Time for a new book - any suggestions?

[Buster Highmen]

Possible iteration:
"The Speckled Monster" - Story of smallpox and how inoculation was first accepted into western society. A surprisingly interesting read.

"The Invention of Air" - Story of Joseph Preistley, a little known historical figure who not only discovered that plants make oxygen but also had the most correspondence with any of the founding fathers than anyone else, was a protégé of Ben Franklin and whose discoveries concerning gunpowder were likely crucial in America's win of the Revolutionary War.

"Amsterdam - The World Most LIberal City". While the title will put off the Fox news feeders, it's a history of how the lowlands without nobility were the groundspring for private property, small businesses, guilds and tolerance.

[doughboyshredder]

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel. It is a novel of the near future, after a flu pandemic ravaged North America. I am usually a non-fiction reader, but this is really good.

Hated it. Quit at 70% after being bored out of my skull for too long.

Also the fact that many years after the pandemic people hadn't gotten even small segments of society working again was ridiculous.

Living at a gas station when there would have presumably been a lot of empty houses.

So many plot holes.

Don't get the good reviews.

[doughboyshredder]

"12" by Platt and Truant.
Amazing look into the minds of 12 fictional characters involved in a mass shooting.

[total.activation]

I read mostly non-fiction, one of my recent favorites is "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" by Edmund Morris. Its pretty long but well written and very interesting. It covers his life up to the point of his Presidency.

My other favorite is "The Great Bridge" by DavidMcCullough. Its about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Roeblings, who designed, built and provided the steel wire for the bridge.

[Buster Highmen]

I'm finishing "The Swerve: How the World Became Modern " by Stephen Greenblatt which describes the search by a medieval social miscreant scholar Poggio Bracciolini for ancient classical texts in the 15th century. In the course of the search he finds a copy of a poem by the Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius called "De rerum natura" which could be said to be the foundation of modern thought in terms of rejecting religion and positing the first well defined humanist point of view.

The time during which Lucretius wrote was an interval between the demise of the old Roman gods and the start of the fall of Rome but before Christianity was sufficiently well established to complete the collapse. The work defines a perspective in which religion is a lie, there is no soul, everything is comprised of atoms (drawn from the Greek notion) that constantly mutate forms and that the point of life is to seek pleasure and avoid pain, but not in the shallow sense. Lucretius is more or less an devotee of Epicureanism, where the way to attain such pleasure is to live modestly and to gain knowledge of the workings of the world and the limits of one's desires.

Bracciolini was the chief secretary to a number of Popes and details how corrupt the entire enterprise of Christianity was and in copying Lucretius' work bravely exposes himself to claims of heresy.

Awesome and uplifting stuff for the humanists out there.

It's kind of thickly written, but interesting to read the history of oppression of thought by the various forms of Christianity throughout history and what a marvel that what could be considered a cornerstone in the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment was not lost.

[MFJohnnyTyndall]

I'm a JONG, padding a post count to be able to post more cool shit.

So, in light of all the bullshit going down these days, I'll pitch the classic "The World's Religions" by Huston Smith. Dude was professor at U of Denver, Wash U, MIT, Syracuse, and Berkeley, hung out with Timothy Leary, Gerald Heard, and Ram Dass, practiced Zen Buddhism, Sufi Islam, and Vedanta Hinduism, and wrote a very accessible book despite being a stone cold academic badass. Excellent survey of the beliefs at the core of the major religions and a great resource for understanding the fundamentals of the beliefs that drive billions of people.

[Prentzz]

Just finished "Think and grow rich" by Napoleon Hill. Amazing book if you have an interest in self-improvement and attaining wealth

[Lev]

Just finished "Think and grow rich" by Napoleon Hill. Amazing book if you have an interest in self-improvement and attaining wealth

Just scooped this up for fifty cents in the Google play store. Hard to argue with the price. We'll see...

[fool]

Just finished "Double Cross" based on this thread (I think). Awesome book about the D-Day spies...just crazy to think of the consequences for both sides in the contrived spy system. I'll quote the Amazon summary:

On June 6, 1944, 150,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy and suffered an astonishingly low rate of casualties. A stunning military accomplishment, it was also a masterpiece of trickery. Operation Fortitude, which protected and enabled the invasion, and the Double Cross system, which specialized in turning German spies into double agents, tricked the Nazis into believing that the Allied attacks would come in Calais and Norway rather than Normandy. It was the most sophisticated and successful deception operation ever carried out, ensuring Allied victory at the most pivotal point in the war. This epic event has never before been told from the perspective of the key individuals in the Double Cross system, until now. Together they made up one of the oddest and most brilliant military units ever assembled.

[boarddad]

What I've been reading;
"Armada", by Earnest Cline. His Sophomore effort after "Ready Player One". Sadly I can't recommend it. It just felt very...juvenile I think is the word I'm looking for, like a young teen novel, with unnecessary references to sex. The world is invaded by aliens who we have somehow attacked with drones. The world's best video game players are recruited to save the planet. It felt very unfinished. I expected better. It made me wonder if I really liked RP1 as well as I thought I did. Pretty sure that's not the effect Cline was going for.

