The Emperor Has No Clothes
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My 14 y/o daughter was given this title as a summary reading assignment for freshman English. I picked up the book and thought that I would read it before her so we could talk about it. I'm a 50 y/o very well-educated man who spends at least an hour a day reading. This book is INCOMPREHENSIBLE and I couldn't get past the first 5 pages much less understand what I actually read.
Trying to read this book is like trying to read a book while the lights go on and off, being sprayed with water, while your chair spins around and around with someone screaming obscenities in your ear. It's not worth the effort or time.
There is a reason for "rules" in writing, speech, etc. that have evolved over a million years. Human beings are only capable of grasping 3-5 "chunks" of information at a time. The stream of consciousness, rambling on with sentences a half a page long, bad grammar displayed in this book violate every principle of human communication and can only be considered a "style" by those who think the emperor wears beautiful clothes when in fact he wears none.
4048372
There are certain historical figures that are nearly impossible to get to know in anything approaching an objective sense. Something about them compels us to a judgement. Julian the Apostate is  one of those rare figures who forces us to react emotionally -  no matter  how objective we think we are. And our reaction often says more about who  WE are, than about the object of our judgement.

 Flavius  Julianus was the last pagan Emperor of Rome. He briefly attempted to  reverse the ongoing Christianization of the Roman Empire begun by his  detested uncle, the Emperor Constantine.  He failed miserably and died  young, but his attempt to reverse the cultural tides of his day will always  fascinate any who encounter Julian and his century.

 Glen  Bowersock's book is a classic example of 20th Century historical  revisionism. The historical consensus concerning Julian since the time of  Gibbon and Voltaire has been cautiously admiring on the whole.  Bowersock  seeks to reverse that consensus by reinterpeting the abundant historical  evidence.  In doing so his dislike of Julian is displayed on nearly every  page. I can't go into detail here, but there are numerous instances in  which the author achieves a "new" interpretation by placing the  very worst construction on the evidence. In nearly every case he favors  whatever presents Julian in the least favorable light. Nowhere is this more  evident than in Bowersock's account of Julian's "usurpation" of  the title of Augustus in 361.  He strains every nerve to prove the mutiny  of the soldiers was engineered by Julian and his friends and that they lied  about it later, all against formidable evidence to the contrary.

  That being said, this is an interesting book.  The author does a good job introducing the historical context, and his scholarly account of the facts  of Julian's life is lively. Read the darn thing, but do yourself a favor  and read the best account ever written of Julian's reign, that contained in the Res Gestae of Ammianus Marcellinus. It is available in translation as a  Penguin paperback.  Ammianus served in Julian's army and was a balanced  witness of the Apostate's good and bad qualities. Julian was a complex man.  He was a soldier, emperor, scholar, orator, philosopher, even a political prisoner for some years, and a deeply  religious pagan.  He was also credulous, didactic, a fanatic, an egomaniac, and even a public nuisance upon occasion.  In the end however, our very  best witness, Ammianus, admired Julian greatly.  I must confess, so do I.
3966784
The war had seemed endless, but the Empire had finally won, and Captain Geradus Kathain was a hero. Unfortunately, he was a commoner, and many of the nobility saw him as a threat: instead of being showered with riches or granted a duchy, he was granted the Barony of Tulivar. Tulivar, situated in the far north of the Empire, abandoned almost fifty years before, and indifferently administered by the Count of Bell: north of Tulivar was nothing but mountains and the seashore; to the west was water; to the east was water; and to the south was the indifferent Count and his estates.  It was the most godforsaken spot in the Empire, and one of the poorest.

Accompanied by thirty of his men who had decided to chance their luck in his service and three mule-carts of valuables liberated from the ruins of the capital, Geradus makes his way north to take over his fief and make something of it. He faces no shortage of opposition: from his enemies at Court, from the savage mountain tribes, even from his own eccentric and somewhat pigheaded new subjects. Fortunately, he is not without resources, not least intangible ones: though certainly no saint, Geradus is a fundamentally decent, tolerant man with an instinctive understanding of people and economics, and an intelligent and pragmatic realist.

This is a ... quiet ... book. It is not a tale of great deeds; Geradus and his men have had their fill of great deeds. The scale is personal, not epic. (There is, to be sure, one fair-sized battle, but it serves as much to deepen the world-building as to advance the plot.) The book is about the challenges faced by Geradus as he tries to lift Tulivar from the sullen doldrums into which it has been driven by decades of poverty and neglect, and how he overcomes them, and most of these challenges are local and rather mundane. (One suspects that the author may have drawn a bit on his experience working in developmental aid in Africa.) It's true that schemers in the outside world drive a significant part of the plot, but they remain offstage: we see the Baron dealing with the results of their actions, not the actions themselves. Instead we get a good look at village politics; the irrepressible old market wife Netty intriguing in the Baron's behalf is especially delightful.

