i'm on t s eliot 'four quartets'. and my god it's amazing. i suspect i'm going to be here for a while. i adore that he doesn't give up his secrets easily, i can endlessly reread him
(http://i.walmart.com/i/p/09/78/04/86/28/0978048628133_500X500.jpg)
It's difficult, I spend a day on just 1 proof.
I'm not reading anything at the moment, because the last few books I picked up failed to hold my interest...
I did just read, however, Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell, by Suzanna Clarke, which I frankly thought was amazing. Written in the style of a Victorian novelist, it's by turns a fantasy, fairy tale, comedy, drama and romance, and is (to my great joy) the kind of story that can only be told by a book.
I just finished The Idiot a few days ago and Freethinkers a few days before that. Both were excellent. I also read Lovcraft's The Colour out of Space. Again, excellent, and very very chilling. I'm now going to be starting on Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita (translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky) and Oren's Power, Faith and Fantasy and will be restarting on first volume of Nicholas Boyle's Goethe biography.
John Irving's The World According to Garp and Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth, both are good books so far, but im biased towards Irving.
I'm reading the memoirs of David Dubal about Vladimir Horowitz.
It's called "Evenings With Horowitz."
Luckily they just stick to the music.
...and yes, it's great!
Alternating between Ron Chernow's amazing biography of Alexander Hamilton and rereading (selectively) Shelby Foote's Civil War History
Quote from: bwv 1080 on April 08, 2007, 06:16:37 PM
Alternating between Ron Chernow's amazing biography of Alexander Hamilton and rereading (selectively) Shelby Foote's Civil War History
[/b]
Which part are you re-reading?
Quote from: bwv 1080 on April 08, 2007, 06:16:37 PM
Alternating between Ron Chernow's amazing biography of Alexander Hamilton and rereading (selectively) Shelby Foote's Civil War History
Just returned from a trip to Richmond, VA - great place for Civil War history (as you likely already know) - the famous 'ruins' of the Tredegar Iron Works (http://www.tredegar.org/) is now the 'Visitor's Center' for the Richmond battlefields (includes both the '62 & '64 campaigns in the area); there is also a new 'commercial' exhibit museum that is quite good. Also, just finished Gary Gallagher's superb lecture series (on DVD) from the Teaching Company (http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=885&id=885&d=American+Civil+War&pc=Professor) - outstanding. Dave :D
Lucrece "De La Nature"
I cant give you an english/latin equivalent to the author's name, nor to the title; i cant really speak english, and i know nothing about latin. Those of you who are familiar with antique Greek/Roman philosophy probably know who he is/was. Maybe Lucrecius "Of Nature"?!!
I like it. He has a very poetic, deep and elegant way of speaking about Nature.
Those ancient spirits! ::)
Quote from: SonicMan on April 08, 2007, 06:38:26 PM
Just returned from a trip to Richmond, VA - great place for Civil War history (as you likely already know) - the famous 'ruins' of the Tredegar Iron Works (http://www.tredegar.org/) is now the 'Visitor's Center' for the Richmond battlefields (includes both the '62 & '64 campaigns in the area); there is also a new 'commercial' exhibit museum that is quite good. Also, just finished Gary Gallagher's superb lecture series (on DVD) from the Teaching Company (http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=885&id=885&d=American+Civil+War&pc=Professor) - outstanding. Dave :D
Gary Gallagher's course looks outstanding Dave....did you have to pay the $129 for the dvds? Have you read the Foote material that BWV was discussing? It is absolutely the best overview of the American Civil War I have ever read. Even blew away Bruce Catton's overviews IMHO. The opening of Foote's third volume may in fact be the best nonfiction writing I have ever come across.
I am in a very low-key re-reading of Crime & Punishment. Although, on one hand, I am finding it brilliantly written, and I could simply stay up all night and finish it off . . . I am allowing it to breathe, and I do savor it.
Quote from: Bill on April 08, 2007, 06:26:52 PM
[/b]
Which part are you re-reading?
Focusing on the major campaigns, skipping the minor ones and Northern politics (I just read Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals)
Also just began Cormac McCarthy's The Road, which I was suprised to see was on Oprah's book club. Probably the first book in the club where cannibalism is prevalent :)
Quote from: Bill on April 08, 2007, 07:06:47 PM
Gary Gallagher's course looks outstanding Dave....did you have to pay the $129 for the dvds? Have you read the Foote material that BWV was discussing? It is absolutely the best overview of the American Civil War I have ever read. Even blew away Bruce Catton's overviews IMHO. The opening of Foote's third volume may in fact be the best nonfiction writing I have ever come across.
Bill - good morn to you; yes, I read the Foote volumes many years ago (no longer have them, but probably should buy them again for a re-read; he was just an outstanding 'story teller' - love him on the Ken Burn's series on the Civil War, which would be my recommendation for a 'video' set to those just getting into this period of American History).
The Foote series may be somewhat 'daunting' for those wanting an introduction to the
American Civil War; although innumerable books exist on this subject (and numerous sub-topic), my 'one-volume' recommendation would be
Battle Cry of Freedom by
James M. McPherson (published in 1988) - winner of the Pulitzer Prize and now an inexpensive paperback.
Concerning the Gary Gallagher DVD set, I did pay the $129 (which is their sale price for the 8 DVDs - 24 hrs of lectures in total, so takes a while); I did have a CD set in the past but sent it to my father; the DVDs are much more engrossing - Gallagher is superb in this material and the addition of photos & battle maps as visuals is more enjoyable. Dave :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/019516895X.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_SCLZZZZZZZ_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Quote from: bwv 1080 on April 09, 2007, 06:21:10 AM
Focusing on the major campaigns, skipping the minor ones and Northern politics (I just read Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals)
Just started it....again. Was going to read it some time ago, but got sidetracked with other reading. However picked it up again and just finished Chapter 1 last night. A good read so far....I am especially fascinated with the portrayals of Seward and Chase so far.
Quote from: SonicMan on April 09, 2007, 06:42:18 AM
Bill - good morn to you; yes, I read the Foote volumes many years ago (no longer have them, but probably should buy them again for a re-read; he was just an outstanding 'story teller' - love him on the Ken Burn's series on the Civil War, which would be my recommendation for a 'video' set to those just getting into this period of American History).
The Foote series may be somewhat 'daunting' for those wanting an introduction to the American Civil War; although innumerable books exist on this subject (and numerous sub-topic), my 'one-volume' recommendation would be Battle Cry of Freedom by James M. McPherson (published in 1988) - winner of the Pulitzer Prize and now an inexpensive paperback.
Concerning the Gary Gallagher DVD set, I did pay the $129 (which is their sale price for the 8 DVDs - 24 hrs of lectures in total, so takes a while); I did have a CD set in the past but sent it to my father; the DVDs are much more engrossing - Gallagher is superb in this material and the addition of photos & battle maps as visuals is more enjoyable. Dave :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/019516895X.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_SCLZZZZZZZ_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Dave,
Thanks for the info. By the way, the Foote series in hardback is on sale at Amazon. I may replace my paperbacks with them.
Of course it's good, otherwise I would not have read it a few minutes ago. And it's good because it's not about War, but Peace!
It's Allen Ginsberg's Howl.
This afternoon I spent less than hour watching my lasted DVD purchase: An Elegy for Allen Ginsberg and the next logical step was to reread his 'Howl', prominently mentioned and intelligently discussed by William F. Buckley, Philip Glass and many other of his friends.
Quote from: uffeviking on April 09, 2007, 03:16:51 PM
Of course it's good, otherwise I would not have read it a few minutes ago. And it's good because it's not about War, but Peace!
It's Allen Ginsberg's Howl.
Oh, what you want now,
Lis, is to listen to The Fugs :D
Quote from: karlhenning on April 09, 2007, 03:19:51 PM
Oh, what you want now, Lis, is to listen to The Fugs :D
Who are they? The Fuggers? Their family started in the 16th century and still some of them around, but I didn't know they were in the recording business! ;D
Quote from: uffeviking on April 09, 2007, 03:16:51 PM
Of course it's good, otherwise I would not have read it a few minutes ago. And it's good because it's not about War, but Peace!
It's Allen Ginsberg's Howl.
This afternoon I spent less than hour watching my lasted DVD purchase: An Elegy for Allen Ginsberg and the next logical step was to reread his 'Howl', prominently mentioned and intelligently discussed by William F. Buckley, Philip Glass and many other of his friends.
I've read Howl once (Mind you, I have a 'censored' version from the Pocket Poet's series but the meaning is still pretty obvious, even if it's irritating) but haven't read the other poems in the volume. It was quite...odd, intense. :) I'm not familiar with that movement or much poetry in general, so it was certainly...different. Recommended to me by the resident poetry expert at the non-chain used book shop I visit once in a while....Unfortunately, he found a lot of other stuff to recommend too so that ended up being a rather expensive visit.
Doblin's Berlin Alexanderplatz. A belated reading though. My original idea was to read it a couple of months ago, so that I could attend the MOMA screening of Fassbinder's saga which is going on right now. Well I couldn't and thus am not attending the screening :-\
Quote from: Harvested Sorrow on April 11, 2007, 02:08:21 PM
I've read Howl once (Mind you, I have a 'censored' version from the Pocket Poet's series
I didn't even know there is such a thing as a 'censored' version of Howl! Surprised you could get any intelligent meaning out of it, but some is better than nothing!
Those non-chain used book stores are full of treasures, and I am sure your wad of money was sell spent!
Quote from: orbital on April 11, 2007, 02:57:52 PM
Doblin's Berlin Alexanderplatz. A belated reading though. My original idea was to read it a couple of months ago, so that I could attend the MOMA screening of Fassbinder's saga which is going on right now. Well I couldn't and thus am not attending the screening :-\
My mouth still open! Fassbinder's
Alexander Platz is finally in a video form? My video supplier and I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for it to come out. If MOMA can show it, a commercially available DVD can't be far behind. I am suffering with you because you had to miss the screening! :'(
Quote from: uffeviking on April 11, 2007, 03:08:07 PM
My mouth still open! Fassbinder's Alexander Platz is finally in a video form? My video supplier and I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for it to come out. If MOMA can show it, a commercially available DVD can't be far behind. I am suffering with you because you had to miss the screening! :'(
I think MOMA purchased a copy of the 35mm restored version recently, and it is this one that they are showing. I do hope they repeat it :'(
Quote from: uffeviking on April 11, 2007, 03:03:58 PM
I didn't even know there is such a thing as a 'censored' version of Howl! Surprised you could get any intelligent meaning out of it, but some is better than nothing!
Those non-chain used book stores are full of treasures, and I am sure your wad of money was sell spent!
It wasn't censored to much of an extent and was actually labeled as 'un-censored'...apparently they STILL had to censor it to an extent. I should have clarified: Remember the line 'And the mother was fucked' (I'm paraphrasing, been a while since I read it)? Instead, in the 'un-censored' version (I refuse to refer to it as that with any legitimaticy because I'm a stubborn sort) it has 'And the mother was ****ed'....good job guys, we really couldn't figure that one out. ::)
I believe it may have censored some other curse words here and there, too.
Indeed. Nine Lives Bookstore....named for the nine cats that live there which means a person will either love the store or find it to be the bane of their existence. ;D I spent a good $45 to $50 (unusual for me in one haul from a single book store) but got plenty of good material. Everything from a complete OOP translation of Sa'di's
The Rose Garden to Rimbaud, to
Howl.
Quote from: Harvested Sorrow on April 11, 2007, 03:37:53 PM
'And the mother was ****ed'....good job guys, we really couldn't figure that one out. ::)
It will help to figure it out when you insert Ginsberg's word 'finally' before the f word. 'Finally' is the word clarifying the act. But of course that still does not help to figure out everything in '
Howl'; entertaining challenge to the dumbing-down attempt we are being exposed to! ;D
Quote from: uffeviking on April 09, 2007, 03:23:45 PM
Who are they? The Fuggers? Their family started in the 16th century and still some of them around, but I didn't know they were in the recording business! ;D
This album
here (http://www.amazon.com/Fugs-First-Album/dp/B000000XEF/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7979366-0336018?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1176340337&sr=8-1),
Lis.
Note track 16, "I Saw The Best Minds Of My Generation Rock."
That was an easy sell, Karl! NewburyComics has it for a little over 9 bucks at amazon and I ordered it. I have no idea what I am getting into, it proofs my trust in you! :-*
Well, if you imagine that Allen Ginsberg was a scruffy rock group in a poorly-lit nightclub in Greenwich Village in the early '60s, you get some idea, perhaps, of the Fugs ;)
Sounds fascinating, Karl! Nostalgic memories of the Beat Time!
What surprises me though is, your knowledge or familiarity with this period in our history. You are too young, Karl! ::)
Just finished Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - wonderful, of course. I've just started reading The Canterbury Tales and I must say I'm really enjoying it. I thought it was time I tackled some good ol' 14th century literature.
John, I'm impressed! :o
For the past couple of months I've been mainly reading, re-reading, and re-rereading Black Torrent by the Polish author Leopold Buczkowski. This is one of the best Polish novels of the 20th century but it certainly is not an easy text... But extremely rewarding. Though also quite disturbing (it's about World War II). I'd recommend it to anyone who likes avantgarde prose (Robbe-Grillet and the like, Joyce too) - I think it's been translated into several languages.
Maciek
I've read yesterday The Lay of the Love and Death of Cornet Christoph Rilke, by Rainer Maria Rilke. If you like poetry, try it. It's a masterpiece.
(I don't know, though, if the English translation is any good. I 've read it in a bilingual German / Romanian version.)
Translating Rainer Maria Rilke from the original German into any other language is always an extremely difficult task, and seldom successful. Of course this can be said of most, if not all creative writings. William H. Gass wrote a very informative book Reading Rilke subtitled Reflections on the Problems of Translation, concentrating his studies on Rilke's Duino Elegies. Fascinating reading how many variations of the original text he comes up with.
Quote from: uffeviking on April 11, 2007, 05:41:27 PM
Sounds fascinating, Karl! Nostalgic memories of the Beat Time!
What surprises me though is, your knowledge or familiarity with this period in our history. You are too young, Karl! ::)
Karl has a old soul! :)
You can bet 71db will be reading this baby next month:
(http://www.gramophone.co.uk/img/gramophonecoverlarge.gif)
:o ;D :o
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0007142528.02._SCLZZZZZZZ_AA240_.jpg)
Explains better than any other I've read, how the Afghanistan of A Short Walk In The Hindu Kush turned into the Afghanistan of today.
Preferring my eggs reading hardboiled:
The Lady in the Lake by Raymond Chandler
(http://www.classical.net/music/books/images/0712621172.jpg)
FANTASTIC
(http://i13.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/8e/88/3426_1.JPG)
A wonderfully fair and seemingly unbiased account of the Society of Jesus.
Henryk Sienkiewicz
With Fire and Sword
Captivating after the first two pages.
Quote from: Florestan on April 19, 2007, 10:29:26 PM
Henryk Sienkiewicz
With Fire and Sword
Captivating after the first two pages.
Wow! I didn't think anyone outside Poland read that! :o :o :o :o
Quote from: MrOsa on April 20, 2007, 01:52:59 AM
Wow! I didn't think anyone outside Poland read that! :o :o :o :o
Well, I've just finished
Bez dogmatu and
Wyri (Romanian translations, of course).
The Deluge wil be next!
Na zdrowie!
Quote from: Florestan on April 20, 2007, 01:56:11 AM
Wiry
And
that is a book even in Poland hardly anyone reads! (It hasn't had a reedition in ages - understandable during the communist era but now?)
You've really impressed me, Florestan! Guess it's time to start getting to know Romanian literature... ;)
I am reading How We Die by Sherwin B. Nuland, a surgeon who also teaches (or did teach) surgery at Yale U (First Vintage Books Edition 1995 - copyright 1993). When the book first appeared, there was praise for it because it was written by a physician.
Years later I am finally reading it and find it fascinating. I think it would be especially helpful to read when no one in the family is ill with terminal illness. One has time to absorb the info without being emotionally involved as when a close relative or close friend were very ill.
Nuland does not talk down to the reader but nevertheless offers much info to be digested. In addition his writing style is very interesting and readable.
He covers congestive heart failure, how the heart operates and what causes it to fail, how old age brings on death, Alzheimer's disease, great pain and the body's production of endorphins (I am can attest to that as I fell on concrete 2 years ago shattering my elbow. There was no pain all the way to the ER. In surgery a screw and pin were inserted in the joint.) Dr. Nuland also covers AIDS and cancer.
The book very straight forwardly tells what happens in the body as a result of outside influences. It points no finger, just gives the facts. One can feel Nuland's compassion for victims but in no way is it melodramatic.
The book contains 269 pages which I like so much that I am reading until after midnight each night.
Quote from: Anne on April 21, 2007, 10:32:51 AM
I am reading How We Die by Sherwin B. Nuland, a surgeon who also teaches (or did teach) surgery at Yale U (First Vintage Books Edition 1995 - copyright 1993). When the book first appeared, there was praise for it because it was written by a physician....................
Anne - thanks for your excellent review! For those interested, a pic is shown below (CLICK on the image for reviews from the Amazonians - just as 'glowing' as Anne's comments). I'm one of the physicians on the GMG Forum (Professor of Radiology, WFU School of Medicine in North Carolina) - I must say that my most 'emotional & traumatic, but often personally rewarding' learning experiences as a doctor was in my internship (done in Medicine, thus a lot of chronic diseases); some of the more dramatic experiences occurred on my rotations on the 'Oncology-Hematology' services; in fact, my first night on call (a long weekend) was on that service (just graduated from the U of Michigan; huge school & the students were often 'isolated' from these experiences); well, 3 patients 'died' during the night from various types of 'cancers' - I had to talk to each of the families; one death was a teenage boy w/ leukemia - I still remember that day after 35 years - thanks for the memories - ;) :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0679742441.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIlitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_SCLZZZZZZZ_V44915172_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/How-We-Die-Reflections-Chapter/dp/0679742441/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4191504-6570256?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177194724&sr=1-1)
Well, upon finishing The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov (a translation) which was excellent I may add, I've decided to start something short as my 'side reading'....Fahrenheit 451 which is my first experience with Bradbury. Afterwards I realized for just how long I've been planning on going back to the Dune series 'next' and rushed through it quickly so I could use Dune Messiah as my side reading (started yesterday, finished it today which leaves room open). What an excellent work! That book is definitely a lesson in taking being politically correct and attempting to please everyone/keep everyone happy and censorship to an extreme and the negative effects it can have. I must admit, I found the section where he described the editing of four hundred short stories into one volume for elementary school very, very, VERY painful, though (this is the fiftieth anniversary edition). Also, between Bulgakov's work with it's multiple references to Faust and the fact that the Nicholas Boyle biography of Goethe I'm reading is fast approaching Faust I believe I'll be 'forced' into reading that soon, since I would rather read it *before* starting on a step-by-step analysis of its history, character development, etc. so I believe I'll soon be dropping Goethe: The Poet and His Age: Poetry Of Desire while I read Faust. Oh, the horror. ::) I'm also working on (albeit, slowly) Power, Faith, and Fantasy as mentioned earlier and it's great.
Quote from: SonicMan on April 21, 2007, 02:48:29 PM
Anne - thanks for your excellent review! For those interested, a pic is shown below (CLICK on the image for reviews from the Amazonians - just as 'glowing' as Anne's comments). I'm one of the physicians on the GMG Forum (Professor of Radiology, WFU School of Medicine in North Carolina) - I must say that my most 'emotional & traumatic, but often personally rewarding' learning experiences as a doctor was in my internship (done in Medicine, thus a lot of chronic diseases); some of the more dramatic experiences occurred on my rotations on the 'Oncology-Hematology' services; in fact, my first night on call (a long weekend) was on that service (just graduated from the U of Michigan; huge school & the students were often 'isolated' from these experiences); well, 3 patients 'died' during the night from various types of 'cancers' - I had to talk to each of the families; one death was a teenage boy w/ leukemia - I still remember that day after 35 years - thanks for the memories - ;) :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0679742441.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIlitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_SCLZZZZZZZ_V44915172_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/How-We-Die-Reflections-Chapter/dp/0679742441/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4191504-6570256?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177194724&sr=1-1)
Glad to be of help! Thanks for the nice compliments. Incidently we have more in common than you know. I am from Traverse City, Michigan and am presently staying at my daughter's in Lansing. Our other daughter and husband recently moved to North Carolina and live in Wilmington.
(http://fanfaire.com/cdgiveaway/Rough%20Guide.jpg)
This is an excellent resource book. I've bought many of their recommendations and haven't hit a dud yet.
(http://images.addall.com/Images/SHOW/0195126653.jpg)
This is excellent too. Its very dense reading with a tonne of historical and technical musical details but throughly worthwhile when learning each symphony.
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0684870762.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
And this; I didn't realize how bleak Sinatras final years were. Interesting insights from a Sinatra kids perspective. They don't seem to like wife #4.
Quote from: Anne on April 22, 2007, 03:12:29 PM
Glad to be of help! Thanks for the nice compliments. Incidently we have more in common than you know. I am from Traverse City, Michigan and am presently staying at my daughter's in Lansing. Our other daughter and husband recently moved to North Carolina and live in Wilmington.
Anne - hmmm, quite a coincidence ('small world', as they say!); did my 'medical internship' in Winston-Salem at Wake Forest Medical Center (where the experiences I described occurred). I grew up in Toledo & southern Michigan - my 100% Irish grandmother was born on Beaver Island in upper Lake Michigan in the late 1880s (assume you know the reference - use to take a ferry from Charlevoix to get to the island to see relatives). Wife & I alternate trips between the NC-VA mountains & coastal NC-Georgia, but one of our favorite places is Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington - closest drive for us to the Atlantic since I-40 ends about 10 mins from the beach! We go there about twice a year. Indeed, we do have a lot in common - :D
Yes, I do know about Beaver Island. I didn't make this up now... but my grandmother was Irish on my mother's side of the family (Boyd) (my mother has red hair and freckles). It was very nice meeting you.
Charlotte Bronte, by Rebecca Fraser
Fascinating reading material.
Quote from: toro913 on April 08, 2007, 04:13:16 PM
John Irving's The World According to Garp and Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth, both are good books so far, but im biased towards Irving.
I first read the Irving in the '70's, and remain amazed by it today. Portnoy's Complaint was often brilliant, but too often scatological. Again, it's just my opinion.
Currently reading "Wagner's Operas" by Newman and (re-reading) the fantastic "What to Listen for in Music" by Maestro Aaron Copland.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 09, 2007, 04:35:26 AM
I am in a very low-key re-reading of Crime & Punishment. Although, on one hand, I am finding it brilliantly written, and I could simply stay up all night and finish it off . . . I am allowing it to breathe, and I do savor it.
Reminds me of my approach to
all of Dostoesvsky's incomparable works :).
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on April 22, 2007, 03:33:06 PM
(http://fanfaire.com/cdgiveaway/Rough%20Guide.jpg) (http://images.addall.com/Images/SHOW/0195126653.jpg)
This is excellent too. Its very dense reading with a tonne of historical and technical musical details but throughly worthwhile when learning each symphony.
Yes, I have both of the books above & agree w/ your comments; the
Rough Guide is a nice intro-type book - usually will 'spotlight' a single recommendation, but often quite good ones, as mentioned. Steinberg also has a concerto book, and the writing can be long & 'dense' as you say (and somewhat 'difficult' for me being a non-musician) - believe many are based on his program notes written for concerts. :)
Yes, I have the Concerto book as well which is also excellent. I too find it a dificult read but worthwhile. I usually read his essay for each piece several times and it eventually sinks in ;) I believe he also has a Choral book but I don't have that one yet.
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on April 23, 2007, 12:06:04 PM
Yes, I have the Concerto book as well which is also excellent. I too find it a dificult read but worthwhile. I usually read his essay for each piece several times and it eventually sinks in ;) I believe he also has a Choral book but I don't have that one yet.
Yes, the choral book is a more recent release (shown below, and published in 2005) - just one 4/5* review from Amazon - main criticism was the 'omission' of certain works (BIG 'personal' choices in this area, since the book is not that long, 336 pages); I have Melvin Berger's older book below,
Guide to Choral Masterpieces: A Listener's Guide (similar length - would love an update which is longer - I have a lot of choral CDs, and many are missing - probably also so w/ the Steinberg book, I would guess) - :)
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/97/7a/696492c008a074c70b7fa010._AA240_.L.jpg) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0195126440.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_SCLZZZZZZZ_V45422206_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
I have the Steinberg Choral Masterworks if anyone has any questions.
Quote from: Anne on April 23, 2007, 05:02:14 PM
I have the Steinberg Choral Masterworks if anyone has any questions.
Why is the sky blue? ;D
;D 0:)
Quote from: Anne on April 23, 2007, 05:02:14 PM
I have the Steinberg Choral Masterworks if anyone has any questions.
Anne - of course, many interested in these choral works have questions? ::)
The page length of this book is similar to the one I own by Berger - which is decent coverage, but many works are not included, and the discussions are at times 'superficial'; thus, what do you think of the Steinberg book - happy w/ the works discussed, complete vs. superficial, works of interest missing, etc. We would certainly appreciate your comments - I'd likely buy the book if someone offered a 'better' review than the one currently on the Amazon site. Thanks for any comments that you might provide?
:)
Quote from: SonicMan on April 23, 2007, 05:58:39 PM
Anne - of course, many interested in these choral works have questions? ::)
The page length of this book is similar to the one I own by Berger - which is decent coverage, but many works are not included, and the discussions are at times 'superficial'; thus, what do you think of the Steinberg book - happy w/ the works discussed, complete vs. superficial, works of interest missing, etc. We would certainly appreciate your comments - I'd likely buy the book if someone offered a 'better' review than the one currently on the Amazon site. Thanks for any comments that you might provide?
:)
I am quite happy with the book. Of Steinberg's 3 books,
Symphony,
Concerto, and
Choral Masterworks, I like the
Choral Masterworks the best. It's very readable.
On Haydn's
Creation - Steinberg devotes 7 pages,
The Seasons 5 pages. Beethoven's
Missa Solemnis - 15 pages. I was disappointed that
Bach's Christmas Oratorio was not included.
Tomorrow I'll list the Table of Contents.
Give me a chance to reread one of the works discussed. I took the book with me when I went home last time (3 months ago) and forgot to bring it back to my daughter's home. A week ago I finally had it back in my possession.
Rubicon by Tom Holland
Quote from: George on April 23, 2007, 05:09:23 PM
Why is the sky blue? ;D
(Quote from the now defunct "
Get a Life" tv show): "Uh, do you like root beer?"
By the way awesome signature quote,
George, I sent it as an e-mail to my girl today.
Wagner's Operas (Newman)
Really cool in its comparison of the original sketch/libretto to the final. Newman felt that certain edits in the "Ring..." libretto took something "Ancient Greek"-y from the finished product. Not sure if I'm quite clear/agree on that point, but I wonder if Wagner was more concerned with Shakespeare than Othello when finishing the Great Music Drama.
Quote from: Haffner on April 24, 2007, 06:07:42 AM
(Quote from the now defunct "Get a Life" tv show): "Uh, do you like root beer?"
By the way awesome signature quote, George, I sent it as an e-mail to my girl today.
I
knew you'd love it!
I put it up for you. :)
Quote from: George on April 24, 2007, 07:18:38 AM
I knew you'd love it!
I put it up for you. :)
THANKS!
Schubert is definitely a man whom knew alot about Eternal Light in music, in my humble opinion.
Quote from: Haffner on April 24, 2007, 07:21:24 AM
THANKS!
Schubert is definitely a man whom knew alot about Eternal Light in music, in my humble opinion.
Me too!
Apparently he wrote that quote in his diary at 19.
Quote from: George on April 24, 2007, 07:22:57 AM
Me too!
Apparently he wrote that quote in his diary at 19.
I'm digressing, but I believe that at least one of Maestro Gustav Mahler's final words was "Mozart".
Quote from: Mozart on April 07, 2007, 12:00:39 PM
[width=200 height=200 img]http://i.walmart.com/i/p/09/78/04/86/28/0978048628133_500X500.jpg[/img]
It's difficult, I spend a day on just 1 proof.
I read a number theory book recently as well M. The neat things I learned was how to compute gcd's without factoring, and how to do RSS encryption/decryption. I wrote simple C programs for both. It was a fun afternoon. :)
Have you learned anything neat from that book?
I've been reading mysteries by Elizabeth George, Agatha Christie, Colin Dexter, Val McDermid, James Doss, and Michael McGarity. I'm really hooked into the soap operas style that is Elizabeth George. :D The most clever mysteries are by Colin Dexter, he really confounds me. Agatha Christie is pretty slick, but I've figured out her tricks and I'm pretty good at guessing the killer. Anybody else into mysteries? Who are you reading?
For fantasy I've been gradually making my way through George RR Martin's fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. I'm currently on the third volume, A Storm of Swords, and I'm utterly hooked. Brilliant characterization and plotting, and very subtle use of magic here and there, it's the polar opposite of stories like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Even people who don't like fantasy will like this more mature series. Any other Martin fans?
I finally got around to DH Lawrence "Sons and Lovers", really liked it, especially the local colour.
Also have been re-appreciating but not reading all: "The Beethoven Companion" and "Beethoven Impressions from Contemporaries, mainly for preparing a class.
Other books paging thru are "The Amino Revolution" and "Amino Acids in Therapy", popular health books.
ZB
Quote from: zamyrabyrd on April 24, 2007, 09:32:46 AM
I finally got around to DH Lawrence "Sons and Lovers", really liked it, especially the local colour.
ZB
I have almost all the writings by Lawrence, and he is high on my list of writers I admire. :)
There Must be something wrong with me, I have been reading and still am novels by Jeffery Deaver, James Patterson & Harlen Coben. Mostly of the Serial Killer ilk, slaughter at its best, can you work out who dunnit etc
The next one I may read is by Deaver who's Serial Killer kills people via random Computer Hacking, he stalks forums and picks out people he doesn't like, and next you are a goner....never knowing what hit you. ;D "The Blue Nowhere"
Quote from: AnthonyAthletic on April 24, 2007, 09:39:24 AM
There Must be something wrong with me, I have been reading and still am novels by Jeffery Deaver, James Patterson & Harlen Coben. Mostly of the Serial Killer ilk, slaughter at its best, can you work out who dunnit etc
The next one I may read is by Deaver who's Serial Killer kills people via random Computer Hacking, he stalks forums and picks out people he doesn't like, and next you are a goner....never knowing what hit you. ;D "The Blue Nowhere"
Hmm I know a few people from gmg that might match that description... ;D I'll check it out of the library if they have it. :)
Was Patterson the guy that wrote
Kiss the Girls? The movie was pretty good.
Quote from: Harry on April 24, 2007, 09:35:24 AM
I have almost all the writings by Lawrence, and he is high on my list of writers I admire. :)
His writing about nature is very fine, not pretentious at all. S&L was his most autobiographical, right?
I was surprised at the ending, but Paul was compelled to cut all those ties that bound him to the past.
I felt the poor lass who waited for him was used out, similar to the other one as well.
ZB
Quote from: zamyrabyrd on April 24, 2007, 09:44:30 AM
His writing about nature is very fine, not pretentious at all. S&L was his most autobiographical, right?
I was surprised at the ending, but Paul was compelled to cut all those ties that bound him to the past.
I felt the poor lass who waited for him was used out, similar to the other one as well.
ZB
Yes it is!
Quote from: DavidW on April 24, 2007, 09:43:34 AM
Hmm I know a few people from gmg that might match that description... ;D I'll check it out of the library if they have it. :)
;D And they are ALL Americans ;D ;D ;D
QuoteWas Patterson the guy that wrote Kiss the Girls? The movie was pretty good.
Sure was, just finished that last month...and his first book "Along came a spider". Gary Soneji a rival to Hannibal Lecter...the movie was pretty poor as they killed Sonjei off half way through, but he was alive and well in his padded cell come the end of the book. Book being much better than the movie.
Quote from: AnthonyAthletic on April 24, 2007, 09:50:24 AM
;D And they are ALL Americans ;D ;D ;D
Sure was, just finished that last month...and his first book "Along came a spider". Gary Soneji a rival to Hannibal Lecter...the movie was pretty poor as they killed Sonjei off half way through, but he was alive and well in his padded cell come the end of the book. Book being much better than the movie.
Patterson is tremendous!
I read a relatively recent book by John Sandford, another
great one. It was about this redneck-ish type whom has his whole family behind his sociopathic deeds, as well as a homosexual yes man who's dying to do him. As usual, the hero is marvellous and the storytelling captivating. I'm betting you've read and enjoyed Sandford,
A.?
I've just started Don Quixote, because I've managed to make it through life this long without it, and figured I should remedy that situation. I spent a pleasant half hour in Borders yesterday reading the opening few pages in about seven or eight different English translations, trying to find one I liked (I'm such a dork). I settled on Ormsby (which is the one used by Project Gutenburg, btw), as he seems to bring out the humor rather more than some of the others, and I think his slightly archaic manner of speech suits the subject very nicely. Most of the modern ones seemed very dry to me, though again that's based on just the first few pages. Marvelous book so far though, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter...
Quote from: jwinter on April 24, 2007, 09:55:55 AM
I've just started Don Quixote, because I've managed to make it through life this long without it, and figured I should remedy that situation. I spent a pleasant half hour in Borders yesterday reading the opening few pages in about seven or eight different English translations, trying to find one I liked (I'm such a dork).
That sounds like
fun, not being a "dork"!
Pause for stunned
Andy revelation:
Wait...
I'm a dork :o!
GAD!!! :o
Quote from: Haffner on April 24, 2007, 09:54:09 AM
Patterson is tremendous!
I read a relatively recent book by John Sandford, another great one. It was about this redneck-ish type whom has his whole family behind his sociopathic deeds, as well as a homosexual yes man who's dying to do him. As usual, the hero is marvellous and the storytelling captivating. I'm betting you've read and enjoyed Sandford, A.?
Not read any Sandford, but my book reading mate at work who introduced me to Deaver, Patterson, Coben & Co loves him. He could be on the list very soon.
What I like about Patterson especially in his Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman ;D ) books is the way he writes in the first person.
Deaver is different, he challenges you to work out the story....haven't managed to beat him before the end yet, especially in his Lincoln Rhyme series, Bone Collector etc etc
Quote from: Haffner on April 24, 2007, 09:59:03 AM
That sounds like fun, not being a "dork"!
Pause for stunned Andy revelation:
Wait...I'm a dork :o!
GAD!!! :o
Dorks aren't usually aware that they
are dorks, perhaps you are a nerd? ;)
Quote from: AnthonyAthletic on April 24, 2007, 10:01:57 AM
Not read any Sandford, but my book reading mate at work who introduced me to Deaver, Patterson, Coben & Co loves him. He could be on the list very soon.
What I like about Patterson especially in his Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman ;D ) books is the way he writes in the first person.
Deaver is different, he challenges you to work out the story....haven't managed to beat him before the end yet, especially in his Lincoln Rhyme series, Bone Collector etc etc
Yes, Patterson's characterization of Cross is classic. If you like Patterson that much, definently try out the Sandford,
Anthony, you won't regret it. In fact, you'll probably get hooked!
Quote from: Haffner on April 24, 2007, 10:05:25 AM
Yes, Patterson's characterization of Cross is classic. If you like Patterson that much, definently try out the Sandford, Anthony, you won't regret it. In fact, you'll probably get hooked!
And if you don't, then you'll have to wear this:
(http://www.choiceshirts.com/images/PL/-0/PL-00123A-lg.jpg)
;D ;D ;D
Quote from: George on April 24, 2007, 10:08:18 AM
And if you don't, then you'll have to wear this:
(http://www.choiceshirts.com/images/PL/-0/PL-00123A-lg.jpg)
;D ;D ;D
Ah, but what's on the back of the T-Shirt George?
Quote from: George on April 24, 2007, 10:08:18 AM
And if you don't, then you'll have to wear this:
(http://www.choiceshirts.com/images/PL/-0/PL-00123A-lg.jpg)
;D ;D ;D
The crime of the century: no spin-off for Aunt Esther!
Quote from: AnthonyAthletic on April 24, 2007, 10:13:48 AM
Ah, but what's on the back of the T-Shirt George?
(https://unitedforpeace.rdsecure.org/catalog/images/not_my_president_shirt_long.jpg)
Quote from: jwinter on April 24, 2007, 09:55:55 AM
I've just started Don Quixote, because I've managed to make it through life this long without it, and figured I should remedy that situation. I spent a pleasant half hour in Borders yesterday reading the opening few pages in about seven or eight different English translations, trying to find one I liked (I'm such a dork). I settled on Ormsby (which is the one used by Project Gutenburg, btw), as he seems to bring out the humor rather more than some of the others, and I think his slightly archaic manner of speech suits the subject very nicely. Most of the modern ones seemed very dry to me, though again that's based on just the first few pages. Marvelous book so far though, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter...
Read several hundred pages out of the Tobias Smollet translation from the 18th century (pubished by the Modern Library), but stopped. Afraid I can't go back, either. I really loved the vivid and vibrant translation, too. :(
Quote from: Danny on April 24, 2007, 12:49:25 PM
Read several hundred pages out of the Tobias Smollet translation from the 18th century (pubished by the Modern Library), but stopped. Afraid I can't go back, either. I really loved the vivid and vibrant translation, too. :(
Did you just run out of steam, or is there something about the book you disliked?
Quote from: SonicMan on April 23, 2007, 05:58:39 PM
Anne - of course, many interested in these choral works have questions? ::)
The page length of this book is similar to the one I own by Berger - which is decent coverage, but many works are not included, and the discussions are at times 'superficial'; thus, what do you think of the Steinberg book - happy w/ the works discussed, complete vs. superficial, works of interest missing, etc. We would certainly appreciate your comments - I'd likely buy the book if someone offered a 'better' review than the one currently on the Amazon site. Thanks for any comments that you might provide?
:)
Table of Contents
Adams
Harmonium 9
Bach
The Passions 16
Saint John Passion 18
Saint Matthew Passion 26
Magnificat 31
Mass in B Minor 34
Beethoven
Missa Solemnis 45
Berlioz
Requiem 61
Brahms
A German Requiem 68
The Shorter Choral Works 75
Schicksalsl (Song of Destiny) 76
Nanie (Lament) 81
Gesangder Parzen (Song of the Fates) 83
Britten
War Requiem 86
Cherubini
Requiem in C Minor 97
Dallapiccola
Canti di prigonia (Songs of Captivity) 104
Dvorak
Stabat Mater 113
Elgar
The Dream of Gerontius 119
Faure
Requiem 131
Handel
Messiah 138
Der messias (arr. Mozart) 150
Haydn
Harmoniemesse (Wind-Band Mass) 155
Two Great Oratories 159
Die Schopfung (The Creation) 163
Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons) 171
Honegger
Le Roi David (King David) 177
Janacek
Glagolitic Mass 186
Kodaly
Psalmus hungaricus 194
Mendelssohn
Elias (Elifah) 200
Mozart
The Shorter Choral Works 210
Mass in C Minor 212
Requiem 219
Orff
Carmina burana 230
Rachmaninoff
The Bells 238
Schmidt
Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln (The Book With Seven Seals) 243
Sessions
When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd 252
Stravinsky
The Wedding 257
Persephone 260
Symphony of Psalms 265
Mass 269
CanticumSacrum (Sacred Canticle) 273
Requiem Canticles 277
Tippett
A Child of Our Time 280
Vaughan Williams
A Sea Symphony 288
Sancta Civitas 295
Verdi
Requiem 301
Walton
Belshazzar's Feast 311
Wuorinen
Genesis 317
----------------------------
I like Steinberg's book,
Choral Masterworks , very much.
The above table of contents is for that book.
I'd like to apologize to everyone whose conversation I interrupted. Please forgive.
I think the coverage is very good. Not being a musician, it does not bother me that he does not show the musical notes when he's discussing some point. This book has a lot more info in it and is not superficial. If it were, you'd hear me complaining loud and long. I think at amazon you can click on the book at which point you can choose to read a page or two. I think you can repeat the process several time. I hope this helps.
I do not know choral works very well at all, having just started that genre this last Christmas with Rene Jacobs' Haydn Four Seasons and Bach's Christmas Oratorio. For Haydn's Creation I have von Karajan's performance Janowitz, Ludwig, Wunderlich, Werner Krenn D. Fischer-Dieskau. People here at GMG recommended those 3 recordings and were they ever right!!! All 3 recordings are wonderful and I have become a fan of Rene Jacobs. Due to The Creation and Four Seasons I now like Haydn. I've not been a Bach fan yet either but Jacobs changed my mind about that composer too.
If an important work were missing, I might not notice the omission. Sorry I'm not more help but I don't know this book like I know How We Die.
Quote from: Anne on April 24, 2007, 06:38:22 PM
Table of Contents
Mozart
The Shorter Choral Works 210
Mass in C Minor 212
Requiem 219
Orff
Carmina burana 230
Are you sure that the Requiem only runs 12 pages Anne?....Has to be a typo. That last number must read 330. :) 0:)
Quote from: Anne on April 24, 2007, 06:38:22 PM
Table of Contents
Adams
Harmonium 9
Bach
The Passions 16
Saint John Passion 18
Saint Matthew Passion 26
Magnificat 31
Mass in B Minor 34
Beethoven
Missa Solemnis 45
.........................................................
----------------------------
I like Steinberg's book, Choral Masterworks , very much.
The above table of contents is for that book.
Anne - thanks for the listing of the TOC in Steinberg's book on choral works - not @ home at the moment to check the list against my Berger book, but many of the same works seem to be covered - however, once checked, I'll probably go ahead and order the Steinberg, anyway - :D
Bill,
I checked the Mozart Requiem and it goes from p. 219 to p. 230.
Quote from: SonicMan on April 25, 2007, 04:38:35 AM
Anne - thanks for the listing of the TOC in Steinberg's book on choral works - not @ home at the moment to check the list against my Berger book, but many of the same works seem to be covered - however, once checked, I'll probably go ahead and order the Steinberg, anyway - :D
If you get the Steinberg book, would you let me know how it compares with the Berger book? I may get the Berger book if you think it is worthwhile.
Notes from Underground - Dostoyevsky
Very interesting. I haven't really got into it yet. I enjoyed Crime and Punishment, though.
Quote from: Don Giovanni on April 26, 2007, 05:25:51 AM
Notes from Underground - Dostoyevsky
Very interesting. I haven't really got into it yet. I enjoyed Crime and Punishment, though.
Don,
The Teaching Co. has a class you might enjoy - "Classics of Russian Literature." Today is the last day it is on sale at 70% off. I have bought many of their music classes and enjoy them.
Here is the link:
http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=2830&id=2830&pc=Literature%20and%20English%20Language
I am not associated with that company except as a customer.
Quote from: Anne on April 25, 2007, 12:26:34 PM
If you get the Steinberg book, would you let me know how it compares with the Berger book? I may get the Berger book if you think it is worthwhile.
Anne - will certainly do - have not ordered it yet, though - :)
BTW - in some recent posts in this thread, the 'Teaching Company' was mentioned - I had started a Music Appreciation Thread (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,184.0.html), which is not getting much 'mileage' yet, so for those reading this, please contribute - always looking for recommendations other than CDs! Thanks - :D
Quote from: Anne on April 26, 2007, 06:00:11 AM
Don,
The Teaching Co. has a class you might enjoy - "Classics of Russian Literature." Today is the last day it is on sale at 70% off. I have bought many of their music classes and enjoy them.
Here is the link:
http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=2830&id=2830&pc=Literature%20and%20English%20Language
I am not associated with that company except as a customer.
Thanks a lot, Anne. I'll be sure to check it out.
Quote from: Don Giovanni on April 26, 2007, 05:25:51 AM
Notes from Underground - Dostoyevsky
Very interesting. I haven't really got into it yet. I enjoyed Crime and Punishment, though.
"The Idiot" is my favorite, and a huge influence on Nietzsche.
"The Tristan Chord: Wagner and Philosophy"
Fascinating!
Quote from: Haffner on April 26, 2007, 10:01:15 AM
"The Idiot" is my favorite, and a huge influence on Nietzsche.
Do you prefer it to
The Brothers Karamazov? Well, as far as I am concerned, Tolstoy still rules supreme when it comes to Russian Lit. As Virginia Woolf said, "There remains the greatest of all novelists - for what else can we call the author of
War and Peace?"
The Trouble with Physics by Lee Smolin: it was a good read, but I thought that some of what he said against string theory might be speculative and inaccurate, and some of the things that he said about other things in physics was fringe, and I disagreed with some of his views on what education should be, though I agreed with his observations. All in all, it's refreshing to see a book critical of string theory, most popular string theory books praise it as the holy grail of physics, which it's not.
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins: hey I thought that there might be some cool, rational arguments of interest to read. No, it's all emotionally charged rhetoric. Even his solutions to classic "proofs" of God's existence seems to be mostly sneering at Aquinas and kin. Dawkins' beliefs are emotionally driven, yet he claims to be different and superior to those that follow a religion. Whatever! :D
Any comments on these books or these authors?
Quote from: DavidW on April 27, 2007, 11:50:41 AM
The Trouble with Physics by Lee Smolin: it was a good read, but I thought that some of what he said against string theory might be speculative and inaccurate, and some of the things that he said about other things in physics was fringe, and I disagreed with some of his views on what education should be, though I agreed with his observations. All in all, it's refreshing to see a book critical of string theory, most popular string theory books praise it as the holy grail of physics, which it's not.
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins: hey I thought that there might be some cool, rational arguments of interest to read. No, it's all emotionally charged rhetoric. Even his solutions to classic "proofs" of God's existence seems to be mostly sneering at Aquinas and kin. Dawkins' beliefs are emotionally driven, yet he claims to be different and superior to those that follow a religion. Whatever! :D
Thank you for the reviews,
David!
Quote from: Don Giovanni on April 27, 2007, 11:43:56 AM
Do you prefer it to The Brothers Karamazov?
Hmmm, both
The Brothers K and
The Idiot are wonderful. Prefer one to the other? I dunno . . . .
I'll comment on The God Delusion. It really is sad that his book is the most popular since it's meant to be partly polemical (as a wake up call of sorts) and essentially an introduction to the philosophical arguments against religion rather than something all encompassing when it's taken as 'the best we've got' by believers and non-believers alike. The main problem is this: He's a scientist, not a philosopher. Sam Harris operates in this field in a much more efficient manner, although he somehow gained that 'evil atheist' image. As for the commentary on his response to the Aquinas proofs: Honestly, those damn things were debunked long ago so a sort of 'sneering' is exactly what I expected. It gets irritating hearing those regurgitated time and time again just like Pascal's Wager. That said, I don't think his reasons per se, are emotional. His reasons for disbelief come from logic, however, he expresses his view in an emotional manner because this is clearly (and with good reason) an emotional topic for him. That said, yes, a bit more of a low burning approach could have worked better, however, I'm sure it wouldn't have sold as well.
If you want something that really goes in depth into the philosophical arguments for and against a God check out J.L. Mackie's The Miracle of Theism.
True, he was out to sell a book.
::)
Honestly, I think that's the reason for the rather harsh title The God Delusion. The same thing occurred with the series The Root of All Evil? He didn't like the title but BBC insisted that it would sell better than something less offensive so all he could talk them into was adding the '?' to the end. I don't know if something similar occured with the title of the book or not, but in any case, that title seems to have been effective considering the consistently high sales.
HS, yeah you described it better-- it's the manner in which he presents his arguments, not his arguments themselves.
Thanks for the rec, if the library carries Mackie's book I'll check it out. :)
Quote from: Harvested Sorrow on April 27, 2007, 12:06:03 PM
. . . but in any case, that title seems to have been effective considering the consistently high sales.
Myes; reinforcing bad behavior, I suppose . . . .
Quote from: Don Giovanni on April 27, 2007, 11:43:56 AM
Do you prefer it to The Brothers Karamazov? Well, as far as I am concerned, Tolstoy still rules supreme when it comes to Russian Lit. As Virginia Woolf said, "There remains the greatest of all novelists - for what else can we call the author of War and Peace?"
I think I prefer it mostly in terms of the characterization of the protagonist. In simpler language, I really liked Prince Myshkin's character, and genuinely "lived with" him throughout the book.
Of course, those other books you mentioned are fantastic as well.
Quote from: DavidW on April 27, 2007, 12:08:45 PM
HS, yeah you described it better-- it's the manner in which he presents his arguments, not his arguments themselves.
Thanks for the rec, if the library carries Mackie's book I'll check it out. :)
I think you'll enjoy it. A brief summary would be to say it presents all the big philosophical arguments for the existence of God (quoted in full) put forth by major theologians in essay form and then presents an essay which discusses the validity of those arguments, possible holes in them, etc. It also covers Hume's beliefs on miracles (or the lack thereof, if you prefer) and discusses that and the problem of evil among other things.
You may wish to check Amazon for reviews on the subject.
UMBERTO ECO: Il Pendolo di Foucault.
Quote from: DavidW on April 27, 2007, 11:50:41 AM
The Trouble with Physics by Lee Smolin: it was a good read, but I thought that some of what he said against string theory might be speculative and inaccurate, and some of the things that he said about other things in physics was fringe, and I disagreed with some of his views on what education should be, though I agreed with his observations. All in all, it's refreshing to see a book critical of string theory, most popular string theory books praise it as the holy grail of physics, which it's not.
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins: hey I thought that there might be some cool, rational arguments of interest to read. No, it's all emotionally charged rhetoric. Even his solutions to classic "proofs" of God's existence seems to be mostly sneering at Aquinas and kin. Dawkins' beliefs are emotionally driven, yet he claims to be different and superior to those that follow a religion. Whatever! :D
Any comments on these books or these authors?
Quote from: Harvested Sorrow on April 27, 2007, 11:58:09 AM
I'll comment on The God Delusion. It really is sad that his book is the most popular since it's meant to be partly polemical (as a wake up call of sorts) and essentially an introduction to the philosophical arguments against religion rather than something all encompassing when it's taken as 'the best we've got' by believers and non-believers alike. The main problem is this: He's a scientist, not a philosopher. Sam Harris operates in this field in a much more efficient manner, although he somehow gained that 'evil atheist' image. As for the commentary on his response to the Aquinas proofs: Honestly, those damn things were debunked long ago so a sort of 'sneering' is exactly what I expected. It gets irritating hearing those regurgitated time and time again just like Pascal's Wager. That said, I don't think his reasons per se, are emotional. His reasons for disbelief come from logic, however, he expresses his view in an emotional manner because this is clearly (and with good reason) an emotional topic for him. That said, yes, a bit more of a low burning approach could have worked better, however, I'm sure it wouldn't have sold as well.
If you want something that really goes in depth into the philosophical arguments for and against a God check out J.L. Mackie's The Miracle of Theism.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 27, 2007, 12:01:03 PM
True, he was out to sell a book.
::)
Here is an interview with Dawkins that I heard back in March.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9180871
This one Francis Collins (
director of the National Human Genome Research Project. He is also an evangelical Christian) was interesting as well:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9207913
David, how does the interview compare with the book?
Quote from: val on April 28, 2007, 03:58:59 AM
UMBERTO ECO: Il Pendolo di Foucault.
That's great. I've re-read it many, many times.
Getting the Most Out of Mozart - The Instrumental Works by David Hurwitz (2005) - just starting this series (picked up the 3 books below - really cheap on Amazon - each comes w/ 1-2 CDs) - all have received 5* reviews by the Amazonians (CLICK on each image, if interested, for comments) - :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DQHDX47XL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Most-out-Mozart-Instrumental/dp/1574670964/ref=sr_1_1/103-4191504-6570256?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177777202&sr=1-1) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/417CR31BWGL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Haydn-Unlocking-Masters-No/dp/1574671162/ref=sr_1_1/103-4191504-6570256?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177777339&sr=1-1) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZCEREJKYL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Dvorak-Romantic-Versatile-Unlocking-Masters/dp/1574671073/ref=sr_1_1/103-4191504-6570256?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177777401&sr=1-1)
Quote from: Bill on April 28, 2007, 05:18:02 AM
Here is an interview with Dawkins that I heard back in March.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9180871
This one Francis Collins (director of the National Human Genome Research Project. He is also an evangelical Christian) was interesting as well:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9207913
David, how does the interview compare with the book?
I'll take a look at those, and here's an interview that I feel goes quite in depth (for a TV show): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgNIZl8ncmU
Quote from: Harvested Sorrow on April 29, 2007, 06:47:23 AM
I'll take a look at those, and here's an interview that I feel goes quite in depth (for a TV show): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgNIZl8ncmU
Thanks. I have not read either of these books. The second one sounds the most interesting to me, so any feedback is appreciated.
(http://medias.francetv.fr/bibl/url_images/2006/03/10/image_18934976.jpg)
About the life of our president : Mr Chirac
I've noticed something interesting : Like Bush, he was offered millions by the saudians, and like Bush, he didn't talk very much about that.
He's always been a very good friend for many arabian countries. >:D
Quote from: quintett op.57 on April 29, 2007, 10:28:26 AM
(http://medias.francetv.fr/bibl/url_images/2006/03/10/image_18934976.jpg)
About the life of our president : Mr Chirac
I've noticed something interesting : Like Bush, he was offered millions by the saudians, and like Bush, he didn't talk very much about that.
He's always been a very good friend for many arabian countries. >:D
Like Bush, he's a dirty, no good creep of a crook.
If only McCain had won the nomination in 2000. ::)
As of right now, I have no idea what to read next.
I have just finished reading Antonia Fraser's biography of Marie Antionette, which I found very uplifting because it shows what the human spirit is capable of enduring. Oddly enough, Danny's quote from St Ignatius of Loyola would have suited Marie Antoinette to a tee.
A collection of works by Michail Alexandrovič Bakunin.
Quote from: Ten thumbs on April 30, 2007, 02:13:53 AM
I have just finished reading Antonia Fraser's biography of Marie Antionette, which I found very uplifting because it shows what the human spirit is capable of enduring. Oddly enough, Danny's quote from St Ignatius of Loyola would have suited Marie Antoinette to a tee.
Add this magnificent quote from
Edmund Burke:
It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the Queen of France, then the Dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she just began to move in, — glittering like the morning star full of life and splendour and joy... Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fallen upon her in a nation of gallant men, — in a nation of men of honour and of cavaliers. I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded.
Back in on Crime and Punishment, which I had to set aside through no fault of the author 0:)
Brilliantly written!
