What a delightful adventure full of quarks, riddles, puzzles, and misfits learning to be friends. Every character is unique and has something to overcWhat a delightful adventure full of quarks, riddles, puzzles, and misfits learning to be friends. Every character is unique and has something to overcome.
I recommend this work. When I started it, I had no idea what to expect, and it keeps you on your toes all the way through. ...more
This book is pretty hilarious. You can tell it is a lot of his favorite stories that he could only tell to close friends for a long time. Now that he This book is pretty hilarious. You can tell it is a lot of his favorite stories that he could only tell to close friends for a long time. Now that he is out of politics he doesn’t care and he shows it.
I admit that it reminded me of the couple of times when I was in meetings with him when I first worked in DC.
Wild ride with crazy and maybe some worthwhile insights. Maybe. ...more
Like many people, I was traumatized by watching the movie Watership Down as a kid. I don’t remember why I was traumatized, but it was scary for littleLike many people, I was traumatized by watching the movie Watership Down as a kid. I don’t remember why I was traumatized, but it was scary for little me.
The book is a classic, so I decided to buckle down and face my fears.
It was actually pretty great… and not traumatizing.
I really like the three main characters: the leader, the prophet, and the fighter. The way they learn to trust each other and lead their fellow rabbits through many dangers produces tight knit friendships and shows loyalty, care, and bravery in many forms.
While it is “just a story about rabbits” there are serious political, social, and philosophical themes that push back against totalitarianism, embrace thinking outside the box, finding strength in friendships with others not like yourself, and the value of learning how to deal with differences of personality among your friends.
What a life! While it was short, it had a huge impact on so many.
To top it off, written by his wife who could celebrate both his vast accomplishmentsWhat a life! While it was short, it had a huge impact on so many.
To top it off, written by his wife who could celebrate both his vast accomplishments in the public eye and talk about his individual moments with family and friends.
I love that he played board games and took time for the little joys and rose to be the impactful chaplain of the United States Senate. What an unlikely immigrant story. ...more
I loved this book! It shows the ideas that shaped a man that in turn continues to shape the world around him. I know understand more deeply why I eachI loved this book! It shows the ideas that shaped a man that in turn continues to shape the world around him. I know understand more deeply why I each time I read one of his books, I feel like I’m not just intellectually maturing, but I feel the wisdom of his careful thinking and the words he shares. In some people’s estimation he can come across as having too much heart for the stereotypical conservative economist, and for others it is remarkable doesn’t let easy answers satisfy him. He digs deep, refuses to let a party line content him, and now I know a little more why this man is one of my heroes. ...more
In the pages of this book are art, wisdom, and the gentle prodding to let the reader grow. This is the best book find in the last year.
From what I picIn the pages of this book are art, wisdom, and the gentle prodding to let the reader grow. This is the best book find in the last year.
From what I picked up from the book, the author is Dutch born, becomes a Harvard professor, loves art, and then leaves his comfortable life to become a pastor at a home for handicapped adults.
The challenge of this book is to take the story of the prodigal son and see all the ways we fit into this parable. One third of the book applies the realities of the story to us and how we can and should relate to the prodigal. It is beautiful and transforming.
The second third of the book reflects on how we can and should relate ourselves to the older brother of the story. And how that needs to also matter when we engage this tale. It is hard hitting and full of glorious imagery and redemption.
And finally, the last third of the book engages how we need to also relate to the father in the story and let ourselves grow let that reality also shape our lives. This part is deep and challenging, but the challenge is made deeply beautiful because it is a challenge made out of love.
I cannot do this work justice. But I will be returning to the truths of this work in my mind for years to come, and I cannot wait to read it again! ...more
Haha. I loved this wild ride. It is a great little story of zany adventure. It really leans into the spirit of someone telling a wide ranging tale thaHaha. I loved this wild ride. It is a great little story of zany adventure. It really leans into the spirit of someone telling a wide ranging tale that gets crazy but centers around a practical moment.
I quite enjoyed when he borrowed the milk from himself. But the big question was quite predictable.
Really solid history. Focuses on archaeological finds and does a good job of interpreting it and giving commentary on the seemingly distant finds.
WhiReally solid history. Focuses on archaeological finds and does a good job of interpreting it and giving commentary on the seemingly distant finds.
While he does well with the limited knowledge that is available, it doesn’t come together in a compelling story. Like the most accurate history, it is fairly fragmented. ...more
I got this book because I heard the author interviewed on a podcast and it was legit probably the best podcast episode I ever listened tLove it! But..
I got this book because I heard the author interviewed on a podcast and it was legit probably the best podcast episode I ever listened to. So I immediately got the book. The author is extremely personable in an interview (he is an ambassador for Hungry). In the interview each story had life and feeling. In the book it seemed too focused on facts and figures and the heart was lost.
It was refreshingly real and the advice is simple to understand (if sometimes difficult to relate to if you are not a royal—oh. Did I forget to mention that the author is a Hapsburg? Yeah. Those royals that were emperors, Saints, Archdukes, and princesses…). So, advice like “Believe in the Empire and in subsidiarity” doesn’t seem practical to a 21st century American, but once he explains it, it actually becomes quite practical and speaks to the importance of local governments.
As a Christian who is not a part of the Roman Catholic tradition, I had to convert in my mind his Catholic references to the wider faith, and that was actually fun too. And it was refreshingly pushing an agenda that is his own. He didn’t write the book for any subgroups that I could identify. He just studies his family history and found some wisdom that he wanted to share.
As he says the family is not actually trying to restart the Holy Roman Empire (or are they?), but they are here to serve if ever called on. And until then, they are on Twitter. ...more
I’ve been sitting on rating this book for several weeks. This series is dark. I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it. But I went in knowing it would be I’ve been sitting on rating this book for several weeks. This series is dark. I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it. But I went in knowing it would be grim. So, I focused on seeking the good, the beautiful, and the true in it. And I am glad to say, I found it.
While the main character is no hero, he does grow on you. His moral core is broken enough to show that broke people do broken things, but he also knows when to make the realest sacrifice. The beauty in the story is the compelling way such a rotten character can find a form of redemption. (And how well written the world is). The good is found in the hope that hides under the surface and in a select few characters that show that self sacrificing nobility. And the true is shown when even a character as flawed and dark and this one, still must find his own path to absolution.
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