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Books
Jul 17, 2019 16:28:03 GMT
Post by B.E. on Jul 17, 2019 16:28:03 GMT
My interest in history has returned. I'm currently reading Founding Fathers of America and I plan to follow it up with The Federalist Papers In Modern Language by Mary Webster. Does anyone have any early American history recommendations for me?
Well, enough about me, what are you reading?
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Books
Jul 17, 2019 20:17:04 GMT
via mobile
Post by Kapitan on Jul 17, 2019 20:17:04 GMT
Early American history—every so often I become re-inspired to dig into this or that aspect, feeling terribly under-informed about something or other, but I haven’t read any recently. I did just pick up a book about FDR’s New Deal from 1932-40, but haven’t read it yet (and it isn’t early American history anyway). Otherwise I’ve been simultaneously doing a few things, book-wise. I finished Hans Fallada’s epic A Wolf Among Wolves, which was very good, if not quite up to the level of a few of his other books in my opinion. But it was an interesting novel set in (and written in) Germany between the world wars. It hinted at, but for obvious reasons couldn’t be strident about, the political divisions; it highlighted cultural divisions between the Old World and a kind of Jazz Age debauchery; it brought to life the terrible conditions in a beaten-down country under oppressive inflation as its currency tanked; and of course it had the sorts of relationships that make novels compelling. Very good book. I’ve begun an I.J. Singer novel, my first ever. Israel Joshua Singer is the brother of Isaac Bashevis Singer, whose entire catalog (more or less) I have read. I.J. seems pretty good, too. I’m reading Yoshe Kalb, and have The Brothers Carnovsky on tap. Then I’ve got a couple of biblical history books in progress, too, when I’m in the mood for heavier reading. (It’s been a few years now that despite my lack of religion, I have been absorbed in the history of Christianity, the evolution of Judaism around that same time, and the general culture of the region at the time. I’m not sure when this obsession will pass.) Specifically I’m reading The History of Primitive Christianity by Hans Conzelmann and the Anchor Bible commentary series entry on Acts, by Joseph Fitzmyer.
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Jul 18, 2019 0:09:20 GMT
Post by B.E. on Jul 18, 2019 0:09:20 GMT
Then I’ve got a couple of biblical history books in progress, too, when I’m in the mood for heavier reading. (It’s been a few years now that despite my lack of religion, I have been absorbed in the history of Christianity, the evolution of Judaism around that same time, and the general culture of the region at the time. I’m not sure when this obsession will pass.) Specifically I’m reading The History of Primitive Christianity by Hans Conzelmann and the Anchor Bible commentary series entry on Acts, by Joseph Fitzmyer. I'd like to delve into those topics someday. Seems very interesting, but even more daunting.
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Books
Jul 18, 2019 0:16:07 GMT
B.E. likes this
Post by Kapitan on Jul 18, 2019 0:16:07 GMT
I guess it can be, but doesn't have to be. I have definitely had to return books unread to the library on occasion where the level of scholarship is beyond me (i.e. assuming fluency in ancient Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and German to the point of not translating references, leaving me staring blankly at some quote or evidence or whatever). But usually things are fine. And plenty of great books exist that are more for a popular audience.
The time and place, and then the consequences, are just so fascinating.
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Books
Jul 28, 2019 13:58:22 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 28, 2019 13:58:22 GMT
I just read Elie Wiesel's "Night," which is a short, totally engaging, absolutely horrific memoir about his experience in concentration camps in WWII. Anyone who hasn't read it, I strongly recommend it. It's only about 100 pages, so it's not a major commitment in terms of time, and it's not a difficult read (subject matter notwithstanding).
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Books
Oct 11, 2019 14:50:19 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Oct 11, 2019 14:50:19 GMT
I'm reading "The Coddling of the American Mind" by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff. It's a really interesting book that outlines the conjunction of some well-meaning but unfortunate/counterproductive trends.
Basically it says we (humans) are not psychologically fragile unless we teach ourselves to be that way (which we are doing), and that we are not physically unsafe despite teaching ourselves to think we are. It argues against emotional reasoning and against groupthink. It goes a lot into various trends in parenting, education, and society generally, and how a lot of attempts at progress are doing more harm than good (using plenty of research to back up the claims).
It's a great book. If I were a parent, I think it would be my bible.
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bellbottoms
Pacific Coast Highway
Posts: 727
Likes: 201
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Books
Oct 11, 2019 14:55:52 GMT
Post by bellbottoms on Oct 11, 2019 14:55:52 GMT
Weeding through a lot of bad Wattpad fiction to find the gems.
