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Sunday Morning Book Thread 11-08-2015: What Goes Around [OregonMuse]
The First Amazon Brick And Mortar Store - Seattle, WA
Good morning to all of you morons and moronettes and bartenders everywhere and all the ships at sea. Welcome to AoSHQ's stately, prestigious, internationally acclaimed and high-class Sunday Morning Book Thread. The Sunday Morning Book Thread is the only AoSHQ thread that is so hoity-toity, pants are required. Or kilts. Also, assless chaps don't count. Serious you guys. Kilts are OK, though. But not tutus. Unless you're a girl.
Book buying habits; I can afford to live without food and save the money to a book.
--Lailah Gifty Akita
Amazon Goes Retro After practically driving brick-and-mortar bookstores out of business entirely, Amazon has decided to open one itself:
The store, called Amazon Books, looks a lot like bookstores that populate malls across the country. Its wood shelves are stocked with 5,000 to 6,000 titles, best-sellers as well as Amazon.com customer favorites.So what's the competitive edge Amazon thinks it has over the other B&M bookstores in Seattle? I mean, other than its name?
Amazon is betting that the troves of data it generates from shopping patterns on its website will give it advantages in its retail location that other bookstores can’t match. It will use data to pick titles that will most appeal to Seattle shoppers.How is that going to work?
The company will stock best-sellers, of course. But it will also include books that get the highest ratings from its customers, including little-known titles. The store will also include such categories as “Most Wished-For Cookbooks.” Another section features “Award Winners, 4.5 Stars & Above, Age 6-12.”So they'll offer titles like this:
Amazon’s customers help select books for the store in other ways as well. The new store includes, for example, “Bald, Fat & Crazy: How I Beat Cancer While Pregnant with One Daughter and Adopting Another” by Stephanie Hosford, a title that ranks 622,923 in books sold on Amazon. But those who have read it seem to love it. The book has a 5-star rating from all 56 customers who have reviewed it on the site.So Amazon is basically crowd-sourcing its marketing to determine how best to utilize what is physical bookstores' most precious commodity, shelf space. There's also this:
Amazon will charge the same price for books in the store as it does online.So clever marketing + yuge price breaks = bookstore success. Or, at least it does on paper. Or, it could be that it will fail because B&M bookstores are already past the point of recovery, in no small part due to Amazon. So what goes around comes around: perhaps Amazon now, after routing the physical bookstores, has insured its own defeat. Thanks to moron commenter 'JTB' for tipping me to this.
Bloat And speaking of Amazon, So why are Kindle books getting so damned bloated? Like, for example, this book here. According to Amazon, it's 260 pages long, and weighs in at a whopping 4MB. I glanced through the sample chapter, and I didn't see any maps or fancy graphics that might bloat it out. I find it hard to believe that Amazon's DRM overhead on .azw files has to be that extensive, but maybe it does. And I don't know when I'll be buying my next device, but when I do, I think I want one with an 8-inch screen and 32GB storage. I'll need 32GB to handle all the bloated, DRM-encrusted books I'd like to buy.
The Two Americas
Be A Man Heavy Lifting: Grow Up, Get a Job, Raise a Family, and Other Manly Advice by NRO's Jim Geraghty and and radio talk-show host Cam Edwards. Remember the way things used to be?
Once upon a time, men in their twenties looked forward to settling down and having children.Of course, those days are long gone:
Today, most young men seem infected by a widespread Peter Pan syndrome. Unwilling to give up the freedom to sleep late, play video games, dress like a slob, and play the field, today’s men wallow in an extended adolescence, ostensibly unaware that they’re setting themselves up for a depressing, lonely existence.Right, and that's the thing: all these pajama boys are doing is setting themselves up to be dysfunctional. In engineering terms, they're operating the machine outside of design spec, so sooner or later, it's going to fail. They'll be depressed, miserable and purposeless. I realize that not all millennials are like this. Chances are, if you're reading this blog, you're not, and if you have any millennial offspring, they're not, either. But evidently, there's enough of them out there so that the Obama administration "message" experts thought they could reach them by using Pajama Boy in one of their Obamacare ads. The sort of lifestyle advocated here ("grow up, get a job, raise a family") used to come naturally. It's just what people did. But having to come up with a book-length encouragement of it, however laudatory, just seems weird, like having to explain to someone how to breathe. Even calling it a 'lifestyle' is weird. It used to be just called 'life'.
*Hic!* What's not to love about a book with the title Drinking In America? I mean, other than the fact that the Kindle edition is priced at $14.99? Subtitled "Our Secret History", Susan Cheever's book makes it sound like America is a drunk who denies being a drunk and then after he is done in by his liver turning into a charcoal briquette, his surviving relatives clean out his room and find 675 ValuRite empties stashed in the closet and under the bed. Perhaps she's right:
Some nations drink more than we do, some drink less, but no other nation has been the drunkest in the world as America was in the 1830s only to outlaw drinking entirely a hundred years later.I remember in the early days of the internetz reading an article about how the cargo manifests of 17th century ships showed a prodigious amount of hold space taken up by various forms of alcohol, notably rum and ale. Someone else noted that this was to be expected because back in those days, you couldn't trust that the water was clean enough to drink. The I heard that that was a myth. So I don't know. But I find it easy to believe that America collectively has quite a two-faced view of booze and drinking, and both are interwoven throughout our nation's history and character. Here's an excerpt of Cheever's book, that discusses the great, drunk American writers of the 20th century:
“The presence of the disease in so many of our notable writers surely makes it appear that alcoholism is the American writer’s disease,” writes Tom Dardis in his book on the subject, The Thirsty Muse. Famously in the 1950s Sinclair Lewis angrily asked a reporter, “Can you name five writers since Poe who did not die of drinking?” Or as another casualty of alcoholism, the poet John Berryman, put it, “Something has been said for sobriety, but very little.”On the other hand, as this review in the Washington Free Beacon points out, America wouldn't be America without booze:
[T]here are crucial moments in American history Cheever attributes to our need for drink. The Mayflower landed in Cape Cod because the ship ran out of beer. The instigators of the Boston Tea Party got carried away after spending too much time at the Green Dragon tavern. Johnny Appleseed was beloved by settlers because the seeds he scattered resulted in sour apples—ideal for making hard cider. A more sober officer would not have sent his beleaguered troops back into battle the way Ulysses S. Grant did at Shiloh...On the other hand...Gen. George Custer was not a drinker.John Boehner could not be reached for comment.
Man Bites Dog Mrs. Muse and I are enjoying a TV series called The Last Ship. The storyline concerns the crew of a USN destroyer that is in the Artic regions when a virus breaks out and devastates the rest of the world. They're up there in the north with a virulogist who had advanced warning of the outbreak and who is desperately working on a vaccine. The show is mostly well-scripted and suspenseful, but aside from that, it is one of the most overtly conservative television shows we have ever seen. For example, terrorists are shown not as pitiable and sympathetic losers of life's lottery, but as psychotic thugs who you should never negotiate with, but should rather shoot on sight or have ordnance dropped on. And prayer. In the 4 episodes we've seen so far, 3 had either prayers or a strong statement of faith in God from one of the crew members. Another one showed that men and women serving in close ship quarters is basically a bad idea, because they might fall in love which would endanger discipline in combat situations. And as you might guess, TLS is very, very pro-military. And, as an added conservative bonus, Adam Baldwin plays of the lead roles. The main flaw I've seen in TLS is that the villains we've seen so far have been cartoonish, almost like undercard WWE heels. But my objection here is a small one. Sometimes you just need to see a bad guy get his ass shot off. So I just happened to notice in the credits that this TV series is based on a novel by the same name, The Last Ship, by William Brinkley. So I checked it out on Amazon and the reviews are surprisingly negative. As we know, Amazon reviews tend to be inflated positive, but with TLS, the 382 reviews are distributed fairly evenly across the board. Brinkley's ponderous writing style appears to be the main complaint of the negative reviewers. Also, the TV changed things around quite a bit. In the novel, the ship has escaped a nuclear holocaust, not a viral outbreak. And the book is all about the captain, his thoughts, feelings, and reactions to situation, but the perspective of the TV series is a bit more broad. And I have no idea whether the book is as conservative as the series, I'm guessing not, because I don't see the reviewers mentioning it, either pro or con. And explicit sex scenes. Apparently, the book has a number of these which (mercifully) we haven't seen so far on the show. We've all heard of Hollywood acquiring the rights to a book and then ruining it. Well, this looks like the opposite has happened, that HW has taken a book and actually made it better.
What Morons Are Reading Thanks to commenter 'The Great White Snark' for alerting me to what is probably the ultimate alt-history novel that wasn't intended as an alt-history novel, but that's pretty much what it is. Ladies and gentlemen, 'rons and 'ettes, I give you author Eric Rauchway and his unique fantasy vision, The Money Makers: How Roosevelt and Keynes Ended the Depression, Defeated Fascism, and Secured a Prosperous Peace. I'd like to see this as a Hugo award nominee from the Sad Puppies next year.
___________ Moron commenter 'MTF' passes along this interesting WSJ piece about the various non-English translation of Alice In Wonderland. There's an exhibition, "Alice in a World of Wonderlands: The Translations of Lewis Carroll's Masterpiece", at New York City's Grolier Club ("America's oldest (1884) society for book lovers & graphic arts fans, offering displays & events"):
Its curator, Jon A. Lindseth, has been collecting translations just as the original Alice— Alice Liddell Hargreaves—did in her adulthood, gathering accounts of her adventures in Brazilian Portuguese, Catalan, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Pitman Shorthand, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish and Swedish.I can't think of a book more locked into its time period than AiW, so I wonder how much of the Victorian-era puns, references, and cultural assumptions actually gets preserved. I have a copy of The Annotated Alice by Martin Gardner, one of the world's foremost Carroll experts (yes, he's one of the "top men") that explains these things that would not be known to a modern audience. But, it cannot be denied that Alice has near-universal appeal. There's probably something about going down the rabbit hole to discover a strange new world that strikes some primal chord in all of us.
But Mr. Lindseth has gone even further, displaying translations into languages no one speaks (Middle English) or cares about (Esperanto) or whose very existence is startling (Marathi, the language of Mumbai)
Books By Morons 'Ette in good standing Sgt. Mom will soon have a new book out.
Sunset and Steel Rails is up for pre-order on Kindle and is also available at Barnes and Noble:
On a mild spring morning in 1884, just short of her 21st birthday, the ordered and respectable life of Sophia Brewer fell apart...Sophia – abandoned by fiancée, friends and family, threatened by unwilling confinement to the insane asylum – had only one chance at escape and survival...working for the Fred Harvey Company as a waitress in a railroad restaurant concession...But even out in the West, there are still decades-old scandalous family secrets … secrets and events which might still threaten Sophia Brewer and the man who means to court her, and give her the life that she had once expected.Release date is this Tuesday, November 10th.
___________ Markham Pyle, who runs Bapton Books, a small but independent imprint in the UK (for "sound, solid works, fiction and nonfiction"), e-mailed me a couple of weeks ago to let me know of the completion of Bapton's latest book, a novel he describes as "the Conservative riposte to JKR's Casual Vacancy". And if you're like me, you've just asked yourself, what is he talking about? After she finished the Harry Potter books, author J.K Rowling published a novel geared toward an adult audience. Casual Vacancy was published in 2012, and received mixed reviews. Here's a plot outline, from Amazon:
When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.Kind of like that, but in a mirror universe, The Evensong series (Being Tales from Beechbourne, Chickmarsh, & the Woolfonts) goes like this:
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the town’s council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?
In this, the complete edition of the work (also published in two parts), the Woolfonts rally ’round in a time of crisis: of flood and spate, a council housing scheme (His Grace Has A Plan to save the situation: one involving old soldiers), and an unexpected death. Teddy – newly a councillor, and newly put in a bind by colleagues – and Edmond, with his activism, are in a jam apiece; The Breener is in a mostly happy daze; the duke, after a tragic loss, is ill, as is the Rector, owing to stress; Sher Mirza, equally plagued by well-meaning neighbours, is at his wits’ end. Of course, this is the Woolfonts: everything will come right on the night. It’s the getting there is dicey.Evensong Book One
Book Two
Evensong Omnibus
___________ Don't forget the AoSHQ reading group on Goodreads. It's meant to support horde writers and to talk about the great books that come up on the book thread. It's called AoSHQ Moron Horde and the link to it is here: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/175335-aoshq-moron-horde. ___________ So that's all for this week. As always, book thread tips, suggestions, bribes, rumors, threats, and insults may be sent to OregonMuse, Proprietor, AoSHQ Book Thread, at the book thread e-mail address: aoshqbookthread, followed by the 'at' sign, and then 'G' mail, and then dot cee oh emm. What have you all been reading this week? Hopefully something good, because, as you all know, life is too short to be reading lousy books.
Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
*hic*
Posted by: John Boehner at November 08, 2015 08:44 AM (c7vUv)
2
Ah book thread! Yeh;
Currently working on the Ken Lazito series The Sanafarian Order. I am on the second book now. The first one is available free for the Kindle from Amazon.
It has turned out to be a fairly good series.
Currently working on the Ken Lazito series The Sanafarian Order. I am on the second book now. The first one is available free for the Kindle from Amazon.
It has turned out to be a fairly good series.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 08:46 AM (t2KH5)
3
Happy to see Amazon reaching out. I like their brick and mortar data driven model.
Don't know how long it will last tho.
Happy to see Amazon reaching out. I like their brick and mortar data driven model.
Don't know how long it will last tho.
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 08:47 AM (qCMvj)
4
I just asked to join the goodreads book group.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 08:48 AM (No/ki)
5
goodreads groupies - please check the goodread group or your inbox about voting the the goodreads choice award. Voting ends today!
Fenelon, that's great - I'll go check.
Fenelon, that's great - I'll go check.
Posted by: @votermom at November 08, 2015 08:50 AM (cbfNE)
6
And I don't know when I'll be buying my next device, but when I do, I
think I want one with an 8-inch screen and 32GB storage. I'll need 32GB
to handle all the bloated, DRM-encrusted books I'd like to buy.
OM; I went to the Samsung Galaxy Tab II and have been using it vs the Kendle (which I still have). It has great text, color and more functionality.
think I want one with an 8-inch screen and 32GB storage. I'll need 32GB
to handle all the bloated, DRM-encrusted books I'd like to buy.
OM; I went to the Samsung Galaxy Tab II and have been using it vs the Kendle (which I still have). It has great text, color and more functionality.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 08:50 AM (t2KH5)
7
looks like cool breeze is manning the group admit button with his usual alacrity. Fenelon is now a member. Welcome!
Posted by: @votermom at November 08, 2015 08:53 AM (cbfNE)
8
I just finished "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" by Eric Blair.
Good read about a pajama boy in 1930's England who rails against Capitalism and all it's goodies but soon learns to love his station in life, furniture, being able to eat and smoke and drink and getting laid. But mostly about getting laid.
The book is a free one just Google it. Also, who wears pajamas for crying out loud?
Good read about a pajama boy in 1930's England who rails against Capitalism and all it's goodies but soon learns to love his station in life, furniture, being able to eat and smoke and drink and getting laid. But mostly about getting laid.
The book is a free one just Google it. Also, who wears pajamas for crying out loud?
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 08, 2015 08:54 AM (ej1L0)
9
Right, and that's the thing: all these pajama boys are doing is setting
themselves up to be dysfunctional. In engineering terms, they're
operating the machine outside of design spec, so sooner or later, it's
going to fail. They'll be depressed, miserable and purposeless.
Both of my grandsons have been laid off in today's work environment multiple times each year. One works in construction so his is to be expected. The other does not. But I blame Obama's shitty economy.
themselves up to be dysfunctional. In engineering terms, they're
operating the machine outside of design spec, so sooner or later, it's
going to fail. They'll be depressed, miserable and purposeless.
Both of my grandsons have been laid off in today's work environment multiple times each year. One works in construction so his is to be expected. The other does not. But I blame Obama's shitty economy.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 08:54 AM (t2KH5)
10
Thanks, VoterMom and to cool Breeze. I'm not sure how this all works but I guess at some point when I get back from church I'll figure it out. :^)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 08:56 AM (No/ki)
11
Hypergamy in the age of equality, or why advising "man up" is about as helpful as "doctor, heal thyself."
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 08:56 AM (jT+gh)
12
I read, not as much as I used to, a WWII and Civil War military histories. Does anyone think that the writing for a lot of the histories written since 2000-2005 just aren't as good? I'm talking in general. It seems the scholarship and willingness to recognize that you might not be right are missing.
Posted by: WOPR at November 08, 2015 08:56 AM (LTDSy)
13
I remember in the early days of the internetz reading an article about
how the cargo manifests of 17th century ships showed a prodigious amount
of hold space taken up by various forms of alcohol, notably rum and
ale. Someone else noted that this was to be expected because back in
those days, you couldn't trust that the water was clean enough to drink.
I don't know about the liquor but it is documented fact that the Pilgrims landed in MA because they overshot their original destination and ran out of beer. Beer was drank on sea voyages because the water WAS unsafe. This is also why Europeans drank wine.
how the cargo manifests of 17th century ships showed a prodigious amount
of hold space taken up by various forms of alcohol, notably rum and
ale. Someone else noted that this was to be expected because back in
those days, you couldn't trust that the water was clean enough to drink.
I don't know about the liquor but it is documented fact that the Pilgrims landed in MA because they overshot their original destination and ran out of beer. Beer was drank on sea voyages because the water WAS unsafe. This is also why Europeans drank wine.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 08:57 AM (t2KH5)
14
Ah, didn't read far enough; you covered it.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 08:59 AM (t2KH5)
15
I just finished "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" by Eric Blair.
Good read about a pajama boy in 1930's England who rails against Capitalism and all it's goodies but soon learns to love his station in life, furniture, being able to eat and smoke and drink and getting laid. But mostly about getting laid...
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 08, 2015 08:54 AM (ej1L0)
Note: 'Eric Blair' is the writer who has a more famous pen name, George Orwell.
Good read about a pajama boy in 1930's England who rails against Capitalism and all it's goodies but soon learns to love his station in life, furniture, being able to eat and smoke and drink and getting laid. But mostly about getting laid...
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 08, 2015 08:54 AM (ej1L0)
Note: 'Eric Blair' is the writer who has a more famous pen name, George Orwell.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 08:59 AM (gvtuJ)
16
For those authors dumping out their self-published for free or discounted, there are a number of sites that claim to help promote your book, etc. It's tough digging through them all. Some are free. Some are $3. Some are $200.
Anyone have any suggestions that worked well for them?
I have tried a few over the years, but two stood out in my mind - have to dig back to see what else I have used:
askDavid - which I always think is worth it if you have a Twitter account. The system is set up really well. Much better than I ever would have expected. It's free for free promos of ebooks. They will tweet each day according to your promo, and give you 4 free retweet "forms" so that you really do not have to think too hard. Pretty clever. You can use the retweeting on the days and times you want. But, you cannot retweet until at least 3 hours after askDavid's last promo tweet. Very nice. Smooth. Really supportive of Indie Authors if you do not have a Publisher's marketing arm helping out.
http://askdavid.com/for-authors
In the past I had also tried FreeBooksy, and paid a bit for that. Some have said it doesn't work for them, but my downloads massively spiked during the day promo. I do not know how well it works these days, but I still receive updates from them. Looks polished. Their audience has probably grown a lot.
http://www.freebooksy.com/for-the-authors/
Anyone else have any luck with any others?
For those authors dumping out their self-published for free or discounted, there are a number of sites that claim to help promote your book, etc. It's tough digging through them all. Some are free. Some are $3. Some are $200.
Anyone have any suggestions that worked well for them?
I have tried a few over the years, but two stood out in my mind - have to dig back to see what else I have used:
askDavid - which I always think is worth it if you have a Twitter account. The system is set up really well. Much better than I ever would have expected. It's free for free promos of ebooks. They will tweet each day according to your promo, and give you 4 free retweet "forms" so that you really do not have to think too hard. Pretty clever. You can use the retweeting on the days and times you want. But, you cannot retweet until at least 3 hours after askDavid's last promo tweet. Very nice. Smooth. Really supportive of Indie Authors if you do not have a Publisher's marketing arm helping out.
http://askdavid.com/for-authors
In the past I had also tried FreeBooksy, and paid a bit for that. Some have said it doesn't work for them, but my downloads massively spiked during the day promo. I do not know how well it works these days, but I still receive updates from them. Looks polished. Their audience has probably grown a lot.
http://www.freebooksy.com/for-the-authors/
Anyone else have any luck with any others?
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 09:00 AM (qCMvj)
17
Re: men and families, see Men on Strike. Many, if not moat, if not all, men in their 20s grew up seeing unhappy marriages and divorced dads who saw their kids only occasionally, if at all, their money and wealth looted by a systemically unfair court system. Avoiding marriage is perfectly rational, and it isn't men's fault.
Posted by: Apostate at November 08, 2015 09:01 AM (zaVwL)
18
g'mornin' again, 'rons
Posted by: AltonJackson at November 08, 2015 09:02 AM (irT2h)
19
When I was of marrying age a man could reasonably expect to get and keep a job for decades. Total Americans employed rose, year after year.
There were three 'pillars' to the economy back then. Manufacturing was one of them. Bill Clinton 'fundamentally changed' this country forever.
Pajama Boy is the result. Thirty years ago his parents would have told his pumpkin spice latte drinking sorry ass to get off the sofa and get a job.
There were three 'pillars' to the economy back then. Manufacturing was one of them. Bill Clinton 'fundamentally changed' this country forever.
Pajama Boy is the result. Thirty years ago his parents would have told his pumpkin spice latte drinking sorry ass to get off the sofa and get a job.
Posted by: se pa moron at November 08, 2015 09:03 AM (7v/r5)
20
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
-Groucho Marx
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
-Groucho Marx
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at November 08, 2015 09:06 AM (LUgeY)
21
Oregon Muse, thank you very much for the shout out to the group and another great book thread!
Although now I am imagining the amazon book store full of cocoa sipping pajama boys.
Although now I am imagining the amazon book store full of cocoa sipping pajama boys.
Posted by: @votermom at November 08, 2015 09:06 AM (cbfNE)
22
A friend recommended and loaned me Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country, so I guess I'll start on that one next.
I hope it's better than A Walk in the Woods, which I found to be very disappointing.
I hope it's better than A Walk in the Woods, which I found to be very disappointing.
Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? at November 08, 2015 09:07 AM (HMt16)
23
Manufacturing was one of them. Bill Clinton 'fundamentally changed' this country forever.
You mean NAFTA? That measure was floated during the George H W Bush administration. Clinton and Bush agreed on it. Perot got the votes he did by running against it.
And when NAFTA went through Congress, it passed mainly due to Republican votes.
So, no point blaming Clinton.
You mean NAFTA? That measure was floated during the George H W Bush administration. Clinton and Bush agreed on it. Perot got the votes he did by running against it.
And when NAFTA went through Congress, it passed mainly due to Republican votes.
So, no point blaming Clinton.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 09:11 AM (D65RZ)
24
Good morning fellow Book Threaders!
This has been a great week for reading. I'm several chapters in to LOTR, taking my time and savoring the writing. After so many decades of re-reading the Trilogy I was rushing through it in recent years since I knew the words almost by heart. No more. This isn't a race and I just want to savor the story. And after a few chapters I'm taking a break to imbibe other works. Keeps things fresh and lively. More on that below.
This has been a great week for reading. I'm several chapters in to LOTR, taking my time and savoring the writing. After so many decades of re-reading the Trilogy I was rushing through it in recent years since I knew the words almost by heart. No more. This isn't a race and I just want to savor the story. And after a few chapters I'm taking a break to imbibe other works. Keeps things fresh and lively. More on that below.
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 09:11 AM (FvdPb)
25
And I don't know when I'll be buying my next device, but when I do, I
think I want one with an 8-inch screen and 32GB storage. I'll need 32GB
to handle all the bloated, DRM-encrusted books I'd like to buy.
Last time I was at WalMart, I noticed that RCA had a whole bunch of (large) android tablets that came with a detachable keyboard/cover thingie-- semi-laptops. Haven't looked further into them (yet), but have them on my consideration list.
think I want one with an 8-inch screen and 32GB storage. I'll need 32GB
to handle all the bloated, DRM-encrusted books I'd like to buy.
Last time I was at WalMart, I noticed that RCA had a whole bunch of (large) android tablets that came with a detachable keyboard/cover thingie-- semi-laptops. Haven't looked further into them (yet), but have them on my consideration list.
Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at November 08, 2015 09:13 AM (oVJmc)
26
So, no point blaming Clinton.Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 09:11 AM (D65RZ
Permanent most favored trade status to China. 1998. Clinton pushed for it.
Even Arlen Specter knew it would get out of hand. His Senate speech is still google-able.
Permanent most favored trade status to China. 1998. Clinton pushed for it.
Even Arlen Specter knew it would get out of hand. His Senate speech is still google-able.
Posted by: se pa moron at November 08, 2015 09:17 AM (7v/r5)
27
Last time I was at WalMart, I noticed that RCA had a whole bunch of (large) android tablets that came with a detachable keyboard/cover thingie-- semi-laptops. Haven't looked further into them (yet), but have them on my consideration list.
Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at November 08, 2015 09:13 AM
Walmart has a seven inch RCA tablet for $50. I recently got a 7" android tablet at best buy for $50. It will accept a 32GB card
Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at November 08, 2015 09:13 AM
Walmart has a seven inch RCA tablet for $50. I recently got a 7" android tablet at best buy for $50. It will accept a 32GB card
Posted by: AltonJackson at November 08, 2015 09:17 AM (irT2h)
28
Please stop posting pics of Pajama Boy. You're giving me laugh lines and Botox ain't free.
Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at November 08, 2015 09:17 AM (ja4GF)
29
17 Re: men and families, see Men on Strike. Many, if not moat, if not all, men in their 20s grew up seeing unhappy marriages and divorced dads who saw their kids only occasionally, if at all, their money and wealth looted by a systemically unfair court system. Avoiding marriage is perfectly rational, and it isn't men's fault.
+1 for this and for Men on Strike. The author, Dr. Helen Smith, is married to Instapundit Glenn Reynolds.
+1 for this and for Men on Strike. The author, Dr. Helen Smith, is married to Instapundit Glenn Reynolds.
