Sunday Morning Book Thread - 12-03-2023 ["Perfessor" Squirrel]

Welcome to the prestigious, internationally acclaimed, stately, and illustrious Sunday Morning Book Thread! The place where all readers are welcome, regardless of whatever guilty pleasure we feel like reading (Remember: Santa's watching!). Here is where we can discuss, argue, bicker, quibble, consider, debate, confabulate, converse, and jaw about our latest fancy in reading material. As always, pants are required, unless you are wearing these pants...

So relax, find yourself a warm kitty (or warm puppy--I won't judge) to curl up in your lap, fix yourself a plate of leftover turkey and pie, and dive into a new book. What are YOU reading this fine morning?

NOTE: I will not be around on today's Sunday Morning Book Thread as I volunteered to assist at church this morning, which means I need to get there early. Please be nice to one another!

PIC NOTE

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PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN - BOOK BY "MORONS"

Last week, there was some rather pointed commentary about the selections for the Books By Morons sections, as one of the "Moronettes" is apparently just a woman seeking to promote her book via any and every means available to her. Well, I thought I'd respond to that criticism in my own way.

Let's take a peek behind the curtain to see how a Book By Morons makes it to the Sunday Morning Book Thread:

I receive a polite email from someone claiming to be a "longtime lurker" who has a new book out. Sometimes they include a lot of details. Often times they don't include much detail at all. The latter group are the ones who are really struggling with the idea of self-promotion of their book. Sure they have written it and have it published through Amazon or wherever, but they are not marketing folks. They know they can use the Sunday Morning Book Thread as an outlet to promote their book. I'm not too concerned with this group.

The other group--the ones who send me complete synopses and covers and whatnot--are usually the more "professional" writers--or at least those who are attempting to turn their writing into a true profession for them. They've read all the books on how to get promoted. They've watched countless YouTube videos on how to market their book. They are following the blueprint, so to speak, on how to become successful as an independent author in today's hypercompetitive publishing marketplace. Most of them will fail. That doesn't mean they shouldn't try. Maybe Moron Authors should promote their books on Democratic Underground and Daily Kos, focusing on STORY rather than the political bent of the content. You just might find some converts.

Honestly, I don't have a problem with this group either. So what if they reach out to me (politely) and inquire if I'd be interested in sharing their work? I do a cursory review of their book to at least see if the subject matter is not overtly offensive in some way (e.g., glorifying the LGBTQ+ lifestyle). I prefer to let the "marketplace" of AoSHQ decide if the author has any merit or not. It's up to YOU to do your homework to vet a book that you want to read. No one is forcing anyone here to purchase any Books By Morons or any Moron-Recommended books.

I've been very pleasantly surprised by a few folks who have delurked to promote their books. Vince Milam's Case Lee series is good action thriller material to while away a lazy Sunday afternoon. Patrick Chiles' Frozen Orbit is high-quality hard science fiction with a Moron edge.

If the Sunday Morning Book Thread should have a higher standard for what books are shared in the Books By Morons section, what should those standards be? I'm genuinely curious. How does one go about providing their official "AoSHQ" credentials? For every regular commentor, there are THOUSANDS of lurkers (Weasel once told me that the blog has a couple of million unique visitors every month), so does the lack of commenting automatically disqualify one as a Moron Author?

Lurkers--feel free to delurk if only to say "Hello!"

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THE ULTIMATE OMNIBUS

In the book world, an "omnibus" is a collection of an author's novels packaged into a single volume. One of the books I read, Riverworld by Philip José Farmer, is such a volume, as it contains the first two books of the Riverworld saga: To Your Scattered Bodies Go and The Fabulous Riverboat (more on these later). Omnibuses are quite convenient for short novels by a single author.

Well, what if you have a series that's 14 books long, each book is several hundred pages long, and you are just too darned lazy to keep going back to the shelf to read the next book in the series? Then you might have to CREATE your own omnibus edition, as shown in video below:

NOTE: She says it's 12,000 pages, but I have all 14 hardcover books shown in the video above. Her page count may be a slight exaggeration, but not by much. She should have gone for bonus points and included New Spring (prequel) and The Wheel of Time Companion (extended glossary/codex).

BRING OUT THE COMFY CHAIR!

(The dog looks very comfy!)

(HT: Castlemoyle)

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but it's important to have a very comfortable reading spot in your house. The place where you can curl up with a good book when you are in the mood to just read. As for me, well, I have a comfortable reading spot in virtually every room of my house. The bathrooms, unfortunately, are the exception. In the bedroom I have my bed (naturally). In my library I have a recliner. In my office I have my office chair which is quite comfy except when I have a lap kitty. My living room has a very comfy couch. My sunroom has a fairly comfy sofa and I can even stretch out on a hammock in there if I want. Even my kitchen and dining area has a comfy chair: an alternate office chair I got for a very, very good deal from the university where I work. Retail value is around $1200. Slightly used, it was only $20.

MORON RECOMMENDATIONS

On a late August day in 1883, the loudest naturally made sound ever heard on the earth was generated when the island of Krakatoa was vaporized in a volcanic explosion. To this day, the exact number of people killed is unknown, but it is in the tens of thousands. My recommendation for this week is Simon Winchester's Krakatoa - The Day the World Exploded. Winchester is a very good storyteller, weaving various facts together in an entertaining way. This book was my introduction to his stories, and a good one. He sets the scene by reviewing the history of the region, and highlighting some of the individuals at the scene. He also discusses the plate tectonics that created this unique, dangerous island. Krakatoa has exploded multiple times in the past, but this time the population was much higher and we had devices to measure the impact and the ability to report on it. The explosion killed thousands, and the resulting tsunami killed many thousands more. From ships being flung miles inland, to measuring stations around the world recording the blast wave, to the stories of survivors, Winchester traces the force and impact of the disaster.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at November 26, 2023 09:18 AM (T02Iq)

Comment: This event should be a lesson to everyone that Mother Earth doesn't mess around when she blows her top. Natural disasters galore emerged from this one event. I currently live near the New Madrid fault in south central MO. We are all waiting around until "the big one." There's also a possible supervolcano in Yellowstone Park that will just wreck the United States of America(and probably Canada and Mexico) if it ever goes. And of course, SMOD is just hovering out there in space, and can strike us at any time, completely at random. Sleep tight!

+++++

I'm 75% through Rand Paul's new booked called the Covid Deception [NOTE: It's actually called Deception: The Great Covid Coverup -- PS]. There is a pic of masked up Fauci on the cover. I'm a little surprised at how much new information I am learning. I'm plugged in and paying attention, so I didn't expect this.
Paul writes well. Throughout the book, he avoids going beyond where the existing evidence can support him. He never says that it's 100% certain Covid-19 came from a lab leak but he lays out the case that it is very likely it did. Then he makes the unassailable case that given the evidence, wouldn't at least 1 Democrat think this is worth investigating?
The second big takeaway is how big a weasel Fauci is whenever someone tries to pin him down on anything. For example, when confronted with the fact the gain of function research is not allowed to be funded by US taxpayers, he points out the the examples given aren't gain of function according to the new definition supplied by an organization he controls.
Strongly recommend this book. Full disclosure: it is rage stroke inducing. But everyone needs to know what is in the book.
Posted by: Muad'dib at November 26, 2023 09:19 AM (ER9HB)

Comment: There were VAST sums of money at stake with this deception on the American people. EVERYONE (including ordinary Democrat voters) should be outraged by the evils that were perpetrated in the name of "public safety." There have been rumors of a new form of pneumonia striking down Chinese children. Knowing what we know now about COVID-19, will the world react the same should this pneumonia hit our shores in October 2024 (if not sooner)?

+++++

I wanted to recommend a beautiful book for those who pray and like prayer, The HarperCollins Book of Prayers: A Treasury of Prayers Through The Ages. It contains prayers from the Old Testament and Christian prayers from the New Testament as well As from from both the Roman Catholic. Eastern Orthodox Church and various Protestant traditions as well as one Muslim and a few Hindu and Native American prayers. It addresses prayer for church seasons as well as various conditions of life. I found it very honest as to feelings as well and beautiful. I found it in a Thrift shop supporting a ministry to addicts, and my finding it I call a "God incident" not a coincidence because it has been such a blessing to me:
https://tinyurl.com/mvuwpnxp
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2023 09:39 AM (DLxWT)

Comment: "God incidents" seem to be happening fairly regularly in my own life these days, now that I've somehow become "attuned" to them. The idea that a book is placed in one's path by divine inspiration is not the least bit surprising to me. I've been surprised more than once when I'm reading along and I come across a passage in a book (just a regular, everyday novel) that aligns with scriptures that I've also been reading lately. It's a signal to me from God: "PAY ATTENTION!"

+++++

I'm in the last couple dozen pages of Ace Atkins' Infamous, the story of the crowd of bank robbers that were involved in the Kansas City Massacre of 1933 in which cops and FBI agents plus a prisoner in transport were all murdered by bad guys using tommy guns, and a kidnapping that happens not long after.
There's the handsome George Kelly, called Machine Gun Kelly by the newsboys, and his striking wife, Kathryn Thorne, who conspired to kidnap Charles Urschel, a wealthy Oke City oilman.
It's a great depiction of a time when bank robbers were losing their Robin Hood glamour, the new FBI ascending to hunt down all hoods crossing state lines, and the fashions and cars of the day.
Posted by: Mr Gaga at November 26, 2023 10:44 AM (gARtr)

Comment: It seems like gangsters and criminals have been glamorized and romanticized for as long as they've been around preying on the innocent. The media of the time tends to be a bit complicit (or a lot complicit) in glamorizing their activities. As we've seen from the media's treatment of Hamas in recent days, there are apparently NO depths of depravity that would cause them to turn against certain criminal, evil elements.

More Moron-recommended reading material can be found HERE! (1000+ Moron-recommended books!)

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WHAT I'VE BEEN READING THIS PAST WEEK:

After reviewing some of OregonMuse's old Book Threads, I thought I'd try something a bit different. Instead of just listing WHAT I'm reading, I'll include commentary as well. Unless otherwise specified, you can interpret this as an implied recommendation, though as always your mileage may vary.

The Man God Uses: 14 Characteristics of a Godly Man by Pastor Chuck Smith

I've been going to a weekly men's group at a local church for the past several weeks. One of the men there handed out copies of this book to everyone. He had a "God Incident" with a fellow Christian traveler on an airplane who gave my new friend this book. My new friend was so impressed with it he decided to purchase copies for all of the men in our group. Although it should really be titled The Man or Woman God Uses as everything in this book applies equally across genders. It's mostly a short summary of how men (and women) can lead a life in tune with God based on the 14 characteristics, such as being born-again, being bold in the face of persecution, living God's Word, and so forth. It's a simple blueprint for a spiritually fulfilling life.

(HT: StewBurner)

Christmas: The Rest of the Story by Rick Renner

This is a Moron Recommendation from StewBurner from several weeks ago. It sounded interesting so I went ahead and purchased a copy. It's fascinating, as the author provides a lot of historical context and background of Judea and Rome before and during the life of Jesus Christ. He gives an excellent description of how and why both Mary and Joseph were selected to be Jesus' earthly parents, among many other intriguing details. Like a lot of people, I've been familiar with the story of Jesus for most of my life. But now I can see it with a different mindset.

Riverworld by Philip José Farmer

Many moons ago I mentioned a series of books that were inspired by the works of Philp José Farmer called The Dungeon, which was written by several different authors. Now that I'm reading one of Farmer's most famous works, I can easily see how the authors of The Dungeon attempted to capture the spirit of Farmer's other crafted worlds. The first book has an interesting subplot about anti-Semitism. Richard Francis Burton, the famous 19th-century explorer has been resurrected in the Riverworld, along with 37 billion people from throughout all of Earth's history. He's confronted by a Jewish man who accuses Burton of being a rabid anti-Semite. The real-life Burton did write a book about his experiences in Damascus--The Jew The Gypsy and El Islam that has been highly criticized for its treatment of the Jews who had power and influence in Damascus at that time. The fictional Burton in Farmer's Riverworld vehemently denies that he's an anti-Semite and strives to provide additional context. Burton and the Jew he encountered eventually become fast friends. Meanwhile, Burton has encountered a different sort of anti-Semite: Hermann Göring, who has also been resurrected. Upon being revived again, the fictional Göring attempts to establish a Jew-free Riverworld, with himself as the new Führer, of course. I have no idea if Farmer was an anti-Semite or not, but it's clear he wanted to tackle this issue by using two characters, one of whom MAY have been an anti-Semite (probably) and another who DEFINITELY was an anti-Semite. Burton attempts to lose Göring, but keeps encountering him over and over again, as they appear to be linked in some way.

The second book in this omnibus edition focuses on Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens and his dream of building a riverboat that will take him to the headwaters of the Riverworld, where he hoped to confront the Mysterious Strangers who have resurrected all of mankind. The is a rather important subplot involving racial tensions between his own fiefdom--which is co-rules with King John of England--and a Black segregationist leader upriver that is attempting to create an all-black community with no whites allowed. Wahhabi Arabs (fundamentalist Muslims) are also part of the mix...This eventually leads to all out warfare between the two burgeoning nations.

That's about all I have for this week. Thank you for all of your kind words regarding the Sunday Morning Book Thread. This is a very special place. You are very special people (in all the best ways!). The kindness, generosity, and wisdom of the Moron Horde knows no bounds. Let's keep reading!

If you have any suggestions for improvement, reading recommendations, or discussion topics that you'd like to see on the Sunday Morning Book Thread, you can send them to perfessor dot squirrel at-sign gmail dot com. Your feedback is always appreciated! You can also take a virtual tour of OUR library at libib.com/u/perfessorsquirrel. Since I added sections for AoSHQ, I now consider it OUR library, rather than my own personal fiefdom...

PREVIOUS SUNDAY MORNING BOOK THREAD - 11-26-23 (NOTE: Do NOT comment on old threads!)

(Huggy Squirrel yearns for the hat of a riverboat captain...)

Disclaimer: No Morons were harmed in the making of this Sunday Morning Book Thread. Reading the Sunday Morning Book Thread may be hazardous to your mental, physical, or spiritual health.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 09:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 ha

Posted by: Ciampino - I give my dead batteries away free of charge at December 03, 2023 08:59 AM (qfLjt)

2 Roller Lege !!! Hot Coffee!!!
READ THIS EULOGY ... from the Lions Gate...
Moshe Dayan tells it like a one eyed Jack !!!

Posted by: Qmark at December 03, 2023 09:00 AM (+t9Oi)

3 hiya

Posted by: JT at December 03, 2023 09:01 AM (T4tVD)

4 Oh. The Perfessor's gone?

(shifty eyes)

Time to play....

Posted by: Perfessor's Cats at December 03, 2023 09:01 AM (Angsy)

5 'lebenteenth!

g'morning Literates!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - these lying bastardi e stronzi have been lying for decades at December 03, 2023 09:02 AM (zer5o)

6 Tolle Lege
Finished Battle of the Bulge by John Toland, told more about the other forces stopping the German offense than Bastone
Started I, Tom Horn by Will Henry

Found 1 picture in Battle of the Bulge kn a Google Street map, it's neat to seen then and now

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 09:03 AM (fwDg9)

7 Those pants are fine. I would wear them in the lab to whip up a batch of bat cooties.

Posted by: Dr Fauxcheese at December 03, 2023 09:03 AM (vFG9F)

8 Our Christmas gift rule in this family is "Something you want/ Something you need/ Something to where/ Something to read." I'm married to a non-reader but I always manage something. Who else is gifting what books this year?

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at December 03, 2023 09:06 AM (9yUzE)

9 Thanks for The Book Thread Perfessor !

Posted by: JT at December 03, 2023 09:06 AM (T4tVD)

10 Hardly any reading this past week. Father's medical crisis kept me away from home. He's still in ICU, but I need to return to work. We're going to be on a roller coaster regarding him for some time, I fear.

