literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Book Review: "The Meaning of Life: A Very Short Introduction" by Terry Eagleton
I've read plenty by Terry Eagleton as many a post-grad of literary subjects will have. I've been over some of his essays and have often regarded him as a master of literary and critical analysis. So you can imagine that I was probably wondering what went so horribly wrong here in which he talks in swings and roundabouts about The Meaning of Life. This book felt like a mixture of philosophy, religion and ethics - which I can understand. But it also felt disorganised and when it comes down to it, kind of here and there. It never really gives us an answer, but ironically it doesn't really leave us to think about a question or at least, a perspective to the question, for very long at all. It thrusts itself too quickly across points and these points aren't very well discussed. This has probably been one of my least favourite in the series. It just doesn't measure up.
By Annie Kapur6 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Hitler Years" by Frank McDonough (Pt. 5)
This review covers the chapter concerning 1942 through to the end of the book. *** By 1942 the war began to shift decisively against the Third Reich. I mean, this was already happening but it is happening so much more now that it has become almost blindingly obvious that they are going to lose. The Allies begin to use their vast industrial resources and co-ordination to attack Germany in a systematic way. Germany’s overstretched supply lines and limited production capacity also becomes increasingly obvious to the point that I wouldn't be surprise if Hitler was second guessing himself by this point. The Eastern Front in particular drained German manpower and equipment at an unsustainable rate. At the same time, Allied bombing campaigns intensified, weakening German industry and morale. By the end of 1942, the momentum of Nazi expansion had been replaced by defensive struggles across multiple fronts. The author shows this from the perspective of the series of failures in 1940 and 1941 as being an inevitability by this point. It was as if there was no other way it could go.
By Annie Kapur6 months ago in Geeks
Why Email Is Needed
Email, short for electronic mail, remains one of the most essential tools in today’s digital world. Despite the rise of instant messaging apps and social media, email continues to play a central role in communication for individuals, businesses, and institutions. Its reliability, universality, and professional value make it indispensable.
By shaoor afridi6 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Agnes Grey" by Anne Bronte
1847 may have seen Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre published, but it also saw one of the most overlooked Bronte books begin to circulate: Agnes Grey has often been ignored in favour of the works by the other two sisters. In 1850, Charlotte Bronte went over the work, made some edits and revisions and republished it in its 2nd edition. Another Bronte novel about a governess with themes of the abuse of women seems to be too Jane Eyre for fans of Charlotte to really sink their teeth into. However, the book itself is actually quite different and seems to stand on its own as a work of Victorian Fiction which begins in a rather odd way by comparison.
By Annie Kapur6 months ago in Geeks
Cat On a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams
Premiering in 1955 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama the same year, ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ is one of Tennessee Williams’ most famed and emotionally explosive plays. I remember reading it and for a time, I genuinely felt like I was holding my breath.
By Annie Kapur6 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Mona of the Manor" by Armistead Maupin
There's something quite irresistible about reading on the topic of great country houses, especially when there are interesting stories happening inside. Armistead Maupin's Mona of the Manor is one of many books in a series (others of which I have not read) and covers a woman named Mona who's husband has since passed away and now she is the lady of the manor. A couple named Rhonda and Ernie come to stay as now, without much of an income left, Mona has had to open the manor to the public. When Rhonda and Ernie walk in, it is clear that there is something up inside the manor and Ernie isn't particularly enjoying very much of it.
By Annie Kapur6 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Queer as Folklore" by Sacha Coward
Sacha Coward has written a book about the LGBTQIA+ movement and how it coincides with folklore. As these are two of my favourite topics to read about I hope you already know that this is going to be a glaringly positive review. Queer as Folklore gives us insights into history, art and language as we explore the stories and fables behind some of the best-known creatures and myths, beasts and monsters from legends and ancient stories. With an introduction by Joanna Harris in which she states "Stories tell us who we are. Folklore tries to tell us why..." - this book covers how the LGBTQIA+ movement has constantly been linked to folktales which built civilisations and understanding between humans. It is about this and so much more: past, present and future.
By Annie Kapur6 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Scape-Goat" by Lucy Hughes-Hallett (Pt. 4)
It is clear that a war in Spain is on the horizon and James is under pressure to go. Charles is definitely pushing it forwards as he feels like he had been humiliated by the Spanish and yet, Buckingham still knows he isn't well liked here, or across the waters. Parliament is thrilled at the idea of war with Spain as Hallett states that the English have many advantages when it comes to war. But it's also 1624 and the King has gout, he's very sick and thus cannot attend court as often as he would like. I know what's going to happen but what I'm looking forward to is what is going to happen to Buckingham's position afterwards now that he has been unmasked as being a vulgar man of opportunity rather than the simple 'favourite' we once saw him as. I just need to know.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
The Big Book Review: "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman (Pt.4)
If you would like to read the previous sections, they are linked below... *** *** And now, part 4... *** Welcome back to our analysis of Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. I hope you've been enjoying it so far and I also hope you've probably got something from it. I definitely have. If you haven't done so already, you should read the three previous parts in order to best understand this article. Again, I won't be covering concepts that have already been covered in other sections for the sake of the word count but, I think you'll probably enjoy this one all the same. I'll try not to use overly technical language where simpler language will do. This part is entitled Choices, and it covers how we make decisions.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
