Post by: Chris on July 28, 2006, 11:06:52 AM
Post by: Matthew Carberry on July 28, 2006, 11:18:50 AM
Buy "Close to Shore" for your beach read. It's about the Matawan Creek attacks in 1916 and the ensuing panic up and down the Jersey shore. More than just great shark history it puts the scare into historical context. The start of public bathing for pleasure, why the shore was so busy (new rail lines and the polio epidemic) and the reactions by historical notables as they moved through the area.
Quite a lot on how the media was just as "if it bleeds it leads" back then as well.
That's my favorite kind of book, historical but with a great true story to hang the learnin' on. "Devil in the White City" is another fantastic read. About the Chicago World's Fair and one of the first recorded serial killers who was in Chicago at the time. Budget overruns, political corruption, architectural feuds and a "house of horror".
Post by: El Tejon on July 28, 2006, 11:31:07 AM
A brilliant work, simply outstanding, a breath of fresh air in the discussion (obsession) of race. Plus, it has a case study of Indianapolis (as an Indy native I found interesting) which blows the Left's favorite rationalization of the black underclass out of the water.
Post by: 280plus on July 28, 2006, 11:47:03 AM
LOL...I just had a typo above, It read "The Sub Also Rises"
(Good to know if you're on a sub crew.
)
Post by: Iain on July 28, 2006, 11:59:04 AM
For lightweight but awesome I recommend an excellent book called 'The Snakebite Survivors Club'.
Post by: Preacherman on July 28, 2006, 12:05:31 PM
I typically read 4-6 books each week, but that's because of being bed- and house-bound for so long as a result of my injury back in February 2004. Now that I'm getting back to work (at least part-time) I expect my reading to drop to 2-3 books a week.
Post by: JAlexander on July 28, 2006, 12:25:10 PM
James
Post by: grampster on July 28, 2006, 12:31:31 PM
Mr. Box weaves a great mystery tale, with great characters and great descriptive narrative regarding this beautiful area of Wyoming.
I highly reccomend the series.
Post by: Sindawe on July 28, 2006, 01:04:27 PM
For heavier reading, Churchill's History of the English Speaking People http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/077102004X/sr=8-8/qid=1154123793/ref=pd_bbs_8/104-1783700-0666354?ie=UTF8 is great text to while away the hours with.
Post by: The Rabbi on July 28, 2006, 01:14:19 PM
Millionaire NExt Door if you havent read it yet.
Post by: ...has left the building. on July 28, 2006, 01:59:10 PM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446674362/sr=8-1/qid=1154127204/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-5244781-9707028?ie=UTF8
Post by: TarpleyG on July 28, 2006, 03:57:26 PM
Greg
Post by: lee n. field on July 28, 2006, 04:28:08 PM
Currently rereading Kim Riddelbarger A Case For Amillenialism, (an alternative to the Left Behind type pop eschatology), which is probably a bit specialized unless you're into that stuff.
Post by: Perd Hapley on July 28, 2006, 04:50:00 PM
Post by: Sylvilagus Aquaticus on July 28, 2006, 05:50:48 PM
Me, I kinda like Faulkner.
Regards,
Rabbit.
Post by: TNGO on July 29, 2006, 08:09:06 AM
Also reading The Last Of The Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper.
Post by: Stickjockey on July 29, 2006, 11:38:50 AM
Robert Ruark's The Old Man and the Boy
David McCullough's 1776
Robert Schleicher's Scenery for Model Railroads, Dioramas, and Miniatures
Post by: Guest on July 29, 2006, 01:04:09 PM
And over the past couple of weeks-
Crais, Robert. _The Two Minute Rule_. Bank robber Max Holman emerges from prison hoping to pick up the pieces of his life- only to find the estranged mother of his son deceased, and his son-turned-cop recently murdered under strange circumstances along with three other officers. A missing stash of cold cash totalling $16 million from a string of bank robberies seems to have been too much of a temptation for someone... .
Rhoades, J. D. _Good Day In Hell_. An inexplicable string of ruthless killings sucks bail enforcement agent Jack Keller and his sheriff's deputy girlfriend into a maelstrom of domestic terrorism. Set in southeastern North Carolina, the local detail makes the novel that much more enjoyable for me. I also enjoyed Rhoades' first outing, titled_The Devil's Right Hand_. The _WashPost_ called that one 'redneck noir,' showing how little they know- much of it was set in Robeson County, the county most heavily populated by Native Americans east of the Mississippi. Or maybe the Post couldn't bring itself to say 'Indian noir.'
