The Jeopardy! Experience, Part 2

Reblogged from 1 Year, 100 Books:

• 
• 
• 
• 

After months of forced silence, I can finally complete the epic tale of my Jeopardy! experience. If you haven't already, read Part 1 here (it is worth it, I promise). Compared to my aerial hijinks on the way to LA, the story of my actual episode is almost mundane. Almost.

If I were a dwarf, they'd call me Bashful.

I mentioned in the first half of this story that prior to taping our episodes, all of the contestants were taken onto the set to play a practice round or two.

Read more… 2,111 more words

Check out the story of my appearance on Jeopardy!

Filed under: TV

Top Ten Books (So Far)

It has been a while since I contributed to Surf Waco, but I am back!  I hit 50 books in my quest to read 100 this year and decided to rank the top ten.  This is a very subjective list and does not mean that I think Nikos Kazantzakis is a better or more important writer than William Shakespeare.  These are simply the ten books I enjoyed the most over the past seven months, and think you might enjoy as well.

THE TOP TEN (SO FAR)

#10: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John Le Carre

The quintessential Cold War spy story, replacing the glitz and glamor of James Bond with the grit of the real world.  Le Carre’s story of a washed up spy used as a pawn in power politics is surprisingly poignant.  This book is absolutely a modern classic.

 

#9: Deliverance by James Dickey

This story of perseverance and determination in the face of unspeakable hardship is a beautiful piece of writing.  It tells the story of four urban men on a canoe trip gone horribly wrong.  Intense and engaging, frightening and vivid.  One of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read.

 

#8: The War of the Roses Tetralogy by William Shakespeare

Consisting of Henry VI, Parts 1, 2, and 3, and Richard III, the War of the Roses tetralogy is an outstanding example of Shakespeare’s dramatic prowess.  All of the plays are very enjoyable, but Richard III is definitely the best.  Read all four of them to get the entire story.

 

#7: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

Kesey’s novel about the inner workings of an insane asylum is one of the most disturbing but inspiring books I have ever read.  The book features anti-hero Randle Patrick McMurphy, one of the great modern literary figures.  Read the book, watch the movie, and thank God for whatever dash of sanity you possess.

 

#6: Suttree by Cormac McCarthy

McCarthy is an author with a tremendous reputation in modern literature.  I am happy to say that this book lived up to McCarthy’s fame.  Telling the story of Cornelius Suttree and his band of homeless associates, Suttree is a darkly humorous look at humanity from the underside.

 

#5: Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut

Vonnegut’s heartbreaking story of Howard Campbell is both humorous and depressing.  Through subtle wit, Vonnegut reminds us that the person we present to the world is the person we are, whether we realize it or not.  Read it and remember the value of sincerity in everyday life.

 

#4: Cancer Ward by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

This book was the first one I read this year and remains one of my favorites.  It follows Oleg Kostoglotov as he undergoes treatment for cancer in a Soviet hospital.  At once an examination of the harsh nature of Soviet rule and a look at the frailty of all existence, this book is not easily forgotten.

 

#3: Report to Greco by Nikos Kazantzakis

Described as Kazantzakis’ fictionalized autobiography, Greco is one of the most honest spiritual confessions I have ever read.  The author presents his intellectual and spiritual development for all to see.  His descriptions are beautiful and his philosophy is sincere.  This is not a book to casually read.  It is a book to savor.

 

#2: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

Gibran’s slender volume about a fictional prophet preaching a final sermon before departing a village is more like poetry than simple prose.  The philosophy espoused by the titular prophet is one of inclusion and love.  We all would do well to take his words to heart.

 

And at last, the number one book from the first fifty…

#1: Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis

I admit it, I have a minor obsession with Kazantzakis.  Zorba presents the classic struggle between spirit and intellect, with the titular Zorba representing the wildness within us all.  Stunning in its originality, this book will make you both laugh and cry out at the strictures society has placed on our individual spirits.

I hope you enjoyed the list!  You can check out the list of all fifty books I have read so far  here.  If you don’t agree with my rankings, feel free to comment!

Filed under: Literature, Books

Book of the Month– February 2011

John le Carre

Another month down, which means it is time for the SurfWaco Book of the Month.  This month’s selection is The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carre.  As the title suggests, this is a spy book.  It is not, however, a James Bond spy book.  Le Carre’s writing is very crisp and his characters have a grittiness that makes them much more realistic than the tuxedo-clad 007 and his bevy of busty companions.  The book is set in the 1960′s, and le Carre’s time with British Intelligence gives him a unique insight into the world of Cold War espionage.  The titular spy is Alec Leamas, a British operative in Berlin who is nearing the end of his career.  He signs on for one last mission, an undercover assignment aiming to eliminate Hans Dieter Mundt, a leading figure of the East German Abteilung and Leamas’ personal nemesis.  I don’t want to give too much away, but things do not go according to Leamas’ plan.  He falls in love with a plain assistant librarian (not a chesty foreign agent), and his feelings for her further complicate his mission.  The book is an excellent thriller, but also offers insights on Cold War politics, the power of love, and the modern lack of concern for human decency. 

