The One with Noli Me Tangere

94. Title & Author: Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal, translated by Soledad Lacson-Locsin (452 pages)

Genre: Fiction--Filipino Literature

Completed: 25 May 2009

Summary & Review:

The young Filipino Cristostomo Ibarra returns home to his motherland of the Philippines after a seven year education in Europe. Upon his return, he learns of his father's imprisonment and death, yet he tries to find happiness in his engagment to the beautiful Maria Clara and in his philanthropic efforts to build a school in the town of San Diego. But, in a country riddeld with corruption and run by a hypocritical and omnipotent cadre of Catholic priests and Spanish officials, he soon gains many enemies set on his destruction. A coup takes place in the quiet town and Ibarra is pinned as the planner and financier of the rebellion. He is arrested, his engagement is broken, his family home is burned, and he loses his faith in the system that runs his beloved home country with blood and terror sanctioned by religion.

I was incredibly impressed with this work. Rizal was a true patriot of his country and he took a bold stand against unjust institutions that were seen as untouchable, such as the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Hence, the title Noli Me Tangere, Latin for Touch Me Not. He aptly used juxtapositions to expose the hypocrisies and crimes of the power hungry priets that had more power than any government official in the nineteenth century Philippines. It was a powerfully tragic story.

Rizal is honored as a National Hero in the Philippines, as he should be.  For his revolutionary efforts he was executed by firing squad by the Spanish government of the Philippines in 1896, just two years before the country declared its independence from Spain. 

Rating: 8.5

The One with The Tao of Pooh

93. Title & Author: The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff (158 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--Philosophy & Religion

Completed: 20 May 2009

Summary & Review:

The simple, clear teachings of Taoism are often misinterpreted and rarely applied in the West, according to author Benjamin Hoff. Thus, he sets out to explain Taosim by illustrating its principles in action through the life of Pooh. Yes, Winnie-the-Pooh. 

One of the great things about my religion is that we are encouraged to find true principles in all sorts of sources, and I think Hoff's little book has some good kernels of wisdom. Other parts, however, I just couldn't get on board with. I thought it was funny how throughout the book the author would "interact" with Pooh and the other characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. It reminded me of when the host of theDisney Sunday Night Movie on ABC would interact with Mickey and the other animated characters. 

Rating: 8.0

The One with Hokusai

92. Title & Author: Hokusai: Mountains and Water, Flowers and Birds by Matthi Forrer (95 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--Art History

Completed: 7 May 2009

Summary & Review:

Forrer gives a brief overview of the life, career, and works of the Japanese painter and printmaker Hokusai. Along with the essay, there are beautiful full color reproductions of  dozens of Hokusai's prints, including his most famous, The Great Wave off Kanagawa. 

My art history education has been largely Eurocentric, like most art history programs. Thus, I don't have much of a background about Hokusai other than seeing an excellent exhibit of Japanese prints at the BYU Museum of Art, and so this book was a good, albeit very basic, introduction to this artist.

Rating: 7.5

The One with The Real America

91. Title & Author: The Real America: Messages from the Heart and Heartland by Glenn Beck (262 pages)
Genre: Nonfiction--Politics & Current Events

Completed: 30 April 2009

Summary & Review:

Radio and TV personality Glenn Beck offers his views on how America can once again become a country united behind the shared values of freedom and common sense. He shares many stories from his own past and explains how he has overcome challenges and used them to change and improve.

This was a very optimistic and positive book. Despite the fact that Glenn is a conservative, his advice and opinions don't seem to be partisan. He seems like someone who truly wants the best for others, and wants all to succeed. The title is the "Real America" and I often wonder if that America ever really existed, or if it is just a nostalgic dream that we are clining to in the hope that someday we can return to it when times are "easier" or the world is inherently more moral than it is now like it was fifty or a hundred years ago. I guess people refuse to believe that there have always been troubles and that previous generations succeeded and grew because of hard work and through overcoming challanges. There never was a perfect or idyllic time in American history; there were just times when people shared common values and goals and worked for them despite obstacles.

Rating: 8.0