Sunday Morning Book Thread 01-30-2022 [All Hail Eris]

Picture of "Atlas P/11 - Northeast Atlantic Ireland to Cape Verdem c. 1660" located in the Caird Maritime Library

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Visit the Caird Library and Archive in Greenwich, England:

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As long as you're there, visit the National Maritime Museum, too.

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Good morning to you all from the stately Dungeon of Discord. Welcome once again to the classy and luxurious Sunday Morning Book Thread, that plushly appointed mosh pit of opinion, snark, choler, jest and japery, and our continuing conversation on books, reading, writing, and the culture at large. While I wait for my cybernetic implants to fully integrate with my robotic exoskeleton, making me a nigh-invincible blogging machine/Moron hybrid, I will toss together this placesetter Book Thread with my usual louche languor. And please feel free to lounge poolside in your Ace o' Spades terry caftan. I don't impose harsh moral strictures or expect my readers to obey outmoded notions of decency. If you want to peruse Plato in a barely-there chiton, who am I to judge? Your natural right to cavort pantsless Shall. Not. Be. Infringed! Nor will I judge you for bowing to convention and wearing pants. Even if it's these pants, that are extra roomy -- the Master will be pleased! So join us in Ace's Grotto for some light refreshment and convivial conversation, and tell us what you've been reading!

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Who dis:

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David Bowie's Favorite Books

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It Pays To Increase Your Word Power®

ABSQUATULATE - To depart suddenly; to abscond.

SLANTINDICULAR - Oblique.

KATZENJAMMER ("The Cat's Misery) - A hangover.

SLUMGULLION - Meat stew; also "the mixed blood, oil, and salt water that collect on the decks of a ship while the valuable parts of a whale are being handled". Yecch.

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Yesterday I went down to my local Barnes & Noble, after a couple of weeks of being bombarded with emails promoting their BIG SALE! I walked around the store, looked at the sections for the stuff I like best . . . got a coffee and left. No books.
There's just nothing being published that I want to read. Paranoid Leftist fantasies, victimhood masturbation novels, and crap churned out by people who are published because of their skin tone and perversions.
B&N seems to sense it, too. Half the store is devoted to other stuff: toys, games, videos, greeting cards, Starbux. I'm guessing that floor space is a rough measure of what brings in the sales.
Posted by: Trimegistus at January 23, 2022 09:28 AM (QZxDR)

I've been patronizing indie and used bookstores during the Recent Unpleasantness, or buying online, because that's where I find my pulp classics. It's been donkey's ears since I've been in a big box book barn like Barnes and Noble, so I visited ours as if on safari. I was pleasantly surprised! First, there is that "B&N" bookstore smell that is subtle but intoxicating. Second, in an era where the magazine is supposedly dead, they have an amazing assortment of fringe/weirdly specific magazines, like PROG, MAGGOT BRAIN (rock), Nordic Living (Iceback style), Catster (for the hipster cat), HI*FRUCTOSE (weirdo art), and all kinds of literary monthlies (I bought Fantasy & Science Fiction and Analog). And Third, my two favorite haunts, the SF/Fantasy and History sections, are stuffed to the gills. I was delighted to note that the Science Fiction stacks had new printings of the old masters (I snapped up C.S. Lewis's Space trilogy). I missed the serendipity of perusing the shelves with no objective.

But Trimegistus is right about the lefty agenda, at least the spotlighted YA fiction. It's kale all the way down, man.

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Modern Drunkard Magazine

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Those are known as "said-isms," and the clue is that the verb is impossible to perform while actually speaking. "Ellery laughed, 'You old fraud!'" Ever try speaking while actually laughing? Or chuckling? You can have a tag, "Ellery laughed. 'You old fraud!'" But its a tag, not an actual alternative to "said."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 23, 2022 09:58 AM (c6xtn)

"The Book Thread is up!", Eris squeeed.

📖 📖 📖

Contact Eris at your risk! ErisEnthroned at sign protonmail dot cee oh emm

Well that's it for this week. What cool stuff are you reading?

Posted by: Open Blogger at 09:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Monday!

Posted by: Biden's Dog at January 30, 2022 09:00 AM (KeuO5)

2 Tolle Lege

Posted by: Skip at January 30, 2022 09:00 AM (2JoB8)

3 Yo.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 30, 2022 09:01 AM (jYQlA)

4 Who Dis John Waters.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 30, 2022 09:01 AM (PiwSw)

5 Hello everyone! I think the "Who Dis" is Ernest Borgnine.

Posted by: CarolinaGirl at January 30, 2022 09:01 AM (g4xPF)

6 Good morning fellow Book Threadists. I hope everyone had a great week of reading. We avoided the worst of the snow but did get some black ice. It has also been freaking cold with a wind chill. Good excuse to stay inside, sip appropriate beverages, and read. (Like I need a reason.)

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 09:02 AM (7EjX1)

7 hiya

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:02 AM (arJlL)

8 I'm off the beaten path for almost anyone, 1/3 into British Smooth-bore Artillery: A Technological Study

Posted by: Skip at January 30, 2022 09:02 AM (2JoB8)

9 Still on a re-read of W.E.B. Griffin's badge of Honor series.

Posted by: Vic at January 30, 2022 09:02 AM (mpXpK)

10 Continuing to read along with the 100 Days of Dante and LOTR. They both enrich my life in different ways.

Now to read the post. It all looks interesting.

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 09:03 AM (7EjX1)

11 5 Hello everyone! I think the "Who Dis" is Ernest Borgnine.
Posted by: CarolinaGirl at January 30, 2022 09:01 AM (g4xPF)
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During his bout of anorexia, no doubt!

Posted by: Biden's Dog at January 30, 2022 09:03 AM (KeuO5)

12 Nice Lieberry!

Those pants.....I Like!

The Who Dis is John Cassavetes after Lee Marvin beat his brains out.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at January 30, 2022 09:04 AM (R/m4+)

13 John Waters.

Very famous Baltimoron.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist at January 30, 2022 09:04 AM (3D/fK)

14 Hot Coffee!!!...Sandersons' Stormlight Archive series!!!

Posted by: Qmark at January 30, 2022 09:04 AM (emnp2)

15 I'm reading a Sharpe novel. Good fun.

Posted by: Ignoramus at January 30, 2022 09:04 AM (i0slg)

16 Hey Biden's Dog (which one?) -

Didn't even think of John Waters.... but I bet that's it. I was going by the eyebrows.

Posted by: CarolinaGirl at January 30, 2022 09:04 AM (g4xPF)

17 Morning, everyone! Kudos to All Hail Eros for a fantastic book thread!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:05 AM (K5n5d)

18 Who dis is Aphrodite.

Posted by: Biden's Dog at January 30, 2022 09:05 AM (KeuO5)

19 Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:05 AM (K5n5d)

Nice typo!

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 30, 2022 09:05 AM (PiwSw)

20
g'mornin', book-ish 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at January 30, 2022 09:06 AM (DUIap)

21 I know the whose 'dis and I know how the she-wolf found the picture for it ... because I found the picture clicking on of the other links (and scrolling a bit).

It's NOT Amy Winehouse (which is a hint of sorts).

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at January 30, 2022 09:06 AM (tRpV0)

22 Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:05 AM (K5n5d)

Nice typo!
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 30, 2022 09:05 AM (PiwSw)
===
Whoops! Should double-check my spelling. Of course, I can't even spell "perfessor"...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:06 AM (K5n5d)

23 I read Rogue Protocol, the third book in the Muderbot series, by Martha Wells. This series of novellas, which should be read in order, follows the adventures of Murderbot. a security bot which has hacked its governor and is a bot free of corporate control. Always lots of action and humor stuffed in a small package.

Posted by: Zoltan at January 30, 2022 09:06 AM (c6VTl)

24 Don Knotts.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 30, 2022 09:06 AM (todmg)

25 16 Hey Biden's Dog (which one?) -

Posted by: CarolinaGirl at January 30, 2022 09:04 AM (g4xPF)
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Nobody really knows, do they!

Posted by: Biden's Dog at January 30, 2022 09:06 AM (KeuO5)

26 Hey, not sure if this is the right place for this, but here goes.

Disabled vet, looking for new books to read for therapy. Most interested in Scifi/Fantasy/Military fiction. A couple criteria for it to work for therapy: needs to start quick (attention span issues). Needs a generally positive outlook/heroes win (not Song of Ice and Fire). Humor is a plus. Ideally based on real history/mythology, or at least internally consistent.

I've had good luck with Honor Harrington, Dresden Files, and the older Tom Clancy.

What else is worth trying?

Posted by: Shar at January 30, 2022 09:07 AM (XKZwp)

27 I used to like Juxtapoz art magazine back in the 90's, before it got stale with the tattoo bro and Suicide Girl trendies.
I think Robert Williams (recently featured here in an art thread) was an editor. His stuff is great -- I could forget everything else.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at January 30, 2022 09:07 AM (vuisn)

28
Now I want an Icelandic Whale Hound named Slumgullion.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 09:07 AM (5NkmN)

29 who dis is ...Vincent Price !!

Posted by: runner at January 30, 2022 09:07 AM (V13WU)

30 Unfortunately several morons are smarter than me ... which still doesn't give anything away.

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at January 30, 2022 09:07 AM (tRpV0)

31 John Waters.

The library is Patrick O'Brian's favorite hangout.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at January 30, 2022 09:08 AM (j5ceG)

32 Was Oregon Muse's obituary ever listed or linked?

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 09:08 AM (y7DUB)

33 That map is beautiful. I enjoyed the video about the Caird Library/Museum. Now I'm searching the web for a place to buy a print of that atlas page.

Posted by: CarolinaGirl at January 30, 2022 09:08 AM (g4xPF)

34 Thanks Eris !

Posted by: InspiredHistoryMike at January 30, 2022 09:08 AM (C/fpg)

35 I find myself becoming an impatient reader. I have started 3 books this week and quit each one of them after a couple of chapters. They irritated me so off with their heads.

Posted by: grammie winger at January 30, 2022 09:09 AM (45fpk)

36 32 Was Oregon Muse's obituary ever listed or linked?

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 09:08 AM (y7DUB)

I have not seen it so please drop the link if you have it ... although, I'm guessing you don't ... but someone else may so ...

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at January 30, 2022 09:09 AM (tRpV0)

37 Visiting Greenwich is definitely on my bucket list (assuming the Mask Madness ever abates).

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 30, 2022 09:09 AM (PiwSw)

38 @26 The Sharpe novels work. Set in the Napoleonic wars. Sharpe is a great soldier, promoted up the ranks despite his disdain for the suits.

Played by Sean Bean in the BBC TV stories, although, strangely, he doesn't die

Posted by: Ignoramus at January 30, 2022 09:10 AM (i0slg)

39 At the recommendation of one of you morons, I read The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany. It's a wonderful little fairy tale.

Lord Dunsany's prose is rich with poetic elements and incredible visual imagery, giving it a dreamlike quality. It's very easy to see how he influenced pretty much every major fantasy author since his day. J.R.R. Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, Tanith Lee, Michael Moorcock, and more. Truly an incredible author.

He was also a badass in many ways, on par with Ernest Hemingway. He would fit right in on not only our hoity-toity book thread, but also the chess thread, the gun thread, and yes, even the pet thread (and probably the gardening thread and art thread as well). Truly a Renaissance man.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:10 AM (K5n5d)

40 Grammie Winger, I have so many books started and dropped. The web has ruined my concentration skills. And I've been reading too much "fluff." Time to get back to Dante...

Posted by: CarolinaGirl at January 30, 2022 09:10 AM (g4xPF)

41 Good morning

Posted by: CN at January 30, 2022 09:11 AM (Tstsj)

42 i don't think the pants guy owns a weedwhacker
(if you catch my drift)

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:11 AM (arJlL)

43 I think I will wait for the movie thread.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 30, 2022 09:11 AM (todmg)

44 I find myself becoming an impatient reader. I have started 3 books this week and quit each one of them after a couple of chapters. They irritated me so off with their heads.
Posted by: grammie winger at January 30, 2022 09:09 AM (45fpk)

Cabin fever?

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 09:11 AM (y7DUB)

45 An acquaintance showed me his collection of original Strand magazines yesterday, bound up in leather covers now, with Sherlock Holmes stories in them. He collects old magazines.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at January 30, 2022 09:12 AM (j5ceG)

46 Grammie Winger, I have so many books started and dropped. The web has ruined my concentration skills.

I think that is a big part of my problem. If it doesn't grab me right away, I don't have the patience for it.

Posted by: grammie winger at January 30, 2022 09:12 AM (45fpk)

47 BOOKEN MORGEN HORDEN

Posted by: vmom - link to Red's fundraiser at January 30, 2022 09:13 AM (Zv9tI)

48 Off to church. I'll peruse the thread when I get back. Always there is something good.

Posted by: grammie winger at January 30, 2022 09:13 AM (45fpk)

49 Lately I've been collecting some of my favorite stories from my childhood. They hold up surprisingly well even as an adult. I just started Lloyd Alexander's The Book of Three and I still enjoy it! Classics are classics for a reason.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:13 AM (K5n5d)

50 I want to get back to the Sharpe series

Posted by: Skip's Phone at January 30, 2022 09:13 AM (2JoB8)

51 >>> 26 Hey, not sure if this is the right place for this, but here goes.

Disabled vet, looking for new books to read for therapy. Most interested in Scifi/Fantasy/Military fiction. A couple criteria for it to work for therapy: needs to start quick (attention span issues). Needs a generally positive outlook/heroes win (not Song of Ice and Fire). Humor is a plus. Ideally based on real history/mythology, or at least internally consistent.

I've had good luck with Honor Harrington, Dresden Files, and the older Tom Clancy.

What else is worth trying?
Posted by: Shar at January 30, 2022 09:07 AM (XKZwp)

Try Larry Correia. Monster Hunter International (ongoing series), Hard Magic (completed trilogy, with a new trilogy in the works), Son of the Black Sword (looks like it's going to be five total and three are published so far).

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 09:15 AM (llON8)

52 SLUMGULLION - Meat stew;

*****

Slumgullion Pass, between Lake City and Creede got its name because of a rock covered slope that apparently resembled chunks of stew. I never was able to make my mind see that. Just looked like rocks to me.

Posted by: Muldoon at January 30, 2022 09:15 AM (m45I2)

53 OT: Nadal won - crazy 5th set and match. New mark of 21 slams set - his record may not be caught with the French Open coming, his best chance for 22.

Posted by: Nova local at January 30, 2022 09:16 AM (exHjb)

54
Biden's Macbeth-

"Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow...
and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and

*whispers loudly, hoarsely*

TOOOMMMOOORRROOOOOOOW!"

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 09:16 AM (5NkmN)

55 I haven't been to the local B and N for a while. The ads I get don't promote anything of interest to me which says a lot about my preferences (eclectic and esoteric) and what is considered popular. Since I don't care about Oprah's book club selections, books by or about celebrities I never heard of, and political/current events tomes, that limits the store's appeal. Finding a book of interest actually on the shelves is a rare and precious moment. Besides, I hate Starbucks coffee.

But they do maintain a huge and varied selection of magazines I can't find anywhere else in the area. That is their main value for me.

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 09:16 AM (7EjX1)

56 47. I largely worked on going through my collection of kids books to find more things for the grandsons. Do kids still read the Swallows and Amazons series by Ransome?

Posted by: CN at January 30, 2022 09:16 AM (Tstsj)

57 What was the rock covered slope's name.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 30, 2022 09:17 AM (todmg)

58 It's NOT Amy Winehouse (which is a hint of sorts).

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at January 30, 2022 09:06 AM (tRpV0)

I wish she had gone to rehab but nooo noooo noooo.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:17 AM (RoIW/)

59 Drunkard Magazine should be the official magazine of the Horde.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at January 30, 2022 09:17 AM (2NHgQ)

60 Morning all, Thank You Eris! nice job.

Open books, actively (albeit slowly) reading - Chernow's Grant, Walsh's Last Stands, and Tuchman's Stillwell.

For good and entertaining history-based series, simply can't beat Flashman, Sharpe, and Hornblower.

Posted by: goatexchange at January 30, 2022 09:17 AM (APPN8)

61 TOOOMMMOOORRROOOOOOOW!"
Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 09:16 AM (5NkmN)

"Creeps in this petty pace... oh, Ice Cream!"

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 30, 2022 09:17 AM (PiwSw)

62 Hiya Cannibal !

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:17 AM (arJlL)

63 After a trip to Ollie's, Mrs. JTB surprised me with a very discounted edition of "Old-Time Country Wisdom and Lore". It covers weather, farming, managing a homestead, predicting weather, and a ton of other stuff. Some is legit, some is old wives tales and it is all fun. The many wood cuts and pen and ink illustrations are wortht he price of the book. It's perfect 'read when you have a few spare moments' reading. It would be great for bathroom reading if it wasn't so big and heavy.

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 09:18 AM (7EjX1)

64 Finished off another Jane Austen this week. Thinking of moving back to Bronte, and reading "Tenant of Wildfell Hall", which I've never read.

I'm told the book was sent to Thomas Bowdler and "Bowdlerized" before publication, so the book as Anne Bronte actually wrote it was not published until the 1990's! Isn't that amazing?

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at January 30, 2022 09:18 AM (j5ceG)

65 JT! Morning amigo!

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:18 AM (RoIW/)

66 Do kids still read the Swallows and Amazons series by Ransome?

Posted by: CN at January 30, 2022 09:16 AM (Tstsj)

Mine read my copy ... probably took it when she moved out.

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at January 30, 2022 09:19 AM (tRpV0)

67 Crotchety Old Jarhead- if you're here, see my response to you at the end of the morning thread.

Posted by: Muldoon at January 30, 2022 09:19 AM (m45I2)

68 That Greenwich library, do they have an age limit? I wonder if you get Cairded there.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 09:20 AM (7bRMQ)

69 All Hail Eris, indeed!

Eris, if I'd known you were going to use that post of mine about "saidisms" from last week I'd have punctuated or paragraphed it better. Still, thanks for the hat tip.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:20 AM (c6xtn)

70 Thanks Eris, you're a groovy chick.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:20 AM (RoIW/)

71 If I'm not mistaken, the pants are being modeled by Torgo.

Posted by: MichiCanuck at January 30, 2022 09:20 AM (4yqOn)

72 Nice job, Eris, I love the book thread, I seldom post here because I usually read it much later in the day but the snowstorm yesterday has thrown my whole schedule off.

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at January 30, 2022 09:21 AM (a4EWo)

73 JT! Morning amigo!
Posted by: Cannibal Bob

Regards to Heidi !

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:22 AM (arJlL)

74 Eris,
Thank you for another wonderful book thread. It is HUGELY appreciated.

I love that map at the top of the thread. Maps in general and old maps in particular fascinate me. And the Caird library link is so cool.

I don't know whether to be proud or worried that I know so many of the 'word power' selections. It could go either or both ways.

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 09:22 AM (7EjX1)

75 Shar

I'll give you two authors who write good stuff and are not the usual suspects

Frank Chadwich's The Forever Engine. Steampunk with world in peril.

Ryk E Spoor's Grand Central Arena series. Rollicking Space Opera Fun, with the plucky Terran's Vs Everyone in the Universe

-Grand Central Arena
-Spheres of Influence
-Challenges of the Deeps

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:22 AM (u82oZ)

76 Shar

One more:
Mathew Hughes ( the Canadian author, not the American.)
He is the heir to Jack Vance, and has some great stories and mysteries set in a far future Earth.
Tales of Hengis Hapthorn
- Majestrum
- The Spiral Labyrinth
- Hespira
and more.
He is a good writer and has formed an enjoyable galaxy.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:23 AM (u82oZ)

77 Old Man's War series by John Scalzi

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 30, 2022 09:23 AM (PiwSw)

78 If I'm not mistaken, the pants are being modeled by Torgo.
Posted by: MichiCanuck

Before the volcano erupted on him, right ?

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:23 AM (arJlL)

79 I'm not sure what the 'these pants' guy is supposed to be. He reminded me of a very disturbed shepherd with recalcitrant sheep.

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 09:24 AM (7EjX1)

80 DDS, just checking the weather here and it claims we have a chance of a "wintry mix" on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

But glowball warmening!!!1!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 09:24 AM (llON8)

81 "Perfessor" Squirrel

You are welcome.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:24 AM (u82oZ)

82 @26 "Disabled vet, looking for new books to read for therapy. Most interested in Scifi/Fantasy/Military fiction. A couple criteria for it to work for therapy: needs to start quick (attention span issues). Needs a generally positive outlook/heroes win (not Song of Ice and Fire). Humor is a plus. Ideally based on real history/mythology, or at least internally consistent."

Try "Monster Hunter Internuptial" series by Larry Correia. Fun, humor and positive attitude. First book used to be free on Baen

Posted by: redmonkey at January 30, 2022 09:24 AM (0+Ppk)

83 Good morning!

Let's smile & be happy & strike fear in the hearts of killjoy leftists everywhere.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:24 AM (u82oZ)

84 Disabled vet, looking for new books to read for therapy. Most interested in Scifi/Fantasy/Military fiction. A couple criteria for it to work for therapy: needs to start quick (attention span issues). Needs a generally positive outlook/heroes win (not Song of Ice and Fire). Humor is a plus. Ideally based on real history/mythology, or at least internally consistent.

I've had good luck with Honor Harrington, Dresden Files, and the older Tom Clancy.

What else is worth trying?
Posted by: Shar at January 30, 2022

***
The early Larry Niven: Ringworld (one of the true greats of SF), Neutron Star (short stories), A Gift From Earth (novel). You get adventure, humor, sense of wonder, and all 3 are part of his consistent "Known Space" cycle. The first 2 are set after the use of the faster-than-light "hyperdrive," the first before it during the early centuries of interstellar colonization.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:25 AM (c6xtn)

85 >>> 82
.....
Try "Monster Hunter Internuptial" series by Larry Correia. Fun, humor and positive attitude. First book used to be free on Baen
Posted by: redmonkey at January 30, 2022 09:24 AM (0+Ppk)

Wow, autocucumber is starting early today!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 09:25 AM (llON8)

86 Still on a re-read of W.E.B. Griffin's badge of Honor series.
Posted by: Vic

I just finished the first three and am awaiting the next four.

Good stuff !

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:25 AM (arJlL)

87 Good morning everyone. A solid foot and a half, lots of drifting. Almost 9:30 and not a sound in the neighborhood. Everyone is having a big breakfast before attacking snow removal on a lovely sunny cold morning. Scanning this thread before I do the same will be my entire reading for the nonce.

Posted by: From that time at January 30, 2022 09:25 AM (4780s)

88 26 Hey, not sure if this is the right place for this, but here goes.

Shar, you could do a lot worse than Larry Niven's works, starting with Ringworld. Over dozens of books, all good, he builds an entire universe and history.

It's so consistent that in the 90's an entire series of books - short story collections by various sci-fi authors - was published: The Man-Kzin Wars. (TM-KW I, II, ... , all the way to XII if memory serves.) The stories expand and fill in details of Niven's narrative.

I've read and re-read it all, as have all three of my kids.

Posted by: Fou Troll at January 30, 2022 09:26 AM (HLwmB)

89 Thanks Eris, you're a groovy chick.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob

Concur !

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:27 AM (arJlL)

90 Regards back JT (Heidi)

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:27 AM (RoIW/)

91 Dear Eris, love your outdoor lingerie and book thread.

Posted by: Humphreyrobot at January 30, 2022 09:28 AM (JrLOz)

92 I just finished reading Nelson DeMille's The Charm School, published in 1989, about a compound in Russia turning out spies to send to the US who were tasked to become Americans and infiltrate the military, big business and politics and undermine our society from within.

Had I read it 30 years ago, I would have been convinced it was a good story but not possible. I look at society today, and I wonder.

