The Sun Also Rises

Re-read Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises this week after twenty-two years since the first time I read it. Re-reading a book like that is a great way to sensitize yourself to how much wisdom and experience you gain as you get older. It is a completely different - and better - book the second time around. On the first read, I viewed it as a great travelogue that gave me an intense desire to hang out in sleepy Spanish towns, drink the wine of the country, and fly fish. On this read, it fed the same compulsion, but also allowed for reflection on current and past friendships and the nature of women. Two of the most complicated and intriquing subjects known to man. Again, a strong book recommendation.

After two novels this month, I feel the Civil War jones coming back. Will read part two of Rhea's account of Grant's 1864 overland campaign next. The first part, read last fall, dealt with the Battle of the Wilderness. Now we are on to Spotsylvania, to be followed by North Anna River and finally Cold Harbor. Intend to have the whole series done by mid-2006.