LOTR Read-Along: The Fellowship of the Ring: Fog on the Barrow-Downs

All good things come to an end. Frodo and his companions have regained their strength while under the hospitality of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. Now, they venture into the Barrow-Downs. A rather dodgy and murky countryside that borders into the supernatural. As always, Tolkien stretches out this chapter would unrelenting narration of nature, trees, ground and green. However, the tour comes to an abrupt halt when Frodo gets caught in--guess what?--fog.

LOTR Read-Along: The Fellowship of the Ring: In the House of Tom Bombadil

So, I've finally been introduced to the famous Tom Bombadil. I, of course, had heard of Tom Bombadil and what a well loved character he and his significant other, Goldberry are. People were initially disappointed that they weren't in the film (because up to this point the Peter Jackson and crew decided to cut out anything remotely happy or hopeful), yet somehow it would have been hard to fit them in, with timing constraints and story flow to consider. Yet, now reading the chapter, I find them both to be endearing characters and they represent one of the most important virtues that is seen frequently throughout British literature. 

Unbroken

After reading this remarkable book, I knew I had to watch the film. The life of Louis Zamprini--the son of Italian immigrants, who went on to become an Olympic runner, WWII bombardier, POW in several Japanese camps, war hero and eventual survivor of alcoholism and PTSD and would spend the rest of his life serving God and the world--is a life that can never be forgotten. Through prejudice, war, fear, despair and ultimate hope found in redemption, Louis Zamprini remained a champion his whole life.

The Narrative of an Early Bloomer

WARNING

:::I'm going to be discussing very personal, private and even controversial subjects:::

:::This post is about my personal struggles as an early bloomer and the many issues I faced oftentimes on my own and that I still face today:::

:::I know that those who follow my blog are all mature enough to not be offended by what I have to say:::

LOTR Read-Along: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Old Forest

Abd once a again we have another nature centric chapter. Tolkien's narrative of a...well, very old forest. Dark, grisly, covered with flies and trudging through mud. The forest soon starts to come alive and the the hobbits are having a hard time distinguishing fantasy from reality. It's now understandable why the hobbit race in general fear the forest because it is in a sense alive. Hobbits fear the unknown and nothing can be such a representation of darkness and mystery like that of a forest. 

Goodreads Reviews: The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Based on the remarkable lives of the men and women who traveled throughout Europe rescuing and preserving priceless works of art and landmarks during World War II. Hitler was obsessed with culture and any piece of art that had the slightest hint of Aryan influence, he was determined to have. While he alone may have been the only Nazi to have a modicum of actual art appreciation, he sent out his henchmen to track down and steal all the best art in the Nazi conquered countries.

Enter the military created MFAA (Monuments, Fine Arts and Archive section) or simply the Monuments Men. Names such as Major Ronald Balfour, Private Harry Ettlinger, Captain Walker Hancock, Captain Walter "Hutch" Huchtausenm, Jacques Jaujard, Private First Class Lincoln Kirstein, Captain Robert Posey, Second Lieutenant James Rorimer, Lieutenant George Stout and Rose Valland may not seem of any importance to history and their work alone has become nothing more than a footnote in books. However, these fearless soldiers, museum directors and volunteers are responsible for the preservation of some of history's most treasured works of art.

The book jumps back and forth between the lives and duties of the lead characters. From Germany to North Africa, the MFAA will stop at nothing to track down the Nazi Army and the artifacts stolen from the occupied countries. Not all of these were paintings, either. There were alters, tapestries and statues, and some of our characters have a particular bond with a certain artifact that they are determined to save.

These artifacts were hidden by both Nazis and countrymen in churches, basements and salt mines. The Monuments Men put their lives on the line over and over again. Some were even spies and informants working side by side with their enemy, always fearing that any moment could be their last. Some did die in the effort to end Hitler's destruction of European culture.

Despite its length I enjoyed the Monuments Men and getting to know these people. All of them so passionate in their love of art and history. As a history and art lover I appreciate these courageous men and women and what they did. Culture is defined by one's art. German art is different from Scandinavian art and Russian art is different from Spanish art. All art tells a story and sometimes it can tell history better than any book. What the Monuments Men (and women) fought and died for cannot be overlooked or underappreciated.

LOTR Read-Along: The Fellowship of the Ring: A Conspiracy Unmasked

After the monotony of the last several chapters, we finally get a little excitement from Frodo's unconventional cousin Merry. After narrowly escaping another Black Rider, the four hobbits crash at Frodo's 'new home.' However, as the title would indicate, a conspiracy has certainly been unmasked and Frodo comes to the realization that he's not as sneaky and clever as he thinks.