. Each star attains a balance between the force of gravity, which pulls matter toward the center, and the outward pressures generated by fusion. This balance keeps the star active and stable. When all the fuel is converted to iron; nuclear fusion stops. During the final phase of star’s life, the force of gravity dominates and the star contracts and collapse on its core to a size of the earth. At this stage, it will be supported by the force exerted by fast-moving electrons, called electron degeneracy pressure, and the resulting cosmic body is called a white dwarf. Smaller stars lead to red and brown dwarfs. If the star is three to five times the mass of the Sun, it will become a neutron star; here the gravity is so strong that nuclei dissociate into neutrons. The core of this dead star is supported by neutron pressure, and its size may be as little as six miles in dimeter. For more massive stars gravitational force dominate and its final fate is determined by Einstein’s theory of gravitation, which predicts the star’s core-collapse into a singularity.
This book describes theoretical arguments for the plausibility of naked singularities, and ways to detect them through experimentally verifiable predictions. The book reads well, but there is not much of “take-home-message” in this book beyond what is already discussed in his 2009 article in “Scientific American.”
Conventional wisdom in cosmology and theoretical physics suggest that a large star ends its life by collapsing itself into a black hole. But some theoretical studies suggest it could become a spacetime singularity, i.e. a black hole but without an event horizon. In fact, physical processes leading to star collapse suggests formation of naked singularities, but they have not been detected in the cosmos. If they are discovered, it would revolutionize our understanding of spacetime and quantum gravity. They could provide laboratory conditions to study quantum-gravitational effects and help support or contradict string and loop quantum gravity theories.
In this book Professor Pankaj Joshi argues that cosmic censorship is not necessarily universal; naked singularities (black holes without event horizon) are formed under certain circumstances and may be observed. The spacetime ripples (gravitational waves) are known to be formed when two black hole or two neutron stars collide, but naked singularities may also generate gravitational waves. Gravitational force dominates at the end of a massive star’s life, and its fate is determined by Einstein’s theory of gravitation, which predicts that the star’s core-collapse results in a singularity. Physicist Roger Penrose conjectured that visible (or “naked”) singularities are forbidden in nature, hence they reside within an event horizon of a black hole.
A brief description of this book is as follows:
Just before the star’s death, nearly a quarter of the mass of the star is ejected within the final fraction of a microsecond. Just before this, a faraway observer would have seen a sudden dip in the intensity of radiation from the collapsing star, which would be caused by quantum gravity. In the early universe, the conditions were extreme and quantum-gravitational effects dominated; and big bang became a unique event. If singularities are detected, they would allow astronomers to observe the equivalent of a big bang every time a massive star collapse to form a spacetime singularity. This event associated with the emission of high-energy gamma rays, cosmic rays, high energy particles and neutrinos. The energy spectrum and its physical characteristics would provide a basis for evaluating theories of quantum gravity.
Stellar life cycle consists of birth from gigantic clouds of dust and galactic material in deep space. They evolve and shine for billions of years, and finally descend into its final phase and eventual death. Stars shine by burning their nuclear fuel; initially hydrogen atoms which fuse it into helium, and later into heavier elements. Each star attains a balance between the force of gravity, which pulls matter toward the center, and the outward pressures generated by fusion. This balance keeps the star active and stable. When all the fuel is converted to iron; nuclear fusion stops. During the final phase of star’s life, the force of gravity dominates and the star contracts and collapse on its core to a size of the earth. At this stage, it will be supported by the force exerted by fast-moving electrons, called electron degeneracy pressure, and the resulting cosmic body is called a white dwarf. Smaller stars lead to red and brown dwarfs. If the star is three to five times the mass of the Sun, it will become a neutron star; here the gravity is so strong that nuclei dissociate into neutrons. The core of this dead star is supported by neutron pressure, and its size may be as little as six miles in dimeter. For more massive stars gravitational force dominate and its final fate is determined by Einstein’s theory of gravitation, which predicts the star’s core-collapse into a singularity.
This book describes theoretical arguments for the plausibility of naked singularities, and ways to detect them through experimentally verifiable predictions. The book reads well, but there is not much of “take-home-message” in this book beyond what is already discussed in his 2009 article in “Scientific American.”
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Book Reviewed - Garbo: A Portrait, by Alexander Walker
Graphic Biography: Images of a Hollywood Legend
The images of a Hollywood icon tell a lot of stories. The author has used his perception and skills in his study of Greta Garbo from the archives of MGM Studios. These illustrations are a powerful tool to document her life. She spoke no English when she arrived in Hollywood from her native Sweden, and notoriously shy. Yet she was one of the highly paid actresses of her times and starred in some of the best MGM movies. She was a sensation during silent era and early talkie movies when Hollywood was trying to establish itself as the major entertainment industry in the world.
The best moments of her illustrious career were when she was nominated three times for the Academy Award in the “Best Actress” category. In 1930, for both “Anna Christie” and “Romance,” but lost to Norma Shearer for “The Divorcee;” in 1937 for “Camille,” and lost to Luise Rainer for “Good Earth;” and finally, in 1939 for “Ninotchka,” and lost to the immortal Bette Davis for “Jezebel.”
Some of the best illustrations included in this book are; lavish costumes she wore in the movie “Temptress;” images of the man of her dreams, John Gilbert, on the set of “Flesh and the Devil;” personal moments in the woods on the set of “Lover” with John Gilbert; romantic encounters with Lars Hanson on the set of “The Divine Woman.” Greta Garbo received rave reviews for her performances in several films and she was known to express vivid emotions. She delivered expressions with grace and eloquence. She could turn loneliness into a form of tragic depression as seen in the illustrations of “The Mysterious Lady.” Images of a liberated woman in the 1928 movie “A Woman of Affairs,” where she expresses her undying love for her lover played by John Gilbert despite the fact she is married to another man. Greta Garbo made four movies with John Gilbert and all the illustrations I have seen in this book are superb; her emotions and feelings are beautifully captured.
I am fascinated with the lives of Greta Garbo and John Gilbert; they were legends of MGM Studios and both had difficult childhood but overcame tremendous obstacles to become stars in Hollywood. They both fell in love, but Garbo was too independent and afraid to make commitments in life. She got cold feet and never showed up at the wedding altar ending the opportunity to walk the aisle. There are many stories surrounding their romance and break-ups. MGM Studio chief, Louis B Mayer was known to be personally involved in ending the relationship, which lead to a fist fight with Gilbert.
If you are a fan of Greta Garbo, you would love this book. This is an intimate illustration of one of the top stars of Hollywood’s golden age.
The images of a Hollywood icon tell a lot of stories. The author has used his perception and skills in his study of Greta Garbo from the archives of MGM Studios. These illustrations are a powerful tool to document her life. She spoke no English when she arrived in Hollywood from her native Sweden, and notoriously shy. Yet she was one of the highly paid actresses of her times and starred in some of the best MGM movies. She was a sensation during silent era and early talkie movies when Hollywood was trying to establish itself as the major entertainment industry in the world.
The best moments of her illustrious career were when she was nominated three times for the Academy Award in the “Best Actress” category. In 1930, for both “Anna Christie” and “Romance,” but lost to Norma Shearer for “The Divorcee;” in 1937 for “Camille,” and lost to Luise Rainer for “Good Earth;” and finally, in 1939 for “Ninotchka,” and lost to the immortal Bette Davis for “Jezebel.”
Some of the best illustrations included in this book are; lavish costumes she wore in the movie “Temptress;” images of the man of her dreams, John Gilbert, on the set of “Flesh and the Devil;” personal moments in the woods on the set of “Lover” with John Gilbert; romantic encounters with Lars Hanson on the set of “The Divine Woman.” Greta Garbo received rave reviews for her performances in several films and she was known to express vivid emotions. She delivered expressions with grace and eloquence. She could turn loneliness into a form of tragic depression as seen in the illustrations of “The Mysterious Lady.” Images of a liberated woman in the 1928 movie “A Woman of Affairs,” where she expresses her undying love for her lover played by John Gilbert despite the fact she is married to another man. Greta Garbo made four movies with John Gilbert and all the illustrations I have seen in this book are superb; her emotions and feelings are beautifully captured.
I am fascinated with the lives of Greta Garbo and John Gilbert; they were legends of MGM Studios and both had difficult childhood but overcame tremendous obstacles to become stars in Hollywood. They both fell in love, but Garbo was too independent and afraid to make commitments in life. She got cold feet and never showed up at the wedding altar ending the opportunity to walk the aisle. There are many stories surrounding their romance and break-ups. MGM Studio chief, Louis B Mayer was known to be personally involved in ending the relationship, which lead to a fist fight with Gilbert.
If you are a fan of Greta Garbo, you would love this book. This is an intimate illustration of one of the top stars of Hollywood’s golden age.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Book Reviewed - Gloria Swanson: The Ultimate Star, by Stephen Michael Shearer
A biographical image of Gloria Swanson
Gloria Swanson was a beautiful woman who stood at 4’ 11” tall and graced with large blue eyes and brown hair. Although her features contrasted with those of the uniformly sweet-faced ingenues of that era, she adapted to films about sexual intrigue among the Wall Street tycoons. With elegance, poise and grace, she glided across opulent sets in satin, sequins and ermine tails. Her work in Hollywood was daring experiment in the early 1920's, because often, it glorified marital infidelity. In the most sensational production of ''Male and Female,'' based on James M. Barrie's play ''The Admirable Crichton,'' it depicted a cave-man making love to Swanson on a desert isle.
From 1921 to 1926, she starred in 20 movies. The early ones included ''Beyond the Rocks'' with Rudolph Valentino. In 1926, after having made scores of ''woman of the world'' epics and light comedies, she sought more substantive roles. She refused a $17,500-a-week contract offered by Jesse Lasky and Adolph Zukor and founded her own production company. The gamble led to an impressive performance in the title role of ''Sadie Thompson,'' based on the W. Somerset Maugham short story about a South Seas sensualist. In 1950, after a virtual 16-year absence from the screen, Swanson gained her greatest triumph in ''Sunset Boulevard,'' playing Norma Desmond, a reclusive, demented silent-film star vainly seeking a comeback. The actress won several honors for the portrayal, but an Academy Award eluded her. Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis for ''All About Eve,'' were regarded as the leading contenders for the 1950 Academy Award in the best actress category. The competition was intense, but the Oscar went to Judy Holliday for her performance in ''Born Yesterday.”
One of the controversial films that also ran her almost bankrupt was “Queen Kelly,” directed by Erich von Stroheim. This silent film was produced in 1928 and was never released for several decades. This story is about a European girl raised in a convent eventually becomes owner of a brothel. Kelly is first abducted and then seduced by a prince before being sent off to German East Africa to visit her dying Aunt. There are many interesting stories about making this film; on the first day of the shooting at Griffith’s Park in Los Angeles, CA. The scene included prince Wolfram (Walter Byron) and his guards ride through the street on which the Catholic Convent resides. Watched by Kitty Kelly (Swanson) and her friends who take bow at the prince, director Von Stroheim makes last minute amendments in which Kelly’s panties falls under her ankles and Stroheim had Swanson throw her panties at the prince. This scene was redone several times to the annoyance of Gloria. He also instructs the prince (Walter Byron) to caress and sniff her undergarments with ardor, passion and lust before placing it in his saddle bag. Stroheim also made last minute changes to the African scene which Swanson was supposed to dance in a bordello. The final insult came when the scene of Kelly marrying a lecherous old man played by Tully Marshall was performed over the deathbed of her aunt. An African priest gives her last rites that enraged Roman Catholic Church and KKK. This was an odd coincidence! Many movie insiders knew well that Stroheim was well known for overspending the budget; and his artistic talents had a thin-line between erotic art and pornography. He crossed this boundary at will and made many studio bosses steamed. Swanson lost much of her money on this extravaganza. She furiously argued with her married-lover and co-financier Joe Kennedy, father of President John Kennedy. Despite all negativity, it was revealed that some of the most audacious and stunning sequences were filmed for this movie. Movie critics gave rave reviews of director Stroheim’s work, but his movies rarely made any money.
Recalling the giddy era of Hollywood's youth, Swanson remarked: ''We lived like kings and queens, and why not? We were in love with life. We were making more money than we ever dreamed existed.'' She had incredibly feminine looks; but she had a masculine mind, said her daughter Michelle. She possessed star quality and allure that captivated her fans. She laughed frequently and lived to the fullest for the moment, and gratitude for whatever lied in her future.
In later years, she became known as a health-food advocate. Espousing proper diet and natural unsprayed foods. She designed budget-priced clothes under the label Forever Young and founded an Essence of Nature cosmetics line. In 1948 she went on live television with ''The Gloria Swanson Hour,'' a talk show in a setting simulating the living room of her Fifth Avenue apartment. Gloria Swanson was much more than just Norma Desmond. She lived to create opportunities in movies and entertainment at a time when women were resigned to marriage, children and housework. She saw no boundaries. Once she said that if you live long enough, the chances are that you will not abide by its restrictions.
I found this book very entertaining to read. If you are interested in the life and works of Gloria Swanson, you would love this book. Ever since I saw her films on TCM Movie Channel, I was fascinated by her work.
Gloria Swanson was a beautiful woman who stood at 4’ 11” tall and graced with large blue eyes and brown hair. Although her features contrasted with those of the uniformly sweet-faced ingenues of that era, she adapted to films about sexual intrigue among the Wall Street tycoons. With elegance, poise and grace, she glided across opulent sets in satin, sequins and ermine tails. Her work in Hollywood was daring experiment in the early 1920's, because often, it glorified marital infidelity. In the most sensational production of ''Male and Female,'' based on James M. Barrie's play ''The Admirable Crichton,'' it depicted a cave-man making love to Swanson on a desert isle.
From 1921 to 1926, she starred in 20 movies. The early ones included ''Beyond the Rocks'' with Rudolph Valentino. In 1926, after having made scores of ''woman of the world'' epics and light comedies, she sought more substantive roles. She refused a $17,500-a-week contract offered by Jesse Lasky and Adolph Zukor and founded her own production company. The gamble led to an impressive performance in the title role of ''Sadie Thompson,'' based on the W. Somerset Maugham short story about a South Seas sensualist. In 1950, after a virtual 16-year absence from the screen, Swanson gained her greatest triumph in ''Sunset Boulevard,'' playing Norma Desmond, a reclusive, demented silent-film star vainly seeking a comeback. The actress won several honors for the portrayal, but an Academy Award eluded her. Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis for ''All About Eve,'' were regarded as the leading contenders for the 1950 Academy Award in the best actress category. The competition was intense, but the Oscar went to Judy Holliday for her performance in ''Born Yesterday.”
