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Post by JP5 on Jul 28, 2013 23:18:00 GMT
What book are you reading? I'm currently reading.....
"The Founding Conservatives: How a Group of Unsung Heroes Saved the American Revolution" by Lefer, David (Jun 13, 2013)
David Lefer is a liberal professor and was asked one day in class who John Dickinson was? He gave a 'pat' short answer and the student ask him again....'Yes, but WHO was he?" Lefer went on an in-depth research and study to answer that question. In the process he admits he came to a new-found appreciation for the conservative Founding Fathers and makes the case that without these conservatives, there might not have been an American Revolution. His book covers all his research and gives a detailed account of the relationships of our Founding Fathers.....what they were all about.....and how the incidents like the Boston Tea Party led us to seek our independence from Britain. He also provides the historical facts about the different political views of the time. Believe it or not.....they actually fought about the SAME things we're still fighting about politically today. It's a great book.....not quite finished because I'm actually reading two books at the same time. But it's a great read for anyone who likes history.
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Post by Daisy on Jul 29, 2013 0:05:23 GMT
Now that hurricane season is upon us I am thinking of re-reading Issac's Storm by Erik Larsen. The book is about Issac Cline who was the Texas weatherman. He was living in Galveston at the time one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit the USA. He watched as the huge waves rolled in but did not realize the strength of the storm. The storm killed over 6,000 people and completely destroyed Galveston. It is an excellent book and anyone who lives in a coastal state should read. It will certainly give you a new respect for hurricanes. One of the things that stood out, people back then did not have FEMA. Amazing isn't it? How indomitable the human being can be when put to a test.
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Admin
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Post by Admin on Jul 29, 2013 9:43:29 GMT
I'm currently reading Sir Walter Scott's classic 'Ivanhoe'. It's quite enjoyable, but to be honest I do find he tends to ramble on a bit too much with the descriptive passages! There is a point at which he could leave a little more to the reader's imagination, rather than telling us every single detail of every single item of clothing, for example (which we probably won't remember anyway, and much of it we didn't really need to know!). Still, it's a good read, and the slight irritation of the over-flowery style was something I expected, and can certainly live with.
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Post by smartmouthwoman on Jul 31, 2013 14:46:56 GMT
Now that hurricane season is upon us I am thinking of re-reading Issac's Storm by Erik Larsen. The book is about Issac Cline who was the Texas weatherman. He was living in Galveston at the time one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit the USA. He watched as the huge waves rolled in but did not realize the strength of the storm. The storm killed over 6,000 people and completely destroyed Galveston. It is an excellent book and anyone who lives in a coastal state should read. It will certainly give you a new respect for hurricanes. One of the things that stood out, people back then did not have FEMA. Amazing isn't it? How indomitable the human being can be when put to a test. Love Isaacs Storm... if you're ever in Galveston, dont miss The Great Storm at the museum near the Strand. Awesome slides and deafening sound... makes you feel like you're there! Since I was just down there a few months ago and read a great trashy novel by the pool, I'll recommend that one, too. Guilty Wives by James Patterson. Real page turner! ;D |
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Post by smartmouthwoman on Jul 31, 2013 14:48:37 GMT
What? No 50 Shades of Gray? Hear its the #1 request at Gitmo.  |
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Post by Daisy on Aug 1, 2013 10:04:22 GMT
I love Elmer Kelton's books. I have read most of his books. My favorites are " The man who rode Midnight", "Cloudy in the West" and " Honor at daybreak". He is a Texan and he writes about Texas. When I want to visit Texas., I pick up one of his books and there you are in Texas.. Lol.
When I find an author I like to read I try to read everything they right.
Another favorite is Daphne duMauier , Rebecca, The Scapegoat, and Jamaica Inn.
Kenneth Roberts. Northwest Passage, Rabble in Arms, The Lively Lady, and Lydia Bailey
Dominique lapierre "Freedom at Midnight" A great book to read.
