Page 10 - Palm City Spolight - December '20

Page 10, Palm City Spotlight DOUBLE SPACE

Book Review

The Swerve: How The World monasteries, where to pay proper attention to its contents they would likely
most of the copying
have refused to copy it for him, and might even have
Became Modern of manuscripts took destroyed it. Instead, he requested permission for a copy
place at that time. to be made along with several other documents, then
By Nils A. Shapiro Monks sitting in large stayed for the many weeks it must have taken for the
I was already halfway open rooms would work to be completed.
through the book I had work laboriously, for Lucretius’s poem would be considered a masterpiece
planned to review for this long hours, copying for its artistic merit alone, but it is the subject matter
month’s column when, while by hand the written and content that, once reintroduced, changed the world
looking for a reference works from their forever. Lucretius, who lived from 99 B.C. to 55 B.C.,
volume among the hundreds originals, mostly wrote it to honor the Greek philosopher Epicurus, who,
of books in my home office papyrus scrolls. These in his time 200 years earlier – 341 B.C. to 270 B.C. – had
library, I just happened were the “books” of preached the concept known since then as Epicureanism.
to notice a title that I had their day. Thousands To state it simply and briefly, for purposes of this
not even thought about were produced, and review, Epicureanism promotes the principle that the
since I reviewed it in this remain to this day our purpose of this life here on earth is to pursue pleasure,
column exactly eight years ago. Something about that sole record of such peace and happiness; that there is no afterlife, no gods
title stirred an alarm in my memory. I took the book from documents – those which were not destroyed by fire, flood, who reward or punish you, and therefore no reason to fear.
its shelf, glanced at the text on the flyleaf and cover, and insects, or from their texts being washed away so that the He believed that the universe is infinite and eternal, and
realized that the main theme of this award-winning work cleaned papyrus could be written over with new words. that everything – the sun, the planets, the stars, humans,
of nonfiction – a history of events that took place from It was in a small monastery in southern Germany that all creatures, all there is – is made up of the smallest
2,000 years ago to 600 years ago – has timely relevance Poggio discovered on a dusty, long-ignored shelf the possible matter, that which is so small it cannot be divided
to the decisions that will be made in our nation’s highest document that was to change, not only his life, but the any smaller: the Greek word for such matter is atom. An
court over the next several months. It is for that reason I future history of the entire world. With his mastery of infinite number of atoms are in constant motion throughout
decided to bring to your attention once again the following Latin, he recognized it instantly as a work that he had the universe of space; when they collide, whatever they
review that I wrote in December 2012. seen referred to in writings going back centuries, but form (stars, humans, animals, etc.) exists for a time, then
***** which had itself not been seen for a thousand years. It dies and the atoms move on again to another collision.
In the year 1417, an Italian man wandered through was a poem – 7,400 lines long, in six “books” – written Therefore, death is final. The soul dies with the body. Since
Europe in search of old manuscripts and discovered in in Latin by the Roman poet-philosopher Titus Lucretius there is only this life, the purpose of this life should be to
a remote monastery a copy of a written work that was Carus (“Lucretius”) in the first century B.C. Its title in enjoy as much pleasure as possible.
known only by references in ancient texts, but had been Latin, De rerum natura is translated as On the Nature of In an age when Christianity, most particularly the
thought lost for a thousand years. The Swerve, a brilliant, Things, or, On the Nature of the Universe. Catholic church, used fear, torture and threat of death
bestselling Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award- Poggio did not dare tell the monks at the monastery
winning history, tells of his discovery of that work, how the significance of what he had found, for if they were Book Review on page 11
it changed the world, and even influenced our Declaration
of Independence.
Mention the name Poggio Bracciolini and it is doubtful Treasure Coast Outdoors
that anyone, other than those who have read this book,
will have ever before heard the name. Yet that man has had
a greater influence over each of our lives than such better Lots Of Fishing Opportunity, preferred wake-up time. So, I have no desire to go
known names as Columbus, Lincoln, Edison – indeed, But Winter Winds Make It A home if I see waves breaking over the rocks at the
almost any celebrated individual one can think of. inlet. I also don’t want to head home at 10:30 a.m.
Born in 1380 in a small Italian town, of a family so poor Challenge due to the wind suddenly picking up.
his father was forced to flee because he could not pay his This setup has resulted in some interesting days.
debts, Poggio possessed a keen intelligence that enabled By Jim Weix Last winter I caught two dolphins before the seas
him to master Latin, and a beautiful handwriting that was Like most of you, I kicked up. Then I caught three pompanos after
so exceptional (at a time long before the invention of have a real love-hate retreating to the safety of the Indian River Lagoon.
the printing press, when books were copied by hand on relationship with Florida If hunting stirs your interest, go to myfwc.com and
parchment or papyrus rolls) that Poggio was able to rise winters. Yes, I love the check the hunting regulations. My personal favorite
to the position of private secretary to the Pope himself cooler temperatures. I area is Allapattah Flats. This is part of 20,945 acres
in Rome’s Vatican. also love the fact that of marshes, fields, and slash flatwoods.
The church was so corrupt, a fact even then known fish like blackfin tuna, You will want to check https://myfwc.com/
far and wide, that Poggio himself wrote a joke book, dolphin, pompano, recreation/cooperative/allapattah-flats/.
distributed within the Vatican, that included humor and other species will On days that it was too windy to fish, I have gone
describing sexual escapades between the professed migrate down here out there just to be outdoors. I’ve gotten quail, ducks,
abstinent clergy and their faithful congregations. (Several from up north. Snapper and a few hogs out there. I’ve seen numerous deer. It
of these jokes reproduced in this book are too bawdy fishing on the reefs also picks up. is an interesting place to explore.
even for me to include here!) Unfortunately for Poggio, Ugh. But then there is the darn wind and the washing Editor’s note: Jim Weix is an avid hunter, angler,
his Pope was only one of three claimants to the title of machine seas! conservationist, as well as an outdoor writer. Jim is
Holy Father – three Popes, each ruling over a territory and Over the years I have learned to leave the dock with included in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Hall
enriching his vast treasury – and, during an international both offshore and inshore fishing equipment. Along of Fame, for his work in helping restore thousands of
conference that was finally called to settle the dispute, with my offshore equipment, I carry two light rods, acres of wetlands. Jim is a broker associate with The
Poggio’s Pope lost out and narrowly escaped with his life. a small tackle box, and some sand fleas, just in case. Keyes Company. He can be reached at (772) 341-2941
So it was that in 1417, unemployed and with a This has saved the day many times. or by email: jimweix@jimweix.com.
highly developed interest in the great writings of I don’t know about you, but 5:30 a.m. is not my
antiquity, Poggio journeyed throughout Europe to remote

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