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Sunday Morning Book Thread 11-23-2014: Politics As Usual [OregonMuse]
Strahov Theological Hall - Prague, Czech Republic
Some Political Books I could have sworn I had posted this 11 best political books of all time list in some eaflier book thread, but I couldn't find where, so I apologize if it's a repeat. Anyway, it's a mix of fiction and non-fiction, there's a few interesting entries here (All The King's Men, Master of the Senate) and one clunker (The Handmaid's Tale? Really?). One of the books on the list is This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral - Plus, Plenty of Valet Parking! - in America's Gilded Capital by Mark Leibovich. It's an insider's "tell all" book and according to the Amazon blub, it lays bare
How political reporters are fetishized for their ability to get their names into the predawn e-mail sent out by the city’s most powerful and puzzled-over journalist. How a disgraced Hill aide can overcome ignominy and maybe emerge with a more potent "brand" than many elected members of Congress. And how an administration bent on "changing Washington" can be sucked into the ways of This Town with the same ease with which Tea Party insurgents can, once elected, settle into it like a warm bath.This last bit is why I'm not very optimistic about the latest election results. Even if we did successfully elect a number of Our Guys and sent them to Washington to clean house, they'll just get corrupted like everyone else, and become part of the problem. I think that's basically what happened with the guys we elected in the Republican rout of 1994. They're soaking in warm bathwater.
Look Out, It's E-Fairness, the Burning Issue of the Age Local, brick-and-mortar bookstores want online retailers to have to collect state and local sales taxes, just like they do, and are petitioning Congress to make it so:
The Marketplace Fairness Act was passed 69-27 by the Senate in May 2013, requiring "remote" retailers with out-of-state sales of at least $1 million to collect applicable state and local sales tax on all purchases. President Obama has said he would sign the bill into law; many House Republicans and most online retailers, but not Amazon, have fought the bill.I think I can guess why Amazon isn't fighting this: it's big enough to absorb the regulatory burden the new law would impose on online booksellers, and might put a few of its smaller competitors at a disadvantage. But Boehner and the GOP leadership have already given the royal razzberry to this proposed legislation:
John Boehner said Monday he would block any attempt to pass e-fairness legislation in the lame-duck session of Congress...[and] it's unlikely that such a bill would pass either chamber when the new Congress, with its Republican majorities, convenes in the new year. Presumed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell voted against the Marketplace Fairness Act.The "e-fairness" proposal does sound like "let's eat the rich" type of legislation so typical of progressive policy ideas. I think it's silly that somebody in New York would be forced to collect taxes for the state of California, or any other state.
How To Link To The AosHQ Amazon Store: A Primer
There have been several comments in the last couple of weeks from morons wanting to know how they can purchase books from ace's amazon store, so he'll get a few coins thrown his way. Some of this is my fault, I used to provide direct links to ace's store, but lately I've been too damn lazy to do the link conversion. Also, I usually link to the Kindle version, and for whatever reason, the potentates of Amazon have decreed that these sub-stores (or at least ace's) will not be not allowed to sell digital media. But if it's a dead-tree edition of a book, an ace-friendly link is easy to put together. Let's say I want to find a link to the Michael Koryta novel 'The Prophet'. Fromm the Amazon main page, I search on the terms Koryta prophet and the book I'm looking for comes up in the search results. The link looks like this: http://www.amazon.com/Prophet-Michael-Koryta-ebook/dp/B0076DFIRE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416676840&sr=8-1&keywords=koryta+prophet Copy and paste this entire link into a text editor such as Notepad. I'm assuming a Windows environment here, if you're using a Mac, or a tablet, you're on your own. That big, long link is quite a mouthful, but fortunately, most of it is fluff. First, you can discard everything starting with '/ref', which will leave you with http://www.amazon.com/Prophet-Michael-Koryta-ebook/dp/B0076DFIRE/ That's a pretty reasonable link, and I sometimes use it in book thread links, but you can make it even shorter, like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076DFIRE/ The really important part is the Amazon Information Number (AIN) which comes after the 'dp' and here it's 'B0076DFIRE'. So, to make an ace-friendly link, first start out with: http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/ ...and simply add the AIN to it: http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/B0076DFIRE/ The final '/' is optional. What you have now is the final, ace-friendly link. Copy and paste it into your browser address bar (not the search bar, it there's a separate one) and you'll get the AoSHQ Amazon store page, with this message:Digital media products such as Amazon MP3s, Amazon Instant Videos, and Kindle content can only be purchased on Amazon.com.Oops. This is because I chose an AIN that was for the Kindle version of the Koryta novel. The AIN for the paperback is 0316122599, so the AoSHQ store link is this: http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/0316122599 So if you buy the paperback from this link, ace will get a few farthings for his Valu-Rite fund. And I wish we could do this with Kindle books.
Timeline From the sidebar earlier this week, I pulled this clever Visual Timeline of the Future Based on Famous Fiction. It only goes to 802701. What a bunch of pikers. They should have included Olaf Stapledon's Last and First Men, which would have blown it wide open. Here is a direct link to a larger version of the chart.
Winter Books "For a long time, I used to go to bed early." This is the opening sentence of Swann's Way, the first book of Marcel Proust's Remembrance of Things Past, and I think it goes for something like 7 volumes. Anyway, when MuseDaughter was 11 or 12, she told me that due to her excited anticipation, she was going to have trouble getting to sleep on Christmas Eve and would I please give her a book to read? So I thought Proust would be suitably soporific and her reading skills were advanced enough that I knew she could handle it. But later on she complained that it was the most boring book she had ever read, and by "read" she meant "threw away after struggling though a couple of chapters." Oh, long was her complaint and bitter her lament about Swann's Way, the most boringist boring book ever written to bore unwitting readers to a boring death. And this from someone who, later on, read The Trial by Franz Kafka and actually liked it. I reminded of this old family story because The Trial is on this list of 50 Great Dark Books for the Dark Days of Winter. Lots of unfamiliar books here, but some you will recognize, and I think that any one of them should be enough to smack the happiness right out of you. I'm surprised that Lord of the Flies didn't make this list. If story of a bunch of savage, murderous schoolboys isn't dark, I don't know what is.
It's such an obvious choice. As is Huxley's Brave New World. Also, I never knew Trainspotting was a book adaptation. Really.
Where The Wild Things Are So I guess most of us have probably seen the movie Into the Wild (an adaptation of the book of the same name by Jon Krakauer), and when the kid died, we thought "what an idiot". We're not supposed to think that, the movie tried to show the life and death of new college grad Chris McCandless as some kind of tragically beautiful thing, but those of us h8rs who could see what he was doing, i.e. trekking off to the wilderness, all by himself, with little or no woodcraft experience, with no backup plan, could see his bizarre and pointless death coming a mile off. How could he do such a thing? How could anyone be so stupefyingly clueless? McCandless had seven brothers and sisters, and one of his sisters has just published her own memoir. As you might guess, it puts a different light on things:
In The Wild Truth, Carine McCandless comes forward to set the record straight, revealing the much darker reality of Chris' family life: a violent home in which their father beat and belittled their mother and where both parents manipulated the details of a second family.Of course, the parents are having none of it:
They released a blanket statement to ABC stating, "After a brief review of its contents and intention, we concluded that this fictionalized writing has absolutely nothing to do with our beloved son, Chris, his journey, or his character. The whole unfortunate event in Chris' life 22 years ago is about Chris and his dreams, not a spiteful, hyped-up, attention-getting story about his family."I don't know who's right; like most dysfunctional families, it's probably a big, simmering mess of smoldering grudges, hurts, and resentments that have been going on for years. I know and have seen how imperfect and selfish parents can be pretty much oblivious to the damage they've inflicted on the lives of their children, and are genuinely bewildered when confronted by it. So you see a lot of denial, denial, and more denial, and the parents' statement is about what you'd expect. I still don't think much of the son, however. No matter how many books they write about him.
Books By Morons A few weeks ago, I mentioned moron WannabeAnglican and his new novel Pilot Point, and he informs me that his gun show/book tour was so successful, he's going to keep it up. So here is his schedule, if any of these are local to you and you want to get in on the fun:
November 22-23:___________ So that's all for this week. As always, book thread tips, suggestions, bribes, rumors, threats, and insults may be sent to OregonMuse, Proprietor, AoSHQ Book Thread, at the book thread e-mail address: aoshqbookthread, followed by the 'at' sign, and then 'G' mail, and then dot cee oh emm. What have you all been reading this week? Hopefully something good, because, as you all know, life is too short to be reading lousy books.
(tentative) Burnet Gun Show - VFW Hall, Burnet, Texas
December 13:
Aransas Pass Gun Show – Aransas Pass Civic Center, A.P., Texas
February 28 – March 1, 2015:
(tentative) Saxet Gun Show – Robstown Fairgrounds, near Corpus Christi, Texas
Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
Goodreads Best Books of 2014, you can vote on your favorites:
https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2014
Among the books in the final running are Larry Correia's "Monster Hunter Nemisis" and Moron approved "The Martian" by Andy Wier.
Also in the running: Hillary Clinton, Fauxahontas Warren and Lena Dunham. Go vote for someone...ANYONE...else in the Memoirs and Comedy sections.
https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2014
Among the books in the final running are Larry Correia's "Monster Hunter Nemisis" and Moron approved "The Martian" by Andy Wier.
Also in the running: Hillary Clinton, Fauxahontas Warren and Lena Dunham. Go vote for someone...ANYONE...else in the Memoirs and Comedy sections.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 23, 2014 09:16 AM (6fyGz)
2
A political book that changed my outlook on American politics forever: It Didn't Start with Watergate by Victor Lasky. If you can find it. It's
Posted by: Df82 at November 23, 2014 09:18 AM (d6Wn7)
3
Huh. Somehow, text disappeared. I intended to say, It's disfavored by the elites in this country and may not have been printed since the 80s. I saw a copy on Amazon for $0.01. Steal of the century. Buy it. Read it. Tell every Republican you can that if we do not become as organized and ruthless as the Democrats, this country is lost.
Posted by: Df82 at November 23, 2014 09:20 AM (d6Wn7)
4
Good think I'm not first. It would inflate my self image like a front-yard Santa in a helicopter and a giant snowglobe playing a midi of slightly off-tune Christmas music.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 09:21 AM (t//F+)
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 23, 2014 09:23 AM (6fyGz)
6
By the bye, I'm not wearing the kilt today. Too damn cold.
I'm not going to work tonight either. The plant is shut down for the week, so I'm going to Florida tomorrow to spend turkey day with the girls.
I'm not going to work tonight either. The plant is shut down for the week, so I'm going to Florida tomorrow to spend turkey day with the girls.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 23, 2014 09:26 AM (6fyGz)
7
The kid had to read The Handmaid's Tale again this year as a college freshman for his humanities class. Think this makes three times so far. Twice for high school AP classes. A book really being pushed by teachers/professors.
Posted by: NCKate at November 23, 2014 09:28 AM (m21KY)
8
another political books:
On the Take, by William Chambliss, a review of political corruption in Washington state in the 60's and 70's, collected by interview, and reflecting the three things big-machine politics need: Drugs, prostitution and shakedowns
also, Atwood? I have not heard a lot of good about her as a writer.
On the Take, by William Chambliss, a review of political corruption in Washington state in the 60's and 70's, collected by interview, and reflecting the three things big-machine politics need: Drugs, prostitution and shakedowns
also, Atwood? I have not heard a lot of good about her as a writer.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 09:31 AM (t//F+)
9
Amazon isn't against online sales tax law because they will sell the 50 state sales tax processing functionality to smaller companies. Like mine. E fairness my ass. Hey congress! My online customers have to pay shipping. I have no cost advantage.
Posted by: Muad'dib at November 23, 2014 09:32 AM (dwxY9)
10
It only goes to 802701. What a bunch of pikers. They should have included Olaf Stapledon's Last and First Men, which would have blown it wide open.
reader, please!
Last and First Men is maybe 5% of Star Maker, Stapledon's REAL long time era book.
It only goes to 802701. What a bunch of pikers. They should have included Olaf Stapledon's Last and First Men, which would have blown it wide open.
reader, please!
Last and First Men is maybe 5% of Star Maker, Stapledon's REAL long time era book.
Posted by: Arthur at November 23, 2014 09:32 AM (h53OH)
11
"Even if we did successfully elect a number of Our Guys and sent them to Washington to clean house, they'll just get corrupted like everyone else, and become part of the problem."
And when you draw the implied conclusion, what form of social organization, if any, pops out of the slot?
And when you draw the implied conclusion, what form of social organization, if any, pops out of the slot?
Posted by: Francis W. Porretto at November 23, 2014 09:33 AM (d2g9U)
12
So this week the fluff romance crap book I tried to read didn't gratuitously insult all conservatives every other page, but the heroine's pet monkey was killed 3/4 of the way through and I had to throw it at the wall and refuse to finish. Dammit.
I have a dream that one day I will be able to successfully read a fluff crap book I haven't already read before.
In non-fluff crap I'm waiting for my copy of the Undocumented Mark Steyn; as much as I love ace I bought it directly from Mark to help his defense fund.
http://www.steynstore.com/product116.html
I have a dream that one day I will be able to successfully read a fluff crap book I haven't already read before.
In non-fluff crap I'm waiting for my copy of the Undocumented Mark Steyn; as much as I love ace I bought it directly from Mark to help his defense fund.
http://www.steynstore.com/product116.html
Posted by: HR irishing up the coffee at November 23, 2014 09:34 AM (ImIut)
13
**holds coffee cup in HR's direction**
Posted by: Muad'dib at November 23, 2014 09:36 AM (dwxY9)
14
Currently reading Peter Criss' of Kiss autobiography. Very few surprises thus far, only that he survived his lifestyle enough to halfway remember anything. I've actually been trying to broaden my horizons by reading different genres. My attempt to read a steampunk novel called "The Anubis Gates" ended miserably. If anybody has any recommendations for any sci-fi or related sub genres I'm all ears.
Posted by: 144 at November 23, 2014 09:36 AM (FBD2A)
15
Wow, I haven't been here in a long time.
Home this morning due to sick kids.
I'm reading a couple Brad Thor books. Just stopped a while back for no particular reason.
Reading Animal Farm to my 14 year old. We'd been talking about communism lately, but I didn't tell him that's what the book was about. Just said it was satire.
Loved, just absolutely loved the moment when he figured it out. He laughed and laughed, knowing it wasn't going to work out.
You can do that when it's fiction and not the news...
Home this morning due to sick kids.
I'm reading a couple Brad Thor books. Just stopped a while back for no particular reason.
Reading Animal Farm to my 14 year old. We'd been talking about communism lately, but I didn't tell him that's what the book was about. Just said it was satire.
Loved, just absolutely loved the moment when he figured it out. He laughed and laughed, knowing it wasn't going to work out.
You can do that when it's fiction and not the news...
Posted by: Mama AJ at November 23, 2014 09:38 AM (0xTsz)
16
" If anybody has any recommendations for any sci-fi or related sub genres I'm all ears."
