What Book Are You Reading? Volume 9

[Squonk]

After having read a book about Boer war, about 1905-7 revolution in Congress Kingdom and Russia, a book about the mutual attitude of polish roman catholic church and polish socialists in late XIX and early XX century, Chateaubriand's voyage to Jerusalem etc, I am reading right now Henry Morgenthau's account of his work as ambassador to Ottoman Turkey.
All for my exam, although I was choosing the books.

 

[Smellincoffee]

A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani and The Essential Koran by Thomas someone or another.

 

[puglover]

I just finished Tales from Watership Down, a collection of short stories by Richard Adams that feature the same vivid rabbit-world that he created. It's sort of disjointed for a sequel, but the thrill of revisiting those familar characters is great. I loved reading about what happens to the warren after the events of the classic first book.

 

[Agent327]

A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani and The Essential Koran by Thomas someone or another.

I found Hourani's account remarkably superficial and would be interested to know your take on it.

That's the book's original name also.

Ah, good to know - thanks.

 

[Nylan]

I'd think it'd be pretty difficult to think like Da Vinci (or any genius). Anything of interest to quote?

I'm not very far in, but the whole book is simply built around the premise that "Your brain is a lot better than you think" and demonstrating ways in which Leonardo utilized his time to make the most of it, the theory being that emulation may help get the metaphorical ball rolling.

I'm also reading the Suzumiya Haruhi series by Tanigawa, Nagaru. Very good and very deep for a youth series.

 

[Agent327]

Never heard of him (or it). As far as utilizing one's brain goes, I think most people on average do not use it to the full.

Returning to topic, a while ago I read Karin Slaughter's Blindsighted and, although reading it start to finish, found it to be absolute rubbish.

 

[Dachs]

Zimmermann's First Great Triumph, about American imperialism at the turn of the twentieth century.

 

[mrt144]

The Count of Monte Cristo. It's the first fiction I've read in years.

 

[Squonk]

Zimmermann's First Great Triumph, about American imperialism at the turn of the twentieth century.

A. Zimmerman, the german diplomat? Funny, he's just appeared in my book, and I quoted him in the thread dedicated to ww1 quotes.

 

[Irish Caesar]

The Count of Monte Cristo. It's the first fiction I've read in years.

That may be my favorite book.

I read A Study in Scarlet last flight I was on. I'll probably be reading plenty of Holmes for a while. Seven bucks for a thousand pages of Sherlock was a pretty good investment, I'd say.

 

[Dachs]

A. Zimmerman, the german diplomat? Funny, he's just appeared in my book, and I quoted him in the thread dedicated to ww1 quotes.

No, W. Zimmermann, the American diplomat.

 

[Agent327]

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson. Well written. (May very well try part 1 and 3 after.)

 

[Thorvald of Lym]

Midway through The Sorrows of Empire by Chalmers Johnson.
It's effectively the antithesis to Colossus (both being published about the same time): while Ferguson argues American empire could be beneficial from a primarily economic view, Johnson argues from a military perspective that the secretive and unilateral action of institutions such as the CIA are destabilizing the world and undermining the country's democratic integrity.

 

[JollyRoger]

I just finished Tales from Watership Down, a collection of short stories by Richard Adams that feature the same vivid rabbit-world that he created. It's sort of disjointed for a sequel, but the thrill of revisiting those familar characters is great. I loved reading about what happens to the warren after the events of the classic first book.

For something completely differenty from Adams try The Girl in a Swing.

 

[JtheJackal]

I just finished Lamplighter, the second book in the Monster Blood Tattoo series by D.M. Cornish. If you are interested in fantasy you have to check out these books. They are very well written despite numerous made up words. It takes place in an engrossing world similar to early 1700s Europe technologically and culturally. The main character, Rossamund, is very likable and the story and other characters are well done.

 

[Babbler]

Calculating God by Robert J. Sawyer. Interesting premise (alien lands in Toronto and tries to convince an atheist paleontologist of intelligent design), if somewhat uneven execution.

 

[Supr49er]

The Wailing Wind - Tony Hillerman

Next up: Anansi Boys - Neil Gaiman

 

[Smellincoffee]

I found Hourani's account remarkably superficial and would be interested to know your take on it.

It covered a lot of information, but none of it in a lot of detail. The political history in particular seemed rushed. I can't say that I got a lot out of it. :-/

I'm currently reading Steven Saylor's Catalina's Riddle, a novel set in ancient Rome during the "Cataline Conspiracy". It's part of his very readable Roma sub Rosa series.

 

[Agent327]

It covered a lot of information, but none of it in a lot of detail. The political history in particular seemed rushed. I can't say that I got a lot out of it. :-/

I completely agree with that assessment.

 

[Japanrocks12]

well, before I lost it, Man in the Holocene by Max Frisch.