Rate the last book you read!!

[ethiostar]

Originally Posted by Hostile

I am working on a script for a documentary movie about a man who was in the Buffalo Soldiers. His name is Charles Young and it is a shame he is not more celebrated in this country. IMO. I hope to change that a little bit.

David Kilroy wrote an amazing book about him which I am one chapter from finishing. It's called "For Race and Country." I am also looking at another book about him called "Black Cadet in a White Bastion" by Brian Shellum.

Amazing man whom I have long wanted to write about.

That sounds like an awesome project.

You are probably aware of this website but just in case.

I came across it a while back doing some research for something unrelated.

http://www.buffalosoldier.net/CharlesYoung.htm

There are more links at the bottom of the page.

[Bob Sacamano]

I read all 3 Lord of the Rings books last week and the Hobbit

10/10 -- LTR Trilogy

7/10 -- The Hobbit

reading Jesse James -- Last Rebel of the Civil War, right now (3rd time)

[Chief]

I prefer non-fiction and I'm on a pretty good streak right now. Several outstanding ones in a row. I've learned that the key to finding a good non-fiction book is get one written by an actual writer or editor ... not a historian or researcher. Makes a big difference.


Currently reading "Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima," by Stephen Walker.

Other recent ones that were great:

• "In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of it's Survivors," by Doug Stanton.
  
• "Heart of the Game: Life, Death and Mercy in Minor League America," by S.L. Price.
  
• "Titanic's Last Secrets," by Brad Matsen.

[Bob Sacamano]

Originally Posted by Chief

I prefer non-fiction and I'm on a pretty good streak right now. Several outstanding ones in a row. I've learned that the key to finding a good non-fiction book is get one written by an actual writer or editor ... not a historian or researcher. Makes a big difference.


Currently reading "Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima," by Stephen Walker.

Other recent ones that were great:

• "In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of it's Survivors," by Doug Stanton.
• "Heart of the Game: Life, Death and Mercy in Minor League America," by S.L. Price.
• "Titanic's Last Secrets," by Brad Matsen.

not a big fan of Stephen Ambrose?

[Chief]

Originally Posted by Bob Sacamano

not a big fan of Stephen Ambrose?

I haven't read any of his books .... yet.

I know he's highly regarded. Maybe he's the exception to the rule. I'll definitely check it out.

I was excited to read "Stealing Lincoln's Body," but struggled with the style of writing. I work with historians and researchers and their stuff is like wading through mud.

Of course, anyone who writes a non-fiction book is a researcher to some degree. But the good authors have a strong background as a writer, too.

[Bob Sacamano]

Originally Posted by Chief

I haven't read any of his books .... yet.

I know he's highly regarded. Maybe he's the exception to the rule. I'll definitely check it out.

I was excited to read "Stealing Lincoln's Body," but struggled with the style of writing. I work with historians and researchers and their stuff is like wading through mud.

Of course, anyone who writes a non-fiction book is a researcher to some degree. But the good authors have a strong background as a writer, too.

Alex Kershaw is another great non-fiction writer too

he has written a couple of great WWII books such as The Bedford Boys (the 15 or 20 or so boys from the town of Bedford, VA who died on DDay storming Omaha beach) The Few (about the few American flyers among the few British flyers to defy the German Blitz) and Escape From The Deep (about the sinking and exciting escape from the USS Wahoo, the most decorated American sub of WWII, and their subsequent POW experience among the Japanese)

all 3 I've read, and all 3 I give 10/10 ratings to

[Chief]

Originally Posted by Bob Sacamano

Alex Kershaw is another great non-fiction writer too

he has written a couple of great WWII books such as The Bedford Boys (the 15 or 20 or so boys from the town of Bedford, VA who died on DDay storming Omaha beach) The Few (about the few American flyers among the few British flyers to defy the German Blitz) and Escape From The Deep (about the sinking and exciting escape from the USS Wahoo, the most decorated American sub of WWII, and their subsequent POW experience among the Japanese)

all 3 I've read, and all 3 I give 10/10 ratings to

Sounds great.

Since you like WWII stuff, did you read In Harm's Way, by Doug Stanton?

[Bob Sacamano]

Originally Posted by Chief

Sounds great.

Since you like WWII stuff, did you read In Harm's Way, by Doug Stanton?

I have it. Great book.

I also have another book about the USS Indianapolis.

It sucks that Charles McVay has a felony listed on his record...still, because of the incident.

[hairic]

The last book I read was a snoozer. It was a weather and climate textbook. I now know a lot of things about weather that I can't use other than for random fact droppings.