Geradus is undeniably a bit lucky, but if the author gives him a bit too much of a helping hand once or twice - his escape from the mountain tribes comes to mind - it's also true that he makes much of his own luck. Similarly, things may sometimes fall out a bit too neatly, but even then they do not fall out easily for Geradus and his friends.

The book's greatest strength may be the dialogue, of which there is a great deal. Several of the characters are quite memorable. The world-building could perhaps stand to be a bit denser, but there is enough to give a sense of a larger world outside the focus of the book and of as-yet-unseen depths to the world within that focus.

It is also a pleasant change nowadays to read a novel that is complete in itself.
4703943
It takes acute observation of a U.S. trained lawyer with great courage to pointing out:
"The (dying) emperor is without any cloth!"
This book is a must read for anyone who needs to deal with RPC yet do not wish to befall another victim of the new China syndrome.
It seems so convenient for most China "adorer" to neglect a cruel fact:
the rulers of today's China, are the same cadrer or the descendants of those who had concocted the infamous "Great Leap Forward", who were never punished.........
Since the publication of this book, neither Chinese government, its mouth pieces, nor those who appear offended by this book, had  produced any convincing evidence or facts to counter author's numerous conclusions or claims.
IMHO, ever since June 4th, 1989, China started its collapsing, will China's ruling party
have the wisdom to stop the collapse? or will China's collapse suddenly accelerate?
Gorden Chang has plotted some plausible trends for us.
2529710
Only four years after his critically acclaimed Animal Farm, George Orwell came back with another masterpiece in the form of Nineteen Eighty Four. Orwell, a British author, is known for his hatred and disgust towards a totalitarian society and social injustice. This novel clearly demonstrates the impurities and chaos that are brought about by such a dystopian society.
The story follows the life of Winston Smith, a state worker who has much secret hatred towards the "Big Brother Society." In the world in which he lives, citizens are forced to follow the strict rules of the society. Their state, Oceania, is constantly monitored by the government and by Big Brother, their "great" ruler. In this totalitarian state, the ruler controls all of the actions of his people and even their minds. He does much of this through propaganda and slogans such as the now famous, "Big Brother is watching you" (3).  The rulers also are trying to dispose of all unneeded words in order to get rid of all unorthodox thought. Winston Smith is one of the very few who secretly rejects the society and its laws. He believes that he should live his life in a more free way because the end of his life is approaching soon. As a result, Winston has a surreptitious, illegal relationship with a co-worker, Julia. This is a large step for Winston because he knows what he is doing is a great offense, but he does feel very comfortable and safe when he is with her.  For example, he states "...as they were actually in this room, they both felt, no harm could come to them" (152). Winston's life goes from good to horrible very quickly, and he is forced to live out the rest of his existence in physical and emotional pain.
The novel mocks the greed, selfishness, and utter craziness that an unstable government can cause if poorly run. Orwell shows through the odd and hectic life of Winston Smith. He grabs the reader's attention with Winston's secretive and mischievous acts. He describes the instability and corruption of a government at its worst. With Oceania being contently at war, one can recognize that the governments are constantly corrupt and the concept of having this "Big Brother" always watching over the citizens illustrates how the government has an unreasonable belief that citizens will rebel. After reading George Orwell's masterpiece, I believe that "Big Brother" culture is not as far fetched as I originally judged. Orwell's story completely changed the way I look at how a government can be run and makes me rethink how our country is being run now. Just a few bad decisions can cause chaos.
595118
Marcus Aurelius was the last of a group of "good" Roman Emperors.  His profile was raised most recently in the "Gladiator" film, where appears as a benevolent leader of an increasingly corrupt empire.  If his thoughts as outlined in this document are any indication, then the movie portrayal Marcus Aurelius is not far from the truth.  These thoughts appear piecemeal as epiphanies written by the Emperor between 170-180 AD.  Aurelius considered himself a philosopher, which was the equivalent of a dedicated scientist in his day.  He believed in a life of humble service and dedication to improving the world around him.  His view of world included the need to better understand and forgive others for their shortcomings.  It is a window into the Romans view of how to ideally conduct themselves in public and private life that is incredibly fascinating.

The content and tone of these writings belies the fact that Marcus Aurelius governed an area that reached from Britain to Egypt (most of modern Europe and the Middle East).  "Alone of the emperors," wrote the historian Herodian, "he gave proof of his learning not by mere words or knowledge of philosophical doctrines but by his blameless character and temperate way of life." (From Wikipedia).  There is a tone and tenor to his writings that aligns well the Christian doctrines that will soon transform Europe.  "If any man has done wrong, then the harm is his own" (location 1403-7, Kindle Edition).

