When Time Was Measured in Decades

by | Jan 23, 2017

Viejas historias de Castilla la Vieja (Old Stories of Old Castile) is a short novel about Old Castile, the historic region and birthplace of Spanish author Miguel Delibes (1920-2010). The novel was published in 1964. Castilians revere their language, which they refer...
Passos and Century’s End

Passos and Century’s End

by | Dec 8, 2016

Century’s Ebb: The Thirteenth Chronicle by John Dos Passos. Gambit, 1975. Hardcover, 474 pages. Publico ergo damnatus. —John Dos Passos, May 23, 1970 Reviewed by Pedro Blas González John Rodrigo Dos Passos (1896-1970) is a writer with an expansive view of man, of...

The Courage of Lewis and Clark

by | Feb 7, 2016

Pedro Blas González Are these indeed men worthy of the name? Walt Whitman, “Democratic Vistas” The Journals of Lewis and Clark is a treasure of American history and exploration. It is also a testament to the strength of character of early American settlers. In 1803...

Schopenhauer and Postmodern Ethical Affectation

by | Nov 29, 2015

Pedro Blas González Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860), the grouch of Danzig, never minced words. As a self-respecting philosopher, his allegiance was to truth. This is characteristic of genuine freethinkers throughout history, regardless of any unpleasant fruits that...

An Old Tale, Retold

by | Aug 9, 2015

Grendel by John Gardner. Vintage, 1971, 1989. Paperback, 192 pages, $14. Reviewed by Pedro Blas González Importance is derived from the immanence of infinitude in the finite. Expression, however—listen closely now—expression is founded on the finite occasion. John...