What a great choice, Matt. These are the books that need to be published and how appropriate that your space on Substack is where you announce this selection; because it is Substack that unlocks a world of possibilities for stellar writers like Samuél who get squeezed out by traditional publishing gatekeepers. I am thrilled to see you make this choice. Both Samuél’s books have been a big part of my own reading year. That Sam and Gus had a creative retreat here in our farmhouse makes the connection stronger. The writing is stunning.
Excellent video Matthew! Requisitions is definitely on my reading list. Understanding historical events and learning from them in a good way is really important, too often wrongs and the desire for revenge are carried forward from generation to generation. Nelson Mandela, who became the first post apartheid president in South Africa, is a good example of thinking differently to break that generational hatred. I saw the brutality of apartheid first hand when I was living and working in an African country next door to South Africa during the 1980's. That Mandela was able to rise above the desire for violent revenge and institute the Truth and Reconciliation process of forgiveness was a truly remarkable act. Not long after, the Troubles in Northern Ireland also came to a halt through similar acts of forgiveness. Neither of these were or are lasting solutions, but each in their own way showed what forgiveness, and kindness can achieve instead of war. We just have to keep trying, what we do personally counts, even though we may think it does not.
Thank you Peter. I hope you enjoy this book and I really appreciate your insights on the broader spectrum of history. It is important to just keep trying. Glad to have you here.
Hello Matthew - I like the premise of your book of the year choice. It sounds fascinating and so I have just ordered it. Will share thoughts in due course. Glad to have found you here. Continued success!
Fantastic! One of my favorite books about a similar time and place was Mila 18 by Leon Uris. I will give this a go and look forward to discussion! Is there a thread or article that I might have missed on the book or one coming up?
Well shucks. It was an honor to be interviewed earlier in the year; a true pleasure to chat with you a few days ago (the first of many more); and an absolutely unexpected, humbling delight to receive the news that *The Requisitions* topped the list of so many tales on your bookshelf.
To those folks out there who think Draft 1, 3, or 9 is in the dust, and to those folks who've spent 5, 6, 7 years on a manuscript that always feels *almost there* ... all I can say is if the story resonates with you, KEEP GOING. The Requisitions took me a young lifetime to write and then another decade to finish. Thank you, Matthew, for reminding me why Substack is the most rewarding space for literature I've ever interacted with 🙏🏼
I finished this book a few days ago and have been thinking ever since of how to describe it. To say it is lovely and sad, horrifying and uplifting hardly does it justice. To use Matthew’s word, it is “extraordinary.” I’ll be reading this again and again over the years no doubt.
Thank you. I’m going to order it
Wonderful to hear Susan!
What a great choice, Matt. These are the books that need to be published and how appropriate that your space on Substack is where you announce this selection; because it is Substack that unlocks a world of possibilities for stellar writers like Samuél who get squeezed out by traditional publishing gatekeepers. I am thrilled to see you make this choice. Both Samuél’s books have been a big part of my own reading year. That Sam and Gus had a creative retreat here in our farmhouse makes the connection stronger. The writing is stunning.
Very much looking forward to future glasses of wine in your humble abode, this time with you and yours in the glorious salon.
We’ll raise a glass to that!
Thanks Barrie. Samuél and I chatted about you and his visit to your home. I am a bit jealous but hoping to make my way over there one of these days.
I’m ordering it too!
Wonderful news Seymour!
Excellent video Matthew! Requisitions is definitely on my reading list. Understanding historical events and learning from them in a good way is really important, too often wrongs and the desire for revenge are carried forward from generation to generation. Nelson Mandela, who became the first post apartheid president in South Africa, is a good example of thinking differently to break that generational hatred. I saw the brutality of apartheid first hand when I was living and working in an African country next door to South Africa during the 1980's. That Mandela was able to rise above the desire for violent revenge and institute the Truth and Reconciliation process of forgiveness was a truly remarkable act. Not long after, the Troubles in Northern Ireland also came to a halt through similar acts of forgiveness. Neither of these were or are lasting solutions, but each in their own way showed what forgiveness, and kindness can achieve instead of war. We just have to keep trying, what we do personally counts, even though we may think it does not.
Thank you Peter. I hope you enjoy this book and I really appreciate your insights on the broader spectrum of history. It is important to just keep trying. Glad to have you here.
Thank you Matthew. I’m going to order it right now.
Wonderful Noreen!
Hello Matthew - I like the premise of your book of the year choice. It sounds fascinating and so I have just ordered it. Will share thoughts in due course. Glad to have found you here. Continued success!
Thanks Chris. I hope you enjoy the book and would love to hear your thoughts.
Fantastic! One of my favorite books about a similar time and place was Mila 18 by Leon Uris. I will give this a go and look forward to discussion! Is there a thread or article that I might have missed on the book or one coming up?
Emily, here is the article I wrote earlier this year.
https://open.substack.com/pub/matthewmlong/p/someday-you-might-want-to-remember
Well shucks. It was an honor to be interviewed earlier in the year; a true pleasure to chat with you a few days ago (the first of many more); and an absolutely unexpected, humbling delight to receive the news that *The Requisitions* topped the list of so many tales on your bookshelf.
To those folks out there who think Draft 1, 3, or 9 is in the dust, and to those folks who've spent 5, 6, 7 years on a manuscript that always feels *almost there* ... all I can say is if the story resonates with you, KEEP GOING. The Requisitions took me a young lifetime to write and then another decade to finish. Thank you, Matthew, for reminding me why Substack is the most rewarding space for literature I've ever interacted with 🙏🏼
It is a pleasure my friend.
A beyond well deserved honor for Samuel! I agree! An thank you for your astute observations. 🙏
Thanks Ellen! Samuel did all the hard work!
I finished this book a few days ago and have been thinking ever since of how to describe it. To say it is lovely and sad, horrifying and uplifting hardly does it justice. To use Matthew’s word, it is “extraordinary.” I’ll be reading this again and again over the years no doubt.