Book Thread number ?

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

I'm not a gamer, but Felicia Day's book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Never-Weird-Internet-Almost/dp/1476785651">You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)</a> was very entertaining. Could relate to a lot of it, and she's very funny and honest. Had never heard of her before I read a review of her book.

 

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Warmth-Other-Suns-Americas-Migration/dp/0679763880">The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration</a> - very, very good. About the south-to-north migration of African Americans from 1910ish-1970. She follows three people going to Chicago, New York and LA - before, during and after their migration. Kind of graphic when she talks about conditions in the South, but a really interesting read. Now I need a fluffy book that does not involve torture and lynching.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Gradually working through Dashiell Hammett's complete stories. Really quite an amazing storyteller. If you've only seen the movies based on his work, or only read The Maltese Falcon, I highly recommend giving him an extended look. He created three of the greatest detectives in the mystery genre (The Continental Op, Nick Charles, Sam Spade), and each is unique and quite a distance from their bland screen portrayals. The Thin Man, for example, is practically unrecognizable from the admittedly great William Powell vehicle, and the characterization is as subtle and deep as a playwrite.

 

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

If you would like to be angry at the NFL, I suggest you read Jeanne Marie Laskas' <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Concussion-Jeanne-Marie-Laskas/dp/0812987578">Concussion</a> (yes, I know there was a movie, but I didn't see it and this is the book thread). Well-written, quick read - and very aggravating.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Currently reading Once an Eagle. Here's an interesting take on it perhaps being too biblical among today's troops:

http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/12/18...one-to-my-army-and-yes-it-is-partly-my-fault/

 

[Probert]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Recent reads

One False Move (Myron Bolitar #5) by Harlan Coben Myron is tasked with trying to get to the bottom of who is threatening the face of the new Women’s professional basketball league. With her father missing Myron tries to find him and looks into the disappearance of her mother more than 20 years ago which may be tied to a gubernatorial candidate. Good read.

Extreme Prey (Lucas Davenport #26) by John Sandford So the latest Davenport novel finds him out at the BCI and summoned to Iowa by his political patron the governor who is campaigning for President. He has become alarmed that someone has targeted the front runner for the nomination and wants Lucas to get to the bottom of it. Lucas starts investigating the political fringe groups that may be targeting the politician without a badge. It will be interesting to see where he goes with Lucas now that he’s not tied to Minneapolis.

Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die by Steve Davey, Marc Schlossman A nice travel book detailing 40 places in the world that you should visit. It includes a short history and description of each site along with some travel tips and lots of nice pictures.

The Games (Private #11) by James Patterson (Goodreads Author), Mark Sullivan Another private novel another city and once again we are interested into a whole new slew of characters. It starts with an incident at the end of the World Cup in Rio and then carries over to the start of the Olympics. Jack Morgan has two items to deal with a possible pandemic and the kidnapping of his clients two daughters. Ok read.

Hide (Detective D.D. Warren #2) by Lisa Gardner Bobby Dodge and DD Warren are back. Dodge is summoned to a crime scene on the grounds of the former state psychiatric center it is eerily similar to Catherine Gagnon’s crime scene except these young women didn’t survive. They are in for another surprise when the owner of a locket found on one of the bodies appears and tells a story of being on the run for years. Tasked with tracking down people who knew the women and former patients at the facility they try to track down the killer before he strikes again. Good read

Lafayette by Harlow Giles Unger An excellent biography of my favorite Frenchman. It follows his early life his ”escape” to America to join the American Revolution. It details his first brush with battle at Brandywine and how George Washington came to accept him as his surrogate son. It tells of his successes during the revolution to helping gain French support for the rebels, helping interact with the other French commanders, Rochambeau and D’Grasse leading up to the climactic battle at Yorktown. Returning to France he helps the final peace treaty get signed. The second part of the book follows his battle for Liberty in France against the monarchists, the Jacobins and his involvement in the terror which ironically he only survived because he was being imprisoned in Prussia and Austria. This part also explores his relationship with his wife Adrienne and their love for each other as after finally getting released from France she went and spent several years in an Austrian prison. Finally, able to go back to France it covers his uneasy relationship with Napoleon where he is kept out of the spotlight. I particularly enjoyed the details of his triumph return to America and his journey to every state where he was treated like a conquering hero. The last part finds him in his advancing years but still involved in an attempt to bring some democracy to France after the removal of Napoleon. Excellent book.

Private Eyes (Alex Delaware #6) by Jonathan Kellerman The 6th in the Delaware series finds him contacted by an old patient he has not heard from in 10 years seeking help for her mother. Shortly after he talks to the mother, a severe agoraphobic, she vanishes. Delaware and his friend Milo Sturgis who is on leave from the LAPD try to fin her. A typical Delaware story ok read.

