Friday, July 31, 2026
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Alaungsithu--over 100 blog hits, Special issue Atlantic 1958 (ditto) and
Marco Polo 232 got the most blog hits in last weeks.
Generally, my audience likes writerly posts.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
My Elder Brother--Sithu U (Dr.) Thaw Kaung. (1937-2026)
U Thaw Kaung (1937-2026)
My elder brother,7 years older than I. He had a difficult childhood as he could not walk and when we were in England, I used to go upstairs and visit with him and his friend from next door--His bed was laid out like The Land of Counterpane.
When he was already in college,he gave me books like How to take exams, how to lie with statistics, how to spell correctly if you are unsure.
He advised on the scholarships I applied for. "What will you do if you get it."
"Go." I said.
He was an English Literature major, but Ne Win made him a Burma historian.
My brother was an extrovert, unlike me.
Lots of people knew him as he was very good at group events and staying in touch.
When our father died, our father's friends put together a fund so he could study in the UK for a diploma in librarianship.
He only really wanted to help others. He argued he didn't need an MA and a Ph.D.
In 2004 when we met up in London, he was so kind as to write, "Our father loved poetry but you can write it."
He didn't write much himself, but he did put together a birth centenary edition of essays and obits of our father, also Sithu U Kaung, a well-known educator and first Chairman of the Burma Historical Commission.
I don't know anything else and I hope his passing was peaceful.
We will miss him.
A hoopoe alighted when he was sitting at our home in the garden at 22 Windermere Crescent.
I always spoke too loud: "Where? Where?"
"Shh. You will frighten it away,"
I hope his soul is among the birds, the butterflies, the Chopin piano pieces, the little sea creatures he loved so much, in the small rock pools at Ngapali beach, named after Naples in Italy.
I think his favorite writers were Desmond Morris,The Naked Ape, and Gerald Durrell's books. And books on animal behavior, but he did not seem interested in big animals. He liked observing insects.
He didn't harm anybody.
He told a Burmese writer in the USA that I had written a play "Shaman", and my American friends had acted in it.
I saw him perhaps 4 times during my so far 40 years in USA.
He liked the theories of Konrad Lorenz.
Konrad Lorenz — Animal Behavior Specialist Who Studied Geese
Konrad Lorenz was an Austrian zoologist, ethologist, and ornithologist best known for his pioneering work on instinctive animal behavior, especially in greylag geese Wikipedia+1. He is considered one of the founders of modern ethology, the scientific study of animal behavior, and shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Niko Tinbergen and Karl von Frisch for discoveries in individual and social behavior patterns Wikipedia+1.
Key Contributions to Geese Research
Lorenz’s most famous contribution was his detailed study of imprinting in greylag geese. He demonstrated that young birds form an instinctive bond with the first moving object they see within the first hours after hatching, a phenomenon he described as a natural, instinctive attachment Wikipedia. This work was central to understanding how early experiences shape behavior.
He also studied wild, domestic, and hybrid geese, observing their social structures, communication, and movement patterns. His research at his family’s summer home in Altenberg, Austria, where he spent “goose summers,” became a hub for ethological studies JRank Articles+1.
Legacy
Lorenz’s work bridged natural history observation with scientific rigor, helping to establish ethology as a respected field in biology. His studies of geese not only advanced animal behavior science but also influenced psychology, biology, and even cultural understanding of instinct and social learning.
If you are looking for a specialist who studied geese in depth, Konrad Lorenz is the central figure whose research remains foundational in the field.
He liked the Leakeys.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Leakey
I think in art he liked Qi Baishi (then spelled Chi Pai Shi)
and I discovered he didn't like opera, while I love it.
Kyi May Kaung.
7-29-2026
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
US Canada Bridge at Detroit open at last--
after all both Canada and USA need it.
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/gordie-howe-bridge-opens-detroit-trade-rcna589486?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
I hope ICE arrests and shootings will stop--but I would not recommend much
travel these days--either domestic or international.
--
Day of Creation by J G Ballard--I liked all the other Ballard novels I read.
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The Day of Creation by J. G. Ballard
A 1987 psychological thriller set in war-torn Central Africa, where obsession with creation spirals into delirium and moral collapse.
Overview
The Day of Creation is a novel by British author J. G. Ballard, first published in 1987 by Victor Gollancz Ltd Wikipedia. It blends elements of adventure, psychological fiction, and surrealism, set against the harsh backdrop of Central Africa’s arid, conflict-ridden landscape Goodreads+1.
Plot Summary
The story follows Dr. John Mallory, a World Health Organization physician stationed in Port-la-Nouvelle, a small town in Central Africa. Six months into his assignment, guerrilla warfare has destroyed his patient base. Instead of treating the sick, Mallory becomes fixated on a dream: finding a “third Nile” to bring water to the region and transform the Sahara into a fertile, blooming land Wikipedia+1.
During a search for water, Mallory’s bulldozer uproots an ancient tree stump, triggering a sudden geyser of water that spreads into a vast river. The land comes alive with birds and animals, fulfilling his vision. But the creation also consumes him — he begins to identify with the river, dubbing it “Mallory” Wikipedia+1.
