This is a ping to the GGG listers, String Theory listers, X-Planets listers, and Catastrophism listers, plus some other friends and neighbors, but this isn't a GGG topic per se, just looks interesting. :')
Posted on 12/24/2007 6:21:46 AM PST by randita
Merry Christmas, all!
I already have in my possession gift cards to bookstores given to me by students of mine. After tomorrow, others will no doubt have bookstore giftcards burning holes in their pockets, as well.
I thought this might be a good time and reason to solicit advice as to what good books you have read this year.
Please post books you would recommend.
Thanks!
By the way: I read somewhere over the weekend that the new Tom Clancy novel will be out in February.
Triple Ditto on Vince Flynn. My husband and I have read all of them and can’t wait for the nest one.
I meant “next” one. I don’t know if he’s nesting or not. ;)
I peeked in my Christmas stocking and noticed Timmerman's Shadow Warriors and After the Reich, a book on Allied atrocities in Europe after the fall of the 1,000-year Reich, waiting for me.
Don't read much of anything other than history and politics anymore. The philosopher has moved into the realm of the pragmatic.
“Alas Babylon” by Pat Frank - Armageddon via nuclear war circa 1958. Yeah, it’s dated but it will still grab ya.
If you love dogs, “A Dog’s Life” by Peter Mayle. Hilarious!
“When Rabbit Howls” - The story of Truddi Chase who had multiple personality syndrome. The all important twist is that the book is written by her 92 personalities.
A MORE EXCELLENT WAY by Henry Wright . . . root causes plus cures for a myriad of diseases including cancer and many rare incurable diseases.
THE END a futurist looks at the very last days by Mark Hatch—more a scientific compilation of studies on scientific issues related to such a topic.
THE NEW TEMPLE AND THE SECOND COMING by Grant R Jeffrey
FROM IRAQ TO ARMAGEDDON by Keith Intrater
ARMAGEDDON OIL AND TERROR by John F Walvoord with Mark Hitchcock
INSIGHT INTO ADDICTIONS by Henry W Wright
NEED TO KNOW: UFOS, THE MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE by Timothy Good
The entire Aubrey-Maturin series.
Haven’t finished it yet, but half-way through, it’s excellent, and compellingly readable: “Blacklisted by History.”
I tried to read John Bolton’s new book, but it just wasn’t readable, at least to me.
Oh, just remembered, Novak’s “The Prince of Darkness” is phenomenal. It’s really a “must read.”
For fiction, Lee Child’s books are excellent. I’ve read all of them and await the new one each year. Right now I’m reading through the Augusten Burroughs books, but they may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
I appreciate the list someone above gave about the Vince Flynn books. I haven’t read any of them yet, but am looking forward to starting them, in order, soon. So, thank you poster.
I found this book on my bookshelf while I was down with a pulled back this summer. Read it in an afternoon (often on Jr. High School reading lists I think) and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
I have shied away from Vince Flynn because I heard and read that he has a lot of graphic violence in his books and I sicken and get disgusted easily from book descriptions and movie depictions of graphic violence. Even the violence in The Godfather books and movies, mild by today’s standards, is not my cup of tea. Forget about The Sopranos and some of today’s R rated movies - I won’t watch them.
I don’t care for graphic descriptions of sex scenes, either.
I do, however, like the adventure and intrigue genre. I’ve enjoyed Ludlum (his earlier books are much better than recent ones) and Clancy.
What is your take on the level of violence depicted in Flynn books?
Last Chance Millionaire for personal finances and investing.
The violence level in the V. F. books is quite high (imagine Jack Bauer on steroids), however it seems to be realistic within the situations described.
And if you didn't read "Pillars of the Earth" by the same author yet, pick that up as well.
These books are best read on cold, winter nights by the fireplace with candles burning, Gregorian chants playing on the stereo and a tall pewter mug of amber liquid by your side.
Amercian Creation and Founding Brothers.
The top of my book list for this past year:
American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day
by Robert Coram
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316758477/ref=s9_asin_title_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=19D4FM5WWAWKFZP576CG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=292858801&pf_rd_i=507846
(VOA’s comment: A H-LL OF A READ! It’s about the ups-and-downs of
the most-decorated veteran that most Americans have never heard of.
Bonus point: the narrative includes a “warts and all” view of Senator
John McCain’s stay at The Hanoi Hilton.)
Murder in Amsterdam: Liberal Europe, Islam,
and the Limits of Tolerence
by Ian Buruma
http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Amsterdam-Liberal-Europe-Tolerence/dp/0143112368/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198519591&sr=1-1
(VOA’s comment: This book is a good follow-up to Marc Steyn’s
“America Alone”. It is an up-close look by a Dutchman at how the
Islamic invasion threatens his home country.
WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE and IMAGERY, as this is not a watered-down
view of modern-day Netherlands)
Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal
by Ben Macintyre
http://www.amazon.com/Agent-Zigzag-Story-Espionage-Betrayal/dp/0307353400/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198520018&sr=1-1
(VOA’s comment: For anyone that enjoys WWII and/or spy books, this
is one true “ripping yarn”. It would serve as a basis for a great film,
although Hollyweird will screw it up!
I also note a similar book on “Agent ZigZag” has been put out by
Nicholas Booth, as per Amazon.com; I’ve not yet seen that book at
our library.)
Why the Democrats are Blue - Mark Stricherz -- How nutty feminists and cultural radicals pushed social conservatives and Catholics out of the party.
Eifelheim - Michael Flynn -- Sci-fi where first contact between man and alien happens in 14th century Germany. Lots of fun, especially if you're into medieval philosophy and proto-science.
The Metaphysical Club -- Louis Menand -- A great study of the American pragmatist philosophers and their times.
Triumph of the Therapeutic - Phillip Rieff studies Freud and his impact.
The last is put out by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a treasure chest of intellectual conservatism.
This is a ping to the GGG listers, String Theory listers, X-Planets listers, and Catastrophism listers, plus some other friends and neighbors, but this isn't a GGG topic per se, just looks interesting. :')
Whoops, forgot you digest listers... :’o
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