Sharpe's Sword (Richard Sharpe (chronological order) #14) by Bernard Cornwell This 14th book of the Sharpe series finds him trying to catch a French officer who is attempting to kill Britain’s spy master in Spain. Still quite a few battle scenes but didn’t like this as much as some of the previous books read, though this is #4 in written order.

The High Druid's Blade (The Defenders of Shannara #1) by Terry Brooks This book picks up a couple of hundred years after the last series with Paxon Leah and his sister the descendants of Mirai Leah and Railing Ohmsford. When his sister is kidnapped by a magic user he takes down the old sword worn to defend the Ohmsfords back to the Sword of Shannnara and goes after her. When confronting the wizard he unleashes it’s magic and is called to Paranor where he is asked to become the guardian of the Druids. A decent stand-alone novel from Brooks, though none of the characters are that compelling.

A Close Run Thing (Matthew Hervey #1) by Allan Mallinson So I love the Hornblower and Sharpe novel and this was recommended to me by goodreads. This tells the story of a young cavalry officer in Wellington’s army at the tail end of the Napoleonic Wars. He distinguishes himself in battle but angers his superiors, similar to Sharpe, but the novel also skips around and he goes from France to his home, to Ireland and then to Belgium for Waterloo. While also stating to the first book it references too many things in the past that aren’t fully explained. It’s a good story about life in a cavalry regiment and the place they serve in battle during the time period.

Lullaby Town (Elvis Cole #3) by Robert Crais So Elvis Cole PI finds himself hired by an arrogant movie director to find his ex-wife and child since he know decides he wants to be a father. Elvis tracks her to the East Coast where he finds her involved with the Mafia and more trouble than he originally signed on for. A complication that is only compounded when the director and his entourage show up. Decent read.

One Man Against the World: The Tragedy of Richard Nixon by Tim Weiner So I selected this book to read as my Presidents book about Richard Nixon but the book really doesn’t cover his presidency and election to the presidency. It basically details also the law breaking and nastiness that Nixon and his top aides did, the wiretapping and spying on political enemies, the running of the Vietnam War and the cover up of the Watergate Break in. Detailing every abuse of the power. One of the things I found interesting is how many of the things Nixon did are now commonplace in politics, the following of political opponents and their families to dig up dirt is done for almost all Federal elections. It was okay but if you’re looking for the story of the whole Nixon presidency this isn’t it.

 

[joecct]

Currently reading Once an Eagle. Here's an interesting take on it perhaps being too biblical among today's troops:

http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/12/18...one-to-my-army-and-yes-it-is-partly-my-fault/

Did you enjoy it? It is one of my never going to get tossed books. I liked Sam Damon's leadership vs. the idiots.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Did you enjoy it? It is one of my never going to get tossed books. I liked Sam Damon's leadership vs. the idiots.

You may not like my assessment, because I am a bitter cynic and I think there is some validity to Gen. Scales' criticisms, but hear me out...

Sam is kind of a Gary Stu. You know the trope - he was so special as a teen and felt he had a destiny, so he went way above his pay grade and miraculously talked his way into a shot at West Point, and of course he aced his exams because he's so special, but then he was deferred, and he just knew he was too special to wait. So he joined the Army and ascended, and proved how special he was by earning the MoH while still alive. Then WWI ended, and he was so special and humble that he took a demotion rather than enter private life, and so on, and so forth.

Can you tell how much I despise this almost angelic character trope? Call me jealous if you must, but no human is this perfect; not even close.

However, at the end of the day, Sam's leadership is the leadership we should all aspire to. Sam is a go-getter who asserts himself, and fights on the front lines, and serves as the role-model for his units. He knows when a violent conflict is unjust. He doesn't just unzip and throw his dick out there. I do think the story unnecessarily exaggerates military politics to vilify ROTC/service academy graduates like Massengale, but then I guess it wouldn't be so emotionally gripping, would it?

At the end of the day, I went in expecting a pièce de résistance on imperfect leadership, but I left with a hamfisted treatise on good and evil, and feeling that I didn't learn much that I did not already know. To compare to the corporate world, I think Damon's style works best until about the time you hit the VP level, where you just can't be involved in day-to-day affairs anymore. I witnessed it happen in a former boss, who quickly ascended from team lead to manager to director to VP. You reach a point where there is so much going on within your purview, that you no longer have much time for individual interaction with the employees "down in the trenches". Of course, there are certainly some execs who rise to the top by kissing arse and acting like Massengale, thinking their resources are stupid and expendable because of their credentials and "executive-ness". However, there are many others who "get it", but simply don't have the time or skills to address it.