So much of the modern western world owes its foundation to the Roman Republic and Empire.  If you wish to better understand the decline and fall of modern republics (and empires), then all roads still lead to Rome as the model for the demise of democratic governments.  The distance of nearly 2000 years melts away and you might find yourself wishing for an opportunity to meet the man who many consider the greatest Roman Emperor.
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It is an axiom of nature that for intimacy, impression, or insight that both a male prong and a female receptacle are necessary. Such technical utility is carried over into even our electric plugs and wall sockets for illumination.

Which is why poignant critical works and reviews of President George H.W. Bush's presidency are the more useful volumes to turn to, for Rebel-in-Chief: Inside the Bold and Controversial Presidency of George W. Bush pierces nothing. This is a flaccid, feeble, vapid work.

Rebel-in-Chief is of the orifice-pressed-firmly-to-the-sphincter class of hagiography, and fails both on its merits and its mission. Barnes holds himself out as a suburban Republican everyman intellectual of the not-too-deep variety. Perhaps this is the most telling dimension of the work, for if Barnes and his doppelgangers are either seeking to understand Bush's vision with this critical appraisal, or are his last wall of apologetic defence it is a sure sign of a failed Presidency. Everyone remembers from college that at the first siren of real trouble the smiling and backslapping Future-Salesman-of-America disappear leaving the trash and evidence pinned on the dim, the confused, and those who arrived late. When the centre does not hold, a rough beast indeed slouches toward Bethlehem to be born, and then it is brutes who must clean up the mess.
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The emperor has no clothes.  Someone had to say it, and more and more scientists are choosing science over the religion of Darwinian evolution.  Many of the books exposing macro-evolution as a fraud are written by scientists, and a bit over my head; James Perloff is a superb author, and puts matters clearly, with plenty of evidence from evolutionists.  Only a totally closed-minded person would fail to be disturbed at the problems with evolution and the lies our children are being fed.
1760815
Nothing of value is free. Even the breath of life is purchased at birth only through gasping effort and pain.
Robert A Heinlein
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I don't understand how this man got elected president.  For the last four years, I have not felt like I have a president.  I don't think he is an American, I don't think he is a Christian.  I don't know why he isn't charged with treason against the U.S.A.

The book itself is well written.  But I still don't like what it says.  :-)
588317
The fabric used to make this shirt is beautifully colored and of high quality. The shirt itself, however, misses the mark. It runs at least one size too large and has no shape to it. It hangs like Uncle Fester's shapeless garment on the Addams Family. The image displayed on the website indicates a slight nipping around the waist; but, in reality, it hangs straight. It is very unflattering.
3745049
This book concerns the administrative and policy practices of the non-anglo segment of the British Empire.  The author contends that the hyper individualism of the choice of colonial administrators led an absence of coherent or even rational policy.  This in turn resulted catastrophe and morass the persists into the 21st century.  I'm pretty much convinced the author has a valid point.  It certainly modifies my evaluation of the empire.

Yet there remains some questions such as "had the Empire never existed would India as we know it even exist?" "What there be in place of India?"

The author notes the rigid social structure imposed and Hong Kong.  The colony was maintained as dictatorship on the theory that the inhabitants, both Chinese and western were satisfied so long as law and order prevailed and one could get justice from the courts.  Clearly a dismissive anti-democratic attitude by the British rulers.  >>>>And yet consider in how many places on this planet (even in the 21th century) that "law & order and assurance of justice from the courts" must look like annunaobtsinable utopian dream.
893091
A Stoic emperor who looked at life with a sober eye. There is much to learn from here.
3001566
Well, it's the Prince.  Not sure what you really want beyond that.  It is free, and it is the text.  No interactive links, no real fluff.  Just Machiavelli
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Published in 1934, poet Robert Graves's _I, Claudius_ tells the story of Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, known in Roman history as Claudius--an historian, a crippled stutterer, and widely regarded as an idiot.  Claudius is isolated from the treachery of the Roman court during the years immediately after the death of Christ, protected by the fact that no one takes him seriously enough to want to assassinate him. Ultimately, however, Claudius ascends to the throne of the Roman Empire in 41 A.D. and rules brilliantly until he is assassinated in 54 A.D.

Through the first person narrative of Claudius, Graves tells the story from the beginning of the Christian era until Claudius's death fifty years later, recording the horrors visited on the Roman people by his family's rulers. Claudius's grandmother Livia, widow of Caesar Augustus--and one of the most treacherous women in history--manipulates the imperial succession through poisonings, assassinations, marriages, and secret alliances. The reign of her son Tiberius is bloody, murderous, and corrupt.  His brother, the good soldier Drusus, is kept in foreign lands until he can be assassinated. Tiberius's succession by Caligula, his grandson and the protg of Livia, takes Rome into even more terrifying debauchery. Claudius's ultimate succession to the throne upon the death of Caligula, his insane nephew, is regarded as a joke by the court--the installation of an idiot who will not challenge the imperialists. Ironically, Claudius is discovered to be a republican.