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 03, 2023 09:07 AM (p/isN)

11 Yay Book Thread!

Hard to believe that a year ago I was attending my last drill. I have gone clean-shaven since.

In terms of books, I'm reading you-know-who, The Prof (wink, wink) and also the rules for Bolt Action, which is a WW II miniatures game by the old Warhammer designers Rick Priestly and Allessio Cavatore. It's published by Osprey, so the books have some fun sidebar features on historic events as well as illustrations take from previously works.

Osprey has been a reference for miniatures painters forever, so them doing their own line is a no-brainer. In addition to the core rules, I'm reading up on Soviet and German armies. I've got plenty if figures for the latter and the beginnings of one for the former.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:08 AM (llXky)

12 Finished Battle of the Bulge by John Toland, told more about the other forces stopping the German offense than Bastone

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 09:03 AM (fwDg9)
---
A couple of interesting counterfactuals would be the Allies slowing their advance and making a more determined effort to clear the channel ports, esp. Calais and Dunkirk.

Or the Germans using that army against the Soviets.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:11 AM (llXky)

13 Good Sunday morning, horde!

"Who else is gifting what books this year?
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at December 03, 2023 09:06 AM (9yUzE)"

Our family gift-giving is free flowing. I like to buy a couple of dozen books of various interest from Thriftbooks, put them in a basket, and everyone gets to choose what looks interesting to them.

My daughter does the same kind of thing with socks. Sister-in-law is crafty, and makes an ornament for everyone. We don't draw names or have any gift-giving pressure--just bring something interesting to share, or nothing at all, if that's your situation.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 09:11 AM (OX9vb)

14 On a winter's day, the Japanese launch a sneak attack on a warm water port, sinking most of the battle fleet they targeted. No, it isn't 1941, it is 1904, and the attack is on the Russian fleet in Port Arthur. My recommendation this week is The Tsar's Last Armada by Constantine Pleshakov. This is the fascinating story of how Admiral Rozhestvensky, in service to an incompetent Tsar assembled a fleet of ragtag leftover ships in the Baltic fleet and sailed them 18,000 miles around Africa, through the Indian Ocean, and to the battle of Tsushima, one of the most lopsided naval battles in history. The best of the Russian fleet was in Asia, so the admiral had to make do with what he could scrape together. This was in the age of coal fired ships, and Russia had no allies. By sheer force of will the admiral took his fleet around the world, despite a crew of criminal peasants, a staff of sadistic officers, and a logistical nightmare of resupplying and coaling ships that consumed vast quantities daily. Pleshakov puts together a very readable story of this impossible mission that leads to the fleet sailing into the trap laid by Admiral Togo (yes, that Togo). This is an incredible story.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 03, 2023 09:12 AM (3BoYM)

15 I'm in the last couple dozen pages of Ace Atkins' Infamous, the story of the crowd of bank robbers that were involved in the Kansas City Massacre of 1933 in which cops and FBI agents plus a prisoner in transport were all murdered by bad guys using tommy guns, and a kidnapping that happens not long after.

Jeff of History Hunters just did an episode on that last week.

https://tinyurl.com/4rzpwur7

Posted by: Perfessor's Cats at December 03, 2023 09:12 AM (Angsy)

16 The book didn't go lightly on the rout as many wanted to get out before being overrun, but enough stayed and defended, some to death that others could reform and stop the German offense

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 09:14 AM (fwDg9)

17 Reading Michael Glover's "The Napoleonic Wars: an Illustrated History 1792-1815" in anticipation of seeing the new Ridley Scott joint. This is a book I've had sitting on my shelves (in various locations) since the 80's.

Since I know next to nothing, everything is an interesting tidbit. "The French put their faith in shock action rather than firepower. They subordinated everything to the attempt to rupture the opposing line by bursting through it with a mass of men ready to accept heavy casualties (which could be replaced by conscription)... the armies of Napoleon were the model for every army in Europe with one exception. The exception was Britain which, having no conscription, could not afford to adopt tactics which demanded heavy casualties."

Ireland was a good source of recruits. For them and us!

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:15 AM (Rz7ER)

18 @8 --

Since our first child was small, my wife has made it a policy that everybody gets a book Christmas night. We leave them on the pillows. (The kids are all moved out now, but the policy remains.)

It's always a crapshoot for me, because I really don't know what she enjoys. She used to read a lot of mysteries, but much of her reading is now electronic. I don't read everything she gets for me; another source of guilt.

For this year, I came across a biography of Agatha Christie. Here's hoping ...

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 03, 2023 09:15 AM (p/isN)

19 Weak Geek, your father and your family are in my prayers.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 09:16 AM (OX9vb)

20 Good morning fellow Book Threadists. I hope everyone had a great week of reading.

Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023 09:16 AM (7EjX1)

21
Hey, dickweeds!

NOTE: I will not be around on today's Sunday Morning Book Thread as I volunteered to assist at church this morning, which means I need to get there early. Please be nice to one another!

...oh!...er....ah...hmmm...

Good Morning and a Beauteous Sunday to all you Erudite and Illustrious Dickweeds of Gentle Manners!

...

*shifty eyes*

...whew! Think I got away with it.

*strolls off whistling*

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 09:17 AM (QzZeQ)

22 Pleshakov puts together a very readable story of this impossible mission that leads to the fleet sailing into the trap laid by Admiral Togo (yes, that Togo). This is an incredible story.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 03, 2023 09:12 AM (3BoYM)
---
Japan's conduct in wars against China and Russia were well within "civilized" norms and their acceptance as a full ally during the Boxer Rebellion give the lie to Westerners being implacably racist. In fact, Europeans were (and are) probably the most open people in the world.

During the 1920s, however, Japan did a 'heel turn' and abandoned Western norms, increasingly ignoring international conventions in the treatment of prisoners and civilians. Look back, it wasn't a smart move.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:17 AM (llXky)

23 Purchased Moviegiques book....moron literature!!!

Posted by: qmark at December 03, 2023 09:18 AM (+t9Oi)

24 Found 1 picture in Battle of the Bulge kn a Google Street map, it's neat to seen then and now
Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 09:03 AM (fwDg9)

There are a LOT of "then and now " videos on YT. Amazing stuff.

Posted by: mrp at December 03, 2023 09:19 AM (rj6Yv)

25 Ridley used to be my go-to director, but after a slew of misses (chiefly The Movie That Shall Not Be Named), he's on probation. His visuals are always luscious, so if it's just a feast of eye candy, that's fine.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:19 AM (Rz7ER)

26 Perfessor: You featured our book a while back and although we are not able to pinpoint actual sales results to Morons, we did see an uptick following your Sunday morning column--and we are grateful! Thank you, Sir!

BTW: The book is UNSUNG: Quiet Voices of the US Navy's EOD Warriors and Their Families, available by searching "books" at Amazon.

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 03, 2023 09:20 AM (5Xtai)

27 The exception was Britain which, having no conscription, could not afford to adopt tactics which demanded heavy casualties."

Ireland was a good source of recruits. For them and us!

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:15 AM (Rz7ER)
---
The Army had no conscription, but the Royal Navy sure did. Caused a spot of bother in 1812, I hear.

Also, criminals could opt for military service instead of jail. 'Tis said that rather than be sent to the West Africa Station, convicts preferred their cells. Terrible losses from disease there.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:20 AM (llXky)

28 Ridley used to be my go-to director, but after a slew of misses (chiefly The Movie That Shall Not Be Named), he's on probation. His visuals are always luscious, so if it's just a feast of eye candy, that's fine.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:19 AM (Rz7ER)
---
I'm trying to think of his last good film. Even from the trailer, Napoleon looks like an unfocused hot mess. I'm taking a pass.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:22 AM (llXky)

29 Discussion of Napoleon reminded me a book I read in the late sixties; belonged to my grandmother who wasn't sure if she should let me read it! It was one of those sweeping historical romance types, a la Gone with the Wind, titled Desiree. Except that this was a real person, engaged for a time to Napoleon but married Jean Bernadotte, one of Napoleon's generals who became the King of Sweden. There actually was a movie made in 1954 starring Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando.

Posted by: Lirio100 at December 03, 2023 09:22 AM (oQNjO)

30 * adds "The Tsar's Last Armada" to someday list *

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 03, 2023 09:22 AM (p/isN)

31 I knew a couple guys in the Navy who were given the choice of military or jail (they were young ne'er-do-wells).

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:23 AM (Rz7ER)

32 Best Napoleon on film is Ian Holm in "Time Bandits". Fight me!

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:25 AM (Rz7ER)

33 I knew a couple guys in the Navy who were given the choice of military or jail (they were young ne'er-do-wells).

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:23 AM (Rz7ER)
---
An uncle of mine had a spot of bother with the law which "convinced" him to join the Army and serve in 'Nam.

That's now illegal, though I'm not exactly sure why. Lots of people on a bad path get straightened out by military service. Yeah, yeah, quality recruits, but come on, there are plenty of screw-ups in the military. A few more won't matter.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:26 AM (llXky)

34
I hoped that while on puppy watch that I'd be reading lots of new stuff, but my brain has slowed down from fatigue and I'm just re-reading books I've always enjoyed.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 03, 2023 09:27 AM (9mNHV)

35 I finished my son's choices for family book club last week. Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Also Head Like a Hole, by Andrew Van Wey.

I've really had my fill of horror books--gross and disturbing, both of them.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 09:27 AM (OX9vb)

36 Except that this was a real person, engaged for a time to Napoleon but married Jean Bernadotte, one of Napoleon's generals who became the King of Sweden. There actually was a movie made in 1954 starring Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando.

Posted by: Lirio100 at December 03, 2023 09:22 AM (oQNjO)
---
Good film and an example of how you can do a biopic on Napoleon without it being a sprawling, unfocused epic.

Ridley Scott's first feature film was "The Duellists," which is excellent. Based on a Joseph Conrad short story.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:28 AM (llXky)

37 Autism: A relative recently had his 13-year-old son diagnosed with low-end-spectrum autism. Can anyone suggest good books for the parent to learn more about the matter and how he might help his son? The youngster has difficulty with social interaction, can speak but is extremely introverted, and has interests that are intensely focused and limited in scope. He can read, write, and work online in areas of interest. Thank you.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at December 03, 2023 09:29 AM (7EjX1)

38 Good morning horde. My recent reading material has revolved around "The Enigma War" by Josef Garlinski. For some reason, I decided I didn't really know enough about the Enigma story so off we went.

Glad I did. Now I have a much better appreciation for the pre-war history of Enigma and the world of the Polish team that originally broke the code. I better understand how the Bletchley Park effort came to be and the thought behind the designs.

One goal was to better understand the plumbing of the machine - how it really worked. I wanted to get beyond the generic "codes" and "combinations." The book got a long way there, but a few youtube tutorials made the difference. At some point, animation can illustrate concepts better than words.

The math geeks will appreciate the sheer magnitude of combinations but an understanding of how the machine worked was necessary to make informed decisions to include/exclude options for decoding.

Enigma machines periodically are available for sale through private sale or auction. No bargains anymore though. While many were made, few survive in good condition that aren't held in museum collections.

Posted by: TRex at December 03, 2023 09:30 AM (IQ6Gq)

39 A couple of interesting counterfactuals would be the Allies slowing their advance and making a more determined effort to clear the channel ports, esp. Calais and Dunkirk.

Or the Germans using that army against the Soviets.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:11 AM (llXky)

All the Germans would have gotten from a "Bulge" scale attack on the Soviets would have been a 150 mile salient and a lot of dead Russians and Soviet infantry. The Soviets had become pretty adept at reducing German salients by fourth-quarter '45 and with Allied-supplied transport readily available, the same results would occured. The political angle would have been Stalin screaming for an Allied push for relief immediately, and Roosevelt, anticipating Soviet support in the Far East, would have complied. I wonder who would have reached Berlin first?

Posted by: mrp at December 03, 2023 09:31 AM (rj6Yv)

40 Supposed Moronette author allie duzett who was featured on the book thread last week. Here is duzett in a video on scribbling therapy.

https://is.gd/Qz4yyo

Yeah, she's a moron all right. A simple DDG search on her name gives ample evidence.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 09:31 AM (991eG)

41
A couple of interesting counterfactuals would be the Allies slowing their advance and making a more determined effort to clear the channel ports, esp. Calais and Dunkirk.

___________

Monty not clearing the approaches to Antwerp when he had the chance to do it quickly was catastrophic.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 03, 2023 09:32 AM (9mNHV)

42
Enigma machines periodically are available for sale through private sale or auction. No bargains anymore though. While many were made, few survive in good condition that aren't held in museum collections.

Posted by: TRex at December 03, 2023 09:30 AM (IQ6Gq)
---
"Man, I keep turning the knobs but this typewriter I looted is totally jacked up. Guess I'll sell it."

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:32 AM (llXky)

43 From the greatest book ever written;

"When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”"

John 6:19-20

Posted by: Marcus T at December 03, 2023 09:34 AM (6iBJs)

44 Speaking of God Incidents...

As I go along in life (ie. grow older), it's pretty obvious that there where these various hinge-points where God opened a door and said,

"Well, lookee here. Here's this opportunity, do you want to take it?"

Some I did. Some I didn't. It's usually only the ones that I didn't take, which on occasion annoy me. If only...

Buuuuut, that "if only" is always imagined as the best possible outcome, and it may not have worked out that way at all.

I've come to look at such thoughts as being ungracious and ungrateful to God for all the Good Things and People in my life as lived. So, I banish those thoughts.

I may not have always made the perfect choice. But, God's were always right on target.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 09:34 AM (QzZeQ)

45 Booken Morgen Horden

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 09:35 AM (c8xsU)

46 Good morning!
My current read is the King Arthur Flour Cookie Cookbook -- looking for some new cookies to include in this year's Christmas cookie bags. . .

Posted by: Lizzy at December 03, 2023 09:37 AM (izj35)

47 All the Germans would have gotten from a "Bulge" scale attack on the Soviets would have been a 150 mile salient and a lot of dead Russians and Soviet infantry.

Posted by: mrp at December 03, 2023 09:31 AM (rj6Yv)
---
I was thinking of it being used as a mobile reserve to counterpunch Soviet thrusts, say crossing the Vistula. If you're trying to break up the Allied coalition, attacking your potential partners isn't the best strategy.

However, making a show of going easy on them, hinting that peace talks are moving forward, would have made Stalin go nuts and maybe pull another "let's sit outside Warsaw and let the West suck it for a bit" operational pause.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:37 AM (llXky)

48 Nerd Forge has some cool wacky projects
I think she is missing a finger, due to a project mishap a while ago.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 09:37 AM (c8xsU)

49 the screenwriter behind Napoleon, is going for the Gladiator sequel? with Russell in flash back, I thought his Robin Hood was pretty good, but as with Kubrick, he has lost his way,

Posted by: no 6 at December 03, 2023 09:37 AM (PXvVL)

50 Don't know if I've completely had my fill of horror, but I'm finding it a lot less fun than it used to be; there are a few writers I'll lay down coin for immediately but I'm not looking for any new ones these days. The movies aren't as much fun any more either.

Naturally, I prefer to believe it's the product rather than just my age...

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 03, 2023 09:37 AM (a/4+U)

51 #39 " a lot of dead German and Soviet infantry" of course.

Posted by: mrp at December 03, 2023 09:37 AM (rj6Yv)

52
Of course, Ike could have told Monty, "I need that mammyjamming port. Have it ready for transports by September 15th or you're sacked." But that wasn't Ike's way.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 03, 2023 09:38 AM (9mNHV)

53 Adding something new to my annual reading of LOTR. I'm keeping a pad and pen handy to make notes. It might be something as simple as 'I like this passage because ...' or subtle aspects of songs or when I notice something related to other literature. This last type could be when Gandalf and the others approach Edoras in Book Three. The segment is very similar to Beowulf and company first coming to Heorot. These echoes and parallels are fun to ferret out.