Quote from: karlhenning on April 30, 2007, 06:29:13 AM
Back in on Crime and Punishment, which I had to set aside through no fault of the author 0:)
Brilliantly written!
"Crime and Punishment" is one of my favourite books, and it is also a quite easy read. A real page-turner :).
Anyway, Dostoyevski delves deep into the psyche of several characters while still keeping this "crime"-story going. You can really feel the torment and anguish of Raskolnikov. It can even be a bit uncomfortable from time to time.
Now I just read a book for entertainment, and an excellent book it was - Don Winslow "Power of the Dog". It is an 650 page complex epic thriller/mob story abouth the drug trafficking from Mexico to the US. It has well-drawn characters, multiple points of view and something interesting to say on the war on drugs...and the war on communism.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51716D7GVWL._AA240_.jpg)
Thank you, Florestan, for that wonderful quote. I think Walpole's 'enthusiasm and admiration' for the superiority of Marie Antoinette's death rather overlooks the appalling degraded nature of her accusers. Your qoute expresses my feelings perfectly.
Our Lady and the Church by Jesuit priest Hugo Rahner. It even has an official recommendation from ze pope! (I thought he was on the outs with the men in black.)
A wonderful little book it is, though.
Marcel Proust, Swann's Way - A splendid translation.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/510B3BDW4ZL._AA240_.jpg)
Quote from: Ten thumbs on May 01, 2007, 12:31:58 PM
Thank you, Florestan, for that wonderful quote. I think Walpole's 'enthusiasm and admiration' for the superiority of Marie Antoinette's death rather overlooks the appalling degraded nature of her accusers. Your qoute expresses my feelings perfectly.
A votre service, Monsieur! :)
Quote from: Florestan on April 30, 2007, 06:24:34 AM
Add this magnificent quote from Edmund Burke:
It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the Queen of France, then the Dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she just began to move in, — glittering like the morning star full of life and splendour and joy... Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fallen upon her in a nation of gallant men, — in a nation of men of honour and of cavaliers. I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded.
Quoting Mr. Burke! How wonderful. His reflections rarely leaves my desk. The tail end of that quote was my signature in the past iteration of this forum. I've now ditched him for Tennyson, but good feeling abounds!
Splendid choice, are you reading his works? :)
The most recent book I read was Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear - pretty gripping techo-thriller/sci-fi stuff in a Crichton-esque vein, but nothing really ground-breaking.
Next will be A Scanner Darkly by Philip K Dick. I read the first page for a taster and even that made me laugh. I love his writing.
Quote from: Steve on May 01, 2007, 01:58:26 PM
Quoting Mr. Burke! How wonderful. His reflections rarely leaves my desk. The tail end of that quote was my signature in the past iteration of this forum. I've now ditched him for Tennyson, but good feeling abounds!
Splendid choice, are you reading his works? :)
I've read some of them. His reason and common-sense are so refreshing!
Tennyson is wonderful, too.
BOUCOURECHLIEV: À L'ECOUTE
It is a set of articles dedicated to composers of the "serialism" generation. Boulez, Berio, Stockhausen, Nono, Maderna. Boucourechliev himself was an interesting composer. I heard years ago Claude Helffer playing in concerto one of his "Archipels".
Just finished re-reading Crime and Punishment this morning; and last night I read Pushkin's Queen of Spades . . . great resonance, since Pushkin's character Herman was one of the sources of Dostoyevsky's Raskolnikov.
I have on my re-reading list The Brothers Karamazov and Demons. Some two thousands pages, Bozhe moy!
(http://inkeehong.com/articles/image/Simmons_The_Terror_2006_HC.jpg)
It's very long and very good.
Quote from: Florestan on May 02, 2007, 05:08:32 AM
I have on my re-reading list The Brothers Karamazov and Demons.
Oh, and for me to re-read,
The Brothers Karamazov and
The Idiot. Great stuff!
Quote from: The Notorious MOG on May 01, 2007, 02:42:55 PM
The most recent book I read was Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear - pretty gripping techo-thriller/sci-fi stuff in a Crichton-esque vein, but nothing really ground-breaking.
That was my impression as well. It was a plane flight read when I read, and kept me amused through the flight. :) I'm not a big Greg Bear fan. At the time that I was into him I liked the two novels about the machines that destroy Earth, and I also liked the novel
Moving Mars even though it was pretty silly. :)
That was a few years ago, I don't think that I would like him at all today.
Finished Cormac McCarthy's feel-good Oprah book club selection The Road. Great heartwarming story of a guy's love for his son while trying to avoid being eaten by roving post-apocalyptic cannibals.
Also read The River of Doubt, an account of Teddy Roosevelt and Candido Randon's trip down an uncharted Amazon tributary in 1913
Working on Niall Ferguson's book on the Rothchilds
More Proust....
Also reading Development of Christian Doctrine by Cardinal Newman with A History of the Church by Eusebius.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 02, 2007, 07:40:23 PM
Finished Cormac McCarthy's feel-good Oprah book club selection The Road. Great heartwarming story of a guy's love for his son while trying to avoid being eaten by roving post-apocalyptic cannibals.
I read that one before Oprah put her stamp on it.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 03, 2007, 04:30:09 AM
I read that one before Oprah put her stamp on it.
Was it better before?
Do you think Oprah will put her stamp on
Blood Meridian?
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 03, 2007, 05:47:46 AM
Was it better before?
You didn't like it? I thought it was rad.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 03, 2007, 05:48:17 AM
You didn't like it? I thought it was rad.
No, I loved the book. Just amused that Oprah put it in her book club.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 03, 2007, 05:49:49 AM
No, I loved the book. Just amused that Oprah put it in her book club.
Yeah, I was amused as well.
I have BLOOD MERIDIAN on my TBR (to be read) pile. I'll have to get around to that soon.
I'm really enjoying THE TERROR by Dan Simmons. It may become one of my favorite reads of the year. If you'd like to check it out, here's a link. (http://www.amazon.com/Terror-Novel-Dan-Simmons/dp/0316017442/ref=dp_return_1/103-0945402-8155030?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books)
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 02, 2007, 07:40:23 PM
The Road. Great heartwarming story of a guy's love for his son while trying to avoid being eaten by roving post-apocalyptic cannibals.
I must admit that really does sound heartwarming. ;)
(But who likes precooked heart? 0:))
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 03, 2007, 05:49:49 AM
No, I loved the book. Just amused that Oprah put it in her book club.
What do you think caused the apocalypse?
Quote from: MrOsa on May 03, 2007, 06:27:04 AM
(But who likes precooked heart? 0:))
http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/cheney_celebrates_earth_day
LOL!
I just finished the new mystery by Harlan Coben, The Woods -- a real page turner with a surprise ending. If you have never read any of Coben's books, this is a great way to start. Gripping, from start to finish.
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/12740000/12748929.jpg)
Quote from: Bunny on May 03, 2007, 07:57:31 AM
I just finished the new mystery by Harlan Coben, The Woods -- a real page turner with a surprise ending. If you have never read any of Coben's books, this is a great way to start. Gripping, from start to finish.
Thanks for the recommendation. I might give it a shot on my upcoming vacation.
Quote from: Danny on May 02, 2007, 10:29:12 PM
Also reading Development of Christian Doctrine by Cardinal Newman with A History of the Church by Eusebius.
Please tell me that you weren't reading these for school.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 03, 2007, 07:58:26 AM
Thanks for the recommendation. I might give it a shot on my upcoming vacation.
As long as you aren't camping out in the woods...
Sorry, couldn't resist that! Actually, the events in the woods occur 20 years before the start of the book. But still, the echoes of the events are felt through the years.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 03, 2007, 06:29:45 AM
What do you think caused the apocalypse?
McCarthy likely had no specific event in mind, but would have to guess some extraterrestrial impact. There was no indication of radiation from nukes. The dead ocean, perpetually overcast sky and wide swaths of burned land seem to line up with Discovery channel speculation on the after effects of large impacts
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 03, 2007, 07:59:16 AM
McCarthy likely had no specific event in mind, but would have to guess some extraterrestrial impact. There was no indication of radiation from nukes. The dead ocean, perpetually overcast sky and wide swaths of burned land seem to line up with Discovery channel speculation on the after effects of large impacts
Makes sense. Thanks.
Quote from: MrOsa on May 03, 2007, 06:27:04 AM
I must admit that really does sound heartwarming. ;)
(But who likes precooked heart? 0:))
It is by far McCarthy's most optimistic and upbeat book.
BTW are you a fan of Stanislaw Lem?
The Cyberiad is about my all time favorite book
Quote from: Bunny on May 03, 2007, 07:59:08 AM
Please tell me that you weren't reading these for school.
No. Reading these become I'm Catholic. 0:)
Until I master French (which I intend) I am reading this English Translation of Proust, my summer's reading (or lifetime's).
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m173/manihot/0812969642-1.jpg)
and also enjoying this side-read:
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m173/manihot/images-6-1.jpg)
Still reading a fascinating book about Charlotte Bronte, written by Rebecca Fraser, considering this is her first book.
Its brimful with so many details that life at the rectory is almost there to touch.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 03, 2007, 10:08:56 AM
BTW are you a fan of Stanislaw Lem? The Cyberiad is about my all time favorite book
Not really, I like the thought/content but find his style a bit tiring (it's very old fashioned and mannered). From what I've seen that doesn't come through in the translations. Which is probably a good thing. Maybe I should start reading him in translation? ;) I do quite like his essays though - very intelligent science journalism. Not sure if that stuff has been translated into any human language?
Quote from: MrOsa on May 04, 2007, 12:55:04 PM
Not really, I like the thought/content but find his style a bit tiring (it's very old fashioned and mannered). From what I've seen that doesn't come through in the translations. Which is probably a good thing.
Last I read of him (quite a while ago) was
His Master's Voice and remember quite liking it, his style, in translation, came across as very dry and academic but I found it well suited for the matter.
William James-Writings 1902-1910
Swann's Way, Marcel Proust.
I need to get through the entire set this summer. ;)
You've chosen well, sonic1
Quote from: Steve on May 05, 2007, 08:40:11 AM
Swann's Way, Marcel Proust.
I need to get through the entire set this summer. ;)
You've chosen well, sonic1
Thank you. I am reading the modern library translations, mainly because it is all the same translator. I actually read another translation of the second book, but was frustrated with the various translators of the other books. I sort of need one voice for one story. Except with the bible of course.
Maybe after I read this translation, I will try the others.
The modern library version was my introduction to the work, and I still keep it as reference. However, this new translation from Lydia Davis of Swann's Way really piqued my attention. This set from Penguin Publishing has received some great attention. As to the uniformity of translation, I can understand that. Although sometimes, you just want the best translations available, and you have to settle for more than one.
What sort of progress have you made? it would be really interesting to post our reactions to the text once in awhile on this forum. :)
Quote from: Haffner on April 27, 2007, 06:36:45 AM
"The Tristan Chord: Wagner and Philosophy"
Fascinating!
Is that the one, on its Amazon page, that had tons of long, long reviews where guys were going back and forth philosophizing on Wagner's philosophies? ;D
I definitely have to get that one sometime! Report back when you've finished it...
I'm reading this. It takes place in Scotland where baseball bats are not used for their original purpose.
(http://www.allanguthrie.co.uk/Guthrie/kiss_her_goodbye.jpg)
As for what I'm reading myself:
Egon Gartenberg's Mahler: His Life and His Music - a solid biography on Mahler's life and a long section that details the themes and background information for each symphony and lieder cycle.
Principles of Orchestration, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Fascinating! So well explained, though of course it's dated, instrument combinations that would have been taboo then, well, in today's music anything goes. Just very thorough and nice to work through.
The Fresco, Sheri S. Tepper - Just a book for fun, I hadn't read any of her books in a long time, but this one seems quite interesting. A middle aged unhappily married bookstore clerk, takes a walk in the woods and meets a couple of aliens who give her a cube she needs to urgently give to the President - you can see that's a great setup. ;)
She reallly a fine writer, she describes things so precisely and takes you into another world. Her books from the 90s are my favorites, the best being Raising The Stones about a civilization on another planet. Also Grass is another, more spiritual one.
Right now, I am in the middle of this:
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/5127v-Ng-LL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
It is a book about the history of how the periodic table of the elements was developed. It goes into more detail than the usual brief accounts that occur in science books, including some discussion on early contributors who have been largely forgotten. I have been interested in chemistry since I was a child. When I was a teenager, I actually went to the trouble of memorizing the entire periodic table. (I was a very nerdy kid, and when I grew up I became a very nerdy adult.) Now, I am in the process of collecting pure samples of as many of the elements as I can get, and I have succeeded in obtaining some that I thought I would never see. (I recently got a nice crystalline lump of thulium.) So given my current collecting interest, I find this book interesting. But anyone who is interested in the history of science might like this book; the periodic table, along with the discovery of the periodic law, was one of the most important advances in science in the 19th Century, and its history has been somewhat neglected.
Heather
sonic1 and Steve, good luck with the Proust. I think you may need it.
Quote from: Steve on May 05, 2007, 05:06:58 PM
The modern library version was my introduction to the work, and I still keep it as reference. However, this new translation from Lydia Davis of Swann's Way really piqued my attention. This set from Penguin Publishing has received some great attention. As to the uniformity of translation, I can understand that. Although sometimes, you just want the best translations available, and you have to settle for more than one.
What sort of progress have you made? it would be really interesting to post our reactions to the text once in awhile on this forum. :)
I started with the second book (the penguin addition) and now I am going to read the entire set over again, so basically I am at the beginning again with Swann's way. The Beckett essay on Proust is really nice BTW; it outlined some perspectives that will certainly give me a starting reference point. I will post my thoughts here as they are significant enough to post. I will start off by saying that Proust has an incredible way, shakespearian almost, of revealing the deep driving intent of his characters, and how they all train-wreck into each other-though not as train-wreckish as Shakespeare. It is how he exposes these characters over the span of a book that is so amazing to me.
I'd be very interested to hear your verdict on the Scott Moncrieff translation. I started on the (later) Kilmartin set years ago, and struggled through to the end of Within a Budding Grove (i.e. abour 1/3rd of the way through) before deciding I had other plans for the rest of my life...
THE HOUSE by Bentley Little. So far, so Little.
Meanwhile I have just finished Yours, Plum - a collection of the letters of P G Wodehouse, edited by Frances Donaldson. It's a lightweight read - good for dipping into - but doesn't add much to the rest of the canon. Interesting though to see PGW referring to people (mostly, other authors) as "bastards" and "lice". That's not the impression you usually get.
One thing that does come out of it is the extent to which his "official" memoirs (Bring On The Girls) and published letters (Performing Flea) were edited for publication, to the extent that the former is largely fiction, as PGW cheerfully admits - i.e. the stories he recounts may have happened - but not to him. It does seem as if his motivation was to make for a better story, rather than just boosting his own reputation.
I am genuinely puzzled by the arrangement he had with his wife. They appear to have spent months on end apart - sometimes, in different continents - and even when under the same roof seem to have led largely separate lives, meeting up during the day in way that comes across as oddly formal. In one letter he writes of the circumstances which had led to them spending a night in the same bed, as if this were something so remarkable that he just had to sit down and write a letter to somebody about it. Then there's the matter of his wife's collection of "followers" (young men), some of whom appear to have lived with the Wodehouses - an arrangement which (the editor remarks cryptically in a footnote) "does not seem to have disturbed Plum at all." Yet he consistently paints a picture of two people who adored each other. One of these days I must find a real warts-and-all biography and get the real skinny.
Quote from: Don Giovanni on May 06, 2007, 09:32:33 AM
sonic1 and Steve, good luck with the Proust. I think you may need it.
I didn't mean to strikethrough sonic1 in my original post.
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QJFMEH5HL._AA240_.jpg)
One fascinating story after another. I can imagine how much even better they would be in Spanish
Quote from: Don Giovanni on May 07, 2007, 06:05:46 AM
I didn't mean to strikethrough sonic1 in my original post.
That's ok, it made me feel pretty punk rock.
that is a good thing.
Warped Passages by Lisa Randall-- this is a book about extra-dimensional theories in physics, only a small part about string theory, the rest about Randall's theory. Anyway her history/overview of physics is inaccurate. Her writing is a bit messy and she unethically tries to convince her readers that her theory is widely accepted. Actually only empirical evidence can tell that. What I think is fascinating about her model of the universe is that she has made testable predictions, and LISA and LHC can falsify her model. She is wrong to say that string theorists are not model builders like her, actually string theory was originally created to explain scattering experiments in the sixties. Randall's writing is sloppy and not engaging. I like the structure of her chapters, but not her execution. This is not a good book for the layman on extra-dimensions in physics.
What to Listen for In Music by Aaron Copland-- this was a delightful read. Very insightful, and ignores alot of dogma that still exist today (as is seen on this board). I like his view on what an intelligent listener is and how to become one. Most of his book is very easy to follow, but without audio examples following the chapters on forms can be tricky. Lucky for me I've taken a music appreciation class. For other novices, I think that an audio book with musical examples would be better these days.
I'm now reading The New Music by Aaron Copland. More on that later. I do find it interesting that he points at the start of the revolt against Germanic Romanticism with Mussorgsky. I can tell from both books that Copland has a great appreciation for Russian composers, and a very low appreciation for Wagnerian bloat! lol :D
Quote from: karlhenning on April 30, 2007, 06:29:13 AM
Back in on Crime and Punishment, which I had to set aside through no fault of the author 0:)
Brilliantly written!
Dostoevsky is so inspiring! Crime and Punishment has so many dimensions, it's truly life Affirming to read.
In addition to Swann's Way, I've been following along with some more Proust...
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41yhmCY9wPL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
sonic1, if you're interested, its a wonderful companion. :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51dLe386dnL._SS500_.jpg)
Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Life-Death-Classical-Music-Recordings/dp/1400096588/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8746452-1632855?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178854426&sr=8-1)
(http://media.nasm.si.edu/webimages/200/9A04436_200w.jpg)
A synopsis from Amazon:
In 1927, 25-year-old American aviator Charles Lindbergh earned international fame by making the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean (and won a prize of $25,000 in the bargain). This lively book, a publication of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, celebrates that great accomplishment in words and images. Museum curators Dominick Pisano and F. Robert van der Linden draw on the Smithsonian's holdings (among them Lindbergh's then-state-of-the-art monoplane, The Spirit of St. Louis) to offer a portrait of the famed pilot in the context of his time. They emphasize Lindbergh's calculated daring--he did not carry a parachute or heavy radio, for instance, reckoning that neither would be useful should he have to ditch at sea--and his abilities, unusual for a man of his age and the time. They also chart Lindbergh's progress from young flyer to world hero, considering his later career without shying away from its unpleasant aspects--notably, his early embrace of Adolf Hitler's regime and his insistence that the United States not take the side of England and France in the impending global war, at considerable cost to his reputation. Published to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Lindbergh's flight and the centenary of his birth, this book makes a fine gift for aviation and history buffs.
Actually, what drew me to this book in particular was the chapter that was dedicated entirely to the plane itself. We are planning a trip to D.C. this summer and will take in the Air and Space Museum (toured it 3 or 4 times, but am looking forward to another visit) where The Spirit of St. Louis is on display along with the likes of the Wright Flyer, Earhart's Lockheed 5 Vega, Yeager's Bell X-1, etc., etc. Here is a link for you aviation buffs:
http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/aircraft/aircraftg.cfm
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BQn5SxcgL._SS500_.jpg)
So far, the introduction is excellent and the first chapter is very good.
No God but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam by Reza Aslan. Quite a fascinating read.
I'm also re-reading Aniara by Harry Martinson. It is a fantastically beautiful story.
Quote from: Daidalos on May 11, 2007, 04:34:02 AM
No God but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam by Reza Aslan. Quite a fascinating read.
Hmm, it does sound it,
Daidolos!
I don't know where I've been, but I just learned about the Harvard Classics. Has anyone read this entire collection? I was thinking about trying to get through some of them this summer.
Allan
Quote from: karlhenning on May 11, 2007, 05:27:59 AM
Hmm, it does sound it, Daidolos!
I thought it was about time I educated myself a bit on the major religions of the world. Islam seemed most relevant, considering the situation in the Middle East, so I decided to start with that. For novices such as myself, the book most certainly does not disappoint. It is very lucid and enjoyable to read.
American Dreamer A Life of Henry A. Wallace by John C. Culver and John Hyde
Quote from: toledobass on May 11, 2007, 05:33:29 AM
I don't know where I've been, but I just learned about the Harvard Classics. Has anyone read this entire collection? I was thinking about trying to get through some of them this summer.
Allan
Do you have an address where we might look at the list of books? Thanks
Hi Anne,
Here is a a link for some info and the contents of the collection:
Harvard Classics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Classics)
Allan
I was going to ask if that was the "five-foot shelf" :)
Partisans & Redcoats (2001) by Walter Edgar - subtitled 'The Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution' - short but good read of South Carolina's role in the American Revolution w/ a lot of emphasis on the characters involved and the 'civil war' nature of the conflict. Since I live in NC, I've explored many of these places (coastal Carolinas & Georgia, King's Mountain, Cowpens, Guilford Court House, etc.) - 'mixed' reviews on Amazon, but a good introductory read.
A longer & more encompassing book of the Southern Campaign in the American Revolution is The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The American Revolution in the Carolinas (1999) by John Buchanan - Guilford Courthouse is basically in Greensboro (which did not exist at the time); but Nathaniel Greene was in charge of the American forces at that battle, and hence the name of the 'new' city that emerged. CLICK on either image for comments. :D
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VWW01F2WL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Partisans-Redcoats-Southern-Conflict-Revolution/dp/0380806436/ref=sr_1_1/102-8474919-9564165?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179070234&sr=8-1) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/516RJ3A4F3L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Road-Guilford-Courthouse-Revolution-Carolinas/dp/0471327166/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-8474919-9564165?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179070832&sr=1-1)
Thanks, Allan. Much obliged. Good thing I'm currently reading Crime and Punishment.
Quote from: toledobass on May 11, 2007, 05:33:29 AM
I don't know where I've been, but I just learned about the Harvard Classics. Has anyone read this entire collection? I was thinking about trying to get through some of them this summer.
Allan
Allan, why don't you just read what interests you? Look at the world around you and let your curiousity be your guide rather than a long dead intellectual snob.
I do plenty of that. This list interests me because I've only read one of the titles and regardless of it being on a list or not, I feel I shoud've made it around to at least a few more by now. The list is just some motivation for me and something of a checklist or something to remember stuff by. I was pretty much just wondering if anyone had any comments on how it worked as a collection.
Allan
Quote from: Bunny on May 13, 2007, 10:20:10 AM
Allan, why don't you just read what interests you? Look at the world around you and let your curiousity be your guide rather than a long dead intellectual snob.
Long Dead Intellectual Snob! For wanting to read the Western Canon! Nonsense!
Aristotle, Plato, Herodicus, Sophocles, Copernicus, Archimedes, James, Pascal......
Quote from: toledobass on May 11, 2007, 05:33:29 AM
I don't know where I've been, but I just learned about the Harvard Classics. Has anyone read this entire collection? I was thinking about trying to get through some of them this summer.
Allan
I have a copy of the University of Chicago canon, and I challenge myself to read a new volume every month. What a wealth of discovery awaits, my friend! Might I reccomend beginning with Aristotle? Particulariy Poetics. :)
So I continue my Proust adventure....
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/416EH58VEJL._AA240_.jpg)
Swann's Way was among the most incredible reading experiences a person can have. But, my those sentences of epoch length! :)
As a nice contrast, I'm revisiting this classic of Victorian Literature...
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VSFSAYV4L._AA240_.jpg)
Schopenhauer : Metaphysics of Death
I've just finished Metaphysics of love.
This guy had a great talent, his ability to ask himself questions is huge.
Whoever is interested in philosophy has to read him.
For those who want to understand Nietzsche, it's a good idea to read Schopenhauer (& Darwin).
Sometimes he lacks doubt. But he has no fear for truth.
A great philosopher. He made some mistakes, but remember he's from the XIXth century.
He's opened new doors to me in my reflections.
All philosophers will make mistakes, either that, or they aren't pushing themselves enough.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DHSHB15ZL._AA240_.jpg)
Gripping . . . and (as the best such books are most apt to do) makes you want to hear even all the minor works of the period currently under advisement . . . .
Some of the Summa by St. Thomas (just read how he demonstrates the infinity of God--scholasticism style!).
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/413XS2ER7KL._SS500_.jpg)
Yes.
Cool, Boris!
Quote from: toledobass on May 12, 2007, 01:54:02 PM
Hi Anne,
Here is a a link for some info and the contents of the collection:
Harvard Classics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Classics)
Allan
That's actually quite an interesting list. However, he did list Faust Part 1 and neglect Part 2...for shame, for shame!
Glad (and surprised) to see
The Origin of Species on the list, though. :)
Three chapters into Book I of Finnegan's Wake, don't know yet if I will finish it.
Also reading Jasper Godwin Ridley's bio of Henry VIII
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 16, 2007, 02:33:03 PM
Three chapters into Book I of Finnegan's Wake, don't know yet if I will finish it.
Judging by my experience - that is a very sensible attitude. ;D
(O dear, I think, as a literary scholar, I've just committed blasphemy... :o Time for a disclaimer then: I really think Finnegan's Wake is a masterpiece. Just not the easiest read, that's all...)
Maciek
A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russel.
You would be reading that.
Quote from: Sungam on May 16, 2007, 03:39:51 PM
You would be reading that.
I consider it an unashamed act of egostroking on my part. I agree with almost (~75%) everything he says, and it feels very good reading it. No shame in that.
It's not as if I accepted anything Plato, Aristotle and Aquinas said before opening the book.
It's interesting to ponder what the modern zeitgeist would be without the influence of Friedrich Nietzsche. He's just one example, but perhaps the most important example (in terms of influence) in the past two hundred years. Just my opinion.
Finished Bishop Eusebius' "A History of the Church" (composed over the late third century to early fourth) and am now focusing on my re-read of "Development of Christian Doctrine" by Cardinal Newman and a book called "Teaching Authority of the Early Church."
Also would love to start reading "The First Circle" by Solzhenitsyn but don't have enough time right now.
Quote from: Steve on May 13, 2007, 05:28:44 PM
As a nice contrast, I'm revisiting this classic of Victorian Literature...
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VSFSAYV4L._AA240_.jpg)
IMO, this is one case where the
movie song (Kate Bush) eclipses the book :D
Still on the thick biography about Charlotte Bronte, by Rebecca Fraser.
In the beginning it was hard to get through, but getting deeper into the writings of this writer, the story unfolds quite nicely.
Charlotte was a woman with a firm own opinion, and she carried the tools to defend herself.
My kind of woman.
Quote from: Harry on May 18, 2007, 10:48:17 AM
and she carried the tools to defend herself.
How did she fit an axe into her handbag? ??? Sounds creepy. ;D
Quote from: MrOsa on May 18, 2007, 11:07:24 AM
How did she fit an axe into her handbag? ??? Sounds creepy. ;D
She used words as her axe my friend, words! :)
Quote from: MrOsa on May 18, 2007, 11:07:24 AM
How did she fit an axe into her handbag? ??? Sounds creepy. ;D
Or like Rodion Romanovich, she sewed a strip of cloth inside her overcoat, from which to hang the ax . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 11:12:09 AM
Or like Rodion Romanovich, she sewed a strip of cloth inside her overcoat, from which to hang the ax . . . .
For concealing purposes I'm inclined to agree with Rodion Romanovich but for quick usage in defence it's not very practical, you have to grab it by the wrong end, then pull the whole length of the handle through the strip and then to turn it around in your hands.....too long, you're gone by that time.
Short handle ax in a handbag is waaay more practical.
Quote from: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 11:12:09 AM
Or like Rodion Romanovich, she sewed a strip of cloth inside her overcoat, from which to hang the ax . . . .
O, to remember that horrible story from D.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PK2YGY1BL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/TIS-MEMOIR-Frank-McCourt/dp/0002570807/ref=ed_oe_h/002-0628914-3893645?ie=UTF8&qid=1179523098&sr=8-6)
Frank McCourt 'Tis.
I read Angela's Ashes about a year ago and was so impressed by it (definitely one of the best books I've ever read!) I quickly bought this second volume. Took me a year to get around to reading it (I'm about halfway through at the moment). It's nowhere near as good as Angela's Ashes but still a very good read, and a bit more informative (as there's more history involved) which adds to the interest when other virtues are lacking.
Maciek
Started this for a book club I am in....interesting approach to telling a story. Almost has a Hemingway pacing to it.:
(http://www.bbcaudiobooksamerica.com/client/products/ProdimageLg/746881.jpg)
Wagner and Nietzsche by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Wow! I didn't know the guy wrote any books! :-[ :-[ :-[
Quote from: MrOsa on May 20, 2007, 02:10:08 PM
Wow! I didn't know the guy wrote any books! :-[ :-[ :-[
Fischer is a very good writer, to add to his other, estimable achievements.
Re-reading
(http://www.longitudebooks.com/images/book_large/CHN98.jpg)
(hence the avatar)
This morning the mailman deposited on the mat a box containing the seven - count them - PG Wodehouse first editions that I bought sight unseen at auction. Considering these things mostly date from the 1920s, I was expecting at least half of them to be totally knackered, with pages falling out, spines cracked, heavily foxed - but no: none of them is less than very good, and a couple look like they've never been opened. All for 20 quid. Am I a frisky cat this morning. :D
WITTGENSTEIN: "Über Gewissheit". Sort of an answer to some of George Moore propositions. It would be more interesting if Wittgenstein had the time to review it. But he died.
Oh I love that one. I actually like the fact that it's slightly rough. It has a great opening line:
Quote from: Ludwig WittgensteinIf you do know that here is one hand, we'll grant you all the rest.
Immediately draws you in, like a kind of philosophical whodunnit.
Tractatus is one of the best structured books I ever saw.
Continuing my current Hesse binge...
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/narcissusgoldmund.jpg)
Nice one, Kullervo! 8)
One of my very favorites by that author.
Re-reading Arnold Schoenberg by Charles Rosen.
Inspiring!
Splendid, Andy!
Quote from: karlhenning on May 24, 2007, 09:28:22 AM
Splendid, Andy!
Schoenberg is a huge inspiration for me to begin with. But Rosen really outdid himself here.
Your music can be pretty damn inspiring as well,
Karl!
Quote from: Haffner on May 24, 2007, 09:26:53 AM
Re-reading Arnold Schoenberg by Charles Rosen.
Inspiring!
So am I !
Quote from: karlhenning on May 14, 2007, 04:37:29 AM
All philosophers will make mistakes, either that, or they aren't pushing themselves enough.
Quote of the day.
Alright reading--
Physics:
Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell by Tony Zee-- the first two parts are brilliantly insightful, but the rest of the book addresses advanced topics at such a lightning fast rate that is simply not insightful for the beginner.
Srednicki's Quantum Field Theory on the other hand is wonderful, I'm about 100 pages through it now. He presents everything in such a logical way that you're not left wondering what the !$&$^$? My only complaint is that he doesn't give you a road map or provide motivation for the sections. Sometimes it's quite awhile before you realize why some derivation was actually important. I don't think it should be a mystery, all should be made transparent to the reader.
Fiction:
White Noise by Don DeLillo-- this is brilliant! Has anyone else here read this novel? I usually don't like idea novels, but this one was so hysterical and so true.
As I Lay Dying by Faulkner-- I'm a dumbass. I admit it. I couldn't relate to the characters. I didn't understand the madness of Darl at the end. And his passages around that time were getting confusing. There is a realness to the tragedy of the book, but it didn't move me. And the narrative I had difficulty following half the time due to the nature of the minds being portrayed with this stream of consciousness thing. The technique itself is not something I have difficulty with, it has thoroughly immersed our popular culture now. What I had trouble with was the nearly complete lack of lucidity of the thoughts of the characters.
Quote from: DavidW on May 27, 2007, 12:17:57 PM
Fiction:
White Noise by Don DeLillo-- this is brilliant! Has anyone else here read this novel? I usually don't like idea novels, but this one was so hysterical and so true.
DeLillo is great. I loved WN as well as MaoII, Underworld, and a few others. You really can't go wrong with DeLillo.
Article in the latest issue of National Geographic on the founding of Jamestown. Really mind-blowing stuff!
John L. Snell's "Dilemma Over Germany" (The Hauser Press,New
Orleans,1959). An erudite and very well documented study on
the political problems, plans, discussions and resolutions
between FDR,WCH and JS on the future of Germany after the
victory. Very well written and clear. ;) ;)
Poetry of Pound and Manley Hopkins among others. Both are delightful, and are original masters of language and imagery.
Only those interested in Country Music should peruse this post - ;D
Just started Bill Malone's newly revised edition of Country Music, U.S.A. - read the first edition (1968) many years ago; this 'new' edition appears to be mainly an additional chapter bringing the music (performers etc.) up-to-date (i.e. 2002) - CLICK on the image for Amazonian comments, which are not too helpful (ignore the one about the writing being boring!) - Malone is a retired professor (Tulane University) and writes in an 'academic' fashion - this is a detailed book and takes time; probably the best coverage of the origins of country music, the early & mid-20th century performers, and into the 1960s - not a quick or easy read but w/ a wealth of detail.
BTW, another shorter & more recent book by Malone is also highly recommended: Don't Get above Your Raisin': Country Music and the Southern Working Class (Music in American Life) - great pic on the front cover of the young Hank Williams, Jr. lookin' up @ this father - :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/510NRPP3E6L._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Country-Music-U-S-Second-Revised/dp/0292752628/ref=sr_1_3/102-8474919-9564165?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180476413&sr=1-3) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YAHNYKTPL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Quote from: Danny on May 29, 2007, 01:53:59 PM
Poetry of Pound and Manley Hopkins among others. Both are delightful, and are original masters of language and imagery.
Indeed, Pound was a delightful fascist, Nazi, and propagandist for genocide.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 23, 2007, 01:38:06 PM
Re-reading
(http://www.longitudebooks.com/images/book_large/CHN98.jpg)
(hence the avatar)
bwv
Did not know if you were aware of this book about China....sounded interesting:
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QRTPF4HGL._AA240_.jpg)
Here is an interview with the author from today on the radio:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10474172
Quote from: Kullervo on May 24, 2007, 07:49:21 AM
Continuing my current Hesse binge...
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/narcissusgoldmund.jpg)
I went through a similar phase a while back. I read Siddartha in German, an incredible experience. :)
Just started this one:
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/411e8aKpwvL._SS500_.jpg)
Picked this up from the library... Eliot - Selected Prose
(http://www.harcourtbooks.com/images/bookcovers/150/0156806541_150.jpg)
Beach reading:
Stephen Frey: The 4th Order
Only for the most credulous, and those willing to believe in any conspiracy theory. I can't swallow the idea of a venture capitalist (!) who doesn't have time for his kids and goes in to seal a deal the day after his wife is killed while his kids are home alone with a nanny as a hero. Moreover, the idea that he's going to break up a government plot to abuse civil liberties is laughable. It's not a fast or compelling read either; I don't know if I can even finish it. I'm just afraid that idiots may assume that the book is really about the government and the Patriot Act. NOT RECOMMENDED - even for the beach.
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/12280000/12284322.jpg)
Quote from: Kullervo on May 29, 2007, 08:01:04 PM
Picked this up from the library... Eliot - Selected Prose
(http://www.harcourtbooks.com/images/bookcovers/150/0156806541_150.jpg)
Excellent choice!
We seem to have quite similar literary tastes. :)
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/7790000/7796303.jpg)
A great book. Every other line, or every line, is an aphorism. Wilde is so wise and logical. And look... it's Liszt on the cover!
Quote from: op.110 on May 29, 2007, 09:48:08 PM
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/7790000/7796303.jpg)
A great book. Every other line, or every line, is an aphorism. Wilde is so wise and logical. And look... it's Liszt on the cover!
Agreed about the book. But I wonder what's Liszt go to do with it? ???
Time for a slight pause in the Proust adventure..
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S2HEFT2NL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
My, that picture is small.. Well it's Tristram Shandy..
Quote from: Florestan on May 29, 2007, 10:27:22 PM
Agreed about the book. But I wonder what's Liszt go to do with it? ???
Wasn't he more than a bit vain?
Quote from: Steve on May 29, 2007, 11:20:57 PM
Time for a slight pause in the Proust adventure..
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S2HEFT2NL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
My, that picture is small.. Well it's Tristram Shandy..
I had to read that in college, 100 years ago. It was one of the better books my English teacher had us reading.
Quote from: Steve on May 29, 2007, 11:20:57 PM
Time for a slight pause in the Proust adventure..
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S2HEFT2NL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
My, that picture is small.. Well it's Tristram Shandy..
I, too was in the middle of
A Recherche du Temps Perdu, but I took a break after
Within a Budding Grove. I can say without exaggeration that
Swann's Way is the greatest thing I've ever read.
Quote from: Kullervo on May 30, 2007, 05:45:42 AM
I, too was in the middle of A Recherche du Temps Perdu, but I took a break after Within a Budding Grove. I can say without exaggeration that Swann's Way is the greatest thing I've ever read.
Having battled with endless sentences, tricky phrasings, and strangely technical diction, I wholeheartedly agree.
I'm currently finishing up the Dune series (reading Heretics of Dune now), Faust, and getting a bit side-tracked by the Tao Te Ching and books on various aspects of Buddhism.
Quote from: op.110 on May 29, 2007, 09:48:08 PM
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/7790000/7796303.jpg)
A great book. Every other line, or every line, is an aphorism. Wilde is so wise and logical. And look... it's Liszt on the cover!
Great book! It was our book club selection. The discussion our group had was incredible. The introduction was a book onto itself and worth the purchase.
Quote from: Florestan on May 29, 2007, 10:27:22 PM
Agreed about the book. But I wonder what's Liszt go to do with it? ???
I thought the same thing as this is the printing I read. The only connection I could come up with George was that Liszt I believe hung out with Chopin a bit and Chopin is mentioned a number of times in the novel. Weak, but there you have it:
At a gathering one day, Franz Liszt asked Frederic Chopin to play in complete darkness as he had on a previous occasion. After extinguishing the lights and drawing the curtains, however, he intercepted Chopin on his way to the piano and whispered something in his ear. He then sat at the piano and played the same composition which Chopin had planned; the listeners were captivated.
After the performance, Liszt lighted the candles on the piano, revealing himself to his stupefied audience. "What do you say?" Liszt asked, turning to his rival. "I say what everyone says," Chopin replied. "I too believed it was Chopin!"
Quote from: Bogey on June 04, 2007, 08:03:54 PM
At a gathering one day, Franz Liszt asked Frederic Chopin to play in complete darkness as he had on a previous occasion. After extinguishing the lights and drawing the curtains, however, he intercepted Chopin on his way to the piano and whispered something in his ear. He then sat at the piano and played the same composition which Chopin had planned; the listeners were captivated.
After the performance, Liszt lighted the candles on the piano, revealing himself to his stupefied audience. "What do you say?" Liszt asked, turning to his rival. "I say what everyone says," Chopin replied. "I too believed it was Chopin!"
Nice one! :)
Quote from: Harvested Sorrow on June 04, 2007, 07:35:24 PM
I'm currently finishing up the Dune series (reading Heretics of Dune now), Faust, and getting a bit side-tracked by the Tao Te Ching and books on various aspects of Buddhism.
Which books on Buddhism?
I am currently reading "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Suzuki.
Quote from: George on June 05, 2007, 05:20:40 AM
Which books on Buddhism?
Primarily material on meditation, although one of them couldn't technically be called 'Buddhist' as it deals with meditation of all forms, including methods more focused around Hinduism.
To be more specific: Ananda Maitreya's translation of the Dhammapada (second reading) followed by Gil Fronsdal's translation, along with Thich Nhat Hanh's
The Long Road Turns To Joy: A Guide to Walking Meditation, Ram Dass'
Journey of Awakening: A Meditator's Handbook and Chogyam Trungpa's
Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior.
Quote from: Harvested Sorrow on June 05, 2007, 07:51:52 AM
Primarily material on meditation, although one of them couldn't technically be called 'Buddhist' as it deals with meditation of all forms, including methods more focused around Hinduism.
To be more specific: Ananda Maitreya's translation of the Dhammapada (second reading) followed by Gil Fronsdal's translation, along with Thich Nhat Hanh's The Long Road Turns To Joy: A Guide to Walking Meditation, Ram Dass' Journey of Awakening: A Meditator's Handbook and Chogyam Trungpa's Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior.
Thich Nhat Hanh is an excellent guide for the westerner. And that last one is of course a classic. :)
Indeed. I'm a bit....iffy about the whole 'use of magic' sections in there, however, I'm sure that'll be a fun read at least and the rest should be useful. :)
Not to mention, it's a pocket edition so I can take it anywhere quite easily. ;D
Quote from: Harvested Sorrow on June 05, 2007, 08:55:45 AM
Indeed. I'm a bit....iffy about the whole 'use of magic' sections in there, however, I'm sure that'll be a fun read at least and the rest should be useful. :)
Not to mention, it's a pocket edition so I can take it anywhere quite easily. ;D
Yeah, that's the one my g/f has. I've been meaning to borrow it form her.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It's very good. I think it got a Booker prize too.
Donna Tartt
A secret History
great......
I am currently re-reading "'Oscar Wilde" by Richard Ellmann.
A fascinating book, about a fascinating man.
Quote from: Harry on June 11, 2007, 03:00:13 AM
I am currently re-reading "'Oscar Wilde" by Richard Ellmann.
A fascinating book, about a fascinating man.
You'd better read the
libretto of
Boris Godunov. :D
Quote from: Florestan on June 11, 2007, 03:16:32 AM
You'd better read the libretto of Boris Godunov. :D
Is not in my possession! ;D ;D
More Proust, I'm reading the Cambridge Companion at the moment.
(http://www.samyelingshop.com/catalog/images/zen_mind_beginners.gif)
It's good, just not quite as accessible as Joko Beck's books. :)
Mary Robison-Why Did I Ever
Quote from: George on June 11, 2007, 05:20:16 AM
(http://www.samyelingshop.com/catalog/images/zen_mind_beginners.gif)
It's good, just not quite as accessible as Joko Beck's books. :)
If Zen is all about personal experience and being in the present rather than doctrine or theory, then how come there are so many damned books on it?
Well, Steve, you might just as well ask how a publication could be "informal talks" . . . .
The poetry of Neruda, Burns, and Hopkins.
Been reading a lot with eReader for my Palm Tungsten E2. There's nothing quite so amusing as reading the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on a small, digital, hand-held device -- now if I could just find a "Don't Panic" sticker... ;D
Besides that, I've recently been perusing Don Quixote, Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, and Christopher Hitchens' God is not Great, all on the Palm. I've always been curious about ebooks, and I have to say that it's a nifty concept. The screen is nice and clear, customizable fonts & colors, provides it's own light, easy to use, and I can carry 1,000 books in my shirt pocket. It's even got a built-in dictionary, so I can click on a word and look it up. I've had it almost 2 months, and the "geek's latest toy" fascination still hasn't worn off -- this one's a keeper, I think. And it plays solitaire too.
Oh, and the strategy guide for Civilization IV, I just got a new laptop ;D
(http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/wp-content/2006/10/66668628.rmud7AY6.jpg)
Quote from: jwinter on June 11, 2007, 12:36:50 PM
Been reading a lot with eReader for my Palm Tungsten E2. There's nothing quite so amusing as reading the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on a small, digital, hand-held device -- now if I could just find a "Don't Panic" sticker... ;D
Besides that, I've recently been perusing Don Quixote, Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, and Christopher Hitchens' God is not Great, all on the Palm. I've always been curious about ebooks, and I have to say that it's a nifty concept. The screen is nice and clear, customizable fonts & colors, provides it's own light, easy to use, and I can carry 1,000 books in my shirt pocket. It's even got a built-in dictionary, so I can click on a word and look it up. I've had it almost 2 months, and the "geek's latest toy" fascination still hasn't worn off -- this one's a keeper, I think. And it plays solitaire too.
That Palm Tungsten sounds pretty interesting. Does it hold that many (roughly) books without an add-on to provide it with more memory?
Quote from: karlhenning on June 11, 2007, 12:09:11 PM
Well, Steve, you might just as well ask how a publication could be "informal talks" . . . .
I have meditated on that and gained enlightenment (or maybe it was just a headache)
Does Dharma Bums qualify as a Zen book? That one is good (or at least my wife sez so)
Bukowski--what a pervert.
My favorite is his poem about sleeping with an old lady who had a "nice and young ass". And then they fell asleep and "she slept without taking out her teeth" Great!!
Daniel Dennett's, Breaking the spell.
Quote from: Harvested Sorrow on June 11, 2007, 01:03:12 PM
That Palm Tungsten sounds pretty interesting. Does it hold that many (roughly) books without an add-on to provide it with more memory?
It has a slot for a SD card, like they use in digital cameras, etc. The hard drive itself is only about 35 MB (it only needs to hold my calendar and some basic palm software, so it's not even 1/2 full on mine), but my SD card is 1 GB (cost around $20). You can swap the cards in and out very easily, so I have one just for photos, one for MP3s (it comes with RealPlayer), one for books & games, etc. (one random warning, I tried a 2GB SD card, and it wouldn't read it, so apparently 1GB is as high as it'll go -- which is still ridiculously huge for palm software). The 1,000 books estimate is actually kinda low -- most books in PDB format are maybe 150 - 300 kb, to get to even 1 MB you need pictures or something huge like Gibbon or Shakespeare's complete works. The biggest book I've ever seen is my Webster's 2nd International unabridged dictionary (the really hackin' huge one) which is 37 MB and that's with search software & whatnot. Project Gutenburg has enough free text files to keep me amused for eons.
Anyhoo, I've been quite pleased with mine -- well worth checking out if you're in the market for a new PDA ;D
finally about to start Laszlo Krasznahorkai's The Melancholy of Resistance. This is the book on which Bela Tarr based Werckmeister Harmonies. 314 pages without a single paragraph that I can see and sentences that run on and on and on. Looks like he's trying to outdo Marquez.
(http://www.georgeszirtes.co.uk/dynamic/CoverMelancholy.jpg)
Arnold Schoenberg's Journey (Allen Shawn)
I have a feeling that Dminor would really like this book.
Quote from: Haffner on June 13, 2007, 08:23:05 AM
Arnold Schoenberg's Journey (Allen Shawn)
I have a feeling that Dminor would really like this book.
I have that one. I haven't cracked it open yet. :-\
SUMMER OF NIGHT by Dan Simmons. A coming-of-age horror novel.
WEIRDMONGER by DF Lewis. A collection of this British author's strange, little stories.
Various trade paperbacks of superhero comics.
Quote from: George on June 13, 2007, 09:03:39 AM
I have that one. I haven't cracked it open yet. :-\
I can tell that it's not exactly much of a "beach book". But that's perfect for me! I was completely floored by "Pierrot Lunaire" this week, and I guess there's some really good writing on that subject in this book.
George, did you ever check out the
Charles Rosen book, "Arnold Schoenberg"? If this current Schoenberg book I'm reading is anywhere
near as good as that one, I'm in for a great time!
Quote from: Haffner on June 13, 2007, 09:13:43 AM
I can tell that it's not exactly much of a "beach book". But that's perfect for me! I was completely floored by "Pierrot Lunaire" this week, and I guess there's some really good writing on that subject in this book.
George, did you ever check out the Charles Rosen book, "Arnold Schoenberg"? If this current Schoenberg book I'm reading is anywhere near as good as that one, I'm in for a great time!
No I haven't read the Rosen book, though I almost bought his late sonatas last night.
Alban Berg by Willi Reich
A fascinating portrait of Berg the man and the composer. The personal letters by Berg are especially interesting.
I'm reading Albert Camus' The Stranger. I read it 3 years ago in school but didn't pay much attention to it. The character is really interesting. His girlfriend asks him if he loves her and he says the question is irrevelant, and he supposes that he doesn't. Haha I loved it!
Edgar Allan Poe's complete poems:
But now, at length, dear Dian sank from sight,
Into a western couch of thunder-cloud;
And thou, a ghost, amid the entombing trees
Didst glide away. Only thine eyes remained.
Neither here nor there: travels in Europe - Bill Bryson.
It's hilarious how he disses Europeans.
Quote from: Scriptavolant on June 18, 2007, 05:54:57 PM
Edgar Allan Poe's complete poems:
But now, at length, dear Dian sank from sight,
Into a western couch of thunder-cloud;
And thou, a ghost, amid the entombing trees
Didst glide away. Only thine eyes remained.
I love Poe. I even love his early short stories, despite their occasionally flatulent prose and arcane references.
Quote from: Kullervo on June 18, 2007, 10:11:03 PM
I love Poe. I even love his early short stories, despite their occasionally flatulent prose and arcane references.
I appreciate the way he depictes and create such mysterious and uncanny landscapes. His landscapes portraits, in some of his poems, are higly visionary and primordially mournful.
Quote from: Scriptavolant on June 19, 2007, 09:39:29 AM
I appreciate the way he depictes and create such mysterious and uncanny landscapes. His landscapes portraits, in some of his poems, are higly visionary and primordially mournful.
I agree, though it's easy for me to agree with anyone whom has such a cool "Shining" avatar,
Scriptavolant (Vote
Jack for King!)
Quote from: Arthur, King of the BritonsYou don't vote for kings.
Help! I'm being oppressed!
Quote from: Haffner on June 19, 2007, 11:21:23 AM
Wheeeee!
I smell a
coup d'état in the making... ;)
I'm reading a collection of Gogol's short stories. Very funny and odd.
Quote from: Harry on June 11, 2007, 03:00:13 AM
I am currently re-reading "'Oscar Wilde" by Richard Ellmann.
A fascinating book, about a fascinating man.
Love that one too. Must re-read it one day...
i'm about to finish the hobbit & tomorrow i'll start gravity's rainbow by thomas pynchon. & from what i've read about gravity's rainbow, i'll have to re-read it a couple more times before i can follow what goes on lol :P
I'm a page late for this, but I also love Poe's stories. They're beautifully complemented by Harry Clarke's illustrations, if you can get hold of an illustrated edition. The Assignation is an amazing little piece of breathless heightened prose.
I just finished Ian Buruma's Murder in Amsterdam: the murder of Theo van Gogh and the limits of tolerance. I picked this up in lieu of Aayan Hirsi Ali's book Infidel; she recently toured the US promoting her book, so there was a bit of a waiting list at the library for infidel.
Buruma's book seems to be balanced and objective, so it's probably good to read it before Hirsi Ali's book.
Plague, a Story of Science, Rivalry and The Scourge that Won't Go Away.
by Edward Marriott
The one thing (among zillions of others) I learned was this: If the rats start dying, run away! When the rats are dead, the ravenous disease-carrying fleas are famished and looking for a new host, i.e., YOU!!!
The Western 1/2 of the US has had cases of Bubonic plague throughout the 20th century. What concerns scientists is the fact that worldwide the disease can go into hiding for years, then come roaring to life decimating a population.
I love to read nonfiction and am now reading a second book on the same subject:
Plague, the Mysterious Past and Terrifying Future of the World's Most Dangerous
Disease by Wendy Orent.
This book so far is concentrating on Russia and its use of Bubonic plague as one of the biological weapons buildup in the cold war.
Thanks to Sonic Man for both of these selections.
If only he'd write poems, we could have Carmina Buruma . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on June 20, 2007, 09:50:19 AM
If only he'd write poems, we could have Carmina Buruma . . . .
O, Fortuyn! (Pim, that is.)
Quote from: Joan on June 20, 2007, 08:18:50 PM
O, Fortuyn! (Pim, that is.)
Someone should write an opera based on Fortuyn.
Charles Dickens.
The Pickwick Papers.
That's what I call a book, and a good book, and a unsurpassed writer. :)
Quote from: Harry on June 21, 2007, 02:38:21 AM
Charles Dickens.
The Pickwick Papers.
That's what I call a book, and a good book, and a unsurpassed writer. :)
Seconded wholeheartedly.
Quote from: Florestan on June 21, 2007, 02:56:07 AM
Seconded wholeheartedly.
May 12, 1827. Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P.M.P.C., presiding. The following resolutions unanimously agreed to:-
That this Association has heard read with feelings of unmingled satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper communicated by Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C. entitled "Speculations on the Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some Observations on the Theory of Tittlebats".
Isn't that marvelous writing! :)
Quote from: Anne on June 20, 2007, 06:53:16 AM
Plague, a Story of Science, Rivalry and The Scourge that Won't Go Away...............
Thanks to Sonic Man for both of these selections.
Anne - glad that you're enjoying the books! Please report back on any NEW discoveries in this area - thanks! :D
Quote from: Harry on June 21, 2007, 03:37:18 AM
May 12, 1827. Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P.M.P.C., presiding. The following resolutions unanimously agreed to:-
That this Association has heard read with feelings of unmingled satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper communicated by Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C. entitled "Speculations on the Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some Observations on the Theory of Tittlebats".
Isn't that marvelous writing! :)
The Apotheosis of the
Pushkinisti 8)
Quote from: Kullervo on June 18, 2007, 10:11:03 PM
I love Poe. I even love his early short stories, despite their occasionally flatulent prose and arcane references.
Opium does that to you; read Coleridge for further proof (though I love S.T.C.).
Quote from: SonicMan on June 21, 2007, 04:32:17 AM
Anne - glad that you're enjoying the books! Please report back on any NEW discoveries in this area - thanks! :D
There is presently no vaccine against plague in the US as the previous one has been discarded but there is a new vaccine in the animal trial phase currently being tested.
The following was big news to me: one of my daughters lives in a suburb of Lansing, MI which is home to MSU.
Robert Brubaker, is a Michigan State University professor known as the 'Plague guru" in the US! a quote from Orent's book p. 37
"Brubaker was one of the first scientists in the West to discover that plague had plasmids - those extra rings of DNA outside the plague chromosome that contain some of the germ's most deadly devices."
Quote from: Danny on June 21, 2007, 02:15:07 PM
Opium does that to you; read Coleridge for further proof (though I love S.T.C.).
Or Keats... :)
Quote from: Anne on June 21, 2007, 04:14:43 PM
There is presently no vaccine against plague in the US as the previous one has been discarded but there is a new vaccine in the animal trial phase currently being tested.
The following was big news to me: one of my daughters lives in a suburb of Lansing, MI which is home to MSU.
Robert Brubaker, is a Michigan State University professor known as the 'Plague guru" in the US! a quote from Orent's book p. 37
"Brubaker was one of the first scientists in the West to discover that plague had plasmids - those extra rings of DNA outside the plague chromosome that contain some of the germ's most deadly devices."
