LOOKING BACK & UPDATING SOME PAST POSTS

It hasn’t been all that long ago since I posted my support for BLM protests, and my concern that even the most diligent safety precautions might not prevent a spread of the virus, which none of the protesters wanted. (See MY HEART IS WITH THE PROTESTERS AND I WANT THEM TO BE SAFE  06/04/20).

Fortunately, none of my fears were realized. All  available information says BLM protests did not spread COVID19.  See “Black Lives Matter protests did not cause an uptick in covid 19 cases”, The Economist, 06/30/20; “Black Lives Matter protests haven’t lead to COVID-19 spikes,” NBC News, 06/24/20; “Research Determines Protests Did Not Cause Spike in Coronavirus Cases”, Forbes, 07/01/20

That is welcome news, as there has been no letup of the systemic racism being protested, or the nefarious use of racism and division as a campaign tactic by Donald Trump. Sound scientific evidence proves that an outdoor protest where masks and social distancing are heavily promoted, can avoid spreading COVID. This is markedly different than the crowded indoor and unmasked Trump rallies, which have been known to have infected dozens of people thus far: Secret Service agents, White House staff, Trump campaign workers, and of course, attendees.

One prominent Trump supporter, Herman Cain, who openly scoffed at masks and social distancing at Trump rallies, sadly contracted the virus and did not survive. Herman was a fascinating character, and whatever one thought of his political ideas and his idiotic “9-9-9” tax plan, he was a very likable and personable fellow who to radiated enthusiasm and joy. He was a very successful CEO, and made a surprisingly strong run for the 2012 GOP nomination, only to be derailed over allegations of an extra-marital affair. (He was four years too soon for the GOP religious right, who threw all their stated values out the window as they became co-joined twins with Donald Trump.) In truth, Herman should be remembered as a person who showed once again that African-Americans are as capable as whites, and that a Black man could lead multinational corporations better than most of his white counterparts. (Herman was also the only CEO to ever sing  parody of John Lennon’s “Imagine”; who can forget that baritone voice singing out “Imagine there’s no pizza, it’s easy if you try…”) I only wish that in confronting COVID19 Herman had drawn upon the same intelligence and analytical capabilities that made him a superstar CEO. He saved failing companies, and kept many Americans employed. Had Herman been faithful to science instead of Trump, he’d still be with us today. Herman Cain died because he fell for Donald Trump’s anti-science lies. That is a real tragedy, but keep in mind, Herman’s Trump-induced death was publicized because of his fame; how many others Trump rally victims died without a news article?

I like to think we who seek change are on the side of the angels, and are protected, but if you protest, make sure to wear a mask, practice social distance whenever possible, and take care of your overall health. We’ve just seen how much of a difference that makes when we compare the safety of BLM protests with the infections and deaths caused by Trump rallies. No one wants any more Herman Cains to die needlessly trying to appease a madman. Hopefully on November 3, America votes for change.

THE STRANGE SAGA OF JORDAN PETERSON

It’s been almost two years since the blog featured a post on far-right cultural figure Jordan Peterson. The gist of the piece was that behind his alleged conservative, traditional values spiel, Peterson was willingly and consciously aiding and abetting far- right extremists, including white supremacists and neo-Nazis. (The centerpiece of Peterson’s spiel is that our Western civilization is crumbling under the weight of feminism, LBGTQ rights, religious tolerance, and civil liberties.) I wasn’t sure  many people would be interested in such a subject, as nothing Peterson  says is either new or insightful; you can get it on any FOX talk show. Surprisingly, it remains one of the most-visited posts on this blog. See EXPOSING JORDAN PETERSON, PSEUDO-INTELLECT SUPREME OF THE FAR RIGHT AND WHITE NATIONALISTS

Apparently, Peterson has quite a few passionate supporters and detractors. That’s fine; this is a fiction blog, not a political one, and with any fiction writer, thoughts on any subject in the real world work their way into short stories and novels. One can’t write about the world if they don’t try to live in it. It should come as no surprise that I engage in subjects I am  passionate about, and  express my thoughts in my posts. Writers like to share their ideas; isn’t that what makes them writers? If my writing provokes people on either side to think and react with their minds, I’m pleased, in fiction or non-fiction. I’m delighted people continue to read my words, always longing to hear what  readers think. Who knows, variations of their words may wind up coming from the mouth of a future character!  

