RedStrat05
Halfnote
Posts: 56
Formerly Known As: AlohaEd
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Post by RedStrat05 on Sept 17, 2020 12:20:00 GMT -5
JD, since you read Donaldson, have you read any David Eddings, specifically his Belgarid series? If not, you should.
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Post by kito75 on Sept 18, 2020 11:47:45 GMT -5
Michael Connelly - Harry Bosch (and now Renee Ballard) series of LA police novels (now also original series on Amazon Prime)
Tony Hillerman - Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee series of Navaho police novels
Larry McMurtry - "Lonesome Dove" western (prequels and sequels to Lonesome Dove exist but start with this one)
John Mortimer - Horace Rumpole short stories/books, (if you like dry British humor, might be an acquired taste)
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Post by Duke on Sept 18, 2020 15:01:24 GMT -5
The Gospel According To Luke - Steve Lukather autobiography.
A great read about the life of a session guy for 15 years who decides to start a band called Toto. Then of course, all the stories about their tours, trials and tribulations.
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Post by Rick Knight on Sept 21, 2020 6:43:33 GMT -5
I'm currently re-reading Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy series.
In the musical realm, I enjoyed Life by Keith Richards and Rod by Rod Stewart, which are probably known to most here; and also Room Full of Mirrors (Hendrix bio) and Respect Yourself (history of Stax), which don't seem to be discussed as much.
David Chandler's The Campaigns of Napoleon is extensive enough to keep those interested in the subject occupied for a while; but well written, and not a difficult read.
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jdawg
Wholenote
Posts: 151
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Post by jdawg on Sept 21, 2020 6:44:02 GMT -5
I think I have read all Eddings books. I have that series in hardback on one of my bookshelfs. In the last couple years I have slowed down but for 50 plus years I was always reading a book. I have always enjoyed reading and it was the main thing I did during quiet times.
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Post by HenryJ on Oct 5, 2020 9:36:08 GMT -5
•In terms of both genetics and behavior, domesticated cats have diverged to a far lesser degree from their closest, wild relatives than have domesticated dogs (or for that matter, any other, non-cat, domesticated animal). In fact, domesticated cats are almost indistinguishable from their nearest, small, wild relatives both genetically and appearance-wise. •With the exception of two large wild cats (lions and, to a lesser degree, cheetahs) cats live a mostly solitary life (other than while immature or mating) while domesticated dogs (as well as their close, wild relatives, the wolves) are social animals which live in groups throughout their entire lives. These two differences alone go a long way towards determining why our relationships with these two, domesticated animals tends to be so different. . I remember pulling into my driveway and noticing a neighbor's cat with a squirrel it its mouth. And thinking, this isn't really a feral cat, is it?
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Post by rdr on Oct 12, 2020 9:16:33 GMT -5
Recently, finished an interesting book, "King of the Wa-Kikuyus" by John Boyes. In late 1800s, an adventurer/trader named John Boyes entered the province of the Kikuyus in Africa to explore and set up trading. The Kiyukus were the most violent and savage tribe in East Africa, and previous entries into the country by Europeans resulted in the slaughter of all. John Boyes entered the arena with 7 porters and one rifle. Within a couple of years, he had stopped the fighting between the various villages and become king of the Kikuyus (he estimated 550,000 strong). Here's a description of his activities: There�s never been anyone quite like John Boyes, the most notorious of East Africa�s pioneers. A Welsh cabin boy, he jumped ship in South Africa and spent the next half century creating much of Africa�s colorful history. * There are a lot of things you can say about John Boyes: He was a troublemaker. He was an ivory poacher. He was a hunter. He was a fighter. He was a soldier. He was a scalawag. He was a king. He was a criminal. And, above all, he was an adventurer. * When Kikuyuland was closed to whites, he walked in, alone and possessing no knowledge of the language, and within two years he had become the White King of the Kikuyu. When the British government demanded his appearance in court, he marched to Mombasa accompanied by hundreds of his armed and loyal warriors. The case was immediately thrown out. * When Boyes became an ivory poacher, he actually tricked the soldiers in charge of protecting the elephants into pinpointing their location for him on a map. * When Teddy Roosevelt was hunting in the Lado Enclave, it was John Boyes who befriended him and offered to put an army of poachers at the former president�s disposal for the purpose of exploiting the Belgian Congo. * When Boyes decided to become a farmer, he negotiated the purchase of Mount Kenya for the lordly sum of four goats. * If there was a fight, John Boyes was there, fists flying. If there was money to be made, legally or illegally, Boyes was always first in line. If there was a desert to be crossed, a jungle to be tamed, a government to be swindled, a local tribe to be befriended or exploited, you could count on John Boyes the way you can count on death and taxes.
All in all, a fun read!
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Post by rdr on Oct 12, 2020 9:37:07 GMT -5
Another book I'm currently reading is "Adventures of an Elephant Hunter", James Sutherland, 1912. Interesting tales of hunting in Africa. These guys were tough.
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Post by Taildragger on Oct 12, 2020 11:20:02 GMT -5
"American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War, Volumes 1 & 2" An overview of the (American) Civil War, including the political and economic events and circumstances which led up to it. Found both volumes in the local "take one, leave one" box down the road. Studied the Civil War in high school, but hadn't read too much about it since. Interesting to review that pivotal period of our history 50+ years later.
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Bopper
Wholenote
Motor City USA
Posts: 507
Age: 72
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Post by Bopper on Oct 13, 2020 9:35:56 GMT -5
"American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War, Volumes 1 & 2" We had that when it came out in the early '60s. I spent a lot of time with it, but never read it straight through - text by Bruce Catton. Lots of pictures - the battle maps are very cool.
