Sunday, November 11, 2012

"The Third Man" by Graham Greene


Summary:

Holly Martin, who was an American writer, had been invited to visit Vienna after World War II by his old friend Harry Lime in Vienna, but when Holly arrived, he knew that his old friend had been killed by a truck. Holly went to the funeral. There, he saw a woman who looked worried. During the funeral, the investigator told Holly that Harry had been involved in illegal acts, but he didn't believe him. Holly agreed to give a lecture in Vienna to stay longer in order to know what happened to Harry. Then, Holly began his search to find out the truth. Holly met Popescu and Kurtz, who said that Harry had asked them to take care of Holly and Anna before his death. Holly was stunned because the investigator told him that Harry had died suddenly! Also, Kurtz told him that the woman that had worried in the cemetery was Harry's girlfriend, Ana Schmidt. Holly met Anna Schmidt and also met Harry's doctor, Winkle, who approved his death. The doctor said that the truck driver was Harry's personal driver. However, the porter told them that there was a third man who carried the body besides Popescu and Kurtz and he would like to tell them something else later at night. When Holly and Anna came to see him as he asked him at night, they found that the porter had been murdered mysteriously. Therefore, Holly decided in the lecture he delivered in Vienna that his next book will be titled The Third Man. Then, Holly decided to leave Vienna because the investigator told him about Harry's crimes that caused the death of many innocent people.

Reaction:

After reading half of the story, I found the story so interesting even though the plot is complex and events are ambiguous.   

Sunday, November 4, 2012

"Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek" by Lisa Yount


Summary:

        Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek consider one of the greatest minds of science . First, his life with microscopes.  Using microscopes he made himself. I mean, he managed to discover some important discoveries. For example, In 1670s, he discovered tiny, single-celled living things that he called "little animals." Second, curious personality influenced on his scintific life. His curiosity led him to examine moldy bread, lake water and even the plaque buildup on his teeth! Not only that but, the most important discovery in his  life, he was the first person could see red blood cells and bacteria.

Reaction:

        This book talks about scientist in the past so, I have remembered that there are a lot of Muslim scientists who are considered the basis for the beginning of a lot of science now.For example, Ibn al-Nafis, who discovered the circulation.Ibn al-Haytham, who discovered the theory of reflection optics.
It's a useful book because easy to understand and you can imagine this scientist's life. The auther used simple and known words to say every thinge about Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek's life.