Not long after I wrote the post, Peterson inexplicably went radio silent. Disappeared without a trace, like Judge Crater or Ambrose Bierce. It took a while, but a picture of his situation emerged. It is nothing like what we would expect from this ultra-conservative, far right, traditional values guru. We could say it was completely out of his self-professed character.

Peterson became dependent upon legally prescribed anti-anxiety medication, though his camp insists that he was “habituated” as opposed to being “addicted”. It may seem strange that such a condition afflicts one who preaches the virtues of strength, discipline, self-reliance, and stoic fortitude in the face of adversity, but anxiety, depression, and drug dependency know no social or philosophical barriers, and all sufferers deserve our compassion and support. (That would even apply to Peterson’s fellow fountainhead of far-right gibberish, Rush Limbaugh, who became addicted to opioids, and in classic right-wing cowardice, used his maid to make his illegal purchases; unlike Peterson, Limbaugh did not limit his drug intake to legally prescribed medications.) Perhaps what many like myself see as Peterson’s hateful and divisive nonsense are a product of his mental anguish and drug abuse. Presumably, this self-declared major thinker will at least consider such possibility. 

Peterson sought treatment in  Russia and then Serbia, of all places, as they are not generally known to be in the forefront of treating substance abuse; there’s never been a convincing explanation for seeking drug rehabilitation treatment in those two countries. In fact, no one has ever seen any proof that Peterson was ever treated, successfully or otherwise. He is now back in his native Canada, where all news about the man and his condition is released only by his daughter, a self-proclaimed nutrition blogger with no medical or health science credentials. Peterson has announced that he is on the mend, and will soon be back in full mode. However, this “diagnosis” must be taken with more than a grain of salt; in 2018, around the time we posted our Peterson piece, he appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he declared that he had been following the carnivorous “paleo” diet favored by many right wing extremists, and announced that he had lost fifty pounds and had seen his lifelong depression cease. (See, “Meatheads: How red meat became the red pill for the right”, by Edward Whelan, The Nation, 06/29/20).

We may never  know the truth or anything close about this bizarre interlude in the career of a controversial psychologist-philosopher of  the far-right, but certainly, we all hope Mr. Peterson is receiving appropriate treatment from qualified experts in mental health and substance abuse, and that he brings his personal problems under control. Just because we disagree with someone’s views does not mean we discount them as human beings. All we want is for Peterson and his followers to change the way they think; we’re not going to gain any pleasure from their suffering. If we do, we become just like them.

I’ve always considered Peterson to be on the fringes, quite out of the mainstream, and this recent series of events does nothing to dissuade me. Whatever I may think of Mr. Peterson and his values, I sincerely wish him a speedy and complete recovery, and may he overcome whatever demons possess him.

If you are interested in learning more about this strange turn of events in the life of an already strange person, read “What Happened to Jordan Peterson ” (New Republic, 03/10/18) and “Jordan Peterson says ‘I’m back to my regular self’ after drug dependency” (CTVNews, 0702/20)

MORE ON HISTORICAL FICTION

I recently posted a piece that grappled with the definition of “historical fiction”; turned out I’ve been writing some and didn’t know it. See WHAT MAKES WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION. (And while you’re at it, READ MY MOST RECENT PUBLISHED STORY, “A SHOT IN THE ASS”.

I still have no definitive answer  to my own question, but however one defines “historical fiction”, I’ve been reading  a lot of it lately. I am comfortable with the working definition my fellow writers at the Tampa Writers Alliance developed when they reviewed my story: the setting is in  period at least a generation before us, and mixes real events and people with fictional ones. Knowing writers, there are undoubtedly different opinions.  Rather than pontificate on meaningless distinctions or classifications, I thought it wiser to simply tell you about  books I’ve recently read and loved, all of which meet the TWA definition. Here are the last seven works of “historical fiction” I’ve read over the past couple of months. These aren’t book reviews; they are a writer talking about work by other writers they respect and admire. I have included in brackets the historical era or subject matter of each novel. I greatly enjoyed every one of these books.

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The Good Lord Bird, by James McBride [Civil War, Abolitionists, Slavery, John Brown’s Raid]. This account of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry is told from the perspective of a hundred year old man recounting how as a young boy, he masqueraded as a girl to escape slavery, and wound up maintaining the charade as a member of Mr. Brown’s army.  McBride skillfully portrays the controversial abolitionist as deranged and violent, yet principled and cunning as well as charismatic. His portrayals of some other historical figure, notably Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, are sure to provoke, delight, or confound the reader. The world of this novel is populated by characters of both races who are good, bad, or somewhere in between. It presents slavery from a slave’s perspective, with all the dismal choices that oppressive state afforded. An engrossing tale whose pace, characters and dialogue will hold your attention from beginning to end. 