Posted by: huerfano at January 30, 2022 09:28 AM (MzKgG)

93 Shar: For fantasy, try Fred Saberhagen's Empire of the East and the "Books of Swords" novels. He began his SF career with stories about sentient robot machines, the Berserkers, and those are fascinating. And in the late '70s he produced The Dracula Tape, which purports to be Dracula's story in his own words. (Hint: According to him, he was *not* the horrible creature Van Helsing made him out to be, and Van Helsing himself was a forerunner of our Dr. Fauci.) Hilarious, but solid -- and he even plugs some plot holes in the original Stoker novel.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:29 AM (c6xtn)

94 Made some progress in Huckleberry Finn to the point where he and Jim are rafting to get to a free state. Not to go all sjw AT ALL but it's funny how Huck, even though he likes Jim a lot, doesn't find anything amiss with the concept of someone owning him. Although considering how the black robed tyrants ruled on Dred Scott, maybe it's not something that is outgrown. I assume Twain was an abolitionist but who knows.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 09:29 AM (y7DUB)

95 Had I read it 30 years ago, I would have been convinced it was a good story but not possible. I look at society today, and I wonder.

Posted by: huerfano at January 30, 2022 09:28 AM (MzKgG)
---
I'd say it worked out better for them than they could have ever imagined.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:29 AM (K5n5d)

96 So I'll probably get mocked and shamed but I ran across Readers Digest Condensed Books from the 70's. Books I'd never know about or read. thoroughly enjoying them. Not sure what I'm missing in the full version.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:30 AM (RoIW/)

97 I've joined the Mrs. Coverlet groundswell here by finishing the first book and starting the second. Oh, what a simpler time. Young readers of the era are supposed to believe that male calicos are very rare, and females are naturally expected to have kittens any day now. Left unsaid is how this is supposed to happen if there are so few males. And the kids know the town businessmen by name, and the businessmen know the kids.

I'm also well into the first collection of Starman, a comic I've heard so much about. Now I'll learn what all the buzz was about.

And I've dipped into a genre that everybody's read but that gets no mention in this thread -- joke books. Specifically "The Laugh's on Me" by Bennett Cerf. More like funny anecdotes than outright jokes, with a lot of name dropping -- people of whom I've heard but were before my time. There don't seem to be contemporary equivalents, more's the pity.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 09:30 AM (Om/di)

98 Shar, you could do a lot worse than Larry Niven's works, starting with Ringworld. Over dozens of books, all good, he builds an entire universe and history.

It's so consistent that in the 90's an entire series of books - short story collections by various sci-fi authors - was published: The Man-Kzin Wars. (TM-KW I, II, ... , all the way to XII if memory serves.) The stories expand and fill in details of Niven's narrative.

I've read and re-read it all, as have all three of my kids.
Posted by: Fou Troll at January 30, 2022

***
Right; I'd forgotten about the "Man-Kzin Wars" series of collections. Niven himself admitted that, never having been in an actual war, he had trouble picturing and telling realistic stories about war. So he invited other SF writers into his playground. Many good tales there.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:31 AM (c6xtn)

99 I'm also going to look for cheap copies of Harrison Bergeron...as that's where we're headed.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:31 AM (ONvIw)

100 The problem with being a curmudgeon is that everybody thinks they know how you think. That's why I normally try to avoid coming off like that but I'm about to do it again.

A while back, someone on the Book Thread reported reading Enemy of All Mankind by Steven Johnson. It's about how a 17th century pirate named Henry Evers led to the British running India for 200 years. Or something like that. I wasn't very familiar with the history of time period and that sounded interesting, so I bought the book. I've read about half of it now and I'm setting it aside.

Inside this 280 or so page book is a pamphlet struggling to get out. To me, it reads like it's been padded like a 3-grader's 500-word essay. It jumps backwards and forwards in time, which isn't really a problem for me, but every time Mr. Johnson writes something there's a digression and all throughout we talks about what how the story is going to go. I just doesn't work for me, although to be honest, I'm tempted to suggest to The History Guy that he do a 10 to 15 minute video on the subject, which seems about right to me.

Anyway, I'm sorry and I really tried, but I just couldn't get through the whole thing.

Posted by: Cybersmythe - SE Texas MiniMoMe March 26 at January 30, 2022 09:31 AM (ezpv1)

101 Had I read it 30 years ago, I would have been convinced it was a good story but not possible. I look at society today, and I wonder.

Posted by: huerfano at January 30, 2022 09:28 AM (MzKgG)

Update for today with Chinese instead.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 09:31 AM (7bRMQ)

102 Oh, I use "slumgullion" all the time, as a curse.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 09:32 AM (Om/di)

103 Those pants. I got #1 son a "Torgo's Pizza" shirt a while back. He loves it.

Posted by: fd at January 30, 2022 09:33 AM (vrz2I)

104 I recently joined the r/fantasy subreddit (mostly for the lulz). I'm amazed by just how *specific* people get when asking for recommendations.

Example: "Are there any Historical Fantasy books in the vein of Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, but set in/around the British Raj or the East India Trading Company?"

Unless you just happen to be *the* person that reads the story they are asking for, it's difficult to respond. Don't people know how to Google?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:34 AM (K5n5d)

105 So I'll probably get mocked and shamed but I ran across Readers Digest Condensed Books from the 70's. Books I'd never know about or read. thoroughly enjoying them. Not sure what I'm missing in the full version.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022

***
No mocking here. I grew up with those in the '60s and '70s -- I read Jaws first there, and some other items. About the only thing you might miss is writing style; generally the editors pared things down to a generic pleasant style. Glendon Swarthout's Bless the Beasts and Children escaped their knives, because if you took out his style, there'd be little left. The RD version is still wonderfully readable.

Look for Arthur C. Clarke's A Fall of Moondust. It was so good that the RD editors, who rarely ever published SF, had to run it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:34 AM (c6xtn)

106 So I'll probably get mocked and shamed but I ran across Readers Digest Condensed Books from the 70's. Books I'd never know about or read. thoroughly enjoying them. Not sure what I'm missing in the full version.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob

The dancing girls and the after show parties.

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:34 AM (arJlL)

107 My goodness, Helena, I hope that the chickens have suitable winter apparel!

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at January 30, 2022 09:34 AM (a4EWo)

108
There are old drunkards.
There are bold drunkards.
But there are no old, bold drunkards.

Discuss quietly among yourselves!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 30, 2022 09:35 AM (pNxlR)

109 And I've dipped into a genre that everybody's read but that gets no mention in this thread -- joke books. Specifically "The Laugh's on Me" by Bennett Cerf. More like funny anecdotes than outright jokes, with a lot of name dropping -- people of whom I've heard but were before my time. There don't seem to be contemporary equivalents, more's the pity.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 09:30 AM (Om/di)

Decades ago I found a book by someone named Rob't Day. Can't remember the title, but it was a book like that. Might be from the 30s or 40s. I liked it. Don't think I have it anymore but I'll try to find it.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 09:36 AM (7bRMQ)

110 Found an old Michael Chabon from 2002 at the thrift store:
Summerland.
Alternate universes, mythical creatures, and three Little Leaguers who form a ragtag baseball team that has to stop the End of the World.
I liked it a lot. It's an adult novel, but would be a good breather from the older YA gloom and doom.

Posted by: sal at January 30, 2022 09:36 AM (bJKUl)

111 I sent Hrothgar two extra books I had: Bugles and a Tiger : My Life in the Gurkhas by John Masters, and Mark of the Lion: The Story of Capt. Charles Upham, V.C. and Bar by Kenneth Sandford.

He sent me Lone Star Planet by H. Beam Piper and John Joseph McGuire. A fun read with a great tone of competence in Space. Recommended.

The book also had another novella, Four Day Planet by H. Beam Piper. Pulpy, 1950s Heinleinian science fiction for nerdy boys.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:36 AM (u82oZ)

112 I'm still reading the history of the Peloponnesian Wars. It's taking a long time.

Posted by: fd at January 30, 2022 09:36 AM (vrz2I)

113 26 I filtered out the sci Fi and fantasy because I. Don't know the genre. Others do so there is that. Based on the criteria I focused on, I suggest The Killer Angels It has its flaws,. But all novels based on history do. It won the Pulitzer prize for good reason. Lots of heroes and the chapters are short and clearly delineated. I read it at 16 and still it resonates. Sure it is a starting point, but a good one. It is about war if that is an issue one way or the other.

Posted by: Quint at January 30, 2022 09:36 AM (mTTZh)

114 Who Dis is Salvador Dali?

Posted by: sal at January 30, 2022 09:37 AM (bJKUl)

115 I started reading Four Blind Mice by James Patterson, about a GANG of serial killers.

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:38 AM (arJlL)

116 What a great book thread, Eris!!!

Posted by: Ladyl at January 30, 2022 09:38 AM (+4oV5)

117 @26 --

Except for the "based on history," the Myth-Adventures books by the late Robert Asprin would fit your requirements to a T.

Best to start with the first book, "Another Fine Myth," and see how Asprin built his fantasy world with the subsequent books, but any of the books will fill you in.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 09:38 AM (Om/di)

118
8 I'm off the beaten path for almost anyone, 1/3 into British Smooth-bore Artillery: A Technological Study
Posted by: Skip

SloJo is not a smooth bore, he is a crashing bore.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 30, 2022 09:38 AM (pNxlR)

119 Yay bookthread! Thanks, Eris!

Writing news: finally crossed the 20,000 word count line, something I thought I'd do a month ago. Ah well, no firm deadlines for indie writers. I'm up to the Mongol conquest. So that's fun.

I finished 1 Maccabees, which I found very educational. One thing I did not expect was the treaty of friendship between Israel and Sparta, which was predicated on the Spartans claiming Abraham as their ancestor. Oy vay, Jewish Spartans!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 09:38 AM (llXky)

120 Then, I picked up Freaky Deaky by Elmore Leonard.

I'm gonna give that a re-read.

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:39 AM (arJlL)

121 For the grandsons, I also bought a more advanced biography of the Wright Brothers. I thought I should get non-woke bios where I can find them before they attribute all achievements to the downtrodden house keeper.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:39 AM (ONvIw)

122 I'm in the middle of "Snow Crash". I was disappointed with "Ready Player One". Trying to understand the whole "Mettaverse" Thing. "Snow Crash" is more entertaining, but has taken a weird Ancient Simarrian, language is software for the human brain turn. Has there been a Explaining the Mettaverse tread, that I missed?

Posted by: Paladin at January 30, 2022 09:39 AM (5e5Rk)

123 My damn touch screen wants to copy the whole thread and send me permanently to the Barrel.

Been there done that.

I read I Am Legend every few years. That started me on the whole vampire, zombie scene and I've been prepping for the apocalypse since then.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:39 AM (RoIW/)

124 Loved Bless the Beasts and Children, cried my eyes out when I was fourteen, lol.

Making my way through David Copperfield right now. I've read Dickens but never this one. Very readable, can see why it's beloved. I have my great grandfather's copy, August 1912 printing. Small red book, thin pages, tiny print. I suspect he bought it to read on the boat when they emigrated here from Wales that year.

Posted by: skywch at January 30, 2022 09:39 AM (sKjat)

125 I'm almost finished with P.D. James's Death in Holy Orders, a relatively late (2001) entry in her series about her London police detective Adam Dalgliesh. They call her the heir to Agatha Christie, and since I'm not a big Christie fan, I had not tried her work until recently. There is the classical puzzle, yes,. But the characters are well drawn, including her poet/widower Dalgliesh.

Once I'm done with that, I don't know what else I can try. The libraries are still doing the face diaper thing, so I refuse to go. Miss Linda can pick stuff up for me from the neighborhood location, but I have to tell her what author to look for. Otherwise she'll bring me something too modern for my taste. That library doesn't admit anything was published before about 1990.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:39 AM (c6xtn)

126 about a GANG of serial killers.
---
One of Neil Gaiman's storylines in the Sandman comics features a serial killer convention (like Comicon, but with, you know, serial killers). It was horrifyingly entertaining...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:40 AM (K5n5d)

127 Who Dis is Salvador Dali?
Posted by: sal

Starts singing "Hello Dali "

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:40 AM (arJlL)

128 Fantastic Book Thread, All Hail Eris.

Thank you.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:40 AM (u82oZ)

129 I remember reading 'Flight from Ashia' and Ice Station Zebra in the Readers digest version as a young child, at my Grandmother's house.

Not much else to do there, so reading it was.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist at January 30, 2022 09:41 AM (3D/fK)

130 Weak Geek!

https://tinyurl.com/2p9e2w5a

Ha! Found it! Well, online anyway.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 09:42 AM (7bRMQ)

131 I'm in the middle of "Snow Crash". I was disappointed with "Ready Player One". Trying to understand the whole "Mettaverse" Thing. "Snow Crash" is more entertaining, but has taken a weird Ancient Simarrian, language is software for the human brain turn. Has there been a Explaining the Mettaverse tread, that I missed?
Posted by: Paladin at January 30, 2022 09:39 AM (5e5Rk)
---
Oh, man, that's a hilariously dated novel, but still entertaining. The Metaverse is what Second Life tried to be but failed. Minecraft might come closer, as do some of the other MMORPGS like Eve Online.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:42 AM (K5n5d)

132 You're in fire this morning JT. You been up all night preparing your material? Lol!

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:42 AM (RoIW/)

133 What a great book thread, Eris!!!
Posted by: Ladyl

Concur ! Doesn't she do a GREAT Job ?

(hint-hint)

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:42 AM (arJlL)

134 Good morning everyone!

And a big thank you to Weasel for making my slapdash notes and pics look so professional!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 09:42 AM (Dc2NZ)

135 Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 09:38 AM (llXky

And why not? Might be a fairly decent idea. I'm sure among the IDF you'll find a few fans

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:42 AM (ONvIw)

136 I'm famous!

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 09:43 AM (QZxDR)

137 And a big thank you to Weasel for making my slapdash notes and pics look so professional!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 09:42 AM (Dc2NZ)

It's a beautiful thread Eris!

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:43 AM (ONvIw)

138 After last week's thread, I ordered Scupoli's "The Spritiual Combat" and De Sale's "An Introduction to the Devout Life". I hadn't heard of either of them or their writings. They arrived a couple of days ago. (We no longer have a Christian book store in town, dammit.)

I just started the Scupoli book and the emphasis on sincere piety of the individual and condemnation of those who merely observe the trappings of piety and faith was a real surprise. I was expecting a list of do this, then that, then the other stuff and you will be holy. Instead, he places importance on each person truly taking the lessons of Christ's life into his own. This resonates strongly with me for many reasons.

I was reminded of some aspects of Dante's Divine Comedy. Also, reminded me of Aurelius' Stoic musings in "Meditations": learn what is right and important in life for your own sake, not to impress others, and act on that. I am looking forward to reading the rest of his words.

I haven't started the De Sales book yet but the comments about it are interesting. Anyone familiar with his writings?

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 09:43 AM (7EjX1)

139 You're in fire this morning JT. You been up all night preparing your material? Lol!
Posted by: Cannibal Bob

LOL !!!

Ya know what ? I never prepare my material.

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:44 AM (arJlL)

140 Good morning everyone. Along with JTB and CarolinaGirl, I'm working through Dante's Comedia.

Great stuff - I don't know how I have not made time before now to read it. A fantastic companion to much of my Catholic/Christian study.

Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 09:44 AM (mD/uy)

141 OK, got a guy laying cinders on our driveway this morning...because mud. So out in the cold I go. Later.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:44 AM (RoIW/)

142 Barnes and Noble sux. They put a lot of good little bookstores outta business. I'm currently reading Death Waits In The Darkness/Sixguns Don't Miss. It's about helicopters and war by them what done it.

Posted by: Eromero at January 30, 2022 09:45 AM (0OP+5)

143 So I popped over to thrift books and got my copies. It seems more and more books that could throw cold water on our socialist "leaders" are finding their way to disappearance.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:45 AM (ONvIw)

144 LOL. You're just a commenting savant JT. Luego.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:45 AM (RoIW/)

145 I'll ask MIss LInda to see if she can find some Dorothy L. Sayers. I read a lot of the Lord Peter books as a teen, but now I know more of what the 1920s were like. We watched the 1990s BBC version of Have His Carcase a week or so back. Someone here suggested that there was only one real flaw to it, and I suspect he/she meant the casting of Lord Peter's butler Bunter; the actor seemed a little young.

However, I do like the 1970s version of Clouds of Witness w/ Ian Carmichael. I know a lot of people think IC was too old and too heavy for the role; but he seems a lot more "dashing" than the fellow essaying the part in the 1990s. Remember, Lord Peter was described as having a "rather foolish face," and Carmichael does that well -- and the serious dramatic moments too.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:45 AM (c6xtn)

146 That library doesn't admit anything was published before about 1990.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:39 AM (c6xtn)
---
The evolution of our local library is interesting. It is now a hangout for the high school kids. It's located next door and they renovated it to provide a lounge. I guess it's cheaper than hiring a sitter until Mom gets home (obviously Dad doesn't live at home any more).

Anyhow, when I was in high school, it as packed to the rafters with books. Multiple encyclopedias, and very little open space. Now they have half-high shelves in a bunch of areas that are not even full. The reference books are gone, non-fiction is a joke, and the place is mostly pop fiction paid for by property tax. At least they have a lot of Waugh.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 09:47 AM (llXky)

147 Very well done thread Eris.My commentary is particularly slapdash from this cell phone. It knows I don't like it and it shows.

Posted by: Quint at January 30, 2022 09:47 AM (mTTZh)

148 I'm steadily working my way through a history of the French Foreign Legion. I've gotten through battles in Algeria, Mexico, west Africa, and Indochina. Now I'm waiting for WWI to break out.
I hadn't been in our local Barnes and Noble in a while, so I stopped in yesterday. My observations were similar to others here. Everything had been rearranged to hide the fact that they are stocking fewer books. The game and toy sections were larger than before. The attached Starbucks was, as far as I could tell, permanently shuttered. Hard to imagine a coffee store going belly-up in the PNW...

Posted by: PabloD at January 30, 2022 09:47 AM (u3jrd)

149 >>> 107 My goodness, Helena, I hope that the chickens have suitable winter apparel!
Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at January 30, 2022 09:34 AM (a4EWo)

Their feathers do a pretty good job but the coop is basically a shed / carport enclosed with wire mesh openings, so I need to finish the mini-shelter I'm building just in case we get a freeze like last year.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 09:47 AM (llON8)

150 I read TWO fiction books this week!
Feel so happy that I may be getting my reading mojo back.

One is A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (author of the Temeraire series). I was dubious because I know her newer books had turned woke. But in this one she went back to pure story telling.
I loved it. Think Harry Potter, but with a school where everything is trying to kill its students. (There are many monsters that eat magic, and magical teens are easy yummy prey, so for safety a school was created, but monsters still manage to get through. )
Book 1 of the Scholomance series

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 09:47 AM (lCui1)

151 Did we ever get confirmation on the Who Dis?

I'm still sticking to John Waters.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist at January 30, 2022 09:47 AM (3D/fK)

152 "Huck, even though he likes Jim a lot, doesn't find anything amiss with the concept of someone owning him"

That's what Huck grew up with and he had no reason to question it.

Posted by: fd at January 30, 2022 09:48 AM (vrz2I)

153 142 Barnes and Noble sux. They put a lot of good little bookstores outta business. I'm currently reading Death Waits In The Darkness/Sixguns Don't Miss. It's about helicopters and war by them what done it.
Posted by: Eromero at January 30, 2022 09:45 AM (0OP+5)

And they seem to have put some larger ones out too. I would like to think that many people are just using e-readers there days, but I fear a lot have lost the concentration skills for sustained reading.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:48 AM (ONvIw)

154 NaCly Dog, hold on to that copy of Four-Day Planet. Amazon wants $650 for a hardback in very good condition....

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 30, 2022 09:48 AM (PiwSw)

155 @74 --

JTB, I once saw an atlas from the 1940s. One country's name was French West Africa.

The Balkans and Poland have shown us how political boundaries shift while the land stays the same. Hell, even the western border of Oklahoma's "pan" wasn't finally established until the 1930s.

What will be the future boundaries of North America, I wonder.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 09:48 AM (Om/di)

156 His daddy sure wasn't going to tell him otherwise.

Posted by: fd at January 30, 2022 09:48 AM (vrz2I)

157
My reading is on "hold" for the purpose of me finally moving favorite recipes and some I'd like to try onto my computer. There's a physical file folder in which I had stuffed such things for many months now. Of course, I am presently unable to locate it. Instead, I found my earlier and separate version of said folder and decided that the time is now. I'm about halfway through converting that and likely will mount a search for its missing half sibling later today.

I do believe that I will go cross country skiing first, however.

A big "Thank You!" to the person here who mentioned Cowboy Kent Rollins and his affiliation (affliction?) for cooking using cast iron implements. I watched about a half dozen of his videos, learned a great deal, and am looking forward to viewing more.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 30, 2022 09:49 AM (pNxlR)

158 Shar - Get Seamus Moldoon's book on Weird WWII as a gamer would call it, forgot the title but someone will say it

Posted by: Skip's Phone at January 30, 2022 09:49 AM (G9OlV)

159 Wolfus Aurelius

I have most of Arthur C. Clarke's writings on my bookshelves. He resonated with the teen me, long ago.

I like to recommend Tales from the White Hart to readers new to him. A Fall of Moondust. is for disaster fans that watch The Poseidon Adventure. His City and the Stars (both versions) and the short story "Rescue Party" are also excellent.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:49 AM (u82oZ)

160 Happily we just got brushed by the edge of the Snowvaganza that hit New England yesterday, so I don't have to do much shoveling. I can sit by the fire and read the Book Thread!

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 09:49 AM (QZxDR)

161 151 Did we ever get confirmation on the Who Dis?

I'm still sticking to John Waters.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist at January 30, 2022 09:47 AM (3D/fK)

It is definitely Waters. It doesn't need a lot of confirming.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:50 AM (ONvIw)

162 Who dis: John Waters?

Posted by: MarleysGhost at January 30, 2022 09:50 AM (OSj1q)

163 Wolfus, interestingly enough, Dorothy Sayers also did a well-regarded translation of the Inferno.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 30, 2022 09:50 AM (PiwSw)

164 I must admit, I'm surprised at the Horde on this thread. A new poster comes on asking for reading recommendations and not one regular mentioned any of the Horde writers! If I'm not mistaken, his preferred reading material is well covered by the writers here....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 09:50 AM (7bRMQ)

165 One of Neil Gaiman's storylines in the Sandman comics features a serial killer convention (like Comicon, but with, you know, serial killers). It was horrifyingly entertaining...
=====
Bimbos of the Death Sun and Zombies of the Gene Pool. Sharyn McCrumb. Still funny after all these years.

Before Big Bang Theory there was . . .

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 09:51 AM (MIKMs)

166 Good Morning.
I am so happy. Finally got a copy of Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. As some of you may remember, I loved the Stormlight Archive series. As soon as I started this book, I remembered why. His character descriptions and settings are so alive, I feel like I'm watching a movie. Unlike the SA however, this book is not as dense weighing in at 600+ pages instead of the 900-1200 pages of the previous series, so story develops a bit quicker.
I already reserved book 2.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at January 30, 2022 09:51 AM (Y+l9t)

167
Did we ever get confirmation on the Who Dis?

I'm still sticking to John Waters.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist

... and you would do well to stay so, for it is him, IMHO.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 30, 2022 09:51 AM (pNxlR)

168 I like to recommend Tales from the White Hart to readers new to him. A Fall of Moondust. is for disaster fans that watch The Poseidon Adventure. His City and the Stars (both versions) and the short story "Rescue Party" are also excellent.
Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:49 AM (u82oZ)
---
I second those recommendations. The City and the Stars is one my all time favorite science fiction books.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 09:51 AM (K5n5d)

169 "I'm off the beaten path for almost anyone, 1/3 into British Smooth-bore Artillery: A Technological Study."

So that would be the David McConnell book on artillery in Canadian National Historic Parks? I have and have read the B.P. Hughes' book, "British smooth-bore artillery: The muzzle loading artillery of the 18th and 19th centuries." Like most of Hughes' stuff it is interesting, but a bit superficial because he tries to cover too wide a range on scattered data.

