Novels are tricky. Is upbeat artificial? Is dystopian faithless? Are plot line and characterization exclusive? Robert D. Kaplan’s new book, The Revenge of Geography, hints at the link between realistic characters and complex scenarios: Geography is common sense, but it is not fate. Individual choice operates within a certain geographical and historical context, which affects decisions […]
Category: books
Shaking up the book business
Here’s a timely slice of publishing history from Michael Korda’s book, Making the List: [Before World War Two] the mass-market paperback business was still in its infancy. The war decade to come would change that. Pocket Books had been founded in the thirties, to sell books at twenty-five cents a copy. These paperbacks were distributed by […]
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Writing Fiction (from The Hunger Games)
(1) Tension. Something’s not right about all this. (2) Respect. A strong, competent hero. (3) Empathy. Characters I care for. (4) Conflict. Most of these characters are in mortal danger. (5) Enemies. Opposition that is believable and overwhelming. (6) Romance. Between characters I’m rooting for, but with plenty of #1, above. (7) Resolution? Wrap things […]
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Leadership from a Review of the New Petraeus Book*
(1) Get the big ideas right. (2) Communicate the big ideas. (3) Oversee the implementation of the big ideas. (4) Capture your best practices and lessons and cycle them back through the system to help refine your big ideas. (5) Don’t be afraid to disregard rank when someone exhibits characteristics you value, such as brains, […]
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Reading the Bible
Wander into any church and ask, “Who wants to read the Bible this year?” and most hands will go up. Even those who don’t embrace Christianity often think about reading the Bible. It’s a worthy goal. No book has had more influence on history, and its themes of love, loss, and redemption are universal. It […]
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