A word from "The Rocket" Rick Rodriguez

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

By Rick Rodriguez

Gulliver's Travels is a must read for any student of literature and history.  In fact, it is probably necessary to read this book simply to understand human nature.  Originally published in 1726, the book is considered a timeless classic; nonetheless, there is nothing simple about reading a book conjured up  within the mind and imagination of Jonathan Swift. 

I found it comparable in many ways to Cervantes' classic Don Quixote.  In fact, I was following a pattern of reading classic books in the time frame of their creation in order to understand the era of their publishing.  In other words, by reading books near the original publish date, the reader, can evaluate a book in the context of the era in which it was created.  According to the book The Well Educated Mind: A guide to the Classic Education You Never Had by Susan Wise Bauer, reading classic books in this manner is the best way to retain the work. I certainly don't disagree with this method of study.  I will say that I will recall Gulliver's Travels and Don Quixote as a result.

So, what about Gulliver's Travels and what will I remember of it?  Well, certainly the writing is impressive.  Clearly, at times, the reader will find the story difficult to follow.  Moreover, the neophyte might find pronouncing the following: Blefuscuans, Brobdingnags, Glumdalclitch, and Houyhnhnms a bit on the difficult side.  I found the Author adroit in fully describing each encounter with the characters in the story.  And also precisely describing human nature (?).  Here's an example of a Lawyer's dilemma: Swift (P. 229 Penguin 1726) "I said, there was a society of Men among us, bred up from their Youth in the Art of proving by Words multiplied for the Purpose that White is Black, and Black is White, according as they are paid.  To this Society all the rest of the People are Slaves.  For example, if my Neighbour hath a mind to my Cow, he hires a Lawyer to prove, that he ought to have my Cow from me.  I must then hire another to defend my Right, it being against all Rules of Law that any Man should be allowed to speak for himself.  Now, in this Case, I who am the true Owner lie under two great Disadvantages.  First, my Lawyer being practised almost from his Cradle in defending Falsehood, is quite out of his Element when he would be an Advocate for Justice, which as an Office unnatural, he always attempts with great Awkwardness, if not with ill Will.  The second Disadvantage is, that my Lawyer must proceed with great Caution, or else he will be reprimanded by the Judges, and abhorred by his Brethren, as one who would lessen the Practice of the Law.  And therefore I have but two Methods to preserve my Cow.  The first is to gain over my Adversary's Lawyer with a double fee, who will then betray his Client by insinuating that he hath Justice on his Side.  The second way is for my Lawyer to make my Cause appear as unjust as he can, by allowing the Cow to belong to my Adversary; and this, if it be skillfully done, will certainly bespeak the Favour of the Bench."  An interesting paragraph to say the least, but please bear in mind this is circa 1720.  How consistent have we been throughout human history?  Is Swift describing human nature through his assessment of lawyers?

So much more could be said about this book.  Frankly, however, I need to reread it in order to fully grasp its lessons.  Did I enjoy it?  Yes, but not wholeheartedly, Jane Eyre and Don Quixote are far more enjoyable to read, and more memorable.  Yet, in fairness to the work, my comprehension needs to improve in order to fully understand difficult books, and the Author's intended meaning.

Gulliver's Travels, Penguin Classics edition, is 271 pages.  I read it in late 2008 and completed it in early 2009.

San Ramon Valley Times 1/19/2009 "Henderson is real superstar of baseball" by Rick Rodriguez

By Rick Rodriguez

Reading something in print that incenses or strikes a passion in me usually leads me to write to the newspaper's editor.  Last week was such a time, and after coming up with a brief concise statement and submitting it; I received a call from the San Ramon Valley Times (SRV Times) requesting confirmation and permission to publish my story.  I was writing to contest a position propagated by SRV Times writer Carl Steward, a sports columnist, and a writer that I have come to enjoy over the years. 

I disagreed with a column written by Mr. Steward.  In that article, Mr. Steward contended that Baseball's Hall of Fame, and I'm paraphrasing, should make an exception for players of the steroid era, and other players of alleged indiscretions currently making them ineligible for induction to the Hall of Fame!  He mentioned the familiar stars of the nearest baseball era: Pete Rose; Roger Clemens; Mark McGwire; Barry Bonds, etc. And while all the allegations against these players have never been proven; evidence and player denials in some ways contradict the player's positions on the subject. 

Coinciding with the Carl Steward column about steroids was one written by Gary Peterson celebrating the induction of Rickey Henderson to the Hall of Fame.  Say what you will about Rickey Henderson, but accusations about steroids or other transgressions against the game of baseball have never been associated with Mr. Henderson.  As an Oakland A's fan, I watched the majority of Rickey's career in Oakland and throughout his two decades plus in the game.  Here's what I said in my SRV Times letter to the Editor:

San Ramon Valley Times "Henderson is real superstar of baseball" January 19, 2009

"Carl Steward's Jan. 12 column juxtaposed nicely with the article of Rickey Henderson.  It helped me realize what an actual superstar Rickey Henderson was on the playing field, and why other potential "Hall of Famers" are not.

Steward's suggestion that a special Hall of Fame class be anointed in the future for all alleged malcontents (e.g. steroid users, performance enhancers, gamblers, and cheaters) seems ridiculous, and further suggests that the standards of greatness ought to be lowered.

Says Steward, "I watched Mark McGwire for 11 years work out hard" yet while he mentions the players alleged culpability, no mention is made of the deleterious influences these "Hall of Famers" have had on the game of baseball and on their disciples--the fans!

Steward's claim that these players are part of history and should be appropriately recognized is undoubtedly correct, but I bet to a man none would want to be part of Steward's special class!"

My contention is and has always been that that these players of alleged wrong doing have damaged the game beyond repair!  As a consequence, the game has lost its luster as America's pastime.  Moreover, many youths have been negatively influenced as a result of mimicking the behavior of their hero's.  Some youths, in fact, have suffered serious injury as a result of use of steroids or performance enhancers.  Yet, my main beef is how society as a whole has come to accept cheating as the norm!  While not entirely culpable, the players have with their transgressions contributed to this fate of our society!

Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

By Rick Rodriguez

Continuing with my run of reads of Afghanistan, Kabul Beauty School, does not disappoint in that its consistent with other books of a country unique in its culture.  Juxtaposed with Kite Runner (fiction), and Three Cups of Tea; Kabul Beauty School shares similarities in the consistency of what each author says about the Afghan culture.  Much of what this book describes is the experience of women living in a country strife with traditional roles.  The reader may come to appreciate many of the things we in the United States take for granted: running water; electricity; freedom of speech; or the freedom to travel as a woman alone.  Yet, this is but a small part of the story, and not the main premise. 

I came to this book one day while browsing in the Danville Library.  The book was part of a city read between Danville/San Ramon.  Obligated to other reading, nonetheless, I grabbed it and took on the responsibility of another book.  The effort was well rewarded.  I came to learn a well told experience of a person that took a chance (the Author), and experienced a singular event.  Anyone interested in fulfilling a worthwhile goal might learn a thing or two here!

I found the book interesting to read save for a few times where the Author never fails to cover all aspects of a particular event.  Yet, like other good books imagination brings me to the place of the experience, and this Author's skill made the memories of Kabul Beauty School much more vivid.

Kabul Beauty School is 270 pages.  I read it in December of 2008!