Have you read Kevin Kiley's stuff? He's a bit of a jerk, but he generally knows his onions.

Books on military arms tend to be a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand you can have highly detailed books like David Harding's "Smallarms of the East India Company, 1600-1856," which covers the subject in excruciating detail in four vols and about 2000 pages. On the other hand, you have books like Hughes' "Firepower, Weapons Effectiveness on the Battlefield," which is interesting and entertaining, but really only contains a limited number of facts as samples from a fairly long period. Brent Nosworthy does somewhat the same sort of thing with military drill. [cont]

Posted by: Pope John the 20th at January 30, 2022 09:51 AM (KMrXU)

170 142 Barnes and Noble sux. They put a lot of good little bookstores outta business. I'm currently reading Death Waits In The Darkness/Sixguns Don't Miss. It's about helicopters and war by them what done it.
Posted by: Eromero at January 30, 2022 09:45 AM (0OP+5)
--
The original Barnes & Noble in NYC was cool, once upon a time. It didn't have the big chain layout that the new B&N stores had when it started to expand. But, yeah, its expansion put too many other stores under.

And now, if you go into a B&N, it's at least half a toy store (I haven't gone in years).

Posted by: Revenant at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (T4RS9)

171 Get job on the Book Thread Eris! I've got a word I'm going to send you, if I can remember it.

Posted by: fd at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (vrz2I)

172 I'm thinking of reading Marcia Willett's books again. She writes primarily about the personal lives of the people involved in Naval life around Devon.

Just an excellent author and very very readable.

Posted by: Ladyl at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (+4oV5)

173 I haven't started the De Sales book yet but the comments about it are interesting. Anyone familiar with his writings?
Posted by: JTB

Other than it looking at me for the past ten years on the shelf, no. We have my late MIL's Catholic oriented library now and she left us a few hundred volumes. That was one that I picked out to read and well, there it sits. Let me know please what you think.

Thomas Merton's The Seven Storey Mountain was MIL's favorite as she was also a convert. I need to find that one in the boxes. I wanted to read it also while in Purgatorio but I didn't locate it yet. Grumble. . .

Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (mD/uy)

174 Great job, Eris.

By the way, does the new exoskeleton include a coffee maker? If not, maybe need to look into an upgrade.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker formerly of CA at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (T2yTU)

175 And why not? Might be a fairly decent idea. I'm sure among the IDF you'll find a few fans

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:42 AM (ONvIw)
---
No, I've got too many projects as it is. I just think it's fascinating that the Spartans claimed to be blood kin of the Jews. I knew they claimed Zeus as the father of their kings, but I don't recall seeing Abraham in there.

I mentioned this to my wife, who has remarked on how Europe's royal houses would develop elaborate family trees going back to the Greeks and Romans, which she though was pagan. I didn't think so, I thought they wanted to claim the throne of the Western Empire, and since Maccabees is part of the Catholic canon, they would have known about the Spartan claim.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (llXky)

176 Did we ever get confirmation on the Who Dis?

I'm still sticking to John Waters.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist at January 30, 2022 09:47 AM (3D/fK)

Definitely.

Add me to the Eris Appreciate Society for keeping the book thread going.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (y7DUB)

177 Anyhow, when I was in high school, it as packed to the rafters with books. Multiple encyclopedias, and very little open space. Now they have half-high shelves in a bunch of areas that are not even full. The reference books are gone, non-fiction is a joke, and the place is mostly pop fiction paid for by property tax. At least they have a lot of Waugh.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022

***
The primary library in the suburb to the west of me is great -- there are older books and reprints of same; I found a couple of John Dickson Carrs I'd never read, and they have some of the 1990s reprints of Ellery Queen. There's a good Western section too, which is rare.

Alas, muzzles of slavery required. Again.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (c6xtn)

178 Great not get. You knowed what I meant

Posted by: fd at January 30, 2022 09:53 AM (vrz2I)

179 I wouldn't mind doing an Immelmann with the guy on the cover of Modern Drunkard.

And they're right -- avoid Baiju! It's like [Rubbing alcohol] + [Kaiju]!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 09:53 AM (Dc2NZ)

180 148I think they go back to Indochina. What book or series is that?

Posted by: Quint at January 30, 2022 09:53 AM (mTTZh)

181 I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper

Alas, it is a paperback, with Lone Star Planet.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:53 AM (u82oZ)

182 8 I'm off the beaten path for almost anyone, 1/3 into British Smooth-bore Artillery: A Technological Study
Posted by: Skip at January 30, 2022 09:02 AM (2JoB

Supposedly arriving today: "Battlegroup!: The Lessons of the Unfought Battles of the Cold War" by Storr.

Research grist for my hobby-job.

Posted by: Iron Mike Golf at January 30, 2022 09:54 AM (8C7+r)

183 Wolfus, interestingly enough, Dorothy Sayers also did a well-regarded translation of the Inferno.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 30, 2022

***
She was quite the classical scholar, as far as I remember.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:54 AM (c6xtn)

184 Disabled vet, looking for new books to read for therapy. Most interested in Scifi/Fantasy/Military fiction. A couple criteria for it to work for therapy: needs to start quick (attention span issues). Needs a generally positive outlook/heroes win (not Song of Ice and Fire). Humor is a plus. Ideally based on real history/mythology, or at least internally consistent.

Andy Weir - The Martian, Project Hail Mary
John Ringo - The Last Centurion, Troy Rising series, or the ultra-politically-incorrect Paladin of Shadows series
Matthew Bracken - The Enemies trilogy
Alexandre Dumas - The Count of Monte Christo
The Horde's own Jack July - Amy Lynn series

Nonfiction, real-life adventure:
Peter Hopkirk - The Great Game: The struggle for Empire in Central Asia
F. Spencer Chapman - The Jungle is Neutral
Richard McKenna - The Sand Pebbles
Alan Moorhead - The White Nile

Posted by: cool breeze at January 30, 2022 09:55 AM (UGKMd)

185 179 the one I tried smelled like feet and cheese.

Posted by: Quint at January 30, 2022 09:55 AM (mTTZh)

186 The other book I read this week is also good. The Angel of Crows by Katherine Addison.
It's basically a fantasy Sherlock Holmes fanfic retelling, where Sherlock is an earthbound angel called Crow, and Watson is J.H. Doyle who suffers from metaphysical as well as physical war wounds.
The world-building is wonderful, and Sherlock/Crow is interesting. Doyle is the main character though.
But I have to disclose that there is one wokish turd that shows up midway. But it's not that annoying.
Katherine Addison is the pen name of a writer that won the Lambda award previously (lgbt award) but sold so poorly that Tor only accepted an apparetvery good fantasy from her (Goblin Emperor) on the condition that she change her name.
I may try Goblin Emperor.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 09:55 AM (lCui1)

187 Great book thread . Regarding B&N. I had for many years patronized a very local B&N. Great selection of books and magazines. Took advantage of the member program. Just enjoyed srolling through the store. At the time there was also a huge local independent that was even better stocked and varied. Spent far more time and shekels in both than I should have.....maybe. The independent downsized and eventually closed, geez what a terrible loss. About that time the bean counters began to influence, poorly, the B&N. Familiar faces, and their knowledge and expertise disappeared. More and more non-reading material filled the shelves and the visit experience drizzled away as well. Then they relocated the store, still very local, and downsized ,but also gutted the selection of the important stuff. You know , books, periodicals and the like. In my area there are 4 B&N locations within comfortable driving distance. Only 1 is worth my time. The others are shells of what they used to be. I don't visit B&N because I have too. I do because I enjoy strolling through and discovering. The bean counters have largely ruined that.

Posted by: EdwdLny at January 30, 2022 09:55 AM (j6eSh)

188 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:39 AM (c6xtn)

Wolfus, you might try the Iain Banks "Culture" novels, since you seem to be a sci-fi fan. And if you liked Dalgliesh, Elizabeth George's Insp. Linley novels are a good read (until she goes off the rails, but that's not until well into the series).

Mrs. Troll and I are both big detective (amateur or pro) fiction fans. She doesn't care at all for sci-fi, but that's my beautiful bride's only failing.

Posted by: Fou Troll at January 30, 2022 09:55 AM (HLwmB)

189 I must admit, I'm surprised at the Horde on this thread. A new poster comes on asking for reading recommendations and not one regular mentioned any of the Horde writers! If I'm not mistaken, his preferred reading material is well covered by the writers here....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 09:50 AM (7bRMQ)
---
I'm falling down on my shameless self-promotion, that's for sure.

Ahem. A quick fun read is my Battle Officer Wolf, which is Beowulf in space. That checks I think all the boxes requested and people like it.

If you want something meatier, try the Man of Destiny series, which is the Star Wars prequels done right, and written from a more realistic approach, particularly about the military aspects of a galactic civil war.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 09:56 AM (llXky)

190 Finished Seb Falk's _The Light Ages_. Pretty good, especially if you're a big astrolabe fan.

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 09:56 AM (QZxDR)

191
I noticed that one of David Bowie's fave novels was "The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea" by Yukio Mishima, which shouldn't surprise anyone, I guess.

Anywho, it made me wonder if Mishima's time has passed or if it's actually right now.

His "Sea of Fertility" tetralogy seemed profound when I read long ago and faraway, as well as some of his other stuff. However, it hasn't stuck with me the way a great writer often will.

Like Bowie he seems to have had an attraction to the Fascisto-Military Iconography to the point where he committed seppuku to show the Japanese people "the way".

If you've never heard of him, Paul Schrader made a movie titled, "Mishima:A Life in Four Chapters", which is a pretty good quickie primer on Mishima the man and his fiction.

I think I'll try rereading "The Sea of Fertility". After I finish the Divine Comedy.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 09:56 AM (5NkmN)

192 74 "Maps in general and old maps in particular fascinate me."

You would enjoy the massive "Atlas Maior" of Joan Blaeu (1665). It was an eleven volume production. Taschen Press issued a beautiful oversize selection in 2005

Posted by: Brett at January 30, 2022 09:56 AM (EVPmd)

193 Eris, great book thread!

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 09:57 AM (lCui1)

194 I like to recommend Tales from the White Hart to readers new to him. A Fall of Moondust. is for disaster fans that watch The Poseidon Adventure. . . .
Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022

***
Not only watch. The original novel of PA was written by Paul Gallico, he of The Snow Goose fame, and Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris. Seems like he never wrote the same book twice -- disaster adventure, war story, detective tale, and more.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:57 AM (c6xtn)

195 It would be great for bathroom reading if it wasn't so big and heavy.
Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 09:18 AM (7EjX1)
---

Is there room for a plinth next to the throne?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 09:57 AM (Dc2NZ)

196 PJ XX - Wen get home could link the biok, yes have Kevin book and a bunch of others on Napoleonic artillery.
Converse with Kevin often over the years on forum

Posted by: Skip's Phone at January 30, 2022 09:57 AM (G9OlV)

197 Visited a B&N yesterday. I bought a book that I probably could have 1) done without or 2) gotten for a few bucks less online. But I don't mind supporting the brick and mortar stores now and then because I'll be sad when they're gone.

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2022 09:57 AM (nfrXX)

198 I stand by my pick. It fits the criteria and is actual American history.

Posted by: Quint at January 30, 2022 09:58 AM (mTTZh)

199 175: I'd rate that as improbable, but you never know.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:58 AM (ONvIw)

200 The primary library in the suburb to the west of me is great -- there are older books and reprints of same; I found a couple of John Dickson Carrs I'd never read, and they have some of the 1990s reprints of Ellery Queen. There's a good Western section too, which is rare.

Alas, muzzles of slavery required. Again.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (c6xtn)
---
What's interesting to me is the focus of the remaining book selection. In the 80s and 90s, libraries were repositories of knowledge and literature. Now they are a pop-culture book sharing club. My mother used to read 'dime store romances' and other paperbacks that might make it into a library, but only after being a best-seller and there was one copy that would be checked out for a year.

Now, it's very much catering to people like her. I'm not surprised, because she sits on her local library board so guess who picks the new books? Same dynamic is clearly at work here.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 09:59 AM (llXky)

201 I have the same experience in BN - brows books, look at cute toys & gifts, buy coffee

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 09:59 AM (lCui1)

202 Classic Sci fi?

The Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat are fun.

The Death World trilogy is fun action adventure.

The Stars My Destination is a nice jaunt through inner and outer space.

Anything that involves James Retief is going to be humorous.

Quant suff.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker formerly of CA at January 30, 2022 09:59 AM (T2yTU)

203 Add me to the Eris Appreciate Society for keeping the book thread going.
Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt

https://tinyurl.com/2pwn5rss

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 09:59 AM (arJlL)

204 cool breeze

Sand Pebbles is fiction, but enjoyable. The author served in those waters about 10 years later.

The White Nile and especially The Blue Nile are excellent true adventures. Mind expanding. well written books by Alan Moorehead. The The Blue Nile is on my list of essential books.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:59 AM (u82oZ)

205 I have most of Arthur C. Clarke's writings on my bookshelves. He resonated with the teen me, long ago.

Same here. Too bad he was revealed as a kid diddler. Love the art; not the artist...

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:00 AM (y7DUB)

206 It would be easy to say I don't shop at B&N and support my local independent booksellers instead . . . except that all my local independent booksellers are a pack of filthy Woke socialist idiots who make Neil Young look like Ted Nugent. So I actually do make most of my new book purchases at the Big Box.

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 10:00 AM (QZxDR)

207 Have a great day, everyone. Chores await.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 10:00 AM (u82oZ)

208 Quint - the book is "The French Foreign Legion" by Douglas Porch. Another Moron posted a recommendation for it months ago, so I put it on my Christmas wish list. And yes, the Legion made more than one trip to Indochina (a word which my spellcheck does not recognize - probably isn't politically correct).

Posted by: PabloD at January 30, 2022 10:01 AM (u3jrd)

209 Wolfus, I will also rec a Horde author - Hans Schantz. His series is fun, actiony, upbeat, and geeky.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:01 AM (lCui1)

210 I'm trying to decide if I want to get dressed (i.e., coat and hat) and drive over to the local Dollar Twenty-Five Tree, or cruise up the highway most of an hour (just for the fun of driving) to one farther out. Or just stay here.

There are a few things I need to get, though, so I'd better get rolling.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 10:01 AM (c6xtn)

211 Played by Sean Bean in the BBC TV stories, although, strangely, he doesn't die

Has anyone ever done a series of stories where the protagonist dies in every one but is back in the next one with no explanation? That could be fun. Like Kenny but as a main character.

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2022 10:02 AM (nfrXX)

212 205 I have most of Arthur C. Clarke's writings on my bookshelves. He resonated with the teen me, long ago.

Same here. Too bad he was revealed as a kid diddler. Love the art; not the artist...
Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:00 AM (y7DUB)

I did not know that.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at January 30, 2022 10:03 AM (eGTCV)

213 Yeah, if Ima gonna get me to the church on time I'd better check out, too. Later, Horde!

Posted by: Fou Troll at January 30, 2022 10:03 AM (HLwmB)

214 This week I finished The Great Explosion by Eric Frank Russell. It is based around the voyage of a Terran ship sent out to contact and establish diplomatic ties with colonies that were established with the development of the Bleider drive, 400 years previously.

The first first three planets are non-starters, one was settled by convicts, one by health enthusiasts and one by a syncretic religion, and are either inward focused or extinct.

And the last planet was settled by self described "Gands" who run their society on intense voluntarism and Obs - personal obligations, and as it is pointed out that the Troopers and crew of the ship are senior men who are looking at retiring on their pensions or working for their peers who had 20 years head start, or they could desert and set up there, the ship lifted before to many of the crew desert

The last story is the longest and the magazine version of it, And Then There Were None, can be found online. I first read this book as a kid, and was impressed by it then, and adore it now. It is a wonderful fictionalization of an Agorist society. I am told this science fiction is unrealistic, though.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:03 AM (ZMraq)

215 "The Design of Everyday Things," by Don Norman.

Norman identifies design flaws and the way psychology and utility play into--or, lamentably, fail to support--human use and daily experience. Positioning of essential information; the mapping of instructions to those devices that require them, whether too much or not enough; that sort of stuff.

Interesting read.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 10:03 AM (x8kT3)

216 103 Those pants. I got #1 son a "Torgo's Pizza" shirt a while back. He loves it.
Posted by: fd at January 30, 2022 09:33 AM (vrz2I)
---

From MST3K?! Where can I get one?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 10:03 AM (Dc2NZ)

217 @130 --

Dad had a collection of Reader's Digest humor -- jokes and essays. I plowed through that frequently.

Speaking of RD condensations, one of those is where I read "Don Quixote, U.S.A." Peace Corps worker is sent to unstable banana republic. Everybody thinks he's CIA. He gets mixed up in the revolution.

Never read the full book. Wonder what was excised.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (Om/di)

218 214 This week I finished The Great Explosion

___

So did I.

Posted by: The Paolo at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (SvxNv)

219 It is hard to do a proper book review with 1200 characters.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (ZMraq)

220 Clarke wasn't a kiddy diddler. That was a hit piece and the Daily Mirror even published an apology. He did have a Sri Lankan boyfriend, but the guy was a grown man.

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (QZxDR)

221 I just started the Scupoli book and the emphasis on sincere piety of the individual and condemnation of those who merely observe the trappings of piety and faith was a real surprise. I was expecting a list of do this, then that, then the other stuff and you will be holy. Instead, he places importance on each person truly taking the lessons of Christ's life into his own. This resonates strongly with me for many reasons.

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 09:43 AM (7EjX1)
---
Yes, it's great and I'm re-reading it, still following the practice of only one chapter per day. The second time I'm naturally picking up more of it, and appreciating its simplicity.

One thing that has really resonated with me this time is when he speaks of total submission to God, which means not getting mad when you don't get what you want or something bad happens to you.

I know people whose faith basically collapsed because they felt they were good, went to church and bad things happened so obviously there is no God or He's a bad person. Uh, no. Check yourself there.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (llXky)

222 218 214 This week I finished The Great Explosion

___

So did I.
Posted by: The Paolo

Me three

Posted by: FJB's long suffering pants at January 30, 2022 10:05 AM (lCui1)

223 know people whose faith basically collapsed because they felt they were good, went to church and bad things happened so obviously there is no God or He's a bad person. Uh, no. Check yourself there.

Posted by:�Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd�at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (llXky)
----------

Word.

Posted by: Job at January 30, 2022 10:06 AM (T2yTU)

224 109 ... "Decades ago I found a book by someone named Rob't Day. Can't remember the title, but it was a book like that. Might be from the 30s or 40s. I liked it. Don't think I have it anymore but I'll try to find it."

OrangeEnt,

Robt Day was a cartoonist and illustrator back then. He did one of my favorite humor/look back at childhood books: "Over the Fence Is Out" by Jonathan Rhoades.

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 10:06 AM (7EjX1)

225 [cont]
Not that I blame the authors; they generally do the best they can with the limited information available-and sometimes the available information is very skimpy. I've done a bit of research on military smallarms (particularly the adoption of percussion arms) in the 19th century, and the available detailed info is thin in my area.

To some extent military historians and researchers can have unrealistic expectations based on the information available for the Napoleonic and American Civil wars. Both wars had tons of documents that survive to the present day-for example, the Naval Chronicles for the Napoleonic wars are available online, and the U.S. has a project publishing original documents from the Naval War of 1812 (and the American War of Independence and the Quasi War with France) similar to the Official Records for the American Civil War-albeit not exhaustive like the OR is-and the OR (naval and general) is available now online. And both wars have large numbers of literate veterans who wrote memoirs or even whole histories of the wars or parts thereof-William Napier for example. As Bruce Gudmundsson once said, we're in a golden age for military history.

Posted by: Pope John the 20th at January 30, 2022 10:06 AM (KMrXU)

226 208 Pablo thanks. That term reminds me of the movie Indochine. I think it was about french colonials over there. I recall it was really good but for sure I need to see it again.

Posted by: Quint at January 30, 2022 10:07 AM (mTTZh)

227 started Venona (Haynes & Klehr) about decrypting/ed Russian cable traffic, read a bit more in Everything You Know is Wrong (Briggs), need to work on finished Tim Keller's book on Prayer, and Klemperer's I Will Stand Witness. Also read a bunch of useless PA books (Jordan Rivet) which have the unfortunate quality of plucky, eternally cheerful female protagonist. at least the PECFP doesn't beat up men twice her size. also, read The Lady of Despair (mentioned here last week, IIRC) and look forward to its sequel.

Posted by: yara at January 30, 2022 10:07 AM (hBsVD)

228 217 Woody Allen turned that into Bananas

Posted by: FJB's long suffering pants at January 30, 2022 10:07 AM (lCui1)

229 I know people whose faith basically collapsed because they felt they were good, went to church and bad things happened so obviously there is no God or He's a bad person. Uh, no. Check yourself there.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (llXky)

This sort of trigger is IMO what led my former rabbi to replace God with sociology

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:07 AM (ONvIw)

230 Good morning, bookish horde! I just finished"Under the Indifferent Stars," an account of the Donner Party. I'm struck by the incredible toughness of those settlers, even before they reached the Sierra Nevadas. I can't imagine walking from southern to northern Wisconsin, much less walking from Illinois to California.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 10:07 AM (HabA/)

231 Sand Pebbles is fiction, but enjoyable. The author served in those waters about 10 years later.

I noticed that seconds after I posted, but Pixy won't let us have nice things, like an edit function. Sand Pebbles is so well set in the period that I mistakenly put it with the non-fiction.

Posted by: cool breeze at January 30, 2022 10:08 AM (UGKMd)

232 OT - Nueske's is OUT OF BACON ("medium" sliced applewood-smoked, single pound packages) until the 7th.

They do have 5-pound packs, and looks like everything else, but I'm still going to blame Brandon and Buttplug for this.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 10:09 AM (llON8)

233 Off stinky sock

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:09 AM (lCui1)

234 It is hard to do a proper book review with 1200 characters.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (ZMraq)

U hv 2 rite shrtr

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 10:09 AM (7bRMQ)

235 I'm an unbeliever but I completely understand the idea that God isn't there to prevent bad stuff, but to help us endure it. And of course to encourage us to not cause bad stuff ourselves. Really, the whole "earthquakes prove there is no God" argument is retarded, the product of the same smug ignorance that pervades all modern Leftist thought.

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 10:09 AM (QZxDR)

236 Good job Eris! Off to church.

Posted by: Eromero at January 30, 2022 10:10 AM (0OP+5)

237 195 ... "Is there room for a plinth next to the throne?"

Good morning AHE. Sadly, there is not. But the idea should be explored. :-)

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 10:10 AM (7EjX1)

238 Has anyone here read The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott? Someone in the book group has raved about it for years and even though it's very long I'll try it because I'm tired of selections about homos.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:10 AM (y7DUB)

239 @166 got a copy of Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

i read the first two books of that and then moved. my source was in my old hometown, but i found "Hero Of Ages". I've tried twice to read it, but it doesn't hold my attention.

Posted by: yara at January 30, 2022 10:11 AM (hBsVD)

240 199 175: I'd rate that as improbable, but you never know.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 09:58 AM (ONvIw)
---
Which part? The people drawing up the charts were all clerics, so they knew scripture.

As for Abraham, who can say? One thing that I've noticed after listening to The Lord of Spirits podcast is how much the Old Testament and pagan mythology describe the same thing in terms of the spirit realm. They just reverse the good guys.

All the pagan gods are limited in power, prone to being deposed, and tied to specific places, just as the angelic guardians of the 70 nations were supposed to be. By accepting worship, they fell, but kept claiming that they really are true gods.

That helps explain why so much of the Old Testament is centered around "God is actually a God. The rest are not true gods," which I always thought was weird. Now it makes sense.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:11 AM (llXky)

241 Never read the full book. Wonder what was excised.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (Om/di)

I don't think I ever read the full version of anything I read in them. We subbed for them so I read a lot.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 10:11 AM (7bRMQ)

242 Speaking of libraries, our local library seems to have a decent selection of classics and current stuff. I picked up a couple of Vince Flynn books along with Pasternak and Dickens. Really a nice little place. And, bonus, they've got a nice computer lab set up, which keeps the riff raff away from the book section.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker formerly of CA at January 30, 2022 10:13 AM (T2yTU)

243 174 Great job, Eris.