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The Hamilton Affair, by Elizabeth Cobbs. [Revolutionary War, Constitutional Convention, Early Days of the Republic]. Just about everyone knows of the affair between Alexander Hamilton and Maria Reynolds, courtesy of the great Broadway musical. The actual history may be less rhythmic, but is actually more interesting. As a lawyer who dealt with the Constitution on a daily basis, and a college history major who never relinquished love of the discipline, this was a delightful revisit and retelling of the life of this brilliant Founding Father, with of course, special emphasis on the scandalous. Other figures from the Revolution dash through the pages: Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Adams….and Ms. Cobbs makes each come alive as believable humans, not distant mythical figures. Readers will learn American history the easy way while enjoying a fine novel.

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Life, by Keith Richards. [Rock & Roll, Sixties, Counter Culture, Music, Blues].  Okay, this was written “with James Fox” , but it is all Keith all the time. This is the best rock and roll history I’ve ever read. Of course; who knows the rock scene from the sixties on better than this Rolling Stone? If you want to know what life is like for a rock and roll superstar, you’ll find a fair amount of this in the book, but really, Life is about Keith Richards and his music, especially the blues. I’ve always thought of the Stones as a blues band that turned to rock, and this book confirms my view. Keith Richards has been one of the most knowledgable and most proficient blues artists over the past half century plus, and it comes across loud and clear. You’ll learn all about how Keith and Mick hooked up, what role Brian jones played, how does Keith view his fellow Stones and other rock luminaries. For me, as a failed and struggling amateur blues guitarist, Keith’s thoughts on blues, guitars,, and how to appreciate and play the blues, were the best parts of the best rock and roll book I’ve come across. A must read for any serious rock or blues fan, and Stones fans shouldn’t even think of not reading it.  

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Mr. Churchill’s Secretary and Princess Elizabeth’s Secretary, by Susan Elia MacNeal. [WWII, Britain, Winston Churchill]. Alright, these are two books, both by a skilled writer of historical fiction, mystery, and suspense. These are the first two novels in a series featuring the brilliant, beautiful and talented Maggie Hope. In the first novel, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, despite her fine education and obvious intelligence, the only job offered her is  as a lowly typist, but as luck would have it, she is assigned to take dictation from the famous Prime Minister. Once inside the War Room, her talents enable her to break open a traitorous plot at great personal danger. This novel  was published in 2012 and won the prestigious Edgar in the category of  Best First Novel by an American Author, awarded by the Mystery Writers of America. Read it and you’ll see why.

In the second book, Princess Elizabeth’s Spy, Maggie is now a full-fledged agent with MI5, the fabled British intelligence service. She is assigned to protect the future Queen of England, who as we can imagine, was a top target of the Nazis, as the Royal Family inspired hope and courage among their subjects. (Hardly the case today.) Thanks to Maggie’s detective skills, her courage and some luck, both she and the future monarch survive the machinations of the Nazis.

I read these two books, in order, right after returning from a visit to the UK last summer, where I had the great pleasure to spend an afternoon at the Churchill War Room, scene of much of the action in the first book. I am an unabashed admirer of Sir Winston, not blind to his faults, but confident he passes the Great Person Test: was the world a better place because of them? I dread to think of how the world might be today had we not had giants like Winston Churchill (and FDR) as heads of state during WWII. (We se what it is like facing crisis with Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. ) I have read extensively about the man and his life, have listened to as many of his recorded speeches as possible, and have read a small portion of his unbelievable output of history. (I claim it impossible that any one person has read it all.) And of course, I thoroughly enjoyed Dunkirk and The Darkest Hour. In the latter film, Gary Oldham played Sir Winston exactly as I imagine him, based on my studies. Susan Elia MacNeal accomplished the same in her first novel. 

Ms. MacNeal captures the feel we expect in war time London. Her characters, real and imagined, breath the breath of real life, and they speak precisely as we imagine British people of that era and of various classes, sounded. I cannot recommend these books enough, whether one is attracted to the history, the mystery, the literary quality, or all three. The good news is there are around a dozen Maggie Hope books, and I’ve only read two!