One of the controversial films that also ran her almost bankrupt was “Queen Kelly,” directed by Erich von Stroheim. This silent film was produced in 1928 and was never released for several decades. This story is about a European girl raised in a convent eventually becomes owner of a brothel. Kelly is first abducted and then seduced by a prince before being sent off to German East Africa to visit her dying Aunt. There are many interesting stories about making this film; on the first day of the shooting at Griffith’s Park in Los Angeles, CA. The scene included prince Wolfram (Walter Byron) and his guards ride through the street on which the Catholic Convent resides. Watched by Kitty Kelly (Swanson) and her friends who take bow at the prince, director Von Stroheim makes last minute amendments in which Kelly’s panties falls under her ankles and Stroheim had Swanson throw her panties at the prince. This scene was redone several times to the annoyance of Gloria. He also instructs the prince (Walter Byron) to caress and sniff her undergarments with ardor, passion and lust before placing it in his saddle bag. Stroheim also made last minute changes to the African scene which Swanson was supposed to dance in a bordello. The final insult came when the scene of Kelly marrying a lecherous old man played by Tully Marshall was performed over the deathbed of her aunt. An African priest gives her last rites that enraged Roman Catholic Church and KKK. This was an odd coincidence! Many movie insiders knew well that Stroheim was well known for overspending the budget; and his artistic talents had a thin-line between erotic art and pornography. He crossed this boundary at will and made many studio bosses steamed. Swanson lost much of her money on this extravaganza. She furiously argued with her married-lover and co-financier Joe Kennedy, father of President John Kennedy. Despite all negativity, it was revealed that some of the most audacious and stunning sequences were filmed for this movie. Movie critics gave rave reviews of director Stroheim’s work, but his movies rarely made any money.
Recalling the giddy era of Hollywood's youth, Swanson remarked: ''We lived like kings and queens, and why not? We were in love with life. We were making more money than we ever dreamed existed.'' She had incredibly feminine looks; but she had a masculine mind, said her daughter Michelle. She possessed star quality and allure that captivated her fans. She laughed frequently and lived to the fullest for the moment, and gratitude for whatever lied in her future.
In later years, she became known as a health-food advocate. Espousing proper diet and natural unsprayed foods. She designed budget-priced clothes under the label Forever Young and founded an Essence of Nature cosmetics line. In 1948 she went on live television with ''The Gloria Swanson Hour,'' a talk show in a setting simulating the living room of her Fifth Avenue apartment. Gloria Swanson was much more than just Norma Desmond. She lived to create opportunities in movies and entertainment at a time when women were resigned to marriage, children and housework. She saw no boundaries. Once she said that if you live long enough, the chances are that you will not abide by its restrictions.
I found this book very entertaining to read. If you are interested in the life and works of Gloria Swanson, you would love this book. Ever since I saw her films on TCM Movie Channel, I was fascinated by her work.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Book Reviewed: Tantine: The Life of Josephine MacLeod, by Pravrajika Shraddhaprana
Sister Jo Jo
This book offers an autobiographical sketch of a woman who became one of the closest disciples of Swami Vivekananda. Josephine MacLeod’s strong and colorful personality provides many thought-provoking and charming anecdotes. She along with Sister Nivedita, Sister Christine and numerous disciples of Sri Ramakrishna offered critical support to Swami Vivekananda as pioneers in establishing the Ramakrishna Order, now known as Vedanta Society across the globe. Josephine MacLeod stood by him throughout his life and actively participated in the trials and triumphs of the Ramakrishna movement. Vedanta Society offered an alternative to the traditional teachings of New Testament. It taught the essence of life and its connections with the Creator through metaphysical teachings of Upanishads; beyond the realm of a human as a sinner who must seek redemption. His teachings were appealing to many intellectuals in Europe and the Americas. The concept of spiritual evolution resonated with a religion that was not contradicted by science: Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species had just challenged Biblical teachings.
Josephine and her sister Betty first heard Swami Vivekananda's lecture on Vedanta philosophy in New York City in 1895. She was deeply impressed by his knowledge and began to take active interest in his movement. She recognized him as a man worthy of her worship. His dynamism and eloquence in his teachings made huge impacts. She had a penchant for meeting famous and interesting people. She was also a sophisticated woman of character and dressed in the latest fashion. She was distinguished by her noble bearing, elegant manners and genteel conversation all commanded respect. The disciples of Vivekananda had great admiration for her and fondly called “aunty.” She was appealing and steadfast in her beliefs and her loyalty to her teacher. She travelled around the world many times with him. Josephine was not a sanyasin, unlike Sister Nivedita or Sister Christine, but she was instrumental in spreading Vivekananda's message on Vedanta.
The First few chapters read well, but narratives and the overall organization of the book is too random and arbitrary. Several chapters describe stories that are totally unrelated and do not resonate well. MacLeod was a dazzling figure in the evolution of Vedanta Society. She passed away at the age of 90 in Hollywood, California. At the time of her death, she was living at the Vedanta Society temple in Hollywood.
This book offers an autobiographical sketch of a woman who became one of the closest disciples of Swami Vivekananda. Josephine MacLeod’s strong and colorful personality provides many thought-provoking and charming anecdotes. She along with Sister Nivedita, Sister Christine and numerous disciples of Sri Ramakrishna offered critical support to Swami Vivekananda as pioneers in establishing the Ramakrishna Order, now known as Vedanta Society across the globe. Josephine MacLeod stood by him throughout his life and actively participated in the trials and triumphs of the Ramakrishna movement. Vedanta Society offered an alternative to the traditional teachings of New Testament. It taught the essence of life and its connections with the Creator through metaphysical teachings of Upanishads; beyond the realm of a human as a sinner who must seek redemption. His teachings were appealing to many intellectuals in Europe and the Americas. The concept of spiritual evolution resonated with a religion that was not contradicted by science: Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species had just challenged Biblical teachings.
Josephine and her sister Betty first heard Swami Vivekananda's lecture on Vedanta philosophy in New York City in 1895. She was deeply impressed by his knowledge and began to take active interest in his movement. She recognized him as a man worthy of her worship. His dynamism and eloquence in his teachings made huge impacts. She had a penchant for meeting famous and interesting people. She was also a sophisticated woman of character and dressed in the latest fashion. She was distinguished by her noble bearing, elegant manners and genteel conversation all commanded respect. The disciples of Vivekananda had great admiration for her and fondly called “aunty.” She was appealing and steadfast in her beliefs and her loyalty to her teacher. She travelled around the world many times with him. Josephine was not a sanyasin, unlike Sister Nivedita or Sister Christine, but she was instrumental in spreading Vivekananda's message on Vedanta.
The First few chapters read well, but narratives and the overall organization of the book is too random and arbitrary. Several chapters describe stories that are totally unrelated and do not resonate well. MacLeod was a dazzling figure in the evolution of Vedanta Society. She passed away at the age of 90 in Hollywood, California. At the time of her death, she was living at the Vedanta Society temple in Hollywood.
Friday, November 2, 2018
Book Reviewed: Bhagavad-Gita or the Song Celestial, by Edwin Arnold
The Heavenly Song; blissful and rapturous
Sir Edwin Arnold’s English translation of BhagavadGita was first published in 1885. This is one of the joyful and quintessential rendering of Gita for readers in English language; the poetic beauty of the holy book is retained to its full glory.
This is much more than a spiritual classic, philosophy or a seraphic doctrine. Its magnificent poetry that offers an inspirational wisdom to life’s perplexing problems. It embraces different forms of yoga; karma (action), bhakti (devotion) jnana (knowledge). It harmonizes the metaphysical teachings of early Hindu philosophers like Kapila and Patanjali imparting exemplary knowledge leading to self-realization. In eighteen percipient chapters, Lord Krishna delivers the spiritual discourses to ease the mind of Arjuna during the Kurukshetra battle when he expresses tremendous guilt to fight his own kinsman and teachers.
Edwin Arnold, a favored poet laureate after the death of Lord Tennyson, is a poetic-genius to have delivered this artistic and creative translation. Arnold’s work is available online free of charge, and this work is one way to assimilate the sublime message of BhagavadGita. His exemplary work is elucidated in the following examples:
1. BhagavadGita 4:3
Now once again to thee it is declared-
This ancient lore, this mystery
supreme-Seeing.
I find thee votary and friend
2. BhagavadGita 7:17
Highest, nearest, best
That last is, the devout soul, wise, intent
Upon "The One." Dear, above all, am I
To him; and he is dearest unto me!
3. BhagavadGita 6:5
Let each man raise, The Self by Soul,
not trample down his Self,
Since Soul that is Self's friend
may grow Self's foe.
Sir Edwin Arnold’s English translation of BhagavadGita was first published in 1885. This is one of the joyful and quintessential rendering of Gita for readers in English language; the poetic beauty of the holy book is retained to its full glory.
This is much more than a spiritual classic, philosophy or a seraphic doctrine. Its magnificent poetry that offers an inspirational wisdom to life’s perplexing problems. It embraces different forms of yoga; karma (action), bhakti (devotion) jnana (knowledge). It harmonizes the metaphysical teachings of early Hindu philosophers like Kapila and Patanjali imparting exemplary knowledge leading to self-realization. In eighteen percipient chapters, Lord Krishna delivers the spiritual discourses to ease the mind of Arjuna during the Kurukshetra battle when he expresses tremendous guilt to fight his own kinsman and teachers.
Edwin Arnold, a favored poet laureate after the death of Lord Tennyson, is a poetic-genius to have delivered this artistic and creative translation. Arnold’s work is available online free of charge, and this work is one way to assimilate the sublime message of BhagavadGita. His exemplary work is elucidated in the following examples:
1. BhagavadGita 4:3
Now once again to thee it is declared-
This ancient lore, this mystery
supreme-Seeing.
I find thee votary and friend
2. BhagavadGita 7:17
Highest, nearest, best
That last is, the devout soul, wise, intent
Upon "The One." Dear, above all, am I
To him; and he is dearest unto me!
3. BhagavadGita 6:5
Let each man raise, The Self by Soul,
not trample down his Self,
Since Soul that is Self's friend
may grow Self's foe.
Book Reviewed: BhagavadGita by Graham Schweig
Finding Love in BhagavadGita
This English translation is focused on the meditational and spiritual significance of the holy book. The translation retains the original ideas and the poetical essence. The author suggests that the wisdom of BhagavadGita is focused on the practice of yoga. The holy book discusses several forms of yoga to attain a state of transcendental consciousness and ultimately be united with the divine. At the highest level, yoga is a secret state of the union within the supreme love, bestowed by divinity who is also sublimed in this union. It is the power of love and devotion that transforms the heart to which the divinity submits.
Primary forms of yoga for individual souls are the yoga of action, karma-yoga (Chapter 3); yoga of knowledge, jnana-yoga (Chapter 4); yoga of renunciation, sanyasa-yoga (Chapter 5); yoga of meditation, dhyana-yoga (Chapter 6), and yoga of love, bhakti-yoga (chapter 12). The primary forms of yoga for divinity the supreme soul is; the yoga of divine power, vibhuti-yoga (Chapter 10); yoga of the universal form, visva-rupa yoga (Chapter 11); and the yoga of ultimate person, purusottama-yoga.
Souls appear to be in a deterministic universe from which the qualities or gunas, such as, sattva, rajas, and tamas dominate their lives, but souls are influenced by the laws of dharma. BhagavadGita teaches that serving the Lord Krishna will liberate the soul. He reveals his manifestation of his omnipotence as the Vishwa Rupa in chapter 11.
The author concludes that Gita is the Lord Krishna’s love song. This is the blessed gift of the divine that preaches the love for god, and bhakti-yoga is one of the major paths to attain unification with the Supreme Lord. The rendering of Gita in English is graceful in illustrating the Lord’s love. The second half of this book gives the English transliteration, and in the last section, the author interprets the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of BhagavadGita. The highlight of the book is that the English translation reflects on the poetical essence of Gita; the author specifies verses; BhagavadGita 4.3; 6.5; 6.30; 7.17; and 18.64 to illustrate his uniqueness in translation. I have compared his translation with the translations of Sir Edwin Arnold, Sri Aurobindo, Mohini Chatterji, Swami Mukundananda, and Shri Purohit Swami. All of them have about the same level creativity. One example is given below:
1. BhagavadGita 6:30
(Graham Schweig Translation)
One who sees me everywhere
And sees all things in me,
To such a person I am never lost
Nor is such a person is ever lost to me
(Sir Edwin Arnold Translation)
And whoso thus Discerneth Me
in all, and all in Me,
I never let him go; nor looseneth
He Hold upon Me
(Swami Mukundananda Translation)
For those who see me everywhere
and see all things in me,
I am never lost,
nor are they ever lost to me.
(Mohini Chatterji Translation)
Who sees me everywhere,
And sees everything in me
for him I am not lost,
nor is he lost for me.
(Shri Purohit Swami Translation)
He who sees Me in everything
and everything in Me,
him shall I never forsake,
nor shall he lose Me
(Sri Aurobindo Translation)
He who sees Me everywhere
and sees all in Me. To him I
do not get lost, nor does
he get lost to me.
This English translation is focused on the meditational and spiritual significance of the holy book. The translation retains the original ideas and the poetical essence. The author suggests that the wisdom of BhagavadGita is focused on the practice of yoga. The holy book discusses several forms of yoga to attain a state of transcendental consciousness and ultimately be united with the divine. At the highest level, yoga is a secret state of the union within the supreme love, bestowed by divinity who is also sublimed in this union. It is the power of love and devotion that transforms the heart to which the divinity submits.
Primary forms of yoga for individual souls are the yoga of action, karma-yoga (Chapter 3); yoga of knowledge, jnana-yoga (Chapter 4); yoga of renunciation, sanyasa-yoga (Chapter 5); yoga of meditation, dhyana-yoga (Chapter 6), and yoga of love, bhakti-yoga (chapter 12). The primary forms of yoga for divinity the supreme soul is; the yoga of divine power, vibhuti-yoga (Chapter 10); yoga of the universal form, visva-rupa yoga (Chapter 11); and the yoga of ultimate person, purusottama-yoga.