Obsessed, Mallory ventures upstream to “kill” its source, encountering a mix of characters: a half-blind British documentary filmmaker, ruthless local chieftains, and a teenage African girl whom he sees as a spirit of the waters Wikipedia. The journey becomes a descent into paranoia, hallucination, and moral ambiguity.
Themes and Style
Ballard’s novel is often compared to Heart of Darkness and Mosquito Coast for its blend of adventure and psychological depth www.relache.com. It explores:
Obsession and identity — Mallory’s merging of self with the river.
Creation and destruction — the paradox of bringing life through force.
Colonial and post-colonial tensions — the exploitation of African landscapes and people.
Surrealism — the river as both literal and symbolic.
Reception
Critics have praised the novel’s “compulsively vivid images” and haunting atmosphere Goodreads. William Boyd called it “mesmerising” and noted Ballard’s “haunting impact” Google Books. It is considered a “classic Ballard” work, emblematic of his signature blend of dystopian vision and psychological intensity Google Books+1.
Editions and Legacy
The novel has been reprinted by publishers such as Harper Perennial and HarperCollins, with commemorative editions featuring introductions by Ballard admirers like Ali Smith and Martin Amis Google Books+1. It remains a notable entry in Ballard’s body of work, alongside Empire of the Sun and Crash.
If you’re interested in Ballard’s exploration of obsession, transformation, and the psychological effects of environmental change, The Day of Creation is a compelling read.
Notable water themed novels--
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Notable Water-Themed Novels
If you’re drawn to stories where water—whether the ocean, rivers, or even the concept of water itself—plays a central role, there’s a rich tradition of novels that explore its beauty, danger, and cultural significance.
Classic and Literary Works
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville – A timeless tale of obsession, fate, and the sea, following Captain Ahab’s quest for the great white whale Goodreads.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway – A minimalist, powerful story of Santiago’s struggle with a giant marlin at sea Goodreads.
The Odyssey by Homer – An epic journey across the Mediterranean, shaped by the sea’s power and mystery Goodreads.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne – A visionary adventure aboard the Nautilus, exploring the deep ocean Goodreads.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis – A Narnia adventure where the sea is a key setting for peril and discovery Goodreads.
Ocean and Maritime Fiction
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson – A pirate classic where the sea is both setting and character Goodreads+1.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel – A philosophical tale of survival at sea, blending fact and fiction Goodreads+1.
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell – A young girl’s survival story after her people are driven from their island Goodreads.
The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy – A Cold War thriller where the ocean becomes a battleground Goodreads.
Contemporary and Thematic Novels
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park – A dual-timeline novel about water scarcity in Sudan, blending personal and historical narratives Shortform.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese – A multi-generational family saga in Kerala, India, where water is both literal and symbolic The Greatest Books.
The Day of Creation by J.G. Ballard – A speculative novel about a scientist’s discovery of a river in a desert The Greatest Books.
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See – A historical novel about haenyeo, free-diving women in Korea, whose lives are shaped by the sea www.healthyoceanshealthypeople.org.
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher – A multi-generational family saga anchored in the Cornish coast www.healthyoceanshealthypeople.org.
Playground by Richard Powers – A near-future novel blending AI, climate change, and Pacific Island life www.healthyoceanshealthypeople.org.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy – A climate fiction set on a sinking island, with the ocean as both refuge and threat www.healthyoceanshealthypeople.org.
Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende – A sweeping historical novel set against the Caribbean Sea www.healthyoceanshealthypeople.org.
These works span genres from adventure and fantasy to historical fiction and climate fiction, offering rich reading experiences for anyone fascinated by water’s role in human stories.
Monday, July 27, 2026
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Conn Iggulden is an amazing writer--from Rome, to Genghiz Khan and his descendents, to War of the Roses, to Athens--
he started writing on a borrowed computer in the corridor of his father-in-law's office, and is descended from Irish wandering storytellers--it shows--believe you me.
His books are what most historical fiction writers would give their right hands and half their brains to write like.
He takes you right there.
The early years of Genghiz Khan, the very difficult childhood after his tribe abandons their mother and the children after his father Yesugei was poisoned, and his doubt about his eldest son Jochi's paternity after his wife Borte was kidnapped--because the rest of the family left her behind--are some of the most moving portions.
Also Genghis, i.e. Temujin's, rise to the top.
The battle scenes are also amazing.
The last book on Kublai Khan though is a bit of a disappointment, because although it shows Bagan on both the front and back covers, it stops before the Mongol incursion into Burma--which Marco Polo might have come along on--
at least he mentions it in his Travels.
I highly recommend Conn Iggulden's novels.
I've only read the volume about Caesar in his Emperor series and only one each in his War of Roses and Athens series, so I can't comment.
I am really more interested in non-Western, non-European, non-American novels--
A female cousin likes to read about the Tudors--
I like the rebels--and am more interested for instance in Russian history.
I can't realy "read the whole world" though I loved Aztec by Gary Jennings and wierd coincidence,I got off one carriage on the Red Line metro and stepped into another to change trains and I saw 2 difft people reading Aztec in 15 minutes.