I considered getting an extra copy of LOTR to make the notes in but decided to go with a note pad. I won't write in my good hardcover editions.

Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023 09:38 AM (7EjX1)

54 I've come to look at such thoughts as being ungracious and ungrateful to God for all the Good Things and People in my life as lived. So, I banish those thoughts.

I may not have always made the perfect choice. But, God's were always right on target.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 09:34 AM (QzZeQ)
---
I'm more open to looking at things from a spiritual perspective. I highly recommend Lorenzo Scupoli's The Spiritual Combat, which has helped me immensely.

His four weapons to win the spiritual combat are: absolute distrust of the self, absolute trust in God, proper orientation of our faculties and prayer.

That third one is really interesting because he's referring to surrounding yourself with things that elevate and inspire. If we look around, we see the opposite - instead of beauty, we get ugly, hateful things. It is remarkable how much you can change your view on things by cutting out the bad (books, TV, internet) and replacing it with good.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:42 AM (llXky)

55 "Eine wunderbare Heiterkeit hat meine ganze Seele eingenommen, gleich den süßen Frühlingsmorgen, die ich mit ganzem Herzen genieße. Ich bin allein und freue mich meines Lebens in dieser Gegend, die für solche Seelen geschaffen ist wie die meine."

Posted by: Marcus T at December 03, 2023 09:42 AM (6iBJs)

56 Professor Squirrel, I know you are not actively commenting this morning, but when you stop in later consider this:

This site has a community of many layers, ranging from folks who travel hundreds of miles to meet up in person, to commenters who are active all day, every day, to frequent/prolific commenters, to occasional commenters to lurkers and to occasional readers and even trolls and Mobys. What qualifies someone to be considered a capital "M" Moron? It has to be a presence that indicates some involvement in the community on at least a nominal level. If a tree lurks in the forest is it really there?

If the site has as many unique visits as claimed, your recommendation has some significant weight, and I think you do your readers a disservice if you just toss out a label of "Books by Moron Authors" willy-nilly.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 09:43 AM (991eG)

57 Posted by: Mrs JTB at December 03, 2023 09:29 AM (7EjX1)

===
Check out "A Regular Guy" by Laura Shumaker

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 03, 2023 09:43 AM (RIvkX)

58 Rainy day here; good for reading.

I admit it, I enjoyed Cat Rambo's SF cozy "You Sexy Thing" (that's the name of a bazillionaire's sentient bio-mechanical pleasure craft). I'm now reading the sequel "Devil's Gun".

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:44 AM (Rz7ER)

59 (Weasel once told me that the blog has a couple of million unique visitors every month)

Wait a minute. . .you mean, when I comment, I've been depressing millions of people every month instead of just our regulars?

That's almost gratifying, in a way.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 09:44 AM (Q0kLU)

60 A former preacher at my church spoke of "God moments" -- small incidents that lift the spirit.

I remember being furious about something, and then, while I was near a window, a bird lit on the sill. Glass notwithstanding, we were fewer than six inches apart.

Those several seconds before it flew away cheered me considerably. And it's stuck in my mind for years.

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 03, 2023 09:44 AM (p/isN)

61 In the aftermath of the1905 naval disaster the Russian military decided to survey and map land north of Vladivostok - the Sikhote-Alin Mountains. The man tasked to do the job was VK Arseniev.

Arseniev did far more than map the Ussuri Kray, he cataloged the flora, fauna and native peoples of the region.

Of all the things he recorded, it’s the people he encountered and documented that are valued, because within two decades, those people and their culture were gone.

Posted by: 13times at December 03, 2023 09:44 AM (58p5C)

62 I appreciate your hard work on the subject of books.

Posted by: Bob at December 03, 2023 09:45 AM (dFB+4)

63 The Brits definitely had conscripts, tho that might not have been what they were called. My father's ancestors were big men and were pressed into the army over and over again. After Waterloo, the cousins still alive said, There has to be a better way, and emigrated to the States.

Big: my father and his brother were 6'2" and were considered shrimps.

Posted by: Wenda at December 03, 2023 09:46 AM (1MfV9)

64 Wait a minute. . .you mean, when I comment, I've been depressing millions of people every month instead of just our regulars?

That's almost gratifying, in a way.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 09:44 AM (Q0kLU)
---
You only thought you were pissing in a few peoples' beers, but now you see your streams were much greater than you ever know!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:46 AM (llXky)

65 >>Our Christmas gift rule in this family is "Something you want/ Something you need/ Something to where/ Something to read." I'm married to a non-reader but I always manage something. Who else is gifting what books this year?

A great book for kids, one we used to read aloud every year when I was a kid: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

This year so far: Eric Metaxis' autobiography and a book on birdfeeder foods to attract a variety of winged visitors to my parents, to sister and hubby Master and Commander (1st one) and March 1917 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, for my niece, a book on a favorite modern artist.
Gave Atomic Habits and Never Split the Difference to a few last year, that's a good one.

Posted by: Lizzy at December 03, 2023 09:46 AM (izj35)

66 I've been reading Directive 51, by John Barnes, recommended here by someone. It's an apocalyptic novel, and it's gripping.

Loosely organized groups of radicals (of various political bent) want to take down the Big System. It's good in theory, but when they are faced with the actual results, some are stricken with great remorse.

Multiple stories interweave: the people who do the deeds to bring the technological world down, the government agencies who are trying to keep order while preserving the constitution, ordinary citizens coping and stepping up to rebuild a nation and world.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 09:47 AM (OX9vb)

67 Is there a good biography on Napoleon?

Posted by: dantesed at December 03, 2023 09:47 AM (88xKn)

68
It is remarkable how much you can change your view on things by cutting out the bad (books, TV, internet) and replacing it with good.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

__________

I have found this to be the case. Avoid things that give rise to bad thoughts. And I've taken time to add to say the Angelus at noon, set a regular time for my Rosary and to add to it a prayer to my Guardian Angel (his name is George).

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 03, 2023 09:47 AM (9mNHV)

69 If the site has as many unique visits as claimed, your recommendation has some significant weight, and I think you do your readers a disservice if you just toss out a label of "Books by Moron Authors" willy-nilly.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 09:43 AM (991eG)
---
So you're saying they need to do some time in The Barrel first?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:48 AM (llXky)

70 However, making a show of going easy on them, hinting that peace talks are moving forward, would have made Stalin go nuts and maybe pull another "let's sit outside Warsaw and let the West suck it for a bit" operational pause.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:37 AM (llXky)

Which was the German Bulge Objective : Allied Disunity. Political defeat in detail. Very Clausewitzian. If Hitler had committed his final pool of reserves and material against the Soviets, The US-UK-French attack would have been quickly launched, no matter what the logistical shortfalls.

Going back to your Channel Ports alternative, The Germans couldn't afford to wait for launching their counter-attack with the Port of Antwerp in Allied hands and functional.

Posted by: mrp at December 03, 2023 09:48 AM (rj6Yv)

71 Orkish!

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:48 AM (Rz7ER)

72 "It seems like gangsters and criminals have been glamorized and romanticized for as long as they've been around preying on the innocent."

"Cops and robbers" used to be a "good guy versus bad guy" theme. But with our current cartel of AG/FBI, and the cops such as those involved in the J6 PsyOp ... a "private militia" is becoming necessary (as our communities are flooded with illegals and foreign cartels, a protected class of their own).

Most smaller communities still put a lot of trust in their local government ... but even there we find vast favoritism and downright criminal activity by the "connected".

The commoners have to hang together, or they will surely be hanged separately. Hence the constant efforts by BigGov to divide us in every way possible.

Posted by: illiniwek at December 03, 2023 09:49 AM (Cus5s)

73 ... the government agencies who are trying to keep order while preserving the constitution....

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 09:47 AM (OX9vb)

A fantasy book, Dash?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 09:50 AM (Angsy)

74 "I beat my head against the wall because it feels good when I stop!" as a philosophy only works if you actually stop now and then.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 09:50 AM (991eG)

75 I love the kitties in Martini Farmer’s photos. The grey and black ones remind me of the cats we had when I was growing up, Damon and Pythias.

Posted by: Norrin Radd, not trying to sell my new novel at December 03, 2023 09:51 AM (hsWtj)

76 A relative recently had his 13-year-old son diagnosed with low-end-spectrum autism. Can anyone suggest good books for the parent to learn more about the matter and how he might help his son?

I have not read any of them (yet) but this author was recommended here a year or two ago by, IIRC, NaCly.

https://www.templegrandin.com/

Posted by: Oddbob at December 03, 2023 09:51 AM (nfrXX)

77
The readers of Ace number millions
With occasional lurkers, it's billions
Imagine the thunder
From here to Down Under
Of an All-Moron Attended Cotillion!

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 09:52 AM (QzZeQ)

78 Love that top photo of the jigsaw puzzle. When young, we had a couple of Victorian era wooden puzzles that were brought out at Christmas time. (Note: the Victorian period wasn't that long before my childhood.) (Damn I'm old.) Wish I knew what happened to them. That puzzle is tempting.

Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023 09:52 AM (7EjX1)

79 The End of the Old Order by Frederick Kagan is a great book on Napoleon. It is very detailed and lengthy. But worth the read.

Posted by: Marcus T at December 03, 2023 09:52 AM (6iBJs)

80 Need a new idea? Read an old book.

Posted by: Someone much wiser than I at December 03, 2023 09:52 AM (NBVIP)

81 I have found this to be the case. Avoid things that give rise to bad thoughts. And I've taken time to add to say the Angelus at noon, set a regular time for my Rosary and to add to it a prayer to my Guardian Angel (his name is George).

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 03, 2023 09:47 AM (9mNHV)
---
This is why I've given up following the news and thereby coming here during the week. This and the Prayer Thread are all I need to touch base and talk with folks. Combined with no longer having to deal with the madness that is our current military, I'm finding that not only am I happier, my propensity to sin is a lot less. It's hard to articulate, but I just don't feel the seem surges of wrath, irritation and so on.

Bad things still happen, but they cause less stress when they do.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:52 AM (llXky)

82 Big: my father and his brother were 6'2" and were considered shrimps.
Posted by: Wenda at December 03, 2023 09:46 AM (1MfV9)
---

Potsdam Giants!

Which needs to be a baseball team name.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:52 AM (Rz7ER)

83 Mrs JTB I don't know of any nonfiction medially-sourced books to your specification, but I highly recommend the young-adult (maybe? it's great for adults too) short novel The Things You Find in Rockpools by Gregg Dunnett

as sort of I think a terrific representation of a mildly Autistic young man .. and I look on Amazon to find that Mr Dunnett has made a series out of this! oh I'm so buying that

good luck in your search

Posted by: BlackOrchid at December 03, 2023 09:52 AM (AcWfM)

84 My recommendation for this week is Simon Winchester's Krakatoa - The Day the World Exploded.

I just finished Winchester's The Alice Behind Wonderland, which is a short look at the life of Lewis Carroll and his relationship with the Liddell family, in particular, the eponymous Alice. He traces Carroll's interest in photography (which was the gentleman's hobby in the Victorian Age) and also addresses the whole "creep" factor by examining and discussing one particular Alice photo, The Beggar Maid

https://tinyurl.com/4wyke9z7

If you like this sort of thing, I recommend it.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 09:53 AM (Q0kLU)

85 shoot I can't find that Dungeon series on Amazon?

Posted by: BlackOrchid at December 03, 2023 09:54 AM (AcWfM)

86 an alternate reality take then,

this world is much stranger than fiction can allow, although drury come nineveh come tyre, mccarry, the better angels, give some notion,

Posted by: no 6 at December 03, 2023 09:54 AM (PXvVL)

87 San Franpsycho, Thanks for the recommendation. Will check out.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at December 03, 2023 09:54 AM (7EjX1)

88 After Reconciliation yesterday, my wife asked me to get a copy of Saints Behaving Badly, which appears out of print, but available used.

As is my wont, I checked ebay because the used book stores there are vast and cheap. Sure enough, found a vendor who carried it and also had one of those "buy three, get fourth one free" sales. Like all Book Threadists, I have an every growing purchase list, so I happily picked out St. Augustine's Confessions and City of God, along with G.K. Chesteron's biography of St. Francis.

Serious mind elevation in that purchase!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:56 AM (llXky)

89 I am (still) reading The Black Prince by Henry Dwight Sedgwick.
Paralelled by a PDF copy of Joan, The Fair Maid of Kent.

This is all research into my family tree. The Austin side (mom's mom's maidend name) has it's start in a man called Henry IL Austin in 1350. There is rumour that Henry was the child of the Black Prince and Joan of Kent from an interlude they had 10 years or so before they married, when she was married to two knights at the same time and probably being held prisioner by one of them in Agincourt Castle.
I think Joan had the kid and sent him soon after birth to Austin Friars in London as she probably would have been executed for this treachery on top of treachery on top of scandal.
She did have a child buried there in 1354.

Posted by: Reforger, him who confuses kings at December 03, 2023 09:57 AM (brtfM)

90 Potsdam Giants!

Which needs to be a baseball team name.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:52 AM (Rz7ER)

I wonder how many had enough of that and left the Prussian army for the US? IIRC, a goodly number of Hessian POWs stayed in the US after the American Revolutionary War ended.

Posted by: mrp at December 03, 2023 09:57 AM (rj6Yv)

91 Fine, promote your book, just don’t claim to be a long time lurker. Starting off with a falsehood is a poor way to introduce yourself to a room full of people.

Posted by: 13times at December 03, 2023 09:57 AM (58p5C)

92 Is there a good biography on Napoleon?

It's decades old, but Christopher Herold's The Age of Napoleon is pretty worthwhile.

https://tinyurl.com/598frzrs

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 09:57 AM (Q0kLU)

93 Is there a good biography on Napoleon?
If you put it that way, the only safe answer is "probably not."
But, might-could be:

https://tinyurl.com/4bkh98ue

Not for "a want of trying."

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 03, 2023 09:58 AM (FCs/J)

94
Starting off with a falsehood is a poor way to introduce yourself to a room full of people.
Posted by: 13times

___________

*door bangs open*

Hi, I'm a genius!

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 03, 2023 09:59 AM (9mNHV)

95 If the site has as many unique visits as claimed, your recommendation has some significant weight, and I think you do your readers a disservice if you just toss out a label of "Books by Moron Authors" willy-nilly.
Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 09:43 AM (991eG)
===

*scribbling furiously on iPad*

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 03, 2023 09:59 AM (RIvkX)

96 As for what I'm reading:

The Savers store near me has a large used book section. Someone brought in about 20 volumes of The American President series, so I snapped up short bios of Pierce, Van Buren, Coolidge and Polk. I have errands to run, so will be swinging by there tomorrow to see if any other ones interest me. I'm on the Polk bio now, having finished the others, but it's not really holding my attention.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 10:00 AM (Q0kLU)

97 Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flows the wellspring of life.

Posted by: Proverbs 4:23 at December 03, 2023 10:01 AM (NBVIP)

98
Well, I've been up since 3:30, so I'm lying down for a bit. Later.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 03, 2023 10:01 AM (9mNHV)

99 Fine, promote your book, just don’t claim to be a long time lurker. Starting off with a falsehood is a poor way to introduce yourself to a room full of people.

Posted by: 13times at December 03, 2023 09:57 AM (58p5C)
---
"Long time listener, first time caller. Rush, normally I agree with you but..."

I wonder if there are still people claiming to be Totally Real Military People Who Hate Trump at this point, given how military morale has been completely destroyed.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 10:01 AM (llXky)

100 "IIRC, a goodly number of Hessian POWs stayed in the US after the American Revolutionary War ended."