Souls appear to be in a deterministic universe from which the qualities or gunas, such as, sattva, rajas, and tamas dominate their lives, but souls are influenced by the laws of dharma. BhagavadGita teaches that serving the Lord Krishna will liberate the soul. He reveals his manifestation of his omnipotence as the Vishwa Rupa in chapter 11.
The author concludes that Gita is the Lord Krishna’s love song. This is the blessed gift of the divine that preaches the love for god, and bhakti-yoga is one of the major paths to attain unification with the Supreme Lord. The rendering of Gita in English is graceful in illustrating the Lord’s love. The second half of this book gives the English transliteration, and in the last section, the author interprets the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of BhagavadGita. The highlight of the book is that the English translation reflects on the poetical essence of Gita; the author specifies verses; BhagavadGita 4.3; 6.5; 6.30; 7.17; and 18.64 to illustrate his uniqueness in translation. I have compared his translation with the translations of Sir Edwin Arnold, Sri Aurobindo, Mohini Chatterji, Swami Mukundananda, and Shri Purohit Swami. All of them have about the same level creativity. One example is given below:
1. BhagavadGita 6:30
(Graham Schweig Translation)
One who sees me everywhere
And sees all things in me,
To such a person I am never lost
Nor is such a person is ever lost to me
(Sir Edwin Arnold Translation)
And whoso thus Discerneth Me
in all, and all in Me,
I never let him go; nor looseneth
He Hold upon Me
(Swami Mukundananda Translation)
For those who see me everywhere
and see all things in me,
I am never lost,
nor are they ever lost to me.
(Mohini Chatterji Translation)
Who sees me everywhere,
And sees everything in me
for him I am not lost,
nor is he lost for me.
(Shri Purohit Swami Translation)
He who sees Me in everything
and everything in Me,
him shall I never forsake,
nor shall he lose Me
(Sri Aurobindo Translation)
He who sees Me everywhere
and sees all in Me. To him I
do not get lost, nor does
he get lost to me.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Book Reviewed: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup Hardcover, by John Carreyrou
The woman behind Theranos
Theranos, a startup in Silicon Valley would revolutionize the way we do blood analysis to discern information about the health of a patient. The company worked on a new technology that required microscopic blood samples rather than a traditional collecting blood from veins. Elizabeth Holmes, a brilliant young Stanford dropout was behind the breakthrough invention was anointed as the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. Holmes initially pitched the idea to reap "vast amounts of data from a few droplets of blood derived from the tip of a finger" to several of her professors at Stanford; most of them said that it was "virtually impossible to do so with any real efficacy". However, Holmes succeeded in getting Dean Channing Robertson to back her idea. From then on, Theranos experienced a spectacular rise before its ultimate downfall.
Author John Carreyrou spoke to ex-employees and whistleblowers; obtained numerous documents and email exchanges. From chapters 19 to 24, the author chronicles the odyssey of his investigations after he first gets a tip from Adam Clapper of “Pathology Blawg,” an amateur blogger who discovered huge fraud at Theranos, but he was unable to bear the legal retributions from Elizabeth Holmes. The author was at Wall Street Journal’s investigative reporting team, during research, discovered enormous deficiencies in Theranos technology. He reveals a fascinating story of deception and greed that ran deep inside the executive offices of Elizabeth Homes and Ramesh ‘Sunny’ Balwani. On learning of his investigation, Holmes threatened through her attorney David Boies to sue the Wall Street Journal if it did not stop printing the story. This book is a fascinating read about the way Holmes conducted herself and threats she used on her own employees while the company was misleading patients, investors and its clients.
Few examples from this book makes a great reading. Henry Mossley was the first CFO of the company; and he was nervous about the way company was doing. Since there were no pharmaceutical contracts, and the ambitious revenue forecasts were never realized. He kept digging and found that the company’s technology was unreliable and posed danger to patients. Despite all this, CEO Elizabeth Holmes was upbeat and a happy leader glowing about her business operations. When Mossley confronted her for truth, he was fired on spot. In one instance, after rapid resignations of her key staff at R&D division, Elizabeth called an employee meeting to vent her frustrations and lack of obedience to her rules. In an angry tone, she declared that she is building a religion, and if there are anyone who did not believe in her, they should leave.
On 3/14/2018, SEC charged Elizabeth Holmes and Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani for conducting years-long fraud at Theranos. The amount of damage they would have caused due to missed diagnoses or wrong medical treatment would have been catastrophic. The company was on the verge of expanding its blood-testing services to Walgreens 8,134 stores in the United States. Theranos blood monitoring system was conducted in Nashville, TN on terminally ill cancer patients at great risks to patients. Similar studies were conducted in Palo Alto, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.
This is a good investigative story and I recommend this work to anyone interested in Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes. In fact, there is a movie in the making, and Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence is set to play Elizabeth Holmes.
Theranos, a startup in Silicon Valley would revolutionize the way we do blood analysis to discern information about the health of a patient. The company worked on a new technology that required microscopic blood samples rather than a traditional collecting blood from veins. Elizabeth Holmes, a brilliant young Stanford dropout was behind the breakthrough invention was anointed as the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. Holmes initially pitched the idea to reap "vast amounts of data from a few droplets of blood derived from the tip of a finger" to several of her professors at Stanford; most of them said that it was "virtually impossible to do so with any real efficacy". However, Holmes succeeded in getting Dean Channing Robertson to back her idea. From then on, Theranos experienced a spectacular rise before its ultimate downfall.
Author John Carreyrou spoke to ex-employees and whistleblowers; obtained numerous documents and email exchanges. From chapters 19 to 24, the author chronicles the odyssey of his investigations after he first gets a tip from Adam Clapper of “Pathology Blawg,” an amateur blogger who discovered huge fraud at Theranos, but he was unable to bear the legal retributions from Elizabeth Holmes. The author was at Wall Street Journal’s investigative reporting team, during research, discovered enormous deficiencies in Theranos technology. He reveals a fascinating story of deception and greed that ran deep inside the executive offices of Elizabeth Homes and Ramesh ‘Sunny’ Balwani. On learning of his investigation, Holmes threatened through her attorney David Boies to sue the Wall Street Journal if it did not stop printing the story. This book is a fascinating read about the way Holmes conducted herself and threats she used on her own employees while the company was misleading patients, investors and its clients.
Few examples from this book makes a great reading. Henry Mossley was the first CFO of the company; and he was nervous about the way company was doing. Since there were no pharmaceutical contracts, and the ambitious revenue forecasts were never realized. He kept digging and found that the company’s technology was unreliable and posed danger to patients. Despite all this, CEO Elizabeth Holmes was upbeat and a happy leader glowing about her business operations. When Mossley confronted her for truth, he was fired on spot. In one instance, after rapid resignations of her key staff at R&D division, Elizabeth called an employee meeting to vent her frustrations and lack of obedience to her rules. In an angry tone, she declared that she is building a religion, and if there are anyone who did not believe in her, they should leave.
On 3/14/2018, SEC charged Elizabeth Holmes and Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani for conducting years-long fraud at Theranos. The amount of damage they would have caused due to missed diagnoses or wrong medical treatment would have been catastrophic. The company was on the verge of expanding its blood-testing services to Walgreens 8,134 stores in the United States. Theranos blood monitoring system was conducted in Nashville, TN on terminally ill cancer patients at great risks to patients. Similar studies were conducted in Palo Alto, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.
This is a good investigative story and I recommend this work to anyone interested in Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes. In fact, there is a movie in the making, and Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence is set to play Elizabeth Holmes.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Book Reviewed: The Gypsies, by Angus Fraser
The Romani People; from a historical perspective
This is the story of gypsies, who arrived in the Balkans in medieval times and gradually spread over the Europe and Americas. For centuries these nomadic people have migrated aimlessly, but practiced their culture and maintained a distinct identity. They are traditionally known for music, metal-working, fortune-telling and horse-dealing. This book traces their origin to India and their trail out of the Indian regions of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Sindh provinces of modern India. The Romani history shed light on their racial, ethnic and linguistic features and the uniqueness of their language that has grammatical characteristics of Indian languages. It shares the basic lexicon with Hindi and Punjabi, phonetic features with Marwari, and grammar with Bengali language.
Recent genetic study of 800,000 genetic variants (single nucleotides polymorphisms) from 13 different Romani groups are compared with the DNA from diverse group of Indian population. This study clearly suggests that ancestors of Romani people departed from northwestern India around 500 CE. From there, they traveled to Central Asia, the Middle East and subsequently to Europe, specifically to the Balkan region of Bulgaria. Romani migration continued around 1,100 CE into the heart of Western Europe.
Originally Romani ancestors came from Rajasthan province of India and moved to Punjab and Sindh areas around 250 BC. Their subsequent westward migration, possibly in waves, is now believed to have occurred beginning in about AD 500. Some scholars suggest that the exodus of ancestors of Romani to Europe occurred due to invasion of Islam into the Indian sub-continent. The ancestors of modern-day Romani people were Hindu, but in Europe, they adopted Christianity or Islam depending on their local traditions. Romani social behavior is partly regulated by Hindu purity laws. Some of their practices run parallel to the practices of "Shaktism," which gives prominence to a woman or female deity. For example, some Romani people worship Christian God, often prayers are conducted through the Virgin Mary, a practice unique to Romani people.
History documents the atrocities committed on Romany populations. They were expelled from parts of Germany in 1416, Milan in 1493, France in 1504, Sweden in 1525, and England in 1530. During WWII, the Nazis embarked on a systematic genocide of the Romani population. They were often killed on sight, especially by paramilitary death squads. It is estimated that between 220,000 and 1,500,000 may have been killed. In the summer of 2010, French authorities demolished at least 51 Roma camps and began the process of repatriating their residents to other European countries. Romani people are continued to be victimized and politicians and the media largely ignore these problems and focus on politically correct issues.
This book was first published in 1992, although somewhat outdated and does not contain the recent genetic studies that positively links the Romani (gypsy) people to India, but the linguistic evidence discussed in this book gave credence to their Indian origin. The book is a scholarly work of one of the experts in this field. This is a fascinating account of Romany migrations into Persia, the Byzantine Empire and Balkan nations; and latter into Europe, and the Americas. This work is recommended to readers interested in the ancient history of gypsy people and their distinctive culture.
This is the story of gypsies, who arrived in the Balkans in medieval times and gradually spread over the Europe and Americas. For centuries these nomadic people have migrated aimlessly, but practiced their culture and maintained a distinct identity. They are traditionally known for music, metal-working, fortune-telling and horse-dealing. This book traces their origin to India and their trail out of the Indian regions of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Sindh provinces of modern India. The Romani history shed light on their racial, ethnic and linguistic features and the uniqueness of their language that has grammatical characteristics of Indian languages. It shares the basic lexicon with Hindi and Punjabi, phonetic features with Marwari, and grammar with Bengali language.
Recent genetic study of 800,000 genetic variants (single nucleotides polymorphisms) from 13 different Romani groups are compared with the DNA from diverse group of Indian population. This study clearly suggests that ancestors of Romani people departed from northwestern India around 500 CE. From there, they traveled to Central Asia, the Middle East and subsequently to Europe, specifically to the Balkan region of Bulgaria. Romani migration continued around 1,100 CE into the heart of Western Europe.
Originally Romani ancestors came from Rajasthan province of India and moved to Punjab and Sindh areas around 250 BC. Their subsequent westward migration, possibly in waves, is now believed to have occurred beginning in about AD 500. Some scholars suggest that the exodus of ancestors of Romani to Europe occurred due to invasion of Islam into the Indian sub-continent. The ancestors of modern-day Romani people were Hindu, but in Europe, they adopted Christianity or Islam depending on their local traditions. Romani social behavior is partly regulated by Hindu purity laws. Some of their practices run parallel to the practices of "Shaktism," which gives prominence to a woman or female deity. For example, some Romani people worship Christian God, often prayers are conducted through the Virgin Mary, a practice unique to Romani people.
History documents the atrocities committed on Romany populations. They were expelled from parts of Germany in 1416, Milan in 1493, France in 1504, Sweden in 1525, and England in 1530. During WWII, the Nazis embarked on a systematic genocide of the Romani population. They were often killed on sight, especially by paramilitary death squads. It is estimated that between 220,000 and 1,500,000 may have been killed. In the summer of 2010, French authorities demolished at least 51 Roma camps and began the process of repatriating their residents to other European countries. Romani people are continued to be victimized and politicians and the media largely ignore these problems and focus on politically correct issues.
This book was first published in 1992, although somewhat outdated and does not contain the recent genetic studies that positively links the Romani (gypsy) people to India, but the linguistic evidence discussed in this book gave credence to their Indian origin. The book is a scholarly work of one of the experts in this field. This is a fascinating account of Romany migrations into Persia, the Byzantine Empire and Balkan nations; and latter into Europe, and the Americas. This work is recommended to readers interested in the ancient history of gypsy people and their distinctive culture.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Book Reviewed: Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery, by Herbie J Pilato
Elizabeth Montgomery: The portrait of a great soul
This biographical work takes an in-depth and multi-dimensional look at the life of Elizabeth Montgomery. This is fascinating story that includes her childhood, career, her children, and her work with numerous charities. This book is based on author’s exclusive interviews with her friends, co-stars, and studio archives. There are three books about Montgomery and two of them were written by author Herbie Pilato.
Elizabeth Montgomery placed too much emphasis on age, and perhaps ignored her own health issues. She died too young and cared for many issues; gave herself little credit for her artistic accomplishments; but devoted her privacy being a mother to her children. She was a liberal democrat, a strong supporter of gay and lesbian rights. But her father was staunch conservative. And the relationship with her famous father, Robert Montgomery was difficult and tumultuous. Elizabeth’s life has many parallels with Jane Fonda who also had a difficult relationship with her father, Henry Fonda, due to opposing political and social beliefs. But both women cared for issues and fought for it despite strong opposition. In 1986, Elizabeth Montgomery and Roddy McDowall were the first two celebrities to lend their support to benefit HIV/AIDS awareness. It was revealed by producer Doug Chapin that Elizabeth attended every event for the benefit until the time of her death. You wouldn’t see her at Hollywood parties, but you almost certainly see her at benefits. In 1991 her co-star Dick Sargent announced his homosexuality and asked Montgomery to be present as a co-Grand Marshall for the 1992 Gay Rights Parade in Los Angeles which she gladly did.