But these days you can't see what people are reading bc they are maybe reading e-books.
You can watch on planes on other people's TV screens--silent movies with the sound turned off.
But it reminds me too much of watching Mulan while getting intravenous chemo.
Oh,and also the medical instructions tell you Not to eat your favorite foods while on chemo bc you will end up hating those foods.
It's like my sister's mentor in the Commerce Dept. telling his wife to cook foods he hated while he was trying to lose weight.
Cheers,
May this day be a good reading and writing day for you,
Kyi May Kaung
7-26-2026
The one book I am missing in Conn Iggulden's Conqueror series--Genghis Khan series
"Wolf of the Plains" is the first book in Conn Iggulden's Conqueror series, focusing on the early life of Genghis Khan and his rise from hardship to power.
Overview of the Book
"Wolf of the Plains," published in 2007, is a historical novel that serves as the opening installment of the Conqueror series. The narrative centers around Temujin, who would later become known as Genghis Khan. The story begins with Temujin's childhood, detailing the challenges he faces after the assassination of his father, Yesugei, the khan of the Wolves tribe. Following his father's death, Temujin and his family are banished from their tribe and left to survive in the harsh Mongolian steppes WikipediaWikipedia+1.
Plot Highlights
Survival and Leadership: The novel explores Temujin's struggle for survival alongside his mother and siblings. They face starvation and threats from rival tribes, which forces Temujin to develop remarkable leadership skills and gather other outcasts to form a new tribe WikipediaWikipedia+1.
Vision of Unity: Throughout his hardships, Temujin dreams of uniting the fragmented tribes of Mongolia into a single nation, a vision that shapes his future as a leader GoodreadsGoodreads+1.
Author Background
Conn Iggulden, a bestselling author known for his historical fiction, wrote "Wolf of the Plains" after completing his Emperor series about Julius Caesar. His research for this book included travels to Mongolia, which enriched the authenticity of the narrative WikipediaWikipedia+1. Iggulden's storytelling is noted for its engaging style, making historical figures and events accessible to readers Amazon.com.auAmazon.com.au.
Reception
The book has been well-received for its vivid portrayal of Genghis Khan's early life and the challenges he overcame. Readers appreciate Iggulden's ability to blend historical facts with compelling storytelling, making it a recommended read for both history enthusiasts and fiction lovers alike GoodreadsGoodreads+1.
In summary, "Wolf of the Plains" is not just a tale of survival; it is the beginning of a legendary journey that would lead to the creation of one of the largest empires in history.
My Blog Hits Champions--Alaungsithu Su Taung translated by Luce got 219 blog hits
followed by Cambodian history in high 30s.
Who were the Umbri--
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The Umbri — Ancient Italic Tribes of Central Italy
The Umbri were an Italic people of the Iron Age, attested in inner central Italy roughly between the middle Tiber River and the central Apennines Wikipedia. Their territory, now part of the modern region of Umbria, was bordered by the Tiber and Nar rivers and included the Apennine slopes on the Adriatic coast Wikipedia. Most Umbrian settlements were on hilltops for defense, and their language belonged to the Osco-Umbrian branch of the Italic languages, closely related to Oscan Wikipedia+1.
Origins and Identity
Ancient sources differ on their origins. Herodotus (5th century BCE) claimed they lived before a supposed Lydian migration into Italy, but modern scholars reject this as myth Wikipedia. Roman and Greek writers often linked them to Gaulish or Celtic peoples — for example, Cato the Elder called them “progenitors of the Gauls,” and Plutarch suggested a connection to the northern Ambrones tribe Wikipedia+1. The name may have meant “people of the thunderstorm” (from Greek hombrós), a folk-etymology tied to surviving a great flood Wikipedia.
Historical Development
Initially occupying a broad swathe of central and northern Italy — from the Apennines to Ravenna, Mantua, Ancona, and the Tyrrhenian coast north of the Fiora River — the Umbri were gradually pushed south and east by Etruscans and Gauls Wikipedia+1. By about 400 BCE, they were confined to Sabina and the Apennine valleys Britannica.
They were agriculturalists with few large towns, and their culture was influenced by Etruscan contact, as seen in their alphabet and ritual texts like the Iguvine Tables Britannica+1. The Umbri were never major rivals to Rome; in the Social War (90–89 BCE), they joined the rebellion late and were among the first to make peace Britannica.
Cultural and Linguistic Legacy
The Umbri’s language, Umbrian, is now extinct but is studied through inscriptions and ritual texts. They are also linked to the Sabellian expansion, with some Sabine and Samnite tribes possibly originating from Umbrian stock Everything Explained Today. Archaeological sites in southern Umbria, such as Terni, show Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age cultures Everything Explained Today.
In summary: The Umbri were an ancient Italic tribe of central Italy, with possible Celtic or Gaulish roots, who lived in hilltop settlements, spoke an Osco-Umbrian language, and were eventually absorbed or displaced by Etruscans and Gauls, leaving a lasting cultural and linguistic legacy in the region.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
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