From the Bookshelf...

A couple of quick book notes on this fine Tuesday evening…

-Currently working my way through “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins. I just recently was introduced to Dawkins through the Skeptics Annotated Bible website, and found the limited writings I’ve read on the Internet fascinating enough to plunk down a little of my hard-earned cash and acquire this, his latest book. It is a truly fascinating work, as Dawkins, an avowed atheist, discusses his theories on the concept of a god, why he doesn’t believe in one, the psychology of why others do, and discussing the good and bad of having such a belief. As someone who has spent many years trying to explain his religious beliefs (or lack thereof), Dawkins’s writing feels like a breath of fresh air. Here is a respected and learned man who does not sound condescending or sanctimonious when discussing complex theories, but rather does his best to remain accessible and readable. Having read my share of works by academics that seem to reject the very idea that their work would have an audience, Dawkins distills his arguments down to their essence and presents them in a manner that is fascinating and entertaining. This book does not have all the answers, nor does it profess to. But I have never seen a more thoughtful and entertaining discussion of why, in the absence of evidence, so many people still hold so strongly in their belief - and why, at its core, that belief can be a dangerous thing. Very, very thought-provoking, and surprisingly enjoyable as a read.

-Also today I picked up a copy of “The Hardcore Diaries” by Mick Foley, the third and, probably, final installment of his wrestling autobiography. As with his first two books, it is consistently entertaining and funny throughout, though unlike his first two books, this volume is tinged with sadness and even a little anger. This volume focuses on his most recent WWE run, specifically the six week period leading up to his appearance at the ECW One Night Stand pay-per-view. It is the most in-depth discussion of a single wrestling angle there perhaps will ever be, as we see it progress from the moment Mick pitches the angle that would kick the whole thing off, to the end of the match at the PPV. But this story ends up being more of a tragedy than anyone, Mick least of all, could have anticipated, as the storyline gets micro-mismanaged almost from the second it leaves the starting gate, with strange choice by all involved leading to a less-than-stellar fan response for the program. You can feel Mick’s frustration as the storyline reaches its culmination, as he was writing the book, essentially, in “real time” as the angle was progressing (an approach he comes to question quite a bit as the match approaches). In the end, Mick says some things about the WWE’s creative team, Vince McMahon in particular, that are so pointed and harsh that I am amazed they made it into a WWE-published book. But, they were, and Mick is the first one to give Vince credit for not shirking away from criticism. It’s still an excellent and entertaining read, with plenty of interesting non-sequiturs added in for good measure, from entertaining stories about the WWE Divas to Mick’s story of how he almost jumped to TNA (which has to be the first time in the history of WWE that those three letters were mentioned so blatantly by one of their performers). All in all, a very good book which gives fans a terrific look at WWE’s creative process (both good and bad), and acts as a nice bookend to the Mick Foley Literary Saga.

Hmm. Richard Dawkins and Mick Foley on the same day. No one can say my literary tastes aren’t eclectic.