Anne - boy, you're really getting into this subject - ;) :) Now talking about
plasmids - this stuff can really get fascinating - but for those 'new' to the unicellular organisms,
bacteria are unicellular but do not have a nucleus (which in more advanced organisms contain the chromosomes); thus, the chromosome(s) simply 'float' w/i the single cell; plasmids are kind of 'accessory' DNA components that are still being investigated, so much to be learned & discovered.
Also for those who may not know 'how' ubiquitous bacteria may be - look at the quote below from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteria) - it is amazing how each of us are so dependent on bacteria! ;D
QuoteThere are approximately 10 times as many bacterial cells as human cells in the human body, with large numbers of bacteria on the skin and in the digestive tract.....
Anne - where are you? ;D Can't believe I was the last one to leave a post here - ;)
The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Blues (2005) by David Evans, who is a Professor of Music at the University of Memphis (he directs an ethnomusicology Ph.D. program there); a well recognized 'expert' in the blues as a teacher, researcher (field work), and performer - can't beat his credentials! :)
About half way through this book - an excellent & short introduction - best for those wanting an 'introduction' to this music; early chapters on the history & types of blues, followed by 'very short' bios on the performers (again, fine for those not familiar w/ these performers); ending chapters on CD recommendations (again brief and basic); in addition, another chapter on further resources, i.e. books, DVDs, web sites, etc.
For those not familiar w/ this music, Evans' book is a good beginning - short & easily understood; there are plenty of other more 'in depth' & 'biographical' sources; also, recommendations for specific recordings can be started w/ Evans' listings, but more detailed books are available; suggestions: 1) All Music Guide to the Blues: The Definitive Guide to the Blues (2003) - ready for a new edition!; and 2) MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide (2002) - not as good w/ mixed reviews. Also, just saw that the Rough Guide series has come out w/ a blues guide - can't comment but will check it out! ;D
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CBAF2B14L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FZCH37CAL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XDGP7DF2L._AA240_.jpg)
Quote from: SonicMan on June 23, 2007, 02:49:48 PM
Anne - where are you? ;D Can't believe I was the last one to leave a post here - ;)
The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Blues (2005) by David Evans, who is a Professor of Music at the University of Memphis (he directs an ethnomusicology Ph.D. program there); a well recognized 'expert' in the blues as a teacher, researcher (field work), and performer - can't beat his credentials! :)
About half way through this book - an excellent & short introduction - best for those wanting an 'introduction' to this music; early chapters on the history & types of blues, followed by 'very short' bios on the performers (again, fine for those not familiar w/ these performers); ending chapters on CD recommendations (again brief and basic); in addition, another chapter on further resources, i.e. books, DVDs, web sites, etc.
For those not familiar w/ this music, Evans' book is a good beginning - short & easily understood; there are plenty of other more 'in depth' & 'biographical' sources; also, recommendations for specific recordings can be started w/ Evans' listings, but more detailed books are available; suggestions: 1) All Music Guide to the Blues: The Definitive Guide to the Blues (2003) - ready for a new edition!; and 2) MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide (2002) - not as good w/ mixed reviews. Also, just saw that the Rough Guide series has come out w/ a blues guide - can't comment but will check it out! ;D
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CBAF2B14L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FZCH37CAL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XDGP7DF2L._AA240_.jpg)
Thanks for the info Dave. I'm enjoying your Blues/Bluegrass/Trad. Country' journey.
I, like you, love to delve into different musical genres and buy the boxsets and books and throughly immerse myself in the culture and artists of it all. Its alot of fun and mu fave hobby :)
I'm currently considering the Big Bands from the 40s as my next project.
Back On Topic I'm currently reading this:
(http://www.robertsenslerpresents.com/images/wpe1D.jpg)
Its good but mainly reads as a long gripe about Tina Sinatra's third stepmother. Evil personified apparently. There are a number of enjoyable annecdotes too. :)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on June 23, 2007, 02:58:01 PM
Thanks for the info Dave. I'm enjoying your Blues/Bluegrass/Trad. Country' journey.
I, like you, love to delve into different musical genres and buy the boxsets and books and throughly immerse myself in the culture and artists of it all. Its alot of fun and mu fave hobby :)
I'm currently considering the Big Bands from the 40s as my next project.
Back On Topic I'm currently reading this:
(http://www.robertsenslerpresents.com/images/wpe1D.jpg)
Its good but mainly reads as a long gripe about Tina Sinatra's third stepmother. Evil personified apparently. There are a number of enjoyable annecdotes too. :)
Hello,
SW - just re-exploring my 'other' musical interests (which I do every 3-4 years - been delayed a little because of the 'classical' music forum) - love
Sinatra and have finally converted my wife over to his 'greatness' - believe she was too influenced by his background & presumed Mafia connections - don't care since the issue is his voice! :D I've not read the book mentioned, but have looked @ the reviews and guess it just did not interest me. Dave :)
Quote from: SonicMan on June 23, 2007, 02:49:48 PM
Anne - where are you? ;D Can't believe I was the last one to leave a post here - ;)
Hi!
Thank you for shedding some light on plasmids. This second book I'm reading, Plague by Wendy Orent is more technical regarding the incredible adjustments that the plague bacterium uses to defeat man's immune system.
Before I'm finished, I'll have to draw a picture for myself. I like the comparison of a plane coming in under the radar. No wonder the deaths occur so swiftly! A person is almost dead before the immune system knows there's an enemy even on the horizon!
Yops, the V antigen, Lipid A. These plus other things have to go into the picture. It is fascinating how Y. pestis has so many methods at its disposal for killing other cells. It really is a professional killing machine.
I was reading the book and that's why I had not replied.
Vladimir Motin says, "Yersinia pestis is the yardstick. It is the deadliest of all disease agents, the one by which all other germs are measured."
Paul Theroux-Fong and the Indians
Wodehouse, The Mating Season
Characteristically brilliant.
Last night, I read "Candide" by Voltaire. It is quite a hilarious satire, poking fun at the overly optimistic philosophy of Leibniz and at the culture of its time. The story sends its characters through a ridiculous array of misfortunes, with the naive Candide believing almost to the end that this is the best of all possible worlds. In April, the University of Utah School of Music is presenting Bernstein's opera on the subject; I will be looking forward to seeing their production. I'm glad I finally got around to reading it (somehow, I managed to miss out on it in college).
Heather
Death in Venice by Thomas Mann
8)
You do mean, Der Tod in Venedig? You should be reading it in German ;D
Quote from: karlhenning on June 25, 2007, 10:28:23 AM
Wodehouse, The Mating Season
Characteristically brilliant.
Told you so:
QuoteHe concluded by announcing sombrely that the first item on the programme would be a Violin Solo by Miss Eustacia Pulbrook, managing to convey the suggestion that, while he knew as well as we did that Eustacia was going to be about as corny as they come, he advised us to make the most of her, because after that we should have the Kegley-Bassington family at our throats.
Except for knowing that when you've heard one, you've heard them all, I'm not really an authority on violin solos, so cannot state definitely whether La Pulbrook's was or was not a credit to the accomplices who had taught her the use of the instrument. It was loud in spots and less loud in other spots, and it had the quality which I have noticed in all violin solos, of seeming to last much longer than it actually did . . . .
Quote from: Steve on June 25, 2007, 10:39:54 PM
You do mean, Der Tod in Venedig? You should be reading it in German ;D
Ich kann nicht :(
Quote from: Kullervo on June 26, 2007, 05:21:10 AM
Ich kann nicht :(
O, reading German is nothing, writing it is horror.
Quote from: karlhenning on June 26, 2007, 05:14:32 AM
Told you so:
Quoteit had the quality which I have noticed in all violin solos, of seeming to last much longer than it actually did . . . .
;D ;D
A short bio on Washington as we are going to make Mt. Vernon one of our stops while visiting the east coast:
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HR3E3CARL._AA240_.jpg)
Quote"...it had the quality which I have noticed in all violin solos, of seeming to last much longer than it actually did...
Must've been one of Reger's.
Sarge
Reger, at King's Deverill? I can scarce believe it! 8)
Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices
That, if I then had waked after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,
The clouds methought would open and show riches
Ready to drop upon me; that, when I waked,
I cried to dream again
The Tempest
I am still reading this:
(http://www.bibleandscience.com/bible/reviews/images/unearthed.jpg)
It's great, one of the best books about archaeological subjects I have read (and I have read many because that's a very strong hobby interest of mine).
What's the symbol on the cover of?
It's a royal seal from the era of Jeroboam II, king of Israel ca. 788-747 BCE. Why do you ask?
Quote from: M forever on June 27, 2007, 07:59:58 AM
It's a royal seal from the era of Jeroboam II, king of Israel ca. 788-747 BCE. Why do you ask?
My brother used to have that as his wallpaper, and wanted me to try and do some things with it in photoshop. I never really asked what it was.
Quote from: Bogey on June 27, 2007, 06:29:27 AM
A short bio on Washington as we are going to make Mt. Vernon one of our stops while visiting the east coast:
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HR3E3CARL._AA240_.jpg)
Bill - excellent book - read that earlier in the year, but can't remember if I posted? ::) I need to get back to Mt. Vernon soon - like to see that new museum that has opened there - BTW, not sure 'which' route you are taking through Virginia, but I just returned from the Charlottesville area and left a few comments on the Vacation Advisory Thread (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,1307.0.html) - have a great time - Dave :)
Great book - very well written on another group of founding fathers I know very little about
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/5113TKZ0K7L._SS500_.jpg)
Some mighty tempting reading, I see here.
Quote from: karlhenning on June 27, 2007, 09:37:07 AM
Some mighty tempting reading, I see here.
Karl,
The Washington biography is a concise read of only about 270 pages....I am only 30 pages or so in, but am enjoying it and impressed with the detail that still is retained in the text. Not the mammoth read you get from say Flexner's effort, of which I still need to read 2 volumes of, but one worth taking in IMO based on my start.
(http://www.timeout.com/img/19639/w199/image.jpg)
A friend gave me this as a surprise ... great bloke, great gift 0:). I've been reading it a little at a time which isn't doing justice to the book. 15 minutes or so a night breaks any narrative momentum and I can never remember the characters in all that Pynchonesque complexity. So now that I'm on a break, I'm going to finish it in one go.
So far, I'm enjoying it: the encyclopaedic scope, a Sue-reading dog, the odd song-and-dance routine, the crazy merging of history and anachronism. I remember a discussion on the old board when it first came out and I think there were some pretty negative reviews (not by GMGers, but published ones). I'm only about 1/5 of the way through, but aside from a couple of iffy moments - and these are only a sentence or so - I think it's great. I do, however, think the analogy to contemporary affairs (terror, paranoia, that kind of thing) is a little heavy-handed, but I'll reserve judgement until I finish the book.
Anyone else read this yet?
Finally getting around to reading this...
(http://www.longitudebooks.com/images/book_large/MDE20.jpg)
Not only did he change the course of history, but he was a brilliant writer as well. What a remarkable man!
Treadgold, Warren. A history of the Byzantine state and society. Stanford, CA: Stanford UP, 1997.
I like it well-enough and think it's pretty good, but I am almost graduated with my A.B. in Classics, having been steeped in such page-turners as Andrew Wallace-Hadrill's Houses and Society in Pompeii and Herculaneum and Sir Ronald Syme's The Roman Revolution.
I'd say, though, for a general-interest reading, that you'd be better off shelling out for Lord Norwich's three-volume set. He tells the story in a more narrative and episodic way. Treadgold (and, for that matter, Ostrogorsky) doesn't fool around with neat stories. Of course, Treadgold is trying to get about 1200 years into about a thousand pages with an eye toward completeness - relative to both state structure and cultural issues.
Quote from: Novitiate on June 30, 2007, 08:01:06 PMSo far, I'm enjoying it: the encyclopaedic scope, a Sue-reading dog, the odd song-and-dance routine, the crazy merging of history and anachronism. I remember a discussion on the old board when it first came out and I think there were some pretty negative reviews (not by GMGers, but published ones). I'm only about 1/5 of the way through, but aside from a couple of iffy moments - and these are only a sentence or so - I think it's great. I do, however, think the analogy to contemporary affairs (terror, paranoia, that kind of thing) is a little heavy-handed, but I'll reserve judgement until I finish the book.
Anyone else read this yet?
i'm reading gravity's rainbow which is supposed to be pynchon's masterpiece. i haven't read anything else by him though.
(http://www.psych.mcgill.ca/photos/brain.jpg)
An okay read.
As far as this vein of literature,
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D2BX1A5ZL._AA240_.jpg)
is far superior IMO.
Quote from: Kullervo on July 13, 2007, 06:14:43 PM
Finally getting around to reading this...
(http://www.longitudebooks.com/images/book_large/MDE20.jpg)
Not only did he change the course of history, but he was a brilliant writer as well. What a remarkable man!
A great book. He didn't really change the course of history, though. He led the Arabs in their fight against the Turks, but the Ottoman Empire would have crumbled anyway, and the Arabs were screwed afterwards just as much as they had been before.
But still a great story, although a lot of what's in the book is fairly fictional or rather, he "elaborated" a bit...but a great read nevertheless, and the basis for one of the greatest movies ever made.
Quote from: btpaul674 on July 13, 2007, 09:52:43 PM
(http://www.psych.mcgill.ca/photos/brain.jpg)
An okay read.
As far as this vein of literature,
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D2BX1A5ZL._AA240_.jpg)
is far superior IMO.
I really like Anthony Storr's "Music and the Mind" (http://www.amazon.com/Music-Mind-Anthony-Storr/dp/0006861865/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/104-3361165-6743966?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184418745&sr=8-5)
Just finished Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach. A great quick read. Recommended.
I just finished Carlos Ruiz Zafon's "The Shadow of the Wind". It's not a book with a very deep content, but the story is magical and it is very well-written and poetic. Highly recommended! I'm going to Barcelona in one week, and it's often nice to read literature associated with the place you're visiting.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZW20MVENL._AA240_.jpg)
Quote from: Kullervo on July 14, 2007, 05:13:22 AM
I really like Anthony Storr's "Music and the Mind" (http://www.amazon.com/Music-Mind-Anthony-Storr/dp/0006861865/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/104-3361165-6743966?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184418745&sr=8-5)
I read that one in high school. Very informative, and I would also recommend the benchmark "Emotion and Meaning in Music" by Leonard B. Meyer.
Storr's book isn't really along the cognitive vein in comparison to the two I mentioned, but worthwhile.
Huron has a new book in the works dealing with emotion and memory centered around the functions of the amygdala. Fascinating.
Yes, There's lot of those "What are you listening to", "Last movie you watched" etc.
I wanted one about literature, so I decided to start it :D
Currently I'm reading Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I like it, quite interesting.
So, what are you reading? Or have recently read?
EDIT:
Embarrassing.
we have already had that topic :
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,68.0.html (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,68.0.html)
(http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0006545793.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Yeah, I know, extremely mainstream.
Quote from: Kiddiarni on July 16, 2007, 10:58:59 AM
(http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0006545793.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Yeah, I know, extremely mainstream.
Not mainstream, just popular - and with good reason. It's a great book. I recently bought a collection of his short stories but I haven't picked it up yet.
Quote from: Kullervo on July 16, 2007, 11:28:11 AM
Not mainstream, just popular - and with good reason. It's a great book. I recently bought a collection of his short stories but I haven't picked it up yet.
One of those
mustreads. Interesting, he did write other things... I always thought he was a one-hit wonder.
Reading this to my 7 year old at night:
(http://www.dailycal.org/images/art/Orion%20Pitches.jpg)
The War of the World: Twentieth-Century Conflict and the Descent of the West (2006) by Niall Ferguson - 650+ pages of text (not including a LONG intro & ending sections); just getting started (up to the start of WWI) - has received an overall 4* review on Amazon (CLICK on image) w/ several low comments that seem to reflect religious & philosophic differences & opinions - certainly is stimulating, but will be a long read (if I make it! I'm always reading 4-5 books @ any given time & don't finish all of them) - :o 8)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/511DEX86JJL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/War-World-Twentieth-Century-Conflict-Descent/dp/1594201005/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1787848-1538428?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184622307&sr=8-1)
Quote from: bwv 1080 on July 16, 2007, 12:07:02 PM
Reading this to my 7 year old at night:
(http://www.dailycal.org/images/art/Orion%20Pitches.jpg)
Charles Wuorinen make that into an opera, didn't he?
Sonic Man,
I did reply to your post but am wondering if you missed it,
1) because you went out of town or
2) because I made an error posting the reply and my post went inside the box where only the quote from you should have been.
In any event, here is that post again.
-----------------------------------------------------
Anne - where are you? Can't believe I was the last one to leave a post here -
Hi!
Thank you for shedding some light on plasmids. This second book I'm reading, Plague by Wendy Orent is more technical regarding the incredible adjustments that the plague bacterium uses to defeat man's immune system.
Before I'm finished, I'll have to draw a picture for myself. I like the comparison of a plane coming in under the radar. No wonder the deaths occur so swiftly! A person is almost dead before the immune system knows there's an enemy even on the horizon!
Yops, the V antigen, Lipid A. These plus other things have to go into the picture. It is fascinating how Y. pestis has so many methods at its disposal for killing other cells. It really is a professional killing machine.
I was reading the book and that's why I had not replied.
Vladimir Motin says, "Yersinia pestis is the yardstick. It is the deadliest of all disease agents, the one by which all other germs are measured."
I am reading a different book now:
The Great Influenza (The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History) with an afterword on Avian Flu written by John M. Berry author of Rising Tide.
The book begins around 1900 and talks about the fact that medicine had advanced very little in the past 2,000 years. It talks about Wm. Henry Welch, Simon Flexner, John D. Rockefeller, Oswald T. Avery, Wm. Park and Anna Wessel Williams, Rufus Cole, Paul A. Lewis, Richard Shope. It devotes the first 150 out of 461 pages to the early development of medicine and the scientific method in the United States. It also discusses the early competition with France and Germany, the fact that the early US doctors had go to Europe to learn anything useful to medicine as US requirements to be met before attending med school were so lax and pitiful.
From there it begins to talk about the flu and the way it killed so many peoply around the entire world, the fact that it came in waves (first in a milder form), and later in violent form, and the role that our own immune systems played in all this.
Excellent book! I would encourage everyone to read it.
BTW Anne is grandma while I am helping my daughter and family move to a new job. When I return home, I will be Anne again.
Quote from: Kullervo on July 16, 2007, 04:42:13 PM
Charles Wuorinen make that into an opera, didn't he?
Yes, although perhaps it would make a better Tim Burton movie
Quote from: SonicMan on July 16, 2007, 02:04:41 PM
The War of the World: Twentieth-Century Conflict and the Descent of the West (2006) by Niall Ferguson - 650+ pages of text (not including a LONG intro & ending sections); just getting started (up to the start of WWI) - has received an overall 4* review on Amazon (CLICK on image) w/ several low comments that seem to reflect religious & philosophic differences & opinions - certainly is stimulating, but will be a long read (if I make it! I'm always reading 4-5 books @ any given time & don't finish all of them) - :o 8)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/511DEX86JJL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/War-World-Twentieth-Century-Conflict-Descent/dp/1594201005/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1787848-1538428?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184622307&sr=8-1)
Another book on my to read list. Ferguson is brilliant IMO - I think his real talent is combining a deep knowledge of economics with the systems approach of a Braudel and using that to shed new perspectives on seemingly familiar topics.
Quote from: grandma on July 16, 2007, 05:54:05 PM
Sonic Man,
I did reply to your post but am wondering if you missed it,
1) because you went out of town or
2) because I made an error posting the reply and my post went inside the box where only the quote from you should have been.
Grandma - please explain yourself - you (or her) have only 6 posts - I'm usually up on responding to posts but can't remember one from you - please 'reference' the post & I'll be glad to review & respond - thanks. :)
I just finished another good WW2 book - Max Hasting's Armageddon. He does an admiral job of discussing the last year of the war in Europe (from the end of Bagration and Normandy to the fall of Berlin) from both the Eastern and Western sides. Gives the Russians the credit they deserve for destroying the German army - he convincingly illustrates how the Russians by 1944 had the most effective ground army in the war, contrasted to the politically motivated and timid maneuvers of the Western allies after the breakout from Normandy. Spotlights little known areas of the West, such as Holland's Hunger Winter and the fighting to clear out the estuaries into Antwerp. Balances the reality of Russian atrocities in Germany, notably East Prussia with those committed in Russia by the Germans.
Bernstein-Joan Peyser
Quote from: karlhenning on July 17, 2007, 08:21:15 AM
And . . . is it any good?
Yes,she really captures the tenor of the times that Bernstein was trying to establish himself in.
Quote from: SonicMan on July 16, 2007, 06:23:28 PM
Grandma - please explain yourself - you (or her) have only 6 posts - I'm usually up on responding to posts but can't remember one from you - please 'reference' the post & I'll be glad to review & respond - thanks. :)
Sonic Man,
Anne and grandma are one and the same person. I am helping my daughter and her family by babysitting (4-yr-old and 14-month-old) while the family relocates from Wilmington, NC to O'Fallon Il.
Before I left home to come to O'Fallon, I should have signed out of gmg but I forgot. Consequently the only way I am able to post is by becoming a new persona. The new persona is named "grandma." I will be using that name until I go home July 28th. After that date, at home with my own computer, I will again post under the name "Anne."
The reason "grandma" has only 6 posts is because she just came into existence this week while I have been in O'Fallon.
If you look at reply # 324 on June 24, 2007 at 10:42:41 am on this thread you will see that it is the reply I mentioned in my last last post as grandma (on July 17, 2007 11:54:05).
Quote from: grandma on July 17, 2007, 02:08:51 PM
Anne and grandma are one and the same person. I am helping my daughter and her family by babysitting (4-yr-old and 14-month-old) while the family relocates from Wilmington, NC to O'Fallon Il.
......If you look at reply # 324 on June 24, 2007 at 10:42:41 am on this thread you will see that it is the reply I mentioned in my last last post as grandma (on July 17, 2007 11:54:05).
Anne, a.k.a. Grandma, thanks for the explanation - my fault for not reading the other posts closely - looking forward to your return under your 'old name' - good luck in you role as 'babysitter' - I'm sure that it is hectic but enjoyable - Dave :D
(http://www2.wwnorton.com/cover/006498.jpg)
Collected Steven J Gould - "The Richness of Life"
Reading this because I'm supposed to be reviewing it for a low-grade Dublin paper :P. Not really digging it that much, to be honest.
Gould seems to have been much more of an institution in the States than 'round these parts. Perhaps that justifies the third of the book dedicated to his homely yarns about baseball and history. Great pieces here and there though. And a nice chunky extract from The Structure of Evolutionary Theory - conveys the impenetrability of the full work admirably >:D.
Also, annoying introductions to each section by Steven Rose, setting up Gould as someone rather different to who he actually was.
Currently reading this for the 3rd time. Its nasty and paints the blackest portrait possible but its still entertaining :P
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0553265156.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 17, 2007, 04:05:12 PM
Currently reading this for the 3rd time. Its nasty and paints the blackest portrait possible but its still entertaining :P
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0553265156.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
According to my calculations, all you need now is the pajamas and you'll have all things Frank. ;D
Quote from: SonicMan on July 17, 2007, 02:17:03 PM
Anne, a.k.a. Grandma, thanks for the explanation - my fault for not reading the other posts closely - looking forward to your return under your 'old name' - good luck in you role as 'babysitter' - I'm sure that it is hectic but enjoyable - Dave :D
Dave,
I am glad we are communicating again. I do blame myself for not correcting my post earlier. Any more good books to recommend?
Quote from: George on July 17, 2007, 06:27:37 PM
According to my calculations, all you need now is the pajamas and you'll have all things Frank. ;D
;D
Well, I've resisted buying these :P
(http://www.bestcollectables.com/images/barbies/sinatra.JPG)
(http://www.latoys.com/barbie/s26419.jpg)
Just the music and books for me ;)
;)
Starting in on this new comic series from DC:
(http://willeisner.com/spirit/images/cv_spirit1b_cooke_150.jpg)
More about the character here:
http://willeisner.com/spirit/index.html
Almost finishing Stephen Jay Gould's "The structure of the theory of evolution". Perhaps too long but fascinating.
I started to reread The Good Soldier Švejk yesterday. Extremely childish it may be, but it's scabrously funny and often very much to the point...
Has anyone read À rebours by Joris-Karl Huysmans?
Quote from: sidoze on July 19, 2007, 03:46:34 AM
Has anyone read À rebours by Joris-Karl Huysmans?
I've started reading it but never finished. :)
Quote from: val on July 19, 2007, 12:53:58 AM
Almost finishing Stephen Jay Gould's "The structure of the theory of evolution". Perhaps too long but fascinating.
Lol..good luck with that. It's almost like he's trying to be impenetrable with that book... so differently written to his popular science stuff.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/5108PHW65RL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Not a light read at all, but totally worth it! I'd reccommend it to anyone.
This book is so-so reading, but as most of you have guessed, I Believe.
Quote from: Tancata on July 19, 2007, 04:01:39 AM
Lol..good luck with that. It's almost like he's trying to be impenetrable with that book... so differently written to his popular science stuff.
That can be a tough (and somewhat dubious) book. But just try Hegel's
Philosophy of History!
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FC974YS4L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
BWV's mention of Haroun and the Sea of Stories prompted me to pick it up from the library. I've read about half of it so far and I love it.
Saint-Exupery's Flight to Arras
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0345322797.01.LZZZZZZZ.gif)
From an Amazon reviewer:
Santoli presents one of the best views of the Vietnam war in his simple approach that says far more than many of the other accounts. It takes a look at 33 people from soldiers to CIA to nurses and tracks their experiences in a memoir form of the war. These are sometimes very short no more than a page and the longest ranges about 10 pages. It is very clearly written and the interviews are top notch. It is one of the few books that shows how horrifying it was to be a non combatant as well as a combatant. The nature of the war is expressed clearer here than most books that focus on a specific battle.
The Devils by Dostoevsky, as translated by David Magarshack.
And yes, it is good.
Also, just finished Bread and Wine by Ignazio Silone.
(http://www.mindbird.com/4eaa68aa0.jpg)
A masterpiece, I tell you!
finished Gravity's Rainbow... that is one very STRANGE book! I'd read it again & again though, I like the dark humour. Now I'm on to:
(http://www.blackrosebooks.net/histcanb.gif)
I've read part of it before; hopefully I can make it all the way through this time! Mel Watkins (one of a few people who could be called "Canada's Chomsky") wrote the following in the intro: "the Social Science Federation of Canada decides to honour the 20 most outstanding books among the some 2,000 titles that have been subsidized over the 50 years in which this has been done. Two books in Canadian economic history make the list. The first is the monumental Fur Trade in Canada by the great Harold Innis. The second is History of Canadian Business 1867-1914 by R.T. Naylor. Enough said. Read on."
It's also the book that has the following as an epigram:
Quote"Independence is a farce. Canada must belong either to the British system or the American system... If we had to make the choice between independence and annexation, I would rather that we should have annexation and join with the United States at once." -- John A MacDonald, Canada's 1st Prime Minister
Quote from: biber fan on July 22, 2007, 12:25:12 AM
finished Gravity's Rainbow... that is one very STRANGE book! I'd read it again & again though, I like the dark humour.
Hey, biber fan, the first time I read
Gravity's Rainbow, I didn't get it at all, and thought, huh? Then I read it again without trying to make logical sense of it and enjoyed it a lot more.
To those asinine people who claim that Americans 'don't do irony,' I say, 'two words: Thomas Pynchon' :D.
I'm in a bit of a bind at the moment. I read most of
Against the Day on holiday at my dad's and couldn't be bother lugging it back for the last 100 pages or so, but can't seem to find it in any library here :'(. And my memory being what it is, I've already forgotten what's happened in the book so far :-\.
BTW Against the Day is on sale at Amazon (US) for $7
Why are Pynchon's books always overprinted? Mason & Dixon and Vineland were also available in the bargain bin within a year of their publication.
Tremendous Inspiration for me!
This week's Economist :)
Ubik by Philip K. Dick.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/wachiso/ubik-british.jpg)
Quote from: Tancata on July 24, 2007, 09:34:06 AM
Ubik by Philip K. Dick.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/wachiso/ubik-british.jpg)
Loved the little I have read of him.
Quote from: Bogey on July 24, 2007, 09:52:42 AM
Loved the little I have read of him.
Yeah, he was a brilliant writer. He wrote a lot of stuff, some of it less brilliant than the rest, but all of it unique. What ones have you read?
A Scanner Darkly,
The Man in the High Castle, and
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? are my favourites, but this one is very promising so far. There's also
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said, which is built around the music of Dowland and Wagner...very cool, but probably not his greatest.
(http://padovacultura.padovanet.it/homepage-6.0/libro-pievani-thumb.jpg)
Practically, a pamphlet against the new Intelligent Design drift, collusions between the Church and the Italian politics and so on with the music; the author is a philosopher of science/biology who teaches in the College I graduated at.
I've only just started reading this, but I've read one of this author's other books and I enjoyed it.
(http://www.buildersbooksource.com/booksite/images/items/0520230604.jpg)
This one is not so much about the science behind the 1906 quake, but about how the citizens of San Francisco - particularly those with positions of responsibility and power - couldn't get their acts together to deal with the disaster and therefore allowed the situation to become far worse than it would have from just a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. So far, the tone is reminding me a lot of how people discuss how Katrina was dealt with (even though this book was written before Katrina!), and I think there are lots of interesting and important parallels to be seen there.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on July 24, 2007, 07:42:45 AM
BTW Against the Day is on sale at Amazon (US) for $7
Why are Pynchon's books always overprinted? Mason & Dixon and Vineland were also available in the bargain bin within a year of their publication.
the penguin 20th-century version of gravity's rainbow is said to be the definitive version for some reason, if that means anything.
Quote from: Haffner on July 24, 2007, 09:30:11 AM
Tremendous Inspiration for me!
One of the most beautiful books I've ever read! :)
Quo Vadis
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KH7D2SZNL._AA240_.jpg)
Amazing! This is the second time Sienkiewicz has been mentioned in this thread! I am about to faint.......... ;D
(Quo vadis is probably my favorite novel of his, BTW.)
This:
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZJ5P41XHL._AA240_.jpg)
I so much prefer to read the letters and diaries of great people, rather than some second-hand, scholarly retelling of their lives.
Quote from: Maciek on July 24, 2007, 02:15:35 PM
Amazing! This is the second time Sienkiewicz has been mentioned in this thread! I am about to faint.......... ;D
(Quo vadis is probably my favorite novel of his, BTW.)
A Masterpiece of Historical Fiction... :)
I'm in a tizzy over 'The Devils' by Dostoevsky.
The plot swirls, the characters get more and more intriguing, and it consistenly offers profound and interesting comments/perspectives that keep my reading.
Good Stuff!
Quote from: Maciek on July 24, 2007, 01:22:46 PM
One of the most beautiful books I've ever read! :)
St. Montfort's
Secret of the Rosary is my
favorite devotional literature.
I have this annoying habit of starting multiple books at once. So I am currently somewhere in the middle of the following:
Dostoevsky: Crime and Punishment. I happen to have a Polish translation, which makes it more difficult to read than in English, but I figured it would be slightly closer to the original than an English version... anyway it is excellent of course.
---
Also:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0375701966.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
There is a Kierkegaard quote just before the text: "... the specific character of despair is precisely this: it is unaware of being despair. "
I was not certain what this means exactly at first, but the theme of the book seems to revolve around the idea that mundaneness and everyday reality is a quiet desperation, or something like that. I am finding a hard time describing it. There is a short article here (http://www.grandpoohbah.net/Grandpoohbah/BookReviews/moviegoer.htm) that explains it quite well. It is fascinating reading.
---
And finally this book, which I picked up for $1 out of curiosity, has been eating away my time the last few days:
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XF2GMY80L._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Unabomber-Desire-Kill-Robert-Graysmith/dp/0895263971)
... the title is silly and so are a few things in the content (sometimes trying to be novel-like or an annoying writing style) but there is a great deal of interesting, detailed information and primary documents, and the whole thing is strangely absorbing. The references to writings by Thoreau, Jacques Ellul and Joseph Conrad and others are quite interesting too. Of course it isn't great literature but oh well. :)
About a month or so ago, I read Patrick Rothfuss (http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/content/index.asp)'s novel Name of the Wind. If you enjoy a good fantasy epic, here is one that is just starting off. It is well written and engaging. Though, many may come off feeling that it is a slightly more adult Harry Potter, but you cannot do a wizard school novel without raising that comparison. It is a very different world though, and one I am looking forward to revisiting in subsequent installments.
(http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/images/page/cover2.jpg)
This excellent complete libretto of the Ring.
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0500281947.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
I'm gradually working my way through the Ring cycle over the next week or so. :)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 25, 2007, 01:20:27 PM
This excellent complete libretto of the Ring.
Does it have pictures from the movie?
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/d7/60/2936024128a00539f1e27010._AA240_.L.jpg)
More here:
http://www.amazon.com/Zimmermann-Telegram-Barbara-W-Tuchman/dp/0345324250
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/61ZJG5MH8CL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
The Areas of My Expertise (http://www.amazon.com/Areas-My-Expertise-John-Hodgman/dp/1594482225/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5459335-1473603?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185458282&sr=1-1) by John Hodgman (who often appears on The Daily Show; you might also know him as the "PC" in those Apple ads). This may well be the stupidest book I have ever encountered, and I mean that in a good way ;D. Deeply silly but with a surprisingly literate wit, it's a "Compendium of All World Knowledge" which manages to cram more gags per page than you'd think possible. Think of something like Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary, modeled on Poor Richard with a post-modern twist. If you're looking for some extremely light summer reading, it's well worth checking out.
Quote from: Tancata on July 24, 2007, 09:57:07 AM
Yeah, he was a brilliant writer. He wrote a lot of stuff, some of it less brilliant than the rest, but all of it unique. What ones have you read? A Scanner Darkly, The Man in the High Castle, and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? are my favourites, but this one is very promising so far. There's also Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said, which is built around the music of Dowland and Wagner...very cool, but probably not his greatest.
Another PKD fan here. Favourite is probably
Valis.
Quote from: Choo Choo on July 27, 2007, 04:54:45 AM
Another PKD fan here. Favourite is probably Valis.
Same here,
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said,
Radio Free Albemuth and
A Scanner Darkly are probably my favorites.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on July 27, 2007, 05:57:21 AM
Same here, Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said, Radio Free Albemuth and A Scanner Darkly are probably my favorites.
How is this movie?
Reading this again, and it's even better with each revisitation:
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41wfVdvfflL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
It's a sorry reflection on the state of things, to see how the Shostakovich Wars play out in amazon.com "reviews" of this book.
Quote from: George on July 27, 2007, 06:00:37 AM
How is this movie?
It was good. The most faithful PKD adaptation yet.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on July 27, 2007, 06:09:15 AM
It was good. The most faithful PKD adaptation yet.
Thanks. I have been considering it.
Theodore Dreiser-Jennie Gerhardt
Great stuff.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on July 27, 2007, 06:09:15 AM
It was good. The most faithful PKD adaptation yet.
Yeah, it was quite good and followed the book very closely. A bit too closely, I thought, since a lot of the really trippy stuff in the book didn't (IMO) transfer very well to the screen given the literalist adaptation.
Quote from: karlhenning on July 27, 2007, 06:03:13 AM
Reading this again, and it's even better with each revisitation:
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41wfVdvfflL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
It's a sorry reflection on the state of things, to see how the Shostakovich Wars play out in amazon.com "reviews" of this book.
I haven't read the book, but it appears to me that the criticism that she only used "official" sources is somewhat valid (if that is what she indeed does in the book), especially given the "realistic" nature of these during Soviet times. There may be a need for something like that after all the controversy around "Testimony" though. How would you reply to those negative reviews?
I'm nearly through with Quo Vadis. Next up is a reread of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GS6ACR98L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Almost done with 'The Devils' by Fyodor; up next a re-read of "The Idiot" (that's if I don't burn out of Dostoevsky again).
I have just read the life of Lucrezia Borgia. I don't know whether or not to be disappointed that she never killed anybody. There were some interesting references to Renaissance music and musicians though. What do we know of the musical entractes written as stage entertainment? The most moving part of the book was the letter to the Pope that Lucrezia dictated on her deathbed. Do you think we should all write to his Holiness?
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YNHE07NHL._AA240_.jpg)
Took this as a summer vacation reading. Turned out to be a pretty good book. The characters are very lifelike, and Ms Nemirovsky's unsentimental writing despite what she probably went through during the same period is extraordinary. Recommended! (Altough it is incomplete of course)
The score to Louis Andriessen's Workers' Union (from Donemus), which a friend lent me over the weekend. Fascinating to see the instructions Andriessen gives, to create the results he wants.
--Bruce
Quote from: George on July 27, 2007, 06:00:37 AM
How is this movie?
I thought it was horrible, can't even remember if I finished it. But I've never read the book so it might still be a good adaptation.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P-wF-1RvL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Years-War-Trial-Middle/dp/0812218019)
A weighty tome, hope I have the endurance to finish it.
Quote from: Lethe on July 30, 2007, 08:56:36 AM
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P-wF-1RvL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Years-War-Trial-Middle/dp/0812218019)
A weighty tome, hope I have the endurance to finish it.
I read the first one - thought it was excellent. How many volumes will this eventually take him? Vol 1 came out in 1991, 2 came out in 1999 and supposedly 3 is due this year
Sumption is apparantly a prominent attorney in the UK, not a professor:
http://www.brickcourt.co.uk/members.asp?bar_id=9 (http://www.brickcourt.co.uk/members.asp?bar_id=9)
I skipped the first one (I'll definitely get it if vol. 2 is a good read) - I ended up with vol. 2 as I found it second-hand in mint condition for £4 in a charity shop - I love charity shops :D The graphic design on the covers is very clean and good - rare for a history book - it's what made me notice it on the shelf.
I have concerns over how tolerable 3 large volumes might be - my previous biggest read was The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II by Fernand Braudel - and that at least had the benefit of having a wider scope...
Edit: No doubt an abridged version will appear once all the volumes are published - but abridged books are for sissies :D
Quote from: Lethe on July 30, 2007, 09:47:07 AM
I have concerns over how tolerable 3 large volumes might be - my previous biggest read was The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II by Fernand Braudel - and that at least had the benefit of having a wider scope...
You read the full three volumes? Being I merely read the abridged version of that one.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on July 30, 2007, 11:14:37 AM
You read the full three volumes? Being I merely read the abridged version of that one.
Yep, at seperate times. God bless libraries for holding unusual things like that :P I don't think that I took much of it in, though, it became a chore after a while and I skipped a few parts - I think I was trying to prove to myself that I could do it. I should probably go back to it, it'll be easier now I'm a bit older. I own the abridged version too (another cheapo charity shop thing) and wouldn't be without it due to tons of extra photos and nicer paper.
Edit: This is making me want to read both of them now (Hundred Years War and Mediterranean, that is, not both the Mediterranean versions - *shudder*) :(
going to reread Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman. Looking forward to this as when I read it for the first time 5 or 6 years ago I thought it the funniest book I'd ever read (and still do). Will be interested if I'm as positive about it now.
Quote from: sidoze on July 31, 2007, 12:57:51 PM
I thought it the funniest book I'd ever read (and still do).
That would be Without Feathers and Getting Even for me.
Woody's new book came out, but still in hardcover. I have a thing against hardcovers unless they are really thick books. I'll have to wait for the paperback I guess.
(http://www.biography-clarebooks.co.uk/usrimage/cat871.jpg)
This is an early biography of Sinatra by a former aide. Wilson was in Sinatras inner circle for 20+ years then found himself suddenly barred from his concerts and life...he never found out why...
Its a light read with a slightly different take on all the familiar stories. :)
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
For perhaps the 10th time... :)
You chaps have still time reading other than the newspaper?
I am amazed!
Music listening leaves me no time for that, apart from the complete works of Charles Dickens, but that's only natural right?
Quote from: bhodges on July 30, 2007, 06:22:09 AM
The score to Louis Andriessen's Workers' Union (from Donemus), which a friend lent me over the weekend. Fascinating to see the instructions Andriessen gives, to create the results he wants.
--Bruce
Bruce, stop ruining this perfectly decent
DINER thread! People are trying to relax... :P ;)
Quote from: Maciek on July 31, 2007, 01:59:52 PM
Bruce, stop ruining this perfectly decent DINER thread! People are trying to relax... :P ;)
;D
--Bruce
Quote from: orbital on July 31, 2007, 01:03:36 PM
That would be Without Feathers and Getting Even for me.
Woody's new book came out, but still in hardcover. I have a thing against hardcovers unless they are really thick books. I'll have to wait for the paperback I guess.
Or check the Strand?
Quote from: George on August 01, 2007, 05:40:43 AM
Or check the Strand?
Or he could
do the Strand. :D
Quote from: George on August 01, 2007, 05:40:43 AM
Or check the Strand?
yes perhaps, but it is not the price that puts me off. The book seems to be thin, probably 200-250pp. I find hardcovers uncomfortable to read mostly. When the book is 700+pp the paperback versions may have the tendency to disintegrate (particularly with books from Vintage I've found out), so I opt for hardcovers there.
Quote from: orbital on August 01, 2007, 08:53:51 AM
yes perhaps, but it is not the price that puts me off. The book seems to be thin, probably 200-250pp. I find hardcovers uncomfortable to read mostly. When the book is 700+pp the paperback versions may have the tendency to disintegrate (particularly with books from Vintage I've found out), so I opt for hardcovers there.
Gotcha!
Just finished the last Harry Potter book and John Sanfords "Invisible Prey"
Yes, they were both good.
Just picked up Taras Bulba today. If it's anything like the other Gogol I've read, it'll be a quick read.
Quote from: Kullervo on August 01, 2007, 05:31:08 PM
Just picked up Taras Bulba today. If it's anything like the other Gogol I've read, it'll be a quick read.
A masterpiece; I love the intro when he wrestles his oldest son. Really sets the pace for the rest of the story.
Right now am reading "The Idiot" by Fedya. "The Devils" convinced me to give the other a re-read.
I think I've read very few books that were at perceptive, profound, and illuminating as "The Devils." The Stavrogins, Verkhonevskys, Shatov, and Kirilov are, perhaps, the most intriguing and thought-provoking group of characters I've come across.
You might even say that the book predicted all of the turmoil that would later happen "from May to October."
Quote from: Maciek on July 31, 2007, 01:59:52 PM
Bruce, stop ruining this perfectly decent DINER thread! People are trying to relax... :P ;)
Yeah, relaxation is all we can do in this stifling heat.
Currently poring over this classic:
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/514DYP1NC7L._AA240_.jpg)
A fine book that includes Berlioz's severed head and a cameo from Dr. Stravinsky. :)
Arnold Jacobs the Legacy of a Master the Personal and Pedagogical Recollections of 31 of His Colleagues Students and Friends
Collected by M. Dee Stewart
Every serious brass player should read this book. Truly, if you want an insight to the world of brass playing, read it.
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0500281947.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Part II of "The Idiot" by Fedya. So far, a much more enjoyable and exciting re-read, even if I think it lacks the vitality and intellectual power of "The Devils."
Picked this up when I was at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, AR, recently, and just started reading it:
(http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/clinton/images/tradecvr.gif)
about to finish The Third Policeman--not quite so funny after 5 years, which of course is more my fault than his--plan to read the complete works of Isaac Babel again, one of the most engaging and I'd say natural storytellers I've read. He's slowly, ever so slowly getting some recognition in the west. 1000 pages here I go.
J.K. Rowling.
Harry Potter and the deathly Hallows. ;D
Just finished(http://images.play.com/covers/3316672m.jpg).
First audio book ever, and Stephen Fry is totally awesome.
Just started (http://www.cccti.edu/LRC/Resources/Pathfinders/Kite%20Runner_files/images/kite%20runner.jpg) and am more than halfway through. Great book.
Quote from: Kiddiarni on August 07, 2007, 12:34:09 PM
Just started (http://www.cccti.edu/LRC/Resources/Pathfinders/Kite%20Runner_files/images/kite%20runner.jpg) and am more than halfway through. Great book.
Quote from: Kiddiarni on August 07, 2007, 12:34:09 PM
Good book, but I found the plot a bit "contrived" at points....still good. I heard his new one out is even better. Where are you at in it?
Finished on the bus from work today. ;D
And am starting this one tomorrow.
(http://www.harperacademic.com/coverimages/large/0060977493.jpg)
Finished Taras Bulba and absolutely loved it! Now onto:
(http://www.anus.com/zine/books/johann_wolfgang_von_goethe-the_sorrows_of_young_werther.jpg)
Quote from: Kiddiarni on August 08, 2007, 10:56:58 AM
(http://www.harperacademic.com/coverimages/large/0060977493.jpg)
I'm just near the end of it. So beautifully written, I'm loving it.
Quote from: Kiddiarni on August 07, 2007, 12:34:09 PM
Just finished(http://images.play.com/covers/3316672m.jpg).
First audio book ever, and Stephen Fry is totally awesome.
A great actor indeed. So, is he reading the whole novel? I wanted to get into the audio book thing a little myself, since I sometimes drive long distances for work, and I don't really enjoy listening to music too much in the car, so having someone read me stories while I am driving seems like an attractive and relaxing idea, or maybe even listening to them on the plane, since I sometimes don't find the concentration to focus on reading a book while flying, but I guess if I had an audio book on a portable player, that might be much easier to relax with.
Euripides' Bacchae
Just finished up the new Potter book....very well done. Now I am at that wonderful point of being able to choose my next book. :)
Yes... I remember reading Harry Potter when I was eight years old...
Quote from: Papageno on August 10, 2007, 05:02:50 PM
Yes... I remember reading Harry Potter when I was eight years old...
So, are you implying that childrens' literature is not worth the adult eye?
Quote from: Bogey on August 10, 2007, 05:25:33 PM
So, are you implying that childrens' literature is not worth the adult eye?
Well, I'd say the adult eye is not woth childrens' literature.
Quote from: Papageno on August 10, 2007, 05:27:48 PM
Well, I'd say the adult eye is not woth childrens' literature.
So, you would disregard Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, Tolkien's The Hobbit, all of Roald Dahl's books,.....etc, due to the fact that you are an adult?
Quote from: Bogey on August 10, 2007, 05:36:20 PM
So, you would disregard Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, Tolkien's The Hobbit, all of Roald Dahl's books,.....etc, due to the fact that you are an adult?
I can't say I know any of those titles, apart from
The Hobbit, which I abandoned half-way through because it was too flat.
Quote from: Papageno on August 10, 2007, 05:39:09 PM
I can't say I know any of those titles, apart from The Hobbit, which I abandoned half-way through because it was too flat.
That is unfortunate, at least IMHO....I believe that childrens' literature has much to offer, at any age. Like all genres, there is good and bad in my opinion, but one should not throw out the good with the "bathwater", if you will. Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to play a game of table hockey with my son. ;) :)
Quote from: Bogey on August 10, 2007, 05:57:53 PM
That is unfortunate, at least IMHO....I believe that childrens' literature has much to offer, at any age. Like all genres, there is good and bad in my opinion, but one should not throw out the good with the "bathwater", if you will. Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to play a game of table hockey with my son. ;) :)
Of course there are exceptions, like Wilde's
The Happy Prince
Various articles from the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association. They have archived their past journals and I am reading various contributins to help determine if I would like to purchase a subscribtion. I am not a big fan of reading on-line articles and would prefer to have copies in a bound format.
http://www.historycooperative.org/jalaindex.html
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51E93C2K3EL._AA240_.jpg)
Chris,
The forward by Sinatra is only a few pages, but well worth your read.
Mine is an older edition, but I am sure that it will do just fine for my purposes.
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Bands-George-Thomas-Simon/dp/0028724305
Quote from: M forever on August 10, 2007, 02:54:20 PM
A great actor indeed. So, is he reading the whole novel? I wanted to get into the audio book thing a little myself, since I sometimes drive long distances for work, and I don't really enjoy listening to music too much in the car, so having someone read me stories while I am driving seems like an attractive and relaxing idea, or maybe even listening to them on the plane, since I sometimes don't find the concentration to focus on reading a book while flying, but I guess if I had an audio book on a portable player, that might be much easier to relax with.
Yes, reading it all, chapter for chapter, and he does it really well I think.
Check it out, it shouldn't disappoint you ;)
Quote from: Kiddiarni on August 11, 2007, 11:48:55 AM
Yes, reading it all, chapter for chapter, and he does it really well I think.
Check it out, it shouldn't disappoint you ;)
I have the fourth book on audio...excellent perfomance.
Just finished rereading Bulgakov's The White Guard in the Glenny translation. I'd forgotten what a powerful book this is.
Just started this:
(http://www.randomhouse.com/images/dyn/cover/?source=9780375759079&height=300&maxwidth=170)
Foucault
(http://www.psypress.com/images/book-img/weblarge/9780415253857.jpg)
First chapter was a bit of a head-fuck, but getting a little easier to assimilate the argument now...
Quote from: Bogey on August 11, 2007, 09:52:02 AM
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51E93C2K3EL._AA240_.jpg)
Chris,
The forward by Sinatra is only a few pages, but well worth your read.
Mine is an older edition, but I am sure that it will do just fine for my purposes.
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Bands-George-Thomas-Simon/dp/0028724305
Thanks for bringing that to my attention Bill.
I'm aware of the book but haven't read it yet :)
Quote from: Peregrine on August 12, 2007, 12:52:45 PM
Foucault
(http://www.psypress.com/images/book-img/weblarge/9780415253857.jpg)
First chapter was a bit of a head-fuck, but getting a little easier to assimilate the argument now...
I once attempted his
Power. Perhaps that was the wrong one to start with but I'm not really sure I care enough to try another.
Quote from: Kullervo on August 12, 2007, 09:13:06 PM
I once attempted his Power. Perhaps that was the wrong one to start with but I'm not really sure I care enough to try another.
Foucault's great fun. He can be wacky and you might not always agree with him, but he's never boring :).
Try
History of Sexuality, the first volume. It's short and more accessible than his other more overtly 'philosophical' works.
Discipline and Punish is cool too, but longer.
Louis Armstrong's New Orleans (2006) by Thomas Brothers- just starting this one today - looks like more of a 'musical history' of early 20th century New Orleans; some great synopsis reviews on the back cover - in paperback - looking forward to the read - :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZNjyymHCL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Quote from: Novitiate on August 13, 2007, 04:21:58 AM
Foucault's great fun. He can be wacky and you might not always agree with him, but he's never boring :).
The only problem is that he very often makes up the historical "data" he uses. Or even worse - makes up new stuff, simultaneously disregarding what is actually available. But he is sometimes very enjoyable, perhaps even more so if you treat his books as fiction. ;)
Quote from: Maciek on August 13, 2007, 01:50:09 PM
The only problem is that he very often makes up the historical "data" he uses. Or even worse - makes up new stuff, simultaneously disregarding what is actually available. But he is sometimes very enjoyable, perhaps even more so if you treat his books as fiction. ;)
Lol, I'm not a historian so it doesn't bother me :P. His 'histories' are a rollicking good read so who cares about methodology? Roll on a new historiographical paradigm!
(just joking, historians :)).
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/5157WF40EML._AA240_.jpg)Very interesting.
This interesting article on Jstor:
"Anton Bruckner in the Third Reich and after: An Essay on Ideology and Bruckner
Reception"
if you wish to read it, download it here (http://xuwubao.googlepages.com/BrucknerandNationalSocialism.pdf)
At present I am about halfway through this (and very much enjoying it) :
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41CqJMd-i1L._AA240_.jpg)
It's the sequel to
Brightness Falls - one of my favourite modern novels - which seemed to me so nearly perfect that I used to buy copies of it to give to people whether they wanted them or not.
The Good Life catches up with the same group of characters 10 years later - which is 10 years on from the market-driven hedonism that formed the background to the earlier book - and to be precise, it catches up with them in downtown NYC on the evening of the 10th September 2001. One of them has an appointment for a breakfast meeting the following morning in the
Windows On The World restaurant in the WTC.
What I love about McInerney's writing is the intelligence behind the apparent simplicity. Like all his work, it's very easy to read, yet precise and sensitive, without tipping over into sentimentality. The author's voice remains neutral, even in the ruthlessness with which some frankly disagreeable characters are depicted. He focusses power through accuracy of expression rather than dissipating it through overwriting.
Here's a short excerpt, which just happens to be a bit that I was reading last night. It's two weeks later - during which time one of the characters has been helping at a volunteer station near Ground Zero - late in the night before the markets and businesses are to open again for the first time the following morning:
Quote They sat in silence as the darkness began to seep away, watching as the silhouettes of office buildings emerged against the dingy backdrop of the predawn sky. Corinne registered a moment of perfect stillness, a silent pause marking the transition from night to day, which was punctuated by the distant, rising growl of diesel engines and the percussion of steel on steel, the relentless work resuming.
This morning would carry a different sound, a distant rumbling undergound from the subway tunnels on either side of the park, followed by the faint, swelling tattoo of leather soles and heels on concrete stairs as the first wave of office workers surged up and spilled out on Broadway. Men and women with briefcases, backpacks, and portfolios, early risers come to restart the great wounded machine of Wall Street. Receptionists and hedge-fund managers, retail brokers and risk and liability managers, systems analysts and janitors. And suddenly the spell would be broken, the sense that nothing existed outside this sacred, ravaged place.
"I can't imagine going into the office today," Luke said, "or tomorrow or the next day. But then again, I can't imagine what I should be doing. What are we supposed to do now?"
I picked this (http://www.worldwithoutus.com/) up last night.
And a Tony Hillerman mystery.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on August 18, 2007, 07:17:34 AM
I picked this (http://www.worldwithoutus.com/) up last night.
Looks very cool, Dave!
Love that first slide show of NYC.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/ngmg/Laos.jpg)
This is the story of the last major American offensive operation of the war, Dewey Canyon II, which supported a spoiling attack into Laos by several divisions of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). It was both fascinating and deeply disturbing to read about battles I was part of. It brought back bad memories of the draftee army and all the problems we had with race relations and drugs, low morale, the incomprehension and hatred between the draftees and the "lifers" (the career NCOs and officers). It also reminded me that once we left our bases and were committed to battle, most of those problems evaporated and we got the job done.
