After finishing Of Mice and Men I looked at a list of other books that John Steinbeck wrote. The Moon is Down is the one I selected. I had never heard of this book before this week.
It is a very quick read and I enjoyed the story. I learned after I finished reading it that it was written as propaganda during World War II.
The books begins when a small town is invaded and quickly conquered by an enemy army. It is quickly learned that they were able to conquer the town with the help of one of the townspeople who had provided vital information.
Several times throughout the book the Colonel of the conquering army speaks with the mayor of the town. Here is an excerpt from one interchange between Colonel Lanser and Mayor Orden:
“It is your duty to protect them from harm. They will be in danger if they are rebellious. We must get the coal, you see. Our leaders do not tell us how; they order us to get it. But you have your people to protect. You must make them do the work and thus keep them safe.”
Mayor Orden asked, “But suppose they don’t want to be safe?”
“Then you must think for them.”
Orden said a little proudly, “My people don’t like to have others think for them. Maybe they are different from your people.”
The story goes on to show how the townspeople become rebellious and defiant to the commands of the invaders and how the invaders become more ruthless. This in turn leads to more insurgency.
Overall I enjoyed this book and rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
"We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve, and no concern too small for it to care about"
Zohran Mamdani
For 45 minutes Alexander rode in a helicopter while receiving a crash course on the historic sites of New York City. The ability to hover in the air while moving 110 miles per hour was surreal. He began to wonder if perhaps he had died on the battlefield and was now in some level of the afterlife. Everything was too extraordinary to believe.
As they were nearing the conclusion of their flight Alexander examined the topography below with a general’s eye.
“Where are your city’s defenses?”
“What are you talking about?” Sammy responded.
“What would prevent an invading army from laying siege to your city?”
“No one would ever invade us.”
“Such hubris makes it likely at some point.”
“The oceans protect us from our enemies and Canada is our ally. It would never happen.”
“Fascinating. I bet I would find a way to do it.”
“But why would you want to.”
“It is my destiny to create empires. This city would have to be conquered and rolled into my empire.”
“The United States Army is too powerful. You would never stand a chance.”
A half dozen battle plans were floating through his mind.
“I think I could do it.”
“Who are you?” Sammy asked.
“I already told you. I am the great king ...
