The Dream of Perpetual Motion: a book review

The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer

This postmodern steampunk novel by Dexter Palmer was recommended by to me, but turned out to be somewhat disappointing. The themes of the novel have, I feel, been better explored elsewhere and, although I did laugh at the parody of Luce Irigaray, the characters and imagery failed to inspire me. Perhaps that’s because I’ve read so much fantasy and science fiction which was better.

On the other hand, several artists seem to have found inspiration in the book:

Palmer has written a brief essay about the origin of the novel. See SF Signal for another review.

The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer: 3 stars

Archivist Barbara

Photo from State Records Authority of New South Wales

I’ve been working on a “Archivist Barbara” for my niece. Included in the package: one magnifying glass, one doll, one list of alphabets, and some reproductions (to scale) of ancient manuscripts. I would have liked to have done a scale-model Rosetta Stone, but that turned out to be a little tricky.

You would think shops would stock a useful package like that ready-made; but it turns out that they don’t.

Milk wars

The United States seems to be going through a very strange debate about milk at the moment. While pasteurization has been taken for granted in most countries for over a century, the US allows the sale of “raw milk” in many states (but not its transport across state lines). Disease outbreaks caused by “raw milk” affect at least 90 people per year in the US, including several hospitalisations, the odd death, and a serious risk of miscarriage.

Recently, there seem to have been some police raids on unlicensed sellers of raw milk, which supporters have criticised in very strong (if not entirely accurate) terms.

It’s all rather incomprehensible from this side of the Pacific. Part of the US (probably the same segment that opposes vaccination) seems to instinctively mistrust all government advice, and there is also greater support for Randian libertarianism than there is in Australia, and probably a lower awareness of the once horrific diseases which led to pasteurisation in the first place. I don’t quite understand the law enforcement strategy either.

A taste for “raw milk” seems to be on the increase here in Australia too, although it isn’t currently legal, and a recent consultative review (although allowing certain “raw” cheeses) confirmed the ban. I certainly hope our debate will progress more smoothly than the US one.

Recent reading

Recently, I finished the following books (among others). Links go to my reviews. Books marked with ♥ (fiction) or ♦ (non-fiction) were particularly good:

• Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber ♦
• Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
• Citrus: A History by Pierre Laszlo
• Field Notes on Science & Nature by Michael R. Canfield ♦
• At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft ♥
• C. S. Lewis on the Final Frontier: Science and the Supernatural in the Space Trilogy by Sanford Schwartz ♦
• Think by John Piper
• Natural Experiments of History by Jared Diamond and James A. Robinson
• The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry ♥

Earlier reviews (fiction):

• Ukridge by P.G. Wodehouse
• Sovereign by C.J. Sansom
• A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories by Flannery O’Connor ♥
• Impossible Things by Connie Willis
• Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis ♥

Earlier reviews (non-fiction):

• Social Understanding by Jürgen and Christina Klüver
• The Secret Life of Birds by Colin Tudge
• Galileo by Mitch Stokes
• Modern Art and the Death of a Culture by H.R. Rookmaaker
• Terra – Tales of the Earth: Four Events That Changed the World by Richard Hamblyn ♦
• Philosophy, Science and the Sovereignty of God by Vern S. Poythress

Surprised by Oxford: a book review

Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber

I recently received a review copy of Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber (Thomas Nelson, 2011, 473 pages). A sample chapter (the prologue) can be found here. The book is very much written in the spirit of Lauren F. Winner’s Girl Meets God, with a touch of 84 Charing Cross Road.

The book was preceded by a warning email:

“We’d like to inform you that there is objectionable language in one paragraph on page 17 of the book...”

Well, that threw me. I didn’t expect strong language from a lecturer in Romantic Literature and mother of three young children. However, when the book arrived, the worst phrase on that page was “piano lesson.” Possibly they meant the word “bullsh--” in the prologue, but I think most readers can cope with that. Even the Apostle Paul used a similar word (in Philippians 3:8).

In this book, the author, who is Canadian, describes how (fortunate soul!) she was sent to Oriel College, Oxford on a Commonwealth Scholarship. On first arriving in Oxford, she can’t even find the university (I recall being asked once by an American visitor to Cambridge, “where is the university?”). Eventually, she stumbles (literally) through this gate, and finds beauty, literature, Mr TDH (Tall, Dark, and Handsome), and, most importantly, God.

Oriel College Main Gate, photo by “Alf”

The book is extremely readable, almost novelistic, and paints an absorbing picture of life as a female undergraduate at Oxford. As with C. S. Lewis, whose presence in the book can be felt, Weber’s conversion happened in stages. Only after many conversations does she even touch a Bible (regularly reading a pew Bible in St Mary’s Church, not wanting the commitment of a purchase, or the guilt of a theft).