Le Carre himself is an interesting individual.  He describes himself as follows: “I hate the telephone. I can’t type. I ply my trade by hand. I live on a Cornish cliff and hate cities. Three days and nights in a city are about my maximum. I don’t see many people. I write and walk and swim and drink.”  Sounds like good people.

You can check out my other reading selections from February here. – TCN

Filed under: Literature, Books, Literature

Book of the Month– January 2011

Alexander Solzhenitsyn

One month down, eleven to go.  I have decided to narrow down my monthly reading to the single book I would most highly recommend.  For January 2011, that book is Cancer Ward by Alexander Solzhenitsyn.  I will warn you– this is not a book to be taken lightly.  As you might have guessed from the title, it can be a bit depressing at times.  Loosely based on Solzhenitsyn’s own experience with cancer in the post-Stalinist Soviet Union, Cancer Ward follows the life of Oleg Kostoglotov as he undergoes treatment in a regional cancer clinic.  Kostoglotov is a political exile who has spent his entire adult life in the Soviet army and a prison camp.  Through his interactions with other patients (including an arrogant Soviet bureaucrat) and the clinic staff, we are given a glimpse of the complex dynamics that governed all facets of Soviet life.  Solzhenitsyn’s reflections on the nature of life and death transcend the Soviet setting and speak to readers from any culture.  Despite the dark subject matter, this book is ultimately hopeful in the face of all possible resistance.  Solzhenitsyn deserves to be considered one of the greatest authors of the modern era.  His characters are full of life, even when facing down death.  This is a book that will stay with you for a very long time.

–TCN

Filed under: Literature, Authors, Books, Literature, Solzhenitsyn

Great New Author: Wells Tower

I’m a little bit behind the curve on this one, but Wells Tower is a great new writer.  His first (and only) book, Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned came out in 2009 to rave reviews.  It is a collection of short stories about people who just don’t seem to have any luck at all.  Despite featuring some of the most pitiful characters you will come across, the stories are tinged with a surprising optimism and humor.  Wells Tower (great name, by the way) is currently working on a novel to be published at a date yet to be determined.  His other works mostly consist of long-form journalism pieces.  If you haven’t read Tower yet, spend the money to pick up a copy.  You will not be disappointed.  Check out this great interview with Wells Tower about his writing.

On another note, I have renewed my quest to read 100 books in a year.  In order to avoid swamping Surf Waco with my random book posts, I have started another blog to track my progress.  Please check it out: 1 Year, 100 Books.  I appreciate any book suggestions or tips for improving the blog.

–TCN

Filed under: Literature, Authors, Books, Literature, Wells Tower

Interesting Site– Letters of Note

Letters of Note is an interesting blog that posts one letter every day from some notable individual.  These notables come from all times and backgrounds.  Posts include a scan of the original and a typed transcipt.  Check it out!

Filed under: Uncategorized

Top 10 Books of 2010: Part 2

At long last, your sleepless nights spent anticipating the arrival of Surf Waco’s Top 5 Books of 2010 are at an end!

5. 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

This is a very strange but very enjoyable book.  Loaded with symbolism and historical metaphor, 100 Years chronicles the trials and tribulations of the Buendia family in fictional Macondo.  The village of Macondo is a metaphor for Colombia, but no knowledge of Colombian history is necessary to enjoy this unique book.

4. Death in the Afternoon by Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway’s classic book on bullfighting is as easy to read as one of his novels.  As much a reflection on life and death as on bullfighting itself, this is Hemingway at his best.  I recommend reading The Sun Also Rises either right before or right after this book.

3. Das Glasperlenspiel (The Glass Bead Game) by Hermann Hesse

Also known by the title Magister Ludi, Das Glasperlenspiel is Hesse’s magnum opus.  Whether you have read any other works by Hesse or not, this book is a must read.  It starts a bit slow, but is well worth the effort of getting started.  It is also one of Hesse’s longer books.  Read it anyway.

2. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

This is the first and only Solzhenitsyn book that I have read so far, and I enjoyed it enough to buy another of his books that is 500 pages long with the daunting title of Cancer Ward. One Day is a short book that can easily be read in an evening.  It follows Ivan Denisovich through a typical day as a prisoner in a Soviet forced labor camp.  Read it in your cozy house and be thankful you aren’t in Siberia laying bricks.

1. The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Perhaps the greatest book of practical philosophy ever written.  As Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius was the wealthiest and most powerful man in his world.  This book is something like a personal journal chronicling his struggle to stay humble and true to his Stoic values.  Generations of great men have praised The Meditations as a golden book of wisdom.  This is a book designed to offer everyday guidance, not an esoteric philosophical system. The Enchiridion of Epictetus is a nice companion toThe Meditations (and is only around 40 pages).

