A typical ancient Greek battle had vastly disproportionate causalities on the losing side, because most of them were inflicted after that side broke, and in the pursuit.
Retreating in good order in the face of superior forces has been called the most difficult maneuver in warfare, and it's particularly hard when the other men have been routed.
One notes that he and his companion got away without trouble when there were two of them, both alert. That alone was enough to dissuade pursuers from attack.
Christopher Alexander, the professor of architecture, has a wonderful line--"making wholes heals the maker." I think something similar must be true of reading. It does something good for the soul, to read the complete works of another human being, to really master his works until you can almost think his thoughts and anticipate what he would say on a given topic and even how he would say it. Though the caveat should probably be added that the person ought to be a wise and righteous man. It might not do to dwell in the complete works of Sartre or Chernyshevsky.
I love that your professor mentioned the fact that in reading an author’s complete works you’ll find that not all of what they wrote was good. There really is a relief in knowing that our literary heroes had, shall we say, less savory work, much like many of us can tend to judge the quality of our own work. Even the greats started somewhere, and to me, that’s liberating. And who knows, if we take up the courage to write at they did, perhaps we can join their ranks; the caveat being we have to actually, you know, write.
I love Dickens! He’s certainly an example of an author of uneven quality. David Copperfield is one of my 3 or 4 favorite books, but I don’t particularly care for Great Expectations. I’m looking forward to reading Our Mutual Friend this summer.
I enjoyed this. I am a big supporter of these types of efforts. Not sure if you were aware but two years ago I read the complete works of John Steinbeck. It was such a powerful experience. Some of his works are masterpieces. Others leave you wondering how it could be the same author. Great piece.
Thank you very much for reading my work. I am enjoying your insightful pieces on The Odyssey and will be reading many more of your essays in the next few weeks. -A fellow devotee of bold coffee.
A typical ancient Greek battle had vastly disproportionate causalities on the losing side, because most of them were inflicted after that side broke, and in the pursuit.
Retreating in good order in the face of superior forces has been called the most difficult maneuver in warfare, and it's particularly hard when the other men have been routed.
One notes that he and his companion got away without trouble when there were two of them, both alert. That alone was enough to dissuade pursuers from attack.
This is very helpful, thank you.
Christopher Alexander, the professor of architecture, has a wonderful line--"making wholes heals the maker." I think something similar must be true of reading. It does something good for the soul, to read the complete works of another human being, to really master his works until you can almost think his thoughts and anticipate what he would say on a given topic and even how he would say it. Though the caveat should probably be added that the person ought to be a wise and righteous man. It might not do to dwell in the complete works of Sartre or Chernyshevsky.
I have long admired A Pattern Language. Thanks for sharing this apropos quote from its author. Do you happen to remember the source?
I THINK it's in Nature of Order, vol. 4, p261, but I don't have the book with me to verify.
Hackett needs to update their Complete Plato book. Their individual Focus imprint dialogues have surpassed it by quite a bit.
I love that your professor mentioned the fact that in reading an author’s complete works you’ll find that not all of what they wrote was good. There really is a relief in knowing that our literary heroes had, shall we say, less savory work, much like many of us can tend to judge the quality of our own work. Even the greats started somewhere, and to me, that’s liberating. And who knows, if we take up the courage to write at they did, perhaps we can join their ranks; the caveat being we have to actually, you know, write.
What a great project! I've been working my way through Dickens' oeuvre, but it's slow going since his novels are so long. Thanks for this post!
I love Dickens! He’s certainly an example of an author of uneven quality. David Copperfield is one of my 3 or 4 favorite books, but I don’t particularly care for Great Expectations. I’m looking forward to reading Our Mutual Friend this summer.
I enjoyed this. I am a big supporter of these types of efforts. Not sure if you were aware but two years ago I read the complete works of John Steinbeck. It was such a powerful experience. Some of his works are masterpieces. Others leave you wondering how it could be the same author. Great piece.
Thank you very much for reading my work. I am enjoying your insightful pieces on The Odyssey and will be reading many more of your essays in the next few weeks. -A fellow devotee of bold coffee.
If you can get through Sophist, you can get through anything!
Which Complete Plato are you reading?
The Hackett. In the past I have used the Bollingen.