Posted on 07/29/2009 7:23:00 AM PDT by MplsSteve
Well, it's time again for my quarterly "What Are You Reading Now?" thread.
I do this thread to gauge what other Freepers are reading. As all of you know, Freepers are probably some of the more well-read individuals on the Internet and I'm always curious as to what we're reading.
It can be anything, a classic work of fiction, a NY Times bestseller, a technical journal, a trashy pulp novel...in short anything.
Please do not ruin this thread by replying "I'm reading this thread". It become un-funny a long time ago.
I'll start. I'm about halfway thru "The Horrid Pit: The Battle Of The Crater" by Alan Axelrod. It's a great book that concentrates on one of the more controversial and bloody battles of the Civil War.
Well, what are YOU reading now?
Currently reading “Liberty and Tyranny” by Mark Levin. Next up: “Safely Home” by Randy Alcorn, a novel about Christian persecution in China.
The Tyranny of Liberalism, is now available. You can read a review, a Q&A, and excerpts (here and here).
Saving Freedom by Senator Jim DeMint.
“Living Dangerously in Korea,” by Donald N. Clark. Dr. Clark was one of my college professors, longer ago than I care to think, and this book is about the experiences of Western missionaries in Korea (including his parents and grandparents) from 1900-1950.
“Basic Economics” by Thomas Sowell (again).
Most everyone knows the stories from the First Barbary War in 1801-05. However, at the end of the war the United States was still committed to paying tribute to the Barbary States. In 1815, after the War of 1812 was concluded, the American Navy returned to the Mediterranean to “convince” the Barbary States that they really wanted peace with the United States, and the U.S. was no longer going to pay tribute to them. My latest tagline comes from one of Stephen Decatur's negotiating sessions.
The decisive point in negotiations has to be when the American negotiator pointed out to his Arab counterpart various ships in the American squadron that had been captured from the Royal Navy.
It's a comedy/fantasy/allegory about the Prince and Princess of Wales on a Huckleberry Finn-ish journey of self discovery after banishment to the United States. Their secret mission is to return the former colonies to the British Crown.
It's also very much about America, it's culture and it's politics. Very funny, insightful and wonderfully written, as is everything else I've read by Helprin.
The Pirate Queen: Queen Elizabeth I, Her Pirate Adventurers, and the Dawn of Empire
By Susan Ronald
...I considered myself pretty well read on the British and American airborne forces, but this book also covers the German parachute forces in a bit more depth than I've previously explored them.
Who's the author? Is it fiction or nonfiction?
If I could be so bold as to get slightly off topic here, I would like to suggest this DVD for all freepers who are either history/military buffs, or martial arts fans, or traditional craftsmanship/swordsmithing/blacksmithing fans, OR movie fans. In other words, it has something for everyone here.
It is a history of swords and swordsmanship:
http://www.reclaimingtheblade.com
Check out the preview at that link. You can get the DVD at Amazon, or you can download it on iTunes.
I loved his explanation of the shims - - brilliant.
"The truth knocks on the door and you say, ' Go away, I'm looking for the truth, ' and so it goes away. Puzzling." Robert Pirsig
' The only Zen you find on tops of mountains is the Zen you bring there. ' Robert Pirsig
About 400 pages into “Freddy and Fredericka” by Mark Helprin - couldn’t be enjoying it more.”
HELPRIN IS THE GREATEST!!!!
I have not yet read F&F, but I own it. Have read Pacific, Soldier of the Great War, Memoir from the Antproof Case, and Dove of the East. All magnificent. Also read his version of Swan Lake, more for younger girls but very well done and nicely illustrated.
Interesting...given that he was the only one to survive it is impossible to verify anything he said. I take it on faith I suppose... I know he went back with the SEAL’s to Bahrain. I suppose it would be impossible to stay active with three broken vertebrae and a shattered wrist. I broke one vertebrae 20 years ago and it still bothers me today.
In progress, subject to many interruptions:
Holy Terror (”Rogue Warrior” pulp novel)
The Unthinkable (psychology of survival in extreme disasters)
Survive! (Wilderness survival basics, worth reviewing periodically)
The Name Of The Rose (murder mystery)
Micro (extremely small building architecture; I’m finishing the attic and looking for novel designs)
In queue:
The History Of The World in Six Glasses (how various beverages shaped history)
Outliers (living the statistical deviation)
I Am A Strange Loop (analyzing the concept of self/”I”)
Executive Power by Vince Flynn
One of the Mitch Rapp series.
Just cracked open “Target: Patton - The Plot to Assisinate George S. Patton.” We’ll see how it goes.
“The Known World,” by Edward P. Jones. Excellent.
Are you familiar with this story about Marcus Luttrell?
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/23658/
Actually, Swan Lake was the first book of his I read, because my wife loves the illustrator. I've also read Pacific and Soldier of the Great War.
It looks like you haven't read Winter's Tale. You need to read that one next. Astonishingly creative, it's a fantastic tale of a NYC in which people skip around in time and don't really die. It's epic and poetic.
Freddy and Fredricka is also great, but completely different. It's far funnier, lighthearted, and topical. Winter's Tale is deep and wonderous.
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