Free Republic Book Club, Week of 2/26/05

week of 2/26/05

[TightyRighty]

Ew, I'll have to keep an eye out for any book thread you might do over there and join in. Every once in awhile I'll go over to TORN's website and see what they've got going but I'm always late on their book discussions.

[Right Winged American]

Oops! Wrong button.

Favorites, in order:

1. Science Fiction (Military, Hard Sci.)

2. Military Fiction (Current or Historical)

3. Political (Conservative or Libertarian)

Howsomeever; many of my favorite books don't fit any of these catagories. Delaney's Amber books, Foster's Flinx books, W.E.B. Griffin's Cop books, and of course I just finished the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Check out Foster's "Cyber Way"!

[Rainbow Rising]

Please add me to your ping list. I love books.

Favorite genres:

1. Mystery fiction
2. Political/Current Events
3. Horror fiction

[WHATNEXT?]

Please add me to your ping list.

1. History..nonfiction
2. Apparently going along with 1. is biographies
3. Fiction that isn't..mysteries, romance, science fiction..
so, it must mean characters and situationally different
books.

Just finished Born Fighting, by James Webb. It helped me understand the character of the Scots/Irish and why some of my ancestors fought on the Confederate side.

[squarebarb]

Just had a look at your novel and it's fascinating. Will continue as I have time, I am very much intrigued with it. Congratulations on your hard work, and I hope it pays off.

[squarebarb]

I finished Born Fighting two weeks ago, it was good and the guy is really p.o.'d with p.c.!

He got a lot of his information from Albion's Seed, an excellent source book.

And how is everybody this Sunday morning?

[JimVT]

Just finished the last of Patrick O'Brian's novels ("21") of the "Master and Commander" series.

Capt.(now Adm.)Jack Aubrey and Dr. Maturin are now my new heroes.

I rate P.O'B right up there with Michener.

[A Citizen Reporter]

mark for later

[exDemMom]

My favorites are:

1. Fantasy/science fiction
2. Political non-fiction

I don't really read too much else for fun. I read a lot of scientific literature, but that's so I can keep up with my field.

I recommend the fantasy author, Terry Goodkind, writer of the Sword of Truth series. He has dead-on accurate analysis of the left and its various factions, but within the setting of a really engaging fantasy story. Sometimes, one of his characters makes such an eloquent statement about a leftist belief that I am left in awe.

I could say something about The Lord of the Rings here, but others already have.

[Straight Vermonter]

I'm half way thru for the second time. For anyone that loves good writing (wonderful actually) and exciting action PO'B is highly recommended.

[skinkinthegrass]

been reading The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History by Thomas E. Woods, Jr., PhD.

..saw him on C-Spam "Book TV", sounds like a good book.. :^)

[SouthParkRepublican]

With all due respect to the genius of Tolkien (outstandingly creative author), if any of his works are the first read by our group this is going to turn into another Hobit Hole thread. While I strongly reccomend that everyone read his novels, they have already been discussed to the extent of having tens of thousands of posts here on FR. Lets not reinvent the wheel.

[Tanniker Smith]

Point well taken. That's not where I'd want to go. In fact, fantasy would be a great topic to discuss if only to find something non-Tolkien that isn't a load of ..., well, let's just say, something worth reading.

Too many of the medieval-style sword/sorcery fantasy stuff is just so horrible to read. So much of it is either based on Tolkien, based on a roleplaying game, based on a *computer* game, based on a *card* game or just poorly written. (It's even worse with the fanfic -- and this is coming from someone who used to write fanfic). And they tend to go on forever without resolution.

Actually, there is one series that I did like based on a single book I picked up for 39 cents at a Odd-Job: Ann Marston's "The Western King". It was the second book in a trilogy, but worked well as a standalone book. A few years passed before I thought to get the first book from the library ("Kingmaker's Sword"), excellent book, explained a couple of things in TWK that I missed. By the way, I reread the second book and loved it again.

THen I got the third book in the first trilogy. I couldn't believe the letdown, and not just because the word "First" was inserted before the word "trilogy". It seemed to have been written by an entirely different person. Instead of a third-person account, it went to a first-person narative (who had to comment on events from before she was born and do some of the exposition -- badly and repeatedly). Instead of the action taking place over a period of years (10-20), it happened pretty much in the span of a week. And much of the action happened "off-camera". Very frustrating.

I read the 4th and 5th books, but neither the Brooklyn nor NY Public Libraries have book six, and I'm so disappointed that I won't pay Amazon plus shipping for it.

But if you find the first two books, grab 'em. Good reads.

TS

[WHATNEXT?]

I emailed a thank you to James Webb for giving me background information in his, Born Fighting, that reinforced my earlier decision to honor my confederate ancestors with a rebel flag purchase. I have been doing some genealogy and buying flags that represent ancestor's home of origin. But, I had paused over the Confederates. But, history is history and they are my ancestors, so I bought the flag. In Webb's book, he spends a great deal of time describing the Appalachian people and their circumstances and this insight helped me understand them better.

Anyway, he emailed back that in his office he has a painting of a Confederate encampment that has a prominent rebel flag. He said it gets looks and some comments. He has no intention of removing it.

What do you think? Did the Scots/Irish form the American character and become the red states?

[WHATNEXT?]

My husband started the O'Brien series but found it tedious. He usually reads technical books. But, is fascinated with sailing ships so had tried O'Brien.

He then found Dudley Pope's series and absolutely loves them. He has finished about half and looks forward to the rest. On the cover pages is a listing of other historical sailing adventure writers. Besides O'Brien have you read any others in the vernacular?

[mombrown1]

book club ping

[GOPJ]

bump for later

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080507502X/qid=1109733913/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-1531224-5130464

[exnavychick]

Sir Walter Raleigh...excellent. Thank you!

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

You're welcome.

Another great biography-which was just recently published-is "Lincoln's War", by Geoffrey Perret, one of my favorite military historians.

It traces the leadership of Abraham Lincoln-and to a lesser extent, his entire war cabinet, including Sec'y Stanton-from before Lincoln's inauguration-when Ft. Sumter was being menaced-all the way to the conclusion of the war.

A very fascinating-and engrossing-read, in my estimation.

[TheMom]

Please add me to your ping list.

I read a huge variety of books, but tend to lean toward (1) Horror; (2) Mystery; and (3) General Fiction.

I just finished reading Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz. Very funny book.

[RushCrush]

"In My Hands" by Irene Gut Opdyke


I've read that- great book.

[Tanniker Smith]

Okay, I know this is off-topic for the week (imagine that! -- and I'm in charge, I should know better), but I need a few suggestions (a few).

Can anyone suggest a good book or series of historical fiction appropriate for a third-grade boy? The books should be at least 100 pages (but better if not more than 200). His class does a different genre each month. He reads at (or above reading level).

We've had some problems in the past. Last year, he was assigned a class library book at a Civil War nurse that was a bit tedious to read and not very interesting.

I thought about the Little House series, but I don't know if that will interest him. (He's not opposed to reading about girls, but he'll be less interested.)

Thanks in advance, and apologies for the digression.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled topic.

TS
(by the way, I'm starting a new grad school class tonight, so I won't be able to tally the votes I've gotten for next week's topic until tomorrow.)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

See if you approve of any of these, Mom. They may be a tad too "old" for a 3rd Grader, but you know your kid's capabilities. These were force-fed to me as a grade schooler, as my Dad is a History Buff and a Biblican Scholar. There was no escape for me, but they were well worth it to me in the long run. :) (Reviews c&p'ed from Amazon.)

The Slave Dancer - Paula Fox

"Snatched from the docks of New Orleans, thirteen-year-old Jessie is thrown aboard a slave ship where he must play his fife so that captured slaves will "dance," to keep their muscles strong and their bodies profitable for their owners' use.

Jessie is sickened as he witnesses the horrible practices of the slave trade. But even those horrors can't compare to the one final event awaiting Jessie's witness. Can the cruelty to his fellow human beings be stopped? And will it be too late when it finally does stop?"

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

"This story of a tragically injured young silversmith who ends up hip-deep in the American Revolution is inspiring, exciting, and sad. Winner of the prestigious Newbery Award in 1944, Esther Forbes's story has lasted these 50-plus years by including adventure, loss, courage, and history in a wonderfully written, very dramatic package. It's probably not great for little guys but mature 11-year-olds or older will find it a great adventure."