There are numerous Revolutionary battle sites and routes not too far from here. I had a friend years ago whose family fought in the Revolution. They were also one of those families where they all lived to be around 100 and handed down stories by retelling them to every generation. I remember being fascinated by that type of first hand storytelling. It really is a lost art. Irrespective, and more to the point, his grandfather would tell us the story about how at the end of the war his forefathers chased the Hessians into the hills and killed them. They despised them and their brutality that much.

Posted by: Marcus T at December 03, 2023 10:03 AM (6iBJs)

101 Oddbob and Black Orchid, Thank you. Great ideas.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at December 03, 2023 10:03 AM (7EjX1)

102 Starting off with a falsehood is a poor way to introduce yourself to a room full of people.
Posted by: 13times

___________

*door bangs open*

Hi, I'm a genius!
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 03, 2023 09:59 AM (9mNHV)

Welp, all's I can say as a Cowboy Astronaut Quarterback is,

"That's cute."

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 10:04 AM (QzZeQ)

103 re: @37 books on autism.

Since I have a grandson fairly deep in the spectrum I should read more. I have two books: Elizabeth Moon wrote "The Speed of Dark" which is fictional about an autistic man, fairly well adapted and his choice to be cured or not. Like most of her non-Paksenarrion books, I recommend it.

The second is Ido Kedar's "In Two Worlds", which is another novel, written by an autistic man. I haven't read it; the notes on the back cover intruige me, so it's back on the TBR list.

Posted by: yara at December 03, 2023 10:05 AM (xr64u)

104 You are doing fine Perfessor. If you can't trust a pimp squirrel's discretion, what can you trust?

Posted by: fd at December 03, 2023 10:05 AM (vFG9F)

105 I had a God moment when reading Marie Corelli's The Sorrows of Satan. There's a bit where the protagonist is wallowing in misery, and it says:

There was a vibration of compassionate kindness in his voice which at once moved me to an acute sense of self-pity, the worst enervator of moral force that exists. I sighed heavily.

“Truly I have suffered”—I said—“More than most men!”

You are not supposed to be sympathizing with the narrator here, except inasmuch as you can understand how he got into his situation, and that phrase, "the worst enervator of moral force that exists", was a giant kick in the ass for me to stop feeling sorry for myself and focus on getting shit done.

Posted by: Mrs. Peel at December 03, 2023 10:05 AM (Y+AMd)

106 Morning, book folk, and a tip of the chapeau as always to the (today, absent) Perfessor S.

This week I finished a novel of Texas and the battle of the early rangers against the Comanches, ca. 1861 -- as Texas was seceding. But there were still Union sympathizers within the state. Not bad stuff at all.

Now I'm reading Nevil Shute's last novel, Trustee From the Toolroom. A self-employed mechanic and his wife in England find themselves becoming foster parents and trustees for his very young niece when her parents die in a yacht at sea -- a hurricane is the cause, not murder. As usual with Shute, the storytelling is low-key but fascinating. (He was the author of On the Beach and the novel that became the super-neat movie with James Stewart, No Highway in the Sky.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 10:06 AM (omVj0)

107 Book flogging is talk radio's stock in trade.

Posted by: Take it or leave it at December 03, 2023 10:06 AM (NBVIP)

108 Strongly recommend this book. Full disclosure: it is rage stroke inducing. But everyone needs to know what is in the book.

Posted by: Muad'dib at November 26, 2023 09:19 AM (ER9HB)

Also reading this book. Of all the rage-stroke inducing things this government does, from legalizing crime, criminalizing dissent, opening borders, and corrupting our children, the Wuhan Flu Long Con is the rage-stroke induciest.

Posted by: Candidus at December 03, 2023 10:07 AM (3IPTK)

109 By sheer force of will the admiral took his fleet around the world, despite a crew of criminal peasants, a staff of sadistic officers, and a logistical nightmare of resupplying and coaling ships that consumed vast quantities daily. Pleshakov puts together a very readable story of this impossible mission that leads to the fleet sailing into the trap laid by Admiral Togo (yes, that Togo). This is an incredible story.
Posted by: Thomas Paine
____________

You'll enjoy this video by naval historian Drachinifel. Great channel for all fans of naval history.

https://tinyurl.com/2aezmcfz

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 03, 2023 10:08 AM (Dm8we)

110 I agree with Muldoon on all points. The big hint....no 'Ette calls themselves a moronette. It was almost an insult to think an 'Ette on this site would be interested in her book.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 03, 2023 10:09 AM (t/2Uw)

111 FWIW, Mrs. JTB, blogger Bookworm has recommended "Ido in Autismland" by Ido Kedar.

https://tinyurl.com/mscprw6m

Posted by: Lizzy at December 03, 2023 10:09 AM (izj35)

112 @102 "But my friends call me Tonto."

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 03, 2023 10:10 AM (FCs/J)

113 A comfortable place to read is mandatory. The chair must be appropriate, of course, and there must be a table to hold a libation and my pipes and tobacco. Oh, and a good reading lamp. A blanket or rug on the floor by my feet for the pup to sleep on. That drawing in the post pretty much covers it for ambience.

My favorite reading weather is cold and rainy when it is so much more comfortable to be inside, dry and warm. Although a good night time thunder storm is in summer is ideal for horror like Lovecraft or Poe.

Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023 10:10 AM (7EjX1)

114 "I've been surprised more than once when I'm reading along and I come across a passage in a book (just a regular, everyday novel) that aligns with scriptures that I've also been reading lately. It's a signal to me from God: "PAY ATTENTION!"

As the saying goes, "you can find God anywhere, or miss Him everywhere".

Posted by: illiniwek at December 03, 2023 10:10 AM (Cus5s)

115 Finally getting around to reading The Incredible Lightness of Being. Main take so far: Czechoslovakia was filled with beautiful women even back in the Cold War.

Posted by: Ripley at December 03, 2023 10:10 AM (PTDkx)

116 Of all the rage-stroke inducing things this government does, from legalizing crime, criminalizing dissent, opening borders, and corrupting our children, the Wuhan Flu Long Con is the rage-stroke induciest.

I live in MA. Not only do people here still wear the slave mask, hardly anyone will even believe you when you tell them Kung Flu was man-made and that Fauci needs to hang for the evil he's done.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 10:11 AM (Q0kLU)

117 Oh, looks like Ido has written two books

Posted by: Lizzy at December 03, 2023 10:11 AM (izj35)

118 >> Finally getting around to reading The Incredible Lightness of Being. Main take so far: Czechoslovakia was filled with beautiful women even back in the Cold War.

Heh. Read that one back in college for a class. Some interesting discussions. The Book of Laughter and Forgetting fits current times. . .

Posted by: Lizzy at December 03, 2023 10:13 AM (izj35)

119 You'll enjoy this video by naval historian Drachinifel. Great channel for all fans of naval history.

https://tinyurl.com/2aezmcfz
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba

Drachinifel has great videos. I don't think I have seen that one, but he did a multipart series on raising the US battleships sunk at Pearl that was fantastic.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 03, 2023 10:13 AM (3BoYM)

120 This site has a community of many layers, ranging from folks who travel hundreds of miles to meet up in person, to commenters who are active all day, every day, to frequent/prolific commenters, to occasional commenters to lurkers and to occasional readers and even trolls and Mobys. ..If a tree lurks in the forest is it really there?

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 09:43 AM (991eG)

This is a tough one. I expect there are many who read without commenting. For example: "annie's stew" puts together a prayer list for us every week, often including situations she has pulled from the comments during the week. Yet, I have never seen comments from someone named "annie's stew." Who is this 'ette? She is clearly here, but the only presence I've seen is her prayer list, for which I am grateful.

It would be hard to know who is a capital M and who is not.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 10:14 AM (OX9vb)

121 The topic about legit Moron/ Ette authors brings up a question.
Have we ever had a political book from someone on the blog? Not asking about non fiction historical books or military books but purely political or self help books?

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 03, 2023 10:14 AM (t/2Uw)

122 Yara and Lizzy, Thanks for the recommendations. Interesting.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at December 03, 2023 10:15 AM (7EjX1)

123 Have we ever had a political book from someone on the blog?

You mean other than JJ's collection of his Morning Report monologues?

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 10:16 AM (Q0kLU)

124 69 If the site has as many unique visits as claimed, your recommendation has some significant weight, and I think you do your readers a disservice if you just toss out a label of "Books by Moron Authors" willy-nilly.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 09:43 AM (991eG)

Perhaps a solution would be, rather than emailing the Perfessor to promote their books, they should plug their own works in the comments. At least then, we would see some engagement.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 10:16 AM (OX9vb)

125 If you're interested in the voyage of the Russian fleet from the Baltic to the Pacific, be sure to watch Drachinifel's video about the repair ship Kamchatka -- the greatest foe the Russian navy ever faced.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 03, 2023 10:18 AM (78a2H)

126 I finally finished reading "Riders of the Steppes," the third of four pulp short story collections from Harold Lamb, featuring adventures on the 17th Century Steppes. The first of the collections was great. The second, not so much. And the first half of this collection was also pretty weak, but it did pick up in the second half. Partly because the main character (Khlit the Cossack) of the first collection returned, albeit much older than he used to be. But also because the stories of the second half were classic pulp adventures; straightforward narrative of daring quests. The early stories spent too much time telling us about the thoughts of the characters: and the characters, being Cossacks, were uneducated, supersticious, rather barbarous....and just hard to emphasize with. It just made the early stories feel choppy and weird.

There is one more volume in this collection that I've already bought, so I hope its good. And there's also a few differently-themed collections from Lamb (at least one on Vikings) but I have a big pile of unread books to tackle before I think about buying those...

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 03, 2023 10:19 AM (Lhaco)

127 {{{Sharon(willow's apprentice)}}}

Self help:

The Law of Self Defense: The Indispensable Guide to the Armed Citizen by Andrew F. Branca Posted a synopsis a month ago.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 03, 2023 10:20 AM (u82oZ)

128 Drachinifel has great videos. I don't think I have seen that one, but he did a multipart series on raising the US battleships sunk at Pearl that was fantastic.
Posted by: Thomas Paine
____________

He says Rozhestvensky had a habit of getting so pissed at the captains of other ships that he would chuck his binoculars overboard while calling them choice names. His staff knew of this habit and packed dozens of spare binoculars for the 2nd Pacific Squadron's voyage.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 03, 2023 10:20 AM (Dm8we)

129 Good Morning!

Let's smile & be happy & strike fear into the heart of killjoy leftists everywhere.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 03, 2023 10:21 AM (u82oZ)

130 *door bangs open*

Hi, I'm a genius!
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 03, 2023 09:59 AM (9mNHV)

"My book will save humanity! Read it!!!"

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 10:21 AM (OX9vb)

131 I'm still churning through Peter Heather's "The Fall of the Roman Empire." Last night I got to the section where he addressed Edward Gibbon's claim that Rome's adoption of Christianity as the state religion contributed to the empire's downfall. Heather says nope, there were obviously changes to society as a result, but it didn't significantly impact Rome's military or economic capabilities. I was pleasantly surprised to find an academic work that didn't take advantage of the opportunity to dunk on the Church.

Posted by: PabloD at December 03, 2023 10:21 AM (RZqW7)

132 If you're interested in the voyage of the Russian fleet from the Baltic to the Pacific, be sure to watch Drachinifel's video about the repair ship Kamchatka -- the greatest foe the Russian navy ever faced.
Posted by: Trimegistus

Haha, I can imagine how he treats that abominable ship with his dry humor. Also, the Russian crews facing an attack on Dogger Bank in the English Channel by Japanese torpedo boats cleverly disguised as British fishing boats. (They were British fishing boats)

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 03, 2023 10:23 AM (3BoYM)

133 Have to load mags cause it's finally range day but I did some light reading this week to escape the real world.
I read the 8th book in Robert B Parker's Cole and Hitch Western series by Robert Knott. Still loving his Westerns. Hitch finally starting to get regular nooky. Already lined up book 9 Revelation.
Also read the latest by Lynsay Sands in her Immortal Series Bad Luck Vampire, although they prefer to be called Immortals.
Exactly like all her other ones but satisfying nonetheless if your goal is mindless entertainment.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 03, 2023 10:24 AM (t/2Uw)

134 ...never seen comments from someone named "annie's stew." Who is this 'ette? She is clearly here, but the only presence I've seen is her prayer list, for which I am grateful. Posted by: Dash

*******

And that clearly indicates a level of involvement that has validity, and is vastly different from a cynical self-promotion.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 10:24 AM (991eG)

135
Apropos of nothing...

There was a huge volcanic explosion in Sumatra leading to a 7.7 earthquake in Indonesia.

And a 15000m smoke plume arising from the volcano.

The Ring of Fire has been busy this morning.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 10:25 AM (QzZeQ)

136 Having brought a few to the party, I can tell you there are many lurkers here. They just don't wish to engage. They enjoy Ace's POV and somewhat contumelious writing, but don't post comments.

Posted by: Marcus T at December 03, 2023 10:26 AM (6iBJs)

137 I'm still churning through Peter Heather's "The Fall of the Roman Empire." Last night I got to the section where he addressed Edward Gibbon's claim that Rome's adoption of Christianity as the state religion contributed to the empire's downfall. Heather says nope, there were obviously changes to society as a result, but it didn't significantly impact Rome's military or economic capabilities. I was pleasantly surprised to find an academic work that didn't take advantage of the opportunity to dunk on the Church.
Posted by: PabloD

I'll have to check that one out. I'm tired of Gibbon and his revisionism.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 03, 2023 10:26 AM (3BoYM)

138 A note to any self-publishers out there: formatting and proofreading is important!

I just finished a short story collection called "Riders of the Steppes" in ebook form, and just to be complete I read through the afterward, and all the footnotes. Well, I was paging through the footnotes, at least until I noticed one of them was exceptionally long. As I started reading that footnote, I realized something odd had happened.

Early in the book, there was a particularly bad short story which didn't have an ending. It just stopped with our heroes still in disgrace, and then the collection jumped to the next story, where our heroes were fine. I assumed it was story fragment, or an unfinished story (that sometimes happens to serialized short stories/comics) that was included for the sake of completeness. But, no. The story was complete. But the last third of the story was somehow added to the footnote. A footnote that was referenced two or three pages before the story 'ended.'

I'm glad I finally got a real ending to that story, but I would have had a far better opinion of it, and the collection in general, had it been published properly, and I have been able to read it all at once

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 03, 2023 10:26 AM (Lhaco)

139 Books Rock! So does the Book Thread; Thank you Perfessor!
Devoured Michael Connelly*s latest Lincoln Lawyer book, Resurrection Walk. It was, as usual, a great read. I always learn a little law stuff along the way. Harry Bosch is a vital part of this story, and Harry Bosch is always a good thing. I am about a third of the way through Ben Mezrich*s just released, Breaking Twitter, about Elon*s taking over the company. Another great read from Mezrich, but I am a huge Mezrich fanboy, so there is that. Happy reading to all!

Posted by: SuperMayorSuperRonNirenberg-Buff, Buffer, Buffest, Hit The Gym You Weakling at December 03, 2023 10:26 AM (0AUB1)

140 In one of his many, many weekly "Drydock" segments, Drach addressed the counterfactual of what if the Russians actually had managed to blunder into a war with the British while transiting the Channel. Apparently Lord Charles Beresford was chomping at the bit, so the British fleet was definitely ready for action. Short answer is, a walk-over for the Brits, which in turn would probably make WWI a walk-over for the Germans.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 03, 2023 10:28 AM (78a2H)

141 I have several (maybe 10) friends who lurk here but never comment. When Drudge went to shit I had people asking if there was anything similar out there so I recommended The Morning Report and they have lurked here since.