"Unbroken" - picked it up off the reccos in this thread and I was really glad I did. Sure this was one of the more epic experiences from WW2, but it was sobering to think how many 100's of 1000's of other individuals went through the war and had their own stories. Sad to think the last of this generation are passing away right now. It really made me miss my Grandpa - if only I had known I would want so badly to hear his story (served in the Navy in WW2, God rest his soul). To have THAT kind of an affect...now THAT is a powerful read! Highly recommend.

"Midnight Plan of the Repo Man", Cameron - currently reading. This is a fun read from the same author as "Dog's Purpose". A repo man is somehow possessed by a guy who is killed, and ends up trying to solve the murder. Not fantastic but I am liking it. Would recommend.

[Flyoverland Captive]

Just finished Saturn Run by John Sanford.

Publisher description:
The year is 2066. A Caltech intern inadvertently notices an anomaly from a space telescope—something is approaching Saturn, and decelerating. Space objects don’t decelerate. Spaceships do.

A flurry of top-level government meetings produces the inescapable conclusion: Whatever built that ship is at least one hundred years ahead in hard and soft technology, and whoever can get their hands on it exclusively and bring it back will have an advantage so large, no other nation can compete. A conclusion the Chinese definitely agree with when they find out.

The race is on, and an remarkable adventure begins—an epic tale of courage, treachery, resourcefulness, secrets, surprises, and astonishing human and technological discovery, as the members of a hastily thrown-together crew find their strength and wits tested against adversaries both of this earth and beyond. What happens is nothing like you expect—and everything you could want from one of the world’s greatest masters of suspense.

Just finished it; a fast read, took me an afternoon. Not bad; not great, but has its moments. Anybody wants my hardcover copy, pm me; yours for shipping.

[Buster Highmen]

Inifinitesimal:How a Dangerous Mathematical Theory Shaped the Modern World.
Really interesting and surprisingly well written book about how the Catholic church fought (and lost) one of the greatest advances in mathematics.

Spotlights the Jesuits, vanguard of Catholic Education, to demonstrate how much they really misrepresent education.

[The AD]

I'm reading "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell and it's quite entertaining. I think it would resonate more with those of us who grew up in the 1980s, but anyone who enjoys a good bildungsroman should like it.

[fool]

Just started "Tweak" by Nic Sheff and it's good AND intense. It's about growing up on meth/crystal/heroin/etc.

[Diamond Joe]

Quite a few recco's for "Devil in the White City" which I found kind of boring.... "In the Garden of Beasts" was better, but still kind of slow. "Dead Wake" however, blew both of those out of the water, a real page turner and my favorite recent read. (all by Erik Larson)

"The Kite Runner" was recommended here and I would agree, an amazing story that will stay with you for a long time
"Unbroken" has been mentioned a LOT in this thread, for good reason. One of the best books I've ever read. If you saw the movie, it doesnt cover 1/100th of what Louis Zamperini went through. Read it.
"Boys in the Boat" has likewise been recommended several times here, and I would also agree is a fantastic read

I'm a big fan of Nathaniel Philbrick. "In the Heart of the Sea" was awesome, his best work. I read "Mayflower" twice, also awesome. "Bunker Hill" was very good and "The Last Stand" was a bit slower but still a pretty good read.

"In Harm's Way", the story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis (mentioned in "Jaws", the ship that delivered the atomic bomb in secret and was then sunk) is an absolutely amazing read and possibly my all time favorite book.

lastly, I'd recommend anything by Eric Blehm. "The Last Season" has been mentioned in this thread, but my favorite was "Fearless" which tells the story of a man who overcame amazing difficulties (drug addiction, loss of dominant eye) to become not just a SEAL, but a sniper and Team 6 member. "The Only Thing Worth Dying For" was pretty good as well, the story of the first team of Americans on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11. I just picked up "Legend".

"13 Hours" was a very good read, I just finished it. Story of Benghazi (now a movie). Speaking of movies "The Martian" was a great book...

ok I'll stop now

[fool]

Just started "Tweak" by Nic Sheff and it's good AND intense. It's about growing up on meth/crystal/heroin/etc.

Well damn. I started it on Saturday and finished it last night: 300+ pages. Really good and realllly intense. I couldn't put it down. (And I have no experience with hard drugs at all. Just interesting to hear the emotional perspective from someone going through all the craziness).

[fool]

Quite a few recco's for "Devil in the White City" which I found kind of boring.... "In the Garden of Beasts" was better, but still kind of slow. "Dead Wake" however, blew both of those out of the water, a real page turner and my favorite recent read. (all by Erik Larson)

"The Kite Runner" was recommended here and I would agree, an amazing story that will stay with you for a long time
"Unbroken" has been mentioned a LOT in this thread, for good reason. One of the best books I've ever read. If you saw the movie, it doesnt cover 1/100th of what Louis Zamperini went through. Read it.
"Boys in the Boat" has likewise been recommended several times here, and I would also agree is a fantastic read

I'm a big fan of Nathaniel Philbrick. "In the Heart of the Sea" was awesome, his best work. I read "Mayflower" twice, also awesome. "Bunker Hill" was very good and "The Last Stand" was a bit slower but still a pretty good read.