St Mary’s Church, photo by “Ozeye”

In the end, Weber is baptised in the Isis, and finds a spiritual home through another door, at the Evangelical St Ebbe’s Church.

St Ebbe’s Church, photo by “Stemonitis”

I loved the quotes scattered liberally through the book. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

Other reviews of the book can be found at Parsonage Fence, Spirited Nerd, and Kirkus Reviews. The author’s own blog is at PressingSave.

Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber: 4 stars

I strongly advise people outside the US to take care when dealing directly with Thomas Nelson, however – in spite of repeated complaints, their shipping department still appears to have a hazy sense of geography, and thinks that “Australia” is a village in Northumberland. Which it isn’t.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book free from the publisher via BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.

Captain Blood: a book review

Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini

This vintage novel by Rafael Sabatini was recommended to me, but even without that, I don’t think I could have resisted the title.

The novel opens with a Caribbean exile after the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, and is based in part on the stories of Thomas Blood and Henry Morgan. Sabatini’s swash remains firmly buckled from the first page, in the style of, say, The Count of Monte Cristo. Perhaps that’s why the novel has been filmed several times.

On surprising a Spanish captain: “You flatter my Castilian accent. I have the honour to be Irish. You were thinking that a miracle had happened. So it has—a miracle wrought by my genius, which is considerable.”

Captain Blood is recommended to anyone, young or old, who enjoys reading about 17^th century piracy on the high seas.

For another review, see In Which I Read Vintage Novels.

Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini: 3½ stars

Blackout/All Clear

Blackout / All Clear by Connie Willis

Blackout/All Clear, the two-part novel by Connie Willis which I blogged about last year, has just won the Hugo Award for best science-fiction novel, on top of the Nebula Award it won last year.

All the more reason to read it.

Royal weddings

I’ve been reflecting lately on royal weddings. Often an occasion for national celebration, they are not always happy affairs. Poor Isabella of Hainault married Philip II of France in 1180 as a child of 10 – ridiculously young even by ancient standards (Philip himself was 14). Over the centuries, however, the the age of royal brides has gradually increased, as the graph below shows. Today, an age in the mid-twenties is normal.

In relative terms, however (that is, in deviation from the long-term trend), Diana, Princess of Wales was the all-time youngest, within my rather haphazard sample. Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark (née Mary Donaldson) was the second oldest. That may help explain Diana’s tragic story, and Mary’s greater ability to cope with the pressures placed on her.

The Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is one of my favourite museums, partly because it is curated so well. Each time I visit, there is something new: most recently an exhibit on WWI aviation.

Citrus: a book review

Citrus: A History by Pierre Laszlo

This fun little book contains everything you ever wanted to know about the history, economics, and properties of oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and other citrus fruit.

Somewhat unusually for a book of this kind, it even includes a number of recipes – for fried valencia orange slices, sea bass with tangerine juice, marmalade, tarte au citron, citrus sabayon, orange mousse, and a few other things. For example:

LIME CHUTNEY

12 limes, halved
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
4 hot green chilli peppers
1 inch ginger root
4 oz seedless raisins
7 green cardamom pods
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
4 dried red chilli peppers
1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
3 tablespoon coarse salt
1 lb light brown sugar

• Juice the limes. Discard 6 lime halves.
• In a food processor, combine remaining 18 lime halves, green chilli peppers, onion, ginger and raisins. Chop finely. Place mixture in a non-metal bowl.
• Open cardamom pods. In a heavy skillet, toast peppercorns, cardamom seeds, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and the dried red chillies for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Let the spices cool on a dry plate, then grind finely.
• Add spices, lime juice, sugar, and vinegar to the chopped fruit mixture. Stir thoroughly, cover, and let steep at room temperature for 2 days.
• On the third day, pour mixture into an enamelled pot (no stainless steel), add salt, and bring to a boil slowly. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
  
• Place in prepared clean jars. Close jars with a tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool place.

Still-Life, Jan Davidsz. de Heem, 1642

I found the chapter on art a little frustrating, though. There are many oranges in art and lemons in art, but authors who discuss such works should provide a few more illustrations. And equating oranges with “golden apples” in Greek mythology was rather dubious. But overall, I enjoyed reading this book.