I did go through a lurk phase many years ago. Lasted about 5 years.
I was on a Vietnam War book devouring bindge. My Dad was dying from stuff related Agent Orange toxicity and I realized I really knew very little about his war yet knew as much as anyone on WW2. I rectified that in short order which led to more questions than answers and is still an ongoing thing with me.

Posted by: Reforger at December 03, 2023 10:28 AM (viZSN)

142 Also, the Russian crews facing an attack on Dogger Bank in the English Channel by Japanese torpedo boats cleverly disguised as British fishing boats. (They were British fishing boats)
Posted by: Thomas Paine
__________

Since Japan and Britain had just signed their pact in 1902 (clearly aimed at Russia), it would not have been out of the question for Britain to have built torpedo boats for Japan, with Japan shipping crews to Britain. Very unlikely, but not impossible. So I can see why the Russians feared torpedo boats that far from Japan.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 03, 2023 10:30 AM (Dm8we)

143 I was wrong: Drach has a whole video about that what-if: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAU_gq7JDnc

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 03, 2023 10:31 AM (78a2H)

144 I greatly enjoyed Farmer’s first “Riverworld” book and want to read the sequels. I’m not clear on Farmer and antisemitism, but in the novella “Riders of the Purple Wage” his protagonist lived in an Arab-dominated Beverly Hills in the future, which he mentioned as ironic since that town is known for its large Jewish community.

Posted by: Norrin Radd, not trying to sell my new novel at December 03, 2023 10:31 AM (hsWtj)

145 Perhaps a solution would be, rather than emailing the Perfessor to promote their books, they should plug their own works in the comments. At least then, we would see some engagement.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 10:16 AM (OX9vb)

OK, then. As most of you know, I have 2 novels and a supernatural short story, all featuring the silent movie star Theda Bara and her makeup artist, Toby Swanson.

The Director's Cut and The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

https://tinyurl.com/s5tt7b7y

Thirteen Moons

https://tinyurl.com/3fmwtspf

As Abe Lincoln said, if you like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing you'll like.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 10:31 AM (Q0kLU)

146 >>> they should plug their own works in the comments. At least then, we would see some engagement.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 10:16 AM (OX9vb)

Yeah. Show some respect. Get yer butt out of bed (left coast authors) and pitch your book. Instead, they send a MadLib email with [Perf’s] name plugged in - and a [personalized] community endearment [moronette].

Posted by: 13times at December 03, 2023 10:32 AM (cto+/)

147
con·tu·me·li·ous

/ˌkänto͝oˈmēlēəs/

adjectiveARCHAIC

(of behavior) scornful and insulting; insolent.

Posted by: The more you know at December 03, 2023 10:32 AM (NBVIP)

148 As a guy who has spent too much time looking at the binding of his books, and watching other book-binding youtube videos, I'll have to watch that embedded video. Later. Once I've had time to look at some of the comments...

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 03, 2023 10:33 AM (Lhaco)

149 No, it isn't 1941, it is 1904, and the attack is on the Russian fleet in Port Arthur.

-
I've been watching the old BBC miniseries, Reilly, Ace of Spies. The secong episode is about him stealing the Russian minefield maps and giving them to Britain's ally, the Japanese, to allow them to sneak into Port Arthur to launch their sneak attack.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 03, 2023 10:33 AM (FVME7)

150 For every regular commentor, there are THOUSANDS of lurkers'

What?! Thousands of people see my unhinged ramblings?

How embarrassing. I should stop.

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 10:35 AM (43xH1)

151 13 Good Sunday morning, horde!

"Who else is gifting what books this year?
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at December 03, 2023 09:06 AM (9yUzE)"

I usually arrive home in time to help my Mom wrap her gifts for the rest of the family, and it's staggering how many books she gives to her grandkids. I think one year I counted 20 books for 4 kids...

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 03, 2023 10:36 AM (Lhaco)

152
*What?! Thousands of people see my unhinged ramblings?

How embarrassing. I should stop.*

Or at least put on some pants.

Posted by: Because reasons at December 03, 2023 10:37 AM (NBVIP)

153 I've been watching the old BBC miniseries, Reilly, Ace of Spies. The secong episode is about him stealing the Russian minefield maps and giving them to Britain's ally, the Japanese, to allow them to sneak into Port Arthur to launch their sneak attack.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 03, 2023

***
I'd never heard of Reilly until that miniseries showed up on Masterpiece Theatre w/ Sam Neill, who (if he'd been a little taller) would have made a good James Bond. Fleming was once taxed with "Bond's adventures are too outlandish," to which he replied, "Come now, he's no Sidney Reilly!"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 10:37 AM (omVj0)

154 @147: The more you know. I was just about post that I had to look that word up. Thanks

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 03, 2023 10:38 AM (N6UT3)

155 The best military history I've read, hands down, is Alistair Horne's trilogy.

The Fall of Paris (Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune)

The Price of Glory (Verdun)

To Lose a Battle (France 1940)

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 03, 2023 10:38 AM (Dm8we)

156 Well ... I'm an 'Ette commenter here, and have been for a longish time - and the Perfessor and Oregon Muse before him were kind enough to feature by own books, when I asked through a nice message...
It's one of those rules that indy authors have passed around; if you want to get a plug for your book on a particular blog, at least be a semi-regular commenter, and engage with other commenters. It's just good manners!
(And thanks for last week's plug, Perfessor - as always, much appreciated.)
I just looked over my own record of purchases for books, and realized that just about every book that I have bought for pleasure reading in the last six or seven years was one recommended in the Book Thread by other 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: Sgt. Mom at December 03, 2023 10:39 AM (xnmPy)

157 OK, then. As most of you know, I have 2 novels and a supernatural short story, all featuring the silent movie star Theda Bara and her makeup artist, Toby Swanson.
[ ... ]
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 10:31 AM (Q0kLU)

I would also encourage Horde authors who have established some name recognition to mention their work here. "Lurkers" should continue to go through the Perfessor, IMO.

Also, FWIW, I have read all of MP4*'s stuff and am looking forward to the next one.

* shortening "Eloquent Depression" to initials would probably lead so confusion

Posted by: Oddbob at December 03, 2023 10:39 AM (nfrXX)

158 Salty, is Branca a moron? I did get his book. Lol

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 03, 2023 10:39 AM (t/2Uw)

159 Watching nerdforge
I think I need a book press

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 10:39 AM (vHIgi)

160 Goring was much more grey in the history I have read. Maybe I am mistaken in my recall.

Posted by: meh at December 03, 2023 10:40 AM (5G9LX)

161 Am I the only curmudgeon who doesn't like the word "gifting"?

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 10:42 AM (vHIgi)

162 Goring was much more grey in the history I have read. Maybe I am mistaken in my recall.
Posted by: meh at December 03, 2023 10:40 AM (5G9LX)

That sounds like bull to me.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 03, 2023 10:42 AM (N6UT3)

163 Military history: a private who loses a rifle gets in more trouble than a general who loses a war.

Posted by: And everyone in the Pentagon knows it at December 03, 2023 10:42 AM (NBVIP)

164 OK, then. As most of you know, I have 2 novels and a supernatural short story, all featuring the silent movie star Theda Bara and her makeup artist, Toby Swanson.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 10:31 AM (Q0kLU)

There--exactly! You, and A. H. Lloyd, and Muldoon, and Christopher R. Taylor, and Celia Hayes, and I know there are others, sorry if I've missed some, engage and promote your own works, and I've read at least one of each of your books, because I am more likely to read one by someone I feel like I kinda know.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 10:42 AM (OX9vb)

165 Since I know next to nothing, everything is an interesting tidbit. "The French put their faith in shock action rather than firepower. They subordinated everything to the attempt to rupture the opposing line by bursting through it with a mass of men ready to accept heavy casualties (which could be replaced by conscription)... the armies of Napoleon were the model for every army in Europe with one exception. The exception was Britain which, having no conscription, could not afford to adopt tactics which demanded heavy casualties."

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 03, 2023 09:15 AM (Rz7ER)

The Napoleonic Era was a time when wars were fought by shapes! The French fought in columns (to best punch through the enemy) The British fought in lines (to maximize firepower) and everyone formed up into squares when cavalry arrived...

I went on a bit of a Napoleonic kick when I first discovered the Sharpe's Rifles books/TV movies....

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 03, 2023 10:43 AM (Lhaco)

166 Also, FWIW, I have read all of MP4*'s stuff and am looking forward to the next one.

Well, thank you! The next one is tentatively titled Ten Thousand Midnights and has Theo and Toby involved in the murder of director William Desmond Taylor in 1922.

And I should stop posting here and get some writing done, so thank you for the nudge.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 10:43 AM (Q0kLU)

167 The topic about legit Moron/ Ette authors brings up a question.
Have we ever had a political book from someone on the blog? Not asking about non fiction historical books or military books but purely political or self help books?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)'

I have one on Orthodox Christian imagery and how people may/can experience such imagery, which isn't really self-help and so arcane/obscure in content, people (who should know) who've read it have told me, looking more than a bit confused, 'It's quite unique, we've never read anything quite like it'.

Another one of mine that is sort-of political is 'The Use Of Visual Propaganda' which believe it or not has similarities with the above. But it's not directly political in being 'current events' it's just a book describing one way in which visual propaganda functions, and it's also been described as 'quite unique'.

'self help books?': 'GET TOUGH', Fairbairn.

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 10:44 AM (43xH1)

168 I've been watching the old BBC miniseries, Reilly, Ace of Spies. The secong episode is about him stealing the Russian minefield maps and giving them to Britain's ally, the Japanese, to allow them to sneak into Port Arthur to launch their sneak attack.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

I have that series, it is quite good, and apparently quite accurate. He was more like James Bond than the fictional character.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 03, 2023 10:44 AM (3BoYM)

169 Books are our go to gifts to give. It can be tricky for the littlest ones, 2 to 11 years old, so we rely on guidance from their parents: current interests, reading ability, reaction to illustrations, etc. The nieces and nephews, early thirties, are easier especially as most of them are Tolkien and CS Lewis fans. They also appreciate hobby books, classic literature, even Greek and Roman philosophy. Although they are quite conservative, I avoid sending political or current events books. It is a joy to pass along the books that have made my life richer.

Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023 10:44 AM (7EjX1)

170 Salty, is Branca a moron? I did get his book. Lol

I don't think he's a regular regular but he pops up occasionally on the Gun Thread.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 03, 2023 10:44 AM (nfrXX)

171 Well ... I'm an 'Ette commenter here, and have been

+++
See, Sgt Mom knows. Style book says 'Ette.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 03, 2023 10:44 AM (t/2Uw)

172 For record, my first major book on Napoleon was David Chandler's Campaigns of Napoleon, yet never became a Napoleon Fan Boy, as Chandler said of a previous dictator Cromwell, he was a great bad man

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 10:44 AM (fwDg9)

173 An ex girlfriend had an autistic nephew, and her brother used to take him regularly to the coast to look at tidepools, He liked tidepools and had a number that he wanted to see each trip.

Tidepools and dinosaurs were his things.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 03, 2023 10:44 AM (D7oie)

174 Is there a good biography on Napoleon?

It's decades old, but Christopher Herold's The Age of Napoleon is pretty worthwhile.

https://tinyurl.com/598frzrs

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at December 03, 2023 09:57 AM (Q0kLU)

There have got to be a gajillion contemporary accounts of Napoleon and his battles, along with a ton of near contemporary accounts.

IF I were writing/making a Napoleon movie, I'd exclusively use those. Probably, trying for a trilogy of Young Napoleon, Middle Napoleon, Old Deposed Napoleon.

If i couldn't do that, probably a Rashomon typer look at Napoleon around one one his most famous battles.

Honestly, from what I've read (I haven't seen the movie), Scott, Phoenix et al had neither empathy nor sympathy with the historical Napoleon. Hard to make a good flick when you don't understand the character you're portraying.

Or, as I think, the Critical Drinker says, if you want to portray the love life of Napoleon, then make that movie.

All i all, this foofaraw convinces me that I could write a book about Napoleon with nothing historically true and still have a hit.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 10:45 AM (QzZeQ)

175 Come to a MoMe. Meet an author.

Posted by: You could even get a signed copy at December 03, 2023 10:46 AM (NBVIP)

176 161 Am I the only curmudgeon who doesn't like the word "gifting"?
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 10:42 AM (vHIgi)

You certainly are not.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 10:46 AM (OX9vb)

177 Am I the only curmudgeon who doesn't like the word "gifting"?
Posted by: vmom

*******

I'm with you on this.

The verbing of America continues apace.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 10:46 AM (991eG)

178 Mrs SuperMayor is a big proponent of the *Something To Wear, Something To Read, Something You Want, Something You Need* Christmas gift philosophy. My wacky gifting methods have had to be tamed, over a couple decades of marital life, but I still get to be in charge of the Something To Read part of the equation. Hemingway, Hersey, London, Bradbury, and Heinlein are represented in this year*s selections for the progeny.

Posted by: SuperMayorSuperRonNirenberg-Buff, Buffer, Buffest, Hit The Gym You Weakling at December 03, 2023 10:47 AM (0AUB1)

179 Author Sabrina Chase posts here. I read three of her charming sci-fi books.

Posted by: 13times at December 03, 2023 10:48 AM (cto+/)

180 I wonder if "gifting" is in part an error for the word "giving."

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 03, 2023 10:48 AM (78a2H)

181 "The French put their faith in shock action rather than firepower. They subordinated everything to the attempt to rupture the opposing line by bursting through it with a mass of men ready to accept heavy casualties (which could be replaced by conscription)... the armies of Napoleon were the model for every army in Europe with one exception. The exception was Britain which, having no conscription, could not afford to adopt tactics which demanded heavy casualties."

Posted by: All Hail Eris
___________

There was a reason this tactic lasted until WW1. While dispersed formations may have made more sense from a casualty standpoint, officers would not be able to control their men. They would simply go to ground and not move forward.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 03, 2023 10:48 AM (Dm8we)

182 The line, column, skirmish is not simple to sort out as all countries used what they needed at the movement.

Watched, well lisned this morning as it had no video on YouTube was a brutal take down of the movie

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 10:49 AM (fwDg9)

183 Hemingway, Hersey, London, Bradbury, and Heinlein are represented in this year*s selections for the progeny.
Posted by: SuperMayorSuperRonNirenberg-Buff, Buffer, Buffest, Hit The Gym You Weakling at December 03, 2023 10:47 AM (0AUB1)

Outstanding selection of authors.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 03, 2023 10:49 AM (N6UT3)

184 I suspect with the crowd here a lot of 'self-help' books suggested will be reloading manuals, knife-fighting guides, books about carrying concealed, and The Bible.

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 10:49 AM (43xH1)

185 See also "the year without summer". We aren't allowed to talk about what happens when you get a lot of volcanic ash in the air.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 03, 2023 10:50 AM (bW3GK)

186 The verbing of America continues apace.
Posted by: Muldoon'

Hahaha! Well done

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 10:50 AM (43xH1)

187 Half-way through At Dawn We Slept. At first I thought it would be a overly-detailed slog, but it has turned out to be an overly-detailed adventure. Toland uses short chapters , which helps becuase you always feel there's time for one more chapter before bed. I'd heard for years how the miitary actually controlled the Japanese government, but this was the first book that clearly explained how that worked. Also started in on a re-read of The Name of the Rose. I've been a big fan of Umberto Eco since that first came out. I've read Foucault's Pendulum multiple times and it ssurprises me every time.

Posted by: who knew at December 03, 2023 10:51 AM (4I7VG)

188 157 ... "I have read all of MP4*'s stuff and am looking forward to the next one."

Ditto! I have enjoyed all of MP4's writing. It really is pleasant reading in every sense.

Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023 10:51 AM (7EjX1)

189 the armies of Napoleon were the model for every army in Europe with one exception. The exception was Britain which, having no conscription, could not afford to adopt tactics which demanded heavy casualties."

Posted by: All Hail Eris

I absolutely love the scene in the 1970s Napoleon movie where the French cavalry runs into the British squares formation.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 03, 2023 10:51 AM (3BoYM)

190 Am I the only curmudgeon who doesn't like the word "gifting"?
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 10:42 AM (vHIgi)

I can't stand it.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Aspiring Codger at December 03, 2023 10:51 AM (T/Lqj)

191 Lord knows I comment way too much. I fall in the category where people say to me, "If I buy your damn book will you go away already?"

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 10:51 AM (991eG)

192 The verbing of America continues apace.

https://tinyurl.com/yckep66e (classic Calvin and Hobbes)

Posted by: Oddbob at December 03, 2023 10:51 AM (nfrXX)

193 Napoleon? Dyn-o-mite!

Posted by: Jimmie Walker at December 03, 2023 10:52 AM (NBVIP)

194 Need a new idea? Read an old book.
Posted by: Someone much wiser than I

In the Coen Brothers' movie, Barton Fink, the snooty, intellectual protagonist playwrite takes a job as a Hollywood screenwriter. Hollywood assigns him to write a wrestling movie, a subject he knows nothing about. I was thinking he should have turned to Shakespeare. Do a Macbeth set in the ring or an Othello.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 03, 2023 10:53 AM (FVME7)

195 Albert Goring. People like Rufus are why I lurk.

Posted by: meh at December 03, 2023 10:53 AM (5G9LX)

196 where people say to me, "If I buy your damn book will you go away already?"
Posted by: Muldoon'

The answer to which is No, it does not make him go away, I tried it.

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 10:53 AM (43xH1)

197 some of us lurk because we read every danged comment and by the time we're ready to comment ... everyone has already drifted off.
However, I still consider myself a 'moron' since I've been a faithful follower of Ace since the early '00's' and have even attended two mini-meets.

Posted by: Wingnutt at December 03, 2023 10:53 AM (qmlyn)

198 *When Drudge went to shit I had people asking if there was anything similar out there so I recommended The Morning Report and they have lurked here since* Posted by: Reforger

I clearly remember your recommendation of Mr Sefton*s excellent daily work. That is when I became a daily AoS reader. I mostly lurk, but poke my head up for Books and Food. Thank you for leading me here!

Posted by: SuperMayorSuperRonNirenberg-Buff, Buffer, Buffest, Hit The Gym You Weakling at December 03, 2023 10:54 AM (0AUB1)

199 Notsothoreau talking about 1979?

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 10:54 AM (fwDg9)

200 Richard Meinertzhagen of the Haversack Ruse and the Wells of Bersheeba fame, was another Riley.
He also was known as an ornithologist, but recently it was determined that a number of his finds were actually stolen from other museum collections and presented to ones he liked.

as said above, another great bad man.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 03, 2023 10:55 AM (D7oie)

201 Albert Goring. People like Rufus are why I lurk.
Posted by: meh at December 03, 2023 10:53 AM (5G9LX\

Mea culpa meh; meant no offense, just a vain attempt at humor.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 03, 2023 10:55 AM (N6UT3)

202 Muldoon, if you stop commenting, it won't be nearly as much fun here.

I comment too much, too. I can't help myself. And I don't even have a book to sell.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 10:56 AM (OX9vb)

203 @147 Hamlet, Act 3. "The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely."

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 03, 2023 10:56 AM (FCs/J)

204 161 ... "Am I the only curmudgeon who doesn't like the word "gifting"?"

vmom,
Absolutely not. I'm a curmudgeon for many reasons and word use is part of it. I don't say gifting or parenting and using 'presently' to mean 'at present' is especially irritating.

Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023 10:57 AM (7EjX1)

205 Tidepools and dinosaurs were his things.
Posted by: Kindltot at December 03, 2023 10:44 AM (D7oie)

The Airport in Mogadishu Somalia has a small bay, where the Australians had set up a net so they could use it. They trapped IN a 15' Great White. It ate a US Marine one day. I used to go out on the outcropping and watch the shark swim around. Then I discovered the tide pods on the sheltered from waves side of it.
Facinating. Little self sustaining unique pools. Every one of them was different. Some had Octopus, some had fish.
It was just cool.

Posted by: Reforger at December 03, 2023 10:58 AM (Pmzap)

206 161 ... "Am I the only curmudgeon who doesn't like the word "gifting"?"

Don't get me started on the recent trend of turning "ask" into a noun.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 10:58 AM (OX9vb)

207 Notsothoreau talking about 1979?
Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023

***
A top-notch year for Top 40 music. Otherwise I don't want to recall much about it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:00 AM (omVj0)

208 an acute sense of self-pity, the worst enervator of moral force that exists.

-
Governor Hair Gel says DeSantis and Hannity totally Tonya Hardinged him with that poop map!

https://tinyurl.com/58hzdk6f

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 03, 2023 11:01 AM (FVME7)

209 I ended up here during Rona as it was the ONLY island of relative sanity. Got the recommendation from Second City Cop sidebar, then they went dark after that business with the teacher in Puerto Rico and being informed by an insider at Google they were about to get outed and doxxed.

Didn't do any really serious reading this week, Archive.org with a few old 1980s Gun Digests; a couple of books about tanks in the WWII EO, the Panther/Sherman/etc. stuff which I have absolutely no interest in discussing as I've seen that comparing tanks always leads to acrimony.

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 11:01 AM (43xH1)

210 Wolfus I remember it well being in East Anglia and having to carry my field jacket every night, about 79 degrees was the best it got all summer. Shocked me decades later when at Wimbledon it reached 100, and I was did they move it to Saudi Arabia?

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 11:03 AM (fwDg9)

211
vmom,
Absolutely not. I'm a curmudgeon for many reasons and word use is part of it. I don't say gifting or parenting and using 'presently' to mean 'at present' is especially irritating.
Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023

***
I have to agree. "Parenting" is not bad, as it shortens "being a parent," but we already have "giving."

Somebody who had pretensions to being a writer (not anybody here, please understant) tried to insist to me that "to repair" as in "I repaired to the kitchen to prepare a snack" meant "to return." No, it means "to go to a specific place for a specific purpose." "To repair" once did mean "to return," but that's obsolete.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:04 AM (omVj0)

212 Have a great day, everyone.

My most recent reading was al Nolfi's analysis of the Italian army in North Africa 1940-43, in a Strategy & Tactics magazine.

About Napoleon. There were three themes to his life:

Military genius (at times), statesman (some good, some bad) and lover (not so great, as his wife cheated on him with a dashing Hussar during his Italian campaigns.). Having power helped his love life.

The books I have that explains a lot are Napoleon and Josephine: The Biography of a Marriage by Frances Mossiker, and Napoleon from 18 Brumaire to Tilsit and Napoleon from Tilsit to Waterloo, both by George Lefebvre, translated by J.E. Anderson.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 03, 2023 11:04 AM (u82oZ)

213 Wolfus I remember it well being in East Anglia and having to carry my field jacket every night, about 79 degrees was the best it got all summer. Shocked me decades later when at Wimbledon it reached 100, and I was did they move it to Saudi Arabia?
Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023

***
Oh, I recall 1979 just fine. I simply don't want to recall a lot of it!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:06 AM (omVj0)

214 Coen Brothers' movie, Barton Fink, the snooty, intellectual protagonist'

One of my favorite movies.
It manages to capture, perfectly, creative block.

Haha! that writer and his fishmongers

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 11:06 AM (43xH1)

215 Then I discovered the tide pods on the sheltered from waves side of it.

Don't eat them!

Posted by: Archimedes at December 03, 2023 11:06 AM (I/Qkd)

216 Yesterday a article at American Thinker on what does Sundowner read?
Previous Presidents always were questioned what were they readind, Clinton seemed to be a big book reader but seems Sundowner has never opened a book and if so no one cares

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 11:07 AM (fwDg9)

217 ---
I'm more open to looking at things from a spiritual perspective. I highly recommend Lorenzo Scupoli's The Spiritual Combat, which has helped me immensely.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:42 AM (llXky)

I have not read this and I think I should

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 11:07 AM (vHIgi)

218 "The Ring of Fire has been busy this morning."

It is very significant in my view, adding that there's apparently a huge caldera under Yellowstone, and new faults discovered in the South, and another (generally following) the Mississippi River.

Interesting if oil fracking plays any part in making fault lines enlarge...how much of bible prophecy last days events (increasing earthquake activity occurring in divers (many) places) will we possibly bring down on our own heads; I dunno about that.

Isaiah chapters 2, 13, 24 writes of a 'big one' coming, where the earth actually shakes and tilts off axis. Revelation 16 picks up, where the mountains are submersed.

So much for real estate with a great view of the ocean.

Posted by: Ju at December 03, 2023 11:07 AM (aTmM/)

219 I don't say gifting or parenting and using 'presently' to mean 'at present' is especially irritating.
Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023

***
I discovered how handy "presently" can be in transitions between one set of action in a story and another. It means "After a short time," but uses only one word.

"Lucius settled down to sleep. Presently his snoring echoed throughout the tent."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:08 AM (omVj0)

220 May you all be blessed with good books to read, and a pleasant local environment.

-30-

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 03, 2023 11:09 AM (u82oZ)

221 I'm sure it's all been said already, but I just got here...

To me, the book promoters are no different than advertising. If you show up here once a week, and you're a car salesman, or sell insurance, financial planning, real estate, whatever, and all you ever have to say is "as a car salesman, I think blah blah blah, and if you're in the market for a 2004 Dodge Durango, we just got one on the lot," I'd basically skip over your comments. Whether I was in the market for a 2004 Dodge Durango or not.

Perfessor, you're welcome to promote books and authors here, that's a nice thing to do, I guess. I'm just not interested in those parts of your posts, and the "longtime lurker" thing just rubs me the wrong way.

People are free to disagree. As always.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:10 AM (QBaJw)

222 I'm more open to looking at things from a spiritual perspective. I highly recommend Lorenzo Scupoli's The Spiritual Combat, which has helped me immensely.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 03, 2023 09:42 AM (llXky)

I have not read this and I think I should
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 11:07 AM

Ya gonna put down the knife first ?

Posted by: JT at December 03, 2023 11:12 AM (T4tVD)

223 Thank you to the commenter who mentioned the Audible sale. I bought Shelby Foote's Civil War volumes (3 of them) for under $20. Excellent.
I only do digital media anymore. No more room for physical books.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 03, 2023 11:12 AM (MeG8a)

224 Re: autism: not books, but might be of interest.

In a movie some years ago the only witness to a murder was an autistic boy. Think Bruce Willis was in it. I have an autistic granddaughter, and I thought the presentation very fair. The final scene is so moving.

Don't remember the credentials of this information, but I read that a department in the IDF seeks autistic people. Map-making reading, I think. Their focus and intensity is a plus.

Elon Musk is autistic.

Posted by: Wenda at December 03, 2023 11:12 AM (1MfV9)

225 I don't say gifting or parenting and using 'presently' to mean 'at present' is especially irritating.
Posted by: JTB at December 03, 2023

***
I discovered how handy "presently" can be in transitions between one set of action in a story and another. It means "After a short time," but uses only one word.

"Lucius settled down to sleep. Presently his snoring echoed throughout the tent."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:08 AM (omVj0)

If you're going to use "gifting" and "parenting" and "presently" in one comment, I'm just going to be thinking about what my parents are going to get me for my birthday.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:12 AM (QBaJw)

226 Don't eat them!
Posted by: Archimedes at December 03, 2023 11:06 AM (I/Qkd)

I read that through that several times and it looked alright to me..
Then I read it after I posted.
Pools not pods. Damn it.

Posted by: Reforger at December 03, 2023 11:13 AM (Pmzap)

227 I reread The Book of Laughtr and Forgetting earlier this year. Great book, I had been looking for Kundera's The Joke for a couple of years now, and finally found a copy at Driftless Books in Virquoa, WI (a destination used book store. well worth the mileage) so that's near the top of the TBR pile.
And add my name to those who hate 'giftng'. Even worse than that is the new sports jargon describing tall players as having a lot of length. I've given up on anyone recognizing the difference between jealousy and envy

Posted by: who knew at December 03, 2023 11:13 AM (4I7VG)

228
*"After a short time," but uses only one word.*

"Soon" has entered the chat.

Posted by: Not meaning to snark at December 03, 2023 11:13 AM (NBVIP)

229 and new faults discovered in the South, and another (generally following) the Mississippi River.

Interesting if oil fracking plays any part in making fault lines enlarge...

Posted by: Ju
_____________

I thought that had been around quite a while. The New Madrid earthquake in the early 1800s caused the Mississippi to change course in several places. There's a little piece of Kentucky at the western tip unconnected to the rest of the state because of this.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 03, 2023 11:14 AM (Dm8we)

230 yes reilly was quite a character, sam neil may not have been the physical match but he captured his verve, he worked for blohm and voss, against vickers, which was his competition, the Makarios of Ambler was based on Zaharoff,

he was crazy in thinking he could topple Lenin, mostly because the Latvian Guard, were on Dzerzinsky's payroll

Posted by: no 6 at December 03, 2023 11:15 AM (PXvVL)

231 Thank you to the commenter who mentioned the Audible sale. I bought Shelby Foote's Civil War volumes (3 of them) for under $20. Excellent.
I only do digital media anymore. No more room for physical books.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 03, 2023 11:12 AM (MeG8a)

I don't have any room for books either, but I keep buying them.

Picked up "Mary's Mosaic," by Peter Janney this week. I might or might not get to reading it someday. By the son of a CIA man, who was in on the Kennedy killings. Mary was Kennedy's secretary, and she was killed too.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:15 AM (QBaJw)

232 Is gifting too big an ask?
Can't say. I didn't get an invite to that 'un.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 03, 2023 11:15 AM (FCs/J)

233 12,000 page book chick got a nice library.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 03, 2023 11:16 AM (VwHCD)

234 Don't get me started on "utilize."

Posted by: Grammar nerd at December 03, 2023 11:16 AM (NBVIP)

235 I've mentioned several times that I enjoy Anthony Horowitz' books. I came across this 13 minute video of him discussing how to write twists into mystery books. I thought it was interesting.

https://tinyurl.com/ykn8vdy9

P.S. His books frequently feature authors as characters and they are not presented in a very good light. I wonder what that says about his view of his profession.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 03, 2023 11:16 AM (FVME7)

236 Shane McGowan got his teeth straightened. Now he's gone. Connection? Loved his song fairy tales of New York.

Posted by: Beverly at December 03, 2023 11:18 AM (Epeb0)

237 I don't want to brag but I proper noun verbed in #208.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 03, 2023 11:19 AM (FVME7)

238 > I thought that had been around quite a while. The New Madrid earthquake in the early 1800s caused the Mississippi to change course in several places. There's a little piece of Kentucky at the western tip unconnected to the rest of the state because of this.
_____________

Realfoot Lake, located in northwest TN was formed by the New Madrid quake too.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 03, 2023 11:19 AM (Q4IgG)

239
*Elon Musk is autistic.*

And an African American.

Posted by: So there's that at December 03, 2023 11:19 AM (NBVIP)

240 As far as science fiction goes, I used to love it and had a bookcase full of it, but now that I'm a seasoned lady I don't read it so much anymore. I guess I'm dialed in to reality more and more as I prepare to eventually leave it.