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MoJoe
Wholenote
Posts: 855
Formerly Known As: quiksilver
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Post by MoJoe on Oct 20, 2020 13:43:04 GMT -5
Debt - The first 5000 years by David Graeber Dry/lengthy sometimes but fascinating history of money.
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Post by Ragtop on Oct 21, 2020 6:34:12 GMT -5
I'm reading "Levon," a new biography of Levon Helm. I'd call it good, not great.
It does explain the rift between Helm and Robbie Robertson, which I didn't know the cause of.
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Post by tahitijack on Nov 23, 2020 17:38:41 GMT -5
If you are a dog lover you may enjoy the latest from Bruce Cameron..A Dog's Perfect Christmas. Bruce is the author of many dog books including two that have been made into movies...A Dogs Purpose..A Dogs Journey. Its actually a novella so a fast read. Merry Christmas all.
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 29, 2020 16:09:32 GMT -5
"To Hell and Back-Europe 1914-1949" by Ian Kershaw
I already recalled from high school history class that Germany was very bitter about the crushing, monetary reparations that they was forced to pay after WWI in accordance with the terms of the Versailles Treaty. But this book goes into far greater detail regarding the short-sighted, often vindictive decisions made by the victors of WWI, many of which almost guaranteed that WWII would happen.
It also theorizes about why Bolshevism was far less likely than many feared to have spread much beyond the borders of the Soviet Union (as, in fact, it did not) right after WWI ended. Gives historical background for understanding conflicts and ethnic/religious hatreds that plague parts of the world (like the Balkans and some former Soviet Republics) to this day.
If you're as interested in history as I am, you might like this one. He has also written a companion volume, "The Global Age: Europe 1950-2017" which I will probably try to get hold of.
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Bopper
Wholenote
Motor City USA
Posts: 507
Age: 72
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Post by Bopper on Nov 30, 2020 10:55:41 GMT -5
I read both the Kershaw books last year. I liked To Hell and Back a lot, but I thought The Global Age was sort of flat (specifically why, I sorta forget).
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 30, 2020 14:09:48 GMT -5
I read both the Kershaw books last year. I liked To Hell and Back a lot, but I thought The Global Age was sort of flat (specifically why, I sorta forget). Sorry to hear that about second volume. I may give it a shot anyhow.
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 30, 2020 14:23:39 GMT -5
Essentials of Physical Geography by Gabler/Sager/Brazier/Wise
Found this in the little, neighborhood "lending library" box.
As described in the preface, it "covers a wide range of topics, from atmospheric elements to the Earth's interior...the origins, development, significance, and distribution of [natural] processes and events that occur within, on, or above the surface of the Earth." Lots of geology and climate/weather judging by a quick scan and the bits I've read so far: mostly stuff I'm pretty ignorant about. My knowledge of weather is pretty narrow and pertains mostly to matters that bear on wave action and surfing.
Figure I should learn more about the planet before I leave it...
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moose0130
Wholenote
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Posts: 155
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Post by moose0130 on Dec 6, 2020 16:20:26 GMT -5
A couple I have read recently:
All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr This was an exceptionally well written book. A beautifully told story set in WWII. Won a Pulitzer.
Beneath A Scarlet Sky - Mark Sullivan The retelling of a true story of a young Italian man during WWII. The writing is strong but not exceptional like the book above. But the story is.... well, it seems like a wild adventure story and then you get to the end and remember it was REAL. It's remarkable.
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MoJoe
Wholenote
Posts: 855
Formerly Known As: quiksilver
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Post by MoJoe on Dec 9, 2020 0:40:42 GMT -5
Samuel Beckett, Murphy. For the umpteenth time.. Following me for forty years now, still love it.
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Post by jefe46 on Dec 10, 2020 22:09:51 GMT -5
"The One Thing" Gary Keller
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MoJoe
Wholenote
Posts: 855
Formerly Known As: quiksilver
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Post by MoJoe on Dec 12, 2020 7:13:22 GMT -5
Walter Serner, At The Blue Monkey: 33 Outlandish Stories
Review These ‘outlandish’ stories relate casual pranks and complicated grifts that are by turns comic and calamitous: some read like games of Cluedo with the players amped up on coke, while others suggest scenes pulled from a film noir, a genre they anticipate by twenty years. (Hal Foster London Review Of Books)
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Post by FlyonNylon on Dec 12, 2020 15:31:10 GMT -5
Currently reading back through Tolstoy’s short stories.
Such a phenomenal author.
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Post by HenryJ on Dec 15, 2020 21:00:00 GMT -5
The year 2020 has been so bad, it calls out for comic relief of some kind. I need laughter.
Jerry Seinfeld, Is This Anything? It's a collection of bits from his standup routines, collected from note cards he kept, filed by decade. The book is divided up by decades; the 70s, the 80s, etc.
The 70s were kind of meh, but in the 80s he was getting LOL funny, which is where I am now.
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Post by Taildragger on Dec 18, 2020 16:52:22 GMT -5
Out walking the dogs this morning, I passed a box of books marked "FREE". Pickup up "Origins Reconsidered: In Search of What Makes Us Human" by Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin. Probably a bit out of date, but I'm gonna read it anyhow since I find physical anthropology interesting.
Humans are fascinating critters, capable by turns of both great kindness/empathy and unspeakable cruelty/brutality. Books such as this one often shed some evolutionary light on why that may be.
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