By the way, does the new exoskeleton include a coffee maker? If not, maybe need to look into an upgrade.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker formerly of CA at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (T2yTU)
--

*seriously ponders*

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 10:14 AM (Dc2NZ)

244 >>Really, the whole "earthquakes prove there is no God" argument is retarded, the product of the same smug ignorance that pervades all modern Leftist thought. Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 10:09 AM (QZxDR)

And there's the coupling of atheism with Leftism such that they're assumed to be mutually dependent everywhere and always. If I had a nickel for every time I've said, "well, yeah, and that's actually *all* we have in common"...

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 10:14 AM (x8kT3)

245 One caveat about "Under the Indifferent Stars" - there are, stupidly, no maps at all, in a book about a trek over a thousand miles long. I finally hauled out a US atlas to consult as I read because I got very tired of trying to imagine the twists and turns taken by the party. Maps are basic to a story like this and I find it rather incredible that the author didn't insist on their inclusion.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 10:14 AM (HabA/)

246 Just thought I would mention a personal note: yelling at one of my adult children, I was attempting a metaphor about the butterfly in the Amazon. 'You're off in the time travel stuff, aren't you?'

I get no respect.

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:14 AM (MIKMs)

247 Hiya Donna of the Ampersands !

Fancy meetin' you here !

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 10:14 AM (arJlL)

248 Clarke wasn't a kiddy diddler. That was a hit piece and the Daily Mirror even published an apology. He did have a Sri Lankan boyfriend, but the guy was a grown man.
Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (QZxDR)

Thanks for the correction. Too bad the apology received less publicity than the original charge.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:15 AM (y7DUB)

249 I mentioned Lost Art Press on the hobby thread. I picked up Sljod in Wood, which is about carving every day items from green wood. I like the book a lot.

Also, if you like those early days wisdom books, I bought Vinegar Socks byKarin Berndl and Nici Hoffer. It has info that I haven't seen elsewhere. The book is well laid out, with lots of simple home remedies.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 30, 2022 10:15 AM (YynYJ)

250 My damn touch screen wants to copy the whole thread and send me permanently to the Barrel.

iPhone with latest iOS, right? I've found that reloading the page sometimes helps.

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2022 10:15 AM (nfrXX)

251 Books on military arms tend to be a bit of a mixed bag.

Posted by: Pope John the 20th at January 30, 2022 09:51 AM (KMrXU)
---
Some years ago I began purging my library of bogus and flawed "arms guides" that were chock full of inaccuracies. This was because as I got to handle and/or experience these weapons up close, I realized that many authors just crib someone else's work without any practical knowledge of their own.

Some of this was pretty flawed work, too, like getting calibers wrong, grossly misstating ballistic performance, etc. So got rid of all those books. Same with the books on tanks where the authors' accounts of combat effectiveness was based on just reading the design specs.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:15 AM (llXky)

252 >>238 Has anyone here read The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott? Someone in the book group has raved about it for years Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:10 AM (y7DUB)

No, but that's one I've looked at for years, too.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 10:15 AM (x8kT3)

253 Robt Day was a cartoonist and illustrator back then. He did one of my favorite humor/look back at childhood books: "Over the Fence Is Out" by Jonathan Rhoades.

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 10:06 AM (7EjX1)

Thanks JTB. I actually found what I was looking for a couple of minutes after posting that. I'm pretty sure the book is long gone. Weak Geek was mentioning joke books.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 10:15 AM (7bRMQ)

254 225. Have you read"Civil War Infantry tactics" by Hess? He broke some new ground and stirred more than a few up.

Posted by: Quint at January 30, 2022 10:16 AM (mTTZh)

255 Hi, JT!

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 10:16 AM (HabA/)

256 Welp, I gotta go wrassle some snow and Ice.

Looks around.....am I the only one that wonders if Cannibal Bob wears a bone in his nose ?

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 10:16 AM (arJlL)

257 Maps are basic to a story like this and I find it rather incredible that the author didn't insist on their inclusion.
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V

Or an editor insisting. In any case, someone should have..

Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 10:16 AM (mD/uy)

258
Yesterday I went down to my local Barnes & Noble, after a couple of weeks of being bombarded with emails promoting their BIG SALE! I walked around the store, looked at the sections for the stuff I like best . . . got a coffee and left. No books.

I go through the history and biography sections and what do I see?

- America sucks
- Republicans suck
- White people suck
- World War II was won by women
- Celeb memoirs
- Biographies by famous people's kids

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 30, 2022 10:17 AM (r2AFf)

259 Hi, JT!
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V

Posted by: JT at January 30, 2022 10:17 AM (arJlL)

260 woody allen bought don quixote usa and used it as his basis for bananas,

Posted by: no 6 at January 30, 2022 10:18 AM (hMlTh)

261 children, I was attempting a metaphor about the butterfly in the Amazon. 'You're off in the time travel stuff, aren't you?'

I get no respect.

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:14 AM (MIKMs)

-------

I dunno, seems like you must have raised them right, if they are literate enough to recognize the reference you were trying to make.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker formerly of CA at January 30, 2022 10:18 AM (T2yTU)

262 IIRC OM was out of Eugene. The paper of record in Lane County is the Eugene Register Guard.
You might check there, Obits tend to drop on the weekends, though sometimes the survivors get overwhelmed and don't get it out right away

https://www.registerguard.com/obituaries

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:18 AM (ZMraq)

263 If I had to depend on the local public library for my reading, I'd be in sad shape indeed. Their collection used to have a lot of current and older titles, but a few years back they chopped almost everything that hadn't circulated in 5 years. Now they're pretty good with recent popular, but the backlist is a bit lacking. No bookshops in town. A B&N would be nice. An indy bookshop would be nice. But it isn't gonna happen. here.
Thought about opening one myself, but realized I couldn't think of a faster way to go broke. Bezos may be a pain, but he bought his way into heaven with the Kindle.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 30, 2022 10:18 AM (JzDjf)

264
And there's the coupling of atheism with Leftism such that they're assumed to be mutually dependent everywhere and always. If I had a nickel for every time I've said, "well, yeah, and that's actually *all* we have in common"...

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 10:14 AM (x8kT3)
---
Well, "scientific socialism" pretty much requires atheism.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:18 AM (llXky)

265 That helps explain why so much of the Old Testament is centered around "God is actually a God. The rest are not true gods," which I always thought was weird. Now it makes sense.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:11 AM (llXky)

There were a lot of non-Greek gods floating around, too, and many of the Greeks gods are possible adaptations of Sumerian predecessors. The one thing that makes me unsure and sometimes lean toward a larger Greco-Jewish collaboration, is the Greek God Adonis, whose name is very like Adonai.
I had a great Humanities prof at MSU who delved into these origins, and was quite controversial for doing so.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:19 AM (ONvIw)

266
And there's the coupling of atheism with Leftism such that they're assumed to be mutually dependent everywhere and always.

___________

Be sure to point out that all officially atheist countries have been complete and utter failures.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 30, 2022 10:19 AM (r2AFf)

267 >>Well, "scientific socialism" pretty much requires atheism. Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:18 AM (llXky)

Yes, and if the conversation ended there, Bob's your uncle.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 10:19 AM (x8kT3)

268 I finished 1 Maccabees, which I found very educational. One thing I did not expect was the treaty of friendship between Israel and Sparta, which was predicated on the Spartans claiming Abraham as their ancestor. Oy vay, Jewish Spartans!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

I was part of a group last year which studied the Maccabees all too briefly. It was an important period of biblical history. And too it is a remarkable and at times inspiring story about some real Jewish from the Jewish widow willing to give up her sons rather than compromise her faith to the Hellenists to the rededication of the Temple. Another book you may find interesting is Hilliard Belloc's Battleground.

Posted by: 7man at January 30, 2022 10:19 AM (qwO6y)

269 Really a nice little place. And, bonus, they've got a nice computer lab set up, which keeps the riff raff away from the book section.
=====

I'm perfectly comfortable with lotsa kids in the PUBLIC library. Of course, they are subject to library rules, but is there another safe and educational place for children? Can't say that about public schools, both funded with taxpayer $$$$$.

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:20 AM (MIKMs)

270 Shar - Get Seamus Moldoon's book on Weird WWII as a gamer would call it, forgot the title but someone will say it

"To Save Us All From Ruin" More of a novelette but a fun story in a very Muldoon-ish vein.

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2022 10:20 AM (nfrXX)

271 >>> 229 I know people whose faith basically collapsed because they felt they were good, went to church and bad things happened so obviously there is no God or He's a bad person. Uh, no. Check yourself there.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:04 AM (llXky)

This sort of trigger is IMO what led my former rabbi to replace God with sociology
Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:07 AM (ONvIw)

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but apparently I understand the concept of "free will" better than some others. Also, it occurs to me this is *why* leftists are so all-in on their psycho idea of creating heaven on earth, "if only we can force everyone to be exactly alike then nothing bad will ever happen again!!!"

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 10:22 AM (llON8)

272 Disabled vet, looking for new books to read for therapy. Most interested in Scifi/Fantasy/Military fiction. A couple criteria for it to work for therapy: needs to start quick (attention span issues). Needs a generally positive outlook/heroes win (not Song of Ice and Fire). Humor is a plus. Ideally based on real history/mythology, or at least internally consistent.

I'd recommend Nick Cole's books, especially 'CTR-ALT-Revolt' and 'Soda Pop Soldier'. They're set in our world, slightly in the future, and deal with computer technology run amok. Good quick start, likable, memorable characters, and a fair bit of humour. He's also written some zombie apocalypse books that are darker, but he stopped writing them in mid-action to turn to a series of outer space books called "Galaxy's Edge" which don't interest me much, so I can't speak to those.

Posted by: Dr. Mabusette at January 30, 2022 10:22 AM (51xhb)

273 I'm perfectly comfortable with lotsa kids in the PUBLIC library. Of course, they are subject to library rules, but is there another safe and educational place for children? Can't say that about public schools, both funded with taxpayer $$$$$.

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:20 AM (MIKMs)

-----

Kids aren't the problem. Unwashed homeless alcoholics are.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker formerly of CA at January 30, 2022 10:22 AM (T2yTU)

274 Atheism leaves such a yawning gap that much of the Left has tacitly abandoned it for Gaia worship

Posted by: cool breeze at January 30, 2022 10:22 AM (UGKMd)

275
Or an editor insisting. In any case, someone should have..

Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 10:16 AM (mD/uy)

We didn't know the book was being written or we would have insisted!

Posted by: Big Map at January 30, 2022 10:23 AM (7bRMQ)

276 I envy those of you who can still go and hang out in shops like bookstores. Here where you still need to be masked indoors, I try to go "shopping" as little as possible. I can get away with a cloth mask on my chin at the grocery store or to pick something up but just immediately want to escape to the outdoors. The only good thing to come out of this was my learning that ebooks are wonderful, easy to read on the iPad and that the library has a huge collection so there is always something great available so I never run out.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at January 30, 2022 10:23 AM (Y+l9t)

277 Shar - Get Seamus Moldoon's book on Weird WWII as a gamer would call it, forgot the title but someone will say it
Posted by: Skip's Phone

******

Thanks for the plug, Skip.

The title is To Save Us All From Ruin

This is a story of three Colorado farm boys (brothers) who get caught up in the events surrounding the 1944 Anzio invasion, and more specifically the quest to silence the big German rail guns (Anzio Annnie) that helped keep the Allies pinned on the beach head. The historical framework is generally accurate to real events, and is based on excerpts from my father's handwritten diary from WWII. The story itself is a fictionalized account, with some fantastical or whimsical elements (trained hamsters? Wut?) Humorous elements are interspersed throughout.

Posted by: Muldoon at January 30, 2022 10:24 AM (m45I2)

278 Also reading "At Day's Close" by Roger Ekirch.

Amazing how our forefathers contended with night/darkness before they'd mastered illumination--sleeping/life/work patterns, nighttime activities, superstitions, etc.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 10:24 AM (x8kT3)

279 There were a lot of non-Greek gods floating around, too, and many of the Greeks gods are possible adaptations of Sumerian predecessors. The one thing that makes me unsure and sometimes lean toward a larger Greco-Jewish collaboration, is the Greek God Adonis, whose name is very like Adonai.
I had a great Humanities prof at MSU who delved into these origins, and was quite controversial for doing so.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:19 AM (ONvIw)
---
There are two frames that people use in this discussion. By far the most prevalent is to see this in terms of cultural exchanges and the development of philosophy. The powers and functions of the gods are not relevant to this discussion, just the cultural and linguistic markers.

The frame I'm using is one in which these are empirical realities. There are fallen angels, they are putting forth power, and they are known by many names in many places because they move around a bit. Just as fire and water are real and follow the same laws, so do the spirits, and the cross-cultural similarities are not because people borrow definitions or ideas but because the observable reality is the same.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:24 AM (llXky)

280 One of the books I have on my TBR pile is the Foxfire Book, Appalachian Cooking. I love cookbooks as long as they are about cooking and not the writer. I was poking through it and found a number of vegetable recipes that I had never tried. And of course, there are a lot of variations on corn bread

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:24 AM (ZMraq)

281 In all my email back and forths with OM he never revealed his real name.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:25 AM (y7DUB)

282 B&N seems to sense it, too. Half the store is devoted to other stuff: toys, games, videos, greeting cards, Starbux. I'm guessing that floor space is a rough measure of what brings in the sales.
Posted by: Trimegistus at January 23, 2022 09:28 AM (QZxDR)

Also, I think very few people read anymore, unless it's meme's on fakebook or whatever. (Plus, B&N is seriously woke)

Our local community libraries have been remodeled and have very few books compared to before. They have computers, videos, cds, dvds, that sort of thing. We have seriously illiterate society.

Posted by: Bonnie Blue - says No War, No Booty at January 30, 2022 10:25 AM (hlxe7)

283 Finished Brian Kilmeade's book, "The President and the Freedom Fighter." Kilmeade's intertwines the biographies of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Both were self-made men, intellectually curious, and excellent orators. They only met a few times before Lincoln was assassinated. Douglass wanted Lincoln to move faster on Emancipation; however, Lincoln was initially focused on preserving the Union. Lincoln also recognized many in the North were not ready for Blacks to have full equality with Whites.

Highly recommend.

Posted by: March Hare at January 30, 2022 10:25 AM (lwrAe)

284 The title comes from a Guy Clarke song.

My father had a Randall Knife
My mother gave it to him
When he went off to World War Two
To save us all from ruin

Posted by: Muldoon at January 30, 2022 10:26 AM (m45I2)

285 Loved the video showing the medical books. I just found and downloaded a digital copy of the first book he showed. Should be a good read.

Posted by: Bonnie Blue - says No War, No Booty at January 30, 2022 10:26 AM (hlxe7)

286 For example, water is everywhere described according to the same properties. Climate can make it behave differently, but the actual substance of water is the same.

The Greeks didn't "learn about" water from Babylon, they have their own water that works the same way.

What if the spirit world functions in the same way - the disjointed polytheistic worldview isn't a developmental state or some cultural artifact but rather a description of the state of affairs in that part of the world spiritually?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:26 AM (llXky)

287 My big continuing read is C.J. Cherryh's Hugo Award-winning doorstop "Cyteen", another in the Union-Alliance universe. The first quarter of the book was such a snoozefest that I debated taking it back to the library several times, but it really got good.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 10:27 AM (Dc2NZ)

288 Disabled Vet, the Keith Laumer "Retief" short stories are a hoot.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker formerly of CA at January 30, 2022 10:28 AM (T2yTU)

289 Eris

Did you see the book link I posted in Krak's thread.

Very interesting...

Posted by: Anna Puma at January 30, 2022 10:28 AM (z24H6)

290 Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 10:22 AM (llON

I'm not sure where free will comes in to losing faith over a tragic loss. It was more like a massive dysfunctional grief, IMO, and a feeling of abandonment.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:28 AM (ONvIw)

291 I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but apparently I understand the concept of "free will" better than some others. Also, it occurs to me this is *why* leftists are so all-in on their psycho idea of creating heaven on earth, "if only we can force everyone to be exactly alike then nothing bad will ever happen again!!!"

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 10:22 AM (llON

---
There's also the prevalence of Yard Sign Calvinists who think if they vaxx and mask the evil of Rona cannot reach them.

When their rituals fail, they seek out witches to burn.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:28 AM (llXky)

292 What if the spirit world functions in the same way - the disjointed polytheistic worldview isn't a developmental state or some cultural artifact but rather a description of the state of affairs in that part of the world spiritually?
=====

The Blind Men and the Elephant.

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:28 AM (MIKMs)

293 Floor space for books, cards, etc. If memory serves from my days at Kroch's & Brentano's (lots of books, but a good-sized card and gift dept as well), the profit margin on all the cards, games, and so on, was quite a bit higher than the profit margin on books. I don't imagine that's changed.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 30, 2022 10:29 AM (JzDjf)

294 Most of the patrons of our local library are either retirees, kids (or their moms borrowing for them), and WALFs
so the books reflect them

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:29 AM (lCui1)

295 What if the spirit world functions in the same way - the disjointed polytheistic worldview isn't a developmental state or some cultural artifact but rather a description of the state of affairs in that part of the world spiritually?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:26 AM (llXky)

I'd agree with this assessment.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:29 AM (ONvIw)

296 There are two frames that people use in this discussion.

There is at least a third frame. Julian Jaynes' The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind puts forth another explanation for the gods entirely and is worth reading.

Posted by: cool breeze at January 30, 2022 10:30 AM (UGKMd)

297 No Anna...hang on!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 10:30 AM (Dc2NZ)

298 Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice
for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a
Better World by Joel Salatin

Book of Numbers Chapters 1 to 36 by Moses

150 to 200 miles from Mt. Sinai to Kadeshbarnea a journey in that time of 11 days. 30 days were spent at Kibroth. That means it took 40 years for
a journey that should have taken 40 days.
Wandering around Kadesh-barnea, they did not advance an inch; at the end they landed back at the same place.

Posted by: Ju at January 30, 2022 10:30 AM (aTmM/)

299 What if the spirit world functions in the same way - the disjointed polytheistic worldview isn't a developmental state or some cultural artifact but rather a description of the state of affairs in that part of the world spiritually?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

I'm sure it is.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:31 AM (lCui1)

300 I always kept copies of A Grief Observed readily available. Lewis' examination of his own grief over the loss of his wife is a classic.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:31 AM (ONvIw)

301 Captain Hate, Huck would have no reason or basis to ask if slavery is valid, it was the world he was raised in. He does admit it is pretty cruel, but his own life was too.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:32 AM (ZMraq)

302 Holy crap, Anna!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 10:32 AM (Dc2NZ)

303 Louis L'amour was meticulous about maps. He is another pick as his novels are upbeat and filled with heroes. I own all of his books and there were many lol. Good enough for Ike and Reagan. If someone wanted to read for enjoyment, they could do worse

Posted by: Quint at January 30, 2022 10:33 AM (mTTZh)

304 I always wondered about that 40 year walk in the desert. The point man must've had one leg that was considerably shorter than the other.

Posted by: PabloD at January 30, 2022 10:33 AM (u3jrd)

305 296 the Bicameral Mind theory to me sounds kinda like " cavemen were so dumb they didn't know they were thinking"

I can't take it seriously
Unless they someday find physical evidence - maybe in the brain structure of a preserved fossil or something

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:34 AM (lCui1)

306 The worship of nature is actually atheism in its purist form. And always amusing to see people put human characteristics on that cruel and unyielding bitch - says a lot about their worldview.

Posted by: Indignacio Vindicatorem at January 30, 2022 10:35 AM (QZ/dC)

307 I always kept copies of A Grief Observed readily available. Lewis' examination of his own grief over the loss of his wife is a classic.
=====

Thanks for the reminder. We've been through our own tragedy and it might be a help for us.

My very strong impression is that OM's family does not want to be harassed with the current maniacal lefty minions. Don't blame them in the least.

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:35 AM (MIKMs)

308 Ernest Borgnine?

*squints*

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at January 30, 2022 10:35 AM (VxC1e)

309 Richard McKenna - The Sand Pebbles

Posted by: cool breeze at January 30, 2022 09:55 AM (UGKMd)

Wait a minute...Richard McKenna/actor was in a movie based on a novel by Richard McKenna/author-sailor?

The stuff I learn here.

Posted by: BignJames at January 30, 2022 10:35 AM (AwYPR)

310 >>> 290 Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 10:22 AM (llON

I'm not sure where free will comes in to losing faith over a tragic loss. It was more like a massive dysfunctional grief, IMO, and a feeling of abandonment.
Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:28 AM (ONvIw)

Depends on the loss; for some reason I assumed your comment referred to a loss *caused* by a person. An "act of God" (according to insurance) is something else entirely, but I still don't understand the mindset that "nothing bad can to happen to good people".

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 10:36 AM (llON8)

311
My very strong impression is that OM's family does not want to be harassed with the current maniacal lefty minions. Don't blame them in the least.
Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:35 AM (MIKMs)

Neither would I. Publishing a lot of condolences with mentions of a conservative website might generate a lot of unwelcome attentions.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:36 AM (ONvIw)

312 Captain Hate, Huck would have no reason or basis to ask if slavery is valid, it was the world he was raised in. He does admit it is pretty cruel, but his own life was too.
Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:32 AM (ZMraq)

All valid points. I guess I've been so inundated with ahistorical sjw crap I lost sight of that.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:37 AM (y7DUB)

313 Does Nadal have to share his prize money (outside of taxes) with the Oz government for removing his greatest impediment to winning the games there? Appears France will be doing him a solid as well.

Posted by: Indignacio Vindicatorem at January 30, 2022 10:39 AM (QZ/dC)

314 This is interesting, from Jordan Peterson. Canadians created a bill of rights document in the 80s. Mr Peckford is the last surviving member of the group that worked on it. He is suing the Canadian government for violating their Constitutional rights.

https://youtu.be/EdhFuMDLBDM

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 30, 2022 10:39 AM (YynYJ)

315 Folks, it's definitely John Waters, who famously said "We need to make books cool again. If you go home with somebody and they don’t have books, don’t fuck them. Don’t let them explore you until they’ve explored the secret universes of books. Don’t let them connect with you until they’ve walked between the lines on the pages.

Books are cool, if you have to withhold yourself from someone for a bit in order for them to realize this then do so."

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 10:39 AM (Dc2NZ)

316 Rereading the Dresden Files, and I have two to go before I move on to the latest Serge Storms novel by Tim Dorsey.

Serge is a serial killer obsessed with all things Florida ("Florida Man" is just the tip of the iceberg for that state). He kills bad guys with inventive chemistry and physics setups, and the series stretches your suspension of disbelief to the limit. Nevertheless, fun if you like really dark humor. Woke quotient: low. There's some snide commentary on Repubs in the early books, but in the later novels, it's more of "both parties suck," so perhaps he's beginning to see the light.

Otherwise, I've been reading some Donald Westlake, Jean Shepherd, Tom Holt, Evelyn Waugh and Theodore Dalrymple.

Thanks, Eris, for another superb book thread!

Posted by: Ex-CopyEditor at January 30, 2022 10:39 AM (FlzJ+)

317 >>> 313 Does Nadal have to share his prize money (outside of taxes) with the Oz government for removing his greatest impediment to winning the games there? Appears France will be doing him a solid as well.
Posted by: Indignacio Vindicatorem at January 30, 2022 10:39 AM (QZ/dC)

Heh. All the tournaments where someone was excluded by the vaxx-tards ought to be asterisked.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 10:40 AM (llON8)

318 Depends on the loss; for some reason I assumed your comment referred to a loss *caused* by a person. An "act of God" (according to insurance) is something else entirely, but I still don't understand the mindset that "nothing bad can to happen to good people".
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 10:36 AM (llON

It was the death of his older son, actually. And the significance of the death meant his "line" would end with him as the other kids took a vow of environmental craziness and chose not to have kids, ever.
He was always a man who did not believe much in divine intervention, but apparently begged for it during the son's illness. The loss made him turn to the god of sociology.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:40 AM (ONvIw)

319 Eris,

Wild ain't it?