Our mission was to reopen the road to Khe Sahn and beyond to the Laotian border, and keep it open while the ARVN attacked and destroyed the major supply depots in "neutral" Laos. At the time the press claimed we'd been defeated. Well, we grunts knew differently although most of us believed our allies had had their asses kicked in Laos. The book shows that was a false perception. In fact, the operation did exactly what it was intended to do: we kept the road open despite being surrounded and attacked incessantly, and ARVN destroyed the depots. The North Vietnamese lost half the forces they had in Laos, nearly 20,000 killed (as opposed to 2100 ARVN and some 250 Americans). The operation prevented North Vietnam from invading that year.
The ARVN troops had, by and large, fought extremely well even though some of their generals were incompetent. They were confident enough to repulse the invasion when it did come the following year (after most of the American troops were gone) and fought on bravely and successfully, and alone, for the next two years.
Sarge
Quote from: George on August 18, 2007, 07:29:13 AM
Looks very cool, Dave!
Love that first slide show of NYC.
I can't imagine a world without us, George, but I guess anything's possible.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/419DNWKRDCL._SS500_.jpg)
(http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n0/n1808.jpg)
Quote from: Danny on August 20, 2007, 02:29:54 AM
(http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n0/n1808.jpg)
Oh yeah, I love Graham Greene, Catholic angst and all ;D.
Sarge, nice to see you back! :D And thanks for the review - very interesting read.
Quote from: Corey on August 18, 2007, 08:13:16 AM
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/419DNWKRDCL._SS500_.jpg)
Why give any creedence to the writings of a Nazi?
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/apr2000/heid-a03.shtml (http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/apr2000/heid-a03.shtml)
Quote from: bwv 1080 on August 20, 2007, 08:41:58 AM
Why give any creedence to the writings of a Nazi?
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/apr2000/heid-a03.shtml (http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/apr2000/heid-a03.shtml)
I know he supported the Nazis. Is reading him necessarily an endorsement of his theories? I am only curious.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on August 20, 2007, 08:41:58 AM
Why give any creedence to the writings of a Nazi?
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/apr2000/heid-a03.shtml (http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/apr2000/heid-a03.shtml)
Why not? Charles Lindbergh, for instance, is still seen as a national hero here, the local airport is named after him, and he was very sympathetic to ideas associated with the NS ideology. Or take Henry Ford, he even recieved a medal from Hitler and continued to make money from his factory shares in Germany even when the US was already at war with them. Or people like Washington and Jefferson, all slave holders, they are even on the money, among many other things.
Quote from: Corey on August 18, 2007, 08:13:16 AM
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/419DNWKRDCL._SS500_.jpg)
How is that?
Quote from: Corey on August 20, 2007, 08:47:45 AM
I know he supported the Nazis. Is reading him necessarily an endorsement of his theories? I am only curious.
ITSM the standard should be higher for someone who held himself out as a philosopher and moral thinker. I have no regard for George Bernard Shaw (an avid supporter of Stalin) for the same reason.
If one cannot get something as basic as Hitler or Stalin right, what good is anything else in that person's worldview?
No one in the US admires Lindbergh for his mind or political thinking.
Washington and Jefferson both were born into a slave-holding society and had serious problems with the institution (albeit Jefferson was more or less a hypocrite whose personal conduct came nowhere near the principles he espoused). Hamilton, as the most ardent abolitionist of the US founding fathers deserves a better place in history than he got.
W.B. Yeats was a supporter of ethnic cleansing and eugenics later in life. His world view was essential to his poetry. Does this completely invalidate the artistic merit of his poetry? I don't think so.
ESTEBAN BUCH: Le Cas Schönberg.
The first part is a review of the critics that Schönberg received during his life. Not very interesting since I already knew most of them. I hope it gets better when we enter in the analysis of the works.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51f2xhsXaHL._AA240_.jpg)
Enjoying this one much more than Kite Runner....less contrived feeling and a nice pace about it.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KNDCF6EDL._AA240_.jpg)
(http://www.cs.nyu.edu/~rastogi/blog/jottings/uploaded_images/end_affair-762005.jpg)
Quote from: Corey on August 20, 2007, 08:47:45 AM
Is reading him [Heidegger] necessarily an endorsement of his theories?
I think
no is the answer, for the simple reason that reading Heidegger is not possible by definition :D
But since we're in topic, I'm reading some Primo Levi: "If this is a man?" and "The truce". I've read these at least 20 times, but they never stop to challenge me.
Quote from: Scriptavolant on August 24, 2007, 01:33:31 PM
I think no is the answer, for the simple reason that reading Heidegger is not possible by definition :D
Only Hegel could be more difficult than Heidegger. But at least I feel as though I get something
out of Hegel; Heidegger (like Sartre) mostly reads like warmed over Nietzsche and Kierkegaard.
Theodore Dreiser-Twelve Men
Jose Saramago - Blindness (1995).
I'm only halfway through, but totally caught up in this scary and very pessimistic novel.
A filmed adaptation is in the works, with Julianne Moore and Gael Garcia Bernal. To be released next year. Obviously it won't give any approximation of Saramago's very special writing style...
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on August 25, 2007, 07:07:24 AM
Jose Saramago - Blindness (1995).
I'm only halfway through, but totally caught up in this scary and very pessimistic novel.
A filmed adaptation is in the works, with Julianne Moore and Gabriel Garcia Bernal. To be released next year. Obviously it won't give any approximation of Saramago's very special writing style...
Yes, it's good isn't it? There's a sequel to it,
Seeing, published a couple of years ago, but I haven't read that yet. I wonder how the allegorical nature of the novel translates onto the screen. In any case, Gabriel Garca Bernal's always nice to look at.
Emmett Fox, The Sermon on the Mount -- for about the tenth time. Yes.
The Bourne Identity. No.
Even more inspiring than I expected!
Theodore Dreiser-An American Tragedy
The Cobra Event by Richard Preston (author of The Hot Zone. I started it last night and it kept me awake until 2:00 am. It concerns the CDC and biological warfare. Preston does not "dumb down" the subject. The book even has a glossary. You will likely learn a few new vocabulary words but not excessively so. His writing style is gripping from the first paragraph.
Preston's brother is an Md; I wouldn't be surprised if brother helped here and there on medical subjects.
If you haven't tried this author, give him a chance.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on August 20, 2007, 08:41:58 AM
Why give any creedence to the writings of a Nazi?
I don't see what the problem is. Should all books written by Nazis be burned then? That's what the Nazis themselves did with stuff they disagreed with. I've had Mein Kampf on my list ever since I read a couple excerpts with the word 'communist' in place of the word 'jew' & noticed an uncanny resemblance to US anti-communist propaganda. (it was a book about US foreign policy since WW2) Just because I'd read Mein Kampf doesn't mean I'd buy into any of Hitler's political "philosophies." There's no conection at all between those things.
The House That George Built: With a Little Help from Irving, Cole, and a Crew of About Fifty by Wilfrid Sheed - new book on the famous early 20th century American 'Tin Pan Alley' composers - CLICK on the image for comments - not too long & wonderful writing w/ great incite & humor - if you like this music, then this book is a MUST reading - enjoy! :D
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G0%2BKOLdCL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/House-That-George-Built-Little/dp/1400061059/ref=sr_1_5/104-7706008-6444722?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188435196&sr=1-5)
(http://www.psychopsychic.com/images/Wise%20Blood.jpg)
A good, sparse read so far. Am wondering how the man who wants to create "a church without Christ" turns out.
Borowski's concentration camp stories.
(http://www.temp.sfbok.se/kat/img/43221.jpg)
I just read Sergei Dovlatov's collection of stories and short novels (Suitcase, the Compromise, A foreign Woman, etc)
Very interesting author, very cool stuff. Its great that I could relate to what he described.
With me, a good reading is whenever you read something, and the text invokes forgotten emotions in you. I don't even know how to phrase it properly, but the whole reading was like a trip somewhere else, to the past, to the culture that I was lucky enough to witness when I was little...
Very interesting author who got his fame after he immigrated to the States. I dont even read that much, or hardly ever. I got this book for my b-day and just started reading it and couldnt stop!
d
Quote from: marazm1 on August 31, 2007, 07:25:57 AM
With me, a good reading is whenever you read something, and the text invokes forgotten emotions in you. I don't even know how to phrase it properly, but the whole reading was like a trip somewhere else
d
I get that feeling from my favorite authors — Proust, Hesse, Gogol... with every sentence I read I feel that I'm closer to a kind of truth that I know but can't express in words.
I will look up Dovlatov, thanks.
Quote from: sidoze on August 31, 2007, 12:55:58 AM
Borowski's concentration camp stories.
How do you find them?
Quote from: Maciek on August 31, 2007, 09:08:36 AM
How do you find them?
I was reading them on the train up and down to Cambridge and during lunch hours so I haven't finished and hope to complete the short collection this weekend. So far, very powerful, I suppose due to the straightforward and matter-of-fact style. The World of Stone is the one that pleased me the most so far. This sweet, affectionate vignette of a man teetering on the edge of post-war life seemed, in spite of its gentle tone, more overwhelming than the descriptions of actual life within the camps. It's beautiful.
Reading about how he gassed himself as his wife recovered from giving birth in hospital left me feeling pretty bitter though (especially after reading of their love and the whole Tristan and Isolde thing). I read that there are several conflicting and unclear reasons for his suicide. I don't wish to judge a man who wants to go; it's a personal thing and not a matter for debate. But I think if you're going to do it you should have a clean sheet and not be riddled with human debt like that. I was going to write that something like this belongs in one of the lower circles of hell. Then, upon checking, I found that it actually does belong to the ninth circle. That's memory & instinct for you.
His suicide was a terrible shock for many people here. He was a sort of symbol of his whole generation, and in a way they considered it... a sort of treason on his part.
Quote from: Danny on August 30, 2007, 12:27:29 PM
[Flannery O'Conner's Wise Blood]
A good, sparse read so far. Am wondering how the man who wants to create "a church without Christ" turns out.
Try her short stories.
(http://wzus.ask.com/r?t=a&d=us&s=a&c=p&ti=1&ai=30751&l=dir&o=0&sv=0a30051e&ip=506d4acd&u=http%3A%2F%2F69.0.238.8%2Fcover%2FID115%2Fcapo_1588361659_mb_all_r1.jpg)
Quote from: longears on September 01, 2007, 04:34:33 PM
Try her short stories.
I will, thank you! Enjoyed Wise Blood and think it a provactive novel. Hazel Motes and his desire at a "Church of Christ without Christ" was fascinating, and I think the attempts of the other characters to find their own personal meaning/use of him and his concept was........................disturbing, but profound.
Right now:
(http://cdn.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/2/9780060822552.jpg)
Quote from: dtwilbanks on August 31, 2007, 05:20:30 AM
(http://www.temp.sfbok.se/kat/img/43221.jpg)
How is that David?
I'm reading
(http://www.cemeterydance.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/laymon08.gif)
I've been on a Laymon kick for the past few months. :)
(http://www.longitudebooks.com/images/book_large/BRD17.jpg)
anyone read it?
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Z9AEMHQ4L._SS500_.jpg)
I'm presently reading P.D. James - Death in Holy Orders. It's quite good. :)
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8290000/8297446.gif)
I've also been reading George R.R. Martin - A Clash of Kings off and on for a year and a half.
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/13700000/13706774.JPG)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RMG1WC9DL._SS500_.jpg)
I'm almost done with Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49. Great fun!
Quote from: Bogey on September 03, 2007, 05:25:43 PM
(http://www.longitudebooks.com/images/book_large/BRD17.jpg)
Hey! A fellow birder! I just got the Sibley Guide to Bird Behavior and recently signed up with the Chicago Ornithological Society. Where do you live?
Quote from: O Mensch on September 04, 2007, 02:07:11 PM
Hey! A fellow birder! I just got the Sibley Guide to Bird Behavior and recently signed up with the Chicago Ornithological Society. Where do you live?
In the Denver area. Only 70 or so birds on my life-list, but hope to add many more over the years. We have around 10 feeders in our yard as I laso enjoy seeing how many species we can attract right in our yard. I have checked out the Sibley Guide to Bird Behavior from our local library....
great incredible book and one I really need to own a copy of. I am also beginning to listen to Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs (Western Region). If I can get some of the songs memorized, I will be at a much greater advantage when going birding. My 9 year old son also enjoys birding and nails some before I even have my binoculars up to my eyes.
FWIW, my son is a member of the Audobon Society of Greater Denver. He received his membership as a gift from some friends of ours. He just got his first newsletter the other day. I will follow this post up with a PM when I get the chance.
Quote from: SonicMan on August 29, 2007, 05:14:10 PM
The House That George Built: With a Little Help from Irving, Cole, and a Crew of About Fifty by Wilfrid Sheed - new book on the famous early 20th century American 'Tin Pan Alley' composers - CLICK on the image for comments - not too long & wonderful writing w/ great incite & humor - if you like this music, then this book is a MUST reading - enjoy! :D
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G0%2BKOLdCL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/House-That-George-Built-Little/dp/1400061059/ref=sr_1_5/104-7706008-6444722?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188435196&sr=1-5) (http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HXQ8DTAYL._AA240_.jpg)
Quoting my most recent post on this thread - about finished w/ the book on
Tin Pan Alley composers - but much more! A lot of chapters on 'Hollywood' movie composers, such as Harry Warren & Jimmy Van Heusen (of course, not their real names); again, this is an outstanding book if you're into this genre of music! :D
Added above the image of
Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2006) by Nicholas Fraser (et al) - just started this book which concentrates on vetebrate evolution and animals from the Mesozic Era (mainly the Triassic Period) - I love this stuff but this is not an easy read - almost could be used (if not?) as a college text (so be forewarned, if interested) - comments here on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Dinosaurs-Life-Triassic-Past/dp/0253346525/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4642896-8064607?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188943746&sr=1-1) - :)
Quote from: Keemun on September 04, 2007, 06:43:29 AM
I'm presently reading P.D. James - Death in Holy Orders. It's quite good. :)
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8290000/8297446.gif)
I've also been reading George R.R. Martin - A Clash of Kings off and on for a year and a half.
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/13700000/13706774.JPG)
I like both authors as well. I'm also off and on slowly reading through Martin's series. Cool beans. :)
Quote from: O Mensch on September 04, 2007, 02:05:32 PM
I'm almost done with Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49. Great fun!
Isn't it just? I read it again a while back, thinking that it would probably have dated - but though it
is very much of its time in a lot of the detail, the brilliance is timeless. I can never look at the posthorn symbol on a mailbox without mentally adding a mute.
A friend of mine read it recently in her book group. Afterwards she remarked to me (quite crossly) : "That Jacobean play. It's not
real, you know." No kidding.
Quote from: O Mensch on September 04, 2007, 02:05:32 PM
I'm almost done with Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49. Great fun!
I am about as many pages into Against the Day and am liking it quite well.
Richard Dawkins' 'God Delusion' has always interested me. I think i'll buy it when I see it below £4. ;D
Quote from: Bogey on September 04, 2007, 02:28:42 PM
In the Denver area. Only 70 or so birds on my life-list, but hope to add many more over the years. We have around 10 feeders in our yard as I laso enjoy seeing how many species we can attract right in our yard. I have checked out the Sibley Guide to Bird Behavior from our local library....great incredible book and one I really need to own a copy of. I am also beginning to listen to Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs (Western Region). If I can get some of the songs memorized, I will be at a much greater advantage when going birding. My 9 year old son also enjoys birding and nails some before I even have my binoculars up to my eyes.
FWIW, my son is a member of the Audobon Society of Greater Denver. He received his membership as a gift from some friends of ours. He just got his first newsletter the other day. I will follow this post up with a PM when I get the chance.
Hey, that's great. Birding is such a great hobby and a fantastic excuse to enjoy the great outdoors. I loved birds when I was growing up in Germany, but didn't start seriously birding until this past year. You might enjoy this website: www.birdforum.net A lot of friendly birders share photos and give advice there. I have a humble gallery of a few favorite shots (http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/44162) from my trips there as well.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on September 04, 2007, 03:56:39 PM
I am about as many pages into Against the Day and am liking it quite well.
Now that I'm done with Crying of Lot 49, I will start that one. ;D
Quote from: O Mensch on September 04, 2007, 07:25:42 PM
Hey, that's great. Birding is such a great hobby and a fantastic excuse to enjoy the great outdoors. I loved birds when I was growing up in Germany, but didn't start seriously birding until this past year. You might enjoy this website: www.birdforum.net A lot of friendly birders share photos and give advice there. I have a humble gallery of a few favorite shots (http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/44162) from my trips there as well.
Looks like a great forum....I will sign up his weekend and dive in. Awesome photos. Wildlife photography is truly an art IMO. My son will love this site/forum.
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy.
Danny! :D
(http://press.princeton.edu/images/k6295.gif)
Quote from: Corey on September 06, 2007, 12:41:03 PM
(http://press.princeton.edu/images/k6295.gif)
Either/Or is my favorite.
Reading:
"Imitation of Mary" (Thomas Kempis)
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0306804816.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg)
This is an excellent read. I thought it might be dry and dusty due to it age but its engaging and informative. :)
Quote from: Haffner on September 09, 2007, 08:41:58 AM
Either/Or is my favorite.
Reading: "Imitation of Mary" (Thomas Kempis)
Thanks, I'll check that next (Either/Or). I was expecting this to be tough going, but it is turning out to be pretty enjoyable (well, as "enjoyable" as philosophy can be). :)
Quote from: Corey on September 12, 2007, 07:02:28 AM
Thanks, I'll check that next (Either/Or). I was expecting this to be tough going, but it is turning out to be pretty enjoyable (well, as "enjoyable" as philosophy can be). :)
Corey,
Either/Or is even better. It had an obvious, tremendous influence on Christian Existentialism. Without Kiergkegaard, it's hard to imagine Rahner, Heidegger, Husserl, or Sartre (though I question how much of a loss Sartre would habe been).
Got this book today.
(http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-10957327901219_1966_3215788)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on September 09, 2007, 05:14:38 PM
This is an excellent read. I thought it might be dry and dusty due to it age but its engaging and informative. :)
Is it annotated? Otherwise "informative" is not quite the
mot juste . . . that's one autobiography that is famously rife with stretches of the truth which took Procrustes' own breath away ;D
Quote from: Saul on September 12, 2007, 01:34:09 PM
Got this book today.
(http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-10957327901219_1966_3215788)
Didn't know you were into comedy!
read fight club today. tomorrow i'm moving on to fortunate son by jw hatfield.
Another mystery novel. :)
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/14290000/14297942.JPG)
Quote from: biber fan on September 12, 2007, 09:30:22 PM
read fight club today. tomorrow i'm moving on to fortunate son by jw hatfield.
If you liked fight club at all, try "Choke" by the same author. It's a much better book IMO. :)
Re-reading this, as it remains inspirational to me.
Quote from: George on September 13, 2007, 05:26:46 AM
If you liked fight club at all, try "Choke" by the same author. It's a much better book IMO. :)
yeah fight club was good, I'd read something else by palahniuk for sure.
Edward Gorman's DEATH GROUND. A tight little Western.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on September 13, 2007, 10:54:22 AM
Edward Gorman's DEATH GROUND. A tight little Western.
LOVE the new avatar, David! :)
I have started reading The Demon in the Freezer, a true story by Richard Preston. Previously I have read Preston's Hot Zone, and The Cobra Event This book is just as good and spellbinding as the 2 former ones were.
When the book began, I thought we were talking about anthrax, but very quickly the subject switched to smallpox. Smallpox is considered to be the worst virus capable of infecting man. The book has a graphic and detailed description of smallpox. It also said that most people in North America are no longer immune to smallpox even though they were inoculated when younger. The efficacy of the vaccine wears off. Then there are all the children who have never been vaccinated. IMHO since the scientists know that the smallpox virus is available (although clandestinely)in many other countries, I think the inoculations should be resumed.
Smallpox is considered to be a bioweapon. According to the book, smallpox has killed about a billion people in a 100-year timeframe; it is much worse than the Black Plague. I think anyone reading this book would also clamor to have the vaccinations resumed. Scientists tell us smallpox has been eradicated from the earth. Despite that it is thought that the smallpox virus is likely in the hands of US enemies. It is also at the CDC in the US.
The book is riveting.
Finished "All the Pretty Horses" by Cormac McCarthy and enjoyed his lean, dark prose. I think he's a pretty good storyteller and leaves very few dry areas in the aforementioned novel.
Next will read "The Stranger" by Camus and then probably return to McCarthy (The Road, I think).
THE GREAT PIANISTS - Schonberg
So far, so good...
Quote from: dtwilbanks on September 15, 2007, 06:28:44 AM
THE GREAT PIANISTS - Schonberg
So far, so good...
I enjoyed that one. Wished it was longer, in fact. :)
Quote from: George on September 15, 2007, 06:30:19 AM
I enjoyed that one. Wished it was longer, in fact. :)
I'd like a good book covering modern pianists.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on September 15, 2007, 06:31:06 AM
I'd like a good book covering modern pianists.
Then you want "Great Contemporary Pianists Speak for themselves: Two volumes bound as one" by Elyse Mach
Quote from: George on September 15, 2007, 06:36:57 AM
Then you want "Great Contemporary Pianists Speak for themselves: Two volumes bound as one" by Elyse Mach
I'll look into it. Thanks.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on September 15, 2007, 06:41:46 AM
I'll look into it. Thanks.
It was published in 1988, so it may not suit your purpose. It depend upon how modern you need it to be.
Quote from: Corey on September 12, 2007, 01:59:25 PM
Didn't know you were into comedy!
Read it yourself, and then you'll tell me if its comedy or not.
It was a great read, wonderful and stunning.
Cornelius Ryan's classic "The Last Battle"; one of the best
on the fall of Berlin. Very well written and with many little
known facts.
"Guideline on the Preparation of Investigational New Drug Products (Human and Animal)"
A real nail-biter.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/513N21M5Y6L._SS500_.jpg)
Letters between Rilke and his erstwhile lover/best friend/muse.
The Knife Man: Blood, Body Snatching, and the Birth of Modern Surgery (2006) by Wendy Moore - story of the British (born in Scotland) anatomist & surgeon, John Hunter - CLICK on the image, if interested, for more details - :)
Sea of Gray: The Around-the-World Odyssey of the Confederate Raider Shenandoah (2007) by Tom Chaffin - some Confederate naval history - if your tired of reading (and re-reading) about the 'land battles' of the American Civil War, then this book might be of interest - again, CLICK on the image!
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51D76DAGM7L._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Knife-Man-Snatching-Modern-Surgery/dp/0767916530/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-4487663-4298324?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190732730&sr=8-1) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RibP4jieL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Gray-Around-World-Confederate/dp/0809085046/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4487663-4298324?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190732936&sr=1-1)
Thanks for the recommendation of The Knife Man.
Quote from: Anne on September 25, 2007, 08:07:17 AM
Thanks for the recommendation of The Knife Man.
Hello
Anne - about 2/3 through that book - excellent account of not only Hunter's life & exploits, but great re-telling of the status of medicine & medical practice in the 18th century, and in particular Georgian England - enjoy! :D
Thanks!
Pollock (Alberto Busignani) ISBN 0600369145
So old that the photos are black and white, but they are large and numerous. The book also only cost £2.50, yay!
Just started Harry Potter's Last Dragon to Hogwarts. After that, I have a novel by Jose Saramago waiting for me. All told, I'm not finished till a couple of months.
The Gospel of John, New Testament.
I continue to be devastated by this Gospel. The characterization of Christ as the Logos makes for a deeply moving, affirming reading experience.
Quote from: Haffner on September 27, 2007, 02:34:56 AM
The Gospel of John, New Testament.
I continue to be devastated by this Gospel. The characterization of Christ as the Logos makes for a deeply moving, affirming reading experience.
My favourite too Andy.
Quote from: Harry on September 27, 2007, 02:37:03 AM
My favourite too Andy.
Hey the movie wasn't too bad either! I guess the only thing I find missing in that Gospel is the virgin birth. For obvious
Andy-reasons.
Quote from: Haffner on September 27, 2007, 02:34:56 AM
The Gospel of John, New Testament.
I continue to be devastated by this Gospel. The characterization of Christ as the Logos makes for a deeply moving, affirming reading experience.
Yes, I love the beginning, one of the loveliest and most poetic passages I know in all literature: "In the beginning was
logos, and
logos was with God, and
logos was God."
The statement a few paragraphs later that Jesus "gave
exousia to become children of God" is difficult.
Exousia is usually translated as "power," "authority," or "the right," and the mystery cult deifying Jesus as God incarnate--something other than human--conveys this as meaning something like, "If you believe that Jesus is YHWH incarnate, then he will reward you by giving you special power."
However, a reading of the words ascribed to Jesus himself, say, in Matthew 6:9, clearly suggest that the
exousia or "power" described here is the
power of choice, that power not
granted as a reward for obedience to some divine desert patriarch's petty desire to be "worshipped," but rather
recognized when we grasp the truth of our condition and our heritage.
Quote from: longears on September 27, 2007, 05:53:32 AM
Yes, I love the beginning, one of the loveliest and most poetic passages I know in all literature: "In the beginning was logos, and logos was with God, and logos was God."
The statement a few paragraphs later that Jesus "gave exousia to become children of God" is difficult. Exousia is usually translated as "power," "authority," or "the right," and the mystery cult deifying as God incarnate--something other than human--conveys this as meaning something like, "If you believe that Jesus is YHWH incarnate, then he will reward you by giving you special power."
However, a reading of the words ascribed to Jesus himself, say, in Matthew 6:9, clearly suggest that the exousia or "power" described here is the power of choice, that power not granted as a reward for obedience to some divine desert patriarch's petty desire to be "worshipped," but rather recognized when we grasp the truth of our condition and our heritage.
The beginning is awe-inspiring to me as well.
As for the theology, you already know how tricky
that is!
Mr. Longears,
You are the sh*t, as the kids used to say. 8)
Translated from Russian. The first book of a trilogy. Like Dostoevsky wrote a novel about vampires, witches and magic in Moscow! Okay, maybe not as good as Dostoevsky, but still a damn fun read.
(http://context.themoscowtimes.com/photos/large/2006_09/2006_09_15/book_2.jpg)
Dutch Organs by Okke Dijkhuizen.
Fascinating journey, beutifully written and illustrated.
Quote from: dtw on September 28, 2007, 07:38:08 AM
Translated from Russian. The first book of a trilogy. Like Dostoevsky wrote a novel about vampires, witches and magic in Moscow! Okay, maybe not as good as Dostoevsky, but still a damn fun read.
(http://context.themoscowtimes.com/photos/large/2006_09/2006_09_15/book_2.jpg)
Is this what the movie was based on?
Quote from: DavidW on September 28, 2007, 01:21:14 PM
Is this what the movie was based on?
I guess, but I heard the movie really sucked.
Quote from: dtw on September 28, 2007, 01:26:34 PM
I guess, but I heard the movie really sucked.
Yeah it did. What is the book better? And not in a superficial "books are always better way", I mean for real is the book decent?
Quote from: DavidW on September 28, 2007, 01:28:17 PM
Yeah it did. What is the book better? And not in a superficial "books are always better way", I mean for real is the book decent?
Yes, the book is good stuff. I did not see the movie.
Quote from: dtw on September 28, 2007, 01:40:07 PM
Yes, the book is good stuff. I did not see the movie.
The movie's major fault was trying to cram in complicated magic mechanics and a myriad of characters into a short time. As a tv miniseries it would have been cool, but as a standalone movie it was like blarg. You know I think that I could see the novel being enjoyable.
Quote from: DavidW on September 28, 2007, 02:10:05 PM
The movie's major fault was trying to cram in complicated magic mechanics and a myriad of characters into a short time. As a tv miniseries it would have been cool, but as a standalone movie it was like blarg. You know I think that I could see the novel being enjoyable.
Well, the novel is around 450 pages long; try to cram that into a movie. ::)
(http://www.alibris.com/images/collectors/firsts/firstsbk15_180.jpg)
To Kill A Mockingbird-Harper Lee
It was chosen as our next "book club" read. I read it in high school over 20 years ago as our lit teacher did a whole unit on it along with the movie.....by far the best teacher I ever had.
I am reading a bunch of books of course (being in school full time again), but some non-school books I am enjoying at the moment:
Richard Felger: The Flora of the Gran Desierto
Richard is my old mentor. It is a gorgeous flora. I ordered in his Trees of Sonora as well which should come arrive in a few days (and a pretty penny at that).
(http://www.drylandsinstitute.org/images/projects02.jpg)
Also have enjoyed this one:
(http://www.community-media.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/dangerous_book.jpg)
and this, full of strange old stories:
Pu Songling: Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51r8GY30oYL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU02_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
and finally this wonderful modern Greek poet:
Yannis Ritsos: Selected Poems
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/415MFJ60R2L._BO2,204,203,200_PIlitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
While away, I was reading Witold Rudzinski's Moniuszko biography. Eminently enjoyable, though in a quite unexpected way. The main objective of the author seems to have been to convince readers that Moniuszko would have been the greatest communist ever. Was Moniuszko religious? No, that was just a pose - what he valued was morality, he did not care for dogma. Was he a good musician? Who cares, he cared for his country, for his people! His music was anti-bourgeois (?), he loved all things proletarian. Was he a great composer? Perhaps but that's not important: he took the side of the people, against the ruling classes, and that's what counts. A composer cannot be truly great unless he does that.
Etc., etc., etc. - stretching for 250 pages. I wonder if there is a good, up to date Moniuszko monograph out the there somewhere? So far it seems the best book about him was written before WWII (by Jachimecki)...
(http://www.longwood.edu/English/Buddenbrooks.jpg)
Quote from: SonicMan on September 25, 2007, 07:14:08 AM
The Knife Man: Blood, Body Snatching, and the Birth of Modern Surgery (2006) by Wendy Moore - story of the British (born in Scotland) anatomist & surgeon, John Hunter - CLICK on the image, if interested, for more details - :)
The Knife Man is a great book. Thanks to GMG being down, I have finished it already.
Sonic Man, keep 'em coming. I'm catching up to you. LOL!
Quote from: Anne on October 02, 2007, 05:56:31 PM
The Knife Man is a great book. Thanks to GMG being down, I have finished it already.
Sonic Man, keep 'em coming. I'm catching up to you. LOL!
Anne - glad you loved the book! :D I still have not finished it (reading several others including a BIG one on Windows VISTA - just got a new laptop - a necessity!) - all of the chapters are great, but loved the one on the 'Irish Giant' - being a physician, myself, I'm sure that I could have easily related to (and adored) John Hunter! Dave
I think the feet of the "Irish Giant" are on the front cover.
On AOL this week there was a picture of a current giant (might have been 8 ft tall) in a crowd in China. I have seen his picture before. Have you?
Quote from: Anne on October 02, 2007, 06:50:42 PM
I think the feet of the "Irish Giant" are on the front cover.
On AOL this week there was a picture of a current giant (might have been 8 ft tall) in a crowd in China. I have seen his picture before. Have you?
Still in my office - will need to check the front cover of the book tonight; assume you mean the
Chinese Giant shown below (left)? Yes, I've seen him in the news a number of times! :o
Another interesting 'giant' is
Sun Ming Ming, a 7'9" NBA player - he had a residual pituitary tumor that was treated at
Wake Forest University Med Ctr (where I'm a Professor of Radiology) w/ the miraculous 'Gamma Knife' - check out the news story HERE (http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/elekta/26218/) - :D
(http://www.chinese-tools.com/jdd/public/documents/photos/geant01.jpg) (http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070131/070131_tallbball_vmed_3p.widec.jpg)
"WALLIS, Secret lives of the the Duchess of Windsor", Charles Higham,
1988. IMO the definitive story of that women and Edward.
What a couple!. He was an egotist,corrupt,stupid and masochist
bisexual. She was a professional prostitute, a nazi, a sadist and
one of the most evil women in the history.
Every other people but those two, would have been hanged for
treason. She got pregnant by Ribbenttrop. >:( >:( >:(
Yes, I was referring to the giant on the left.
That was a very interesting story about Sun Ming Ming. Thanks for posting it.
BTW I hadn't noticed it before but The Knife Man received 5 stars at Amazon. I'd give it 5 stars too.
Hateship,Friendship,Courtship,Loveship,Marriage,Short Stories by Alice Munro.
I always have been wondering about the title of this thread and avoided reading and posting. If what I am reading is not good, why would I continue reading it or even mention it on a forum?
OK, first try: Die Rättin - The Rat - by Günter Grass. About Noah, a rat turd and the survival of rats through all the world's historic events.
(http://www.gendercide.org/images/pics/imprison3.jpg)
enjoying this--if you can say that about this sort of literature--even more than Borowski (which I thought was superb).
Just finished William Bernstein's
The Birth of Plenty, which is a well written popular history of what is really the greatest story in human history - how the West got wealthy. Consider that per world capita GDP growth was essentially zero from the birth of Christ to the 18th century, the idea that most people can have a life beyond wretched poverty is a quite recent one.
The whole first chapter is here
http://www.efficientfrontier.com/ef/404/CH1.HTM (http://www.efficientfrontier.com/ef/404/CH1.HTM)
QuoteCHAPTER ONE
A Hypothesis of Wealth
The bourgeoisie, during its rule of scarce one hundred years, has created more massive and more colossal productive forces than have all preceding generations together.
—Karl Marx, Manifesto of the Communist Party
It's all too tempting to lament the state of the world, particularly when you focus on the melodramas of mankind—violent conflicts, large-scale malfeasance and failure, and the latest installments in the age-old racial and religious hatreds that permeate the human story.
A paragon of such fashionable pessimism has been journalist Anthony Lewis, who, at the end of a long and distinguished career, was asked whether the world had gotten to be a better place since he had begun covering it a half century earlier:
I have lost my faith in the ideal of progress. I mean that in the sense that it was used at the beginning of the twentieth century, that mankind is getting wiser and better and all—how, how can you think that after Rwanda and Bosnia and a dozen other places where these horrors have occurred?1
Mr. Lewis' problem is that his subjective criterion—that mankind has not achieved moral perfection as defined in Ivy League universities and the editorial suites of the New York Times—sets the bar too high. Mr. Lewis seems unaware that we can measure the welfare of mankind; in fact, we can do it superbly. Contrary to his gloomy impressions, the second half of the twentieth century was far less murderous than the first. Further, the proportion of the world's population subjected to totalitarianism, genocide, starvation, war, and pestilence has been steadily decreasing over the past two centuries, with most of the improvement coming in the half century that so depressed Mr. Lewis.
Consider that from 1950 to 1999, average life expectancy in the developed world increased from 66 years to 78 years; in the developing world, it increased from 44 years to 64 years. The nearly universal Western outcome of living to old age, rather than resulting from the rare stroke of luck, may be the greatest accomplishment of the past fifty years. Or consider that over the same period, the world's real per capita gross domestic product (GDP)—the amount of goods and services produced by the average person, adjusted for inflation—nearly tripled. Or that by the year 2000, real per capita GDP in Mexico was significantly greater than that of the world leader in 1900, Great Britain. And if you're not impressed with mankind's material progress in the last fifty years, as measured in dollars and cents, you should at least note that almost any measure of social progress you wish to examine—infant mortality, literacy and mortality rates, or educational levels—has dramatically improved in all but a few still-benighted corners of the planet.2
Stephen Jay GOULD: "Wonderful Life"
A fascinating book, denying that the theory of evolution implies any notion of progress. Gould develops this argument latter, in his last work, "Structure of the Theory of Evolution".
Quote from: sidoze on October 03, 2007, 04:43:33 PM
(http://www.gendercide.org/images/pics/imprison3.jpg)
enjoying this--if you can say that about this sort of literature--even more than Borowski (which I thought was superb).
Like the new avatar. :)
me too. i will try to watch it again this weekend. I still can't believe how amazing it is.
Quote from: Corey on October 02, 2007, 04:19:27 PM
(http://www.longwood.edu/English/Buddenbrooks.jpg)
A great novel, and Mann's entry for the Nobel sweepstakes. He was to elaborate on his favourite themes (at much greater lengths) in The Magic Mountain, but it's an excellent entry point in Mann's world.
(http://www.librariilehumanitas.ro/images/carti/5357.jpg)
Leo Perutz - The Swedish Cavalier
I've read only a few pages so far and it looks quite interesting and well-written.
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on October 05, 2007, 05:01:02 PM
A great novel, and Mann's entry for the Nobel sweepstakes. He was to elaborate on his favourite themes (at much greater lengths) in The Magic Mountain, but it's an excellent entry point in Mann's world.
Thanks for the recommendation. I've already read some of his short stories (Little Herr Friedemann and Death in Venice, which is one of my absolute favorites now).
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor. An excellent collection of short stories so far.
Eats,Shoots and Leaves. Very funny it is too.
P J Tracy
Just finishing their second book, about to read Dead Run (3rd).
Usual Serial Killer stuff, decent yarns, good characters and twists to boot ;)
Quote from: Danny on October 06, 2007, 12:07:02 PM
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor. An excellent collection of short stories so far.
The best. Might I suggest Ray Carver next?
Quote from: longears on October 07, 2007, 10:35:57 AM
The best. Might I suggest Ray Carver next?
You may! :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TMmeOrlFL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
A very compelling biography of the great short story writer James Tiptree, Jr (http://www.julie-phillips.com/).
About to stroll through one of these guilty pleasures....not sure which one. Either way, a real treat now that they have taken all of the "varnish" off of previous printings and just left us with what Howard actually wrote in the order he wrote it in (which I believe happens to not be in chronilogical order story wise). However, I must admit I do miss the Frazetta cover art that I enjoyed as a kid.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KXCBAGPDL._AA240_.jpg) (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K90BDCKJL._AA240_.jpg)
I'm currently in the process of reading:
Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson
Philosophers Without Gods: Meditations On Atheism and the Secular Life edited by Louise M. Antony
What Evolution Is by Ernst Mayr
I will soon be reading:
Darwin's Dangerous Idea by Daniel Dennett
Always learning more...
Quote from: Haffner on October 10, 2007, 05:21:15 AM
Always learning more...
You and me both. :)
Along with O'Connor and Catechism, a readin' critical essays about film noir first published back in '93:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0860916251.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
ANDRE LITSHKE: "HISTOIRE DE LA MUSIQUE RUSSE"
From a great specialist of Russian music, this book is very interesting in special in all the period before 1800. I learned a lot about religious and secular music in Russia in Middle Age and until the second part of the 18th century when italian and french opera "invaded" Russia.
Hector Berlioz - Evenings with the Orchestra
(http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Images/Chicago/043746.jpeg) (http://www.amazon.com/Evenings-Orchestra-Hector-Berlioz/dp/0226043746)
Short answer to the topic's question: it's extremely good.
It is similarly entertaining as the Mémoires, but more story-like - the first page or two were enough to make me resolve to read it through - the surreal images it conjoured up were hilarious. I recommend Amazon's look inside feature (click the cover) if interested.
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NPovssT3L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
I am not actually reading it, but I am listening to the audio version
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51w%2B0RlecZL._SS500_.jpg)
This book is hilarious!
Quote from: Danny on October 10, 2007, 11:33:02 PM
You and me both. :)
Along with O'Connor and Catechism, a readin' critical essays about film noir first published back in '93:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0860916251.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
Nice Bruddah!
The Master and Margarita
by Mikhail Bulgakov
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0691020418.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Quote from: longears on October 07, 2007, 10:35:57 AM
Might I suggest Ray Carver next?
Raymond Carver ,an absolutely wonderful author.
I've just heard the audio book of Matthew Pearl's A Poe Shadow,lots of fun.
I am reading a book about Churches in Holland, amazing how many we have, and what beautiful architecture. also about the Organs of which we have many.
Quote from: sound sponge on October 13, 2007, 07:32:57 AM
The Master and Margarita
by Mikhail Bulgakov
That's a absolute smashing book. A russian girlfriend bought me this one, and I must have read it a dozen times since. How do you like it Dave? :)
Quote from: Corey on October 15, 2007, 07:34:10 AM
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0691020418.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
To this day, I remain knocked out by that book. It was obviously a massive influence on the Existential and Phenomenological schools of philosphy.
John Cheever-Oh What A Paradise It Seems
Quote from: Haffner on October 17, 2007, 06:41:17 AM
To this day, I remain knocked out by that book. It was obviously a massive influence on the Existential and Phenomenological schools of philosphy.
Yes, it's tough-going, but I am really enjoying it, especially the
Diapsalmata and the essay on tragedy.
Quotesound sponge
The Master and Margarita
by Mikhail Bulgakov
One of my two or three preferred novels. The chapters with Pilatus are so beautiful ...
Quote from: val on October 17, 2007, 11:31:18 PM
One of my two or three preferred novels. The chapters with Pilatus are so beautiful ...
Which translations have you read, or do you even need a translation?
Quote from: Bogey on October 07, 2007, 04:53:26 PM
About to stroll through one of these guilty pleasures....not sure which one. Either way, a real treat now that they have taken all of the "varnish" off of previous printings and just left us with what Howard actually wrote in the order he wrote it in (which I believe happens to not be in chronilogical order story wise). However, I must admit I do miss the Frazetta cover art that I enjoyed as a kid.
How'd I miss this? ???
REH rules! Have you seen the movie THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD yet?
Quote from: Corey on October 17, 2007, 10:13:41 AM
Yes, it's tough-going, but I am really enjoying it, especially the Diapsalmata and the essay on tragedy.
Yeah, I found it easiest (and overall more fruitful) to take it in pieces. HUGELY rewarding.
Toscanini - Harvey Sachs. Very interesting thus far...
Tried to read King's Dark Towers series but couldnt get into it.
Northern Lights is next on my list
Almost done with Robert Simpson's "The Essence of Anton Bruckner", great in depth analysis of each of his symphonies. A must read.
Just started the book below - Happy Accidents: Serendipity in Modern Medical Breakthroughs (2007) by Morton Meyers - check HERE (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/1559708190/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&n=283155#customerReviews) for descriptions & comments; like Meyers, I'm also an abdominal radiologist & have always had a deep interest in medical history, so this is a perfect book for me; I know Mort Meyers, and he is an excellent writer, so if you're interested in this topic, this book might be for you - :D
Quote from: SonicMan on October 24, 2007, 02:58:50 PM
Just started the book below - Happy Accidents: Serendipity in Modern Medical Breakthroughs (2007) by Morton Meyers - check HERE (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/1559708190/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&n=283155#customerReviews) for descriptions & comments; like Meyers, I'm also an abdominal radiologist & have always had a deep interest in medical history, so this is a perfect book for me; I know Mort Meyers, and he is an excellent writer, so if you're interested in this topic, this book might be for you - :D
Lovely artwork! :)
POPPER: "The logic of the scientific discovery" (I don't know if the translation is right, I am reading it in German).
The absolute masterpiece of Karl Popper.
(http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n1/n5242.jpg)
Quote from: val on October 25, 2007, 01:09:00 AM
POPPER: "The logic of the scientific discovery" (I don't know if the translation is right, I am reading it in German).
The absolute masterpiece of Karl Popper.
Yes, wonderful work, and very influential as well.
I just read Popper's "The nature of philosophical problems and their root in science" which is an article published on the
British Journal of Philosophy of Science in 1952.
I'm waiting to read "Open society and its enemies" as well.
Quote from: sound sponge on October 25, 2007, 03:46:13 AM
(http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n1/n5242.jpg)
How is it? I know one is not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but I must say that the cover makes it look interesting.
Quote from: sound sponge on October 25, 2007, 03:46:13 AM
(http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n1/n5242.jpg)
Looks like a CD cover for Symphonie Fantastique.
Quote from: Anne on October 25, 2007, 05:59:22 PM
Looks like a CD cover for Symphonie Fantastique.
Hello,
Anne - take a look at the link to the book I mentioned a few posts back - might be one that you would enjoy! Dave :)
Quote from: SonicMan on October 25, 2007, 06:30:11 PM
Hello, Anne - take a look at the link to the book I mentioned a few posts back - might be one that you would enjoy! Dave :)
As of yesterday it is already on its way to my house! Thank you! ;D ;D ;D
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0451528670.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Familiar with the topic as a whole, but find the composer's perspective elucidated by Copeland deeply intriguing and, honestly, educating! :)
Quote from: Keemun on October 25, 2007, 02:14:48 PM
How is it? I know one is not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but I must say that the cover makes it look interesting.
It isn't bad so far. It's his first novel. I think he wrote it for college, then sold it to a publisher. And he's been writing them ever since.
If you enjoy Stephen King and the like, you'll probably dig it.
John Ruskin. No, it's not very good.
(http://www.blue-eyes.com/store/catalog/images/sinatrahardbook%20cover.jpg)
Fascinating essays on Sinatra and popular culture during the 40's and 50's. Insightful and though provoking, this book is a serious study of the impact Sinatra had on popular culture and beyond through his music and personality. :)
Quote from: Novitiate on October 26, 2007, 09:38:45 AM
John Ruskin. No, it's not very good.
Really? I thought he would be pretty good if Proust translated his works.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41M73vb9pLL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Alex Ross's new book. Excellent!
I really what to read Mr. Ross's book but I'm somewhat disenchanted with classic music right now...
Instead I'm reading this brilliant little jem of a book called...
(http://a7.vox.com/6a00c225268ebc8e1d00cd971ea8ef4cd5-500pi)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VRA7RZDBL._AA240_.jpg)
Winter Fire--a fiction about a German conductor pressed into service during WWII, who's befriended by Sibelius while serving as military liaison in Finland.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41F19Z92XTL._SS500_.jpg)
I have two books on the go at the moment:
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Fascinating insight into the recording process by those who were actually there creating those classic albums.
Also:
(http://laphilstore.com/catalog/images/imagecache/Mozart-Letters-W.jpg)
What an eye opener this book is turning out to be. Mozart wrote 1000's of letters, mainly to his father and others, and this book highlights the key ones and include a commentary between letters as to what else was happening at the time to provide some context. The interesting thing is Mozarts way with words; his prose is both charming and naive and also surprising is his toilet humour :o Who would've guessed? :)
Re-visiting a favorite. This is one of these books for me that never goes stale.
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(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0140440178.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_PU_PU-5_.jpg)
And probably some recently acquired Ibsen plays as a diversion. :) I'm on "rebound" from Buddenbrooks.
The Conscience of a Liberal by Paul Krugman. A quick read, and suprisingly optimistic about the future.
Who Hates Whom: Well-Armed Fanatics, Intractable Conflicts, and Various Things Blowing Up A Woefully Incomplete Guide by Bob Harris.
Nicholas von Hoffman's Citizen Cohn, an excellent essay on the times
and life of Roy Cohn, one of the most extraordinary crazy s.o.b. you'll
find any place, any time.
(http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/8/8d/200px-Immoralist.jpg)
Started and finished this earlier today.
The Lord of the Rings, In one volume.
Quote from: Saul on November 04, 2007, 03:49:46 PM
The Lord of the Rings, In one volume.
I read
The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings trilogy in one complete cycle when I was 18. Absolutely loved the story. Also really enjoyed the BBC adaptation of the book in 13 one hour episodes; I taped them from the radio and revisited them often.
I thought Peter Jacksons movie version started out great but got worse as it wore on. Still an amazing achievement. :)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on November 04, 2007, 03:54:20 PM
I read The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings trilogy in one complete cycle when I was 18. Absolutely loved the story. Also really enjoyed the BBC adaptation of the book in 13 one hour episodes; I taped them from the radio and revisited them often.
I thought Peter Jacksons movie version started out great but got worse as it wore on. Still an amazing achievement. :)
Its really an enjoyable read.
So detailed and imaginative writing.
Good for you, Wanderer. :)
David Schiff: The Music of Elliott Carter - Excellent guide to Carter's work.
--Bruce
Quote from: bhodges on November 07, 2007, 08:13:12 AM
David Schiff: The Music of Elliott Carter - Excellent guide to Carter's work.
--Bruce
Great book
Quote from: SonicMan on October 24, 2007, 02:58:50 PM
Just started the book below - Happy Accidents: Serendipity in Modern Medical Breakthroughs (2007) by Morton Meyers - check HERE (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/1559708190/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&n=283155#customerReviews) for descriptions & comments; like Meyers, I'm also an abdominal radiologist & have always had a deep interest in medical history, so this is a perfect book for me; I know Mort Meyers, and he is an excellent writer, so if you're interested in this topic, this book might be for you - :D
Once again you have recommended a wonderful book. I enjoyed it immensely! Thank you.
Quote from: Anne on November 07, 2007, 11:05:17 AM
Once again you have recommended a wonderful book. I enjoyed it immensely! Thank you.
Anne - glad that you really liked the book! :D Just finished my copy a week or so ago - Dave
CHARLES ROSEN: Beethoven piano Sonatas
Not great. A bit of a letdown. I think a monkey proofread it.
Mr. B. Gone by Clive Barker (http://www.amazon.com/Mister-B-Gone-Clive-Barker/dp/0060182989)
Beginning Ubuntu Linux, 2nd ed (2007) by Keir Thomas - this is not my usual book posting, but the HD on my IBM laptop 'died' a month or so ago; I bought a Dell Latitude w/ VISTA as a replacement (my son, an IT guy, got me 25% OFF) - I was goin' to just dispose of the IBM, but thought of 'playing around' w/ a Linux clone, so I put in a HD replacement & up the memory to 512 MB - installed Ubuntu and am having a BALL w/ this OS - amazed by the quality of the programming, the 'free' programs available, and the virtual lack of a need for a firewall (one is built in), anti-virus, & malware software - I was on my wireless network almost immediately! The book below has been a BIG help - have not played w/ UNIX since the early 80s, and that was in the SHELL mode, which you can pretty much avoid these days, if desired - :D P.S. and if you want to see a BUSY forum, visit ubuntuforums.org!
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Yevtushenko: Selected Poems translated by Robin Milner-Gulland and Peter Levi, S.J.
Saramago's Baltasar and Blimunda.
Quote from Wikipedia:
Quote
Baltasar and Blimunda (Portuguese: Memorial do Convento, 1987) is a novel by the Portuguese author José Saramago.
It is a love story set in the 18th century with the construction of the Convent of Mafra, now one of Portugal's chief tourist attractions, as a background. Two young lovers interact naturally with historical characters including the composer and harpsichordist Domenico Scarlatti and the priest Bartolomeu de Gusmão, recognized today as an aviation pioneer, all in the shadow of the Inquisition. The lovers are always at center stage wrapped in Saramago's language, which ranges from short simple sentences to surrealistic, unpunctuated paragraphs that help to intensify both the action and the setting.
I haven't come yet to the Scarlatti encounters, but so far it's a masterly work. This is my second Saramago novel and there's no doubt he's one of the best novelists and historicists, on the same level as Ivo Andric.
Just finished Pére Goriot, starting on this today:
(http://trashotron.com/agony/images/2006/06-reviews/wilde-dorian_gray.jpg)
I read this long ago in 8th grade, but I think now I will be able to appreciate it beyond the obvious dramatic aspects of the story.
Quote from: Corey on November 10, 2007, 07:12:26 AM
Just finished Pére Goriot, starting on this today:
(http://trashotron.com/agony/images/2006/06-reviews/wilde-dorian_gray.jpg)
I read this long ago in 8th grade, but I think now I will be able to appreciate it beyond the obvious dramatic aspects of the story.
Easily in my top 10 all time fiction reads Corey.
Quote from: Bogey on November 10, 2007, 07:19:18 AM
Easily in my top 10 all time fiction reads Corey.
I loved it this time around, and realized how much I was missing when I read it in 8th grade. I love the way Wilde uses the tastes and comments of his characters to make statements about the cultural world of the time (e.g. "Dry-goods! What are American dry-goods?" "American novels" ;D).
Started this today:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0679772871.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
I am reading Haydn A Creative Life in Music written by Karl Geiringer in collaboration with Irene Geiringer. The oversize paperback (370 pages) is very well written and enjoyable.
Quote from: Corey on November 13, 2007, 01:08:02 PM
I loved it this time around, and realized how much I was missing when I read it in 8th grade. I love the way Wilde uses the tastes and comments of his characters to make statements about the cultural world of the time (e.g. "Dry-goods! What are American dry-goods?" "American novels" ;D).
And dare I say about himself....borders on an autobiogrphy at times, no?
Quote from: Bogey on November 13, 2007, 06:23:29 PM
And dare I say about himself....borders on an autobiogrphy at times, no?
In the introduction there is a quote from Wilde: "Basil Halliward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be — in other ages, perhaps."
I will definitely be getting his complete works very soon. :)
Quote from: Corey on November 14, 2007, 04:21:40 AM
In the introduction there is a quote from Wilde: "Basil Halliward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be — in other ages, perhaps."
I will definitely be getting his complete works very soon. :)
Do you have the edition with an introduction by Camille Canti Corey?
Quote from: Bogey on November 14, 2007, 04:44:01 AM
Do you have the edition with an introduction by Camille Canti Corey?
I can't remember, it's already sent back to the library. It was one of the newer Modern Library editions.
Jane Smiley-Moo
(http://www.marianland.com/sevenhills/1011864-SH.jpg)
A deep and consistent pleasure to read (as all GK books). A quote:
"Millions of mild black-coated men call themselves sane and sensible merely because they always catch the fashionable insanity, because they are hurried into madness after madness by the maelstrom of the world."
Quote from: Corey on November 13, 2007, 01:08:02 PM
Started this today:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0679772871.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Oh hope you like it. :D I tried reading an earlier edition and came away thinking the novel was just "OK." (Actually I didn't finish it.) But somehow this new translation is much more interesting, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
--Bruce
2nd volume of Walsh's Stravinsky whilelistening to the late works in the Sony Stravinsky box.
Joys and Sorrows by Pablo Casals (ghost written by Albert Khan).
Quote from: bhodges on November 14, 2007, 11:17:41 AM
Oh hope you like it. :D I tried reading an earlier edition and came away thinking the novel was just "OK." (Actually I didn't finish it.) But somehow this new translation is much more interesting, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
--Bruce
Well, it certainly has a lot to live up to; Buddenbrooks was the best book I've ever read. :)
Die Buddenbrooks is Mann's shortest and most approachable big novel. He went on to expand some of its themes in Zauberberg, most notably the disintegration of the body (tuberculosis was prevalent at the time), while retaining its amazing mix of comedy, high drama and the historical context the characters evolve in. I have read both at least four times. Bigger and better than both is his mammoth biblical take on the story of Joseph And His Bothers. I think THIS is my all-time favourite book!