Posted by: cool breeze at November 08, 2015 09:18 AM (6Cu7i)
30
Just finished C J Box's "Badlands." Not a Joe Pickett book; it centers around a female detective who moves to a North Dakota fracking oil boom town to deal with meth, police corruption, and MS13.
Loved it.
Loved it.
Posted by: doug at November 08, 2015 09:20 AM (/4X9e)
31
12 ... Can't speak to WW II and Civil War books but in the last 10 to 20 years there have been a good number of books on the American Revolution and early America up through the War of 1812. These aren't only the usual battle scenes but matters like formation of a fledgling navy, intelligence gathering, and other less investigated aspects of the time. The ones I've read have been well written.
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 09:20 AM (FvdPb)
32
If given the choice between the two American's, I would pick Pajama Boy over the smelly, uneducated, mentally challenged military guy.
If given the choice between the two American's, I would pick Pajama Boy over the smelly, uneducated, mentally challenged military guy.
Posted by: Margaret Cho at November 08, 2015 09:21 AM (OiFtZ)
33
For an earlier take on liquor in US history, see W.J. Rorabaugh's "The Alcoholic Republic," 1979. It certainly had an effect on my point of view.
the cargo manifests of 17th century ships showed a prodigious amount
of hold space taken up by various forms of alcohol
True. It's a little-known fact that demand was so great that some ships were tarred up and used to transport liquor in bulk, without bottles or barrels. Of course, booze stored on the top, "A" deck, was purest, as water seeped in to "B" deck, and the "C" area was, otherwise, the bilge. The product was priced accordingly.
This is why the better gin is called "Tanker A."
the cargo manifests of 17th century ships showed a prodigious amount
of hold space taken up by various forms of alcohol
True. It's a little-known fact that demand was so great that some ships were tarred up and used to transport liquor in bulk, without bottles or barrels. Of course, booze stored on the top, "A" deck, was purest, as water seeped in to "B" deck, and the "C" area was, otherwise, the bilge. The product was priced accordingly.
This is why the better gin is called "Tanker A."
Posted by: Stringer Davis at November 08, 2015 09:22 AM (xq1UY)
34
Sarah Hoyt had a post about Amazon's brick and mortar store yesterday (and our own Sabrina Chase gave a lot of good info about it) at According To Hoyt. Apparently there is an article claiming that this step *proves* e-books are dead, Dead, DEAD. she and her commenters are...skeptical, of that interpretation.
(Sorry, no link since I'm on Kindle)
(Sorry, no link since I'm on Kindle)
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at November 08, 2015 09:23 AM (GDulk)
35
And speaking of Amazon, So why are Kindle books getting so damned bloated? Like, for example, this book here. According to Amazon, it's 260 pages long, and weighs in at a whopping 4MB. I glanced through the sample chapter, and I didn't see any maps or fancy graphics that might bloat it out. I find it hard to believe that Amazon's DRM overhead on .azw files has to be that extensive, but maybe it does.
that book looks depressing
I won't read depressing books anymore.
I've had my fill.
I want to be entertained from here on out.
that book looks depressing
I won't read depressing books anymore.
I've had my fill.
I want to be entertained from here on out.
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 09:23 AM (qCMvj)
36
Question: I take it OregonMuse is a guy (hence Mrs. Muse) but isn't the character of a muse traditionally female (inspiring art, etc.)? Or is muse here referring to contemplation? I've wondered about this before, I'm not trying to cast aspersions or anything. 
Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 08, 2015 09:26 AM (ja4GF)
37
I love the irony of "You've Got Mail".
Big bookstore drives little bookstore under.
Later, after the story ends, Online Giant drives huge bookstore chain under.
Big bookstore drives little bookstore under.
Later, after the story ends, Online Giant drives huge bookstore chain under.
Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at November 08, 2015 09:26 AM (1ijHg)
38
And I don't know when I'll be buying my next device, but when I do, I
think I want one with an 8-inch screen and 32GB storage. I'll need 32GB
to handle all the bloated, DRM-encrusted books I'd like to buy.
Last time I was at WalMart, I noticed that RCA had a whole bunch of (large) android tablets that came with a detachable keyboard/cover thingie-- semi-laptops. Haven't looked further into them (yet), but have them on my consideration list.
Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at November 08, 2015 09:13 AM (oVJmc)
for reading books?
I haven't found a device that works as well as my Kindle. We have a couple of different models in the house. And some tablets. Reading outside is easiest for me on my Kindle.
I recently bought a zenbook for travel. It's so light, so thin for my carry-on. I've never been so pleased. Light, powerful, long battery length and beautiful screen. But, I still cannot read books on these things unless I'm inside, but even then, the Kindle is better on my eyes then a laptop or tablet screen. Might be just me.
think I want one with an 8-inch screen and 32GB storage. I'll need 32GB
to handle all the bloated, DRM-encrusted books I'd like to buy.
Last time I was at WalMart, I noticed that RCA had a whole bunch of (large) android tablets that came with a detachable keyboard/cover thingie-- semi-laptops. Haven't looked further into them (yet), but have them on my consideration list.
Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at November 08, 2015 09:13 AM (oVJmc)
for reading books?
I haven't found a device that works as well as my Kindle. We have a couple of different models in the house. And some tablets. Reading outside is easiest for me on my Kindle.
I recently bought a zenbook for travel. It's so light, so thin for my carry-on. I've never been so pleased. Light, powerful, long battery length and beautiful screen. But, I still cannot read books on these things unless I'm inside, but even then, the Kindle is better on my eyes then a laptop or tablet screen. Might be just me.
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 09:28 AM (qCMvj)
39
On the basis of several recommendations here, I read Eifelheim by Michael Flynn. It's a great story about aliens who land in a Rhineland forest in 1348, shortly before the Black Plague appears. I learned something about life in the Middle Ages, their science, and their religion while enjoying a good book.
Posted by: Zoltan at November 08, 2015 09:30 AM (THsLo)
40
Re-reading "Ben-Hur". Just read the part where Jesus cures Mum and Sis.
The book is seriously far better than the Movie. What a dummy though. Clearly Iras set him up to be assassinated. Duh?
The book is seriously far better than the Movie. What a dummy though. Clearly Iras set him up to be assassinated. Duh?
Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at November 08, 2015 09:30 AM (1ijHg)
41
RE book bloat for e-books. I just went through and checked my downloaded books on the computer. I have one history book with graphics that I downloaded from Gutenberg that is 25M.
Most of the books run less than 1M but there are a bunch that are 1 - 2 meg.
Most of the books run less than 1M but there are a bunch that are 1 - 2 meg.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:31 AM (t2KH5)
42
RE book bloat for e-books. I just went through and checked my downloaded books on the computer. I have one history book with graphics that I downloaded from Gutenberg that is 25M.
Most of the books run less than 1M but there are a bunch that are 1 - 2 meg.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:31 AM (t2KH5)
I was wondering if it was because of audio versions - text to speech or whatnot, but nope.
Most of the books run less than 1M but there are a bunch that are 1 - 2 meg.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:31 AM (t2KH5)
I was wondering if it was because of audio versions - text to speech or whatnot, but nope.
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 09:32 AM (qCMvj)
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 09:33 AM (qCMvj)
44
From the sidebar...looks like Soros fingerprints all over that Mizzou Football thing....
Posted by: Mr. Wizard at November 08, 2015 09:33 AM (hCdMd)
45
I'm 31 and not sure if that counts me as a millennial but I am not married and a good portion of my childhood friends are not either. I'll admit some of it is irresponsibility but this country is also ruining our women.
You have to do some digging to find a 20-30 year old woman who doesn't obsess over Facebook, isn't horrifically obese, addicted to painkillers, not a crazy feminist or shares traditional values with you.
They are out there... And I've been lucky enough to find one of my own. But it's not the same for us guys as it may have been years back. Back when you could finish high school, get a job and immediately buy a house with your new wife and take a family vacation once a year.
Getting married to a good one requires patience (which some men don't have and look how that works out).
Now think about how today's divorce laws really screw over the man. And these same men are being told by insane liberal academics that they need to basically video tape every sexual encounter and have a signed document for every "escalation" in the event.
It's pretty nuts when you think about it.
You have to do some digging to find a 20-30 year old woman who doesn't obsess over Facebook, isn't horrifically obese, addicted to painkillers, not a crazy feminist or shares traditional values with you.
They are out there... And I've been lucky enough to find one of my own. But it's not the same for us guys as it may have been years back. Back when you could finish high school, get a job and immediately buy a house with your new wife and take a family vacation once a year.
Getting married to a good one requires patience (which some men don't have and look how that works out).
Now think about how today's divorce laws really screw over the man. And these same men are being told by insane liberal academics that they need to basically video tape every sexual encounter and have a signed document for every "escalation" in the event.
It's pretty nuts when you think about it.
Posted by: ElKomandante at November 08, 2015 09:33 AM (Ql4Nd)
46
Victor Davis Hanson's take on Ben Hur, as part of his exquisite "Ripples of Battle," is worth the price of the entire book.
Posted by: goatexchange at November 08, 2015 09:35 AM (c769w)
47
Little VIA has binge watched The Last Ship several times.
It is surprisingly pro military, with not a small streak of "Get your PC Bullshit out of my face" in the overall story.
It is surprisingly pro military, with not a small streak of "Get your PC Bullshit out of my face" in the overall story.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at November 08, 2015 09:35 AM (ptqRm)
48
40 The book is seriously far better than the Movie. What a dummy though. Clearly Iras set him up to be assassinated. Duh?
Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at November 08, 2015 09:30 AM (1ijHg)
I downloaded the book from Gutenberg and just could not get into it. It was simply too long-winded. I guess Lew Wallace got afflicted with Ayn Rand syndrome.
I like the movie better, especially since Amazon had a special with the Bluray on sale for cheap. The Bluray looks absolutely great.
Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at November 08, 2015 09:30 AM (1ijHg)
I downloaded the book from Gutenberg and just could not get into it. It was simply too long-winded. I guess Lew Wallace got afflicted with Ayn Rand syndrome.
I like the movie better, especially since Amazon had a special with the Bluray on sale for cheap. The Bluray looks absolutely great.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:36 AM (t2KH5)
49
Last week I read a book, by Richard Condon of "The Manchurian Candidate" fame, titled-
"Winter Kills"
It is a very dark comedy in which the brother of President Keegan, who was assassinated in Philadelphia 14 years ago, gets direct evidence from the second gunman, that his brother's death was a conspiracy and not the act of a lone gunman as stated by the Pickering Commission.
As you can see, the book is a kind of distorted funhouse version of the Kennedy assassination.
The book was published in 1974, which makes it of a piece with the "paranoid" works of fiction of the time like the movie- "The Parallax View".
The novel is very well written and interestingly plotted.
And yes, I know, I know, "more Kennedy assassination crap- Yucko!" may be your response but here's what makes the book-
interesting and relevant for today:
I realized while reading the book that the "paranoid thriller" is actually a species of the dystopian novel-
only in the Paranoid Thriller the dystopia is not some far-flung future society.
The dystopia is here, now, and you're soaking in it!!!
At least, that should be the effect upon the reader.
So-
You know how people keep saying that "1984 was not a how-to manual" because it seems like the Left has gone full Orwell in the service of Princess Pissy Pants?
Think about the White House tactic of "Stray Voltage" while you read "Winter Kills"-
and you will swear that someone of the Left looked at the plotting and basic theory of how the country is run presented by "Winter Kills" and said to themselves-
"Oh yeah! That's exactly how we should run the country."
Anyway-
"Winter Kills" is a fun read and though written in 1974 is surprisingly relevant to our world today.
In fact, I enjoyed it so much. I'm going to read some more Richard Condon novels- "The Manchurian Candidate" is next.
Also- the hardback of "Winter Kills" can be had for $.01 on Amazon.
But wait there's more!
*****Special Bonus Movie Review!!!!*****
They made a movie of "Winter Kills" in 1979 that is just chock full o'Hollywood stars- most of whom are pretty darn good in their roles.
Unfortunately, the movie itself is not very good. Very choppy with combined characters from the novel who act in ways that don't always add up.
Poor directing is my guess combined with poor script and 70's tropes.
The funny thing about it is the the JFK-manque, President Keegan is treated a bit like mohammed. In that, even in the flashbacks, he's never really depicted on screen- a hand here, a silhouette there. That kind of thing.
And, of course, the assassination is never depicted, that was a bad choice as we never "know" Keegan and never feel the horror of the violence that still haunts his brother.
The book plugs right into the Kennedy-isms and gives you a clear picture. maybe in 1974 they felt a film depiction wouldn't be respectful.
"Winter Kills"
It is a very dark comedy in which the brother of President Keegan, who was assassinated in Philadelphia 14 years ago, gets direct evidence from the second gunman, that his brother's death was a conspiracy and not the act of a lone gunman as stated by the Pickering Commission.
As you can see, the book is a kind of distorted funhouse version of the Kennedy assassination.
The book was published in 1974, which makes it of a piece with the "paranoid" works of fiction of the time like the movie- "The Parallax View".
The novel is very well written and interestingly plotted.
And yes, I know, I know, "more Kennedy assassination crap- Yucko!" may be your response but here's what makes the book-
interesting and relevant for today:
I realized while reading the book that the "paranoid thriller" is actually a species of the dystopian novel-
only in the Paranoid Thriller the dystopia is not some far-flung future society.
The dystopia is here, now, and you're soaking in it!!!
At least, that should be the effect upon the reader.
So-
You know how people keep saying that "1984 was not a how-to manual" because it seems like the Left has gone full Orwell in the service of Princess Pissy Pants?
Think about the White House tactic of "Stray Voltage" while you read "Winter Kills"-
and you will swear that someone of the Left looked at the plotting and basic theory of how the country is run presented by "Winter Kills" and said to themselves-
"Oh yeah! That's exactly how we should run the country."
Anyway-
"Winter Kills" is a fun read and though written in 1974 is surprisingly relevant to our world today.
In fact, I enjoyed it so much. I'm going to read some more Richard Condon novels- "The Manchurian Candidate" is next.
Also- the hardback of "Winter Kills" can be had for $.01 on Amazon.
But wait there's more!
*****Special Bonus Movie Review!!!!*****
They made a movie of "Winter Kills" in 1979 that is just chock full o'Hollywood stars- most of whom are pretty darn good in their roles.
Unfortunately, the movie itself is not very good. Very choppy with combined characters from the novel who act in ways that don't always add up.
Poor directing is my guess combined with poor script and 70's tropes.
The funny thing about it is the the JFK-manque, President Keegan is treated a bit like mohammed. In that, even in the flashbacks, he's never really depicted on screen- a hand here, a silhouette there. That kind of thing.
And, of course, the assassination is never depicted, that was a bad choice as we never "know" Keegan and never feel the horror of the violence that still haunts his brother.
The book plugs right into the Kennedy-isms and gives you a clear picture. maybe in 1974 they felt a film depiction wouldn't be respectful.
Posted by: naturalfake at November 08, 2015 09:36 AM (KUa85)
50
@40 Nice going. It's a much more important Great American Novel than Moby-Dick. And the guy who wrote it, what a career. See Victor Davis Hanson's "Lew Wallace and The Ghosts of The Shunpike."
Ben-Hur was a smash hit as a stage play. Had its own private train for all the equipage. They did the chariot race live on stage, with a treadmill. I imagine the movies were based on the play, and that's where the trimming occurred.
Ben-Hur was a smash hit as a stage play. Had its own private train for all the equipage. They did the chariot race live on stage, with a treadmill. I imagine the movies were based on the play, and that's where the trimming occurred.
Posted by: Stringer Davis at November 08, 2015 09:37 AM (xq1UY)
51
Why is Ace's photo posted?
Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at November 08, 2015 09:38 AM (iQIUe)
52
Amazon's bookstore in Seattle also has Seattle's higher minimum wage working against it being successful.
Posted by: Zoltan at November 08, 2015 09:39 AM (THsLo)
53
45 Back when you could finish high school, get a job and immediately buy a
house with your new wife and take a family vacation once a year.
Posted by: ElKomandante at November 08, 2015 09:33 AM (Ql4Nd)
I am an old fart and I can never remember a time when you could finish HS, get a job, buy a house, and get married. The only people who did that were sons of the very wealthy and they had a step added to go to college and the job they got usually involved working for daddy.
house with your new wife and take a family vacation once a year.
Posted by: ElKomandante at November 08, 2015 09:33 AM (Ql4Nd)
I am an old fart and I can never remember a time when you could finish HS, get a job, buy a house, and get married. The only people who did that were sons of the very wealthy and they had a step added to go to college and the job they got usually involved working for daddy.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:40 AM (t2KH5)
54
Ace is not a man -- he's an Ewok.
Hath not an Ewok eyes?
Hath not a Ewok hands?
If you prick an Ewok, does he not bleed?
If you tickle an Ewok, does he not laugh?
Ace is not a man -- he's an Ewok.
Hath not an Ewok eyes?
Hath not a Ewok hands?
If you prick an Ewok, does he not bleed?
If you tickle an Ewok, does he not laugh?
Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at November 08, 2015 09:41 AM (iQIUe)
55
Question about the new $50 Fire tablet.
I love my e-ink Kindle, but there are times that graphics and zooming are really needed. Also, need Android to use Axis 360 ebooks loans from the library.
The new tablet sounds like just what I want, except that the SD storage slot is said not be be usable for e-book storage.
Anyone have one? Is this true?
I love my e-ink Kindle, but there are times that graphics and zooming are really needed. Also, need Android to use Axis 360 ebooks loans from the library.
The new tablet sounds like just what I want, except that the SD storage slot is said not be be usable for e-book storage.
Anyone have one? Is this true?
Posted by: doug at November 08, 2015 09:42 AM (/4X9e)
56
And here we go with the Ewok pricks. Again.
Posted by: Stringer Davis at November 08, 2015 09:42 AM (xq1UY)
57
Brandon Sanderson's Way of Kings audio book from OverDrive (and an active music library of over 1000 tracks) are what is killing my Kindle memory at the moment. It's a good thing I got the increased memory on this one, but it makes me wonder if authors/publishers/whoever aren't as careful about file size because they know memory in most devices has increased.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at November 08, 2015 09:42 AM (GDulk)
Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at November 08, 2015 09:43 AM (Cq0oW)
59
Thanks for the shout-out OM! The kindle and print versions of Sunset & Steel Rails are available for pre-order ... and I am trying to have my second book of the year, The Chronicles of Luna City released on the 10th as well - the kindle and nook versions are up on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, but the print book isn't posted yet.
Luna City has its own dedicated website : Lunacitytexas.com - and it's a series of short stories and blog-style posts about a small town in South Texas. My daughter and I wrote it together, and we expect to be able to keep it going with additional stories and posts - in print as well as a blog.
Just for fun - I put Pajama Boy in one of my own books as a character. He's the nervous-nelly inn guest in Lone Star Sons, the adventure entitled "Without a Trace." If you have read Lone Star Sons, you'll be able to spot him fairly easily.
Luna City has its own dedicated website : Lunacitytexas.com - and it's a series of short stories and blog-style posts about a small town in South Texas. My daughter and I wrote it together, and we expect to be able to keep it going with additional stories and posts - in print as well as a blog.
Just for fun - I put Pajama Boy in one of my own books as a character. He's the nervous-nelly inn guest in Lone Star Sons, the adventure entitled "Without a Trace." If you have read Lone Star Sons, you'll be able to spot him fairly easily.
Posted by: Sgt. Mom at November 08, 2015 09:44 AM (95iDF)
60
Question: I take it OregonMuse is a guy (hence Mrs. Muse) but isn't the character of a muse traditionally female (inspiring art, etc.)? Or is muse here referring to contemplation? I've wondered about this before, I'm not trying to cast aspersions or anything.
Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 08, 2015 09:26 AM (ja4GF)
When I first came to this blog back around 2006, I could see that I needed a unique nic and 'OregonMuse' was the first word that popped into my mind
Note that there is no space between 'Oregon' and 'Muse'.
It didn't occur to me until later on that the Muses were traditionally depicted as women. And I'm a 60 year old bald guy. Oh, well.
Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 08, 2015 09:26 AM (ja4GF)
When I first came to this blog back around 2006, I could see that I needed a unique nic and 'OregonMuse' was the first word that popped into my mind
Note that there is no space between 'Oregon' and 'Muse'.
It didn't occur to me until later on that the Muses were traditionally depicted as women. And I'm a 60 year old bald guy. Oh, well.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 09:45 AM (gvtuJ)
61
You're a national treasure, OM. Thanks for all that you do.
Posted by: goatexchange, and all of us. at November 08, 2015 09:47 AM (c769w)
62
It is a scientifically-settled fact that baldness at the early age of 60 can only be caused by an excess of virility.
Posted by: Stringer Davis at November 08, 2015 09:47 AM (xq1UY)
63
I like the movie better, especially since Amazon had a special with the Bluray on sale for cheap. The Bluray looks absolutely great.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:36 AM (t2KH5)
That chariot race is amazing, even today. Especially when you know it was done with no CGI or other computer-enhanced effects, was filmed in an actual stadium with thousands of extras.
I like the movie better, especially since Amazon had a special with the Bluray on sale for cheap. The Bluray looks absolutely great.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:36 AM (t2KH5)
That chariot race is amazing, even today. Especially when you know it was done with no CGI or other computer-enhanced effects, was filmed in an actual stadium with thousands of extras.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 09:49 AM (gvtuJ)
64
Stig here...I read everything on AoS but comment very infrequently. Hope you will let me join the goodreads group. Bookwise I read a lot of nonfiction and am 95% finished with writing a book about China.
Posted by: Stig at November 08, 2015 09:49 AM (1E5EA)
65
55 The new tablet sounds like just what I want, except that the SD storage slot is said not be be usable for e-book storage.
Anyone have one? Is this true?
Posted by: doug at November 08, 2015 09:42 AM (/4X9e)
I can never get my Samsung to read e-books on the 32G card. It recognizes movies and music on there fine but not books. I suspect that it is a problem with Kindle app you download from Amazon. I have been thinking about trying to get a newer version since the original Kindle did not have an expansion slot. But, I have not tried yet because the 8G it came with is still far from being full.
Anyone have one? Is this true?
Posted by: doug at November 08, 2015 09:42 AM (/4X9e)
I can never get my Samsung to read e-books on the 32G card. It recognizes movies and music on there fine but not books. I suspect that it is a problem with Kindle app you download from Amazon. I have been thinking about trying to get a newer version since the original Kindle did not have an expansion slot. But, I have not tried yet because the 8G it came with is still far from being full.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:49 AM (t2KH5)
66
Hi everyone. I wish I could tell you that I'm reading St. Augustine's herniatic "City of God" which has been gathering dust on my coffee table, but I respect you too much to lie to you.
Instead, I went to a brick and mortar book store, Barnes and Noble, yesterday. It was a pleasure to be around a bustling, happy enterprise and drink in the smell of printed matter and overpriced coffee concoctions. I was in the mood for pulp and picked up "Catwoman: Gotham Underground"; "Draw Comics the DC Way"; and the novel "Gestapo Mars" by Victor Gischler which looks wonderfully horrible/horribly wonderful.
My best nab was "Star Wars Doodles", a cartoon book with spaces in the drawings to add your own fanciful additions. It is ostensibly for the kiddies but is better suited to drunk Moron artistes: "R2D2 just got a bunch of new attachments. Draw them!", or "Check out the new dancer at Jabba's palace!". I'm thinking of drawing Caitlyn in hir satin bodice...
Instead, I went to a brick and mortar book store, Barnes and Noble, yesterday. It was a pleasure to be around a bustling, happy enterprise and drink in the smell of printed matter and overpriced coffee concoctions. I was in the mood for pulp and picked up "Catwoman: Gotham Underground"; "Draw Comics the DC Way"; and the novel "Gestapo Mars" by Victor Gischler which looks wonderfully horrible/horribly wonderful.
My best nab was "Star Wars Doodles", a cartoon book with spaces in the drawings to add your own fanciful additions. It is ostensibly for the kiddies but is better suited to drunk Moron artistes: "R2D2 just got a bunch of new attachments. Draw them!", or "Check out the new dancer at Jabba's palace!". I'm thinking of drawing Caitlyn in hir satin bodice...
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Michigangsta at November 08, 2015 09:50 AM (jR7Wy)
67
I enjoyed J. Cheever's short stories and style. Ok, same story many times over. But still he fell into my read everything and do it chronologically period.
Susan Cheever is inspired, I think understandably, by being a slow burn child of an alcoholic and most likely it colors her work.
2 cents. Haven't read it. Don't plan to.
Susan Cheever is inspired, I think understandably, by being a slow burn child of an alcoholic and most likely it colors her work.
2 cents. Haven't read it. Don't plan to.
Posted by: gracepc at November 08, 2015 09:50 AM (DMQhB)
68
Wife and children are God's way of allowing you to find out what you really think is important. All else is excuses. If you don't like something change it. They can kill you but they can't enslave you unless you let them.
Posted by: old married man at November 08, 2015 09:51 AM (PGh+Q)
69
57
Brandon Sanderson's Way of Kings audio book from OverDrive (and an
active music library of over 1000 tracks) are what is killing my Kindle
memory at the moment. It's a good thing I got the increased memory on
this one, but it makes me wonder if authors/publishers/whoever aren't as
careful about file size because they know memory in most devices has
increased.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at November 08, 2015 09:42 AM (GDulk)
I can imagine. I have that book (hardcover) and Amazon lists the non-audio version at 17M with 1200+ pages.
Brandon Sanderson's Way of Kings audio book from OverDrive (and an
active music library of over 1000 tracks) are what is killing my Kindle
memory at the moment. It's a good thing I got the increased memory on
this one, but it makes me wonder if authors/publishers/whoever aren't as
careful about file size because they know memory in most devices has
increased.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at November 08, 2015 09:42 AM (GDulk)
I can imagine. I have that book (hardcover) and Amazon lists the non-audio version at 17M with 1200+ pages.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:52 AM (t2KH5)
70
I came across a book published last summer: "A Hobbit A Wardrobe and a Great War" by Joseph Loconte. At first I thought it would be another 'Tolkien and Lewis were in WW I and it influenced their writing'. In fact, Loconte provides the background of cultural and social changes that contributed to WW I and the disillusionment in religion and faith and established norms afterward. This was the world Tolkien and Lewis experienced growing up and as young men and their reaction to it as they wrote.