Across Five Aprils - Irene Hunt

"This beautifully written novel offers valuable insights into the difficulties faced by families and communities caught up in the political, economic, and personal upheavals of war. The events of the Civil War unfold Across Five Aprils (Berkley Pub., 1986) in this moving story by Newbery Award winner, Irene Hunt. It is set in southern Illinois where Jethro Creighton, an intelligent, hardworking boy, is growing into manhood as his brothers and a beloved teacher leave to fight in the Union and Confederate armies. Hunt presents a balanced look at both sides of the conflict, and includes interesting information on lesser-known leaders and battles. Of course, Abraham Lincoln is a frequent topic of conversation, and Jethro even receives a letter from his fellow Illinoian."

Rifles for Watie - Harold Keith

"Jeff Bussey walked briskly up the rutted wagon road toward Fort Leavenworth on his way to join the Union volunteers. It was 1861 in Linn County, Kansas, and Jeff was elated at the prospect of fighting for the North at last.

In the Indian country south of Kansas there was dread in the air; and the name, Stand Watie, was on every tongue. A hero to the rebel, a devil to the Union man, Stand Watie led the Cherokee Indian Na-tion fearlessly and successfully on savage raids behind the Union lines. Jeff came to know the Watie men only too well.

He was probably the only soldier in the West to see the Civil War from both sides and live to tell about it. Amid the roar of cannon and the swish of flying grape, Jeff learned what it meant to fight in battle. He learned how it felt never to have enough to eat, to forage for his food or starve. He saw the green fields of Kansas and Okla-homa laid waste by Watie's raiding parties, homes gutted, precious corn deliberately uprooted. He marched endlessly across parched, hot land, through mud and slash-ing rain, always hungry, always dirty and dog-tired."

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Mildred D. Taylor

"In all Mildred D. Taylor's unforgettable novels she recounts "not only the joy of growing up in a large and supportive family, but my own feelings of being faced with segregation and bigotry." Her Newbery Medal-winning Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry tells the story of one African American family, fighting to stay together and strong in the face of brutal racist attacks, illness, poverty, and betrayal in the Deep South of the 1930s. Nine-year-old Cassie Logan, growing up protected by her loving family, has never had reason to suspect that any white person could consider her inferior or wish her harm. But during the course of one devastating year when her community begins to be ripped apart by angry night riders threatening African Americans, she and her three brothers come to understand why the land they own means so much to their Papa. "'Look out there, Cassie girl. All that belongs to you. You ain't never had to live on nobody's place but your own and long as I live and the family survives, you'll never have to. That's important. You may not understand that now but one day you will. Then you'll see.'"

There are also some great kid-age books written about the more famous of our Presidents. Those might be interesting for him, too.

And, Um...I don't know where you grew up, so if any of these "Pro-Northern" Civil War titles offend you, please disregard! :)

[Tanniker Smith]

Thanks. By the way, I'm a New Yorker, but don't hold that against me.

[RepubRep]

I keep reading about "ping" lists and keep feeling I need to be on one or two ;-) but have NO idea of what they are or how they work. Can someone fill me in?

I love books and would very much enjoy being part of this discussion. Recommended reading from this group would be more than welcome.

[Tanniker Smith]

I assume "ping" comes from the radar/sonar term.

When you "ping" someone on a thread, they'll get the message, "New Messages for You" on the main screen, and the message will appear on the "My Comments" page.

A "ping list" is something one person keeps of people that he/she knows are interested in a particular topic (either broad or narrow). If I had, say, a Brooklyn ping list, and someone posted an article about Brooklyn and I saw it, I would ping everyone on the list. I would want to let everyone know that it's there because in an hour, that thread will be buried under a stack of newer articles and they might not have seen it.

Anyway, if you want to be on anyone's ping list, ask anyone that you see pinging a bunch of people.

I have a list of names. When I start the new book thread, I will Post a Reply, but I'll erase my name and cut and paste all the other names. They'll be able to find the thread that much easier.

Hope this helps.

