Reinhold Lautner
Stories (46)
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The rise of HAMAS
Hamas (an Arabic acronym for “Islamic Resistance Movement”) emerged in the 1980s as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. As an Islamic fundamentalist political and militant organization, Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007 after winning Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. While labelled a terrorist organization by countries such as the United States, Hamas views itself as a legitimate resistance movement defending Palestinian rights against Israeli occupation. This article will provide an overview of Hamas’ origins, ideology, militant activities, governance of Gaza, relations with other Palestinian factions, and future prospects.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in Education
Far from the Tree
Andrew Solomon investigates, in his book "Far from the Tree," how families might tolerate children with identities that are distinct from those of their parents. Solomon delves deeply into the complexities of what he calls "horizontal identity," which refers to the phenomenon in which children depart from their parents' expectations regarding characteristics such as disability, genius, and criminality. His investigation is informed by considerable research and interviews. His empathic work illuminates the complexities of judgment, sadness, and celebration that are present in interactions between children and parents that are not conventional.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Freakonomics
Freakonomics is a book written by economist Steven Levitt and writer Stephen Dubner in which they investigate the hidden incentives, motivations, and repercussions that lie behind a wide variety of social patterns and occurrences. They exhibit Levitt's unusual yet insightful approach by using the lens of economics to themes such as cheating teachers and conspiring sumo wrestlers. In doing so, they discover the unseen factors that are affecting occurrences that appear to be unrelated to one another. Their captivating book deftly challenges commonly held beliefs about the way the world functions.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Empire of Pain
In his book "Empire of Pain," journalist Patrick Radden Keefe presents a comprehensive biography of the Sackler family, who were the founders of the pharmaceutical corporation Purdue Pharma. Purdue Pharma is responsible for producing the highly controversial prescription drug OxyContin. Keefe has compiled an exhaustive history of the beginnings, inner workings, and questionable activities of this prominent yet notoriously secretive corporation.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
The Kissing Bug: A True Story of a Family, an Insect, and a Nation’s Neglect of a Deadly Disease
In this compelling and reflective book, Daisy Hernández, an esteemed author and journalist, delves into the profound impact of Chagas disease, an often neglected tropical ailment that affects many Latin American immigrants residing in the United States. By integrating scientific data with interviews conducted among families, Hernández effectively humanizes the phenomenon of this understated epidemic, shedding light on the wider healthcare disparities experienced by vulnerable populations.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
The novel "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" written by Katherine Boo provides an engrossing look at the terrible realities of life in Annawadi, a slum in Mumbai that is located next to a posh airport and a number of luxury hotels. Boo reveals the structural inequality and corruption that keep people of the undercity trapped in intergenerational poverty through the use of personal narratives that focus on a few different neighbors. Her nuanced portraits expose their humanity while simultaneously denouncing the systems that prey on the weak.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Crying in H Mart
In the poignant book titled "Crying in H Mart," Michelle Zauner, an indie musician, offers introspective contemplations on her experiences as a Korean-American, the complex dynamics of her relationship with her mother, and the profound sorrow she grapples with in the aftermath of her mother's demise due to cancer. Zauner adeptly examines the profound impact of food on memory, skillfully navigating her bicultural identity by engaging in the preparation of authentic Korean cuisine. The narrative style employed by Zauner exhibits a remarkable level of elegance, as evidenced by the exquisite wording and vivid descriptions utilized throughout the book. This literary approach engenders a sense of intimacy for the reader, resulting in a lasting impact that extends well beyond the conclusion of the text.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Invisible Child
The life of Dasani, an 11-year-old homeless girl who lives in New York's run-down Auburn shelter, is painstakingly chronicled in Andrea Elliott's novel "Invisible Child." Dasani's existence careens between hunger, violence, and rare moments of youthful bliss during the course of the novel. The compassionate storytelling of Elliott gives poverty and deprivation personal faces, bringing into focus the humanity that lies beneath statistics on injustice and failing social structures. Her in-depth reporting uncovered a broken system that failed the most helpless members of society time and time again.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
How the Word Is Passed
In his book "How the Word Is Passed," Clint Smith conducts a comprehensive investigation of the ways in which different locations in the United States come to terms with the legacy of slavery. Smith exposes the blatant inconsistencies in our approach to dealing with the repercussions of the past by conducting an analysis of the narratives that are woven across museums, memorials, and historical landmarks. From the estate of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello to the Angola jail in Louisiana, he compellingly reveals the mythology, erasure, and denial that continue to permeate America's national memory.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Aftershocks
When Nadia Owusu was young, her Ashanti Ghanaian mother and Armenian American father separated, and she was left with her father's family in the United States. In her moving book "Aftershocks," she comes to terms with the ways in which these separations shook her childhood. Owusu travels from Africa through Europe to the Americas, spurred by the emotional earthquakes caused by their absence. Her in-depth account sheds light on the lingering effects of childhood trauma for migrant children.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, George Saunders
In my capacity as an author and professor of creative writing, I approached the opportunity to engage with George Saunders' perspectives on Russian literature with great enthusiasm, particularly through the medium of this exceptional new audiobook. Saunders' prowess as a curator and critic aligns seamlessly with his remarkable writing ability, a fact that I can personally affirm, given my longstanding admiration for his distinctive voice and sardonic humor. The author's engaging analysis of a collection of seven short stories authored by prominent Russian writers Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol provides an enlightening and instructive educational experience.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