In 1977, Elizabeth starred in “A Killing Affair” a CBS TV movie with O.J. Simpson. They were portrayed as big city detectives who were partners on the street and at home. The two locked in a heated bedroom scene. Elizabeth rallied for additional steamy performance on the bed, but CBS was ready to pull the plug. But still what we saw in this movie was extremely racy, in all sense of the word. Montgomery wanted to do be honest in romantic stories and did not accept the race was coming in her way. She challenged the traditional thought of 1970s audience; her insistence on “A Killing Affair” further proved her attempts to push the creative envelop to make network television an educational platform. Sometimes her outspoken opinions in Hollywood did not help her win the Emmy Award.
In playing Samantha on Bewitched, Montgomery shared unique interplay with Dick York and Dick Sargent. Off screen she considered Sargent, a friend. Elizabeth had issues with York. She may have expressed her frustration with her real-life husband on her TV husband. To make matter worse, York was in love with Elizabeth. During the rest between filming, due to his severe back ailment, he would glance over Elizabeth ‘longingly.” He was really smitten with her, but Elizabeth, due to her personal problem with real husband, was not amused. In fact, she was outraged. Bewitched writer Doug Tibbles observed that Dick York was deeply affected with his back pain, and wanted to rest up in the summer of 1969, but due to his frequent absences from the set, he was replaced by Dick Sargent. However, Elizabeth and Dick York stuck gold with their on-screen chemistry in Bewitched.
Montgomery was not religious, but spiritual. Once she said, “I think God as the beauty of life. It is loving and being loved.” This enchanting woman, who bewitched us all on television, also suffered from colorectal cancer. Overpowered and racked with emotion, she lost the will to live. Her body literally gave away to the ravages of surgical procedures of the early 1990s.
This biographical work takes an in-depth and multi-dimensional look at the life of Elizabeth Montgomery. This is fascinating story that includes her childhood, career, her children, and her work with numerous charities. This book is based on author’s exclusive interviews with her friends, co-stars, and studio archives. There are three books about Montgomery and two of them were written by author Herbie Pilato.
Elizabeth Montgomery placed too much emphasis on age, and perhaps ignored her own health issues. She died too young and cared for many issues; gave herself little credit for her artistic accomplishments; but devoted her privacy being a mother to her children. She was a liberal democrat, a strong supporter of gay and lesbian rights. But her father was staunch conservative. And the relationship with her famous father, Robert Montgomery was difficult and tumultuous. Elizabeth’s life has many parallels with Jane Fonda who also had a difficult relationship with her father, Henry Fonda, due to opposing political and social beliefs. But both women cared for issues and fought for it despite strong opposition. In 1986, Elizabeth Montgomery and Roddy McDowall were the first two celebrities to lend their support to benefit HIV/AIDS awareness. It was revealed by producer Doug Chapin that Elizabeth attended every event for the benefit until the time of her death. You wouldn’t see her at Hollywood parties, but you almost certainly see her at benefits. In 1991 her co-star Dick Sargent announced his homosexuality and asked Montgomery to be present as a co-Grand Marshall for the 1992 Gay Rights Parade in Los Angeles which she gladly did.
In 1977, Elizabeth starred in “A Killing Affair” a CBS TV movie with O.J. Simpson. They were portrayed as big city detectives who were partners on the street and at home. The two locked in a heated bedroom scene. Elizabeth rallied for additional steamy performance on the bed, but CBS was ready to pull the plug. But still what we saw in this movie was extremely racy, in all sense of the word. Montgomery wanted to do be honest in romantic stories and did not accept the race was coming in her way. She challenged the traditional thought of 1970s audience; her insistence on “A Killing Affair” further proved her attempts to push the creative envelop to make network television an educational platform. Sometimes her outspoken opinions in Hollywood did not help her win the Emmy Award.
In playing Samantha on Bewitched, Montgomery shared unique interplay with Dick York and Dick Sargent. Off screen she considered Sargent, a friend. Elizabeth had issues with York. She may have expressed her frustration with her real-life husband on her TV husband. To make matter worse, York was in love with Elizabeth. During the rest between filming, due to his severe back ailment, he would glance over Elizabeth ‘longingly.” He was really smitten with her, but Elizabeth, due to her personal problem with real husband, was not amused. In fact, she was outraged. Bewitched writer Doug Tibbles observed that Dick York was deeply affected with his back pain, and wanted to rest up in the summer of 1969, but due to his frequent absences from the set, he was replaced by Dick Sargent. However, Elizabeth and Dick York stuck gold with their on-screen chemistry in Bewitched.
Montgomery was not religious, but spiritual. Once she said, “I think God as the beauty of life. It is loving and being loved.” This enchanting woman, who bewitched us all on television, also suffered from colorectal cancer. Overpowered and racked with emotion, she lost the will to live. Her body literally gave away to the ravages of surgical procedures of the early 1990s.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Book Reviewed: Ripples in Spacetime: Einstein, Gravitational Waves, and the Future of Astronomy, by Govert Schilling
The search for gravity’s kiss
This book is for readers interested in learning the scientific, historical, and personal stories behind the detection of gravitational waves. This story is an incredible scientific odyssey. It conveys a sense of awe and excitement about a century of scientific investment of time, labor and technology. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is a large-scale physics experiment and observatory to detect cosmic gravitational waves. This instrument can detect a change in the distance from Earth to Proxima Centauri (distance of 4.24 light years) with an accuracy smaller than the width of a human hair. As of March 2018, LIGO made six detections of gravitational waves from six different sources; the first five were colliding black-hole pairs, and the sixth was due collision of two neutron stars Neutron stars simultaneously produces optical signals detected by gamma ray satellites and optical telescopes. The orbiting planets, orbiting stars, binary stars do not emit detectable level of gravitational waves. But neutron star mergers and black hole collisions produce enough unwarping of spacetime and energy to carry through the universe.
The highlight of this book is about the first detection gravitational wave referred to as GW 150914. The characteristic chirp of GW150914 most closely matched the theoretical prediction of waveform for two black holes with 36 and 29 times the mass of Sun. This originated in a remote galaxy. Two black holes (with a diameter of few hundred miles) were orbiting each other. They were swirling each other for millions of years, and as they approached each other at half the speed of light and they merged within a fraction of seconds resulting in a black hole of 62 solar mass. The equivalent three solar mass was converted into energy released in the form intense electromagnetic radiation, and the intensely warped spacetime under the gravity of black holes were released as gravitational (spacetime) waves. Immediately after the event horizon, spacetime stretched and elongated in its path like waves. Thus partially separating the components of matter in its path; the atomic nuclei, electronic structure of atoms and molecules were instantly destabilized from their configurations. In much of physics, spacetime is treated as static fabric upon which matter and energy behave according to laws of physics. But here the spacetime itself becomes active participants in the operation of physics. Heavier elements (beyond iron of the periodic chart) originates during the black hole/neutron star mergers and part of it could be due to disruption of space and reassembly of nucleus. Fortunately for life, these cataclysms occur less than once in a million years in Milky Way Galaxy, according to physicist Martin Rees.
General Relativity predicted that spacetime produces gravitational waves; gravity is essentially bending of spacetime in presence of matter. Large cosmic bodies like neutron stars and black holes produce very large curvature in spacetime. Two effects operates according to relativity: Taking earth as an example, the geodetic effect (spacetime as curvature (“the missing inch”). This is the amount by which the earth wraps the local spacetime in which it resides. Number two, the frame-dragging effect (the rotating matter drags spacetime (spacetime as viscous fluid): The amount by which the rotating earth drags local spacetime around with it.
Generally the analogy of a bowling ball on trampoline is visualized for spacetime bending in presence of large cosmic bodies. Spacetime is highly elastic like trampoline, and earth produces a symmetrical curvature around it like a bowling ball on trampoline (geodetic effect). When we spin the bowling ball on its own axis, this trampoline curvature around the spinning bowling ball will not be symmetric anymore, but this spinning motion will drag along the fabric of the trampoline to a small but noticeable effect. This produces an additional effect, relatively smaller (than geodetic effect) in the precession of the rotational axis of bowling ball. This is called rotational frame-dragging. A combination of these two effects produce a gravitational (spacetime curvature) wave. To help this visualization even better, one must remember that spacetime does not have matter or energy like trampoline, and space does not need matter or energy to exist. The orbiting planets, and stars do not emit detectable level of gravitational waves although they exist. Hence colliding neutron stars and black holes emit detectable waves because of their intense gravity that warps enormous amount of spacetime. A category 5 hurricane produces up to 180 mph of wind, and the eye of the hurricane could be longer than one mile deep in the ocean. This wind power help the hurricane to pack up enormous amount of water and unleash it upon hitting the land. Black holes also warp spacetime and unleash it upon collision with another black hole.
This is an interesting book for anyone interested in the experiences of detecting gravitational waves. This is a highly readable book; recommended.
This book is for readers interested in learning the scientific, historical, and personal stories behind the detection of gravitational waves. This story is an incredible scientific odyssey. It conveys a sense of awe and excitement about a century of scientific investment of time, labor and technology. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is a large-scale physics experiment and observatory to detect cosmic gravitational waves. This instrument can detect a change in the distance from Earth to Proxima Centauri (distance of 4.24 light years) with an accuracy smaller than the width of a human hair. As of March 2018, LIGO made six detections of gravitational waves from six different sources; the first five were colliding black-hole pairs, and the sixth was due collision of two neutron stars Neutron stars simultaneously produces optical signals detected by gamma ray satellites and optical telescopes. The orbiting planets, orbiting stars, binary stars do not emit detectable level of gravitational waves. But neutron star mergers and black hole collisions produce enough unwarping of spacetime and energy to carry through the universe.
The highlight of this book is about the first detection gravitational wave referred to as GW 150914. The characteristic chirp of GW150914 most closely matched the theoretical prediction of waveform for two black holes with 36 and 29 times the mass of Sun. This originated in a remote galaxy. Two black holes (with a diameter of few hundred miles) were orbiting each other. They were swirling each other for millions of years, and as they approached each other at half the speed of light and they merged within a fraction of seconds resulting in a black hole of 62 solar mass. The equivalent three solar mass was converted into energy released in the form intense electromagnetic radiation, and the intensely warped spacetime under the gravity of black holes were released as gravitational (spacetime) waves. Immediately after the event horizon, spacetime stretched and elongated in its path like waves. Thus partially separating the components of matter in its path; the atomic nuclei, electronic structure of atoms and molecules were instantly destabilized from their configurations. In much of physics, spacetime is treated as static fabric upon which matter and energy behave according to laws of physics. But here the spacetime itself becomes active participants in the operation of physics. Heavier elements (beyond iron of the periodic chart) originates during the black hole/neutron star mergers and part of it could be due to disruption of space and reassembly of nucleus. Fortunately for life, these cataclysms occur less than once in a million years in Milky Way Galaxy, according to physicist Martin Rees.
General Relativity predicted that spacetime produces gravitational waves; gravity is essentially bending of spacetime in presence of matter. Large cosmic bodies like neutron stars and black holes produce very large curvature in spacetime. Two effects operates according to relativity: Taking earth as an example, the geodetic effect (spacetime as curvature (“the missing inch”). This is the amount by which the earth wraps the local spacetime in which it resides. Number two, the frame-dragging effect (the rotating matter drags spacetime (spacetime as viscous fluid): The amount by which the rotating earth drags local spacetime around with it.
Generally the analogy of a bowling ball on trampoline is visualized for spacetime bending in presence of large cosmic bodies. Spacetime is highly elastic like trampoline, and earth produces a symmetrical curvature around it like a bowling ball on trampoline (geodetic effect). When we spin the bowling ball on its own axis, this trampoline curvature around the spinning bowling ball will not be symmetric anymore, but this spinning motion will drag along the fabric of the trampoline to a small but noticeable effect. This produces an additional effect, relatively smaller (than geodetic effect) in the precession of the rotational axis of bowling ball. This is called rotational frame-dragging. A combination of these two effects produce a gravitational (spacetime curvature) wave. To help this visualization even better, one must remember that spacetime does not have matter or energy like trampoline, and space does not need matter or energy to exist. The orbiting planets, and stars do not emit detectable level of gravitational waves although they exist. Hence colliding neutron stars and black holes emit detectable waves because of their intense gravity that warps enormous amount of spacetime. A category 5 hurricane produces up to 180 mph of wind, and the eye of the hurricane could be longer than one mile deep in the ocean. This wind power help the hurricane to pack up enormous amount of water and unleash it upon hitting the land. Black holes also warp spacetime and unleash it upon collision with another black hole.
This is an interesting book for anyone interested in the experiences of detecting gravitational waves. This is a highly readable book; recommended.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Book Reviewed: Jeannie Out of the Bottle Paperback, by Barbara Eden and Wendy Leigh
An intimate portrait of Barbara Eden
This is an intimate account of Barbara Eden's early childhood, and her work on stage, TV, movies and live concert performances. Her personal life is portrayed in detail, especially her work with Larry Hagman on “I Dream of Jeannie” for which she is known and very well liked. Her emotional breakdown following the death of her only son, Matthew left her in grief and deep distress. His long addiction to controlled substances was devastating. She learns her son’s death from a late-night call from police who found him slumped over the steering wheel of his parked car at a Chevron gas station in Los Angeles, CA. He had injected himself with pure cocaine.
Eden has beauty in words when she is describing key events in her life. She makes the narratives come to life and fascinates us, the lows and highs of her life, with a sense of humor. The book is deeply engrossing and her style of writing is exemplary.
Two chapters stands out in my mind, Chapter 8 - All about Larry, and Chapter 9 - Viva Las Vegas. Working with Larry Hagman on “I Dream of Jeannie” was not exactly a bubbly happy picture. Larry was extremely moody and heavily into alcohol. He was a troubled young man. The storms and conflicts regularly raged on the set and the only way for Eden was to hide in her dressing room. He was openly rude to his television crew and co-stars. Guests of the show were treated with insult and rudeness. Jackie Cooper, Groucho Marx, Sammy Davis Jr, and Milton Berle appeared on her show; Hagman exhibited his worst behavior at them. Eden recalls Sammy Davis asking her, after the shoot, “How in the hell do you work with him, Barbara? He is an a*shole”. Sammy burst off the set saying, “if I ever have to see that – again I will kill him.” Gene Nelson, a costar of the first season was out the door because of Larry Hagman’s insistence. Despite all his tirade against the guests and crew and Barbara, he delivered the scripted dialogue in a professional manner. That is how we saw him; bright and happy astronaut in love with a Jeannie.