Posted by: Beverly at December 03, 2023 11:19 AM (Epeb0)

241 I don't know if I believe him, but I have in the past read a lot of the books written by Edgar Cayce, this was many years ago, and visited his archive in Va. Beach. He predicted great physical changes in the earth, which I suppose is an easy prediction since the earth is never really in stasis.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 03, 2023 11:20 AM (MeG8a)

242 I thought that had been around quite a while. The New Madrid earthquake in the early 1800s caused the Mississippi to change course in several places. There's a little piece of Kentucky at the western tip unconnected to the rest of the state because of this.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 03, 2023 11:14 AM (Dm8we)

I grew up in St. Louis, we had frequent Erfquakes. Usually very mild, but it's always assumed "the big one" could happen again. Anytime.

As for the Yellowstone Caldera, I've read some things that suggest all the talk about it just blowing someday is mostly b.s. Yes, it could. But there will almost certainly be many many many warnings well ahead of time, and there's no reason to believe it's going to happen anytime soon. None.

But it sounds cool. Or hot, I guess.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:20 AM (QBaJw)

243 Watching nerdforge
I think I need a book press
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 10:39 AM (vHIgi)

I was looking into making one when I was playing around with book binding,

the simplest one is two pieces of plywood and carriage bolts with wingnuts.
The more complicated one I envisioned was salvaging the pillar screw out of an old swivel office chair, and using that in a frame.
What I usually did was pile heavy books on top of what I was making.

An alternate dodge would be to use a one ton tongue jack fitted into an arbor. You could make the frame out of plywood or 2x4s. When I have done similar things I had some angle iron welded onto the body, but a lot of the jacks come with fittings to bolt onto your trailer

Posted by: Kindltot at December 03, 2023 11:20 AM (D7oie)

244 I actually have to find out out more about Autism for a very bright young lady in her twenties. In therapy for social anxiety and other issues, the therapist first thought it was ADD, no thinks it might be ASD.

A surprise to me since in my head, from Hollywood, I have this image of autism and that never would have occurred to me.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 11:20 AM (vHIgi)

245 233 12,000 page book chick got a nice library.

But the purple hair? Yeah, no.

Posted by: Most guys at December 03, 2023 11:21 AM (NBVIP)

246 Anne Cleeland, aka Artemis, used to post here regularly. Got turned on to her books through a commenter here and signed up. I've now read at least 11 of her books, the newest being Murder in Protocol. I don't think she ever pushed her books but often helped others find things they would like. I remember once she teamed up with another author who comments here and recommended Georgette Heyer which sent me on a journey that lasted a while.
Bottom line being that they were here for the conversation and not to push their books.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 03, 2023 11:21 AM (t/2Uw)

247 I'm all for downing verbal nouning.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 11:22 AM (Angsy)

248 Am I the only curmudgeon who doesn't like the word "gifting"?
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 10:42 AM (vHIgi)

Ja! Ja! Ein Gift ist . . . Verrrry bad. Polizei come!

Posted by: Kindltot at December 03, 2023 11:23 AM (D7oie)

249 I've given up on anyone recognizing the difference between jealousy and envy
Posted by: who knew'

A book I've now kinda given to three people! is Dover's 'The Evil Eye' by Elworthy. There most certainly is a difference and people who believed in the 'evil eye' (which seems to be... uh... EVERYBODY) most certainly made a distinction between the two.
Actually if anyone wants, in my opinion, THE book on Paganism, 'The Evil Eye' is the one to get. Or at least start with it to comprehend the cosmology. I did not in any of the three cases buy them as gifts, I showed the book to people I thought might be interested in the subject, and in all three cases they looked through it and then flatly refused to give it back. They all offered to pay me for my copy but I can get more in USA so I just insisted they take it. The only book I've had that happen.
(In all three cases it was in places where it's very difficult/impossible to get, or even order, English language books)

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 11:24 AM (43xH1)

250 "...I enjoy Anthony Horowitz' books"

Is that the same author who wrote Confederates in the Attic and A Voyage Long and Strange?
Those are fun reads. But they are published under the name Tony Horowitz.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 03, 2023 11:26 AM (MeG8a)

251 A surprise to me since in my head, from Hollywood, I have this image of autism and that never would have occurred to me.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 03, 2023 11:20 AM (vHIgi)

Hollywood’s latest autism movie was The Accountant.

Posted by: Drive by at December 03, 2023 11:27 AM (MNhXM)

252 I have to agree. "Parenting" is not bad, as it shortens "being a parent," but we already have "giving."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:04 AM (omVj0)

Seems to me the distinction between giving and gifting would have more to do with the intent behind it.

I give because I care, and want you to know it. I gift because there's an obligation, like at an office "secret Santa" exchange, or because your spoiled brat child expects everyone to show up with whatever she had on her list that was sent out well in advance.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:27 AM (QBaJw)

253 12 Finished Battle of the Bulge by John Toland, told more about the other forces stopping the German offense than Bastone

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 09:03 AM (fwDg9)
---
A couple of interesting counterfactuals would be the Allies slowing their advance and making a more determined effort to clear the channel ports, esp. Calais and Dunkirk.

Or the Germans using that army against the Soviets.

By that point the numbers were so against the Germans that the only thing it would have done was delay the inevitable a little while. Basically it was just playing out to the end after the Germans failed to make the USSR collapse by the end of 41.

Posted by: azjaeger at December 03, 2023 11:27 AM (3/XaG)

254 After stumbling on Heinlein's The Puppet Masters in freshman year of high school, I went quietly insane and read almost nothing but sf for pleasure for a bit over a decade. Stopped following it except for a few writers during the 80s.

There's an acronym-based verb that I ran across in some sf commentary (can't recall whose) -- "gafiate," meaning to Get Away From It All, mainly to withdraw from sf fandom. That's a made-up verb I kinda like, and I've been doing a lot of it lately and not just re:sf.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 03, 2023 11:27 AM (a/4+U)

255 Nothing is as bad as "adulting"...

Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 03, 2023 11:29 AM (MeG8a)

256 I've been waiting for California to fall into the ocean for 45 years.
I was in Carson City NV in the back of a trailer unloading freight when Loma Prieta hit. I came out that door screaming that Cali finally had to be under water. That was the big one.
Sadly it wasn't.

Just kidding but we get quakes all the time here. Had one about 2 years ago that sent me through the shower sliding door.

Posted by: Reforger at December 03, 2023 11:29 AM (Pmzap)

257 A book I've now kinda given to three people! is Dover's 'The Evil Eye' by Elworthy. There most certainly is a difference and people who believed in the 'evil eye' (which seems to be... uh... EVERYBODY) most certainly made a distinction between the two.
Actually if anyone wants, in my opinion, THE book on Paganism, 'The Evil Eye' is the one to get. Or at least start with it to comprehend the cosmology. I did not in any of the three cases buy them as gifts, I showed the book to people I thought might be interested in the subject, and in all three cases they looked through it and then flatly refused to give it back. They all offered to pay me for my copy but I can get more in USA so I just insisted they take it. The only book I've had that happen.
(In all three cases it was in places where it's very difficult/impossible to get, or even order, English language books)
Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 11:24 AM (43xH1)

Joseph Epstein (no relation to you know who) wrote a book called Envy. It's a joy to read, and explains the thing (and how it differs from jealousy) about as well as anyone could.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:30 AM (QBaJw)

258 I just finished Above the Ground, the true story of a Southern Irishman falsely accused and imprisoned for the murder of a Northern Ireland prison official. Whew! I couldn't put it down.
Even if you're not Irish like me, you will enjoy it.

//

P.S. I think I'll read the Krakatoa book. In my art class in college they said that the sunsets all over the world were affected with all the ash in the sky, and it spawned a school of Krakatoa sunset painters.

Posted by: Senile Joe at December 03, 2023 11:31 AM (G1dq6)

259
I've read that the super volcano to worry about and one that ids showing increased activity is the one under the Antarctic.

It's big blowjob may be a big snow job!

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 11:31 AM (QzZeQ)

260 I've been waiting for California to fall into the ocean for 45 years.

Posted by: Reforger

That'll be the day I go back to Annandale.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 03, 2023 11:32 AM (Dm8we)

261 horowitz wrote that teen bond series as well as three bond novels, the inspector foyle series, and most recently the mystery series with himself as a character

Posted by: no 6 at December 03, 2023 11:34 AM (PXvVL)

262
As I recall, Farmer wrote four or more Riverworld works. The first two or so were fone well.

As I also recall, the further I read into the chain of them, the more I thought, "This concept is played out and it is time to stop." So I did.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 03, 2023 11:35 AM (xG4kz)

263 Is that the same author who wrote Confederates in the Attic and A Voyage Long and Strange?
Those are fun reads. But they are published under the name Tony Horowitz.
Posted by: gourmand du jour

No, he's a different guy, a limey.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 03, 2023 11:35 AM (FVME7)

264 Best historical fiction military novels I’ve read are by Steven Pressfield. His narrative style by an active observer is really good. Gates of Fire, Tides of War, Virtues of War. The Afghan Campaign and Killing Rommel. His non-fiction also very good.
Lion’s Gate and Blood Stripes.

Posted by: Drive by at December 03, 2023 11:36 AM (MNhXM)

265 Historical tidbit, seeing on Google news from Communist News Network the leaning tower of Piza might be going over soon, so if traveling there stay away from the down fall side.

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 11:36 AM (fwDg9)

266 Joseph Epstein is usually a joy to read -- if you like his stuff he's got two coming in April. Familiarity Breeds Content: New and Selected Essays, and an autobiography, Never Say You've Had a Lucky Life: Especially If You've Had a Lucky Life.

Epstein's one of the writers whose work I'm NOT gafiating from. Been following him since the mid-80s.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 03, 2023 11:36 AM (a/4+U)

267 Bottom line being that they were here for the conversation and not to push their books.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 03, 2023 11:21 AM (t/2Uw)

I think it's usually quite clear, the distinction between those who are part of the community, and those who are just hawking their books.

I mean, lots of people here have professions. Many talk about those things. If there are any used car salesmen here, I wouldn't want you to think I DON'T think you should mention you've got a 2004 Dodge Durango on the lot. If it comes up in the conversation, then it does.

I'm still not going to buy it though.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:36 AM (QBaJw)

268 I've been waiting for California to fall into the ocean for 45 years.
I was in Carson City NV in the back of a trailer unloading freight when Loma Prieta hit. I came out that door screaming that Cali finally had to be under water. That was the big one.
Sadly it wasn't.

Just kidding but we get quakes all the time here. Had one about 2 years ago that sent me through the shower sliding door.
Posted by: Reforger at December 03, 2023 11:29 AM (Pmzap)

Never felt one when I lived in that area. Although, the place I lived is now destroyed.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 11:36 AM (Angsy)

269 I've been waiting for California to fall into the ocean for 45 years.
I was in Carson City NV in the back of a trailer unloading freight when Loma Prieta hit. I came out that door screaming that Cali finally had to be under water. That was the big one.
Sadly it wasn't.

Just kidding but we get quakes all the time here. Had one about 2 years ago that sent me through the shower sliding door.
Posted by: Reforger at December 03, 2023 11:29 AM (Pmzap)

Geological time laughs at your time.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 11:37 AM (QzZeQ)

270 I remember the Riverworld TV show. Only had one episode.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310952

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 03, 2023 11:38 AM (63Dwl)

271 Joseph Epstein is usually a joy to read -- if you like his stuff he's got two coming in April. Familiarity Breeds Content: New and Selected Essays, and an autobiography, Never Say You've Had a Lucky Life: Especially If You've Had a Lucky Life.

Epstein's one of the writers whose work I'm NOT gafiating from. Been following him since the mid-80s.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 03, 2023 11:36 AM (a/4+U)

Yep, his essays would show up in the Weekly Standard back in the day, and at first I thought "who's this guy, and why is he writing about stuff that isn't important," because he was NOT political.

Then I read it. I have several of his books, have read most of them, and will be looking for the new ones coming out.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:39 AM (QBaJw)

272 I mean, lots of people here have professions. Many talk about those things. If there are any used car salesmen here, I wouldn't want you to think I DON'T think you should mention you've got a 2004 Dodge Durango on the lot. If it comes up in the conversation, then it does.
I'm still not going to buy it though.
Posted by: BurtTC'

At the supermarket, where I work, we have quarts of Dean's ice cream on sale for $1.79. But I think all we have left is butterscotch.

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 11:39 AM (43xH1)

273 Although, the place I lived is now destroyed.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 11:36 AM (Angsy)

You mean California? Yeah, it is.

And mostly not from erfquakes.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:40 AM (QBaJw)

274 Trying to read all of Louis L'Amour's Sackett books. Finished no 2, The Warrior's Path this week. Also read this week; Curious George Flies a Kite, The Lost Princess of Oz , Katy and the Big Snow and Call of the Wild. I had the pleasure of having all 4 grandkids for three days.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * Invictus Maneo at December 03, 2023 11:41 AM (rFHGs)

275 *"After a short time," but uses only one word.*

"Soon" has entered the chat.
Posted by: Not meaning to snark at December 03, 2023

***
And welcome he is. Now in my example above, "soon" would work to describe Lucius's snoring. But take this:

[The lead character has just received some very bad news]
"Wilson was silent. Presently he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"

Somehow "Soon" would not work in that context, at least not for me.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:41 AM (omVj0)

276 At the supermarket, where I work, we have quarts of Dean's ice cream on sale for $1.79. But I think all we have left is butterscotch.
Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 11:39 AM (43xH1)

I could try butterscotch. I love chocolate anything ice cream, but for some reason, it doesn't love me.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:41 AM (QBaJw)

277 You mean California? Yeah, it is.

And mostly not from erfquakes.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:40 AM (QBaJw)

Yeah, there too. The place I lived in CC isn't even on the map anymore.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 11:42 AM (Angsy)

278 Regarding that custom Wheel of Time Omnibus video: I daubled in leatherworking as a teen, so it was cool to see her actually carving the leather spine! However, it was triggering to see her actually carve it on the back of the assembled pages: getting the book wet so the leather was workable, hitting the book with a mallet....She must be pretty confidant that she isn't going to ruin the book with things like that...

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 03, 2023 11:44 AM (Lhaco)

279 Yeah, there too. The place I lived in CC isn't even on the map anymore.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 11:42 AM (Angsy)

Oh, I didn't see the Carson City part.

Ruined a perfectly good "California sux" comment!

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:45 AM (QBaJw)

280 [The lead character has just received some very bad news]
"Wilson was silent. Presently he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"

Somehow "Soon" would not work in that context, at least not for me.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:41 AM (omVj0)

Winston looked at the papers on the desk between them. "I have a gift for you," he said presently.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 03, 2023 11:45 AM (D7oie)

281 Epstein's work is the only reason I kept up subscriptions to the Weekly Standard, Commentary, and National Review for as long as I did.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 03, 2023 11:45 AM (a/4+U)

282 I was at "The Game" during the Loma Prieta 'quake.
We were pissed. It's only a 'quake, play ball!

Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 03, 2023 11:46 AM (MeG8a)

283 One book I bought but did not read is 'The Lives Of Lee Miller', Penrose. It's to deliver to a Balkan colleague next time I go as books like that are crazy expensive or unavailable at all there.

I paged through it to see if I wanted to read it, and looked at the photos, where it seems her father was in the habit of taking nude 'art photographs' of his own daughter, at which point I lost interest and shrink-wrapped it for later delivery.

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 11:46 AM (43xH1)

284 I could try butterscotch. I love chocolate anything ice cream, but for some reason, it doesn't love me.
Posted by: BurtTC'

It'll be delicious in your new 2004 Dodge Durango!

Posted by: Crazy LenNeal's Buy Here Pay Here! at December 03, 2023 11:47 AM (43xH1)

285
Long ago and faraway...

I read one of the Riverworld books, I think because Harlan Ellison was touting PJF so much.

I read PJF's story in "Dangerous Visions", thought it was okay but just okay.

But, I remember nothing about it or the Riverworld novel I read (except that there was a river(!).