Quote from: Danny on November 14, 2007, 11:14:30 AM
A deep and consistent pleasure to read (as all GK books). A quote:
"Millions of mild black-coated men call themselves sane and sensible merely because they always catch the fashionable insanity, because they are hurried into madness after madness by the maelstrom of the world."
Love the Chesterton quote, Danny.
Heretics, eh? I may have to look into that one. Thanks.
Quote from: longears on November 15, 2007, 04:51:28 AM
Love the Chesterton quote, Danny. Heretics, eh? I may have to look into that one. Thanks.
Chesterton is among the most quotable (and provocative) of authors; if you like
Heretics read its sequel
Orthodoxy and
The Everlasting Man.
Quote from: Anne on November 13, 2007, 03:06:17 PM
I am reading Haydn A Creative Life in Music written by Karl Geiringer in collaboration with Irene Geiringer. The oversize paperback (370 pages) is very well written and enjoyable.
A terrific book! I had a used copy, but I had to get a new one immediately. That is a great reference book on the String Quartets, Symphonies, and choral work as well.
Quote from: Haffner on November 18, 2007, 10:52:30 AM
A terrific book! I had a used copy, but I had to get a new one immediately. That is a great reference book on the String Quartets, Symphonies, and choral work as well.
Great book. Reads like a Dickens' novel at points.
I think the only thing that astounded me about that Haydn book is when the author attempted to portray the Emperor Quartet's "other three movements" as being very average.
There is nothing average about the Emperor Quartet. I never heard a Mozart SQ which topped it, not even k387.
Re-reading through the poems of the finest American poet:
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(http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/7805/dec07ef4.jpg)
As neat as ever - more text than pics, thank god :P
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An off-shoot from my recent read of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Ghosts by Ibsen
Along with my Capote read above (bits and pieces seems to be the way to go on this one), about to crack open
(http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/prod_lrg_images/411/202532411.jpg)
Not familiar with this cat's work at all. Was perusing through a Barnes and Noble bookstore and could not seem to locate something that grabbed me by the shirt. So I dialed up a friend who has read more than me twothreefold and asked for three suggestions. This as one of them, even though he is yet to read his. We'll both start this evening.
I'm currently reading 'The Diner'. There are a lot of great characters. Plot development has been good. It's a serial that has been going on for apparently a few years now. Not many people read it apparently.
A Treasury of Russian Verse edited by Avrahm Yarmolinsky.
I'm alternately reading through Washington Irving's Tales from the Alhambra, and this paperback reissue:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mSLTfu69L._AA240_.jpg)
Notice that? When it first came out in hardcover, the title was: Classical Music in America: A History of Its Rise and Fall.
Now, with the paperback edition, the subtitle is a more chaste and becoming: A History 8)
The Irving is excellent, unfailingly charming.
The Horowitz has its excellent and fascinating facts, and its occasional groan-making interpretations.
Quote from: karlhenning on November 27, 2007, 01:43:03 PM
I'm alternately reading through Washington Irving's Tales from the Alhambra, and this paperback reissue:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mSLTfu69L._AA240_.jpg)
Notice that? When it first came out in hardcover, the title was: Classical Music in America: A History of Its Rise and Fall.
Now, with the paperback edition, the subtitle is a more chaste and becoming: A History 8)
The Irving is excellent, unfailingly charming.
The Horowitz has its excellent and fascinating facts, and its occasional groan-making interpretations.
Hey,
that sounds good!
I'm rereading the Solomon book on Beethoven. I had been really turned off by the dubious nature of the pschoanalytical approach of Solomon, but upon 2nd reading I'm looking past that and liking the book better (ex
cept for the psychoanalytical parts ;)!)
Finished The Magic Mountain and started this yesterday:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0679601759.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71MB7AXRFRL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.gif)
Problematic but an interesting read. Hard to discern spiritual truth through the intellect alone--like making love, baking cookies, throwing a pot.
Quote from: Corey on November 28, 2007, 04:07:38 AM
Finished The Magic Mountain and started this yesterday:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0679601759.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
This work, (along with the New Testament, Beyond Good and Evil, and Der Antichristlich) is one of my favorites.
Whom did the translation,
Corey?
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 05:04:51 AM
This work, (along with the New Testament, Beyond Good and Evil, and Der Antichristlich) is one of my favorites.
Whom did the translation, Corey?
This is a recent translation by Walter Kaufmann. The language is not the pseudo-King's English I was half-expecting to encounter. :)
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 05:04:51 AM
This work, (along with the New Testament, Beyond Good and Evil, and Der Antichristlich) is one of my favorites.
That's most intriguing. How do you manage to reconcile Nietzsche with Christ?
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 05:09:08 AM
That's most intriguing. How do you manage to reconcile Nietzsche with Christ?
Please re-read, Nietzsche's portrayal of Jesus Christ in Der Antichristlich. It's one of the most beautiful portrayals in the history of literature, and had alot to do with my finally embracing the Catholic faith I was baptised into.
As you probably know,
Florestan, the real title of what is called "The Antichrist" is the "Anti-
Christian". Nietzsche mostly knew about the Lutheran religion he grew up with (his father was a minister), and that is the sect of Christianity he attacks most in Der Antichristlich.
Quote from: Corey on November 28, 2007, 05:08:42 AM
This is a recent translation by Walter Kaufmann. The language is not the pseudo-King's English I was half-expected to encounter. :)
Corey, I found the R.J. Hollingdale to be a better overall translation. Kaufmann, in my opinion, was better at providing commentary than anything else. Also, if you haven't already checked out Nietzsche's biography, Hollingdale's work in the subject is the best introduction and more.
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 05:15:03 AM
Corey, I found the R.J. Hollingdale to be a better overall translation. Kaufmann, in my opinion, was better at providing commentary than anything else. Also, if you haven't already checked out Nietzsche's biography, Hollingdale's work in the subject is the best introduction and more.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I am relatively new to Nietzsche, having only read
Beyond Good and Evil before this.
Quote from: Corey on November 28, 2007, 05:16:45 AM
Thanks, I keep that in mind. I am relatively new to Nietzsche, having only read Beyond Good and Evil before this.
Looks like you're on the right track! I started reading Nietzsche when I was 13, and it took me several readings to start really "getting" his work. Once it
clicked, however, his philosophy Affirmed and even
changed my life (for better) several times.
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 05:24:13 AM
Looks like you're on the right track! I started reading Nietzsche when I was 13, and it took me several readings to start really "getting" his work. Once it clicked, however, his philosophy Affirmed and even changed my life (for better) several times.
If I had discovered him at 13, I don't think I would have understood it at all. You must have been a serious 13-year old. :D
Quote from: Corey on November 28, 2007, 05:28:09 AM
If I had discovered him at 13, I don't think I would have understood it at all. You must have been a serious 13-year old. :D
My father was a child beating "agnostic" (a term I find extremely dubious), and at that time I didn't understand religion, so Nietzsche helped fill in the cracks.
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 05:13:23 AM
Please re-read, Nietzsche's portrayal of Jesus Christ in Der Antichristlich. It's one of the most beautiful portrayals in the history of literature, and had alot to do with my finally embracing the Catholic faith I was baptised into.
As you probably know, Florestan, the real title of what is called "The Antichrist" is the "Anti-Christian". Nietzsche mostly knew about the Lutheran religion he grew up with (his father was a minister), and that is the sect of Christianity he attacks most in Der Antichristlich.
You came back to Catholicism after reading
The Antichrist! Poor Friedrich would roll in his grave if he knew that... :)
Without any intention to be polemic and with all due respect, to me there is no way one can reconcile Nietzsche and Jesus. It's one of the most striking cases of
either / or.
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 05:51:25 AM
Without any intention to be polemic and with all due respect, to me there is no way one can reconcile Nietzsche and Jesus. It's one of the most striking cases of either / or.
You have a point,
Andrei, to which I am sure
Andy can speak better. My own humble outsider's impression is that making that an either / or matter of it, accords
Nietzsche a gravity far beyond his station. I suppose
Andy must understand Nietzsche as illumined by Jesus, and not at all the reverse 8)
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 05:13:23 AM
Please re-read, Nietzsche's portrayal of Jesus Christ in Der Antichristlich. It's one of the most beautiful portrayals in the history of literature, and had alot to do with my finally embracing the Catholic faith I was baptised into.
As you probably know, Florestan, the real title of what is called "The Antichrist" is the "Anti-Christian". Nietzsche mostly knew about the Lutheran religion he grew up with (his father was a minister), and that is the sect of Christianity he attacks most in Der Antichristlich.
I am glad you cleared up my confusion in the second paragraph. ;D
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 05:51:25 AM
You came back to Catholicism after reading The Antichrist! Poor Friedrich would roll in his grave if he knew that... :)
Without any intention to be polemic and with all due respect, to me there is no way one can reconcile Nietzsche and Jesus. It's one of the most striking cases of either / or.
Florestan, if anyone is most assuredly qualified to have the right to be polemic, it's you. To my knowledge, you are one of the overall best informed posters here.
Everybody's different, everyone finds there own way to Love (God).
Nietzsche, in TSZ said it himself: this is
my way, what is
yours?
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 08:52:19 AM
Florestan, if anyone is most assuredly qualified to have the right to be polemic, it's you. To my knowledge, you are one of the overall best informed posters here.
To the best of my information, I confirm this ;)
Back now to Tales from the Alhambra; that story about the nesting pigeons always tugs at my heartstrings.
Quote from: karlhenning on November 28, 2007, 05:56:19 AM
You have a point, Andrei, to which I am sure Andy can speak better. My own humble outsider's impression is that making that an either / or matter of it, accords Nietzsche a gravity far beyond his station. I suppose Andy must understand Nietzsche as illumined by Jesus, and not at all the reverse 8)
This was admirably put,
Karl. I consider Nietzsche the greatest philosopher in Western history, but I have also kept in mind his biography: a man whom lived with a huge amount of bitterness, loneliness, and poorest health. As much as he gave the world, it really is exigent to keep in mind his personal history when reading his more odd assertions (example: his mostly unfair treatment of women).
Again, I must put out how beautiful his portrayal of Jesus is in the abovementioned book; only a man whom truly loved and admired Jesus (though under suspicious auspices) could have written such.
For someone who called himself an immoralist and antichrist, I sure go to him a lot for moral guidelines (leaving his own "creepiness," as someone referred to Wagner, aside)." His "good" and "bad" means "noble" and "unclean."
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 05:51:25 AM
...to me there is no way one can reconcile Nietzsche and Jesus. It's one of the most striking cases of either / or.
It's not Nietzsche, but Dionysus against the Crucified. However, Nietzsche did think of himself and Dionysus, and even the Crucified when he went mad.
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 05:51:25 AM
Without any intention to be polemic and with all due respect, to me there is no way one can reconcile Nietzsche and Jesus. It's one of the most striking cases of either / or.
Re-reading this, at the risk of being presumptuous...
Florestan you are
WAY more open-minded than that. Forgive if any offense taken, none meant in the least.
I've had a couple of quick reads recently. One book written by a cousin of mine (my grandmother's nephew actually), a biographical fiction based on his mother's leaving Paris and going to Istanbul to start a new life. The book is predominantly about his mother but it mentions my grandmother quite a lot too. In that sense it was fun to read, but knowing his mother closely you just know when he is making things up to make the story more interesting, and that was kind of offputting. This book became a national bestseller somehow. I thought the writing was not good at all though.
The other was a collection of letters between a prominent intellectual Turkish author and his son living in the US. The author died about 10 years ago, and he always had my full admiration not solely for the books he wrote but also for the foundation for orphans to which he found and dedicated his life to.
Just finished Alex Ross's The Rest is Noise. Now starting The Singing Neanderthals - The Origins of Music, Language, Mind and Body by Steven Mithen.
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 08:52:19 AM
Florestan, if anyone is most assuredly qualified to have the right to be polemic, it's you. To my knowledge, you are one of the overall best informed posters here.
Quote from: karlhenning on November 28, 2007, 08:53:33 AM
To the best of my information, I confirm this ;)
Thank you very much, gentlemen, you are most kind. I have the same consideration towards you both.
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 09:14:50 AM
Re-reading this, at the risk of being presumptuous...Florestan you are WAY more open-minded than that. Forgive if any offense taken, none meant in the least.
No offense taken,
Andy, rest assured. Actually, I admire you for loving both Christ and Nietzsche in the same time. But what do you make of these:
What is more harmful than any vice?—Practical sympathy for the botched and the weak—Christianity[...]the domestic animal, the herd animal, the sick brute-man—the ChristianAnd Christian is all hatred of the intellect, of pride, of courage, of freedom, of intellectual libertinage; Christian is all hatred of the senses, of joy in the senses, of joy in general....[...]one had better put on gloves before reading the New Testament. The presence of so much filth makes it very advisableChristianity also stands in opposition to all intellectual well-being,I condemn Christianity; I bring against the Christian church the most terrible of all the accusations that an accuser has ever had in his mouth. It is, to me, the greatest of all imaginable corruptions; it seeks to work the ultimate corruption, the worst possible corruption. The Christian church has left nothing untouched by its depravity; it has turned every value into worthlessness, and every truth into a lie, and every integrity into baseness of soulI call Christianity the one great curse, the one great intrinsic depravity, the one great instinct of revenge, for which no means are venomous enough, or secret, subterranean and small enough,—I call it the one immortal blemish upon the human race....Actually, I coud have quoted the whole book, Christ's portrait included. Granted, one can admire his prose, his irony, his passion and his honesty --- but then again: if words have meaning and he was sincere, it's either Nietzsche or Christ. Now, one can argue that this terrible condemnation of Christianity stemmed from some sort of loathing what one secretly admires and that the cause of his insanity was precisely this split in his personality. Be it as it may, one thing remains: in his works he was one of the most acerbic and bitter critics of the Christian religion and morality. And again, be it said with no offense whatsoever meant: how someone can be both a Christian and a Nietzschean is incomprehensible to me.
I'm reading The Trouble With Physics: The Rise of String Theory The Fall of a Science and What Comes Next by Lee Smolin. It's very good.
I haven't read Nietzsche other than excerpts and discussions of his thought in various books. He appears to have been a kind of psychologist and social critic, but not a philosopher in the technical sense. His hostility to Christianity stems from its historical effects as well as his personal emotive reaction, not the meaning of the propositions it contains. If you want a philosophical appreciation, you could start with Russell, a real philosopher.
In addition to his hostilty to what he disliked, there was also his misunderstanding of evolution and its lessons. He seemed to have felt that if Christianity endorsed empathy, then nature must be against it. All in all, he wasn't much of a thinker, and something of a hysteric. His great influence on social thought, as well as on Freud and the future of psychology, is what he will be remembered for. He has no substantial position in philosophy, except among some postmodernists, not a ringing endorsement for the serious-minded. He is, however, popular with teenagers because he is against the same things they are against: authority, oppressive rules, hypocrisy and other easy targets. Richard Rorty admired him, too. ::)
Quote from: EmpNapoleon on November 28, 2007, 12:17:10 PM
Read him.
Why? So I can subject myself to argument by abuse? I can get that here.
QuoteWhat is more harmful than any vice?—Practical sympathy for the botched and the weak—Christianity
[...]the domestic animal, the herd animal, the sick brute-man—the Christian
And Christian is all hatred of the intellect, of pride, of courage, of freedom, of intellectual libertinage; Christian is all hatred of the senses, of joy in the senses, of joy in general....
[...]one had better put on gloves before reading the New Testament. The presence of so much filth makes it very advisable
Anyone who thinks this is philosophical argument is seriously confused about philosophy and what constitutes rational discourse.
If you want a heroic rebel as a writer hero, there's Camus. He wasn't a philosopher either, but he was a fine writer and touched on philosophical themes about freedom and responsibility.
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 11:16:20 AM
Actually, I coud have quoted the whole book, Christ's portrait included. Granted, one can admire his prose, his irony, his passion and his honesty --- but then again: if words have meaning and he was sincere, it's either Nietzsche or Christ. Now, one can argue that this terrible condemnation of Christianity stemmed from some sort of loathing what one secretly admires and that the cause of his insanity was precisely this split in his personality. Be it as it may, one thing remains: in his works he was one of the most acerbic and bitter critics of the Christian religion and morality. And again, be it said with no offense whatsoever meant: how someone can be both a Christian and a Nietzschean is incomprehensible to me.
Please, feel free to quote from Christ's portrait, though it doesn't quite hold up with your last sentence...far from it. It's hard to come away reading that portrayal without knowing Nietzsche's deeply felt admiration for Jesus...I daresay he slips up in a way that Freud would have love to analyze. I recently reread that portrayal, and it seems to me that on the whole (in regard to Nietzsche's vehement condemnation of Christianity) that "the lady doth protest too much".
As to your quotes, you are quoting a man whom was terribly sickly and half blind through his whole life. The best biographical sources say that he probably only had sex once, and that ended up driving him crazy, completely blind, and ultimately killing him. Of course a person like that would have to give a huge amount of lip service to a "Superman"...wouldn't he?
I don't consider myself a Nietzschean. That was something I was for most of my life, and I ended up bitter and lonely. Just like him.
I still profoundly admire his work, and am indebted to him, as well as Edmund Husserl and Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Hegel, for providing me with a terrific amount of inspiration, as well as getting me through so many hard times in my life. But I could say that, and more, about Music. But I don't "worship" music, or Hegel, Husserl, or Nietzsche. I worship God (Jesus) and venerate his mother and the saints.
That someone could deeply admire Nietzsche and still be a Roman Catholic (I don't use the word "Christian", as that word has a different connotation in America) absolutely should not be incomprehensible to you. There are far, far greater contradictions throughout the history of man.
And I'm betting you
know that.
Quote from: drogulus on November 28, 2007, 12:07:46 PM
If you want a philosophical appreciation, you could start with Russell, a real philosopher.
In addition to his hostilty to what he disliked, there was also his misunderstanding of evolution and its lessons. He seemed to have felt that if Christianity endorsed empathy, then nature must be against it. All in all, he wasn't much of a thinker, and something of a hysteric. His great influence on social thought, as well as on Freud and the future of psychology, is what he will be remembered for. He has no substantial position in philosophy, except among some postmodernists, not a ringing endorsement for the serious-minded. He is, however, popular with teenagers because he is against the same things they are against: authority, oppressive rules, hypocrisy and other easy targets. Richard Rorty admired him, too. ::)
Interesting and well written post! However, I seriously doubt that most would favorably compare the impact of Nietzsche with that of Russell. I see that you are interested in Physics, etc. and I respect your interests. I personally found Wittgenstein's only slightly less dry ruminations to be far more convincing than Russell.
Or maybe I'm just biased against the arid, void-of-colour, anti-Romantic choke-spew writing style and summations of Russell.
Just my opinion, and I mean no offense whatsoever.
Quote from: drogulus on November 28, 2007, 12:46:17 PM
Why? So I can subject myself to argument by abuse? I can get that here.
Anyone who thinks this is philosophical argument is seriously confused about philosophy and what constitutes rational discourse.
If you want a heroic rebel as a writer hero, there's Camus. He wasn't a philosopher either, but he was a fine writer and touched on philosophical themes about freedom and responsibility.
He loves the Analytical,
bless ya! Camus is pretty damn terrific, I agree with you there. Might I also whole-heartedly reccomend Mrrs. Dostoevsky and Kafka as well?
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 01:29:12 PM
Might I also whole-heartedly reccomend Mrrs. Dostoevsky and Kafka as well?
Certainly. I would recommend
The Idiot.
Writers don't have to be philosophers. They are phenomenologists, they tell you how things are for them, not how things are. If they are any good, how things are for them might be how things are for you, too. Or they convince you for awhile that this might be true.
Quote from: drogulus on November 28, 2007, 01:54:59 PM
Certainly. I would recommend The Idiot.
Writers don't have to be philosophers. They are phenomenologists, they tell you how things are for them, not how things are. If they are any good, how things are for them might be how things are for you, too. Or they convince you for awhile that this might be true.
Great point, and The Idiot is my favorite Dostoevsky.
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 01:21:36 PM
As to your quotes, you are quoting a man whom was terribly sickly and half blind through his whole life. The best biographical sources say that he probably only had sex once, and that ended up driving him crazy, completely blind, and ultimately killing him. Of course a person like that would have to give a huge amount of lip service to a "Superman"...wouldn't he?
Precisely. From the point of view of a healthy and balanced life he was the very embodiment of "the botched and the weak" he held in so much contempt. I would venture to say that it was basically self-hate that inspired him. And the irony of it all is that in a world built entirely on his own ideas he would have been among the first to be annihilated, as it happened daily in Sparta, for instance. Moreover, in
Thus spake Zarathustra he states explicitly that the ideas of the sick and the disabled are not as good as those of the healthy and the vigorous --- and in so doing he condemns himself.
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 01:21:36 PMI don't consider myself a Nietzschean. That was something I was for most of my life, and I ended up bitter and lonely. Just like him.
Quote from: Haffner on November 28, 2007, 01:21:36 PMI still profoundly admire his work.
When I was a teenager I adored him. But then, fortunately, I realized the terrible danger that lurks in his ideas --- precisely that bitterness and loneliness you experienced yourself --- and abandoned them. I think some of his writings should bear a warning: "Taking this book too seriously can gravely damage your mental and physical health".
For me the ultimate test for a
thinker --- I deliberately avoid the term
philosopher --- and especially for a social thinker such as Nietzsche is this: would I want to live in a world organized according to his principles? In the case of Nietzsche, my answer is a resounding
NO!That being said, I understand and respect your admiration for him and I haven't the slightest intention to try to diminish it. Actually, I apologize for this intrusion but a Roman Catholic who admires Nietzsche is not something one encounters often. (And guess what: I'm an Orthodox who admires Pascal, Kierkegaard and Schopenhauer... ) :)
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 11:18:49 PM
Precisely. From the point of view of a healthy and balanced life he was the very embodiment of "the botched and the weak" he held in so much contempt. I would venture to say that it was basically self-hate that inspired him. And the irony of it all is that in a world built entirely on his own ideas he would have been among the first to be annihilated, as it happened daily in Sparta, for instance. Moreover, in Thus spake Zarathustra he states explicitly that the ideas of the sick and the disabled are not as good as those of the healthy and the vigorous --- and in so doing he condemns himself.
Exactly, all the more reason to take what he writes
cum grano salis.
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 11:18:49 PM
When I was a teenager I adored him. But then, fortunately, I realized the terrible danger that lurks in his ideas --- precisely that bitterness and loneliness you experienced yourself --- and abandoned them. I think some of his writings should bear a warning: "Taking this book too seriously can gravely damage your mental and physical health".
You
said it! And
perfectly.
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 11:18:49 PM
For me the ultimate test for a thinker --- I deliberately avoid the term philosopher --- and especially for a social thinker such as Nietzsche is this: would I want to live in a world organized according to his principles? In the case of Nietzsche, my answer is a resounding NO!
That being said, I understand and respect your admiration for him and I haven't the slightest intention to try to diminish it. Actually, I apologize for this intrusion but a Roman Catholic who admires Nietzsche is not something one encounters often. (And guess what: I'm an Orthodox who admires Pascal, Kierkegaard and Schopenhauer... ) :)".
You're not intruding at all, friend. I agree with you.
On a side note, I realize that this is naive of me, but I pray that our two religions will someday soon make the connection.
Quote from: Haffner on November 29, 2007, 03:53:48 AM
I realize that this is naive of me, but I pray that our two religions will someday soon make the connection.
Ut unum sint. Amen to that!
Back on topic.
I'm currently reading
"The Middle Ages and the Birth of Europe" by
Jacques le Goff. To be followed by
"Historically correct" and
"Intellectual terrorism", both by
Jean Sevillia, a sort of
rara avis: French, Roman Catholic, conservative and proud of it.
Finally got a copy of Alex Ross's The Rest is Noise, and very much looking forward to it. I've read excerpts in The New Yorker and elsewhere, and those have been marvelous. And someone else may have mentioned this, but it's been picked by The New York Times as one of the "Ten Best Books of 2007." Review here (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/books/review/Dyer-t.html?ex=1351224000&en=fc8ad83f1a32927b&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss).
--Bruce
Quote from: Florestan on November 28, 2007, 11:18:49 PM
I realized the terrible danger that lurks in his ideas --- precisely that bitterness and loneliness you experienced yourself --- and abandoned them. I think some of his writings should bear a warning: "Taking this book too seriously can gravely damage your mental and physical health".
It's funny. I too have been on a kind of downward spiral after reading Nietzsche. And though I'm not a teenager (I'm 22), I'm still in the thick of his influence. Though I won't take heed of your warnings. I know he is dangerous. He once said that when you battle monsters, you should be careful not to become one yourself. That's on you. I feel good when I read Nietzsche, bottom line. Philosophy that makes me feel good is hard to come by. So, I realize that your warnings are sincere, but I'm stubborn and will have to turn on Nietzsche on my own accord, if I ever do. Perhaps his thoughts were too much for even himself to bear. He can't be blamed for that.
Quote from: EmpNapoleon on November 29, 2007, 08:30:39 AM
It's funny. I too have been on a kind of downward spiral after reading Nietzsche. And though I'm not a teenager (I'm 22), I'm still in the thick of his influence. Though I won't take heed of your warnings. I know he is dangerous. He once said that when you battle monsters, you should be careful not to become one yourself. That's on you. I feel good when I read Nietzsche, bottom line. Philosophy that makes me feel good is hard to come by. So, I realize that your warnings are sincere, but I'm stubborn and will have to turn on Nietzsche on my own accord, if I ever do. Perhaps his thoughts were too much for even himself to bear. He can't be blamed for that.
Excellent point. I must give credit to Nietzsche for having literally saved my life several times, going back to the age of 13. The greatest philosopher in Western history, and the one with the most relevance today
BAR NONE. Just my opinion.
QuoteAnyone who thinks this is philosophical argument is seriously confused about philosophy and what constitutes rational discourse.
What is more harmful than any vice?—Practical sympathy for the botched and the weak—Christianity
[...]the domestic animal, the herd animal, the sick brute-man—the Christian
And Christian is all hatred of the intellect, of pride, of courage, of freedom, of intellectual libertinage; Christian is all hatred of the senses, of joy in the senses, of joy in general....
[...]one had better put on gloves before reading the New Testament. The presence of so much filth makes it very advisable
These quotes cannot give a complete view on Nietzsche's output. I recommend you to read "On the genealogy of morals" to have a full account of Nietzsche's thought about Christianity. It is an historical or
empirical- as Rudolf Carnap wrote, and he was yet a completely different kind of philosopher - study on the origin of Christianity and morality. A study which left many questions unanswered.
You cite Bertrand Russell (which is infact one of my favourite if not the favourite philosopher of all), but he seems to be no more gentle than Nietzsche when we come to Christianity.
QuoteYou find as you look around the world that every single bit of progress in humane feeling, every improvement in the criminal law, every step toward the diminution of war, every step toward better treatment of the colored races, or every mitigation of slavery, every moral progress that there has been in the world, has been consistently opposed by the organized churches of the world. I say quite deliberately that the Christian religion, as organized in its churches, has been and still is the principal enemy of moral progress in the world.
From "Why I'm not a Christian".
Nietzsche is nevertheless more of a poet and an artist than a philosopher in the strict sense, that's why he often discard rational, calm arguments.
Corey, what did you think of The Magic Mountain?
Quote
You find as you look around the world that every single bit of progress in humane feeling, every improvement in the criminal law, every step toward the diminution of war, every step toward better treatment of the colored races, or every mitigation of slavery, every moral progress that there has been in the world, has been consistently opposed by the organized churches of the world. I say quite deliberately that the Christian religion, as organized in its churches, has been and still is the principal enemy of moral progress in the world.
Now that's indeed a rational discourse! ;D
Quote from: EmpNapoleon on November 29, 2007, 08:30:39 AM
So, I realize that your warnings are sincere, but I'm stubborn and will have to turn on Nietzsche on my own accord, if I ever do.
By all means. Life's best lessons are those we learn ourselves, right? :)
Quote from: Scriptavolant on November 29, 2007, 05:44:16 PM
You cite Bertrand Russell (which is infact one of my favourite if not the favourite philosopher of all), but he seems to be no more gentle than Nietzsche when we come to Christianity.
This is true, but criticism and abuse are different. The passage you quote, though debateable on its merits, is nevertheless a substantive attack that falls within reasoned discourse. We can and should argue to what extent the various religions have constituted a bar to moral progress, as well as when they have effectively resisted the evil influence of other doctrines. Nietzsche, in the tradition of Martin Luther, wishes to excoriate his opponents and place them beyond the pale of dialogue. You don't dispute with "filth". This has no place in philosophy, though the "continentals" will disagree.
I don't recall ever reading the pamphlet (though I might have, as it's the sort of thing I was attracted to as an adolescent) but if this quote from Russell is accurate:
QuoteYou find as you look around the world that every single bit of progress in humane feeling, every improvement in the criminal law, every step toward the diminution of war, every step toward better treatment of the colored races, or every mitigation of slavery, every moral progress that there has been in the world, has been consistently opposed by the organized churches of the world. I say quite deliberately that the Christian religion, as organized in its churches, has been and still is the principal enemy of moral progress in the world.
then it's quite telling, as every single claim is so patently false as to destroy Russell's credibility. Rather appalling to discover that he had so little intellectual integrity.
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on November 29, 2007, 06:00:49 PM
Corey, what did you think of The Magic Mountain?
Sorry I haven't answered already. It's one of those things that takes me several days to mull over, so that such a question would require either an unsatisfactory answer, or no answer at all. Perhaps needless to say it made a deep impression upon me.
(http://www.compositiontoday.com/images/the_rest_is_noise.jpg)
Started this yesterday. It could be easy to label someone whose tastes are as wide-ranging as Ross's as a musical tourist and dilettante (indeed, I have often felt inclined to do so), but his insightful writing refutes this notion utterly.
Quote from: longears on December 01, 2007, 05:03:31 AM
I don't recall ever reading the pamphlet (though I might have, as it's the sort of thing I was attracted to as an adolescent) but if this quote from Russell is accurate then it's quite telling, as every single claim is so patently false as to destroy Russell's credibility. Rather appalling to discover that he had so little intellectual integrity.
Moreover, for someone to infer from the fact that he was a very competent mathematician that he was also a very competent historian or philosopher is a gross fallacy. Quite the contrary is true: he might have been a great mathematician, but he either knew next to nothing about history or he deliberately chose to ignore its plain facts --- sheer intellectual dishonesty, as you said.
Your statement seems convincing:
Quote from: Florestan on December 02, 2007, 04:12:17 AM
he might have been a great mathematician, but he either knew next to nothing about history or he deliberately chose to ignore its plain facts
Yes, that's why he won the Nobel Prize in Literature ;D
If I understand well neither of you two has read the book. A good start could be to read it, since Russell provides satisfying historical evidences and arguments supporting his viewpoint. But the last evidence endorsing his view could be as well the last Pope's encyclical "Spe salvi".
Greetings
Quote from: Corey on December 01, 2007, 05:48:11 PM
Sorry I haven't answered already. It's one of those things that takes me several days to mull over, so that such a question would require either an unsatisfactory answer, or no answer at all. Perhaps needless to say it made a deep impression upon me.
True. I like the way Mann mixes in droll humour (the reference to Beethoven's "erotic symphony"), morbid introspection and high drama (like the duel between Settembrini and Naphta). He creates a world from which there is no escape, including for the reader.
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The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution (2007) by David O. Stewart - just starting on this book - looks like a concise re-counting of this story; plenty of 5* reviews on Amazon - CLICK on the image, if interested - :D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X85JBmE2L._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Summer-1787-Men-Invented-Constitution/dp/0743286928/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196641787&sr=1-1)
Quote from: SonicMan on December 02, 2007, 03:35:12 PM
The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution (2007) by David O. Stewart - just starting on this book - looks like a concise re-counting of this story; plenty of 5* reviews on Amazon - CLICK on the image, if interested - :D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X85JBmE2L._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Summer-1787-Men-Invented-Constitution/dp/0743286928/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196641787&sr=1-1)
My wife just finished
1776 Dave. She is now onto Ellis's
His Excellency : George Washington. I will let her know about the above. We also just picked up this one:
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Along with the poetry, just started this delight:
(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780345336194.jpg)
Quote from: Scriptavolant on December 02, 2007, 06:42:38 AM
Yes, that's why he won the Nobel Prize in Literature ;D
So did Winston Churchill and Dario Fo and I hope you're not going to try convince me they --- and Russell --- were on a pair with Hamsun, Hesse, Mann, Faulkner, Steinbeck, or Garcia Marquez among many, many others.
Quote from: Scriptavolant on December 02, 2007, 06:42:38 AMIf I understand well neither of you two has read the book. A good start could be to read it, since Russell provides satisfying historical evidences and arguments supporting his viewpoint.
I've read it several times and found his "historical evidences and arguments" not satisfying at all. But maybe I'm too intellectually demanding.
Quote from: Scriptavolant on December 02, 2007, 06:42:38 AMBut the last evidence endorsing his view could be as well the last Pope's encyclical "Spe salvi".
This I haven't read indeed but I'm going to. Thanks for pointing it to me.
Quote from: Danny on December 02, 2007, 05:56:33 PM
Along with the poetry, just started this delight:
(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780345336194.jpg)
It is an excellent book. I read it quite a few years ago. There was an excellent movie by the same name which was 6 Ep hours long. Don't know if it is still in print.
The book and movie are excellent preparation for Moussorgsky's opera
Khovanshchina.
Quote from: Bogey on December 02, 2007, 03:47:22 PM
My wife just finished 1776 Dave. She is now onto Ellis's His Excellency : George Washington. I will let her know about the above. We also just picked up this one:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516E6cHjQUL._AA240_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51h9bqmfidL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Bill - as usual, looks like we are into reading many of the same topics! ;D
I've also read the two books mentioned above, but have not looked at
The Creation by Ellis (who I've readlly enjoyed over the years).
Sitting on my 'to read' pile is
Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence (2007) by John Ferling - a little longer than some of these other books, so I've been holding off! If interested, check out the Amazonian Reviews (http://www.amazon.com/Almost-Miracle-American-Victory-Independence/dp/0195181212/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196690177&sr=1-6), and please post about your thoughts on the Ellis book - thanks. Dave
Quote from: Danny on December 02, 2007, 05:56:33 PM
Along with the poetry, just started this delight:
(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780345336194.jpg)
That's a very good book. You might also want to read Massie's
Nicholas and Alexandra, about the fall of the Romanov dynasty. It was also made into a fine film.
Massie's greatest book is
Dreadnaught, about the naval arms race between Britain and Germany leading up to the Great War. The sequel
Castles of Steel covers the war itself. I know it sounds somewhat dry, but this is some of the best popular history I've read.
Quote from: drogulus on December 03, 2007, 01:43:07 PM
That's a very good book. You might also want to read Massie's Nicholas and Alexandra, about the fall of the Romanov dynasty. It was also made into a fine film.
Massie's greatest book is Dreadnaught, about the naval arms race between Britain and Germany leading up to the Great War. The sequel Castles of Steel covers the war itself. I know it sounds somewhat dry, but this is some of the best popular history I've read.
Thanks for the info. On AOL this week, regarding the Romanov dynasty it was announced that researchers believe they have finally solved what happened to the 2 children missing from the main burial site. Researchers are awaiting the DNA test results but it is believed the 2 children were buried uphill from the main burial site.
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A fortune cookie (no, but really) which reads:
QuoteToday hold on tight to your money. Leave that credit card at home.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Fantastic!
To further my knowledge in music:
Conductors in Conversation by Robert Chestermann
A collections of interviews with conductors such as Karajan, Solti, Giulini, Muti, Abbado and Levine.
Philadelphia Maestros by Phyllis White Rodriguez-Peralta
A collection of biographies on Ormandy, Muti, and Sawallisch
Symphony Orchestras of the World edited by Robert R. Craven
Includes profiles of the most famous orchestras in the world.
Interesting line-up, Gustav! The one I have heard the most about (but haven't read) is the Chestermann. And welcome to GMG, by the way! :D
--Bruce
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Starting this one again. I had made through the first half a few years ago. I had thought that it was a bit misogynistic (probably not intentionaly) the first time around. Let's see what it tells me this time.
Goethe's Faust for the first time. The second part is a bit frustrating.
Maynard Solomon's "Beethoven."
I must admit...it's pretty damn dry. I'm having a hard time staying with it.
I'm reading Sallambô by Gustave Flaubert, but I think I'm reading it wrong. I like the writing itself, but some events are just a bit too simplified, like the battle at Utica.
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A compelling account that fills in the gap of what happened in the 50 years following that first Thanksgiving -- an uneasy peace between Colonists and Indians that ultimate gave way to a 14-month war that nearly devastated both populations.
Arthur Schopenhauer - World as Will and Representation
Quote from: Corey on December 12, 2007, 04:13:19 AM
Arthur Schopenhauer - World as Will and Representation
I read this in 1998 and was completely blown away by it-enjoy.
Quote from: BorisG on December 03, 2007, 05:56:36 PM
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Where are you? I am taking my time - two chapters from Bilocations
This is worth a look if you have not seen it
http://against-the-day.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page (http://against-the-day.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page)
Great way to keep track of the characters and check unfamiliar references
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Quote from: O Mensch on December 14, 2007, 06:22:35 AM
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A friend of mine keeps begging me to read Akutagawa. What do you think?
Quote from: rockerreds on December 12, 2007, 08:29:41 AM
I read this in 1998 and was completely blown away by it-enjoy.
Without exaggeration, this is the most important thing I've ever read. All the things I've felt to be true are here spelled out in clear and unambiguous terms. I can't conceive of a time when this book will lose its impact.
Now back to fiction: Henry James's
The Golden Bowl. Is it any good? I don't know yet, but James's reputation certainly precedes him.
Quote from: gmstudio on December 07, 2007, 12:18:50 PM
Maynard Solomon's "Beethoven."
I must admit...it's pretty damn dry. I'm having a hard time staying with it.
It's WAY too psycholoanalytical. Solomon's book on Mozart is much better.
Get
Beethoven by Lewis Lockwood and don't bother finishing the Solomon. It just gets worse.
Quote from: rockerreds on December 12, 2007, 08:29:41 AM
I read this in 1998 and was completely blown away by it-enjoy.
Both Richard Wagner and Nietzsche were as well. However, Nietzsche soundly refutes alot of this work in his own "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" and "Twilight of the Idols", the latter more vehemently than the former.
J.M. Coetzee, Disgrace.
A spare, coolly lyrical novel about a poetry professor in South Africa, who resigns after a sexual harassment case, and goes to live for the time being with his daughter. Then something happens that makes him, eventually, into a less egocentric person (or does it? haven't finished it yet).
Quote from: Haffner on December 19, 2007, 03:46:52 PM
It's WAY too psycholoanalytical. Solomon's book on Mozart is much better.
Get Beethoven by Lewis Lockwood and don't bother finishing the Solomon. It just gets worse.
Haffner, I have both the Solomon's book on Mozart and Lewis Lockwood's book on Beethoven. I particularly enjoyed the Lewis Lockwood Beethoven.
The 80 page liner notes to this 4CD box set:
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And yes, it's good. 8)
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A suitable book to read for daiy commute. There are some inconsistencies in the plot, IMO, but nevertheless entertaining as a whole. Whatever you do, do not read the paragraph from the Library Journal on the Amazon page as it gives out the most important/intriguing part of the plot :P
Quote from: ChamberNut on December 20, 2007, 03:55:12 AM
Haffner, I have both the Solomon's book on Mozart and Lewis Lockwood's book on Beethoven. I particularly enjoyed the Lewis Lockwood Beethoven.
I just borrowed the Lewis Lockwood Beethoven from the Royal Library in The Hague. I'm looking forward to reading it!
Quote from: Corey on December 15, 2007, 06:18:07 AM
A friend of mine keeps begging me to read Akutagawa. What do you think?
Great stuff. Not the most brilliantly written that I have seen, but great in its own way. I found the descriptions of Christian worshippers from the perspective of traditional Buddhist Japanese from several centuries ago particularly fascinating. Have you seen Kurosawa's Rashomon? It is based on two of the short stories in the book above.
Quote from: Jezetha on December 20, 2007, 02:14:02 AM
J.M. Coetzee, Disgrace.
A spare, coolly lyrical novel about a poetry professor in South Africa, who resigns after a sexual harassment case, and goes to live for the time being with his daughter. Then something happens that makes him, eventually, into a less egocentric person (or does it? haven't finished it yet).
Excellent book. I just bought Slow Man. Hopefully will find some time soon to read it.
Just finished Lolita by Nabokov. Lots of words I had to look up but that is a good thing! I am still at the stage of life where I'm keen to learn anything and everything! Well-written and very interesting, though skimmed parts of the second half. Quite disturbing as well...
Quote from: Corey on December 19, 2007, 01:43:26 PM
Now back to fiction: Henry James's The Golden Bowl. Is it any good? I don't know yet, but James's reputation certainly precedes him.
Actually I decided to do what I
really want and finally read Mann's
Doctor Faustus. :)
I never got to finish Faustus. I tried twice, but left it before i was midway through. Strange, as I am a huge Mann fan. What am I missing?
Henri Poincare's last essays. Got interested when I read a quote by Nassim Taleb who said he was the greatest French philosopher
Great works on the limits of science and knowledge and the impossibility of any authoritative system of ethics or morality
Quote from: Haffner on December 19, 2007, 03:46:52 PM
It's WAY too psycholoanalytical. Solomon's book on Mozart is much better.
Get Beethoven by Lewis Lockwood and don't bother finishing the Solomon. It just gets worse.
Excellent...this is exactly the sort of "letting me off the hook" I was looking for. :)
(http://www.churchillbooks.com/images/thb_12774.jpg)
Mixed reviews...much like Ike's career. However, the strong points that some reviewers have pointed out are what I am looking for, so I will give it a go.
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 20, 2007, 05:35:15 PM
I never got to finish Faustus. I tried twice, but left it before i was midway through. Strange, as I am a huge Mann fan. What am I missing?
I am enjoying reading it but there is something about it that makes it tend to drag. I wonder if a different translation would make it any better (I have the H.T. Lowe-Porter version).
Quote from: O Mensch on December 14, 2007, 06:22:35 AM
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great writer, love him. Not sure about that translation though, haven't read it. He wrote some scintillating stories (and a few I didn't like). In a Grove--the main body of the Kurosawa film--is absolutely awesome, such a concentrated piece.
Alex Ross, The Rest Is Noise -- thank you, Santa-baby. Entertaining and informative, at least for me.
just finishing up the Antonioni interviews/articles/essays. Hard to imagine I could love this director any more but exactly that has happened after reading about his opinions, habits and beliefs. What a great artist. Funnily enough the most revealing of the interviews comes from a 1969 Playboy article. They had the audacity to ask him about taking LSD, marijuana and his opinions on sex/eroticism/intimacy (of course). Wonderful!
bio on Paul Celan next. should have read this years ago when going through the verse. back to the deep end now
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Quote from: Corey on December 27, 2007, 03:26:14 PM
I am enjoying reading it but there is something about it that makes it tend to drag. I wonder if a different translation would make it any better (I have the H.T. Lowe-Porter version).
Well, I read it in a French translation, and the impression was the same. Just as it is with a Jose Saramago novel I'm reading now (supposedly his masterpiece). I preferred another one I read a few weeks ago.
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I loved this book. Fascinating insight into the amazing life of Mozart. His letters are charming, witty and reveal insight into his personality and creative music making process. :)
Cosima Wagner Diaries ~ Vol.1. & 2
I've just started reading this massive tome. Its interesting thus far with a gloomy Gothic undercurrent to the moods and themes presented. I've a long way to go so... :D
Quote from: sidoze on December 27, 2007, 03:42:52 PMbio on Paul Celan next. should have read this years ago when going through the verse. back to the deep end now
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I'm an admirer of Paul Celan's poetry. In what language do you read him? In the original German, in translation?
Jez
Quote from: Jezetha on December 28, 2007, 12:17:24 PM
I'm an admirer of Paul Celan's poetry. In what language do you read him? In the original German, in translation?
Jez
we obviously haven't met yet, otherwise you would know that I am hopeless with languages (aside from singing along to songs and cartoons). In English translation. Hopeless maybe, but what can I do? Trakl is another poet I love, but the same thing goes, of course. Honestly I don't like the sound of German very much so maybe it's not too bad a thing, for me.
Have you read this bio?
Quote from: sidoze on December 28, 2007, 12:26:47 PM
we obviously haven't met yet, otherwise you would know that I am hopeless with languages (aside from singing along to songs and cartoons). In English translation. Hopeless maybe, but what can I do? Trakl is another poet I love, but the same thing goes, of course. Honestly I don't like the sound of German very much so maybe it's not too bad a thing, for me.
Have you read this bio?
I haven't read it, yet... But when it came out I read a very favourable review in the Times Literary Supplement.
Funny you are hopeless with languages, yet you like poetry; and you don't like the sound of German, yet you love Trakl, who is among the most musical of German poets...
Quote from: Jezetha on December 28, 2007, 12:37:05 PM
I haven't read it, yet... But when it came out I read a very favourable review in the Times Literary Supplement.
Funny you are hopeless with languages, yet you like poetry; and you don't like the sound of German, yet you love Trakl, who is among the most musical of German poets...
I'm doing okay with Russian, I want to read--and am, in a way, though rather haltingly--Akhmatova in the original, plus a few other poets, but I'm still a long way off. I'd like to learn Italian too but doubt I'll ever live there. Other than that I can't say I'm very interested in other languages. Reading all this in English makes me happy enough, in spite of being aware that it shouldn't. And English doesn't have the most beautiful sound either, I know. I suppose you read Trakl and Celan in German?
You know, after so much listening to Finnish music, I am reading the Kalevala.
Quote from: btpaul674 on December 28, 2007, 06:55:23 PM
You know, after so much listening to Finnish music, I am reading the Kalevala.
Several months ago I read all of it up to the end of the Lemminkäinen saga, but not after that, and I haven't finished it yet for whatever reason.
Quote from: sidoze on December 28, 2007, 04:17:30 PM
I suppose you read Trakl and Celan in German?
Yes. But for a Dutchman German isn't that too difficult, although reading difficult poetry in that language is something else, of course - that entails using a dictionary where necessary and reading secondary literature (I have five books about Celan, for instance).
And don't bash English - it's beautiful!
"DER PAPALAGI"
Speeches from the tribal chief Tuiavii de Tiavéa.
Quote from: val on December 29, 2007, 01:34:48 AM
"DER PAPALAGI"
Speeches from the tribal chief Tuiavii de Tiavéa.
A good friend of mine mentioned this book once. I had never heard of it. I must still get round to reading it, though...
Quote from: longears on December 27, 2007, 03:34:56 PM
Alex Ross, The Rest Is Noise -- thank you, Santa-baby. Entertaining and informative, at least for me.
This I gave as a present to someone....and am waiting on my copy myself. ;) We're even going to use this as a supplement in our Music History class.
Quote from: btpau674You know, after so much listening to Finnish music, I am reading the Kalevala.
You know, I keep meaning to as well as much of it as I listen to, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I just got the scores for the Sibelius Legends and Kullervo for Christmas, which inspires me to get back to that...
The text is online even, I just found here:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/kveng/
The War of the World, by Niall Ferguson
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He sees the wars of the 20th century as resulting in (or at least as demonstrating) the decline of the West. The book is well written, and the argument is certainly worth considering. Ferguson is a bit contrarian (empires are pretty good, but can't outlast their life cycle, sort of like an aging star burning the last of its fuel). So I'll recommend it.
South Carolina & the American Revolution (2003) by John Gordon - just purchased in Camden, South Carolina - on a 2-night trip to Charlotte, NC (stayed at a 'new' wonderful place - Ballantyne Resort Hotel (http://www.ballantyneresort.com/); great restaurant & services); drove down to Camden, SC - sight of a major SC revolutionary battle (Aug 1780 - see map below); unfortunately, the battlefield has not been restored (a shame), but a dedicated National Park site in the town - this completes a major loop for me in visiting these American Revolutionary battlefields in this area - it's like a 'horseshoe' - start w/ Charleston, SC - go to Camden, then King's Mountain & the Cowpens - into North Carolina @ Guilford Courthouse (now Greensboro in honor of Nathaniel Greene), and finally onto Yorktown, Virginia, where Cornwallis finally gave up the southern invasion attempt that led to the end of this war - these are the MAJOR battles, now need to visit the 'smaller' ones - ;)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JK69TC15L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)(http://www.crr.sc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/2749B4DD-33AD-415B-8E97-D6BADAC689C6/0/map.gif)
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The Exorcist
One of my favorite novels, it never fails to send major chills up my spine! >:D
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This one and another novel called "The Companion" by the same author. Two of the most refreshing books I've read in a while. The author, Magden, creates a world that has no bearing on the time period and protagonists that have no gender. Too bad they were both short (about 200 pages each).
Quote from: drogulus on December 29, 2007, 09:44:54 AM
The War of the World, by Niall Ferguson
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He sees the wars of the 20th century as resulting in (or at least as demonstrating) the decline of the West. The book is well written, and the argument is certainly worth considering. Ferguson is a bit contrarian (empires are pretty good, but can't outlast their life cycle, sort of like an aging star burning the last of its fuel). So I'll recommend it.
Hmmm...I had read about this book before and wondered if it might be worth reading. It certainly is a subject which interests me a lot. I had just wondered if this is one of so many, many books which actually *starts out* with some "new and revelatory" insight or interpretation of history and then spends several hundred pages "proving" it, or if that conclusion is really the result of analysis and rethinking as such.
I also wonder what he means by "decline of the West". Decline from what into what? From a state in which the vast majority of people in "the West" lived in poverty in big empires (or little states depending on big empires) which sucked a lot of resources out of overseas colonies (where people lived under even worse conditions than the poor masses in "the West") to the more or less exclusive benefit of a small upper crust, and which were constantly at war with each other into a state in which more people than ever before in "the West" live under very good conditions in more or less democratic states with more civil rights and protection of the individual irrespective of its "class" than ever before in history, and intense economic and cultural relationships between countries which make the renewed outbreak of massive conflicts very unlikely?
Is it a "decline of the West" that Western countries are no longer dominating and exploiting the rest of the world in colonies (well, they still are, in a way, but not as completely as before)?
Yes, I do wonder what is meant by "decline of the West."
Apart from Sean-of-the-frequent-departures . . . .
I'm about a third of the way through Ferguson's book, actually. Pretty interesting so far. When he says decline of the west, he means it's decline in relation to the rest of the world ("the East"). At the turn of the century, the western powers were dominant in the world, brutally ruling colonies in Africa and Asia, marching into China, etc. By the end of the century there's been a definite power shift, which is one of the underlying themes of the book. He also means to a certain extent the descent of western "civilization", with poison gas, genocide, et al.
Genocides happened before the 20th century, too, and even though there had been no poison gas before WWI, people have always been very creative and employed whatever technical means they had to blow each other up, hack each other to pieces, bombard, burn, cook, maim, slash, squash, flatten the enemy in whatever way possible and available. That the 20th century saw war and genocide on an unprecedented scale was just a function of technological progress ahead of humanitarian progress, I think. But overall, the outcome of all that is a world with improved humanitarian thinking in general, even if we all still have a long way to go.
I also think the insight that it's really not so nice to exploit "underdeveloped" countries is really progress, not descent, although like I said, we actually still do that to a certain degree, if on a less massive scale and maybe less violent, too. I think overall, things are very slowly getting better in general though.
Obviously, this is not the right place to discuss this subject in general or this book in particular, but still, thanks for sharing these insights from the book. I also realize that such complex studies and conclusions can no be reduced to a short post either, and I note that everyone here who has commented on the book has apparently found it worth reading, so I think I may actually pick it up.
Quote from: longears on December 27, 2007, 03:34:56 PM
Alex Ross, The Rest Is Noise -- thank you, Santa-baby. Entertaining and informative, at least for me.
I am about 1/3 of the way through, and think it's quite a brilliant book. Ross's scholarship (whoa, check out the notes in the back) combined with his interest in so many types of music would be enough on its own, but his refracting it all through social and political prisms makes fascinating reading. And I like that it seems readable by just about anyone; it's not pitched at experts. I can't wait for the chapter on Britten's
Peter Grimes...may have to cheat and skip ahead...
--Bruce
Quote from: bhodges on January 02, 2008, 04:18:24 PM
I am about 1/3 of the way through, and think it's quite a brilliant book. Ross's scholarship (whoa, check out the notes in the back) combined with his interest in so many types of music would be enough on its own, but his refracting it all through social and political prisms makes fascinating reading. And I like that it seems readable by just about anyone; it's not pitched at experts. I can't wait for the chapter on Britten's Peter Grimes...may have to cheat and skip ahead...
--Bruce
I also liked how he pointed out similarities between pieces/composers that are seemingly completely different.
Quote from: bhodges on January 02, 2008, 04:18:24 PM
I am about 1/3 of the way through, and think it's quite a brilliant book. Ross's scholarship (whoa, check out the notes in the back) combined with his interest in so many types of music would be enough on its own, but his refracting it all through social and political prisms makes fascinating reading. And I like that it seems readable by just about anyone; it's not pitched at experts. I can't wait for the chapter on Britten's Peter Grimes...may have to cheat and skip ahead...
--Bruce
That's about how far into it I am. ;) It's a fascinating book, and already gives me a lot to think about with the links he suggests between various composers! I love the vivid scenes he sets up concerning events that brought together the great masters, makes you wish you could've been there.
I must admit, I
did skip ahead, to naturally the Sibelius chapter, which is really a nice view on how unique he was among the rest of the 20th century, focusing especially on Sibelius' place in musical life in his later years and how that affected him. And a great end to that bit!
I also hopped over to some of the Stravinsky/Schoenberg stuff - I honestly had no idea Schoenberg was ever so seriously interested in scoring for film, that was very interesting to read about!
You can tell Ross is very well-versed in literature, he makes a lot of thought-provoking references, that remind me of books I really must read sometime - Mann's
Doctor Faustus being one of them. ;)
BTW - GoogleBooks has put up a hour-long discussion Alex Ross did of his book in October, you can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOSZ4BqQ4Og
When I'm a bit further along, I look forward to seeing it - he came to speak in Houston at a DaCamera concert but alas, I had college committments and could not go!
Quote from: Greta on January 02, 2008, 05:01:22 PM
That's about how far into it I am. ;) It's a fascinating book, and already gives me a lot to think about with the links he suggests between various composers! I love the vivid scenes he sets up concerning events that brought together the great masters, makes you wish you could've been there.