I don't think it's a bad book to teach at our service academies, but it should be taught with caution and nuance. There is a balance to be found among our military leadership between field command and back office knowledge.

 

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Finished <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Innocents-Collision-Turbulent-Sixties/dp/0062360566">The Last Innocents: The Collision of the Turbulent Sixties and the Los Angeles Dodgers</a> by Michael Leahy. Very enjoyable - it follows several Dodger players including Koufax, Maury Wills and Wes Parker through the 1960s in LA - related to current events at the time, on and off the field. I'll read pretty much anything about Koufax, but it was interesting to read about the other guys, too.

Picked up the third book in the Ken Follett Century trilogy (Edge of Eternity). Reading these has resulted in the only time in my life I wish I had an e-book reader. They're all around 1,000 pages and incredibly heavy.

 

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Read the new Richard Russo book - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Everybodys-Fool-novel-Richard-Russo/dp/0307270645/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Everybody's Fool</a> (sequel to Nobody's Fool) - enjoyed it as much as the first one, maybe a bit more. I like his witty insights into human nature (even humans who suck).

 

[Probert]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Surpassed my Goodreads goal of 150 with 2 months to go. My recent reads

Shock of War (Red Dragon Rising #3) by Larry Bond, Jim DeFelice The third book in the series is mainly built around Zeus Murphy and his attempt to stall or stop the Chinese invasion of Vietnam. Mara and Josh are in the book a little but fade to the background when compared to the first 2 books. The last half of the book is more a conventional war book rather than being behind the lines/commando raids scenario that the first two were.
The Killing Room (Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne #6) by Richard Montanari The 6th Balzano and Byrne books finds them trying to track down a killer who is leaving a trail of bodies in former churches all over Philadelphia. Not quite on a par with the previous novels.

Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies: The Real West by David Fisher, Bill O'Reilly Got this to read before I went to Tombstone. A good book with brief bio’s on the most famous or infamous legends of the old West Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickok etc. Enjoyed the Bass Reeves section the most, the inspiration for the Lone Ranger.

Cross Kill (Alex Cross #23.5) by James Patterson Gary Soneji is back in this short Cross novel, he ambushes Cross and Samson and leaves Samson clinging for his life. As he battles in the ICU Cross has to investigate to see if he is still alive or if a cult devoted to him is responsible for the killing.

A Raging Storm (Derrick Storm #2) by Richard Castle This novel picks up where the 1st book left off with Derrick Storm standing over the body of a Senator shot by a sniper. He and FBI Agent April Showers go to London to investigate the connection between the assassin, lost Russian gold and an exiled oligarch.

The Associate by Phillip Margolin Daniel Ames is an associate at one of Portland’s largest law firms is in trouble after missing a crucial piece of discovery in a pharmaceutical lawsuit. After he is fired he is charged with the murder of one of the partners and is brought into a conspiracy traveling over several states and years as he teams up with the firms investigator Kate Ross.

Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbott A book describing the lives of 4 female spies during the Civil War, 2 for the Confederates and 2 for the Union; Belle Boyd, Rose Greenhow, Elizabeth Van Lew and Emma Thompson. Rather than tell the stories separately they are told in chronological order from the start of the war, where Greenhow’s information helps the South win the 1st Battle of Bull Run to the end of the War when Van Lew is the first to raise the Stars and Stripes in Richmond after the Confederate Capital is taken by US Grant’s forces. It also has an epilogue which tells what happens to the women after the war. Good read.

Partners: A Rogue Lawyer Short Story (Rogue Lawyer .5) by John Grisham A short e-book by Grisham where Sebastian Rudd defends his future driver who is on trial for the killing of a cop.

Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship by Robert Kurson The story of 2 men and their search for a Pirate Ship in the Dominican Republic. Nice story detailing the research and work that goes into finding a shipwreck and telling the story of the men searching for the ship and the pirate who captained her.

Flesh and Blood (Alex Delaware #15) by Jonathan Kellerman This Delaware novel finds Alex embroiled in the disappearance and then murder of a former patient who was involved in the sex industry. As he investigates against both Milo and Robin’s wishes he finds himself out on a limb in danger. Not the best of the Delaware books.

The Last Don (Mario Puzo's Mafia) by Mario Puzo So this story about a godfather’s attempt to legitimize his children and move away from crime and the battle between his nephew and grandson. Not quite as good as the Godfather but a good read.

Raging Heat (Nikki Heat #6) by Richard Castle OK book built around an investigation as Super Storm Sandy approaches NYC. Heat and Rook try to figure out if a guy who fell on the Museum of Natural History and other murders connected to it are connected to a powerfully connected politician.

