Life Processes - Forward Russia

Advantages: A good primer into process metaphysics.
Disadvantages: Not for the casual reader.

...Before beginning my review of 'Process Metaphysics: An Introduction to Process Philosophy' by Nicholas Rescher, a brief note of explanation is in order, about what Process Theology is, who Whitehead is, and what my interest in it is. Let us start with personalities. Alfred North Whitehead was a teacher and mathematician. A protege of Bertrand Russell, he participated in the creation of Russell's great 'Principia Mathematica'. In 1924, at the age of 63, he became a Harvard professor (at the time most people would be thinking about retirement). Most of his purely philosophical work was done later in his life. Whitehead was greatly interested in metaphysics, crafting a master work entitled 'Process and Reality', which underwent constant revisions (hence, people talk about early Whitehead and late Whitehead. Metaphysics itself, as... Read review

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Advantages: informative, well reported historical facts and interesting encounters with locals
Disadvantages: too much personal life of the journalist in the book (not inherent to the context)

...and Dimbleby?s writing is rather accessible. I have only two criticisms about the book, one of which is the poor knowledge by Dimbleby of Russian language. From the only British journalist to have had an interview with Gorbachev during the Cold War, I was expecting him to have at least some grasp of the language. I am surprised he didn?t enrol in a crash course of Russian before the trip. The second aspect is that Dimbleby talks rather too much about his personal life, especially in the first chapters of the book. I have bought the book in order to learn about Russia, not also to learn about the personal life of the journalist! I think his private life should have been left completely out of it, for his benefit as well as the reader.... Read review

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Advantages: Cast, premise...
Disadvantages: ... just too long for its own good.

...The Russia House is an international espionage thriller which, according to the blurb, is "A filmmaking tour de force and incredibly sophisticated, suspenseful and sexy entertainment". Don't believe the blurb - but don't necessarily be put off watching this film, either. Sean Connery stars as British publisher Barley Blair, who is sent a manuscript by Katya (Michelle Pfeiffer). This manuscript was written by a Soviet scientist and contains details of an extremely sensitive nature. British and American intelligence get wind of this potentially earth-shattering document and rope Blair in to work for them. When Blair eventually meets Katya, he realises that he wants to protect her more than anything else - or is he bluffing - or even double-bluffing?? With an excellent cast including not only Connery and Pfeiffer but also Roy... Read review

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