Review: How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States

How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel Immerwahr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a superb book! Now, anyone who regularly reads my reviews knows that I like a good title, so I'm not ashamed to say that it was the title which was the hook for me. I mean, I took American history in school, but it isn't a major focus for me, but I was interested in this attempt to look at American imperialism, which is tricky subject, given that the Americans spend so much time denying their imperialism.

Immerwahr's approach is an interesting one, focusing primarily on how the Americans acquired an empire after the Spanish-American War and how they did their best to pretend they didn't. It follows that particular trick of the collective mind by tracking American relationship with their 'empire' right up to 9/11. Immerwahr's analysis is insightful, but the best sections are when he considers the creation of the pointalist empire of the post-World War II era, where the focus shifted from the acquisition of resources from colonies, to the creation of bases to safeguard American interests. Immerwahr makes the really interesting and convincing argument that it was the development of synthetics for many necessary items for industrialisation, which made this approach possible. Less depending on rubber or other natural products in Asia/Africa, the US was able to pursue de-colonization for itself and push it allies into following suit, while also maintaining an empire, which it could still deny.

Immerwahr is preceptive and a really wonderful story-teller/writer. He's well worth reading.

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Review: The Space Between Us: Conversations About Transforming Conflict

The Space Between Us: Conversations About Transforming Conflict by Betty Pries
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I love this book. I don't say that very often, but this is an excellent book on how to deal with conflict, from a mediator with a contemplative bent. So, I know, given my reading list, probably not surprising that I'm so enthusiastic about this book.

What I love about this book is that it isn't just a list of types and typologies, as so many of these books so often are and which can come off as how to manipulate everyone into a peace, which isn't especially peaceful. What Pries offers is an approach which looks at disagreements and conflicts as a chance to reflect on the kinds of relationships and commitments we take on and how we can learn from the conflicts which can so easily breakout even among those approaching each other in good will. She considers conflict theory, but infuses mindfulness and contemplative spirituality to help us monitor the inner landscape of us in conflict. It offers a truly human-sized way of approach conflict.

The tone of the book is both reflective and hopeful in a way that one doesn't find all the time. Pries is compassionate, even with the most difficult conflict, and really lives out the hope that conflict can lead to greater insights into ourselves and our relationships. I love that vision and I'm sure I'll be re-reading this book in the near future.

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Review: Nelson's Trafalgar: The Battle That Changed the World

Nelson's Trafalgar: The Battle That Changed the World by Roy A. Adkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an odd choice for me, I have to admit. Well, not the naval history nor necessarily the British navy, but it is quite early. I'm not especially interested in the 18th and 19th centuries and wooden ships are not especially interested for me. But, well, Trafalgar is Trafalgar, so I thought I'd try.

Adkin's book is an exciting read, based as it is both on the official reports of the battle and its leadup, but also on journals and an excellent understanding of the social history of the era. In fact, I'd say that the latter was the most interesting for me because Adkins does a really good job in giving a sense of what it was like on these wooden men-of-war, from basic living conditions to how they are fought. The result is a book which isn't just an account of a rather messy battle, but giving a vivid sense of warfare in this age (which, like any warfare, is horrific in its own particular way).

And, of course, Nelson looms large over the narrative. One can't really escape Nelson, of course, at Trafalgar and it was interesting to have a look at his biography again. I'm not sure Adkins fully makes Nelson feel human-there is still a lot of idolizing to cut through in the sources. But the picture is more 3D than most treatments.

This is a fascinating book of a fascinating episode in the history of European imperialisms. Trafalgar is still an icon for the British and still studied because of that. This book is a good contribution to that study.

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Review: Open Mind, Open Heart 20th Anniversary Edition

Open Mind, Open Heart 20th Anniversary Edition by Thomas Keating
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first of the books by Thomas Keating, a Cistercian monk in the US, who was very active in the Centering Prayer movement in the 70s and onwards. Open Mind Open Hearts is a classic in the genre and offers an introduction to contemplative prayer in general and to Centering Prayer in particular. Keating is erudite, but gentle in his approach. It isn't especially an easy read, but it is a good one, especially for those interested in prayer.

One of the things that I like about this book is that Keating keeps the instruction relatively short and ends each chapter with a series of questions which really illuminate the topic. Given that we are talking about prayer, which is a notoriously difficult topic to engage in because of the danger of making all of it seem abstract and unreachable, the question and answer style really helps with explaining the application of the Centering Prayer that Keating is most focused on.

For those interested in contemplative prayer, especially in its Christian form, this book is an essential read. And it well worth the effort.

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Review: Humility Rules: Saint Benedict's Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem

Humility Rules: Saint Benedict's Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem by Augustine Wetta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book because it was mentioned in a podcast on Benedictine spirituality (I can't even remember who the speaker was) and recommended highly. So, on my last online book buying spree, I added it because humility interests me. That seems odd because humility doesn't have the best rap, not unfairly because it is frequently used as a way to silence people or a highly useful tool for self-flagellation. But humlity, real humility, isn't a weapon to be used against oneself or someone else, but, as another speaker I ran into on a monastic site, 'knowing the truth about oneself- one's abilities and gifts, but also one's liabilities and weaknesses. And that is worth exploring for this middle aged guy, amid the competing demands for my attention that the world gives.

Augustine Wetta, a monk at St. Louis, Abbey, Missouri, provides a series of reflection on the well known section on humility in Benedict's Rule. The reflections combine connections to other parts of the Rule, scripture and his own experience. Wetta's writing is engaging and, sometimes, quite funny, but also manages moments of profundity. I used them as nighttime reflections, but that may not always fit. They were good to settled down to in the evening.

This book is worth keeping around (despite the instruction in the conclusion to give it away- I didn't :)) as a book of reflections, so that's what I'm doing. If you are drawn to Benedictine spirituality, this is worth reading.

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