Eden has been much news lately, at 86, she appeared at the Hollywood Beauty Awards, where she proved that age certainly hasn't affected her grace and beauty. In 1990, she was honored by the University Of West Los Angeles School Of Law with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. This is a memorable piece of literature; I am fascinated with her life. I recommend this book to fans of Barbara Eden, and “I Dream of Jeannie.” This book debuted at #14 on the New York Times Best Seller List.
This is an intimate account of Barbara Eden's early childhood, and her work on stage, TV, movies and live concert performances. Her personal life is portrayed in detail, especially her work with Larry Hagman on “I Dream of Jeannie” for which she is known and very well liked. Her emotional breakdown following the death of her only son, Matthew left her in grief and deep distress. His long addiction to controlled substances was devastating. She learns her son’s death from a late-night call from police who found him slumped over the steering wheel of his parked car at a Chevron gas station in Los Angeles, CA. He had injected himself with pure cocaine.
Eden has beauty in words when she is describing key events in her life. She makes the narratives come to life and fascinates us, the lows and highs of her life, with a sense of humor. The book is deeply engrossing and her style of writing is exemplary.
Two chapters stands out in my mind, Chapter 8 - All about Larry, and Chapter 9 - Viva Las Vegas. Working with Larry Hagman on “I Dream of Jeannie” was not exactly a bubbly happy picture. Larry was extremely moody and heavily into alcohol. He was a troubled young man. The storms and conflicts regularly raged on the set and the only way for Eden was to hide in her dressing room. He was openly rude to his television crew and co-stars. Guests of the show were treated with insult and rudeness. Jackie Cooper, Groucho Marx, Sammy Davis Jr, and Milton Berle appeared on her show; Hagman exhibited his worst behavior at them. Eden recalls Sammy Davis asking her, after the shoot, “How in the hell do you work with him, Barbara? He is an a*shole”. Sammy burst off the set saying, “if I ever have to see that – again I will kill him.” Gene Nelson, a costar of the first season was out the door because of Larry Hagman’s insistence. Despite all his tirade against the guests and crew and Barbara, he delivered the scripted dialogue in a professional manner. That is how we saw him; bright and happy astronaut in love with a Jeannie.
Eden has been much news lately, at 86, she appeared at the Hollywood Beauty Awards, where she proved that age certainly hasn't affected her grace and beauty. In 1990, she was honored by the University Of West Los Angeles School Of Law with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. This is a memorable piece of literature; I am fascinated with her life. I recommend this book to fans of Barbara Eden, and “I Dream of Jeannie.” This book debuted at #14 on the New York Times Best Seller List.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Book Reviewed: Upending the Ivory Tower: Civil Rights, Black Power, and the Ivy League by Stefan M. Bradley
The black experience at Ivy League; from historical perspectives
The admission of black students into the Ivy League wasn’t an idealistic response to the civil rights movement, but the realization of a need for social and economic justice at institutions of higher learning that would be a model for the American society. Ivy League schools became part of a movement led largely by black students. They fought the division between less-fortunate and privileged Americans in institutions of higher learning. Historically, Ivy League or the Ancient Eight, as the author refers to, were constructed and maintained to advance certain demographics. They favored wealthy students with lesser credentials—children of alumni, politicians, big donors, entertainers and celebrities who were largely white.
Professor Stefan Bradley of Loyola Marymount University illuminates on the ever-changing definition of privilege of being at elite colleges like Harvard and Yale. This is a century-long battle that became intense during civil rights era for opportunities in American society. This book offers a new perspective on American history, especially from the point of contributions made by African American students who defiantly resisted unfairness on college campuses, and fought to bring inclusion and social justice. In the century between the Civil War and the civil rights movement, a critical increase in black student’s educational attainment mirrored national growth. Black students demanded space, and asserted their voices as educators, despite such barriers as violence, discrimination, and oppressive campus policies. Life was complex for these students, from Martin Delaney to Cornell West to Obama’s. In the process, they enriched the American experience and its leadership in the decades after WWII. It highlighted the issue of race in the most elite environments, and the struggles to defeat bigotry and prejudice.
Separate chapters have been devoted for the black movements at each of the eight Ivy League schools that included; how Princeton continued to support Jim Crow laws on its campus until WWII. Brown University’s complex relationship with black freedom and education; Dartmouth College’s efforts to assimilate black students and creating a healthy environment for education and scholarship on its campus; The expansion of Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania in largely black neighborhoods of New York and Philadelphia respectively, and its slow and steady realization of its obligations and responsibilities for their neighbors who were long ignored because of their race; the role of black students and faculty members at Yale University in creating the field of Black Studies program; and the last two chapters looks into a more militant style struggle to establish African American studies program at Harvard and Cornell Universities. Now Black studies program remains one of the enduring and outstanding legacies of the black power movement. Harvard alumni, W.E.B DuBois, Carter G. Woodson, and William Leo Hansberry paved the way for thousands for aspiring African Americans. Beyond Black Studies program, black students struggled to create opportunities for the rest black population in the country.
This book is highly engaging and a very readable. I recommend this to readers interested in American history, African-American history, the shaping of African-American Studies programs on college campuses and the history of Ivy League schools.
The admission of black students into the Ivy League wasn’t an idealistic response to the civil rights movement, but the realization of a need for social and economic justice at institutions of higher learning that would be a model for the American society. Ivy League schools became part of a movement led largely by black students. They fought the division between less-fortunate and privileged Americans in institutions of higher learning. Historically, Ivy League or the Ancient Eight, as the author refers to, were constructed and maintained to advance certain demographics. They favored wealthy students with lesser credentials—children of alumni, politicians, big donors, entertainers and celebrities who were largely white.
Professor Stefan Bradley of Loyola Marymount University illuminates on the ever-changing definition of privilege of being at elite colleges like Harvard and Yale. This is a century-long battle that became intense during civil rights era for opportunities in American society. This book offers a new perspective on American history, especially from the point of contributions made by African American students who defiantly resisted unfairness on college campuses, and fought to bring inclusion and social justice. In the century between the Civil War and the civil rights movement, a critical increase in black student’s educational attainment mirrored national growth. Black students demanded space, and asserted their voices as educators, despite such barriers as violence, discrimination, and oppressive campus policies. Life was complex for these students, from Martin Delaney to Cornell West to Obama’s. In the process, they enriched the American experience and its leadership in the decades after WWII. It highlighted the issue of race in the most elite environments, and the struggles to defeat bigotry and prejudice.
Separate chapters have been devoted for the black movements at each of the eight Ivy League schools that included; how Princeton continued to support Jim Crow laws on its campus until WWII. Brown University’s complex relationship with black freedom and education; Dartmouth College’s efforts to assimilate black students and creating a healthy environment for education and scholarship on its campus; The expansion of Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania in largely black neighborhoods of New York and Philadelphia respectively, and its slow and steady realization of its obligations and responsibilities for their neighbors who were long ignored because of their race; the role of black students and faculty members at Yale University in creating the field of Black Studies program; and the last two chapters looks into a more militant style struggle to establish African American studies program at Harvard and Cornell Universities. Now Black studies program remains one of the enduring and outstanding legacies of the black power movement. Harvard alumni, W.E.B DuBois, Carter G. Woodson, and William Leo Hansberry paved the way for thousands for aspiring African Americans. Beyond Black Studies program, black students struggled to create opportunities for the rest black population in the country.
This book is highly engaging and a very readable. I recommend this to readers interested in American history, African-American history, the shaping of African-American Studies programs on college campuses and the history of Ivy League schools.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Book Reviewed: The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS
Jihad and Genocide
This book examines the relationship between Islam & ISIS, and jihad & genocide. Robert Spencer, a respected scholar in the field of Islamic terrorism takes a close look at the violent interpretations of Quran, Hadith and Sharia law, and as how it has played out in the past twelve hundred years. Spencer’s unflinching study of jihad to initiate targeted violence against infidels. The faith lacks tolerance and promotes violence.
ISIS is a fundamentalist group that interprets Islamic teachings with all its beliefs and truth. The liberal media makes us believe that ISIS is neither Islamic nor a state, despite the fact that ISIS’ meteoric rise from the chaotic deserts of Syria and Iraq, and its popularity in Islamic countries. Spencer articulates the origins of ISIS in the context of Islamic history and of past caliphates. The author shows us as how once predominantly Christian Middle East has turned into a freedom suppressing Muslim monarchies. While it is tempting to stick our heads in the sand and hope for moderate Muslims to reign in their radical compatriots, but the history of Islam from days of Muhammad has been one of unrelenting militarism and domination of the Kafir (unbelievers). Spencer provides the historical support for caliphates in the Islamic world. ISIS tries to restore Islam’s global power.
This book examines the relationship between Islam & ISIS, and jihad & genocide. Robert Spencer, a respected scholar in the field of Islamic terrorism takes a close look at the violent interpretations of Quran, Hadith and Sharia law, and as how it has played out in the past twelve hundred years. Spencer’s unflinching study of jihad to initiate targeted violence against infidels. The faith lacks tolerance and promotes violence.
ISIS is a fundamentalist group that interprets Islamic teachings with all its beliefs and truth. The liberal media makes us believe that ISIS is neither Islamic nor a state, despite the fact that ISIS’ meteoric rise from the chaotic deserts of Syria and Iraq, and its popularity in Islamic countries. Spencer articulates the origins of ISIS in the context of Islamic history and of past caliphates. The author shows us as how once predominantly Christian Middle East has turned into a freedom suppressing Muslim monarchies. While it is tempting to stick our heads in the sand and hope for moderate Muslims to reign in their radical compatriots, but the history of Islam from days of Muhammad has been one of unrelenting militarism and domination of the Kafir (unbelievers). Spencer provides the historical support for caliphates in the Islamic world. ISIS tries to restore Islam’s global power.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Book Reviewed: The Ultimate Quotable Einstein, by Alice Calaprice
The human side of a genius
Albert Einstein was one of the greatest scientists lived in 20th century. He made lasting contribution in physics, politics, society and towards understanding human nature. He was also an avid commentator and his insights were far and wide on a range of topics. The popularity of his quotes is illustrated by the recent publication of The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, volume 15. Several quotable gems have been mined from Einstein’s archives. But it turns out that many quotes are misattributed to Einstein and some are edited or paraphrased to sharpen for lasting impression. The most famous quote is of course, “God does not play dice” referring to quantum entanglement of physical reality. But it isn’t quite his words. It derives from a letter written in December 1926 to his friend physicist Max Born. His actual words were; Theirs is: “Quantum mechanics…... delivers much but does not really bring us any closer to the secret of the Old One. I, at any rate, am convinced that He does not play dice.” Einstein does not use the word ‘God’ here, but ‘the Old One’ signifies a “personification of creating entity.”
Einstein has used the word god in many other quotes when he was not talking of physical reality and laws of physics. Einstein dismissed the idea of God as the product of human weakness and the Bible as "pretty childish." His letter was written to Eric Gutkind in January 1954. He added, "the Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions." But he also said: "I do not believe in the God of theology who rewards good and punishes evil. My God created laws that take care of that. His universe is not ruled by wishful thinking, but by immutable laws."
Einstein had lot to say about raising anti-Semitism in his native Germany. He expresses his disappointment and frustration the way it was practiced at elementary schools by children and how it impacted Jewish life in Western Europe.
Einstein had developed keen interest in the works of many of his contemporaries which included Mahatma Gandhi, poets, philosophers, politicians and entertainers of his days. A passage in a 1936 article in the Journal of the Franklin Institute, he said that: “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility … The fact that it is comprehensible is a miracle.” This has been used widely in media after paraphrasing the quote. It is not surprising that Einstein who stubbornly believed that quantum reality doesn’t exist, believed that the universe is understandable. Most quantum physicists would disagree with that since many issues of spacetime and quantum gravity is unresolved. Throughout his life he had constant battle with quantum physicists on principles and scientific matter. This is reflected in his letter to physicist Max Born (April 12, 1949); “I lack influence [at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University], as I am generally regarded as a sort of petrified object, rendered blind and deaf by the years. I find this role not too distasteful, as it corresponds fairly well with my temperament.” In another quote he is known to have said that “My word counts for little in Fine Hall (at Princeton)”
Nazi’s tried to eliminate him for years as he was an embarrassment for the Fuhrer and the Third Reich. Right up to his death in 1955, he was targeted for deportation as a Soviet agent by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.
The Author has done extensive work on the Einstein Archives at the Institute for Advanced Study, and this is an authentic work and very well written. Highly recommended.
Albert Einstein was one of the greatest scientists lived in 20th century. He made lasting contribution in physics, politics, society and towards understanding human nature. He was also an avid commentator and his insights were far and wide on a range of topics. The popularity of his quotes is illustrated by the recent publication of The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, volume 15. Several quotable gems have been mined from Einstein’s archives. But it turns out that many quotes are misattributed to Einstein and some are edited or paraphrased to sharpen for lasting impression. The most famous quote is of course, “God does not play dice” referring to quantum entanglement of physical reality. But it isn’t quite his words. It derives from a letter written in December 1926 to his friend physicist Max Born. His actual words were; Theirs is: “Quantum mechanics…... delivers much but does not really bring us any closer to the secret of the Old One. I, at any rate, am convinced that He does not play dice.” Einstein does not use the word ‘God’ here, but ‘the Old One’ signifies a “personification of creating entity.”
Einstein has used the word god in many other quotes when he was not talking of physical reality and laws of physics. Einstein dismissed the idea of God as the product of human weakness and the Bible as "pretty childish." His letter was written to Eric Gutkind in January 1954. He added, "the Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions." But he also said: "I do not believe in the God of theology who rewards good and punishes evil. My God created laws that take care of that. His universe is not ruled by wishful thinking, but by immutable laws."
Einstein had lot to say about raising anti-Semitism in his native Germany. He expresses his disappointment and frustration the way it was practiced at elementary schools by children and how it impacted Jewish life in Western Europe.