This first person account, with virtually no scenes of direct action, defies the first rule of novel-writing: to recreate, not "tell about" actions. Here every aspect of Roman history is filtered through the mind of Claudius, who "tells about" all the action as he knows it. Claudius, however, is so perceptive and so full of fascinating information about the characters and their motivations, that the reader creates his/her own action scenes from the information revealed by Claudius. Through Claudius, whom the reader comes to admire, the reader is able to evaluate what is happening in ways that direct-action scenes, with all their superficial excitement, do not allow.

Characters are complex, fully developed humans, instead of cardboard, costumed "ancients," and their machinations, though extremely bloody, show the conflicts that occur when absolute rule and republican sentiments contend for dominance, a conflict in which Graves says he saw parallels to World War I and its aftermath.  Giving a new view of Claudius from what had traditionally been accepted, Graves's portrayal is historically accurate (based on then-new information) and psychologically perceptive, a brilliant novel which sets the standard for historical fiction. n Mary Whipple
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History of Cleopatra has been marinated in propaganda. Octavian used her as political collateral in his rivalry with Marc Antony and Hollywood re-energized her myth with the gluttonous 1963 epic co-starring Elizabeth Taylor's cleavage. With minimal archeological evidence available, Joann Fletcher, archeologist, tries to piece together a coherent biography of Cleopatra. For the most part, she fails; the book is overly academic and not coherent. Apparently, there is a paucity of actual primary information about Cleopatra. Much of this book constructs Cleopatra's life based on forms and styles in Egypt at the time she was alive.  Much of the tapestry of Cleopatra's life is built on Dr Fletcher's knowledge of Egyptian body adornment such as wigs, perfumes, cosmetics, and jewelry. The book is highly reliant on mummification and burial practices.  Based on the few remaining coins and statues that harbor Cleopatra's likeliness, it is clear that Cleopatra was no beauty queen, or at least not in the ilk of Elizabeth Taylor. However, there is enough circumstantial evidence to suggest that she was powerful, ambitious and intelligent. Compared to the average Roman female, she was sexually liberal; she was empowered to participate in sex as a quasi-political activity. Apparently, there is evidence that Cleopatra was quite fertile and sired progeny of Marc Anthony and Julius Caesar. Unfortunately, much of the legendary histrionics between Marc Anthony and Cleopatra are impossible to corroborate. Likely, Egypt was rich in resources and any emperor caught in a power struggle would likely find an advantage to an alliance with Egypt.

Cleary, Cleopatra was an active political player both in Egypt and in the Roman Empire. At home, the sibling rivalry among the ruling family was so intense that you were either ruler or you were dead. Cleopatra was neither the oldest sibling nor the youngest, but she survived long enough to outlive the others and take the throne. An ambitious monarch, she was interested in an alliance with the larger and expanding Roman Empire. Her first tryst with a Roman power broker, Julius Caesar, got her out of exile and permitted her to ascend to the throne over her brother's dead body. When Julius was assassinated, she quickly allied herself with Caesar's logical successor, Marc Antony. But after that, much of what has been handed down through time is the product of Octavian's propaganda machine. Octavian did not want to antagonize Antony directly in fear of starting a civil war. So, he villainized Antony's ally and lover, Cleopatra. Despite Octavian's ferocious attacks, Cleopatra's plan for apotheosis was solid but went sour at Actium.  The catastrophic loss led to Antony's exile and subsequent suicide.  Cleopatra soon followed, although how she actually did the deed is open to conjecture. Conventional wisdom of the times was that she allowed herself to be bit by an asp, although Dr Fletcher does not think this is feasible. Again, to the victor go the spoils. After Antony's and Cleopatra's death, Octavian revised history to suit his needs. The true Cleopatra will always be veiled in secrecy.
1501175
A moving personal account of politics and administration of Emperor Haile Selassie's government by an Ethiopian that was "there" during key defining times. This book may be difficult to swallow for people that  blindly worship Emperor Haile Selassie the legend as the author  demonstrates his respect and love for Ethiopia and it's traditions  including the monarchy as an institution, but not necessarily the monarch  who did not live up to the author's expectation of someone holding this  high position.
One of the themes of this book is that the erosion of  the value and respect for the great Ethiopian tradition in lieu of foreign  traditions, contributed the downfall of Imperial Ethiopia. The author backs  this up with numerous tangible examples, but chooses as the basis for the  title of the book one symbolic example of how the emperor who was once  represented in Ethiopian traditional clothes was later decked out in a  British military uniform at a wax museum. The title is quite fitting as the  book also focuses on the people surrounding the emperor - an interesting  analogy with Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor 's New  clothes" for those familiar with this book.