War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War is grievously amazing. An insufficient body of leaders are capable of sending the youth of the world to their deaths from the illogical idea of self-imagined slights. Though the majority of wars are fought in the name of greed and power--the two evil creatures that have left trails of corruption and horror on our Earth since the inception of time.

There's an immense truth in the featured quote that originates from the lengthy book of War and Peace. If humans exerted the energy to glimpse the depths of our own souls and examine the substantial faults found within--blaming the multitudes would cease, and our world would have diminished bodies for grieving parents to bury.

Hopefully, one day war will be the ancient history studied with fear and fascination, but until we stop giving the power to the few to govern the many, world peace is but a dream.

“If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war.” 
― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

In 1939, MGM released a somber cartoon titled Peace on Earth. The title, based on the Christmas song of the same name, tells a despairing story of the categorical annihilation of mankind.

The song lyrics incorporate the words "Good will to men," which leads to the history of humans as told by a grandfather squirrel to his grandchildren.  He reveals the insanity of  men's desire to slaughter each other until there isn't a single human left breathing.

Watership Down tells the story of a group of rabbits wanting to live in a free society as far away from their former cruel leaders, yet the beings they despise with absolute disrespect are homo sapiens.
The book reveals that animals believe humans have a lack of regard for each other and the earth, which is revealed in the following quote.

In both the cartoon and book, human's destructive nature will end life and our nature will never change. War and murder are still prevalent on our earth, and men still look for elaborate ways to kill others who disagree with the ideas they possess,or for greed and enjoyment, but unlike the rabbits and squirrels, I still have hope that mankind may one day shed its malignant skin and respect and appreciate the differences that create humanity.

“Men will never rest till they've spoiled the earth and destroyed the animals.” 
― Richard Adams, Watership Down

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

The story of insurgents fighting to eradicate oppressive overlords is as old as time, and many people may neglect fictitious stories since their lives are lived under insane, evil regimes today.

Governments are taking control of our personal freedoms at an alarming rate with sophisticated technology and "big brother" watching every word and action we take. Hopefully, one day the human race will defeat their love of power and greed, and the world will genuinely be free.

An Ember in the Ashes tells a story about a dystopian society controlled by the government, where everyone lives in fear. Most are too afraid to fight, and this is a book about those who are ready to give their life to end the tyranny.

I found a great quote in the story and think of all the dreams we could accomplish if fear didn't interfere.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“Fear is only your enemy if you allow it to be. Too much fear and you're paralyzed. Too little fear and you're arrogant.” 
― Sabaa Tahir, An Ember in the Ashes

The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

I embarked on the journey with Tarzan in "Tarzan of the Apes," which is the first book in the series. Although I considered this book intriguing, I never explored any subsequent books, and I'm not sure why. "The Son of Tarzan" reveals the love story of Tarzan and Jane, and subsequently Boy, and lovable Cheetah. Tarzan's destiny awaits him.

This meaning of this quote has surfaced previously-- from Jesus stating we shouldn't
worry for tomorrow to the school of "positive thinking."
 Lacking hope for the future united with experiencing anxiety accelerates towards a somber life.
The answer must reside within us one day at a time--hoping, praying and believing for a favorable future.

The Picture without the words can be found on Pixabay.com.

“... but life would be very miserable indeed were I to spend it in terror of the thing that has not yet happened.” 
― Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Son of Tarzan

After You by Jojo Moyes

"After You" is the second book in the series called "Me Before You" (a rather selfish title of the first book).
The following quote is part of the philosophy which holds the theory that the "fake it until you make it" attitude allocates a happier life to the discerning mind.
Whether this premise holds true or proves ineffective is a debatable question, which individuals must discern for themselves.
Should positive thinking triumph over negative thoughts if those thoughts present the truth?

Please let me know what your "thoughts" are after reading, and what you thought of the book.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“Sometimes the illusion of happiness could inadvertently create it.” 
― Jojo Moyes, After You

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale is a book that I would normally contemplate reading and promptly proceed to move on, yet the reviews on Goodreads (my favorite book site) are outstanding. Normally, if a rating on that site is a 3.7 or up, the author should feel extremely blessed, yet this book received a 4.53 which is exceptional.

The setting of the story is WW2 in France and there appears to be love in the air, perhaps with the enemy. Romance books are a dime a dozen and the same could be said for books set in wartime, so the writing must appear remarkable beyond expectations.
Perhaps one day, when I can afford a few extra dollars, I will buy the book on my Kindle and uncover why the rating is notably higher.

