Tony Judt, RIP

Postwar was one of the best books I read a couple of years ago. An interesting attempt at a middle-ground theory of history.
 
Yes, a big loss.

We don't assign many historians in political science classes, but he was one I felt students needed to read.
 
originally posted by Claude Kolm:
Tony Judt, RIPhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/books/08judt.html?_r=1&hpw

Lou Gherig's disease; hopefully the rest of us will have a swifter, less testing demise.
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Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Claude. I've been reading his articles in the London Review of Books, which were always well written and tremendously thought-provoking. I'm sad to hear of his death from ALS. My father was diagnosed with it at the same age and died of it at the same age. Since the "average" onset of ALS takes place in the early-to-mid 40s (and in males most often) these cases represent unusual late onset ALS, which proceeds more rapidly than the "normal" cases. It's a terrifyingly swift loss of autonomy and bodily function, which I'd never wish on my worst enemy.

Mark Lipton
 
A sister of a close friend has Lou Gehrig's disease and posts status updates on Facebook. It's difficult for me to read them. I feel like such a coward and I don't even have the disease. She was diagnosed last November and last month was forced onto full disability.
Part of the reason it's so difficult is because she was such a nice person. I guess theoretically I shouldn't feel any worse if it was Charles Manson or the winemaker for Rombauer, but when the good people get hit, it makes it tougher.
 
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