Shelf Life: Author Hasan Davis brings his book to life at Missoula Public Library

Arts & Culture, Books

AARP TaxAideThis tax season, AARP Foundation TaxAide will offer free Federal and State tax preparation on select Mondays and Tuesdays starting Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Cooper Room A on Level Four of the library. From students to seniors and everyone in-between, if you file a simple 1040 Form we would love to see you! All our TaxAide preparers are IRS certified, and your federal and state taxes will be electronically filed on site, thereby speeding up your refund. Visit tinyurl.com/AARPTaxAideMPL to make an appointment and learn more. Come see us and eliminate the stress of tax season.Dream Bigger Teen After-School ProgramOn Feb. 4 and 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Art Box on Level Two of the library, this after school initiative offers participants the chance to lead their own projects with the support of professional mentors and seed funding, explore career paths through real-world experiences, and gain essential durable skills like critical thinking and collaboration. For more details on how your teen can get involved and to apply visit: familiesfirstmt.org/dbafterschool.html, contact Clay at [email protected] or Linette at [email protected]. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

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MakerSpace Sewing and Mending Drop In WorkshopOn Feb. 5 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. in the MakerSpace on Level One of the library bring in your damaged clothing and learn how to mend them during these mending and sewing-focused walk-in hours. Other projects are welcome! This drop-in program is held every Wednesday.YMCA Yoga at the LibraryMissoula Public Library is thrilled to partner with Missoula Family YMCA to offer free yoga at the library! On Feb. 6 from noon to 1 p.m. in Cooper Room A on Level Four of the library we will focus on basic yoga postures, alignment principles and breathing techniques that help balance, strengthen, and stretch the body. This class is recommended for those wishing to strengthen the foundation of their practice, or who simply want an ongoing practice in harmony with their level of strength, balance, and flexibility — beginners are welcome!Missoula Scholastic Chess Club at MPLStudents from grades 2-12 are invited to come play and learn new moves and beginners are welcome. The next club meeting is on Feb. 6 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Cooper Room B on Level Four of the library.Yarns @ MPLCalling all knitters and crocheters! Bring your lunch and your latest project to the Blackfoot Board Room every Friday to end your week with some crafty fun. The next meeting will be on Feb. 7 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Blackfoot Room on Level Four.Author Reading: Hasan Davis — The Journey of YorkIn collaboration with Travelers’ Rest Connection and Missoula Public Library, join author Hasan Davis as he reads from his picture book, “The Journey of York,” on Feb. 7 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two of the library. Hasan will be available to sign copies of the book, and a select number will be for sale at the event.First Friday with EmpowerMTOn Feb. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. on Level Two of the library join EmpowerMT and the Missoula Public Library in a celebration and viewing of the winner’s pieces in the Youth Art & Essay Contest. These essays and art honor the memory and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Refreshments and snacks will be served.English as a Second Language ClassThe International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Missoula Public Library are happy to offer this free class to help those who need to learn English as a second language. On Feb. 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Ellingson Room on Level Three of the library join us for this entry-level ESL class.Get Lit! Program Series: PainSavvy Health LiteracyOn Feb. 9 from 1 to 1:50 p.m. in the Blackfoot Room on Level Four of the library join this health literacy class to learn about strategies for preventing and overcoming persistent pain, increase movement and have fun! Join us for a 25-minute talk about pain and evidence-informed pain management followed by an optional 25-minute walk.Memory Café: MonTech Show and TellMemory Café is a safe, welcoming, and supportive space for individuals experiencing memory loss and their caregivers and family members. On Feb. 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. in Cooper Room B on Level Four of the library enjoy a MonTech Show and Tell of all the gadgets that can make your life easier.Missoula Reads 2025 Logs AvailableNew Year, new list! Can you read 50 books in 2025? Join us for this fun and popular challenge, now in its ninth year. Visit tinyurl.com/MissoulaReads2025 for the 2025 reading categories and grab your 2025 reading log on Level Three.

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Book fair gets under way in Mayiladuthurai

Arts & Culture, Books

The third edition of the Mayiladuthurai Book Fair commenced on January 31 at Dharmapuram Adheenam Arts College, featuring 65 stalls from leading publishing houses and 20 literary and cultural events scheduled throughout the fair.The fair, organised by the district administration, School Education Department, and the Directorate of Public Libraries, was inaugurated by Minister for Backward Classes Welfare Siva V. Meyyanathan in the presence of District Collector A. P. Mahabharathi, former Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu, and local MLAs.
District Collector A. P. Mahabharathi noted that the fair includes exhibits on government welfare schemes alongside books for competitive exams, general knowledge, and literature. The event will also host guest lectures, debates, plays, and student competitions. Published – February 01, 2025 08:38 pm IST
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He Was a Meathead With an Oscar Nomination. Now He’s Making Christian Movies. What Happened?

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Among a certain ironic internet crowd, one of Mark Wahlberg’s most beloved performances is in the bizarre 2008 M. Night Shyamalan thriller The Happening. That movie is an all-timer of a Hollywood trainwreck; scenes of the actor asking for a second to think or talking to a plastic tree have taken on their own kind of chat room notoriety. One classroom scene, though, is particularly endearing: Wahlberg was trying, with only limited success, to embody a gentle science teacher. (“Come on buddy, take an interest in science! What could be the reason bees are vanishing?”) Later, he would acknowledge that the movie had been a dud, but defended the effort. “Fuck it—you can’t blame me for wanting to try to play a science teacher,” he told reporters. “At least I wasn’t playing a cop or a crook.”

