As someone who has lived and traveled in Japan (including the Seto Naikai), I found this valuable overall and a fairly quick read, and because I can sAs someone who has lived and traveled in Japan (including the Seto Naikai), I found this valuable overall and a fairly quick read, and because I can speak basic Japanese I appreciated the inclusion of some Japanese words in the text. Richie makes some good observations, though some are quite dated 50 years on. Some parts were boring, and as others have noted the author's boner often takes the center stage, leading to a few cringe-worthy episodes where we shortly expect to read the details of a rape. Apart from those segments, whose stereotypical, privileged behavior made me ashamed to be among the ranks of "gaijin," I think it's worth reading if the Japan of the late 1960s and/or the Inland Sea are of interest to you. One last thing, he made many tedious references to classical literature and historical figures, both western and Japanese, that were completely lost on me. Bothering to Google those dozens of names, or having a degree in literature might give those parts a lot more gravity, but I mostly just skimmed over them....more
An in-depth look at urban race and class issues, especially gentrification. A thorough exploration of a difficult subject, based on years of living inAn in-depth look at urban race and class issues, especially gentrification. A thorough exploration of a difficult subject, based on years of living in a transitional neighborhood, wonderful interviews and scholarly reflection. Set in Philadelphia but could be any major city. The only thing weird about this book was the overuse of "quotation marks" for any sort of "slang words" throughout the "book," it got a bit "tiresome."...more
This fascinating book covers a hell of a lot of ground, I read it a few years ago and managed to retain my interest through all 600-something pages. AThis fascinating book covers a hell of a lot of ground, I read it a few years ago and managed to retain my interest through all 600-something pages. As someone interested in the history of Chicago and also the various challenges faced by all kinds of immigrant and minority groups (and their various solutions to such challenges), this book had a great appeal....more
Recommended to me by some brainy, overanalytical grad student in college, it is nonetheless a fine and relevant book for any student of design or resiRecommended to me by some brainy, overanalytical grad student in college, it is nonetheless a fine and relevant book for any student of design or resident of this vapid commercial strip we call America....more
How could I have forgotten this one, one of my all-time favorites, it's surely helped to steer my life and my worldview since first reading it in collHow could I have forgotten this one, one of my all-time favorites, it's surely helped to steer my life and my worldview since first reading it in college....more
Goes along with "Country Wisdom" and "Encyclopedia of Country Living," just got all three since they were inexpensive and each pack a wallop of great Goes along with "Country Wisdom" and "Encyclopedia of Country Living," just got all three since they were inexpensive and each pack a wallop of great info....more
This is a bit dated and also primitive in its printing (looks like a bound stack of xerox copies), but has a lot of very helpful illustrations and somThis is a bit dated and also primitive in its printing (looks like a bound stack of xerox copies), but has a lot of very helpful illustrations and some great info throughout. A worthy addition to a Permaculture library, if a somewhat heavy and redundant in its multiple bibliographies. Root growth maps are especially interesting....more
The Transition movement seems to be really taking of in the UK, I hope that the US will adopt these ideas and methods just as readily. It's already haThe Transition movement seems to be really taking of in the UK, I hope that the US will adopt these ideas and methods just as readily. It's already happening in Boulder CO and a few other places, I've lent this book to a couple of people here in Louisville and they were excited about it too. Basically it offers a framework for citizen activists and community leaders to prepare their locales for what is sure to be a bumpy road ahead as we face peak oil, climate change and possible economic collapse. Strengthening community bonds and establishing vibrant local economies is the key here.
The beginning part of the book offers an excellent primer on Peak Oil and Climate Change, and I enjoyed the first third of it more than the middle third, I haven't finished it yet though so maybe it will pull me back in....more
A short book (wish it was longer), offering a chorus of varying accounts of life on The Farm (a large hippie commune started in the early 70s in ruralA short book (wish it was longer), offering a chorus of varying accounts of life on The Farm (a large hippie commune started in the early 70s in rural Tennessee, they were over 1,000 strong and nearly self-sufficient for many years). I would've liked a lot more stories and details, but otherwise a fine read....more
Got this one along with a couple of other "basic skills bibles", and so far I'm impressed with the breadth and depth of its coverage. Been reading aboGot this one along with a couple of other "basic skills bibles", and so far I'm impressed with the breadth and depth of its coverage. Been reading about corn lately, all kinds of stuff about it. A good one for the commode, to have handy and just open randomly to any page....more
This hefty volume, weighing in at 450+ letter-sized pages (and about $80!) is no breezy novel, but I'm almost done with it and would highly recommend This hefty volume, weighing in at 450+ letter-sized pages (and about $80!) is no breezy novel, but I'm almost done with it and would highly recommend it to others. It's almost like a permaculture coursework, covering all of the essential topics in quite a bit of detail, with lots of photos, charts and illustrations. It was recommended to me by Peter Bane, a permaculture teacher well-known in the US (and publisher of the wonderful Permaculture Activist magazine). He didn't steer me wrong. One of the most valuable books in my collection!...more
I'm a big fan of the acerbic nonfiction of Kunstler's, like The Geography of Nowhere and The Long Emergency. This novel is set in the not-too-distant I'm a big fan of the acerbic nonfiction of Kunstler's, like The Geography of Nowhere and The Long Emergency. This novel is set in the not-too-distant future after a catastrophic collapse or meltdown of society, and it allows Kunstler to plug in all of his favorite stuff, from small-town living to olde-tymey skills to a car-less society, with the main character even being quite the ladies' man to the womenfolk around town. A bit cheesy at times but fascinating and definitely worth reading....more
I got really excited when first reading this book, about the prospects of greenhouse growing in Michigan during the winter. That is until someone remiI got really excited when first reading this book, about the prospects of greenhouse growing in Michigan during the winter. That is until someone reminded me how cloudy MI is during the winter...so I did some research, and sure enough, the part of Maine the author lives in has more sunny days than the US average in winter, whereas Michigan is among the cloudiest of all areas, with sunny days far below the national average. It's still a good book, but I think the author should've made as much a point of cloud cover as he did latitude....more
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