quote:

Originally posted by Een:
I prefer Dry by Burroughs and would recommend it.

Een,
I’ll need to check Dry out from the library when I’m done with Running with Scissors. Thanks for the recommendation. As for the movie, I might rent it but I tend to watch the movies of books that I probably will not read because I’m usually disappointed with the movie if I’ve read the book. BTW, if you enjoy Augusten Burroughs you may want to read some books by David Sedaris, a writer that is also playfully dark at times.

Death in the Afternoon -- Ernest Hemingway.

quote:

Originally posted by Seaquam:

quote:

Originally posted by nopat:

I'm hooked on "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond. I'll give him credit at least for being as ambitious to explain human development in its completeness. Great perspective on how we came to be who we are as a [global] society. A welcoming change from all the PC-Ivory Tower theories that abound.

Really enjoyed that a couple of years ago. Thought-provoking. Gave me a lot of insight as to how Europe achieved its dominance.

There's been a lot of academic criticism of J. Diamond for what critics argue is a simplistic view of the world. The gist of it is that to deny cultural differences in the rise of Europe such as the rule of law, capitalism and the concept of democracy and republicanisms is to mislead in explaining its dominance.

In that sense, nopat, the critics are attacking GG&S as being too PC in that Diamond implies that Europe was lucky in achieving its dominance. The critics argue that it wasn't luck at all, but culture.

Interesting debate...

From Here to Eternity - James Jones

For those that are reading Adams or like McCullough, I can't recommend Truman strongly enough. A tremendous read.

Just finished The Book of Lights by Chaim Potok.
Half way thru The Amazing Adventures of Kavilier & Clay by Michael Chabon.

Cliff
Will work for wine

quote:

Originally posted by cliffd_7:
Half way thru The Amazing Adventures of Kavilier & Clay by Michael Chabon.

If you like that, and like baseball (although is isn't a necessity) try Chabon's Summerland....

Kind of indifferent to baseball until October, but I do like Chabon's writing style. May give it a try. Thanks.

Cliff
Will work for wine

Just about to finish A Bend In The River by V.S. Naipaul.

Next up might be Parade's End by Ford Maddox Ford. Not sure.

I'm reading through the Modern Library Top 100 English Language Novels of the 20th Century list... YES - Another top 100 list people can argue about endlessly. Sixty-three down so far. Good stuff.

Bookwise: I finished "Champagne" by the Klastrups over New Years as I was in transit. The same authors also wrote "Wine and War". Both books are good reads for wine geeks.

Currently reading the Oxford Composer Guide to J.S. Bach. The great thing about it is that it's compiled like an encyclopedia. If you're tired, you can just read one short entry and go to sleep.

"America Alone" by the brilliant and hilarious Mark Steyn.

Two at the moment;

I am legend, by Richard Matheson

and

The Road Back, by Erich Maria Remarque

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by Hunter:

I'm reading John Adams by David McCullough


Excellent Book!!! Should be a must read for all people, especially those living in my neck of the woods)

Yeah, especially now. Your state and mine.

I'm actually in my 5th year of "trying" to read 2-3 presidential memoirs or biographies of US Presidents per year. With my work, I can't do much more. Nixon's Memoirs was finished in October. 1200 pages! Good stuff though. Agree or not with him. The guy went through absolute hell in the last 2 years and the media just ate him alive. No fox news back then to cut him some slack

Not sure what I'm reading next. Thinking about Teddy Roosevelt or Woodrow Wilson.

quote:

Originally posted by mike p:
Two at the moment;

I am legend, by Richard Matheson

and

The Road Back, by Erich Maria Remarque

I am Legend, I really enjoyed this book!

quote:

Not sure what I'm reading next. Thinking about Teddy Roosevelt or Woodrow Wilson.

Roosevelt!

All The Presidents Men - Woodward & Bernstein

that is all

The Mansion - Faulkner

What's the Matter with Kansas-T. Frank

I'm about to start Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. After that I'm moving on to Apathy and Other Small Victories by Paul Neilan.

The Bachman Books: Four Early Novels by Richard Bachman (Rage/The Long Walk/Roadwork/The Running Man)

The Fight for Jerusalem by Dore Gold. Fascinating read.

Profit Patterns, Slywotzky & Morrison

With the passing of Arnold Newman last year, Sally Mann might be my favorite living photographer.

I started her book " Deep South" today and have been blown away.

With 123 battles of the 384 principal battles of the Cival War taking place in Virgina, she spent much time focused in Virgina.

I look forward to working my way through her book again.

w+a

"Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon.

And

"Raw Juices Can Save Your Life" by Dr. Sandra Cabot.

The Cobra Event. Its about biological weapons getting loose and infecting the public. Kind of a Steven King - The Stand-type plot.

ron jeremy: the hardest working man in showbiz...friggin hysterical

The book for my C.S.W.