Wahlberg had come a long way since he started out as a rapper and underwear model, but 10 years into his career, he’d fallen into a rut. In his five movies before The Happening, he had portrayed, in order, a police officer, an assassin, a police officer, a football player, and a street criminal. His attempt to play a friendly high-school teacher was undercut by his irrepressible jock energy, but you can’t blame a guy for trying.

These days, Mark Wahlberg is trying to reinvent himself again, playing a villain for the first time since his very first leading role, the 1996 thriller Fear. In Flight Risk, which opened on Jan. 24 and topped the weekend box office, Wahlberg plays a balding killer—the fake hairpiece is exposed in the same moment as his evil intent—piloting a small plane carrying a U.S. marshal and a federal witness under her watch. The plot doesn’t really require him to play the character as a flamboyant psychopath, giggling about the “good time” he’s going to have with his victims; Flight Risk seems to be merely a vehicle for Wahlberg to try something out of his comfort zone, even as it remains in his familiar punching-people milieu.

In one specific way, though, the film seems to clarify something about where the 53-year-old actor is at this point in his career, at this volatile time in Hollywood and in America. Flight Risk is directed by Mel Gibson, once persona non grata in Hollywood for his antisemitic, misogynistic, and racist comments. Wahlberg’s work with Gibson doesn’t necessarily mean that the actor has thrown his lot in with the MAGA Hollywood scene. But it does suggest that Wahlberg, who himself has had to make amends for juvenile hate crimes, is no longer anxious about polite public opinion. And that may make some kind of dark sense in this moment of conservative resurgence in popular culture. As Hollywood’s reckoning with racism and misogyny fades into memory, and men like Gibson can reemerge into the spotlight, it may just be ideal for the ascendance of Wahlberg’s composite film persona, a sort of avatar for anti-intellectual masculinity: a man of faith, muscles, robust heterosexuality, rough edges, a simple moral code, and few thoughts.

Wahlberg first rose to fame as rapper Marky Mark, of the Funky Bunch, who scored a No. 1 hit in 1991 with “Good Vibrations.” (The Funky Bunch’s instant success had a lot to do with the then-inescapable power of Mark’s brother Donnie’s group, New Kids on the Block.) Soon his sculpted torso was inescapable—in a series of black-and-white Calvin Klein underwear ads, on the cover of Penthouse, in a two-page Annie Leibovitz spread in Vanity Fair. His most iconic early roles in Hollywood played off that himbo image in interesting ways: He portrayed a hot-but-menacing teenage psychopath in Fear, a sweetly naïve adult film star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights, and a charming fool of an Army sergeant in David O. Russell’s war comedy Three Kings.

“You know, all I really gotta do is convert one person, and I get to go through the pearly gates.”

—
Mark Wahlberg

But as he got more famous, his roles became more rigid, as directors realized how ideal his unflagging personal intensity made him for action parts—or, less charitably, how limited his meathead humorlessness made him for any other kind of character. With a couple of minor exceptions, he spent the next decade of his career playing out different masculine archetypes and fantasies: cop, soldier, fisherman, astronaut, football player. He leaned hard on his bad-boy street cred, his abs, and his working-class background. Wahlberg, it seemed, recognized the limits of his range, and tried to work with it: He nabbed an Oscar nomination under the direction of Martin Scorsese, who cast him as a tough-talking South Boston police officer in The Departed, dialing up his tendency toward expletive-filled fury to play off a larger ensemble cast. His critical failures came when less skilled directors either tried to contort him out of his tough-guy range (as with The Happening) or stretched his grittiness as a single flat note (as in the neo-noir Max Payne). But he had become, undeniably, a franchise-level star, seen as a strong bet to lead, for example, the rebooted Planet of the Apes.

Toward the end of the aughts, though, he seemed to realize he had become a bit of a parody of himself. He started doing comedies to soften his stiff image, at first as parodies of his standard roles: angry cop, hunky security expert, a motorcycle-riding emblem of red-meat masculinity. (This paid off reputationally and financially in his casting as an affable slacker in the 2012 comedy Ted, which trails only his Transformers films in box-office performance.) Oscar nomination in hand, he began taking on prestige roles, playing the father of a murdered girl in 2009’s The Lovely Bones. Meanwhile, he continued his buddy-cop action flicks, his Southie sports movies, his blue-collar disaster films, his robot-battling franchise blockbusters. By the end of the decade, he had cemented his status as a big-budget movie star, the kind of guy who can pull in an audience based on the power of his name alone. It was the kind of power that might go to a guy’s head. In a 2012 interview, Wahlberg said of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks: “If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did.”

But Wahlberg had always been confident in his own physical abilities, and in the mindset it takes to maintain them. He rarely failed to mention, as part of his explanation for his work ethic—a rise-and-grind guy, Wahlberg started working out at 4 a.m. every day—his blue-collar background. He tended, however, to leave out the roughest parts of his biography: the time when a 15-year-old Wahlberg chased after three Black children while yelling “kill the n—,” and the day when the 16-year-old Wahlberg, in two separate incidents, assaulted two Vietnamese American men. (In the first incident, Wahlberg and two other white boys were issued a civil rights injunction—a warning, essentially—and in the incidents the next year, Wahlberg was convicted of assault and served 45 days in prison.)

