Book Review #14 - Black List, by Brad Thor

Reason of the choice

The first thing I read by Brad Thor was the Portuguese translation of Foreign Influence and I really liked it because it was full of action, suspense, violence and I liked it so much that I was eager to know how the story would end. Therefore, the author was the main reason why I have picked this book.

Reaction to the first pages

The first pages were very messy and I was confused but, as the book kept going, I started to connect the dots and, from that moment onwards, all I wanted was to read more and more.

Summary

The book started with the suicide of Caroline Romero, which was very odd, followed by an attempt of murder to Scot Harvath, a former SEAL and the main character, and to Reed Carlton, Harvath’s boss, but both men survived.

Harvath killed the men that tried to murder him and ran away from Paris to Spain, where he met a priest, Peio, who was a friend Harvath had met in the past. In the meantime, Carlton was able to run away from his house which was set on fire and he went for his old mentor to ask for help. Moreover, Nicholas, a dwarf, specialist with computers and Harvath’s friend, was asked for help by the sister of Caroline and she gave him a pen, which was sent to her by her sister before she had died.

In Spain, Harvath was attacked again but he managed to kill the new team which was sent after him and, after establishing contact with Nicholas, he went to Texas to meet the dwarf. In Texas, Nicholas told Harvath that the people who tried to kill Caroline and who were trying to kill them all were ATS, an American company specialized in surveillance technologies. They were attacked once more while they were in Texas but, again, Harvath killed them.

After the new attempt of murder, they left the house in which they were and they went after colonel Bremmer, who was signing the killing orders. They were able to get him and they “tortured” him to give them more information about the people who were after them and he did so. While that was happening, Carlton and his mentor ambushed the head of the personal security team of the CEO of ATS and, after torturing him, he told the two men where his boss would be and how his security team would be disposed.

After getting the information they needed, Harvath and the remaining people who were with him went after Schroeder, the man who had investigated all the people who were now dead, and they were able to track him down very easily and to get information from him. He didn’t give much useful information to get his boss but he told them what they were up to and why they have killed so much people.

In the end, Harvath and his boss captured the CEO of ATS and killed the remaining border of directors of ATS.

Highlights

As it happened in Foreign Influence, this book was full of action and suspense since its beginning and it is something that I really like but the thing that I really liked the most was how Brad Thor exposed such an actual delicate theme: he presented a story with the main goal to show us how the Internet and everything else connected to it could be used to surveil us and to kill us if necessary in the name of security.

It’s true that all of us won’t be targets to be killed but we must make sure that the Internet and the people who are able to use it in their favor don’t use it to wash our minds in the name of security. Yes, we must pay attention to all the dangers that are around us but we can’t trade all of our freedom in exchange for security.

Recommendation

This was an amazing thriller and I definitely recommend this book to everyone who doesn’t know Brad Thor, to everyone who like a thriller full of action and suspense and to everyone concerned with the theme of “Security vs Freedom”.

Além dos Livros #3 - A corrupção e a educação

“ “Vês ali aquilo?”, perguntou um deles, apontando para o edifício escuro e proeminente no alto da colina do lado europeu, perto das velhas muralhas e torres de Rumeli Hisari.

“A escola dos giavour? O que tem?”

“É o maior insulto aos Turcos que vejo em Constantinopla!”

O segundo turco olhou com atenção para o Robert College.

“Achas? Sempre pensei que o edifício era bonito…”

“Pois é, mas o importante é o que ele significa. Há uns anos veio para cá um giavour americano e ficou tão impressionado com a nossa ignorância que, com o dinheiro do seu bolso, mandou construir aquela escola para ajudar pessoas que lhe eram completamente estranhas.” Indicou algumas grandes mansões e palacetes ao longo do Bósforo. “Nós temos centenas de paxás ricos que construíram estas belíssimas casas. Algum deles pegou numa única piastra do seu próprio bolso para contribuir para a educação do seu povo?” Abanou a cabeça. “Esta escola dos Americanos é o maior insulto que os giavour nos podiam fazer. Sabes porque nos envergonha? Porque expõe a verdadeira face dos nossos governantes!””

Esta passagem textual encontra-se no livro O Homem de Constantinopla, escrito por José Rodrigues dos Santos, e chamou-me a atenção pelo seguinte motivo: apesar de a Turquia ser um país onde muitas coisas são vedadas aos seus cidadãos, eu acredito que a conversa exposta na passagem acima possa acontecer entre alguns deles, pois recuso-me a acreditar que todos eles sejam ignorantes.