The Bulletcatcher's Daughter is ok. Steampunk investigative story. The bones of it are noirish and formulaic, but the writing is competent and the setting creative enough to camouflage it.
Though there are a couple of places that serve as a reminder that non-lawyers should not write about law...
The Bulletcatcher's Daughter is ok. Steampunk investigative story. The bones of it are noirish and formulaic, but the writing is competent and the setting creative enough to camouflage it.
Though there are a couple of places that serve as a reminder that non-lawyers should not write about law...
Posted by: Df82 at November 23, 2014 09:40 AM (d6Wn7)
17
144, have you read The Magicians? Been discussed here a few times, kind of a very dark Harry Potter type story. Not sci-fi, but creepy weird.
Posted by: Lincolntf at November 23, 2014 09:43 AM (2cS/G)
18
Am also reading 3 different Rick Riordan books to the kids. I don't love the Egyptian ones as much as the first Percy Jackson series. A little more drama and less goofiness, I guess.
Posted by: Mama AJ at November 23, 2014 09:43 AM (0xTsz)
19
What a piece of garbage The Handmaids Tale is.
Posted by: steevy at November 23, 2014 09:43 AM (v5UtH)
20
My first post in this thread, and while I don't have any comment on the thread contents, which as always were interesting, I will accept the invite to tell what I'm reading and a rec each in fantasy and sci-fi. I'll do this now and then.
Finally reading Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobb. 40% through, and she's finally got Fitz' character right. I've always hated his self-hating depression, and now that knows and accepts that he's the baddest dude ever and thus shuns anything that makes those qualities have to manifest themselves, he's happy.
Best new sci-fi: Red Rising. Will win Hugo and Nebula next year or so.
Best sci-fi ever: The Greatship/Marrow/Well of Stars by Robert Reed. I used to consider Peter Hamilton's Commonwealth series' the untimate, along with Iain M. Banks Culture novels, but Greatship is it, and you've never heard of it.
Best military fantasy you've never heard of: Steel, Blood & Fire by Alan Bachelder.
Best frontier style fantasy you've never heard of: New World by Stephen White.
More at another time.
Finally reading Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobb. 40% through, and she's finally got Fitz' character right. I've always hated his self-hating depression, and now that knows and accepts that he's the baddest dude ever and thus shuns anything that makes those qualities have to manifest themselves, he's happy.
Best new sci-fi: Red Rising. Will win Hugo and Nebula next year or so.
Best sci-fi ever: The Greatship/Marrow/Well of Stars by Robert Reed. I used to consider Peter Hamilton's Commonwealth series' the untimate, along with Iain M. Banks Culture novels, but Greatship is it, and you've never heard of it.
Best military fantasy you've never heard of: Steel, Blood & Fire by Alan Bachelder.
Best frontier style fantasy you've never heard of: New World by Stephen White.
More at another time.
Posted by: truth fairy at November 23, 2014 09:44 AM (Amz9g)
21
I've just finished Norman Longmate's "How We Lived Then". It's a collection of reminiscences about civilian life in England during the war. Not exactly riveting stuff, but interesting in a subtle way. Rationing and shortages in the US were nothing compared to the UK. It helps give a little perspective on why they kicked Winston to the curb at the end of the war. By then, the Brits were so sick of their gray, drab, shabby existence, they voted for a change, any change, in this case Labour. Thus began their descent into the sick man of Europe, which didn't turn around until Maggie Thatcher.
I got the book for a couple of bucks on an Amazon Kindle special. The thing I like best about the Kindle is that you can take a flyer on books, obscure and/or old, that you wouldn't have considered at full price.
I got the book for a couple of bucks on an Amazon Kindle special. The thing I like best about the Kindle is that you can take a flyer on books, obscure and/or old, that you wouldn't have considered at full price.
Posted by: pep at November 23, 2014 09:45 AM (4nR9/)
22
What a piece of garbage The Handmaids Tale is.
As are the people who can't separate it from reality.
As are the people who can't separate it from reality.
Posted by: HR irishing up the coffee at November 23, 2014 09:45 AM (ImIut)
23
7
The kid had to read The Handmaid's Tale again this year as a college
freshman for his humanities class. Think this makes three times so far.
Twice for high school AP classes. A book really being pushed by
teachers/professors.
If you want books pushed by teachers/professors, I have no equal.
The kid had to read The Handmaid's Tale again this year as a college
freshman for his humanities class. Think this makes three times so far.
Twice for high school AP classes. A book really being pushed by
teachers/professors.
If you want books pushed by teachers/professors, I have no equal.
Posted by: Toni Morrison at November 23, 2014 09:48 AM (4nR9/)
24
23
7
The kid had to read The Handmaid's Tale again this year as a college
freshman for his humanities class. Think this makes three times so far.
Twice for high school AP classes. A book really being pushed by
teachers/professors.
If you want books pushed by teachers/professors, I have no equal.
**cough**
7
The kid had to read The Handmaid's Tale again this year as a college
freshman for his humanities class. Think this makes three times so far.
Twice for high school AP classes. A book really being pushed by
teachers/professors.
If you want books pushed by teachers/professors, I have no equal.
**cough**
Posted by: Alice Walker at November 23, 2014 09:49 AM (4nR9/)
25
Anubis Gate is not really steampunk, it predates. Try Dinner at Deviants' Palace by Powers instead. Granted, it isn't steampunk either, but it might be one of the last interesting post-apocalyptic stories set in LA.
I also liked Power's The Drawing of the Dark, but his early stuff was less instrospection trapped in Fisher King imagery and more "swords and adventure"
Do try Gibsons' The Difference Engine, that pretty much started the genre I think
I always suggest The Unwound Way and The End of Fame by Bill Adams and Cecil Brooks.
I also liked Power's The Drawing of the Dark, but his early stuff was less instrospection trapped in Fisher King imagery and more "swords and adventure"
Do try Gibsons' The Difference Engine, that pretty much started the genre I think
I always suggest The Unwound Way and The End of Fame by Bill Adams and Cecil Brooks.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 09:49 AM (t//F+)
26
24
23
7
The kid had to read The Handmaid's Tale again this year as a college
freshman for his humanities class. Think this makes three times so far.
Twice for high school AP classes. A book really being pushed by
teachers/professors.
If you want books pushed by teachers/professors, I have no equal.
**cough**
Posted by: Alice Walker
**cough, cough**
23
7
The kid had to read The Handmaid's Tale again this year as a college
freshman for his humanities class. Think this makes three times so far.
Twice for high school AP classes. A book really being pushed by
teachers/professors.
If you want books pushed by teachers/professors, I have no equal.
**cough**
Posted by: Alice Walker
**cough, cough**
Posted by: J.D. Salinger at November 23, 2014 09:50 AM (4nR9/)
27
I mentioned last week that I'm starting the collected letters of both CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. These collections are great. Not something to read through cover to cover but to dip into here and there. Pleasant and revealing about these men.
I'm half way through "A Guide To The Good Life" subtitled 'the ancient art of Stoic joy'. It's how to apply the ancient wisdom to modern day living and the author provides one of the more accessible explanations of the philosophy. I'm impressed so far.
Books like these are part of an ongoing program to keep from living in a constant volcanic rage at the political and world news. Philosophy, learning hand crafts, increased self-reliance and pleasant distractions. Hint: It helps to be retired.
I'm half way through "A Guide To The Good Life" subtitled 'the ancient art of Stoic joy'. It's how to apply the ancient wisdom to modern day living and the author provides one of the more accessible explanations of the philosophy. I'm impressed so far.
Books like these are part of an ongoing program to keep from living in a constant volcanic rage at the political and world news. Philosophy, learning hand crafts, increased self-reliance and pleasant distractions. Hint: It helps to be retired.
Posted by: JTB at November 23, 2014 09:50 AM (FvdPb)
28
If anybody has any recommendations for any sci-fi or related sub genres I'm all ears.
Posted by: 144 at November 23, 2014 09:36 AM (FBD2A)
---
I'll second "The Magicians". Very dark and funny riff on Harry Potter and Narnia. I'm currently reading the second book in the trilogy.
Posted by: 144 at November 23, 2014 09:36 AM (FBD2A)
---
I'll second "The Magicians". Very dark and funny riff on Harry Potter and Narnia. I'm currently reading the second book in the trilogy.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 09:50 AM (QBm1P)
29
Citizen Lane just started at 9:45 on TMC.
Posted by: steevy at November 23, 2014 09:51 AM (v5UtH)
30
**cough**
Posted by: Alice Walker
**cough, cough**
Posted by: J.D. Salinger at November 23, 2014 09:50 AM (4nR9/)
Bitches....please!
Posted by: Alice Walker
**cough, cough**
Posted by: J.D. Salinger at November 23, 2014 09:50 AM (4nR9/)
Bitches....please!
Posted by: Maya Angelou at November 23, 2014 09:52 AM (Zu3d9)
31
I just bought two books for beach reading.
Mrs. Lincoln's rival by the author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, and one about "Mammy" from Gone With the Wind. Now why didn't I think to write that!
Just beach reads.
I will pick up a couple Brad Thor for the hubby and let the kids pick their own.
I just bought two books for beach reading.
Mrs. Lincoln's rival by the author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, and one about "Mammy" from Gone With the Wind. Now why didn't I think to write that!
Just beach reads.
I will pick up a couple Brad Thor for the hubby and let the kids pick their own.
Posted by: Justamom's stealing hubby's pad at November 23, 2014 09:54 AM (Sptt8)
32
A political book that changed my outlook on American politics forever: It Didn't Start with Watergate by Victor Lasky. If you can find it. It's
I've mentioned this book on the thread in times past, it's in my collection, it's a great read, and it probably should've been on that list. But, it's an inconvenient counter-narrative, so plunk, memory hole.
I've mentioned this book on the thread in times past, it's in my collection, it's a great read, and it probably should've been on that list. But, it's an inconvenient counter-narrative, so plunk, memory hole.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 09:55 AM (yRdR4)
33
Citizen Lane just started at 9:45 on TMC.
Posted by: steevy at November 23, 2014 09:51 AM (v5UtH)
I understand you to say Citizen Kane, but wouldn't that be a great structure for a Superman movie, where the first scene is Lois, ancient in her death's bed, dropping a Kryptonite pendant and saying, "Clark" and passing on, and the next 97 minutes of film are taken up by researching her life as a reporter as it became more and more famous, ending with figuring out who Superman really was in her life?
Posted by: steevy at November 23, 2014 09:51 AM (v5UtH)
I understand you to say Citizen Kane, but wouldn't that be a great structure for a Superman movie, where the first scene is Lois, ancient in her death's bed, dropping a Kryptonite pendant and saying, "Clark" and passing on, and the next 97 minutes of film are taken up by researching her life as a reporter as it became more and more famous, ending with figuring out who Superman really was in her life?
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 09:55 AM (t//F+)
34
30 **cough**
Posted by: Alice Walker
**cough, cough**
Posted by: J.D. Salinger at November 23, 2014 09:50 AM (4nR9/)
Bitches....please!
Posted by: Maya Angelou at November 23, 2014 09:52 AM (Zu3d9)
Amateurs.
30 **cough**
Posted by: Alice Walker
**cough, cough**
Posted by: J.D. Salinger at November 23, 2014 09:50 AM (4nR9/)
Bitches....please!
Posted by: Maya Angelou at November 23, 2014 09:52 AM (Zu3d9)
Amateurs.
Posted by: Margaret Mead at November 23, 2014 09:57 AM (yRdR4)
35
19 What a piece of garbage The Handmaids Tale is.
Posted by: steevy at November 23, 2014 09:43 AM (v5UtH)
---
She's lionized in literary circles but I always found Margaret Atwood to be a smug tw(i)t, even as she pretends to be the polite and self-effacing Canadian.
Remember when reichwing Jesus freaks were going to impose a theocracy on America?
Posted by: steevy at November 23, 2014 09:43 AM (v5UtH)
---
She's lionized in literary circles but I always found Margaret Atwood to be a smug tw(i)t, even as she pretends to be the polite and self-effacing Canadian.
Remember when reichwing Jesus freaks were going to impose a theocracy on America?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 09:57 AM (QBm1P)
36
A better list:
What's So Great About America, Dinesh D'Souza
Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith
Human Action, Ludwig von Mises
Socialism, Ludwig von Mises
Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, Joseph Schumpeter
Economics in One Lesson, Henry Hazlitt
The Road to Serfdom, F. A. von Hayek
Free to Choose, Milton Friedman
The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism, Michael Novak
Modern Times, Paul Johnson
Wealth and Poverty, George Gilder
The Way the World Works, Jude Wanniski
The Vision of the Anointed, Thomas Sowell
A Time for Truth, William Simon
The Seven Fat Years, Robert L. Bartley
In Defense of Elitism, William A. Henry III
A History of the American People, Paul Johnson
A Conflict of Visions, Thomas Sowell
What's So Great About America, Dinesh D'Souza
Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith
Human Action, Ludwig von Mises
Socialism, Ludwig von Mises
Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, Joseph Schumpeter
Economics in One Lesson, Henry Hazlitt
The Road to Serfdom, F. A. von Hayek
Free to Choose, Milton Friedman
The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism, Michael Novak
Modern Times, Paul Johnson
Wealth and Poverty, George Gilder
The Way the World Works, Jude Wanniski
The Vision of the Anointed, Thomas Sowell
A Time for Truth, William Simon
The Seven Fat Years, Robert L. Bartley
In Defense of Elitism, William A. Henry III
A History of the American People, Paul Johnson
A Conflict of Visions, Thomas Sowell
Posted by: ethos at November 23, 2014 09:59 AM (t9c06)
37
What are the "Mrs. Lincoln..." books like?
Posted by: Lincolntf at November 23, 2014 09:59 AM (2cS/G)
38
And when you draw the implied conclusion, what form of social organization, if any, pops out of the slot?
A 10 megaton airburst over Washington DC?
A 10 megaton airburst over Washington DC?
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 10:01 AM (yRdR4)
39
I don't remember if I already reviewed this book I finished last week.
So here goes:
I recently finished a horror novel titled:
"The Stone Man" by Luke Smitherd
It was one of the best horror novels I've read in a long time since it actually evoked horror and tension in this reader.
There are great set pieces that will have you racing through the pages to find out what happens.
The story begins when a "statue" or rather Stone Man
appears in Coventry, England in the center of town.
It begins walking in a straight line. The bad news? It appears to be unstoppable by obstacles or conventional means. Why is it here? What is it doing?
Well, that's the story, isn't it?
If the novel has any weakness, it's this.
If you have any basic science knowledge at all, you'll be able to figure out at least part of the Stone Man's reason for being there. However, that don't detract from the reading or tension at all. And may enhance it.
And two, early in the third act, the book succumbs to a bit of British lower/middle class sentimentality and self-pity, though it's understandable, and the book comes to a satisfactory end.
Yep, a satisfactory end, something Stephen King can't seem to manage any longer.