The book provides a lot of context of which I was only slightly aware. I found his arguments convincing. I will be re-reading Abolition of Man, Mere Christianity, and probably Surprised By Joy with a better understanding and more appreciation. It also explains why Tolkien can create phrases like "the long defeat" in LOTR and not despair.
I don't know if the author intended this, but much of what he describes from a century and more ago is replicated today and the consequences may be worse.
The book provides a lot of context of which I was only slightly aware. I found his arguments convincing. I will be re-reading Abolition of Man, Mere Christianity, and probably Surprised By Joy with a better understanding and more appreciation. It also explains why Tolkien can create phrases like "the long defeat" in LOTR and not despair.
I don't know if the author intended this, but much of what he describes from a century and more ago is replicated today and the consequences may be worse.
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 09:54 AM (FvdPb)
71
63 That chariot race is amazing, even today. Especially
when you know it was done with no CGI or other computer-enhanced
effects, was filmed in an actual stadium with thousands of extras.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 09:49 AM (gvtuJ)
They knew how to make good movies then and they were not all targeted at teens and semi-teens. .
when you know it was done with no CGI or other computer-enhanced
effects, was filmed in an actual stadium with thousands of extras.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 09:49 AM (gvtuJ)
They knew how to make good movies then and they were not all targeted at teens and semi-teens. .
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 09:55 AM (t2KH5)
72
Concerning the size of ebook downloads, I have some insights from my efforts at publishing ebooks on Amazon.
The relative inefficiency of textual versus vector encoding goes a long way toward explaining the file size bloat you saw. Moreover, had the book you examined been produced by a traditional publisher, s/he/it may have had a vested interest in bloating the size of the overpriced tome they put up for the Kindle.
It is a matter of format. You have .epub which is used by everyone who is not Amazon. And Calibre is a great tool for converting non-DRM ebooks to your favorite formats.
In the Kindle universe, there is .mobi, and .azw whose history are worthy of a blog post. Remind me to get to that.
DRM (which you won't find on my books) is crypto applied on top of that. Key generation is based on your Kindle's serial number.
Kindle formats are either text-based or vector-based. The latter is to facilitate scanning books for rapidly filling the Kindle library with titles from less-than enthusiastic publishers who won't pony up the original texts' source code.
.Mobi files are sort of HTML (optimized for Palm Pilots) zipped together and maybe (or maybe not) compressed. Compression is a PITA, but the publisher may want to explore using it. Amazon charges the publisher a transmission fee for large ebooks.
For my anthology Finding Time, I commissioned a beautiful image for each story and included them in the ebook. The imagery, after compression, made the download 1597 KB. I forget what it was before compression, but I would not be surprised if it were 5x larger.
Conversely, my short story The Aristotelian, had just a cover image and no internal illustrations, or compression, it was 179 KB.
Since the AZT format is Kindle proprietary, i could not generate my own scanned ebooks. But I did buy Anthony Bourdaine's bio, and it was 1399 KB with NO illustrations.
I would be pleased as punch were some morons to buy my ebooks. Finding Time can be found at http://bit.ly/chooseft
And The Aristotelian, a teen-aged Sherlock Holmes story from Mycroft's perspective, can be found from there.
The relative inefficiency of textual versus vector encoding goes a long way toward explaining the file size bloat you saw. Moreover, had the book you examined been produced by a traditional publisher, s/he/it may have had a vested interest in bloating the size of the overpriced tome they put up for the Kindle.
It is a matter of format. You have .epub which is used by everyone who is not Amazon. And Calibre is a great tool for converting non-DRM ebooks to your favorite formats.
In the Kindle universe, there is .mobi, and .azw whose history are worthy of a blog post. Remind me to get to that.
DRM (which you won't find on my books) is crypto applied on top of that. Key generation is based on your Kindle's serial number.
Kindle formats are either text-based or vector-based. The latter is to facilitate scanning books for rapidly filling the Kindle library with titles from less-than enthusiastic publishers who won't pony up the original texts' source code.
.Mobi files are sort of HTML (optimized for Palm Pilots) zipped together and maybe (or maybe not) compressed. Compression is a PITA, but the publisher may want to explore using it. Amazon charges the publisher a transmission fee for large ebooks.
For my anthology Finding Time, I commissioned a beautiful image for each story and included them in the ebook. The imagery, after compression, made the download 1597 KB. I forget what it was before compression, but I would not be surprised if it were 5x larger.
Conversely, my short story The Aristotelian, had just a cover image and no internal illustrations, or compression, it was 179 KB.
Since the AZT format is Kindle proprietary, i could not generate my own scanned ebooks. But I did buy Anthony Bourdaine's bio, and it was 1399 KB with NO illustrations.
I would be pleased as punch were some morons to buy my ebooks. Finding Time can be found at http://bit.ly/chooseft
And The Aristotelian, a teen-aged Sherlock Holmes story from Mycroft's perspective, can be found from there.
Posted by: Steve Poling at November 08, 2015 09:55 AM (db5YN)
73
With what has been done to employment and marriage (both conceptually and legally) I don't blame millennial men one damn bit.
"Get a job." Give me a break.
"Get an education." Easier for women to do these days.
"Raise a family." Look at the ocean of neurotic, narcissistic women that millennial men have to pick from. Then enjoy getting a divorce after three years of marriage and a kid and all the life altering consequences that follow.
That book is at least 10 years behind the times.
"Get a job." Give me a break.
"Get an education." Easier for women to do these days.
"Raise a family." Look at the ocean of neurotic, narcissistic women that millennial men have to pick from. Then enjoy getting a divorce after three years of marriage and a kid and all the life altering consequences that follow.
That book is at least 10 years behind the times.
Posted by: Burn the Witch at November 08, 2015 09:55 AM (Wckf4)
74
I can't think of a book more locked into its time period than AiW, so I wonder how much of the Victorian-era puns, references, and cultural assumptions actually gets preserved.
As time goes on, the lack of that cultural understanding makes the story even *more* surreal.
As time goes on, the lack of that cultural understanding makes the story even *more* surreal.
Posted by: Jeff Weimer at November 08, 2015 09:59 AM (hIefj)
75
Ugh, I watched part of the HBO "The Casual Vacancy" miniseries and it was just slip-your-wrists depressing. Every character is awful. Checked IMDB and apparently HBO made the ending *less* depressing than the book.
Will never read that book.
Will never read that book.
Posted by: Lizzy at November 08, 2015 10:02 AM (NOIQH)
76
Thanks Oregon Muse for another interesting thread. As for Good Reads, tossed my novel Golden Isis up for voting. Can't hurt right?
Artisanal'ette, friend with nine books out says BookBlurb works to noticeably increase book sales. But it also costs $$$.
Checked out of the library a book that costs over $200 on Amazon named Spying for the Fuhrer: Hitler's Espionage Machine. It is helping me acquire a better understanding of all the various cloakdagger going on prior to and during WWII as I write the Rome sequel to Golden Isis. Interesting that Heydrich was a protege of Canaris and it seems Raeder cut him loose from the Kriegsmarine so Heydrich could head the NSDAP SD. Which turned out, in hindsight, not to be a good idea.
For those who want some action and not so subtle swipe at Gaylord. Soft Target by Stephen Hunter. How can Islamic terrorists take over the Mall of America on Black Friday? Who is their mastermind? Can Ray Cruz, trapped inside with his finacee, take the war to the terrorists while the Colonel of the state police, poster child of Progressive White Guilt, issues soothing BS to the press and prevents his SWAT commander from moving. It is pretty fast paced.
Artisanal'ette, friend with nine books out says BookBlurb works to noticeably increase book sales. But it also costs $$$.
Checked out of the library a book that costs over $200 on Amazon named Spying for the Fuhrer: Hitler's Espionage Machine. It is helping me acquire a better understanding of all the various cloakdagger going on prior to and during WWII as I write the Rome sequel to Golden Isis. Interesting that Heydrich was a protege of Canaris and it seems Raeder cut him loose from the Kriegsmarine so Heydrich could head the NSDAP SD. Which turned out, in hindsight, not to be a good idea.
For those who want some action and not so subtle swipe at Gaylord. Soft Target by Stephen Hunter. How can Islamic terrorists take over the Mall of America on Black Friday? Who is their mastermind? Can Ray Cruz, trapped inside with his finacee, take the war to the terrorists while the Colonel of the state police, poster child of Progressive White Guilt, issues soothing BS to the press and prevents his SWAT commander from moving. It is pretty fast paced.
Posted by: Anna Puma at November 08, 2015 10:03 AM (phD3U)
77
osted by: Steve Poling at November 08, 2015 09:55 AM (db5YN)
Good to "see" you again. I was wondering recently how you were doing and if you had anything new written. I suspect that "Do you have anything new written?" becomes the bane of an independent author's existence.
Good to "see" you again. I was wondering recently how you were doing and if you had anything new written. I suspect that "Do you have anything new written?" becomes the bane of an independent author's existence.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at November 08, 2015 10:04 AM (GDulk)
78
Reteturn of Kings blog seems to fit with why there is a lack of urgency of millennial, and even gen X, men wanting to get married and take on a mortgage. Top that with mounting debt, lack of employment oppoturnities, hostile social environments (colleges, family courts, TV) and the out right desturcion of male spheres (military, football, etc...) this is what you get. Certain segments of society openly declare hatred (war on women, black lives matter, LARAZA, etc..), pushed by poltical machinations, of other members of society that resembles a cult and are rewarded for it.
Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at November 08, 2015 10:07 AM (KW+jd)
79
Senator Leia Organa to R2-D2, "R2, when did you get a back massager installed?"
Posted by: Anna Puma at November 08, 2015 10:07 AM (phD3U)
80
62 It is a scientifically-settled fact that baldness at the early age of 60 can only be caused by an excess of virility.
Posted by: Stringer Davis at November 08, 2015 09:47 AM (xq1UY)
I showed this to Mrs. Muse and she said, 'yeah, you're excessively virile in the same way you're a national treasure."
Posted by: Stringer Davis at November 08, 2015 09:47 AM (xq1UY)
I showed this to Mrs. Muse and she said, 'yeah, you're excessively virile in the same way you're a national treasure."
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 10:07 AM (gvtuJ)
81
Stil haven't got a Amazon book, but found at Gutenberg.org the First Offensive- The Marines at Guadalcanal and getting close to 1/2 way. Still reading History of Frederick II but needed a break of from a dry account of European Royalty.
Posted by: Skip at November 08, 2015 10:08 AM (JWMFs)
82
sorry, nothing new written. I find that losing about 95 lbs takes a lot of time exercising in such a way that it is difficult to write stories, but significantly easier to write software. And software pays better. i should write up "how to lose a lot of weight for $100 + 1 weekend + 11 months walking 10 miles/day." But that last bit sort of gives away the secret.
Posted by: Steve Poling at November 08, 2015 10:10 AM (db5YN)
83
As one may guess I spent as a kid many hours in book stores looking at and reading books I couldn't get while rest of family was shopping at the mall for hours.
Posted by: Skip at November 08, 2015 10:12 AM (JWMFs)
84
Crowd source book stocking? In Athens that was called democracy. And Socrates drank the hemlock.
Posted by: Anna Puma at November 08, 2015 10:12 AM (phD3U)
85
Posted by: Jeff Weimer at November 08, 2015 09:59 AM (hIefj)
I recently watched The Mikado for the first time and had that problem because all the info says it's satire of British politics, but nothing said *what specific* politics or policies it was satirizing, so it was mostly just very silly fluff with a couple of cute songs. I suspect it meant a lot more to the original audiences who were familiar with the larger social context. Which makes me wonder if satire often has a limited shelf life.
I recently watched The Mikado for the first time and had that problem because all the info says it's satire of British politics, but nothing said *what specific* politics or policies it was satirizing, so it was mostly just very silly fluff with a couple of cute songs. I suspect it meant a lot more to the original audiences who were familiar with the larger social context. Which makes me wonder if satire often has a limited shelf life.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at November 08, 2015 10:12 AM (GDulk)
86
I am an old fart and I can never remember a time when you could finish HS, get a job, buy a house, and get married. The only people who did that were sons of the very wealthy and they had a step added to go to college and the job they got usually involved working for daddy.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015
Residing near an urban area without a bloated housing market made those goals plausible only ten years ago--and without any nepotism.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015
Residing near an urban area without a bloated housing market made those goals plausible only ten years ago--and without any nepotism.
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 10:13 AM (jT+gh)
87
On of the authors of Heavy lifting was on Dennis Prager last week so it's possible they are making the rounds on talk radio.
Posted by: Skip at November 08, 2015 10:14 AM (JWMFs)
88
Congratulations to "Breaker Morant's Least Favorite Prisoner" on being the 100th member of the AoSHQ Moron Horde goodreads group!
Link to the group in my sig.
Link to the group in my sig.
Posted by: cool breeze at November 08, 2015 10:17 AM (6Cu7i)
89
I got a Kindle copy of "Celia Garth" last week after Tammy al-Thor mentioned Gwen Bristow. I will undoubtedly also pick up "Jubilee Trail" and "Calico Palace" at some point.
Finished "Celia Garth" lickety-split, and now I am trying to decide what's next on my Kindle. I'm thinking I should read "The Devil's Pleasure Palace" lest I start feeling even a teensy bit optimistic. But I also need to have a novel going for bedtime.
Ah ha! I have a couple of Michael Crichtons I haven't read yet. I think I'll start with "Airframe" and safe "State of Fear" for later.
Still reading "The Africans" by David Lamb. Even though he's a reporter, he doesn't seem to care much for the Russians. But the book was published in 1982 and things were a wee bit clearer then, maybe even if you were a reporter.
Finished "Celia Garth" lickety-split, and now I am trying to decide what's next on my Kindle. I'm thinking I should read "The Devil's Pleasure Palace" lest I start feeling even a teensy bit optimistic. But I also need to have a novel going for bedtime.
Ah ha! I have a couple of Michael Crichtons I haven't read yet. I think I'll start with "Airframe" and safe "State of Fear" for later.
Still reading "The Africans" by David Lamb. Even though he's a reporter, he doesn't seem to care much for the Russians. But the book was published in 1982 and things were a wee bit clearer then, maybe even if you were a reporter.
Posted by: Tonestaple at November 08, 2015 10:17 AM (dCTrv)
90
I read the Sarah Hoyt 'blog post right before clicking to AoS this morning. Since Polliwog couldn't link to it, here you go: http://preview.tinyurl.com/obdpmfb
Posted by: Trimegistus at November 08, 2015 10:17 AM (K87dX)
91
Been working my way through "Wild Swans" by Jung Chang, a biography of three generations of women in China. The author's grandmother grew up before the revolution, her mother participated in the revolution, and she grew up in communist China. I'm a bit more than halfway through it.
Absolutely fascinating. The things that went on in China were just stunning. Various groups, untouchable because they are supported by high-level party members, attacking and torturing people due to rumors of some crimethink or badfeelz largely promulgated by folks with a grudge against them. Kind of an SJW Utopia.
Absolutely fascinating. The things that went on in China were just stunning. Various groups, untouchable because they are supported by high-level party members, attacking and torturing people due to rumors of some crimethink or badfeelz largely promulgated by folks with a grudge against them. Kind of an SJW Utopia.
Posted by: Anachronda at November 08, 2015 10:17 AM (d/MYT)
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 10:18 AM (jT+gh)
93
At a suggestion by OM, I looked into 'Tactics Time', a book of chess puzzles. It is aimed at near beginners (have to know how the pieces can move). In the course of solving the puzzles, the author introduces a number of approaches and tactics that can be used in any chess game. No doubt it will help improve your play but it is fun and diverting on its own, like doing a crossword or Sudoku.
I ordered volume one as a physical book but got the second volume on Kindle. The Kindle version works well, even on a small screen like the Paperwhite. Each puzzle is presented on one page and the solution and explanation on the following page. It's a good set up. (Before you ask, I haven't solved one correctly yet. I consider it a moral victory that my proposed moves are within the rules.)
I ordered volume one as a physical book but got the second volume on Kindle. The Kindle version works well, even on a small screen like the Paperwhite. Each puzzle is presented on one page and the solution and explanation on the following page. It's a good set up. (Before you ask, I haven't solved one correctly yet. I consider it a moral victory that my proposed moves are within the rules.)
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 10:18 AM (FvdPb)
94
Arghhhh! The Barrel!
Posted by: cool breeze at November 08, 2015 10:18 AM (6Cu7i)
95
And Cool Breeze please report to the Barrel.
Posted by: Anna Puma at November 08, 2015 10:18 AM (phD3U)
96
Lovely day to spend in the barrel.
Posted by: Trimegistus at November 08, 2015 10:18 AM (K87dX)
97
RE the amazon store
It's at University Village where parking is an unmitigated horror so I won't be checking it out any time soon. Besides, if I want a dead-tree book, why not just order it and wait the two days for it to show up at my mailbox where I do not have to fight for parking. I fail to see the attraction, unless for some bizarre reason, you like U Village.
It's at University Village where parking is an unmitigated horror so I won't be checking it out any time soon. Besides, if I want a dead-tree book, why not just order it and wait the two days for it to show up at my mailbox where I do not have to fight for parking. I fail to see the attraction, unless for some bizarre reason, you like U Village.
Posted by: Tonestaple at November 08, 2015 10:19 AM (dCTrv)
98
Greetings and salutations, O Book Thread!
Yeah, the Amazon book store... so I live in the Seattle area. Born here. Strangely, I don't like coffee. Anyway, that picture does not show the full scoop. The "mall" it is in (a pedestrian type open mall, strange enough in the rainfall capital of the country) is veddy, veddy upscale. The store across from the Amazon store is Tiffany's, to give you an idea. And the books are all stocked face out. ALL of them, meaning the product real estate is reduced compared to an ordinary bookstore. Further, there are no prices on the books since they can fluctuate. It appears there are scanners or you can use your smartphone to figure out what the price is from the Amazon website. Further sharp yipping and whining from the usual legacy publishing press indicates to the knowledgeable that indie books are being co-mingled with REAL books, further contributing to the breakdown in society, global warming, and the presence of kale in everything.
There. Is. No. Way. Amazon is making money on this store. I can't even imagine the rent on this place, given the location. Bookstores never have good margin, and there they are in the middle of Spendytown. The employees are making well *over* Seattle minimum wage, too. Probably just to thumb noses at the socialists on the Seattle city council.
Speculation is this is a data lab for Amazon. They deliberately picked the location for data purposes. The no-prices thing on books will yield some very interesting information. How many people pick up a book, scan the price, and put it back? How many books are picked up and *never* scanned? (meaning, I will buy this book whatever the price). What books get bought regardlesss of price, and what books are bought after checking, and what books are bought with them? Companies KILL for data like that. Besides good customer service, the thing Amazon does better than anyone else is data analysis. They know what data to get and what it means in the grand scheme of getting money from customers and keeping them happy about that.
I am looking forward to the many, many articles flailing about, waving their arms and warning of the impending Amazon apocalypse (and getting it all wrong).
Oh, and in books.. currently reading the latest Butcher and enjoying it so far. Steampunk and talking cats!
Yeah, the Amazon book store... so I live in the Seattle area. Born here. Strangely, I don't like coffee. Anyway, that picture does not show the full scoop. The "mall" it is in (a pedestrian type open mall, strange enough in the rainfall capital of the country) is veddy, veddy upscale. The store across from the Amazon store is Tiffany's, to give you an idea. And the books are all stocked face out. ALL of them, meaning the product real estate is reduced compared to an ordinary bookstore. Further, there are no prices on the books since they can fluctuate. It appears there are scanners or you can use your smartphone to figure out what the price is from the Amazon website. Further sharp yipping and whining from the usual legacy publishing press indicates to the knowledgeable that indie books are being co-mingled with REAL books, further contributing to the breakdown in society, global warming, and the presence of kale in everything.
There. Is. No. Way. Amazon is making money on this store. I can't even imagine the rent on this place, given the location. Bookstores never have good margin, and there they are in the middle of Spendytown. The employees are making well *over* Seattle minimum wage, too. Probably just to thumb noses at the socialists on the Seattle city council.
Speculation is this is a data lab for Amazon. They deliberately picked the location for data purposes. The no-prices thing on books will yield some very interesting information. How many people pick up a book, scan the price, and put it back? How many books are picked up and *never* scanned? (meaning, I will buy this book whatever the price). What books get bought regardlesss of price, and what books are bought after checking, and what books are bought with them? Companies KILL for data like that. Besides good customer service, the thing Amazon does better than anyone else is data analysis. They know what data to get and what it means in the grand scheme of getting money from customers and keeping them happy about that.
I am looking forward to the many, many articles flailing about, waving their arms and warning of the impending Amazon apocalypse (and getting it all wrong).
Oh, and in books.. currently reading the latest Butcher and enjoying it so far. Steampunk and talking cats!
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at November 08, 2015 10:19 AM (GG9V6)
99
When I'm calling, yooouuuu-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooooooo!
Cool Breeze, please report. i have a surprise for you.
When I'm calling, yooouuuu-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooooooo!
Cool Breeze, please report. i have a surprise for you.
Posted by: The Barrel at November 08, 2015 10:19 AM (KUa85)
100
In fact, Loconte provides the background of cultural and social changes that contributed to WW I and the disillusionment in religion and faith and established norms afterward. This was the world Tolkien and Lewis experienced growing up and as young men and their reaction to it as they wrote.
--------------------------------------
The strange result of WWI was the loss of faith. I can understand governmental institutions being blamed. But the answer seemed to be to demand more government to create utopia. Christianity was already declining in Europe by the time of WWI. How faith was lost by WWI happening when Christianity had nothing to do with it, I don't know.
--------------------------------------
The strange result of WWI was the loss of faith. I can understand governmental institutions being blamed. But the answer seemed to be to demand more government to create utopia. Christianity was already declining in Europe by the time of WWI. How faith was lost by WWI happening when Christianity had nothing to do with it, I don't know.
Posted by: WOPR at November 08, 2015 10:22 AM (LTDSy)
101
I sense an interesting book in the offering- Brick Amazon: Data-Mining Seattle, Serving Good Coffee, and Taking Over the World.
Posted by: Anna Puma at November 08, 2015 10:23 AM (phD3U)
102
The show is mostly well-scripted
Be sure and disable your ace-trained eye before watching, way too many we did this ridiculous thing this asinine way to get this really looks cool shot.
Spoiler:
ferinstance the pilot has a group out in the middle of nowhere Antartica attacked by a Russian helicopter gunship and some people escape. Pretty sure they'd all be toast.
Then same gunship goes and attacks the destroyer and you actually see it in the same shot where actually it'd never clear the horizon.
etc:
but
Rhona Mitra - if smoking hot and expressionless less is your thing.
Be sure and disable your ace-trained eye before watching, way too many we did this ridiculous thing this asinine way to get this really looks cool shot.
Spoiler:
ferinstance the pilot has a group out in the middle of nowhere Antartica attacked by a Russian helicopter gunship and some people escape. Pretty sure they'd all be toast.
Then same gunship goes and attacks the destroyer and you actually see it in the same shot where actually it'd never clear the horizon.
etc:
but
Rhona Mitra - if smoking hot and expressionless less is your thing.
Posted by: DaveA at November 08, 2015 10:23 AM (DL2i+)
103
Breaker Morant's "Least Favorite Prisoner"
The Barrel doesn't play favourites. All are as one in the oaky depths.
The Barrel doesn't play favourites. All are as one in the oaky depths.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 10:26 AM (y9ZKC)
104
Anna Puma we are voting for Golden Isis in Debut Goodreads Author since it is a category you only qualify for once.
Posted by: @votermom at November 08, 2015 10:26 AM (cbfNE)
105
91 Been working my way through "Wild Swans" by Jung Chang, a biography of three generations of women in China...The things that went on in China were just stunning. Various groups, untouchable because they are supported by high-level party members, attacking and torturing people due to rumors of some crimethink or badfeelz largely promulgated by folks with a grudge against them. Kind of an SJW Utopia.
Posted by: Anachronda at November 08, 2015 10:17 AM (d/MYT)
'Wild Swans' is a wonderful book. I wrote about it on the thread some time ago,. What went on in China during the 60s was absolutely crazy, as if the entire country had lost its collective mind. It is what this country would look like if the SJWs ran things.
The author of 'WS' also wrote a biography of Mao ZeDong which I haven't read, but is probably worth checking out, judging by the screeching one-star Amazon reviews posted by outraged Mao apologists.
Posted by: Anachronda at November 08, 2015 10:17 AM (d/MYT)
'Wild Swans' is a wonderful book. I wrote about it on the thread some time ago,. What went on in China during the 60s was absolutely crazy, as if the entire country had lost its collective mind. It is what this country would look like if the SJWs ran things.
The author of 'WS' also wrote a biography of Mao ZeDong which I haven't read, but is probably worth checking out, judging by the screeching one-star Amazon reviews posted by outraged Mao apologists.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 10:27 AM (gvtuJ)
106
Good morning! Thanks to those who took a look at my little novel, To Save Us All From Ruin. I hope if you read it you enjoyed it. If anyone has some feedback I would welcome it, whether here or via e-mail to seamus_muldoon at the yahoo dotcom. If you think it worthy of a review on Amazon feel free to do so.
Still awaiting final proofs on the paperback version, but should be available early this coming week. Thanks again. And thanks again for the plug last week OM.
Still awaiting final proofs on the paperback version, but should be available early this coming week. Thanks again. And thanks again for the plug last week OM.
Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at November 08, 2015 10:28 AM (NeFrd)
107
...looks like Soros fingerprints all over that Mizzou Football thing...
The only reason they got into the school was because they were willing to play football. Now what, are they threatening to go to class instead?
The only reason they got into the school was because they were willing to play football. Now what, are they threatening to go to class instead?
Posted by: t-bird at November 08, 2015 10:28 AM (OLNwX)
108
*snickers at cool breeze's rookie mistake
*bakes pumpkin pie with metal file inside to smuggle to cool breeze
*bakes pumpkin pie with metal file inside to smuggle to cool breeze
Posted by: @votermom at November 08, 2015 10:29 AM (cbfNE)
109
I got to meet (well, get a book signed by) Jung Chang. This was the biography of Dowager Empress Ci Xi.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 10:29 AM (y9ZKC)
110
And I'mI identify as a 60 year old bald guy.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 09:45 AM (gvtuJ)
Sex and physical appearance are social constructs.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 09:45 AM (gvtuJ)
Sex and physical appearance are social constructs.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 08, 2015 10:29 AM (Zu3d9)
111
Sex and physical appearance are social constructs.
