Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Free Republic Book Thread, Week of 03/05/05

Posted on 03/05/2005 11:22:06 AM PST by Tanniker Smith

Hello, once again. Welcome to the weekly Free Republic Book Club thread.

The winner of the poll and the topic for this week is historical novels.

For those of you that want to get a jump on next week, the runner up in the last week's poll was mysteries, so grab one off the shelf and get busy reading, so you'll have something for next week. 8-)


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: book; bookclub; books; club
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-83 next last
To: Tanniker Smith; All
"Long Knife", by James Alexander Thom. The incredible true story of George Rogers Clark's amazing northwest expedition during the Revolutionary War where a ragtag army of a couple of hundred men, fueled by commitment and unbelievable leadership, defeated thousands of British and defeated or pacified thosuands more Indians and increased the holdings of the new nation by more than double.

Recommended reading for anyone interested in the early history of our nation...read it in concert with "From Sea to Shining Sea", by Thom, reading this second novel about the Clark family, focusing on the Lewis and Clark expedition. William Clark was George Rogers Clark's younger brother.

61 posted on 03/06/2005 5:50:46 PM PST by Jeff Head (www.dragonsfuryseries.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Liberty Valance
Didn't know FR had a book club

It just started about 10 days ago or so, based on a suggestion in another thread. Welcome aboard.

TS

62 posted on 03/07/2005 9:15:29 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (I didn't know she was a liberal when I married her.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: razoroccam
I have a suggestion for another category - books by Freepers.

This has been mentioned, and if any Freeper wants to do any self-promotion, they are welcome to (as are their readers).

This will probably be a topic of the week at some point -- there is interest -- but at this point, only a relative handful are aware of the books and fewer have read them.

I do encourage everyone, if this interests you, to seek out the works of your fellow Freepers. It's nice to support each other.

TS
(who probably has about 10 numbered copies of the novella he co-wrote sitting in his basement)

63 posted on 03/07/2005 9:20:03 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (I didn't know she was a liberal when I married her.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: JustaCowgirl
Yes, I've had that one recommended to me. I LOVE alternate history, it's probably my most favorite category. (I think Killer Angels was alternate history, if I'm remembering correctly).

Excellent category! I'm surprised no one mentioned it before. (Well, maybe they did and I didn't see it.) Granted, much of the alternate history I've read has been by authors that write predominately science fiction, so that might've been why.

It's off-topic for the week, but I'll toss it out there anyway: If you like role-playing games (and this one might be a good read, even if you don't), Steve Jackson Games is releasing a book called "Alternate Worlds", which is a setting for its new gaming system. It includes information and history about numerous other worlds (presented as if it were fact, not in a narrative with a plot). The folks who had sneak peeks loved it (I wasn't one of them), but these people were gamers, for what it's worth.

TS

64 posted on 03/07/2005 9:37:02 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (I didn't know she was a liberal when I married her.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: cyncooper

Taylor Caldwell's "Great Lion of God"--about St. Paul--was one of the best historical novels I'd ever read. It's a shame the publisher has stopped printing her stuff.

Have you ever tried any of Agnes Sligh Turnbull's historical romances? They have incredibly well-researched details about early American hardships.


65 posted on 03/07/2005 5:56:13 PM PST by TaxRelief (Support the Troops Rally, Fayetteville, NC -- March 19, 2005)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: TaxRelief
Have you ever tried any of Agnes Sligh Turnbull's historical romances? They have incredibly well-researched details about early American hardships.

I have not but am making a note of you recommendation. Thanks!

66 posted on 03/07/2005 6:03:27 PM PST by cyncooper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith
For Harry Potter fans

Sorry, I don't have the Ping list on me, so I'm linking it here. I'll ping everyone to the other thread later.

TS

67 posted on 03/08/2005 9:38:05 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (I didn't know she was a liberal when I married her.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith
The Free Republic Book Club is now soliciting for the position of "Daily Bumper". The duties of the Daily Bumper are to, at some point on a given day, bump the thread once (maybe twice), so that newcomers might see it and join the fun.

I am not always able to get to the Net while at work.
Qualifications: you can check in daily.
Being the first one to respond and apply a major Plus!

TS

68 posted on 03/09/2005 7:06:09 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Anyone going to Lunacon, March 18-20, 2005 in NJ?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Maceman

You can find free copies of Looking Backward on the net. If you have Microsoft Reader on your palm pilot or Pocket PC, its a great way to carry some classic literature around with you (and helps kill the time in those boring meetings a work...)