Anyway, it's not particularly gory. Just good old-fashioned ramp up the tension because of the horrible whatthefuckery going on.
Available for Kindle and on dead tree.
Give it a try.
So here goes:
I recently finished a horror novel titled:
"The Stone Man" by Luke Smitherd
It was one of the best horror novels I've read in a long time since it actually evoked horror and tension in this reader.
There are great set pieces that will have you racing through the pages to find out what happens.
The story begins when a "statue" or rather Stone Man
appears in Coventry, England in the center of town.
It begins walking in a straight line. The bad news? It appears to be unstoppable by obstacles or conventional means. Why is it here? What is it doing?
Well, that's the story, isn't it?
If the novel has any weakness, it's this.
If you have any basic science knowledge at all, you'll be able to figure out at least part of the Stone Man's reason for being there. However, that don't detract from the reading or tension at all. And may enhance it.
And two, early in the third act, the book succumbs to a bit of British lower/middle class sentimentality and self-pity, though it's understandable, and the book comes to a satisfactory end.
Yep, a satisfactory end, something Stephen King can't seem to manage any longer.
Anyway, it's not particularly gory. Just good old-fashioned ramp up the tension because of the horrible whatthefuckery going on.
Available for Kindle and on dead tree.
Give it a try.
Posted by: naturalfake at November 23, 2014 10:01 AM (KBvAm)
40
That's a great list, ethos, but you need something by P.J. O'Rourke on there.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 10:03 AM (yRdR4)
41
I read Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker when I was on my Lincoln kick, and it was a light read compared to everything else.
Pool/beach/sports practice type of book you can put down and pick up without having to reread bits.
Borrowed from the library but enjoyed enough to buy this one.
Now I have to keep myself from starting any of my books before our trip.
I read Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker when I was on my Lincoln kick, and it was a light read compared to everything else.
Pool/beach/sports practice type of book you can put down and pick up without having to reread bits.
Borrowed from the library but enjoyed enough to buy this one.
Now I have to keep myself from starting any of my books before our trip.
Posted by: Justamom's stealing hubby's pad at November 23, 2014 10:04 AM (Sptt8)
42
Gotcha.
Posted by: Lincolntf at November 23, 2014 10:05 AM (2cS/G)
43
40
That's a great list, ethos, but you need something by P.J. O'Rourke on there.
Posted by: OregonMuse a
Parliament of Whores
That's a great list, ethos, but you need something by P.J. O'Rourke on there.
Posted by: OregonMuse a
Parliament of Whores
Posted by: pep at November 23, 2014 10:05 AM (4nR9/)
44
Ethos, there was a book noted on a radio program called The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, by Landes.
Have you read it and do you have an opinion? I mean of the writing, accessibility and the use of actual facts opposed to philosophy.
Have you read it and do you have an opinion? I mean of the writing, accessibility and the use of actual facts opposed to philosophy.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 10:06 AM (t//F+)
45
Posted by: naturalfake at November 23, 2014 10:01 AM (KBvAm)
Yes, a very good book. The author has a few other good ones, too.
The Black Room series is very original and well done.
Yes, a very good book. The author has a few other good ones, too.
The Black Room series is very original and well done.
Posted by: eman at November 23, 2014 10:06 AM (MQEz6)
46
Dan Willis "The Flux Engine" is a good steampunk sci-fi, there's also one called Boneshaker but I don't remember the author.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 23, 2014 10:06 AM (6fyGz)
47
"We're not supposed to think that, the movie tried to show the life and death of new college grad Chris McCandless as some kind of tragically beautiful thing, but those of us h8rs who could see what he was doing, i.e. trekking off to the wilderness, all by himself, with little or no woodcraft experience, with no backup plan, could see his bizarre and pointless death coming a mile off."
*****
This hardly seems fair to Chris. I read that book several times. He seemed to have quite a bit of wilderness experience. He also took foolhardy chances that were unnecessary. That led to his death.
But he seemed to have plenty of woodcraft experience.
*****
This hardly seems fair to Chris. I read that book several times. He seemed to have quite a bit of wilderness experience. He also took foolhardy chances that were unnecessary. That led to his death.
But he seemed to have plenty of woodcraft experience.
Posted by: Taco Shack at November 23, 2014 10:07 AM (C+qQ0)
48
Remember when reichwing Jesus freaks were going to impose a theocracy on America?
Yeah, that was two weeks ago.
Yeah, that was two weeks ago.
Posted by: HR irishing up the coffee at November 23, 2014 10:07 AM (ImIut)
49
Full disclosure: I didn't see the movie, but I did read the book.
Posted by: Taco Shack at November 23, 2014 10:08 AM (C+qQ0)
50
You know you have too many books when:
The other day I found a one volume copy of Lord of the Rings in a box of books. It is a nicely made, hardback edition and is even a size convenient to hold. It was published in 2004 so I bought it in the last ten years. Problem is I have no memory of buying the damn thing! None!
Glad I found it but now I'm worried about my memory. Damn.
The other day I found a one volume copy of Lord of the Rings in a box of books. It is a nicely made, hardback edition and is even a size convenient to hold. It was published in 2004 so I bought it in the last ten years. Problem is I have no memory of buying the damn thing! None!
Glad I found it but now I'm worried about my memory. Damn.
Posted by: JTB at November 23, 2014 10:08 AM (FvdPb)
51
I have a good number of actual printed books that I really should read. Damn this Kindle, it's so convenient...
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 23, 2014 10:10 AM (6fyGz)
52
35, of course. THT is a forewarning against the right wing republican Taliban theocracy that is the war on women.
Or something.
Or something.
Posted by: anon a mouse at November 23, 2014 10:10 AM (/jpU8)
53
there's also one called Boneshaker but I don't remember the author.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 23, 2014 10:06 AM (6fyGz)
-----
Cherie Priest. The whole series is great, with the final volume being an excellent bookend to the story.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 23, 2014 10:06 AM (6fyGz)
-----
Cherie Priest. The whole series is great, with the final volume being an excellent bookend to the story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 10:11 AM (QBm1P)
54
JTB, every week. And I keep looking for copies of books I sold back to the used book store.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 10:11 AM (t//F+)
55
Maybe because "Lord of the Flies" takes place on a tropical island, so is not wintry...
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 10:12 AM (AVEe1)
56
Cherie Priest. The whole series is great, with the final volume being an excellent bookend to the story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 10:11 AM (QBm1P)
That's her.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 10:11 AM (QBm1P)
That's her.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 23, 2014 10:12 AM (6fyGz)
57
Posted by: eman at November 23, 2014 10:06 AM (MQEz6)
Thanks for the recommendation.
Speaking of hour and recommendations...
Anyone read Stephen King's latest?
I've more or less given up on him esp. after the steaming pile that was "Doctor Sleep", his follow-up to "The Shining".
But, some reviews are touting this new one as the best blah blah blah.
So...
Is it?
Thanks for the recommendation.
Speaking of hour and recommendations...
Anyone read Stephen King's latest?
I've more or less given up on him esp. after the steaming pile that was "Doctor Sleep", his follow-up to "The Shining".
But, some reviews are touting this new one as the best blah blah blah.
So...
Is it?
Posted by: naturalfake at November 23, 2014 10:12 AM (KBvAm)
58
Can anyone recommend a good political book for my old man?
Profile:
Vatican I
Black and white movies
Old school conservative
Thx
Can anyone recommend a good political book for my old man?
Profile:
Vatican I
Black and white movies
Old school conservative
Thx
Posted by: Justamom's stealing hubby's pad at November 23, 2014 10:12 AM (Sptt8)
59
"The Bonfire of the Vanities," by Tom Wolfe"The Handmaid's Tale," by Margaret Atwood
Top ten "best political books"? Um, that's pretty dumb.
I would add "Red Storm Rising", Clancy, "
Liberty and Tyranny", Levin and "Atlas Shrugged", Rand.
But Atwoods idiotic story and the evil Republicans taking over due to their destruction of the planet, and setting up a system where all the Republican elite leaders get to bang all the hot young women?
We know now that she was completely wrong - ass backwards wrong, and Rand was right on the money. And Rand get's left off the list?
That's dumbassery.
Top ten "best political books"? Um, that's pretty dumb.
I would add "Red Storm Rising", Clancy, "
Liberty and Tyranny", Levin and "Atlas Shrugged", Rand.
But Atwoods idiotic story and the evil Republicans taking over due to their destruction of the planet, and setting up a system where all the Republican elite leaders get to bang all the hot young women?
We know now that she was completely wrong - ass backwards wrong, and Rand was right on the money. And Rand get's left off the list?
That's dumbassery.
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 10:13 AM (8N+Kq)
60
Regarding e-fairness, any Repub that votes for anything with 'fairness' in it's description is a RINO. We get enough tax increases from the bureaucracy (how is this constitutional?).
I just click the Amazon link if buying an expensive Kindle book, don't know if it works or not.
I've read some of Proust's Remembrance of Things Past and liked it, but put off tackling it due to length. May make that a New Years resolution to read at least one of the seven books this year.
This week listened to The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury and enjoyed it a lot. Bradbury took a bunch of Mars short stories and tied them together loosely to make this novel. It tells the story of Man going to Mars and finding a livable environment populated by Martians, leading to misunderstandings and war. Not a happy book at all but beautifully written.
Read Ubik by Philip K Dick which was very witty and fun. Some people in the far-distant future of 1992 (it was written in 1969) have psi abilities, including some known as 'pre-cogs' who can see the future. Our hero Joe works for a company that helps businesses protect their secrets from these people. He is introduced to a woman named Pat who can look into the past and change it to combat these pre-cogs. His boss communicates with his dead wife, who is kept in some sort of half-life state. Something happens and Joe and his co-workers enter a weird alternate reality where time moves backwards and he starts receiving messages in cigarette cartons. Look forward to trying more of his work.
I just click the Amazon link if buying an expensive Kindle book, don't know if it works or not.
I've read some of Proust's Remembrance of Things Past and liked it, but put off tackling it due to length. May make that a New Years resolution to read at least one of the seven books this year.
This week listened to The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury and enjoyed it a lot. Bradbury took a bunch of Mars short stories and tied them together loosely to make this novel. It tells the story of Man going to Mars and finding a livable environment populated by Martians, leading to misunderstandings and war. Not a happy book at all but beautifully written.
Read Ubik by Philip K Dick which was very witty and fun. Some people in the far-distant future of 1992 (it was written in 1969) have psi abilities, including some known as 'pre-cogs' who can see the future. Our hero Joe works for a company that helps businesses protect their secrets from these people. He is introduced to a woman named Pat who can look into the past and change it to combat these pre-cogs. His boss communicates with his dead wife, who is kept in some sort of half-life state. Something happens and Joe and his co-workers enter a weird alternate reality where time moves backwards and he starts receiving messages in cigarette cartons. Look forward to trying more of his work.
Posted by: waelse1 at November 23, 2014 10:15 AM (1zOoa)
61
By the by, Space Captain Smith was everything the chapter titles promised and chock-a-block with pastiche, homage, and blatant serial-number-filing. It made me very happy, and I recommend it to all Morons.
Less happy-making was an attempted angelic/demonic sort-of-thriller Terminus. I got it in a book bundle, suspect I was just not the target audience. I can totally get behind the concept of heavenly bureaucracy, but the angel main character had all the keen insight of a brick and it got really old.
Less happy-making was an attempted angelic/demonic sort-of-thriller Terminus. I got it in a book bundle, suspect I was just not the target audience. I can totally get behind the concept of heavenly bureaucracy, but the angel main character had all the keen insight of a brick and it got really old.
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at November 23, 2014 10:15 AM (2buaQ)
Posted by: naturalfake at November 23, 2014 10:15 AM (KBvAm)
63
Ugh, The Handmaid's Tale! Read (partially) a book of short stories by Margaret Atwood years ago and she is one twisted, dark woman. It was just awful. I know feminsts fear that crazy Christian wingers want to sexually enslave them, but feminists and the left are really the ones who are all about controlling fertility and creating all sorts of ways to reproduce outside of the way nature intended.
Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 10:15 AM (ABcz/)
64
"Old school conservative
Thx
Posted by: Justamom's stealing hubby's pad"
What kind of book? Fiction? Liberty and Tyranny is well written, readable and understandable, and not overbearing. It is not fiction of course.
Thx
Posted by: Justamom's stealing hubby's pad"
What kind of book? Fiction? Liberty and Tyranny is well written, readable and understandable, and not overbearing. It is not fiction of course.
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 10:16 AM (8N+Kq)
65
I really haven't been reading much - other than one of Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone's alphabet mysteries (which, to be frank, are sort of blending into one another), between work for the Tiny Publishing Bidness, and the show schedules - this the time of year when I do events and craft fairs with my own books, and my daughter's origami jewelry - spent an exhausting two days at the Weihnachtsmarkt in New Braunfels' civic center. Long hours, sitting at the book table, interspersed with sudden bursts of sales, and wandering over to talk to other authors. I did refer one of the other authors - Kathleen L. Shields to the Stately and Prestigious Sunday morning book thread - she is looking for alpha readers for her YA series. So if she does find this thread ... remember the pants.
Posted by: Sgt. Mom at November 23, 2014 10:16 AM (95iDF)
66
Justamom, try Schwiekart and Allens A Patriot's History of the United States
It is a touch abbreviated, but it does cover a lot of history in one really thick soft-cover book.
It is a touch abbreviated, but it does cover a lot of history in one really thick soft-cover book.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 10:16 AM (t//F+)
67
44
Ethos, there was a book noted on a radio program called The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, by Landes.
Have
you read it and do you have an opinion? I mean of the writing,
accessibility and the use of actual facts opposed to philosophy.
I have an actual paper copy of the book, but it's been awhile since I read it, so I couldn't remember much. I went back and looked at the Amazon comments section. My approach is to consider that any book with strongly bipolar reviews, and the 1-star ratings are all of the "racist", "Eurocentrist" variety, it's probably worth a read.
Ethos, there was a book noted on a radio program called The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, by Landes.
Have
you read it and do you have an opinion? I mean of the writing,
accessibility and the use of actual facts opposed to philosophy.
I have an actual paper copy of the book, but it's been awhile since I read it, so I couldn't remember much. I went back and looked at the Amazon comments section. My approach is to consider that any book with strongly bipolar reviews, and the 1-star ratings are all of the "racist", "Eurocentrist" variety, it's probably worth a read.
Posted by: pep at November 23, 2014 10:17 AM (4nR9/)
68
63,
So a rather typical hardcore leftist then. No surprise.
So a rather typical hardcore leftist then. No surprise.
Posted by: anon a mouse at November 23, 2014 10:17 AM (/jpU8)
69
Not reading anything political at this time. I am thoroughly enjoying The Dirty Parts of the Bible by Sam Torode.
Posted by: Suebee at November 23, 2014 10:17 AM (+ZK/F)
70
"Margaret Atwood years ago and she is one twisted,
dark woman. It was just awful. ...