Einstein had developed keen interest in the works of many of his contemporaries which included Mahatma Gandhi, poets, philosophers, politicians and entertainers of his days. A passage in a 1936 article in the Journal of the Franklin Institute, he said that: “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility … The fact that it is comprehensible is a miracle.” This has been used widely in media after paraphrasing the quote. It is not surprising that Einstein who stubbornly believed that quantum reality doesn’t exist, believed that the universe is understandable. Most quantum physicists would disagree with that since many issues of spacetime and quantum gravity is unresolved. Throughout his life he had constant battle with quantum physicists on principles and scientific matter. This is reflected in his letter to physicist Max Born (April 12, 1949); “I lack influence [at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University], as I am generally regarded as a sort of petrified object, rendered blind and deaf by the years. I find this role not too distasteful, as it corresponds fairly well with my temperament.” In another quote he is known to have said that “My word counts for little in Fine Hall (at Princeton)”
Nazi’s tried to eliminate him for years as he was an embarrassment for the Fuhrer and the Third Reich. Right up to his death in 1955, he was targeted for deportation as a Soviet agent by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.
The Author has done extensive work on the Einstein Archives at the Institute for Advanced Study, and this is an authentic work and very well written. Highly recommended.
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Book Reviewed: Quantum Information and Consciousness: A Gentle Introduction, by Danko D. Georgiev
Consciousness and emergent properties of quantum information
The concept of matter and energy has dominated physics, and this has made it difficult to fit consciousness into the laws of physics. Recent studies in quantum gravity and thermodynamics of black holes has demonstrated that information is primary to the structure of quantum and relativistic physics. This "It from Bit" perspective has more relevance for consciousness than originally thought. In fact, quantum information is as fundamental as energy/matter in spacetime. Physical reality requires energy/information duality and consciousness for quantum states collapse. The connection of consciousness and energy-information duality is like that of wave-particle duality in early 20th century.
Consciousness is primarily an informational system. By understanding quantum states as an information system, the energy/information duality and the corresponding nature of quantum spacetime and non-local behavior of quantum reality may be placed in proper context. Quantum information laws leads to a network that creates fields, particles, matter, spacetime, dimensions, quantum gravity, and consciousness; some of these are emergent phenomenon. They are not derivable from the laws or organizing principles or knowledge about their constituents. In fact, emergent properties like quantum gravity and consciousness are not identical with, reducible to, or deducible from properties of matter. The quantum computing with quantum states means that both information and computation are part of the quantum reality, even though the quantum states themselves are not directly measurable. Information is proto-physical, which describe as how information can exist without energy or matter encoding it.
The current information age consists of classical information in bits. The future information age represents quantum encoded information using qubits and ebits (EPR; quantum entanglement bits) which do not have classical energy nor classical spacetime properties. Artificial intelligence generated on the principles of quantum computation would match human consciousness, since artificial intelligence based on classical computation/information processing is less compatible with human consciousness/intelligence. With the advent of quantum computers and quantum information processing systems, one can simulate many testable predictions. Technology will also allow experiments that shore up or shore down theoretical predictions. It is certain that Consciousness in biological is a result of quantum information processing. When consciousness is mapped into a nonclassical and non-energy domain of quantum information, many of the paradoxical problems of energy dominated solutions dissolve.
In this book, the author describes human consciousness in terms of quantum information processing. The first half of the book is largely introductory. In the rest of the book, we learn that information processing in the brain microtubule proteins is the center of emerging consciousness. The quantum information is converted into specific protein tubulin tail conformational states, and long-range collective coherent behavior of the tubulin tails runs as solitary waves that propagate along the microtubules, which is at the roots of the origins of consciousness.
In one of his papers, the author criticizes Penrose-Hameroff model of quantum information processing as false. One of the shortcomings in this paper is that numerous testable predictions have been made and this may be tested with modern technology. Potential features of quantum computation could explain enigmatic aspects of consciousness. The Penrose-Hameroff model known as orchestrated objective reduction (Orch OR) suggests that quantum superposition and a form of quantum computation occur in microtubule cylindrical protein lattices of the cell cytoskeleton within the brain's neurons. Microtubules couple to and regulate neural-level synaptic functions, and they become mini quantum computers because of dynamical lattice structure, quantum-level subunit states and intermittent isolation from environmental interactions. In this biological setting, this proposal differs from quantum computers in which quantum state collapse is caused by environmental decoherence, which has an element of randomness, but reduction of microtubule quantum superposition to classical output states occurs by an objective factor, perhaps quantum gravity threshold stemming from instability in Planck-scale separations (superpositions) in spacetime.
Consciousness is a universal phenomenon in all living systems and intelligent machines. In biological systems that include plants and microbial systems have microtubule proteins and perhaps use this as the base on which various levels of consciousness may emerge from quantum information and information processing. Even the simplest living organism possess consciousness at a rudimentary level. Plants do not have brain or any form of central nervous system is known to have equivalent neurobiological experiences. Plant neurobiology is an evolved field and plant philosophy is starting to generate interest among some biologists. And so is the existence of quantum physics in biological process like photosynthesis and migratory behavior among some avian species. Bees have been shown to understand the concept of zero. So, any mechanism proposed should have some common features in all living systems.
Reading this book is somewhat difficult and requires knowledge of undergraduate level physics and neurobiology. But the ideas presented in this book is not tested and remains a theoretical view.
The concept of matter and energy has dominated physics, and this has made it difficult to fit consciousness into the laws of physics. Recent studies in quantum gravity and thermodynamics of black holes has demonstrated that information is primary to the structure of quantum and relativistic physics. This "It from Bit" perspective has more relevance for consciousness than originally thought. In fact, quantum information is as fundamental as energy/matter in spacetime. Physical reality requires energy/information duality and consciousness for quantum states collapse. The connection of consciousness and energy-information duality is like that of wave-particle duality in early 20th century.
Consciousness is primarily an informational system. By understanding quantum states as an information system, the energy/information duality and the corresponding nature of quantum spacetime and non-local behavior of quantum reality may be placed in proper context. Quantum information laws leads to a network that creates fields, particles, matter, spacetime, dimensions, quantum gravity, and consciousness; some of these are emergent phenomenon. They are not derivable from the laws or organizing principles or knowledge about their constituents. In fact, emergent properties like quantum gravity and consciousness are not identical with, reducible to, or deducible from properties of matter. The quantum computing with quantum states means that both information and computation are part of the quantum reality, even though the quantum states themselves are not directly measurable. Information is proto-physical, which describe as how information can exist without energy or matter encoding it.
The current information age consists of classical information in bits. The future information age represents quantum encoded information using qubits and ebits (EPR; quantum entanglement bits) which do not have classical energy nor classical spacetime properties. Artificial intelligence generated on the principles of quantum computation would match human consciousness, since artificial intelligence based on classical computation/information processing is less compatible with human consciousness/intelligence. With the advent of quantum computers and quantum information processing systems, one can simulate many testable predictions. Technology will also allow experiments that shore up or shore down theoretical predictions. It is certain that Consciousness in biological is a result of quantum information processing. When consciousness is mapped into a nonclassical and non-energy domain of quantum information, many of the paradoxical problems of energy dominated solutions dissolve.
In this book, the author describes human consciousness in terms of quantum information processing. The first half of the book is largely introductory. In the rest of the book, we learn that information processing in the brain microtubule proteins is the center of emerging consciousness. The quantum information is converted into specific protein tubulin tail conformational states, and long-range collective coherent behavior of the tubulin tails runs as solitary waves that propagate along the microtubules, which is at the roots of the origins of consciousness.
In one of his papers, the author criticizes Penrose-Hameroff model of quantum information processing as false. One of the shortcomings in this paper is that numerous testable predictions have been made and this may be tested with modern technology. Potential features of quantum computation could explain enigmatic aspects of consciousness. The Penrose-Hameroff model known as orchestrated objective reduction (Orch OR) suggests that quantum superposition and a form of quantum computation occur in microtubule cylindrical protein lattices of the cell cytoskeleton within the brain's neurons. Microtubules couple to and regulate neural-level synaptic functions, and they become mini quantum computers because of dynamical lattice structure, quantum-level subunit states and intermittent isolation from environmental interactions. In this biological setting, this proposal differs from quantum computers in which quantum state collapse is caused by environmental decoherence, which has an element of randomness, but reduction of microtubule quantum superposition to classical output states occurs by an objective factor, perhaps quantum gravity threshold stemming from instability in Planck-scale separations (superpositions) in spacetime.
Consciousness is a universal phenomenon in all living systems and intelligent machines. In biological systems that include plants and microbial systems have microtubule proteins and perhaps use this as the base on which various levels of consciousness may emerge from quantum information and information processing. Even the simplest living organism possess consciousness at a rudimentary level. Plants do not have brain or any form of central nervous system is known to have equivalent neurobiological experiences. Plant neurobiology is an evolved field and plant philosophy is starting to generate interest among some biologists. And so is the existence of quantum physics in biological process like photosynthesis and migratory behavior among some avian species. Bees have been shown to understand the concept of zero. So, any mechanism proposed should have some common features in all living systems.
Reading this book is somewhat difficult and requires knowledge of undergraduate level physics and neurobiology. But the ideas presented in this book is not tested and remains a theoretical view.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Book Reviewed: Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolution's Lost Hero, By: Christian Di Spigna
Joseph Warren, the forgotten American revolutionary
During American bicentennial celebration, patriotic zeal and nostalgia swept the country and President Ronald Reagan delivered his first inaugural address calling Joseph Warren as “the greatest among the founding fathers.” The Broadway musical Hamilton in 2015 captured the thoughts of American revolutionaries. Warren is remembered on the Bunker Hill Day but for most Americans he remains in the shadow of his revolutionary brothers. His work prior to 1776 laid a foundation for the declaration of independence. The role he played in the decade prior to Bunker Hill battle illuminates a human story in a political and military landscape. Warren’s life was an inspiration for American revolutionaries and he had chosen his life to the virtues of honor and liberty. Although Warren’s fate was sealed in 1775, the values and principles he championed has endured
In this book the author has chronicled the life and times of a true American champion. The book reads effortlessly and the chapters leading to number 13 that describes the brutalities of English army against brave freedom fighters. Even after the fighting ended, horrific acts of violence were committed upon Warren’s body. It was desecrated and butchered by the British colonial army under General Gage before his remains was handed over to his family. Chapter 10-12 sets the tone for American revolutionaries against the corrupt British colony. On June 17, 1775, early in the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts was lost, but their loss was minimal since the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. Subsequently, the battle discouraged the British from any further frontal attacks against well defended front lines. American casualties were comparatively much fewer, although their losses included General Joseph Warren and Major Andrew McClary.
This detailed biography of Warren rescues the figure from obscurity and reveals a remarkable revolutionary who dispatched Paul Revere on his famous ride and was the hero of the battle of Bunker Hill. Warren comes to life in this comprehensive biography meticulously grounded in original scholarship. Warren's insistence on the strict separation of representative government from a subordinate military is an enduring contribution to the American experience. He advocated for a military accountable only to elected government.
During American bicentennial celebration, patriotic zeal and nostalgia swept the country and President Ronald Reagan delivered his first inaugural address calling Joseph Warren as “the greatest among the founding fathers.” The Broadway musical Hamilton in 2015 captured the thoughts of American revolutionaries. Warren is remembered on the Bunker Hill Day but for most Americans he remains in the shadow of his revolutionary brothers. His work prior to 1776 laid a foundation for the declaration of independence. The role he played in the decade prior to Bunker Hill battle illuminates a human story in a political and military landscape. Warren’s life was an inspiration for American revolutionaries and he had chosen his life to the virtues of honor and liberty. Although Warren’s fate was sealed in 1775, the values and principles he championed has endured
In this book the author has chronicled the life and times of a true American champion. The book reads effortlessly and the chapters leading to number 13 that describes the brutalities of English army against brave freedom fighters. Even after the fighting ended, horrific acts of violence were committed upon Warren’s body. It was desecrated and butchered by the British colonial army under General Gage before his remains was handed over to his family. Chapter 10-12 sets the tone for American revolutionaries against the corrupt British colony. On June 17, 1775, early in the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts was lost, but their loss was minimal since the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. Subsequently, the battle discouraged the British from any further frontal attacks against well defended front lines. American casualties were comparatively much fewer, although their losses included General Joseph Warren and Major Andrew McClary.
This detailed biography of Warren rescues the figure from obscurity and reveals a remarkable revolutionary who dispatched Paul Revere on his famous ride and was the hero of the battle of Bunker Hill. Warren comes to life in this comprehensive biography meticulously grounded in original scholarship. Warren's insistence on the strict separation of representative government from a subordinate military is an enduring contribution to the American experience. He advocated for a military accountable only to elected government.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Book Reviewed: The Order of Time, by Carlo Rovelli
Time is an Illusion, says physicist Carlo Rovelli
Physicists calling time an illusion is not a new idea. Julian Barbour, in his 1999 book argued for the same hypothesis. Contrary to this idea, physicist Lee Smolin proposed that time is real. He suggested that laws of physics are not fixed in the universe but evolve over time. The principle argument in support of his theory is that mathematical models provide an abstraction of reality and ignore time dimension. Carlo Rovelli observes that since theory of general relativity assumes spacetime is smooth and continuous, and quantum theory describes matter and energy in discrete quantities which implies that spacetime is also quantized. i.e. they exist in discrete quanta. These two realities are unconnected because quantum physics cannot deal with the continuous spacetime, and general relativity cannot reconcile with quantization of space and time. In fact, space, time and gravity are suggested as emergent properties of a system. Emergent properties are not identical with, reducible to, or deducible from the other physical properties. Examples include, temperature, pressure, viscosity, spacetime and gravity. Therefore, the author concludes that Isaac Newton’s picture of a universally ticking clock, and Albert Einstein’s relativistic space-time that bends so that local times differ depending on one’s relative speed or proximity to a mass is an over simplification. According to Rovelli, the time; the sequences of past, present and future is an emergent phenomenon of thermodynamics.
One of the principal arguments Rovelli advances is the Wheeler-De Witt equation which describes quantum gravity, but it has no time variable associated with it. Quantum mechanics and general relativity, taken together, imply the possibility of quantum superposition of different spacetimes. But the Wheeler-de Witt equation, which is based on a wave function Ψ[q] over geometries offers new perspectives.
In this book, Rovelli often muses about metaphysics, poetry and spirituality but fails to convince the reader that his idea is on the right track. It reminds me of Einstein’s famous saying that “God does not play dice,” Which makes me believe that if time is an illusion, then space would also be an illusion. There is a beauty and symmetry in the universe, and time alone could not be an illusion without space. Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and Mars explorer suggest that this universe is a computer simulation on someone’s computer. And black hole physics suggests that the information in 3D world could be described in 2D dimension, in fact reality is a hologram. In quantum reality, the wave functions of a reality must be collapsed by physical observation (conscious observers), until then the reality is smeared out in spacetime. In fact, reality is in the eyes of beholder. Taken together, reality of matter and energy in spacetime could be an illusion (Maya), as interpreted by the Vedanta School of Hindu philosophy.
