Posted on 12/20/2005 11:08:46 PM PST by Darkwolf377
Anyone reading anything good?
I'm reading it again and I'm getting the same impression the first time I read it: I don't know how a single person could have written such a book. It is easily in my top 10 favorite books.
I've been on a Star Trek kick lately, but right before that, Fire Sea (book 3 of the Death Gate Cycle) by Weis and Hickman.
Next on the list is "To Save a Planet" by MZB, which I've had saved for an extra special treat for next trip to the in-laws.
"Desolation Island" by Patrick O'Brian.
This was a very interesting book, with a lot of background regarding American intervention in the Middle East, starting with Iraq in the late 1970s, Afghanistan during the 80s, Gulf War 1, 9-11, and the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. His main theme of the book is that the we invaded Iraq in order to place massive pressure on Saudi Arabia to crack down on private funding of Al Qaeda within the country. He claims that in order to effectively fight Al Qaeda, Bush had to go after the source of the funding.
He goes into detail about the history of Al Qaeda, the make-up, and their exploitation of our uncoordinated intelligence system. He also goes into great detail about the diplomatic pressure we put on Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the deals we made with Iran, Putin, and Musharraf. He is very critical of Carter and Clinton, and does aim criticism towards the Bush administration in mistakes they have made. But, he does note that war is won by correcting mistakes, and that mistakes will happen.
The book was completed in October 2004 just before the Presidential Elections, and before the first elections in Iraq.
The Kite Runner and The Devil in the White City are two of the best books I have read in years.
Get Your Own Damn Beer, I'm Watching The Game by Holly Robinson Peete
Here*s something completely different for you. WAR AGAINST THE WEAK by Edwin Black, 1421 (the year China discovered America) by Gavin Menzies, Eugenics & Other Evils by GK Chesterton as well as THE EVERLASTING MAN by Chesterton(chesterton.org , you can read some there for free.
Mostly I read war histories, but right now I'm reading "The Mutiny on the Bounty Trilogy". The book cost (I think) $9.99 at Barnes & Noble (in the bargain books rack) and contains the historical novels "Mutiny on the Bounty", "Men Against the Sea", and "Pitcairn Island". They are based on the complete true historical story of the Captain Bligh, Fletcher Christian, and the crew of the H.M.S. Bounty in the 18th century. Great read!!!
If you like war histories, I would recommend anything written by Robert Leckie.
Years ago I read Burroughs' complete "Tarzan" series, 24 novels I believe.
"Great Expectations"...
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole,
The Man With the Golden Arm by Nelson Algren,
and of course anything by Jack Handey.
Wilson's War by Jim Powell. Abouth the mess made by Woodrow Wilson by entering WWI
I absolutely love Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series.
If you enjoy the somewhat obscure, Jame's Hogg's gothic classic The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner is tough to beat, and so is Matthew Lewis' The Monk. Charles Maturin's Melmoth the Wanderer is also pretty good.
For a more modern take, I loved T. C. Boyle's Drop City.
OMG, I love those books. Woohoo John Carter, Warlord of Mars!
and
Grace Walk by Steve McVey
My current library record
End of the beginning / Harry Turtledove...fictional book about Japanese occupation of Hawaii(finished)
Forever odd / Dean Koontz....weird book about a guy who sees dead people (fininished)
Here's where I stand : a memoir by Jesse Helms
Tribulation force (Left Behind series)...nuff said
A near-perfect gift / R.M. Kinder..short stories
The sawdust trail : Billy Sunday about Billy Sunday..cool book.
http://www.wwnorton.com/pob/pobtitles.htm
Great reads - Aubrey/Maturin Series by Patrick O/Brian
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