The Arrogance of Humanism - by: David Ehrenfeld (1978, 1981 Galaxy Ed., Oxford University Press)

This book provides excellent contrast for another book I've read recently called, "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" by Paulo Freire. Freire is a staunch humanist, and Ehrenfeld an ardent anti-humanist. But, if they could somehow see eye-to-eye the result could be almost miraculous! Neither Freire nor Ehrenfeld have all the answers, but they both have excellent views from different sides of the same problem (namely, mankinds sense of separation from reality). It's too bad that Freire is dead, because if he and Ehrenfeld got together to compare their unique views honestly and openly then I believe that a third viewpoint would emerge that could provide answers to the really tough questions that neither of these books do on their own.

That given, I strongly recommend both of these books to anyone sincerely interested in the possible futures of humankind, which neither book talks about, but both portend.

Dragon's Bait - by: Vivian Velde (1992)

A short fun book (fiction) written for teenagers, technically well written but transparently moral in character. I found it on the FDC bookcart.

Aztec Autum - by: Gary Jennings (1997)

This is the long awaited sequel to Jennings' first book "Aztec", which I read for the first time as a young man in prison (over 30 years ago). Back then I believed it was an accurate depiction of Central American history. But when I re-read that first Aztec book a few years ago I was shocked at how overtly Westernized the so-called Aztecs were in the story. This second book is even a bigger distortion of reality (i.e. history) than the firs. I guess I should have paid closer attention to the disclaimer inside the front pages: "This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously."

The Girl Who Played With Fire - by: Stieg Larsson, translated from swedish - by: Reg Keeland (2009, 1st US edit)

I read the first book in this series, "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" a couple of years ago and liked it. So, I counted myself lucky to find this one (book two) on the bookcart here in Seatac FDC. I usually don't like books (or movies) that depict skinny women as tougher than men, it just seems phoney and unrealistic. But this one does it in a convincing and half believable way that makes it entertaining and intelligent.