I must admit, I did skip ahead, to naturally the Sibelius chapter, which is really a nice view on how unique he was among the rest of the 20th century, focusing especially on Sibelius' place in musical life in his later years and how that affected him. And a great end to that bit!
I also hopped over to some of the Stravinsky/Schoenberg stuff - I honestly had no idea Schoenberg was ever so seriously interested in scoring for film, that was very interesting to read about!
You can tell Ross is very well-versed in literature, he makes a lot of thought-provoking references, that remind me of books I really must read sometime - Mann's Doctor Faustus being one of them. ;)
This sounds like a book that will interest me too :)
Quote from: Corey on January 02, 2008, 04:57:45 PM
I also liked how he pointed out similarities between pieces/composers that are seemingly completely different.
Yes! That takes unusual insight, and he seems to have a ton of it.
Edit: just saw Greta and Chris's posts...yes, he has really done his homework, and yes, what is slightly astonishing to me is how "non-jargon-y" it is. At a New Year's Day party yesterday I got into an interesting discussion with a rock drummer who is still skeptical of Schoenberg but had actually heard about this book. I told him to go get a copy immediately!
--Bruce
I have ordered The Rest is Noise as well and can't wait to read it!
God Is Not Great, How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens.
So far it is my favorite of the anti-religion screeds published in the last year and a half or so.... and definitely the most accessible.
Quote from: M forever on January 02, 2008, 12:54:29 PM
...I note that everyone here who has commented on the book has apparently found it worth reading, so I think I may actually pick it up.
I definitely think you'd enjoy it. Please don't judge it from my brief note -- I was just trying to explain what the title meant -- his argument is much more complex than that, and backed with enough statistics to choke a horse. Very readable, though. :)
Quote from: Operahaven on January 02, 2008, 05:57:53 PM
God Is Not Great, How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens.
So far it is my favorite of the anti-religion screeds published in the last year and a half or so.... and definitely the most accessible.
It's certainly an accessible read. While I agree with some of his basic premises, he goes a bit too far it seems to me. He's too much of a pessimist IMO -- while organized religion has certainly been at the core of a great many evils over the centuries, there have been massive benefits that he glosses over, or assumes (without much justification) would have appeared without the necessity of faith. Still, he makes some compelling arguments, and some of his personal stories are good fodder for thought. I'd certainly recommend it if anyone has an interest in the subject.
Dusty Sklar's " The Nazis and the Occult", Dorset Press,NY,1977.
A fascinatig book, very well written, on a subject very few had
investigated. It explains many awful nazi's deeds and the sick mentality of those monsters.
No, it doesn't. Interest in the occult may be a symptom of some confused and potentially dangerous people. But it is only a symptom, not the cause. And then there are a lot of perfectly harmless people who have some interest in that subject, too, for various reasons.
The reasons behind all that are much, much, much more complex. But to even begin to gain an understanding of that subject, a lot of study is needed. I can see how a trivial sensationalist book makes it appear easier and more attractive though.
Did you read the book?. ???
No, but I am pretty well informed about the subject in general and also the elements of the occult and mysticism in NS ideology in particular. That's not a matter of reading one book more or less, or any "revelatory" insights gained from just looking at that from one angle. Because like I already said,
Quote from: M forever on January 03, 2008, 01:52:25 AM
The reasons behind all that are much, much, much more complex. But to even begin to gain an understanding of that subject, a lot of study is needed. I can see how a trivial sensationalist book makes it appear easier and more attractive though.
And there are countless such books, but none of them - and no single "serious" book either - can satisfyingly and exhaustingly explain the reasons behind these events.
Sounds like a novelization of Raiders of the Lost Ark
So, you didn't read the book but you do condemn it as trivial
and sensationalist. It is enough to show me that I have to
avoid any of your post in the future.
With your very limited reading comprehension, you won't be able to understand most of them anyway. You didn't even understand the extremely simple and short posts I wrote above. I didn't "condemn" anything there. I just pointed out that what the Nazis did and why isn't that easily explained. There are many, and very complex, factors which played into that. Sorry, but I can't make it any shorter and easier. I can see now why you lean towards such apparently simplicist and populist literature.
Quote from: karlhenning on January 03, 2008, 09:03:58 AM
Sounds like a novelization of Raiders of the Lost Ark
;D ;D ;D
Very true. Carlos - watching that movie is all you need to do to find out what the "3rd Reich" was all about. Basically, occult stuff, evil grinning people in black leather coats, evil (but not grinning) people in brown uniforms. That's about it. And corrupt French people. It also has an U-Boot, that's always good.
Oh, and it also teaches you not to open boxes when you don't really know what's inside!
What I never understood though is why Indiana Jones poures out some sand from the little sack he replaces the idol with at the beginning. I mean, the sack is smaller than the idol to begin with, it is pretty obvious that it is much lighter than the (presumably) gold idol. Duh!
Quote from: carlos on January 03, 2008, 01:45:56 AM
Dusty Sklar's " The Nazis and the Occult", Dorset Press,NY,1977.
A fascinatig book, very well written, on a subject very few had
investigated. It explains many awful nazi's deeds and the sick mentality of those monsters.
I saw a documentary, some years ago, on the subject. They stated that Churchill himself tried to oppose the Nazis resorting to occult techniques. Don't know if the approach is merely sensationalist or not, by the way it sounded interesting.
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on December 28, 2007, 12:15:08 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VF2P2AX5L._AA240_.jpg)
I loved this book. Fascinating insight into the amazing life of Mozart. His letters are charming, witty and reveal insight into his personality and creative music making process. :)
Cosima Wagner Diaries ~ Vol.1. & 2
I've just started reading this massive tome. Its interesting thus far with a gloomy Gothic undercurrent to the moods and themes presented. I've a long way to go so... :D
Hey, those look really good! I have been thinking about getting the Cosima diaries at the library, so please let me know how good?
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on December 28, 2007, 12:15:08 PM
I loved this book. Fascinating insight into the amazing life of Mozart. His letters are charming, witty and reveal insight into his personality and creative music making process. :)
Yes, the
Spaethling is an excellent read! It's right here on my shelf at work.
Until I cracked this book open, I had no idea how comparatively small the body of
Mozart correspondence is.
Quote from: Corey on January 02, 2008, 07:19:14 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WTC8VP4GL._SS500_.jpg)
My favorite translation.
Not quite "currently" (as will shortly be explained), nor have I finished it, and so questions of how good it is must tarry a while . . . some time before the end of the year we got four copies of The Rest Is Noise in at the museum shop, and I had managed to read through something like the first three chapters. Then, of course, the day came when I arrived at the shop for a shift, and we had sold the last copy.
Last night at the shop, I noted that we had gotten two more copies in, so I re-read the "Dance of the Earth" Chapter, and read "Invisible Men." At the least, Alex Ross has written a book which is very readable, and there is some good fact at least somewhere on probably every page; and this is to be commended.
At once, I am inclined to read the rest of it, but not inclined to purchase a copy. It's quite a hot item at the Boston Public Library (there are some ten or so copies at large as it is, and they see to have ordered ten more which have not yet arrived).
Anyway, largely enjoying it, learning some new things, and being reminded of some things which I once knew, and since forgot . . . .
Quote from: Operahaven on January 02, 2008, 05:57:53 PM
God Is Not Great, How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens.
So far it is my favorite of the anti-religion screeds published in the last year and a half or so.... and definitely the most accessible.
I haven't finished the Ferguson book. Now I'm reading
The Portable Atheist, edited by
Christopher Hitchens with an introduction by him that contains the essentials of his position, which he describes accurately as "antitheist" (I would put Dawkins in that category as well, but not
Harris or
Dennett).
So far I've read the entries by
Lucretius,
Spinoza,
Hume, and the wonderful excerpt by
Boswell as he visits the dying
Hume, who near the end of his life recommends
Adam Smith's The Wealth Of Nations. There is also an entry by
Shelley I haven't finished which contains powerful argument of a decidedly philosophical nature on causation. The book has the advantage of presenting the editors influences as well as his conclusions. I'm looking forward to reading the entries by
Ayan Hirsi Ali and especially
Ibn Warraq, as well as usual suspects
Dawkins,
Dennett, etc.
Quote from: drogulus on January 04, 2008, 12:59:00 PM
I haven't finished the Ferguson book. Now I'm reading The Portable Atheist, edited by Christopher Hitchens with an introduction by him that contains the essentials of his position, which he describes accurately as "antitheist" (I would put Dawkins in that category as well, but not Harris or Dennett).
So far I've read the entries by Lucretius, Spinoza, Hume, and the wonderful excerpt by Boswell as he visits the dying Hume, who near the end of his life recommends Adam Smith's The Wealth Of Nations. There is also an entry by Shelley I haven't finished which contains powerful argument of a decidedly philosophical nature on causation. The book has the advantage of presenting the editors influences as well as his conclusions. I'm looking forward to reading the entries by Ayan Hirsi Ali and especially Ibn Warraq, as well as usual suspects Dawkins, Dennett, etc.
Misery loves company, eh?
Re.
The Rest Is Noise: About halfway through and still enjoying it quite a bit. Learning a little about music, a little about history, and a lot about influential personalities. I've not yet encountered any claims that sent me scrambling to check facts, and there've been a few chuckles along the way. Just finished the chapters on music under Stalin and Hitler. Not many chuckles there. The material on Hitler & Wagner had me once again scratching my head as to how folks can possibly distinguish his hateful anti-Semitic meglomania from his art. Hitler sure got it, long before the paper-hanging bastard became the surrogate patriarch of Bayreuth.
I've never read Hitchens, but I'm reading Dawkins' unmentionable (I prefered to wait the Italian translation which came with a sensible delay) and finishing Dennett's "Breaking the spell". I'm reading "Philosophy of Mind. An overview for cognitive science" by William Bechtel as well. I usually combine chapters from each book in order to have the feeling to proceed faster :D
I was looking for a good history book on monks' life as well. Does anyone have a suggestion?
Quote from: Scriptavolant on January 05, 2008, 01:23:26 PM
I was looking for a good history book on monks' life as well. Does anyone have a suggestion?
Il nome della rosa
Or: (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41jzzSTitML._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
or perhaps:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41zYrMfvc6L._SS500_.jpg)
or even:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TTN9EABTL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
I suggest the middle one path, David. 0:)
Quote from: jwinter on January 02, 2008, 06:05:06 PM
It's certainly an accessible read. While I agree with some of his basic premises, he goes a bit too far it seems to me. He's too much of a pessimist IMO -- while organized religion has certainly been at the core of a great many evils over the centuries, there have been massive benefits that he glosses over, or assumes (without much justification) would have appeared without the necessity of faith. Still, he makes some compelling arguments, and some of his personal stories are good fodder for thought. I'd certainly recommend it if anyone has an interest in the subject.
Jwinter and Drogulus,
I agree with many things Hitchens says too but it would have been better if he had stressed that the real poison is monotheism, not religion. For example, at least ancient Greek theology does not pretend that their religion provides the right answers. It also recognizes and accepts human fallibility and doesn't promise that everything will work out in the end...
Quote from: Operahaven on January 06, 2008, 06:32:39 PM
Jwinter and Drogulus,
I agree with many things Hitchens says too but it would have been better if he had stressed that the real poison is monotheism, not religion. For example, at least ancient Greek theology does not pretend that their religion provides the right answers. It also recognizes and accepts human fallibility and doesn't promise that everything will work out in the end...
More than that, it more or less guarantees that things won't end up so great for the majority of the shades. The mystery cults (e.g., Eleusis) came along with all manner of passwords for the afterlife and allegories to offer something approximating hope for the dead.
Just finished Orhan Pamuk's The New Life. Began Henryk Sienkiewicz's The Deluge. Both are excellent.
Found a couple of beauties at a used book store:
Beethoven - Bi-Centennial 1770-1970 by Joseph and Hans Schmidt Schmidt-Georg
A great hardcover book for the coffee table! Some beautiful illustrations. 12' x 12' book!
also got a paperback oldie:
Schubert - Alfred Einstein
Quote from: M forever on January 05, 2008, 05:50:16 PM
Il nome della rosa
Hey, that's true.
But I was looking for something more strictly historical about the work of the monks in order to preserve Classical culture, and more detailed informations about daily life and cult and Middle Age political scenario. Don't know if Il nome della Rosa gives all this.
I forgot to specify that I was referring mainly to Christian monks, Zen monks are welcomed but maybe later.
Quote from: Florestan on January 07, 2008, 12:04:58 AM
Just finished Orhan Pamuk's The New Life.
This is one Pamuk book that I did not enjoy as much as others. Still, it has one of the greatest opening lines of any book I've read.
Quote from: Scriptavolant on January 07, 2008, 11:23:48 AM
Hey, that's true.
But I was looking for something more strictly historical about the work of the monks in order to preserve Classical culture, and more detailed informations about daily life and cult and Middle Age political scenario. Don't know if Il nome della Rosa gives all this.
I forgot to specify that I was referring mainly to Christian monks, Zen monks are welcomed but maybe later.
There is a small book by Eco, I forgot the exact title, which is basically a commentary on "The Name of the Rose". It explains a lot of these things and why certain details in the story are the way they are to fit historical "reality". This provides many interesting insights already, and there may be a bibliography and reference works listed. I am sure there are a number of very good books about this subject in Italian. I would just hit a well sorted local library and check in the history section.
Rereading the Odyssey. It's been about 7 years since I studied it in school.
Quote from: PSmith08 on January 06, 2008, 07:10:22 PM
More than that, it more or less guarantees that things won't end up so great for the majority of the shades. The mystery cults (e.g., Eleusis) came along with all manner of passwords for the afterlife and allegories to offer something approximating hope for the dead.
Also, as an aside:
Doesn't the existence of many different gods (polytheism) offer a more plausible account than monotheism of the presence of evil and confusion in the world ?
Quote from: Operahaven on January 07, 2008, 05:16:59 PM
Also, as an aside:
Doesn't the existence of many different gods (polytheism) offer a more plausible account than monotheism of the presence of evil and confusion in the world ?
Maybe. You might consider the monotheism of Mazdaism, where Ahura Mazda is God and the devil is his shadow. Forgive me if that's WAY oversimplified.
Quote from: Corey on January 07, 2008, 04:22:46 PM
Rereading the Odyssey. It's been about 7 years since I studied it in school.
Scratch that, I'm actually reading Bulfinch's
Mythology. I feel a bit silly I haven't read this already.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PR30KVSGL._AA240_.jpg)
I like to read pseudo-science every now and again for fun, and this book disappointed less than most. Check some of the chapter titles:
1. How Ancient is Humanity?
2. Problems with Evolution
3. Could 'Extinct' Creatures Still Exist
4. Living Dinosaurs
Chapter 1, fair game, this is a subject of great debate. 2, ditto, to a lesser extent. 3, even fairer. 4, err... At first I thought this was referring to sharks or crocodiles in some way, but no. This section was accompanied by an "artists rendition" of a small African pygmy standing next to an elephant-sized diplodocus. It goes on:
5. The Mysteries of Human Evolution
6. Suppressed Facts Concerning Ancient Mankind
7. Where Did Our Civilization Come from?
8. The Story of Atlantis
5, yes. 6, OK, but you'd better back this stuff up... 7, yes, an interesting subject. 8, WTF???
I love the way he manages to mix borderline rational theories with this batshit insane stuff, so as entertainment, the book was very good. His reasoning is so puzzling that it calls his mental condition into question. He alternates between wanting to "prove" his theories by scientific means - eg mentioning the specific layers of rock items were found in - to going off on insanely elaborate leaps of faith on the basis that a few Africans claim to have seen a dinosaur, or somebody claims to have been reincarnated from another person, and their depiction of the early person's life has "a ring of truth to it", etc.
It actually did provide a few interesting points, which - if he did not outright lie about them - I am going to research from more credible sources. So it was interesting as well as funny.
Nice to see you back, Lethe. :)
Quote from: Corey on January 10, 2008, 01:17:02 PM
Nice to see you back, Lethe. :)
Danke, hehe :D I was convinced to visit my significant others parents in France so decided to make a holiday of it, visiting various cathedral towns.
Quote from: Corey on January 08, 2008, 06:10:29 PM
Scratch that, I'm actually reading Bulfinch's Mythology. I feel a bit silly I haven't read this already.
I am very interested in Mythology, but I have never read that book. Can you say more about it?
This is my 6th reading of this Classic (admittedly, it's only the 3rd time I clicked with it entirely). This is one of those books you will be completely frustrated with your first couple of times reading it. However, once it clicks, it clicks in a most fascinating, profound way. You'll never look at things (literally, LOOK) in the same way again.
Yes, Hegel can be very hard to understand. Have you tried the comic book version?
Quote from: M forever on January 10, 2008, 03:00:54 PM
Yes, Hegel can be very hard to understand. Have you tried the comic book version?
Dude, I wrote it.
Quote from: M forever on January 10, 2008, 02:37:58 PM
I am very interested in Mythology, but I have never read that book. Can you say more about it?
Well, I'm not even through the first section,
The Age of Fable, and already a lot of allusions I found in other literature that eluded me (elusive allusions ;D) make sense. It is very useful if you're interested in literature from the first half of the 19th Century and earlier, or even mythology in general.
Quote from: Haffner on January 10, 2008, 02:47:28 PM
This is my 6th reading of this Classic (admittedly, it's only the 3rd time I clicked with it entirely). This is one of those books you will be completely frustrated with your first couple of times reading it. However, once it clicks, it clicks in a most fascinating, profound way. You'll never look at things (literally, LOOK) in the same way again.
Schopenhauer and Nietzsche (and Kierkegaard) are pretty dismissive of Hegel. Should I bother?
Quote from: Corey on January 10, 2008, 03:21:37 PM
Schopenhauer and Nietzsche (and Kierkegaard) are pretty dismissive of Hegel. Should I bother?
I'm pretty dismissive of Schopenhauer, Heidegger, and Kant. Read Hegel before any of them. Since you already read Nietzsche and Kierkegaard (my two favorites) I suggest reading Sartre and Husserl as well.
Quote from: M forever on January 10, 2008, 03:00:54 PM
Yes, Hegel can be very hard to understand. Have you tried the comic book version?
In my view, or in the view of the philosophical viewpoint I prefer, that's not a merit. I mean, you can be hard to understand because you're dealing with hard concepts, or because you're just messing up things with words instead, basically stretching their meaning far beyond the logical boundary of intelligible discourse. And I'm quite certain this is the case of Herr Hegel.
When I went to high school I really admired Hegel and bought the abovementioned work with a separate text which was a guide to the understanding of the work. But I quite soon had the feeling that Hegel was builiding his philosophy on an usage of words and concepts which had very little to do with the real world. Too idealistic, too abstract, too fanciful. Later I've found out that this feeling of mine wasn't so weird, and that some of the following generations of philosopher had thought basically the same.
There's a caustic but I think realistic review of Hegel in a nutshell in Karl Popper "The open society and its enemies". I couldn't find an english excerpt of the critic Popper adresses to Hegel, but I recommend it of course.
Quote from: Haffner on January 10, 2008, 03:29:07 PM
I'm pretty dismissive of Schopenhauer, Heidegger, and Kant. Read Hegel before any of them. Since you already read Nietzsche and Kierkegaard (my two favorites) I suggest reading Sartre and Husserl as well.
I don't think I've read enough of either. Just
Beyond Good and evil,
Zarathustra,
Twilight and
Antichrist from Nietzsche, and
Fear and Trembling and
Either/Or from Kierkegaard. Is there anything else I should read?
Quote from: Scriptavolant on January 10, 2008, 03:30:16 PM
In my view, or in the view of the philosophical viewpoint I prefer, that's not a merit. I mean, you can be hard to understand because you're dealing with hard concepts, or because you're just messing up things with words instead, basically stretching their meaning far beyond the logical boundary of intelligible discourse. And I'm quite certain this is the case of Herr Hegel.
When I went to high school I really admired Hegel and bought the abovementioned work with a separate text which was a guide to the understanding of the work. But I quite soon had the feeling that Hegel was builiding his philosophy on an usage of words and concepts which had very little to do with the real world. Too idealistic, too abstract, too fanciful. Later I've found out that this feeling of mine wasn't so weird, and that some of the following generations of philosopher had thought basically the same.
There's a caustic but I think realistic review of Hegel in a nutshell in Karl Popper "The open society and its enemies". I couldn't find an english excerpt of the critic Popper adresses to Hegel, but I recommend it of course.
Hegel's mind was unbelievably expansive, and he meant his writings to be an accurate projection of such.
Your friends gave up on the book. Read it again. Start with the Contrite Consciousness. Read it with Monasticism in mind. Then read it with the Enlightenment in mind. Then read it with Psychoanalysis in mind. Try any number of viewpoints, and you'll begin to see the monumentality of the work.
I certainly don't begrudge anyone whom has a difficult time with Hegel. But your friends quit. If you quit again, please realize that you're telling yourself reasons why you quit. The Phenomenology of Spirit was a massive, positive influence on Phenomenology and Organic philosophy as a whole. It birthed Existentialism. Check it out again.
Quote from: Corey on January 10, 2008, 03:20:22 PM
It is very useful if you're interested in literature from the first half of the 19th Century and earlier, or even mythology in general.
I am not really aware of any literature from the 19th century that would qualify as mythology. Mythology is usually "pretty old stuff" and rarely literature as such, but something based in folk tales or other very old traditions.
Quote from: M forever on January 10, 2008, 03:39:56 PM
I am not really aware of any literature from the 19th century that would qualify as mythology. Mythology is usually "pretty old stuff" and rarely literature as such, but something based in folk tales or other very old traditions.
Haha. Maybe I should have clarified that it would be useful if you're interested in 19th Century literature since they so often make reference to mythology.
I've found the excerpt I mentioned.
In order to give the reader an immediate glimpse of Hegel's Platonizing worship of the state, I shall quote a few passages, even before I begin the analysis of his historicist philosophy. These passages show that Hegel's radical collectivism depends as much on Plato as it depends on Frederick William III, king of Prussia in the critical period during and after the French Revolution. Their doctrine is that the state is everything, and the individual nothing; for he owes everything to the state, his physical as well as his spiritual existence. This is the message of Plato, of Frederick
William's Prussianism, and of Hegel. 'The Universal is to be found in the State', Hegel writes8. 'The State is the Divine Idea as it exists on earth ... We must therefore worship the State as the manifestation of the Divine on Earth, and consider that if it is difficult to comprehend Nature, it is infinitely harder to grasp the Essence of the State ... The State is the march of God through the world ... The State must be comprehended as an organism ... To the complete State belongs, essentially, consciousness and thought. The State knows what it wills ... The State is real; and .. true reality is necessary. What is real is eternally necessary ... The State .. exists for its own sake ... The State is the actually existing, realized moral life.' This selection of utterances may suffice to show Hegel's Platonism and his insistence upon the absolute moral authority of the state, which overrules all personal morality, all conscience. It is, of course, a bombastic and hysterical Platonism, but this only makes more obvious the fact that it links Platonism with modern totalitarianism. One could ask whether by these services and by his influence upon history, Hegel has not proved his genius. I do not think this question very important, since it is only part of our romanticism that we think so much in terms of 'genius'; and apart from that, I do not believe that success proves anything, or that history is our judge9; these tenets are rather part of Hegelianism. But as far as Hegel is concerned, I do not even think that he was talented. He is an indigestible writer. As even his most ardent apologists must admit10, his style is 'unquestionably scandalous'. And as far as the content of his writing is concerned, he is supreme only in his outstanding lack of originality. There is nothing in Hegel's writing that has not been said better before him. There is nothing in his apologetic method that is not borrowed from his apologetic forerunners11. But he devoted these borrowed thoughts and methods with singleness of purpose, though without a trace of brilliancy, to one aim: to fight against the open society, and thus to serve his employer, Frederick William of Prussia. Hegel's confusion and debasement of reason is partly necessary as a means to this end, partly a more accidental but very natural expression of his state of mind. And the whole story of Hegel would indeed not be worth relating, were it not for its more sinister consequences, which show how easily a clown may be a 'maker of history'. The tragicomedy of the rise of German Idealism, in spite of the hideous crimes to which it has led, resembles a comic opera much more than anything else; and these beginnings may help to explain why it is so hard to decide of its latter-day heroes whether they have escaped from the stage of Wagner's Grand Teutonic Operas or from Offenbach's farces.
From Karl Popper, The Open Society and its enemies
Quote from: Haffner on January 10, 2008, 03:38:39 PM
[..] positive influence on Phenomenology and Organic philosophy as a whole. It birthed Existentialism. Check it out again.
Yes, as I've said Hegel was a good start for me. I didn't quit. We had several lessons on his philosophy. But as I entered Wittgenstein's door, the way back was definitely closed and I'd consider it a waste of time now. This is my experience, but you have yours which is obviously different.
Quote from: Scriptavolant on January 10, 2008, 03:58:11 PM
Yes, as I've said Hegel was a good start for me. I didn't quit. We had several lessons on his philosophy. But as I entered Wittgenstein's door, the way back was definitely closed and I'd consider it a waste of time now. This is my experience, but you have yours which is obviously different.
Oh yeah, Wittgenstein! "Philosophical Investigations"! Fascinating book.
I see your point, and I commend your study materials. Eccelente!
I'm always reading more than one book at the same time...
1) Edward Timms, Karl Kraus: Apocalyptic Satirist, The Post-War Crisis and the Rise of the Swastika
2) Philip Roth, Exit Ghost
3) Sven Hanuschek, Elias Canetti
The first book is the second part of the first major study in English of Austrian satirist Karl Kraus (1874-1936). The 'Post-War Crisis' referred to is, of course, the aftermath of the First World War in Austria and Germany, which Kraus commented on and often ridiculed sharply. He saw the danger of the Nazis earlier than most. I'm always glad that he didn't live to see even his darkest premonitions and prophecies confirmed, yes, easily surpassed during the Second World War.
I just started reading Pihlip Roth's novel. I have been very impressed by 'The Human Stain', so I'm looking forward to this.
The third book is the first biography (in German) of Elias Canetti, Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, who died in 1994 at the age of 89. He became world-famous with the publication of his extraordinary autobiography (in three parts). But early on in his career he wrote a great novel when he was just 25, 'Die Blendung' (Auto-da-fe, in English), and then worked for 30 years on the massive study 'Masse und Macht', Crowds and Power. Apart from this he wrote plays and essays. I'm reading the biography just to see what parts of his life Canetti shields form our gaze in his autobiography (which only covers the first 35 years of his life, btw)...
Johan
At times weirdly repetitive, but it's nice to have a concordance. The selected recording section is interesting as well.
Quote from: Haffner on January 12, 2008, 01:27:17 PM
At times weirdly repetitive, but it's nice to have a concordance. The selected recording section is interesting as well.
I'm reading Jonathan Carr's The Wagner Clan. That IS one scary family!
Quote from: erato on January 13, 2008, 12:38:39 AM
I'm reading Jonathan Carr's The Wagner Clan. That IS one scary family!
(laughing) ;)
Quote from: erato on January 13, 2008, 12:38:39 AM
I'm reading Jonathan Carr's The Wagner Clan. That IS one scary family!
No shit, Sherlock! But didn't little Adolf make a wonderful surrogate papa?
Hmmm, I just flashed on the similarities between Dickie and L. Ron Hubbard.
I'm not actually reading this, but it's book related so I'll post here anyway.
I came across a review for Andromeda Romano-Lax's The Spanish Bow, apparently based on the life of Pablo Casals. Sounds interesting, although the reviewer seems to think the author is trying a bit too hard. Has anyone read this or heard of this author?
http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/generalfiction/0,,2235880,00.html
Just finished The Groucho Letters, wonderful.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gqjFtXfBL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
I am now reading this, too, because my best friend gave it to me for my birthday:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41M73vb9pLL.jpg)
First reading:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0140449132.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Another book I should have read before now.
Quote from: Corey on January 18, 2008, 04:34:56 PM
First reading:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0140449132.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Another book I should have read before now.
Terrific book!
Just returned from an overnight visit to the Fearrington Inn near Chapel Hill, NC - wife's yearly Birthday treat! Great bookstore there called McIntryre's Bookstore (http://www.fearrington.com/village/mcintyres.asp) - small, but w/ an intelligent selection of books w/ a lot of paperback selections, recent choices below:
Sailing from Byzantium: How a Lost Empire Shaped the World (2007) by Colin Wells - looking forward to reading this book - I love the Byzantium Empire - most simply don't know the impact this empire had on the world - excellent reviews! :D
Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design (2007) by Michael Shermer - short book on the present argument of 'Intelligent Design' vs. 'Darwinian Evolution', so if you're into this stuff (as I've been from the 1960s!), then pick up the book! :o
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61E15W6PYVL._AA240_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QkfNmF0GL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9781855327351.jpg)
Osprey have a pretty astonishing range of these little military history books. They must have hundreds of titles about all sorts of subjects, military history, campaigns, tactics, weapons, uniforms. Usually very well researched and with a lot of detailed illustrations. Very valuable sources of information if you are interested in that kind of stuff. Although since recent generations of Germans have grown up with an extremely critical attitude towards glorification of military subjects (I probably don't have to explain why), I am sometimes puzzled by the extent of the fascination the British have with that subject:
(http://www.hobbiesguinea.com/images/osmod23.jpg)
Hmmm...
Quote from: M forever on January 20, 2008, 01:19:34 AM
Although since recent generations of Germans have grown up with an extremely critical attitude towards glorification of military subjects (I probably don't have to explain why), I am sometimes puzzled by the extent of the fascination the British have with that subject
I know that was rhetorical, but I have wondered about it myself. I think it's because after WW2, when grand "glorious" wars in the 18th/19th century sense were no longer possible for European nations due to the stability of the western side of the continent (and for a while, the Soviet Union's threat), the British seemed to go out on a "high" after a few hundred years of generally unbroken success in the field (not that it could've necessarily held onto its military position for much longer, it was just a fortunate coincidence), so there remained an interest in the subject opposed to other nations which went out on a "low". There is also regarding WW2 in particular, the realisation that it could've gone horribly wrong and the world could've been so much worse than after any previous war that it could hardly be comprehended*, so to celebrate/relive the good fortune of a victory against Germany is a way of "dealing" with a time that could've resulted in the eradication of the whole country.
The general inferiority complex of some British/English people means that reminding of long past or recent achievements is a way for someone to confirm to themselves that they are a great nation. The isolation (and also safety) of an island nation versus every other major European country with multiple borders plays a part of the psyche. Not just making cultural exchange a little more difficult, it has also been more stable than continental nations as a result. There was a medium hiccup in the 11th century, and a larger one in the 17th, but generally it has been plain sailing during other times, relative so some of the turmoil in Europe.
During a fair few parts of that millennium, there have been either strong armies, or a strong navy, which have kept out would-be invaders, and there's a perception that this has kept the country rather secure. The sheer amount of wars that the country was involved in, with a military infrastructure that was able to develop without being interrupted by major political problems, led to the country being able to do things militarily that should've been beyond its means. This simply means that the country created a lot of historical events which are of interest. As there is a bias towards national glorification in history in many arenas (for example, books on medieval cathedrals in French will mainly focus on French buildings, ones in English will mainly focus on English ones), then as the British were particularly good at waging war from between 1337-1945, their interests tend to reflect that more strongly than another nation where that is not one of their more prominent achivements.
*Only in the 20th century were the technologies and infrastructure available to fully occupy and eradicate whatever the aggressor likes within a country. Prior to that, wars generally ended in "shame" for the defeated nation, but generally the aggressor pulled out afterwards, and perhaps absorbed bits of territory, but not full countries. It was kind of pulled off by the English with its neighbours, but the success of this was partly due to cultural similarity, and partly because it was not a full assimilation anyway.
The British lost the war, along with the French, the Germans and all of Eastern Europe. The Soviets won with massive help from the Americans (we supplied food, fuel, trucks and planes, they supplied soldiers).
If you want to understand why military glory no longer appeals to Europeans you just have to read a little history. Europeans don't really understand this any better than we do, though. They have formed the opinion that they reject glorifying war because of their superior virtue. Furthermore, there's no punchline to this joke.
(http://www.booksamillion.com/bam/covers/0/37/570/524/0375705244.jpg)
Dave (Sonic),
I am sure you have read the above. I just started today and would appreciate yours and others thoughts that have also read this.
Quote from: Bogey on January 20, 2008, 08:31:00 AM
(http://www.booksamillion.com/bam/covers/0/37/570/524/0375705244.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SNMRVTCXL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518GNYQ32XL._AA240_.jpg)
Dave (Sonic),
I am sure you have read the above. I just started today and would appreciate yours and others thoughts that have also read this.
Hello,
Bill - yes, but has been a while (bought in hardcover from the History Book Club when released) - good read, some sections better than others - I really like Joseph Ellis, but must say that my favorite 'recent' book of his was the one on George Washington; BTW, also bought the DVD set of the
Founding Brothers - quite good also (would suggest a rental, if you've not already seen the production). Dave :D
Quote from: SonicMan on January 20, 2008, 08:55:17 AM
Hello, Bill - yes, but has been a while (bought in hardcover from the History Book Club when released) - good read, some sections better than others - I really like Joseph Ellis, but must say that my favorite 'recent' book of his was the one on George Washington; BTW, also bought the DVD set of the Founding Brothers - quite good also (would suggest a rental, if you've not already seen the production). Dave :D
Yes Dave, I have read his GW book and was VERY impressed. My wife is about half through it now and also is enjoying it. Have you noted the new John Adams series coming up on HBO. We may end up subscribing to it just to catch this series. Here is a preview...looks impressive:
http://www.hbo.com/films/johnadams/index.html
Quote from: Bogey on January 20, 2008, 09:13:00 AM
Yes Dave, I have read his GW book and was VERY impressed. My wife is about half through it now and also is enjoying it. Have you noted the new John Adams series coming up on HBO. We may end up subscribing to it just to catch this series. Here is a preview...looks impressive:
http://www.hbo.com/films/johnadams/index.html
I was not aware of the Adams series on HBO - we have TW cable but to not subscribe to the premium channels - likely will be available soon after on Netflix, so will add to my 'rental list' - thanks for the mention! Dave :)
(http://context.themoscowtimes.com/photos/large/2004_10/2004_10_01/book_2.jpg)
Very researched and balanced, with all aspects of the dictatorships examined and explained.
Quote from: Haffner on January 10, 2008, 03:29:07 PM
I'm pretty dismissive of Schopenhauer, Heidegger, and Kant. Read Hegel before any of them. Since you already read Nietzsche and Kierkegaard (my two favorites) I suggest reading Sartre and Husserl as well.
Why Sartre? I find him superficial, and he's not even good at it... "he's not even superficial", as Nietzsche liked to say. To speak more precisely; he's just plain stupid, any idiot of our era could have written such enormities. What i hear when i hear Sartre is: "Lets not give a shit about anything, lets do whatever we want, no matter how harmful it can be to ourselves, mankind, life and earth. Life is short, we must not care too much about things" (it's even worst than Cioran, who, at least, never pretended to be healthy). This is what he had in mind when saying the word "freedom"! I know how this word sounds to people ears, and i also know how easily they make the mistake to not listen what's
behind the word. If we compare, for exemple, the freedom of both Sartre and Nietzsche, we'll find out that they are perfect opposites; even if they both have builded a "freedom philosophy", they have builded totally opposites philosophies.
That's how i see him personnaly -- oh wait, i havent said it!! -- (as the "voice of the people") and that's why i'm curious to know what you find interesting about Sartre, especially as a Nietzsche enthousiast? Or maybe you just start to dance when you hear "freedom"?!! ;D
Quote from: Varg on January 23, 2008, 12:21:18 AM
"he's not even superficial", as Nietzsche liked to say.
Reminds me of another, "dark"(laughing like crazy) Varg....hope you're not a fan of his (unintentionally hilarious) "writings". Cool music though.
If your post was meant to be vehemently conclusive, then you have alot more to read. Sartre took copiously from Hegel in particular. In fact, he actually ended up reading like he was attempting to Nietzsche-ize Hegel. I reccomended Sartre because he gives an excellent overview of the French Existentialistic craze of the early to mid 20th century.
You aren't specific enough in your attack on Sartre. Please cite quotes (within context) from his works.
Quote from: Haffner on January 23, 2008, 10:44:11 AM
Reminds me of another, "dark"(laughing like crazy) Varg....hope you're not a fan of his (unintentionally hilarious) "writings". Cool music though. No, i'm not a fan of his. The name Varg, as i use it, has nothing to do with Vikernes whatsoever.
If your post was meant to be vehemently conclusive, then you have alot more to read. Sartre took copiously from Hegel in particular. In fact, he actually ended up reading like he was attempting to Nietzsche-ize Hegel. I reccomended Sartre because he gives an excellent overview of the French Existentialistic craze of the early to mid 20th century. That's all i wanted to know. I was just being curious.
You aren't specific enough in your attack on Sartre. Please cite quotes (within context) from his works. I could only do that in french, that is, if i'm able to find my "worthless books" boxes. But it's not what he's written, it's what i see behind his writing, so there's no way i can be specific about it, or demonstrate it; like every great stains, it never shows it's real face, it's always hidding behind a pretty surface. It's just a personnal thing; i dont expect you to (as i dont wish you to) agree with me, and i'm not trying to make you eat my meal.
Quote from: Varg on January 23, 2008, 03:39:38 PM
Quote from: Haffner on January 23, 2008, 10:44:11 AM
Reminds me of another, "dark"(laughing like crazy) Varg....hope you're not a fan of his (unintentionally hilarious) "writings". Cool music though. No, i'm not a fan of his. The name Varg, as i use it, has nothing to do with Vikernes whatsoever.
If your post was meant to be vehemently conclusive, then you have alot more to read. Sartre took copiously from Hegel in particular. In fact, he actually ended up reading like he was attempting to Nietzsche-ize Hegel. I reccomended Sartre because he gives an excellent overview of the French Existentialistic craze of the early to mid 20th century. That's all i wanted to know. I was just being curious.
You aren't specific enough in your attack on Sartre. Please cite quotes (within context) from his works. I could only do that in french, that is, if i'm able to find my "worthless books" boxes. But it's not what he's written, it's what i see behind his writing, so there's no way i can be specific about it, or demonstrate it; like every great stains, it never shows it's real face, it's always hidding behind a pretty surface. It's just a personnal thing; i dont expect you to (as i dont wish you to) agree with me, and i'm not trying to make you eat my meal.
Admirably put. I respect you.
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/MedievalMusic.jpg)
Medieval Music - Richard Hoppin
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Had the sudden urge to read this after seeing Last Year At Marienbad.
Been way too single-minded lately. Prior to now:
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An extremely good book, despite its age (late 60s) it remains very useful for both the attention he pays to detail, and for the lack of attention he pays to symbolic nonsense. His enthusiasm for the style is very evident throughout, and covers Norman to Perpendicular in one great sweep. Black and white photos, but this is perhaps a benefit. The same photographer is responsible for almost all of them and he is very skilled - all of them are very sharp and well composed. B&W also makes it easier to focus on details such as tracery, and them being taken in the B&W era also means that the surrounding environment of the buildings in the images is less congested than it would be nowadays. Both editions (the later is on better paper, but that isn't a crippling problem for the earlier one - it still looks good) can be picked up for almost nothing (my as-new copy was 1p on Amazon UK).
(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/ciu/a3/45/cf4df96642a046c6777a7110._AA240_.L.jpg) (New Bell's guides)
This whole series is very good - they can be picked up second hand reasonably cheaply and are very in-depth vs. the common almost pamphlet sized "book"s devoted to single buildings. Plentiful black and white photos, diagrams and detailed text.
(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/ciu/78/97/b0cdc27a02a07770967a7110._AA240_.L.jpg) (Malcolm Miller)
This is A4 sized and the pictures are too numerous compared to the text (a huge flaw in almost every large book on the subject), but mainly focuses on the stained glass, which is a useful compliment to any other book on the structure. Colour throughout.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z35P1sHQL._AA240_.jpg) (Basil Cottle)
This isn't the kind of book to be read through in one go, but is a useful reference to keep coming back to - it's essentially an alphabetical list, each entry containing a description of varying length, some with photos (and some of the full paged photographs of lesser-known buildings are quite welcome). Coloured photos throughout.
ATM these two:
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So far this seems as detailed an overview of the French style (and subsequently, the offshoots) as the Clifton-Taylor book was for the English style. This book is longer than that, and a bit more academic. The detail on the elements of transition from Norman to Gothic that are covered is giving me good reason to expect a lot of insight in the later chapters. Photos are exemplary: black and white, and generally no "imposing"/"beautiful" distance shots - they are plentiful and focus on the article's text very well. Generally showing closeups of vaulting, fascades, etc. Also has plenty of useful line-drawings and floorplans.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/719PR9158AL._AA240_.gif) (Hans Jantzen)
This one is a translated reprint of a quite old book, from the mid 50s, but books in English providing detail (and not just "pretty pictures") on non-English cathedrals are disturbingly scarce, so beggers can't be choosers (Chartres may be reasonably easy to find books on, but Reims is not, and even Amiens is harder than it should be... My French can get me through conversations sometimes, but is not up to technical descriptions). Fortunately this doesn't seem to contain too much BS. Has a few pages of black and white photos in the middle, but generally it's text and diagrams/line-drawings only (there are plenty of the latter, which is nice).
Quote from: Corey on January 23, 2008, 04:31:40 PM
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/MedievalMusic.jpg)
Medieval Music - Richard Hoppin
Corey - please post your thoughts; several years back I was looking for books on
Medieval & Renaissance music - bought the book shown on the Renaissance era, another Norton offering; of course, these are texts oriented for college music courses (as least in my mind) - the Renaissance book was published in 1998; the other is about 20 yrs older & I was hoping a 'new' edition might have appeared (so much more known about these musical periods in the last 30+ years), but same one being offered on Amazon. :)
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I've just started this over the weekend. So far so very good. My first venture into Ms Atwood's ouvre.
(http://i.cnn.net/money/2007/09/17/news/newsmakers/greenspan_sales/greenspan_age_turbulence.03.jpg)
Interesting economic history of the 1970s and overview of current thinking, but marred by his plodding prose. Reads like one of his prepared statements to congress when he was Fed chief.
(http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/05-06-10images/RoadReality.jpg)
Fascinating and well written - it is a layman's guide to physics that does not skip the math. However I find myself going back to learn more about several topics beyond the depth they are addressed in the text. I do not think I can tackle any more of this without studying complex analysis more, and will likely put this down and come back to it after I school myself better in the topic, which I know very little of.
Quote from: drogulus on January 20, 2008, 07:51:43 AM
The British lost the war, along with the French, the Germans and all of Eastern Europe. The Soviets won with massive help from the Americans (we supplied food, fuel, trucks and planes, they supplied soldiers).
If you want to understand why military glory no longer appeals to Europeans you just have to read a little history. Europeans don't really understand this any better than we do, though. They have formed the opinion that they reject glorifying war because of their superior virtue. Furthermore, there's no punchline to this joke.
Sure europe hates anything to do with war, after 2 major horrific conflicts in a span of less than 50 yrs. So obviously the idea of having nothing to do with war by consent of a superior virtue, doesn't fit image of the historically past. Its now a case of 'been there/done that, no thank you".
You'd think the US has already learned its lesson from viet nam. But with the movements into pakistan proves its not so. Apparently The pentagon loves punsihment and misery.
Also the ones who really lost in the war, were by far the germans.
Quote from: paulb on January 28, 2008, 03:00:04 PM
Sure europe hates anything to do with war
Europe is not a person, but a continent with several hundred million people on it with dozens of different languages and cultures.
Quote from: paulb on January 28, 2008, 03:00:04 PM
So obviously the idea of having nothing to do with war by consent of a superior virtue, doesn't fit image of the historically past. Its now a case of 'been there/done that, no thank you".
Maybe, maybe not. If so, then it is a case of having learnt a lesson from experience. Being able to learn is actually a virtue.
Quote from: paulb on January 28, 2008, 03:00:04 PM
Also the ones who really lost in the war, were by far the germans.
Indeed, and most people don't even know to what extent Germany was destroyed in WWII. Yet only a few years later, with just a little help from the Marshall plan, but most simply because they were finally left alone, they had rebuilt most of Western Germany and the strongest economy in Europe going. So the whole post-WWI and WWII thing was basically pointless because the main point of that had been that declining colonial empires wanted to try to keep the country with the second largest population and the by far most developed industrialization from becoming the economically strongest country in Europe. But that didn't work out.
Quote from: M forever on January 28, 2008, 03:48:57 PM
Europe is not a person, but a continent with several hundred million people on it with dozens of different languages and cultures.
Maybe, maybe not. If so, then it is a case of having learnt a lesson from experience. Being able to learn is actually a virtue.
Indeed, and most people don't even know to what extent Germany was destroyed in WWII. Yet only a few years later, with just a little help from the Marshall plan, but most simply because they were finally left alone, they had rebuilt most of Western Germany and the strongest economy in Europe going. So the whole post-WWI and WWII thing was basically pointless because the main point of that had been that declining colonial empires wanted to try to keep the country with the second largest population and the by far most developed industrialization from becoming the economically strongest country in Europe. But that didn't work out.
Intriguing post. Makes me want to learn more...
Where did Jezetha's post go? He surprised me by asking to be more specific. I thought everyone, at least everyone from central Europe knew how WWI ended and what happened after that and what led to the Nazis coming to power and eventually WWII.
Quote from: M forever on January 28, 2008, 11:20:57 PM
Where did Jezetha's post go? He surprised me by asking to be more specific. I thought everyone, at least everyone from central Europe knew how WWI ended and what happened after that and what led to the Nazis coming to power and eventually WWII.
It seems we have a small 'Historikerstreit' on our hands here...
You imply that Hitler and all he stands for is just a reaction to the humiliation Germany suffered at the hands of the stupid (in their vindictiveness) Allies after having lost WWI. But then you completely overlook Germany's real drive to become a world power, in competition with, especially, England. The 'Lebensraum' idea was there before WWI. Germany's 'place in the sun' was an obsession. Those two World Wars are the death throes of the European will to power. It is disingenuous of you to say that Germany wanted to be 'left alone' to only become an economic power. Germany wanted much much more, in emulation of other European (colonial) powers. And it was defeated, but only after Communism (Soviet Union) and Capitalism (USA) joined forces. It was a cooperation that ended immediately after that deed was done. And so the Cold War started, with two superpowers vying for the same trophy.
Now you know where I stand on this.
Reading the fine score of the St John passion written by our own Karl Henning, and send to me out of his kindness.
I am playing it on the piano, and singing along.
I had not so much pleasure reading a modern score since ages.
Well done Karl.
I Don't Want To Talk About It: Overcoming The Secret Legacy Of Male Depression - Terrence Real
Very good. Provides tremendous insight. I can highly recommend this to anyone, male or female, that suffers from depression.
Has anyone read:
(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780385511841.jpg)
This seems to have been drawing a lot of fire recently from liberal apologists.
Quote from: Harry on January 29, 2008, 12:21:59 AM
Reading the fine score of the St John passion written by our own Karl Henning, and send to me out of his kindness.
I am playing it on the piano, and singing along.
I had not so much pleasure reading a modern score since ages.
Well done Karl.
I saw early on how absorbing the score was, and sat down with and some really fine coffee!
Quote from: Jezetha on January 29, 2008, 12:07:44 AM
It seems we have a small 'Historikerstreit' on our hands here...
You imply that Hitler and all he stands for is just a reaction to the humiliation Germany suffered at the hands of the stupid (in their vindictiveness) Allies after having lost WWI. But then you completely overlook Germany's real drive to become a world power, in competition with, especially, England. The 'Lebensraum' idea was there before WWI. Germany's 'place in the sun' was an obsession. Those two World Wars are the death throes of the European will to power. It is disingenuous of you to say that Germany wanted to be 'left alone' to only become an economic power. Germany wanted much much more, in emulation of other European (colonial) powers. And it was defeated, but only after Communism (Soviet Union) and Capitalism (USA) joined forces. It was a cooperation that ended immediately after that deed was done. And so the Cold War started, with two superpowers vying for the same trophy.
Now you know where I stand on this.
I am not implying any of the above. I don't think those subjects can be that drastically simplified, and I don't believe in speculative history either, what could or what would have happened or who would have liked to do what but couldn't. That the united Imperial Germany wanted to be some kind of "world power" just like all the other bigger European states around it is obvious and easy to understand - Germany *was* and *is* economically simply one of the strongest regions, like it or not, because Germans are the second largest ethnic group (defined by language, not by racist nonsense) in Europe and the country had been much more developed industrially than any other country in Europe. Which BTW, is also one of the main reasons why the Marshall plan was needed, not just to help Germany, but because its economy played and still plays a central role in the mechanisms of European economy.
Like other European countries at the time, there were heavy tensions in Germany between more progressive and more conservative forces but the more progressive democratic forces which had no imperial designs or interest prevailed at first and it is pretty amazing to see how the Weimar Republic actually lasted for 13 1/2 years even though. That is a fact, not speculation. Fact is also that when the economy of the Weimar Republic stabilized in the mid-late 20s, the Nazis and other extremist groups more or less disappeared from sight (check the results of the elections of 1927, for instance). Fact is also that the WR had to pay immense reparations for WWI and that the entire economy collapsed under that burden, but they still managed to get it going again somehow until the late 20s when world economy went into recession and that hit Germany harder than many other countries because the economy had just been slightly stable. Fact is also that economy in Germany boomed very massively in the 50s, like it had done several times before. A more negative fact is that the military power the 3rd Reich developed itself is a sinister demonstration of how strong the economy there got within just a few years after 1933 when 1/3 of the people were unemployed. It is no speculation therefore to see that if they had just left the Weimar Republic alone, it would easily have regenerated and it is very likely that the more modern progressive forces would have prevailed (and yes, that is speculation now, but only to a certain degree because fact is that they actually did last for quite some time under very difficult circumstances caused by external factors).
Quote from: Haffner on January 29, 2008, 06:02:52 AM
I saw early on how absorbing the score was, and sat down with and some really fine coffee!
Good, we are in one mind about it then Andy! :)
Pressure from outside alone cannot explain the vicious mix of militarism, racism, nationalism, Darwinism, imperialism that is Nazism (ism ism ism, I know). The Weimar Republic was weak, because it wasn't supported from within. War Reparations were eased with the Dawes Plan, thanks to Stresemann. Germany was not the only country to be stricken by the economic crisis - that the reaction took the form it did, points at deeper things, and deeper roots. I have a book here, written in 1912. I bought it in Hradec Kralove, in the Czech Republic. Königgratz... Nice Gothic letters. Title: 'Wenn ich der Kaiser wär'. I have a reprint from February 1914. A few quotes (I won't translate), and they are 'gesperrt' in the original, so the writer, Daniel Frymann (a pseudonym*), must have found them very important:
Entwicklung und Bedürfnis zeigen, dass wir wieder hungrig geworden sind, hungrig nach Land;
Gibt es eigentlich etwas Tragischeres, als die Rolle der heutig Regierenden? Zwischen ihnen und dem Volke steht ein Mittler - der Jude - und er lässt nur durch, was ihm gefällt;
Das allgemeine gleiche Wahlrecht ist nicht die Form, durch die eine Volksvertretung geschaffen wird, wie sie ein grosses Volk in schwieriger Lage braucht. Deshalb muss grundsätzlich die Forderung erhoben werden, dies Wahlrecht zu beseitigen.
And I could go on.
I reject your thesis that pressure from outside was mainly responsible for German's catastrophe. I take the view that Hitler is the result of a much longer development (in which my own beloved Wagner also plays his part).
*Heinrich Class, chairman of the Alldeutscher Verband.
Quote from: Jezetha on January 30, 2008, 01:20:07 PM
Pressure from outside alone cannot explain the vicious mix of militarism, racism, nationalism, Darwinism, imperialism that is Nazism (ism ism ism, I know). The Weimar Republic was weak, because it wasn't supported from within. War Reparations were eased with the Dawes Plan, thanks to Stresemann. Germany was not the only country to be stricken by the economic crisis - that the reaction took the form it did, points at deeper things, and deeper roots. I have a book here, written in 1912. I bought it in Hradec Kralove, in the Czech Republic. Königgratz... Nice Gothic letters. Title: 'Wenn ich der Kaiser wär'. I have a reprint from February 1914. A few quotes (I won't translate), and they are 'gesperrt' in the original, so the writer, Daniel Frymann*, must have found them very important:
Entwicklung und Bedürfnis zeigen, dass wir wieder hungrig geworden sind, hungrig nach Land;
Gibt es eigentlich etwas Tragischeres, als die Rolle der heutig Regierenden? Zwischen ihnen und dem Volke steht ein Mittler - der Jude - und er lässt nur durch, was ihm gefällt;
Das allgemeine gleiche Wahlrecht ist nicht die Form, durch die eine Volksvertretung geschaffen wird, wie sie ein grosses Volk in schwieriger Lage braucht. Deshalb muss grundsätzlich die Forderung erhoben werden, dies Wahlrecht zu beseitigen.
And I could go on.
I reject your thesis that pressure from outside was mainly responsible for German's catastrophe. I take the view that Hitler is the result of a much longer development (in which my own beloved Wagner also plays his part).
*Heinrich Class, chairman of the Alldeutscher Verband.
What fraction of the readers of this forum do you think can read German?
Kind of doing a 'change of pace' (getting away from wars, revolutions, & wine for a while) - need to refresh my mind about some of the ancient classic civilizations:
The Classical World: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian (2006) by Robin Lane Fox - some mixed but generally good reviews on Amazon - should be a satisfactory 'refresher' course for me - :D
Sailing from Byzantium: How a Lost Empire Shaped the World (2007) by Colin Wells - really enjoy reading about this fascinating empire from the past - visited Ravenna back in '96 on a trip to northern Italy (mainly Milan & Bologna) - just loved the ancient architecture & mosaics - 8)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X54XNHBML._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61E15W6PYVL._AA240_.jpg)
(http://www.travelplan.it/img/ravenna03.jpg)
Quote from: head-case on January 30, 2008, 01:42:32 PM
What fraction of the readers of this forum do you think can read German?
Sorry for that. But translating is too much trouble. These will be my only German quotations. Ever. Promise.
Quote from: Jezetha on January 30, 2008, 01:20:07 PM
I reject your thesis that pressure from outside was mainly responsible for German's catastrophe. I take the view that Hitler is the result of a much longer development (in which my own beloved Wagner also plays his part).