Patterson, James and Maxine Paetro. _5th Horseman_. Patients are dying in a large San Fancisco hospital- fom illnesses and injuries that should not be fatal. And when their corpses are found, their eyes are being held closed by medallions struck with a caduceus.
Roberts, Nora. _Blue Smoke_. Catarina Hale had been fascinated by fire ever since her father's restaurant was burned when she was eleven years old, and fire continued to touch her life again and again as her career as an arson investigator progressed.
Post by: roo_ster on July 29, 2006, 02:11:33 PM
Good s/f with a military bent. Somewhat disconcerting, as JR & I either have really similar backgrounds or he did a lot of research into my areas of expertise.
As with so many s/f writers these days, when he gets burnt out (or whatever authors do), he co-authors/farms out books set in the same "universe." As with most co-written material, quality takes a nose dive from "excellent" to "passable."
Synopsis:
Around 2010 or so, Earth is contacted by a consortium of space-faring races. They need us to help take on this voracious race of aliens that is working its way through the galaxy. These races need fighters, as they are pretty much useless in a pickle. Oh, and BTW, Earth is expected to be invaded in a few years.
So, our sharper military-minded types take a crash-course in alien tech and propose new weapons, military materiel, and CONOPS to put it all to use. Throw in some skullduggery, fatal cases of NIH (Not Invented Here), and ulterior motives.
Pretty good reads. The first four, especially.
Post by: lee n. field on July 29, 2006, 02:57:33 PM
Quote
lee, have you read Revelation, Four Views? I think Steve Gregg is the author's name. Do you listen to the White Horse Inn?
Not that book. Next in the queue (because I'm seeing it referred to bunches of places) if I'm ambitious might be Anthony Hoekema's Bible and the Future. White Horse Inn, yes I do, via the magic of the Internet and mp3 players.
Post by: Car Knocker on July 29, 2006, 03:09:51 PM
Post by: DrAmazon on July 29, 2006, 04:30:10 PM
I'm also reading "How to Buy a House with Little or No Money Down"
Pretty soon I'd better start reading textbooks for fall semester or I'm going to be totally screwed after Labor Day.
Post by: Ben on July 29, 2006, 05:15:47 PM
Next book in the stack is my heavy reading for the month, "The Histories" by Herodotus.
Post by: garrettwc on July 30, 2006, 12:31:24 AM
Quote
If you're into fists, guns, girls, and generally being a hardass, check the book out:
Works for me. I'll check these out. Thanks.What am I reading? See this thread:
http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/viewtopic.php?pid=57489#p57489
Also watching Amazon for Matt Bracken's sequel to Enemies Foreign and Domestic to start shipping.
Post by: grislyatoms on July 30, 2006, 07:04:52 AM
Post by: Perd Hapley on July 30, 2006, 09:16:22 AM
Post by: Guest on July 30, 2006, 09:21:28 AM
Post by: Brian Williams on July 30, 2006, 09:48:18 AM
Post by: grampster on July 30, 2006, 10:14:43 AM
I just got an E Mail from Matt not an hour ago. His publisher had their lead pressman resign. They are scrambling to catch up. Matt hopes DETR (his abbreviation) will be ready to ship middle of August. Keep your fingers crossed.
I am fixing to walk outside and settle in with a copy of "The Afghan Campaign" by Steven Pressfield. Historical fiction regarding Alexander's 3 year campaign in Afhganistan.
Post by: Modifiedbrowning on July 30, 2006, 11:35:16 AM
Post by: Unisaw on July 30, 2006, 12:03:56 PM
Post by: Perd Hapley on July 30, 2006, 12:32:18 PM
Like I said before, I'm reading some socialist propaganda called Looking Backward. While Bellamy is glorying in the obvious efficiencies of the centrally-planned economy, Sowell provides example after real-world example of the stultifying, impoverishing inneficiency of such economies. A good parallel.
Post by: Moondoggie on July 30, 2006, 03:07:00 PM
Before that David McCulough's "1776". I thought it might have earned a C- as a master's thesis, but wasn't at all what I expected as a much-heralded literary effort.
Currently 1/2 way through "Bear Island" by Alistair McLean...kinda slow. McLean must've just read something by Mitchner when he started this one.
Post by: garrettwc on July 30, 2006, 06:53:19 PM
Post by: roo_ster on July 31, 2006, 05:33:21 AM
Quote from: Car Knocker
Not to be picky but it's "A Hymn Before Battle. One of my favorite authors. Just got through reading "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" again.
Hmm, must not have been as memorable as I, uh, remember.