Physicists calling time an illusion is not a new idea. Julian Barbour, in his 1999 book argued for the same hypothesis. Contrary to this idea, physicist Lee Smolin proposed that time is real. He suggested that laws of physics are not fixed in the universe but evolve over time. The principle argument in support of his theory is that mathematical models provide an abstraction of reality and ignore time dimension. Carlo Rovelli observes that since theory of general relativity assumes spacetime is smooth and continuous, and quantum theory describes matter and energy in discrete quantities which implies that spacetime is also quantized. i.e. they exist in discrete quanta. These two realities are unconnected because quantum physics cannot deal with the continuous spacetime, and general relativity cannot reconcile with quantization of space and time. In fact, space, time and gravity are suggested as emergent properties of a system. Emergent properties are not identical with, reducible to, or deducible from the other physical properties. Examples include, temperature, pressure, viscosity, spacetime and gravity. Therefore, the author concludes that Isaac Newton’s picture of a universally ticking clock, and Albert Einstein’s relativistic space-time that bends so that local times differ depending on one’s relative speed or proximity to a mass is an over simplification. According to Rovelli, the time; the sequences of past, present and future is an emergent phenomenon of thermodynamics.
One of the principal arguments Rovelli advances is the Wheeler-De Witt equation which describes quantum gravity, but it has no time variable associated with it. Quantum mechanics and general relativity, taken together, imply the possibility of quantum superposition of different spacetimes. But the Wheeler-de Witt equation, which is based on a wave function Ψ[q] over geometries offers new perspectives.
In this book, Rovelli often muses about metaphysics, poetry and spirituality but fails to convince the reader that his idea is on the right track. It reminds me of Einstein’s famous saying that “God does not play dice,” Which makes me believe that if time is an illusion, then space would also be an illusion. There is a beauty and symmetry in the universe, and time alone could not be an illusion without space. Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and Mars explorer suggest that this universe is a computer simulation on someone’s computer. And black hole physics suggests that the information in 3D world could be described in 2D dimension, in fact reality is a hologram. In quantum reality, the wave functions of a reality must be collapsed by physical observation (conscious observers), until then the reality is smeared out in spacetime. In fact, reality is in the eyes of beholder. Taken together, reality of matter and energy in spacetime could be an illusion (Maya), as interpreted by the Vedanta School of Hindu philosophy.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Book Reviewed: Before Time Began: The Big Bang and the Emerging Universe, by Helmut Satz
Cosmos and emerging realities
In this book, the author discusses as how different horizons, on Earth and in the heavens define our perception of physical reality. This book is not meant to give a systematic presentation of recent developments in cosmology but discusses with an emphasis on emerging realities such as gravity in terms of laws thermodynamics.
Emergent phenomenon contrasts with reductionism. A new outcome such as gravity from space and time is different from spacetime. Two basic approaches have dominated physics and cosmology; the reduction approach to divide and subdivide matter to its most fundamental particles governed by its quantum nature, and building and extensions of quantum particles into stars, galaxies, universe and multiverse according relativistic physics. Thermodynamics is a framework that describes how very large numbers of individual constituent particles behave. Since then, physicists have tried to figure out whether this similarity of relativity and thermodynamics is a formal coincidence or hints of a deeper truth. Because space-time is made of small elements whose collective motion gives rise to the force we call gravity. In this case, gravity would not be a truly fundamental phenomenon, but an emergent one like temperature, pressure, and viscosity. The microscopic constituents of space-time push inwards on matter and this pulls normal matter in by its gravitational attraction. In the thermodynamic formulation of gravity, the entropy is the number of possible microscopic configurations. Entropic gravity, also known as emergent gravity is an entropic force, a force with macro-scale homogeneity but which is subject to quantum-level disorder, and not as a fundamental interaction. This theory is based on string theory, black hole physics, and quantum information theory describes gravity springs from the quantum entanglement of small bits of spacetime information.
Entropy is really about the level of information we need to describe a system. An ordered system (say, marbles evenly spaced in a grid) is easy to describe because the objects have simple relations to each other. On the other hand, a disordered system (marbles randomly scattered) take more information to describe, because there isn’t a simple pattern to them. So, when the second law says that entropy can never decrease, it is to say that the physical information of a system cannot decrease. In other words, information cannot be destroyed.
Considering infinite space, there is a growing acceptance among physicists that we live in multiverse and our existence is a part of space with eternal inflation which is creating billions of parallel universes. According to Stephen Hawking’s last paper, the evidence of the multiverse exists in cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation.
The last chapter, entitled “The Last Veil,” the author presents an interesting discussion of space and time and its cosmic connections. The introductory part of the book briefly discusses the cosmos according to the two major schools of Hindu philosophy, and the Greek natural philosophy. Highly readable and very energizing book.
In this book, the author discusses as how different horizons, on Earth and in the heavens define our perception of physical reality. This book is not meant to give a systematic presentation of recent developments in cosmology but discusses with an emphasis on emerging realities such as gravity in terms of laws thermodynamics.
Emergent phenomenon contrasts with reductionism. A new outcome such as gravity from space and time is different from spacetime. Two basic approaches have dominated physics and cosmology; the reduction approach to divide and subdivide matter to its most fundamental particles governed by its quantum nature, and building and extensions of quantum particles into stars, galaxies, universe and multiverse according relativistic physics. Thermodynamics is a framework that describes how very large numbers of individual constituent particles behave. Since then, physicists have tried to figure out whether this similarity of relativity and thermodynamics is a formal coincidence or hints of a deeper truth. Because space-time is made of small elements whose collective motion gives rise to the force we call gravity. In this case, gravity would not be a truly fundamental phenomenon, but an emergent one like temperature, pressure, and viscosity. The microscopic constituents of space-time push inwards on matter and this pulls normal matter in by its gravitational attraction. In the thermodynamic formulation of gravity, the entropy is the number of possible microscopic configurations. Entropic gravity, also known as emergent gravity is an entropic force, a force with macro-scale homogeneity but which is subject to quantum-level disorder, and not as a fundamental interaction. This theory is based on string theory, black hole physics, and quantum information theory describes gravity springs from the quantum entanglement of small bits of spacetime information.
Entropy is really about the level of information we need to describe a system. An ordered system (say, marbles evenly spaced in a grid) is easy to describe because the objects have simple relations to each other. On the other hand, a disordered system (marbles randomly scattered) take more information to describe, because there isn’t a simple pattern to them. So, when the second law says that entropy can never decrease, it is to say that the physical information of a system cannot decrease. In other words, information cannot be destroyed.
Considering infinite space, there is a growing acceptance among physicists that we live in multiverse and our existence is a part of space with eternal inflation which is creating billions of parallel universes. According to Stephen Hawking’s last paper, the evidence of the multiverse exists in cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation.
The last chapter, entitled “The Last Veil,” the author presents an interesting discussion of space and time and its cosmic connections. The introductory part of the book briefly discusses the cosmos according to the two major schools of Hindu philosophy, and the Greek natural philosophy. Highly readable and very energizing book.
Friday, March 30, 2018
Book Reviewed: The Indian World of George Washington: The First President, the First Americans, and the Birth of the Nation by Colin G. Calloway
Formative years: President Washington’s efforts to reform the new nation on Native American land
George Washington spent his life turning the Native American land for the new republic as well as his personal real estate. He believed that land acquired for a song would sell for a fortune. When European immigrants flooded the country, he owned extensive lands in what is now known as VA, WV, MD and PA. White immigrants settled in western territories in United States, they helped entrench slave labor. Eventually the new immigrants became slave-owners. Slavery and forcible occupation of lands from Native American tribes became the norm of the day. In the American society, both slavery and Native American mistreatments were divisive, dominating, illegal under colonial laws and downright immoral according Christian teachings. This was painful to the first president, but he also had the responsibility to unite the country and serve the interest of fringe groups which benefited the young nation. For example, he did not express his views on slowing the pace of slavery or respect the treaty with native tribes and their sovereignty. Conservatives frowned upon any idea that would grant rights or concessions to blacks or elevate Natives to the same level as white Americans. But Washington needed native tribes on his side so that he could fight off any military advances from English from the north or Spanish from south. He was also very wary of fierce war between revolutionary France and English Monarchy that would have divided English-loyalists and American patriots in United States. He had to ensure that natives will not aid English or French forces in any war that may ensue.
The first President’s Native American policies eroded their rights he claimed to protect and undermined the tribal sovereignty. Assaults on the resources of Native population continued to soar until their extinction. During almost fifty years of his life, the new nation’s culture, practices, foreign policies and geopolitical strategies evolved. He fought alongside native American allies in one war, and waged war against other tribes in another war. But he also enjoyed diplomacy when needed to enhance the power of federal political structure. He made controversial laws that granted Natives their sovereignty and made laws alongside so that they are not independent to make treaties with other colonial powers. They are to make treaty only with U.S and nobody else. The president and his supporters expected that native Americans left their hunting life-styles and became agriculturists and confirmed to Christian standards as mandated by boarding schools. When the Natives adapted to this way of living and became slave-owners and lived like white immigrants, the conservative population resented this change and wanted Native Americans to live as under-class but keep the lands for further white occupation. It was a sad irony to the new nation, but English monarchy kept the new democracy under check by constantly looking for cracks in the new republic and its relationship with Native Americans. The new America was using racial and slavery politics at astonishing scale and English expected that it was a matter of time that a breakdown may occur and beat the new republic in its own territory. But George Washington was one step ahead. He developed cozy relationship with well-known tribes like; Mohawks, Senecas, Oneidas, Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Creeks. He knew that these tribes were vital to the national security, and survival of a fragile democracy amongst formidable adversaries like England, France and Spain. The president also knew that the new immigrants coming from Europe needed land and will inevitably occupy the Native American lands that will eventually be settled in a conflict and use of force. The federal government found itself weak during the formative years. It was very vulnerable to political chaos domestically as well as due to foreign powers.
I enjoyed reading this comprehensive work that recounts the relationship between Native Americans and George Washington that lasted much of his life. Here, Professor Colin Calloway of Dartmouth College reexamines the highs and lows of George Washington’s legacy as the first president.
George Washington spent his life turning the Native American land for the new republic as well as his personal real estate. He believed that land acquired for a song would sell for a fortune. When European immigrants flooded the country, he owned extensive lands in what is now known as VA, WV, MD and PA. White immigrants settled in western territories in United States, they helped entrench slave labor. Eventually the new immigrants became slave-owners. Slavery and forcible occupation of lands from Native American tribes became the norm of the day. In the American society, both slavery and Native American mistreatments were divisive, dominating, illegal under colonial laws and downright immoral according Christian teachings. This was painful to the first president, but he also had the responsibility to unite the country and serve the interest of fringe groups which benefited the young nation. For example, he did not express his views on slowing the pace of slavery or respect the treaty with native tribes and their sovereignty. Conservatives frowned upon any idea that would grant rights or concessions to blacks or elevate Natives to the same level as white Americans. But Washington needed native tribes on his side so that he could fight off any military advances from English from the north or Spanish from south. He was also very wary of fierce war between revolutionary France and English Monarchy that would have divided English-loyalists and American patriots in United States. He had to ensure that natives will not aid English or French forces in any war that may ensue.
The first President’s Native American policies eroded their rights he claimed to protect and undermined the tribal sovereignty. Assaults on the resources of Native population continued to soar until their extinction. During almost fifty years of his life, the new nation’s culture, practices, foreign policies and geopolitical strategies evolved. He fought alongside native American allies in one war, and waged war against other tribes in another war. But he also enjoyed diplomacy when needed to enhance the power of federal political structure. He made controversial laws that granted Natives their sovereignty and made laws alongside so that they are not independent to make treaties with other colonial powers. They are to make treaty only with U.S and nobody else. The president and his supporters expected that native Americans left their hunting life-styles and became agriculturists and confirmed to Christian standards as mandated by boarding schools. When the Natives adapted to this way of living and became slave-owners and lived like white immigrants, the conservative population resented this change and wanted Native Americans to live as under-class but keep the lands for further white occupation. It was a sad irony to the new nation, but English monarchy kept the new democracy under check by constantly looking for cracks in the new republic and its relationship with Native Americans. The new America was using racial and slavery politics at astonishing scale and English expected that it was a matter of time that a breakdown may occur and beat the new republic in its own territory. But George Washington was one step ahead. He developed cozy relationship with well-known tribes like; Mohawks, Senecas, Oneidas, Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Creeks. He knew that these tribes were vital to the national security, and survival of a fragile democracy amongst formidable adversaries like England, France and Spain. The president also knew that the new immigrants coming from Europe needed land and will inevitably occupy the Native American lands that will eventually be settled in a conflict and use of force. The federal government found itself weak during the formative years. It was very vulnerable to political chaos domestically as well as due to foreign powers.
I enjoyed reading this comprehensive work that recounts the relationship between Native Americans and George Washington that lasted much of his life. Here, Professor Colin Calloway of Dartmouth College reexamines the highs and lows of George Washington’s legacy as the first president.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Book Reviewed: The Pope Who Would Be King: The Exile of Pius IX and the Emergence of Modern Europe, by David I. Kertzer
The tumultuous life of Pope Pius IX
Here is an opportunity to study the life of Pope Pius IX and take a journey through the history of Roman Catholic Church that paved the way for modern Europe. Following the death of Pope Gregory XVI (1831–46), the political climate within Italy was turning its tide against Catholic Church’s autocracy. The church was steeped in a factional division between conservatives and liberals. The conservatives favored the hardline stances and papal absolutism of the previous pontificate, while liberals supported reforms.
In this book, author David Kertzer chronicles the tumultuous life of Pope Pius IX and the fate of Catholic Church in progressive Europe. Majority of the inhabitants of Papal states during this time did not like the church’s abuses. Majority of them wanted to live free from its clutches. Jews found themselves in the confines of poverty, abuse, and antisemitism in the slums of Rome. Life for them was beyond unbearable. Worst of all was that they lived in fear that their children may be taken from them forcibly, baptized under Roman Laws, and they would be raised as a Catholics.