Sure he was. What gives you the idea that I doubt that? There were a lot of extremist nutcases like him on the loose back then. There still are, but certainly not as many and they aren't really dangerous anymore. That didn't/doesn't really have anything to do with external factors (meaning external in the sense of caused by foreign influences and pressures). Who said it did? I didn't. The spectrum of political and ideological views back then was very wide and diverse, and it contained a lot of really crazy and extremist factions. The NSDAP was basically the lowest common denominator between all those, that's why they managed to get so much more following than many of the other extremist groups. They catered to almost all of them, in actually very clever and politically completely opportunist ways. We can still learn a lot about politics from what they did. This is best summed up in the title of a BBC documentary which is part of their epic WWII documentary series: "The Nazis - A Warning From History".
But all that has really not much to do with what I said earlier. I didn't talk about why these crazy people were running around, I talked about why they eventually came to power in Germany and that that had been - involuntarily, of course - caused by the attempt by foreign powers, mostly Britain and France, to take advantage of the crisis situation after WWI, to keep Germany from gaining the dominant position in Europe it was about to take which had nothing to do with any nationalist aspirations for world domination or ideas of racial superiority or anything like that, but simply with the fact that Germany back then already had a rather large population (again, the second largest in Europe), a fairly high average level of education and job training and a massive industrial output. You know, there are reason for the fact that a lot of the composers discussed in this forum are German, a lot of the philosophers and writers discussed in this very thread (and a few others) are, too, and that Germany still is the export nation #1 in the world (or at least was last year). None of that has much to do with Hitler and his hooligan friends, although I can see how they come in handy to draw anything German into the dirt whenever that is desired.
My actual point in reply to Paul wasn't a "thesis" about what caused the catastrophe that we all know as WWII. My point was a simple observation - namely that Germany technically lost WWII and beyond technically, the country was actually destroyed to a large degree, yet less than a decade later they were much better off than a lot of the people who had technically actually won the war. That's kind of unfair, don't you think? And of course it makes one think. The same applies to Japan, of course, the other country which did some really nasty stuff in that period and lost the war spectacularly, too, yet they emerged as an economically very strong and prosperous nation soon afterwards anyway. So the whole WWII thing was really completely pointless.
I find it very interesting though that what I said triggered this reaction from you which really didn't have much to do with what I actually said. I find that veeeery interesting. We already know that the Nazis were some really evil people and that they weren't alone in holding strange and extremist views - but not only in Germany. My impression has always been that your own country hasn't faced its own negative past nearly as openly as the past has been faced and discussed in Germany for decades. Sure, there isn't nearly as much evil stuff to process and discuss, although there are some dark colonial chapters there as well, but all in all, it's not nearly as much and not nearly as bad - after all, everything in the Netherlands happens on a much smaller scale than elsewhere. But just the single chapter of how they behaved under occupation is very interesting, especially when we see how they still uphold myths like the great Dutch resistance when in reality, they just handed over the keys, along with a lot of the Jews and also some of the few people who were actually active in the resistance. A lot of the people didn't find those ideas of racial superiority unattractive at all, after all, they had their own colonial past and they could see themselves as "Aryan", too.
Quote from: M forever on January 30, 2008, 10:36:11 PM
I find it very interesting though that what I said triggered this reaction from you which really didn't have much to do with what I actually said. I find that veeeery interesting. We already know that the Nazis were some really evil people and that they weren't alone in holding strange and extremist views - but not only in Germany. My impression has always been that your own country hasn't faced its own negative past nearly as openly as the past has been faced and discussed in Germany for decades. Sure, there isn't nearly as much evil stuff to process and discuss, although there are some dark colonial chapters there as well, but all in all, it's not nearly as much and not nearly as bad - after all, everything in the Netherlands happens on a much smaller scale than elsewhere. But just the single chapter of how they behaved under occupation is very interesting, especially when we see how they still uphold myths like the great Dutch resistance when in reality, they just handed over the keys, along with a lot of the Jews and also some of the few people who were actually active in the resistance. A lot of the people didn't find those ideas of racial superiority unattractive at all, after all, they had their own colonial past and they could see themselves as "Aryan", too.
I, on my part, find it 'veeeery interesting' that you presuppose I would be uncritical of my own country's past. I am no nationalist, nor even a patriot. I like this country, most of the time. But I am all for truth. I
love Germany,
and Britain,
and Denmark,
and the Netherlands, and I could go on, for all the things that are best about them - art, philosophy, painting, music et cetera. But this love doesn't make me blind, or inspire me to slant things in a certain way as I sense you are doing.
I know only too well the way in which Dutch resistance has been overstated. I know the Dutch colonial past only too well - I am a product of it, with a father from Suriname. What I didn't like about your way of explaining German history was the impression you created of Germany being a victim of circumstances, and all the things that happened having a mainly economic origin.
There were a lot of cowards in the Netherlands during the Second World War, and a few heroes. But the Dutch Nazi movement never amounted to much - there were no roots. The German 'Sonderweg' started with the catastrophe of the Thirty Years War, and the lack of nationhood. The Netherlands found its more or less stable identity with its war against the Spaniards, in the seventeenth century.
If Dutch cowards handed over the keys, it was to Nazis who forced/enabled them. Otherwise there would have been the children of 105.000 Jews still living in my country.
And now, for me - end of discussion. Love your country, by all means, M forever. But be fair.
Johan
I don't love any country, neither Germany nor any other. I don't hate any country either. Countries and cultures are enormously complex phenomena, and they may, to a certain degree, have traits of persons, but my attitude towards them is not the same emotional attitude I have towards people. People, as complex and hard to really understand as they, too, are, are still individuals and they can be loved (or hated) or leave one indifferent, but I find it strange to have the same emotional attitude towards a country or a culture. I think that is a big difference between you and me, and that is why you don't understand what I am really talking about. You are seeing things way too emotional here - which is your priviledge, of course. I just have a different attitude towards that subject. Along the same lines, people sometimes ask me if I am either proud or ashamed to be German (or both), and I find that a strange thing, too. I am only proud of or ashamed of my own actions, not those of other people which were coincidentally born in the same country as me. But I am extremely aware of my own cultural background, with all its extreme contradictions, it highly complex culture and its violent and turbulent history. That is something you can not understand because your own cultural background is not as complex and full of extreme contradictions. Maybe that makes it easier for you to have such a simple emotional attitude towards it. That I can't tell either because I in turn lack your background.
You are probably pointing into the right direction, though, when you mention that things that have happened in history have mainly economic reasons, even though you tend to dount that yourself. I personally tend towards thinking that more and more. It looks like economic interests are really what it's all about. All the ideological, philosophical, religious, or whatever other apparent reasons are really just decoration. And they help motivate a lot of people go in the same direction without really understanding why. But in the end, it is really mostly economic interests that move things - and people. Think about it.
Quote from: M forever on January 30, 2008, 11:54:45 PM
But in the end, it is really mostly economic interests that move things - and people. Think about it.
I think a lot (handicapped by my simple background of course). And I know my Marx.
Schluss.
P.S. What economic interest do you serve by wasting your time on this forum?
I started again with reading the complete Dickens, I did that 18 times before.
Only wish I could aquire a topnotch bound complete set, with nice drawings, a really old fashioned made book.
And not go bankrupt in the process.
Boy, O, boy the prices I saw on internet......
Shudder.
Quote from: M forever on January 30, 2008, 11:54:45 PM
IAll the ideological, philosophical, religious, or whatever other apparent reasons are really just decoration. And they help motivate a lot of people go in the same direction without really understanding why. But in the end, it is really mostly economic interests that move things - and people.
I don't want to incur your wrath, but could you please point out the economical interests behind Schubert's or St. Francis's actions?
Quote from: paulb on January 28, 2008, 03:00:04 PM
Also the ones who really lost in the war, were by far the germans.
Heh? ??? What about, like, every single country in the Eastern block? Especially the ones that virtually disappeared off the face of the earth, like eg. Lithuania?
I just realized we're dangerously veering away from the subject of this thread. So if anyone feels like starting a new one and giving us a link over here - go ahead!
Then again, perhaps the OT subject will wane soon enough....
Quote from: Harry on January 31, 2008, 12:19:13 AM
I started again with reading the complete Dickens, I did that 18 times before.
Other people write well, but Dickens writes Weller, right? :)
Quote from: Florestan on January 31, 2008, 12:39:05 AM
Other people write well, but Dickens writes Weller, right? :)
Very good Andrei, that made me grin big time.....
Boy o boy, Sam Weller, what a character Dickens deviced with him right? ;D
Quote from: Jezetha on January 31, 2008, 12:02:39 AM
I think a lot (handicapped by my simple background of course). And I know my Marx.
Schluss.
P.S. What economic interest do you serve by wasting your time on this forum?
I know my Marx as well (his "Manifesto..." often reads like oddly interpreted Hegel-converts-to-Platonism-by-way-of-Rabbinical-Judaism to me). I'm not clear as to your point in regard to that theorist however. Otherwise, both you and M have some intriguing points.
Quote from: Haffner on February 01, 2008, 08:05:44 AMI know my Marx as well (his "Manifesto..." often reads like oddly interpreted Hegel-converts-to-Platonism-by-way-of-Rabbinical-Judaism to me). I'm not clear as to your point in regard to that theorist however. Otherwise, both you and M have some intriguing points.
I was a bit terse, I know. In Marx the economic is paramount, money permeates everything - religion, art, love. He is right, in a sense (and so is M forever) - many things in a capitalist society are 'money-shaped'. But not everything. Here Marx(ism) goes too far. There are things that can't be quantified, do not have an obvious value, and are still essential and life-enhancing. Like interacting in this forum, for instance, where we give of our time and knowledge without any payment in sight. Although the sociologist Bourdieu would say we were amassing 'symbolic capital' when we're appreciated and 'cultural capital' by learning from other members (
if I'm understanding him correctly)...
just checked out these yesterday:
Conversations with Von Karajan - Richard Osborne
Karl Böhm A Life Remembered/Memoirs - translated by John Kehoe
Just picked this up from the library:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FP505DbXL._AA240_.jpg)
I'm completely unfamiliar with the life, other than having read various CD liner notes & the like.
Anyone read this yet? I understand that it's an abridgment of the author's 4 volume study, so I'm assuming he knows his Tchaikovsky...
Quote from: Jezetha on February 01, 2008, 08:42:01 AM
I was a bit terse, I know. In Marx the economic is paramount, money permeates everything - religion, art, love. He is right, in a sense (and so is M forever) - many things in a capitalist society are 'money-shaped'. But not everything. Here Marx(ism) goes too far.
I don't think that money or economic interests shape *everything* either. Those people who asked me about participating in a forum or about Schubert etc misunderstood that. I was mainly referring to political decisions, especially war, those, I think, are basically always motivated by economic interests, no matter how they are "illustrated" and "sold" to the people. I don't think there are real religious or ideological wars. It's always about power and economic interests, no matter what the people who actually do the fighting and dying are told and what they think they are fighting and dying "for". After all, wars do require enormous manpower and resources, they are just too expensive to fight just for fun or for a "cause".
In this current context, my basic point was just that after WWI, those fading colonial empires such as Britain and France didn't want to allow an unified Germany (which would have included Austria and the German speaking parts of Czechoslovakia since the idea to put all German speaking people - except for the German Swiss - into one nation was very popular among those people long before 1938) to assume its natural position as an economic leader in Europe - which it was destined for, not because of some "Aryan" racial superiority or some other ideological BS, but simply because of the sheer number of people and the level of development of the region at that time. By tring to suppress the natural course of events, they didn't *create* those extremists since they had already been there - and not just in Germany, a lot of the nonsense the Nazis and related political or ideological groups were into was very popular in many Western countries, much more than they want to admit now - but they certainly helped create the environment in which those extremists could actually come to power and unleash the concentrated economic power of Germany on half the rest of the world in the the most devastating war ever. And that war was started for economic reasons, too. If you strip away all the ideological blabla, what remains are naked economic interests - gaining new territory, access to natural resources, etc. The nature of such extremist regimes is that they run completely wild though, as we have seen. Once things are started, there is no turning back until things come to a complete catastrophe. They even start losing sight of their own interests. But I wouldn't call that an ideological war either at that point - it is just total madness and chaos.
Anyway, again, my original point was that WWII was totally pointless because those countries which officially lost it - Germany and Japan - still turned out to be economic winners in the decades after. While a lot of the countries which were officially on the winning side lost big time, first and foremost all the countries which were forced into the Eastern Block. History is just really unfair.
Or does anyone still think that Britain declared war on Germany to heroically "save Poland from the Nazis"?
Right now, I am reading this interesting book:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fYXAXz6SL._AA240_.jpg)
about the life and work of Günter Wand. The title basically means "in this and no other way" and describes Wand's uncompromising work ethic and attitude towards the music he conducted.
Quote from: M forever on February 01, 2008, 10:38:58 PM
I was mainly referring to political decisions, especially war, those, I think, are basically always motivated by economic interests, no matter how they are "illustrated" and "sold" to the people. I don't think there are real religious or ideological wars. It's always about power and economic interests, no matter what the people who actually do the fighting and dying are told and what they think they are fighting and dying "for". After all, wars do require enormous manpower and resources, they are just too expensive to fight just for fun or for a "cause".
Agreed. I am just as cynical about the motives for war as you. How do you rate the current 'war on terror'? I see it as the last try of a fading empire (USA) to control central Asia, with all its resources, before India, Russia or China do. (Interesting reading (in German): http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/27/27112/1.html)
QuoteIn this current context, my basic point was just that after WWI, those fading colonial empires such as Britain and France didn't want to allow an unified Germany (which would have included Austria and the German speaking parts of Czechoslovakia since the idea to put all German speaking people - except for the German Swiss - into one nation was very popular among those people long before 1938) to assume its natural position as an economic leader in Europe
Agreed.
BUT with the essential proviso that in those times economic power went hand in hand with military power. Imperialism showed us how you simply took a land and wrung every resource out of it. As the cake had already been divided, only Europe remained for Germany to expand in. And in WWI it was already trying. Here is our essential difference.
Quote- which it was destined for, not because of some "Aryan" racial superiority or some other ideological BS, but simply because of the sheer number of people and the level of development of the region at that time. By tring to suppress the natural course of events, they didn't *create* those extremists since they had already been there - and not just in Germany, a lot of the nonsense the Nazis and related political or ideological groups were into was very popular in many Western countries, much more than they want to admit now -
Agreed. If you read a lot, as I do, you can see some amazing things that the current 'squeaky clean' democracies don't want to be reminded of.
BUT I stand by my assertion that the cocktail Germany was able to brew, with its combination of rationality and lunacy, and which got the mostly tacit backing (out of fear, disinterest, or egoism) of the majority of the population is really something else. Economic interest alone doesn't explain it.
Quotebut they certainly helped create the environment in which those extremists could actually come to power and unleash the concentrated economic power of Germany on half the rest of the world in the the most devastating war ever. And that war was started for economic reasons, too. If you strip away all the ideological blabla, what remains are naked economic interests - gaining new territory, access to natural resources, etc. The nature of such extremist regimes is that they run completely wild though, as we have seen. Once things are started, there is no turning back until things come to a complete catastrophe. They even start losing sight of their own interests. But I wouldn't call that an ideological war either at that point - it is just total madness and chaos.
Here I disagree. The attack on the Soviet Union and the extermination of the Jews - though the economic aspect is there, like trying to get to the Urals - lost Germany the war, and were strongly ideologically inspired, yes, almost religiously so. Stopping Bolshevism combined with gaining 'Lebensraum' combined with destroying the enemy of mankind (the Jew). In this case, when the Nazis spoke of the 'Weltanschauungskrieg' (war of world-views, see Krausnick's study with the same title) they spoke the truth. By killing the 'subhuman' Slavs, they lost all sympathy they could have got if they really wanted to build an empire with a future, and by killing the Jews they had to siphon off resources they could have used to increase their chances of winning the war.
QuoteAnyway, again, my original point was that WWII was totally pointless because those countries which officially lost it - Germany and Japan - still turned out to be economic winners in the decades after. While a lot of the countries which were officially on the winning side lost big time, first and foremost all the countries which were forced into the Eastern Block. History is just really unfair.
Or does anyone still think that Britain declared war on Germany to heroically "save Poland from the Nazis"?
Pointless, indeed. But you stick admirably to your point that outside forces wanted to keep Germany (and Japan, but that's not the focus of our debate) from becoming an economic power. This implies that those forces were malign and that Germany was only benignly trying to be what it was entitled to. And that it 'radicalised' (to use the current jargon) when it was frustrated in this endeavour. This makes Germany into a passive victim, which I reject. You simply don't want to accept that conquest and domination were part and parcel of Germany's will to power. If you can accept dark motives on the other side, as I do, and are cynical about them, as I am, why not be a bit more critical about Germany?
Quote from: Jezetha on February 01, 2008, 11:39:21 PM
Pointless, indeed. But you stick admirably to your point that outside forces wanted to keep Germany (and Japan, but that's not the focus of our debate) from becoming an economic power. This implies that those forces were malign and that Germany was only benignly trying to be what it was entitled to. And that it 'radicalised' (to use the current jargon) when it was frustrated in this endeavour. This makes Germany into a passive victim, which I reject. You simply don't want to accept that conquest and domination were part and parcel of Germany's will to power. If you can accept dark motives on the other side, as I do, and are cynical about them, as I am, why not be a bit more critical about Germany?
I am, much more than most people are about their own countries, and I don't have that kind of emotional attachment to my home country which a lot of people have that makes it impossible for them to criticize it seriously. Again, I find emotional attachment to a whole country hard to understand since we are not talking about a person, but about an extremely complex phenomenon with many positive and negative elements of all sorts of kinds. What I don't understand here is why you keep saying the above when I very explicitly said several times over that the extremist nutcases which came to power in 1933 were not the result of external pressure but something that had indeed developed from within. The spectrum of political opinions and ideologies in Germany at that time was very wide, very diverse, and there were many extreme political tensions among all those groups in the 20s. Some of those wanted to take revenge for WWI and conquest and dominate by force, but a large part of the political spectrum wanted to rebuild the country and move on into a democratic direction - which was very difficult because a lot of people were mentally still in the monarchy which had just evaporated. But the democratic forces were at the wheel at first and it is pretty amazing to see how long the Weimar Republic, as ineffective and chaotic as it was, actually lasted under these circumstances. So it is no suprise that not even 20 years later, after WWII, when they let them, they rebuilt the country once again in record time and reated Europe's strongest economy, more or less out of ruins.
I don't understand why you apply this simplistic "good country-bad country" thinking to what I say which has not much to do with the things I said several times over now about those extremists and their place in the political spectrum at that time. I don't think there are "good countries" and "bad countries". Germany certainly has a lot of both the good, the bad and the ugly because it is a country with a very complex and diverse culture, no doubt a heritage of the many centuries of decentral political organization (or lack thereof).
I think I see what you mean when you say that in those days, economic power went hand in hand with military power so other countries must have had a good reason to be afraid of Germany. Overall, you can see how in a lot of countries at that time, part of the spectrum still believed in those old "values" while a lot of people already wanted to move on into an age of economic development and cooperation instead of domination by force. There was also a very strong pacifict movement in Britain, for instance. Many people were dead tired of war after WWI and its completely pointless killing of millions in the trenches. But that applied to Germany as well, and while I still don't believe in speculative history, I think it is pretty obvious from what happened later, before and after WWII, that if they had just left them alone, all that wouldn't have happened. You simply can't push around a country with so many people and such a strong economic potential the way they tried to do in the 20s. They really drove a lot of people in Hitler's direction. Again, that is very impressively documented by how popularity of the Nazis (or other extremist groups, because there were also *a lot* of hardcore communists back then) went up and down over the course of the 20s, to points when they almost disappeared from sight to where they finally became strong enough to get in power.
I'll get back to the other points later, right now, I have to get ready and drive to Washington (I am still in the process of driving across the US, today we are in Nashville, TN).
To recognize the fact that punitive war reparations after WWI contributed to the conditions in Germany that permitted Hitler's rise to power is hardly the same as "blaming" other nations for it.
Quote from: Jezetha on February 01, 2008, 11:39:21 PM
Agreed. I am just as cynical about the motives for war as you. How do you rate the current 'war on terror'? I see it as the last try of a fading empire (USA) to control central Asia, with all its resources, before India, Russia or China do.
Thank you. What an interesting and candid "take" on the matter! Obviously an outsider's point of view, conditioned by an education in historical geopolitics and a failure to understand the moral center of America's national character. Cynical, indeed!
It would be interesting to see what you would do with the "War on Terror" if you tried spinning it from a favorably idealistic point of view instead of this bitterly cynical vantage point which neglects America's history in armed conflicts outside of her hemisphere and the hard lessons learned in the 20th Century--perhaps the most painful of which is that accomodating the threat of violence rather than standing up to it only begets more and more vicious violence, and that it's far less costly in lives, capital, and human suffering to destroy a man-eating tiger when it first appears than after it's ravaged your village, home, and family.
Mary Gaitskill-Veronica
Quote from: M forever on February 02, 2008, 07:28:37 AM
What I don't understand here is why you keep saying the above when I very explicitly said several times over that the extremist nutcases which came to power in 1933 were not the result of external pressure but something that had indeed developed from within.
Okay.
QuoteI don't understand why you apply this simplistic "good country-bad country" thinking to what I say which has not much to do with the things I said several times over now about those extremists and their place in the political spectrum at that time. I don't think there are "good countries" and "bad countries".
Neither do I. I am not that simplistic. Countries are complex, as you say.
Goodness and morality are, in my opinion, things you can only ascribe to
persons, not to states (or organisations, or companies). A state is like a firing-squad: everybody shoots, so no one is responsible. And yet, I am not cynical. But I tend to reserve my idealism (which I really possess in great quantities) for persons. That's all. Like through this conversation - you can't talk to a state.
QuoteMany people were dead tired of war after WWI and its completely pointless killing of millions in the trenches. But that applied to Germany as well, and while I still don't believe in speculative history, I think it is pretty obvious from what happened later, before and after WWII, that if they had just left them alone, all that wouldn't have happened. You simply can't push around a country with so many people and such a strong economic potential the way they tried to do in the 20s. They really drove a lot of people in Hitler's direction.
I do understand your point. You say that the pressure the victorious Allies put on post-World War I Germany increased Hitler's appeal. Yes, of course it did. And the World Crisis didn't help either. And that you mustn't humiliate a great nation, or 'cramp its style'. Agreed. But all I am saying is that Hitler, apart from being a reaction to the times in which he lived, also embodied things
that went farther back. Which, I gather, you agree with?
P.S. I wonder whether this whole discussion might not be better conducted through PMs (although we are getting closer to some kind of mutual understanding). We are by now hopelessly OT.
Maybe. Or maybe not. I guess that is the nature of discussions in general. In any case, we can continue here: http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,5805.0.html
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks. Just getting started...so far, excellent.
--Bruce
House A Memoir by Michael Ruhlman. Ruhlman takes us along his journey of buying, renovating and moving into an old house in Cleveland Heights. He delves into how neurotic and crazy the whole process can be....apparently somehow all decisions regarding everything over budget becomes justified with some 'sensible' explanation. He also touches on why we have an emotional need for 'home'. Throw in some Cleveland Heigths history as well as some turn of the century American suburb history and all in all he's come out with a very enjoyable read.
(http://newbooks.lib.ntu.edu.tw/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/cltec_20070815_1.jpg)
Allan
QuoteShe was a brick . . . (do do dooo doot) . . . house!
Word is that somehow that song started out with a yurt in mind.....
(http://blog.syracuse.com/shelflife/forgotten.jpg)
Very engaging and well written history of the Depression that takes into account all the modern scholarship on the issue. Some issues are glossed (like the claim that anti-semitism was responsible for the failure of the Bank of United States while ignoring the malfeasance of its directors), but all in all a comprehensive popular history as well as a glaring indictment of the policy mistakes of Hoover, which caused the Depression, and FDR, who prolonged it and largely stymied a recovery. Macroeconomic issues are contrasted with individual stories such as Father Divine, a Harlem prosperity gospel preacher, Bill Wilson, the founder of AA, and the Schecter Bros, small time butchers who won a landmark Supreme Court case against the meddling under the National Industrial Recovery Act. Also details the various members of FDR's brain trust who for the most part were infatuated with Mussolini and Stalin to some degree.
Quote from: bwv 1080 on February 04, 2008, 12:03:56 PM
Very engaging and well written history of the Depression that takes into account all the modern scholarship on the issue. Some issues are glossed (like the claim that anti-semitism was responsible for the failure of the Bank of United States while ignoring the malfeasance of its directors), but all in all a comprehensive popular history as well as a glaring indictment of the policy mistakes of Hoover, which caused the Depression, and FDR, who prolonged it and largely stymied a recovery. Macroeconomic issues are contrasted with individual stories such as Father Divine, a Harlem prosperity gospel preacher, Bill Wilson, the founder of AA, and the Schecter Bros, small time butchers who won a landmark Supreme Court case against the meddling under the National Industrial Recovery Act. Also details the various members of FDR's brain trust who for the most part were infatuated with Mussolini and Stalin to some degree.
This looks like an interesting (and unprejudiced) book! It would be an illuminating experiment to read it in tandem with some of the novels that were written at the time, to see what contemporary authors made of the present in which they found themselves...
I never had heard the phrase "forgotten man" before watching the DVD of My Man Godfrey
Ended up skipping most of Hoppin's Medieval Music (not really interested in the history of liturgy or Gregorian Chant) and read the sections on Machaut and the Ars Nova and the composers of the Ars Subtilior — The section on the "manneristic" notation was especially interesting, with several examples of the beautiful manuscripts of the time:
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Now onto this:
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/14530000/14530104.JPG)
A belated entry for me: Plato's works. Well, a few of them. So far I've read Hippias minor and Alcibiades. This is delightfully written. Witty, ironical and with a wonderful sense of timing and rythm. I do wonder where this argumentation mania leads in the end, though.
Herbert von Karajan biography by Vaughans.
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Ms. Austen's last completed novel. This is reminding me that all the continued posthumous praise that she continues to receive is deserved.
Quote from: Bogey on February 05, 2008, 04:36:09 PM
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Ms. Austen's last completed novel. This is reminding me that all the continued posthumous praise that she continues to receive is deserved.
Indeed.
And knowing you as a movie fan, Bill: There's a fine BBC film adaptation with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds that's more restrained and period correct than the preposterously glitzy "Ode to Closeups of Kiera Knightley's Visage" that recently masqueraded as a movie adaptation of
Pride and Prejudice.
Just received (as a most awesome, early Valentine's Day gift from my fiancee) the complete
Life of Richard Wagner (4 Volumes/Ernest Newman)
I am very happy and excited!
Quote from: longears on February 06, 2008, 09:23:50 AM
Indeed.
And knowing you as a movie fan, Bill: There's a fine BBC film adaptation with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds that's more restrained and period correct than the preposterously glitzy "Ode to Closeups of Kiera Knightley's Visage" that recently masqueraded as a movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Just checked my wife's collection of Austen dvd's....and what do you know? She has this one! I will have to view it after completing the novel. Thanks for the heads up. Like you David, I did not care for the recent adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. It was disturbing to see Sutherland resurrect his Sgt. Oddball character and transplant it in Longbourn. However, I did enjoy the Firth BBC effort.
Stephen Jay Gould: "Time's Arrow, Time's Cycle"
A very interesting essay on the concepts of linear and cyclic History, applied to Geology.
I'm listening to this in the Jeep:
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I'm a little ways into FEAR AND LOATHING and I'm wondering what the big deal is supposed to be.
I'm also reading Thomas Merton's NO MAN IS AN ISLAND.
Quote from: MN Dave on February 08, 2008, 04:31:50 AM
I'm a little ways into FEAR AND LOATHING and I'm wondering what the big deal is supposed to be.
All I can say is, it doesn't really arc up from there.
Quote from: MN Dave on February 08, 2008, 04:31:50 AM
I'm a little ways into FEAR AND LOATHING and I'm wondering what the big deal is supposed to be.
I remember it being published as a multi-part article in Rolling Stone in the early '70s. I think the "big deal" then was his balls-out style glorifying outrageously irresponsible use of mind-altering drugs. From today's vantage point it's not cool but pathetic. Not that it was even cool back then. I started but didn't finish reading the first installment and never read the rest. A few years ago some losers made a movie out of it, with Johnny Depp out of his depth playing Thompson. About 15 minutes of that was all I could take.
Quote from: longears on February 08, 2008, 05:08:15 AM
I remember it being published as a multi-part article in Rolling Stone in the early '70s. I think the "big deal" then was his balls-out style glorifying outrageously irresponsible use of mind-altering drugs. From today's vantage point it's not cool but pathetic.
Exactly. There's some money down the drain. ::)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/BoTGoM.jpg)
Quote from: MN Dave on February 08, 2008, 05:13:17 AM
Exactly. There's some money down the drain. ::)
At least you didn't smoke it up. $:)
Quote from: George on February 08, 2008, 05:15:33 AM
At least you didn't smoke it up. $:)
Gave up smoking a while back. And I was never really into the wacky tabacky.
Quote from: MN Dave on February 08, 2008, 05:17:23 AM
Gave up smoking a while back. And I was never really into the wacky tabacky.
Good for you, I quit smoking about 6 years ago. :)
Quote from: George on February 08, 2008, 05:22:43 AM
Good for you, I quit smoking about 6 years ago. :)
I smoked Marlboro longhorns (100s). How about you?
Quote from: George on February 08, 2008, 05:15:33 AM
At least you didn't smoke it up. $:)
Personally, I'd
much rather spend the $15-20 on weed than that ridiculous book.
Quote from: George on February 08, 2008, 05:22:43 AM
Good for you, I quit smoking about 6 years ago. :)
I slowed way down. But it's still fun on an extremely limited basis.
Journeys to Selfhood (Taylor)
This book relies way more on Hegel and the proto-existentialists like Heidegger than Kierkegaard. But that makes it even more interesting to me. Hegel's ultra-verbose, abstract style was perfect for seeing things in the macrocosm. I mean, you can more easily insert the larger patterns of your life (both in-and-outwardly experienced) into the archetypes he asserts.
Oh no, tell me I didn't sound like Hegel there (laughing)!
Quote from: Haffner on February 08, 2008, 05:26:52 AM
I slowed way down. But it's still fun on an extremely limited basis.
I should clarify, I quit smoking cigarettes. They were enjoyable, especially good ones like Dunhill, but not fun.
As for the wacky tobacky, I can't have a little of anything, so it had to go (11 years ago.)
Quote from: Haffner on February 08, 2008, 05:26:13 AM
Personally, I'd much rather spend the $15-20 on weed than that ridiculous book.
Again, to clarify, when I said "smoke it up" I was referring to crack. I guess that one flew over everyone's head. ::)
Quote from: George on February 08, 2008, 07:42:46 AM
Again, to clarify, when I said "smoke it up" I was referring to crack. I guess that one flew over everyone's head. ::)
Wasn't lofty enough to fly over our heads. ;D
Quote from: MN Dave on February 08, 2008, 07:46:23 AM
Wasn't lofty enough to fly over our heads. ;D
Yeah, I should have smoked up prior to penning that one. ;)
Quote from: George on February 08, 2008, 05:22:43 AM
Good for you, I quit smoking about 6 years ago. :)
Good for you too George, it will 7 years for me in August. :)
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 08, 2008, 09:17:44 AM
Good for you too George, it will 7 years for me in August. :)
What is scary about the quitting business is that people still count after all these years :-\
Quote from: orbital on February 08, 2008, 09:22:04 AM
What is scary about the quitting business is that people still count after all these years :-\
I don't. ;D
Quote from: orbital on February 08, 2008, 09:22:04 AM
What is scary about the quitting business is that people still count after all these years :-\
I don't see why one can't? Anyone who has quit smoking any lenght of time should feel good about that, and be proud of that. It's a big achievement.
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 08, 2008, 09:28:06 AM
I don't see why one can't? Anyone who has quit smoking any lenght of time should feel good about that, and be proud of that. It's a big achievement.
I know. I quit for about a year and a half, but started smoking cigars after that and it all came back :-\
What I mean is it is discouraging to see that it always stays somewhere in the back of your mind, and a relapse always feels like it is around the corner. A good deal of those who quit do not go back which is great, but then there are people like my uncle who quit probably 20 or so years ago, and he still carries a pack with him just to smell the tobacco a few times a day ::)
Quote from: longears on February 08, 2008, 05:08:15 AM
A few years ago some losers made a movie out of it, with Johnny Depp out of his depth playing Thompson. About 15 minutes of that was all I could take.
Harsh! But I must say that not even the serious watch-all-the-Gilliam-I-can tear that I've been on, has tempted me to seek this one out. Already knowing the source text has torpedoed it from my viewpoint 8)
Quote from: orbital on February 08, 2008, 10:12:55 AM
What I mean is it is discouraging to see that it always stays somewhere in the back of your mind, and a relapse always feels like it is around the corner.
I think it has to always stay in the back of one's mind. Just like any other addiction. I quit drinking 2 years ago too (obviously I have an addictive personality ;D).
I also should really try to cut down on the amount of caffeine I drink in a day. To quit altogether though? I don't think I could do it. ???
Someone should create a separate thread (or poll) on addictive personalities. :)
Quote from: Corey on February 08, 2008, 11:06:41 AM
Someone should create a separate thread (or poll) on addictive personalities. :)
Or on addictive substances. Getting hooked on nicotine, booze, or horse is physiological and has nothing to do with personality. I suspect that even getting hooked on shopping, gambling, or sex may be largely physiological as an addiction to the neurochemical changes wrought by such stress and excitement.
I don't count the years since I quit smoking, but I remember when I quit and it's no harder to count back than it is to count back to when I got married, bought a car, or last visited Boston.
Current reading: Ron Hansen,
Desperadoes -- his first novel. I'm still waiting for the movie. Sean Penn bought the rights to it nearly 30 years ago. Come on, Sean--get with it!
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MWR1671CL._SS500_.jpg)
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Loved this, and also Tipping the Velvet, but I haven't seen the BBC production above.
(http://www.lpstuff.com/shop/images/uploads/book-the-creature.jpg)
Quote from: MN Dave on February 08, 2008, 04:31:50 AM
I'm also reading Thomas Merton's NO MAN IS AN ISLAND.
I stopped reading this. Too much of a Christian perspective. Yeah, I know he's a Catholic monk, but based on all the accolades, I expected a more philosophically neutral book.
The Empress Letters by Linda Rogers,enjoying it so far.
http://www.salon.com/books/review/2007/11/28/hoeg/
Guenter Lewy's "The Nazi Persecution of the Gypsies"
(Oxford U.P.,2000) One of the few studies on this
sombre subject.
Intellectual Terrorism by Jean Sevillia.
The shameful story of that bunch of very influential useful idiots collectively known as post-WWWII leftist French intelligentsia
Quote from: Florestan on February 14, 2008, 03:12:40 AM
Intellectual Terrorism by Jean Sevillia.
The shameful story of that bunch of very influential useful idiots collectively known as post-WWWII leftist French intelligentsia
An interesting book, written from a Catholic perspective. Are you reading it in French? What intrigues me is the phrase 'useful idiots'. Useful for what or whom?
Quote from: Jezetha on February 14, 2008, 03:30:31 AM
An interesting book, written from a Catholic perspective. Are you reading it in French? What intrigues me is the phrase 'useful idiots'. Useful for what or whom?
I'm reading it in a Romanian translation.
Here are the useful idiots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Useful_idiot). ;)
Quote from: Florestan on February 14, 2008, 03:59:28 AM
I'm reading it in a Romanian translation.
Here are the useful idiots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Useful_idiot). ;)
Okay, now I understand. I wasn't aware of the exact connotations of this term, and its origin in Lenin. Thanks.
Quote from: MN Dave on February 11, 2008, 06:50:03 AM
I stopped reading this. Too much of a Christian perspective. Yeah, I know he's a Catholic monk, but based on all the accolades, I expected a more philosophically neutral book.
The error is in regarding a mind closed to the divine as "neutral."
Quote from: longears on February 14, 2008, 04:48:48 AM
The error is in regarding a mind closed to the divine as "neutral."
Nothing to do with that. Too much faith, hope, charity, God, Jesus, etc.
Quote from: MN Dave on February 14, 2008, 04:50:07 AM
Too much faith, hope, charity, God, Jesus, etc.
Enough is enough!
My wife gave this to me for Valentine's Day. Mostly "captional" text, and incredible photos...many I have never seen. The book is coffee table size (14.5 x 11.2 x 1.4 inches), 300+ pages long, and almost 7lbs. Amazon has it at 50% off.
(http://www.booksamillion.com/bam/covers/0/81/099/373/0810993732.jpg)
W. Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage in a very nice Modern Library edition (copyright says 1915, but that probably isn't the print date).
Gastrointestinal Radiology (2008, 3rd ed.), edited by Gore & Levine - LOL! ;D Hey, but true for the weekend! Just released - 2 volume set @ 2500+ pages - I actually wrote 2 chapters in Vol. 1 - but I have a couple lectures comin' up in a few weeks w/ my radiology residents on the biliary tract & the pancreas, so I've been updating myself - ;) My residents are 'sharp as tacks' so need to be ahead of the game - but, keeps you goin' - :D
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This was just standing there in our bookcase. It started quite ok, let's see how it goes.
Quote from: orbital on February 18, 2008, 01:58:15 PM
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This was just standing there in our bookcase. It started quite ok, let's see how it goes.
Sorry to interrupt your reading ;D but did you see that movie, Everything is Illuminated? I found it funny and interesting.
Quote from: George on February 19, 2008, 07:43:43 AM
Sorry to interrupt your reading ;D but did you see that movie, Everything is Illuminated? I found it funny and interesting.
No, I haven't read the book either. I've seen the dvd cover a lot at the rental store, let me get it :)
Life of Richard Wagner vol.2 (Newman)
Still fascinating; I only get bored reading about the political mess in Germany at the time. politics never really interests me in general. Otherwise, terrific reading!
Reading the Theban Trilogy of Sophocles again and again for years now. I still can't picture that they used no female actors, but had female roles. I know everyone on stage wore a mask, but sill.
Why has there never been an Oedipus movie in the cinema. That character is responsible for drama.
Quote from: Haffner on February 19, 2008, 09:15:26 AM
Life of Richard Wagner vol.2 (Newman)
Still fascinating; I only get bored reading about the political mess in Germany at the time. politics never really interests me in general.
Still very important to understand Wagner's life and works though, among other cultural and historical factors.
Quote from: EmpNapoleon on February 19, 2008, 02:10:14 PM
Reading the Theban Trilogy of Sophocles again and again for years now. I still can't picture that they used no female actors, but had female roles. I know everyone on stage wore a mask, but sill.
Why has there never been an Oedipus movie in the cinema. That character is responsible for drama.
I think there are 2 Oedipus DVD's and I have them. There may be more.
A 1946 edition of The Great Short Stories of Guy De Maupassant, edited buy William Brockway. So far each story has provided either profound insights, humorous incidents or feel good moments.
Quote from: M forever on February 19, 2008, 06:04:11 PM
Still very important to understand Wagner's life and works though, among other cultural and historical factors.
Ja! The author asserts often the idea that Wagner could have given us many more music dramas if he hadn't been so constantly busy begging money, writing pamphlets, drinking champagne, chasing women, and participating in various "revolutionary" activities. However, I suspect that the life he led had alot to do with how profoundly inspirational the music dramas he did write were.
Without the life, there would have been no great drama. Just a speculation of mine.
Quote from: Haffner on February 20, 2008, 02:35:55 AM
Ja! The author asserts often the idea that Wagner could have given us many more music dramas if he hadn't been so constantly busy begging money, writing pamphlets, drinking champagne, chasing women, and participating in various "revolutionary" activities. However, I suspect that the life he led had alot to do with how profoundly inspirational the music dramas he did write were.
Without the life, there would have been no great drama. Just a speculation of mine.
I agree. An artist isn't a masterpiece-producing machine, cut loose from reality. Though twenty music dramas would have been great...
Quote from: EmpNapoleon on February 19, 2008, 02:10:14 PM
Why has there never been an Oedipus movie in the cinema.
A quick google will show a few movies and teleplays. And here's a link to one you might enjoy: http://www.oedipusthemovie.com/ (http://www.oedipusthemovie.com/)
Quote from: Jezetha on February 20, 2008, 03:17:37 AM
Though twenty music dramas would have been great...
oooooo
JA!
Ann Beattie-follies
(http://www.maidenfans.com/imc/pictures/pictures05_powerslave/mariner_small.jpg)
Read this last night. Wonderful stuff. Great imagery. Spooky tale.
Yes, it remains a powerful poem!
My favourite passage is in Part III -
The western wave was all a-flame.
The day was well nigh done !
Almost upon the western wave
Rested the broad bright Sun ;
When that strange shape drove suddenly
Betwixt us and the Sun.
And straight the Sun was flecked with bars,
(Heaven's Mother send us grace !)
As if through a dungeon-grate he peered
With broad and burning face.
Alas ! (thought I, and my heart beat loud)
How fast she nears and nears !
Are those her sails that glance in the Sun,
Like restless gossameres ?
And those her ribs through which the Sun
Did peer, as through a grate ?
And is that Woman all her crew ?
Is that a DEATH ? and are there two ?
Is DEATH that woman's mate ?
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 20, 2008, 10:49:39 AM
(http://www.maidenfans.com/imc/pictures/pictures05_powerslave/mariner_small.jpg)
Read this last night. Wonderful stuff. Great imagery. Spooky tale.
Great song, too!
How about this exquisite powerful imagery?
The ice was here, the ice was there,
The ice was all around :
It cracked and growled, and roared and howled,
Like noises in a swound !
Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, nor breath nor motion ;
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean.
Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink ;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.
A true masterpiece, indeed!
This, from my lunchtime fortune cookie; and yes, it is excellent:
QuoteToday is to conserve yourself, as things just won't budge.
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Bourdain's "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel in which he travels the world and explores its cuisines and cultures is currently my favorite TV show. Which doesn't say much because I don't watch much TV. But it's still a very funny and interesting show. This book tells his story. Respectless and refreshing.
Quote from: M forever on February 22, 2008, 08:13:15 PM
(http://a5.vox.com/6a00c225248fb88e1d00e398ad258d0002-320pi)
Bourdain's "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel in which he travels the world and explores its cuisines and cultures is currently my favorite TV show. Which doesn't say much because I don't watch much TV. But it's still a very funny and interesting show. This book tells his story. Respectless and refreshing.
I borrowed that from a friend of mine a few years ago (still haven't given it back ;D) and enjoyed it. Good read.
"EMPIRES OF THE WORD", from Nicholas Ostler
A very interesting essay on the development and expansion of most universal languages.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fXENAhYfL.jpg)
Made up mostly of speeches delivered during his tenures in the House; all I can say is that this man is truly a political prophet and his conviction--with is dedication to principle--has allowed him forsee a lot of the mess that is happening today (inflation, massive deficit, trade imbalances, staggering debt, failed foreign interventionist policy, weaking of civil liberties, etc.).
Quote from: Dame Edna EverageNever be afraid to laugh at yourself, after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century.
Wisdom.
Quote from: karlhenning on February 25, 2008, 08:51:17 AM
Wisdom.
I know (see signature; if you can see it, that is)...
Quote from: Jezetha on February 25, 2008, 08:54:59 AM
(see signature; if you can see it, that is)...
I know (see, oh, never mind ;D )
Reading, yes, just not by me:
http://rapidshare.com/files/93930068/Audio_Book_-_Edgar_Allen_Poe_-_The_Raven.rar
Maybe we can make a little quiz - who does the reading?
(8MB mp3 file)
Very weird stuff by Lord Dunsany. My two favourites (they are both short):
THE WORKMAN
I saw a workman fall with his scaffolding right from the summit of
some vast hotel. And as he came down I saw him holding a knife
and trying to cut his name on the scaffolding. He had time to try and
do this for he must have had nearly three hundred feet to fall. And I
could think of nothing but his folly in doing this futile thing, for not
only would the man be unrecognizably dead in three seconds, but the
very pole on which he tried to scratch whatever of his name he had
time for was certain to be burnt in a few weeks for firewood.
Then I went home for I had work to do. And all that evening I thought
of the man's folly, till the thought hindered me from serious work.
And late that night while I was still at work, the ghost of the workman
floated through my wall and stood before me laughing.
I heard no sound until after I spoke to it; but I could see the grey
diaphanous form standing before me shuddering with laughter.
I spoke at last and asked what it was laughing at, and then the ghost
spoke. It said: "I'm a laughin' at you sittin' and workin' there."
"And why," I asked, "do you laugh at serious work?"
"Why, yer bloomin' life 'ull go by like a wind," he said, "and yer 'ole
silly civilization 'ull be tidied up in a few centuries."
Then he fell to laughing again and this time audibly; and, laughing
still, faded back through the wall again and into the eternity from
which he had come.
THE TOMB OF PAN
"Seeing," they said, "that old-time Pan is dead, let us now make
a tomb for him and a monument, that the dreadful worship of long
ago may be remembered and avoided by all."
So said the people of the enlightened lands. And they built a
white and mighty tomb of marble. Slowly it rose under the hands
of the builders and longer every evening after sunset it gleamed with
rays of the departed sun.
And many mourned for Pan while the builders built; many reviled
him. Some called the builders to cease and to weep for Pan and
others called them to leave no memorial at all of so infamous a god.
But the builders built on steadily.
And one day all was finished, and the tomb stood there like a
steep sea-cliff. And Pan was carved thereon with humbled head
and the feet of angels pressed upon his neck. And when the tomb
was finished the sun had already set, but the afterglow was rosy on
the huge bulk of Pan.
And presently all the enlightened people came, and saw the tomb
and remembered Pan who was dead, and all deplored him and his
wicked age. But a few wept apart because of the death of Pan.
But at evening as he stole out of the forest, and slipped like a shadow
softly along the hills, Pan saw the tomb and laughed.
I know Lord Dunsany's fantasy stories quite well. These two are very nice parables. The first one is a sober assessment of the futility of making a name for yourself, I think, life being short and everything transient...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414ADC60FJL._AA240_.jpg)
I'm up to Book.2. [of 4] in this amazing epic. It really is quite a sensational story. :)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 26, 2008, 02:17:58 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414ADC60FJL._AA240_.jpg)
I'm up to Book.2. [of 4] in this amazing epic. It really is quite a sensational story. :)
Got to get that one. Wondering whether to start with the Brown book first.
I'm knee deep in the 2nd volume of
Life of Richard Wagner (Newman) currently.
Quote from: M forever on February 22, 2008, 08:13:15 PM
Bourdain's "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel in which he travels the world and explores its cuisines and cultures is currently my favorite TV show. Which doesn't say much because I don't watch much TV. But it's still a very funny and interesting show. This book tells his story. Respectless and refreshing.
When ever I catch his show, its always very entertaining.
I love how he goes into the back streets and gets to the real down home cooking. But also gives a POV of a city/country's culture that's engaging and witty. Definitely one of the best travel shows.
Thanks for the posting, I'll place it on my wish list. :)
Quote from: Haffner on February 26, 2008, 02:47:05 PM
Got to get that one. Wondering whether to start with the Brown book first.
I'm knee deep in the 2nd volume of Life of Richard Wagner (Newman) currently.
Yes Andy, I want to read
The Brown Book also, but my understanding is that it covers the years between the completion of the autobiography and the begining of Cosimas diaries so logically
My Life should be read first :) I also believe
the Brown Book is more 'notes' and thus a less compelling read.
I appreciate you are a Wagner fan so I highly recommend his autobiography to you;its amazing and I'm less than half way through it. :)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 26, 2008, 04:19:41 PM
Yes Andy, I want to read The Brown Book also, but my understanding is that it covers the years between the completion of the autobiography and the begining of Cosimas diaries so logically My Life should be read first :) I also believe the Brown Book is more 'notes' and thus a less compelling read.
I appreciate you are a Wagner fan so I highly recommend his autobiography to you;its amazing and I'm less than half way through it. :)
It's on my wish list now, thanks so much!
Quote from: orbital on February 18, 2008, 01:58:15 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X2P94DS8L._OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
This was just standing there in our bookcase. It started quite ok, let's see how it goes.
Well, that turned out to be one horrible book. Never since Palahniuk's Diary have I come across a novel that pretentious :-\
Started this one today:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JK68NJF9L._OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
I've only read some of his short stories (back in high school) before.
(http://www.maths.manchester.ac.uk/~avb/micromathematics/uploaded_images/smith2-721887.jpg)
(although not in this version)
Carl Hiaasen-Stormy Weather
Quote from: orbital on March 04, 2008, 07:19:23 AM
Started this one today:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JK68NJF9L._OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
I've only read some of his short stories (back in high school) before.
Just finished it today. I'm sure you'll enjoy as much as I did. I'm reading Heidegger's Introduction to Metaphysics.
The Merchant of Venice, thanks to the wonders of online libraries and expired copyrights :) I've been playing Beethoven's late SQs all day and this is the only work that seems to fit them well - magical scenes like this fit so well with, say, the 3rd movement of op.132:
LORENZO
The moon shines bright: in such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees
And they did make no noise, in such a night
Troilus methinks mounted the Troyan walls
And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents,
Where Cressid lay that night.
JESSICA
In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew
And saw the lion's shadow ere himself
And ran dismay'd away.
LORENZO
In such a night
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea banks and waft her love
To come again to Carthage.
I am still reading Karl Böhm's autobiography (in English), interestingly he talks a lot about his friendships with various Jewish musicians (Bruno Walter for instance), I wonder why that is the case....
Quote from: Gustav on March 06, 2008, 12:04:43 PM
I am still reading Karl Böhm's autobiography (in English), interestingly he talks a lot about his friendships with various Jewish musicians (Bruno Walter for instance), I wonder why that is the case....
Böhm kept on conducting during the Nazi era, when no Jewish musician was left. Guilt?
Irony of history - we now have Böhm's wonderful 'Ariadne auf Naxos' from 1944...
"Pourquoi y a-t-il quelque chose plutôt que rien"
Several essays reflecting the modern perspectives of metaphysics.
Quote from: val on March 11, 2008, 02:03:31 AM
"Pourquoi y a-t-il quelque chose plutôt que rien"
Pourquoi donc? :)
Quote[Florestan
Pourquoi donc?
I don't think that an answer is possible. In fact, I believe the question itself has no semantic meaning.
The question belongs to Leibniz. Anyway it is the title of the book, in French. Even if I have not a metaphysical perspective of the world, I like to read different points of view. They are always stimulating.
Quote from: val on March 11, 2008, 05:42:42 AMEven if I have not a metaphysical perspective of the world, I like to read different points of view. They are always stimulating.
Yes, yes! That, to me, has always been the only way of getting at an idea of what might constitute a truth: explore with an open mind as many avenues and viewpoints as possible, contrast them, compare them with each other, and with your own experience and insight.
Following a new personal rule that only books over 700 pages are worthwhile, ???
I am now reading the mind-numbingly atomistic, scrupulously psycho-meticulous novel Porius by J.C. Powys, where every little twitch, every breath of wind, every peep of a bird is hyper-scrutinized through the most nanoistic procedures of literary psychoanalysis imaginable, and even the dung from cows is symbologized, if not quite mythologized.
I have read over 125 pages, and so far the hero in two or three hours has had short, gnomic conversations with his cousin about Mithraism and Pelagianism, and visited a cave and a tent, where not much has happened except for that cow dung thing.
The book is marvelously intriguing! :o
Quote from: Cato on March 11, 2008, 09:09:49 AM
Following a new personal rule that only books over 700 pages are worthwhile, ???
I am now reading the mind-numbingly atomistic, scrupulously psycho-meticulous novel Porius by J.C. Powys, where every little twitch, every breath of wind, every peep of a bird is hyper-scrutinized through the most nanoistic procedures of literary psychoanalysis imaginable, and even the dung from cows is symbologized, if not quite mythologized.
I have read over 125 pages, and so far the hero in two or three hours has had short, gnomic conversations with his cousin about Mithraism and Pelagianism, and visited a cave and a tent, where not much has happened except for that cow dung thing.
The book is marvelously intriguing! :o
Another J.C. Powys lover! I have read
Wolf Solent and
Weymouth Sands (known as
Jobber Skald in the US, IIRC). Powys is an incredible writer. He can be exasperating, but he is almost always absorbing.
Quote from: Corey on March 06, 2008, 10:24:13 AM
Just finished it today. I'm sure you'll enjoy as much as I did.
Oh yes, I am enjoying it very much :)
I'm reading the thread about how Bernstein said Beethoven was the greatest composer. It's not any good.
It's a fair cop.
Quote from: orbital on March 11, 2008, 11:53:12 AM
Oh yes, I am enjoying it very much :)
:) From the beginning I was expecting something sugary and sentimental, but it gets better as it progresses.
Quote from: Corey on March 11, 2008, 06:52:07 PM
:) From the beginning I was expecting something sugary and sentimental, but it gets better as it progresses.
Exactly, I was expecting it to be sort of like Balzac. I am about half way through, he is in Paris now $:)
Quote from: orbital on March 11, 2008, 08:18:10 PM
Exactly, I was expecting it to be sort of like Balzac. I am about half way through, he is in Paris now $:)
Do you think Balzac is sentimental? I was thinking more along the lines of Dickens or George Eliot. :)
Quote from: Corey on March 11, 2008, 08:22:09 PM
Do you think Balzac is sentimental? I was thinking more along the lines of Dickens or George Eliot. :)
I took Pere Goriot as my yardstick ;D, a book which I had found overly sentimental.
Quote from: orbital on March 11, 2008, 08:26:17 PM
I took Pere Goriot as my yardstick ;D, a book which I had found overly sentimental.
Hm, I have to agree with you there in regards to the parts of the novel based around Goriot, but I found it immensely entertaining for Balzac's witty aperçus. Paris of his day seems little different from our world today.
Cousin Bette is probably his greatest book, though I haven't read all of them, he was hugely prolific!
Quote from: Corey on March 11, 2008, 08:35:49 PM
Hm, I have to agree with you there in regards to the parts of the novel based around Goriot, but I found it immensely entertaining for Balzac's witty aperçus.
