What are you currently reading?

[Opus106]

Right now, I'm having on my lap a text on database management systems which is downright boring. But I did borrow from the library Hardy's A Course on Pure Mathematics the other day which I hope to explore during the holidays after the exam.

[mn dave]

I be readin' Captain Blood: His Odyssey by Rafael Sabatini

[M forever]

Parallel to "Guns, Germs, and Steel", I am also reading this interesting book about our prehistory:

[bwv 1080]

A series of reconstrutions of rural life in one rural district in 17th century China

so far an engrossing look at what life was like for ordinary people

Take away - you would not have liked being a 17th century Chinese peasant - war, pestilence, famine, earthquakes

The population of the entire country dropped by 40+% (around 70 million people) between 1620–1650

[M forever]

A series of reconstrutions of rural life in one rural district in 17th century China

so far an engrossing look at what life was like for ordinary people

Take away - you would not have liked being a 17th century Chinese peasant - war, pestilence, famine, earthquakes

The population of the entire country dropped by 40+% (around 70 million people) between 1620–1650

Probably not all too different from what happened in Europe at the same time (the 30 years war). Some areas, like North Eastern Germany, were almost depopulated during that period.

[bwv 1080]

Probably not all too different from what happened in Europe at the same time (the 30 years war). Some areas, like North Eastern Germany, were almost depopulated during that period.

Yes, the 1620-1650 period was the fall of the Ming Dynasty and its replacement by the Manchus

Although this
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/104/49/19214#B22

mentions a global cooling as partly responsible

[M forever]

Interesting to see that events of such catastrophic nature coincide in Eurpe and China. At that time, there was obviously no direct political connection between the two areas.

[Solitary Wanderer]

Just starting reading this. Recommended by LOML. 

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

This writer is a cross between Nabokov and Lovecraft, playful, intellectual and subtly disturbing. A horror philosopher. I had to buy this copy from a bookseller in New Zealand, as Ligotti is extremely hard to come by. This big collection of his stories is the best introduction to his work there is. I am enjoying him very much, both as a 'fiction consumer' and as a 'producer', who is fascinated by all the narrative strategies he uses, and his marvellous style.

(Oh - and I have Dave to thank for this discovery.)

[mn dave]

(Oh - and I have Dave to thank for this discovery.)

I'm glad you dug it. I'd hate that you spent all that money for nothing.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I'm glad you dug it. I'd hate that you spent all that money for nothing.

Those two stories I read at Ligotti Online were enough. He is worth every New Zealand dollar I spent on him (110!) 

[mn dave]

Those two stories I read at Ligotti Online were enough. He is worth every New Zealand dollar I spent on him (110!) 

I'd show you my Ligotti collection, but you might get jealous. 

You should try to get one of these:



Hell, even his titles are good.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I'd show you my Ligotti collection, but you might get jealous. 

You should try to get one of these:



Hell, even his titles are good.

I know the title and I know about the three stories of 'corporate horror' the book contains... I will want to have this after I have studied the Nightmare Factory. But I can't help salivating... 

[Bogey]

Our family had the privilege and honor of meeting 1st Lt. William Bower recently at an air show.  Thought I would brush up on this mission that he was part of in WWII.

[Kullervo]

The Travels of William Bartram



Bartram was a naturalist based in Philadelphia in the time before the American Colonies declared independence. When England received Florida from Spain, they sent him to survey the area and make a general study of the native people, flora and fauna. Apparently his descriptions of nature were an influence on the Romantic writers just appearing at the time. It is very interesting to read a view of the "Old Florida", before it was cleared off and covered with cheap strip-malls and Panera Bread.

[Brian]

Parallel to "Guns, Germs, and Steel", I am also reading this interesting book about our prehistory:

I have this one, but never started it. Something to certainly add to the summer reading list. Guns, Germs, and Steel, of course, is excellent.

Currently reading The Brothers Karamazov. One might call it a good book.

[val]

"A Totalitarian State of the Past", by Rafael Karsten.

A remarkable essay regarding the Inca's civilization and empire by one of the world's greatest specialists of the ancient civilizations in South America.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

                                   

Still reading it very very slowly - the experience that a living writer can be this good is very rare, so I want to savour it as long as I can - and marvelling.

[SonicMan46]

I have this one, but never started it. Something to certainly add to the summer reading list. Guns, Germs, and Steel, of course, is excellent.

 

Well, just finished Before the Dawn - excellent & provocative book - a recommendation! 

Just received a call from our local library - the George Enescu book has arrived (probably an inter-library loan?) - recommended in the 'Enescu Thread' - will start it in the next day or two (of course, leaving a PILE of other books to be read!) - 

[M forever]

Well, just finished Before the Dawn - excellent & provocative book - a recommendation! 

In how far did you find it "provocative"?