Also age.
Which allows for perpetual 39-year-old status.
Sex and physical appearance are social constructs.
Also age.
Which allows for perpetual 39-year-old status.
Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at November 08, 2015 10:30 AM (oVJmc)
112
The "mall" it is in (a pedestrian type open mall, strange enough in the rainfall capital of the country) is veddy, veddy upscale.
----------------------------------------
Toledo has a couple like that. Yeah, why would anyone build an open air mall in an area like Toledo where the weather is cruddy eight months of the year? The never spoken reason is that it discourages the youts. Toledo's one remaining in-door mall is beset by yout violence. It's the same reason a lot of suburbs fight being put on bus or passenger rail lines.
----------------------------------------
Toledo has a couple like that. Yeah, why would anyone build an open air mall in an area like Toledo where the weather is cruddy eight months of the year? The never spoken reason is that it discourages the youts. Toledo's one remaining in-door mall is beset by yout violence. It's the same reason a lot of suburbs fight being put on bus or passenger rail lines.
Posted by: WOPR at November 08, 2015 10:31 AM (LTDSy)
113
Now think about how today's divorce laws really
screw over the man.
Posted by: ElKomandante at November 08, 2015 09:33 AM (Ql4Nd)
Don't get me started.
screw over the man.
Posted by: ElKomandante at November 08, 2015 09:33 AM (Ql4Nd)
Don't get me started.
Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at November 08, 2015 10:31 AM (yxw0r)
114
Thank you VoterMom, Muldoon's new book needs that treatment also.
Posted by: Anna Puma at November 08, 2015 10:32 AM (phD3U)
115
How faith was lost by WWI happening when Christianity had nothing to do with it, I don't know.
This book might be of interest:
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/was-world-war-i-the-last-crusade/
This book might be of interest:
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/was-world-war-i-the-last-crusade/
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 10:32 AM (y9ZKC)
116
I can never get my Samsung to read e-books on the 32G card.
You might search around here
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/
I've had good luck with ereader tech ? there before.
You might search around here
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/
I've had good luck with ereader tech ? there before.
Posted by: DaveA at November 08, 2015 10:32 AM (DL2i+)
117
Posted by: Anachronda at November 08, 2015 10:17 AM (d/MYT)
I have that one in my Kindle library and need to read it at some point.
I have that one in my Kindle library and need to read it at some point.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at November 08, 2015 10:32 AM (GDulk)
118
If anyone wants to purchase Muldoon's book through Ace's Amazon store, use this link:
http://tinyurl.com/pdlka6q (too long to paste the original)
or follow this one to the purchase screen:
http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/B017AKV03I
http://tinyurl.com/pdlka6q (too long to paste the original)
or follow this one to the purchase screen:
http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/B017AKV03I
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 08, 2015 10:33 AM (Zu3d9)
119
The Barrel doesn't play favourites. All are as one in the oaky depths.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 10:26 AM (y9ZKC)
We all float down here. Oh, yes! And you'll float, too!
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 10:26 AM (y9ZKC)
We all float down here. Oh, yes! And you'll float, too!
Posted by: Barrelwise the Dancing Clown at November 08, 2015 10:34 AM (yxw0r)
120
@65 Thanks, Vic. The issue appears to be the Kindle app.
Turns out that there is (total?) 2 GB storage in my e-ink Kindle. (Not sure how much is free, but is always plenty for the way I use the device.)
There is just over 5 GB free on the $50 Fire tablet. No point in buying an SD card since I'm just going to use it for books.
It will be really nice to be able to borrow Axis 360 books from the library and read them on a bigger screen than my phone.
Turns out that there is (total?) 2 GB storage in my e-ink Kindle. (Not sure how much is free, but is always plenty for the way I use the device.)
There is just over 5 GB free on the $50 Fire tablet. No point in buying an SD card since I'm just going to use it for books.
It will be really nice to be able to borrow Axis 360 books from the library and read them on a bigger screen than my phone.
Posted by: doug at November 08, 2015 10:34 AM (Xc5cV)
121
Muldoon & Elisabeth are on the "ballot" under historical fiction.
Posted by: @votermom at November 08, 2015 10:35 AM (cbfNE)
Posted by: bob marley at November 08, 2015 10:35 AM (7v/r5)
123
Even though I cleaned up cool breeze's unsightly mess at #88, that doesn't excuse him from doing hard time in The Barrel this morning.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 10:36 AM (gvtuJ)
124
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 08, 2015 10:33 AM (Zu3d9)
****
Thanks CBD. I haven't been able to figure out how to do that.
****
Thanks CBD. I haven't been able to figure out how to do that.
Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at November 08, 2015 10:36 AM (NeFrd)
125
Don't get me started.
Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at November 08, 2015 10:31 AM (yxw0r)
---
Yes, please don't.
Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at November 08, 2015 10:31 AM (yxw0r)
---
Yes, please don't.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Michigangsta at November 08, 2015 10:36 AM (jR7Wy)
126
Be sure and disable your ace-trained eye before watching, way too many we did this ridiculous thing this asinine way to get this really looks cool shot.
We started watching The Last Ship when it first came on because Adam Baldwin. A couple of episodes in and we were hooked despite all the inconsistencies. It's nice to have well-defined good guys and bad guys, especially when the good guys aren't SJW's trying to do some stupid SJW crap like "saving teh planit."
We started watching The Last Ship when it first came on because Adam Baldwin. A couple of episodes in and we were hooked despite all the inconsistencies. It's nice to have well-defined good guys and bad guys, especially when the good guys aren't SJW's trying to do some stupid SJW crap like "saving teh planit."
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at November 08, 2015 10:38 AM (LUgeY)
127
Thanks for the barrel extraction, OregonMuse. Tasty pumpkin pie, votermom *crunch*
Posted by: cool breeze at November 08, 2015 10:39 AM (6Cu7i)
128
How faith was lost by WWI happening when Christianity had nothing to do with it, I don't know.
This book might be of interest:
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/was-world-war-i-the-last-crusade/
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 10:32 AM (y9ZKC)
Most of the utes at that time were brought up in school and in the Church to believe in God, Country and Family and when they eagerly went to war in 1914 the blundering and horror inflicted on them by their leaders led many to question all three. I believe in "All Quiet on the Western Front" the author's teacher in high school called them the "iron youth" who would go forth and win for Germany which brought wry laughter from the author in the trenches. Erich Remarque I believe is the writer.
This book might be of interest:
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/was-world-war-i-the-last-crusade/
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 10:32 AM (y9ZKC)
Most of the utes at that time were brought up in school and in the Church to believe in God, Country and Family and when they eagerly went to war in 1914 the blundering and horror inflicted on them by their leaders led many to question all three. I believe in "All Quiet on the Western Front" the author's teacher in high school called them the "iron youth" who would go forth and win for Germany which brought wry laughter from the author in the trenches. Erich Remarque I believe is the writer.
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 08, 2015 10:39 AM (ej1L0)
129
118 If anyone wants to purchase Muldoon's book through Ace's Amazon store, use this link:
http://tinyurl.com/pdlka6q (too long to paste the original)
or follow this one to the purchase screen:
http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/B017AKV03I
--
Please just use the astore one!
I just signed up for that amazon linky thing (for a blog I setting up) and learned that shortened urls are not legit and could cause amazon to suspend ace's affiliate account if they catch it.
Safest would be to click on the ace astore on the ace.mu.nu upper right, then search for the book under the category Kindle.
Muldoon's book is To Save Us All From Ruin by James Schroeder
http://tinyurl.com/pdlka6q (too long to paste the original)
or follow this one to the purchase screen:
http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/B017AKV03I
--
Please just use the astore one!
I just signed up for that amazon linky thing (for a blog I setting up) and learned that shortened urls are not legit and could cause amazon to suspend ace's affiliate account if they catch it.
Safest would be to click on the ace astore on the ace.mu.nu upper right, then search for the book under the category Kindle.
Muldoon's book is To Save Us All From Ruin by James Schroeder
Posted by: @votermom at November 08, 2015 10:40 AM (cbfNE)
130
105
'Wild Swans' is a wonderful book. I wrote about it on the thread some time ago,.
Probably why I picked it up. Just one more example of the book thread enriching my life by deflating my wallet.
'Wild Swans' is a wonderful book. I wrote about it on the thread some time ago,.
Probably why I picked it up. Just one more example of the book thread enriching my life by deflating my wallet.
Posted by: Anachronda at November 08, 2015 10:41 AM (d/MYT)
131
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
-Groucho Marx
Posted by: BackwardsBoy
*****
That is never NOT funny!
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
-Groucho Marx
Posted by: BackwardsBoy
*****
That is never NOT funny!
Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at November 08, 2015 10:41 AM (NeFrd)
132
This book might be of interest:
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/was-world-war-i-the-last-crusade/
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 10:32 AM (y9ZKC)
Interesting. Thanks.
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/was-world-war-i-the-last-crusade/
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 08, 2015 10:32 AM (y9ZKC)
Interesting. Thanks.
Posted by: WOPR at November 08, 2015 10:42 AM (LTDSy)
133
Sex and physical appearance are social constructs.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 08, 2015 10:29 AM (Zu3d9)
Of course. I could be a busty blond MILF.
With naughty librarian glasses. This is the book thread, after all.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 08, 2015 10:29 AM (Zu3d9)
Of course. I could be a busty blond MILF.
With naughty librarian glasses. This is the book thread, after all.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 10:43 AM (gvtuJ)
134
I like The Last Ship.
Posted by: @votermom at November 08, 2015 10:44 AM (cbfNE)
135
amazon bloat? nsa tracking.....?
Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at November 08, 2015 10:45 AM (0O7c5)
136
I've enjoyed both seasons of The Last Ship, one of the few shows I'm watching. Amazon's The Man In The High Castle, based on the Philip K Dick book, had an awesome pilot and they've just started season one.
Read Life Unworthy by Christopher Taylor, which is based in 1940's Poland with a werewolf and Nazis. The setting feels realistic with the Poles dealing with their occupiers and the politics among the Nazi leaders, and the werewolf story is done very well with a lot of exciting action.
Listened to The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson, a fantasy with an interesting magic system. Liked the characters and story, had some trouble understanding the world (What is the mist? Why is the sky no longer blue? etc.) but enjoyed it.
Read I, Robot by Isaac Asimov, a series of short stories knitted pretty well into a cohesive whole. It's where he introduced the 3 laws of robotics. Most stories were very good, one or two less successful.
Read Life Unworthy by Christopher Taylor, which is based in 1940's Poland with a werewolf and Nazis. The setting feels realistic with the Poles dealing with their occupiers and the politics among the Nazi leaders, and the werewolf story is done very well with a lot of exciting action.
Listened to The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson, a fantasy with an interesting magic system. Liked the characters and story, had some trouble understanding the world (What is the mist? Why is the sky no longer blue? etc.) but enjoyed it.
Read I, Robot by Isaac Asimov, a series of short stories knitted pretty well into a cohesive whole. It's where he introduced the 3 laws of robotics. Most stories were very good, one or two less successful.
Posted by: waelse1 at November 08, 2015 10:45 AM (/shCV)
137
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 08, 2015 10:39 AM (ej1L0)
That seems to be what the author argues in the book recommended by bth. Although I would say it is less Christianity and more of a religious propaganda arm of the state. Think like the leftist churches of today that spend their time talking about global warming and SJW issues than actual religious matters.
That seems to be what the author argues in the book recommended by bth. Although I would say it is less Christianity and more of a religious propaganda arm of the state. Think like the leftist churches of today that spend their time talking about global warming and SJW issues than actual religious matters.
Posted by: WOPR at November 08, 2015 10:46 AM (LTDSy)
138
100 ... WOPR, The book shows that WW I amplified the ongoing loss of faith and wasn't the only cause. Established religions, or at least influential leaders, in Europe and America supported government policy as to the war and, strangely, the use of science to improve mankind. Social Darwinism, eugenics, emphasis on a central authority because the great unwashed can't be trusted to do the 'right' thing, and generally an intellectual elite (hello, Woodrow Wilson) to direct lesser enlightened people. Also, any deviation from that central authority was to be crushed. Lewis was explicit about that in 'That Hideous Strength". This sounds very familiar to progressives today.
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 10:49 AM (FvdPb)
139
#138, I'm seeing the germ of next week's book thread developing even now. I may be stealing quite liberally from your comments.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 10:56 AM (gvtuJ)
140
Men will start being men again when women stop being men.
Posted by: Emmett Milbarge at November 08, 2015 10:58 AM (nFdGS)
141
Question for those more familiar with CS Lewis' apologia. In 'Mere Christianity' and 'Abolition of Man', I get the impression he is dealing with the importance of faith for the individual more than the importance of an established religion. I know these call for more than a single reading, but am I on the right interpretive track?
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 10:59 AM (FvdPb)
142
119, Barrelwise, seriously hating you right now. That was King's absolute creepiest book, and the TV version didn't totally suck either. I can still hear Tim Curry saying that about floating.
Posted by: Tonestaple at November 08, 2015 10:59 AM (dCTrv)
143
"Jaws" is a great example of a meh book being turned into an outstanding film.
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at November 08, 2015 11:00 AM (B8JRQ)
144
I remember in the early days of the internetz reading an article about how the cargo manifests of 17th century ships showed a prodigious amount of hold space taken up by various forms of alcohol, notably rum and ale.
No great mystery. Wine and grog in ship's stores kept the crew occupied during the long, monotonous voyages.
As for the booze being transported as cargo? Simply good business practice. Booze commanded good prices, maximizing profit per cubic foot of hold space in the ship.
That was also the main cause of the Whiskey Rebellion. Western farmers found it more profitable to use their surplus grain to distill whiskey, and it was much more economical to transport whiskey over the mountains east to market than transporting grain. The new excise tax was seen as specifically targeting western farmers to benefit eastern distilleries.
I remember in the early days of the internetz reading an article about how the cargo manifests of 17th century ships showed a prodigious amount of hold space taken up by various forms of alcohol, notably rum and ale.
No great mystery. Wine and grog in ship's stores kept the crew occupied during the long, monotonous voyages.
As for the booze being transported as cargo? Simply good business practice. Booze commanded good prices, maximizing profit per cubic foot of hold space in the ship.
That was also the main cause of the Whiskey Rebellion. Western farmers found it more profitable to use their surplus grain to distill whiskey, and it was much more economical to transport whiskey over the mountains east to market than transporting grain. The new excise tax was seen as specifically targeting western farmers to benefit eastern distilleries.
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at November 08, 2015 11:01 AM (o98Jz)
145
142
119, Barrelwise, seriously hating you right now. That was King's
absolute creepiest book, and the TV version didn't totally suck either.
I can still hear Tim Curry saying that about floating.
Posted by: Tonestaple at November 08, 2015 10:59 AM (dCTrv)
Yeah, but it turned out I was just a giant spider. Deadlines, you know.
119, Barrelwise, seriously hating you right now. That was King's
absolute creepiest book, and the TV version didn't totally suck either.
I can still hear Tim Curry saying that about floating.
Posted by: Tonestaple at November 08, 2015 10:59 AM (dCTrv)
Yeah, but it turned out I was just a giant spider. Deadlines, you know.
Posted by: Barrelwise the Dancing Clown at November 08, 2015 11:01 AM (yxw0r)
146
139 ... OM, Feel free to help yourself.
And thanks, as always, for the book thread and the chess suggestions.
Hmmm. I'm 62 and still have all my hair. Maybe it's time to start worrying. Oh dear!
And thanks, as always, for the book thread and the chess suggestions.
Hmmm. I'm 62 and still have all my hair. Maybe it's time to start worrying. Oh dear!
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 11:03 AM (FvdPb)
147
I hate people and their phones. In Bangladesh, a 13 y/o was beaten to death by his employer and people film it. A 12 y/o is beaten, begs for his life, and then an air hose is shoved up his butt and turned on killing him. Again, people just film it. Is this video/vine/selfie crap ever going to end??
Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at November 08, 2015 11:04 AM (iQIUe)
148
George Clintonopolis was interviewing Bernie, Sanders needs to go back to 1920 Russia were he came from
Posted by: Skip at November 08, 2015 11:05 AM (JWMFs)
149
145 142
119, Barrelwise, seriously hating you right now. That was King's
absolute creepiest book, and the TV version didn't totally suck either.
I can still hear Tim Curry saying that about floating.
Posted by: Tonestaple at November 08, 2015 10:59 AM (dCTrv)
Yeah, but it turned out I was just a giant spider. Deadlines, you know.
Posted by: Barrelwise the Dancing Clown at November 08, 2015 11:01 AM (yxw0r)
Even worse, it's King's go-to villain when he gets lazy.
Space Aliens.
Specifically, a Space Alien Spider.
*groan*
145 142
119, Barrelwise, seriously hating you right now. That was King's
absolute creepiest book, and the TV version didn't totally suck either.
I can still hear Tim Curry saying that about floating.
Posted by: Tonestaple at November 08, 2015 10:59 AM (dCTrv)
Yeah, but it turned out I was just a giant spider. Deadlines, you know.
Posted by: Barrelwise the Dancing Clown at November 08, 2015 11:01 AM (yxw0r)
Even worse, it's King's go-to villain when he gets lazy.
Space Aliens.
Specifically, a Space Alien Spider.
*groan*
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at November 08, 2015 11:06 AM (o98Jz)
150
Bruce, I doubt it
Posted by: Skip at November 08, 2015 11:06 AM (JWMFs)
151
The author of 'WS' also wrote a biography of Mao
ZeDong which I haven't read, but is probably worth checking out, judging
by the screeching one-star Amazon reviews posted by outraged Mao
apologists. Posted by: Oregon Muse at November 08, 2015 10:27 AM
A superb biography of teh Chairman (The Private Life of Chairman Mao) was written by Dr Li Zhisui, who was his personal physician from the early 1950s right through to the end. Not terribly political, but an excellent book for understanding what went on in Mao's head.
Mao was a deeply strange dude, to put it mildly. His wife -- who Dr Li also treated occasionally -- was equally batshit.
Some years ago, I met a man whose wife came from Red China. They knew Dr Li, and spoke highly of his honesty and perception. I agree after reading the book.
ZeDong which I haven't read, but is probably worth checking out, judging
by the screeching one-star Amazon reviews posted by outraged Mao
apologists. Posted by: Oregon Muse at November 08, 2015 10:27 AM
A superb biography of teh Chairman (The Private Life of Chairman Mao) was written by Dr Li Zhisui, who was his personal physician from the early 1950s right through to the end. Not terribly political, but an excellent book for understanding what went on in Mao's head.
Mao was a deeply strange dude, to put it mildly. His wife -- who Dr Li also treated occasionally -- was equally batshit.
Some years ago, I met a man whose wife came from Red China. They knew Dr Li, and spoke highly of his honesty and perception. I agree after reading the book.
Posted by: MrScribbler at November 08, 2015 11:08 AM (OSULx)
152
Wow. The way the msm is poring through every page of Dr Carson's autobiography is amazing. They're making hundreds of phone calls to hundreds of people to confirm or deny his version of events.
Posted by: se pa moron at November 08, 2015 11:08 AM (7v/r5)
153
So what's the competive edge Amazon thinks it has over the other B&M bookstores in Seattle? I mean, other than its name?
I don't see this being anything but a huge money sink for Amazon, bit I do love to see real books on real shelves still.
I just finished Sunday Nights at Seven, about Jack Benny. Its written as a combination between the unfinished manuscript of Jack's autobiograpy and the thoughts and notes of his daughter Joan and was truly wonderful.
Also reading Tears of Heaven by R.A. McCandless, which is urban fantasy that takes several Biblical concepts such as the Nephilim, Angels, etc and turns it into a fantasy setting. As a non-Christian, McCandless sees this all as just fantastic fiction, but he weaves a fascinating tale of half-angels who are nearly immortal on earth living for millennia. In particular he focuses on a woman who is basically a hit man for God to wipe out rogue angels, demons, and fellow Nephilim who've gone bad.
The only flaws in the book so far are that she seems ridiculously dissatisfied and angry all the time, something that you'd get over after thousands of years I would think, and the writer seems to think that humans are "evolving" to become taller over the last 100 years or so. Not only is this ridiculously unscientific, but without a shred of biological support.
I don't see this being anything but a huge money sink for Amazon, bit I do love to see real books on real shelves still.
I just finished Sunday Nights at Seven, about Jack Benny. Its written as a combination between the unfinished manuscript of Jack's autobiograpy and the thoughts and notes of his daughter Joan and was truly wonderful.
Also reading Tears of Heaven by R.A. McCandless, which is urban fantasy that takes several Biblical concepts such as the Nephilim, Angels, etc and turns it into a fantasy setting. As a non-Christian, McCandless sees this all as just fantastic fiction, but he weaves a fascinating tale of half-angels who are nearly immortal on earth living for millennia. In particular he focuses on a woman who is basically a hit man for God to wipe out rogue angels, demons, and fellow Nephilim who've gone bad.
The only flaws in the book so far are that she seems ridiculously dissatisfied and angry all the time, something that you'd get over after thousands of years I would think, and the writer seems to think that humans are "evolving" to become taller over the last 100 years or so. Not only is this ridiculously unscientific, but without a shred of biological support.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:09 AM (39g3+)
154
Even Japanese robots use books to help solve crimes.
http://www.ufunk.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/selection-du-weekend-165-65.jpg
http://www.ufunk.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/selection-du-weekend-165-65.jpg
Posted by: Anna Puma at November 08, 2015 11:09 AM (phD3U)
155
Stereotype!!!
Pure speciist, white man privilege h8ing!!!!
Don't buy the hate and hype people!!!!
...
...
Now come over here.
Your brain smells delicious.
Stereotype!!!
Pure speciist, white man privilege h8ing!!!!
Don't buy the hate and hype people!!!!
...
...
Now come over here.
Your brain smells delicious.
Posted by: Space Alien Spider at November 08, 2015 11:10 AM (0cMkb)
156
Again, people just film it. Is this video/vine/selfie crap ever going to end??
Possibly, even probably, there will come a societal shift to shame that kind of thing... assuming things don't just collapse first.
Possibly, even probably, there will come a societal shift to shame that kind of thing... assuming things don't just collapse first.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:10 AM (39g3+)
157
Question for those more familiar with CS Lewis' apologia. In 'Mere Christianity' and 'Abolition of Man', I get the impression he is dealing with the importance of faith for the individual more than the importance of an established religion. I know these call for more than a single reading, but am I on the right interpretive track?
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 10:59 AM (FvdPb)
I've been reading Lewis for decades, and I don't know that he ever wrote about the importance or necessity of The Church as a visible institution. Perhaps in his mind it was neither, it's hard to say. He did write quite a lot about the importance AND necessity of individual faith, though, as you no doubt are seeing.
So I think what you say here is pretty much correct.
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 10:59 AM (FvdPb)
I've been reading Lewis for decades, and I don't know that he ever wrote about the importance or necessity of The Church as a visible institution. Perhaps in his mind it was neither, it's hard to say. He did write quite a lot about the importance AND necessity of individual faith, though, as you no doubt are seeing.
So I think what you say here is pretty much correct.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 11:10 AM (gvtuJ)
158
136 Listened to The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by
Brandon Sanderson, a fantasy with an interesting magic system. Liked
the characters and story, had some trouble understanding the world (What
is the mist? Why is the sky no longer blue? etc.) but enjoyed it.
Read I, Robot by Isaac Asimov, a series of short stories
knitted pretty well into a cohesive whole. It's where he introduced the
3 laws of robotics. Most stories were very good, one or two less
successful.
Posted by: waelse1 at November 08, 2015 10:45 AM (/shCV)
I have that original three book series for the Kindle when Amazon had a special sale on it as an omnibus. I liked it. The "mist" is a supernatural phenomena that only occurs at night. The boogers come out with the mist and everyone stays inside at night (I guess it is like werewolves). As for the sky I assumed this wasn't earth after all.
Brandon Sanderson, a fantasy with an interesting magic system. Liked
the characters and story, had some trouble understanding the world (What
is the mist? Why is the sky no longer blue? etc.) but enjoyed it.
Read I, Robot by Isaac Asimov, a series of short stories
knitted pretty well into a cohesive whole. It's where he introduced the
3 laws of robotics. Most stories were very good, one or two less
successful.
Posted by: waelse1 at November 08, 2015 10:45 AM (/shCV)
I have that original three book series for the Kindle when Amazon had a special sale on it as an omnibus. I liked it. The "mist" is a supernatural phenomena that only occurs at night. The boogers come out with the mist and everyone stays inside at night (I guess it is like werewolves). As for the sky I assumed this wasn't earth after all.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 11:10 AM (t2KH5)
159
Western farmers found it more profitable to use their surplus grain to
distill whiskey, and it was much more economical to transport whiskey
over the mountains east to market
I'm always amused when Pittsburgh, Cleveland or Akron are referred to as Western.
distill whiskey, and it was much more economical to transport whiskey
over the mountains east to market
I'm always amused when Pittsburgh, Cleveland or Akron are referred to as Western.
Posted by: DaveA at November 08, 2015 11:11 AM (DL2i+)
160
Posted by: waelse1 at November 08, 2015 10:45 AM (/shCV)
Sanderson routinely does that, as does Butcher. You have to read the entire series to get the answers, but in this case it is really only a trilogy instead of a huge series so it isn't too bad. I'm worried that Tor has made his Words of Radience series it's new Wheel of Time though and he won't be able to finish the proposed enormous number of gigantic books. Especially since he's doing his Reckoners series at the same time.
Sanderson routinely does that, as does Butcher. You have to read the entire series to get the answers, but in this case it is really only a trilogy instead of a huge series so it isn't too bad. I'm worried that Tor has made his Words of Radience series it's new Wheel of Time though and he won't be able to finish the proposed enormous number of gigantic books. Especially since he's doing his Reckoners series at the same time.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at November 08, 2015 11:11 AM (GDulk)
161
Good morning friends, fans, and strangers. Good morning.
I put up a new book - novella - two shorts thing - whatever, about a young Marine who falls into the hands of a coven of lusty wenches who are daughters of Ishtar, and what young man wouldn't want to fall into the hands of young lusty wenches. So there is a bit of ... of ... lust involved in the storytelling but that sets up the second part. See?
In the first part the lusty wenches, who claim to be daughters of Ishtar, children of Gods who came down from heaven, driven from their homeland by an evil usurper of power, forcing them to flee beyond the frontier. Ok, ya, whatever.