Posted by: Anna Puma at January 30, 2022 10:40 AM (z24H6)

320 Also, if you've never done it, family writes the obituary. I wrote one formy first husband because it was a small local paper and a good way to get the word out. Didn't do one for my second husband.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 30, 2022 10:41 AM (YynYJ)

321 Weak Geek, if you like that era and that circle, you might look at the books by H. Allen Smith. He had been a reporter, an entertainment beat reporter in New York, a Hollywood publicity flack, a writer on Bob Hope movies, and finally a general ranter

But he wrote a lot of amusing books

The first one is Life in a Putty Knife Factory

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:42 AM (ZMraq)

322 I'm off to seize the day by the scruff.

Keep it groovy, my pretties!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 10:42 AM (Dc2NZ)

323 https://youtu.be/EdhFuMDLBDM
Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 30, 2022 10:39 AM (YynYJ)

And DC is doing exactly the same thing. It's hard to dunk on Canada, when our "leaders" have become tyranical rulers.

But thanks for the link

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:42 AM (ONvIw)

324 Unless they someday find physical evidence - maybe in the brain structure of a preserved fossil or something

Jaynes makes a pretty good case that the residual evidence is readily observable in the behavior of schizophrenics

Posted by: cool breeze at January 30, 2022 10:42 AM (UGKMd)

325 He sent me Lone Star Planet by H. Beam Piper and John Joseph McGuire. A fun read with a great tone of competence in Space. Recommended.
The book also had another novella, Four Day Planet by H. Beam Piper. Pulpy, 1950s Heinleinian science fiction for nerdy boys.
Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at January 30, 2022 09:36 AM (u82oZ)

Lone Star Planet is a very good story, and I wish there had been more Stephen Silk stories, it would have been like Retief.

Another hard to find story is Null ABC with Joseph McGuire, which is entertaining. Piper also wrote a murder mystery, Murder in the Gun Room

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:45 AM (ZMraq)

326 It's worth watching the Peterson video just to see how he's dressed. He has on a very stylish three piece suit plus tie.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 30, 2022 10:45 AM (YynYJ)

327 If you want a insomniac book or love architectural drawings of artillery
British Smooth-bore Artillery
https://tinyurl.com/6rs725xd

It's a PDF document 596 pages

Posted by: Skip at January 30, 2022 10:46 AM (2JoB8)

328 Good morning Threadists,

Eris, I hail you! Good work on the post and the new text.

I have been reading Maps of Meaning by Peterson lately, nearly finished but the flu has slowed me down. I'm curious what he thinks now, as I understand his worldview post near-death-inducing illness is different.

I stopped by the local library as I've been meaning to do for months since moving to the area. It's a nice brick building, fairly large. They had not one book, or even author, I searched for. I was aghast. Most of the interior space was shelvless and abput half the shelves were empty. A dismal shame.

Posted by: .87c at January 30, 2022 10:46 AM (ltjFF)

329 "From MST3K?! Where can I get one?
Posted by: All Hail Eris"

I think got it from the Shout Factory website. It was several years ago.

Posted by: fd at January 30, 2022 10:47 AM (vrz2I)

330 Captain Hate, I read The Raj Quartet many years ago, a bit of a slog at times but overall a good read. Later I watched the PBS adaptation of The Jewell in The Crown and found it to be a fairly faithful adaptation of the story.

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at January 30, 2022 10:48 AM (a4EWo)

331 It would be like having Jefferson or John Hancock sue our government for violating the Constitution here. It should be happening in this country

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 30, 2022 10:48 AM (YynYJ)

332 I thought that was Raul Julia.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:48 AM (ZMraq)

333 My very strong impression is that OM's family does not want to be harassed with the current maniacal lefty minions. Don't blame them in the least.
Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:35 AM (MIKMs)

Is there anything good and decent those vermin don't ruin?

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:49 AM (y7DUB)

334 Is there anything good and decent those vermin don't ruin?
Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:49 AM (y7DUB)

Ummmmmmmmmm...No.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at January 30, 2022 10:49 AM (R/m4+)

335 ZOD, I feel your pain. But the fact is, the loud and obnoxious atheists are universally Leftists. Conservative atheists seem to at least understand the benefits of faith and community provided by religion, and aren't so angry and hostile.

My suspicion is that a lot of lefty atheists are afraid that God is real, which is why they put so much energy into denying it.

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 10:50 AM (QZxDR)

336 331 It would be like having Jefferson or John Hancock sue our government for violating the Constitution here. It should be happening in this country
Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 30, 2022 10:48 AM (YynYJ)

It should, but a lot of people quickly came to fear the tyrants in power. J6 accomplished this quickly. Loot and burn with impunity if you're on our side, but cross us and we'll throw away the key was a powerful message.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:50 AM (ONvIw)

337 Jaynes makes a pretty good case that the residual evidence is readily observable in the behavior of schizophrenics
Posted by: cool breeze

Interesting.
At the risk of derailing the thread, I sometimes get hypnopompic auditory hallucinations (actually frequently now). I wake up because I hear something that sounds very real, but when I investigate it's obviously imaginary.
This morning it was my daughter's voice saying "Hey Mom"
I can see how someone can imagine hearing spirits and thinking it was real.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (lCui1)

338 Heh. All the tournaments where someone was excluded by the vaxx-tards ought to be asterisked.
=====

IMHO the exclusions have been going on for a while. Think of any big game before the vaxx nonsense, and you have allegations of 'abuse' and/or 'racism' conveeeeeniently just before the big game.

Oddsmakers rules.

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (MIKMs)

339 My suspicion is that a lot of lefty atheists are afraid that God is real, which is why they put so much energy into denying it.
Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 10:50 AM (QZxDR)

They want to keep up the immorality they espouse.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (ONvIw)

340 Greetings:

No mention of "The Katzenjammer Kids" ???

Posted by: 11B40 at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (uuklp)

341 Any recommended biography of George III?

Posted by: Actually inside the beltway at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (bYQy9)

342 I'm working on Neal Stephenson's latest, "Termination Shock".

I had my doubts about it, because it's full-bore into globull worming hysteria, but:

1) Stephenson's usual Big Engineering characters decide to *do something about it* (exactly what "it" is would be a spoiler).
2) Some "green" (i.e., communist) Luddites, among several other groups, try to stop them, and are portrayed as Bad Guys.
3) The writing is up to Stephenson's usual standards (if you liked his other stuff, you'll probably like this).
4) There are the quirky Stephenson characters of every social rank that we've come to expect, in this case ranging from actual royalty to backwoods Cajuns, and a part-black, part-Comanche retired army sergeant who gets involved in the geoengineering project by accident (his previous gig had been using drones to track down and shoot feral hogs for ranchers on a contract basis).

I don't regret buying it.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (bW8dp)

343 Thank you for the Book Thread Eris, well done!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 30, 2022 10:52 AM (4oe/X)

344 He was always a man who did not believe much in divine intervention, but apparently begged for it during the son's illness. The loss made him turn to the god of sociology.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:40 AM (ONvIw)
---
One thing Scupoli emphasizes is that when faced with adversity, first look at yourself. What did you do? What was your fault?

It's hard to do but absolutely necessary.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:52 AM (llXky)

345 KATZENJAMMER ("The Cat's Misery) - A hangover.

-
So the problem with the Katzenjammer Kids is that they were hung over?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 10:53 AM (FVME7)

346 Wow, The Jewel in the Crown, hadn't thought about that one in a long time. Very watchable.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at January 30, 2022 10:53 AM (2NHgQ)

347 154 "NaCly Dog, hold on to that copy of Four-Day Planet. Amazon wants $650 for a hardback in very good condition...."

While many used book listings at high prices do reflect actual market demand, I've noticed many listings of not-so-scarce books at ridiculous prices of hundreds of dollars, posted alongside listings of the same work in the same edition at much lower prices.

A bookseller and I speculate that what we see here is money laundering.

Posted by: Brett at January 30, 2022 10:53 AM (EVPmd)

348 When I was a teen my library was getting rid of a lot if those for free, so of course I grabbed them. That's where I read In This House of Brede and Trusty From the Toolroom, both of which have been mentioned by other Hordelings, as well as a few others that I still vaguely remember. I read voraciously and they were a good way to keep from running out of stuff to read.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 30, 2022 10:54 AM (nC+QA)

349 Also, if you've never done it, family writes the obituary. I wrote one formy first husband because it was a small local paper and a good way to get the word out. Didn't do one for my second husband.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 30, 2022 10:41 AM (YynYJ)
---
I wrote mine a few years ago after a friend the same age died in a car accident. Makes it easier on the family.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:55 AM (llXky)

350 Add me to the Eris Appreciate Society for keeping the book thread going.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 09:52 AM (y7DUB)

Me too. Seriously outstanding job.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2022 10:55 AM (VwHCD)

351
A bookseller and I speculate that what we see here is money laundering.

Posted by: Brett at January 30, 2022 10:53 AM (EVPmd)

That isn't exactly how it works, but close enough for government work!!

Posted by: Hillary, Tony, et al at January 30, 2022 10:56 AM (7bRMQ)

352 people who are published because of their skin tone and perversions.

-
Politics
Biden Seen Looking At Paint Color Swatches To Choose Next Supreme Court Justice
January 28th, 2022

-
From the Bee.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 10:56 AM (FVME7)

353 A bookseller and I speculate that what we see here is money laundering.
=====

My take as well, not only in books.

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 10:56 AM (MIKMs)

354 321 - I have three By H. Allen Smith on Kindle, "Lost in the Horse Latitudes," "Low Man on a Totem Pole," and "Rhubarb". All excellent.

Posted by: Ex-CopyEditor at January 30, 2022 10:56 AM (FlzJ+)

355 They want to keep up the immorality they espouse.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (ONvIw)
---
Same dynamic in "Pride" celebrations, which has the added bonus of rubbing the noses of the righteous in their sin and forcing them to endorse it.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:56 AM (llXky)

356 ---
One thing Scupoli emphasizes is that when faced with adversity, first look at yourself. What did you do? What was your fault?

It's hard to do but absolutely necessary.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:52 AM (llXky)

I think he did that too, and found that his leftism drove the other kids into their overpopulation hysteria. But misery loves company, and we all need to be hysterical now over the planet, over CRT, over the gender crap. Begging for a miracle didn't bring one, so lets go with politics seems to be his outcome.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:56 AM (ONvIw)

357 A bookseller and I speculate that what we see here is money laundering.
=====

My take as well, not only in books.
Posted by: mustbequantum

==

Ridiculous!

Posted by: Hunter Biden at January 30, 2022 10:57 AM (lCui1)

358 You had me at "louche".

Good morning, Eris, and thank you for a dandy book thread.

Posted by: creeper at January 30, 2022 10:58 AM (cTCuP)

359 One thing Scupoli emphasizes is that when faced with adversity, first look at yourself. What did you do? What was your fault?

It's hard to do but absolutely necessary.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:52 AM (llXky)

So, what did I do?

Posted by: Job at January 30, 2022 10:58 AM (7bRMQ)

360 I plan to turn into one of those people who pre write their own obit, pick their funeral music etc

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:59 AM (lCui1)

361 I heard a leftist teacher proclaim one of the tired cliches of our time a few days ago - "I'm spiritual but not religious." (This, after denigrating the Christian faith of some parents.) I've heard that line from lefty boomers for the past 30 years and it's always annoyed me but I couldn't put my finger on why it irritated me so much. I realized that it's a catchphrase for people who vaguely want to tap into a power greater than themselves, but don't want to actually DO anything that demands they change their lives and live differently. Their conception of God is like some sort of power source that they can plug into by doing yoga or reciting New Age mantras or being "mindful" whatever the f that is, and they'll get all the blessings of religion without any of the demands.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 10:59 AM (HabA/)

362 I think the difference is that there are Canadians that still believe in the rule of law. In this country, we can't even count on the Supreme Court to uphold the Constitution.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 30, 2022 11:00 AM (YynYJ)

363 NFTs are obvious money laundering

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 11:01 AM (lCui1)

364 Haha, I just realized that I spelled Jewell with two Ls, I have been reading too many comments!!

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at January 30, 2022 11:02 AM (a4EWo)

365 Captain Hate, I read The Raj Quartet many years ago, a bit of a slog at times but overall a good read. Later I watched the PBS adaptation of The Jewell in The Crown and found it to be a fairly faithful adaptation of the story.
Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at January 30, 2022 10:48 AM (a4EWo)

The guy who recommended it shares my willingness to get lost in a long series if it's interesting enough. He and I were the only members of the group who continued the Aubrey/Maturin series after Master and Commander, although I was the only one to finish it.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 11:02 AM (y7DUB)

366 Begging for a miracle didn't bring one, so lets go with politics seems to be his outcome.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:56 AM (ONvIw)
---
Is suffering a part of modern Judaism? One of the things that has deepened my faith is the Catholic Church's teachings regarding suffering and endurance.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:03 AM (llXky)

367 Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist at January 30, 2022 09:41 AM (3D/fK)

I've read most Alistair McLean books multiple times, but Ice Station Zebra is probably my favorite.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 30, 2022 11:03 AM (nC+QA)

368 "Serge is a serial killer obsessed with all things Florida ("Florida Man" is just the tip of the iceberg for that state). He kills bad guys with inventive chemistry and physics setups, and the series stretches your suspension of disbelief to the limit. Nevertheless, fun if you like really dark humor."

Sounds like "Dexter."

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:03 AM (HabA/)

369 The frame I'm using is one in which these are empirical realities. There are fallen angels, they are putting forth power, and they are known by many names in many places because they move around a bit. Just as fire and water are real and follow the same laws, so do the spirits, and the cross-cultural similarities are not because people borrow definitions or ideas but because the observable reality is the same.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 10:24 AM (llXky)
---
Michael Heiser has an excellent analysis of this idea in his book, The Unseen Realm. Although written from a very Christian perspective, he also delves into the linguistics of history to explain some difficult topics that have shaped human development.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:05 AM (K5n5d)

370 Wait a minute...Richard McKenna/actor was in a movie based on a novel by Richard McKenna/author-sailor?

The stuff I learn here.
Posted by: BignJames

The actor is Richard Crenna.

https://bit.ly/3r95vjM

Great movie.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:05 AM (FVME7)

371 Wow, I thought I was feeling better but wound up sleeping almost all day yesterday and just woke up today....

Posted by: lin-duh at January 30, 2022 11:05 AM (UUBmN)

372 Their conception of God is like some sort of power source that they can plug into by doing yoga or reciting New Age mantras or being "mindful" whatever the f that is, and they'll get all the blessings of religion without any of the demands.
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 10:59 AM (HabA/)
---
One could argue that this one way in which they are being led astray by darker forces...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:06 AM (K5n5d)

373 He was always a man who did not believe much in divine intervention, but apparently begged for it during the son's illness. The loss made him turn to the god of sociology.
Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 10:40 AM (ONvI

So: Before: I don't believe much in this God stuff.

During: God! Save my son!

After: Screw this God business!

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:06 AM (HabA/)

374 The stuff I learn here.
Posted by: BignJames

The actor is Richard Crenna.

https://bit.ly/3r95vjM

Great movie.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:05 AM (FVME7)

see?

Posted by: BignJames at January 30, 2022 11:07 AM (AwYPR)

375 I plan to turn into one of those people who pre write their own obit,

-
It all began in a maternity ward in Denver, Colorado . . .

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:07 AM (FVME7)

376 It is so very quiet around here this morning after the big storm yesterday. Mother Nature has thrown a two foot white down comforter over the region and everyone is snuggled underneath and sleeping in it seems.

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at January 30, 2022 11:08 AM (a4EWo)

377 One could argue that this one way in which they are being led astray by darker forces...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:06 AM (K5n5d)

I would guess that's why some churches suggest not getting too deep into yoga. It ain't just exercising, it's Hindu spiritualism too.

Posted by: Job at January 30, 2022 11:08 AM (7bRMQ)

378 Adding my thanks to Eris for keeping the book thread going.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 30, 2022 11:08 AM (JzDjf)

379 Donna their religious all right, they just don't want to call their Leftism a religion that it is.

Posted by: Skip at January 30, 2022 11:08 AM (2JoB8)

380 So, what did I do?

Posted by: Job at January 30, 2022 10:58 AM (7bRMQ)
---
That gets into the second part of Scupoli's method, which is understanding and accepting that God's love is infinite and if some evil occurs, it is ultimately for a good you cannot perceive. Thus, when faced with something terrible, you have to discern what you can learn from it, how you personally can make something good come from it.

It is not easy, but I'm getting better at it.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (llXky)

381 Hmmmmm. . . . Did anyone here ever imagine that we have become, in essence, a secret society whereby the members, and sometimes, even our families feel the need to hide our identities, even when dead, so as not to be harassed or financially destroyed by true lunatics?

There are many, many other historical examples of unhinged responses to, and actions against, folks like us. It never ends well.

Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (mD/uy)

382 Adding my thanks to Eris for keeping the book thread going.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 30, 2022 11:08 AM (JzDjf)

You know, maybe just change it up a little and instead of pants, post weird looking shoes?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (7bRMQ)

383 and they'll get all the blessings of religion without any of the demands.

Too many Christians lean in that direction, acting like God is a Santa Claus who is compelled to bring you nice things if you do the right stuff. That you can order around or call on to get what you want and when He doesn't come through is a rotten bastard.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (KZzsI)

384 I finished "The General and the Genius", a biography of Robert Oppenheimer and his involvement with the Manhattan Project.
Excellent.
Thanks, Erin, you're doing great.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (jTmQV)

385 "Have you read"Civil War Infantry tactics" by Hess? He broke some new ground and stirred more than a few up.
"Posted by: Quint at January 30, 2022 10:16 AM (mTTZh)"

It's on my TBR pile, but the ACW is far from my main interest so it may be quite a while before I get to it. At the moment I'm more interested in Brit colonial history and European history from the Italian wars through the Seven Years War.

Posted by: Pope John the 20th at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (KMrXU)

386 From MST3K?! Where can I get one?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 10:03 AM (Dc2NZ)

Amazon has a couple of different flavors of that t-shirt...

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at January 30, 2022 11:10 AM (ZSK0i)

387 So: Before: I don't believe much in this God stuff.

During: God! Save my son!

After: Screw this God business!
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:06 AM (HabA/)

Yep. And there was a spectacularly angry sermon involved as well to cement the deal. This is the first time theology=sociology appeared.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:10 AM (ONvIw)

388 There are many, many other historical examples of unhinged responses to, and actions against, folks like us. It never ends well.

Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (mD/uy)

Yeah, it goes by the name of "bad luck."

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 30, 2022 11:11 AM (7bRMQ)

389 Just busted 39 degrees...heat wave! Think I'll venture to the garage and have a smoke and a cuppa joe.

Posted by: BignJames at January 30, 2022 11:11 AM (AwYPR)

390 381 yup

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 11:11 AM (lCui1)

391 At the risk of derailing the thread, I sometimes get hypnopompic auditory hallucinations (actually frequently now).

Jaynes contends that such auditory hallucinations were much more common 5000 years ago and were often interpreted as the voices of the gods. Ancient texts from many cultures, such as the Illiad and the Odyssey, support the idea. The many instances of mortals hearing gods speak to them may be based in a certain reality, and not just a literary device.

Posted by: cool breeze at January 30, 2022 11:11 AM (UGKMd)

392 Yep. And there was a spectacularly angry sermon involved as well to cement the deal. This is the first time theology=sociology appeared.
Posted by: CN The First

Did any of the congregants up and leave during the sermon? I've only seen it happen once with the families leaving shouting "Shame!" It was glorious.

Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 11:12 AM (mD/uy)

393 Too many Christians lean in that direction, acting like God is a Santa Claus who is compelled to bring you nice things if you do the right stuff. That you can order around or call on to get what you want and when He doesn't come through is a rotten bastard.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (KZzsI)
---
So you are saying government is NOT God? That may come as a shock to a lot of folks...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:12 AM (K5n5d)

394 Their conception of God is like some sort of power source that they can plug into by doing yoga or reciting New Age mantras or being "mindful" whatever the f that is, and they'll get all the blessings of religion without any of the demands.
Posted by: Donna at January 30, 2022 10:59 AM (HabA/)
---
The thing it, it works! For years I always wondered why the Jews - after being saved by God again and again - couldn't wait to worship idols. I mean, how stupid can people be?

But what if the prayers, the powers work (or seem to)? Plus, none of those totally lame, restrictive laws, right? So yes, it absolutely is a dark power at work.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:12 AM (llXky)

395 I would guess that's why some churches suggest not getting too deep into yoga. It ain't just exercising, it's Hindu spiritualism too.

Same thing with martial arts, if you get too deeply into it, you start slouching into Buddhism and Shintoism etc.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:13 AM (KZzsI)

396 >>Sounds like "Dexter."

Donna,
Possibly. I haven't read any of the Dexter books, but on the surface, they appear similar. Is Dexter also dark humor?

Posted by: Ex-CopyEditor at January 30, 2022 11:13 AM (FlzJ+)

397 ---
Is suffering a part of modern Judaism? One of the things that has deepened my faith is the Catholic Church's teachings regarding suffering and endurance.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:03 AM (llXky)

It's mentioned, Job for example, but generally, no. And "punishment" for transgressions is not often mentioned.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:13 AM (ONvIw)

398 At the risk of derailing the thread, I sometimes get hypnopompic auditory hallucinations (actually frequently now). I wake up because I hear something that sounds very real, but when I investigate it's obviously imaginary.
This morning it was my daughter's voice saying "Hey Mom"
I can see how someone can imagine hearing spirits and thinking it was real.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (lCui1)

I hear 'voices' all the time, it sounds like people talking or a tv/radio is on, all in another room. Muffled, basically. I always attribute it to a combination of my tinnitus and the various sources of white noise in my house. I figure my brain is trying to make sense of the input, the way people see faces everywhere.

Posted by: J. Random Dude at January 30, 2022 11:13 AM (FfJxM)

399 Did anyone here ever imagine that we have become, in essence, a secret society whereby the members, and sometimes, even our families feel the need to hide our identities, even when dead, so as not to be harassed or financially destroyed by true lunatics?
---
Hmmm. That maybe explains why I feel like I fit in around here. I've been part of a couple of "secret societies" since high school...And the Freemasons probably wouldn't take me...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:14 AM (K5n5d)

400 I've only seen it happen once with the families leaving shouting "Shame!" It was glorious.

I walked out of sermons that should have had the congregation do this. One Sunday our pastor decided he'd put on a big show, with a skit and singing crappy newer songs, and a band playing and I just got up and left. He was very angry at me.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:14 AM (KZzsI)

401 Did any of the congregants up and leave during the sermon? I've only seen it happen once with the families leaving shouting "Shame!" It was glorious.
Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 11:12 AM (mD/uy)

Not a one.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:14 AM (ONvIw)

402 @381 --

For whom? Us, or them?

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 11:15 AM (Om/di)

403 Before I forget:

Years ago, Insty used to mention a Niven collaboration (and for some reason, as good as he was, he rose even higher with a co-author, esp Pournelle) called 'Fallen Angels' mostly about the global winter.

I know I have a copy here somewhere . . .

Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022 11:15 AM (MIKMs)

404 By the way, as I continue to work on my China book, I'm fascinated to see how Chinese religions deal with the spirit world.

It always seemed to be very alien, but now I'm seeing it as quite familiar and - once again - totally in accord with the other spiritual systems.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:15 AM (llXky)

405 Great movie.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:05 AM (FVME7)

see?
Posted by: BignJames at January 30, 2022 11:07 AM (AwYPR)

Col. Trautman - best Crenna part evah!

