Olor a Yerba seca (dry grass aroma)

By: Alejandro Llano

BookNo.: r027

Asunto: highlights

Fecha: 23/11/11

• This book are the author's memoires from childhood till late 90's. It is originally written in Spanish. I don't knownif there are any translations available.
• Although mostly very simple it is generally quite amusing, entertaining and even thought provoking.
• Most of the annecdotes he narrates show a life which hasn't been too extraordinary, although the author is certainly quite gifted intellectually and has lived an interesting period of the history of Spain with a very eventful life also due to his own struggling character. These seem to be family traits.
• Some interesting highlights from the concluding chapter:
• My vocation to philosophy and what has brought me to get closer to Jesus Christ, have the same origin, and in a way, the same direction. It is about searching for the truth and a fulfilled life without any conditions, without too many sensible attachments, forgetting about the absorbing and selfish self. One vocation helps and gives support to the other one. There is no opposition between faith and reason. [faith and reason, faith, reason, vocation, philosophy ]
• At the foundations of research in humanities there is always a large amount of reading. Whatever is read becomes part of a sort of humus where personal ideas can grow. There is no clash between originality and the knowledge of what others have written. On the contrary, if you read little, end up falling in the most worn out topics which, due to lack of information, you consider as yours. It is important not to confuse ideas with 'ocurrencias' (spontaneous thoughts). [reading, thought, philosophy, culture]