It was chosen on a random library trip. Walk in, pick a random aisle, reach to the left or right, grab whatever my hand lands on, check it out, and read it. Was a habit I formed when I was nerdier and wanted to be more well-read. Every time I return a book, I pick another random one. I don't recommend it, but it works.

[ScipioCowboy]

Originally Posted by masomenos85

The last book I finished was "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. I was skeptical about the book after reading a description, but a friend gave me a copy so I decided to give it a shot. I wasn't really drawn in by the first few chapters but eventually the writing just clicked and I couldn't put it down. Fantastic book about a college aged kid who ends up dropping out of school and joining a travelling railroad circus during the Depression. It was a really enjoyable read, definitely something that I'd recommend.

[View Full Quote]The last book I started reading was "The Fate of Katherine Carr". It's terrible, one of the few books that I had to give up on, without finishing. The story had promise, but the writing is bad, the characters are contrived and the story within a story structure does nothing to add interest to the book. It's about an ex-travel writer who's son was kidnapped and never found. One night, he's at a bar and strikes up a conversation with the police detective who was on his son's case. They start talking about old cases and one of them catches the writer's attention. The detective gives the writer some of the kidnapped woman's manuscripts and he starts seeing clues in the writing, regarding her disappearance. Nice premise, terribly executed. Not recommended at all.

Right now I'm reading "Lords of Finance" by Liaquat Ahamed. I'm only about quarter of the way though, but it's quite interesting so far. As a non-fiction book that details the role that world bankers played in causing the Great Depression, it's definitely not a page-turner. However, for anyone interested in the history of the 1920s - 1930s, or anyone with an interest in economics/finance, it's worth picking up. The writing it entertaining and at a layman's level, or maybe just a small step above.

Up next, I'll be reading "Tongue" by Kyung-Ran Jo.

Hmmm.

This isn't exactly filling me with confidence.

[Vintage]

Its not the last book I read....



But it is a good book. I don't agree with the author's political commentary at every turn, but ignoring that, the book is a fascinating read about one author's reporting career in the Middle East as well as other interesting anecdotes of Middle Eastern politics.



Perhaps the most interesting part of this book is the early United States political dealings with the Middle East and how the constitutional founders turned Presidents dealt with early foreign policy in the barbary wars.

[ChldsPlay]

Daemon - 6.5/10. I'm not quite finished yet, but almost there. It started out pretty interesting, and held onto that for quite some time...but here towards the end it's just gone pretty far out there as far as being believable.

[vta]

Two recent books:
The Poet - Michael Connelly. 0/10
I don't even know how this tripe got into my house, I know I didn't buy it. I found it in my armoire and decided to read it. Awful, dismal waste.

If Stephen King recommends a book, avoid it.
I'm going to go read an Anthony Burgess novel to wash it from my memory.

London Blues - Anothony Frewin. 6.5/10
Interesting UK based fiction about the early days of Soho porn, with some factual references. I wonder how much is based on the truth.

[ethiostar]

Originally Posted by vta

Two recent books:
The Poet - Michael Connelly. 0/10
I don't even know how this tripe got into my house, I know I didn't buy it. I found it in my armoire and decided to read it. Awful, dismal waste.

If Stephen King recommends a book, avoid it.
I'm going to go read an Anthony Burgess novel to wash it from my memory.

London Blues - Anothony Frewin. 6.5/10
Interesting UK based fiction about the early days of Soho porn, with some factual references. I wonder how much is based on the truth.

I'm disappointed to hear that. I recently read The Narrows, The Overlook, and The Scarecrow by Connelly and I wanted to read The Poet since a couple of the books I've read make references to the 'Poet's' case. I actually looked for it at the book store a couple of days ago but they didn't have it.

That's too bad.

[ethiostar]

Originally Posted by ethiostar

I'm currently reading "Crooked Little Vein" by Warren Ellis. I started reading it this morning and I haven't been able to put it down, even though i'm supposed to be working from the house today.

I'm half way through it but this book is a trip. Its has a typical British sense of humor, very off the wall. Its about a detective who has a history of working on cases that take him to the darkest sexual underbellies of America. He is described as a '**** Magnet' because he has nothing but bad luck. He gets commissioned by the US Chief of Staff to find 'the other Constitution'. The journey takes him all over the US.

There aren't a lot of books that make me laugh out loud but i've been laughing like a crazy person alone in my house sandwiched between moments that make me shake my head and squirm in my seat. Again, typical British sense of humor.

Just finished this book. Yep, its pretty off the wall all the way although it loses some of its momentum toward the end. This book is not for the faint hearted or those who get offended easily. Its a bit vulgar and crass in its delivery but at the same time very humorous.