American Writers (One Hundred Pages at a Time)

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 17: Hypnos

A short tale by H. P. Lovecraft, "Hypnos" involved an unreliable narrator exploring his dreams with an unknown associate. A nice contrast to some of the more optimistic dreamer stories.

Episode 404: John Kenneth Galbraith: The Great Crash (2)

So the second half of Galbraith's book called THE GREAT CRASH is about the impact of the 1929 crash on American life.
Overall a good survey of the causes of the crash itself, it not the best on the structural causes of the Depression.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 16: The Music of Erich Zann

A great short story by H. P. Lovecraft, "The Music of Erich Zann" is one of his first to take seriously the power of art and the tendency of art in the 20th century to move toward the bizarre. Is it a commentary on musical modernism? Or just a good horror tale?

Episode 403: John Kenneth Galbraith: The Great Crash (1)

The economist John Kenneth Galbraith wrote this very interesting book about a famous airplane disaster. Here are my thoughts on the first half of this book.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 15: The Other Gods

A short story by H. P. Lovecraft, "The Other Gods" explores humanity's hubris at thinking they can understand the universe. These Other Gods will be explored in more depth in THE DREAMQUEST OF UNKNOWN KADATH.

Episode 402: John Kenneth Galbraith: American Capitalism (2)

Part two of my review of AMERICAN CAPITALISM by John Kenneth Galbraith. In the second half of this slim book we get into specific examples of counterveiling power through labor unions, cooperatives, government, and other forces.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 14: The Outsider

"The Outsider" is a well-known tale by H. P. Lovecraft, probably due to its psychological dimension. One of his best works of short fiction, to be sure, even if not one of my favorites.

Episode 401: John Kenneth Galbraith: American Capitalism, Part 1

This episode begins a new series looking at the works of John Kenneth Galbraith. We begin with AMERICAN CAPITALISM, a book exploring the concept of "countervailing power" and how the size of firms undermines classical economics.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 13: The Moon-Bog

"The Moon-Bog" by Lovecraft may reminds us of "The Rats in the Wall' with its European setting and castle restoration subplot, but the story has its unique ideas, especially with the relationship between the workers and the castle owner, a relationship to water, and cultists of a sort.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 12: The Quest of Iranon

"The Quest of Iranon" is a dreamlands story with (possibly) a dreamer from within the dreamlands themselves. It also works as a nice allegory for modernity, art, and celebrity.

Episode 400: Francis Parkman: Montcalm and Wolfe (6)

No Lovecraft this Wednesday. Instead I will put an end to this Parkman series with the finale of MONTCALM AND WOLFE. Lots to perhaps say in summation about New France, the French and Indian Wars, and my insanity for doing this project. But, let's not.
Next up, John Kenneth Galbraith's still relevant writings.

Episode 399: Francis Parkman: Montcalm and Wolfe (5)

Part 5 of my review of MONTCALM AND WOLFE by Francis Parkman. In this episode we explore the invasion of Canada and the emergence of Wolfe as a commander.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 11: The Nameless City

In "The Nameless City" we see Lovecraft sending an explorer into an ancient, pre-human city. While these themes would be explore in more depth in AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS, this story remains a classic and not only because it introduces the "Mad Arab" Abdul Alhazred.

Episode 398: Francis Parkman: Montcalm and Wolfe (4)

In this fourth part of my review of MONTCALM AND WOLFE by Francis Parkman, we look at some major battled of the French and Indian War included the siege of Louisbourg (again), the rise of General Wolfe, and the setting for the invasion of Canada.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 10: The Picture in the House

One of my favorite Lovecraft stories, "The Picture in the House" is about the sea, the horrors of Atlantic history, and the legacy of ancient beliefs and traditions.

Episode 397: Francis Parkman: Montcalm and Wolfe (3)

Part three of my review of MONTCALM AND WOLFE by Francis Parkman. In this section we witness campaigning in the frontier and the Hudson Valley, the rise of Montcalm, and the beginning of a global war.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 9: Nyarlathotep

A story based on one of Lovecraft's dreams, "Nyarlathotep" provides some interesting ideas on modernity, the threat of ancient traditions, and race while also introducing us to one of his more memorable gods.

Episode 396: Francis Parkman: Montcalm and Wolfe (2)

Two years before the Seven Years War broke out in Europe, Americans were once against fighting each other in the frontier regions between the British colonies and New France. These early losses for Britain are explored in this part of MONTCALM AND WOLFE by Francis Parkman.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 8: Ex Oblivione

"Ex Oblivione" by H. P. Lovecraft is a dreamer story about someone trying to escape this world into the realm of dreams, even beyond that to non-existence.