Post by: StopTheGrays on July 31, 2006, 07:33:27 AM
Non-fiction book on Teddy Roosevelt. It starts just before he assumes the office of President. A lot of interesting events and insight on what was going on at the beginning of the 20th century. It even mentions Seth Bullock of Deadwood fame during TR's first trip West as President.
I am about half way thru the book. I only read a few pages each night before bed, it helps me to relax so I can sleep easier.
Post by: Norton on August 02, 2006, 01:22:08 AM
I was over there a few weeks ago and my grandparents offered me the whole box. I've done about 7 books since then.
I'm also reading The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand.
Post by: Bob F. on August 03, 2006, 05:09:16 PM
Used to read "Able Team" and Phoenix Force" because they're light and quick and if something happens that you don't finish them, no loss. Needed a book for a weekend trip, down time. Picked up "Home Team-Weapons Grade" by Dennis Chalker, USN (Ret.) with Kevin Dockery.
Decent read: action/entertainment with lots of gun details, mostly accurate from my limited knowledge.
Next read:"Roberts Ridge" about the 17-hour Seal Team firefight in the 'stan after chooper shot down on insertion attempt. True story.
Stay safe.
Bob
PS: Most of the folks I've dealt with today, probably haven't read a book in the last 5 years; well, nothing remotely resembling literature, anyway.
Post by: Guest on August 03, 2006, 09:39:50 PM
Im in the middle of Catcher in the Rye right now. I read it as assigned reading in school, but as an adult it is a *very* different read and I am glad I picked it up again. Just be carefull, if you read it more than twice a decade it means your crazy.
Post by: BryanP on August 04, 2006, 02:03:31 AM
Of the books already mentioned I can highly recommend Barry Hughart's "Eight Skilled Gentlemen." For years whenever I ran across that book in a used bookstore (it was out-of-print) I'd buy it just to give to someone. There are two sequels (each stands alone) that are quite enjoyable, but ESG is the best of them..
Also mentioned was John Ring's Posleen series, beginning with "A Hymn Before Battle." Fun stuff.
Preacherman, I don't know if I could read an entire book by Martin Gilbert about the holocaust. He touches enough on it in "The Second World War" (his general history of the entire war - a bit light on the pacific theater, but well done) for my taste.
Post by: JAlexander on August 04, 2006, 05:46:05 AM
Quote from: BryanP
Of the books already mentioned I can highly recommend Barry Hughart's "Eight Skilled Gentlemen." For years whenever I ran across that book in a used bookstore (it was out-of-print) I'd buy it just to give to someone. There are two sequels (each stands alone) that are quite enjoyable, but ESG is the best of them..
Also mentioned was John Ring's Posleen series, beginning with "A Hymn Before Battle." Fun stuff.
Actually, Bridge of Birds is the first, The Story of the Stone is the second, and Eight Skilled Gentlemen is the last of the three books. I recently read a very short interview with Barry Hughart where he said that he'd originally intended that there be seven books, but that the wretchedness of the publishing industry caused him to give up on it. That made me very sad, and I can only hope that he's still writing them with an eye to publishing them someday. Also mentioned was John Ring's Posleen series, beginning with "A Hymn Before Battle." Fun stuff.
I also enjoyed Ringo's Posleen books, especially A Watch on the Rhine, and I really wish he and David Weber would finish the Prince Roger series. Dangit. I have a hard time reading John Ringo sometimes, though, because his preoccupation with sex makes Heinlein seem quite restrained.
James
Post by: BryanP on August 04, 2006, 11:15:28 AM
Quote from: JAlexander
Actually, Bridge of Birds is the first, The Story of the Stone is the second, and Eight Skilled Gentlemenis the last of the three books. I recently read a very short interview with Barry Hughart where he said that he'd originally intended that there be seven books, but that the wretchedness of the publishing industry caused him to give up on it. That made me very sad, and I can only hope that he's still writing them with an eye to publishing them someday.
I also enjoyed Ringo's Posleen books, especially A Watch on the Rhine, and I really wish he and David Weber would finish the Prince Roger series. Dangit. I have a hard time reading John Ringo sometimes, though, because his preoccupation with sex makes Heinlein seem quite restrained.
James
Whoops. It's been a while since I read those. Got the titles mixed up in my head.I also enjoyed Ringo's Posleen books, especially A Watch on the Rhine, and I really wish he and David Weber would finish the Prince Roger series. Dangit. I have a hard time reading John Ringo sometimes, though, because his preoccupation with sex makes Heinlein seem quite restrained.
James
I haven't read Watch on the Rhine yet. Nor the fourth Prince Roger book.