So in the second part, a young couple prospecting for exploitable resources out in the asteroid belt discover...
Well, anyway. It's 99 cents, 60k words, and doesn't have a happy ending. Doesn't have an ending.
http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/B017PM5F6O
Comments, reviews, rants, critique, or just plain insults welcome (Notice ME!), and I'm with the group on goodreads.
I put up a new book - novella - two shorts thing - whatever, about a young Marine who falls into the hands of a coven of lusty wenches who are daughters of Ishtar, and what young man wouldn't want to fall into the hands of young lusty wenches. So there is a bit of ... of ... lust involved in the storytelling but that sets up the second part. See?
In the first part the lusty wenches, who claim to be daughters of Ishtar, children of Gods who came down from heaven, driven from their homeland by an evil usurper of power, forcing them to flee beyond the frontier. Ok, ya, whatever.
So in the second part, a young couple prospecting for exploitable resources out in the asteroid belt discover...
Well, anyway. It's 99 cents, 60k words, and doesn't have a happy ending. Doesn't have an ending.
http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/B017PM5F6O
Comments, reviews, rants, critique, or just plain insults welcome (Notice ME!), and I'm with the group on goodreads.
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 11:12 AM (+80HE)
162
Bruce, I doubt it
Posted by: Skip at November 08, 2015 11:06 AM (JWMFs)
Damn....air hose up the arse...jeez.
Posted by: Skip at November 08, 2015 11:06 AM (JWMFs)
Damn....air hose up the arse...jeez.
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 08, 2015 11:14 AM (ej1L0)
163
I get the impression he is dealing with the importance of faith for the individual more than the importance of an established religion.
Lewis didn't argue for theology so much as for faith and truth. He was more interested in apologetics than Theology, so his focus was on defending the faith, concepts such as sin, divinity, etc instead of a single system of belief.
He personally was a quasi-Roman Catholic Anglican, sort of blending the two. But it rarely comes up in his writings, in specific.
Lewis didn't argue for theology so much as for faith and truth. He was more interested in apologetics than Theology, so his focus was on defending the faith, concepts such as sin, divinity, etc instead of a single system of belief.
He personally was a quasi-Roman Catholic Anglican, sort of blending the two. But it rarely comes up in his writings, in specific.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:14 AM (39g3+)
164
148 George Clintonopolis was interviewing Bernie, Sanders needs to go back to 1920 Russia were he came from
Posted by: Skip at November 08, 2015 11:05 AM (JWMFs)
Did Georgie ask him any challenging or "gotcha" questions, or did he just let him talk and then finish the interview by saying 'thank you just for being you'?
Posted by: Skip at November 08, 2015 11:05 AM (JWMFs)
Did Georgie ask him any challenging or "gotcha" questions, or did he just let him talk and then finish the interview by saying 'thank you just for being you'?
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 11:14 AM (gvtuJ)
165
Posted by: WOPR at November 08, 2015 10:46 AM (LTDSy)
Very much so. Just finished the biography of Bonhoeffer and that was a big problem ( as in, Bonhoeffer had been a pastor for several years before becoming a Christian). Speer Aaron tion of Church and State is very much to the benefit of the Church, despite what the modern contention is
Very much so. Just finished the biography of Bonhoeffer and that was a big problem ( as in, Bonhoeffer had been a pastor for several years before becoming a Christian). Speer Aaron tion of Church and State is very much to the benefit of the Church, despite what the modern contention is
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at November 08, 2015 11:17 AM (GDulk)
166
Aaron Speer would be a good name for a character.
Posted by: auto cucumber at November 08, 2015 11:18 AM (xtVLN)
167
I see little difference between the current campus snowflakes and the Red Guard. Butt hurt over a coconut shell bra?
Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at November 08, 2015 11:19 AM (iQIUe)
168
The book is seriously far better than the Movie.
Ben Hur is one of those controversial books. Some people hate it, some love it - I'm in the latter category. Nobody seems to read it and go "meh, it was okay." I thought it was terrific, although the end was sort of meandering and aimless like the end of a ZZ Top song, just fading away.
Ben Hur is one of those controversial books. Some people hate it, some love it - I'm in the latter category. Nobody seems to read it and go "meh, it was okay." I thought it was terrific, although the end was sort of meandering and aimless like the end of a ZZ Top song, just fading away.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:19 AM (39g3+)
169
Albert Speer's Church of Aaron literature sounds like an interesting read. Is there a machine they hook candidates up to?
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 11:20 AM (jT+gh)
170
152 Wow. The way the msm is poring through every page of Dr Carson's autobiography is amazing. They're making hundreds of phone calls to hundreds of people to confirm or deny his version of events.
Posted by: se pa moron at November 08, 2015 11:08 AM (7v/r5)
And actually, I don't have a problem with this, as such. This is called journalism, and this is the job journalists need to be doing with those who would be our leaders.
The problem is, they only do this with Republicans and conservatives. The Democrats and progressives mostly get a free pass. Imagine what would have happened if the msm had taken both of Obama's books, fact-checked every line, made hundreds of phone calls to confirm details, etc. And applied the same level of scrutiny to his personal history that the did Sarah Palin's.
And then I woke up.
Posted by: se pa moron at November 08, 2015 11:08 AM (7v/r5)
And actually, I don't have a problem with this, as such. This is called journalism, and this is the job journalists need to be doing with those who would be our leaders.
The problem is, they only do this with Republicans and conservatives. The Democrats and progressives mostly get a free pass. Imagine what would have happened if the msm had taken both of Obama's books, fact-checked every line, made hundreds of phone calls to confirm details, etc. And applied the same level of scrutiny to his personal history that the did Sarah Palin's.
And then I woke up.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 11:20 AM (gvtuJ)
171
Right, the media isn't being mean to Carson, its just doing their job. The problem is when they drop the ball with other candidates.
I suspect Carson probably didn't write his book, either.
I suspect Carson probably didn't write his book, either.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:22 AM (39g3+)
172
Men will start being men again when women stop being men.
Men have the responsibility to step up and lead, be responsible, and be men. Waiting for women to do the right thing first is just irresponsible, lazy, and childish. A man does what's right even if the whole world disagrees or won't play along. If even a small majority of men did this, imagine what would change?
Men have the responsibility to step up and lead, be responsible, and be men. Waiting for women to do the right thing first is just irresponsible, lazy, and childish. A man does what's right even if the whole world disagrees or won't play along. If even a small majority of men did this, imagine what would change?
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:25 AM (39g3+)
173
Reading "Amy Lynn" written by our own moron Old Sailor Poet. I'm very much enjoying the book, which to be honest sorta surprised me. The stories of all the characters are engrossing and I can't wait to learn more about each of them.
I think there are a couple of sequels.
I think there are a couple of sequels.
Posted by: Octiparan at November 08, 2015 11:26 AM (g5IwS)
174
The thing that aggravates me about the trend to depressing books and movies is that although the hedonistic prog lifestyle and values lead to misery, there is never a suggestion that the problem is the hedonistic prog values. I guess conservatism is just too evil to consider.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 11:26 AM (Nwg0u)
175
Funny thing about the novel Jaws is that it's almost a Tom Wolfe novel about social dynamics in a New England resort town. There's a love triangle between Brody, his wife, and Hooper, because Brody grew up as a "townie" while his wife's family were wealthy "summer people" -- like Hooper. (The film turned Brody into an NYC expat because I don't think Roy Scheider could play a small town New Englander even if you kidnapped his family.) The political/economic conflict with the mayor and business owners is a much bigger part of the story, too. The shark is just one plot thread.
Posted by: Trimegistus at November 08, 2015 11:26 AM (K87dX)
176
Speculation is this is a data lab for Amazon. They deliberately picked the location for data purposes.
That is the best explanation, its a marketing experiment rather than a serious step into brick and mortar stores. Amazon has always done this, and has always been willing to spend a huge amount of money on experiments and new ideas just to see how they pan out and what they can learn.
That is the best explanation, its a marketing experiment rather than a serious step into brick and mortar stores. Amazon has always done this, and has always been willing to spend a huge amount of money on experiments and new ideas just to see how they pan out and what they can learn.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:28 AM (39g3+)
177
Gunnar Hansen has passed. Let us all pause for a moment of silence for that hulking, chain-saw wielding cannibal.
Posted by: Chop Top at November 08, 2015 11:29 AM (f4GQ8)
178
I'll have to get a copy of Jack Benny's 'Sunday Night at Seven'. He's always been one of my favorite comedians. The only problem is he spoiled me for most of today's comics.
Another favorite was Alan King. Check out 'Help! I'm a Prisoner in a Chinese Bakery' and 'Anyone Who Owns Their Own Home Deserves It'. The books are in the vein of his schtick and are hilarious.
Another favorite was Alan King. Check out 'Help! I'm a Prisoner in a Chinese Bakery' and 'Anyone Who Owns Their Own Home Deserves It'. The books are in the vein of his schtick and are hilarious.
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 11:29 AM (FvdPb)
179
A man does what's right even if the whole world disagrees or won't play along.
An adult certainly does
An adult certainly does
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 11:29 AM (jT+gh)
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 11:31 AM (Nwg0u)
181
Christian apologetics between the wars would be fascinating. Include Dorothy L Sayers, TS Eliot (although not specifically an apologist) who are still read today. With our current President, I have to reread Murder in the Cathedral now.
Posted by: mustbequantum at November 08, 2015 11:31 AM (MIKMs)
182
Derit, I changed the format of your #179 comment to what I think you meant to do. Let me know if I guessed wrong.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 11:34 AM (gvtuJ)
183
Geraghty is getting old.
Posted by: a phoenician sailor at November 08, 2015 11:35 AM (lyAyN)
184
Given the number of Texas history buffs who show up here, let me recommend a book I'm halfway through. It's called Dream of Empire: A History of the Republic of Texas 1836-1846, by John Edward Weems. It relies heavily on first-person accounts, which is always good.
Posted by: Trimegistus at November 08, 2015 11:37 AM (K87dX)
185
I always thought cats were quiet and stealthy and nimble, but they always sound like a herd of elephants running up and down our stairs. Its ridiculous, they make more noise than people do.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:37 AM (39g3+)
186
183 Geraghty is getting old.
Posted by: a phoenician sailor at November 08, 2015 11:35 AM (lyAyN)
Heh. Aren't we all.
Posted by: a phoenician sailor at November 08, 2015 11:35 AM (lyAyN)
Heh. Aren't we all.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 11:37 AM (gvtuJ)
187
OM and Christopher, Thanks for the responses. Good to know I'm in the ballpark with my impressions of Lewis. Wish I had read, and appreciated, his apologia long ago. It would have saved me decades of angst. But better late than never.
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 11:38 AM (FvdPb)
188
Even though I cleaned up cool breeze's unsightly mess at #88, that doesn't excuse him from doing hard time in The Barrel this morning.
-
The guy in the barrel isn't the one who's hard.
-
The guy in the barrel isn't the one who's hard.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 11:41 AM (Nwg0u)
189
Any recommendations on books on the founding of the country?
Posted by: Doom Rider at November 08, 2015 11:41 AM (ImLO6)
190
Speculation is this is a data lab for Amazon.
That's all I can come up with, either (too? not sure). It doesn't look spectacular enough to be a vanity project- like that bookstore inside of a cathedral.
It will be a good way to quantify the advantages of online retailing.
That's all I can come up with, either (too? not sure). It doesn't look spectacular enough to be a vanity project- like that bookstore inside of a cathedral.
It will be a good way to quantify the advantages of online retailing.
Posted by: t-bird at November 08, 2015 11:41 AM (w/iDp)
191
thanks, I'm glad the message wasn't so far gone as to be Antigone
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 11:41 AM (jT+gh)
192
Aren't the progressives of Seattle somewhat antagonistic toward the behemoth Amazon corporation?
Is Amazon setting up a base camp in hostile territory?
Is Amazon setting up a base camp in hostile territory?
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 11:42 AM (+80HE)
193
We've all heard of Hollywood acquiring the rights to a book and then ruining it. Well, this looks like the opposite has happened, that HW has taken a book and actually made it better.
Another book improved by Hollywood was Open Range by Lauran Paine. Pedestrian in style, chaotic in plot, indifferent in characterization, the novel's only redeeming quality is that only I and whoever optioned it for Hollywood have ever read it.
Another book improved by Hollywood was Open Range by Lauran Paine. Pedestrian in style, chaotic in plot, indifferent in characterization, the novel's only redeeming quality is that only I and whoever optioned it for Hollywood have ever read it.
Posted by: jwpaine, otherized for your protection at November 08, 2015 11:43 AM (wKcQA)
194
178 I'll have to get a copy of Jack Benny's 'Sunday Night at Seven'. He's always been one of my favorite comedians. The only problem is he spoiled me for most of today's comics....
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 11:29 AM (FvdPb)
I heartily recommend Sid Caesar. Much of what he did on 'Your Show of Shows' still holds up, even today.
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 11:29 AM (FvdPb)
I heartily recommend Sid Caesar. Much of what he did on 'Your Show of Shows' still holds up, even today.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 11:44 AM (gvtuJ)
195
Finished "Bone Dry," a "medical-techno thriller," which wasn't bad, but the writing seemed to fall apart at the very end. The premise was great, though. An oncology nurse sees the stored marrow samples of her tragic patients stolen -- just when they need it the most. She can't prove it, the patients are too frightened to talk, and a lab tech helps with the thefts.
Just started Glenn Beck's "The Immortal Nicholas." I'm about 150 pages into it and I don't think I'll be able to hear the Christmas story without picturing the two main characters and their places in it. Highly recommended.
Just started Glenn Beck's "The Immortal Nicholas." I'm about 150 pages into it and I don't think I'll be able to hear the Christmas story without picturing the two main characters and their places in it. Highly recommended.
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 11:45 AM (/NEnw)
196
"Any recommendations on books on the founding of the country?"
Doom Rider, What aspects are you interested in: government philosophy, history of settlements, battles, Revolutionary War, early American, etc.?
Doom Rider, What aspects are you interested in: government philosophy, history of settlements, battles, Revolutionary War, early American, etc.?
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 11:48 AM (FvdPb)
197
It'll be great to run out to the Amazon store and pick up an e-book without having to wait.
Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at November 08, 2015 11:48 AM (oVJmc)
198
There are a handful of books that turned out better in film (Blade Runner, in my opinion, for example) but all the do is serve to prove the general rule.
Some super rich type needs to set up a production company to do HBO productions of books and book series as a sort of playhouse show. Not one single book, but just take books and run them. You could do a whole season on a book or two from someone.
Nobody yet has done a good adaptation of Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett, for example.
Some super rich type needs to set up a production company to do HBO productions of books and book series as a sort of playhouse show. Not one single book, but just take books and run them. You could do a whole season on a book or two from someone.
Nobody yet has done a good adaptation of Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett, for example.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:49 AM (39g3+)
199
In Bangladesh, a 13 y/o was beaten to death by his employer and people film it.
Yeah, about that...
" Nearly a dozen people have been arrested in the killing, including one man, Kamrul Islam, who fled to Saudi Arabia following the incident and reportedly confessed to the crime after being captured there."
Wherever there is evil, there is Islam.
Yeah, about that...
" Nearly a dozen people have been arrested in the killing, including one man, Kamrul Islam, who fled to Saudi Arabia following the incident and reportedly confessed to the crime after being captured there."
Wherever there is evil, there is Islam.
Posted by: V the K at November 08, 2015 11:49 AM (LKuz+)
200
OM -- I second you and Mrs. Muse's addiction to The Last Ship. I've often said I couldn't understand how it made it on to the networks with so much "God & Country" sentiment. Mark Levin is a big fan as well and has mentioned it on his show.
For those who haven't seen it, it's worth binge watching to catch up to where the show will return, sometime next year.
For those who haven't seen it, it's worth binge watching to catch up to where the show will return, sometime next year.
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 11:50 AM (/NEnw)
201
Terrorists drives into Israelis injuring five. Best part is seeing the car being shot up afterwards:
http://www.jpost.com/page.aspx?pageid=7&articleid=432405
http://www.jpost.com/page.aspx?pageid=7&articleid=432405
Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at November 08, 2015 11:51 AM (iQIUe)
202
73 With what has been done to employment and marriage (both conceptually and legally) I don't blame millennial men one damn bit.
^This. Plus, you're talking about an entire generation of men that have been relentlessly browbeaten by the culture that they're incompetent, stupid, evil, defective would-be rapists that aren't good for anything. What would you expect from someone who's been told that their whole lives? Gee whiz, I'm going to work super hard to support a society that has told me and demonstrated to me repeatedly that it hates my guts? Or fuck it, I'll do the bare minimum to get by and do what I want as much as possible?
^This. Plus, you're talking about an entire generation of men that have been relentlessly browbeaten by the culture that they're incompetent, stupid, evil, defective would-be rapists that aren't good for anything. What would you expect from someone who's been told that their whole lives? Gee whiz, I'm going to work super hard to support a society that has told me and demonstrated to me repeatedly that it hates my guts? Or fuck it, I'll do the bare minimum to get by and do what I want as much as possible?
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 11:51 AM (kpqmD)
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 11:53 AM (Nwg0u)
204
Whenever I have computer trouble, and I think of all the 'stuff' I have on my hard drive that I would hate to lose, I think then of having printed books, and audio CDs instead of digital files and the required hardware and software to access those files.
But then they burned the scrolls at Alexandria so what are you going to do, eh?
But then they burned the scrolls at Alexandria so what are you going to do, eh?
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 11:53 AM (+80HE)
205
"Some nations drink more than we do, some drink less, but no other nation
has been the drunkest in the world as America was in the 1830s only to
outlaw drinking entirely a hundred years later."
Utter, complete, crystalline rubbish.
She's obviously never been to Sweden, Britain, Germany, Japan, or God help us, Russia.
They drink like fish in ALL those places. Pubs in Britain have to close during the day (except for a brief period around lunchtime) owing to a law passed during WWI because munitions workers were showing up too drunk for such dangerous work.
The Swedes are notorious for heavy drinking, this despite staggering taxes on alcohol there (IIRC, a fifth of spirits ran to the better part of $100). And once out of Sweden, to where alcohol is much, much cheaper, forget it. Roaring drunk is the order of the day.
Germany and beer? What can I say? Japan and beer, same thing. Why does Japan have capsule hotels? Because Japanese businessmen typically go out together with their workmates on Friday night and get spectacularly drunk, often too drunk to return home (often hours of commute away), and so stay in the capsule hotel for the night (Saturday is a work day in Japan). (I stayed in one once, just for the hell of it, and it was actually kind of cool. Kind of like urban camping. But that's another story.)
And Russia. Lord, Russia. Russians will drink brake fluid. And do.
This stupid cow failed to grasp that we're a nation of immigrants. We didn't start drinking once we got here; we brought a tradition of drinking from wherever we came from.
Which you'd think would have been obvious.
has been the drunkest in the world as America was in the 1830s only to
outlaw drinking entirely a hundred years later."
Utter, complete, crystalline rubbish.
She's obviously never been to Sweden, Britain, Germany, Japan, or God help us, Russia.
They drink like fish in ALL those places. Pubs in Britain have to close during the day (except for a brief period around lunchtime) owing to a law passed during WWI because munitions workers were showing up too drunk for such dangerous work.
The Swedes are notorious for heavy drinking, this despite staggering taxes on alcohol there (IIRC, a fifth of spirits ran to the better part of $100). And once out of Sweden, to where alcohol is much, much cheaper, forget it. Roaring drunk is the order of the day.
Germany and beer? What can I say? Japan and beer, same thing. Why does Japan have capsule hotels? Because Japanese businessmen typically go out together with their workmates on Friday night and get spectacularly drunk, often too drunk to return home (often hours of commute away), and so stay in the capsule hotel for the night (Saturday is a work day in Japan). (I stayed in one once, just for the hell of it, and it was actually kind of cool. Kind of like urban camping. But that's another story.)
And Russia. Lord, Russia. Russians will drink brake fluid. And do.
This stupid cow failed to grasp that we're a nation of immigrants. We didn't start drinking once we got here; we brought a tradition of drinking from wherever we came from.
Which you'd think would have been obvious.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 11:53 AM (oKE6c)
206
172 Men will start being men again when women stop being men.
Men have the responsibility to step up and lead, be responsible, and be men. Waiting for women to do the right thing first is just irresponsible, lazy, and childish. A man does what's right even if the whole world disagrees or won't play along. If even a small majority of men did this, imagine what would change?
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:25 AM (39g3+)
And what exactly does that look like? Being tax cattle for the government? Putting your life, livelihood, and emotional and financial well-being in the hands of mercurial, self-centered women who think they're entitled to happiness at your expense, backed up with the full force of a misandric judicial system?
Men have the responsibility to step up and lead, be responsible, and be men. Waiting for women to do the right thing first is just irresponsible, lazy, and childish. A man does what's right even if the whole world disagrees or won't play along. If even a small majority of men did this, imagine what would change?
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:25 AM (39g3+)
And what exactly does that look like? Being tax cattle for the government? Putting your life, livelihood, and emotional and financial well-being in the hands of mercurial, self-centered women who think they're entitled to happiness at your expense, backed up with the full force of a misandric judicial system?
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 11:56 AM (kpqmD)
207
For those who haven't seen it, it's worth binge watching to catch up to where the show will return, sometime next year.
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 11:50 AM (/NEnw)
It's coming back for a 3rd year? Oh, that's good news.
Also, RushBabe, I've been meaning to thank you for your contributions to the book thread. You always seem to find such interesting books to read. After I read one of your comments, I always think, 'Hmmm, now that book sounds like it'd be worth checking out." That Glenn Beck novel about St. Nicholas is just the latest example.
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 11:50 AM (/NEnw)
It's coming back for a 3rd year? Oh, that's good news.
Also, RushBabe, I've been meaning to thank you for your contributions to the book thread. You always seem to find such interesting books to read. After I read one of your comments, I always think, 'Hmmm, now that book sounds like it'd be worth checking out." That Glenn Beck novel about St. Nicholas is just the latest example.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 11:56 AM (gvtuJ)
208
Seen the trailer for "In the Heart of the Sea," read the book a few years ago.
They really sensationalize the whale attack, but I wonder how they handle the cannibalism.
They really sensationalize the whale attack, but I wonder how they handle the cannibalism.
Posted by: the littl shyning man at November 08, 2015 11:57 AM (U6f54)
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 11:57 AM (qCMvj)
210
I agree US isn't the drunkest nation in the world, not even by half, not even back in 1830. Russians drink booze like a slingshot dragster does fuel. but it is interesting the US went to dry so quickly and by such a large vote. Goes to show how much popular culture and entertainment can manipulate voters.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:58 AM (39g3+)
211
Any recommendations on books on the founding of the country?
-
I liked Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis. It's more about the ideas of the founders rather than the fighting. Also, some hate Ellis because of his fibbing about Vietnam.
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I liked Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis. It's more about the ideas of the founders rather than the fighting. Also, some hate Ellis because of his fibbing about Vietnam.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 11:58 AM (Nwg0u)
212
194 ... Absolutely agree about Sid Caesar. I've seen clips of his show and they are brilliant. In line with that, try the movie 'My Favorite Year', a sorta fictional account of the Caesar show. It's a hoot.
I'll have to look it up, maybe on Youtube, but there is a clip of Steve Allen, I think on the Tonight Show, doing a skit and losing it when something struck him funny. It's several minutes of Allen dissolved in helpless laughter. On live TV. I've seen it a few times and it leaves me gasping for breath from laughing so hard.
I'll have to look it up, maybe on Youtube, but there is a clip of Steve Allen, I think on the Tonight Show, doing a skit and losing it when something struck him funny. It's several minutes of Allen dissolved in helpless laughter. On live TV. I've seen it a few times and it leaves me gasping for breath from laughing so hard.
Posted by: JTB at November 08, 2015 11:59 AM (FvdPb)
213
189
Any recommendations on books on the founding of the country?
Posted by: Doom Rider at November 08, 2015 11:41 AM (ImLO6)
There are literately hundreds of them out there. I recommend you make a trip to the library and check out books on specific topics instead of general history books. Make sure you get one dealing with writing of the Constitution even though that occurred after the country was officially "founded". Also try to find one that deals with the events leading up to 1776 and the DoI.
My library had a great one dealing with the writing of the Constitution and the events that led up to it. But alas it has been many years since I read it and that is a drawback to the library. I can't remember the title or the author and do not have it here to reference.
By going to the library you can avoid spending a lot of money and get a broader sample.
Any recommendations on books on the founding of the country?
Posted by: Doom Rider at November 08, 2015 11:41 AM (ImLO6)
There are literately hundreds of them out there. I recommend you make a trip to the library and check out books on specific topics instead of general history books. Make sure you get one dealing with writing of the Constitution even though that occurred after the country was officially "founded". Also try to find one that deals with the events leading up to 1776 and the DoI.
My library had a great one dealing with the writing of the Constitution and the events that led up to it. But alas it has been many years since I read it and that is a drawback to the library. I can't remember the title or the author and do not have it here to reference.
By going to the library you can avoid spending a lot of money and get a broader sample.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 11:59 AM (t2KH5)
214
Plus, you're talking about an entire generation of men that have been relentlessly browbeaten by the culture that they're incompetent, stupid, evil, defective would-be rapists that aren't good for anything.
The burgeoning cuckold culture in modern porn may be a result of this.
The burgeoning cuckold culture in modern porn may be a result of this.
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 11:59 AM (jT+gh)
215
And what exactly does that look like?
Hint: not perpetually adolescent hipsters or emasculated NYT "modern men" onesie wearing pansies. Not thuggish brutes, either.
You think its a coincidence that culture has gone downhill so fast lately at the same time men have become perpetual frat boys and thumb sucking weenies?
Hint: not perpetually adolescent hipsters or emasculated NYT "modern men" onesie wearing pansies. Not thuggish brutes, either.
You think its a coincidence that culture has gone downhill so fast lately at the same time men have become perpetual frat boys and thumb sucking weenies?
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:00 PM (39g3+)
216
"Men have the responsibility to step up and lead, be responsible, and be men. Waiting for women to do the right thing first is just irresponsible, lazy, and childish. A man does what's right even if the whole world disagrees or won't play along. If even a small majority of men did this, imagine what would change?"
I'm a married Army veteran professional with three kids, and I wholly reject this. There is no special burden or responsibility upon men to voluntarily walk to slaughter; to deliberately slit open their veins to feed a corrupt system. F that, and F it hard.
