Giving

It’s time to learn how “each of us can change the world” … enter former President Bill Clinton who shares his words of wisdom in his book Giving.  The book proclaims itself to be an inspirational call to change how we give in the world, yet I found much of the book to proclaim who are the BIG givers, whom are friends with Bill Clinton, and also some resources of how to get involved.  It is almost a “who’s who” among the philanthropic world.  Don’t get me wrong, the people who do give and the opportunities to get involved are a great service to those who aren’t involved.  So what does the book cover?  Here goes: how to give money, how to give time, how to give things (some neat organizations), how to give your skills, how to give gifts that keep on giving, how to model gifts, nonprofit markets and how they are organized, and finally how much should you give and why?   Clinton provides a very compelling opening chapter on why we should give as a member of this society, outlining how the US has so many reasons to give back.  From addressing AIDS to malaria, poverty to illiteracy, and the list goes on and on, there are so many reasons and causes that need attention.  The Clinton Foundation was created to start addressing these issues.  Some of the groups and philanthropists he notes include: George Soros, Bill and Melinda Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet, all of whom have put their money where their mouths are to help curb the world’s wrongs.  For giving time, he notes Dr. Paul Farmer’s work with Doctors without Borders, Make a Wish Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the Acorn Foundation.  For giving things, he notes Doc to Dock, Dress for Success, Goodwill, and Red Cross.  For giving skills, Clinton notes stories related to some of the following groups: America Reads, Andre Agassi College Prep, Girls Incorporated, and Room to Read.  The nice part of the book is the appendix that lists all of the various community organizations, their websites, and also books related to the groups that he writes about in Giving.  Again, it is a quick read but much more of a great resource for a community service office or library.  It is helpful to review to help one realize that we should act, but a favorite book?  Hmmm...  more of a book to keep on the coffee table while thinking about what I should be doing to help others. 

The Age of Innocence

Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence is another book set in NYC, right around my place (12^th Street) in the Astor Place area, but a long time ago, circa 1870s in the high society!  Enter Newland Archer, a gentleman, lawyer, and heir to one of the richest families in NYC who meets the beautiful virginal May Welland.  As the wedding date looms, enter the even more beautiful cousin of May, Countess Ellen Olenska, who has been living in Europe.  Her return is precipitated by a bad marriage to a Polish count. Newland’s interactions with Ellen makes him begin to doubt his choice of brides, but Ellen (and her family) are very worried about what the potential would be for a divorce, can you say “family scandal” especially in this time period.  After sharing his love for Ellen, Newland gets pressure from others influencing him to not ask Ellen to divorce her husband but to rush his marriage to May and all will be fine.  The two marry, hoping this will relieve Newland of his feelings to Ellen, it does not, though she has relocated to Washington, DC.  Ellen eventually returns to NYC to help her grandmother who has taken ill.  Newland is on the verge of getting her to agree to be his mistress and Newland is about to tell May about his love for Ellen when May tells him she is pregnant(!), with Ellen deciding to move back to Europe.  May explains to Newland that she already told Ellen about the pregnancy (was it because she suspected an affair?).  Newland gives up his desperate pursuit of further relationship with Ellen and stays married to May and is dedicated to his family.  Fast forward twenty-six years after May’s death…. Newland and his grown son, Dallas, visit England.  While there, Dallas, notes he would like to visit with his mother’s cousin who he learned was in the city.  They both go to visit.  And you won’t believe what happens.  You know I won’t give this one up!  What a great “thwarted” love story.  The pressures of society and how one gives up what he really wants based on “peer pressure”… doesn’t that still happen today?  A good read, though dated.  I think a lot of the soap operas of the past three decades used this story line over and over and over again.

Hamlet’s Dresser

Bob Smith’s Hamlet’s Dresser is a very innovative approach to present his own autobiography by intertwining his current life, his early life, and life after high school.  Smith starts with his current community involvement with elder residents of NYC (many of the locations in which I have held Little League registration days), reading Shakespeare’s plays a few times a week.  The detailed descriptions of the people who look forward to Smith’s engagement made my own heart smile, knowing how I am reliant on many others like Smith to do this for my own mother as the aging process continues for her.  But beyond the readings we learn of the complex life of Smith and the barriers he and his family faced raising his sister, Carolyn, who was severely mentally challenged.  Growing up in the 1940–50s had a very different response and responsibility for families who had little to no support from our cities and states, with many suggesting the only way was to send your child to a home.  The third intersection of the story was the life Smith ran to in the theatre, so to not be subjected to his family issues.  Smith was offered the opportunity to be a “dresser” for actors at the Stratford Theatre, working with talented and well-known actors.  Readers don’t always find the “intersections” of life through characters but Smith “hits us over the head” by discussing the role he played with his sister, regularly being asked to change her clothes after she defecated on herself, hoping and praying for a change in her and then the connection of changing the clothes of actors who were becoming someone else on the stage.  Throughout the entire book Smith illustrates life’s imperfections and realities and reinforces it by adding quotes from many of Shakespeare’s pieces, thus showing that life has really never changed… human emotion, despair, and triumph are the same centuries later even though the environment is very different now from the day of Shakespeare.  Smith is an expert in knowing the passages of all Shakespeare’s plays and he seemingly has experienced the passages on stage and in real life.  The most poignant moment in the book comes when Smith faces his own demon of re-engaging with his institutionalized sister after forty years of separation.  It is one of the most moving pieces I have read in some time.  I applaud Smith for his work with the senior citizens.  Keeping the mind active and engaged is what keeps one young at heart.  Being a fan of Shakespeare made this a joy to read.  Though there were some “holes” never concluded in the book, I appreciated the ability of Smith to connect some of the dots and experiences with the stage, his family, and others along his journey.  My favorite quote from Macbeth included as well… one which we all should never forget….