Posted by: Boswell at January 30, 2022 11:15 AM (5iUNf)

406 I was just outside with the dog and a wonderfully quiet small town morning. All I could hear was a crow and off in the distance a dog and the sound of Justin Trudeau soiling himself.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, resolved to lurking at January 30, 2022 11:15 AM (eGTCV)

407 I can see how someone can imagine hearing spirits and thinking it was real.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (lCui1)
---
This is one of the theories surrounding Muhammad. It's possible he was suffering from auditory delusions, rather than genuinely communing with Gabriel.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:16 AM (K5n5d)

408 I wake up because I hear something that sounds very real, but when I investigate it's obviously imaginary.

Yeah I get that, usually waking me up. I think its some halfway point where I'm still dreaming but partly awake so it sounds and seems real. I see stuff, hear stuff. Its never spooky ghosts with clanking chains, but very mundane things that are plausible but obviously not real when I wake up completely. Its not frightening or anything, just unusual.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:16 AM (KZzsI)

409 Hmmmmm. . . . Did anyone here ever imagine that we have become, in essence, a secret society whereby the members, and sometimes, even our families feel the need to hide our identities, even when dead, so as not to be harassed or financially destroyed by true lunatics?

There are many, many other historical examples of unhinged responses to, and actions against, folks like us. It never ends well.

Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (mD/uy)

This is why the pharaohs of ancient egypt had 5 names, and a 6th that they never told anyone. Back then the big thing was to chisel the names off of monuments or tombs to wipe them out in the afterlife. If they couldn't erase all the names, they couldn't erase the person. The human strain that makes up the left has been scum for millennia.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2022 11:16 AM (VwHCD)

410 There was a comment yesterday that movies based on video games usually suck. Then I saw that one of the streaming services, Hulu I think, is creating a Halo series. I looked it up and found that there are a series of Halo books. On a whim, I bought one and began reading it last night. It sucks. That may be too harsh but it's not good.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:16 AM (FVME7)

411 It occurred to me while watching "The Chosen" that Jesus certainly knew what it was like to lose a loved member of his family. Joseph died at some point between the time Jesus traveled with his parents to Jerusalem and the time he started his ministry. So Jesus lost his earthly father when he was in his teens or 20's. If you are a Christian, you know Jesus could have restored Joseph to life - but didn't. Was it because Jesus only gradually came to understand fully who and what he was or because he had to know what it was like to suffer the losses the rest of us do in order to be fully human?

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:17 AM (HabA/)

412 Off to Mass. Be well everyone and thanks for the discussions and reviews. Eris!, You're the best.

xoxo

Posted by: Tonypete at January 30, 2022 11:17 AM (mD/uy)

413 Hmmm. That maybe explains why I feel like I fit in around here. I've been part of a couple of "secret societies" since high school...And the Freemasons probably wouldn't take me...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:14 AM (K5n5d)

Freemasonry is a lie!!!!

They wanted $100 for me to join!

Posted by: Lodger at January 30, 2022 11:18 AM (7bRMQ)

414 Too many Christians lean in that direction, acting like God is a Santa Claus who is compelled to bring you nice things if you do the right stuff. That you can order around or call on to get what you want and when He doesn't come through is a rotten bastard.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM (KZzsI)
---
A part of that is assuming material prosperity is proof of divine favor, and then if that changes, God's doing something wrong.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:18 AM (llXky)

415 The thing it, it works! For years I always wondered why the Jews - after being saved by God again and again - couldn't wait to worship idols. I mean, how stupid can people be?

But what if the prayers, the powers work (or seem to)? Plus, none of those totally lame, restrictive laws, right? So yes, it absolutely is a dark power at work.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:12 AM (llXky)

I increasingly believe in dark power.

A lot of groups are quick to follow "idols" and worship heroes, it is far from a Jewish thing. A long time ago a teacher read to our class the story The Great Stone Face which dealt with the idea of false messiahs. It stuck with me.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:18 AM (ONvIw)

416 the Bicameral Mind theory to me sounds kinda like " cavemen were so dumb they didn't know they were thinking"
***
I can't take it seriously
Unless they someday find physical evidence - maybe in the brain structure of a preserved fossil or something
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:34 AM (lCui1)

A lot of what we call culture are actually social tools for understanding the world. On a basic level we have phenomenological understanding (if you push something hard enough it falls over, that is its nature) that develop tricks to better manipulate the world, and from there we slowly grew away from the concept of "that is its nature"
It has taken us a long time to assemble the tools we have, and we have just started to look inwards

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 11:19 AM (ZMraq)

417 I walked out of sermons that should have had the congregation do this. One Sunday our pastor decided he'd put on a big show, with a skit and singing crappy newer songs, and a band playing and I just got up and left. He was very angry at me.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:14 AM (KZzsI)

That would have been mild. This was more like "if you accepted my words of condolences during times of loss, you're a delusional fool" sort of sermon.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:21 AM (ONvIw)

418 Kindltot,

You would likely be interested in Maps of Meaning, based on your above comment.

It's a sort of socio-psychological Volney's Ruins, but much better than that sounds.

Posted by: .87c at January 30, 2022 11:21 AM (ltjFF)

419 This is one of the theories surrounding Muhammad. It's possible he was suffering from auditory delusions, rather than genuinely communing with Gabriel.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:16 AM (K5n5d)
---
Another theory is that he didn't actually exist. There's a total lack of any archeological evidence that he did - partly because the Saudis bulldozed everything that could be dated to when he was alive.

Zero contemporary literature, either. You'd think the Byzantines would have at least noted in passing this mystical conqueror savaging their southern provinces...

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:21 AM (llXky)

420 Was it because Jesus only gradually came to understand fully who and what he was or because he had to know what it was like to suffer the losses the rest of us do in order to be fully human?

Without having scripture to say, we can only guess but my supposition is that Jesus only did miracles for specific, precise divine purposes, and not simply to keep himself from feeling bad or dealing with sorrow. Certainly part of everything Jesus did was his living the perfect life while facing all our hardships and sorrows, such as broken hearts, etc.

A part of that is assuming material prosperity is proof of divine favor, and then if that changes, God's doing something wrong.

And another part is to assume that WE are doing something terribly wrong, must repent, and figure out the Right Thing to do so God is compelled to respond the way we want. Or the delusion taught in so many churches that we can achieve sinless and perfect life, which then will lead to great wonders and happiness in our life, such as financial success. I'm looking at you, Joel Osteen.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:22 AM (KZzsI)

421 Watching modern American Jews jettison the teachings of the Torah in favor of the teachings of Marx and Maddow makes it pretty clear to me how the story of the Golden Calf originated.

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 11:22 AM (QZxDR)

422 You don't see much mention of Nathaniel Hawthorne these days, do you? I recall liking his books, and I bought a nice set about 30 years ago.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:22 AM (ONvIw)

423 The worship of nature is actually atheism in its purist form. And always amusing to see people put human characteristics on that cruel and unyielding bitch - says a lot about their worldview.
Posted by: Indignacio Vindicatorem at January 30, 2022 10:35 AM (QZ/dC)

I would argue that it is a form of Animism, where the world spirit is imbued in nature, separate from humanity. That humanity is fallen is a nasty twist though.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 11:22 AM (ZMraq)

424 Was it because Jesus only gradually came to understand fully who and what he was or because he had to know what it was like to suffer the losses the rest of us do in order to be fully human?
---
Maybe a little of both? In the ancient world, suffering and death was so common as to be unremarkable. No doubt Jesus saw many of His friends and acquaintances die from injury, disease, or a combination of both. How many could He have healed or resurrected before coming fully into His ministry? Why didn't He?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:22 AM (K5n5d)

425 Eris done good again. Do you think 'skedaddle' (which she did) is a corruption of the magnificent 'absquatulate'?

Posted by: t-bird at January 30, 2022 11:22 AM (1vynn)

426 Btw - anyone who took Modern Drunkard serious and was three issues in, would never look as great as the guy on the cover sporting the eye-patch.

They'd look more like Glen Campbell's or Nick Nolte's celebrity arrest picture.

Posted by: Boswell at January 30, 2022 11:23 AM (5iUNf)

427 Is suffering a part of modern Judaism?

-
There was a moment of profundity in King of the Hill the other day. John Redcorn became concerned that Dale wasn't raising his (note the ambiguity of the antecedent to this pronoun) correctly so he decides to impart some Native American wisdom. When we ask the Great Father for strength, he sends trouble to make us strong.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:23 AM (FVME7)

428 421 Watching modern American Jews jettison the teachings of the Torah in favor of the teachings of Marx and Maddow makes it pretty clear to me how the story of the Golden Calf originated.
Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 11:22 AM (QZxDR)

But, of course, not just us. We did not develop "liberation theology", now did we? I focus on the increased politicization of Judaism, because that's what I know. It is rampant elsewhere, too.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:24 AM (ONvIw)

429 The thing to remember is that Lazarus was not immortal. He died, again, later. Was that more merciful for him than leaving him dead and in Abraham's bosom? Its nice for the people who miss and love their deceased loved one but what about their experience? Coming back from the dead is probably a huge letdown for the person in question.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:25 AM (KZzsI)

430 Btw - anyone who took Modern Drunkard serious and was three issues in, would never look as great as the guy on the cover sporting the eye-patch.

They'd look more like Glen Campbell's or Nick Nolte's celebrity arrest picture.

Posted by: Boswell at January 30, 2022 11:23 AM (5iUNf)

Hey! I think the eye-patch looks good on him!

Posted by: Dan Red Flag at January 30, 2022 11:25 AM (7bRMQ)

431 I hear 'voices' all the time, it sounds like people talking or a tv/radio is on, all in another room. Muffled, basically.

Oh. My. God. I get that too and I always figured it was something like the neighbors with their TV cranked up. The cadence of voices is always kind of like a droning newsreader. It never occurred to that it might be literal "voices in my head."

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2022 11:25 AM (nfrXX)

432 I can see how someone can imagine hearing spirits and thinking it was real.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 10:51 AM (lCui1)

This is one of the theories surrounding Muhammad. It's possible he was suffering from auditory delusions, rather than genuinely communing with Gabriel.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:16 AM (K5n5d)

This is the question surrounding MANY religious "prophets" who heard the voice of God, or whatever. How many of them, if they had the experiences they had today, would be labeled as schizophrenic, and given anti-psychotics to try to get rid of the "bad" hallucinations?

Posted by: BurtTC at January 30, 2022 11:25 AM (I4LyL)

433 Back from a constitutional with the exciting and vivacious Mrs naturalfake.

Lessee what's up thread.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 11:26 AM (5NkmN)

434 Donna,
Possibly. I haven't read any of the Dexter books, but on the surface, they appear similar. Is Dexter also dark humor?
Posted by: Ex-CopyEditor at January 30, 2022 11:13 AM (FlzJ+)

I haven't read the books - only watched the series. Yes, it's very dark humor. The series kind of fell apart and got more unbelievable as it went on and the last season was crap.

Of course, the idea of a "good" serial killer who only goes after bad people is a stretch to begin with and the idea that one could execute "perfect murders" over and over and over again in the same area is also pretty iffy. Bundy and other infamous killers were able to rack up huge numbers because they murdered before the era of DNA testing and before states shared information about killers with other states. Given the inefficiency of government, Bundy might still have been able to get away with some murders today but the law would have caught up to him earlier than it did in the '70's.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:26 AM (HabA/)

435 Tonypete, that was my only regret of the MoMe -- we learned only descriptions and first names, and sometimes occupations.

If we're going to congeal into something stronger, we're going to have to know each other better. On the other hand, I understand that members of the French Resistance often used aliases.

When I make a will, I'm going to include a requirement that my oldest son, the least liberal in the family, post my death with my full name.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 11:26 AM (Om/di)

436 A lot of groups are quick to follow "idols" and worship heroes, it is far from a Jewish thing. A long time ago a teacher read to our class the story The Great Stone Face which dealt with the idea of false messiahs. It stuck with me.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:18 AM (ONvIw)
---
I didn't mean to imply that Jews are uniquely prone to it, only that I never understood how they could fall into the trap given the repeated instances of God's blessings.

Now I understand. Maccabees is particularly interesting given the current environment.

"All the cool kids are doing Greek stuff, sacrificing to Zeus and not getting circumcised and stuff. Look at those lame idiots following the old ways!"

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:26 AM (llXky)

437 Watching modern American Jews jettison the teachings of the Torah in favor of the teachings of Marx and Maddow makes it pretty clear to me how the story of the Golden Calf originated.
Posted by: Trimegistus

-
Everybody could jettison the Book of Leviticus and I'd be fine with that.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:27 AM (FVME7)

438 This is one of the theories surrounding Muhammad. It's possible he was suffering from auditory delusions, rather than genuinely communing with Gabriel.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:16 AM (K5n5d)

Muhammad...that guy was nuts.

Posted by: Crom at January 30, 2022 11:27 AM (R/m4+)

439 "If you want a insomniac book or love architectural drawings of artillery
British Smooth-bore Artillery
"It's a PDF document 596 pages"

Thanks Skip; I doubt I'll read it through, but it looks like a good reference work.

BTW, almost all of Beam Piper's stuff is available for free on either Gutenberg or Internet Archive-including "Murder in the Gun Room." The only exception that comes to mind is "Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen," which I haven't seen as a public domain doc. Also, I think the shorter magazine version ("Gunpowder God") is available for free with a bit of searching-IIRC it was published in Astounding and that issue is available on Internet Archive.

Posted by: Pope John the 20th at January 30, 2022 11:27 AM (KMrXU)

440 When we ask the Great Father for strength, he sends trouble to make us strong.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks,

Now you tell me!

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 11:27 AM (lCui1)

441 >>335 ZOD, I feel your pain. But the fact is, the loud and obnoxious atheists are universally Leftists. Conservative atheists seem to at least understand the benefits of faith and community provided by religion, and aren't so angry and hostile. Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 10:50 AM (QZxDR)

There's room in this calculus for the ambivalent shrug.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 11:27 AM (x8kT3)

442 sHAR - It's more geared for kids, but I like the pulp sci-fi books from the 1960s. My favorite as a kid was Lester del Ray "Runaway Robot". I bought a copy off that auction site just because I wanted to read it again, and the cover art is great.

Growing up we had a hardcover book about space flight, it was a bit before the Mercury/Gemini/Apollo got spooled up, so a lot of the pictures were a bit optomistic and not quite accurate. Before they had settled on EOR. I've looked for it online, wish I knew the title. The artists dramatizations were really good, if comical. That's what made it so great.

Posted by: Fred at January 30, 2022 11:28 AM (EmDt7)

443 Coming back from the dead is probably a huge letdown for the person in question.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:25 AM (KZzsI)

You have no idea.

Posted by: Buffy TVS at January 30, 2022 11:28 AM (I4LyL)

444 157 ... Krebs,

Glad you are enjoying the Kent Rollins cook books and videos. I've tried several of the recipes (no hot chili peppers for me, I'm a hot spice wimp) and they have all turned out great. And he has my cast iron pans working better than non-stick.

Posted by: JTB at January 30, 2022 11:28 AM (7EjX1)

445 Arthur Clarke sounds interesting ... too bad I never read him. But for space exploration, this video on the Webb insertion into L2 has details missing from a couple other videos I watched on that subject.

for instance it actually is inserted a little short of the perfect spot, because it can only use thrusters to push it further out. Then he gets into the large elliptical "orbit around nothing" (though it is primarily orbiting the sun). It is all quite fascinating, and "no math". (well, he explains what the math does, and a little math background helps appreciate how awesome it all is).

Launch Pad Astronomy on YouTube
https://is.gd/gqioRW

Posted by: illiniwek at January 30, 2022 11:28 AM (Cus5s)

446 "All the cool kids are doing Greek stuff, sacrificing to Zeus and not getting circumcised and stuff. Look at those lame idiots following the old ways!"
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:26 AM (llXky)

I didn't think you meant that Jews are uniquely prone to it, but we are certainly not immune. I reject the idea that we're "different" from the rest of humanity.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:28 AM (ONvIw)

447 But, of course, not just us. We did not develop "liberation theology", now did we? I focus on the increased politicization of Judaism, because that's what I know. It is rampant elsewhere, too.
Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:24 AM (ONvIw)

Exactly. There's been a repaganization of society which started in the 60's.

Bohemian types and aristos have followed the "if it feels good, do it" philosophy for a long time. In the '60's and '70's, the masses adopted it - and we can see the results all around us.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:29 AM (HabA/)

448 When we ask the Great Father for strength, he sends trouble to make us strong.

That's a gem. Reminds me of JFK's "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.", but King of the Hill's is better.

Posted by: t-bird at January 30, 2022 11:29 AM (1vynn)

449 Donna,
Possibly. I haven't read any of the Dexter books, but on the surface, they appear similar. Is Dexter also dark humor?
Posted by: Ex-CopyEditor at January 30, 2022 11:13 AM (FlzJ+)

I haven't read the books - only watched the series. Yes, it's very dark humor. The series kind of fell apart and got more unbelievable as it went on and the last season was crap.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:26 AM (HabA/)

They've done something of a do-over series, I assume on Showtime. Apparently trying to correct some of the mistakes made in the final season of the original run.

The redlettermedia boys were talking about it, and said it was pretty damn good.

Posted by: BurtTC at January 30, 2022 11:30 AM (I4LyL)

450 Maybe I'll dig out The Great Stone Face for the grandsons. IIRC, I was in third grade when I heard it read in class.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:30 AM (ONvIw)

451 >>I haven't read the books - only watched the series. Yes, it's very dark humor. The series kind of fell apart and got more unbelievable as it went on and the last season was crap. Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:26 AM (HabA/)

This is correct. And the recent "New Blood" sequel was unsatisfying. I imagine now that Dexter Jr. is in the picture, we'll have to follow the fashionable entertainment trajectory of too-wise-by-half youths babbling at each other in improbably mature scenarios.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 11:31 AM (x8kT3)

452 Another theory is that he didn't actually exist.

-
Neither the mountain came to Mohammad nor Mohammad came to the mountain?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:31 AM (FVME7)

453 'Modern Drunkard' magazine.

I love the Book Thread...

Posted by: Brewingfrog at January 30, 2022 11:31 AM (cjlB3)

454 https://tinyurl.com/2p9dwwu3

Cover of issue 4 of Modern Drunkard Magazine

Posted by: Boswell at January 30, 2022 11:31 AM (5iUNf)

455 Maybe I'll dig out The Great Stone Face for the grandsons. IIRC, I was in third grade when I heard it read in class.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:30 AM (ONvIw)

Don't forget my porkpie hat!

Posted by: The Great Stone Face at January 30, 2022 11:31 AM (7bRMQ)

456 354 321 "Buskin' with H.Allen Smith" is delightful silliness.

Posted by: Brett at January 30, 2022 11:32 AM (EVPmd)

457 PJ XX I have scratch built artillery vehicles, anything that helps me make better ones is appreciated.
That a ship of the line carried a mind boggling weight in artillery is a eye opener. Hundredweight is 112 pounds, each gun weighs tons.

Posted by: Skip at January 30, 2022 11:32 AM (2JoB8)

458 It is very difficult for cultures to maintain ethnical and proper behavior, because each generation tends to rebel against the previous and be influenced by their surroundings. No matter how well you raise young people, they're going to go their own way and at least for a time many will be seduced by the world and go astray like the prodigal son.

Part of what helps maintain the truth in a sea of corruption is, appropriately, reading. Reading good books and reading often, so great thoughts and great minds of the past connect to modern people and pass on their wisdom, as well as the experiences and consequences of not doing so without having to actually go through it one's self.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (KZzsI)

459 But, of course, not just us. We did not develop "liberation theology", now did we? I focus on the increased politicization of Judaism, because that's what I know. It is rampant elsewhere, too.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:24 AM (ONvIw)
---
The United Methodists basically kicked my grandparents out because they weren't willing to throw away a lifetime of theology to appeal to the hipsters of Royal Oak.

On the other hand, the East Lansing parishes are getting a lot more orthodox. The hippie-style decorations are gone, replaced with traditional iconography. We are holding candelight Masses with heavy a lot of the Latin liturgy.

Not at all what it was like 10 years ago.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (llXky)

460 O/T an amazing cloud pattern right now off the entire East Coast and the eastern Gulf Coast

https://tinyurl.com/3d5e6xth

Posted by: Gref at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (AMIL/)

461 Bohemian types and aristos have followed the "if it feels good, do it" philosophy for a long time. In the '60's and '70's, the masses adopted it - and we can see the results all around us.
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:29 AM (HabA/)

I think WWI was the big catalyst. But the idea of if there is no God, everything is permitted (Dostoevsky, to keep on the topic of literature) has caught on with a vengeance.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (ONvIw)

462 Has anyone here read The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott? Someone in the book group has raved about it for years and even though it's very long I'll try it because I'm tired of selections about homos.
Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 10:10 AM (y7DUB)

Captain Hate,

I read The Raj Quartet long ago and far away about the time I read Mishima's "Sea of Fertility".
I remember thinking it was good, not great. Basically, it's about the long slow fall of the British Empire in India and the people lives it affected.

Honestly, if you want to read the same sort of thing by Paul Scott that gives you the same things as TRQ.

Read his coda to TRQ, "Staying On". about two aging pensioners stuck in India who show up very briefly to little effect in TRQ so there's no spoilers.

If you like that, you'll probably like TRQ. If not, you'll have saved yourself a gajillion pages.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (5NkmN)

463 >>>There's just nothing being published that I want to read. Paranoid Leftist fantasies, victimhood masturbation novels, and crap churned out by people who are published because of their skin tone and perversions.

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 23, 2022 09:28 AM (QZxDR)

Imagine how much fun this is for more traditional authors who are trying to get their manuscripts published.

Posted by: Caliban at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (HgGBT)

464
Was it because Jesus only gradually came to understand fully who and what he was or because he had to know what it was like to suffer the losses the rest of us do in order to be fully human?
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:17 AM (HabA/)

__________

"The finding of Jesus in the temple is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus. Here Jesus lets us catch a glimpse of the mystery of his total consecration to a mission that flows from his divine sonship: 'Did you not know that I must be about my Father's work?' (Lk 2:49)" (CCC, 534).

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 30, 2022 11:34 AM (/U27+)

465 Not at all what it was like 10 years ago.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (llXky)

The pendulum needs some swinging back to a focus on law and order in our lives.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:34 AM (ONvIw)

466 Reading good books and reading often, so great thoughts and great minds of the past connect to modern people and pass on their wisdom, as well as the experiences and consequences of not doing so without having to actually go through it one's self.
---
Indeed. A lot of those experiences truly *suck*. I gain much wisdom from reading without having to suffer as much as the authors or characters do...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 30, 2022 11:34 AM (K5n5d)

467 "In the ancient world, suffering and death was so common as to be unremarkable."

Many 21st Americans have become spoiled and expect guarantees in life. Hence the Covid panic.

Posted by: Ignoramus at January 30, 2022 11:35 AM (i0slg)

468 The Great Stone Face

http://www.online-literature.com/hawthorne/139/

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 11:35 AM (lCui1)

469 Try Larry Correia. Monster Hunter International (ongoing series), Hard Magic (completed trilogy, with a new trilogy in the works), Son of the Black Sword (looks like it's going to be five total and three are published so far).
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 30, 2022 09:15 AM

I find that Larry Correia likes horror a lot more than I do, so his books all contain horror elements, even the light humorous ones. That tempers my enthusiasm for them.

Posted by: Cybersmythe - SE Texas MiniMoMe March 26 at January 30, 2022 11:35 AM (ezpv1)

470 Part of what helps maintain the truth in a sea of corruption is, appropriately, reading. Reading good books and reading often, so great thoughts and great minds of the past connect to modern people and pass on their wisdom, as well as the experiences and consequences of not doing so without having to actually go through it one's self.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (KZzsI)

And this is why I have some paper copies. I maintain that ebooks are easily editable and that this will be done.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:36 AM (ONvIw)

471 WaPo headline: More musicians join Neil Young in demanding Spotify remove their content over covid misinformation

Reality from article: Joni Mitchell, we knew about. Nils something, a rando band member from crazy horse and the e street band, and some podcaster who only said they were not releasing new podcasts for a while and did not give a reason, but wa po is speculating that it has to do with Rogan.

