Looking Back Series

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	History
Author:	Ambeth Ocampo

Browsing through the Filipiniana section of some bookstore in ortigas, I found this seemingly thin book with a curious cover. It was by Ambeth Ocampo so most likely it was history. I was previously taken aback by his "Rizal Without the Overcoat" so this should be as compelling. I was glad that I was right. This mentally stimulating book allows us to look back at the trivial and obscured facts from our history books. The second book in the series "Dirty Dancing" and the third, "Death by Garrote" were bought consecutively. These three books are compilations of his columns with the same name.

The three books bring us back to the land of heroes whose names have become almost legendary if not mythical. Ocampo managed to pull those men and women down to the human realm. Imagine learning that McArthur (yes, the "I shall return" guy) had a Filipina mistress and that Gen. Gregoryo del Pilar could be lined up among the ranks of Rizal for being a playboy. Know who has a greater mastery over the English language: Rizal or Mabini. Learn the histories of our surnames, first names and middle names. The only down side with the book is that you'd want to read more after you've read all three books.

This is a history book that differs from most as the humor and wit of Ocampo has been laid out. It offers a conversational presentation of articles that doesn't bore readers and still produce vital information on our history.