"In Harm's Way", the story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis (mentioned in "Jaws", the ship that delivered the atomic bomb in secret and was then sunk) is an absolutely amazing read and possibly my all time favorite book.

lastly, I'd recommend anything by Eric Blehm. "The Last Season" has been mentioned in this thread, but my favorite was "Fearless" which tells the story of a man who overcame amazing difficulties (drug addiction, loss of dominant eye) to become not just a SEAL, but a sniper and Team 6 member. "The Only Thing Worth Dying For" was pretty good as well, the story of the first team of Americans on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11. I just picked up "Legend".

"13 Hours" was a very good read, I just finished it. Story of Benghazi (now a movie). Speaking of movies "The Martian" was a great book...

ok I'll stop now

Great stuff, Joe: thanks! I'll definitely checkout a lot of the books you mentioned: was looking at "13 Hours" and I loved "The Last Season" so will have to check out Blehm's other books.

If you haven't read "Seabiscuit" - by the author of "Unbroken" - it is crazy good. And I don't even like horses. Or I didn't till the book.

[Diamond Joe]

I read Seabiscuit after I read Unbroken, and yeah its a good book but I wouldnt say its a page turner like Unbroken was.

Lauren Hillenbrand (sp?) is a great author though

I just started "Legend" (Blehm) and am impressed so far, wont take long to get through this one...

I picked up "Ishmael" based on the recco's of this thread, thanks guys. Also grabbed "Heist", the story of the 17 million dollar Looms Fargo Heist that was the basis for the movie "Masterminds". Reviews to follow

[fool]

Interesting. I started Unbroken but couldn't get through it: the first 50-100 (ish?) pages were too slow for me. I know I've got to give it another go though.

Heist looks cool too!

[DeePow603]

Howdy All,
If you have not read Shantaram I highly recommend it. The sequel was released in the fall, it is not nearly as good but still spectacular. Shantaram is Gregory David Roberts tale of an escape from prison that lands him in India. It is a spiritual story in which he experiences life in the slums that puts your issues in proper perspective.

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy is spectacular but a bit difficult to get through if you have no read McCarthy before. His prose is unique and he ignores typical grammar rules. The story follows a young lad through the brutal setting of America in the early 1900s where Mexican and Native's heads would get you a quick buck. The Judge is one of the all time greatest characters which you will quickly see through the story's development.

History geeks, check out Band of Brothers if you haven't before because it is even more gripping than the HBO series. Playground of the Alpsis a great mountaineering experience through the eyes of Sir Leslie Stephens. Check 'em out!

[iceman]

Just finished The Boys In The Boat it starts out kinda slow but really brings an era to life, I enjoyed it. One Man Against The World by Tim Weiner about Nixon was good, he's an excellent writer.

[nogophers]

Took Diamond Joe's advice and read Stanton's In Harm's Way. A detailed, yet page-turning book. I can see why it might be Joe's favorite book.

[Diamond Joe]

Interesting. I started Unbroken but couldn't get through it: the first 50-100 (ish?) pages were too slow for me. I know I've got to give it another go though. Heist looks cool too!

Definitely give Unbroken another go man.. The early part of his life (beginning of the book) was a little bit slow, but once you get to the war... hang on to your seat. you will not want to stop reading, I promise you

"Heist" was good, I blew through it in one day on the beach (vacation in Clearwater!) Story of the morons behind the Loomis Fargo heist (17+ million) in the late 90's. Pretty good, super easy reading, great summer/beach book..

A great book that I didnt mention earlier, was brought to memory by the Iceman comment about "boys in the boat" - as far as really bringing an era to life. "Close to Shore" by Michael Capuzzo (Sp?). Its the story of the 1916 shark attacks off the coast of New Jersey that captivated/terrorized the country and was the inspiration for the movie "jaws". It brings the early 1900s to life beautifully, with sweltering New York tenemants, bathing suits that were actually suits (no skin!!), and "tough guys" who were tough because they could SWIM haha. Great, great book - it vividly brings a really interesting (to me anyhow) period in US history to life and is an amazing true story that I'm sure not a lot of people know much about. Highly recommended

[The AD]

Just finished The Boys In The Boat it starts out kinda slow but really brings an era to life, I enjoyed it.

I thought it was interesting how casual college athletics seemed to be back in those days. Holy shit those guys got lots of time off from training. The author tries to make a point at the end of the book about how much rowing Joe Rantz did over his four years at UW and I realized it was barely more than I swam in my college career! Not to say those guys were sitting around during the time they weren't rowing. Obviously Rantz was working his tail off just to survive. My point is that college athletics are basically a full-time commitment nowadays.

[smartyiak]

Right now I'm reading: The Hangman's Daughter. Only about 100pages in, but so far so good.