Young men today grew up seeing the utter ruin of families. Ugly divorces, latchkey kids, the metamorphosis of schools into prisons and badly-run daycares, the onerous burdens to pay child support for children of questionable parentage (and, occasionally, kids who were provably NOT theirs), children born from their own rape. They're rightfully afraid of marriage to begin with.
Then, you get to their matches. Their age group is FULL of Emma Sulkowicz's (or whatever the hell Mattress Girl's name is). Narcissistic, neurotic, useless twits who actively search for excuses to screw them over, and who have professionally paid staffs of *thousands* to destroy whoever they point their fingers at.
Finally, the 'get a job' chant that I often hear. Yes, man Millennials are lazy and spoiled. That's their parents fault. But even the ones who WANT to find work and make their way in the world, can't. The economy has been shit since 2008: 7 years straight. That might be kinda bad to someone who's 45, but to someone who's 22, that's their life. Even since they were even legally *allowed* to enter the workforce, there has been almost no work at all for people like them, and then only for the best or those with contacts.
Finally, many if not most of them grew up in what used to be called "broken homes," without consistent father figures. They have no idea how to be men, because no one has ever shown them.
The "man up" mantra is utterly useless. They can't. Not that they won't. They literally cannot. And heaping scorn upon them for not doing it is foolish and wrong.
I'm a married Army veteran professional with three kids, and I wholly reject this. There is no special burden or responsibility upon men to voluntarily walk to slaughter; to deliberately slit open their veins to feed a corrupt system. F that, and F it hard.
Young men today grew up seeing the utter ruin of families. Ugly divorces, latchkey kids, the metamorphosis of schools into prisons and badly-run daycares, the onerous burdens to pay child support for children of questionable parentage (and, occasionally, kids who were provably NOT theirs), children born from their own rape. They're rightfully afraid of marriage to begin with.
Then, you get to their matches. Their age group is FULL of Emma Sulkowicz's (or whatever the hell Mattress Girl's name is). Narcissistic, neurotic, useless twits who actively search for excuses to screw them over, and who have professionally paid staffs of *thousands* to destroy whoever they point their fingers at.
Finally, the 'get a job' chant that I often hear. Yes, man Millennials are lazy and spoiled. That's their parents fault. But even the ones who WANT to find work and make their way in the world, can't. The economy has been shit since 2008: 7 years straight. That might be kinda bad to someone who's 45, but to someone who's 22, that's their life. Even since they were even legally *allowed* to enter the workforce, there has been almost no work at all for people like them, and then only for the best or those with contacts.
Finally, many if not most of them grew up in what used to be called "broken homes," without consistent father figures. They have no idea how to be men, because no one has ever shown them.
The "man up" mantra is utterly useless. They can't. Not that they won't. They literally cannot. And heaping scorn upon them for not doing it is foolish and wrong.
Posted by: Apostate at November 08, 2015 12:00 PM (F6yF0)
217
203 Speaking of new books, I'm sure you all will want to snap this up.
http://tinyurl.com/ozad8d3
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 11:53 AM (Nwg0u)
Looks like you've found yourself another potential Hugo award nominee.
I enjoy pissing off AGW enthusiasts by comparing them to the eugenics fans and supporters of the early 20th century. Remember, it's science!
http://tinyurl.com/ozad8d3
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 11:53 AM (Nwg0u)
Looks like you've found yourself another potential Hugo award nominee.
I enjoy pissing off AGW enthusiasts by comparing them to the eugenics fans and supporters of the early 20th century. Remember, it's science!
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 12:01 PM (gvtuJ)
218
210 I agree US isn't the drunkest nation in the world, not even by half, not even back in 1830. Russians drink booze like a slingshot dragster does fuel. but it is interesting the US went to dry so quickly and by such a large vote. Goes to show how much popular culture and entertainment can manipulate voters.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:58 AM (39g3+)
A triumph of the unholy confluence of feminism with progressivism.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 11:58 AM (39g3+)
A triumph of the unholy confluence of feminism with progressivism.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:01 PM (oKE6c)
219
>And speaking of Amazon, So why are Kindle books getting so damned bloated?
Might it have something to do with this?
http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&node=11516960011
They're adding hyphenation and different fonts to some books, which apparently you can see if you're using a Kindle Fire or iOS device.
This was a fairly large download, but for a different reason:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZUXWNA
It's a fixed-layout book so that the table formatting is preserved (in particular, the tables aren't all jumbled up). It kinda resembles a PDF in that the layout is identical to the dead-tree edition I've run across in gun stores. Lots of background images = large ebook size. It's made converting it to ePub somewhat problematic.
It could've been done in a reflowable layout easily enough with ePub, which supports inclusion of tables. CSS would've allowed the tables to be styled the same as the originals. Maybe the Mobipocket format Amazon uses doesn't handle tables properly; this link suggests there are some limitations, which would explain the non-reflowable book type:
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138230
Might it have something to do with this?
http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&node=11516960011
They're adding hyphenation and different fonts to some books, which apparently you can see if you're using a Kindle Fire or iOS device.
This was a fairly large download, but for a different reason:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZUXWNA
It's a fixed-layout book so that the table formatting is preserved (in particular, the tables aren't all jumbled up). It kinda resembles a PDF in that the layout is identical to the dead-tree edition I've run across in gun stores. Lots of background images = large ebook size. It's made converting it to ePub somewhat problematic.
It could've been done in a reflowable layout easily enough with ePub, which supports inclusion of tables. CSS would've allowed the tables to be styled the same as the originals. Maybe the Mobipocket format Amazon uses doesn't handle tables properly; this link suggests there are some limitations, which would explain the non-reflowable book type:
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138230
Posted by: salfter at November 08, 2015 12:01 PM (fHM3D)
220
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:00 PM (39g3+)
That's not really an answer. You seem to be issuing the call to "man up," so what does that actually mean in your view?
That's not really an answer. You seem to be issuing the call to "man up," so what does that actually mean in your view?
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:01 PM (kpqmD)
221
193 Another book improved by Hollywood was Open Range
by Lauran Paine. Pedestrian in style, chaotic in plot, indifferent in
characterization, the novel's only redeeming quality is that only I and
whoever optioned it for Hollywood have ever read it.
Posted by: jwpaine, otherized for your protection at November 08, 2015 11:43 AM (wKcQA)
I love that movie and I wish they had a bluray version. They have one but it is only available in French (wife got be a copy and had not checked it closely).
by Lauran Paine. Pedestrian in style, chaotic in plot, indifferent in
characterization, the novel's only redeeming quality is that only I and
whoever optioned it for Hollywood have ever read it.
Posted by: jwpaine, otherized for your protection at November 08, 2015 11:43 AM (wKcQA)
I love that movie and I wish they had a bluray version. They have one but it is only available in French (wife got be a copy and had not checked it closely).
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 12:02 PM (t2KH5)
222
"Any recommendations on books on the founding of the country?"
Goodreads is setup to send you recommendations based on the books your read or express an interest in. If you read a couple of books about military subjects, Goodreads will direct your attention to others similar to what you have liked.
Goodreads is setup to send you recommendations based on the books your read or express an interest in. If you read a couple of books about military subjects, Goodreads will direct your attention to others similar to what you have liked.
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 12:02 PM (+80HE)
223
189
Any recommendations on books on the founding of the country?
Posted by: Doom Rider at November 08, 2015 11:41 AM (ImLO6)
"ACommunist Dirtbag's People's History of the United States."
If you want to rage stroke, that is. Consider that that poxy book is a required textbook in many high schools and colleges.
Any recommendations on books on the founding of the country?
Posted by: Doom Rider at November 08, 2015 11:41 AM (ImLO6)
"A
If you want to rage stroke, that is. Consider that that poxy book is a required textbook in many high schools and colleges.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:02 PM (oKE6c)
224
Can we commence with teh footballs talk now?
Can we commence with teh footballs talk now?
Posted by: Soothsayer, with arms akimbo at November 08, 2015 12:02 PM (15Pis)
225
Looks like Amazon bought an old Borders store.
Posted by: GPHanner at November 08, 2015 12:03 PM (CuTfa)
226
I'm a married Army veteran professional with three kids, and I wholly reject this. There is no special burden or responsibility upon men to voluntarily walk to slaughter; to deliberately slit open their veins to feed a corrupt system. F that, and F it hard.
Posted by: Apostate at November 08, 2015 12:00 PM (F6yF0)
You sir have nailed it.
Posted by: Apostate at November 08, 2015 12:00 PM (F6yF0)
You sir have nailed it.
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:04 PM (kpqmD)
227
That's not really an answer.
I've written very extensively on the topic on my blog (in name link), but yeah, it is an answer.
There's a big difference between yelling 'man up' and simply saying "grow up and don't be such a pansy." We all know what men are not, and that's in front of us every day. Letting the bad guys, the lunatics, and the difficulties of society define us is not maturity.
I've written very extensively on the topic on my blog (in name link), but yeah, it is an answer.
There's a big difference between yelling 'man up' and simply saying "grow up and don't be such a pansy." We all know what men are not, and that's in front of us every day. Letting the bad guys, the lunatics, and the difficulties of society define us is not maturity.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:04 PM (39g3+)
228
That's not really an answer. You seem to be issuing the call to "man up," so what does that actually mean in your view?
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:01 PM (kpqmD)
In a sentence, to do what's right, and/or what needs to be done, independent of personal considerations.
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:01 PM (kpqmD)
In a sentence, to do what's right, and/or what needs to be done, independent of personal considerations.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:04 PM (oKE6c)
229
In a sentence, to do what's right, and/or what needs to be done, independent of personal considerations.
If that means marching into the meat grinder, then no thank you.
If that means marching into the meat grinder, then no thank you.
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:06 PM (kpqmD)
230
My new book, Killing George Will, is due out in January.
Posted by: Bill O'Reilly at November 08, 2015 12:06 PM (FkBIv)
Posted by: anginak at November 08, 2015 12:07 PM (i2vWS)
232
Some People: "Ugh, look at Obama on all the BS entertainment shows, dancing, yukking it up, and acting like he's so fucking cool just to attract low information voters. What an embarrassment to the Office of the President."
Some of the Same People: "Ooh, did you see Trump on SNL last night, dancing and yukking it up? He's SOOOOOO cool! I can't wait for him to be President and really shake things up!"
Some of the Same People: "Ooh, did you see Trump on SNL last night, dancing and yukking it up? He's SOOOOOO cool! I can't wait for him to be President and really shake things up!"
Posted by: SHOOT ME NOW at November 08, 2015 12:08 PM (Y8P5w)
233
Shout out to the Goodreads book group!
I'd like to join
Posted by: anginak at November 08, 2015 12:07 PM
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/146743-vmom
is the moderator.
it's almost immediate. She was online seconds ago.
I'd like to join
Posted by: anginak at November 08, 2015 12:07 PM
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/146743-vmom
is the moderator.
it's almost immediate. She was online seconds ago.
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 12:10 PM (+80HE)
234
Yeah I find any candidate that goes on trash television or stoops to undignified activity beneath the stature of the presidency to be obnoxious. Yes, there's not much left of the dignity of the office, but it can be recovered, if they stop doing MTV appearances and acting like some bottom dragging celebrity.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:10 PM (39g3+)
235
If that means marching into the meat grinder, then no thank you.
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:06 PM (kpqmD)
Depends on whether that's the right or necessary thing to do, doesn't it? From Thermopylae to the guys who stopped the terrorist attack on the French train, sometimes one has to take one's chances with the meat grinder. And we all hope that if/when that time comes, we won't be found wanting.
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:06 PM (kpqmD)
Depends on whether that's the right or necessary thing to do, doesn't it? From Thermopylae to the guys who stopped the terrorist attack on the French train, sometimes one has to take one's chances with the meat grinder. And we all hope that if/when that time comes, we won't be found wanting.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:11 PM (oKE6c)
236
Barkeep, muchos Cervantes por favor!
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 12:11 PM (jT+gh)
237
234 Yeah I find any candidate that goes on trash television or stoops to undignified activity beneath the stature of the presidency to be obnoxious. Yes, there's not much left of the dignity of the office, but it can be recovered, if they stop doing MTV appearances and acting like some bottom dragging celebrity.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:10 PM (39g3+)
The problem we have is that we've extended the franchise much too far, and to abjure pandering to the unwashed, and instead to be high-minded and dignified, means you will probably lose. See, e.g., Mitt Romney.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:10 PM (39g3+)
The problem we have is that we've extended the franchise much too far, and to abjure pandering to the unwashed, and instead to be high-minded and dignified, means you will probably lose. See, e.g., Mitt Romney.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:13 PM (oKE6c)
238
His campaign has admitted that Ben Carson was neither an astronaut, a circus clown, or Queen of Prussia.
Posted by: Politico at November 08, 2015 12:13 PM (oVJmc)
239
(for Authors)
An Interactive List of Book Promotion Sites & Free Submission Tool
http://www.readersintheknow.com/list-of-book-promotion-sites
An Interactive List of Book Promotion Sites & Free Submission Tool
http://www.readersintheknow.com/list-of-book-promotion-sites
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 12:13 PM (qCMvj)
240
'marching into the meat grinder'
Ya, I get that. Going 'over the top' in WWI, and by contrast, the SOG guy a week or two ago who ran towards the sound of the gun fire in that successful attempt to rescue ISIS hostages who were about to be executed.
Ya, I get that. Going 'over the top' in WWI, and by contrast, the SOG guy a week or two ago who ran towards the sound of the gun fire in that successful attempt to rescue ISIS hostages who were about to be executed.
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 12:13 PM (+80HE)
241
Depends on whether that's the right or necessary thing to do, doesn't it?
I'm glad the founders of this country didn't have that attitude. I'm not going to build a country out of wilderness. Fight the British? They're the most powerful nation on earth with the best army on the planet, I'm not gonna die so someone else can be free. Dude, its too hard to be a pioneer, screw that...
Depends on whether that's the right or necessary thing to do, doesn't it?
I'm glad the founders of this country didn't have that attitude. I'm not going to build a country out of wilderness. Fight the British? They're the most powerful nation on earth with the best army on the planet, I'm not gonna die so someone else can be free. Dude, its too hard to be a pioneer, screw that...
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:13 PM (39g3+)
242
A triumph of the unholy confluence of feminism with progressivism.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:01 PM (oKE6c)
Bingo. That's the temperance movement in a nutshell.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:01 PM (oKE6c)
Bingo. That's the temperance movement in a nutshell.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 12:15 PM (gvtuJ)
243
Yeah, few people know that welfare, temperance, social security, and all that were part of exactly the same movement. Left leaning people who knew better than everyone else, who were "progressive" in their ideology, and who wanted the government to fix our problems by passing laws.
Sadly, a lot of well meaning Christians got involved in that movement in the late 19th, early 20th centuries.
Sadly, a lot of well meaning Christians got involved in that movement in the late 19th, early 20th centuries.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:16 PM (39g3+)
244
It's a small, smug world after all
It's a small, smug world after all
It's a small, smug world after all
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 12:17 PM (jT+gh)
245
I gave "The Last Ship" tv show a try. The first episode had one of the female crew members worrying about her girlfriend somewhere - the obligatory gay acceptance stuff and strike one.
What killed the show for me though was when the crew went to Guantanamo Bay for supplies. Apparently, the people in charge there figured that since disease had wiped out societies, there was no more reason to fight so they'd release the prisoners. Smart.
What killed the show for me though was when the crew went to Guantanamo Bay for supplies. Apparently, the people in charge there figured that since disease had wiped out societies, there was no more reason to fight so they'd release the prisoners. Smart.
Posted by: Stateless Infidel at November 08, 2015 12:17 PM (AC0lD)
246
"I'm glad the founders of this country didn't have that attitude."
The founders of this country were not compelled to destroy themselves because some guy with a blog said so. They cut a nation from the wilderness because they were seeking opportunity and fleeing tyranny in Europe. They fought the British because the king's government deliberately abused them, locked them out of the system, and refused to negotiate. The pioneers went west for land and homes, away from the increasingly corrupt eastern cities.
You seem to think that men used to do those things for the sheer hell of it, and they should continue to find ways to suffer and die in hardship even though they get nothing from it. I cannot imagine how you think this is a proper, moral, even defensible stance.
The founders of this country were not compelled to destroy themselves because some guy with a blog said so. They cut a nation from the wilderness because they were seeking opportunity and fleeing tyranny in Europe. They fought the British because the king's government deliberately abused them, locked them out of the system, and refused to negotiate. The pioneers went west for land and homes, away from the increasingly corrupt eastern cities.
You seem to think that men used to do those things for the sheer hell of it, and they should continue to find ways to suffer and die in hardship even though they get nothing from it. I cannot imagine how you think this is a proper, moral, even defensible stance.
Posted by: Apostate at November 08, 2015 12:20 PM (F6yF0)
247
I'm reading "Hard Magic" (The Grimnoir Chronicles), by Larry Correia. Just got started, so interesting enough to keep me going. The fantasy element is not numinous, so to speak; mechanical, relaxed about the special effects.
Also reading "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," which has a creepy vibe I really like.
Also reading "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," which has a creepy vibe I really like.
Posted by: Smallish Bees at November 08, 2015 12:20 PM (yjhOG)
248
I am reading a biography of Jefferson Davis called -t Jefferson Davis-The Man and His Hour By William C. Davis (no relation) which is very long and very well written. Being a damn yankee ( don't shoot me. ;^) and not knowing anything about Davis other than that he was in the Mexican American war and that he was the President of the Confederate States I am learning a lot and enjoying the book. I think this book is very even handed-presenting his positive traits and those that would cause him problems
One thing I didn't know was that his first wife died of some mosquito related disease (Yellow fever or malaria) within a month of their marriage.
I am also re-reading the old tried and true standbys-"The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence- a 17th century lay brother, essays by Fenelon and "The Way of a Pilgrim" by an anonymous 19th century Russian man
One thing I didn't know was that his first wife died of some mosquito related disease (Yellow fever or malaria) within a month of their marriage.
I am also re-reading the old tried and true standbys-"The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence- a 17th century lay brother, essays by Fenelon and "The Way of a Pilgrim" by an anonymous 19th century Russian man
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 12:21 PM (No/ki)
249
Book recommendation for those NOT of faint heart: "Hostage of the Devil" by Father Martin (deceased).
Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at November 08, 2015 12:22 PM (KW+jd)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 12:22 PM (No/ki)
251
I, for one, only buy winning lottery tickets.
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 12:22 PM (+80HE)
252
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:11 PM (oKE6c)
That's not exactly what I meant. I was speaking more from a societal point of view, not one of defending yourself from a physical existential threat. The idea of "manning up" as necessarily meaning you work yourself to death, get married, buy a house, have kids, etc. etc. just to have them taken away from you on someone else's whim is one that I do not agree with.
That's not exactly what I meant. I was speaking more from a societal point of view, not one of defending yourself from a physical existential threat. The idea of "manning up" as necessarily meaning you work yourself to death, get married, buy a house, have kids, etc. etc. just to have them taken away from you on someone else's whim is one that I do not agree with.
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:23 PM (kpqmD)
253
The guy in the barrel isn't the one who's hard.
Posted by: The Great White Snark
Happens more than you'd think.
Posted by: The Great White Snark
Happens more than you'd think.
Posted by: The Barrel at November 08, 2015 12:24 PM (DL2i+)
254
I heard "Hostage to The Devil" is very good and scary
I don't want to subject myself to reading about demon possessed people although I'm sure it's very interesting.
I don't want to subject myself to reading about demon possessed people although I'm sure it's very interesting.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 12:24 PM (No/ki)
255
Finished the third book in Henry V. O'Neil's Sim War series, " Dire Steps". Far flung humanity is waging a defensive war against the Sims, aliens who, although look like humans, cannot be communicated with. Their speech is incomprehensible, thus making attempts at communication impossible. I recommended the first book in the series, " Glory Main" several months ago and since then 2 sequels have been published. I am hopeful the author, a former military guy, publishes the rest of the series as quickly as the 1st three. They are reasonably priced on Amazon(2.99 and 1.99) and are fairly quick reads. I'm no expert on military scifi but I have enjoyed them thus far. Would be interested in hearing what those military minded 'rons and 'ettes think of them. Muse..you might find the series interesting.
Posted by: Tuna at November 08, 2015 12:27 PM (JSovD)
256
Depends on whether that's the right or necessary thing to do, doesn't it?
I'm glad the founders of this country didn't have that attitude. I'm not going to build a country out of wilderness. Fight the British? They're the most powerful nation on earth with the best army on the planet, I'm not gonna die so someone else can be free. Dude, its too hard to be a pioneer, screw that...
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:13 PM (39g3+)
I may be misunderstanding your comment, or perhaps you misunderstood mine.
In response to the "marching into the meat grinder" comment, I meant that whether one puts oneself at risk depends on whether one believes that something needs doing that necessitates putting oneself at risk (as opposed to blindly throwing one's life away for something one does not believe in).
I'm glad the founders of this country didn't have that attitude. I'm not going to build a country out of wilderness. Fight the British? They're the most powerful nation on earth with the best army on the planet, I'm not gonna die so someone else can be free. Dude, its too hard to be a pioneer, screw that...
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:13 PM (39g3+)
I may be misunderstanding your comment, or perhaps you misunderstood mine.
In response to the "marching into the meat grinder" comment, I meant that whether one puts oneself at risk depends on whether one believes that something needs doing that necessitates putting oneself at risk (as opposed to blindly throwing one's life away for something one does not believe in).
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:27 PM (oKE6c)
257
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 12:22 PM (+80HE)
Congratulations! ;^) When I buy them which is rarely I only have ever won at the most $10.00 on an instant lottery and nothing on the bigger games. What a waste of money.
Congratulations! ;^) When I buy them which is rarely I only have ever won at the most $10.00 on an instant lottery and nothing on the bigger games. What a waste of money.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 12:27 PM (No/ki)
258
That's not exactly what I meant. I was speaking more
from a societal point of view, not one of defending yourself from a
physical existential threat. The idea of "manning up" as necessarily
meaning you work yourself to death, get married, buy a house, have kids,
etc. etc. just to have them taken away from you on someone else's whim
is one that I do not agree with.
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:23 PM (kpqmD)
OK. Fair enough. We definitely need to roll back social mores from their present pathological state.
from a societal point of view, not one of defending yourself from a
physical existential threat. The idea of "manning up" as necessarily
meaning you work yourself to death, get married, buy a house, have kids,
etc. etc. just to have them taken away from you on someone else's whim
is one that I do not agree with.
Posted by: Insomniac at November 08, 2015 12:23 PM (kpqmD)
OK. Fair enough. We definitely need to roll back social mores from their present pathological state.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:28 PM (oKE6c)
259
Oh, and I humbly asked to join the Good Reads group. Please let me in.
Posted by: Tuna at November 08, 2015 12:30 PM (JSovD)
Posted by: chemjeff @ phone at November 08, 2015 12:30 PM (y0sZC)
261
Russians will drink brake fluid. And do.
Reminds me of a Chemistry Professor I had talking about sitting in a desert, the Arabs drinking gas. Worked for them. He did not partake...
Reminds me of a Chemistry Professor I had talking about sitting in a desert, the Arabs drinking gas. Worked for them. He did not partake...
Posted by: Lumpy, in a trenchcoat at November 08, 2015 12:30 PM (y/bte)
262
Was there a place on the internet application for the book club whether you were humble? :^). They must have just assumed I wasn't and let me in anyway. ;^)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 12:31 PM (No/ki)
263
FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 12:27 PM
uh, ya. that was not intended to be taken literally. it'sa little more complex than that.
uh, ya. that was not intended to be taken literally. it'sa little more complex than that.
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 12:32 PM (+80HE)
264
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 12:32 PM (+80HE)
Yes, I knew that. :^) I was just foolling around.
Yes, I knew that. :^) I was just foolling around.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 12:34 PM (No/ki)
Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at November 08, 2015 12:34 PM (KW+jd)
266
"Was there a place on the internet application for the book club whether you were humble?
One can be ignored over on Goodreads as easily as one is ignored here. These things I know. Trust me on this.
One can be ignored over on Goodreads as easily as one is ignored here. These things I know. Trust me on this.
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 08, 2015 12:34 PM (+80HE)
267
245
I gave "The Last Ship" tv show a try. The first episode had one of the
female crew members worrying about her girlfriend somewhere - the
obligatory gay acceptance stuff and strike one.
Could be worse. I'm sitting in Anaheim where I attended Blizzcon. Lots of stuff about Overwatch, a game that will be driven by 21 heroes. In the Q ampersand A session for the game, someone got up, commended them on the diversity of their slate of 21 heroes and asked if any of them are gay. The answer: some are, of course.
Not sure what difference it would make to gameplay.
I gave "The Last Ship" tv show a try. The first episode had one of the
female crew members worrying about her girlfriend somewhere - the
obligatory gay acceptance stuff and strike one.
Could be worse. I'm sitting in Anaheim where I attended Blizzcon. Lots of stuff about Overwatch, a game that will be driven by 21 heroes. In the Q ampersand A session for the game, someone got up, commended them on the diversity of their slate of 21 heroes and asked if any of them are gay. The answer: some are, of course.
Not sure what difference it would make to gameplay.
Posted by: Anachronda at November 08, 2015 12:35 PM (XMhnq)
268
Apparently, the people in charge there figured that since disease had
wiped out societies, there was no more reason to fight so they'd release
the prisoners. Smart.
Like my earlier ace-splanation, a completely ridiculous twist just so they could get in gunfights with terrorists. IDRC if I enjoyed TV more before the Ewok de-pantsed Hollywood or not.
wiped out societies, there was no more reason to fight so they'd release
the prisoners. Smart.
Like my earlier ace-splanation, a completely ridiculous twist just so they could get in gunfights with terrorists. IDRC if I enjoyed TV more before the Ewok de-pantsed Hollywood or not.
Posted by: DaveA at November 08, 2015 12:35 PM (DL2i+)
269
We've all heard of Hollywood acquiring the rights to a book and then ruining it. Well, this looks like the opposite has happened, that HW has taken a book and actually made it better.
lol sounds like Game of Thrones . . .
This is completely OT but was looking at Seventeen magazine with my preteen today and OH MY GOD the bullcrap in that mag! it's hereby banned. half the thing was SJW and Dem propaganda. I haven't read a magazine in a long time, clearly. It's Seventeen. I mean come on how about we DON'T have trans guy-girls giving 13 year olds makeup tips?!!??!?!
lol sounds like Game of Thrones . . .