Wag wag wag that dog!

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 11:36 AM (F4b8f)

472 For years I always wondered why the ~~Jews~~ college professors - after being saved by ~~God~~ caitalism again and again - couldn't wait to worship ~~idols~~ Marx. I mean, how stupid can people be?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:37 AM (FVME7)

473 I read a book called The Scarlet Thief by Paul Fraser Collard. Its basically Sharpe's Rifles, but set in the Crimean war, with a less likable protagonist and less plausible circumstances. When the combat is happening, its very well done, and historically gripping, but otherwise its not very strong.

I also read the short and easy to read book "From the Godfather to God the Father: The Michael Franzese Story"

Michael Franzese was a Capo in the Columbo crime family in NYC, who was quite well known (the yuppie Don etc) in the 80s. This is the story of his youth, family, a bit of his life in the mob, and how he became a Christian. Franzese has a youtube show that is pretty interesting too.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:37 AM (KZzsI)

474 >>about the time I read Mishima's "Sea of Fertility".
Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (5NkmN)

Impenetrable. (Doffs skull-helmet). Respect.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 11:37 AM (x8kT3)

475 The pendulum needs some swinging back to a focus on law and order in our lives.

As long as the pendulum is up here, allow me to sharpen the blade for the return journey...

Posted by: The Pit at January 30, 2022 11:38 AM (vOGqy)

476 Reality from article: Joni Mitchell, we knew about. Nils something, a rando band member from crazy horse and the e street band, and some podcaster who only said they were not releasing new podcasts for a while and did not give a reason, but wa po is speculating that it has to do with Rogan.

Wag wag wag that dog!
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 11:36 AM (F4b8f)

So old Joni is anti-speech now? It's like she's paving paradise to put up a parking lot.

Posted by: BurtTC at January 30, 2022 11:38 AM (I4LyL)

477 472. The professors I know, and there are many, think that they are very underpaid and almost oppressed.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:38 AM (ONvIw)

478 "If you want a insomniac book or love architectural drawings of artillery
British Smooth-bore Artillery
"It's a PDF document 596 pages"
-----

Heh. I assumed it would be about tire irons.

Posted by: Lugnut at January 30, 2022 11:38 AM (1e3E/)

479 Greetings, O Book Thread!
For those who need some budget reading, my book The Last Mage Guardian is on sale for a mere $1.99 starting Monday at all fine online bookselling locations. Sale continues until Feb 7. I may risk contacting the Eris in its lair to remind the next Book Thread, even!

Re: H.Beam Piper, I consider his short story "Omnilingual" to be the perfect SF short. And even though he was a true Golden Age writer, well before woke, the main character is a dumpy female academic who doesn't sleep with anybody to get ahead, figures out the main problem *with her brain* and he shows her doing it. There's also a competent female (and Japanese!) soldier who is quite courageous. But not going all girrrll power all over the place. It's very refreshing.

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at January 30, 2022 11:39 AM (VdTX+)

480 So I'll probably get mocked and shamed but I ran across Readers Digest Condensed Books from the 70's. Books I'd never know about or read. thoroughly enjoying them. Not sure what I'm missing in the full version.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:30 AM

The library in my high school (which I attended 1979-1983) had a whole collection of those condensed books bound four or five to a volume. I first read a bunch of books that I really liked as condensed books. Including Stranger to the Ground, On High Steel, and Report from Engine Co. 82. I eventually went on to read the full versions of those three. I couldn't tell you what was abridged from them, either.

Posted by: Cybersmythe - SE Texas MiniMoMe March 26 at January 30, 2022 11:39 AM (ezpv1)

481 I plan to turn into one of those people who pre write their own obit,
-
It all began in a maternity ward in Denver, Colorado . . .
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 11:07 AM (FVME7)

Dad wrote his own Obit and one of his directions was to have it put in the Tacoma News-Tribune. It cost a LOT to put obits in papers.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 11:39 AM (ZMraq)

482 In the ancient world, suffering and death was so common as to be unremarkable."

Many 21st Americans have become spoiled and expect guarantees in life. Hence the Covid panic.
Posted by: Ignoramus at January 30, 2022 11:35 AM (

We still have countries that suffering and death are still so common as to be unremarkable. India and China are the weirdest in that group. Nuclear Powers with abject poverty and suffering,

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at January 30, 2022 11:39 AM (4v2Bk)

483 Years ago, Insty used to mention a Niven collaboration (and for some reason, as good as he was, he rose even higher with a co-author, esp Pournelle) called 'Fallen Angels' mostly about the global winter.

I know I have a copy here somewhere . . .
Posted by: mustbequantum at January 30, 2022

***
Niven, Pournelle, and a third collaborator, Mike Something. You'd think a novel written by 3 people would be a mess, but not w/ Niven & Pournelle. As I recall the novel is about near-future in which the "Greens" have taken over and stopped a lot of scientific research including space travel. The global winter has advanced -- glaciers as far south as Minneapolis! -- specifically because our civilization no longer produces as much heat and energy.

Niven, Pournelle, and Steven Barnes came up with The Legacy of Heorot, another triple collaboration that works. Imagine a colony of humans on Tau Ceti -- and the dominant predator is something like crocodiles on speed. Really. One of the reviews said that it makes Aliens look like a Disney nature film.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 11:39 AM (c6xtn)

484 471 WaPo headline: More musicians join Neil Young in demanding Spotify remove their content over covid misinformation"

"Hey, hey, my my, rock and roll will never die."

Yeah, it will, Neil and you've helped to kill it. All of those "anti-establishment rebels" of the 60's and '70's are being revealed as the establishment toadies they really are, now that the left is in power.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:40 AM (HabA/)

485 what if, there is no pendulum

Just a huge snowball rolling downhill, getting larger all the time, and causing destruction in its wake

Posted by: Fred at January 30, 2022 11:40 AM (EmDt7)

486 Thanks for the Book Thread, Eris!

I'm waiting on a couple books requested through interlibrary loan. I received the children's book "While Mrs. Coverlet Was Away" that a Moron and/or 'Ette recommended and finished the first two chapters before duty called.

Got a little farther into Chernow's Hamilton biography, but not much.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 30, 2022 11:40 AM (/+bwe)

487 Those quitting spotify are probably not getting much revenue as they're old and increasingly being forgotten. They crave the publicity

Posted by: Ignoramus at January 30, 2022 11:40 AM (i0slg)

488 Imagine how much fun this is for more traditional authors who are trying to get their manuscripts published.

This is a major part of the reason I decided to self pub instead. There are several others (control of your work, greater percentage of the earnings, etc) but that's a big one.

I went through literally hundreds of agents trying to find one, and of them all could only find THREE who would even consider taking a fantasy novel from a white man. Many literally and specifically stated they only wanted women. Most literary agents are women. Most publishers are staffed primarily by women. They do not like mens.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:41 AM (KZzsI)

489 Watching modern American Jews jettison the teachings of the Torah in favor of the teachings of Marx and Maddow makes it pretty clear to me how the story of the Golden Calf originated.
Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 11:22 AM (QZxDR)

But, of course, not just us. We did not develop "liberation theology", now did we? I focus on the increased politicization of Judaism, because that's what I know. It is rampant elsewhere, too.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:24 AM (ONvIw)

The thing is, the jews were supposed to be the chosen ones, and when you read the old testament god was kind of a bastard who kicked people's asses from one end of the desert to the other, so you got a people who were much closer to the wrath of god and witnessed what he would and could do, and they STILL made the frigging golden calf. Thats what I always found fascinating. 2000+ years later it's almost a distant memory, so everybody is screwed, but back then it was current events. "hey we just watched god part a seas and destroy pharaoh's army in a ball of fire. I know, lets make a golden calf!"

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2022 11:41 AM (VwHCD)

490
Re: H.Beam Piper, I consider his short story "Omnilingual" to be the perfect SF short. And even though he was a true Golden Age writer, well before woke, the main character is a dumpy female academic who doesn't sleep with anybody to get ahead, figures out the main problem *with her brain* and he shows her doing it. There's also a competent female (and Japanese!) soldier who is quite courageous. But not going all girrrll power all over the place. It's very refreshing.
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at January 30, 2022

***
Isaac Asimov's Susan Calvin in the I, Robot collection is something like that too.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 11:41 AM (c6xtn)

491 So I'll probably get mocked and shamed but I ran across Readers Digest Condensed Books from the 70's. Books I'd never know about or read. thoroughly enjoying them. Not sure what I'm missing in the full version.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob at January 30, 2022 09:30 AM

I inherited the entire collection from my father.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at January 30, 2022 11:41 AM (4v2Bk)

492 Just read that the University of Nebraska has reworked their cartoon Husker mascot to remove the ok symbol from his hand. Because it is a white power symbol according to the Anti Defamation league.

Posted by: Jen the original at January 30, 2022 11:41 AM (m6r7l)

493 Richard McKenna was a family friend. He died when I was a child, but we remained friends with his widow, Eva. She edited some of his unfinished manuscripts.

He was a machinist's mate in the Navy for 20 years. His writing about machinery was sheer poetry.

Posted by: Brett at January 30, 2022 11:42 AM (EVPmd)

494 the teachings of Marx and Maddow
-------------------------
M&Ms!

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at January 30, 2022 11:43 AM (UHVv4)

495 If people didn't put obits in the paper, newspapers probably would have died out years ago...

Posted by: lin-duh at January 30, 2022 11:43 AM (UUBmN)

496 >>Wag wag wag that dog!
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 11:36 AM (F4b8f)

Hilarious to see the old Hippies going all-in for censorship.

Posted by: Caliban at January 30, 2022 11:43 AM (HgGBT)

497 The professors I know, and there are many, think that they are very underpaid and almost oppressed.

Yeah almost everyone who spends virtually or actually zero time out in the wider world of labor and life tends to grossly overestimate their value and underestimate their compensation. They need to work in a McDonald's a year or so, get used to actual work with actual low pay for some perspective. Work a construction site to find out what hard work is, and real life danger. That kind of thing.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:44 AM (KZzsI)

498 My most recent book is Duff Cooper's "King David", a biography of King David of Israel, written by the father of historian John Julius Norwich. Cooper writes extremely well, and tells the story of David's life with a clarity informed by a lifetime of association with powerful men. Further, although he is a whiggish agnostic, Cooper treats the religious aspects of David's story seriously and with dignity. The book is long out of print, but is well worth seeking out.

If you can't find it, however, Cooper's "Talleyrand", his biography of Charles Maurice Talleyrand-Perigord, is in print and available in a variety of formats. It's a wonderful telling of one of the most bizarre and accomplished lives of the 19th century: ****!

Posted by: Nemo at January 30, 2022 11:44 AM (S6ArX)

499 >>492 Just read that the University of Nebraska has reworked their cartoon Husker mascot to remove the ok symbol from his hand. Because it is a white power symbol according to the Anti Defamation league.
Posted by: Jen the original at January 30, 2022 11:41 AM (m6r7l)

Herbie Husker is still a white male.

Nebraska, your work remains undone.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 11:44 AM (x8kT3)

500 If people didn't put obits in the paper, newspapers probably would have died out years ago...
Posted by: lin-duh at January 30, 2022 11:43 AM (UUBm

And engagement announcements. Do they still do that?

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at January 30, 2022 11:45 AM (4v2Bk)

501 So I'll probably get mocked and shamed but I ran across Readers Digest Condensed Books from the 70's./i]

Not at all, in fact, some of those books are better for the condensing. Some are much worse, and I encourage finding the real thing to read. I read a lot of those in my youth, it helped fuel my love of reading.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:45 AM (KZzsI)

502 Did find out the Carronades very popular up through the Napoleonic wars ( mentioned in any book of ships) fell out of favor soon after they ended. The tactic of close in fire soon was dropped for long range so losing their capability.

Posted by: Skip at January 30, 2022 11:45 AM (2JoB8)

503 Good morning, AHE, Horde

Posted by: callsign claymore at January 30, 2022 11:46 AM (0WhgA)

504 It took The Huskers, what, 6 years to notice?

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 11:46 AM (F4b8f)

505 Wag wag wag that dog!
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 11:36 AM (F4b8f)

As someone somewhere mentioned when CNN laughed that Spotify's share price was down 30% at one point on Friday, Spotify's share price would be down 100% if they'd have kicked off Joe Rogan.

Posted by: Boswell at January 30, 2022 11:47 AM (5iUNf)

506 Because it is a white power symbol according to the Anti Defamation league.[/i[

Has anyone ever tried, "No, it isn't"?

Posted by: t-bird at January 30, 2022 11:47 AM (9Fwwf)

507 Richard McKenna was a family friend. He died when I was a child, but we remained friends with his widow, Eva. She edited some of his unfinished manuscripts.

He was a machinist's mate in the Navy for 20 years. His writing about machinery was sheer poetry.
Posted by: Brett at January 30, 2022

***
He wrote and published some SF or fantasy too -- some in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 11:48 AM (c6xtn)

508 Yeah, it will, Neil and you've helped to kill it. All of those "anti-establishment rebels" of the 60's and '70's are being revealed as the establishment toadies they really are, now that the left is in power.
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:40 AM (HabA/)

There's some speculation that old Neil didn't even write it, that it was his idiot wife, Darryl Hannah. In which case, there's a question of whether elder abuse is at work here.

Posted by: BurtTC at January 30, 2022 11:48 AM (I4LyL)

509 This close, chris.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 11:48 AM (F4b8f)

510 The professors I know, and there are many, think that they are very underpaid and almost oppressed.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:38 AM (ONvIw)
---
Their current situation doesn't line up with their expectations.

That actually makes sense - who would want to be a college professor today? Time was, you could engage and provoke, now you live in constant fear of getting a hate mob calling for your job.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:48 AM (llXky)

511 Have old classic books been discovered by hipsters yet? I need to sell a bunch of books on that auction site

Posted by: Fred at January 30, 2022 11:48 AM (EmDt7)

512 >>504 It took The Huskers, what, 6 years to notice?
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 11:46 AM (F4b8f)

Next on the Cornhusker football chopping-block: the Blackshirts.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 11:48 AM (x8kT3)

513 The barrel is hungry. Why do you keep denying him?

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 11:49 AM (F4b8f)

514 Next on the Cornhusker football chopping-block: the Blackshirts.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 11:48 AM (x8kT3)
---
They already gave up on winning seasons, so...

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 30, 2022 11:50 AM (llXky)

515 The tactic of close in fire soon was dropped for long range so losing their capability.

The British had a lot of success with sailing right up to the side of an French ship and tearing them to pieces, but that was for several key reasons.

First, while the French built beautiful and well made ships, they didn't sail them very well, because they spent most of their time locked up in harbors by British blockades, so got little practical experience,

Second, the revolution killed most of the experienced and skilled captains (most of whom were nobility), and replaced them with party favorites and reliable revolutionaries who knew next to nothing about sailing.

Third, they didn't get much opportunity or reason to practice gunnery, so they were just not very good when it came time for a fight.

By the end of the war, the French were getting much better and you couldn't just park next to one and blow it to smithereens, but Nelson was right at the time when he said "never mind the maneuvers, always go at them"

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:50 AM (KZzsI)

516 Just read that the University of Nebraska has reworked their cartoon Husker mascot to remove the ok symbol from his hand. Because it is a white power symbol according to the Anti Defamation league.

Oh, FFS. Peak Stoopid has become an elusive enigma.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at January 30, 2022 11:50 AM (Xrfse)

517
All I could hear was a crow and off in the distance a dog and the sound of Justin Trudeau soiling himself.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, resolved to lurking

As thousands of protesters entered Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family were moved from their home to an undisclosed location somewhere in the city on Saturday afternoon due to security concerns, CBC reports.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 30, 2022 11:51 AM (63Dwl)

518 26 Howdy Shar! Fellow vet here. Check out Robert Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" and Steven Pressfield's "Gates of Fire."

Posted by: callsign claymore at January 30, 2022 11:51 AM (0WhgA)

519 Have old classic books been discovered by hipsters yet?

Modern youngsters are horrified by anything published before 2000, 2010. Its full of triggering concepts like no superpowered grrls dominating men, and racist things like white men being happy in themselves.

Seriously, go to Goodreads, pick any classic book and read the reviews by young people.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:52 AM (KZzsI)

520 510. This has been their view for 50 years. It's all about how education should always mean money and power.

Posted by: CN The First at January 30, 2022 11:52 AM (ONvIw)

521 How many mascots have a closed fist ?

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at January 30, 2022 11:52 AM (4v2Bk)

522 I don't know about engagements. Not too much "society" left for the society page. Marriages and dissolutions, and death notices, are required by law, I think.

I like to see who got busted, too. The paper doesn't publish too many of those for some reason. The cop shop has a web page for that. Also " Who's In The County Jail" is pretty interesting. Mug shots of your county is usually scary. Some broken souls out there

Posted by: Fred at January 30, 2022 11:53 AM (EmDt7)

523 BTW, reading about the Donner Party drives home the point that reporters have been lying bastards for a long time now. Even before the last survivors were rescued from their miserable snowbound lead-tos, the media was reporting that mothers had casually eaten their babies and cut up their husbands without a second thought. Those reports tainted the reputations of the survivors.

Although a few of the Donner Party exhibited sociopathic behavior, most were deeply anguished about what they had to do to survive and aware of the huge taboo they were breaking. Some of them refrained from eating human flesh themselves while giving it to their children because they wanted the kids to live. It was not at all a matter of "Dad's dead! Let's dig in!"

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:53 AM (HabA/)

524 Seriously, go to Goodreads, pick any classic book and read the reviews by young people.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

This is why I can't bring myself to log un to Goodreads anymore
Too woke

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 11:53 AM (lCui1)

525 , Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family were moved from their home to an undisclosed location somewhere in the city on Saturday afternoon due to security concerns

Something something flees when no man pursues.

The response of the left to ordinary citizens tired of their crap screams of guilt. These citizen groups never offer anything but anger and words and physical presence, but the leftist politicians always act like they are rape gangs firing off guns like Yosemite Sam.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:54 AM (KZzsI)

526 I find that Larry Correia likes horror a lot more than I do, so his books all contain horror elements, even the light humorous ones. That tempers my enthusiasm for them.
Posted by: Cybersmythe - SE Texas MiniMoMe March 26 at January 30, 2022 11:35 AM (ezpv1)

Try Michael Z Williamson then.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 11:54 AM (ZMraq)

527 >>521 How many mascots have a closed fist ?
Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at January 30, 2022 11:52 AM (4v2Bk)

1st Heavy Bath-Salt Gorilla Cavalry Brigade.

Mascot/insignia: "The Mailed Ape-Fist."

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 11:55 AM (x8kT3)

528

White power?
Be seeing you.

https://youtu.be/QY9oWfkKt6A

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 30, 2022 11:55 AM (63Dwl)

529 Morning Hordemates.
Been reading Sci-Fi here for a bit. I've decided I'm not a fan.

Posted by: Diogenes at January 30, 2022 11:55 AM (axyOa)

530 Although a few of the Donner Party exhibited sociopathic behavior, most were deeply anguished about what they had to do to survive and aware of the huge taboo they were breaking. Some of them refrained from eating human flesh themselves while giving it to their children because they wanted the kids to live. It was not at all a matter of "Dad's dead! Let's dig in!"
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V

Fascinating and horrifying. I had nightmares for weeks..

Posted by: Infidel at January 30, 2022 11:56 AM (qpolg)

531 Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 11:53 AM (HabA/)

The show 1883 is giving me a yuge new respect for what pioneers went through

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 11:56 AM (lCui1)

532 250 My damn touch screen wants to copy the whole thread and send me permanently to the Barrel.

iPhone with latest iOS, right? I've found that reloading the page sometimes helps.
Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2022 10:15 AM (nfrXX)

I have the same problem. But when you wish to copy, turn your phone vertical to copy. After you copy you can turn it horizontal again to paste in comments.

Tipping it vertical gets rid of copying the whole thread.

Posted by: Pork Chops & Bacons at January 30, 2022 11:57 AM (Fs5vw)

533 Diogenes, I am not a huge sci fi fan either, for the most part. There are some specific books I can enjoy because of the concept or themes, but as a genre, its not my favorite. Oddly enough I am not a big fan of fantasy either -- at least most fantasy that's been written. I do not like the mega epic sweeping multi-doorstop series at all.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:57 AM (KZzsI)

534 Cannibalism on the open sea on lifeboats was a thing whispered about too

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 11:57 AM (lCui1)

535 The show 1883 is giving me a yuge new respect for what pioneers went through

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 11:56 AM (lCui1)

That was nothing compared to all the bad thoughts I have to hear day after day from icky Trumpers!!!

Posted by: Leftist at January 30, 2022 11:58 AM (7bRMQ)

536 Morning Hordemates.
Been reading Sci-Fi here for a bit. I've decided I'm not a fan.
Posted by: Diogenes at January 30, 2022 11:55 AM (axyOa)

Only SciFi book that I have liked is Armor. It's one of my favorite books,

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at January 30, 2022 11:58 AM (4v2Bk)

537 Hilarious to see the old Hippies going all-in for censorship.
Posted by: Caliban at January 30, 2022 11:43 AM (HgGBT)

The purpose of the SDS and hippies and Yippies were to remake society so they could run it better.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 11:58 AM (ZMraq)

538 I've found myself reading a lot of lighter stuff lately. Currently enjoying Joe Tait: It's Been a Real Ball: Stories from a Hall-of-Fame Sports Broadcasting Career by Terry Pluto and Joe himself. Won't mean anything to most folks, as Joe was kind of a regional phenom. I grew up listening to him broadcast Indians and Cavs games. Anyway, it's a good read.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at January 30, 2022 11:59 AM (Xrfse)

539 The pilot on the cover of Drunkard magazine looks a bit like Moshe Dayan.

Posted by: SFGoth at January 30, 2022 11:59 AM (KAi1n)

540 Cannibalism on the open sea on lifeboats was a thing whispered about too

"There is absolutely no cannibalism in the Royal Navy! And by none, I mean very little"
--Captain Francis Q Puffington, RN, Kb, Mrs

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:59 AM (KZzsI)

541 I dug into some of the old Fur Trapper journals lately. While you can buy hardcover and reprints they are all public domain having been published in the 1800s up to about 1860. Mtmn.org has a bunch of the classics.

They really got around, and might be in Wyoming and decide to walk to Santa Fe to purchase fresh horses.

Posted by: Fred at January 30, 2022 11:59 AM (EmDt7)

542 Should qualify that previous statement.

No, I wasn't going to give my full name to a group of strangers -- somebody there could have been a spy. (Nor would I have played poker with anybody there.) And, true, convention name tags give only the first name.

Over time, however, it could be a different story. After all, the Founders knew each other; otherwise the Committees of Correspondence never would have begun.

OK, that's enough nosiness. Back to book talk.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 12:00 PM (Om/di)

543 "[Richard McKenna] wrote and published some SF or fantasy too -- some in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction."

Some of those were collected in a book: "Casey Agonistes and Other Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories" (1973)

Posted by: Brett at January 30, 2022 12:00 PM (EVPmd)

544 I am not a big fan of fantasy either -- at least most fantasy that's been written. I do not like the mega epic sweeping multi-doorstop series at all.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022

***
I write the stuff, fantasy that is, and also don't care for a lot of works out there. So much of it seems to start off with someone, usually a young woman, in a tower, staring out at the night and remembering the good days when King ArgleBargle ruled the land.

Try Fred Saberhagen's Empire of the East (one volume) and his "Books of Swords" series.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 12:00 PM (c6xtn)

545 I understand the concept of "free will" better than some others.

-
Free Will!*

*With purchase of will of greater or equal value.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 12:00 PM (FVME7)

546 1000 thanks to all the 'Ettes and 'Rons for your Sunday Book Thread suggestions! You have kept me busy reading great books for years.