The Vagina Bible, by Dr. Jen Gunter.
And this weekend I'm planning to start Stephen King's It.
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Post by Kapitan on Oct 11, 2019 15:08:25 GMT
And this weekend I'm planning to start Stephen King's It. I remember reading that years ago. I loved it, definitely thought it was among his best few books. None of the various movies or miniseries of it ever captured it, in my opinion.
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bellbottoms
Pacific Coast Highway
Posts: 727
Likes: 201
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Books
Oct 11, 2019 15:16:50 GMT
Post by bellbottoms on Oct 11, 2019 15:16:50 GMT
My favourite Stephen King book is The Stand.
I'm familiar with the TV adaptation of It, of course. I remember when that aired around Hallowe'en (I think?) when I was in highschool and enjoyed it, but rewatching it as an adult I found it had much less of an impact (to be expected, I suppose). I still enjoyed it though. Anyway, like you I've heard a lot of people say it's their favourite Stephen King book, so I'm really looking forward to finally reading it. My October-November project.
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Books
Oct 11, 2019 15:26:01 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Oct 11, 2019 15:26:01 GMT
The Stand was my favorite King book, too. It and It both felt like substantive pieces of literature for me when I read them in high school (which was the first half of the '90s, so we're going back a while...). I really did like a few others of his books/stories, too, though actually mostly the Bachman books, now that I think about it. And really the less typical horror books; I was more into things that were creepy but not necessarily supernatural.
Which TV adaption? I think there have been a few. I recall one back in the 90s that I liked somewhat at the time, but (being made for network TV in those days) it was pretty tame compared to the book itself. I haven't even bothered with the new movies, nor do I really plan to.
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bellbottoms
Pacific Coast Highway
Posts: 727
Likes: 201
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Books
Oct 11, 2019 15:48:25 GMT
Post by bellbottoms on Oct 11, 2019 15:48:25 GMT
Which TV adaption? I think there have been a few. I recall one back in the 90s that I liked somewhat at the time, but (being made for network TV in those days) it was pretty tame compared to the book itself. I haven't even bothered with the new movies, nor do I really plan to.
The 1990 one with John Ritter and Harry Anderson - looking it up, it apparently aired in November, not the end of October like I remember it. That would have put me in grade 10 at the time. Pennywise gave me nightmares back then. It's the only version I'm familiar with - I know there's a movie version and I think a new Chapter Two movie, which I have not seen, but I might want to when I finish the book.
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Oct 11, 2019 15:52:24 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Oct 11, 2019 15:52:24 GMT
That's the one I remember, too. We must be about the same age.
I know they're on the second part of a two-part movie series now, and I thought there was at least one other version, either TV or movie, but I'll be honest, it all blends together over the years...
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Books
Dec 9, 2019 21:40:54 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Dec 9, 2019 21:40:54 GMT
A book I'd been awaiting from the library finally arrived, "How to Have Impossible Conversations," by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay. It is what it sounds like: a book full of tips on conversing about challenging topics without getting bogged down; making one another angry or crazy; digging in deeper; and so on.
I'm only a few dozen pages in so far, and some of this is common sense. But even those parts are good reminders. And they draw from all kinds of sources, from social science research to ancient literature (Plato!?) to anecdotal experiences. It's also a quick read. For people who like talking about the harder subjects like politics, religion, or Wilson v Love camps, I recommend it!
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Jan 13, 2020 18:39:11 GMT
Post by jk on Jan 13, 2020 18:39:11 GMT
I see I haven't posted here yet... This is my big discovery of the past few months, as I've been telling everyone elsewhere. Kerala J. Snyder's book is an amazing read that must surely cover every known aspect of Buxtehude's life and music. Truly fascinating! Thank you, aeijtzsche, for pointing me at it. www.amazon.com/Dieterich-Buxtehude-Organist-Eastman-Studies/dp/1580462537
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Books
Jan 13, 2020 23:28:14 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jan 13, 2020 23:28:14 GMT
I've got a few books in progress, as usual. (I can never seem to just read one book start to finish, then another one. It's always three or four in various stages and with varying levels of enthusiasm and dedication.)
"Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference," by John Inazu. It's a thin and accessible little book stressing some of what I think we in America have historically cherished but recently seem to forget, which is that our liberty by its very nature requires us to grant the same to others, including (and in terms of protection, especially) those with whom we disagree.
"The Rise and Fall of Adam and Eve," by Stephen Greenblatt, a book looking at the myth of that ancient story as it was differently told and understood by different people over time.
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