Five Books I Read in 2020
If you know anything about me, you know about my love for books. Books offer me inspiration, escape, entertainment, advice, and so much more.
2020 has been an annus horribilis in many respects. But for reading, it has been a godsend. It has given me more time to read. I have read 21 books so far, and I started many more than I finished. Here are five books I read recently and my reviews for them.
Enlightenment Now by Stephen Pinker
At close to 600 pages, and a deluge of data, this is not a fast read. The book is a paean to the Enlightenment movement of the 1800s, the movement that gave us ideas like democracy, capitalism, equal rights, and science, that modern life is built on. Like he did in The Better Angels of our Nature, the author wades through a lot of data to make the point that, contrary to popular belief, the world is better today than it has ever been. That is thanks to the progress we have made with science and a way of looking at the world that the Enlightenment movement birthed.
As I read the book, I found myself agreeing with and arguing with the author in turns. Yes, I agree that we have more peace now than a century ago. Yes, I agree that global inequality is declining. But, no, I don't agree that nuclear power is safer than other forms of power, just because we haven't seen as many fatalities with nuclear power generation yet. No, we can't simply dismiss the claim that there is systemic racism in the US because the data shows that cops shoot white and black people in equal rates. Still, I learned new things from the book - e.g., Climate Engineering is a thing - and any book that teaches you new things is worth your time.
"To the Enlightenment thinkers the escape from ignorance and superstition showed how mistaken our conventional wisdom could be, and how the methods of science-skepticism, fallibilism, open debate, and empirical testing-are a paradigm of how to achieve reliable knowledge." - Steven Pinker
Waking Up by Sam Harris
When I lived in Canada, I spent some time exploring various religions. I was trying to find one that was not steeped in rituals like the ones I had grown up with. Buddhism and its spiritual philosophy stole my attention. I started practicing meditation and taking part in Buddhist meditation meetups. But very soon, I got disenchanted. The practice of Buddhism seemed to have veered away from the purely spiritual to the frustratingly ritualistic.
When I read Waking Up by Sam Harris, I was reminded of what it was that drew me to Buddhism in the first place. It was Spirituality without Religion. A way to calm your mind, and understand yourself, without having to practice a hundred ways to circle a statue. Sam Harris's scientific background helps him stay close to sound principles and rational explanations of the Buddhist philosophy. If like me, you appreciate spirituality without the noise of the supernatural elements, you will enjoy this book.
"There is now little question that how one uses one's attention, moment to moment, largely determines what kind of person one becomes. Our minds-and lives-are largely shaped by how we use them." - Sam Harris
The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett
My first Ken Follett book was The Pillars of the Earth, a 1000+ page novel about a community of English townspeople building a cathedral in the middle ages. The book was so well-written and researched that I instantly became a fan. Subsequently, I tried to enjoy many sequels by the author. I am sad to say, I was consistently disappointed.
When I learned about his latest book, The Evening and the Morning, I let myself hope once more. This book is a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth, and I hoped like I would hope for a sunny day in the middle of winter that it would be good. Alas, once again, I was disappointed.
The book is still a fast read. You learn about the beginning of the middle ages - replete with Viking attacks, corrupt priests, brothels teeming with STDs, highway men, slaves, and LOTS and LOTS of physical and sexual violence. Despite getting all that right, somehow, Follett manages to screw it up. There are many anachronistic and unbelievable characters, too much pedestrian writing, and predictable plotlines. I'd recommend the book only if you want to escape to a different century (which you might, given it is 2020), or looking for a quick read. For me, it is a 3 out of 5 stars, and even that is a stretch.
Upheaval by Jared Diamond
Jared Diamond is another author that doesn't quite do it for me. I enjoy learning about different cultures and the anthropological journeys of various peoples from his books. I tried very hard to like his "Guns, Germs, and Steel". But, to me, he oversimplifies, and like Pinker, uses data selectively to make his points. His writing rambles and I find myself wishing he had employed an editor.
In Upheaval, Diamond reviews six countries (Finland, Japan, Chile, Indonesia, Australia, United States) that have gone through various crises at different times in history. His approach is to draw parallels between personal crises and national crises and use a psychological way of analyzing national upheavals. I learned new things in the book, for sure: about Finland's attitude toward Russia, about Meiji Japan and how they handled a predatory, imperialist West, about the racist origins of Australia and so on. However, his repetitive 12-step analysis of crisis factors grated on me, and I was tempted to skim through much of it.
Many people I respect, including Bill Gates, adore Diamond's work. Give the book a read to see if you do.
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
The Splendid and the Vile is a non-fiction book about the years 1940-41 during the worst bombings of England by the Nazi Germany. Erik Larson's writing is stellar. Churchill comes across as a strong if a somewhat eccentric leader who led his nation to victory despite the momentous odds against it. Unlike Abraham Lincoln in the Team of Rivals, Churchill surrounds himself with allies and trusted supporters. Tea is legendary for strengthening English will, but Churchill strengthens England with words. He gives the English people lots of beautiful, strong, carefully crafted words, spoken dramatically on BBC radio addresses. The words rally the nation.
"I have nothing to offer but blood, sweat, and tears," he pronounces in one of his first addresses to the country, spelling out the nature of the struggle ahead. "We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle, nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools, and we will finish the job," he writes to the reluctant president of the US Roosevelt, urging him to get involved in the war.
No wonder Churchill came to be known as one of the best orators in history.
In the book, we also learn about his family - his free-spirited daughter Mary, his alcoholic son Randolph, and his rock, his wife, Clementine - and the parochial family dramas they find themselves in. We learn about various Nazi leaders and their mania. The war never feels decided. Just when it looks like England got a drubbing in a Blitz aerial attack, the English come back with valor. It's fascinating to follow these events in the book. If you are a lover of good writing, or you enjoy reading about leadership, or you like to read about World War 2 history, I recommend this book to you.
Posts about a few other books I read in 2020
Here are my other posts about books I read in 2020. All these books, I highly recommend.
Book Review: On Grand Strategy
Book Review: The Sixth Extinction
We are coming up on holidays soon. I wish you happy reading!