This is completely OT but was looking at Seventeen magazine with my preteen today and OH MY GOD the bullcrap in that mag! it's hereby banned. half the thing was SJW and Dem propaganda. I haven't read a magazine in a long time, clearly. It's Seventeen. I mean come on how about we DON'T have trans guy-girls giving 13 year olds makeup tips?!!??!?!
Posted by: YesThatBlackOrchid at November 08, 2015 12:36 PM (Vz7fy)
270
This is completely OT but was looking at Seventeen magazine with my preteen today and OH MY GOD the bullcrap in that mag! it's hereby banned. half the thing was SJW and Dem propaganda. I haven't read a magazine in a long time, clearly. It's Seventeen. I mean come on how about we DON'T have trans guy-girls giving 13 year olds makeup tips?!!??!?!
Posted by: YesThatBlackOrchid at November 08, 2015 12:36 PM (Vz7fy)
it's everywhere
and much of it is hidden behind the word "science"
junkscience
Posted by: YesThatBlackOrchid at November 08, 2015 12:36 PM (Vz7fy)
it's everywhere
and much of it is hidden behind the word "science"
junkscience
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 12:38 PM (qCMvj)
271
Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at November 08, 2015 12:34 PM (KW+jd)
The church of holy (wholly) hate ones ex-wife.
(and yes, I think the system is screwed against men.
There's some organization or several that support men's rights.)
The church of holy (wholly) hate ones ex-wife.
(and yes, I think the system is screwed against men.
There's some organization or several that support men's rights.)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 12:39 PM (No/ki)
272
Thanks to the moron in this thread recently who suggested The German War by Stargardt. Mostly an effort to portray and reveal the personal thoughts, motivations, etc. of a diverse group of Germans participating (as soldiers, civilians, family members) in WWII through their own diaries, letters, etc.
Admittedly I can read through this sort of account like I can sip a good cab or munch on addictive salty snacks, but it's pretty good so far.
Last night I came upon the first stuff that set off (my admittedly hair-trigger) alarms about lefty nonsense starting to creep in, but it seems to have been nothing. The excellent trilogy by Richard J. Evans sort of trained me to note and eye-roll at what seem obligatory romanticized little tidbits glorifying lefty (Social Democrat) players and forces while occasionally demonizing "conservative" elements.
Stargardt weaves quite a bit of diverse info into the overall focus on the personal accounts, touching on many of the lesser known (to most) aspects of social, cultural, and economic developments in Nazi Germany (something Evans' trilogy sets out to do, and does well). My favorite new-to-me tidbit so far: how widespread anglophilia in Germany (incl. among Nazis) complicated the regime's public and propaganda actions once the unexpected and nasty city-busting air war broke out in the fall of 1940.
Also, how the Gestapo was pretty much a shoe-string operation that relied (successfully and skillfully) on social pressure and groupthink for its highly effective operations - at least in the early years. The fearsome Nazi police state actually had pretty amazing and under-appreciated limits on its activities up until the end, something Evans' books sketch out nicely.
Thanks to the moron in this thread recently who suggested The German War by Stargardt. Mostly an effort to portray and reveal the personal thoughts, motivations, etc. of a diverse group of Germans participating (as soldiers, civilians, family members) in WWII through their own diaries, letters, etc.
Admittedly I can read through this sort of account like I can sip a good cab or munch on addictive salty snacks, but it's pretty good so far.
Last night I came upon the first stuff that set off (my admittedly hair-trigger) alarms about lefty nonsense starting to creep in, but it seems to have been nothing. The excellent trilogy by Richard J. Evans sort of trained me to note and eye-roll at what seem obligatory romanticized little tidbits glorifying lefty (Social Democrat) players and forces while occasionally demonizing "conservative" elements.
Stargardt weaves quite a bit of diverse info into the overall focus on the personal accounts, touching on many of the lesser known (to most) aspects of social, cultural, and economic developments in Nazi Germany (something Evans' trilogy sets out to do, and does well). My favorite new-to-me tidbit so far: how widespread anglophilia in Germany (incl. among Nazis) complicated the regime's public and propaganda actions once the unexpected and nasty city-busting air war broke out in the fall of 1940.
Also, how the Gestapo was pretty much a shoe-string operation that relied (successfully and skillfully) on social pressure and groupthink for its highly effective operations - at least in the early years. The fearsome Nazi police state actually had pretty amazing and under-appreciated limits on its activities up until the end, something Evans' books sketch out nicely.
Posted by: rhomboid at November 08, 2015 12:39 PM (QDnY+)
273
"I love that movie and I wish they had a bluray version. They have one but it is only available in French (wife got be a copy and had not checked it closely)."
Costner and Duvall, Benning and a number of really great character actors made a great team in that film. Love it. Beautiful cinematography.
"I love that movie and I wish they had a bluray version. They have one but it is only available in French (wife got be a copy and had not checked it closely)."
Costner and Duvall, Benning and a number of really great character actors made a great team in that film. Love it. Beautiful cinematography.
Posted by: Tuna at November 08, 2015 12:39 PM (JSovD)
274
Last week read the Moron-recommended 'An Act of Self Defense'.
Whew! Intense.
This week picked up Mark Helprin's "Winters Tale". We shall see...
Whew! Intense.
This week picked up Mark Helprin's "Winters Tale". We shall see...
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 12:42 PM (9mTYi)
275
They cheated a little bit on the visuals in Open Range (CGI skies) and Costner's 6-shooter had like 27 bullets in it, but yeah, wonderful film anyway.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:43 PM (39g3+)
276
NFL thread up NOOD
Posted by: Steck at November 08, 2015 12:43 PM (ibSYs)
277
junkscience
Awe, come-on, if they commit further than clothes and make-up there is a little science involved.
Awe, come-on, if they commit further than clothes and make-up there is a little science involved.
Posted by: Snarky at November 08, 2015 12:44 PM (y/bte)
278
219
They're adding hyphenation and different fonts to some books, which
apparently you can see if you're using a Kindle Fire or iOS device.
Hyphenation would be good. The justified margins don't work too well when there are long words on the line (a problem that is even worse if you're dealing with Russian).
They're adding hyphenation and different fonts to some books, which
apparently you can see if you're using a Kindle Fire or iOS device.
Hyphenation would be good. The justified margins don't work too well when there are long words on the line (a problem that is even worse if you're dealing with Russian).
Posted by: Anachronda at November 08, 2015 12:44 PM (XMhnq)
279
262
I was trying out my Oliver Twist persona. " More please?"
I was trying out my Oliver Twist persona. " More please?"
Posted by: Tuna at November 08, 2015 12:44 PM (JSovD)
280
rhomboid - Have you read Sajer's "The Forgotten Soldier"? I think I picked it up on account of a recommendation here. Autobiography of a German soldier on the Eastern Front. Worth the read, provides insight into what it was like on the ground for the German soldier there.
Spoiler: Not all moonlight and roses.
Spoiler: Not all moonlight and roses.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 12:48 PM (9mTYi)
281
You seem to think that men used to do those things for the sheer hell of it, and they should continue to find ways to suffer and die in hardship even though they get nothing from it.
You seem to think we gain nothing by being men? That's how we got where we are today. The reason we're in the place we are now regarding men and culture is because men gave up and took it easy instead of growing up and taking responsibility. We'll only get things back the way they need to be if men step up.
Why on earth anyone would think that doing the right thing and standing tall has no value and is simply suicidal stupidity is beyond me. Its hard, but everything worth doing is. There's always a cost when we do what is right. Always.
I may be misunderstanding your comment, or perhaps you misunderstood mine.
No, I was just trying to springboard off your comment.
You seem to think we gain nothing by being men? That's how we got where we are today. The reason we're in the place we are now regarding men and culture is because men gave up and took it easy instead of growing up and taking responsibility. We'll only get things back the way they need to be if men step up.
Why on earth anyone would think that doing the right thing and standing tall has no value and is simply suicidal stupidity is beyond me. Its hard, but everything worth doing is. There's always a cost when we do what is right. Always.
I may be misunderstanding your comment, or perhaps you misunderstood mine.
No, I was just trying to springboard off your comment.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:48 PM (39g3+)
282
Not very highbrow, but:
Last week read The Year of Fear which focused on the Machine Gun Kelly/Urschel kidnaping in the early 30s and that era of Midwest gangsterism Good read and pretty evocative of that era.
Also, Pitch by Pitch, Bob Gibson's first person account of his record breaking (strikeouts) game in the 68 World Series. Worth a try if you are a baseball geek like me who is interested in what I think of as the golden age of baseball.
Getting started on The Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham. Quick read and interesting, but doesn't seem very... I don't know... in depth or something.
Also, is it just me or is Grisham a hardcore leftist? So far, this is about a lawyer who defends criminals accused of heinous crimes, and pretty much paints prosecutors, cops, judges, administrators, anyone associated with the criminal justice system as corrupt, mindless hacks. We'll see, I'm just getting going on it.
Absolutely love my Kindle Paper-White, but Hate the tiny photographs. Can't the Amazon mega- geniuses do better?
Last week read The Year of Fear which focused on the Machine Gun Kelly/Urschel kidnaping in the early 30s and that era of Midwest gangsterism Good read and pretty evocative of that era.
Also, Pitch by Pitch, Bob Gibson's first person account of his record breaking (strikeouts) game in the 68 World Series. Worth a try if you are a baseball geek like me who is interested in what I think of as the golden age of baseball.
Getting started on The Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham. Quick read and interesting, but doesn't seem very... I don't know... in depth or something.
Also, is it just me or is Grisham a hardcore leftist? So far, this is about a lawyer who defends criminals accused of heinous crimes, and pretty much paints prosecutors, cops, judges, administrators, anyone associated with the criminal justice system as corrupt, mindless hacks. We'll see, I'm just getting going on it.
Absolutely love my Kindle Paper-White, but Hate the tiny photographs. Can't the Amazon mega- geniuses do better?
Posted by: RM at November 08, 2015 12:49 PM (U3LtS)
283
Akira Kurosawa did a pretty good film of Red Harvest.
Posted by: Trimegistus at November 08, 2015 12:49 PM (K87dX)
284
To the Troll: Y'know, I didn't see any mentions of The Toupee that Walks Like A Man in the book thread until you brought him up... take your straw man and shove it up your ass, I'm trying to read about books, ok?
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain at November 08, 2015 12:50 PM (2eZBM)
285
it's everywhere
and much of it is hidden behind the word "science"
junkscience
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 12:38 PM (qCMvj)
And started with "scientific socialism," per Marx.
As opposed to "utopian socialism," which is totally different, because that was shown to be impractical and unworkable.
and much of it is hidden behind the word "science"
junkscience
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 08, 2015 12:38 PM (qCMvj)
And started with "scientific socialism," per Marx.
As opposed to "utopian socialism," which is totally different, because that was shown to be impractical and unworkable.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:51 PM (oKE6c)
286
They must have just assumed I wasn't and let me in anyway. ;^)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
---------------------
Matthew 5:5
Scripture fulfilled!
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
---------------------
Matthew 5:5
Scripture fulfilled!
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 12:53 PM (9mTYi)
287
I may be misunderstanding your comment, or perhaps you misunderstood mine.
No, I was just trying to springboard off your comment.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:48 PM (39g3+)
Ah. Then I misunderstood yours. My apologies, and thanks for the clarification.
No, I was just trying to springboard off your comment.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:48 PM (39g3+)
Ah. Then I misunderstood yours. My apologies, and thanks for the clarification.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:53 PM (oKE6c)
288
@271 FenelonSpoke
I welcome the burning times for a reason.
Besides, Obama has transformed America into something that isn't going to survive a serious confrontation. It can be reversed, but it is going to take a serious house cleaning.
I welcome the burning times for a reason.
Besides, Obama has transformed America into something that isn't going to survive a serious confrontation. It can be reversed, but it is going to take a serious house cleaning.
Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at November 08, 2015 12:54 PM (KW+jd)
289
Getting started on The Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham. Quick read and interesting, but doesn't seem very... I don't know... in depth or something.
--------
The Grisham Cookbook.
I read two books, and quit.
--------
The Grisham Cookbook.
I read two books, and quit.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 12:54 PM (9mTYi)
290
Also, how the Gestapo was pretty much a shoe-string
operation that relied (successfully and skillfully) on social pressure
and groupthink for its highly effective operations - at least in the
early years.
Posted by: rhomboid at November 08, 2015 12:39 PM (QDnY+)
Total Gestapo membership for all of Europe: 5000.
Amazing, when you think about it.
operation that relied (successfully and skillfully) on social pressure
and groupthink for its highly effective operations - at least in the
early years.
Posted by: rhomboid at November 08, 2015 12:39 PM (QDnY+)
Total Gestapo membership for all of Europe: 5000.
Amazing, when you think about it.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 12:56 PM (oKE6c)
291
The SS started out pretty much worthless as well. They had a lot of warm bodies, but almost none had military training. When the Germans grabbed their first portion of land, the planes that flew overhead didn't even have guns. They were really good at drama and show and intimidation without real backing for years.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:58 PM (39g3+)
292
I actually thought A Time to Kill (Grisham's first, I believe) was also his most in depth, at least somewhat plausible, and his best.
Posted by: RM at November 08, 2015 12:58 PM (U3LtS)
293
@280 Mike Hammer
Sajer's "The Forgotten Soldier" is required reading at West Point from what I heard.
Read it when I was in the service and I have been through the border town he is from (Lauterbourg)
Sajer's "The Forgotten Soldier" is required reading at West Point from what I heard.
Read it when I was in the service and I have been through the border town he is from (Lauterbourg)
Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at November 08, 2015 12:59 PM (KW+jd)
294
I don't disagree that too many young men live a life of extended adolescence and that it it's a problem. The Peter Pan Syndrome is real. However,isn't it possible that one of the reasons this "lifestyle" is chosen is that they have seen that many of the marriages of their peers-- young men who just wanted "to get married and have kids"-- ended in divorce, emotional turbulence and financial hardship? I think this is a key point that is often overlooked. Another point is that being a perpetual adolescent is actually a lifestyle choice these days.
A Peter Pan existence just wasn't an option for the WW2 generation.
A Peter Pan existence just wasn't an option for the WW2 generation.
Posted by: JoeF. at November 08, 2015 12:59 PM (SIwLd)
295
I started to read " Eifelheim" this week. It sounded right up my alley. Scifi and medieval history rolled into one. I stopped. I knew I would like the characters very much and I also knew what was coming( Black Death). I just could not continue. I guess I'm at a point in life where I try to avoid depressing reads no matter how meaningful or well written. I wonder if that is a function of the overwhelmingly bad news I read everyday or just a part of aging.
Posted by: Tuna at November 08, 2015 12:59 PM (JSovD)
296
anyone who buys an eBook is buying less than air.
They can make it go away. It's really not your possession you've just paid to borrow it and under certain conditions will disappear, never to be seen again.
I could never bring my self to invest in that.
I have a difficult enough time with the software running this computer. I balk at investing time in programming a personal program because it will be used rarely and will most likely be less than what I need. I will look for free software to do stuff and if I can't find it will find another way of doing what I want or give up on the idea.
The only books worthwhile having on a computer are some types of operating manuals and stuff you've already got hard copy of but you want to carry with you.
Sorry if this attitude tweaks anyone. I'm not trying to diss anyone who does do it, I'm just pointing out the flaws.
They can make it go away. It's really not your possession you've just paid to borrow it and under certain conditions will disappear, never to be seen again.
I could never bring my self to invest in that.
I have a difficult enough time with the software running this computer. I balk at investing time in programming a personal program because it will be used rarely and will most likely be less than what I need. I will look for free software to do stuff and if I can't find it will find another way of doing what I want or give up on the idea.
The only books worthwhile having on a computer are some types of operating manuals and stuff you've already got hard copy of but you want to carry with you.
Sorry if this attitude tweaks anyone. I'm not trying to diss anyone who does do it, I'm just pointing out the flaws.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at November 08, 2015 12:59 PM (Xo1Rt)
297
it's everywhere
and much of it is hidden behind the word "science"
junkscience
Posted by: artisanal 'ette
You deniers will be dealt with.
and much of it is hidden behind the word "science"
junkscience
Posted by: artisanal 'ette
You deniers will be dealt with.
Posted by: Bill Nye at November 08, 2015 01:01 PM (FkBIv)
298
"Besides, Obama has transformed America into something that isn't going to survive a serious confrontation."
Yes he has and all on purpose.
Yes he has and all on purpose.
Posted by: Tuna at November 08, 2015 01:03 PM (JSovD)
299
I actually read The Last Ship the year it was published when I was serving in the US Navy. It wasn't one of those books I'd re-read a dozen times over the years but it stuck with me and I was surprised when I heard they were making it into a TV series. The reason why the series has done so well is because about the only thing they didn't change was the title. It was a disturbing and depressing novel.
Posted by: samantha at November 08, 2015 01:03 PM (5NpgN)
300
I agree with depressing books, although I just wrote a pretty sad one. There are just too many books in the world for one person to possibly read them all, why slog through a misery fest?
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 01:04 PM (39g3+)
301
Sorry if this attitude tweaks anyone. I'm not trying to diss anyone who does do it, I'm just pointing out the flaws.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger
----------------
*fistbump*
I too am bitterly clinging to my paper. I will never happily accept a book that requires a battery.
Muldoon's book is causing me some angst.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger
----------------
*fistbump*
I too am bitterly clinging to my paper. I will never happily accept a book that requires a battery.
Muldoon's book is causing me some angst.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:05 PM (9mTYi)
302
"They can make it go away. It's really not your possession you've just paid to borrow it and under certain conditions will disappear, never to be seen again.
I could never bring my self to invest in that."
True, but the convenience of the Kindle, despite this and some other flaws, makes it a no-brainer for me, anyway. This convenience and ease also makes me read a lot more, and I was always a very avid reader.
I could never bring my self to invest in that."
True, but the convenience of the Kindle, despite this and some other flaws, makes it a no-brainer for me, anyway. This convenience and ease also makes me read a lot more, and I was always a very avid reader.
Posted by: RM at November 08, 2015 01:05 PM (U3LtS)
303
@298 Tuna
Sure. Why work hard and invest in the future just to get robbed (taxed) by O and his Party or the facade of a judicial system to feed their parasites?
Man up. Feed the beast and it's brood. Better off emmigrating.
Sure. Why work hard and invest in the future just to get robbed (taxed) by O and his Party or the facade of a judicial system to feed their parasites?
Man up. Feed the beast and it's brood. Better off emmigrating.
Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at November 08, 2015 01:06 PM (KW+jd)
304
anyone who buys an eBook is buying less than air.
They can make it go away. It's really not your possession you've just paid to borrow it and under certain conditions will disappear, never to be seen again.
Can't they be converted to another form (e.g. PDF) and saved on a hard drive elsewhere?
http://calibre-ebook.com/about
They can make it go away. It's really not your possession you've just paid to borrow it and under certain conditions will disappear, never to be seen again.
Can't they be converted to another form (e.g. PDF) and saved on a hard drive elsewhere?
http://calibre-ebook.com/about
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at November 08, 2015 01:08 PM (FkBIv)
305
Yes he has and all on purpose.
Posted by: Tuna
----------------
The only question is, has he done it because he is intrinsically, malevolently evil, or, is he simply very badly mistaken in his philosophy?
A moot point so far as the consequences, but I puzzle over it.
Posted by: Tuna
----------------
The only question is, has he done it because he is intrinsically, malevolently evil, or, is he simply very badly mistaken in his philosophy?
A moot point so far as the consequences, but I puzzle over it.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:08 PM (9mTYi)
306
Well you can get my books in print (10 bucks plus shipping) but the fact is, taking a chance on a new writer for a couple bucks is a better investment than buying a physical book and hoping for the best. And that's what e-books bring to the table. They're a huge benefit for authors.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 01:10 PM (39g3+)
307
Wife and I drove to it last night to check it out.
There was a line of people waiting to get in! Security guard at the door says the place was at capacity. One look inside made it obvious it most certainly was not. Told him to screw it and left.
There was a line of people waiting to get in! Security guard at the door says the place was at capacity. One look inside made it obvious it most certainly was not. Told him to screw it and left.
Posted by: The Man from Athens at November 08, 2015 01:10 PM (lQqij)
308
Wonder if they'll have a doorman and a theater rope out front. No, you can't come in, you're not hip enough. You with the king tut beard and bowler, you can enter Amazon.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 01:14 PM (39g3+)
309
You should have cross-dressed as an amazon. Hip and meta -- guaranteed entree.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Michigangsta at November 08, 2015 01:17 PM (jR7Wy)
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 01:18 PM (jT+gh)
311
You should have cross-dressed as an amazon. Hip and meta -- guaranteed entree.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
------------------
Bonus: You get to use the women's restroom, without lifting the seat, one presumes.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
------------------
Bonus: You get to use the women's restroom, without lifting the seat, one presumes.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:20 PM (9mTYi)
312
311 You should have cross-dressed as an amazon. Hip and meta -- guaranteed entree.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
------------------
Bonus: You get to use the women's restroom, without lifting the seat, one presumes.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:20 PM (9mTYi)
---
And the lactation room!
Posted by: All Hail Eris
------------------
Bonus: You get to use the women's restroom, without lifting the seat, one presumes.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:20 PM (9mTYi)
---
And the lactation room!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Michigangsta at November 08, 2015 01:24 PM (jR7Wy)
313
That disappearing e-book thing may have been true when they first came out but Amazon swearsies that it is not true now.
I have been doing e-books now for about 5 years and have never had one "go away".
I have been doing e-books now for about 5 years and have never had one "go away".
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 08, 2015 01:24 PM (t2KH5)
314
296
"They can make it go away. It's really not your possession you've just paid to borrow it and under certain conditions will disappear, never to be seen again."
Calling bullshit. I have ebooks from Baen for more than a decade. No one can delete shit from my PC remotely. If you think "they" can, then I want to sell you some magic beans.
"They can make it go away. It's really not your possession you've just paid to borrow it and under certain conditions will disappear, never to be seen again."
Calling bullshit. I have ebooks from Baen for more than a decade. No one can delete shit from my PC remotely. If you think "they" can, then I want to sell you some magic beans.
Posted by: Inspector Cussword at November 08, 2015 01:29 PM (56fVf)
315
I have a good number of ebooks safely stored on my external USB drive, so I rather think I have a little more than air.
Of course, I do have a number of Kindle and Nook books NOT stored on my hard drive...
Of course, I do have a number of Kindle and Nook books NOT stored on my hard drive...
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 01:34 PM (vDRyT)
316
Did someone here link to the "Maggie's Farm" blog? I'm trying to figure out how I came across it, and to thank whoever turned me onto it. It's wonderful, and has a number of apposite posts for nascent posts I was writing for Cut.Jib.Newsletter.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 08, 2015 01:36 PM (oKE6c)
317
As someone who is not a shrieking harridan yet has never managed to land an actual date, I respectfully recuse myself from the "man up" discussion. But of the two, I'd marry the GI. Pajama Boy can take a hike.
Nineteenth century favorites this week for World Lit: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, "The Lady of Shalott," and Just So Stories. Next week: "On Fairy-stories" and The Abolition of Man.
Speaking of CSL, he *does* write a fair bit about how the Church can serve as a corrective for individualist wild hares--but mostly in the sense of corporate worship. I haven't dug into his ecclesiology much, but IIRC, he's more concerned with the Church as a body of believers than as an institution per se.
Nineteenth century favorites this week for World Lit: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, "The Lady of Shalott," and Just So Stories. Next week: "On Fairy-stories" and The Abolition of Man.
Speaking of CSL, he *does* write a fair bit about how the Church can serve as a corrective for individualist wild hares--but mostly in the sense of corporate worship. I haven't dug into his ecclesiology much, but IIRC, he's more concerned with the Church as a body of believers than as an institution per se.
Posted by: Elisabeth G. Wolfe at November 08, 2015 01:36 PM (iuQS7)
318
The annotated Alice is a really nice resource for better understanding the Alice books. As an example, there is some exposition on "treacle wells" that really changes your perception of the original text -- while also shining some light on placenames like Agua Dulce, CA or Sweetwater, TX.
Posted by: cthulhu at November 08, 2015 01:38 PM (EzgxV)
319
Re today's pajama boys - My father was born in 1932. By the time he was 30 he had graduated from veterinary school, got married, started his own vet practice, had three kids, and bought a house. I'm not sure when my parents bought the real estate where his vet practice stood, but if it wasn't before he was 30 then it was shortly thereafter. By the time my father turned 40 he had two more kids, bought a bigger house, and opened a second location for his vet practice. In my father's limited spare time - when he wasn't doing family stuff, work stuff or church stuff - he gardened, fixed things and built things. It's so disheartening when I compare today's millenials with my father's generation.
Posted by: biancaneve at November 08, 2015 01:40 PM (37TvV)
320
When Michael Palin went to the Soviet Union on one of his travel docs, they showed him in a drinking party outside Moscow. His hosts brewed their own vodka to avoid the outrageously high taxes on the legal stuff. Russians have had to be pretty inventive to get around their system.
And as for Cheever's book, I doubt she's discovered anything new. I ran across a lot of drinking anecdotes researching my book "Writers Gone Wild," including one about Faulkner passing out in his New York hotel room and severely burning his face on the radiator. There are at least two books on writers and drinking in my library "Creative Spirits" and "A Drinking Companion."
And as for Cheever's book, I doubt she's discovered anything new. I ran across a lot of drinking anecdotes researching my book "Writers Gone Wild," including one about Faulkner passing out in his New York hotel room and severely burning his face on the radiator. There are at least two books on writers and drinking in my library "Creative Spirits" and "A Drinking Companion."
Posted by: Bill Peschel at November 08, 2015 01:43 PM (7/14w)
321
308 Wonder if they'll have a doorman and a theater rope out front. No, you can't come in, you're not hip enough. You with the king tut beard and bowler, you can enter Amazon.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 01:14 PM (39g3+)
***********
The hipster-douchebag concentration in Seattle is always high but a quick glance in the place revealed a nearly quantitative amount.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 01:14 PM (39g3+)
***********
The hipster-douchebag concentration in Seattle is always high but a quick glance in the place revealed a nearly quantitative amount.