Posted by: Lizzy at"
That one *defines* the meaning of batshit crazy.
I mean what happens in Handmaids tale is just what I said. And look at us now. The planet is fine, the statists have taken over and are destroying society more than any Republican ever could, and they are all out there banging every hot chick they can find. She was 180 degrees wrong by observable fact.
And these idiots who read and write this shit cannot see that?
Unbelievable.
dark woman. It was just awful. ...
Posted by: Lizzy at"
That one *defines* the meaning of batshit crazy.
I mean what happens in Handmaids tale is just what I said. And look at us now. The planet is fine, the statists have taken over and are destroying society more than any Republican ever could, and they are all out there banging every hot chick they can find. She was 180 degrees wrong by observable fact.
And these idiots who read and write this shit cannot see that?
Unbelievable.
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 10:19 AM (8N+Kq)
71
Today is dark and will rain all day, so a perfect day to go to used book stores. Then Barnes and Noble if I must.
Thanks for suggestions of books for dad. I'm writing these down.
Anybody go to Half Price Books? We just got one. Great deals and a clearance corner, but not
Today is dark and will rain all day, so a perfect day to go to used book stores. Then Barnes and Noble if I must.
Thanks for suggestions of books for dad. I'm writing these down.
Anybody go to Half Price Books? We just got one. Great deals and a clearance corner, but not
Posted by: Justamom's stealing hubby's pad at November 23, 2014 10:20 AM (Sptt8)
72
I saw Susan Olivia Cuthbertson-Klein's book at the Barnes and Noble yesterday! This is "To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party", under the pen-name of Heather Cox Richardson.
In it, the good guys are northeastern liberal Republicans; and the bad guys are Southerners, libertarians, businessmen (especially) and such Christians as don't get into political activism. The author, of course, teaches history at Boston College.
This book should sit proudly on the shelf next to Jim Jeffords' "My Declaration of Independence" and everything written by David Frum.
In it, the good guys are northeastern liberal Republicans; and the bad guys are Southerners, libertarians, businessmen (especially) and such Christians as don't get into political activism. The author, of course, teaches history at Boston College.
This book should sit proudly on the shelf next to Jim Jeffords' "My Declaration of Independence" and everything written by David Frum.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 10:20 AM (AVEe1)
73
"Local, brick-and-mortar bookstores want online retailers to have to collect state and local sales taxes, just like they do"
The problem is that Amazon is already doing this and has done it (at least on everything my family buys) for at least the last 2-3 years. Where's it been going? Escrow?
The problem is that Amazon is already doing this and has done it (at least on everything my family buys) for at least the last 2-3 years. Where's it been going? Escrow?
Posted by: SDN at November 23, 2014 10:21 AM (Ao5fh)
74
Justamom,
If he likes satire/humor, check out "The Trouble With Nowadays: A Curmedgeon Strikes Back" by Cleveland Amory. Fun and politically incorrect.
"Parliament of Whores" P.J. O'Rourke
If he likes satire/humor, check out "The Trouble With Nowadays: A Curmedgeon Strikes Back" by Cleveland Amory. Fun and politically incorrect.
"Parliament of Whores" P.J. O'Rourke
Posted by: JTB at November 23, 2014 10:21 AM (FvdPb)
75
Dang. Half Price Books has a sprinkling of everything but not much on politics.
Dang. Half Price Books has a sprinkling of everything but not much on politics.
Posted by: Justamom's stealing hubby's pad at November 23, 2014 10:22 AM (Sptt8)
76
Huh, I've only read two of those "dark" books - 1984 and The Painted Bird. Interesting that so many of them have been made into (mostly awful) indie flicks. Doesn't inspire me to read the, that's for sure!
Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 10:22 AM (ABcz/)
77
I would love to get the old man something humorous in this vein. He scares my kiddos with all the evil threats in the world. I had to ask him to lay off.
I would love to get the old man something humorous in this vein. He scares my kiddos with all the evil threats in the world. I had to ask him to lay off.
Posted by: Justamom's stealing hubby's pad at November 23, 2014 10:26 AM (Sptt8)
78
At some point we need a thread of Emily Litella books. I assume we've had one, but still. I'm talking about books like Atwood's "Handmaid's Tale" which completely failed, and caused horrific damage to public opinion and policy.
Anything global-warming based; "Silent Spring"; Bernal's "Out Of Africa"; "Das Kapital" (Marx and Piketty both); "Coming Of Age In Samoa"; Freud; "Orientalism".
Anything global-warming based; "Silent Spring"; Bernal's "Out Of Africa"; "Das Kapital" (Marx and Piketty both); "Coming Of Age In Samoa"; Freud; "Orientalism".
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 10:26 AM (AVEe1)
79
Justamom, try Alibris.com too.
It won't offer suggestions or tell you what other people are also looking for (which is why I love it) and it is a portal to small bookstores that also do internet sales.
Alibris acts like a catalog and a broker between you and the seller.
It won't offer suggestions or tell you what other people are also looking for (which is why I love it) and it is a portal to small bookstores that also do internet sales.
Alibris acts like a catalog and a broker between you and the seller.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 10:27 AM (t//F+)
80
The planet is fine, the statists have taken over and are destroying society more than any Republican ever could, and they are all out there banging every hot chick they can find. She was 180 degrees wrong by observable fact.
And these idiots who read and write this shit cannot see that?
Unbelievable.
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 10:19 AM (8N+Kq)
If Hillary runs, Slick's sex life HAS to become a campaign issue. We need to make it so, because the Demedia won't. He's been hanging out with big donors who've been arrested for sex with underage girls. One of them supposedly kept teen sex slaves on his Caribbean island, which Clinton hung out on, FFS.
The press go "oh, Monica, that's sooo 90s, dude", but Monica is the very least of it.
And these idiots who read and write this shit cannot see that?
Unbelievable.
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 10:19 AM (8N+Kq)
If Hillary runs, Slick's sex life HAS to become a campaign issue. We need to make it so, because the Demedia won't. He's been hanging out with big donors who've been arrested for sex with underage girls. One of them supposedly kept teen sex slaves on his Caribbean island, which Clinton hung out on, FFS.
The press go "oh, Monica, that's sooo 90s, dude", but Monica is the very least of it.
Posted by: stace at November 23, 2014 10:28 AM (ImzkZ)
Posted by: Justamom's stealing hubby's pad at November 23, 2014 10:28 AM (Sptt8)
82
Yay, Space Captain Smith! I reviewed that last year. So glad it's receiving attention here again -
http://acecomments.mu.nu/?blog=86&post=340130#c20641875
The sequel "God Emperor of Didcot" might even be topical these days, with a caliph screwing things up. . .
http://acecomments.mu.nu/?blog=86&post=340130#c20641875
The sequel "God Emperor of Didcot" might even be topical these days, with a caliph screwing things up. . .
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 10:32 AM (AVEe1)
83
I've been reading Bernard Cornwell's Starbuck series and just finished the third book, Battle Flag. Cornwell is very good at writing about the horror of battle and the venality and vanity of the politicians who send young men (and not so young) men to die for their cause. The rebels aren't all good guys and the yankees aren't all bad guys although the books are written mostly from the point of view of a Boston preacher's son who joins the Confederate legion of a particularly vain Virginia Brahmin and discovers his talent for war.
Not as good as the Saxon Chronicles, which I particularly love, but pretty darn good.
Not as good as the Saxon Chronicles, which I particularly love, but pretty darn good.
Posted by: huerfano at November 23, 2014 10:34 AM (bAGA/)
84
Breaking Stalins Nose, politics for the kiddos
Posted by: Jean at November 23, 2014 10:34 AM (TETYm)
85
I've become a real fan of Jo Nesbo over the years and read all of his "Harry Hole" books.
His newest is a stand-alone called "The Son." I'm about one-third done and really loving it.
The blurb/front flap text is unusually poor, so let me point you to the Kirkus review -- bit.ly/1uQfJlO
Highly recommended.
His newest is a stand-alone called "The Son." I'm about one-third done and really loving it.
The blurb/front flap text is unusually poor, so let me point you to the Kirkus review -- bit.ly/1uQfJlO
Highly recommended.
Posted by: doug at November 23, 2014 10:36 AM (yOA5a)
86
Best sci-fi ever: The Greatship/Marrow/Well of Stars by Robert Reed
I thought Marrow was the first in the series.
I've been trying to slog through it, but keep getting sidetracked / bored.
I thought Marrow was the first in the series.
I've been trying to slog through it, but keep getting sidetracked / bored.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 10:37 AM (AVEe1)
87
I read Into The Wild a while back, and I too disliked the protagonist, despite Krakauer's evident empathy with him, Krakauer talked as though he could imagine himself having done the same; this is the same writer who was horrified when someone showed up on Everest with mountaineering boots that had not been properly broken in. I just have to chalk it up to outdoor daredevil types being a different breed of cat, I guess.
Posted by: Splunge at November 23, 2014 10:37 AM (nl1IL)
88
If you are like me, and you probably are not, you may find yourself . . . .
. . ..that is to say, looking for something to read that falls within your price range, which in my case would be 'free'.
It seems the President, or a president of Harvard put up a bunch of Harvard Classics on the net for free.
http://tinyurl.com/l4vqjnx
The base web page is 'openculture.com' which has a lot of other free stuff. It was Instapundit who led me to that treasure.
Instapundit also has a link to Richard Feynman's lectures as transcribed by a fellow in the audience. That link is still down, perhaps a result of an Instapundit link avalanche.
. . ..that is to say, looking for something to read that falls within your price range, which in my case would be 'free'.
It seems the President, or a president of Harvard put up a bunch of Harvard Classics on the net for free.
http://tinyurl.com/l4vqjnx
The base web page is 'openculture.com' which has a lot of other free stuff. It was Instapundit who led me to that treasure.
Instapundit also has a link to Richard Feynman's lectures as transcribed by a fellow in the audience. That link is still down, perhaps a result of an Instapundit link avalanche.
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 23, 2014 10:37 AM (FzOGi)
89
Amazon has been building warehouses in every state to deal with this ... if it dies, that's a big black hole on their balance sheet. The Pubs should keep the bill around, just to keep Bezoes honest at the Post.
Posted by: Jean at November 23, 2014 10:38 AM (TETYm)
90
But he seemed to have plenty of woodcraft experience.
OK, perhaps you're right, but I was going by the movie, which showed him mainly trying out stuff he had read in a book, and not doing real well at it.
OK, perhaps you're right, but I was going by the movie, which showed him mainly trying out stuff he had read in a book, and not doing real well at it.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 10:38 AM (yRdR4)
91
Dad has decided that at his age he has every material thing he needs and he has better taste in liquor than I have, so I am going to get him the Fred Lockley trilogy: Conversations with Pioneer Women, Conversations With Pioneer Men, and Voices of Oregon
I mentioned these last week. Lockley was a reporter for the Oregon Journal in the 20's and 30's in Portland OR, and interviewed old pioneers. His interviews were gathered by the University of Oregon and a series of books were published from them. Fascinating stuff. Like the woman talking about as a newlywed her husband had invited the neighbors over to a dinner and then took time from entertaining them to show her how to use the oven to bake a roast. I gathered that she was raised with just an open hearth, but her new husband, who was a widower, owned a stove.
I mentioned these last week. Lockley was a reporter for the Oregon Journal in the 20's and 30's in Portland OR, and interviewed old pioneers. His interviews were gathered by the University of Oregon and a series of books were published from them. Fascinating stuff. Like the woman talking about as a newlywed her husband had invited the neighbors over to a dinner and then took time from entertaining them to show her how to use the oven to bake a roast. I gathered that she was raised with just an open hearth, but her new husband, who was a widower, owned a stove.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 10:38 AM (t//F+)
92
White's "New World: a Frontier Fantasy Novel" is currently FREE for Kindle!
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 10:40 AM (AVEe1)
93
Imagine Handmadians Tale being published today, but set in an Islamic paradigm. It would have to be an independent webzine and non-fiction.
Posted by: Jean at November 23, 2014 10:40 AM (TETYm)
94
The Handmaid's Tale is taken as gospel and it fuels the fever-dreams of the lunatic Left. Their imaginary bogey-men come to life in it.
Posted by: --- at November 23, 2014 10:41 AM (MMC8r)
95
Skandia, if you like free books and have a reader, try Gutenberg.com
They only have stuff out of copywrite everywhere on the planet, but that is an amazing amount of stuff.
Free is my base price, so I am like a pig in swill there.
They only have stuff out of copywrite everywhere on the planet, but that is an amazing amount of stuff.
Free is my base price, so I am like a pig in swill there.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 10:42 AM (t//F+)
96
That's a nice lookin' liberry - bet that sumbitch would burn for a long time!
Posted by: Erik The Holder at November 23, 2014 10:43 AM (vPh3W)
97
Imagine Handmadians Tale being published today, but set in an Islamic paradigm. It would have to be an independent webzine and non-fiction.
It was based on Khomeini's Iran.
For Islamic-themed dystopia, I recommend Prayers for the Assassin by (retired HQ-moron!) Robert Ferrigno.
It was based on Khomeini's Iran.
For Islamic-themed dystopia, I recommend Prayers for the Assassin by (retired HQ-moron!) Robert Ferrigno.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 10:44 AM (AVEe1)
98
No, actually go to Gutenberg.org.
Edit, then post, or else tie myself to the post, then flog.
either/or
Edit, then post, or else tie myself to the post, then flog.
either/or
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 10:44 AM (t//F+)
99
No, I haven't seen or read "Into the Wild", but when I was a kid I loved "My Side of the Mountain".
https://tinyurl.com/m2qwdcr
I was about 11 or 12 when I read it, and dreamed of doing that myself. Now? I'm with AtC about Outside.
https://tinyurl.com/m2qwdcr
I was about 11 or 12 when I read it, and dreamed of doing that myself. Now? I'm with AtC about Outside.
Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 10:44 AM (sdi6R)
100
I remember really enjoying the Firestar series by Michael Flynn, in which visionary industrialist Mariesa van Huyten resuscitates a moribund space program. Think I may have to reread this.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 10:45 AM (QBm1P)
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 10:45 AM (t//F+)
102
David Burge @iowahawkblog 38m
"It's not rape if they're auditioning." - Hollywood's Golden Rule
"It's not rape if they're auditioning." - Hollywood's Golden Rule
Posted by: Costanza Defense at November 23, 2014 10:46 AM (ZPrif)
103
Thanks for the recommendations. I've read books recommended here and have seldom been disappointed.
Posted by: 144 at November 23, 2014 10:46 AM (FBD2A)
104
>>Imagine Handmadians Tale being published today, but set in an Islamic
paradigm. It would have to be an independent webzine and non-fiction.
I suppose there's a movie that does this - "Osama." It's about the life of a girl under the Taliban. You'll want to slit your wrists by the end.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368913/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
paradigm. It would have to be an independent webzine and non-fiction.