In his middle age, facing a new reality in Hollywood in which the power of the movie star is on the wane, Wahlberg appears to be finally grappling with the notion that he might be a man in need of a little redemption. In 2022, Wahlberg self-financed Father Stu, the biopic of a rough, swearing boxer turned rough, swearing priest. Wahlberg, who heard the story of the real-life Stu at a dinner with two Catholic priests, marketed the film as a true passion project—if anyone doubted his commitment, he gained 30 pounds in six weeks for the role, drinking glasses of olive oil to reach his calorie requirements—and his most important role to date. “We are not going to turn our backs on people because of mistakes that they’ve made,” he told the Christian Broadcasting Network. “We are going to tell people and encourage people that nobody is beyond redemption.”

But more than that, he said, it had come as a calling from God to use his fame to start spreading Jesus’ message. “If this is a movie that really changes people’s lives and motivates them and inspires them to do great things,” he mused—“you know, all I really gotta do is convert one person, and I get to go through the pearly gates.” He had plans to pursue even more Christian projects, he said. He partnered with Hallow, the popular Catholic prayer app, appearing as its face in an ad in last year’s Super Bowl. Mark Wahlberg, it seemed, had decided to become a Christian Actor.

Hollywood has plenty of A-listers who have spoken publicly of their faith. But a select few decide to create professional personas based around the countercultural nature of their outspoken Christian beliefs. The supposed edginess of the Christian Actor stems from the idea that in godless Hollywood it’s somehow taboo to be religious, and that an openly Christian actor will face some kind of retaliation. (In terms of known backlash, this only seems weakly true for people, such as Chris Pratt, who have been accused—in his case, falsely—of attending churches with anti-LGBTQ views.) This retaliation is inevitable because, as they see it, being a Christian compels you to hold beliefs that are counter to those held by most in Hollywood. (This conflates being a Christian, which means many different things to different people, with holding traditional conservative values on matters of sexuality and gender.) Some actors who lean heavily on the Christian Actor shtick include Kevin Sorbo, Kirk Cameron, and, of course, Mel Gibson.

If you watched Father Stu, it would be easy to see signs of Wahlberg going this route. In one scene, for example, Stu, then an aspiring actor, visits a casting director who propositions him for oral sex. An appalled Stu punches him out, and we’re encouraged to view this not only as a strike at the man’s behavior and sexual orientation, but at the abusive and immoral ways of the industry itself.

Notably, the actor who plays Stu’s alcoholic father, desperately in need of redemption and of his own son’s grace, is none other than Mel Gibson. There’s precedent for Gibson taking on a kind of mentor/elder statesman role with a fellow actor who’s leaning into his Christianity. Gibson has served as a kind of Catholic mentor to Shia LaBeouf, who converted last year after making his own 2022 Catholic priest movie, Padre Pio. Gibson has some bizarrely specific qualifications for this, beyond directing The Passion of the Christ. Gibson’s father, the writer Hutton Gibson, was a leading proponent of the idea that the Second Vatican Council was a “Masonic plot backed by the Jews” and that therefore all popes since then have been antipopes. The younger Gibson is an outspoken traditionalist, criticizing the modern church loudly and making friends with dissident clerics; he has even erected a private traditionalist Catholic chapel in the Santa Monica mountains. His influence paid off: LaBeouf promptly started sharing his feelings about the Latin Mass and plans to become a deacon.

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When Wahlberg started appearing on morning shows bearing the forehead cross of Ash Wednesday, it was easy to see Gibson’s mark. And Wahlberg’s association with Gibson certainly has some people thinking he’s joining Gibson’s and the right wing’s culture wars. (A satire site’s claim that Wahlberg and Gibson were launching a “non-woke film production studio” proved popular enough that it was addressed by multiple fact-checks.) People will see a Hollywood actor playing cops and soldiers and blue-collar heroes and promoting a prayer app and assume him to be conservative. That’s not quite right for Wahlberg, who just two years before Father Stu starred in a movie about a grieving father grappling with his failure to support his gay son. He may be forging a career as a Christian Actor, but he hasn’t yet hitched his wagon to the conservative Christian movement. He doesn’t even seem interested in the internecine doctrinal debates that are Gibson’s bread and butter. Instead, he seems simply to be a kind of Wahlberg character—just a guy rising, grinding, praying, and not thinking too hard about things.

That’s just fine, to an extent. But when you make movies with Mel Gibson, you’re risking your neutrality turning into complicity. During Flight Risk, Wahlberg’s villain relishes making cartoonish sexual threats not only to the female U.S. marshal but to the male witness she’s escorting. In this second Trump era, amid a conservative cultural resurgence, there’s something distastefully retrograde in seeing a Mel Gibson–directed movie starring a onetime A-lister in which the villain’s depravity is displayed through his indiscriminate sexual impulses.

So what’s Wahlberg to do? It’s unlikely that being a Catholic will limit who he can work with in Hollywood, but wanting to make Catholic movies surely will. Maybe he can continue walking the line—in interviews for Father Stu, he spoke simply of faith and the comfort it brings, avoiding actually contentious Catholic, or political, matters. (Unlike Gibson, he says he loves Pope Francis.) Nor does he traffic in harsh comments about Hollywood lifestyles. He did tell a Catholic crowd that he prayed for God’s forgiveness for appearing in Boogie Nights, but he later clarified that he didn’t really mean it.