Posted by: The Man from Athens at November 08, 2015 01:46 PM (lQqij)
322
I had 1984 vanish from my Kindle years ago but Amazon got burned pretty bad for it, I'm sure it won't happen again.
Wish though it were as easy to loan an e-book as it is with a real book, there are many authors that don't let you do it all.
Wish though it were as easy to loan an e-book as it is with a real book, there are many authors that don't let you do it all.
Posted by: waelse1 at November 08, 2015 01:47 PM (GFXcn)
323
It would be tough to pick the most dysfunctional writer. I might go with Burroughs, but he had the unearned advantage of inherited megabucks to grease the skids.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:48 PM (9mTYi)
324
It would be tough to pick the most dysfunctional writer. I might go with Burroughs, but he had the unearned advantage of inherited megabucks to grease the skids.
Posted by: Mike Hammer
------------
That's Wm. S., not Edgar Rice.
Posted by: Mike Hammer
------------
That's Wm. S., not Edgar Rice.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:49 PM (9mTYi)
325
30 My new book, Killing George Will, is due out in January.
Posted by: Bill O'Reilly
"And then he started crying like a little girl . . ."
Posted by: Bill O'Reilly
"And then he started crying like a little girl . . ."
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 01:50 PM (Nwg0u)
326
I had 1984 vanish from my Kindle years ago ...
-------------------
There's a bit of irony. Only Fahrenheit 451 would have been more so.
-------------------
There's a bit of irony. Only Fahrenheit 451 would have been more so.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:52 PM (9mTYi)
327
Today, most young men seem infected by a widespread Peter Pan syndrome. Unwilling to give up the freedom to sleep late, play video games, dress like a slob, and play the field, today's men wallow in an extended adolescence, ostensibly unaware that they're setting themselves up for a depressing, lonely existence
******
Good news for the gene pool. The reproduction rate of these idiots will be low.
Good news for hookers. They'll have to pay for it as no woman with any sense will want to be with PJ Boy.
******
Good news for the gene pool. The reproduction rate of these idiots will be low.
Good news for hookers. They'll have to pay for it as no woman with any sense will want to be with PJ Boy.
Posted by: The Man from Athens at November 08, 2015 01:53 PM (lQqij)
328
Concerning the general decline of Christianity, WW1, and the socialist agenda (welfare, temperance, social security), the matter is muddied by the heretic Charles Grandison Finney who was a social activist and proponent of all the worst psychological manipulations known as altar calls. He was bad enough, but his followers included a lot of popular guys like D. L. Moody, Billy Sunday, and Billy Graham.
The timing of the decline of Christianity may stem from Charles Haddon Spurgeon's controversial "downgrade" sermons of the late 19th century that predated both WW1 and the Fundamentalism schism of the early 20th century.
The timing of the decline of Christianity may stem from Charles Haddon Spurgeon's controversial "downgrade" sermons of the late 19th century that predated both WW1 and the Fundamentalism schism of the early 20th century.
Posted by: Steve Poling at November 08, 2015 01:53 PM (db5YN)
329
Good news for the gene pool. The reproduction rate of these idiots will be low.
-------------
Maybe. I see a disturbing number of hipsters with bratty, uncontrolled children, done up in mini-me hipster dress.
-------------
Maybe. I see a disturbing number of hipsters with bratty, uncontrolled children, done up in mini-me hipster dress.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:55 PM (9mTYi)
330
Epeaking of books v. movies, Hemmingway's short story, The Killers, was made into a movie (Burt Lancaster's first movie role). The short story was essentially the exposition of the movie. All the rest was made up. And Hemmingway liked it.
P.S. The remake, not as good as the original, was Ronald Reagan's last movie.
P.S. The remake, not as good as the original, was Ronald Reagan's last movie.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 02:01 PM (Nwg0u)
331
My current pet theory is that the "guys getting screwed by marriage by whorish, nutty, fymynyst inclined, American women and thus opting for a Peter Pan existence"-
will be easily solved if we can avoid the massive muslim influx now damning Europe to decades of social unrest, war, rape, sharia, etc.
I'm pretty sure that in a couple of years that women from various European countries will have had their fill of the rapey, stabby Theme Park that Europe will become
and will wish to come to America.
Those who are reasonably attractive, actually like men, and wish to have families-
will probably do extremely well.
Win-win-win...everyone's happy.
will be easily solved if we can avoid the massive muslim influx now damning Europe to decades of social unrest, war, rape, sharia, etc.
I'm pretty sure that in a couple of years that women from various European countries will have had their fill of the rapey, stabby Theme Park that Europe will become
and will wish to come to America.
Those who are reasonably attractive, actually like men, and wish to have families-
will probably do extremely well.
Win-win-win...everyone's happy.
Posted by: naturalfake at November 08, 2015 02:02 PM (0cMkb)
332
Just a shout out for for Muldoon's book.
Pretty good so far.
Pretty good so far.
Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski at November 08, 2015 02:16 PM (xwGBG)
333
Wish though it were as easy to loan an e-book as it is with a real book, there are many authors that don't let you do it all.
I checked that option, but I think a lot of authors are afraid people won't buy their book if they can get it for free.
One thing about e-books though, you can edit them on the fly, which can be good and can be bad. Amazon can edit out stuff they don't like or find politically unappealing for example. Not saying they have but I've heard rumblings. Then again, I can edit out typos...
I checked that option, but I think a lot of authors are afraid people won't buy their book if they can get it for free.
One thing about e-books though, you can edit them on the fly, which can be good and can be bad. Amazon can edit out stuff they don't like or find politically unappealing for example. Not saying they have but I've heard rumblings. Then again, I can edit out typos...
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 02:23 PM (39g3+)
334
*fistbump*
I too am bitterly clinging to my paper. I will never happily accept a book that requires a battery.
Muldoon's book is causing me some angst.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:05 PM (9mTYi)
Same here. I'm not going to buy any e-books in a format that includes DRM. I can't understand why more books are not simply offered in .pdf format. I don't own any e-readers, and I don't plan on getting one, unless there is some revolutionary change in the way the content is sold/distributed. I attempted to buy one Moron author's work in Kindle format, because there is (was?) apparently a Kindle app for PCs, and that turned into a giant clusterfuck.
*fistbump*
I too am bitterly clinging to my paper. I will never happily accept a book that requires a battery.
Muldoon's book is causing me some angst.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 01:05 PM (9mTYi)
Same here. I'm not going to buy any e-books in a format that includes DRM. I can't understand why more books are not simply offered in .pdf format. I don't own any e-readers, and I don't plan on getting one, unless there is some revolutionary change in the way the content is sold/distributed. I attempted to buy one Moron author's work in Kindle format, because there is (was?) apparently a Kindle app for PCs, and that turned into a giant clusterfuck.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 08, 2015 02:27 PM (0yhH4)
335
The novel "The Last Ship" was brilliant--a compellingly written epic and IMO the best book ever written in the nuclear holocaust genre. The descriptions it provides of a world virtually destroyed in a global nuclear war are horrifyingly and breathtakingly powerful, much more so than any I'd previously encountered in other books such as "On the Beach," "Alas, Babylon," etc. It bears no resemblance to the TV series apart from the title and the premise of a U.S. warship and its crew trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. The TV series is awful, and that's all I'll say about it. The author, William Brinkley, was a WWII navy officer who also wrote the Navy service comedy, "Don't Go Near the Water," which was made into a very funny movie in 1957 starring Glenn Ford. Interestingly, not long after publishing the "Last Ship," Brinkely, who suffered from manic depression, killed himself.
Full disclosure: upon its publication, I reviewed "The Last Ship" for Booklist magazine, giving the highest rating.
Full disclosure: upon its publication, I reviewed "The Last Ship" for Booklist magazine, giving the highest rating.
Posted by: Steve (a.k.a. Ed Snate) at November 08, 2015 02:29 PM (SCUgO)
336
Smashwords offers PDFs, unless the author opts out of that format. Just sayin'.
Posted by: Elisabeth G. Wolfe at November 08, 2015 02:30 PM (iuQS7)
337
281 You seem to think we gain nothing by being men? That's how we got where we are today. The reason we're in the place we are now regarding men and culture is because men gave up and took it easy instead of growing up and taking responsibility. We'll only get things back the way they need to be if men step up.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:48 PM
Oh good, it's not just me. And hey, all those self absorbed, lying, cheating perpetually pubescent guys out there who bail at the slightest hint of difficulty in life that interrupts their buzz & video games? Yeah totally not their faults, it's all us unreasonable harpies.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 08, 2015 12:48 PM
Oh good, it's not just me. And hey, all those self absorbed, lying, cheating perpetually pubescent guys out there who bail at the slightest hint of difficulty in life that interrupts their buzz & video games? Yeah totally not their faults, it's all us unreasonable harpies.
Posted by: bebe's boobs destroy at November 08, 2015 02:40 PM (il1df)
338
One additional think to keep in mind when theorizing about WW I and the decline of faith is that it coincided with the "Spanish Flue" global pandemic. As a child I listened to people who had lived through the experience but until recently I never saw much written about it. One of the reasons for that is that Woodrow Wilson's censors threatened to close down any newspaper that reported on it. People knew that something was going on and people were dying but it was not reported in the newspapers or on the radio or mentioned by politicians.
So in addition to millions of men dead in a war that left things not real different from what they were before, there were millions of civilians dead and their government and other authorities pretending that it was not happening.
So in addition to millions of men dead in a war that left things not real different from what they were before, there were millions of civilians dead and their government and other authorities pretending that it was not happening.
Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at November 08, 2015 02:43 PM (QHgTq)
339
Smashwords offers PDFs, unless the author opts out of that format. Just sayin'.
Posted by: Elisabeth G. Wolfe at November 08, 2015 02:30 PM (iuQS7)
Well, there you go. Is Smashwords a publisher or a bookseller? Does a Web site exist? How do I find what they have to offer?
Why do I not already know these things? Could be that Smashwords is not properly promoting their product, if there is a product?
If you, or other Moron authors, have .pdf books available for sale via Smashwords, why not say so? And tell those of us who may be unfamiliar with the whole schmear how to find and order them.
Maybe there is an untapped market out there. Just sayin'.
Posted by: Elisabeth G. Wolfe at November 08, 2015 02:30 PM (iuQS7)
Well, there you go. Is Smashwords a publisher or a bookseller? Does a Web site exist? How do I find what they have to offer?
Why do I not already know these things? Could be that Smashwords is not properly promoting their product, if there is a product?
If you, or other Moron authors, have .pdf books available for sale via Smashwords, why not say so? And tell those of us who may be unfamiliar with the whole schmear how to find and order them.
Maybe there is an untapped market out there. Just sayin'.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 08, 2015 02:54 PM (0yhH4)
340
Does she mention in her "America is Drunk" diatribe that there are no known human pathogens that can survive in the various beverages we make that include alcohol? As distinct from the local water supplies of history that were just fetid pools of bacteria and parasites.
Posted by: steve walsh at November 08, 2015 02:54 PM (GWY0H)
341
"I'm a married Army veteran professional with three kids, and I wholly
reject this. There is no special burden or responsibility upon men to
voluntarily walk to slaughter; to deliberately slit open their veins to
feed a corrupt system. F that, and F it hard."
As a fellow married army veteran, professional and father I wish to endorse this in the strongest terms.
I have seen too many men getting screwed in divorce court to hold it against somebody who does not want to take the risk. What are the actual statistics for divorce, anyway? Marriage has been compared to a minefield but honestly, I think that you have a better chance of walking across a minefield unscathed and the worst that can happen in a mine field is that you will be killed or have your legs blown off. Ask most divorced men which they would pick if they had the choice.
reject this. There is no special burden or responsibility upon men to
voluntarily walk to slaughter; to deliberately slit open their veins to
feed a corrupt system. F that, and F it hard."
As a fellow married army veteran, professional and father I wish to endorse this in the strongest terms.
I have seen too many men getting screwed in divorce court to hold it against somebody who does not want to take the risk. What are the actual statistics for divorce, anyway? Marriage has been compared to a minefield but honestly, I think that you have a better chance of walking across a minefield unscathed and the worst that can happen in a mine field is that you will be killed or have your legs blown off. Ask most divorced men which they would pick if they had the choice.
Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at November 08, 2015 02:54 PM (QHgTq)
342
I saw Mr. Creosote open for Spanish Flue at the Roxy. It was a blast.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 08, 2015 02:56 PM (0yhH4)
343
One of the reasons for that is that Woodrow Wilson's censors threatened to close down any newspaper that reported on it. People knew that something was going on and people were dying but it was not reported in the newspapers or on the radio or mentioned by politicians.
Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at November 08, 2015 02:43 PM (QHgTq)
Just a nit-pick: Wilson served as President until 1921. Regular radio broadcasting began with station KDKA in Pittsburgh in 1920, and I think the flu epidemic was substantially over by then. So not reported by radio, because, no radio. It wasn't on TV, either (in case Joe Biden is reading).
Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at November 08, 2015 02:43 PM (QHgTq)
Just a nit-pick: Wilson served as President until 1921. Regular radio broadcasting began with station KDKA in Pittsburgh in 1920, and I think the flu epidemic was substantially over by then. So not reported by radio, because, no radio. It wasn't on TV, either (in case Joe Biden is reading).
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 08, 2015 03:02 PM (0yhH4)
344
AOP, I always link to where my books are available from Smashwords (http://www.smashwords.com) on my blog. I even offered a Horde discount on my first two books when my latest went up for preorder.
That said, I'm not sure how many other Horde authors go the Smashwords route in addition to Kindle, as opposed to KDP Select and/or Kindle Unlimited, which require exclusivity. I went broad after Sabrina Chase recommended it on a past book thread (before I published my first book), but I think Anna Puma and several others are Kindle-only.
That said, I'm not sure how many other Horde authors go the Smashwords route in addition to Kindle, as opposed to KDP Select and/or Kindle Unlimited, which require exclusivity. I went broad after Sabrina Chase recommended it on a past book thread (before I published my first book), but I think Anna Puma and several others are Kindle-only.
Posted by: Elisabeth G. Wolfe at November 08, 2015 03:02 PM (iuQS7)
345
Was WWI the first time national governments conducted large-scale, ongoing campaigns of lying to their own people?
Posted by: Trimegistus at November 08, 2015 03:04 PM (K87dX)
346
Yeah totally not their faults, it's all us unreasonable harpies.
Because sarcasm = a sense of humor
Because sarcasm = a sense of humor
Posted by: derit at November 08, 2015 03:16 PM (jT+gh)
Posted by: ci5er at November 08, 2015 03:20 PM (nKbYs)
348
Then again, I can edit out typos...
Posted by: Christopher Taylor
-------------
'Uncle Remus' would be a challenge.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor
-------------
'Uncle Remus' would be a challenge.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 03:24 PM (9mTYi)
349
Votermom asked me to give a shout out to the horde. Whatever shout out means...
Posted by: ci5er
------------------
I think 'shout' was supposed to be in all caps.
Posted by: ci5er
------------------
I think 'shout' was supposed to be in all caps.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 03:25 PM (9mTYi)
350
Men will start being men again when women stop being men.
Posted by: Emmett Milbarge at November 08, 2015 10:58 AM (nFdGS)
I have a feeling we're going to experience those days soon...
Posted by: Emmett Milbarge at November 08, 2015 10:58 AM (nFdGS)
I have a feeling we're going to experience those days soon...
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 03:33 PM (/NEnw)
351
Reading weather has arrived and I enjoyed both Sabrina Chase's Dragon Hunters and Christopher Taylor's Life Unworthy novels. I have 2 ebooks on the kindle that I can't recall why I bought them because its been that long ago. Hopefully they were Horde recommends and will be good reads.
Posted by: PaleRider at November 08, 2015 03:35 PM (iA/+T)
352
I hate people and their phones. In Bangladesh, a 13 y/o was beaten to death by his employer and people film it. A 12 y/o is beaten, begs for his life, and then an air hose is shoved up his butt and turned on killing him. Again, people just film it. Is this video/vine/selfie crap ever going to end??
Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at November 08, 2015 11:04 AM (iQIUe)
I'm on my way!
Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at November 08, 2015 11:04 AM (iQIUe)
I'm on my way!
Posted by: EMP at November 08, 2015 03:35 PM (/NEnw)
353
This is a really obvious point-sorry- but there are of course, two sides in every divorce story, and there are women who have been treated badly by husbands and hurt feelings and anger on the women's side as well as that of the husbands. Very rarely is there such thing as an amicable divorce.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 08, 2015 03:35 PM (No/ki)
354
The reason we're in the place we are now regarding men and culture is because men gave up and took it easy instead of growing up and taking responsibility.
-------------------
Well, that is true of society in general. It is the consequence of the soft, easy, protected, complacent lives that people lead now.
In the aftermath of the 20th century, people have forgotten that human nature periodically spawns men (usually) who are genuine psychopaths.
Psychopaths being psychopaths, sooner or later one of these guys surrounds himself with birds of a feather, and life takes a nasty turn for the worse.
It's taking place now in the middle east, I think.
-------------------
Well, that is true of society in general. It is the consequence of the soft, easy, protected, complacent lives that people lead now.
In the aftermath of the 20th century, people have forgotten that human nature periodically spawns men (usually) who are genuine psychopaths.
Psychopaths being psychopaths, sooner or later one of these guys surrounds himself with birds of a feather, and life takes a nasty turn for the worse.
It's taking place now in the middle east, I think.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 03:35 PM (9mTYi)
355
Just a shout out for for Muldoon's book.
Pretty good so far.
Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski
****
Thanks Hayfield!
Pretty good so far.
Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski
****
Thanks Hayfield!
Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at November 08, 2015 03:42 PM (NeFrd)
356
>>> I don't see this being anything but a huge money sink for Amazon
Um, I think we may have differing definitions of the word "huge". We spend more on paperclips and post-its than this store will be losing.
Um, I think we may have differing definitions of the word "huge". We spend more on paperclips and post-its than this store will be losing.
Posted by: Amazon at November 08, 2015 03:48 PM (KQndB)
357
The thing that aggravates me about the trend to depressing books and movies is that although the hedonistic prog lifestyle and values lead to misery, there is never a suggestion that the problem is the hedonistic prog values. I guess conservatism is just too evil to consider.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 11:26 AM (Nwg0u)
Hence, Andrew Breitbart's urging to change the culture via taking over the media. If you haven't seen the DVD "Little Boy," rent it. Entertaining, clean and uplifting.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at November 08, 2015 11:26 AM (Nwg0u)
Hence, Andrew Breitbart's urging to change the culture via taking over the media. If you haven't seen the DVD "Little Boy," rent it. Entertaining, clean and uplifting.
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 03:49 PM (/NEnw)
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 03:57 PM (/NEnw)
359
If you haven't seen the DVD "Little Boy," rent it. Entertaining, clean and uplifting.
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 03:49 PM (/NEnw)
Looks like another great suggestion. Thank you!
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 03:49 PM (/NEnw)
Looks like another great suggestion. Thank you!
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 08, 2015 04:01 PM (gvtuJ)
360
"345
Was WWI the first time national governments conducted large-scale, ongoing campaigns of lying to their own people?
Posted by: Trimegistus at November 08, 2015 03:04 PM (K87dX)"
I don't know if it was the first time, but I think a lot of the isolationist sentiment, in the US and Neville Chamberlain's 1938 Munich concessions were the result of widespread resentment at having been lied to during WW I. I would guess that a good deal of the refusal to believe reports of the Holocaust until US troops entered concentration camps was a reaction against having believed overblown stories of German atrocities before and a determination not to be fooled again.
Was WWI the first time national governments conducted large-scale, ongoing campaigns of lying to their own people?
Posted by: Trimegistus at November 08, 2015 03:04 PM (K87dX)"
I don't know if it was the first time, but I think a lot of the isolationist sentiment, in the US and Neville Chamberlain's 1938 Munich concessions were the result of widespread resentment at having been lied to during WW I. I would guess that a good deal of the refusal to believe reports of the Holocaust until US troops entered concentration camps was a reaction against having believed overblown stories of German atrocities before and a determination not to be fooled again.
Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at November 08, 2015 04:06 PM (QHgTq)
361
A novel of that length with no significant graphics beyond the cover should be under or around 512K. Most indie authors are clueless about optimizing images and avoiding conversions that embed multiple versions of the same info in the resulting file.
Amazon's own KindleGen utility was a big offender on this front. Producing and editing an EPUB file is far, far easier because much better tools exist for the purpose. If you feed an EPUB into KindleGen, at least in the versions distributed before I gave up on it, the resulting Kindle file would have a complete copy of the EPUB contained within itself.
Amazon is supposed to examine submitted files and optimize them. I couldn't find an -e-book of that title on Barnes and Noble but I'd be very surprised if the EPUB were not a fraction of the size.
Amazon's own KindleGen utility was a big offender on this front. Producing and editing an EPUB file is far, far easier because much better tools exist for the purpose. If you feed an EPUB into KindleGen, at least in the versions distributed before I gave up on it, the resulting Kindle file would have a complete copy of the EPUB contained within itself.
Amazon is supposed to examine submitted files and optimize them. I couldn't find an -e-book of that title on Barnes and Noble but I'd be very surprised if the EPUB were not a fraction of the size.
Posted by: Epobirs at November 08, 2015 04:08 PM (IdCqF)
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 04:12 PM (/NEnw)
363
Last week read the Moron-recommended 'An Act of Self Defense'.
Whew! Intense.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 12:42 PM (9mTYi)
That was probably me. That's one of my favorites. Makes you wonder what's wrong with today's Secret Service guys...
Whew! Intense.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 08, 2015 12:42 PM (9mTYi)
That was probably me. That's one of my favorites. Makes you wonder what's wrong with today's Secret Service guys...
Posted by: RushBabe at November 08, 2015 04:38 PM (/NEnw)
364
Drink: A Social History of America is also a fun book. But also has its share of weird claims (America is addicted to air conditioning? We settled deserts and kept them until we came up with it!)
I have the last generation Kindle Fire and I'm very satisfied with it. But I bought it for the sole purpose of reading neuroscience texts, which are lousy with pictures and drawings. I do most of my ebook reading on my phone. So I can't really speak to storage capacity, because I only load one big book at a time on it.
The case with the magnetic snooze cover, though? You'll probably have to charge daily if you don't shut down instead of snooze.
Oh, and I wish I'd bought the larger one, because the drawings are still a bit too small...and I'm too vain for bifocals.
I have the last generation Kindle Fire and I'm very satisfied with it. But I bought it for the sole purpose of reading neuroscience texts, which are lousy with pictures and drawings. I do most of my ebook reading on my phone. So I can't really speak to storage capacity, because I only load one big book at a time on it.
The case with the magnetic snooze cover, though? You'll probably have to charge daily if you don't shut down instead of snooze.
Oh, and I wish I'd bought the larger one, because the drawings are still a bit too small...and I'm too vain for bifocals.
Posted by: Oschisms at November 08, 2015 05:26 PM (ZsN9X)
365
Sorry, I'm late to the party. I haven't been feeling well, and now that I've seen that book, The Money Makers, I'm having a relapse.
I first learned that "FDR Ended the Depression" was a myth when reading a few Truman biographies soon after he passed away. I learned then for the first time that no one then believed they had ended the Depression. They expected its return when the war ended. As one wag put it (probably here), and it would have returned had FDR lived. People who think FDR ended the Depression think blondes dye their roots black.
Read The Battle Bretton Woods by Steil if you want to know more about Harry Dexter White and communist infiltration of the government.
I'm here today to make my first recommendations. I will maintain a shelf of same at GoodReads.
If you like memoirs and dog stories read, The Dog Who Wouldn't Be, by the late Canadian naturalist, Farley Mowat.
It might appear to be YA, and it can be read aloud to young children, but it is a beautifully written account for all ages of his youth on the Canadian prairies and the dog that played a very large part in it.
Mowat also wrote a remarkable memoir of his service in Italy during WW II entitled, And No Birds Sang. Place it along With the Old Breed.
All three books I mentioned are 5 Star for sure.
I first learned that "FDR Ended the Depression" was a myth when reading a few Truman biographies soon after he passed away. I learned then for the first time that no one then believed they had ended the Depression. They expected its return when the war ended. As one wag put it (probably here), and it would have returned had FDR lived. People who think FDR ended the Depression think blondes dye their roots black.
Read The Battle Bretton Woods by Steil if you want to know more about Harry Dexter White and communist infiltration of the government.
I'm here today to make my first recommendations. I will maintain a shelf of same at GoodReads.
If you like memoirs and dog stories read, The Dog Who Wouldn't Be, by the late Canadian naturalist, Farley Mowat.
It might appear to be YA, and it can be read aloud to young children, but it is a beautifully written account for all ages of his youth on the Canadian prairies and the dog that played a very large part in it.
Mowat also wrote a remarkable memoir of his service in Italy during WW II entitled, And No Birds Sang. Place it along With the Old Breed.
All three books I mentioned are 5 Star for sure.
Posted by: (not J.J.) Sefton at November 08, 2015 08:29 PM (wi0rD)
366
Listening to Ralph Vaughan William's "A London Symphony," the 1920 version. I heard it in the car today and couldn't place the composer. Parts of it seemed genius, and parts seemed crap. At least, as I only paid 1/4 attention while driving. Now trying to figure out this surprising, rather weird symphony, which is full of glorious sonorities, and which avoids being at all predictable, but veers into left field sometimes (or so it seems when listening with 1/4 of an ear.)
Peter Rabbit did sort of that kind of thing, too. The other people's name was McGregor.
Peter Rabbit did sort of that kind of thing, too. The other people's name was McGregor.
Posted by: Smallish Bees at November 08, 2015 08:35 PM (yjhOG)
367
Yeah, grow up and marry someone like Hillary Clinton. Never thought I'd feel sorry for her husband.
Posted by: bruce at November 08, 2015 10:06 PM (sQruP)
368
If you like "The Last Ship," check out John Ringo's novel series entitled "To Sail a Darkling Sea." In these books, there is a virus outbreak that turns humans into zombies (yes, zombies!) that sweeps across the globe and destroys just about all of civilized life. The only people who escape are the ones who take to ships; and the novels follow one family who organizes the survivors to take back the mainland.
The writing isn't Faulkner, but it's pretty good. The political viewpoint is conservative, but not shoved in your face.
The writing isn't Faulkner, but it's pretty good. The political viewpoint is conservative, but not shoved in your face.
Posted by: Truthavenger at November 09, 2015 10:41 AM (3nHw3)
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