The life of the mind

Almost Didn’t Happen

05.03.2012 Family

I’ve heard history described as “the story of things that almost didn’t happen.” It’s very easy to look back at the past and see an inevitability, a purpose. But if you look closely that purpose evaporates, pops like the thin soap bubble it is. There are so many near misses in history that it’s amazing [...]

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The Writer’s Life: Courage

04.05.2012 blogging

Even in these economically difficult times, it is easier to take a job, to work in an office or factory and to collect a paycheck, than it is to pursue the much more difficult path of living as an artist. Becoming an artist, a writer, is a courageous thing. You can’t be realistic and be [...]

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The Writer’s Life: Thinking

04.04.2012 blogging

Thinking is hard work. I’m not talking about the randomized stream of consciousness that some call thought. I’m talking about considered, ordered thinking. That’s exceptionally hard to do. Frankly, I can only do that on paper or at the keyboard. As a writer I am practiced at making notes, but also at the art of [...]

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Required Reading: Barbara Tuchman’s The Guns Of August

03.19.2012 Books and Literature

There’s a special pleasure that come from reading very good books. I can feel myself grow smarter, better, as I read them. I rarely feel smarter than when I read Barbara Tuchman. I recently received the newly released Barbara Tuchman: The Guns of August & The Proud Tower (Library of America). I have both books [...]

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Lots Of Places To Read

03.05.2012 Books and Literature

My wife, Diane, loves House Hunters on HGTV. Frankly, I can’t stand it. It’s hard to imagine something more boring than to watch other people shop for houses and complain and nitpick the ones that they see (plus, the whole thing is staged). I do, however, enjoy looking at houses in person, both visiting other [...]

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