During earlier years, the election of Pope Pius IX created much enthusiasm in Europe. But soon it faded as French revolution dominated the continent’s political arena. The separation of church and state was becoming increasingly popular. Consequently, Pope’s influence on people was decreasing. But Pope Pius did not shirk, he wanted more control within Europe and at the same time he expected Roman Catholics to have freedom in Russia and the Ottoman Empire. He also fought against anti-Catholic sentiments in Italy and Germany. When Pope’s life was threatened and became dangerous; he was guarded in seclusion by French forces. But after the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), the Papal States lost its protector in Emperor Napoleon III and came under control Italian rulers. But until this time, Pope Pius IX was a Sovereign Ruler of the Papal States and expected to be treated as a King. During his reign, the Pontiff made full use of his spiritual arsenal and warned that Catholics must not believe in freedom of religion, or freedom of speech or freedom press. He summoned the world’s bishops and cardinals, and addressing the conference, he condemned the godless forces that emerged from French revolution. He proclaimed that he alone would find spiritual solutions for people.
Many modern-day Christian conservatives blame the hippie culture and X-generation for turning away from God. Pope Pius IX felt the same way during his leadership. But in its absolutism, the separation of church and state is less meaningful as religions like Islam is making inroads and introducing its political ideology through teachings of its books and Sharia Laws. The state-of-affairs in the Middle East and other Islamic countries demonstrate how clergy have cleverly taken control of its masses by intimidating their governments.
Here is an opportunity to study the life of Pope Pius IX and take a journey through the history of Roman Catholic Church that paved the way for modern Europe. Following the death of Pope Gregory XVI (1831–46), the political climate within Italy was turning its tide against Catholic Church’s autocracy. The church was steeped in a factional division between conservatives and liberals. The conservatives favored the hardline stances and papal absolutism of the previous pontificate, while liberals supported reforms.
In this book, author David Kertzer chronicles the tumultuous life of Pope Pius IX and the fate of Catholic Church in progressive Europe. Majority of the inhabitants of Papal states during this time did not like the church’s abuses. Majority of them wanted to live free from its clutches. Jews found themselves in the confines of poverty, abuse, and antisemitism in the slums of Rome. Life for them was beyond unbearable. Worst of all was that they lived in fear that their children may be taken from them forcibly, baptized under Roman Laws, and they would be raised as a Catholics.
During earlier years, the election of Pope Pius IX created much enthusiasm in Europe. But soon it faded as French revolution dominated the continent’s political arena. The separation of church and state was becoming increasingly popular. Consequently, Pope’s influence on people was decreasing. But Pope Pius did not shirk, he wanted more control within Europe and at the same time he expected Roman Catholics to have freedom in Russia and the Ottoman Empire. He also fought against anti-Catholic sentiments in Italy and Germany. When Pope’s life was threatened and became dangerous; he was guarded in seclusion by French forces. But after the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), the Papal States lost its protector in Emperor Napoleon III and came under control Italian rulers. But until this time, Pope Pius IX was a Sovereign Ruler of the Papal States and expected to be treated as a King. During his reign, the Pontiff made full use of his spiritual arsenal and warned that Catholics must not believe in freedom of religion, or freedom of speech or freedom press. He summoned the world’s bishops and cardinals, and addressing the conference, he condemned the godless forces that emerged from French revolution. He proclaimed that he alone would find spiritual solutions for people.
Many modern-day Christian conservatives blame the hippie culture and X-generation for turning away from God. Pope Pius IX felt the same way during his leadership. But in its absolutism, the separation of church and state is less meaningful as religions like Islam is making inroads and introducing its political ideology through teachings of its books and Sharia Laws. The state-of-affairs in the Middle East and other Islamic countries demonstrate how clergy have cleverly taken control of its masses by intimidating their governments.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Book Reviewed: The Plant Messiah by Carlos Magdalena
Studying the Silent Extinction of Rare Plants
In ecology, extinction refers to termination of an organism or of a group of organisms. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, and the ability to breed and recover may have been lost before this point. This term is generally used with animal extinction, but there are very few ecologists who study plant extinction. In this book, environmental biologist Carlos Magdalena describes his studies across to understand how plant extinction are taking place, and how we can fix this silent extinction.
The factors contributing to their disappearance are varied and complex, but the consequences of their loss are immeasurable. The author explores the principle factors for extinction. In almost all cases changes brought about in the environment by humans; through deforestation, breaking the natural balance with the introduction non-native species of animals, and global warming.
Some of the interesting examples from this book includes; The jellyfish tree, is a critically endangered and endemic to the island of Seychelles. It has been suggested that these trees have been lost from the natural habitat of moist forests through competition with other species and climate change. Roussea simplex is native of Mauritius in Indian Ocean, where it grows in mountain forests. The flowers of Roussea produce copious amounts of nectar and are pollinated only by the blue-tailed day gecko. The fruit secretes a gelatinous substance that contains the minute seeds. The blue-tailed gecko licks up this secretion and disperses the seeds in its droppings. But a small ant introduced to Mauritius by colonists invades the flowers of Roussea and cover with clay to protect themselves. The ants sting blue-tailed day gecko from drinking the pollen and thus stopping pollination process. Trochetia boutoniana also known by its native Creole name Boucle d'Oreille is a shrub close to extinction, because the monkeys introduced into its natural habitat feed on plants blossom buds that effectively eliminated this plant species.
The book is not accompanied by illustrations or the photographs of plants becoming extinct in natural habitats. On the lesser side of science, I find the title of this book is somewhat outlandish, after all no one used this term for other renowned ecologists and environmental biologists.
In ecology, extinction refers to termination of an organism or of a group of organisms. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, and the ability to breed and recover may have been lost before this point. This term is generally used with animal extinction, but there are very few ecologists who study plant extinction. In this book, environmental biologist Carlos Magdalena describes his studies across to understand how plant extinction are taking place, and how we can fix this silent extinction.
The factors contributing to their disappearance are varied and complex, but the consequences of their loss are immeasurable. The author explores the principle factors for extinction. In almost all cases changes brought about in the environment by humans; through deforestation, breaking the natural balance with the introduction non-native species of animals, and global warming.
Some of the interesting examples from this book includes; The jellyfish tree, is a critically endangered and endemic to the island of Seychelles. It has been suggested that these trees have been lost from the natural habitat of moist forests through competition with other species and climate change. Roussea simplex is native of Mauritius in Indian Ocean, where it grows in mountain forests. The flowers of Roussea produce copious amounts of nectar and are pollinated only by the blue-tailed day gecko. The fruit secretes a gelatinous substance that contains the minute seeds. The blue-tailed gecko licks up this secretion and disperses the seeds in its droppings. But a small ant introduced to Mauritius by colonists invades the flowers of Roussea and cover with clay to protect themselves. The ants sting blue-tailed day gecko from drinking the pollen and thus stopping pollination process. Trochetia boutoniana also known by its native Creole name Boucle d'Oreille is a shrub close to extinction, because the monkeys introduced into its natural habitat feed on plants blossom buds that effectively eliminated this plant species.
The book is not accompanied by illustrations or the photographs of plants becoming extinct in natural habitats. On the lesser side of science, I find the title of this book is somewhat outlandish, after all no one used this term for other renowned ecologists and environmental biologists.
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Book Reviewed: Atticus Finch by Joseph Crespino
The Man Behind Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
This is the inspirational story of Atticus Finch, the father of author Harper Lee. Her celebrated work, “To Kill a Mockingbird’ narrates her life while growing up in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama and the racial practices of the rural south. This takes us back to 1936, when she was 10 years old and her father represented black defendants faced with criminal charges. The significant aspect of this story is that the intrigues are narrated with unflagging gusto of a ten-year-old girl; It is Lee’s unique style of artistic execution that so gripped the literary world.
In this book, Emory University Professor Joseph Crespino revisits the story as the biographer of this acclaimed character and examines Finch’s life. It turns out that Atticus Finch was a product of his time and upbringing. The culture and prejudices in deep south impacted some of his thoughts, but remained steadfast in his beliefs in justice, fatherhood and civic responsibility for his community and country. Harper Lee’s second book “Go Set a Watchman” made sense of her father’s mental processes of his time. And his own consciousness and responsibilities for his daughters. But Gregory Peck’s outstanding performance in exceptionally well screen-written movie stuck in the minds of movie fans. In 2003 the American Film Institute voted Atticus Finch, as portrayed in the movie as the greatest hero of American cinema. Readers like me saw the movie first and read Lee’s book later. But what is pivotal is that it stuck in the minds of people that Gregory Peck is the real Atticus Finch, and related Harper Lee’s story with the movie. In April 1963, Gregory Peck won the Academy Award in the Best Actor Category. And in the same month, Dr. Martin Luther King Wrote from Birmingham jail as how good intentioned white people involve themselves in the path of genuine racial dialogue and progress. He later admitted that Harper’s Lee’s “To Kill a Mocking Bird” had a moral force in racial tolerance. President Barrack Obama in his farewell address, reminded us the advice given by Atticus to his daughter Harper Lee that “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around it.”
Much of this book is focused on Atticus Finch, his inner thoughts and roots in rural south. Real-life comparisons with Lee's father, Amasa Coleman Lee (Atticus Finch) exists in the two differing versions in Harper Lee’s two books. Atticus was originally in favor of segregation but became more liberal later in life, changing his views to those of racial tolerance and human understanding. Tay Hohoff, Lee's editor At Lippincott is known to have played a significant role in the character development of the novel and particularly Atticus' liberal transformation. She re-wrote many passages to make it tender and touching in terms of human understanding. Harper Lee was also deeply affected by the well-known “Scottsboro Boys” criminal trial in 1931 when nine African American teenagers, ages 13 to 19 were accused in Alabama of raping two white women. The case was first heard in Scottsboro, Alabama; all but 12-year-old Roy Wright were convicted of rape and sentenced to death. The defendants had been denied an impartial jury, fair trial, fair sentencing, and effective counsel.
In Lee’s Mocking Bird, Finch takes a turn to his spiritual side. He handled highly controversial cases of defending black men in criminal trial, thus taking a stand against the established conventions. He despised mob-enforced rules, and denial of basic dignity of black population. He was deeply Inspired by his love of his children. Atticus Finch's defense of Tom Robinson has different endings in Lee’s two books. Tom Robinson was acquitted in “Go Set a Watchman” while in “To Kill a Mockingbird” his unjust conviction was shown because of prejudice among local population. This story was highlighted to show that Atticus was a righteous and progressive character. Atticus's patient teaching gives Scout (Harper Lee) a lesson; "get along better with all kinds of folks": she must remember to judge people on their intentions rather than their actions and put herself into the other person's shoes to understand them best. He talks to his daughter like she's an adult rather than a little girl. This part of the story is beautifully filmed in the movie and gives us a strong reason why Gregory Peck remained in the memory of so many fans of Lee’s literary work.
This is the inspirational story of Atticus Finch, the father of author Harper Lee. Her celebrated work, “To Kill a Mockingbird’ narrates her life while growing up in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama and the racial practices of the rural south. This takes us back to 1936, when she was 10 years old and her father represented black defendants faced with criminal charges. The significant aspect of this story is that the intrigues are narrated with unflagging gusto of a ten-year-old girl; It is Lee’s unique style of artistic execution that so gripped the literary world.
In this book, Emory University Professor Joseph Crespino revisits the story as the biographer of this acclaimed character and examines Finch’s life. It turns out that Atticus Finch was a product of his time and upbringing. The culture and prejudices in deep south impacted some of his thoughts, but remained steadfast in his beliefs in justice, fatherhood and civic responsibility for his community and country. Harper Lee’s second book “Go Set a Watchman” made sense of her father’s mental processes of his time. And his own consciousness and responsibilities for his daughters. But Gregory Peck’s outstanding performance in exceptionally well screen-written movie stuck in the minds of movie fans. In 2003 the American Film Institute voted Atticus Finch, as portrayed in the movie as the greatest hero of American cinema. Readers like me saw the movie first and read Lee’s book later. But what is pivotal is that it stuck in the minds of people that Gregory Peck is the real Atticus Finch, and related Harper Lee’s story with the movie. In April 1963, Gregory Peck won the Academy Award in the Best Actor Category. And in the same month, Dr. Martin Luther King Wrote from Birmingham jail as how good intentioned white people involve themselves in the path of genuine racial dialogue and progress. He later admitted that Harper’s Lee’s “To Kill a Mocking Bird” had a moral force in racial tolerance. President Barrack Obama in his farewell address, reminded us the advice given by Atticus to his daughter Harper Lee that “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around it.”
Much of this book is focused on Atticus Finch, his inner thoughts and roots in rural south. Real-life comparisons with Lee's father, Amasa Coleman Lee (Atticus Finch) exists in the two differing versions in Harper Lee’s two books. Atticus was originally in favor of segregation but became more liberal later in life, changing his views to those of racial tolerance and human understanding. Tay Hohoff, Lee's editor At Lippincott is known to have played a significant role in the character development of the novel and particularly Atticus' liberal transformation. She re-wrote many passages to make it tender and touching in terms of human understanding. Harper Lee was also deeply affected by the well-known “Scottsboro Boys” criminal trial in 1931 when nine African American teenagers, ages 13 to 19 were accused in Alabama of raping two white women. The case was first heard in Scottsboro, Alabama; all but 12-year-old Roy Wright were convicted of rape and sentenced to death. The defendants had been denied an impartial jury, fair trial, fair sentencing, and effective counsel.
In Lee’s Mocking Bird, Finch takes a turn to his spiritual side. He handled highly controversial cases of defending black men in criminal trial, thus taking a stand against the established conventions. He despised mob-enforced rules, and denial of basic dignity of black population. He was deeply Inspired by his love of his children. Atticus Finch's defense of Tom Robinson has different endings in Lee’s two books. Tom Robinson was acquitted in “Go Set a Watchman” while in “To Kill a Mockingbird” his unjust conviction was shown because of prejudice among local population. This story was highlighted to show that Atticus was a righteous and progressive character. Atticus's patient teaching gives Scout (Harper Lee) a lesson; "get along better with all kinds of folks": she must remember to judge people on their intentions rather than their actions and put herself into the other person's shoes to understand them best. He talks to his daughter like she's an adult rather than a little girl. This part of the story is beautifully filmed in the movie and gives us a strong reason why Gregory Peck remained in the memory of so many fans of Lee’s literary work.
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