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Admin
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Post by Admin on Aug 1, 2013 10:14:45 GMT
Another favorite is Daphne duMauier , Rebecca, The Scapegoat, and Jamaica Inn. I like Jamaica Inn - the place, though, not the book! I haven't read the book, but the place itself is a great spot to stop off for a beer on the way down to Cornwall. Bit pricey, though, and often full of bus loads of sightseeing tourists! |
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Post by Daisy on Aug 1, 2013 10:42:49 GMT
@ Admin, Jamaica inn is a story about the wreckers on the Cornish Coast. Alfred Hitchcock also made a movie about Jamaica Inn..
I am on an iPad and it won't let me quote. Got to figure this out....if I can, or not.
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Admin
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Post by Admin on Aug 1, 2013 11:01:24 GMT
@ Admin, Jamaica inn is a story about the wreckers on the Cornish Coast. Alfred Hitchcock also made a movie about Jamaica Inn.. I know the basis of the story, but mostly from having visited the place - it's not a book I've ever got around to reading. The pub/hotel itself is in the middle of Bodmin Moor (and was built in about 1750 as a coaching inn). It was an alleged smugglers den, and that was the inspiration for the book. These days it has a small 'Museum of Smuggling', and lots of references (sometimes tacky and touristy!) to the book (and author) who made it famous. Still a nice place to visit, though, and very handy if you ever get stuck in the Saturday traffic jams on the A30 in tourist season (the main A30 road to Cornwall isn't a great one, and often requires several hours of queuing when it's busy).  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica_InnIt's a few years since I've been down that way, but the last time I was there I took this:  I can assure you that no malamutes were harmed in the making of the photo! |
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Post by Daisy on Aug 1, 2013 12:51:12 GMT
The history behind the Jamaica Inn is probably more exciting than the book. What a surprise to find out there really is a Jamaica Inn. What a treasure to have and preserve.
Your Malmutes are gorgeous dogs. Do they have you trained well?
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Admin
Administrator
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Post by Admin on Aug 1, 2013 15:07:45 GMT
The history behind the Jamaica Inn is probably more exciting than the book. What a surprise to find out there really is a Jamaica Inn. What a treasure to have and preserve. It's an interesting history (although not a very long one, relatively - there are plenty pubs and inns that are at least 500 years older than it), but to be honest most of the interior does feel a bit 'sanitised' and 'modernised'. Your Malmutes are gorgeous dogs. Do they have you trained well? Oh, yes. One word from me and they do exactly as they please! |
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Post by dangermouse on Aug 1, 2013 18:52:12 GMT
I'm struggling with Iain Banks' penultimate book "Stonemouth" not because of the writing, but coincidentally he died just as I started it, and as I read, I'm acutely aware that there's only one more book, and then that's it! It's silly but I can't help myself.
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Post by Daisy on Aug 4, 2013 1:05:49 GMT
The history behind the Jamaica Inn is probably more exciting than the book. What a surprise to find out there really is a Jamaica Inn. What a treasure to have and preserve. It's an interesting history (although not a very long one, relatively - there are plenty pubs and inns that are at least 500 years older than it), but to be honest most of the interior does feel a bit 'sanitised' and 'modernised'. Your Malmutes are gorgeous dogs. Do they have you trained well? Oh, yes. One word from me and they do exactly as they please! I know what you mean.. I can tell mine to stop and that only encourages them to run faster. They remind me of the my cats. I am well trained in treats. |
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Post by Daisy on Aug 4, 2013 1:08:59 GMT
I'm struggling with Iain Banks' penultimate book "Stonemouth" not because of the writing, but coincidentally he died just as I started it, and as I read, I'm acutely aware that there's only one more book, and then that's it! It's silly but I can't help myself. Knowing that you will never again get to read what he /she wrote is a big disappointment. The books they wrote never seem to be enough. More, more. |
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Post by Daisy on Aug 6, 2013 11:10:16 GMT
Does anyone like to let a book rest for a couple of years and then re-read it? I have several favorites that I enjoy reading over and over. Dickens is a favorite one to read over and over. Kelton is my favorite to read over and over. "The time it never rained" is a great book to read.
More favorite authors, A. J. Cronin, "Hatter's Castle", "The Stars Look Down", Robert Ruark "Uhuru" "Something of value", "The Honey Badger" and Thomas Hardy "Tess of the d'Ubervilles" " Far from the maddening Crowd", "Return of the Native".
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