Episode 395: Francis Parkman: Montcalm and Wolfe (1)

FFS, another French and Indian war. Well, in any case we are getting another one as we jump into Francis Parkman's final volume in his massive history of French North America, MONTCALM AND WOLFE. This section covers the roots of the final French and Indian war.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 7: From Beyond

This episode is my review of "From Beyond" by H. P. Lovecraft, a story about a scientist trying to find what lies beyond our senses. Made into a good movie.

Episode 394: Francis Parkman: A Half-Century of Conflict (4)

In the final parts of Francis Parkman's A HALF-CENTURY OF CONFLICT we explore the failed peace ending King George's War, ongoing struggles for Acadia, and the siege of Louisbourgh. One more book left, MONTCALM AND WOLFE.

Episode 393: Francis Parkman: A Half Century of Conflict (3)

Part three of my review of A HALF CENTURY OF CONFLICT by Francis Parkman. This episode deals with the build up and origins of King George's War. Who can keep track of all of these French and Indian wars with massive loss of life and few territorial changes? It is as if dying for empire is pointless. 

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 6: Celaphais

In "Celephais" we have another of Lovecracft's "Dreamlands" stories. This one is about a man who is so isolated in the modern world he seeks fame and adventure in his dreams. Perhaps something about Lovecraft's psychology could be said.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 5: The Temple

A U-boat captain during World War I learns about an ancient civilization under the Atlantic Ocean (possibly Atlantis), but never gives up his faith in Prussian supremacy over ignorant peasant Rhinelanders. "The Temple" by H. P. Lovecraft is a study in efficient, effective and decisive leadership.

Episode 392: Francis Parkmam: A Half-Century of Conflict (2)

Queen Anne's War may have ended but the fighting between Britain and France continued in a series of proxy wars using Native American tribes. I talk about this and more in part two of my look at Francis Parkman's A HALF-CENTURY OF CONFLICT.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 4: Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family

A short H. P. Lovecraft story with a long title, "Arthur Jermyn" deals with topics such as heredity, exploration, Darwinism, and empire. It is one of my favorite of Lovecraft's early stories.

Episode 391: Francis Parkman: A Half Century of Conflict (1)

In this episode, I start looking at another book by Francis Parkman. In this case it is A HALF-CENTURY OF CONFLICT which looks at the North Americans Wars from the 1690s to 1750s, as well as the many proxy wars fought through Indian societies.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 3: The Cats of Ulthar

A nice story by H. P. Lovecraft set in the Dreamlands about mythology, law, witches, gypsies and cats. And all in just a few pages. Highly recommended.

Episode 390: Count Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV (3)

The finale of my review of Francis Parkman's COUNT FRONTENAC AND NEW FRANCE UNDER LOUIS XIV. This section deals with the roots of King William's War and the final years of Frontenac's life and his efforts to subdue the Iroquois and defend Canada from English invasion.

Episode 389: Francis Parkman: Count Fronetnac and New France Under Louis XIV (2)

The second part of my review of COUNT FRONTENAC AND NEW FRANCE UNDER LOUIS XIV by Francis Parkman. This part of the book looks at the governorships of Le Barre and Denonville. 

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 2: The Tree

Lovecraft's short story "The Tree" is about art, friendship, and fate. Check it out for something a little bit different.

Episode 388: Francis Parkman, Count Frontenac and New France Under Louis XIV (1)

The fifth volume of FRANCE AND ENGLAND IN NORTH AMERICA looks at the height of New France during the reign of Louis XIV. This episode digs into the first part of this book, covering Count Frontenac's first term as governor and the problems he runs into with the clergy and the backwoodsmen.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 1: The Terrible Old Man

"The Terrible Old Man" is a sweet little vampire story by H. P. Lovecraft. This will not be the first time Spanish bullion will be used as a warning to stay away. The polyglot criminals in this story will learn the hard way.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2 Episode 7: Poems (3)

In the final episode of the second "season" of the H. P. Lovecraft Book Club, I look at some of his World War I poems. Next up, his stories written from 1920 to 1924.

Episode 387: Francis Parkman: The Old Regime in Canada (3)

The finale of my review of THE OLD REGIME IN CANADA by Francis Parkman. One of the best books in the series. Highly recommended.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2: Episode 6: More Early Poetry

A few more poems by H. P. Lovecraft explore some of this themes of cosmic horror, as well as some other themes, including a satirical romance. 

Episode 386: Francis Parkman: The Old Regime In Canada (2)

Part two of my review of THE OLD REGIME IN CANADA by Francis Parkman, a social, political, and institutional history of New France during the time of Louis XIV.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2: Episode 5: Poems (1)

In this episode I take on some of Lovecraft's earliest poems.

Episode 385: Francis Parkman: Old Regime in Canada (1)

In the fourth volume of Parkman's FRANCE AND ENGLAND IN NORTH AMERICA we look at the political and social institutions in New France during its peak during the years of Frontenac and Louis XIV. A great addition that does something different from the other values in the series.