Mid-week links

As if you didn't know, Gadhafi is completely insane (WSJ)

Kayak Vancouver to Alaska. No experience required (Backcountry.com)

Apparently I need to read the book 'Ridge Runner' (Adventure Journal)

Weekend Cabin: Stony Lake, Ontario (AJ)

Why is Fox News trashing Ron Paul? Check out the other links within the story too. (Big Picture)

Maybe its not such an awful thing when people are out of the gene pool. Family sues Forest Service after son is eaten by bear (AJ)

World record skiing cliff jump happened on accident. Holy crap (AJ)

Aussie cameraman gets in-water footage of shark eating marlin (Deadspin)

Where Min Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman

I recently finished Where Min Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer (of Into Thin Air fame). It's very well written and a very interesting read. Tillman was a fascinating guy that I think alot of men will identify with to varying extents.

Tillman was an undersized, super-aggressive safety for the Arizona Cardinals. He was fierce, thoughtful and lived a conservative lifestyle compared to his NFL peers (drove a Volvo wagon, etc). After 9/11 he felt compelled to do something. He and his twin brother decided to join the Army Rangers as enlisted men rather than officers despite their college degrees because they wanted to have boots on the ground rather than calling the shots from some rear base.

Tragically, he was killed in a skirmish by confused friendly fire. The army's cover-up of the fact and the media circus from the Bush administration was deploreable. Krakauer does an excellent job of exploring the deeper details of Tillman's life, the events leading up to the attacks of 9/11 and the politics/aftermath.

It simultaneously makes me want to join a military operation and avoid anything to do with our government whatsoever. If anyone else reads it or already has, I'd really like to get your impressions.

New Amazon Kindle in August

Just because I love my Kindle and I plugged it here recently, I thought it was worth mentioning that they are revamping the Kindle in the next few weeks. Same screen size, but the device is 21% smaller with a battery that "lasts a month" and at a lower price point (down to $139 for WiFi only!). Click here for the full article  from the WSJ

A few interesting comments in there about how little interest they have in competing against the iPad as well.

Books

I don't have a TV so, for any who are interested, here is the best of what I have read recently:

Wild at Heart  by John Eldredge - Evaluation of Christian Masculinity from a personal perspective. Less academic, good inspiration. Female corollary = Captivating (though I haven't read it yet). Makes you want to be (or I suppose be with) a stronger Christian man.

Band of Brothers By Stephen Ambrose -  Classic. Inspiration for the WWII Spielberg HBO series. Makes you proud of the generations before you.

Born to Run - investigates the culture of ultra-running and why we shouldn't wear shoes when we run (is Nike evil?), unless they are Vibram five fingers or ancient sandal-types.Makes you want to run forever.

Lone Survivor - Marcus Luttrell. Navy SEAL stuck behind enemy lines in the worst part of Afghanistan. True story told by the only survivor of a SEAL team. Powerful but violent. Makes you want to simultaneously join the SEALs or avoid war at all costs.

WAR - Sebastian Junger - Junger travels through Afghanistan with a team of US Army GI's through Afghanistam campaign. Lots of good anecdotes and some insight into the psychology of a modern infantry soldier. Definitely makes you want to avoid being a GI in the afghan front.

Three Cups of Tea - Gregg Mortensen - Low-income high-alpine climber builds schools in Pakistan after a tiny village at the base of K2 saves his life. Makes you want to quit your job and change the world.

What have you read recently that was worthwhile recommending?

P.S. Kindles are only $189 now. Take the plunge. Buy a light and a cover to go with it. You won't regret it.