Citrus: A History by Pierre Laszlo: 3½ stars

A Biblical view of government

I’ve been having a few interesting conversations about the role of government, and what the Bible says about it, and thought I’d make a few notes:

Ancient Israel and Judah

The Bible has “elders” in each city responsible for various judicial activities, including even the punishment of rebellious young people (Deut 21:18–21). The approved activities for kings include military activities (such as those of David), building palaces (II Samuel 5:11), settling disputes (I Kings 3:16–28), drafting forced labour (I Kings 5:13–18), international trade (I Kings 10:22, 28), and infrastructure construction (II Kings 20:20, II Chron 32:30). Ezekiel 34:1–10 also indicates a kingly responsibility to see that the sick are cared for.

King Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Egypt and Babylonia in Biblical Times

Genesis 41:33–39 seems to endorse Joseph’s plan to impose a 20% tax in order to prepare Egypt for an anticipated famine. Daniel 1:3–6 likewise seems to endorse the tertiary-level education provided to Daniel by the Babylonian state (though not the plans for him to eat from the royal table).

Daniel and his friends

New Testament

The New Testament gives very strong instructions for obedience to civil authorities: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1). Similarly: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (I Peter 2:13–14).

Judicial actions are explicitly endorsed (Romans 13:2–5), and paying taxes (to support the various activities of the Roman Imperial government) even more so (Matt 22:15–22, Mark 12:13–17, Luke 20:20–26, Romans 13:6–7).

A Roman denarius, possibly the coin in Matt 22:15–22 etc.

Of course, for those of us who live in democracies, we are part of the government, and we share in the responsibility to make sure that government actions are carried out appropriately and well, without taking over other social institutions.

Abraham Kuyper had this to say:

“... In this one thought are hidden both the light-side and the shady side of the life of the State. The shady side, for this multitude of states ought not to exist; there should be only one world-empire. These magistrates rule mechanically and do not harmonize with our nature. And this authority of government is exercised by sinful men, and is therefore subject to all manner of despotic ambitions. But the light side also, for a sinful humanity, without division of states, without law and government, and without ruling authority, would be a veritable hell on earth; or at least a repetition of that which existed on earth when God drowned the first degenerate race in the deluge. Calvinism has, therefore, by its deep conception of sin laid bare the true root of state-life, and has taught us two things: first, that we have gratefully to receive, from the hand of God, the institution of the State with its magistrates, as a means of preservation, now indeed indispensable. And on the other hand also that, by virtue of our natural impulse, we must ever watch against the danger which lurks, for our personal liberty, in the power of the State. ...

In a Calvinistic sense we understand hereby, that the family, the business, science, art and so forth are all social spheres, which do not owe their existence to the State, and which do not derive the law of their life from the superiority of the State, but obey a high authority within their own bosom; an authority which rules, by the grace of God, just as the sovereignty of the State does. ...

Does this mean that the government has no right whatever of interference in these autonomous spheres of life? Not at all. It possesses the threefold right and duty: 1. Whenever different spheres clash, to compel mutual regard for the boundary-lines of each; 2. To defend individuals and the weak ones, in those spheres, against the abuse of power of the rest; and 3. To coerce all together to bear personal and financial burdens for the maintenance of the natural unity of the State. The decision cannot, however, in these cases, unilaterally rest with the magistrate. The Law here has to indicate the rights of each, and the rights of the citizens over their own purses must remain the invincible bulwark against the abuse of power on the part of the government.” (Lectures on Calvinism #3)

Abraham Kuyper, 1837–1920

Field Notes on Science & Nature: a book review

Field Notes on Science & Nature by Michael R. Canfield (ed)

I fell in love with Field Notes on Science & Nature the moment I saw the cover (and some other stunning pictures) in a Wired Science post.

The book is a series of partly autobiographical essays, concentrating on the art of scientific observation and note-taking, and profusely illustrated with real drawings and notebook pages. Contributors include:

• Edward O. Wilson (foreword, on observing ants)
• Michael R. Canfield (introduction)
• George B. Schaller (sketching lionesses’ hunting patterns and pandas’ peregrinations)
• Bernd Heinrich (note-taking from his childhood onwards, and how observing a discarded leaf led to understanding a clever caterpillar trick)
• Kenn Kaufman (“one and a half cheers for list-keeping” and praise for a local bird checklist from the Wichita Audubon Society)
• Roger Kitching (some fascinating stories of fieldwork in Borneo, from his journal)
• Anna K. Behrensmeyer (lots of practical advice, with examples, on how to use a field notebook)
• Karen L. Kramer (helpful comments on anthropological observation)
• Jonathan Kingdon (the road to science from art school)
• Jenny Keller (a tutorial on scientific drawing, including how to draw a shell)
• James L. Reveal (a brief article on botanical notes)
• Piotr Naskrecki (computerised note-taking)
• John D. Perrine and James L. Patton (field notes as letters to the future)
• Erick Greene (a final collection of “how to” suggestions)

This wonderful book has certainly inspired me to take better notes. And to keep my eyes more open, because there’s a lot we still don’t know about the plants and animals around us. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in doing or teaching science, and indeed to anyone interested in the natural world.