The Millionaires by Brad Meltzer Two brothers think they have stumbled upon the perfect crime steal 3 million dollars from a dormant account before it is turned over to the state. The next day they are surprised when the Secret Service is in their office and one of their co-conspirators ends up dead. On the run trying to figure out what happens they find themselves drawn into a conspiracy.

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff A decent biography of Cleopatra, tells what is known about her life and speculates on what may have happened when there are varying stories and gaps in her life. Focuses mainly on her involvement with Julius Caesar and Mar Antony and her issues with Augustus.

Victims (Alex Delaware #27) by Jonathan Kellerman A interesting book where Alex and Milo are trying to track down a killer who is killing people and leaving behind a ?. As they investigate they seem to find a link but must battle against odds to find the killer before more people are hurt. OK read

Partisans and Redcoats: The Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution by Walter B. Edgar An interesting book that details how the British helped lose the Revolutionary War by their actions in South Carolina. It details the lead up to the war and then the actions by the British and the Loyalists and the various Patriot guerilla commanders who battled against them. Good read.

Compulsion (Alex Delaware #22) by Jonathan Kellerman This is probably my least favorite of the Delaware series. It has a unusual contrived case, in addition for some strange reason a old unrelated cold case is thrown in that has to be wrapped up in a hurry at the end of the book. Alex and Milo are investigating a case where the victims are picked up in stolen luxury cars after being targeted and murdered.

 

[Probert]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Got a question on e-readers. My nook color crapped out on me on vacation and I can't get it going again. Was looking to buy a kindle but want one of the basic one's that keep the charge for 2-3 weeks not have to be recharged every day or two since I mainly used it on vacation. Anybody have a recommendation? Also does anybody know if I can somehow download by nook books to adobe epub and then transfer them to a kindle if I decide to buy one?

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Got a question on e-readers. My nook color crapped out on me on vacation and I can't get it going again. Was looking to buy a kindle but want one of the basic one's that keep the charge for 2-3 weeks not have to be recharged every day or two since I mainly used it on vacation. Anybody have a recommendation? Also does anybody know if I can somehow download by nook books to adobe epub and then transfer them to a kindle if I decide to buy one?

One note about the Kindle, the 2-3 weeks charge is only if it's on standby mode. If you're using it constantly, the average reader could complete roughly two books on a single charge, you could likely complete four or five books, based upon the speed at which you seem to read.

 

[Almington]

Got a question on e-readers. My nook color crapped out on me on vacation and I can't get it going again. Was looking to buy a kindle but want one of the basic one's that keep the charge for 2-3 weeks not have to be recharged every day or two since I mainly used it on vacation. Anybody have a recommendation? Also does anybody know if I can somehow download by nook books to adobe epub and then transfer them to a kindle if I decide to buy one?

Because of DRM I don't think it is possible to read Nook books on a Kindle and vice versa. At least not a legal option.

Both the Nook Glowlight Plus and Kindle Paperwhite will give you about 24 to 36 hours of reading on a full battery charge, without using the reading light, and with the wi-fi off.

 

[Probert]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Because of DRM I don't think it is possible to read Nook books on a Kindle and vice versa. At least not a legal option.

Both the Nook Glowlight Plus and Kindle Paperwhite will give you about 24 to 36 hours of reading on a full battery charge, without using the reading light, and with the wi-fi off.

I may be wrong but I had heard that basic nook.kindle's without wifi, the ability to download apps etc. held a charge for considerably longer than the other versions which are basically mini tablets. I was basically looking for something I can download with books, fully charge and take to Europe for 10-14 days without having to bring along converters and everything to charge.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Anyone read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich? Amazon has a great deal on books between now and 11/28th and I was thinking about getting a new book for the collection.

 

[Handyman]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Anyone read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich? Amazon has a great deal on books between now and 11/28th and I was thinking about getting a new book for the collection.

I havent but my dad has like 3 copies of it. He liked it back in the day as a history buff

 

[jen]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Do not read Alex Cross books before bed.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Book Thread number ?

Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet

I'm not done with this one yet, but this is the most academic treatise I've read about any of the early Mormons. Very fair, and portrays him as a man of his time (particularly with regards to racial attitudes). Even not having finished it, I nonetheless recommend it.

 

[Probert]

Re: Book Thread number ?

My Recent reads

15th Affair (Women's Murder Club #15) by James Patterson (Goodreads Author), Maxine Paetro So Lindsey Boxer is investigating a murder at a local hotel when she sees her husband in surveillance footage. He then drops out of touch and she is forced to deal with his possible involvement in the murder and a terrifying plane crash that happens in San Francisco. Teaming up with the other members of the Murder Club she seeks to determine Joe’s innocence and finds out some secrets about her husband. The Women’s Murder Club books used to be good but they continue to slip.

