BEEN GONE A WHILE

So, I got sick of scuffling for new books to read, so I started to read the Pulitzer Prize winners. There are about 85 books that have won the Pulitzer. I have read ten of them, and have two more on tap. I can say that The Magnificant Ambersons (1919), So Big (1925), The Good Earth (1932), and Middlesex (2003) are good books, well worth your time. The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1928), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Old Man and the Sea (1953), To Kill a Mockingbird (1961), and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (2001) are brilliant books. I did not like The Yearling (1939). Next up is One of Ours.

In other news, the Prague Post carried this article about the commemoration in Pilsen (Czech Republic) of Patton's liberation of the city in 1945. After the war the Soviets taught that they had liberated Pilsen. However, for 60 years people kept pictures, as well as American Jeeps (!) to prove the true liberators. Check out the Liberation Day web page. Anyway, the story reminds me of all the stories about Patton not trusting the Soviets. Had he had his way, the Czech Republic may also have been divided, as Germany was, or neutralized (but left free) like the Austrians. Instead, the army was withdrawn and Bohemia turned over to the Soviets.