I agree with this quote and hopefully, most people are in harmony with the message it imparts.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“But love has to be stronger than hate, or there is no future for us.” 
― Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale

Proslogion by Anselm of Canterbury

In 1077, Anselm wrote the book Proslogion, a book for prayer, but also used to explain the existence of God. I read some of the book on Wikisource and though I find it repetitive and tedious, there is one brief passage that I agree with.
The following quote describes faith, which sometimes is difficult to maintain, yet Christians must seek faith first, and understanding second.
Words from the Bible are just as relevant today and will still hold this same truth tomorrow, and this certainty can also be true for some words that are 939 years old.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“I do not endeavor, O Lord, to penetrate your sublimity, for in no wise do I compare my understanding with that; but I long to understand in some degree your truth, which my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand.” 

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

As I sat in the dark theater, watching World War Z, my thoughts centered around the excellent book of the same name, and that story wasn't appearing on the big screen.

Though I still loved the film, I wanted a movie that originated from the mind of Max Brooks, and hopefully, the next WWZ will correspond to the book in a greater degree.

There are many quotes from the book that are worth looking at. The following contain thoughts on lies, fears, monsters and human nature and more. Human beings show their true nature in a crisis, and what better crisis than a zombie apocalypse to push these qualities into the spotlight..

Please let me know what you thought of the book and the quotes.

Original link to pictures can be found by clicking on pics.

“Lies are neither bad nor good. Like a fire they can either keep you warm or burn you to death, depending on how they're used.” 
― Max Brooks, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

“I think that most people would rather face the light of a real enemy than the darkness of their imagined fears.” 
― Max Brooks, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

“The monsters that rose from the dead, they are nothing compared to the ones we carry in our hearts” 
― Max Brooks, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

I've contemplated the reaction of Ms. Hawkins on reading the reviews stating "The Girl on the Train" is the new Gone Girl --did she feel elated at the comparison to a best seller, or sad that comparisons were inevitable.  

I assume only the people closest to the author will know her thoughts on the matter, but she should feel proud that her book was on the New York Best Seller list and will also entertain in theaters this October.

I cheated by going to Wikipedia and reading the detailed synopsis of the story, and though there is an interesting premise, I'm not positive if I can gather enough enthusiasm to sit through the reading, though I found a quote that deserves a look at. 

I agree with these words since it's not the holes that bring you down, but how you create a life that can fill in the gaps or at least maintain them. 

Please comment on the following quote, and also let me know what you thought of the book. 

Clicking on the picture will link to the original source without the words.

“The holes in your life are permanent. You have to grow around them, like tree roots around concrete; you mould yourself through the gaps.”    ― Paula Hawkins

The Road Not Taken and Other Poems by Robert Frost

Many people have speculated that the poem titled "The Road Not Taken" is a reflection on actions taken in the past and the resulting differences those choices made for the future. In truth, Frost wrote the poem as a jest toward a friend who had trouble making decisions--including which direction to take when they trekked through the woods.
I normally don't appreciate poems, as well as I should, yet for unknown reasons this one has a quality that appears superior among its peers. Our futures may transform in an instant with a decision of such innocent quality, yet our mental rulings must prevail or our lives would turn stagnant.
The entire poem is underneath the picture, please let me know what your thoughts are after reading.

Clicking on the picture will link to the original source without the words.

The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back. 

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. ” 

The Battle of Maldon (Unknown Author)

Picture a day, we think it will just be an ordinary day of school, work, making dinner or watching a new episode of Game of Thrones, when suddenly the world as we know it is shattered by thousands of warriors attacking our city, annihilating everyone they find.
These are men who believe that fighting is life, and have grown up learning to destroy humanity in a way even the most horrible monsters of today cannot possibly measure up to.
Their fleets of ships could land, destroy life, pillage and leave in a very short time, and though they never wore the silly horn hats that modern people attribute to them, they are nonetheless the (hatless?) Vikings.
The Battle of Maldon is a poem written, by the English, for a battle they lost to these marauders in 991. Some scholars state the poem originated soon after the battle, and I can imagine the person who wrote it held keenly to the fresh pain of losing friends and family, and these feelings are mixed in every word of the story.
I found one quote that shows these emotions and thought it worthy of notice.

Click on the picture to find the original picture without words.

Here is more of that part of the poem.

Thought shall be the harder, heart the keener,
Courage the greater, as our might lessens.
Here lies our leader, all hewn down,
The brave man in the dust. May he mourn for ever
Who now thinks to turn from the warplay!
Old in age am I; I will not hence.
By my lord will I die, our lord dearly loved.

                          

Beowulf (Unknown Author)

Beowulf is a poem written by an unknown author in an unknown year, though it's believed to originate around the year 1000 (give or take a few hundred years). 
I must admit that I haven't read the entire epic as  the story is quite boring, yet I appreciate the history of the poem and the age of a thousand years or more bestowed upon it.
There are two quotes that are worthy of reading, and they still make sense after all these years.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“Anyone with gumption and a sharp mind will take the measure of two things: what's said and what's done.” 
― Seamus Heaney, Beowulf

“Behaviour that's admired
is the path to power among people everywhere.” 

― Seamus Heaney, Beowulf