The Causes of war, Geoffrey Blainey

 

This was the first book of Geoffrey Blainey which I struggled with. It basically gave a run through of the reasons of war and the reasons just as importantly for peace.

The causes of war were quite systematic in Baineys approach from accidents, to balances of major powers and alliances, short wars and long wars. I struggled with all theses examples and the jumping around of time frames.

I think I would have preferred the book to go through wars chronologically and then talk about the reasons specifically for that war. Instead of the reason for war and the examples after it.

The edition that I read was 1977 and a lot has happened since then. The end of communism for a start. There has been for the last 20 years or so no 'balance' of power. The United States been the only superpower, although China is on the rise. For the last ten years or so 'terrorism' has been great war of our time. It would be interesting how Blainey would have incorporated it in his book.

2/5

A Short History of Progress :: Ronald Wright

This was a short punchy book. It reminded me of the thriftiness of word of Geoffrey Blainey and his 'Short history of ....." series. Whilst also having the warnings of global catastrophy of Tim Flannery. Yet with Flannery I sensed hope, while with Wright and 'A Short History of Progress' I was left with an impending feeling of doom and hopelessness.

Wright's book though is about civilisations and there downfalls. The basic premiss is that most fall due to environmental factors. Incredible growth in which the natural resources cannot keep up. His concern and I admit it mine as well is that we are facing the same problem as civilisations from the past but on a global scale. I like how he wrote that we are using the earth capital resources instead of living of the interest from the earth.

So, basically unless we start to change consumption patterns and move globally to a more sustainable way of doing things, it looks as if disaster awaits. Maybe not in my life time but certainly at some stage.

On a side note, it was interesting his delving into history and using the stories of Gilgamesh and that of Noah's ark. The floods came to the Tigris and Euphrates due to the deforestation of land around these rivers. The trees, forests acted as huge sponges that once gone changed the flow of the rivers. I suppose I knew about other stories of floods but not in as much detail. That the stories of Gilgamesh were older and the comparison to Noah are strikingly similar.

I spent a lot of time after finishing the book pondering about what will happen to humanity globally. I don't think it will be pretty. But what my hope is that each generation will consider how fragile life is on earth is and how lucky we are. A new reverence and care will be part of the human DNA for our habitat.

 

A Short History of Chrisitianity, Geoffrey Blainey

 

I've read a few of Geoffrey Blainey "short history's" now and I wouldn't be surprised if this is the longest coming in at 550 pages. As a person who has studied Christian History it pretty much takes the conventional chronological line with what I would add his quirky yet pertinent observations.

A lots of his little observations make me stop and ponder. A few examples::

Competition of religion:: In the USA church's took on characteristics of businesses and commerce. "If worshipers disliked their clergyman they walked out and, gathering hammer and saw, nails and timber, erected their own church. If they could not find a suitable preacher, they themselves became the first preachers'. (Its interesting that this happens a bit in Australia, but most if they become disgruntled give up Church altogether.)

Right to life:: Catholics have opposed abortion, they agree with the right to life including but also include opposing capital punishment. p 540-1 (interesting when you think of evangelical/republican Christians)

Overall It was interesting to read about the sects that came from Christianity, some died while others continued to flourish such as the Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses for example. I was also interested but it sure it fitted in with the book his observation of atheists and agnostics.

Overall he was rather optimistic that Christianity would survive, stating that at times not just now, Christianity faced monumental challenges and has come through. It will be interesting what the future holds and how Christianity will look like for the main stream in the future.

3.5/5

 

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Geoffrey Blainey, A short history of the 20th Century

 

Geoffrey Blainey, A short history of the 20th Century

A few random thoughts on the book::

I like Geoffery Blainey's books. I've read a few now; I like his broad sweeps, yet his ability to pick out small details.

Beyond a doubt in my mind the most influential and shaping event was communism. Even if communism didn't last, some of the ideals did. Fair working conditions, employment, a health system for those who need it, equality between sexes. The struggle with the west brought about huge jumps in technology for weapons and space exploration.

Communism birth and life was brutal. It wasn't communisms ideas which let it down; rather corruption and power of leaders. Implementation of the ideals of communism were flawed.

It would appear to me that out of the history of humanity, the 20th Century had the most going on. It certainly had the first of the 'World Wars' where death was in the millions for the combatants as well as civilians. The worlds populations have been the greatest. Technology with the birth of computers, rockets, nuclear power, planes, telecommunication. All of these have been revolutionary. I would suspect what happens afterwards will be more 'Evolutionary'.

My only criticism would be the inclusion of the New York attacks on the twin towers. I actually think that on scale of disasters be them man made or not; it was small. The American response was large; and worthwhile reporting; but both events are outside of the 20th Century.

4/5

Triumph of the Nomads by Geoffrey Blainy

I think this book is a must for anyone who values Australian history. It puts a perspective on how small a part the white settlement is part of Australian history. A few points that had me thinking::

• The Aboriginals had a better standard of living especially in regards to nutrition than most of Europe at the time of the invasion. Food was never an issue for these nomadic people
• Looking at aboriginal history it is ancient. It would be very hard to reconcile a Christian 'young earth' theory with these people.
• Aboriginals where around when prehistoric beasts were roaming in Australia.
• The aboriginals had an amazing and elaborate way of using dams and weirs in there catching of fish.
• It is a sad the loss of knowledge, especially that of bush foods and other ways of Aboriginal survival since Australian white settlement.