Field Notes on Science & Nature by Michael R. Canfield (ed): 4 stars

“Typical” colours

Internet legend XKCD conducted a survey of colour naming in 2010, as I noted in a previous post. For saturated colours, the colour space was verbalised by his subjects as follows:

Xan Gregg of the JMP blog followed up with an interesting display of the XKCD regions, showing the colours best typifying the associated words. For the colours on the standard colour wheel, this diagram of mine shows XKCD’s division of the colour space, compared to the “standard” colour names. Dots show the most “typical” example of each colour, according to Xan Gregg’s analysis:

Two things stand out: first, “magenta” wasn’t part of most people’s colour world. Second, most people’s idea of standard “blue” differed from the standard position of “blue” on the colour wheel. Maybe we need more kittens to sort this out:

Carbon sinks

Apparently it’s a good thing to store carbon in a form which stops it from becoming atmospheric CO₂. Well, I’m doing my bit at home. But we could scale this idea up, and establish much larger carbon storage facilities. Libraries, we could call them.

A “weaker vessel” is not a ship

The phrase “weaker vessel” in 1 Peter 3:7 has often been associated with nautical metaphors for the supposed moral weakness of women (distinct, of course, from nautical metaphors based on Proverbs 31:14). “Barque of frailty” is a term for a prostitute which still appears in Regency romance novels (though it has been suggested that the term is of relatively recent invention). Hamlet long ago told us: “Frailty, thy name is woman!” But with what justification?

Literally, 1 Peter 3:7 can be translated as: “You men, [be subject] in the same way, living with [your wives] according to knowledge (gnōsis), giving honour (timē) to the woman as a weaker (asthenēs) vessel (skeuos).”

We have here a fragmentary sentence which continues and expands on the general command of 2:13 and the following verses (“Be subject to every human institution, in the Lord”). Specifically, husbands are being instructed here, I believe, to submit to their marriage vows. The phrase “according to knowledge” is rendered by the ESV as “in an understanding way,” while “weaker” is generally understood to refer to physical strength, not moral weakness.

And on top of all that, the word “vessel” (σκεῦος) does not in fact mean a ship, but a household utensil. That is, “vessel” in the sense of “pot.” A beautiful thing, especially in those days, but with a certain physical fragility. Pots can break if not treated well.

As John Chrysostom once wrote: “Considering therefore all these things, command thyself: and withal think also of that evening on which the father having called thee, delivered thee his daughter as a kind of deposit, and having separated her from all, from her mother, from himself, from the family, intrusted her entire guardianship to thy right hand. Consider that (under God) through her thou hast children and hast become a father, and be thou also on that account gentle towards her.”

At the Mountains of Madness: a book review

At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft
(Antarctic image in lieu of book cover: my edit of this)

This 1931 novella by H.P. Lovecraft (which I have just re-read as part of his collected works, although it is also available online) forms part of the mythos of my favourite board game:

The Antarctic expedition of the fictional Miskatonic University has also prompted one fan to create some absolutely beautiful props to match:

Why? Because Lovecraft is a master of the long, slow horror story – which may not be everybody’s cup of tea, of course, but I love it:

“Every incident of that four-and-a-half-hour flight is burned into my recollection because of its crucial position in my life. It marked my loss, at the age of fifty-four, of all that peace and balance which the normal mind possesses through its accustomed conception of external nature and nature’s laws. Thenceforward the ten of us — but the student Danforth and myself above all others — were to face a hideously amplified world of lurking horrors which nothing can erase from our emotions, and which we would refrain from sharing with mankind in general if we could. The newspapers have printed the bulletins we sent from the moving plane, telling of our nonstop course, our two battles with treacherous upper-air gales, our glimpse of the broken surface where Lake had sunk his mid-journey shaft three days before, and our sight of a group of those strange fluffy snow cylinders noted by Amundsen and Byrd as rolling in the wind across the endless leagues of frozen plateau. There came a point, though...”

It turns out that there are older and fouler things than Orcs in the remote places of the world. However, the problem with this genre of literature is that, unlike Tolkien and Lewis, there is no light, only shadow. In some ways, it would be more fun if this were real:

Still, it’s one of the classics. Four stars:

At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft: 4 stars