Now Reading?

[aoxo1]

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Had this for a couple weeks, just starting it.

[British_Pharaoh]

I haven't cried in a while

But I just finished reading A Farewell To Arms




Next book is 'Seven Roads To Hell' about the Winter offensive (Battle Of The Bulge)

I remember crying after reading A Farewell To Arms too.

I cried because I wasted hours of my life reading it and had no choice. It was an AP summer reading assignment in high school.

The only thing from Hemingway I ever liked was The Old Man and the Sea.

Hemingway's tendency to jump between bare description and the most elaborate ever written drives me nuts. I also never cared for his character development.

If I'm going with an American author of that time period then I'd have to go with Faulkner. I never have liked the Lost Generation authors, though I do like Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio - and I only read that because he lived in Elyria, the city I was born in. But Steinbeck, Hemingway, and Fitzgerald - the big names of that group - never did it for me.

As for me right now, I'm rereading Asimov's Foundation Series and might go beyond that back into his Robot Series or reread his Empire novels. I've often thought about starting with I,Robot and going all the way through the Robot Series, into the Empire novels, and then concluding with the Foundation Series to get the true scope of Asimov's future world over thousands of years.

I keep meaning to read some Faulkner

But I do love Hemingway

[British_Pharaoh]

I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but......

[jfiling]

Part 3 of Clarke and Baxter's "Time Odyssey", and I believe Arthur Clarke's second-to-last novel.

[aoxo1]

I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but......

I'm not much of a sci-fi guy, but someone forwarded me this story from it, which convinced me to give it a shot: http://home.earthlink.net/~paulrack/id82.html

[jack_tors]

Just started reading this and cannot put it down..

[aoxo1]

[swerb]

600 pages into the 1200 page re-released uncut version of "The Stand" by Stephen King.

[skatingtripods]

Next up will be:

[Spin]

Erie Lackawanna in Color. Volume 1: The West End

Not afraid to be different

[Cerebral_DownTime]

It's pretty good.

[wmurphyhh]

It's pretty good.

I read this a while back. It hit home with the chapters about Fallujah and Jerry Zovko. I thought it was a good read. Erik Prince seemed like a man in the right place at the right time. Built an empire. I didn't understand the religion connection.

Also saw a special on some late night TV show about the 'compound' in North Carolina. Impressive place. The driving track is world class. An asset to law enforcement for training.

Yet, it seems Prince let the money and power get to him / the company. I'm sure they had top quality soldiers and trainers. Then they brought in thugs and mercenaries. Iraq was the old wild west for them. It's interesting because the company is now called Xe and Prince stepped down.

Interested in checking out...
In the President's Secret Service by Ron Kessler.
Hopefully it's not just another retelling of Marilyn Monroe sneaking around the White House.

[British_Pharaoh]

Slaughterhouse 5

[Orenthal]

Only about 70 pages in...

It was such a fun read that about 200 some pages in I decided I needed a break and read all seven Harry Potter books. I mos def needed a break from the non fiction!

[swerb]

150 pages left in the uncut version of The Stand by Stephen King.

Best book I've ever read.

[justmebd]

Read The Stand twice. Yep, good book.

Just finished "I Heard You Paint Houses," about Frank Sheahan, Jimmy Hoffa's right-hand guy. Great book, very compelling.

Stayed in the same genre and finishing up Sammy the Bull's bio, "Underboss." Not quite as good as IHYPH, but definitely still fascinating.

Moving back to Fantasy after Underboss. Got a couple of ideas, not sure which one I'll dive into, though. Either Richard Knaak, or read the next Shannara book.

[peeker643]

Anybody read the mindless Jack Reacher books from Lee Childs? Read a couple (the first, 'Killing Floor' and the 9th 'One Shot'). Liked them both for quick, thoughtless reads. Just wondered if anyone liked any of the others.

[British_Pharaoh]

After finishing Slaughterhouse 5 today I have discovered that Guillermo Del Toro is re-making the film set for release in about 2012

cool

[British_Pharaoh]

Wow i haven't posted in this for a while

sicne finishing Slaughterhouse 5 I've read The Bell Jar, The Road, The Color Purple, a book on FDR a book on Churchill, Bret Easton Ellis'(of American Psycho fame) first novel Less Than Zero and am now reading

Fahrenheit 451

also I hear Frank Darabont is directing the film adaptation set for 2012 release


brilliant stuff

[Orenthal]

Into 100 pages of this...



Cannot get enuff of the Enlightenment!

[JoJo White]

Just finished this book - damn good non-fiction read, especially if you have interest in Katrina and New Orleans.



