The Vietnam War, More Trade Deals, and Hulk Hogan, RIP

In 'Carnage and Culture', Victor Davis Hanson explores how Western culture and values, such as dissent, inventiveness, and citizenship, have consistently produced superior military forces. The book examines landmark battles to demonstrate how armies reflect the cultures that produce them, highlighting the advantages of armies from free cultures. Hanson's thesis challenges explanations based on geography or technology, emphasizing instead the role of cultural factors in Western military success.

The Silent Patient follows the story of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who shoots her husband, Gabriel, and then remains silent. Theo Faber, a forensic psychotherapist, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Alicia's silence. As Theo delves into Alicia's past through her diary entries and his own interactions with her, he uncovers a complex web of secrets and motivations that lead to a shocking twist. The novel explores themes of mental illness, trauma, and the quest for truth, with a narrative that alternates between Theo's perspective and Alicia's diary entries.