I suppose there's a movie that does this - "Osama." It's about the life of a girl under the Taliban. You'll want to slit your wrists by the end.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368913/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 10:47 AM (ABcz/)
105
White's "New World: a Frontier Fantasy Novel" is currently FREE for Kindle!
Thanks, bht, I just went over there are snapped that puppy right up.
Thanks, bht, I just went over there are snapped that puppy right up.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 10:49 AM (yRdR4)
106
Has anyone read the Dana Stabenow Sci-fi series, Second Star, Handful of Stars, and Red Planet Run? She later wrote the Kate Shugak series.
It is like Firestar series where an astronomer and physicist either finds or fakes a contact with aliens to bump-start space exploration, and the main characters go on to building habitats for asteroid mining. Oh, and the aliens do show up saying they were waiting for the stupid humans to get off the planet.
I have Red Planet Run and enjoyed it, but the others aren't easy to find
It is like Firestar series where an astronomer and physicist either finds or fakes a contact with aliens to bump-start space exploration, and the main characters go on to building habitats for asteroid mining. Oh, and the aliens do show up saying they were waiting for the stupid humans to get off the planet.
I have Red Planet Run and enjoyed it, but the others aren't easy to find
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 10:50 AM (t//F+)
107
33
I understand you to say Citizen Kane, but wouldn't that be a great structure for a Superman movie, where the first scene is Lois, ancient in her death's bed, dropping a Kryptonite pendant and saying, "Clark" and passing on, and the next 97 minutes of film are taken up by researching her life as a reporter as it became more and more famous, ending with figuring out who Superman really was in her life?
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 09:55 AM (t//F+)
I love it!
I understand you to say Citizen Kane, but wouldn't that be a great structure for a Superman movie, where the first scene is Lois, ancient in her death's bed, dropping a Kryptonite pendant and saying, "Clark" and passing on, and the next 97 minutes of film are taken up by researching her life as a reporter as it became more and more famous, ending with figuring out who Superman really was in her life?
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 09:55 AM (t//F+)
I love it!
Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 10:51 AM (sdi6R)
108
" If anybody has any recommendations for any sci-fi or related sub genres I'm all ears."
Try the trilogy:
Bitter Seeds
The Coldest War
Necessary Evil
by Ian Tregillis
It has a bit of a steampunk vibe as its an alternate history of WWII and the Cold War as fought by
German supermen and women with Psychic powers via brain surgery, implants and electricity
versus
English wizards using blood magic to bargain with Cthulhu-Like entities.
Great read. Fun story. Well-written.
And Trellis is a master storyteller letting darkness fall and characters die when required by the story.
Give it a try.
Try the trilogy:
Bitter Seeds
The Coldest War
Necessary Evil
by Ian Tregillis
It has a bit of a steampunk vibe as its an alternate history of WWII and the Cold War as fought by
German supermen and women with Psychic powers via brain surgery, implants and electricity
versus
English wizards using blood magic to bargain with Cthulhu-Like entities.
Great read. Fun story. Well-written.
And Trellis is a master storyteller letting darkness fall and characters die when required by the story.
Give it a try.
Posted by: naturalfake at November 23, 2014 10:51 AM (KBvAm)
109
>> John Boehner said Monday he would block any attempt to pass e-fairness legislation in the lame-duck session of Congress...[and] it's unlikely that such a bill would pass either chamber when the new Congress, with its Republican majorities, convenes in the new year.
It's cute how you teabaggers continue to cling to this notion that Congress has to pass legislation in order for governmental power to increase when I've got my pen, phone, and scepter.
It's cute how you teabaggers continue to cling to this notion that Congress has to pass legislation in order for governmental power to increase when I've got my pen, phone, and scepter.
Posted by: Emporer Baracka I at November 23, 2014 10:51 AM (bHnlE)
110
Kindltot,
I go to gutenberg from time to time when I hope to find some particular thing.
Not knowing what I am looking for makes it more difficult to find something there.
I go to gutenberg from time to time when I hope to find some particular thing.
Not knowing what I am looking for makes it more difficult to find something there.
Posted by: Skandia Recluse at November 23, 2014 10:55 AM (FzOGi)
111
We allow a feminized educational system to force-feed Atwood, Angelou, Walker, et al. to teenaged boys.
Whose instincts at that age are are to be profoundly bored with emotive introspective feminista literature. They want action, adventure, bold canvases, far horizons, male protagonists: all the things these books do not have.
Then we're surprised and shocked to learn that we've turned off those boys to reading for the rest of their adult lives, to the considerable detriment of their cultural and educational prospects.
I've got one just like that in my extended family. Bright young man. But after the mandatory bland diet of lefty chick lit inflicted upon him by his teachers, I do not think he's ever going to take up the reading of substantive literature. Completely turned off to it. The radfem educrats took what should have been a fun voyage of discovery, and made it a grinding chore. As soon as he could get rid of that chore, he did, with evident relief.
Whose instincts at that age are are to be profoundly bored with emotive introspective feminista literature. They want action, adventure, bold canvases, far horizons, male protagonists: all the things these books do not have.
Then we're surprised and shocked to learn that we've turned off those boys to reading for the rest of their adult lives, to the considerable detriment of their cultural and educational prospects.
I've got one just like that in my extended family. Bright young man. But after the mandatory bland diet of lefty chick lit inflicted upon him by his teachers, I do not think he's ever going to take up the reading of substantive literature. Completely turned off to it. The radfem educrats took what should have been a fun voyage of discovery, and made it a grinding chore. As soon as he could get rid of that chore, he did, with evident relief.
Posted by: torquewrench at November 23, 2014 10:58 AM (noWW6)
112
Agreed. P J O'Rourke is missing.
Posted by: ethos at November 23, 2014 10:58 AM (t9c06)
113
Just finished "Ghosts of Manhattan" by George Mann. It's described as the first steam punk hero. The book is noir-esque in style. Nowhere near as good as Larry Corriea's Grimnoir trilogy. "Ghosts" is kind of dry and quite predictable, read it if you have nothing better to do.
Speaking of Larry Correia, just started on "Monster Hunter Alpha". About half way through, great stuff. Can't recommend it enough.
Speaking of Larry Correia, just started on "Monster Hunter Alpha". About half way through, great stuff. Can't recommend it enough.
Posted by: Darth Randall at November 23, 2014 11:00 AM (6n332)
114
Three Tim Powers books mentioned already, and still no love for Declare???
It is an absolute gem. Highly recommended.
It is an absolute gem. Highly recommended.
Posted by: cool breeze at November 23, 2014 11:03 AM (A+/8k)
115
I don't know if this qualifies as fun as the book has a lot of graphic violence and sex, but 'The Berkut' by Joseph Heywood for me was a fun read.
Setting - the end of WWII. Hitler actually escapes and Stalin dispatches a team of special ops people to find him and bring him back alive to Moscow.
But this isn't your expected team of special ops people. This of the dream team that Stalin would put together were he to have access to the worst/best of the entirety of the soviet union population, and he then issues them the 'Red Badge' which is like Dr. Who's magic paper and allows the team to demand and get anything they desire from Soviet citizens without question or hesitation.
There is history, chase, politics and in the end, finding out what Stalin does with Hitler when he is finally captured and returned, is worth the journey.
It's a fantasy of course, but I always enjoyed this book and Heywood is a great writer.
So that's my 2 100ths of a Ruble for you comrades. Long live the motherland!
Setting - the end of WWII. Hitler actually escapes and Stalin dispatches a team of special ops people to find him and bring him back alive to Moscow.
But this isn't your expected team of special ops people. This of the dream team that Stalin would put together were he to have access to the worst/best of the entirety of the soviet union population, and he then issues them the 'Red Badge' which is like Dr. Who's magic paper and allows the team to demand and get anything they desire from Soviet citizens without question or hesitation.
There is history, chase, politics and in the end, finding out what Stalin does with Hitler when he is finally captured and returned, is worth the journey.
It's a fantasy of course, but I always enjoyed this book and Heywood is a great writer.
So that's my 2 100ths of a Ruble for you comrades. Long live the motherland!
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:03 AM (8N+Kq)
116
Do you people actually read books?
Posted by: Jon Gruber, Shitweasel at November 23, 2014 11:05 AM (yQ8B4)
117
111 We allow a feminized educational system to force-feed Atwood, Angelou, Walker, et al. to teenaged boys.
Whose instincts at that age are are to be profoundly bored with emotive introspective feminista literature. They want action, adventure, bold canvases, far horizons, male protagonists: all the things these books do not have.
Posted by: torquewrench at November 23, 2014 10:58 AM (noWW6)
Yep. See my link in #99.
Whose instincts at that age are are to be profoundly bored with emotive introspective feminista literature. They want action, adventure, bold canvases, far horizons, male protagonists: all the things these books do not have.
Posted by: torquewrench at November 23, 2014 10:58 AM (noWW6)
Yep. See my link in #99.
Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 11:05 AM (sdi6R)
118
Oh, and another approving nod for _This Town_.
Anyone who thinks that the last round of election results will result in significant changes to the dire trajectory of the country should read that book.
Although it's depressing, it's also quite funny here and there. I really did laugh my ass off at one point.
The Obama White House had gotten tired of articles speculating about what the hell the actual role is of Valerie Jarrett. Who enjoys things like 24-hour Secret Service protection, not commonly afforded to someone who is basically just a political counselor to the President, rather than an actual officer of the federal government.
So their internal media operation ran up a long piece to be circulated to friendly journos, titled, I kid you not, "The Magic Of Valerie", which made her out to be something like an amalgamation of Marie Curie and Mother Teresa.
This memo containing 33 (!) bullet points became unintentionally hilarious when someone forgot to polish the final bullet point before mailing it out to the press corpse:
-- "Valerie is someone who other people inside the building know they can trust (need examples)"
Anyone who thinks that the last round of election results will result in significant changes to the dire trajectory of the country should read that book.
Although it's depressing, it's also quite funny here and there. I really did laugh my ass off at one point.
The Obama White House had gotten tired of articles speculating about what the hell the actual role is of Valerie Jarrett. Who enjoys things like 24-hour Secret Service protection, not commonly afforded to someone who is basically just a political counselor to the President, rather than an actual officer of the federal government.
So their internal media operation ran up a long piece to be circulated to friendly journos, titled, I kid you not, "The Magic Of Valerie", which made her out to be something like an amalgamation of Marie Curie and Mother Teresa.
This memo containing 33 (!) bullet points became unintentionally hilarious when someone forgot to polish the final bullet point before mailing it out to the press corpse:
-- "Valerie is someone who other people inside the building know they can trust (need examples)"
Posted by: torquewrench at November 23, 2014 11:08 AM (noWW6)
119
Skandia, go to the book catalog link on the front page and that will take you to the bookshelves section in Gutenberg, and look for what looks good by subcategory. You can also look for keywords or do a random browse by the alphabet.
I will look for specific authors, and do histories and travelogs, and there is an enormous section of science fiction shorts from the 20's to the 60's with Analog, Worlds of If and others.
I will look for specific authors, and do histories and travelogs, and there is an enormous section of science fiction shorts from the 20's to the 60's with Analog, Worlds of If and others.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 11:09 AM (t//F+)
120
Posted by: torquewrench at November 23, 2014 10:58 AM (noWW6)
-------
Derbyshire thought more emphasis should be placed on really top drawer genre fiction to rekindle a love of reading in young men. I absolutely agree! That soul-crushing PoMo crap will really snuff out the fire in the belly.
I wonder if so much good conservative writing is in so-called genre fields because it's a safe space without oversight by our literary betters.
-------
Derbyshire thought more emphasis should be placed on really top drawer genre fiction to rekindle a love of reading in young men. I absolutely agree! That soul-crushing PoMo crap will really snuff out the fire in the belly.
I wonder if so much good conservative writing is in so-called genre fields because it's a safe space without oversight by our literary betters.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 11:10 AM (QBm1P)
121
About boys and school assigned reading...
Yep, it's all horseshit these days like "Sarah Big and Tall"
"Winnie Wondercunt, First Female Marine Biologist"
They make it really tough to keep boys interested in reading.
Ono wonder boys now prefer video games.
Yep, it's all horseshit these days like "Sarah Big and Tall"
"Winnie Wondercunt, First Female Marine Biologist"
They make it really tough to keep boys interested in reading.
Ono wonder boys now prefer video games.
Posted by: Naturalfake at November 23, 2014 11:12 AM (0cMkb)
122
Thanks for the mention, OM. I was able to get a vendor's table at the Burnet Gun Show. In fact, I am sitting at it right now surrounded with my Texas novel Pilot Point and GUNS!
Posted by: WannabeAnglican at November 23, 2014 11:13 AM (NqZ29)
123
111
We allow a feminized educational system to force-feed Atwood, Angelou, Walker, et al. to teenaged boys.
Whose instincts at that age are are to be profoundly bored with
emotive introspective feminista literature. They want action, adventure,
bold canvases, far horizons, male protagonists: all the things these
books do not have.
This is a great observation. It reminds me of a humor piece I saw several years ago, but have now lost, that purports to be one of those high school writing exercise where two students each take turns writing a sentence for a novel. In this case, the girl wants to write chick lit and the boy wants to write a Star Wars shoot 'em up, and they go back and forth for awhile and then start sniping at each other and the whole thing degenerates into a food fight. I thought it was hilarious.
If any of you morons recognize this and know where I can find a copy, please post a link, thanks.
We allow a feminized educational system to force-feed Atwood, Angelou, Walker, et al. to teenaged boys.
Whose instincts at that age are are to be profoundly bored with
emotive introspective feminista literature. They want action, adventure,
bold canvases, far horizons, male protagonists: all the things these
books do not have.
This is a great observation. It reminds me of a humor piece I saw several years ago, but have now lost, that purports to be one of those high school writing exercise where two students each take turns writing a sentence for a novel. In this case, the girl wants to write chick lit and the boy wants to write a Star Wars shoot 'em up, and they go back and forth for awhile and then start sniping at each other and the whole thing degenerates into a food fight. I thought it was hilarious.
If any of you morons recognize this and know where I can find a copy, please post a link, thanks.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 11:14 AM (yRdR4)
124
Reading the reviews and synopses for The Handmaid's Tale, I can't help but think that Atwood pulled a fast one. Change the American names and places to Arabic and what have you got? Stuff that's not outrageous.
For darkness, I second their nomination of the original Grimm's Tales. I read the real German ones years ago and was constantly going, 'what in the ever-loving hell?!'. And those poor kids didn't even have Santa Claus to look forward to back then.
For darkness, I second their nomination of the original Grimm's Tales. I read the real German ones years ago and was constantly going, 'what in the ever-loving hell?!'. And those poor kids didn't even have Santa Claus to look forward to back then.
Posted by: t-bird at November 23, 2014 11:15 AM (FcR7P)
125
A 10 megaton airburst over Washington DC?
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 10:01 AM (yRdR4)
Joking aside, what would be the functional result if DC just disappeared?
The military would survive, and perhaps function better without the PC insanity of the Pentagon.
