Books

Blood Meridian

The Kid and The Judge have some shockingly violent adventures on the Texas/Mexico border. 

Another masterpiece of balanced and economical storytelling. A film this violent would be instantly rejected by the psyche, collapsing into Tarantino style comic violence whether it wanted to or not. 

But McCarthy walks a fine line that prevents the reader from being able to check out like that. You’re held as close to the flame as possible without bursting into flames yourself. 

And there are no jarring discordant notes to wake you from the hypnosis. The descriptions of scenes have a touch of plausible florid Impressionism, but the descriptions of people and their actions are clear eyed and direct. 

It’s not an easy read. There’s a lot of scalping. There’s no ingenuous protagonist to identify with. No protective shell of any kind to turn it into merely a Disney ride through hell. It paints a grisly picture of humanity, and you’re right in the thick of it. 

Absolute must read. Classic.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Malcom X tells his own story, from childhood to near the end of his life. 

It starts with stories of growing up in foster care following the death of his father and institutionalization of his mother. This piece feels a lot like a conventional childhood memoir. 

As he transitions to young adulthood, it reads more like a crime memoir. His youthful misadventures in the world of sex, drugs, jazz, gambling, and light philandering were, y’know, fun to hear about. 

Then, during the prison sentence that inevitably follows, he discovers the Nation of Islam, abandons his self destructive behavior, and becomes active as a community leader. Here, he shares his radically free and independent thinking. You can disagree with him on substance, but you can’t deny his ability to think for himself without baggage. 

The last part of the book tells about his conversion to mainstream Islam and ends with an eerily accurate prediction that he’d be killed. 

Absolute banger, must read.

Have read this one multiple times!! All timer!

An incredible book. The recent biography The Dead are Arising is a good companion that adds some additional depth to his story. Also has fascinating details about his meeting with the KKK and an undercover cop present for his assassination.