But it’s hard to imagine him walking that tightrope easily if he walks alongside Gibson. If he somehow succeeds, it’ll likely be through his absolute commitment to presenting as a simple product of his background: an Irish Catholic guy from South Boston, the same lovable meathead he’s always been. In one particularly delightful video for National Prayer Day, he popped on a backward cap and urged his followers to “stay prayed up.” Luckily for Wahlberg, he’s never compelled us to overthink it.

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Blinken lands book deal

Arts & Culture, Books

NEW YORK — Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken has a book deal, billed by his publisher as a “rare glimpse” into the “challenging and often controversial” responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the war in Gaza and other crises that broke out during his four years at the helm of the State Department under President Joe Biden.
Crown, an imprint of Penguin Random House, announced the book Tuesday. The title and release date are still to be determined.
“In this candid work, he will offer the first inside story from within the administration on what really transpired in the run up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the difficult choices that shaped American diplomatic and military support in the months that followed in a war that would bring the world as close to nuclear conflict as it had come in more than half a century,” Crown’s statement reads in part.
Crown promised Blinken’s book would “take readers into the Situation Room and the Oval Office to hear the discussion about how to keep tensions with China from spiraling to dangerous levels.”

The book will also cover the Israel-Hamas war, sharing “the reaction at the highest levels of American government” to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, “unfolding the complicated calculus by which the administration dealt with Israel’s military response,” and the U.S. government’s role in ceasefire and hostage negotiations.
Blinken, 62, is a State Department and National Security Council veteran whose service dates back to the Clinton administration. He was a foreign policy adviser to Joe Biden during the 2020 election and was secretary of state through all four years of the Biden administration, a time of conflicts around the world.
Blinken and the Biden administration were often criticized for their handling of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and for their support for Israel in its war against Hamas. Critics and protesters contended they did not impose meaningful restrictions on weapons shipments to Israel or push its ally hard enough to ease a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Protesters interrupted his final State Department briefing and at other times gathered outside of his home.
In an Associated Press interview on his last workday, Blinken said that he hoped his legacy would include building “a new and stronger foundation for the United States in the world for the future.” He also acknowledged sharp differences with the incoming Trump administration over Biden’s support for Ukraine and the NATO alliance, among other issues.

Working Strategies: Book review: Getting along better with folks

Arts & Culture, Books

Amy LindgrenIt’s nearly Valentine’s Day, which is go-day for florists, chocolate sellers, fancy restaurants and other purveyors of romance.
And proposals? This year, as many as 220,000 marriage proposals are anticipated, along with a decent number of weddings. That’s an awful lot of “I wills” and “I dos” happening on one day. May the sun forever shine on these happy relationships.
But … just in case the sun goes behind a cloud, maybe there’s room in the bridal registry for one more gift: A book on conflict management. If it’s not needed for the happy couple, maybe the in-laws? With politics, religion and social positions dividing people more than ever, chances are the new blended family is going to have some lumpy spots.
Not that things are any smoother at work these days, or elsewhere for that matter. Conflict seems ready to sprout just about anywhere you turn, with escalation leading to awkward or even scary consequences.
Which brings us back to conflict management books. Here’s one that crossed my desk last week: “How to Get Along with Anyone: The playbook for predicting and preventing conflict at work and at home,” by John Eliot and Jim Guinn. Simon & Schuster, 2025.
Both of the authors have consulted on the topic for years, with Eliot also holding academic roles and Guinn serving as a mediator. Their book differs from other titles I’ve seen on conflict management in that it’s based on understanding the situation and the players rather than on using a specific consensus-finding process.
This switch in focus is one reason the authors can support the title’s claim to “get along with anyone.” By not aligning with corporate departments or work roles, the steps can be applied in more settings.
The book itself is presented in two sections, with the first focused on analyzing different aspects of the situation, including which of five “conflict personality types” the reader might fit. The second section dives into those five types to identify how to strategically leverage them for the best outcome.
For me, the most interesting information came early in the book, where the authors discuss three types of conflict — or, essentially, three reasons people fall into disagreement. These are called triggers and include task-conflict, process-conflict and relational-conflict. The rest of the first section is directed toward predicting behavior, defusing emotions and leveraging knowledge of someone’s triggers and personality types, including your own.
With this foundation in place, the authors return to the five conflict-personality types as the core of the second section. Because I’ve read a lot of personality-type books over the years, this is where I usually don my skeptic’s hat. In most cases, I haven’t found the categories to be encompassing or varied enough, making me less likely to connect up with the overall paradigm.
That said, I’ve seen the opposite reaction from others I might be discussing the same information with, so I know the concept can be helpful. With that in mind, here are the five conflict personality styles noted by Eliot and Guinn, and the chief characteristics of each, in their words:
• Avoider — uninterested in minor details; excels in solitary work with a knack for concentration.
• Competitor — always pushing the envelope; never rests on laurels and takes risks for achievement.
• Analyzer — evidence-based and methodical; patiently gathers information before acting.
• Collaborator — a deeply caring, “oration virtuoso” relying on exceptional relationships skills.
• Accommodator — prioritizes achievement and well-being of those they care about over their own.
Each type is given full attention, with examples of how a person with this go-to style might default to certain responses when encountering conflict. By analyzing your own default settings, as well as those of your potential conflict partner, you can apply the appropriate steps for handling or averting the problem situation.
Or — and this is perhaps my favorite reason for the type-sorting — you can strategically switch from your default setting to another style, to let you match up better for the situation. You can even tag-team or delegate the conflict resolution to someone (at least in a work setting) whose go-to style is better suited for the situation.
So that’s an in-depth look at one conflict management book. Now, going back to Valentine’s Day and potential newlyweds in your life: I was kidding! Handing out prenuptial conflict management books is decidedly not romantic. But reading one yourself? I found a lot here that I can apply to situations I don’t always handle smoothly. With conflict increasing across all areas of our lives, I’m considering this to be good pre-emptive training.
Amy Lindgren owns a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at [email protected].

