gomper7
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« Reply #30 on: October 03, 2007, 01:46:44 AM » |
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I have not yet read the book, but remeber being riveted by the PBS series when I was younger. They did an excellent job of bringing to life the intrigue of the Roman rulling families.
Claudius' story is an amazing one. I have always been intriqued by the way he, unique among the ceasers, did not vie, fight, manipulate and conive for the thrown, but in fact had it thrust upon him by the pretoreans who were sick of the corruption of the emporers, but did not want to lose their jobs, so they chose someone they thought would be weak and easy to control. He winds up being one of the most effective emporers Rome had...
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undergod
Newbie
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Posts: 15
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« Reply #31 on: December 19, 2007, 06:48:50 PM » |
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1984, another good "what could happen in future" book.
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PinkTickingClocks
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Be always at war with your vices.
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« Reply #32 on: December 19, 2007, 07:14:28 PM » |
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1984, another good "what could happen in future" book.
Speaking of "what could happen in the future books: "A Handmaiden's Tale" |
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If only the transcendent moments were as timeless as a broken clock.
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jpn of Seattle
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« Reply #33 on: December 19, 2007, 08:01:10 PM » |
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A lot of people don't like fiction books.
My view is, if I'm going to spend time reading a book, I might as well learn something. Literature, i.e., novels written by talented, insightfull artists, can teach a great deal about a world of things. |
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What you got is everything-and I mean everything—run by the political arm. It’s the reign of the Mayberry Machiavellis. --John DiIulio, former White House official
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bringbackwigs
Professional Post-Whore
Global Moderator
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Please refrain from taking my posts seriously
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« Reply #34 on: December 19, 2007, 08:18:14 PM » |
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A lot of people don't like fiction books.
My view is, if I'm going to spend time reading a book, I might as well learn something. Literature, i.e., novels written by talented, insightfull artists, can teach a great deal about a world of things. I see it more as interpretation and commentary, not a set of facts. I can interpret things for myself, thank you very much. |
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In religion and politics, people\\\\\\\\\'s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination. - Mark Twain  |
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jpn of Seattle
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« Reply #35 on: December 20, 2007, 10:31:21 PM » |
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A lot of people don't like fiction books.
My view is, if I'm going to spend time reading a book, I might as well learn something. Literature, i.e., novels written by talented, insightfull artists, can teach a great deal about a world of things. I see it more as interpretation and commentary, not a set of facts. I can interpret things for myself, thank you very much. Yes, and you can paint for yourself. And make music for yourself. But if you didn't experience great paintings and great music, you'd miss a great deal. Novels can provide penetrating insights into the human experience. Sure, Steinbeck's portrayal of the plight of the "Okies" fleeing the dust bowl is just his interpretation, but I know I'm richer for having read it. Reading novels extends your life experience to many places, situations, emotions, etc. And they can just be pure fun, like Catch-22, for instance. |
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What you got is everything-and I mean everything—run by the political arm. It’s the reign of the Mayberry Machiavellis. --John DiIulio, former White House official
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OswaldTheOsprey
High Society
Hero Member
Karma: +100/-123
Posts: 9,152
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« Reply #36 on: December 21, 2007, 05:08:09 AM » |
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A lot of people don't like fiction books.
My view is, if I'm going to spend time reading a book, I might as well learn something. Literature, i.e., novels written by talented, insightfull artists, can teach a great deal about a world of things. I see it more as interpretation and commentary, not a set of facts. I can interpret things for myself, thank you very much. Yes, and you can paint for yourself. And make music for yourself. But if you didn't experience great paintings and great music, you'd miss a great deal. Novels can provide penetrating insights into the human experience. Sure, Steinbeck's portrayal of the plight of the "Okies" fleeing the dust bowl is just his interpretation, but I know I'm richer for having read it. Reading novels extends your life experience to many places, situations, emotions, etc. And they can just be pure fun, like Catch-22, for instance. One thing I prefer in novels is a view of contemporary life. For example, if I read a novel from, say, 1910, I would prefer it be set in 1910 rather than earlier. Steinbeck is a good example and so is F. Scott Fitzgerald. OswaldTheOsprey |
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Urbi et Orbi
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Jsharp29
Jr. Member
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Posts: 78
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« Reply #37 on: December 29, 2007, 07:42:33 PM » |
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Watership Down
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Wiglaf
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« Reply #38 on: December 29, 2007, 08:38:05 PM » |
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A lot of people don't like fiction books.
My view is, if I'm going to spend time reading a book, I might as well learn something.
A lot of people don't like fiction books.
My view is, if I'm going to spend time reading a book, I might as well learn something. Literature, i.e., novels written by talented, insightfull artists, can teach a great deal about a world of things. I see it more as interpretation and commentary, not a set of facts. I can interpret things for myself, thank you very much. Of course you learn something, if the fiction is any good. It should make you more reflective and more understanding of human strengths, frailties and possibilities. Living in a world only of your own interpretations is to live a life of emotional poverty and solipsism. Good fiction can help us transcend our parochialisms. I recommend King Lear because I can't think of any tragedy which I've read which is as compelling. For somewhat lighter, but still substantial, fare I recommend Orson Scott Card's sequels to Ender's Game. Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide are especially compelling. |
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. . . sometimes it seems that one has to lean into the wind to stand straight.
James Welch Winter in the Blood
Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution,no law, no court can even do much to save it.
Judge Learned Hand
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jpn of Seattle
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« Reply #39 on: December 29, 2007, 10:18:21 PM » |
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Watership Down I read it years ago. Loved it. Watch Fiver. |
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What you got is everything-and I mean everything—run by the political arm. It’s the reign of the Mayberry Machiavellis. --John DiIulio, former White House official
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daedalus 2.0
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« Reply #40 on: January 09, 2008, 10:13:11 PM » |
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Anything by Tom Robbins. I know his books are getting old, but great stuff.
Also, the whole series of Terry Pratchett, especially if you have any nieces or nephews in the double digit age.
Now reading: First Lensman (2nd book of the Ed E. Smith, PhD series)
Pre space-flight sci-fi: my favorite!
Oh, they got it so wrong, but its so good!
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\\\\"SUCK IT, JESUS!\\\\" Kathy Griffin
\"Hitler burns Anne Frank for a day, and it\'s Evil.
God burns Anne Frank for eternity, and it\'s Just.\"Anon
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Baldar
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« Reply #41 on: January 10, 2008, 08:49:50 AM » |
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I just finished several books. But the two of note I will present are:
Russia's Capitalist Revolution: Why Market Reform Succeeded and Democracy Failed - Anders Aslund.
US Taxation of Foriegn Income by Gary Clyde Hufbauer and Ariel Assa
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JFree89
Full Member
Karma: +8/-26
Posts: 147
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« Reply #42 on: January 23, 2008, 08:17:31 PM » |
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Animal Farm - by George Orwell.
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gommi
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« Reply #43 on: January 24, 2008, 05:43:43 PM » |
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The Anatomy of Fascism - Robert O Paxton
For anyone confused as to the definition of Fascism, this is a good read. It explores the economic, political, and social conditions that allow it to exist, explains how Fascist leaders gained power, and how society operated under their leadership.
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\"Ideological and moral confusion are signs of a higher consciousness\".
__IAPer since 2004__
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JFree89
Full Member
Karma: +8/-26
Posts: 147
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« Reply #44 on: February 18, 2008, 06:00:56 PM » |
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"Animal Farm " by George Orwal.
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