I am hard pressed to think of a significant degradation of our way of life.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 10:01 AM (yRdR4)
Joking aside, what would be the functional result if DC just disappeared?
The military would survive, and perhaps function better without the PC insanity of the Pentagon.
I am hard pressed to think of a significant degradation of our way of life.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 23, 2014 11:16 AM (Zu3d9)
126
>>I wonder if so much good conservative writing is in so-called genre
fields because it's a safe space without oversight by our literary
betters.
Sadly, the SJW have taken over SF/F to some degree. There are still some great books being written, though, such as Larry Correia (mentioned above - love his Monster Hunters series!).
I can't get my son interested in fiction - he's much more interested in current affairs as well as stuff like atlases/books about countries, millitary (more about weapons than battles at this point), and deadly stuff like Ebola.
fields because it's a safe space without oversight by our literary
betters.
Sadly, the SJW have taken over SF/F to some degree. There are still some great books being written, though, such as Larry Correia (mentioned above - love his Monster Hunters series!).
I can't get my son interested in fiction - he's much more interested in current affairs as well as stuff like atlases/books about countries, millitary (more about weapons than battles at this point), and deadly stuff like Ebola.
Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 11:16 AM (ABcz/)
127
I saw the 20/20 about the kid who wandered off into the woods. I thought:
1) That must be a really boring book.
2) That must be a really boring movie.
3) Who wants to watch someone starve to death for 90 minutes? That's a snuff film, bro.
1) That must be a really boring book.
2) That must be a really boring movie.
3) Who wants to watch someone starve to death for 90 minutes? That's a snuff film, bro.
Posted by: Oschisms at November 23, 2014 11:18 AM (uqV2n)
128
"Reading the reviews and synopses for The Handmaid's Tale,
I can't help but think that Atwood pulled a fast one. Change the
American names and places to Arabic and what have you got? Stuff that's
not outrageous.
Posted by: t-bird at"
It is said that she did base this on Iran, but she was also a known Canadian 'anti-American', which is what all progressives of the time would have been. Anti conservative would have been more apt.
Severely misguided person.
I can't help but think that Atwood pulled a fast one. Change the
American names and places to Arabic and what have you got? Stuff that's
not outrageous.
Posted by: t-bird at"
It is said that she did base this on Iran, but she was also a known Canadian 'anti-American', which is what all progressives of the time would have been. Anti conservative would have been more apt.
Severely misguided person.
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:18 AM (8N+Kq)
129
OregonMuse -
http://www.snopes.com/college/homework/writing.asp
http://www.snopes.com/college/homework/writing.asp
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 11:19 AM (AVEe1)
130
Yep, it's all horseshit these days like "Sarah Big and Tall"
"Winnie Wondercunt, First Female Marine Biologist"
You'll be hearing from my lawyer, sir, about damages to my monitor caused by spraying jets of coffee.
"Winnie Wondercunt, First Female Marine Biologist"
You'll be hearing from my lawyer, sir, about damages to my monitor caused by spraying jets of coffee.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 11:19 AM (yRdR4)
131
This is a great observation. It reminds me of a humor piece I saw several years ago, but have now lost, that purports to be one of those high school writing exercise where two students each take turns writing a sentence for a novel. In this case, the girl wants to write chick lit and the boy wants to write a Star Wars shoot 'em up, and they go back and forth for awhile and then start sniping at each other and the whole thing degenerates into a food fight. I thought it was hilarious.
If any of you morons recognize this and know where I can find a copy, please post a link, thanks.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 11:14 AM (yRdR4)
i remember that too.....i'll look for it
If any of you morons recognize this and know where I can find a copy, please post a link, thanks.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 11:14 AM (yRdR4)
i remember that too.....i'll look for it
Posted by: phoenixgirl @phxazgrl 104 days until spring training at November 23, 2014 11:19 AM (u8GsB)
132
Rolling Stone wrote some piece claiming a girl got raped at a frat at UVa.
It's pretty much just her side of the story. Maybe it happened. Maybe it didn't.
But we're in the middle of a satanic ritual child abuse panic so .. UVa is suspending all of the fraternities.
University of Virginia Suspends All Fraternities Over Rape Allegations http://bit.ly/1ABLFxA via @BreitbartNews
It's pretty much just her side of the story. Maybe it happened. Maybe it didn't.
But we're in the middle of a satanic ritual child abuse panic so .. UVa is suspending all of the fraternities.
University of Virginia Suspends All Fraternities Over Rape Allegations http://bit.ly/1ABLFxA via @BreitbartNews
Posted by: Costanza Defense at November 23, 2014 11:20 AM (ZPrif)
133
Three Tim Powers books mentioned already, and still no love for Declare???
It is an absolute gem. Highly recommended.
Posted by: cool breeze at November 23, 2014 11:03 AM (A+/8k)
No. A touch too tinfoil-hat for me.
I can tell you why I dislike it, but it has to do with the characters and the their actions and the reasons for the actions, not Powers' writing. I don't want to destroy or scare someone off of book because of my (low) tastes.
Some of Declare was really good writing. When Powers stretches to write a fine paragraph it is very fine indeed. If it had been written in a more tongue in cheek manner, like Deighton or Pratchett, I could have taken it, but it was done in an ice-cold manner that left me feeling that I had been punked.
I love Powers' stuff up to about Expiration Date, and then it got too hard slogging through it because I kept having to separate the fantasy from the false association to reality and history that he uses to justify the plots. The writing is good, just the knotted ball of plotting made me crazy.
So, everyone go buy a Powers book and read it you will enjoy it, I'm reading biographies for a while.
It is an absolute gem. Highly recommended.
Posted by: cool breeze at November 23, 2014 11:03 AM (A+/8k)
No. A touch too tinfoil-hat for me.
I can tell you why I dislike it, but it has to do with the characters and the their actions and the reasons for the actions, not Powers' writing. I don't want to destroy or scare someone off of book because of my (low) tastes.
Some of Declare was really good writing. When Powers stretches to write a fine paragraph it is very fine indeed. If it had been written in a more tongue in cheek manner, like Deighton or Pratchett, I could have taken it, but it was done in an ice-cold manner that left me feeling that I had been punked.
I love Powers' stuff up to about Expiration Date, and then it got too hard slogging through it because I kept having to separate the fantasy from the false association to reality and history that he uses to justify the plots. The writing is good, just the knotted ball of plotting made me crazy.
So, everyone go buy a Powers book and read it you will enjoy it, I'm reading biographies for a while.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 11:20 AM (t//F+)
Posted by: phoenixgirl @phxazgrl 104 days until spring training at November 23, 2014 11:21 AM (u8GsB)
135
So that's my 2 100ths of a Ruble for you comrades. Long live the motherland!
Just looked it up, that's 2 kopeks. (Dammit, I've heard of those!).
Just looked it up, that's 2 kopeks. (Dammit, I've heard of those!).
Posted by: t-bird at November 23, 2014 11:21 AM (FcR7P)
136
@86 "I thought Marrow was the first in the series."
I noticed many reviewers thinking the same. Reed himself says to start with Greatship. Marrow is slower than the other two.
I noticed many reviewers thinking the same. Reed himself says to start with Greatship. Marrow is slower than the other two.
Posted by: truth fairy at November 23, 2014 11:21 AM (Amz9g)
137
I recently worked my way through Nathan Lowell's Golden Age of the Solar Clipper books. I very much enjoyed them until he became an officer halfway through, and I began to feel frustrated by the protagonist's behaviors. Not sure if I want to read the other works by the author or not, since my results were uneven.
Posted by: Graves at November 23, 2014 11:23 AM (3MEXB)
138
125
Joking aside, what would be the functional result if DC just disappeared?
The military would survive, and perhaps function better without the PC insanity of the Pentagon.
I am hard pressed to think of a significant degradation of our way of life.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 23, 2014 11:16 AM (Zu3d9)
I was praying for a Tunguska event over DC on January 20, 2009.
Did the blog have a hiccup for a few minutes, or was that on my end?
Joking aside, what would be the functional result if DC just disappeared?
The military would survive, and perhaps function better without the PC insanity of the Pentagon.
I am hard pressed to think of a significant degradation of our way of life.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 23, 2014 11:16 AM (Zu3d9)
I was praying for a Tunguska event over DC on January 20, 2009.
Did the blog have a hiccup for a few minutes, or was that on my end?
Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 11:23 AM (sdi6R)
139
Torquewrench
Thanks for laugh about ValJar! The Magic of Valerie?
If there is any magic, it's Samantha's evil sister from the 60s TV Series Bewitched. I think the evil sister was Serena.
Thanks for laugh about ValJar! The Magic of Valerie?
If there is any magic, it's Samantha's evil sister from the 60s TV Series Bewitched. I think the evil sister was Serena.
Posted by: Carol at November 23, 2014 11:23 AM (sj3Ax)
140
#121
And furthermore, I'll not tolerate such uncouth language on the book thread, it's just dreadful
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
And furthermore, I'll not tolerate such uncouth language on the book thread, it's just dreadful
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 11:23 AM (yRdR4)
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:23 AM (8N+Kq)
142
"Joking aside, what would be the functional result if DC just disappeared?"
Can we move the library of Congress collection first, please?
Can we move the library of Congress collection first, please?
Posted by: mindful webworker - thought collecter at November 23, 2014 11:25 AM (zcuxU)
143
Help!
I took the plunge and published my short story on Kindle, but somehow the formatting got screwy. I went from Scrivener to Sigil and then to KDP, and basically I went from indented paragraphs in Scrivener, to a random mix of indented and block paragraphs in KDP. Anyone have any ideas to fix this?
I took the plunge and published my short story on Kindle, but somehow the formatting got screwy. I went from Scrivener to Sigil and then to KDP, and basically I went from indented paragraphs in Scrivener, to a random mix of indented and block paragraphs in KDP. Anyone have any ideas to fix this?
Posted by: Lauren Hulk at November 23, 2014 11:25 AM (BPMYx)
144
I can't get my son interested in fiction - he's much
more interested in current affairs as well as stuff like atlases/books
about countries, millitary (more about weapons than battles at this
point), and deadly stuff like Ebola.
Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 11:16 AM (ABcz/)
Mark Twain's travelogs, like Roughing It, and Phil Sheridan's Memoirs, both of which are on Gutenberg.ORG, as well as other places.
Grant's Memoirs are exceptionally well written, but you need a grounding in the Civil War to understand what all is going on.
more interested in current affairs as well as stuff like atlases/books
about countries, millitary (more about weapons than battles at this
point), and deadly stuff like Ebola.
Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 11:16 AM (ABcz/)
Mark Twain's travelogs, like Roughing It, and Phil Sheridan's Memoirs, both of which are on Gutenberg.ORG, as well as other places.
Grant's Memoirs are exceptionally well written, but you need a grounding in the Civil War to understand what all is going on.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 11:26 AM (t//F+)
Posted by: Nip Sip at November 23, 2014 11:26 AM (0FSuD)
146
Re: the UVA incident
The alleged rape occurred two years ago, so who knows.
Kind of hard to mount a defense against such charges.
The alleged rape occurred two years ago, so who knows.
Kind of hard to mount a defense against such charges.
Posted by: Jinx the Cat at November 23, 2014 11:26 AM (l3vZN)
147
@92 "White's "New World: a Frontier Fantasy Novel" is currently FREE for Kindle!"
Thanks boulder terlit hobo! Folks should definitely take advantage if they like frontier fantasy, no politics, just woodsmanship. Sequel "Hair of the Bear" already available. Mostly 5-star reviews for both. Quite unique take on fantasy with lots of action and a world with many new types of fantasy species. Heartwarming tale as well.
Thanks boulder terlit hobo! Folks should definitely take advantage if they like frontier fantasy, no politics, just woodsmanship. Sequel "Hair of the Bear" already available. Mostly 5-star reviews for both. Quite unique take on fantasy with lots of action and a world with many new types of fantasy species. Heartwarming tale as well.
Posted by: truth fairy at November 23, 2014 11:27 AM (Amz9g)
148
I can't get my son interested in fiction - he's much more interested in current affairs as well as stuff like atlases/books about countries, millitary (more about weapons than battles at this point), and deadly stuff like Ebola.
Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 11:16 AM (ABcz/)
-----------------------------
Nothing wrong with any of that!
And I loved, and still love, looking at atlases. Used to make up my own countries as a kid and drew up maps for them too. I think I still have one of my "atlases" around here somewhere.
Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 11:16 AM (ABcz/)
-----------------------------
Nothing wrong with any of that!
And I loved, and still love, looking at atlases. Used to make up my own countries as a kid and drew up maps for them too. I think I still have one of my "atlases" around here somewhere.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 11:28 AM (QBm1P)
149
'Just checking.
Posted by: Nip Sip'
Any good books recommended that would cover the right way to go about lubricating the bcg on ar-15 pattern sporting rifles, and the best products to use?
Posted by: Nip Sip'
Any good books recommended that would cover the right way to go about lubricating the bcg on ar-15 pattern sporting rifles, and the best products to use?
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:28 AM (8N+Kq)
Posted by: Bill Cosby at November 23, 2014 11:29 AM (FcR7P)
151
Well, last week I missed the book thread since I was traveling, but I was reading "Why We Lost" by LTG Dan Bolger. It's a bit mis-titled, but the publisher did that. Dan was trying to write Fehrenbach's "This Kind Of War" for Iraq and Afghanistan. It's a great read, and very well written. Of course I am biased since I once served with him and we're kinda pals.
I had been holding off on a Larry Correia binge since I knew I'd go through the MHIs really fast. I did. Now I am probably going to rip through the Grimnoirs over Thanksgiving.
For those who didn't see it, all four volumes of John Ringo's Black Tide zombie novels are up on Baen.com- the fourth hasn't formally dropped but all Baen books come out early as rough ARCs.
And I am holding a used copy of "The Sword of St. Michael- The 82nd Airborne Division in WWII" for my hard history fix.
I had been holding off on a Larry Correia binge since I knew I'd go through the MHIs really fast. I did. Now I am probably going to rip through the Grimnoirs over Thanksgiving.
For those who didn't see it, all four volumes of John Ringo's Black Tide zombie novels are up on Baen.com- the fourth hasn't formally dropped but all Baen books come out early as rough ARCs.
And I am holding a used copy of "The Sword of St. Michael- The 82nd Airborne Division in WWII" for my hard history fix.
Posted by: SGT Dan's Cat at November 23, 2014 11:29 AM (zNKCm)
152
142 "Joking aside, what would be the functional result if DC just disappeared?"
Can we move the library of Congress collection first, please?
Posted by: mindful webworker - thought collecter at November 23, 2014 11:25 AM (zcuxU)
--------
Second look at neutron bomb? I want to shop the national Gallery for something to hang over my sofa.
Can we move the library of Congress collection first, please?
