A good book changes you in some way. And you’re a little humbled by it. This is one of those. I expect that if you weren’t there you can’t understand A good book changes you in some way. And you’re a little humbled by it. This is one of those. I expect that if you weren’t there you can’t understand the war in Vietnam, but Herr opens a window and gives you a glimpse into his experiences that just has to leave you staring off into space....more
Tim was there, and he's still processing, and his impressions and thoughts, dreams and nightmares spill onto the pages of this book. Tim was there, and he's still processing, and his impressions and thoughts, dreams and nightmares spill onto the pages of this book. ...more
Heard of Sutherland Quarterly books? Me neither. If this Paul Wells offering is a faithful representation, they're worth digging into.
Generally, CanaHeard of Sutherland Quarterly books? Me neither. If this Paul Wells offering is a faithful representation, they're worth digging into.
Generally, Canadians are extremely angry at Justin Trudeau. Why? He's a politician and in most ways they're a fairly homogeneous population. Trudeau struck a chord. He was young, elegant, energetic, athletic ... and more. He caught Canadian's imagination, and led his 3rd place party to power. He didn't stop there ... he caught the world's attention immediately with his progressive cabinet of newb's. He quickly enacted legislation focused on his three main election promises. I mean ... we were in love. And perhaps that's where he's different. We were optimistic ... we thought we'd picked someone who would get things done for us. And it really stung when he turned out to not be perfect, when he backtracked on voting reform, when he seemingly became two faced giving SNC Lavelin their "get out of jail free" card and burning one of his most feisty women MP's in the process, when he made announcement after announcement that never amounted to much. So now, in 2025, we're going to get even.
Paul Wells' book gives an accounting of Trudeau's victories and failures, his strengths and his weaknesses. It's undeniably a great time for this work to be coming out, and it's helped me to back away and take a fresh look at just what Trudeau's done, and at what he has to offer as he claims he'll run a fourth time.
Have a read ... then a think ... you may still reflexively vote against Trudeau rather than for anyone else ... but minimally you'll feel better doing it....more
As you consider this book, consider your goal. This book didn't meet my immediate goals. That's not to say it's a bad book, only that it wasn't what IAs you consider this book, consider your goal. This book didn't meet my immediate goals. That's not to say it's a bad book, only that it wasn't what I sought.
I came to it while working my way through a number of books and papers on "post String Theory" topics such as Noncommutative Geometry and Loop Quantum Gravity .. intent on catching myself up on work in the area through the past 20 years (as we collectively measure time). The jump from a work by Lee Smolin to this work by Carlo Rovelli was ... jarring. While the former (Three Roads to Quantum Gravity) was a relatively focused work, the latter is a diverse, unpredictable, and at times somewhat confusing wander through a myriad of topics. If you're a fan of lateral thinking, or if you like many simply are somewhere on the spectrum, The Order of Time may delight ... leading you through an interconnected series of tableau's suggesting how history, philosophy, religion, biology, physics and so much more can be seen to be tied into loose affiliation ... in time.
This isn't the first book by this author I've read, and it won't be the last. Now, I must consider how to read the next one in the best context ... after what? ... before what? ...more
For as long as I can remember (well maybe not quite that long, but you get the point) I've been a Vinyl Cafe fan. Even though the show and it's star SFor as long as I can remember (well maybe not quite that long, but you get the point) I've been a Vinyl Cafe fan. Even though the show and it's star Stuart McLean are now but a memory, it's still near and dear ... because it's a core part of how I think of myself as a Canadian. So I've gotta ask myself "how the HECK did I miss out on Rick Mercer for so long???" I mean I sorta new about This Hour has 22 minutes ... I think I caught the odd episode. I also sorta knew about The Rick Mercer Report ... I recall the odd back alley rant and I seem to recall (could be a dream though) some scene with Rick and Justin Trudeau out skiing. But it didn't really "land" for me if you know what I mean. That is until I began reading Rick's memoir's. This one's the second. I started with the first one ... that's how I roll. And ohhhhhh mygod have I been missing out. Rick's a gem. I read this one in under 24 hours, I just had so much fun. I kept saying "each chapter's a story, like a weekly broadcast, I should read one then set the book aside for a while and let each chapter marinate. I just couldn't. Now I'll likely have to read it all over again, but slower this time!...more