Christopher F. Wilson

Excellent Historical Fiction

Revisado: 12-26-24

Upton Sinclair’s End of the World is a bold and multifaceted novel that explores the turbulence of early 20th-century society with remarkable foresight. Ahead of its time, the book addresses themes of homosexuality, breaking taboos while offering insights into evolving sexual norms. Sinclair’s keen eye for detail shines in his vivid portrayals of the Cote d’Azur’s elegance, French manners, and the rigid social structures of the English aristocracy. The narrative delves into the causes and chaos of World War I, providing a clear-eyed examination of its unfolding, the diplomatic hurdles of the Treaty of Versailles, and the role of espionage and emerging communist ideals.

Sinclair’s characters navigate a world of shifting values, balancing the personal and the political. His depiction of diplomacy and the machinations of spies adds intrigue, while his exploration of societal ideals remains relevant. However, the novel’s occasional fat-shaming feels dated and detracts from its otherwise progressive outlook. Despite this, End of the World stands the test of time, offering a richly layered narrative that informs and captivates. It is both a window into its era and a mirror reflecting the complexities of human ambition, prejudice, and resilience.

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Thoughts Provoked

Revisado: 07-21-24

How could slavery have been ended in the US without loss of 750,000 lives? The financial cost of the war was significant, totaling an estimated $5.2 billion. The average price of a slave sale in 1860 was $800 (a “prime field hand” would be be worth about 50% more, other classes of slaves could be less). So if US could have laid hands on enough to buy all 4 million slaves ($4 billions), and set the people free, they could have saved $1.2 billion. So civil war was not precisely about slavery versus both sides not properly understanding the value of freeing the enslaved people. Liked the discussion of Seward refusing to deal with commissioners from the South because what would other countries think. Super large mistake. Also probably a huge mistake to never visit the South and then pretend to know how to manage secession. Southerns were idiots like Trump supporters are idiots. What this book sheds light on is how to deal with a large outbreak of idiocy. When people go down the rabbit hole, one still needs to study discuss manage apply golden rule. Patience and persistence compassion empathy equanimity and living in the moment remain crucial. Avoid being drawn in to horrible disaster, like civil war. Even when dealing with an outbreak of idiocy. Remember the power of money and the free market. Suppose L had met with commissioners and agreed to recognize the CSA? Then allowed or encouraged the rest of the world to buy up the 4 million enslaved people to set them free. If the price per person went up to say $2000, planters would be better off selling, then hiring free workers of the sort readily available in the north and the rest of the world.

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Eye opening

Revisado: 12-20-23

Learned a ton about history geography economics politics architecture music conflicts wars oppression. Italy as well as Normans Spanish Austrians Communists Croatians Yugoslavs. Triumphs as well as setbacks. Things to emulate at the commune level as well as mistakes to avoid at international and national levels. Like being informed before making my 3d or 4th journey through parts of Italy. Helps explain what all those commemorative street names and statues are about.

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Excellent Recommendation by Bill Gates

Revisado: 06-15-23

If ever in doubt about unjust enrichment from slavery, and why reparations could be fair, listen to this. Great history, journalism, economic analysis. Lots of sources cited. Not axe grinding so much as setting the record straight. Would like to have more courses taught about this part of world history, not less. Sorry to say the white supremacy ideas are still around and need to be challenged by works like this. Did not realize what connection there was between economic powerhouses in Africa and Brazil and Caribbean and the Mississippi Delta and black slavery and warfare since 1500. Without devastating losses by France in Haiti, Louisiana Purchase might not have happened. If Napoleon had not elected to be a racist, US slavery might have died out with no Civil War. Did not get that Haiti in late 1700s was more economically prosperous than all of the North American colonies. Barbados was worth more than Canada. Jamaica was worth more than North America. Did not get how much England, Portugal France and Spain owed their economic successes to slavers and slaving, as did the US in 1810-59. There is some tendency to be quasi-Marxist about how labor is the only important factor of production (management equipment land are considered relevant but never of equal importance). Still, great research and insight from start to finish.

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Egyptian & fun

Revisado: 05-30-23

Well written, witty, good stuff about Egypt. Family of detectives and Egyptologists sorting out crime issues.

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Amazing Journey through genomics around the world and through millennia

Revisado: 03-23-23

Love the discussion about how populations moved into and out of Africa & North America, about ghost population in South America, about things that probably did not happen (eg polynesian outriggers to South America). Also interesting about how India became mixed as it is, how genome study proves caste system is millennia old, how endogany has profound impact on genomes, as does conquest and subjugation. Good discussion of racist misuse of genomics, respecting remains, what future study may reveal. Sorry to say genomics still needs a “for dummies” book. Still not clear to me where chromosomes fit in between alleles and genomes. Lots of known unknowns for this reader. Still grateful that Harvard professor took the time to provide a primer as if talking to a curious neighbor or relative.

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Excellent and Practical

Revisado: 01-18-23

Like the helpful review of what went right and wrong as we dealt with Covid, and who needs to do what when and where to protect us from pandemics going forward. Sorry to say the challenges are huge, though not as huge as challenges in dealing with climate change. Thankfully BG quantifies as he goes along, like $20 billion spent to get Covid vaccines developed, $1 billion a year to staff GERM for WHO level responses to outbreaks, and $40 billion a year to get global healthcare up to BG standards. All quite affordable compared to defense budgets and costs of pandemics. Hope the book gets things done.

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Great story

Revisado: 12-18-22

Liked the concepts characters story. Post pandemic light sci fi. This author can dash off a 7 hour novel in 3 months. Amazing.

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Lots of Interesting Facts About What OSS Did

Revisado: 10-02-22

Liked learning of history of OSS. If it is even half true, amazing stuff. Interesting about Finns as code breakers (including US Russian and British codes, mass hiring of German spies focused on Russians, intelligence failure tied to excluding OSS leading to Battle of Bulge surprise. Also interesting discussion of MO (morale operations) including lies to mislead Germans. Similar to what is done against the US these days. Dirty business, but deciding to abolish the OSS was probably wrong from a statecraft perspective. Sorry to say there were numerous reports of summary executions and war crimes by the OSS. Nothing to brag about, but not a huge surprise. Thankfully author seems to have gotten first person accounts from firmer OSS members.

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Great Intro to Ancient Egypt

Revisado: 07-28-22

Liked the discussion of history, art, architecture, and why Egyptian culture was influential for Persians, Greeks and Romans. Explains why cultural DNA of Egypt can be found in current beliefs/ideas like resurrection, Catholic trinity, clerics as major land and wealth holders (eg Catholic & Mormon traditions), standing armies, clerics portrayed as good shepherds, clerics portrayed as spiritual monarchs (pope’s crown), monotheism. Sorry to say 4 hours on mummified people & pets was a lot for me, though perhaps not for other students. Good tips on Egyptology groups to join, and things to read for further study. Great PDF with detailed notes. Thanks for getting our travel group more prepared for our upcoming trip to Egypt.

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