644 replies to this topic

[DuffMan]

http://www.tor.com/2...mlight-archive/

 

Cover art for Oathbringer!

 

[DJ MC]

Just started Pillers of the Earth by Ken Follett. Also, someone at the library finally talked me into reading Dune, so I have the ebook on hold.

[RShack]

Also, someone at the library finally talked me into reading Dune, so I have the ebook on hold.

 

If you had the misfortune to see the movie, try to erase that part of your brain...  

[PrimeTime]

Just read Ray Lewis' book, "I feel like going on". Easy read.

Is it worth the time? My wife picked it up for me but I wasn't sure if I was interested or not. If it's all preachy, I'll pass.

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[Mike in STL]

Just read Ray Lewis' book, "I feel like going on". Easy read.

Is it worth the time? My wife picked it up for me but I wasn't sure if I was interested or not. If it's all preachy, I'll pass.

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Well, the thing is when you read it you can't help but to picture Ray Lewis' voice in your head. And he preaches when he talks. So there are times where it sounds that way.

On the other hand he tells some good stories. Great stories about his recruiting trip to Florida State and how he almost went there. Draft day. His relationship with Marvin Lewis. Inside the trainers room when he tore his triceps in the Dallas game. So some good stories. But yeah, he hit on social issues at times too when talking about his upbringing, Atlanta, etc..., tends to come off preachy.

[DJ MC]

Just finished The Pillers of the Earth and started Dune, but I'm also a couple of chapters into The Right Stuff. Damn, it's good.

[DJ MC]

After forcing myself through a very mediocre biography of Aaron Burr, I needed a historical palette cleanser, so I began reading a Barbara Tuchman book I found: The First Salute, about the first time a foreign government officially recognized the United States, when a US naval ship, new ensign flag flying, sailed into the harbor of the Dutch island of St. Eustatius and the governor ordered a cannon salute fired from the fort.

 

It's amazing how the right author can take something so truly small and, through her skills of writing and research, create a completely compelling narrative. Whereas the wrong author can take an incredibly interesting and deep subject and bore you to tears.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Anybody have $3.7 million that I can borrow?

 

https://newengland.c...use-allen-cove/

[DJ MC]

Reading the new Harry Turtledove series, as well as The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

 

Slightly different parts of the historical writing spectrum.

[Mark Carver]

17th Annual Book Blast. York PA

For the benefit of the bibliophile or beach reader, dedicated volunteers will sort the books into categories such as antiques, art, modern fiction, classic literature, cookbooks, biography, and history. Prices will be $2.00 for a hard cover and $1.00 for a paperback. For the local history buff, there will be the individually-priced collectable section that features local history, genealogy and other unique volumes. Volunteers will be available each day to help carry purchases for customers.

 

York County History Center members receive the first opportunity to purchase books on Thursday, August 10 beginning at 4:00. All members receive an invitation to attend this special sale. Friday, August 11 the doors open to the public from 9:00 until 6:00 and the sale ends with the ever popular Buck-a-Bag on Saturday August 12 from 9:00 – 2:00. Buck-a-Bag is just that, for just $1.00 attendees can fill the provided plastic bags with the general category books. The collectible section with the individually-priced books will be sold at half-price on that day also.

 

Book Blast benefits the collections, programs, and educational activities of the History Center. Questions: please call Lila Fourhman-Shaull 848-1587 ext. 223 or email at mailto:[email protected].

 

https://www.yorkhist...vent/book-blast

[DJ MC]

Damn, I'm going away this weekend, or else I might have to drive out there.

[Russ]

I reread It by Stephen King for the first time all the way through since I was 15 or so in preparation for the movie.

I still thought it was an excellent book. There are some amazing scenes. But it's different when you're an adult versus a teenager. I guess most things are, but it didn't grip me the same way. I couldn't relate to the characters anymore, the kids or the adults. It could be the cultural references with the adults and that they haven't aged well, but I didn't like any of them. I'll still see the movie, but I used to think it was one of the better books I've read and definitely the best by King. I'm not sure I feel that way anymore. 15 year old me did.

[Russ]

I'm going to start Blood Meridian today. Have never read it.

[Mark Carver]

Kindle Freebies; get 'em while you can.

 

Alamein by Jon Latimer 

 

From Publishers Weekly - An exhaustively researched and comprehensive academic book, Latimer's excellent account may be too finely focused for nonspecialists, yet the inclusion of veterans' recollections and memoirs will grab the interest of generalists looking for something more than simple war stories. Latimer's critical but balanced view of Rommel, British general Montgomery and others is welcome; the inclusion of their opinions of, and dealings with, each other are in keeping with the best professional military history. A former officer in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Latimer (Deception in War) examines the tactics used by both sides in detail, something that will appeal greatly to military historians. All aspects of the battle are covered: the effect of Operation Ultra (Allied intercepts of encrypted Axis signals) and other intelligence on Allied strategy and the conduct of the battle; operations designed to deceive the Axis about details of the coming attack; accounts of small unit actions within the battle-all well presented in a carefully crafted and exciting style. Also included are 16 halftones, 14 maps and a 20-page order of battle for the forces engaged on both sides. Painstaking yet gripping, this should be the definitive account of the battle itself for years to come. 

 

https://www.amazon.c...coding=UTF8&me=

 

Others freebies in Miltitary History that may be of interest. 

 

https://www.amazon.c...oding=UTF8&tf=1

 

 

[DJ MC]

I just read The Reason You're Alive, by Matthew Quick. It was pretty good.

It was a major departure for him: the main character is a Philadelphia man dealing with mental illness and family problems.

[DuffMan]

Haven't done much reading lately, but there's something new out.  Chernow just put out a bio on Grant. I'll be looking to pick this one up over the Winter.  His Hamilton Bio was fantastic and I enjoyed his bio on Wasington as well.

[DJ MC]

Haven't done much reading lately, but there's something new out.  Chernow just put out a bio on Grant. I'll be looking to pick this one up over the Winter.  His Hamilton Bio was fantastic and I enjoyed his bio on Wasington as well.

 

I've got mine on my bookshelf.

 

I also recommend The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic by Mike Duncan. He's the producer of The History of Rome podcast, and the book is a great look at the era between the fall of Carthage and the rise of Julius Caesar, when the Roman Republic went through the civil wars and turmoil that led to the eventual rise of the Empire.

[DuffMan]

Got Chernow's  Grant for Christmas, haven't started it yet but I will in the next week or two.  I also got and already finished Joe Biden's "Promise Me Dad".  I don't want to make this a political thread, so I'll simply say that it's a damn enjoyable book.  Some really sad parts in there too, obviously.

[DJ MC]

Got Chernow's  Grant for Christmas, haven't started it yet but I will in the next week or two.

 

I'm halfway through. It's great.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Got three books for XMas

 

Basketball and Other Things by Shea Serrano

 

The Legends Club by John Feinstein

 

The Cooperstown Casebook by Jay Jaffe