Originally Published: February 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM CST

Photograph or painting? Réhahn’s new book is a beautiful tribute to the revolutionary Impressionist movement

Arts & Culture, Books

French-born, Vietnamese-based photographer Réhahn has been capturing life through his lens for decades, yet his new book signifies an exciting next chapter in his creative journey.Impressionism: From Photography to Painting pays tribute to the iconic Impressionist movement, a 19th-century art style created in Réhahn’s birthplace of Normandy, France. Impressionist and post-impressionist artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Renoir and Degas rejected traditional painting styles and instead sought to capture the spontaneous nature of light and color in modern life.Ocean Dream (Image credit: Réhahn)As a tribute to these artists, Réhahn uses creative techniques to capture his depiction of photographic Impressionism. By shooting through fire and using reflections in water, the image transforms into a painterly representation of the scene, adding character and a personal impression of how he sees the world. The book is an exploration of the history of impressionism while blending Réhahn’s work and commentary.Speaking on his new project Réhahn says, “Growing up in Normandy, the works of the Impressionists were always in the background of my daily life. When I went to Honfleur, I’d walk along the port where Monet and Eugene Boudin first started the movement. In Paris, there are the Haussmannian buildings and Grande Boulevards painted by Pissarro and Caillebotte, and the opera that Degas loved so much.”I always felt a strong connection to the French countryside, a subject that many Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, like Monet and Van Gogh, focused on. Even though Vietnam is on the other side of the world, there are similarities in the colors and scenes you can find in the French and Vietnamese countryside.”Being (Image credit: Réhahn)Impressionism – From Photography To Painting offers a break from the norm, as Réhahn has established himself as a leading contemporary figure in portrait photography, releasing 100 Iconic Portraits – a showcase of his talent.We spoke to Réhahn last year about 100 Iconic Portraits, during which time his Impressionist approach was in its infancy. However, he did comment on how he captured one of his shots using natural impressionist techniques.The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!”Creating these works involved a lot of experimentation to find the right techniques… Flame was created with my heat technique. Twice a year in Hoi An, farmers burn their rice fields after the harvest to replenish the soil and to get ash to use as fertilizer in peanut gardens.”I shoot through the heat distortion that occurs around the intense heat of the flames. The weird effect of the air, which seems to shimmer and shift, creates an interesting appearance in the photos. It is almost like a texture – like layers of paint – that’s added to the scene.”Day Remnants (Image credit: Réhahn)Réhahn’s Impressionist photos were all created without the use of filters or artificial effects in post-production – and far removed from AI generation. Most of the images in his book were taken in Vietnam, outdoors in the countryside, or at the beach much like the impressionist painters admired by Réhahn.Impressionism: From Photography to Painting by Réhahn is scheduled to be released on February 15 2025, and is available for pre-order now from Réhahn’s website and his galleries in Vietnam for $155 / £125 (Australian pricing to be confirmed).Impressionism: From Photography to Painting by Réhahn (Image credit: Réhahn)You might also like…Take a look at the best books on photography – and if you want something stunning, check out the best coffee table books on photography.

Book Review: “Introduction to the Study of the Qur’an” by Sheikh Abul A’la Maududi

Arts & Culture, Books

About the Author:
Sheikh Abul A’la Maududi (1903– 1979) was a Pakistani Islamic scholar, intellect, and preacher. He played a major role in reforming Pakistan’s politics and was the founder of Jamaat-e-Islami.
 