Now get off the internet and go read a book!– TCN

Filed under: Literature, Uncategorized

Top 10 books of 2010: Part 1

As promised, here is the first half of my Top 10 Books of 2010.  Again, these are not the ‘greatest’ books that I read over the past year, but the ones I most enjoyed reading and think that others might enjoy as well.
 
10. The Odd Thomas Series by Dean Koontz

This is a series of four highly entertaining books, with another three promised for the future.  These are not the books to read for literary merit, but for a quick, enjoyable trip outside of reality.  They feature a cast of unusual characters, with the star being Odd Thomas (first name Odd, last name Thomas).  Odd possesses the unique ability to see ghosts and is accompanied by the spirit of Elvis for most of his adventures.  Each book is in the neighborhood of 400 pages but reads like a book half that length.
 
9. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

For fans of the movie, this book is a must-read.  If you haven’t seen the movie, this book is a must-read (and then rent the movie).  This is detective fiction at its best, with crisp, hard-nosed prose written by a former private eye.  The protagonist, Sam Spade, is a classic anti-hero.  Think Han Solo in the 1930’s.  The style of this book also lends itself to quick reading.
 
8. I, Claudius by Robert Graves

Consistently ranked among the top novels of the past century, I, Claudius is the gold standard of historical fiction.  Written as the autobiography of the Roman Emperor Claudius, this book traces his remarkable life from birth as a cripple to his acclamation as emperor.  The sequel, Claudius the God, finishes the story.  Graves is a master of English prose, and both books remain highly readable nearly 80 years after their publication.  Even if you aren’t a Roman history buff, these books are worth a read.
 
7. Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche

Nietzsche’s novel about the fictional philosopher Zarathustra (not to be confused with the real Zarathustra, aka Zoroaster) is well worth the effort.  This is a book in the vein of Plato’s Republic, where the use of a more literary form (rather than plain philosophical prose) makes you question how much is Nietzsche’s own philosophy, and how much is the wily German thumbing his nose at the credulity of his readers.  This book was also the inspiration for a ”tone poem” by Richard Strauss (featured in the opening sequence of 2001: A Space Odyssey). 

6. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

This is one of those novels that has it all—look-alikes, murders, love, long-lost family members, and long-standing vendettas.  Dickens is a master of the novel form, creating realistic characters and unforeseen plot twists against the wild backdrop of the French Revolution.  If you have been meaning to read some of the classics, this is a great place to start.
 
Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of our list tomorrow– TCN

Filed under: Uncategorized

Honorable Mention Books of 2010

For my first contribution to the wonder that is Surf Waco, I will offer my Top 10 book list for the past year.  My goal for the year was to read 100 books.  Though I live in Dallas now, I stayed true to my Wacoan heritage by falling short of my goal at 65.  The top 10 are not the 10 books that I think are the greatest (how do you compare Shakespeare or Plato with Hemingway or Solzhenitsyn?), but rather the 10 that I most enjoyed reading and think will most appeal to our faithful fellow surfers.  I will begin with 5 honorable mentions, books that I thought deserved a word but didn’t quite make it to the hallowed 10.  Tomorrow will see books 10 through 6, and Thursday will feature the final five.

Honorable Mention Books of 2010:

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon

This one took some determination, but I persevered through seven volumes and came out the better for it.  This is, simply put, the greatest work of historical writing of all time.

When in Doubt, Mumble by James H. Boren

Jim Boren was a great friend and mentor to me during high school.  One of the most humorous political satirists that ever put pen to paper, Jim’s first book displays his wonderful combination of biting wit and kind spirit.  Jim passed away this year, and I wanted to honor his memory by reading a book that would have been featured on the Daily Show if it hadn’t been published decades before today’s satire showcase came into existence.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This book could easily top any list, and lands on the honorable mentions only because I read so many other books for the first time this year.  If you haven’t read this, go stand in the corner for 15 minutes as punishment and then buy a copy and read it.  Tonight.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Although technically Young Adult Fiction, this book is a thrilling dystopian picture of the future that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.  My 8th grade students insisted that I read it.  I am happy to admit that they were absolutely right about this book.

Journey to the East by Hermann Hesse

If you haven’t read much (or any) Hesse, do not start here.  Read some of his longer works before moving on to this more slender volume.  This book is both simple and sublime.  It paints a fantastic picture of the loneliness and disillusionment we all feel when we make the erroneous assumption that nobody else is going through the same difficulties we are.  The fact that it involves a Secret brotherhood spanning all of time and imagination that includes the likes of Mozart, Plato, and Don Quixote makes it all the more interesting.  Tinged with the Eastern mysticism of Siddhartha, displaying the same zest for life as Narcissus and Goldmund, and offering the same concerns over the direction of his contemporary world as Das Glasperlenspiel or Steppenwolf, this book is a wonderful and succinct encapsulation of the world according to Hesse.

–TCN

Filed under: Literature, Uncategorized