Next up - Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer

[British_Pharaoh]

I've put the Russian Revolution on hold and decided to read the reverent Antony Beevor's 'The Battle For Spain' on the Spanish Civil War.
He wrote the brilliant Stalingrad, (a staple for all those interested in WW2.)

[Orenthal]

Finished the Thomas Paine bio awhile back. Never can get enough history, and that brought me to...



Very even handed. Highlights the differences of the Coolidge/Mellon approach vs. the Hoover/Roosevelt approach. Strips away most of the edifice of the New Deal to reveal what really saved Roosevelt was not a recovery, but the war and general GOP ineptness...

GOP ineptness a trend that is repeating today... Hell reading this book is almost a carbon copy of today, just to a greater extreme...

Have about 10 books still waiting, mostly history or conservative clap-trap...

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Reading this again. For the 4th time.

[swerb]

The Book of Basketball

[peeker643]

Multiple Jack Reacher novels from Lee Childs.

'One Shot', 'Echo Burning', pretty much have hit 'em all. Just easy reads that don't require too much heavy thinking while they entertain.

Also read Dan Brown's latest, 'The Lost Symbol'. Like both Davinci Code and Angels & Demons better.

We need a TCF book exchange somehow. Some of the best books I've ever read were recommended here. Could trade some of these things off between us.

[British_Pharaoh]

[exiledbuckeye]

http://www.ajjacobs.com/books/yolb.asp

[jfiling]

The final chapter of the Bean quartet, which is part of the Ender series.

Have a smart kid between the age of 10 and 14? Have them read Ender's Game. Brilliant book, which may inspire them to read even more, as Orson Scott Card has created a wonderful universe populated by smart kids. The movie has been in the works forever, but apparently doesn't have the immediate appeal that something like Harry Potter has.

[motherscratcher]

Multiple Jack Reacher novels from Lee Childs.

'One Shot', 'Echo Burning', pretty much have hit 'em all. Just easy reads that don't require too much heavy thinking while they entertain.

Also read Dan Brown's latest, 'The Lost Symbol'. Like both Davinci Code and Angels & Demons better.

We need a TCF book exchange somehow. Some of the best books I've ever read were recommended here. Could trade some of these things off between us.

Love the Reacher books. Hands down the best thing to read on vacation sitting by the pool. If you like those you'd probably like the Vince Flynn books also. His main recurring character is a dude named Mitch Rapp who's kind of like a Jack Bauer type dude.


I recently finished The Road based on recommendations in this thread. After I finished it I spent about 2-3 days in a darkened corner of my basement curled up in a fetal position and weeping quietly to myself. I'm starting to come around now. Good book.

[aoxo1]

Finished the Thomas Paine bio awhile back. Never can get enough history, and that brought me to...



Very even handed. Highlights the differences of the Coolidge/Mellon approach vs. the Hoover/Roosevelt approach. Strips away most of the edifice of the New Deal to reveal what really saved Roosevelt was not a recovery, but the war and general GOP ineptness...

GOP ineptness a trend that is repeating today... Hell reading this book is almost a carbon copy of today, just to a greater extreme...

Have about 10 books still waiting, mostly history or conservative clap-trap...

This is not meant to turn this into a political thread, but anytime you read a book written by someone from the left or right (and Shlaes is on the right), take the time to read criticism from someone respected on the other side. Especially if the book is something that takes a stance opposite the mainstream view. Especially if you are predisposed to agree with the author's conclusions.

There has been a large, large amount of criticism of Shlaes from the left, and you ought to be familiar with it. Just as someone reading something by, for example, Al Gore ought to be familiar with critiques of it.

Oh, and just to stay on topic:

[Ziner]

I bet you guys have earned a lot of personal pan pizzas



I have been reading Playboy, Ski magazine, and Economic text books.

[Orenthal]

I bet you guys have earned a lot of personal pan pizzas



I have been reading Playboy, Ski magazine, and Economic text books.

Look at Ziner trying to be cute, like he isn't just a MB nerd that just happens to like skiing, reading skin mags, and posting in NHB...

aoxo I totally understand your point, but don't need the lecture. Any chance the mainstream view is wrong? Not in terms of politics, but if WWII does not happen do we have the same history of the depression. Shales was very critical of the Republican party and especially Hoover's ineptitude. He would isolate himself from the problem, whereas, and she gushes that Roosevelt was a true leader. If anything Shales is a supporter of the Vienna School of economics, hence here love of Silent Cal and Mellon. I'd say both parites lack anything like those guys.

Have you read the book?

[aoxo1]

I bet you guys have earned a lot of personal pan pizzas



I have been reading Playboy, Ski magazine, and Economic text books.