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Sheikh Abul A’la Maududi began his book Introduction to the Study of the Qur’an by discussing the unique style that distinguishes the Quran from all books authored by humans. A traditional reader accustomed to conventional books finds that each book typically revolves around a specific topic, presented in a structured and organized manner through clear chapters and sections. However, the Quran does not follow this method. Instead, it addresses multiple subjects, including faith, ethics, legal rulings, da’wah, and the stories of previous nations, using diverse and interwoven styles.
One of the most striking aspects for a new reader of the Quran is its sudden transitions between different topics, sometimes even within a single ayah, along with shifts in the addressee and speaker, and directions to different audiences. This unconventional rhetorical pattern may lead some readers, especially non-believers, to mistakenly perceive a lack of coherence and order, raising doubts due to their ignorance, assuming it is disorganized or unstructured. As for believers, they may initially face uncertainty in understanding this style but often find reassurance through various interpretations that clarify the apparent ambiguity. Nevertheless, some individuals may fall into misconceptions and errors after studying the Quran because they lacked prior knowledge of its principles and contexts.
This misunderstanding arises mainly from a lack of awareness of the Quran’s characteristics and study principles, as well as ignorance of the reasons for revelation and the Quranic expression styles. This often leads some to project their preconceived notions about books onto the Quran, assuming it is similar to other religious texts, resulting in confusion and disorientation, like strangers lost in an unknown city. Therefore, it is essential to set aside conventional assumptions about books when studying the Quran and approach it as a unique text in its subject, structure, and rhetorical method to appreciate its beauty and understand its essence.
The Origin of the Quran
Sheikh Maududi emphasizes the need to understand the origin of the Quran for anyone wishing to comprehend it, whether a believer or not. He clarifies that the Quran is the Word of Allah, the Creator, Owner, and Ruler of the universe, who appointed humankind as successors on Earth and granted them free will within the framework of a divine test. The purpose of this worldly life is to follow Allah’s guidance to achieve success in the Hereafter, with the promise of Paradise for those who adhere to this path and the threat of Hell for those who deviate.
Allah created the first human, Adam, peace be upon him, and his wife Hawwa (Eve), granting them knowledge and wisdom, and commanded them to follow the divine path. Despite this, the descendants of Adam deviated from this upright path over the centuries, turning to polytheism and adopting man-made philosophical systems filled with illusions and falsehoods, leading to widespread injustice and corruption on Earth.
Despite this deviation, Allah did not forcibly intervene to bring people back to the straight path. Instead, He left them with free will and provided them with guidance by selecting prophets and messengers from among them. These messengers were given divine knowledge and a correct way of life and were tasked with conveying Allah’s message to humanity. This prophetic mission continued over thousands of years, with prophets being sent to different nations and regions, all calling to a single faith and a just civilization. Some followed the guidance, while others strayed and spread corruption on Earth.
Finally, Allah sent Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, with a universal message for all humanity, including the followers of previous prophets. Allah revealed the Quran to him as a book of guidance and light for all people, making his followers a united Ummah that adheres to Allah’s commandments and guides the world toward righteousness.
The Main Subject, Central Discussion, and Objective of the Quran
Sheikh Maududi explains that the main subject of the Quran is “human beings.” The Quran seeks to clarify what leads to their success and happiness and what causes their loss and misery. True guidance lies in what Allah taught humans when appointing them as successors on Earth. The Quran’s central discussion revolves around critiquing the theories that humans have devised about the universe, life, and the Creator, which are based on superficial studies and imaginative assumptions influenced by personal whims. These theories are inherently false and destructive to humankind. The correct approach that guarantees a good outcome is the one prescribed by Allah.
The Quran aims to call people to this correct path, which they have strayed from either due to negligence or arrogance. Therefore, the Quran focuses on removing misconceptions about the truth and highlighting the consequences of following a path contrary to it. It also addresses various topics, such as the heavens and their creation, human beings and their formation, cosmic observations, and stories of previous nations, all of which contribute to its primary objective: inviting humanity to the correct path. Thus, understanding the Quran’s rhetorical style and subject arrangement requires knowledge of how it was revealed.
The Stages of Quranic Revelation
Sheikh Maududi summarizes the stages of the Quranic revelation, emphasizing that the Quran is not like any human-authored book and was not revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, all at once.
First Stage: At the beginning of the revelation, Allah chose Muhammad ﷺ for His message in Makkah and commanded him to call the Quraysh to Islam. This stage involved teaching the Prophet how to prepare himself for the mission, correcting misconceptions about the truth, and inviting people to divine ethics. The ayahs revealed during this period were tailored to the local Arab environment for maximum impact and spanned about four to five years. Some of the best individuals embraced the message, while many rejected it, and the message began spreading beyond Makkah.
Second Stage: This stage saw fierce opposition to the call to Islam, lasting eight to nine years, during which the Quraysh sought to eliminate the Islamic movement by all means, from rumors to persecution and torture. Despite this, the message continued to spread, reaching every household in Makkah. Allah revealed ayahs that encouraged the believers, clarified their duties, and warned disbelievers of the consequences of their rejection. The ayahs commanded piety, provided methods for spreading the religion, and strengthened the collective consciousness of the believers with the promise of Paradise while urging patience in the face of hardship. Disbelievers were reminded of the fate of previous nations and presented with rational proofs for monotheism and the Hereafter, leaving no room for doubt. This historical context characterizes the Makkan Quran.
Third Stage: After thirteen years of struggle, the message moved to Madinah, where a Muslim society and independent state were established. Armed confrontation with the Quraysh and ongoing conflict with the People of the Book and hypocrites ensued. After ten years of struggle, the Arabs submitted to Islam, which then began to spread globally. The ayahs during this period addressed diverse needs, ranging from stirring oratory to directive decrees and educational lessons. They addressed societal and state issues, relations with non-Muslims, and the preparation of Muslims for leadership on Earth. The verses nurtured Muslims’ upright behavior in different circumstances and urged them to strive in the way of Allah, while inviting the People of the Book and polytheists to believe through persuasive and warning methods, establishing proofs against them, and emphasizing the creation of a righteous society guided by Allah’s directives. This is the context of the Madinah Quran.