O facto de a escola americana ter sido construída através do financiamento de um americano perante a ignorância do povo turco tem de ser revoltante para os turcos, pois, dada a existência de inúmeros cidadãos ricos e de nenhum deles fazer nada para contribuir para o desenvolvimento da educação, e para o consequente avanço civilizacional, esta situação é inaceitável.

Tal como disse o indignado turco, a culpa não se restringe meramente aos cidadãos ricos, pois os governantes também têm culpa nesta situação, já que a verdade é que muitas vezes, uma parte significativa desses cidadãos só enriqueceram devido a favores consentidos pelos governantes, podendo prejudicar toda a sociedade.

Este prejuízo pode não ser imediatamente verificado, mas, eventualmente, ele aparecerá: tendo sido o favor consentido, no futuro, o estado irá ter menos dinheiro para apostar no bem-estar e no desenvolvimento da sua população, quer a nível da saúde, da justiça, entre outros pilares fundamentais. Neste caso, a visada foi a educação que se degradou, traduzindo-se na ignorância de um povo, o que, consequentemente, levou a que um americano edificasse uma escola para ajudar a combater este mal, sendo que ele nada tinha que ver com esta situação, mas, ainda assim decidiu contribuir para pôr termo à ignorância.

O diálogo da passagem acima, temporalmente, localiza-se na juventude de Calouste Gulbenkian, mas é inevitável fazer o paralelo com a atualidade. O facto de saber ler e escrever é um passo fundamental para fugir à ignorância, mas o desenvolvimento do pensamento crítico é muito mais importante do que isso e é nesse sentido que temos que continuar a ajudar os turcos, visto que a sua liberdade para pensar se encontra restringida.

Para finalizar o texto, é importante não esquecer que também nós, Portugueses, devemos ser capazes de pensar criticamente e de não nos deixarmos levar por tudo o que vemos ou lemos, pois, tal como na Turquia, em Portugal, também existe corrupção, o que leva a que também a nossa Saúde, a nossa Justiça, a nossa Educação, a nossa Economia e, sobretudo, a nossa Sociedade saia prejudicada em detrimento de uns que enriquecem incomensuravelmente e, tal como os turcos ricos, pouco ou nada contribuem para o avanço da população.

Fica também o link para a Crítica que fiz à obra O Homem de Constantinopla, bastando para isso carregar no título da mesma.

Book Review #13 - The Hunger Games - Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins

Reason of the choice

Since I have read the previous book of this trilogy, which, from the very beginning was very nice, I felt the need to know how Suzanne Collins would finish it and it was the main reason why I have chosen to read the book.

Reaction to the first pages

Although the beginning of the previous books were amazing and super engaging, I haven’t felt that this book also had it, which disappointed me but, after finishing the book and thinking a little more about the trilogy and the way we moved through it with Katniss, I have to admit that it was a very good way to start the last book.

Summary

After being picked by the Rebels, Katniss went to District 13, which wasn’t destroyed as it was believed by the remaining 12 Districts. In there, Katniss was told that District 12 was destroyed and, due to everything she had passed, the doctors from 13 considered she had mental issues but after some time, the doctors told Katniss that she was better and she was assigned, like all the others, a schedule but usually she didn’t care and she just wandered around.

While she was considered “sick”, Katniss was asked by President Coin, the woman who was the leader of 13, to be the Mockingjay, the symbol of the revolution, since she was the one that “defied” the Capitol to win the 74th Hunger Games but she didn’t accept to play that role as she was asked but only after some time after being considered better Moreover, she only accepted it after Coin agreed with some conditions made by Katniss.

After the agreement being settled, she discovered that her preparation team was being punished, which made her feel disgusted with many people from 13 almost as much as she was with the Capitol. Despite it, she carried on and they tried to film something to use to advertise the rebel cause but it didn’t work very well because she was really bad at it. To solve that problem, Haymitch convinced everyone to let her go into the war because she was only able to inspire people if she was being herself, not saying something that was planned before.

They accepted that suggestion and she was sent to District 8, where she showed herself to the wounded in an improvised hospital, which gave them hope because some of them wasn’t sure if she was alive. After the visit, they were supposed to get back to 13 but, before reaching to the point where they had to get, the Capitol bombed the hospital. Even though Katniss was only supposed to show herself to those who were at the hospital, she decided to help the rebels, destroying some hovercrafts.