I would say not only Goriot, but also parts relating to Rastignac and Delphine as well. It is, for the most part, what we would today call a melodrama (at least when adapted to film or a play...) I always thought it would make an excellent opera >:D
Bruno Walter - A world Elsewhere by Erik Ryding and Rebecca Pechefsky
(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/d4/9c/3754b220dca07809603c6010._AA240_.L.jpg)
Just started Harold C. Schonberg's 'The Lives of the Great Composers': a biographical history (with appropriately limited analysis of musical form and compositions) of composers from Bach to Schoenberg. Old book - got it for £2 from Oxfam - but refreshingly easy to read compared to some books on classical music history which purport to be for 'the layman'. Nice writing style, too.
Just finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Read it in one long sitting and finished at 2 in the morning. Cried at the end. Brilliant book.
Vol 4 Ernest Newman's "Life of Richard Wagner"
The whole ordeal between King Ludwig and Wagner gets pretty darn creepy sometimes, overall Wagner sure had an interesting life!
Discipline in the Secondary Classroom by Sprick
I think this will be an invaluable resource, I read it last weekend. I need to find more ways to bring order and discipline into the classroom but using positive reinforcement. Sounds like an oxymoron but it's not.
Teaching Introductory Physics by Arons
Another book I could have used in the beginning of the year. There is alot of valuable advise in this book, but it's just too late to implement any of it.
I've been pretty good with reading useful books for work, but haven't read for entertainment since well Christmas time.
I bought this for about $5; so far has been worth the price:
(http://www.garretwilson.com/books/reviews/historywesternphilosophy.jpg)
100 pages into:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515-WHqmWgL._AA240_.jpg)
Danny,
If you have not cracked this one then get on it bruddah. Satisfaction guaranteed,
Quote from: Danny on March 19, 2008, 12:29:02 PM
I bought this for about $5; so far has been worth the price:
(http://www.garretwilson.com/books/reviews/historywesternphilosophy.jpg)
Danny - great choice! My father's favorite writer in this genre - Russell, of course, a Nobel Prize winner! I read a number of his books years ago, including the one you mention - his rather short work 'Why I'm Not a Christian' changed me from a Catholic to at least an agnostic - worth a read for those in doubt! ;D
Quote from: SonicMan on March 19, 2008, 05:52:37 PM
Danny - great choice! My father's favorite writer in this genre - Russell, of course, a Nobel Prize winner! I read a number of his books years ago, including the one you mention - his rather short work 'Why I'm Not a Christian' changed me from a Catholic to at least an agnostic - worth a read for those in doubt! ;D
I like the book mentioned earlier, but "
Why I am Not a Christian" was laughable to me. Russell was a pioneer of the
Analytical Philosophy movement, a movement that is notorious for completely disregarding the the value of things like imagination, allegorical symbols, romanticism, etc. His entire Weltanschauung is based around such tiresomely dry, mathematical formulations .
"
Why I am Not a Christian" only
reinforced my faith at the time I read it, since at the very least I don't ever want to be a completely unimaginative, arid, "analytically-minded" arse like Bertrand Russell.
Absolutely no offense intended, and it's only the opinion of a nobody guitar teacher in Burlington, Vermont.
Quote from: Haffner on March 20, 2008, 06:35:36 AM
Absolutely no offense intended, and it's only the opinion of a nobody guitar teacher in Burlington, Vermont.
Haff, you don't need to append this qualification any time you have an opinion that might be controversial.
Quote from: Haffner on March 20, 2008, 06:35:36 AM
"Why I am Not a Christian" was laughable to me.
Absolutely no offense intended, and it's only the opinion of a nobody guitar teacher in Burlington, Vermont.
Seconded by a nobody mechanical engineer in Bucharest, Romania. :D
Quote from: Corey on March 20, 2008, 06:38:38 AM
Haff, you don't need to append this qualification any time you have an opinion that might be controversial.
I understand,
Corey, but I don't ever want to pretend like I'm putting on airs. Or that my opinion is particularly important. I just wanted to put in my two cents, and I was probably kind of dumb to do so in the first place.
One of the most laughable parts in that book is that age old saw about the questioning of Christ's historical existence, a position very few secular scholars take seriously these days. Nietzsche actually jeopardized the validity of his overall philosophy by blaming the "invention" of Christianity solely on St. Paul, as a "plot" to undermine the Roman Empire. As if the "secret" wouldn't have been out by now. It's so
dumb it brings tears of hilarity to my eyes.
OOOPS there I go again.
"God is not great" by Christopher Hitchens. Picked this up because I felt the need to cleanse myself.
Quote from: Florestan on March 20, 2008, 06:45:34 AM
Of what?
Perhaps of that nasty idea: "God is
too great".
Quote from: Florestan on March 20, 2008, 06:45:34 AM
Of what?
Of some threads that led to great disagreement.
Quote from: erato on March 20, 2008, 06:48:59 AM
Of some threads that led to great disagreement.
Now
there's a good answer!
Quote from: Haffner on March 20, 2008, 06:42:25 AM
I understand, Corey, but I don't ever want to pretend like I'm putting on airs. Or that my opinion is particularly important. I just wanted to put in my two cents, and I was probably kind of dumb to do so in the first place.
One of the most laughable parts in that book is that age old saw about the questioning of Christ's historical existence, a position very few secular scholars take seriously these days. Nietzsche actually jeopardized the validity of his overall philosophy by blaming the "invention" of Christianity solely on St. Paul, as a "plot" to undermine the Roman Empire. As if the "secret" wouldn't have been out by now. It's so dumb it brings tears of hilarity to my eyes.
OOOPS there I go again.
I will probably eventually read it anyway. I don't read philosophical texts to support what I already know or to be edified, but to gain a greater perspective.
Quote from: Corey on March 20, 2008, 06:51:57 AM
I will probably eventually read it anyway. I don't read philosophical texts to support what I already know or to be edified, but to gain more perspective.
You said it, and I admire you for putting it so well.
There was a time I even read LaVey's
Satanic Bible and the ultimately despicable
Extermination Zone by Randall Phillips.
Quote from: erato on March 20, 2008, 06:48:59 AM
Of some threads that led to great disagreement.
You can easily ignore them altogether.
Quote from: Florestan on March 20, 2008, 07:08:53 AM
You can easily ignore them altogether.
I wonder if people whom claim to have such a hard time ignoring certain topics (obviously I'm not referring to
erato) tend to reveal more than they'd like to about themselves via their "protest too much" adamance.
Various internet articles on these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiten
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/417M6C2447L._SS500_.jpg)
By the guy with the gun to his head - becoming one of my favorite authors, this is the fourth book of his I have read (Europe Central The Atlas and The Ice Shirt being the others). This is part of his Seven Dreams series detailing clashes between European and Native Cultures in North America. This one deals with the Inuit, contrasting Franklin's ill fated 19th century expedition with the Canadian government forceably relocating them in the 1950s to desolate islands in the high artic so that Canadian sovereignty over the Islands would be secure and then to modern settlements with inuit kids huffing gasoline and leading rather hopeless lives
PLATO: "The Statesman"
It is impossible to me to read this Dialogue without thinking of Karl Popper's critic. If we accept Plato's question "who should command the State",it is difficult not to agree with him when he answers: "the better, the few enlightened."
But as Popper says, that is not the essential question. We shall ask "what system provides us the best means to get ride of a bad government?". And here, the answer is obvious: Democracy, that Plato's despises so much.
Quote from: val on March 24, 2008, 02:20:31 AM
PLATO: "The Statesman"
It is impossible to me to read this Dialogue without thinking of Karl Popper's critic. If we accept Plato's question "who should command the State",it is difficult not to agree with him when he answers: "the better, the few enlightened."
But as Popper says, that is not the essential question. We shall ask "what system provides us the best means to get ride of a bad government?". And here, the answer is obvious: Democracy, that Plato's despises so much.
Yes, but democracy is also the answer to the question "what system provides us the best means to elect a bad government". ;D :D
But we also can replace it by a better government without a bloodbath.
Quote from: val on March 24, 2008, 04:39:08 AM
But we also can replace it by a better government without a bloodbath.
Yes.
Not reading as much as looking but I got that amazing book by Jill Greenberg called "Monkey Portraits". They contain some fascinating close-up shots of various types of monkeys and apes.
http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Portraits-Jill-Greenberg/dp/0821257552 (http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Portraits-Jill-Greenberg/dp/0821257552)
Some of the pictures can be seen on Greenberg's website:
http://www.paulkopeikingallery.com/artists/greenberg/index2.htm
Last year, purchased The New Bach Reader (1998), revised & expanded by Christoph Wolff (original first released in 1945 by Hans David & Arthur Mendel, both deceased) - this is an 'unusual' book; a variety of sections beginning w/ a short outline of Bach, followed by sections w/ compilations of letters, documents, etc. on Bach (many by Bach, himself), and a later section of Forkel's bio of Bach (based on correspondence w/ Bach's two elder sons); Bach is also looked at in the latter half of the 18th & first part of the 19th centuries - this is not a book to be read from 'page to page' - I skipped through the pages picking 'what' seemed of interest to me - this is a book that you would come back to as a reference depending on various aspects of Bach that may be of interest to you - check HERE (http://www.amazon.com/New-Bach-Reader-Arthur-Mendel/dp/0393319563/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206397450&sr=8-1) for plenty of Amazonian comments - worth a look if present in a bookstore or a library checkout - :D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514PGMCQBYL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/butlerwayofallflesh-1.jpg)
The one I have is not the one pictured, but a very old Modern Library edition.
An entertaining science fantasy.
(http://www.pyrsf.com/covers/BrightoftheSky.jpg)
Quote from: MN Dave on March 25, 2008, 08:12:22 AM
An entertaining science fantasy.
(http://www.pyrsf.com/covers/BrightoftheSky.jpg)
Really cool cover!
Quote from: Haffner on March 25, 2008, 08:19:39 AM
Really cool cover!
Here's the second book.
http://www.amazon.com/World-Too-Near-Book-Entire/dp/1591026423/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Quote from: MN Dave on March 25, 2008, 08:23:16 AM
Here's the second book.
http://www.amazon.com/World-Too-Near-Book-Entire/dp/1591026423/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
But when you wrote "entertaining" in review, I wonder if that's just a "bare, minimally acceptable" rating.
Quote from: Haffner on March 25, 2008, 08:27:35 AM
But when you wrote "entertaining" in review, I wonder if that's just a "bare, minimally acceptable" rating.
Being entertained is all I ask when I read something like this. It's a lot of fun so far.
This is a book. Sort of.
(http://www.fanfaremag.com/images/covers/cover_0314-214.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412FJWVBJ5L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU02_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Quote from: MN Dave on March 25, 2008, 08:29:39 AM
Being entertained is all I ask when I read something like this. It's a lot of fun so far.
Alot of times that's plenty enough for
anything, right?
Quote from: Haffner on March 27, 2008, 11:02:29 AM
Alot of times that's plenty enough for anything, right?
Right.
I am a certified "Zombie Movie" fanatic. People-eating zombies scare the daylights out of me, and it's fun to be scared sometimes. For me, movies like that are just entertainment (Stephen King is a good example for literature). It's great to do as that beloved Seinfeld character encouraged others to do "to not think too much", at least part of the time.
Quote from: Haffner on March 27, 2008, 11:17:08 AM
I am a certified "Zombie Movie" fanatic. People-eating zombies scare the daylights out of me, and it's fun to be scared sometimes. For me, movies like that are just entertainment (Stephen King is a good example for literature). It's great to do as that beloved Seinfeld character encouraged others to do "to not think too much", at least part of the time.
Oh, I'm a horror fan too, though the stuff out there lately doesn't really impress. Maybe the genre is finally dead. (I'm talking about literature, not movies, though those are fun too.)
Quote from: MN Dave on March 27, 2008, 11:19:59 AM
Oh, I'm a horror fan too, though the stuff out there lately doesn't really impress. Maybe the genre is finally dead. (I'm talking about literature, not movies, though those are fun too.)
Yeah, I remember when I first read "The Shining","Salem's Lot", "The Stand","The Black Cat", "Call of Cthulu"...terrific stories, great reading!
Quote from: Haffner on March 27, 2008, 11:35:07 AM
Yeah, I remember when I first read "The Shining","Salem's Lot", "The Stand","The Black Cat", "Call of Cthulu"...terrific stories, great reading!
Hell, you listen to metal. It's almost mandatory to read horror. :)
Quote from: MN Dave on March 27, 2008, 11:39:32 AM
Hell, you listen to metal. It's almost mandatory to read horror. :)
You are a prophet! With a really killer avatar.
Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions by Pope Benedict XVI:
(http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Tolerance-Christian-Belief-Religions/dp/158617035X)
Benedict is always a deeply insightful and stimulating read. His theology is profound and reflects that fact he's one of the most well-read and theological of popes. The first essay, from 1964, contrasting the Asian "mysticism of identity" from what he calls "monotheism revolution" and how the attitudes and approaches of the two essentialy differ and create a vastly different construct of religion that is developed over a millenia is a masterpiece of its kind, IMHO.
Ian McEwan's "On Chesil beach" - love it very much! I visited that beach last year - the sound of the pebbles, roling in the surf, is still in my ears.
(http://www.submarinebooks.com/IBoatCapt1.jpg)
Quote from: MN Dave on March 25, 2008, 08:12:22 AM
An entertaining science fantasy.
(http://www.pyrsf.com/covers/BrightoftheSky.jpg)
Would these two books appeal to a 13-yr-old boy who loved
Lord of the Ring and Harry Potter books? It's birthday time!
Quote from: Anne on March 31, 2008, 09:14:10 PM
Would these two books appeal to a 13-yr-old boy who loved Lord of the Ring and Harry Potter books? It's birthday time!
I figure if he can get through Lord of the Rings, this should be no problem. So, yes, probably.
[Edit: Wait, there are some slight sexual references, so I'll say it's PG-13. And please note I haven't read the second book, so I can't tell you much about that one.]
Windows Vista Annoyances (2008) by David Karp
Bought a new laptop last year that came w/ VISTA - been using these 'annoyances' books from O'Reilly for many years, so had to pick up this one which was released recently - if you are STUCK w/ this OS, then a highly recommended reference - CLICK on the image for reviews, if interested - also, excellent price at Bookpool.com (http://www.bookpool.com/ss?qs=windows+vista+annoyances&x=0&y=0) - :D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51N9FhgVccL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Vista-Annoyances-Secrets-Hacks/dp/0596527624/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207060918&sr=8-1)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MXTST8FDL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Quote from: MN Dave on April 01, 2008, 04:28:52 AM
I figure if he can get through Lord of the Rings, this should be no problem. So, yes, probably.
[Edit: Wait, there are some slight sexual references, so I'll say it's PG-13. And please note I haven't read the second book, so I can't tell you much about that one.]
Thanks, Dave! Much appreciated.
Maureen Howard-Before My Time
Dave (Sonic)-- thanks for talking about it and the links, that looks very interesting to me since I've been dealing with Vista. I got it down to look and behave roughly like XP, but there are some strange annoyances that still float around. I've bookmarked it now and I might order it.
Quote from: DavidW on April 01, 2008, 09:54:00 AM
Dave (Sonic)-- thanks for talking about it and the links, that looks very interesting to me since I've been dealing with Vista. I got it down to look and behave roughly like XP, but there are some strange annoyances that still float around. I've bookmarked it now and I might order it.
Hi,
David - just getting started w/ the book, but expect a 'useful' read (from my past experiences w/ these Annoyances works) - I'm pretty comfortable w/ VISTA on this new Dell laptop, but there remain some 'irritations & quirks' that I hope this book will explain. There is also an excellent website Annoyances.org (http://annoyances.org/) that might be of interest, if not visited before - think I've been getting these books since @ least my W2K days! :D
BTW, had to get the new Dell because my 'beloved' IBM ThinkPad's HD DIED on me - replaced the HD & upped the RAM to 512 MB - installed Ubuntu 7.10, so I kind of alternate being my 'wireless' laptops @ home - really enjoying the LINUX experience - been taking that one on the road w/ me - just feel safer w/ it on these 'open' hotel networks!
Let us know what you think of the book, if purchased - :) Dave
That's cool for you Dave, because I love Linux but since I got this new laptop none of them detect and configure my wireless card right, and I simply do not have the time to learn to do it manually.
Being a sloooow reader, I've been reading a book titled " La Pensée antique - des présocratiques à saint Augustin" for at least three weeks, and probably won't be finished with it before next Summer. It is very well laid out, with short chapters devoted to all the philosophical currents that were emerging in ancient Greece before Socrates. I had heard the names Heraclitus and Democritus before, without knowing if they were authors, athletes or philosophers (Greece was busy breeding them like rabbits between 600-400 BC). Now I know !
According to Whitehead, "Modern philosophy is but a footnote on a page from Plato". There are indeed the germs (and stems, leaves and fruits) of just about every philosophical current when one reads about Anaxagore, Parmenides, Empedocles, Thales and Pythagoras.
Nietzsche and Marx, Sartre and Heidegger merely developed what had long been exposed before them (if sometimes imperfectly). The most interesting discovery I made while reading this is that the main difference between now and what had been said 2500 years ago lies more in the evolution of language than of thought. Therefore, as one of the writers(*) comments, philosophy has progressively detached itself from the common sense and capacity of understanding of the mass to evolve in a science, bundle of concepts and language that only fellow philosophers can understand.
This has long been my own contention but I'm happy to see that my intuition is abetted by the Faculty :D
(*) Sorbonne professor, ancient Greek specialist, Académie française Member and eminent hellenist Jacqueline de Romilly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_de_Romilly).
Nice post, Lilas!
AS for me, I'm reading Lituma in the Andes by Mario Vargas Llosa. Excellent, as everything I've read from him.
(http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/images/bookcovers/b16_withoutroots_lg.jpg)
Only 135 pages but a deeply stimulating, insightful and comprehensive read for the subject matter it tackles.
Quote from: Danny on April 02, 2008, 12:00:49 AM
(http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/images/bookcovers/b16_withoutroots_lg.jpg)
Only 135 pages but a deeply stimulating, insightful and comprehensive read for the subject matter it tackles.
Hey, now I'm interested!
Quote from: Haffner on April 02, 2008, 02:59:48 AM
Hey, now I'm interested!
Interesting it is. Both of their speeches given within days of each other offer a good critique of relativism (Pera is especially brilliant here) and why its impact (lack of faith in Christianity, its long esteemed morality, etc.) is having such a negative influence on Europe--and Western Civilization--today. The book concludes with two letters written between them (one from Pera to the Pope, and then a response from Benedict to Pera) that centers around the idea of a civil religion in Europe, one that the secular Pera wishes to be a kind of "non-denominational Christian religion" that can incorporate the various faiths, practices and moral/ethical foundations of Christians into a single religious block. Even more interesting, Pera wishes to include secular people of good will within this block!
Just picked this up from the library:
(http://images.darkhorse.com/covers/10/10673.jpg)
Quote from: MN Dave on April 02, 2008, 01:31:56 PM
Just picked this up from the library:
(http://images.darkhorse.com/covers/10/10673.jpg)
Killer!
Quote from: Haffner on April 02, 2008, 01:33:35 PM
Killer!
Yeah, it's one of those over-sized books with lots of art in it. Maybe I should actually buy one. ;D
I read a lot of Conan in my teens (1970s). And I liked those Frank Frazetta covers, too...
Quote from: Jezetha on April 02, 2008, 02:54:45 PM
I read a lot of Conan in my teens (1970s). And I liked those Frank Frazetta covers, too...
Yep, me too. And I've been reliving the experience lately. ;D
Quote from: MN Dave on April 02, 2008, 01:31:56 PM
Just picked this up from the library:
(http://images.darkhorse.com/covers/10/10673.jpg)
Cool.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 02, 2008, 02:54:45 PM
I read a lot of Conan in my teens (1970s). And I liked those Frank Frazetta covers, too...
Yup.
This guy is a disciple of Frazetta, he did the Kiss Destroyer, Rainbow Rising, and Manowar albums covers. I think y'all will like:
kenkellyart.com (http://kenkellyart.com)
Quote from: Haffner on April 02, 2008, 03:40:56 PM
This guy is a disciple of Frazetta, he did the Kiss Destroyer, Rainbow Rising, and Manowar albums covers. I think y'all will like:
kenkellyart.com (http://kenkellyart.com)
Ken Kelly did some AWESOME book covers for Conan. They're in this book too. Two-pagers!
If Sarge could photo shop your Fraz Conan cover Dave and stick a Fender where the sword is, you will have a good idea of what our very own Andrew the Conquerer looks like. 8)
Quote from: Bogey on April 02, 2008, 03:45:27 PM
If Sarge could photo shop your Fraz Conan cover Dave and stick a Fender where the sword is, you will have a good idea of what our very own Andrew the Conquerer looks like. 8)
:o
I believe Kelly did a lot of the previous re-releases of the Howard stuff. Pocket size paperbacks with silver boarders. I had a few but dumped them when the new Howard editions came out. The covers were very good. Now, if any of you pull out some Boris Vallejo renditions, I'm outaa here. (http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/images/smilies/extras/thumbsdown.gif)
Quote from: Bogey on April 02, 2008, 03:56:09 PM
I believe Kelly did a lot of the previous re-releases of the Howard stuff. Pocket size paperbacks with silver boarders. I had a few but dumped them when the new Howard editions came out. The covers were very good. Now, if any of you pull out some Boris Vallejo renditions, I'm outaa here. (http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/images/smilies/extras/thumbsdown.gif)
I didn't mind Vallejo as a kid, but yeah...
Quote from: MN Dave on April 02, 2008, 04:02:37 PM
I didn't mind Vallejo as a kid, but yeah...
Now the Bama Doc Savage covers are another story. Cool then, cool now.
Quote from: Bogey on April 02, 2008, 04:15:21 PM
Now the Bama Doc Savage covers are another story. Cool then, cool now.
Extremely heroic.
Marcel Proust - À la recherche du temps perdu (Moncrieff translation)
I read Swann's Way and about half of Within a Budding Grove about a year ago, but I don't think I was really ready for it. I've been putting off doing this for too long.
I took this out from the library.
(http://www.classicstoday.com/images/f1_0900.jpg)
Red Dragon - Thomas Harris
(http://images.tdaxp.com/tdaxp_upload/against_the_world_crop.jpg)
Water Music, T.C. Boyle
Pio Baroja (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pio_Baroja) - The Adventures of Shanti Andia
Quote
Water Music, T.C. Boyle
How, I wonder, could one not immediately like a novel opening with the sentence:
Quote from: T.C. BoyleAt an age when most Scotsmen were lifting skirts, plowing furrows and spreading seed, Mungo Park was displaying his bare buttocks to al-haj' Ali Ibn Fatoudi, Emir of Ludamar.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 07, 2008, 07:13:39 AM
How, I wonder, could one not immediately like a novel opening with the sentence:
Indeed.
Of course,
The Sot-Weed Factor opens with a corker, too:
Quote from: Jn BarthIn the last years of the Seventeenth Century there was to be found among the fops and fools of the London coffee-houses one rangy, gangling flitch called Ebenezer Cooke, more ambitious than talented, and yet more talented than prudent, who, like his friends-in-folly, all of whom were supposed to be educating at Oxford or Cambridge, had found the sound of Mother English more fun to game with than her sense to labor over, and so rather than applying himself to the pains of scholarship, had learned the knack of versifying, and ground out quires of couplets after the fashion of the day, afroth with Joves and Jupiters, aclang with jarring rhymes, and string-taut with similes stretched to the snapping-point.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 07, 2008, 07:21:10 AM
Of course, The Sot-Weed Factor opens with a corker, too:
Very nice. I like it.
Quote from: Corey on April 05, 2008, 08:19:16 AM
Marcel Proust - À la recherche du temps perdu (Moncrieff translation)
The Modern Library edition right? I've started reading the same translation a few times but could not get halfway through Swann's way in my many attempts yet ;D
Quote from: orbital on April 07, 2008, 12:29:25 PM
The Modern Library edition right? I've started reading the same translation a few times but could not get halfway through Swann's way in my many attempts yet ;D
It's the same translation that the Modern Library uses, but this one is a crusty old two-volume Random House edition from the 30s. I'm putting my nose to the grindstone and finishing the whole thing this time.
Quote from: Corey on April 07, 2008, 12:32:56 PM
It's the same translation that the Modern Library uses, but this one is a crusty old two-volume Random House edition from the 30s. I'm putting my nose to the grindstone and finishing the whole thing this time.
:) Best of luck. I hope to do the same someday.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CQPWVP7BL._SS500_.jpg)
Giving this stuff some attention....slow gowing for me though.
Allan
(http://www.grahammasterton.co.uk/images/edgewise-leisure.jpg)
A vengeful Sioux spirit wreaks havoc in Minneapolis - When her children are kidnapped, in desperation Lily Blake seeks the services of a Sioux shaman, who summons up the Indian spirit, Wendigo, to find them. The price for this service is a spit of land that Lily's firm is selling for development land that once belonged to the Sioux. Lily is soon drawn into the destructive world of the Wendigo and learns to the detriment of those closest to her that you should never underestimate the power of a spirit betrayed . . .
Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex (2008) by Mary Roach - looks like a FUN book! ;D Just read an excellent review in the NYC Book Review section the Sunday before last, put in an Amazon order, and arrived yesterday - just started my read last night - she is a funny writer who should make this topic quite entertaining - CLICK on the image for some top comments from the Amazonians, if interested; must explore some of her other books, like Stiff (about cadavers!) - :D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31bG89-AchL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Bonk-Curious-Coupling-Science-Sex/dp/0393064646/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207683114&sr=1-1)
THOMAS KUHN: The Copernican Revolution
A very detailed analysis of the beginning of new science. The best book on the subject with Alexandre Koyré's "Du monde clos à l'univers infini".
Jane Austen-Sense and Sensibility
Moscow 1941: A City and its People at War by Roderick Braithwaite. V good.
Quote from: rockerreds on April 10, 2008, 06:55:20 AM
Jane Austen-Sense and Sensibility
We watched the latter part of the Masterpiece Theatre adaptation; some delicious scenes!
(http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0553214446.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Good to be reading Fedya again; just read and loved the first story "A Nasty Anecdote."
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WCKzn0WwL._SS500_.jpg)
From Publishers Weekly
In Rainey's enjoyable WWII adventure with a superfluous SF plot twist, courageous American flyers with the navy Blue Devil unit shoot down Japs above the Solomon Islands. The U.S. airmen, led by Lt. Cmdr. Drew McLachlan and based on remote Conquest Island, see fast and fierce action, occasionally suffering a tragic loss. Then, in the cinematic tradition of the period, the story veers into horror flick territory with SF undertones when the airmen discover peculiar savages in the caves of Conquest's mountainous landscape. For good measure, Rainey (The Lebo Coven) also throws in a gigantic, monstrous extraterrestrial with galaxy-ruling ambitions. The novel benefits from the author's obvious interest in WWII aircraft, and readers nostalgic for the era's war movies and pulp fiction will enjoy the ride. (Jan.)
Marcel Proust - In Search of Lost Time, Volume Two: Within a Budding Grove
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/Proust2.jpg)
Quote from: Corey on April 11, 2008, 06:03:59 PM
Marcel Proust - In Search of Lost Time, Volume Two: Within a Budding Grove
I am assuming your next post in this thread will be a while >:D
Quote from: orbital on April 11, 2008, 06:41:48 PM
I am assuming your next post in this thread will be a while >:D
Well I finished
Swann's Way in 4 days, so perhaps not a
great while. :)
Also: why couldn't you finish Swann's Way, if you don't mind my asking?
Quote from: orbital on April 11, 2008, 06:41:48 PM
I am assuming your next post in this thread will be a while >:D
;D
Beside reading these days is the ubiquitous Kite Runner. Competently crafted. What I like about it is the sense that my world is expanding by viewing a slice of life through the eyes of an Afghan expatriate in America. It broadens my sense of community. Such literature is inclusive, not exclusive, opening the reader's heart and mind to compassionate celebration of our shared heritage and commitment to our shared responsibilities.
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 12, 2008, 05:06:53 AM
Beside reading these days is the ubiquitous Kite Runner. Competently crafted. What I like about it is the sense that my world is expanding by viewing a slice of life through the eyes of an Afghan expatriate in America. It broadens my sense of community. Such literature is inclusive, not exclusive, opening the reader's heart and mind to compassionate celebration of our shared heritage and commitment to our shared responsibilities.
We read that for our book club at work David. Your points are right on the mark David as posted above. However, I was about the only one that did not like it as an "actual read". Did you find it to be a bit "contrived/overly predictable" in parts? My colleagues also enjoyed his A Thousand Splendid Suns, which I also did not care for. Obviously I am in the minority about its merits when it comes to "enjoying" his style of writing.
Quote from: Danny on April 10, 2008, 01:35:43 PM
(http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0553214446.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Good to be reading Fedya again; just read and loved the first story "A Nasty Anecdote."
Looks interesting! Were those written before Siberia, or after? I'm rereading Notes from Underground, and am absorbing far more of it the second time around.
Pevear and Volokhonsky are easily the best translators of Russian classics that I've read.
Quote from: Bogey on April 12, 2008, 06:23:46 AM
Did you find it to be a bit "contrived/overly predictable" in parts?
Yes, Bill. Not great literature, of course, but competent and a cut above many "best sellers." I would rather read a sincere writer of mediocre talent telling a story with heart than something impeccably crafted but soullessly banal.
edit. corrected typo
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 12, 2008, 08:15:04 AM
Yes, Bill. Not great literature, of course, but competent and a cut above many "best sellers." I would rather read a sincere writer of mediocre talent telling a story with heart than something impeccably crafted by soullessly banal.
A very fair comment.
And speaking of broadening my "sense", have you looked into:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pZouUadAL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Fundamentalist-Mohsin-Hamid/dp/0151013047
Another of our recent book club reads, of which I liked, save one or two parts, which I thought was extremely well written. The rest of the club, save one other person, did not care for it though.
No, Bill--but on your say-so I will check it out. Like the title!
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 12, 2008, 08:43:37 AM
No, Bill--but on your say-so I will check it out. Like the title!
David, I found that the folks that did not like book, for the most part, did not because they did not agree with the main character and his views and this disagreement was at a passionate level in some cases. For me, whether I agree or disagree with a character's view point does not indicate whether I will "like" a book or not, even if I loathe that character by the end of the book. And to boot, this book has an absolutely unforgettable ending IMO. A quick read as well.
Quote from: Corey on April 11, 2008, 07:57:51 PM
Also: why couldn't you finish Swann's Way, if you don't mind my asking?
I don't really know. I lost interest after a while each time I've started so far :-\ Way too much detail, and I hate to skip over paragraphs. Actually I'd rather not read the book than skip
(http://images.sergiobonellieditore.it/bonelli/misterno/mis0293.jpg)
When I was younger I used to read a lot of Italian comics - Bonelli's Mister No, Zagor, Komandant Mark, and I still have substantial collection of Magnus & Bunker's Alan Ford (boxed somewhere). Those were hugely poular in Italy and Yugoslavia but don't think anyone else ever heard of them.
Still enjoy them occasionally.
Quote from: Drasko on April 12, 2008, 11:20:29 AM
(http://images.sergiobonellieditore.it/bonelli/misterno/mis0293.jpg)
When I was younger I used to read a lot of Italian comics - Bonelli's Mister No, Zagor, Komandant Mark, and I still have substantial collection of Magnus & Bunker's Alan Ford (boxed somewhere). Those were hugely poular in Italy and Yugoslavia but don't think anyone else ever heard of them.
Still enjoy them occasionally.
Very cool, Drasko.
Quote from: MN Dave on April 13, 2008, 03:32:27 AM
Very cool, Drasko.
don't think any of those were ever translated into English but if you're curious you can check these:
http://www-en.sergiobonellieditore.it/personaggi/personaggi.html
Bonelli Editions page - Zagor, Mister No, Mark, Dylan Dog and Martyn Misterie were the most popular ones (Zagor
the most)
and quite detailed wiki page on Alan Ford
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Ford_(comics)
Quote from: Drasko on April 13, 2008, 06:46:08 AM
don't think any of those were ever translated into English but if you're curious you can check these:
http://www-en.sergiobonellieditore.it/personaggi/personaggi.html
Bonelli Editions page - Zagor, Mister No, Mark, Dylan Dog and Martyn Misterie were the most popular ones (Zagor the most)
and quite detailed wiki page on Alan Ford
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Ford_(comics)
Thanks for the links.
(http://www-en.sergiobonellieditore.it/cpersonaggi/edicola/zagor/personaggio.gif)
Quote from: Bogey on April 12, 2008, 06:23:46 AM
We read that for our book club at work David.
You have a book club at work? What kinda job do you have?
Allan
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nYuulVxYL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Sharp, cruel, funny - sobering.
On amazon : Jane W.Reit : As always, Lessing's sharp eye for human foible imbues all her stories with uncompromising clarity. Highly recommended.
Quote from: O Delvig on April 12, 2008, 07:45:35 AM
Looks interesting! Were those written before Siberia, or after? I'm rereading Notes from Underground, and am absorbing far more of it the second time around.
Pevear and Volokhonsky are easily the best translators of Russian classics that I've read.
Yes, all after Siberia. Overall, an excellent collection of stories that I hadn't read (with the exception of "Dream of a Ridiculous Man"). Next up is "The Double" and "The Gambler", which should complete my reading of Fedya for now. Maybe someday I'll read "Poor Folk", but I've heard too many bad things about it.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5161S58HCKL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Part Faust, part Mephistopheles, Melmoth has made a satanic bargain for immortality. Now he wanders the earth, an outsider with an eerie, tortured existence, searching for someone who will take on his contract and release him to die a natural death.
With its erudition and wit, and its parody of arcane learned manuscripts, this Gothic masterpiece-first published in 1820-follows in the tradition of both the classics of its genre and the works of Cervantes, Swift, and Sterne. Some of its many admirers were Sir Walter Scott, Honoré de Balzac, Edgar Allan Poe, and Maturin's great nephew, Oscar Wilde. This edition includes a critical introduction, explanatory notes, and suggestions for further reading.
"The Main Stream of Music and Other Essays" by Donald Francis Tovey. Tovey is, in my estimation, one of the top 2 or 3 all time writers on music. These essays were written from 1925 - '35, but are thoroughly modern in their perception. He cuts right through the bullshit and tells you the essence of the music. His life spanned an interesting time, for example, he knew Joachim very well, thus his essays on Brahms have an insight that no modern writer can match. This is a "must read" for anyone interested in music, and particularly in historical perspectives and perceptions. :)
8)
----------------
Listening to:
Skærved (Violin) / Shorr (Piano) - Beethoven - Bia 550 Op 96 Sonata #10 in G for Violin & Piano 2nd mvmt - Adagio espressivo
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on April 16, 2008, 06:11:45 PM
"The Main Stream of Music and Other Essays" by Donald Francis Tovey. Tovey is, in my estimation, one of the top 2 or 3 all time writers on music. These essays were written from 1925 - '35, but are thoroughly modern in their perception. He cuts right through the bullshit and tells you the essence of the music. His life spanned an interesting time, for example, he knew Joachim very well, thus his essays on Brahms have an insight that no modern writer can match. This is a "must read" for anyone interested in music, and particularly in historical perspectives and perceptions. :)
Is it technical music theory?
Quote from: MN Dave on April 16, 2008, 06:13:58 PM
Is it technical music theory?
Well, if it was, I sure wouldn't understand it! Yes, there is some theory in it, but he does explain most of it (he was a professor at Oxford, so he knows how to explain), and he doesn't just throw it in for the hell of it, but to make a point. As I understand from the intro, he always gave his lectures (that's what many of these are) while sitting at the piano and he would make his point by playing a lick. So, you can't do that here, so he writes it out. Still, you can get the point, and it's worth the effort just to be able to enjoy the other 90% that isn't music theory. :)
8)
----------------
Listening to:
Skærved (Violin) / Shorr (Piano) - Beethoven - Bia 550 Op 96 Sonata #10 in G for Violin & Piano 4th mvmt - Poco allegretto
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on April 16, 2008, 06:19:31 PM
Well, if it was, I sure wouldn't understand it! Yes, there is some theory in it, but he does explain most of it (he was a professor at Oxford, so he knows how to explain), and he doesn't just throw it in for the hell of it, but to make a point. As I understand from the intro, he always gave his lectures (that's what many of these are) while sitting at the piano and he would make his point by playing a lick. So, you can't do that here, so he writes it out. Still, you can get the point, and it's worth the effort just to be able to enjoy the other 90% that isn't music theory. :)
Thanks for the details, Gurn. It sounds good.
Quote from: MN Dave on April 16, 2008, 06:21:42 PM
Thanks for the details, Gurn. It sounds good.
Y'r welcome, Dave. It IS a good book to learn from. I wish I had more of his stuff, but most of it is bound up in some great huge volumes of analysis (his forte). These were the leftovers that never made it into the big books. :)
8)
----------------
Listening to:
Vieuxtemps VCs - Slovak RSO / Mogrelia Misha Keylin - Vieuxtemps Concerto #6 in G for Violin Op 47 1st mvmt
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on April 16, 2008, 06:24:57 PM
Y'r welcome, Dave. It IS a good book to learn from. I wish I had more of his stuff, but most of it is bound up in some great huge volumes of analysis (his forte). These were the leftovers that never made it into the big books. :)
Sounds like it might be difficult to find a copy.
Quote from: MN Dave on April 16, 2008, 06:27:34 PM
Sounds like it might be difficult to find a copy.
Dunno, I've never looked for one. This copy is a very old paperback that was sent to me as a gift by a former poster here (bless her heart for it too!). It certainly should have been republished many times over since then though. :)
8)
----------------
Listening to:
Vieuxtemps VCs - Slovak RSO / Mogrelia Misha Keylin - Vieuxtemps Concerto #6 in G for Violin Op 47 2nd mvmt
I read Tovey a long time ago. He was one of the few critics to write very favourably about Havergal Brian early in his career. The men knew each other, and Tovey was a prodigious sight-reader and pianist. He could reproduce any complex, unknown orchestral score at the piano...
8)
(http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books/bk9/cover_big.jpg)
Punk. $:)
Divine Mercy
Faustina is a funny name for a saint... >:D
Quote from: Corey on April 19, 2008, 06:37:39 PM
Faustina is a funny name for a saint... >:D
It always makes me think of Goethe. Not exactly a "fundamentalist" type-o' guy, right?
Quote from: SonicMan on April 08, 2008, 11:38:14 AM
Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex (2008) by Mary Roach - looks like a FUN book! ;D Just read an excellent review in the NYC Book Review section the Sunday before last, put in an Amazon order, and arrived yesterday - just started my read last night - she is a funny writer who should make this topic quite entertaining - CLICK on the image for some top comments from the Amazonians, if interested; must explore some of her other books, like Stiff (about cadavers!) - :D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31bG89-AchL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Bonk-Curious-Coupling-Science-Sex/dp/0393064646/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207683114&sr=1-1) (http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0393324826.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Curious-Lives-Human-Cadavers/dp/0393324826/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208735719&sr=1-1)
Just finished
Mary Roach's book
Bonk.... - if you're interested in human sexuality (research, history, & personal interest), this book was an enjoyable & often funny read - just picked up her earlier book called
Stiff (shown above; however, my paperback version has the feet looking more real - probably a color in-between would be the best choice for a cadaver) - will start soon - CLICK on the image to read comments on Amazon - ;D
Quote from: Haffner on April 20, 2008, 08:56:43 AM
It always makes me think of Goethe. Not exactly a "fundamentalist" type-o' guy, right?
Maybe if Faust was transubstantiated into a woman. Would that make Margaret a Mark?
Quote from: Corey on April 20, 2008, 04:05:58 PM
Maybe if Faust was transubstantiated into a woman. Would that make Margaret a Mark?
cracking up
I'm currently reading "The Music of Bela Bartok" by Elliott Antokoletz.
It's not one of those easy reads, but I love Bartok's symmetry and I am beginning to see some of the small-scale symmetries Rautavaara uses in his music. Some of the sonorities in Bartok I find strewn about Rautavaara, some more obvious than others.
In Search of Lost Time Vol. 3: The Guermantes Way
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/Proust3.jpg)
I have completed Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' and I enjoyed reading it.
He writes with great skill and poetry. Though when I compare the book to the film I see that many details were left out from the film.
After completing The Lord of the Rings I began reading the other work by Tolkien ' The Silmarillion. After reading some 30 pages or so I threw the book in the garbage for I thought it was extremely paganistic in nature, and I didn't like that at all.
The Silmarillion deals with the 'first age ' in Tolkien's world , while 'The Lord of the rings' is about the third age. The Lord of the rings is more of a story, and doesn't deal with 'Gods' or pagan religious subjects. I was disappointed with The Silmarillion, for I thought that it would be a nice story to read, but its paganistic nature really ruined it. I am not for reading this pagan things.
Saul
Quote from: Saul on April 21, 2008, 05:10:03 PMAfter reading some 30 pages or so I threw the book in the garbage for I thought it was extremely paganistic in nature, and I didn't like that at all.
Maybe you could have given it to someone or sold it to a used bookstore. A few of my friends have liked it (though I never bothered to read it).
Quote from: Brian on April 21, 2008, 05:15:46 PM
Maybe you could have given it to someone or sold it to a used bookstore. A few of my friends have liked it (though I never bothered to read it).
Yes, I was wondering for how many people does, "I threw it in the garbage" mean approximately, "I sold it on Amazon"? :D
Quote from: Corey on April 21, 2008, 05:22:02 PM
Yes, I was wondering for how many people does, "I threw it in the garbage" mean approximately, "I sold it on Amazon"? :D
That's because we have to read college textbooks. In a few weeks I'm going to have to get in the business of "throwing things in the garbage" ;D
I threw all my Lord of the Rings books "into the garbage" ages ago! (Silmarillion, too.) ;D
Quote from: Corey on April 21, 2008, 05:38:59 PM
I threw all my Lord of the Rings books "into the garbage" ages ago! (Silmarillion, too.) ;D
You are lying. A being with protruding eyes wrested them from you and fell to his death.
Quote from: Saul on April 21, 2008, 05:10:03 PM
The Silmarillion deals with the 'first age ' in Tolkien's world , while 'The Lord of the rings' is about the third age. The Lord of the rings is more of a story, and doesn’t deal with 'Gods' or pagan religious subjects. I was disappointed with The Silmarillion, for I thought that it would be a nice story to read, but its paganistic nature really ruined it. I am not for reading this pagan things.
That surprises me. I thought you were into stuff like that. I was under the impression you like to read the Old Testament or Tanakh which is just as fictional as Tolkien's writings.
I enjoyed reading "The Lord of the Rings", too, but never managed to read "The Silmarillion" either. I also stopped after a couple dozen pages or so.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 21, 2008, 09:57:22 PM
You are lying. A being with protruding eyes wrested them from you and fell to his death.
LOL
;D
I didn't read this but I have to thank my two grandsons (16 and 13 yrs old) for helping me get through the entire Lord of the Rings saga on DVD. I could never have done it without them.
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Not to worry David, I still have your list and am beginning to procure some of the titles you suggested. However, my May is packed with activities that will definitely crop my reading, so little vignettes may be all that I can fit in for now. I like to clip at least 50 pages per sitting, and that just ain't going to happen until June rolls in.
Quote from: Anne on April 22, 2008, 06:53:48 PM
I didn't read this but I have to thank my two grandsons (16 and 13 yrs old) for helping me get through the entire Lord of the Rings saga on DVD. I could never have done it without them.
... she said in her Oscar acceptance speech.
Good old stuff which I loved in my youth (now I'm old, 36):
Tom Sharpe - Tohuwabohu
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He's a real master of exaggeration. Still good fun.
I am (re-)reading a few novels technically (like a composer studies scores), i.e. how is information presented to the reader, syntax, style et cetera:
Pynchon - Gravity's Rainbow
Lowry - Under the Volcano
Bely - Petersburg
Djuna Barnes - Nightwood
I am also reading The Annals of Imperial Rome, by Tacitus (Penguin Classics). I find him astonishing - his insight into power and human nature are second to none, and he has a consummate style to match.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 22, 2008, 09:55:43 PM
... she said in her Oscar acceptance speech.
:) :D ;D
Deathwatch by Robb White
"An exciting novel of suspense, based on a fight to the finish between an honest and courageous young man and a cynical business tycoon who believes that anything can be had for a price."--Horn Book. An ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults, Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Writers Award, A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year, New York Public Library--Books for the Teen Age.
I'm not sure why they consider it Young Adult. Maybe because there are no curse words or boobies in it?
Found in an encyclopedia of rock music:
Quote. . . (featuring that classic paeon [sic] to the larger woman 'WHOLE LOTTA ROSIE', no anorexic waifs for this lot!) . . .
Or maybe "paeon" is
in praise of a peon . . . ?
Quote from: karlhenning on April 23, 2008, 10:48:43 AM
Found in an encyclopedia of rock music:
Or maybe "paeon" is in praise of a peon . . . ?
I'm finished with rock music.
FINISHED!
Maybe... ;D
The Three Trillion Dollar War: The True Cost of the Iraq Conflict, by Joseph E. Stiglitz and Linda J. Bilmes.
It's so well written that it's not boring, which is saying a lot for something like this. Unfortunately, it's so upsetting that I find myself self-medicating with shots of Slivovitz (100 proof - Kosher for Passover). I'll bet John, Hillary and Barack have it on their reading list.
(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/25020000/25028616.JPG)
Next on my list:
The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century, by Steve Coll.
I prefer to escape into fantasy. Reality is too depressing. :'(
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers (2003) by Mary Roach - about a third through this engrossing book, a mixture of modern & historical attitudes toward the dead - a delightful read for a physician & those w/ similar minds! ;) ;D
Death, Dissection and the Destitute (2001) by Ruth Richardson - just ordered this book while reading the other (mentioned as a reference that sounded interesting) - will report later - I'm curious, however, why women seem to be writing all of these 'morbid' books! ;D
CLICK on the images for a short synopsis of each & some Amazonian comments - :)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZK6N6NG9L._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Curious-Lives-Human-Cadavers/dp/0393324826/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209331491&sr=1-1) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AXYHPFKML._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Death-Dissection-Destitute-Ruth-Richardson/dp/0226712400/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209333396&sr=1-3)
Quote from: MN Brahms on April 23, 2008, 11:03:19 AM
Reality is too depressing. :'(
That's why I don't read the news. Or watch any sort of network television.
Jack Finney: Invasion of the Body Snatchers - Haven't read this in probably 30 years, and was sparked by recently seeing the Donald Sutherland film version.
--Bruce
"I'm curious, however, why women seem to be writing all of these 'morbid' books!"
As you and some others of us know, they delve into areas we know nothing about. At least that is my reason for reading them. ;D Thanks for the recommendations!
I am reading a book "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop with Laura Palmer. It tells the story of Carolyn Jessop who escaped with all her 8 children from a radical polygamist cult. She had been born into that cult. At 18 she became the 4th wife of a fifty-year-old man. She had 8 children in 15 years. When their leader began to preach the apocalypse, she said she knew it was time to escape and get her children out also.
The book is very well written. There is also a good deal on it now - $13 or $14 for hardback book.
Quote from: AndyD. on April 27, 2008, 02:06:13 PM
That's why I don't read the news.
Me neither. Not since 9/11.
Quote from: bhodges on April 27, 2008, 02:11:50 PM
Jack Finney: Invasion of the Body Snatchers - Haven't read this in probably 30 years, and was sparked by recently seeing the Donald Sutherland film version.
--Bruce
Saw that fantastic remake when I was very young (first in theaters). Both it and the book are personal favorites of mine. Talk about
para-
noi-
A!Matheson's
I Am Legend (forget that remake) is even better in the Paranoid Pantheon, in my humble opinion.
Quote from: M forever on April 21, 2008, 11:16:06 PM
That surprises me. I thought you were into stuff like that. I was under the impression you like to read the Old Testament or Tanakh which is just as fictional as Tolkien's writings.
I enjoyed reading "The Lord of the Rings", too, but never managed to read "The Silmarillion" either. I also stopped after a couple dozen pages or so.
Darn, where is a nation that follows the laws and customs of Tolkien's world?
Even he said that it was a mythological story that he invented.
But the Torah, you have an entire nation following the 613 divine commandments for 3300 years non stop against all odds.
Your over simplifications are ok with idiots, but intelligent folk view your comments as nothing more then a hiss in the air.
(http://beeftone.com/images/bkopsch10032.gif)
Outstanding!
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Both are nifty; enjoy "The Gambler" a little more, 'tho.
I've recently gotten into the habit of reading several books at once.
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(http://www.theworldsgreatbooks.com/images/august2003/atlas%20shrugged.jpg)
(http://www.bookcourt.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/David.jpg)
I am enjoying them all.
(http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/images/1034.jpg)
Cinematographer John Alton's classic book from the late 40's illustrating and describing the various uses of light in cinema; the reviewers say its dated, but for noir fanatics like myself that hardly matters!
Quote from: -abe- on April 29, 2008, 01:11:03 AM
I've recently gotten into the habit of reading several books at once.
Mencken is perfect for that mode, of course; he's always a delight to dip into/
Myself, when I'm reading
Dickens, I like to just read the
Dickens (so to speak) and focus on that narrative.
Oh! And before taking up the Shake-scene bio, I had re-read:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51D1ENYHXEL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
I first read this back when it was fairly new; so I was taken aback at the notice on this cover that it was a "25th anniversary edition." A really brilliant first novel; and the fact is, that while I went on to read four subsequent novels or so, and a few collections of short stories . . . there's some spark to this one which doesn't quite catch in the others I've read, well written and enjoyable though they all have been. Of all of his writing, this was the book I wanted to return to, to re-read.
THE 5TH WITCH - Graham Masterton
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514DJ1JT0TL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Very good detective series in the Raymond Chandler style. A bit grim -- I miss some of the wit that Robert Parker brings to this genre -- but the main character, Harry Bosch, is well-drawn and complex enough to keep things interesting.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514E9A0MPEL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Excellent read so far, one of those big sprawling novels that cover several decades, with lots of neat touches. Great if you are into cryptography, the Enigma Project in WWII, etc. Reminds me a lot of Thomas Pynchon.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41cjauInJvL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg)
Just picked this up yesterday. A survey of major historians and trends in historical writing, from Herodotus to the present. Heavy focus on the classics, as one might expect.
Quote from: karlhenning on May 01, 2008, 03:43:32 AM
Mencken is perfect for that mode, of course; he's always a delight to dip into/
Myself, when I'm reading Dickens, I like to just read the Dickens (so to speak) and focus on that narrative.
I wonder how the original readers could've endured waiting for the new installments of his works! He produced David Copperfield over a period of two years.
Pride And Prejudice
"A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder" by James De Mille. I recently bought a bound volume containing an entire year's worth of Harper's Weekly from 1888. This novel is serialized over the first four months or so of the year. It is a strange fantasy-adventure story that satirizes Victorian society. I'm not far into it yet, but so far it is enjoyable and interesting.
Heather
As I do often, two books:
Cambridge Companion To Bruckner
Parsifal (Beckett)
Quote from: Jezetha on May 07, 2008, 03:46:46 AM
Good one. Own it, read it.
Read the synopsis part, now deep into the music portion. Terrific read. Parsifal just may be overall my favorite opera. Even more than the Ring.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XGW4LTFKL._SS500_.jpg)
I love crap like this. ;D
Quote from: MN Dave on May 07, 2008, 05:55:23 AM
I love crap like this. ;D
No, you like
fantasy, Dave.
[paranoia mode] If it
is that. [/paranoia mode]
Quote from: Jezetha on May 07, 2008, 06:39:34 AM
[paranoia mode] If it is that. [/paranoia mode]
:o
Quote from: MN Dave on May 07, 2008, 07:17:23 AM
:o
(a heavy metal version of the "Twilight Zone" theme starts playing)
Quote from: AndyD. on May 07, 2008, 07:42:07 AM
(a heavy metal version of the "Twilight Zone" theme starts playing)
The X-Files is creepier, I think... >:D
Between this book and the Religion thread here in the Diner, I'm thinking more about God than I have in a while.
Quote from: MN Dave on May 07, 2008, 08:02:32 AM
Between this book and the Religion thread here in the Diner, I'm thinking more about God than I have in a while.
Well that's a good thing Dave, as far as my opinion goes of course. :)
Quote from: MN Dave on May 07, 2008, 05:55:23 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XGW4LTFKL._SS500_.jpg) (http://gfisher.blogspot.com/uploaded_images/masonic_hall_philadelphia-763073.jpeg)
I love crap like this. ;D
Dave - that book 'peaks' my interest, but the Amazon Reviews (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590200314/ref=s9sims_c4_img1-2871_p?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1WZ3NE5FN2NTQG91AK96&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=320448801&pf_rd_i=507846) are quite varied (w/ a bunch of 1* only ratings) - is it a good read, or as you mention above 'crap' - ;) ;D
Reminds me of a visit & tour last fall to the
Masonic Lodge (added above) in Philadelphia - place is also known as The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania (http://www.pagrandlodge.org/hometext.html); the famous 'free masons'! Members included Mozart, Franklin (and other founding fathers), etc. - I was ready to join 'on the spot' after the tour! :D
Part Two of The Guermantes Way now.
Question: Has anyone here read In Search of Lost Time in its entirety or am I alone in this crazy venture? :D
The brothers Karamazov...... :(
Why that emoticon, mijn vriend?
Quote from: SonicMan on May 07, 2008, 09:05:30 AM
Dave - that book 'peaks' my interest, but the Amazon Reviews (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590200314/ref=s9sims_c4_img1-2871_p?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1WZ3NE5FN2NTQG91AK96&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=320448801&pf_rd_i=507846) are quite varied (w/ a bunch of 1* only ratings) - is it a good read, or as you mention above 'crap' - ;) ;D
Reminds me of a visit & tour last fall to the Masonic Lodge (added above) in Philadelphia - place is also known as The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania (http://www.pagrandlodge.org/hometext.html); the famous 'free masons'! Members included Mozart, Franklin (and other founding fathers), etc. - I was ready to join 'on the spot' after the tour! :D
I wouldn't give it 1 star; I think those people were expecting something else. Not sure if it's a 5 though. I just started it.
Quote from: karlhenning on May 07, 2008, 09:29:53 AM
Why that emoticon, mijn vriend?
Well I have a abhorrence for any kind of violence, and somehow this one is making a impression on me.
It has a very realistic imprint on me.....
Maybe its the combination of the drama of Karamazov, and the Hochstamm Riesling I am drinking, after a very stressful working day, with people that were far to energetic for my taste.
Melancholy is also doing its job, and the constant worry for the health of my wife too....... :-\