Author: Soum Y.
Editor: Karen W.
Translator: Ezekiel K.
Do you enjoy reading books? We have fewer opportunities to read books now that we can get a variety of information instantaneously on the internet, don’t we? I have some bad news for all of you. In fact, reading material on the Internet is fundamentally different from reading books. That is, the way you select material on the Internet is like a “buffet,” and you will unavoidably wind up picking and choosing only what you like. This obviously leads to a narrow viewpoint when perceiving things. In contrast, books are “a head-to-head struggle between the author and your own sense of values.” Books are thought to be excellent not only for expanding your knowledge but also for boosting your concentration and communication skills. What are your thoughts? Even if you don’t normally read books, this narrative may have piqued your interest. On the other hand, for those who read books on a daily basis, it may have altered your perspective on reading slightly.
This time we asked two TIU professors for one book each that you should have read while you were a student! What exactly are the books that the professors, who are always there for you in your lectures and student life, recommend…? Let’s get right to the great books!
The first book is “The Devil’s Choice” (Author: Frederick Forsythe, Kadokawa Bunko Publishing, volume two). This book was recommended by Prof. Takayuki Ogasawara. Here is a summary of what Professor Takayuki Ogasawara had to say:
When the war in Ukraine began, I was reminded of a novel I had read as a student. It was a novel titled “The Devil’s Choice” by Frederick Forsyth. In this novel, set in the world during the Cold War, operatives from various countries engage in a variety of espionage activities. Then, as a result of a combination of intrigue and miscalculation, they reach a crisis that is about to erupt into World War III in a few moments. However, the crisis is averted through the efforts of the protagonist, a British agent.
This may sound like a story with a happy ending, but the reality is far more complicated. The protagonist had paid a great price for the avoidance of World War III. The price was the abandonment of Ukrainian activists seeking independence from Russia. The protagonist was not in favour of Russian domination of Ukraine. However, if World War III broke out in the nuclear age, the world would be doomed. Therefore, the protagonist’s action was a “devil’s choice.”
Unlike when this novel was written, Ukraine is an independent country today. As long as the Ukrainian people continue to resist the Russian military, the international community will continue to support them. At the same time, however, the security interests of Russia as a major power cannot be ignored. What position should be given to Ukraine and Russia in the world after the war is over? Without considering this question, a sustainable peace will not be realised without considering this question. This novel is a useful teaching tool for international politics..
The second book is “Introduction to Speaking” (Author: D. Carnegie, Sogensha Publishing Co. This book was recommended by Prof. Tetsuro Shioguchi. The following is a summary of his talk.
For more than 60 years, this book has been read as a gentle, basic, and practical guide to the art of speaking, from speeches to everyday conversation. You can benefit from this book in all kinds of situations, such as when you have a problem with a friend or when you have to give a presentation at school. For example, in Chapter 1, Cultivating Courage and Confidence, the author says, “If you want to be brave, you have to use all your willpower and act like a brave person.” Eventually, fear will take the place of fearlessness. It is written,
In general, when people lack confidence, they fall. Generally speaking, when people lack confidence, they feel depressed. And with that, they become more and more reluctant to take action. This is not good for the future. Therefore, Carnegie dares to be playful. The key word is “acting.” If you stand up straight, tell yourself that everyone listening to this speech owes you a debt, and speak confidently, you will not be a wimp. In this way, Carnegie shares many tips on how to “speak” well from his own experience in a funny, yet easy-to-understand way. The book is written in a way that makes you want to put it into practice as soon as you read it. You can read it once, but you should also read it over and over again. That is how rich the contents of this book are. I am convinced that this book will definitely be useful for you in your future life as a student and when you get a job in the future.
Now that I have introduced the two books, there are, of course, many other books that students can read and that will be useful to them now or in the future. Yes, but these books were introduced to me by two professors at TIU, and I can recommend them to you in an outstanding manner. As I write this article, I have also read “An Introduction to Speaking” (author: D. Carnegie, Sogensha Publishing), which contains detailed tips on how to speak in all kinds of situations. Although the title of the book says “Introduction to Speaking,” you can learn everything you need to know about speaking from 1 to 10. I’m really glad I came across this book, because I myself am not very good at public speaking, and I felt that I could overcome this problem if I followed the advice in this book. Of course, the other book, “The Devil’s Choice” (Author: Frederick Forsyth, Kadokawa Bunko Publishing, volume two) is another book I would love to read because it will get me thinking about peace! Why don’t you all join us and be swept away by the endless waves of knowledge? There are various wonderful books in the world.
The two books introduced here are definitely the golden waves among them that will enrich your life. And they are available at too low a price to change your life. Everyone, hurry to the bookstore!
Times Of TIU 