Sunday, February 24, 2002
The Viennese: Splendor, Twilight and Exile
by Paul Hofmann
Some genealogy research I've done recently has piqued my interest in the history of Austria. That is, Austria as it was when my grandmother lived there in the first part of the 20th Century. I had read a bit about the Austro-Hungarian empire in school, but it's only been in the past month or so that I realized how closely that tied in with my family history. So, when I searched the Seattle Public Library for books on Austrian history, this one caught my attention. It was a good read, but of course, it talks mostly about the famous, the rich, the movers and shakers of Viennese society. I don't know exactly where my great-grandparents fit into Viennese society (what is a Larbunernt anyway?) but for all I know they had never been to the opera or frequented the Viennese coffeehouses. Even so, it was intriguing to learn about the city of Vienna, a happening place back then. It can help me picture the life my ancestors had there, perhaps even give me insight as to why my great-grandparents would move there and why my grandmother would leave for America two or more decades later. Whether you love history or not, I would think this book is good waiting room material. If you do have an interest in history or Austria, it's even more worthy of a peek.
LibraryThing link
Some genealogy research I've done recently has piqued my interest in the history of Austria. That is, Austria as it was when my grandmother lived there in the first part of the 20th Century. I had read a bit about the Austro-Hungarian empire in school, but it's only been in the past month or so that I realized how closely that tied in with my family history. So, when I searched the Seattle Public Library for books on Austrian history, this one caught my attention. It was a good read, but of course, it talks mostly about the famous, the rich, the movers and shakers of Viennese society. I don't know exactly where my great-grandparents fit into Viennese society (what is a Larbunernt anyway?) but for all I know they had never been to the opera or frequented the Viennese coffeehouses. Even so, it was intriguing to learn about the city of Vienna, a happening place back then. It can help me picture the life my ancestors had there, perhaps even give me insight as to why my great-grandparents would move there and why my grandmother would leave for America two or more decades later. Whether you love history or not, I would think this book is good waiting room material. If you do have an interest in history or Austria, it's even more worthy of a peek.
LibraryThing link
Labels: WaitingRoomMaterial
Monday, February 11, 2002
Reading Between the Lines
by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
Some of the best books I've read are hand-me-downs from my wife. That is, books that she has read and told me about which I then read for myself. (I wish I could say I give her as many literary hand-me-downs as she has given me, but alas, I read too much brain candy. But I digress...) This one is a English professor's guide to English literature as viewed through a Christian worldview. It's purpose is to help Christians think critically about what they choose to read. Professor Veith looks at the value of reading, then surveys the forms (fiction, non-fiction, poetry) and modes (tragedy, comedy, realism and fantasy) of literature. He then finishes up with a brief look at the history of English literature, showing how popular woldviews of various times play out in society's literature. This book is by no means comprehensive -- Mr. Veith is concerned mainly with Christian writers and their work -- but it does show that there have been good Christian authors out there. Ones you might even find outside of a Christian bookstore. Y'all should check it out.
LibraryThing link
Some of the best books I've read are hand-me-downs from my wife. That is, books that she has read and told me about which I then read for myself. (I wish I could say I give her as many literary hand-me-downs as she has given me, but alas, I read too much brain candy. But I digress...) This one is a English professor's guide to English literature as viewed through a Christian worldview. It's purpose is to help Christians think critically about what they choose to read. Professor Veith looks at the value of reading, then surveys the forms (fiction, non-fiction, poetry) and modes (tragedy, comedy, realism and fantasy) of literature. He then finishes up with a brief look at the history of English literature, showing how popular woldviews of various times play out in society's literature. This book is by no means comprehensive -- Mr. Veith is concerned mainly with Christian writers and their work -- but it does show that there have been good Christian authors out there. Ones you might even find outside of a Christian bookstore. Y'all should check it out.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CheckItOut
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