Foreign Agent (Scot Harvath #15) by Brad Thor So in this book Harvath is attempting to break up Isis and track down a Russian who is attempting to play the US and Isis off one another for Russia’s benefit. A safe house was attacked and a team acting on Harvath’s intelligence was killed Harvath investigates to find out the leak which leads back to some powerful politicos in Washington. It was an OK read but the plot development seemed to be lacking in this story. He could have easily added a 100 or so more pages and added a little more depth.


God's Armies: Crusade and Jihad: Origins, History, Aftermath by Malcolm Lambert A very general overview of the development in the Middle East. The book tells of the development of the Islamic faith under Mohammed and the various Caliphs and Viziers that took up the banner after he passed away, Ottoman's, Ummayed's etc. It tells of the various crusade's and the Pope's and Kings of Europe who led them. The fighting religious order who developed and held territory, Hospitatlers, Templar's, within the Holy Land. It ends with what has happened there in more modern times. It doesn't spend a lot of time on one specific subject, Saladin, Richard the Lionhearted, Mehmet etc. so you probably want to look elsewhere for anything other than a overview of the Crusades and History of the Middle East.

Ghosts of War (Pike Logan #10) by Brad Taylor Taskforce has been put on the sidelines and Pike and Jennifer have taken an outside job for the Israeli’s. When Russia and it’s allies start causing mischief they happen to find themselves in the right place to try and stop a war from erupting in Europe.

Sharpe's Enemy (Richard Sharpe (chronological order) #15) by Bernard Cornwell Probably my favorite Sharpe book to date beside the obvious resurrection of Hakeswell who somehow has managed to escape from certain death in previous books. Recently promoted to Major Sharpe is asked to rescue an English nobles wife from a army of deserters. Sharpe finds himself struggling to hold them off until help arrives.

Live to Tell (Detective D.D. Warren #4) by Lisa Gardner The 4th book in the Warren series finds her investigating a family annihilator who is wiping out entire families that seem to have no connection to one another. Interesting story but a lot of the plot you kind of see coming before it happens.

The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream by H.W. Brands The story of the Gold Rush thru the eyes of the people who lived it. Tells the story of the initial finding of gold the start of the rush and the tales of the people who came. Very detailed into the various ways miners from across the world, US, China, Australia and South America got to California how the various claims and rushes worked out and what happened as the gold started to dry up. Also the effect the Gold Rush and California’s entrance to the US as a State had on the United States as a whole. OK read.

Gerald R. Ford (The American Presidents #38) by Douglas Brinkley, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. (Editor) The American Presidents look at the only man not elected to the Presidency or Vice Presidency. Follows the career of Gerald Ford as a Congressman, his serving on the Warren Commission. How he was chosen by Richard Nixon to replace Spiro Agnew as Vice President. Then his short term as President after Nixon’s resignation, his pardon and the fall out. A brief synopsis of his loss to Jimmy Carter and post presidency. A good read.

The Stolen Ones (Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne #7) by Richard Montanari The 7th installment of Blazano and Byrne finds them involved in another strange case where all the victims seem to have a gap in their work history. They find a connection to a closed mental hospital and a mysterious wing and patient. Ok read.

Got The Look (Jack Swyteck #5) by James Grippando The 5th Swyteck book finds him with a new lady love before it all comes crashing down on him. He finds out she is married and then she is kidnapped by a kidnapper who asks his victims’ families to pay what they are worth. Her husband refuses to pay and Jack is nominated to pay to try to save her. He finds out in addition to her marital status there may be other things she kept from him. Good read.

Pirate (Fargo Adventure #8) by Clive Cussler, Robin Burcell So the Fargo's thought they were on vacation until they walk into a robbery at a bookstore in San Francisco. They end up with a old book that may lead to King John's lost treasure. Stalked by a rich man seeking to recover the treasure who seeks to stop they hop to several continents trying top stay one step ahead of them.

Tom Paine's Iron Bridge: Building a United States by Edward G. Gray Interesting biography of Thomas Paine. Personally, I wished it spent a little more time on his bomb throwing rabble rousing and political treatise rather than his penchant for building and designing bridges but a good short biography nonetheless.

An Obvious Fact (Walt Longmire #12) by Craig Johnson A good Walt Longmire book where he and Henry have gone to Sturgis to investigate the hit and run and possible murder of a biker before the city erupts. Lots of good subplots amongst the main storyline.