TS

[RepubRep]

Thanks!! I wondered how that worked and your response is much appreciated.

So . . . please add me to the book club ping list.

[Tanniker Smith]

(sorry for the delay on posting this)

I tried to combine the entries I received as best I as I could. There's a bit of a learning curve for doing this. For one thing, there's a bit of any overlap on some entries, and some extra specificity in others. I tried not to split too many hairs.

Anyway, I awarded 3 points to a 1st choice, 2 pts for a 2nd choice a 1 pt for a 3rd choice. (I'm not thrilled with this because it takes three 3rds to equal one 1. Of course, for math teachers, maybe that is't a bad thing, but it doesn't seem right to me.)

In any case, it seems that there are two clear winners. So if there are no major objections, we should talk about historical novels next week and mysteries the week after.

Here are the results:

Historical novels (including historical mystery) 7 points
Mystery (non-historical) 5  points
History nonfiction 4 points
Horror 4 points
Biographies 3 points
Crime Drama - fiction or non-fiction 3 points
Fantasy/science fiction (general) 3 points
Humor (Fiction or Non-Fiction) 3 points
Political/Current Events 3 points
Romantic Suspense (including Christian romance) 3 points
Science Fiction (Military, Hard Sci.) 3 points
Science Fiction (Preferably Military) 3 points
General Fiction (non-genre) 2 points
Military Fiction (Current or Historical) 2 points
Political non-fiction 2 points
Political/social commentary 2 points
Politics (Conservative, Republican, Libertarian) 2 points
Religious Fiction 2 points
Science Fiction/Paranormal 2 points
Political fiction 1 point
Travel writing 1 point

Any comments? Fire away. Thanks to all who posted and emailed.

TS

[RushCrush]

Wow thanks for the hard work!


My suggestions would have been fiction/nonfiction? but I suppose that's to broad.

[cyncooper]

Thanks for the update and ping!

[Howlin]

(Hanging my head: I am reading Blood Brother......LOL)

[cyncooper]

Is that the book by Scott Peterson's sister? I saw her interview on Dateline the other night.

She said her marriage has been strained due to her supporting Peterson before realizing he did it. Her husband was disgusted from the start.

She seemed like a good woman and I hope they are able to work it out.

[TightyRighty]

I saw her on Dateline too and then again on Oprah yesterday. The more I listened to her talk about the Peterson family the more disgusted I became with them. Jackie sounds like your classic "nobody's good enough for my son mother-in-law" and an overbearing woman also.

[exnavychick]

You're doing a great job with this...no complaints from me! LOL

Plus, historical fiction is my absolute favorite (started writing some of my own now) so you won't hear any from me on that, either!

Thanks for keeping this going and for doing so well with it!

[wizr]

Thanks for the follow up. Great job. Waiting, breathlessly, for the next book club ping...

[Tanniker Smith]

My suggestions would have been fiction/nonfiction? but I suppose that's to broad.

LOL!
Yes, a bit too broad, but it fit with some of the votes I got. Next time, I may narrow it down to 5-7 very specific choices, based on all the "off-topic" posts and wish lists.

See you all Saturday! (Wow, is that tomorrow already?)

TS

TS

[RushCrush]

Howlin- glad you're reading it first. Will wait for your synopsis ;)

PS did you buy Amber's book too? LOL

[Howlin]

Yeah; don't waste your money.

Here is something interesting about Anne Bird on Oprah this week:

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200503/20050303/slide_20050303_101.jhtml

Be sure to read pages 6 and 7; the shrink tears Jackie and Scott A P A R T.

[ABN 505]

I thought Micheal Jackson preferred White Hats.

[ABN 505]

Sign me up Tanniker. For Historical Fiction you can't beat Thomas B. Costain. In my Opinion the best Novelest of the 50's, the Best is the Plantagenet Series on the Kings of England, Three Edwards, High Towers, The Black rose, The Conquering Family, William The Conqueror, and my all time favorite The Silver Chalice about The Cup Of Christ.

[zip]

ping

[cardinal4]

The sky was yellow and the sun was blue

Strangers stopping strangers, just to shake their hand..

[sandalwood]

Guess I learned the hard way to let her pass by, let her pass by...