The Quran as a Book of Da’wah and Movement
The Quran was revealed in connection with the evolution and progression of the Islamic mission over twenty-three years, descending gradually according to the changing needs and requirements of each phase of the mission. This pattern of revelation differs entirely from the structure of scientific books or academic research. The Quran served as a direct address from the Prophet ﷺ, engaging minds, stirring emotions, and addressing various situations. Thus, the ayahs and chapters were revealed in a rhetorical style that suited the circumstances of the mission.
The Wisdom Behind Repetition in the Quran
The repetition of Quranic statements is due to the nature of the mission, which requires reiterating fundamental principles in innovative ways with varied rhetorical merits that captivate hearts without tiring listeners. Therefore, the Quran repeatedly discusses the doctrine of monotheism, Allah’s attributes, and belief in the Hereafter, with renewed expressions and styles that suit each stage of the mission. If these foundational beliefs weakened in the hearts of the believers, the Islamic movement would not have progressed in its true spirit.
The Arrangement of the Quran
It was not wise to arrange the Quran according to its chronological revelation since the sequence of revelation was tied to the mission’s development. However, after the mission was complete, a new arrangement was necessary to suit the realities of Muslims, who became responsible for continuing the mission. Thus, the current arrangement combines introductory and concluding teachings in an integrated overlap that reflects the complete picture of Islam. Had the Quran been compiled according to its chronological order, it would have required adding details about the timing and circumstances of each part, making it difficult to read, contrary to the divine purpose of preserving Allah’s word as pure and accessible for reading by all people across time and place. The current arrangement is not arbitrary but divinely guided, established by the Prophet ﷺ under Jibreel’s direction. The Prophet instructed the placement of ayahs in their appropriate positions within chapters, and this arrangement was adopted for recitation in prayers and memorization by the Companions, completing its arrangement upon the completion of its revelation.
Compiling the Quran
From the beginning of revelation, the Quran was memorized and written on animal skins, palm stalks, and similar materials under the supervision of the Prophet ﷺ. After the Battle of Yamamah and the emergence of the apostasy crisis, many memorizers of the Quran were martyred. Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, suggested to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, to compile the Quran. Initially hesitant, Abu Bakr was eventually convinced and tasked Zaid ibn Thabit, may Allah be pleased with him, to gather it using scrolls and the testimony of memorizers. The compiled copy was preserved with Umm al-Mu’mineen Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her, who memorized the Quran by heart.
Due to the diversity of dialects and the spread of Islam beyond the Arabian Peninsula, Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) decided to prevent discord by commissioning the copying of the authorized Mushaf, which had been compiled during Abu Bakr’s era, and distributing it to the provinces. He entrusted the Companions with gathering and transcribing multiple copies, which were sent to Islamic regions accompanied by reciters who would teach people the correct recitation. The copies of the Quran circulated today are in complete agreement with these Uthmanic copies, confirming the stability of the Quranic text throughout the ages.
Methodology for Understanding the Quran
Anyone seeking to understand the Quran must clear their mind of preconceived notions or personal desires and approach it with an open heart and conscious mind. The Quran does not reveal its treasures to those who attempt to read it with pre-existing concepts or biased views.
For anyone wanting to delve deeply into the Quran, a single or even two readings will not be enough. One must study it repeatedly with tools such as a pen and notebook to record ideas and conclusions. During the initial reading, it is recommended to note questions and wait for answers in the upcoming pages. Patience is essential, as repeated study will reveal answers to most intellectual questions. After gaining a general understanding, the student should move on to detailed studies, including the Quran’s teachings about humanity, ethics, and the causes of success or loss in both this life and the Hereafter. These meanings should be documented for comparison and benefit.
If a person seeks the Quran’s perspective on a specific issue, it is preferable to first study both ancient and contemporary writings on the topic and then turn to the Quran to seek answers. Ayhas that have been read repeatedly may contain solutions that were previously unnoticed.
The Essential Condition for Understanding the Quran
The essence of the Quran can only be understood by acting upon its teachings. The Quran is not merely a collection of theories or abstract philosophical ideas to be studied from a couch. It is a book of action and a call to transformation. It took a gentle man from seclusion and made him confront the world, challenge falsehood, and gather virtuous souls under the banner of the Prophetic call. The true nature of the Quran is only revealed to those who engage in the struggle between truth and falsehood and immerse themselves in the experiences of the Islamic mission.
The Universal Call of the Quran
The Quran is a book of guidance for all humanity, not just for Arabs. Although its ayahs addressed Arabs in their language and according to their context, the principles and arguments it presented to confront polytheism and establish monotheism are applicable at all times and places. The Quran does not limit its call to a particular ethnicity or era but presents a timeless and global system suited to all circumstances. As Sheikh Mawdudi noted, the correct method for spreading the Islamic movement is not to announce its global nature from the outset but to establish it firmly in its homeland first, apply it practically, and then present it as a model for other nations to follow.
Quran as a Book of General Principles
The Quran is not a book of detailed specifics but a text that clearly and comprehensively presents the intellectual and moral foundations of the Islamic system. Its role is not to provide detailed laws for every aspect of life but to outline broad guidelines and key principles according to Allah’s pleasure. The Sunnah of the Prophet complements this by building a practical framework for Islamic life. Allah did not merely reveal His Book but also sent His Messenger alongside it to detail it.
Differences in Quranic Interpretation
One of the Prophet’s tasks (peace and blessings be upon him) was to make Islamic life a practical translation of Quranic teachings, with his Sunnah serving as a living model for individual, social, and international conduct based on these teachings. Although the Quran criticizes those who divided and differed after receiving guidance, there have been differences in the interpretation of Quranic rulings, even among the Companions and their successors. This raises questions about the nature of these disagreements and the Quran’s stance on them. Sheikh Mawdudi pointed out two types of differences:

Constructive and noble differences: These arise among sincere scholars striving to interpret rulings based on diligent study and sincere effort. They agree on the fundamentals of religion and the Islamic community’s structure. Such differences are acceptable in Islam as they signify intellectual vitality and social development.
Destructive and divisive differences: These stem from personal whims and distant interpretations, leading to factions and blameworthy sectarianism that divides the community.

Constructive differences in subsidiary matters do not lead to division or banishment; they remain within the scope of respectful intellectual effort. In contrast, blameworthy differences are characterized by some people imposing their opinions as fundamentals of the religion, forming factions that claim to be the true Muslim community while considering others who disagree to be disbelievers. The Quran condemns such divisive disputes and sectarianism. During the Prophet’s time (peace and blessings be upon him), there were examples of constructive differences that demonstrated the existence of intellectual capacities and scholarly talents within the Islamic community. These differences contributed to the development of thought and jurisprudence while maintaining Islamic unity, as everyone agreed on the fundamentals of religion and allowed room for effort in subsidiary matters.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Technology in the backcountry

Technology

Using a global positioning system receiver – GPSR – makes it easier to get back safelyBy Neil WoodworthMy wife and I enjoy hiking off trail in the Five Ponds Wilderness just out the back door from our home in the northwest Adirondacks. For our bushwhacking adventures, we use a paper topographic map, a compass and a handheld global positioning system receiver (GPSR). Let me tell you about the equipment and methods that help us in backcountry navigation.I am motivated by safety concerns: Holly and I were hiking off-trail in a remote part of Five Ponds. I injured my back on a steep descent. We used the Garmin GPS handheld and the Suunto compass to take a more direct route back to our campsite, saving several miles and a lot of painful walking. I was able to hike home after a night of rest.More on Five Ponds Wilderness: An Adventure in the Five Ponds WildernessHandheld navigation devices & their specsWe use a couple of devices with a retail cost that runs from $565 to $665.One device is a $65 Suunto baseplate compass with the magnetic needle inside a liquid filled capsule. The compass can be adjusted using a small brass key to set the 13-degree difference between magnetic and true north in our part of the Adirondack Park.Centering the red compass needle between the two fluorescent marks on the compass ensures that the compass’ direction of travel works with our GPS or handheld receiver, which costs $500 to $600. I recommend customized United States Geological Survey topographic maps from MyTopo that can be ordered for a specified area on waterproof and foldable paper. I highly recommend the book “Be Expert with Map and Compass” by Bjorn Kjellstrom. The Adirondack Explorer thanks its advertising partners. Become one of them.

‘Udupi Manipal Andu-Endu’ mini-Coffee table book by Astro Mohan released

Arts & Culture, Books

Pics: Nithin Pereira Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Feb 1: The mini coffee table book “Udupi Manipal Andu-Endu” by renowned senior news photographer Astro Mohan was officially released on Saturday, February 1 at the Yakshagana Kalaranga IYC Auditorium in Udupi. The event was organised by the Udupi District Kannada Sahitya Parishad Udupi Taluk unit in association with Bhutharaja Publication. This marks Astro Mohan’s sixth book, which showcases the transformation of Udupi and Manipal over time.
H S Ballal, pro-chancellor of MAHE Manipal, released the book and remarked, “Dr Madhav Pai played a pivotal role in Udupi’s development. Whenever Astro Mohan attends an event, he always captures the best moments. Udupi and Manipal have undergone significant changes, more than any other district in the state. This book is a must-read, and we should encourage others to read it as well. Images have a greater impact than words, and Astro Mohan’s photographs are of exceptional quality. We will certainly place this book in our university and share it with our international students.”

Dr Nikeshana shared, “This book takes you back in time, showcasing the transformation of Udupi, from black-and-white to colour photographs. Astro Mohan is not just a photographer, but also a writer, poet, and critic. His sharp observations of Udupi’s subtle changes make him a source of great pride for the region. Through his camera, he has captured these pivotal moments, and this book will undoubtedly inspire aspiring photographers.”
Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna said, “In the next 20 years, Udupi will become one of the most developed regions, second only to Bengaluru. Astro Mohan has beautifully captured how Udupi looked 30 years ago, offering the younger generation a glimpse into the past. Such remarkable work is only possible when someone is committed to documenting these moments.”
Kishor Alva, executive director of Adani Group, said, “Sathish Pai has been a mentor to many journalists and photographers. Astro Mohan is a visionary photographer who has beautifully documented Udupi’s essence, both past and present, through his compelling storytelling format. Since the division of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, the district has seen significant progress. With Udupi’s growing international student population, the region urgently needs an international airport. With so much transformation on the horizon, there will be many more moments for Astro Mohan to capture. I will propose creating dedicated spaces in airports to showcase such books.”
The event began with an invocation by Padigaru Lakshminarayana Upadyaya. Astro Mohan welcomed the gathering and gave an introductory note. Janardhan Kodavoor delivered the vote of thanks, while Poornima Janardhana compered the event.
Other notable attendees included director of Manipal Media Network Sathish U Pai, president of Karnataka Sahithya Parishad Udupi taluk unit Raviraj H P, senior photographer Yajna Mangaluru, proprietor of Bhutharaja Publication, Udupi Praveena Mohan, and others.