After the attack, they went back to 13, where they told Katniss that they had some footage that could be used. After making the advertisements, Beetee, a victor from District 3, was able to air them everywhere, except in the Capitol. In response to that, the Capitol aired an interview with Peeta, in which he told what the Capitol wanted him to say about the participation of Katniss in the rebellion but he also warned the people from 13 that the Capitol would attack them.

Due to the warning, all the population from 13 was able to stay alive and only one part of their fortress was destroyed, since most of their activities were done underground. After that, Katniss convinced President Coin to rescue Peeta from the Capitol but she, Katniss, had to stay in 13 or they wouldn't save him. Since she couldn't go with the rescue team, she and Finnick had to tell some stories about the Hunger Games and some other secrets which would be aired and it would even be seen in the Capitol, being this a distraction to help the rescue team.

They were able to get Peeta back but they also rescued the other two victors: Johanna, from 7, and Enobaria, from 2. As soon as Katniss knew that he had arrived, she went to meet him but he wasn't the same boy Katniss left in the arena because he tried to kill her as he saw her. For some time, she wasn't able to face Peeta and she started to behave the way she did when she was taken to 13.

When she was better, she was sent to District 2, which was the only District that hadn't joined the rebel cause. In there, Katniss convinced the rebels to only blow up and destroy every entrance but one controlled by them, so they could surrender or, if they didn't do so, they would kill them more easily. The Capitol forces chose not to surrender but they weren't slaughtered because Katniss was caught by a man who was willing to kill her. While trying to convince that man not to kill her, she spoke loud enough to be heard by everyone, she asked them why were they fighting and who the real enemy was. The man who caught her didn’t shoot her but another man did it.

Thankfully, she survived and, while she was recovering in 13, she discovered that the people from 13 was planning to invade the Capitol. Snce she wanted to kill President Snow, she wanted to join them but President Coin and some other members with high positions in the hierarchy didn't allow her, unless she was really ready to combat, which she wasn't. Luckily for her, the departure would be in a few weeks and she was able to get back in shape, meaning that she was able to go.

Therefore, she joined a group in which was also Gale and Finnick and which was led by a soldier she met when they went to 8. Johanna, who was supposed to go along with them wasn't able to do so and Peeta filled her spot, but, when he arrived, they handcuffed him and they set some turns to guard him at night, so he couldn't kill Katniss. When they were trying to get to President Snow's mansion, since they knew where some of the pods were, they advanced without much trouble, until they activated one they weren't aware of, that killed some members of the team.

After, they saw on the television that the Capitol was going to get their bodies, since they believed that the whole team died, and, to gain time, they decided to let Peeta go alone. While they were advancing, they faced many other dangers and most of the group died, being Katniss and Gale the only ones left, but, when they activated another pod, they were split. When Katniss was almost reaching the mansion, she saw that the only people which were being rescued to stay in there were children and they were bombed by a hovercraft, which only killed some of them but the second wave killed much more, being Primrose, Katniss’ sister, one of the dead people because she was a rebel doctor and went to help the wounded from the first explosion.

When Katniss woke up from the explosion, she was in the mansion and she was told that Snow would be judged soon. Although she wasn't supposed to enter the room where he was, she entered and they talked. He told Katniss that he wasn't the responsible for the death of the children she witnessed. In the beginning, she didn't believe it but, later, she saw that he was telling the truth because she had already seen something like it, in 13, being Beetee and Gale the inventors of such weapon.

In the day of Snow's trial, she was supposed to kill Snow but, instead, she killed President Coin. Despite it, Snow also died because, as Finnick had told before, he was slowly dying because he drank poison he used to kill some of his "friends" and rivals, and the antidote didn’t cure him properly.

In the end, Katniss was absolved in her trial, being stated as a mentally sick person and she was sent back to 12, where, after some months, arrived Peeta, not Gale, who stayed in 2, and the two victors of the 74th Hunger Games lived as happy as possible together.

Highlights

Although not liking this book as much as I liked the previous ones, this was still pretty good and it was definitely a good way to end this trilogy due to the final plot-twist. Despite presenting the love triangle as one way to follow the story, the “hidden” message was really the thing that made me want to read this book until the end.

Moreover, the evolution of the many characters was cleverly made and we can see it clearly: the torture, either directly, either indirectly, applied to the many victors transformed them, being this very notorious in Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, Johanna, Finnick and many others.

