Category Archives: Books
The three books that influenced me the most
When I was recruited to give a speech at the TEDx conference in Targu Mures, Romania, I was asked to submit a list of the three books that influenced me the most. I have read hundreds, maybe thousands of books, and from … Continue reading
“In the Sea there are Crocodiles” by Fabio Geda
Every week now, thousands of refugees make it to Europe. Thousands die trying. In debates on immigration, refugees are referred to by the numbers in which they arrive, in economic or in legal terms. It’s time to read the account of one … Continue reading
Book Review: “Young Philby” by Robert Littell
I don’t know why I go for historical fiction or alternative history again and again, when I should know by now that I’ll be annoyed or disappointed. In Young Philby, Robert Littell tries to flesh out the early life of … Continue reading
“A Spy at the Heart of the Third Reich” by Lucas Delattre
“A Spy at the Heart of the Third Reich” would be one of the best spy novels I have ever read, if only it was a novel. But even better, it’s a true story. It’s a cliché that the best stories are … Continue reading
The perfect parcel
Books, chocolate, cigars. Anything else, I can do without.
My Encounters with Mexican Literature
Carlos Fuentes, the Mexican writer, has the following quote attributed to him: Writing is a struggle against silence. Of his many books, I have only read Aura and I wish he had remained silent. Whenever I visit a country, I try to … Continue reading
Smoking against Mosquitoes
Whenever I walk through a mosquito- or fly-infested forest or swamp, I light up a cigar. A strong one preferably. It keeps these rowdy little animals at bay. Now I am happy to have discovered that this is no excuse … Continue reading
Video: A Busy Day at Work
I often receive reactions of surprise when I point out that I don’t have time to accept invitations to meetings, to get something done or to answer your e-mails. But I am really extremely busy. To counter the incredulous astonishment that regularly meets this assertion, … Continue reading
Mein Kampf
While in Germany the debate is still raging whether an annotated version of Hitler’s book “Mein Kampf” should be published after the copyright protection will expire (I am in favor of such a publication, because what do we do historical research … Continue reading
Why I don’t play the Lottery
Because it’s a Soviet scam, a Communist charade: In the novel Twelve Chairs, Ilja Ilf and Evgeny Petrov describe how the Soviet Union organized steamship tours, accompanied by orchestras and dance groups, whose goal it was to get people to sign … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 