Posted by: mindful webworker - thought collecter at November 23, 2014 11:25 AM (zcuxU)
--------
Second look at neutron bomb? I want to shop the national Gallery for something to hang over my sofa.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 11:30 AM (QBm1P)
Posted by: Nip Sip at November 23, 2014 11:30 AM (0FSuD)
154
thank you boulder terlit hobo and phoenixgirl, that's the one I was talking about.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 11:31 AM (yRdR4)
155
#83, I enjoyed that series and kept hoping to follow Starbuck through the rest of the war. I also enjoyed seeing Sharpe's son running around.
Posted by: Graves at November 23, 2014 11:32 AM (3MEXB)
156
Joking aside, what would be the functional result if DC just disappeared?
The military would survive, and perhaps function better without the PC insanity of the Pentagon.
The standing Cold War joke was that the Russians wouldn't hit DC, because then the Theater CINCs would be free to,really kick ass.
The military would survive, and perhaps function better without the PC insanity of the Pentagon.
The standing Cold War joke was that the Russians wouldn't hit DC, because then the Theater CINCs would be free to,really kick ass.
Posted by: Jean at November 23, 2014 11:32 AM (TETYm)
157
"Any thread after 250 can be a gun thread. We are 100 away.
Posted by: Nip Sip"
http://www.amazon.com/The-Gun-Digest-Book-1911/dp/0873492811
"Now Patrick Sweeney provides the first in-depth look at the Model 1911
in all its forms, complete with information on ammunition, after-market
parts and performance testing of semi-custom guns. This book shows you
what the 1911 is and what it can become. If you own a 1911 now or have
ever considered buying one, this book is for you."
Posted by: Nip Sip"
http://www.amazon.com/The-Gun-Digest-Book-1911/dp/0873492811
"Now Patrick Sweeney provides the first in-depth look at the Model 1911
in all its forms, complete with information on ammunition, after-market
parts and performance testing of semi-custom guns. This book shows you
what the 1911 is and what it can become. If you own a 1911 now or have
ever considered buying one, this book is for you."
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:33 AM (8N+Kq)
158
A loophole!
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:34 AM (8N+Kq)
159
yeah, the Commies nuking DC during the Cold War would be like the Nazis nuking Berlin
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 11:34 AM (AVEe1)
160
I saw "Into the Wild."
Synopsis:
A smarmy self-absorbed young wanker graduated from a Bolshevik college with high marks, and a degree in Wanker Studies. He ran off and wanked his way around North America, working menial jobs, living like a hobo, and saving pennies to fund his big move to the Alaskan wilderness, where he moved into an abandoned school bus and finally wanked himself to death.
Shorter synopsis: Sean Penn directed.
Shorter still: Sucked.
Synopsis:
A smarmy self-absorbed young wanker graduated from a Bolshevik college with high marks, and a degree in Wanker Studies. He ran off and wanked his way around North America, working menial jobs, living like a hobo, and saving pennies to fund his big move to the Alaskan wilderness, where he moved into an abandoned school bus and finally wanked himself to death.
Shorter synopsis: Sean Penn directed.
Shorter still: Sucked.
Posted by: Edgar Allan Schmoe at November 23, 2014 11:34 AM (OLFrt)
161
If any of you morons recognize this and know where I can find a copy, please post a link, thanks.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 11:14 AM (yRdR4)
****
Try the link below. It is a link to the original article. Apparently, this happened in a Canadian high school.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-english-assignment/article692939/
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 11:14 AM (yRdR4)
****
Try the link below. It is a link to the original article. Apparently, this happened in a Canadian high school.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-english-assignment/article692939/
Posted by: Taco Shack at November 23, 2014 11:36 AM (C+qQ0)
162
For those who didn't see it, all four volumes of
John Ringo's Black Tide zombie novels are up on Baen.com- the fourth
hasn't formally dropped but all Baen books come out early as rough ARCs.
And I am holding a used copy of "The Sword of St. Michael- The 82nd Airborne Division in WWII" for my hard history fix.
Posted by: SGT Dan's Cat at November 23, 2014 11:29 AM (zNKCm)
couldn't find the last one earc. Just shows the last one coming out in hardback in 2015.
John Ringo's Black Tide zombie novels are up on Baen.com- the fourth
hasn't formally dropped but all Baen books come out early as rough ARCs.
And I am holding a used copy of "The Sword of St. Michael- The 82nd Airborne Division in WWII" for my hard history fix.
Posted by: SGT Dan's Cat at November 23, 2014 11:29 AM (zNKCm)
couldn't find the last one earc. Just shows the last one coming out in hardback in 2015.
Posted by: redclay at November 23, 2014 11:37 AM (GM8B7)
163
134 http://www.snopes.com/college/homework/writing.asp
oregonmuse....
Posted by: phoenixgirl @phxazgrl 104 days until spring training at November 23, 2014 11:21 AM (u8GsB)
That is hilarious.
oregonmuse....
Posted by: phoenixgirl @phxazgrl 104 days until spring training at November 23, 2014 11:21 AM (u8GsB)
That is hilarious.
Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 11:37 AM (sdi6R)
164
Posted by: HR irishing up the coffee at November 23, 2014 09:34 AM (ImIut)
Have you read The Grand Sophy, by Georgette Heyer? Fluff and romance, but not crap. Very witty and fun, and it's even got a monkey in it!
Have you read The Grand Sophy, by Georgette Heyer? Fluff and romance, but not crap. Very witty and fun, and it's even got a monkey in it!
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at November 23, 2014 11:37 AM (6P3Qb)
165
yeah, the Commies nuking DC during the Cold War would be like the Nazis nuking Berlin
Heh. I hadn't thought of that, but it's a good point. Why would the Soviets destroy all of their assets?
Heh. I hadn't thought of that, but it's a good point. Why would the Soviets destroy all of their assets?
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 11:37 AM (yRdR4)
166
>>Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 11:26 AM (t//F+)
Thanks for the suggestions!!
>>And I loved, and still love, looking at atlases. Used to make up my own
countries as a kid and drew up maps for them too. I think I still have
one of my "atlases" around here somewhere.
Aw, hell, he does this all the time, too! The best part is that instead of just making up a country out of whole cloth he's currently creating a country that comprises parts of Spain, France, Monaco, and Italy, and he'll ask me things like, "So, should my country join the EU?" or comments like, "I hope France doesn't get mad at me for taking Nice!" Silly stuff, but it's got him researching the region.
Thanks for the suggestions!!
>>And I loved, and still love, looking at atlases. Used to make up my own
countries as a kid and drew up maps for them too. I think I still have
one of my "atlases" around here somewhere.
Aw, hell, he does this all the time, too! The best part is that instead of just making up a country out of whole cloth he's currently creating a country that comprises parts of Spain, France, Monaco, and Italy, and he'll ask me things like, "So, should my country join the EU?" or comments like, "I hope France doesn't get mad at me for taking Nice!" Silly stuff, but it's got him researching the region.
Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 11:37 AM (ABcz/)
167
I'm still reading George Eliot's "Middlemarch." And it just keeps getting better. I can't believe I've read so much and yet have never swam in these waters.
Anyway, when I'm not reading that, I'm trying out Clive Barker's book, "Imajica," which is intriguing and pretty nicely written. He's practicing world building here, and it's enjoyable.
Anyway, when I'm not reading that, I'm trying out Clive Barker's book, "Imajica," which is intriguing and pretty nicely written. He's practicing world building here, and it's enjoyable.
Posted by: Smallish Bees at November 23, 2014 11:40 AM (YPgXi)
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 11:42 AM (QBm1P)
169
That's a great list, ethos, but you need something by P.J. O'Rourke on there.
Parliament of Whores, the greatest civics book ever written. Seriously, if I had to teach civics, I'd use it as the text.
Parliament of Whores, the greatest civics book ever written. Seriously, if I had to teach civics, I'd use it as the text.
Posted by: Weirddave at November 23, 2014 11:42 AM (9422s)
170
Posted by: Weirddave at November 23, 2014 11:42 AM (9422s)
Just requested it from my library! It's the one O'Rourke book I've never read. Loved "Republican Party Reptile", "Give War a Chance", and "On the Wealth of Nations: Books That Changed the World".
Just requested it from my library! It's the one O'Rourke book I've never read. Loved "Republican Party Reptile", "Give War a Chance", and "On the Wealth of Nations: Books That Changed the World".
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 11:46 AM (QBm1P)
171
The best part is that instead of just making up a country out of whole cloth he's currently creating a country that comprises parts of Spain, France, Monaco, and Italy,
Sounds like this region:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallia_Narbonensis
... or this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languedoc
Whether he wants the language to be old Celtiberian, or Provencal; and the religion to be druidic paganism or the Catharism - I suppose he'll figure that out himself
Sounds like this region:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallia_Narbonensis
... or this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languedoc
Whether he wants the language to be old Celtiberian, or Provencal; and the religion to be druidic paganism or the Catharism - I suppose he'll figure that out himself
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 11:46 AM (AVEe1)
172
oh better yet!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occitania
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occitania
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at November 23, 2014 11:48 AM (AVEe1)
173
Justamom, one nice thing about Half-Price Books is that each store is different. By that I mean what they stock is kind of what say you, or I or others have sold them. There are several H-PB's near me. One might have a ton of used SF, but not great on political books. But a few miles away, the other H-PB could be the exact opposite.
So it sort of depends on the store and it's clientele.
So it sort of depends on the store and it's clientele.
Posted by: HH at November 23, 2014 11:51 AM (Ce4DF)
174
Lizzy,
You should be proud of your son. How old is he?
You should be proud of your son. How old is he?
Posted by: Carol at November 23, 2014 11:55 AM (sj3Ax)
175
OT but I put FNC on for a few minutes & they just said Ferguson Grand Jury decision isn't likely today.
Posted by: Carol at November 23, 2014 11:58 AM (sj3Ax)
176
OT but I put FNC on for a few minutes they just said Ferguson Grand Jury decision isn't likely today.
They're dragging this out way too long...
They're dragging this out way too long...
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 12:01 PM (yRdR4)
177
The other day, zombie predicted it will be Monday. I don't remember the thread, but I think it was on Thursday or Friday.
Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 12:06 PM (sdi6R)
178
All Hail Eris, you didn't have to do that. You live in my neck of the woods, don't you? You could have just come over and I'd give you a copy. Parliament of Whores is one of a very few books that I always buy when I find it at yard sales or thrift stores, just so I'll have extra copies around to give to people. (Homicide:A Year on the Killing Streets is another)
Posted by: Weirddave at November 23, 2014 12:06 PM (9422s)
179
We're in for nice weather on Monday. They should wait until Wednesday to release their decision.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at November 23, 2014 12:07 PM (QBm1P)
180
Oregon Muse,
I think they're afraid that if they don't find him guilty & they shouldn't, that there will be riots.
I think that they must be afraid for their own safety, too.
I think they're afraid that if they don't find him guilty & they shouldn't, that there will be riots.
I think that they must be afraid for their own safety, too.
Posted by: Carol at November 23, 2014 12:10 PM (sj3Ax)
181
I think they're afraid that if they don't find him guilty they shouldn't, that there will be riots.
Maybe so, but "let's indict this guy whether he's guilty or not so as to placate the angry mob" is a helluva way to run a government.
Maybe so, but "let's indict this guy whether he's guilty or not so as to placate the angry mob" is a helluva way to run a government.
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 12:13 PM (yRdR4)
182
@180 I sure would not want to be on that Grand Jury if the facts are in favor of Officer Wilson. Those people have to live there and composition of the jury may well leak out.
Posted by: doug at November 23, 2014 12:14 PM (yOA5a)
183
I have no problem with e-fairness. However, the fair thing to do is tax based on where the seller is, not where the buyer is.
Businesses that in places that don't have a sales tax won't have to charge one. Businesses in places that do, will only have to charge whatever sales tax they charge to everyone else, and then remit that tax to their state (which can then be required to remit that tax to the states listed in the zip code list the seller gave them).
This would result in a race to lower sales taxes in each state, at least for online sales.
You can tell here, I'm not a huge fan of sales taxes.
Businesses that in places that don't have a sales tax won't have to charge one. Businesses in places that do, will only have to charge whatever sales tax they charge to everyone else, and then remit that tax to their state (which can then be required to remit that tax to the states listed in the zip code list the seller gave them).
This would result in a race to lower sales taxes in each state, at least for online sales.
You can tell here, I'm not a huge fan of sales taxes.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at November 23, 2014 12:14 PM (J0IP0)
184
I can remember when I read the first volume of Caro's biography of Lyndon Johnson. I was pretty apolitical at the time, but I got an education on how politics really works in this country. Johnson....crooked as a barrel of fish-hooks. That book and Paul Johnson's "Modern Times" were enough to shape my political outlook to this day.
Posted by: JHW at November 23, 2014 12:18 PM (5G4F7)
185
Hey congress! My online customers have to pay shipping. I have no cost advantage.
Posted by: Muad'dib at November 23, 2014 09:32 AM (dwxY9)
You know, that argument never occurred to me and it is fantastic. I am ashamed that never dawned on me. Shipping is far more expensive than any sales tax.
Why aren't more online retailers arguing this?!
And, if I may ask, what is your business? I'd be happy to help if it's anything I buy!
Posted by: Muad'dib at November 23, 2014 09:32 AM (dwxY9)
You know, that argument never occurred to me and it is fantastic. I am ashamed that never dawned on me. Shipping is far more expensive than any sales tax.
Why aren't more online retailers arguing this?!
And, if I may ask, what is your business? I'd be happy to help if it's anything I buy!
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at November 23, 2014 12:23 PM (6P3Qb)
186
Oregon Muse,
I certainly agree that it is NOT the way to run a government.
Does anyone know how long they've been deliberating?
I didn't follow the incident at all because it happened in the summer & I heard Levin going on about it when I had radio on outside in my garden.
Last week or week before a white 5 year old was killed while sitting on her grandfather's lap. It's a predominantly black neighborhood & police played it down, but 12 shots to one house is NOT an accident. Shooters were black.
Anyone hear about this killing? I read at WZ early in the week & posted in one thread before ONT.
Weft cut loop found some info on it. I'm pretty sure it happened in Milwaukee.
I certainly agree that it is NOT the way to run a government.
Does anyone know how long they've been deliberating?
I didn't follow the incident at all because it happened in the summer & I heard Levin going on about it when I had radio on outside in my garden.
Last week or week before a white 5 year old was killed while sitting on her grandfather's lap. It's a predominantly black neighborhood & police played it down, but 12 shots to one house is NOT an accident. Shooters were black.
Anyone hear about this killing? I read at WZ early in the week & posted in one thread before ONT.
Weft cut loop found some info on it. I'm pretty sure it happened in Milwaukee.
Posted by: Carol at November 23, 2014 12:27 PM (sj3Ax)
187
Redclay, try http://www.baene books.com/ p-2595 -strands-of- sorrow-earc.aspx
Take the spaces out so Pixy's hamster can handle it.
Take the spaces out so Pixy's hamster can handle it.