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Among the Thugs

I am not sure how many people would take a good look around them and see something that raised their curiosity and then go out and join in the mystery.  Enter Bill Buford who wrote an expose called, Among the Thugs.  Buford, an American born and raised citizen, is living in the United Kingdom in the 1980s when he becomes very interested in “hooliganism” or “football fanatics” (US translation for football = soccer).  So Buford elects to join in and better understand the psychology, the underlying motivations, and machinations of those who “join in” the activities of the group.  Buford does not go lightly into this activity, electing to let his “focus groups” know that he will be writing a book about what he learns.  And so he does… for eight years Buford follows the crowds and individuals (who will let him) into the Friday night and Saturday game rituals, which include drinking, drinking, drinking, and of course more drinking.  When the drinking hits a limit, there are the unintended consequences, well in this case not sure I would say “unintended” as it seems this mob of people actually want to destroy others and objects as their way to support their team.  Though the more Buford tells of his experience I actually felt it was more about the community feeling that the individuals get, obviously missing from their day to day life.   Buford’s final story symbolizes the culmination of rioting and destruction, in which he is more involved than he would have imagined, actually “feeling the high” of fighting back police in Italy (Sardinia) during the 1990 World Cup where England made it to the semifinal round.  He is caught in a struggle with the police (with approximately a thousand other hooligans) and feeling they had won – the police turned back and ran.  This didn’t last long as the police (and reinforcements) came and pummeled the remaining crowd, especially Buford who was hit unmercifully by three officers.   Much of the earlier stories capture Buford following the Manchester United team throughout England and witnessing inner country battles against other teams, to include more mob mentality brutal acts of violence against the innocent and also those who cheered for the opposing team.  The violence throughout the book, all under the influence of alcohol or other substance, was incredible.  During his study, this group of individuals goes to a number of National Front meetings.  The National Front and their supporters are another group that is similar in nature to the football hooligans, including Nazi leanings. Buford believes that crowds cannot be incited to violence against their will, contrary to the belief that otherwise passive crowds can be stirred to violence by a persuasive leader. His experience leads him to suggest that people in a crowd collectively make the decision whether or not to cross thresholds of violence; one which he joined in during the 1990 World Cup contests.  I am always impressed when a person immerses themselves in a movement or experience to better understand it.  Buford was matched against pretty high odds, not being a Brit and infiltrating the hooligans and actually making it out alive.  A disturbing read but one for those who want to better understand an aspect of human nature and the psychology of groups.

The Magician

It seems like I am on a roll with some really fabulous books to read.  Just finished W. Somerset Maugham’s book The Magician, written in his early years as a writer but not released until he re-wrote it many years later.  It is actually written using a person who claimed to be a magician whom Maugham knew.  The story focuses on how two people, Arthur and Margaret become separated by the “forces” of a visiting “sorcerer of sorts,” Oliver Haddo.  Haddo, an obese and menacing man, meets the two through a mutual friend (Dr. Porhoet) and during a very unfortunate interaction turns his hatred toward Arthur, promising to make him “pay” for the scuffle they get into.  Haddo gets back at Arthur by placing a “spell” upon his fiancée which “forces” her to leave Arthur the day of their wedding after Haddo places Margaret in some type of trance two months prior.  The worst part of Margaret’s departure is that she leaves to marry Haddo!!!  There must be a spell, huh?  Imagine this beautiful woman marrying the obese and hated Haddo.  There is much more to the story, including Margaret’s friend Susie, whom she lived with and whom also loves Arthur and tries to help him along the way.  After Margaret’s sudden departure, Arthur, Susie, and Dr. Porhoet come to the conclusion that Margaret must have a spell upon her.  But does she?  How will the three “musketeers” find Margaret and have her escape before Haddo does something evil?  How could someone so evil like Haddo be able to get away with this magic?  Well I won’t ruin it for you, but know this story is ahead of its time.  Could easily be a movie of the week.  Great suspense.  Sometimes books don’t always end as they should….  Go read this quick, short book.  I thoroughly enjoyed!