If the sex scenes get a little out of hand I just skim them.
Post by: Phantom Warrior on August 04, 2006, 11:36:37 AM
Quote from: JAlexander
...and I really wish he and David Weber would finish the Prince Roger series. Dangit.
Ohhh!! Ohhhh!!! But they did!!!Check out the hardcover edition here. Paperback come out August 29th. Available for preorder here. The last book was quite good. I recommend it.
I've been valiantly restraining myself, but I REALLY recommend anything by David Weber. I can even plug him fairly because right now I'm reading "BOLO!", which is a compilation of the short stories he wrote in the universe invented by Keith Laumer.
Everything I read by David Weber is excellent. If you only pick one thing, get into the Honor Harrington series. The first book "On Basilisk Station" is one of my perennial favorites. I picked it up in paperback at the PX here in Germany and find myself rereading it every few months. But the rest of the series is exceptional. He's also been remarkably resistant to the phenomenon common to successful authors where their work drops off after they become popular. His latest book, "At All Costs", is still as good as anything I've read.
His other works are quite good too. "In Fury Born" was another awesome science fiction book. I haven't read his entire Colin MacIntyre series, but the last book "Heirs of Empire" was excellent. His fantasy excursion, starting with "Oath of Swords" was a very enjoyable excursion too. And the series that brought this up, the Prince Roger series, is also a fantastic read. I have the first three books on my desk right now.
The bottom line is that David Weber is an oustanding author and if you enjoy science fiction, esp military science fiction you should check ou the Honor Harrington series and his other works.
Post by: doczinn on August 06, 2006, 06:23:14 AM
Post by: Mannlicher on August 06, 2006, 04:47:41 PM
Post by: Phantom Warrior on August 06, 2006, 09:18:19 PM
Quote from: Mannlicher
Now I am slowly reading Robert Jordan's "The Knife of Dreams". What a long series! This is volume 11, with one more to come. Jordan sure makes you wait between books.
!
When did the first book come out? 1990? Yeah, November of 1990. Fortunately, I didn't discover the series until 2003. But yeah, he needs to finish the darn series.
!
Post by: Lennyjoe on August 08, 2006, 05:18:56 PM
Post by: Unisaw on August 14, 2006, 01:48:03 PM
Does anyone here have an informed opinion about Ralph Peters? He seems to be a straight shooter.
Post by: 280plus on August 14, 2006, 01:50:27 PM
Quote from: doczinn
I'm currently reading Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington. He's got some amazing things to say that relate quite well to the problem black society finds itself in today.
Does he mention Davis Bend?
Post by: 280plus on August 14, 2006, 02:04:04 PM
An excerpt:
Quote
By now the assembling of the equipment was well advanced. The prisoners at Pentridge Gaol were put to work making such things as boots and harness, and a new kind of cart that would float on rivers was constructed. The armoury comprised 19 Colt's revolvers, 8 rifles, 10 double barrel guns and 50 rockets, and among the general equipment were 95 sets of camel shoes, 4 dozen fishing lines, a huge amount of saddlery, 10 dozen looking glasses and 2 lbs of beads (for the natives), 12 tents, 20 camp beds, 80 pairs of boots, 30 cabbage tree hats ( hats with a high crown and large shady brim), 2 pairs of field glasses, several cases of surgical instruments, parcels of seeds provided by Dr. Mueller, a library of books by Sturt, Gregory, Mitchell and other explorers, 8 demi-johns of lime juice (to prevent scurvy), 4 gallons of brandy and 60 gallons of rum for the camels.
OK, who wants to be a camel? Quote
It was expected that the expedition would be away from a year to 18 months, and large quantities of food were purchased: pemmican and meat biscuit, preserved vegetables, flour, ginger, and dried apples. Nothing was skimped, nothing was forgotten. Prices of up to L50 were paid for horses and there were twenty-three of them in all. In the end the total baggage amounted to 21 tons. It was the most elaborate and well equipped expedition ever to be set up in _________ .
Fill in the blank. 
Post by: doczinn on August 14, 2006, 09:06:13 PM
Quote
Does he mention Davis Bend?
Not yet. What's that?
Post by: 280plus on August 15, 2006, 12:14:18 AM
Just my $0.02 of course...
Post by: 280plus on August 15, 2006, 12:45:23 AM
Post by: 280plus on August 15, 2006, 01:05:43 AM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/039470388X/002-0163710-5444044?v=glance&n=283155
Post by: doczinn on August 15, 2006, 06:14:19 AM
Quote from: 280plus
You could say that with the end of slavery they became jobless. This led to a mass exodus north to work in the factories. Within a few generations they lost their abilities to farm, which was their legacy, and became pretty much the lost and aimless society we see today.