So, it must not have impressed me at all. In any event, that was the last PJF book I read.

However, I read all the way through, not half-assing it at all, and still wasn't impressed. So, he had his chance.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 11:48 AM (QzZeQ)

286 Winston looked at the papers on the desk between them. "I have a gift for you," he said presently.
Posted by: Kindltot at December 03, 2023 11:45

***
+100

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:48 AM (omVj0)

287 "Wilson was silent. Presently he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"

Somehow "Soon" would not work in that context, at least not for me.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:41 AM (omVj0)

I would definitely prefer to read "presently" in that case, rather than "soon."

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 11:49 AM (OX9vb)

288 Speaking of books and gifts (but not gifting), I bought three diaries, with lovely covers, for the ex's kids.

I didn't realize when I ordered them, one is smaller than the others. I now wonder if that'll do, if the one who is getting the smaller one will feel cheated somehow.

Shallow, I know, but these are little ones. Monsters, if we're being charitable, but I love 'em to death all the same.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:49 AM (QBaJw)

289 Somehow "Soon" would not work in that context, at least not for me.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:41 AM (omVj0)

I agree.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 11:50 AM (Angsy)

290 Yeah, there too. The place I lived in CC isn't even on the map anymore.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 11:42 AM (Angsy)

The childrens home?

Posted by: Reforger at December 03, 2023 11:50 AM (Pmzap)

291 Oh, I didn't see the Carson City part.

Ruined a perfectly good "California sux" comment!
Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:45 AM (QBaJw)

It worked. I've lived in both.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 11:51 AM (Angsy)

292 I paged through it to see if I wanted to read it, and looked at the photos, where it seems her father was in the habit of taking nude 'art photographs' of his own daughter, at which point I lost interest and shrink-wrapped it for later delivery.

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 11:46 AM (43xH1)

Don't read Mackenzie Phillips' book about her dad.

Trust me on this.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:52 AM (QBaJw)

293 Have a good day all.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 03, 2023 11:52 AM (t/2Uw)

294 I now wonder if that'll do, if the one who is getting the smaller one will feel cheated somehow.

Shallow, I know, but these are little ones. Monsters, if we're being charitable, but I love 'em to death all the same.
Posted by: BurtTC

Buy them pens to go with the diaries. Buy a fancier pen for the one who gets the smaller one.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * Invictus Maneo at December 03, 2023 11:53 AM (rFHGs)

295 'Bye, Sharon. Good day to you!

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 03, 2023 11:53 AM (OX9vb)

296 I would definitely prefer to read "presently" in that case, rather than "soon."

In that particular context, "soon" would mean "in a short time," i.e. it hasn't happened yet from the reader's POV. "Presently" would mean "after a short time," i.e. it is happening in the reader's POV.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 03, 2023 11:53 AM (nfrXX)

297 It'll be delicious in your new 2004 Dodge Durango!
Posted by: Crazy LenNeal's Buy Here Pay Here! at December 03, 2023 11:47 AM (43xH1)

Isn't new a bit of a stretch there, Len?

What about that yellow striped Camero over there? Is there something wrong with it? The radio station keeps changing.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:55 AM (QBaJw)

298 You do a great job Perfessor. I get plenty of correspondence from folks wanting me to highlight a story or passion of theirs. Those are always appreciated, even if I choose not to use what they send me. But then there are the slick PR campaigns that want free publicity for their project, and I know that I am one of hundreds or thousands getting that email.

Don't change a thing about how you choose what to share. The Book Thread has never been better.

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at December 03, 2023 11:55 AM (d9Cw3)

299 The childrens home?
Posted by: Reforger at December 03, 2023 11:50 AM (Pmzap)

Graves Lane.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 11:56 AM (Angsy)

300 Buy them pens to go with the diaries. Buy a fancier pen for the one who gets the smaller one.
Posted by: Sock Monkey * Invictus Maneo at December 03, 2023 11:53 AM (rFHGs)

Good idea, thanks!

I'm gonna resist the urge to advise them not to stab each other with them.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 03, 2023 11:56 AM (QBaJw)

301 Real life rears its annoying head.

Thanks for the thread, Perfessor -- always a pleasure.

Have a good one, gang.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 03, 2023 11:56 AM (a/4+U)

302 What about that yellow striped Camero over there? Is there something wrong with it? The radio station keeps changing.
Posted by: BurtTC'

Nothing wrong with it at all! Best car on the lot! Ignore that we misspelled 'Camaro' on the windshield.

Posted by: Crazy LenNeal's Buy Here Pay Here! at December 03, 2023 11:57 AM (43xH1)

303 [The lead character has just received some very bad news]
"Wilson was silent. Presently he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"

Somehow "Soon" would not work in that context, at least not for me.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:41 AM (omVj0)

I'm not sure "presently" is even needed.

Differences and all that, but a cleaner way to write that, which implies the "presently" or "soon" is-

"Wilson was silent. Then he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"

Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 11:58 AM (QzZeQ)

304 And, this week only, a huge rollback!*

*We do not mean a price rollback

Posted by: Crazy LenNeal's Buy Here Pay Here! at December 03, 2023 11:59 AM (43xH1)

305 Good idea, thanks!

Well versed in sibling rivalry.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * Invictus Maneo at December 03, 2023 11:59 AM (rFHGs)

306 "Wilson was silent. Then he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"
Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023 11:58 AM (QzZeQ)

Maybe, but "presently" indicates a delay from Wilson's hearing until his speaking, at least for me.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 12:00 PM (Angsy)

307 WE HAZ A NOOD

Posted by: Skip at December 03, 2023 12:00 PM (fwDg9)

308 Wilson was silent. Then he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"
Posted by: naturalfake

The volleyball can talk now? Was that a sequel I missed?

Posted by: Sock Monkey * Invictus Maneo at December 03, 2023 12:01 PM (rFHGs)

309 [The lead character has just received some very bad news]
"Wilson was silent. Presently he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"

Somehow "Soon" would not work in that context, at least not for me.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 11:41 AM (omVj0)

I'm not sure "presently" is even needed.

Differences and all that, but a cleaner way to write that, which implies the "presently" or "soon" is-

"Wilson was silent. Then he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"
Posted by: naturalfake at December 03, 2023

***
Yes, it could go either way. If you find yourself using one construction too often, you could switch to the other.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 03, 2023 12:01 PM (omVj0)

310 Interesting if oil fracking plays any part in making fault lines enlarge...how much of bible prophecy last days events (increasing earthquake activity occurring in divers (many) places) will we possibly bring down on our own heads; I dunno about that.

------------

It's still amazing to me the absolute arrogance of anyone thinking that mankind has any control over the unimaginable forces in the climate and the movement of the land masses.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at December 03, 2023 12:01 PM (BdMk6)

311 It's still amazing to me the absolute arrogance of anyone thinking that mankind has any control over the unimaginable forces in the climate and the movement of the land masses.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at December 03, 2023 12:01 PM (BdMk6)

Yeah, we don't really believe it either, but if it can fool the rubes and get us more power and money, why not?

Posted by: Climate Hoaxsters at December 03, 2023 12:02 PM (Angsy)

312 Who else is gifting what books this year?

A very difficult to buy for niece’s Christmas present will be Richard Feynman’s The Pleasure of Finding Things Out. This is her final Christmas present from me, as she is graduating and our rule is no presents after graduation.

I have a strange aunt who gave me Hunter Thompson’s The Great Shark Hunt as my final gift. I think Feynman will a great way of continuing the tradition.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at December 03, 2023 12:04 PM (olroh)

313 Also, word choice matters with respect to the type of writing. In Wolfus' example, "presently" helps set a tone or texture. Literary umami if you will. Whereas in technical writing, which is most of what I read, I don't want texture, I just want information presented as clearly as possible and writers who try to impress me with language just wind up pissing me off.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 03, 2023 12:05 PM (nfrXX)

314 "I have a gift for you," he said presently.

*********

Tom Swifties, yay!

"I have aspirations," Tom sputtered!

Posted by: Muldoon at December 03, 2023 12:06 PM (991eG)

315 302 What about that yellow striped Camero over there? Is there something wrong with it? The radio station keeps changing.

When one door closes another one opens.

Posted by: Rimshot at December 03, 2023 12:08 PM (NBVIP)

316 that was the pretext in the last ghost busters film till the real reason came about,

Posted by: no 6 at December 03, 2023 12:09 PM (PXvVL)

317
Winston looked at the papers on the desk between them. "I have something to gift to you," he said presently.

Posted by: Noun verber at December 03, 2023 12:10 PM (NBVIP)

318 "I'll have the carriage brought round," Tom said hoarsely.

Posted by: Splunge at December 03, 2023 12:10 PM (CJkBc)

319 I finished that Ace Atkins novel, "Infamous."

Terrific book, terrific ending, very sad.

We're halfway through rewatching the Netflix series, "Ozark," again, having seen it when it ran new a few years ago. Whole lotta murders, whole lotta angst.

The George Kelly and wife Kathryn story has this commonality with Ozark: you know where it's going and that somehow they survive, but it's going to be a wild ride, with a lot of people dead.

Posted by: Mr Gaga at December 03, 2023 12:11 PM (ZtgZZ)

320 The Chiefs Packers game is on prime time tonight!

Do the camera crews, drone pilots, producers, editors, and mix men all have their orders?

Will fans be admitted wearing full red/black facepaint? Will they be inspecting bags, pockets, coat linings, to confiscate paint if fans are barefaced but intending to apply the warpaint in the bathrooms.

Even if 15,000 faces are somehow sporting the Osage colors, will the media rulers make it so that there is not one split second of it shown during the entire show of almost four hours?

Nothing to see here!

Posted by: Mr Gaga at December 03, 2023 12:21 PM (ZtgZZ)

321 I wonder if "gifting" is in part an error for the word "giving."
Posted by: Trimegistus at December 03, 2023 10:48 AM (78a2H)

Late to the party, but I wonder if "gifting" implies the action of making a formal gift on an occasion when gifts are given or exchanged, as opposed to the casual handing off of an item because it pleases the giver to pass it on to someone else? "Here, take this knife, Jack, maybe you can find some use for it."

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 03, 2023 12:25 PM (M3Erd)

322 Thanks for the thread, Perfessor. Now what am I going to do for a week?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 12:33 PM (Angsy)

323 And if Californis slides into the ocean
Like the mystics and statistics say it will
I predict this motel will be standin' until I pay my bill

Warren Zevon

Posted by: who knew at December 03, 2023 12:35 PM (4I7VG)

324 I just came across this. The 5 Most Difficult Books Ever!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wUh7iZ5NrHw

Of the five, I've read three. Well, OK, I didn't make it all the way through Ulysses.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 03, 2023 12:40 PM (FVME7)

325 So comment number three hundred twenty-four, by "B," makes a perfect example.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 03, 2023 12:44 PM (Angsy)

326 "Wilson was silent. Presently he said in a hoarse voice, "Are you sure?"

Unfortunately, for me "presently" is a null meaning word. It can either mean "without pause" or "now", the implication is that what you mean is that he paused a beat to take the information in, and then spoke, which smears the meaning. What I got was "wilson shot back in surprise, "are you sure?" which is a mismatch to "was silent"

"wilson paused in shocked silence / Wide eyed silence / looked back in disbelief / looked away, at his hands in disbelief. After a seeming eternity, he asked, "Are you sure?"

there is so much more you can show about the character in moments like this.

Please ignore me, I make incoherent shopping lists as well.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 03, 2023 12:56 PM (D7oie)

327 Thank you for the review of Philip Jose Farmer's "Riverworld" books. The first three are excellent; the later ones, not so much - Farmer was great at creating fictional universes, but not so good at bringing them to a satisfying conclusion.
Other authors have written about Riverworld. The anthology "Quest To Riverworld", which PJF edited, is an anthology of short stories set in Riverworld, by Farmer himself and a dozen or so other authors. The quality is a bit spotty, as is usually the case in anthologies, but overall is quite good. Long out of print, but if you can find a tattered copy somewhere, it's well worth picking up.
However, I must recommend my favorite works by PJF: his "World of Tiers" series - or the first five, at any rate. (The sixth, written much later, doesn't work nearly as well.) For readers who like pure action, with interesting characters set in an absolutely fascinating universe, the "World of Tiers" series will be impossible to put down. Highly recommended!

Posted by: Nemo at December 03, 2023 01:03 PM (S6ArX)

328 "Perfessor": Hey, I'm getting to the thread very late again as well. It's funny how the book thread always seems to get late posters and readers looking back at it all week.

What have I been reading? I finished the final of the Malta Anthologies put out by Raconteur Press: "Falcons of Malta". Full of great tales, and I really like how they ended it on a futuristic tale because tales of Malta will never really end. All four in the series are fun reads, I strongly encourage picking up the set if you're looking for fun tales that can be read in short bites:

- Ghosts of Malta
- Knights of Malta
- Saints of Malta
- Falcons of Malta

And since I seem to be enjoying their anthologies, I just started the first of their three "Space Cowboys" anthologies. So far so good!

This is weird, normally I like longer novels, but these anthologies, and specifically being able to enjoy a quick story before bed? Yeah, this is growing on me.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 03, 2023 01:05 PM (qPw5n)

329 - Ghosts of Malta
- Knights of Malta
- Saints of Malta
- Falcons of Malta

And since I seem to be enjoying their anthologies, I just started the first of their three "Space Cowboys" anthologies. So far so good!'

I would be completely unable to resist titling an entry 'The Milkshakes Of Malta'

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 01:21 PM (43xH1)

330 Please ignore me, I make incoherent shopping lists as well.
Posted by: Kindltot'

I have thousands of discarded shopping lists I've found at the supermarket job. Most are incoherent, believe me. Misspelled, too.

Blech
Pinuts
Cokies
Tylonal

One of favorites is a very clear 'Tide Pads'.

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 01:24 PM (43xH1)

331 Another Christian author you would find challenging, in a good way, is A. W. Tozer. Many of his books show the clear, downward, direction of "progressive" Christianity and also the watering down of the gospel by more orthodox believers.

Lurker Aelishdad

Posted by: Dale Sigler at December 03, 2023 01:28 PM (MmrRJ)

332 {329} ... I would be completely unable to resist titling an entry 'The Milkshakes Of Malta'

Posted by: LenNeal at December 03, 2023 01:21 PM (43xH1)

Oh trust me, there were many, MANY ridiculous riffs on the "of Malta" title thrown around. We wore the rubber off that tire right down to the steel belts.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 03, 2023 01:59 PM (qPw5n)

333 Also... Milkshake... Malt... There's a special place for punsters like you. *laughs* I begrudgingly give you a thumbs up for that.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 03, 2023 02:07 PM (qPw5n)

334 Mr Gaga I'm hoping and praying the Chiefs make a tribal war dance part of the show today.

Please!!!

Posted by: Senile Joe at December 03, 2023 03:10 PM (G1dq6)

335 "...still amazing to me the absolute arrogance of anyone thinking that mankind has any control over the unimaginable forces in the climate and the movement of the land masses."

"The dogs bark, but the caravan marches on."

*I dunno* if forcing air or water or whatever is used into drilled wells can force apart earth plates...it certainly moves something around to obtain more gas or oil out the ground; otherwise they wouldn't bother...but I don't care about it.

Also, somebody better clue Bill Gates in, not be all arrogant and stuff and hire planes to spray chemicals into the atmosphere, apparently an experiment to block the sun's UV rays.

Again, I dunno about that, either...and, ultimately, neither do you.

Posted by: Ju at December 03, 2023 03:51 PM (aTmM/)

336 Spot on witһ this write-up, I absolutely believe that thiѕ site needs much more attention.
I'll probably be returning to see more, thankѕ for the info!

Posted by: L at December 04, 2023 02:49 PM (Y4sIx)

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