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Three Novels of Ancient Egypt, by Naguib Mahfouz. [Ancient Egypt]  This Egyptian writer, a Nobel Prize winner, is at the top of my list of great modern writers. Most of his novels are set in contemporary times, or close to it, but in these three novellas, the master places the stories in the ages of various Pharaohs. However, this is not a novel for those looking for detailed history or descriptions of life in these ancient times. The characters act and speak exactly as people of today, and their situations and reactions are the same ones people face today. Of course, that’s the whole point. Mr. Mahfouz writes in his native Arabic, but no doubt a writer of this stature has the best translators working on his books. You won’t think of this as a foreign work translated into English, the translation is that good. Nevertheless, I am certain it is even more of a pleasure to be able to read Naguib Mahfouz in Arabic.

Mahfouz skillfully avoids historical details and archeological soundness. There is some historical accuracy, at least in the time periods where the various Pharaohs ruled, but without doubt, the author is instructing us on human behavior, not ancient history. When you are done reading all three novellas, what will come to mind is the old French expression, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” People of today really are not all that different than people who lived three or four thousand years ago. Technology may have changed, but we haven’t. 

This novel is not typical of Laureate Mahfouz’s novels and short stories, because of the setting, but it is just as good. If you have never read this Egyptian spellbinder, this is as good a place as any to start. 

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Another Country, by James Baldwin. [Mid twentieth century America and New York; life during the Eisenhower era]. Mr. Baldwin is another of the writers at the top of my list of the greats. I’ve been a fan of his ever since I first read him in college, but I think I was too young to fully appreciate the depth of his insights, or the beauty of his writing style, and besides, a lot of his work was still in the future. I’ve since read (and reread) everything he wrote, often when I am traveling for enjoyment and have plenty free time on my hands. (One of my favorite memories is reading Go Tell It On the Mountain while soaking in a mineral bath at a hot springs outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand.)

Baldwin, like Mahfouz, is a “great” writer; by that I mean just about anyone would agree that the man knows how to use the  language in ways we writers strive our entire lives to match. (Except, as English speakers, we read exactly what Baldwin wrote.) That’s okay; I have just praised a slew of books by outstanding and talented writers who are not on the same pedestals as Mahfouz or Baldwin but are still fantastic novelists. There is good literature for everyone. (Remember, some people even like my fiction.)

If you happen to be an artist, especially a musician or singer, writer, actor, or on the business side, this book is for you. Every artist will feel the self-doubt, the fear, the joy when something goes right, the support but also envy and competitive nature of fellow artists. As with other masters, Baldwin raises multiple issues and weaves them tightly together. Race, sexual orientation, class, love, hate, support and betrayal blend seamlessly with the struggles of singers, writers, actors, and people caught in relationships that harm them but they don’t know how to resolve or escape.

Another Country is a look at America-specifically New York City- in the nineteen fifties.  Baldwin tackles controversial issues which most Americans did not wish to address, or didn’t know how. Baldwin’s characters face the racism inherent in American society, with much racism mandated by law or at least societal pressure back then, especially in inter-racial relationships. He confronts the reality of being gay in a very repressive society. He instructs us that the dynamics of a same-sex relationship are the same as in a heterosexual one, except that same-sex couples faced specific unconscionable bigotry and oppression in those days. Sexual orientation, race, marital status, are delicately woven into the tale of artists struggling to succeed in their art while at the same time struggling with societal and personal demons. Suicide, domestic violence, mental illness, writers block, all rear their heads. This is not a pleasant story, nor is it meant to be. Baldwin was a writer who could provoke, and enjoyed doing so. His readers, for the most part, want to be provoked to think about the world we live in and how we fit in. Some consider this to be his masterpiece; I like so many of his novels that I could never choose one above all others. What I can say is that anyone who reads Another Country will almost surely read more Baldwin, and more power to those readers!

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Robert Hunter, the brilliant lyricist for the Grateful Dead, wrote one of his beautiful lines in Ripple: “If you want to lead, you must first learn to follow…” (On the 1970 album American Beauty.)

I’m sure the late Mr. Hunter would agree that if you want to write, you must first learn to read. So now we see what this writer has been reading. It does not matter what “genre’ one reads, because it is rare that a novel sticks with but one. (Mysteries can have romance, sic-fi can have suspense, suspense can have great literary qualities, any genre can produce great characters, dialogue or plot. In “historical fiction”, there may be specific time period, but the way that people act, speak and think is the same in every period. That’s what we learn from all good fiction, historical or other, and every one of the novels I discussed above meet these standards. I wouldn’t recommend them if they did not!

If you are not a writer, you have even more time to read!

Enjoy!