Over the last year, I feel like I’ve written more books than I’ve read cover to cover.  I’ve been too busy to really sit down and focus on something–I’ve mainly just perused things here and there.  (Though as part of my research for the post on Napoleon, I did read a biography of him by Alan Forrest.) I have recently bought and started reading my fellow blogger P.M. Prescott’s book, Optimus: Praetorian Guard. He was kind enough to read and review my book, so I want to return the favor. I hope to have it finished and a review posted soon.

It also sounds like I am going to have to read this new Harper Lee book, which seems to be stirring up all kinds of controversy, especially regarding what happens to the beloved Atticus Finch character.  (To be honest,  I never thought of Atticus as a Saint like most people do–he seemed like a nice guy, but a bit too idealistic for his own good.  I mean, he never realized just what a threat Bob Ewell posed until it was too late.)

I’m also reading the book The Clash of Civilizations by Samuel P. Huntington.  It’s a bit dated, but still advances some interesting ideas.  Some of his points about the rise of Islam is certainly relevant to what is currently happening in the Middle East.  All things considered, he was closer to the mark than his rival political theorist, Francis Fukuyama. And nothing says “summer beach read” like the downfall of civilization as we know it.