Sunday, December 03, 2006

Make Diesel Read a Book

My friend, Diesel has decided to place forth a challenge to his blog readers/ friends to recommend a book for him to read in the next year. I would have considered him extremely well read and one of my most articulate friends to date, but looking at this List, I found several key pieces of literature missing from his reading history.

To this purpose, I would like to formally recommend that he read Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey.

I know that (rightfully) some may argue these are two separate books and for the purpose of the contest I understand if they need to be separated to 2 different weeks, but they should be read back to back.

To explain my recommendations while trying to minimize sounding like a High School Syllabus: I will begin with a brief background; These are two epic poems which were written down sometime between 800 – 600 B.C.E. by Homer, but the stories being told are as old as 1200 B.C.E. The time lag existing primarily because prior to Homer getting this great idea to write it down, these stories were given orally by the Rhapsodoi (traveling poets) who performed all over Greece. They sang. They danced. They were easily the best thing to happen to the Greeks since fire.

These stories (some of the oldest known text in the world) prove that there really is no such thing as an original idea and that human nature has changed very little in all this time. The Iliad’s central focus is on War and The Odyssey on the trials of trying to just get home and how revenge truly is a strong motivating factor.

Still not sold, Diesel? Let me break it down in a handy dandy Pros/Cons list

Pros:
1. These are two of the oldest texts existing in human history.

2. Bragging rights of having read two of the most important works in Greek history helping to further promote the current cultivated attitude of being better than all around.

Example;
Random Co-Worker: “Diesel, why did you set that database up specifically to the requirements we asked of you? Didn’t you know that we would ultimately change our mind and blame you for it?”
D: “Have you read Homer?”
RCW: “What?”
D: “Have you read Homer??”
RCW: “Can’t say that I have”
D: OHHHHHH that explains why you’re in here asking me asinine questions. Why don’t you come back when you have progressed past being functionally illiterate Be-Atch”

3. This work has been translated by such stars as: Alexander Pope, Samuel Butler, T.E. Shaw and Walter Shewring

4. Everyone else has; What you think you’re too good for us?

5. Kick ass stories about heroes, great battles, hot chicks, deception, lies, honor and tradition. It has a little something for everyone on your Christmas list.

6. Available for free on the web in about 800 places, but my favorite service for this text is Here

Cons:
1. These are called epic poems...could result in a fear of long prose in places like bad hallmark cards and anything on the Lifetime channel. Oh wait, you already have that fear… no danger here.

2. You have a sudden startling revelation that these books are simple too manly for you to handle.

Diesel, I’ve risen to the challenge of blogging for you my recommendation; I hope you are strong enough to accept the challenge.

To all others reading this post, I recommend taking a visit to Mattress Police as this is my favorite place. Diesel blogs regularly and more importantly always has something either thought provoking or funny to write. You can also recommend a book for him to read to help keep him rolling in things to do once he has abandoned his post as my favorite co-worker in a few weeks time.

1 Comments:

Blogger robkroese said...

Ok, I'm adding it to my list. Thanks for the recommendation. I found your pros quite compelling. :)

10:07 PM  

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