Look at Ziner trying to be cute, like he isn't just a MB nerd that just happens to like skiing, reading skin mags, and posting in NHB...

aoxo I totally understand your point, but don't need the lecture. Any chance the mainstream view is wrong? Not in terms of politics, but if WWII does not happen do we have the same history of the depression. Shales was very critical of the Republican party and especially Hoover's ineptitude. He would isolate himself from the problem, whereas, and she gushes that Roosevelt was a true leader. If anything Shales is a supporter of the Vienna School of economics, hence here love of Silent Cal and Mellon. I'd say both parites lack anything like those guys.

Have you read the book?

Didn't mean to be a lecture, and I wouldn't have brought it up if I thought you were some kind of reactionary. Just a general point; I don't actually have anything to say one way or the other about this book, other than I know it created strong reactions. And of course the mainstream view might be wrong and it is worth thinking about. Sorry if it came off a like that.

No, I haven't read it. Those kind of books aren't really my cup of tea; almost exclusively stick to fiction.

[Orenthal]

I try my hardest not to be reactionary, but sometimes its just so hard. It was a good book, and feel it is a counterweight to the mainstream, which is basically the "other side" of the arguement. Perhaps it got such a reaction because so much of the Great Depression is a gospel of misplaced solutions that are also being pushed today, or it could be nothing more then seeing what I want to see.

I stick to mostly non-fiction. History, biographies, and philosophy being my favs...

The book fleshed out many of the supporting actors. Gave the era less of a memorabilia feel...

[British_Pharaoh]

Finished this today


Started this today



Both are superb

the first one is great for anyone who loves the fantasy and Gothic genres. It has a delightfully unusual prose too.

The second was extremely influential for Orwell's 1984 particularly for the interrogation scene with O'Brien.

[Lubber]

To Kill the Irishman, book about Danny Greene and the Cleveland Mafia. Just got done with it, good read especially for Cleveland natives

[jfiling]

Currently reading a book by my new favorite sci-fi author, whose Revelation Space novels are amazing.

[olecowboy]

just curious, british pharoah, have you read Dandelion Wine?

[That_Guy™]

Just started this. Been a King fan since I was 12. Nothing like 1000+ pages of the master to kill a coupla days.

[British_Pharaoh]

just curious, british pharoah, have you read Dandelion Wine?

I will next, after The Illustrated Man.
Nothing will better Fahrenheit 451 though

I love that book

[justmebd]

Just started this. Been a King fan since I was 12. Nothing like 1000+ pages of the master to kill a coupla days.

Yep, just started that one myself. On page 87. I'll probably dink at it here the rest of the week and then get serious with it this weekend, hopefully I'll be halfway done with it by Monday. Quite the beast of a book.

I did recently finish reading "I Heard You Paint Houses," about the death of Jimmy Hoffa. GREAT read.

[motherscratcher]

Just started this. Been a King fan since I was 12. Nothing like 1000+ pages of the master to kill a coupla days.

I'm 12% in on this (kindle) which I suppose puts me at about page 120 or so. I love King and have read about everything he's written. Summer before last I read the entire Dark Tower series from beginning to end. I don't necessarily recommend doing it that way. Buy the end I just wanted to be done.

[Erie Warrior]

I love King and have read about everything he's written.

Still working on The Stand, page 600 or so.

[c11058]

Now reading "Alamo in the Ardennes" by John McManus. An excellent story of the American soldier's view of the Battle of the Bulge. It's a great read!

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i ... mo+in+the+

[British_Pharaoh]

Now reading "Alamo in the Ardennes" by John McManus. An excellent story of the American soldier's view of the Battle of the Bulge. It's a great read!

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i ... mo+in+the+

not as good as 7 roads to hell I'll bet

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Roads-Hel ... 216&sr=8-1

[peeker643]

Now reading "Alamo in the Ardennes" by John McManus. An excellent story of the American soldier's view of the Battle of the Bulge. It's a great read!

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i ... mo+in+the+

not as good as 7 roads to hell I'll bet

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Roads-Hel ... 216&sr=8-1

Was looking at both those today. 'Seven Roads to Hell' a good one BP?

Started this one last night, about Robert Hanssen's spying for the Russians while with the FBI:
http://www.amazon.com/Spy-Inside-Hansse ... 215&sr=1-4

[olecowboy]

british pharoah, if you liked "Something Wicked This Way Comes," I might suggest that you check amazon or barnes and noble's "out of print" resource for a copy of "The Seven Faces of Dr Lao" by Charles Finney. It would be a worthy and notable acquisition to any book collection.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

All you Conservatives need to check out P.J. O'Rourke. Amazing stuff.