Read any good books lately?

How did you like "Shakedown"? I haven't read it, but I thumbed through it a little bit at the bookstore.

 

I just finished Evolution's Shore by Ian McDonald. That guy is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

 

"The Monkey Wrench Gang" by Edward Abbey. 4 people from different backgrounds meet up and decide that the world is ruining the environment so they decide to take matters into their own hands. Really a good book.

 

I just read the Earth's Children series by Jean Auel at the insistence of my girlfriend. Book 5 (of the 6 book series - entitled Shelters of Stone) will be coming out at the end of the month (after a 12 year hiatus).

The series is a fictional account of prehistoric life. It takes place about 25,000 years ago and follows the life of one modern Homo Sapien originally raised by a group of Neanderthals (The Clan of the Cave Bear) and her later trials and tribulations in books 2-4. What is particularly satisfying about the series is the authors historical accuracy in many areas. Not to say that we can know for certain what happened 25,000 years ago, but the author has visited a number of prehistoric European sites, has studied the tools, learned about ancient plantlife and the like. However, it does seem that the books play to the fantasy side as much as the reality. So, if you are interested in fantasy books - LOTR, Robert Jordan, etc - or in anthropolgy/archaeology, I'd suggest these books.

 

I just finished "Summer for the Gods" It's about the Scopes Trial, when a teacher is put on trial for teaching evolution. Real interesting, historically accurate, and well written. I enjoy the way the author re-tells the confrontations between Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan.

 

I'm now reading the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. I'm currently on book 3 (Foundation and Empire). So far, pretty good.

 

I haven't read any Vonnegut, but I have heard good things about him. I will check it out.

 

I just finished reading "Magician" by Raymond E. Feist. By no means is it a new book, but it is an awesome read. Anyone who likes Fantasy/Sci Fi should definetly read it. I won't give to much away, but it has more twists and turns than my small intestine!

 

I'm currently reading "Band of Brothers" by Ambrose.

I watched the HBO mini-series and wanted to read the book. Good so far...how could it not be...Easy Company was the best of the best. Next up, "The Wild Blue" by same author. Might revert back to a Stephen King book after that. "John Adams" is definitely on my list. So much to read...so little time.

Surf

 

Here are my two favorite U.S. History books:

"Huey Long" by T. Harry Williams--the best political biography I've ever read. A must if you're interested in the intersection of power, ambition, and good intentions and want to understand the 20th Century.


"Simple Justice" by Richard Kluger--Not just a history of Brown Vs. Board of education, but a period study of the era, a legal history of the strategy and personalities involved in the case, and a thorough telling of the rise of segregation from the ashes of the Civil War. Say what you want about Thurgood Marshall's positions on the Supreme Court, but after reading this, you cannot question the man's intellectual gifts or his incredible courage.

As for recent stuff, I enjoyed "Stupid White Men ...and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation!" by Michael Moore, and "The Demon-Haunted World : Science As a Candle in the Dark" by Carl Sagan.

I also recommend "Young Men and Fire" by Norman Maclean and "Fire on the Mountain : The True Story of the South Canyon Fire" by John Maclean.

 

We got some Mensas in this place.

 

I'm giving "The Lord of the Rings" another shot. The last time I attempted it, I made it midway through book two before tossing it aside in boredom. I'm currently 1/3rd through book one.

Vescey: I've been meaning to read the Foundation series for over ten years (someone gave me the four book 'box set' for xmas when I was only 12 years old), but have never really gotten around to it. Could you describe what you like/dislike about the series? Is it at all similar to Dune or any of Orson Scott Card's novels? It won Asimov some pretty hefty awards.

 

Hey! Someone remembered the books I've recently read.

The Foundation series has a simple enough premise: The Empire, according to Hari Seldon (more on him in a minute), is dying slowly but surely, so to counteract the nearly 30,000 years of "Dark Ages" that are sure to follow the collapse of the universe's ruling force, Seldon sets up 2 colonies on the opposite side of the universe. These colonies are called the Foundation, and their purpose is to lessen the coming age of chaos and barbarism from 30,000 years to just under a thousand. Using Seldon's theory of psychohistory, the mathematical prediction of the future through analysis of macro history, the Foundation sets out to become the dominant force of the universe as the Second Empire. The series details the Foundation's rise to power and the myriad ways they overcome each crisis that threatens to destroy them. Unfortunately, I can't give you any more info because I'm only on book 3.

The Foundation series is a bit similar to Dune in setting (future world with ruling nobility) and purpose, but the similarities stop there. The Dune series chronicles the rise to power of the Atreides (specifically Paul and Leto II), much like the Foundation series does. Paul and Leto II (the God Emperor) also attempt to prevent a sort of Dark Age and the destruction of the human species, akin to the Foundation series. However, Dune deals more with politics, power struggles (especially with the Bene Gesserit), "feints within feints within feints," mysticism (re: fremen), and the daily lives of the main characters. From what I've read of the Foundation series, the only consistent main character is Hari Seldon, and he's only referenced from the 2nd book on. The books are told from the Foundation's view as a whole and concentrate on certain individuals responsible for the rise of the colony, rather than from one main, consistent character. I'll reserve judgment on the series (as compared to Dune) until I finish every book.

As for comparing it to the Ender's Game series, well, they are vastly different. Card deals more with philosophy than politics (although he does devote a fair amount of writing to the notion of power, especially found in the Bean spinoff series). Although both series have their share of relatively impossible crises to solve (especially at the latter end of the Ender's Game series), Card uses more fantastical methods to solve them, while the Foundation uses politics, technology, religion, etc. Ender's Game also follows the story of Andrew Wiggins, while the Foundation has no primary character (besides Seldon).

So far, although the Foundation is pretty good, I prefer Herbert's Dune series. Herbert's attention to detail, plot, and characterization is top-notch, and his writing style is more distinctive. Asimov has yet to really draw me in. Card was heavy on philosophy (and to a degree, characterization), but the books were easy to follow and understand.

So, here's the tally: For light reading, I'd prefer Card. For more matter-of-fact "rise-to-power" (on a macro scale) reading, try out the Foundation. For amazing writing and a ridiculous amount of detail (although it pales in comparison to LOTR), test out Dune. Just keep in mind that this is one man's opinion (and incomplete, at that!).

 

Thanks for the analysis. The 'Foundation' books have often been described as "a drama where all the action takes place offstage." Asimov himself said something of this sort in the prologue of the series. I'm not sure if that type of writing will appeal to me, but I'll definitely give it a shot someday. Then again, I've been saying that for the last ten years.


So far, I'm really loving book one of LOTR. I'm about 2/3rds into it and have been flipping pages like a madman. It's been so long, I've forgotten what a fun story it is. Unfortunately, it was book two that turned me from the series, so I'm still a bit wary.

 

Serious question.

With so much sports and video games and DVD's...

When do you guys find time to read? I'd love to read more, but with all of the above, working, dogs, working out.. I only get about 5hrs of sleep as it is!!