I 'juggle' a few books at a time so right now I'm reading RFK Jr's The Real Anthony Fauci. It takes me a long time to get through it because I have to put it down after every chapter and deal wit the rage it induces. To lighten things up I'm also reading Ruth Stout's Gardening Without Work, for the Aging, the Busy, and the Indolent. ( what a title!). I think I need to jump into a Gardening thread to find out if her way works.

And I'm taking this bare bookshelves thing seriously. Whenever I pass by an antique store, I scan through the old books they sell and pick up a 'classic' here and there to add to the home library... to be passed on to future generations. I just grabbed an old copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Posted by: RondinellaMamma Donald J Trump is our duly elected president at January 30, 2022 12:01 PM (l0Cy4)

547 NOOD

Posted by: Skip guy who says NOOD at January 30, 2022 12:01 PM (2JoB8)

548 Noodus feministorum

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 12:02 PM (c6xtn)

549 The show 1883 is giving me a yuge new respect for what pioneers went through
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 11:56 AM (lCui1)

Compare the early settlers - people who basically walked across a continent to get to California and Oregon - without modern camping gear or down jackets or GPS - with the present day denizens of California and Oregon.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 12:02 PM (HabA/)

550 Hilarious to see the old Hippies going all-in for censorship.
Posted by: Caliban

Tragedy to those who feel; comedy to those who think.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stupid Son of a Bitch at January 30, 2022 12:02 PM (FVME7)

551 "Cannibalism In The Cars" by Mark Twain is a tidy little read.

Posted by: ZOD at January 30, 2022 12:02 PM (x8kT3)

552 Thanks for the cool book thread, Eris!

Posted by: KT at January 30, 2022 12:03 PM (0ghg2)

553 Yeah I've read the Books of swords, they're pretty good. I love the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser books, enjoy most of moorcock's older fantasy stuff (Hawkmoon, Elric, Corum, etc) and that kind of thing. Its just the Game of Thrones, Wheel of Time stuff I don't enjoy. Most modern fantasy is way too lush, deep, and big in its scope.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 12:03 PM (KZzsI)

554 If we're going to congeal into something stronger, we're going to have to know each other better. On the other hand, I understand that members of the French Resistance often used aliases.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 11:26 AM (Om/di)

There's the cell concept
ace and the major cobs form a cell
major cobs form cells with minor cobs

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 12:03 PM (lCui1)

555 Too many Christians lean in that direction, acting like God is a Santa Claus who is compelled to bring you nice things if you do the right stuff. That you can order around or call on to get what you want and when He doesn't come through is a rotten bastard.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:09 AM

Reminds me of the Jim Butcher story "The Warrior" (one of the Harry Dresden stories) where he has an archangel come out and say "God's not about you having a good life. God's about you having a choice."

Best explanation of the why behind the "problem of evil" that I've ever read.

Posted by: Cybersmythe - SE Texas MiniMoMe March 26 at January 30, 2022 12:04 PM (ezpv1)

556 Thanks for the cool book thread, Eris!

Yes.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at January 30, 2022 12:04 PM (Xrfse)

557 Honestly, if you want to read the same sort of thing by Paul Scott that gives you the same things as TRQ.

Read his coda to TRQ, "Staying On". about two aging pensioners stuck in India who show up very briefly to little effect in TRQ so there's no spoilers.

If you like that, you'll probably like TRQ. If not, you'll have saved yourself a gajillion pages.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 11:33 AM (5NkmN)

Thanks but I think plans are to only read the first volume, after which I can decide to drop it or continue. I'm not unfamiliar with aspects of the partition of Pakistan since my son in law's grandfather was lucky to survive it.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 12:04 PM (y7DUB)

558 I notice that republican politicians don't have "schedule conflicts" which prevent them from appearing at a trump rally.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 12:04 PM (F4b8f)

559 Girthy Book Thread, Eris. Well done!

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2022 12:05 PM (P3gRi)

560 26 Hey, not sure if this is the right place for this, but here goes.

Disabled vet, looking for new books to read for therapy. Most interested in Scifi/Fantasy/Military fiction. A couple criteria for it to work for therapy: needs to start quick (attention span issues). Needs a generally positive outlook/heroes win (not Song of Ice and Fire). Humor is a plus. Ideally based on real history/mythology, or at least internally consistent.

I've had good luck with Honor Harrington, Dresden Files, and the older Tom Clancy.

What else is worth trying?

---

Jack Vance.

Posted by: Interesting Times at January 30, 2022 12:05 PM (ieN7O)

561 Yeah I've read the Books of swords, they're pretty good. I love the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser books, enjoy most of moorcock's older fantasy stuff (Hawkmoon, Elric, Corum, etc) and that kind of thing. Its just the Game of Thrones, Wheel of Time stuff I don't enjoy. Most modern fantasy is way too lush, deep, and big in its scope.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022

***
Exactly. If I get my stuff up on Amazon this year, I'll let everybody here know. I tend to write not about princesses and "traditional" wizards with long grey beards; I write about prostitutes, ex-soldiers, and young magicians who have more in common with Ignatius Reilly and Nero Wolfe than with Gandalf, etc.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 12:06 PM (c6xtn)

562 @26 Disabled vet, looking for new books to read for therapy. Most interested in Scifi/Fantasy/Military fiction. A couple criteria for it to work for therapy: needs to start quick (attention span issues). Needs a generally positive outlook/heroes win (not Song of Ice and Fire). Humor is a plus.

Mentioned above - but try the Murderbot series of novellas by Martha Wells. Short, starts right off the bat, humor and action.

Posted by: SummaMamaT - the one always late to the party at January 30, 2022 12:07 PM (USQVR)

563 I notice that republican politicians don't have "schedule conflicts" which prevent them from appearing at a trump rally.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 30, 2022 12:04 PM (F4b8f)

I was struck by out-of-state AG's showing up.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 12:07 PM (ZMraq)

564 Mentioned above - but try the Murderbot series of novellas by Martha Wells. Short, starts right off the bat, humor and action.
Posted by: SummaMamaT -

I saw one of those recently- do you have to read them in order

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 12:09 PM (lCui1)

565 I suspect that there is a real demand out there for smaller, down to earth fantasy stuff (I write the same kind of thing) instead of huge stories. I just don't have the time or desire to invest in a 18-book series where each book looks like the Oxford English Dictionary.

Disabled vet, looking for new books to read for therapy. Most interested in Scifi/Fantasy/Military fiction.

Click on my name and look at Fiction.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 12:10 PM (KZzsI)

566 Although a few of the Donner Party exhibited sociopathic behavior, most were deeply anguished about what they had to do to survive and aware of the huge taboo they were breaking. Some of them refrained from eating human flesh themselves while giving it to their children because they wanted the kids to live. It was not at all a matter of "Dad's dead! Let's dig in!"
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V

Punctuation is important.
Let's eat grandma!
Or
Let's eat, grandma!

Posted by: rickb223 at January 30, 2022 12:10 PM (uXonU)

567 I have to go, but thank you, horde, and much thanks to Eris for continuing my beloved Book Thread.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&V at January 30, 2022 12:10 PM (HabA/)

568 This week's reading was finishing up Agatha Christie's Death Comes As the End. Pretty standard murder mystery, but set in ancient Egypt. Probably written after a winter with her archaeologist husband on one of his digs. I enjoyed it, but then I usually enjoy Christie - this one was weird because it had no "detective" as such.

I am 3/4 through Trollope's massive The Way We Live Now. I am a Trollope fangirl, so I am enjoying it mightily.

This week I will start As I Lay Dying by Faulkner. I've never been a Faulkner fan, but I'm reading it along with the Close Reads podcast group.

Posted by: SummaMamaT - the one always late to the party at January 30, 2022 12:12 PM (USQVR)

569 I saw one of those recently- do you have to read them in order from VMom

Yes. you really do need to read them in order. Sci fi is not my usual genre, but I love these!

Posted by: SummaMamaT - the one always late to the party at January 30, 2022 12:13 PM (USQVR)

570 Its just the Game of Thrones, Wheel of Time stuff I don't enjoy. Most modern fantasy is way too lush, deep, and big in its scope.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022

Know you are not a fan CRT, but I hate to see Wheel of Time compared to Game of Thrones. Jordan may have taken the garden path, but he also kept his stories Good vs Evil/No Nihilism.

Honor. Duty. Truth. Beauty.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 30, 2022 12:16 PM (dNqv+)

571 Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 12:04 PM (y7DUB)

Since you have an Indian connection, CH and you're perusing Burgess' "99 Novels".

Check out R K Narayan's "The Vendor of Sweets".

This is a guy who can flat-out write! His novels are charming, humorous, short and profound. I recommend him without reservation.

I read several of his novels immediately after I read TVoS. Most of the novels occur within the same village, so if you like to read a collection of stories within the same setting(though not particularly connected), he's your guy.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 12:20 PM (5NkmN)

572 Some of Brandon Sanderson's stuff might fit the bill for shorter, faster moving stuff though. The Wax and Wayne series for one.

Richard A Knaack and Simon R Green were a couple pulpy, old school, short fantasy/sci-fi writers as well. Michael A Stackpole (Talion, Once a Hero) is a good one as well.

Of course, Larry Correia.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 30, 2022 12:24 PM (dNqv+)

573 About the novel Fallen Angels

Niven, Pournelle, and a third collaborator, Mike Something.
You'd think a novel written by 3 people would be a mess, but not w/ Niven & Pournelle. As I recall the novel is about near-future in which the "Greens" have taken over and stopped a lot of scientific research including space travel. The global winter has advanced -- glaciers as far south as Minneapolis! -- specifically because our civilization no longer produces as much heat and energy.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 30, 2022 11:39 AM

Michael Barnes. The main characters are the residents of a permanent space station who are shot down while attempting to get some nitrogen from the atmosphere for the space station. The travel across Canada and the US and eventually wind up on a Caribbean island taking an SSTO rocket back up to the station.

It's got some howlers as three southern California writers attempt to describe life in the Frozen North, but it is pretty good and it's got a bunch of shout outs to SF Fandom.

Posted by: Cybersmythe - SE Texas MiniMoMe March 26 at January 30, 2022 12:24 PM (ezpv1)

574 Nood. Pigs.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 30, 2022 12:24 PM (dNqv+)

575 26 -- Shar: My specialty is mystery. I owned a bookstore specializing in mysteries for many years. You might try Carol O'Connell's Malory series. The humor is mordant. You have to do the first four in order; afterwards you can read them in any order. Have you tried Robert Asprin's "Myth" series? This is a fantasy series. The books are pretty short and the humor is very broad, a lot of it based on puns. Bruce Coville wrote a series of young adult novels called the Magic Shop books. Don't let the term "young adult" put you off; I read them in my forties and laughed all the way through them.

Actually, thinking about "short attention span", you might take a closer look at your local book store's young adult section. Young adult has become a lot more sophisticated these past several years, but they're shorter than adult books and tend not to be so dense you have to constantly back track because you don't remember the circumstances under which you met a character or a specific action vitally important to the plot.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- bitterly clinging to the deplorable life '70s style! at January 30, 2022 12:32 PM (N86eO)

576 I am currently rereading Lindsey Davis' Marcus Didius Falco series. I enjoy reading these because as the books go along, I constantly run across bits of Roman history and social habits I missed during four years of Latin in high school and some Roman history in college.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- bitterly clinging to the deplorable life '70s style! at January 30, 2022 12:37 PM (N86eO)

577 "By the end of the war, the French were getting much better and you couldn't just park next to one and blow it to smithereens, but Nelson was right at the time when he said 'never mind the maneuvers, always go at them'"

The French had kind of a hot and cold relationship with their navy, depending mostly on who was in charge. Napoleon was a land warfare guy and didn't have much use or respect for naval power, so it mostly languished and was starved of men and funds. Other French rulers, or their mistresses, on the other hand, would support the navy from time to time. The French did fairly well during the AWI, and the Bailli de Suffren did quite well in the Indian Ocean in the 1780s. Although the European and European adjacent combats get most of the historical press, lots of interesting stuff happened in the Indian Ocean and southeast Asian waters. C. Northcote Parkinson (yes, the Parkinson's law guy) in addition to general histories on the Brit Navy also wrote a bio of Edward Pellew, and essay and books on war and trade in the eastern seas. [cont]

Posted by: Pope John the 20th at January 30, 2022 12:43 PM (KMrXU)

578 I am currently rereading Lindsey Davis' Marcus Didius Falco series.

I liked those, but the SPQR series appealed to me a lot more.

I hate to see Wheel of Time compared to Game of Thrones.

Well the comparison isn't the content, rather the vast scope and size, the style. Enormous stories spanning multiple continents with a cast of millions dealing with the FUTURE OF THE WORLD. Books 700 pages long with 6 or 10 in the series.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 12:45 PM (KZzsI)

579 At least Eris is saluting the tradition of the great OM.

Looking at you Buck Thruckmorten, or whatever.

Get yourself an ape picture!!!!

Comform!!!!!

Posted by: Loki at January 30, 2022 12:45 PM (ZW1rs)

580 Napoleon was a land warfare guy and didn't have much use or respect for naval power, so it mostly languished and was starved of men and funds./i]

Yeah that's another major factor. Napoleon saw the Navy as transportation for the army and little else. If he'd had a powerful, aggressive Navy he might have gotten his invasion of England underway, but never could even get close the way he handled things.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 12:50 PM (KZzsI)

581 [cont]

Also lots of interesting memoirs and the like about anti-pirate patrols and campaigns in southeast Asian waters in the early and mid 19th century. Some involved one of the most eccentric and interesting British characters of the colonial period-James Brooke, the first white Raja of Sarawak. Here again, memoirs and biographical writings, including some by James Brooke and, IIRC, his successor's wife, are available and in public domain. At least one of the Brit naval commanders, James Keppel commander of HMS Dido on anti-pirate patrols also wrote of his experiences-the edition I have includes an appendix with excerpts written by Brooke.

Posted by: Pope John the 20th at January 30, 2022 12:50 PM (KMrXU)

582 Weak Geek, if you like that era and that circle, you might look at the books by H. Allen Smith. He had been a reporter, an entertainment beat reporter in New York, a Hollywood publicity flack, a writer on Bob Hope movies, and finally a general ranter

But he wrote a lot of amusing books

The first one is Life in a Putty Knife Factory
Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2022 10:42 AM (ZMraq)

Also the author of "Rhubarb", about a cat who inherits a baseball team. Very funny.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2022 12:50 PM (P3gRi)

583 576 I am currently rereading Lindsey Davis' Marcus Didius Falco series. I enjoy reading these because as the books go along, I constantly run across bits of Roman history and social habits I missed during four years of Latin in high school and some Roman history in college.
Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- bitterly clinging to the deplorable life '70s style! at January 30, 2022 12:37 PM (N86eO)

I have a few of those somewhere. Also John Maddox Roberts supposedly had a couple Roman detective novels. He also did a short series alternate history 'what if' called Hannibal's Children (idea is Rome loses Second Punic War.)

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 30, 2022 12:53 PM (dNqv+)

584 Larry Niven went on to collaborate with a physicist (Edward M. Lerner) to write the "Worlds" saga...

Fleet of Worlds
Juggler of Worlds
Destroyer of Worlds
Betrayer of Worlds

It brings back a bunch of the favorites (Neesus, Hindmost, Louis Wu) and ties up a bunch of lose ends that had unraveled through the Ringworld universe. Excellent books. Maybe I will write a review for Eris to consider.

And speaking of Ringworlds, they introduced one in the Book of Boba Fat (or whatever the new dumb series is called). It was an interlude bringing back Mando (number 5). Like all Star Wars crap, they had to make it look dystopian and ugly and small. Thanks Disney - couldn't have created a beautiful world like Halo or Niven did (or even Ian Banks). Had to make it look like a machine world hell. Why would you even want to live there?

Posted by: Loki at January 30, 2022 12:55 PM (ZW1rs)

585 I hear 'voices' all the time, it sounds like people talking or a tv/radio is on, all in another room. Muffled, basically. I always attribute it to a combination of my tinnitus and the various sources of white noise in my house. I figure my brain is trying to make sense of the input, the way people see faces everywhere.
Posted by: J. Random Dude at January 30, 2022 11:13 AM (FfJxM)

I have the same experience. have learned to ignore it.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2022 12:58 PM (P3gRi)

586 "Yeah that's another major factor. Napoleon saw the Navy as transportation for the army and little else. If he'd had a powerful, aggressive Navy he might have gotten his invasion of England underway, but never could even get close the way he handled things."

One of Napoleon's, many, problems with understanding naval power was his failure to understand the technical expertise required of a naval commander.-and sailors He didn't understand that you couldn't easily turn conscripts into sailors and that there were reasons why his orders to his admirals were unreasonable; he didn't know that armies and navies were fundamentally different and needed different treatment. Spain, and the Duke of Medina Sedonia, had a similar problem with the Armada. Yet, oddly enough, generals and admirals were to some extent interchangeable during the English Civil War-I suspect the generals at sea relied heavily on their captains.

Posted by: Pope John the 20th at January 30, 2022 01:04 PM (KMrXU)

587 Also John Maddox Roberts supposedly had a couple Roman detective novels.
Posted by: Aetius451AD

SPQR
Just borrowed the 2 that my lib has (number IV & number X)

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 01:10 PM (lCui1)

588 Michael Flynn was the third author on Fallen Angels. He's a great SF writer in his own right as well, and has a fun blog called "The TOF Spot."

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 01:13 PM (QZxDR)

589 In the ancient world, suffering and death was so common as to be unremarkable.

In Grandma's time, death was accepted, but sex was hidden.

Now, sex is accepted, but death is to be hidden.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 01:33 PM (Om/di)

590 @500 --

In small towns, they do.

Obits, engagement and anniversary announcements -- small papers thrive on those. They are Ex-Pensive.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 01:44 PM (Om/di)

591 Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2022 12:20 PM (5NkmN)

Thanks for the heads up on this. Sounds like it's right in my wheelhouse.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 30, 2022 01:52 PM (y7DUB)

592 I should write my own anthem

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 02:18 PM (lCui1)

593 Oops wrong thread

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 30, 2022 02:23 PM (lCui1)

594 573 About the novel Fallen Angels

astro burger at kramer junction, mentioned in the book, was knocked down recently to build the new interchange between us395 and ca58

Posted by: Anachronda at January 30, 2022 02:49 PM (2PdcG)

595 From the lamented Gene Wolfe: Borrowed Man. Clones of dead celebrities that can be checked out of the library.

Posted by: Neil Ferguson at January 30, 2022 03:01 PM (DT85R)

596 Does any moron happen to have a copy of Mrs. Coverlet's Magicians by Mary Nash? I refuse to pay the going rate of $145 for a childrens' book from the 60s. If so, may I borrow it? I promise to return it.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at January 30, 2022 03:26 PM (Mzdiz)

597 "PJ XX I have scratch built artillery vehicles, anything that helps me make better ones is appreciated. "

Skip; maybe you could post links to photos on the next crafts thread-I, for one at least, would be interested. I admire good model making and have lots of books on the subject. I don't do any serious work myself as I lack the time....and the skill. I do a little scenery work as the bespoke stuff is so expensive. I have a friend-Herb Gundt of H.G. Walls-who does custom work. His stuff is incredible, and far too expensive for my frugal self. Another friend, the late Dean West, also used to do some very nice scenery and modeling, but he came into wargaming from model railroading so the modeling was second nature to him.

Posted by: Pope John the 20th at January 30, 2022 03:38 PM (KMrXU)

598 Miley --

My copy is from the MOBIUS interlibrary lending system. Runs from Pennsylvania to Arkansas.

If you're not in that system, see what your local library offers. You can order online.

Posted by: Weak Geek at January 30, 2022 03:53 PM (Om/di)

599 Michael Flynn was the third author on Fallen Angels. He's a great SF writer in his own right as well, and has a fun blog called "The TOF Spot."

Posted by: Trimegistus at January 30, 2022 01:13 PM

Crap. Your right.

Posted by: Cybersmythe - SE Texas MiniMoMe March 26 at January 30, 2022 04:08 PM (ezpv1)

600 I've pre-paid for my cremation, and filled out the booklet on who to notify, who my insurance beneficiary is, and that I want a wake rather than a funeral. (I find funerals are depressing, whereas a wake is a celebration of the person's life.)

My youngest sister can write my obit.

Posted by: Ann Wilson, aka Empire 1 at January 30, 2022 04:11 PM (JJatH)

601 26 @Char

I liked Honor Harrington also, I found the Galaxies Edge series a good series. It reminds me of StarWars a little but it's really a bigger story. Anspach and Cole are the writers and they do a very good job and they aren't woke lefties by any stretch.

Posted by: Country_Breakfast at January 30, 2022 04:18 PM (zttiK)

602 A few more thoughts on Sci-Fi, military fiction that I have read.
Two companion books written by the late Jerry Pournelle with Steven Barnes, I think.

"Go Tell the Spartans" about the settling and civil war on Sparta, at the end of the Co-dominium period
"Prince of Sparta", the sequel about the end of the civil war, the end of the Co-Do, and the beginning of the First Empire.

"Footfall", written by Pournelle and Larry Niven, about an invasion of Earth by an alien race. Has some interesting twists to it. Kind of a variation of "Lucifer's Hammer".
I don't have all the novels and short story names at my fingertips now, but Pournelle wrote a bunch of stories about John Christian Falkenberg, who was a commander of a mercenary regiment during the Co-Dominium period.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Ain't that pretty at all at January 30, 2022 04:18 PM (tjZg/)

603 Thank you, Eris, for giving us another great Book Thread.

Wolfus Aurelius @93, recommends Fred Saberhagen's "The Dracula Tape". I strongly second this recommendation. Saberhagen wrote a series of Dracula novels, 10 books in all (plus a couple of short stories). Particular favorites of mine are "The Holmes-Dracula File" 1978 (Dracula, Sherlock Holmes AND the Giant Rat of Sumatra), "An Old Friend of the Family" 1979, "Thorn" 1980 and "Dominion" 1982.

Posted by: John F. MacMichael at January 30, 2022 04:38 PM (itkze)

604 Neil Ferguson @595, there is a sequel to "A Borrowed Man" (2015), "Interlibrary Loan" (2020). Published after Gene Wolfe's death.

Posted by: John F. MacMichael at January 30, 2022 04:44 PM (itkze)

605 "There is absolutely no cannibalism in the Royal Navy! And by none, I mean very little"

--Captain Francis Q Puffington, RN, Kb, Mrs
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 11:59 AM (KZzsI)
---

33 Days and still no sign of land:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5ZLNBXLcOQ

"Ugh! With a gammy leg?!"

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at January 30, 2022 06:47 PM (Dc2NZ)

606 "a teacher read to our class the story The Great Stone Face which dealt with the idea of false messiahs."

Ozimandias?

G-d made it perfectly clear to the Hebrews the consequences of ignoring Him and disregarding the blessings and warnings His prophets were instructed.

I think patience wore out waiting for the return from the Mount, and they figured they could help things along, using what was learned from the Egyptians as their vehicle.

The biggest surprise for me is Eve...and then Adam giving in and going along with her. They saw G-d face to face in the Garden. Go figure.

Posted by: Ju at January 30, 2022 07:17 PM (aTmM/)

607 I am reading the first Matt Helm book "Death of a Citizen" and... damn its really good. Excellent writing and concept.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 30, 2022 07:55 PM (KZzsI)

608 Hadn't been to an actual bookstore in forever. Went in the B&N in the mall today.

They have done a weird thing with shelving in this one where there are... alcoves or something. It's really annoying (and probably very post-mod, somehow).

I also picked up a book (in scifi/fantasy) that looked maybe interesting... and put it right back down when the first line on the back blurb was basically "Did you like X but wished for more women and queer characters?" I said, "No, I didn't" and put it back on the shelf.

However, I also bought a book. I didn't know they had written Firefly novels. I picked one up and bought it. I'll go back for the others if it reads well.

Posted by: GWB at January 30, 2022 08:43 PM (A2G/3)

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