Retired scientist, I read a lot, fiction and non-fiction, on a wide range of subjects, though science, politics, philosophy, law, science fiction and historical detective stories are favourites.
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"As far as the education of children is concerned," states Natalia Ginzburg in this collection …
Silence
Natalia suggests that silence is a sin, and that we are all smothered by silence, incapable of exchanging an unconstrained word.
"As far as the education of children is concerned," states Natalia Ginzburg in this collection …
My Vocation
Describes how her writing style has changed and evolved over time, and how the process intertwines with her emotions
"As far as the education of children is concerned," states Natalia Ginzburg in this collection …
The Son of Man
The title is a reference to Matthew 8:20 where Jesus says 'The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head'. This is linked to the destruction by war of peoples homes, and how those have experienced this can never feel safe again
"As far as the education of children is concerned," states Natalia Ginzburg in this collection …
He and I
Written in 1962, about the relationship between Natalia and her second husband Gabriele Baldini.
"As far as the education of children is concerned," states Natalia Ginzburg in this collection …
La Maison Volpe
Describes, as she encountered it, the English attitude to food.
"As far as the education of children is concerned," states Natalia Ginzburg in this collection …
England: Eulogy and Lament
Written in London in 1961, some of the descriptions seem outdated, but others resonate. The food and drink has transformed since then, and some social attitudes may have changed.
"As far as the education of children is concerned," states Natalia Ginzburg in this collection …
Portrait of a Friend
Although neither the friend, nor the city which he loved are named, he was probably Cesare Pavese, and the city Turin. The descriptions convey the complex moods of both person and city.
"As far as the education of children is concerned," states Natalia Ginzburg in this collection …
Worn-Out Shoes
She recollects her time alone in Rome during the German occupation when she had no choice but to wear worn-out shoes. Old shoes provide a connection with a friend, as well as where shoes fit in her financial priorities.
"As far as the education of children is concerned," states Natalia Ginzburg in this collection …
Winter in the Abruzzi
Describes her internal exile by the Fascist government of the time, with her husband to Abruzzi. At first she finds the people and their way of life strange, but gets to know them better.
"Greater economic and cultural openness in the West has not benefited all of our citizens. …
Despite recent increases in geographical mobility about 60% of British people still live within 20 miles of where they lived when they were fourteen.
A team of astronauts in the International Space Station collect meteorological data, conduct scientific experiments …
It is interesting to compare Orbital with Chris Hadfield's An astronaut's guide to life on Earth
"A harrowing memoir about one of the darkest periods in American historyBorn a free man …
Towards the start of the narrative Solomon is living with his wife Anne in the village of Fort Edward, in Old Fort House, This had been been occupied by General John Burgoyne, who was possibly a friend of my ancestor William Webster
A team of astronauts in the International Space Station collect meteorological data, conduct scientific experiments …
Reading this for our book group. I would not have discovered it otherwise, but glad I did
The book uses four Greek gods to describe different styles of management culture. Zeus represents the club culture, revolving around one central leader, flexible and dynamic, or wilful and arbitrary - depending on that leader. Apollo embodies the role culture, organised, structured and stable, or hidebound, slow and expensive - depending on whether it evolves. Athena symbolises the task culture, focussed around achieving some goal, great if the goal is well understood and desired by the whole organisation, but at risk of fracturing under disagreements. Dionysus designates the existential culture, almost a non-culture in which a group of individuals share some resources because it is convenient for them, but not necessarily a common goal - they can become an Apollo culture if the management of the shared resources becomes non-trivial.
The book covers the evolution, advantages and disadvantages of these four types, though it does not relate them to political …
The book uses four Greek gods to describe different styles of management culture. Zeus represents the club culture, revolving around one central leader, flexible and dynamic, or wilful and arbitrary - depending on that leader. Apollo embodies the role culture, organised, structured and stable, or hidebound, slow and expensive - depending on whether it evolves. Athena symbolises the task culture, focussed around achieving some goal, great if the goal is well understood and desired by the whole organisation, but at risk of fracturing under disagreements. Dionysus designates the existential culture, almost a non-culture in which a group of individuals share some resources because it is convenient for them, but not necessarily a common goal - they can become an Apollo culture if the management of the shared resources becomes non-trivial.
The book covers the evolution, advantages and disadvantages of these four types, though it does not relate them to political systems.
The book provides many examples of how most people are naturally well intentioned. It is interesting to read in the context of Game Theory, specifically the iterated prisoners dilemma, where co-operation is overall the most successful strategy, and Corruptible - which discusses how those who are not co-operative can yield excessive power.
