Much to dislike about the man, for me, his distrust of democracy is probably a key component of how the deep state accumulated so much power. His aidiMuch to dislike about the man, for me, his distrust of democracy is probably a key component of how the deep state accumulated so much power. His aiding and abetting of human rights abusers in the service of cultivating international relationships and alliances is arguably evil in a number of examples, but based on a practicality I can understand if I step back emotionally from these scenarios, and remember what happens when we do overthrow dictators and the like. But like the author intended, I've come to a balanced appraisal of his work. Some of that helped greatly by current events, and the foreign policy of the last two decades. I'll admit that Suri's attempt to rationalize Kissinger's feelings of the "weaknesses of Democracy," initially had me reading this book at a side eye angle (meaning with some distrust). However, you can't help but empathize with how a young man growing up in Weimar Germany, and witnessing what he did (rise of Nazi-ism) might come to some uncomfortable conclusions. I'll admit I don't know enough about early 20th century Germany to know how "democratic" it actually was, but I doubt it's comparable to what we have here in the U.S. (even with it's own constitutional limits). Not for nuthin', but I'm glad to have finished this while he's still alive at the age of 100. When he goes, there'll be a multitude dancing on his grave, figuratively. Not me. I'll miss having competent devils operating behind the scenes over what we have now....more
Slightly better than volume one. The real stand-out here is a back-up story, Xaxi: Re-Spawn, which is given some heft by artist Charlie Snogans. I'm tSlightly better than volume one. The real stand-out here is a back-up story, Xaxi: Re-Spawn, which is given some heft by artist Charlie Snogans. I'm there for whatever *that* guy is working on. That's more my idea of good comics. Two other back ups have scripts by Chuck Dixon, Devil Dog: Origin, which isn't bad, and a preview for a sci-fi drama Desolation Wave, which doesn't register with me....more
Not quite my idea of good comics. Good bang for buck on page count, as far as crowd-funded comics goes, and I was happy to support one of my favorite Not quite my idea of good comics. Good bang for buck on page count, as far as crowd-funded comics goes, and I was happy to support one of my favorite Youtube channels, since I adblock. Also happy to help fund a lawsuit against someone who *has* made good comics, but decided to abuse his position against folk he doesn't like, so there's no buyer's remorse, here (except I backed one other project before reading this and it's followup, G0DK1NG). On the other hand, things get a little better with the next volume, so it's kinda inspiring to watch someone grow in realtime....more
This reads so much like a manga, I actually imagine many of the characters in cartoon form (and younger than the live action versions). Much differentThis reads so much like a manga, I actually imagine many of the characters in cartoon form (and younger than the live action versions). Much different in tone from the previous two novels I've read by Gu Long, which, to me were hilariously melancholic. This one is funny on purpose (I think) and appears to be almost a parody of the wu-xia genre. I initially thought he was copying aspects of Louis Cha's (aka Jing Yong) writing, but the situations I noted lead to different consequences. The writing *is* uneven, going from Saturday morning cartoon corny-ness to "holy shit, this is the greatest thing I've ever read" (hyperbole, but the emotion was real at the time) and back again. The manga feel is enhanced by the abundance of strong willed female characters who at one point or another are either potential love interests or foes of Xiao Yu'er (our hero). I don't think "Harem Manga" existed in the late 1960's, though I could be wrong. And our hero is neither a hapless nerd nor a ladies man. But it is a fun read and the closest thing to watching a (great) cartoon without having the pictures drawn for you....more