69 posted on 03/09/2005 11:53:46 AM PST by Portnoy (Fahrenheit 451...Today's Temperature is hotter than you think...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith

Two great ones:

Pillars of the Earth
A Place Called Freedom

both by Ken Follett.


70 posted on 03/09/2005 11:58:44 AM PST by RobFromGa (Bush Needs to Stay Aggressive in Term 2)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Portnoy

Another Author that seems not to get any recognition these days is John Dos Passos. He was practically a Communist in his way of thinking, but his USA Trilogy is one of best series I've ever read. He tells the truth about the socialist movement of the early 20th century through several small character vignettes. As the stroy progress from the "teens" through the start of the great depression, you see the solcialist movement from the inside and also see why it failed.

Highly recommeded.


71 posted on 03/09/2005 12:01:53 PM PST by Portnoy (Fahrenheit 451...Today's Temperature is hotter than you think...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith

please add me to the book list...


72 posted on 03/09/2005 12:08:00 PM PST by RobFromGa (Bush Needs to Stay Aggressive in Term 2)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith
I recently reread Tolstoy's War and Peace. It is a great historical novel teaching about the life of the Russian nobility and the issues between Alexander and Napolean.

This reading I had the Internet to google maps and parallel references. The extra info made the reading so much more fun.

Following that is it Mitchner or Woulk? I have to go with Herman Woulk and The Winds of War and War and Remembrance which are actually one very long novel.

These novels should be mandatory reading for highschoolers to teach them about the forces in play in the 19th and20th century.
73 posted on 03/09/2005 12:53:38 PM PST by bert (Peace is only halftime !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bert
I just finished reading Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler. It's the story about the infamous Moscow Trials of the late 1930's.

I agree with you about Winds of War. I read both novels right after I graduated from high school years ago and was blown away.

74 posted on 03/09/2005 1:10:49 PM PST by Portnoy (Fahrenheit 451...Today's Temperature is hotter than you think...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: bert
These novels should be mandatory reading for highschoolers to teach them about the forces in play in the 19th and20th century.

Sadly, as a high school teacher, I can tell you that far too many of them cannot get through the Monarch Notes versions of those books.

And out of the ones that manage to plow through them, most will not absorb most of them.

TS

75 posted on 03/09/2005 1:28:57 PM PST by Tanniker Smith (Anyone going to Lunacon, March 18-20, 2005 in NJ?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: Portnoy

Bump for Thursday


76 posted on 03/10/2005 6:10:11 AM PST by Portnoy (Fahrenheit 451...Today's Temperature is hotter than you think...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith
By the way, in case no one has seen my newer tagline, I'll be going to Lunacon, a Science Fiction/Fantasy convention, sponsored by the New York Lunarian Society, on the weekend of March 18-20. It will be at the Meadowlands Sheraton. $50 at the door for the weekend.

It's more "literate" than other SF cons. Lots of anime, some films, book raffles and auctions, art sales and raffles, a masquerade and hall costumes, and general serious silliness.

Surely, there will be panels on Buffy, and Harry Potter and Star Wars and whatever will be of interest.

A good time shall be had by all, mostly.

TS

77 posted on 03/10/2005 9:26:59 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Anyone going to Lunacon, March 18-20, 2005 in NJ?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith
Bump for Friday.

A reminder: tomorrow starts a new thread. Next week's topic is Mysteries.

The topic for the following week has yet to be determined, and, as it so happens, I won't be around on March 19 to start a new thread. (See my tagline.) We'll work that out next week. Maybe we'll start the thread a day early before we go.

TS

TS

78 posted on 03/11/2005 10:11:30 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Anyone going to Lunacon, March 18-20, 2005 in NJ?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith
Bump for Friday.

A reminder: tomorrow starts a new thread. Next week's topic is Mysteries.

The topic for the following week has yet to be determined, and, as it so happens, I won't be around on March 19 to start a new thread. (See my tagline.) We'll work that out next week. Maybe we'll start the thread a day early before we go.

TS

TS

79 posted on 03/11/2005 10:11:30 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Anyone going to Lunacon, March 18-20, 2005 in NJ?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith

Please put me on your ping list.
And bump for Sunday.


80 posted on 03/12/2005 9:54:03 PM PST by bubbleb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-83 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson