"To seek is to suffer. To seek nothing is bliss," is attributed to Bodhidharma, the Indian monk who brought Zen, tea and Kung Fu to China. In today's Austin, if you saw the Buddha, he would be a homeless panhandler standing on a corner, with his bowl out, seeking nothing.
George W. Parker - Talking
Thoughts About Stuff: “Quidquid praecipies, esto brevis." (Whatever advice you give, be brief.) ― Horace, Ars Poética
Friday, October 10, 2025
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Elmore Leonard
Elmore Leonard - Two Stars ☆☆
I just finished four of Leonard's novels. I think Agnes Lowzier describes all the characters best: "A half-smart guy, that's what I always draw. Never once a man who's smart all the way around the course." All of Leonard's people are half-smart.
George W. Parker
Monday, September 25, 2023
Stalingrad: The City that Defeated the Third Reich
Stalingrad: The City that Defeated the Third Reich - Jochen Hellbeck. - One Star ☆
I am always looking for new material on the WW2 Eastern Front. Hellbeck presents fresh material, but are the interviews with Commissars reporting the bravery of other Commissars accurate? I didn't finish the book.
George W. Parker
Thursday, September 14, 2023
The Boys from Biloxi
The Boys from Biloxi - John Grisham. - Two Stars ☆☆
It's been years since I read a John Grisham novel. I wish I had kept that streak alive. He gives us cardboard characters and an obvious plot. The only surprise in the entire book is how the DA managed to live as long as he did.
George W. Parker
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Night Has a Thousand Eyes
Night Has a Thousand Eyes - Cornell Woolrich. - Two Stars ☆☆
This is a Twilight Zone episode. I have read it before but did not recall it until about halfway through. I wish I had remembered sooner.
George W. Parker
Monday, August 21, 2023
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin - Two Stars ☆☆
I read the book. I do not think I would read it again and I chose not to read the next in the series. I found Arya Stark the only interesting character in the book. That lack of interest reflects on the writer. I was disappointed.
George W. Parker
Monday, August 14, 2023
Tune In: The Beatles
This is a five-star book if you are a fan of the Beatles' minutiae. If you want to know what clothes Paul wore when he was 14 or what brand was Geroge's third guitar then this book is for you. I didn't finish it so the one star from me.
George W. Parker