Nonfiction November Week 4

We have entered into Week 4 of Nonfiction November. It is hosted by Rebekah at She Seeks Nonfiction and we are talking about Mind Openers.

One of the greatest things about reading nonfiction is the way it can open your eyes to the world around you–no plane ticket required. What nonfiction book or books have impacted the way you see the world in a powerful way? Is there one book that made you rethink everything? Is there a book that, if everyone read it, you think the world would be a better place?

I don't think there is only one book that will change the way we think. It will most likely be many books, as well as life experience that will make you see the world in a different light.

Evolution

I have just read My European Family - The First 54000 Years by Karin Bojs.

The story of Europe and its peoples, told through its genetic legacy and woven together using the latest archaeological findings, will fascinate anyone interested in genealogy.

Karin Bojs grew up in a small, broken family, and at her mother's funeral she felt this more acutely than ever. As part of the healing process, she decided to use DNA research to learn more about herself, her family, and the interconnectedness of society. She went deep in search of her genealogy, having her DNA sequenced and tested, and effectively becoming an experimental subject.

Remarkably, she was able to trace the path of her ancestors through recorded history and into prehistory. Through the course of her research, she met dozens of scientists working in genetic research. The narrative travels the length and breadth of Europe, from the Neanderthals of central Germany to the Cro-Magnon in France. Bojs visited the ancient caves, realizing that her direct ancestors must have been living in the area when the cave art was painted. A second DNA analysis later revealed she has Sami (i.e. Lapp) genetic material in her genome, and there were further revelations about her hunter-gatherer, Bronze-Age, and Iron-Age relatives, including the Vikings.

This fresh, first-person exploration of genes and genetics goes well beyond personal genealogy and reveals much about the shared history of European peoples. (from Goodreads)

The book and the story was a sort of eye opener for me. Going back so many years to man's origins and how it is possible to trace our ancestors. To follow the development and movement of people; from hunters to farmers to the modern people of today. We have much more in common than we can imagine.

The Stoics

I have lately read a few books by and about the Stoics. I find that many, but not all, of their thoughts and actions are relevant today. Their way of thinking can be a comfort when facing various aspects of our lives, whether we are happy or sad. I very much liked Lessons in Stoicism by John Sellars. I have recently finished Seneca's On the Shortness of Life: Life is Long if You Know How to Use It. I have on my shelves the most famous book of them all, Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, which I have not yet read. Here some quotes from Seneca.

"Some have no goal at all toward which to steer their course, but death takes them by surprise as they gape and yawn. I cannot therefore doubt the truth

of that seemingly oracular utterance of the greatest of poets: "Scant

is the part of life in which we live." All the rest of existence is not

living but merely time."

"What, then, is the reason for this? Your sort live as if you're going to live forever, your own human frailty never enters your head, you don't keep an eye on how much time has passed already. You waste time as if it comes from a source full to overflowing, when all the while that very day which is given over to someone or something may be your last."

""Half-free," Cicero said of himself. But needless to say, the sage will never resort to such an abject term. He will never be half-free but will always enjoy complete

and unalloyed liberty. Not subject to any constraints, he will be his

own master and tower above all others. For what can there be above

the man who rises above fortune?"

History

I read a lot of nonfiction history. The German philosopher Georg Hegel said, “The only thing that we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.” That is, unfortunately, true. Imagine if politicians looked at historical events, tried not to repeat mistakes made in the past, learn from what went wrong last time, and try to follow another path. If we look around us today, we see that is not the case.

One historical nonfiction that made a lot of impact on me, and made me realise that politics is a dangerous business, is The Sleepwalkers - How Europe Went to War in 1914 by Christopher Clark.

’the war was a result of rigid planning, train schedules and treaty commitments. That is, it was the final stop in a chain of events that could not stop the train, once it started’ (British historian A.J.P Taylor and American historian Barbara Tuchman).