Looking again to the message behind the story, the author, with this book, wanted us to see that fighting for the rebels against the dictatorship doesn’t necessarily make the situation better than it was before. Throughout the book, it can be seen but two of the best examples of that situation is when President Coin sends Peeta to Katniss’s team, because he was “programmed” to kill her and Coin wanted her dead, since she wasn’t really in favor of her; and the other situation is when Coin orders the attack against the children near President Snow’s mansion, with the objective to discredit President Snow so she would be able to get the power he had.

Recommendation

As I said above, this was my least favorite book of the trilogy but it was still very good and a good way to end the series. For those who like a love story or the ones who like a good political metaphor, this is a great book, along with the previous two.

Além dos Livros #2 - Os Ursos de Somiedo, Espanha

Numa edição de há alguns anos da National Geographic, encontrei um excerto que me chamou a atenção, pois mostra-nos que os nossos vizinhos espanhóis foram capazes de valorizar uma dada área, Somiedo, usando, para isso, um recurso natural, os ursos, mas, ao invés de os matarem, usaram-nos como bandeira para que conseguissem classificar um espaço como Parque Natural e, com isso, conseguiram valorizar Somiedo.

Olhando com mais atenção para os pormenores, segundo a revista: em 2005, os prejuízos causados pelos animais em Somiedo foram avaliados em 300.000 euros, sendo estes distribuídos da seguinte forma: 55% (165.000 euros) foram causados por javalis; 20% (60.000 euros) por lobos e outros tantos por veados; e apenas 5% (15.000 euros) pelos ursos. Tendo em conta estes dados, o argumento apresentado por homens que estavam contra a criação do Parque Natural de Somiedo cai imediatamente por terra, visto que os prejuízos causados pelos ursos são 11 vezes inferiores aos causados pelos javalis e 4 vezes inferiores aos causados pelos lobos e pelos veados.

Também na revista, afirma-se que, antes da criação do Parque Natural, o concelho de Somiedo era o 77º município das Astúrias, em termos de Rendimento per Capita, em 78 possíveis. 18 anos depois, em 2005, devido à conservação e à boa gestão do Parque, Somiedo conseguiu subir até à quadragésima posição, não esquecendo que 40% do território são de uso restrito. Pode-se, então, concluir que os ursos, além de serem apenas uma pequena fonte de prejuízos, quando comparados com outros animais, como foi acima exemplificado, são ainda uma fonte de atração de riqueza, como se pode ver pela subida de posição do município de Somiedo, nos termos apresentados.

Extrapolando esta situação para terras lusitanas, esta situação deveria ser alvo de reflexão, pois, se os nossos vizinhos espanhóis conseguiram valorizar um território com um Parque Natural, que motivo temos nós para não conseguirmos fazer o mesmo que eles? São humanos, como nós; fazem parte da União Europeia, como nós, apesar de nós recebermos mais fundos que eles… Nesse caso, recebendo nós mais fundos europeus, não seremos capazes de os utilizar da forma “correta” e de os aplicarmos para desenvolvermos o País?

Eles utilizaram o urso como bandeira para a classificação de Parque Natural, mas nós não temos que os imitar! Basta seguirmos o exemplo por eles dado e usar uma espécie endémica portuguesa, da fauna ou da flora, para, como eles, conseguirmos ajudar uma determinada zona a desenvolver-se utilizando um elemento natural.

Porém, eu compreendo a dificuldade que os portugueses têm para fazer isto: o número de atentados à nossa paisagem e aos nossos recursos naturais são já incontáveis e os incentivos para seguirmos este caminho são muito menores, mas tem de haver vontade de se mudar! Temos de deixar para trás o establishment e seguir o nosso próprio caminho, caso contrário estaremos a condenar as gerações vindouras, que tanto podem vir a ser apenas os nossos bisnetos, como podem vir a ser já os nossos filhos.

Em jeito de conclusão, deixemos para trás a ganância que vemos por toda a parte, deixemos para trás os negócios com lucros astronómicos que se fazem atentando contra a natureza, contra a fauna, contra a flora, mas, principalmente, contra os bolsos de todos os contribuintes e sigamos o exemplo dos nossos vizinhos espanhóis: vamos mudar o nosso comportamento e a nossa mentalidade para valorizar o nosso território, as nossas espécies endémicas e as nossas paisagens.