And now for something completely different. Via Instapundit, I hear that the master of "alternate history" SF, Harry Turtledove (a onetime UCLA historian, BTW) has a new novel out entitled In the presence of my enemies. This book depicts a "what if" scenario in which the US had staid of WW II and the Third Reich won it. Set about fifty years later, it focuses on the efforts of a handful of Jewish survivors who live a modern marrano (crypto-Jewish) existence, in perennial fear of being betrayed to the Gestapo.
The title is a reference to the line from Psalm 23: "Thou settest a table before me in the presence of my enemies". Actually, I always read that line more like: "And you bring good things upon us despite --- or perhaps because of --- our enemies looking on."
And speaking of good things, virtuoso prog-metalists Dream Theater have a new album coming up entitled "Train of Thought". The opening track, "As I am", is legally available for download as a low-bitrate MP3. The lyrics are ostensibly about sticking to one's guns musically and not giving in to trendiness or monday morning quarterbacks ("de beste stuurlui die altijd aan wal staan"). But it is very easy to read meaning somewhat closer to this weblog's subject into the lyrics. Judge for yourself:
Don't tell me how to win this fight
It isn't your life
It isn't your right to take the only thing that's mine
[You're p]roving all the time
It's over your head[...]
I've been trying to justify you
In the end I will just defy you
To those who understand
I extend my hand
To the doubtful I demand
Take me as I am
Not under your command
I know where I stand
I won't change to fit your plan
Take me as I am
For you to peruse ....
an Alternate History discussion on the role of French taxi drivers in changing the outcome of WWI. Good comments.
http://www.donaldsensing.com/2003_10_01_archive.html
enjoy,
Adriane
Posted by: Adriane | November 05, 2003 at 09:18 PM
Actually, the name of the book is _In the Presence of Mine Enemies_. The other hurts my literary ear; I'm glad Turtledove got it right.
Posted by: Angie Schultz | November 05, 2003 at 10:27 PM