PG hopes that everyone had a lovely break (or continues to be having a lovely break).
Christmas at Casa PG was wonderful and active. Excited children definitely increase the energy level around the place and PG enjoyed that a lot. He predicts each member of his posterity will be a world-class sprinter, decathlete or smuggler.
One of the principles that applies to great art of all types is contrast. Light and dark, tension and release, etc. Thus, the silence at Casa PG seems even more profound this morning with the absence of pitter-pattering little feet.
Following an extra-long night of sleep, PG is trying to rally each of his little gray cells to the tasks of the day with only limited success.
PG received the hardcover version of The Landmark Julius Caesar: The Complete Works: Gallic War, Civil War, Alexandrian War, African War, and Spanish War as one of his gifts. Based on his reading so far, it is a quite excellent book.
Julius Caesar might have been on Winston Churchill’s mind when he said, “History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.”
(PG found one commentator who says that aforementioned quote of Churchill’s is (ironically) not historically correct. According to this commentator, the correct version is, “For my part, I consider that it will be found much better by all Parties to leave the past to history, especially as I propose to write that history.” PG wouldn’t be surprised if Churchill made both statements.)
While PG is an enthusiastic convert to ebooks, the absence of an ebook version of this thoroughly magisterial work was fortunate.
At 896 pages printed on high-quality paper, the physical presence of this book is imposing. It is clearly not a fluttery little time-waster. (The Introduction is LXIII pages long.)
Here is a screen shot of the preview of the first page (note both footnotes and sidenotes!):
.
Latin scholars may take issue with the English translation of Caesar’s simple and direct first line, “Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres,” but to those scholars, PG says, “Cucurbita! Write your own 896 page book, then.”
When one is lying in bed with this book propped on one’s chest, the presence of the greatest of Caesars is palpable. One can almost imagine being a defeated Gaul with Caesar’s foot planted triumphantly in a pose for the ages.
.
Long ago, older relatives told me the phrase came from the time when they really did turn it over. With a crank, stuck in the front of the car to the driveshaft.
Right now I am reading the biography of Joseph Hauptman. He was born to an ordinary German family, but then he emigrated to the middle east. After getting his start as a bandit raiding towns, he settled down and opened a manure fertilizer business.
To the end of his days he was know as the routine Teuton, Haifa looting, big time cow pie Joe.
I was pretty much an NFU today at work, so my engine couldn’t’ turn over even if, to quote Mr. Praline, you ran 5,000 volts through me.
But, a tome of 896 pages would definitely make my eyes glaze, no matter how interesting the topic(s) may be (and they are with the book).
As they say in the movies, you are a better man than I to tackle this tome.
Latin humor,huh?
Ubi o ubi est meus sububi?
And, the ever lovin Latin translation one of my fellow students hung over the school cafeteria entrance…
‘He knows faith’
In Roman Latin is
Fedum scit.
(The ‘proper’ pronunciation of ‘sc’ at the time was ‘shhh)
Have a nice day! LOL
I’m having trouble getting started as well. I keep having to remind myself that it is Tuesday.
I’ll be starting the “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” workbook today, or try to if my head will start working. Otherwise I’ll sit quiet and read or watch DVDs.
I’m clearly scattered today, but wise enough to stay home and not venture out into the world where crazed shoppers are returning gifts and redeeming gift certificates. HA!
A – I’ll draw on whatever part of my brain responds to requests.
Maybe I’ve had too much egg nog, but I can’t figure out what the headline means.
You are a brave man, PG, embarking on a book with almost 900 pages. If I recall correctly, you’ve mentioned some of your other books over time — showing an interest in wars. What is it that draws you to that topic?
Patricia – Given my impaired mental state, I started the post on one direction and finished elsewhere.
“Will the engine turn over?” was a question commonly asked in my youth about pickup trucks, tractors, etc., on a cold winter morning after a period of mechanical inactivity.
I was reflecting on a period of holiday activity during which I wasn’t spending much time blogging and wondering if I would find any intelligent voices in my head today.
Sitting here laughing…so glad I’m not the only one impaired today.
The headline was apt for me, because that’s exactly what I asked this morning. Fortunately, it did.
Plus! Your book is in my to-buy cart at Amazon. I was contemplating getting it along with another book, but I think the reviews said the book constantly refers you to other websites for more information. Please (with a cherry on top) report back whether or not this is true 🙂
Otherwise, I’ll settle for the version of the Gallic War done by Oxford Classics, which I have on Kindle (no, sadly the maps aren’t hi-res even if you have a Fire).
Caesar’s description of the Helvetii, the ancestors of the Swiss, just cracked me up. Roughly, he reports that they just love, love, love war. Love it so much that they have a major case of the sads when they realize geography is stopping them from waging war. They come up with a cunning plan to leave “Switzerland” and invade Gaul instead, but merry mishaps ensue 😛
Jamie – I haven’t checked out the other websites that show up in the book from time to time, but, so far, the book itself provides ample information on the topics it addresses.
I suspect the use of website supplements were either a bright marketing idea somebody working for the publisher originated or a manifestation of some OCD on the part of one of the editors/authors that there will always be something new to write about Julius Caesar.
Might note that the prices is also an excellent one. I paid about $32 for a hardcover of just the Gallic and Civil War volumes some years ago.
Thanks, PG and Writing Observer. Okay. I’m going to hit “buy.” It is a good price, I agree.