<i>The Complete Persepolis</i> by Marjane Satrapi

Going into this book (or, rather, graphic novel), I knew little-to-nothing about Iran. Satrapi give an interesting description about how a more secular family dealt with the Iranian revolution and the Iran-Iraq wars. I had a much better sense by the end of what had happened in Iran, how its people where affected and the breadth of cultures that existed in Iran during that time (for example, I was surprised to find out there was a Jewish population in Iran).

One thing that Jason pointed out after reading this book was there were plenty of Iranians who didn't agree with the Islamic rule---the idea of wearing a veil was just as foreign to them as to any Westerner. That point was very clear in what Strapi described: parties and drinking still went on, they just had to be very careful and ready to clear the men out at a moment's notice.

In the same vein, Strapi described how the veil was subverted. How hair could be shown or how a woman could indicate her figure by the way she wore it. I figured that any woman that would want to could get her point across even with a veil in the way.

One of the major themes of the book was the ability to fit-in, whether that be in Europe or back in Iran after Strapi completed high school. Since she had a secular education and was able to live outside the repressive regime, moving back would be difficult. But, living abroad was almost as bad: Iran was still her country and no one had any idea of the terror she had experienced as a child except her own countrymen.

This book is the first graphic novel I have read. I thought the form added to the experience of reading it. There were not only the words to guide you through Strapi's experience, but also the images she used to represent them. One particular part that exemplifies this is how she described how quickly she matured around age 15/16. She draws a pictures showing how she grew unevenly---"first one eye, then the other"---giving a graphic representation of just how awkward she felt.

An excellent read that I couldn't put down. Highly recommended.

10/10

<i>Structures: or Why Things Don't Fall Down</i> By J.E. Gordon

Sheila gave me this book a number of years ago as a birthday gift. It was suggested reading for one of her classes and she was impressed enough to pass it along.

The beginning of the book is very good. It gives an excellent background and an intuitive explanation of the equations that are fundamental to engineering design. Gordon spends much of the book explaining things that we see in every day life and how an engineer might look at them by giving a history of common designs and context for engineering materials and decisions.

This, though, is not a book that ages well as far as engineering science goes. One of teh difficulties I has was that sine Gordon reference modern (at the time) research, some sections of the book were painfully out of date. As such, current analysis methods (such as life cycle analysis), which are now expected when doing energy comparisons, are missing. I can't, truly, hold that lack of foresight against a book written in 1979.

The last chapter was more perplexing. Gordon sees two forces at work in design: efficiency and aesthetics:

The mechanical, that is to say the functional parts of any mass-produced car are not attractive, being made largely of wire and bent metal which we find it hard to admire, however useful they may be.

It seems to me that much of the point in understanding structural design and other engineering elements is to appreciate the elegance and details of the design---why the engineer made the decision, whether good or bad. The aesthetic value may not be instantly evident, but having the engineering literacy that this book is intended to impart, give purpose and thereby value to the bits of "wire and bent metal".

As an example, artwork is not always easy to understand. Looking at a Pollack or a Picasso does impart to every person who look at it an aesthetic value. Once, though, they are put into context of other artists of the time, one can learn to appreciate the aesthetics by understanding the structure it is built on.

A good read. Doesn't cover the latest research, but is good for those who have been away from structures for a while. I learned about thrust lines and why statues sit on top of buttresses. Do yourself a favor, though, and skip the last chapter. There have been better things written on engineering aesthetics.

6/10