Howling at the Moon

The S.O.B. Letter Column

Bob Robles

First, three book reviews."And quiet flows the Don" by Mikhail Sholokhov. This is a fictional account of the life and struggles of the Don Cossacks. It is part of a multi-volume story of the Cossacks. This covers the period from the start of the First World War to the Russian Revolution. It is a sprawling novel in the same vein as 'War and Peace'. The characters are fully developed and the language truly evokes the feelings and the scenes of the moment.I highly recommend this book.

Second, Freakonomics-A Rogue Economnist explores the hidden side of everything. By Steven D. Leavitt and Stephen J. Dubner. One of the 'books of the season. A very entertaining discussion analyzing assumptions about a disparate array of subjects. No sacred cows are spared: abortion, parenting, fruad among school teachers. A very fun and quick read.

Third, The Victorian Internet-Tom Standage. A fascinating history of the telegraph. The author takes us through the invention of the telegraph and its wide spread adoption. He reviews the unintended consequences of rapid communication. The author does a very nice job drawing parallels between the effect the telegraph on society and that of the internet today. We can learn something from the past!