Posted by: SGT Dan's Cat at November 23, 2014 12:35 PM (8v5Ri)
188
This turned up in one of the daily deals posts recently:
Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot
Interesting read...as you might guess, it concentrates on his Air Force career, a side I suspect too many people don't know about. Then again, he didn't really throw his service in people's faces like some people (cough...John Kerry...cough). At first, they wouldn't take him because he was underweight. Then they tried keeping him in a stateside job while WWII was raging, as a B-17 instructor pilot. While he no doubt helped keep people like my grandfather (a B-17 tailgunner) a little bit safer by making sure they had well-trained pilots, he really wanted to get in the action. The brass finally relent and sent him to Blighty to fly B-24s. For the rest, you'll need to read the book.
Jimmy Stewart was no Hollyweird lightweight. In his military service, he was the real deal, going from private to colonel in maybe three years and picking up the star of a brigadier general in the late 50s in his continued service with the Air Force Reserve. We could do worse than to have more people like him.
Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot
Interesting read...as you might guess, it concentrates on his Air Force career, a side I suspect too many people don't know about. Then again, he didn't really throw his service in people's faces like some people (cough...John Kerry...cough). At first, they wouldn't take him because he was underweight. Then they tried keeping him in a stateside job while WWII was raging, as a B-17 instructor pilot. While he no doubt helped keep people like my grandfather (a B-17 tailgunner) a little bit safer by making sure they had well-trained pilots, he really wanted to get in the action. The brass finally relent and sent him to Blighty to fly B-24s. For the rest, you'll need to read the book.
Jimmy Stewart was no Hollyweird lightweight. In his military service, he was the real deal, going from private to colonel in maybe three years and picking up the star of a brigadier general in the late 50s in his continued service with the Air Force Reserve. We could do worse than to have more people like him.
Posted by: salfter at November 23, 2014 12:53 PM (TXsAk)
189
Dammit...every HTML tag got stripped out of my last post, including the link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PLNRL4 (Kindle)
http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/0760328242/ (paperback)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PLNRL4 (Kindle)
http://astore.amazon.com/aoshq-20/detail/0760328242/ (paperback)
Posted by: salfter at November 23, 2014 12:56 PM (TXsAk)
190
OK, I have a book recommendation. Some software engineers may have heard of this book, but in my view it expresses conservative philosophy more succinctly than Hayek: Systemantics, by John Gall. Yes, a systems-theory book written by a pediatrician in the 70's. Trust me -- go read the reviews on Amazon. Go read the wikipedia page on him. This book has as much to say about big government and statism as any book on these lists. And it will make you a better software engineer as well. And it's hilarious.
Posted by: A B at November 23, 2014 01:52 PM (lSuTK)
191
"Joking aside, what would be the functional result if DC just disappeared?"
Can we move the library of Congress collection first, please?
Particularly as one of the four remaining originals of the Magna Carrta is currently on display there. Through the beginning of January, if any nearby morons are inclined to go have a look see.
Oh, and can we move the contents of the National Archives that Sandy Burger didn't stuff down his pants, too? The D of I and Constitution are in their care and I think we need them, even if we aren't putting them to much use just now.
Can we move the library of Congress collection first, please?
Particularly as one of the four remaining originals of the Magna Carrta is currently on display there. Through the beginning of January, if any nearby morons are inclined to go have a look see.
Oh, and can we move the contents of the National Archives that Sandy Burger didn't stuff down his pants, too? The D of I and Constitution are in their care and I think we need them, even if we aren't putting them to much use just now.
Posted by: Retread at November 23, 2014 02:05 PM (l7hog)
192
This last bit is why I'm not very optimistic about the latest election
results. Even if we did successfully elect a number of Our Guys and sent
them to Washington to clean house, they'll just get corrupted like
everyone else, and become part of the problem."
Anyone from Texas here? The example here in the Texas lege has been the story of Speaker Straus. First elected in 2009 as the RINO+Democrat choice to replace a conservative House Speaker (Craddick), Straus has successfully fended off challengers from the right ever since, using his power as speaker to .. well, stay in power.
If you haven't noticed, Uber-RINO Texas House Speaker Straus has been lining up support for his re-election bid as House Speaker.
Conservative activists have been knocking off the Straus loyalists and replacing them with "true conservatives", but in at least one case, and it seems in a lot more cases besides, those 'true conservatives' have been - after a session or two - sheep-dipped in pragmatic "go along" politics and decided that RINO Straus is a swell guy Who Can Do No Wrong.
Despite the fact that Straus has gone after conservatives, conservatives roll over and play dead for him ...
http://www.empowertexans.com/features/who-are-you-for/
The end result is a constant underperformance of our Texas lege, which on paper is a hard right lege, but in practice would make Lamar Alexander llook like Alexander the Great Attila the Hun ... or
results. Even if we did successfully elect a number of Our Guys and sent
them to Washington to clean house, they'll just get corrupted like
everyone else, and become part of the problem."
Anyone from Texas here? The example here in the Texas lege has been the story of Speaker Straus. First elected in 2009 as the RINO+Democrat choice to replace a conservative House Speaker (Craddick), Straus has successfully fended off challengers from the right ever since, using his power as speaker to .. well, stay in power.
If you haven't noticed, Uber-RINO Texas House Speaker Straus has been lining up support for his re-election bid as House Speaker.
Conservative activists have been knocking off the Straus loyalists and replacing them with "true conservatives", but in at least one case, and it seems in a lot more cases besides, those 'true conservatives' have been - after a session or two - sheep-dipped in pragmatic "go along" politics and decided that RINO Straus is a swell guy Who Can Do No Wrong.
Despite the fact that Straus has gone after conservatives, conservatives roll over and play dead for him ...
http://www.empowertexans.com/features/who-are-you-for/
The end result is a constant underperformance of our Texas lege, which on paper is a hard right lege, but in practice would make Lamar Alexander llook like Alexander the Great Attila the Hun ... or
Posted by: Keep Calm Cruz On at November 23, 2014 02:30 PM (wT9UL)
193
"She's [Atwood's] lionized in literary circles but I always found Margaret Atwood to
be a smug tw(i)t, even as she pretends to be the polite and
self-effacing Canadian."
Atwood's stuff is pretentious crap, for the most part. However, her first novel, "The Edible Woman", is quite good: funny, wry, well-observed and well-written. Yes, the young woman is much put upon by her villainous boyfriend, and the big climax is when she dumps him; but it's still good. Any novel whose maguffin concerns market research for "Moose Beer" has to appear to the 'rons and 'rettes:
"Moose! Moose! Moose!
From the land of the pine and spruce!"
"She's [Atwood's] lionized in literary circles but I always found Margaret Atwood to
be a smug tw(i)t, even as she pretends to be the polite and
self-effacing Canadian."
Atwood's stuff is pretentious crap, for the most part. However, her first novel, "The Edible Woman", is quite good: funny, wry, well-observed and well-written. Yes, the young woman is much put upon by her villainous boyfriend, and the big climax is when she dumps him; but it's still good. Any novel whose maguffin concerns market research for "Moose Beer" has to appear to the 'rons and 'rettes:
"Moose! Moose! Moose!
From the land of the pine and spruce!"
Posted by: Brown Line at November 23, 2014 03:04 PM (a5bF3)
194
Finished "Counterfeit Lies", started "The Quick". It's a little strange as contemporary novels. As a novel, I haven't decided yet how I feel about it..., but the prose, the writing, is really exceptionally good.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 03:21 PM (F2IAQ)
195
"And it will make you a better software engineer as well. And it's hilarious.
Posted by: A B"
Very interesting, I will be looking this up.
Haven't heard about this one, and I love books related to failure analysis (prevention really) cause that's one of the main jobs of a software engineer.
Programming is a terribly simple thing to do, writing programs that do not fail is very difficult; building systems out of these programs - and hardware - not an easy at all.
Thanks for this one.
Posted by: A B"
Very interesting, I will be looking this up.
Haven't heard about this one, and I love books related to failure analysis (prevention really) cause that's one of the main jobs of a software engineer.
Programming is a terribly simple thing to do, writing programs that do not fail is very difficult; building systems out of these programs - and hardware - not an easy at all.
Thanks for this one.
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 03:29 PM (8N+Kq)
196
Programming is a terribly simple thing to do, writing programs that do not fail is very difficult; building systems out of these programs - and hardware - not an easy at all.
------------------
Ah. Weinberg's Second Law:
If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.
------------------
Ah. Weinberg's Second Law:
If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 03:33 PM (F2IAQ)
197
As a political book, "This Town" really sucked. I gave up after three chapters.
For those looking for a great science fiction read, I can't recommend another book more highly than Dan Simmons' "Flashback" (which I've pimped in this thread before). Set in a near-future America, the novel portrays a crumbling country where too many folks are addicted to a drug called flashback, which allows them to relive good/important memories of their past. They're too drugged up to do anything about the present, which is horrible.
America is a country well into decline, where illegal aliens and drug cartels have set up a near-autonomous Hispanic state in California and the Southwest, and Muslims fundamentalists wield considerable power.
What's unusual is Simmons blames this mess directly on Barack Hussein Obama, calling him out by name.
I'm stunned more conservatives haven't read or promoted this amazing novel.
For those looking for a great science fiction read, I can't recommend another book more highly than Dan Simmons' "Flashback" (which I've pimped in this thread before). Set in a near-future America, the novel portrays a crumbling country where too many folks are addicted to a drug called flashback, which allows them to relive good/important memories of their past. They're too drugged up to do anything about the present, which is horrible.
America is a country well into decline, where illegal aliens and drug cartels have set up a near-autonomous Hispanic state in California and the Southwest, and Muslims fundamentalists wield considerable power.
What's unusual is Simmons blames this mess directly on Barack Hussein Obama, calling him out by name.
I'm stunned more conservatives haven't read or promoted this amazing novel.
Posted by: Anselmo Pederasti at November 23, 2014 03:40 PM (APFov)
198
14 144 Late to the thread as usual.
Try The Peshawar Lancers by S. Sterling.
Its an alternate history, steampunk, post-apocalyptic fiction adventure novel but fun!
A fun read.
Try The Peshawar Lancers by S. Sterling.
Its an alternate history, steampunk, post-apocalyptic fiction adventure novel but fun!
A fun read.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at November 23, 2014 03:42 PM (u82oZ)
199
"I'm stunned more conservatives haven't read or promoted this amazing novel.
Posted by: Anselmo Pederasti"
I have always thought that the SF genre is fundamentally about politics when you get down to it.
What I mean is that any plot, while having to incorporate fictional science in some way must eventually have at its core a political component.
While technology, science, cosmology, time travel and all of this is interesting to those who find such things interesting, you cannot build a plot around that alone. Hence you have to incorporate some additional human layer, and as you can certainly make that layer something say thriller oriented (maybe spies and spaceship (car) chases and similar), or sex, or great crime, these plot devices aren't substantial enough in the end, and the usual choice is some sort of a political oriented story.
Star Wars being the perfect example of this.
Asimov's Foundation, Childhoods End, Dune, name a SF story that isn't at it's core a story about politics.
Anyway it's just a theory I have always held.
Posted by: Anselmo Pederasti"
I have always thought that the SF genre is fundamentally about politics when you get down to it.
What I mean is that any plot, while having to incorporate fictional science in some way must eventually have at its core a political component.
While technology, science, cosmology, time travel and all of this is interesting to those who find such things interesting, you cannot build a plot around that alone. Hence you have to incorporate some additional human layer, and as you can certainly make that layer something say thriller oriented (maybe spies and spaceship (car) chases and similar), or sex, or great crime, these plot devices aren't substantial enough in the end, and the usual choice is some sort of a political oriented story.
Star Wars being the perfect example of this.
Asimov's Foundation, Childhoods End, Dune, name a SF story that isn't at it's core a story about politics.
Anyway it's just a theory I have always held.
Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 04:02 PM (8N+Kq)
200
199 Mrs. Ida Lowry
A good theory. You might like some Christopher Anvil stories. He shows that in well told tales.
A good theory. You might like some Christopher Anvil stories. He shows that in well told tales.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at November 23, 2014 04:13 PM (u82oZ)
Posted by: OregonMuse at November 23, 2014 05:25 PM (yRdR4)
202
You guys are slipping.
Posted by: Turkey is for Turkeys! at November 23, 2014 05:33 PM (2Aj5D)
203
Amazon became much more amenable to collecting taxes for online transactions when they developed a service that will provide this function for smaller online retailers.
Posted by: Opinionator at November 23, 2014 07:31 PM (+ebS7)
204
184, if only Johnson's "Modern Times" had been assigned reading in HS and college courses instead of Zinn's execrable "People's History....."
Posted by: JoeF. at November 23, 2014 07:32 PM (8HGb7)
205
Thought "This Town" was THE seminal book on how Washington, D.C., functions. It's all a huge ruse, with the (sometimes) battling sides buddying up after the cameras leave and vacationing and attending each of the kids' weddings. The reporters are in on it also. (IIRC, the White House had an engagement party for FOX's Ed Henry.)
The partying is non-stop and if they have to use a low-level intern's b-day or whatever as a reason for a party, then so be it. It's pitiful and pathetic and it's in charge of us.
Finally finished "I Am Pilgrim," by Terry Hayes, Out-freaking-standing! Maybe the best book I've ever read, and one shoot 'em up scene that would be fantastic in a James Bond movie.
I'd enthusiastically vote for "Pilgrim" on any "best-of-2014" book site. It's loooong, detailed and a little too fantastical in spots, but absolutely riveting.
The partying is non-stop and if they have to use a low-level intern's b-day or whatever as a reason for a party, then so be it. It's pitiful and pathetic and it's in charge of us.
Finally finished "I Am Pilgrim," by Terry Hayes, Out-freaking-standing! Maybe the best book I've ever read, and one shoot 'em up scene that would be fantastic in a James Bond movie.
I'd enthusiastically vote for "Pilgrim" on any "best-of-2014" book site. It's loooong, detailed and a little too fantastical in spots, but absolutely riveting.
Posted by: RushBabe at November 23, 2014 07:52 PM (gEuvX)
206
Finally got my copy of "Remove Before Flight" by my co-worker Scott Phillips. Scott worked on the Space Shuttle program for 33 years and has been woodworking Shuttle models (more works of art than your standard Testor model) as a hobby. Nice writeup here - http://www.americaspace.com/?p=71917
Posted by: roamingfirehydrant at November 23, 2014 09:48 PM (A8ZgE)
207
Thanks for the recommendation RFH.
I still think Carrying the Fire is the best book about the space program, but I will get this book.
I still think Carrying the Fire is the best book about the space program, but I will get this book.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at November 23, 2014 09:56 PM (u82oZ)
208
NaCly Dog, I haven't read it yet, but Scott has definitely been there, done that for the External Tank program. He has some of his Shuttle models for sale, and if I win the lottery, I'm buying one.
Posted by: roamingfirehydrant at November 23, 2014 10:45 PM (A8ZgE)
209
@205 "I Am Pilgrim" is up for the aforementioned Goodreads Choice Award in the Best Mystery & Thriller category.
Posted by: BornLib at November 24, 2014 06:03 AM (zpNwC)
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