Marxism

Contemporary Society through Dystopian Science Fiction Novels

Orwell's "1984" Synopsis and Impressions - How Totalitarian and Surveillance Societies Work - A Terrifying Work that Questions Our Present

1984" is a very frightening work. But it is hard to find a work as important as this one. I think it is one of the must-reads of our time.

I have been particularly fearful of the Orwellian world since the beginning of the Corona disaster. This is a terrifying work that asks the question, "What kind of world are we living in now? It is a masterpiece that we should cherish especially now!
Shinran and Dostoevsky

Blog Updates for FY2022 - Summary of last year and policy for this year. This year we are finally heading to the mainland!

Happy New Year!

Last year's lineup of articles was what can only be described as a mystery for a monk's blog, and it will continue to be so this year.

These articles may seem disparate at first glance, but in my mind, I keep thinking about a consistent theme: Shinran and Dostoevsky. Everything is connected.

I look forward to working with you again this year.
Europe through Classical and Western Art

Hino Madoka, "Prokofiev - Music for Whom?" ~ A biography recommended to learn about the suffering and life of the genius musician of the Soviet Union!

Hino Madoka's brush with the Soviet era of oppression from the perspective of a musician is nothing short of astonishing. She does not merely lay out historical facts, but vividly tells the story of his harsh life as a narrative. The "advantages of biography," which allow us to learn about the historical background as well as the people, shine through more than ever. Every time I read Madoka Hino's writings, I am amazed.
Stalin and Hitler's genocide and holocaust

Arendt's "Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil" Summary and Comments - Why did the Holocaust happen? A book about the darkness of humanity.

The book will be the birthplace of Arendt's famous phrase "the banality of evil."

In this work Arendt examines the background of the horrific murder system in the Nazi Holocaust.

Eichmann was not a villain, but a man who could be found anywhere. This shook the world and at the same time caused intense controversy.
Learning from the History, Thought and Literature of the Cold War World

Solzhenitsyn's "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" Synopsis and Comments - Accusations of the Soviet Gulag

This work is set in the Soviet concentration camps after World War II. Through this work, Solzhenitsyn attempted to portray the reality of the Soviet Union itself.

Solzhenitsyn is a Soviet-born writer and Nobel laureate in literature. The "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich," introduced here, is one of his best-known works, and he is also famous for "The Gulag Archipelago.
Learning from the History, Thought and Literature of the Cold War World

Tony Judt, "Thinking about the 20th Century" - What should we do to prevent a repeat of our tragic history?

It was a very interesting dialogue between two great historians of prewar, wartime, and postwar Europe. I felt that this is what a chemical reaction between listener and receiver is all about. Intellectuals of overwhelming levels seriously discussing the world with each other. That is what this work is about. The dialogue woven by these two people makes for an overwhelming read anyway.
Learning from the History, Thought and Literature of the Cold War World

Christian Carrel, "It All Started in 1979: The Rebels Who Directioned the 21st Century" - Here is the amazing story of the end of the Cold War.

Four people had a major impact on the collapse of the Soviet Union. These four men were British Prime Minister Thatcher, Chinese politician Deng Xiaoping, Iranian Islamic revolution leader Khomeini, and Pope John Paul II. This book looks at how these four men influenced the Cold War
Learning from the History, Thought and Literature of the Cold War World

V. Seveschen, "The Eastern European Revolution 1989: The Collapse of the Soviet Empire" - A great book to learn about the history of the collapse of the communist bloc!

Seveschen's works are just easy to read, and they are all great books that lead us to interesting yet deep insights.

This book looks at society at the end of the Cold War from a large global perspective. It is also a masterful book that analyzes the process of its collapse in chronological order and also highlights the interrelationships among the different countries. This is an excellent work. A gem that you will want to read over and over again!
Learning from the History, Thought and Literature of the Cold War World

E. Wolfrum, "The Berlin Wall: The History of the German Divide" - A good book to learn about the history of the Berlin Wall!

This book is written in an easy-to-understand manner for those who know nothing about the Berlin Wall or the Cold War.

But don't underestimate it as an introductory book. This book takes us deeper. It not only traces the course of history, but also makes us think about why it happened and what is happening in the world today.

This book is highly recommended for learning the history of the Berlin Wall. The book is very easy to read, with plenty of diagrams and photos to help you visualize what it was like at the time. I highly recommend this book.
Learning from the History, Thought and Literature of the Cold War World

V. Sebeschen, "The Hungarian Revolution 1956" - Recommended to learn about the major events in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that shocked the world!

Victor Sebeschen's books are characterized by a narrative style of storytelling. It is not just a list of events, but a hidden story and deep analysis that draws the reader in. It's just interesting! That's all I can say.

This book is no doubt the work of such a Victor Sebeschen. It is extremely interesting.

In this work, the tense situation in Hungary and the course of the revolution unfolds in a documentary style. Reading the book is like watching a movie, with a sense of urgency and realism. The book is also richly illustrated with photographs, which give a clear picture of the situation at that time.