Washington gives an excellent account of how blacks were doing in the first three decades or so after slavery, and it doesn't support your analysis. Personally, I blame the welfare state, for reasons I can go into later this evening when I get back from work.
Post by: 280plus on August 15, 2006, 10:28:12 AM
Post by: 280plus on August 15, 2006, 10:58:34 AM
Quote
]Washington gives an excellent account of how blacks were doing in the first three decades or so after slavery
I'd be interested in reading this.Meanwhile my copy of Stampp's book remains missing. Hmmmm...I may have to order another one.
Post by: Perd Hapley on August 15, 2006, 12:45:11 PM
Post by: stevelyn on August 15, 2006, 01:55:29 PM
Post by: doczinn on August 15, 2006, 04:27:43 PM
Quote
I actually found a complete electronic copy of Washington's book online.
I tried to post a link this morning, but I guess it didn't take.Some of these are only tangentially related, I know. They don't really defend what I said, because all I'm drawing on is passages I'd underlined, which I found inspiring. Read the whole thing yourself, and then if you disagree with me we can discuss it that way. I promise it's a good read anyway.
Quote from: Booker T. Washington
No one can come into contact with the race for twenty years, as I have done in the heart of the South, without being convinced that the race is constantly making slow but sure progress materially, educationally, and morally.
Quote from: Booker T. Washington
During the time I was a student at Washington the city was crowded with coloured people, many of whom had recently come from the South. A large proportion of these people had been drawn to Washington because they felt that they could lead a life of ease there. Others had secured minor government positions, and still another large class was there in the hope of securing Federal positions. A number of coloured men -- some of them very strong and brilliant -- were in the House of Representatives at that time, and one, the Hon. B.K. Bruce, was in the Senate. All this tended to make Washington an attractive place for members of the coloured race. Then, too, they knew that at all times they could have the protection of the law in the District of Columbia. The public schools in Washington for coloured people were better then than they were elsewhere. I took great interest in studying the life of our people there closely at that time. I found that while among them there was a large element of substantial, worthy citizens, there was also a superficiality about the life of a large class that greatly alarmed me. I saw young coloured men who were not earning more than four dollars a week spend two dollars or more for a buggy on Sunday to ride up and down Pennsylvania Avenue in, [sic] in order that they might try to convince the world that they were worth thousands. I saw other young men who received seventy-five or one hundred dollars per month from the Government, who were in debt at the end of every month. I saw men who but a few months previous were members of Congress, then without employment and in poverty. Among a large class there seemed to be a dependence upon the Government for every conceivable thing. The members of this class had little ambition to create a position for themselves, but wanted the Federal officials to create one for them.
Quote from: Booker T. Washington
Tuskegee seemed an ideal place for the school...While the coloured people were ignorant, they had not, as a rule, degraded and weakened their bodies by vices such as are common to the lower class of people in the large cities. In general, I found the relations between the two races pleasant. For example, the largest, and I think at that time the only hardware store in the town was owned and operated jointly by a coloured man and a white man. This copartnership continued until the death of the white partner.
Quote from: Booker T. Washington
Our greatest danger is that in the great leap from slavery to freedom we may overlook the fact that the masses of us are to live by the productions of our hands, and fail to keep in mind that we shall prosper in proportion as we learn to dignify and glorify common labour and put brains and skill into the common occupations of life; shall prosper in proportion as we learn to draw the line between the superficial and the substantial, the ornamental gewgaws [sic] of life and the useful. No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem. It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top. Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities.
And that one actually supports your theory.And to go completely off topic:
Quote
as I look back now over the entire period of our freedom, I cannot help feeling that it would have been wiser if some plan could have been put in operation which would have made the possession of a certain amount of education or property, or both, a test for the exercise of the franchise, and a way provided by which this test should be made to apply honestly and squarely to both the white and black races.
Post by: Nick1911 on August 15, 2006, 06:35:28 PM
Post by: 280plus on August 16, 2006, 01:15:54 AM
Post by: 280plus on August 16, 2006, 01:31:59 AM
Post by: spinr on August 16, 2006, 01:56:02 AM
Post by: 280plus on August 16, 2006, 02:03:57 AM
Here's a link to that Booker T. edition...
http://docsouth.unc.edu/washington/washing.html
Post by: 280plus on August 16, 2006, 02:56:56 AM
I'm only a few pages down the road and already the sheep shearers at the last outpost have broken into and drank all the camel's rum. Those BASTARDS!!