Let me pour mounds of praise upon this excellent novel set in the mountains of North Carolina in 1929. This is one of the few books I’ve read recently that I wanted to pick up and read again as soon as I finished. I think this, as well as Rash’s One Foot in Eden, is especially enjoyable and hits a personal note because it is set in an Eastern rural Mountain Community which is where “my people” are from. The story is built around the conflict between those who are in favor and those who are against The Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Which is a place I’ve spent countless hours swimming by waterfalls, hiking by deer and bear cubs, and cruising down steep hills on my bike. The conflict between the logging industry, namely Serena and her husband George, and others building wealth off of the the land’s natural resources verses those that want to preserve the land while removing many unwilling families. Although this is a fictional story the issues of bringing the park to fruition is thought provoking. This preserved, beautiful place came at a price. But what is really at the heart of the story, and that Rash so masterfully unfolds, is the searing relationship between Serena and George. The commonly portrayed dilemmas of greed and power are here but done so with such a delicate interest and attention to detail that you think not only of these beautifully rendered characters but also of the inherent weakness of the human heart

I had an unfortunate bout with a stomach bug this weekend which is rarely if ever a good thing unless you consider it the ultimate lazy persons diet. But, in this case, it turned out to be a good excuse to lay in bed and read the tragically beautiful novel Revolutionary Road.

I happened upon it in an attempt to move a giant stack of books from one remote corner of our house to an equally remote corner. My tendency in house keeping is to move things from place to place without truly sorting through them until I want to throw everything into the street. So, after wobbling off the top of the stack and nearly missing my toe, this novel presented itself to me and I was immediately drawn into it’s theme of “darkness lies behind the seemingly perfect facade of 1950’s suburbia.” This may seem like a common, if not completely overdone subject but many of the books and movies that draw on this idea are probably built on the ideas brought forth by this novel written in 1961. There is so much to love about this book.

Let me begin with the beautiful prose. Normally I have to read and re-read phrases or whole pages to feel like I am really gathering the full point a writer is trying to convey. But with Yates fluidity of words I found myself breezing from page to page while still gathering a true picture of the complex group of characters who are essentially neighbors in a Connecticut suburb off of the newly built Route 12. But, the realization occurs shortly after the first few chapters that their emotional, marital, and relational problems stem from much more than just the constraint of living in an artificial cheery world of pastel homes with perfect lawns.

This is really a universal, timeless story with the same issues that people have today. A young woman who is married with two children finds she lacks the ability to love due to the abandonment by her parents, A man feels trapped by his boring job, A middle-aged woman who spends most of her days staying busy so that she does not have to think too long about her institutionalized son or apathetic, retired husband. These and other people of the novel think their problems stem from their isolation in their “happy” community but really they are selling themselves short by playing into the very stereotypes they shun.

-Caroline

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us

Seth Godin

Portfolio (October 21, 2008)

Seth’s new book challenges us to be leaders. He points out how the tools are there for anyone who is willing to lead.

To lead, is to challenge the system of old ways success. To do it your way, with your ideas, with your skills, keeping the genuiness of your mission forthright in your effort and consciousness. Old school techniques are not necessary to follow for success today. Following the status quo is old news. By learning to be fresh, creative and with genuine individualness, you are in a better chance of getting supporters for your mission. Seth labels these supporters, your Tribe.

This is a tight compact little book packed with suggestions of how to expand your contribution with your work and putting yourself into the position of expanding the value of work’s result. Gaining momentum faster so that your contribution can fall into place quicker and with more success.

Quick stimulis and correct marketing communication using all the modern tools open the world to the individual more than ever before, giving quicker results.

Now is the time for us to challenge ourselves to contribute more to the world and enlarge our fingerprint on it.

I consider Tribes, a fun thought stimulating book. A must for anyone in small business. Good ideas against not being stuck in your own self produced mundane business habits.

I wish I could have read this book many years ago.

The Poetry of Zen

Translated and edited by Sam Hammill and J. P. Seaton

Shambala Library (2004)

This nice little book is an excellent introduction to the Zen poets.  It

is divided into two parts:

            1) Chinese poems

            2) Japanese poems.

Both are well represented and give the reader an understanding of the two

cultures’ styles.

The representative poets are chosen well; the book includes poems by most

of the heavy hitters.  Each poet is lightly represented with just a taste

of their work.

Reading The Poetry of Zen is a nice way to get a feel for a starting place

if you want to explore this art form.

Following the poems is a concise commentary about each poet.  I enjoyed

reading the poem then flipping to the back and reading about the poet.

The Poetry of Zen is not only a good introduction, but also a nice little

impressive anthology to share with friends.

The Art of Power

Thich Nhat Hanh

HarperOne (2007)

Having read a few of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books before and enjoying them, I was inclined to see how he would deal with the subject of power.

“Power is good for one thing only: to increase our happiness and the happiness of others,” he states. Revealing that true power comes from within. The Art of Power helps us understand and grasp our never ending search for external markers, the labels of our desire that are must in our lives. He challenges these assumptions and helps us understand learning about our inner strength.

Through mindfulness, we progress in a way of things working out more in our favor. Seeing clearly, allows better decisions with more constructive results. We might find more happiness with correct diligence and proper insight. The practice of caring and observing give us more power at work and home, to be more attentive with more correct vision.

Ending this fine book is Appendix B, “Work and Pleasure: The Example of Patagonia,” a fine essay on using business to tap into understanding spiritual power. Practicing business with compassion and contribution