Any Great Books?

July 25, 2008 | Stephanie32

[Stephanie32]

(My first thread, hope I'm doing this right!)

[Pearls Before Swine]

“Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” by William Shirer. Many eerie parallels to today’s events.

[kalee]

Any of the books by Jeff and Michael Shaara.

I enjoyed the two about the American Revolution (The Glorious Cause and Rise to Rebellion), the Mexican American War (Gone for Soldiers)and the the three about the Civil War (Gods and Generals, Killer Angels, Last Full Measure)

I have yet to read the WWI or II books he has written, but they are on my list.

[Kimmers]

If you are looking for light, no brainer, LOL read check out the Stephanie Plumb series by Janet Evanovich...

Start with One For the Money....

[DeLaVerdad]

Are you KIDDING me? Are you on the write forum? This is FR, not the Church of Oprah.

[mass55th]

I like to read historical novels and mysteries. I've also got an interest in Egyptology. I realize that everyone's taste in books is different, but these are some of the book series I've read, or am presently reading.

One set of historical novels/mysteries I enjoyed was the Benjamin January series by Barbara Hambly. These books take place in antebellum New Orleans. January, a free black man, was trained as a doctor in Paris, but can only earn a living as a musician in N.O. He plays a role in solving murders with the local police chief.

Next is the Amelia Peabody mystery series by Elizabeth Peters (aka Barbara Michaels). Peabody, her archaeologist husband, and young son travel to Egypt each season to conduct digs. On their travels they are involved in solving antiquities thefts, murders, etc. The series starts in the 1880's and runs through WWI. There's quite a few books in this series.

I'm also enjoying reading Tony HIllerman's Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee mystery series. They're Navajo tribal policemen. I just started reading the Charlie Moon mystery series by James D. Doss. Charlie Moon is a Ute police officer in Grant Creek, Colorado.

The last mystery series I've been reading is The Knights Templar Series by Michael Jecks.

[stylin_geek]

Non-Fiction:

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by William L. Shirer
Dreadnought by Robert K. Massey
Castles of Steel by Robert K. Massey
Peter the Great by Robert K. Massey
Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
Nothing Like it in the World by Stephen Ambrose
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
The Arms of Krupp by William Manchester
A World Lit Only by Fire by William Manchester
Destructive Generation by David Horowitz and Peter Collier
Radical Son by David Horowitz

Fiction:

Time Enough for Love Robert A. Heinlein
Starship Troopers Robert A. Heinlein
I, Robot Isaac Asimov
Red Sky at Morning Richard Bradford
Les Miserable Victor Hugo
A Drink Before the War Dennis Lehane
Gone Baby, Gone Dennis Lehane
Prayers for Rain Dennis Lehane

Off the top of my head.

[free_life]

Psalms - read daily

Les Miserables - Victor Hugo (get the old english unabridged edition if you can)

When I don’t Desire God - Fighting for Joy - John Piper

[DeaconBenjamin]

I’ll recommend Armageddon, by Leon Uris.

I second that recommendation.

[DeaconBenjamin]

“Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” by William Shirer. Many eerie parallels to today’s events.

I found his Berlin Diary on sale and read it this spring. Very interesting reading, but it would help to know some of the players beforehand.

[RightWhale]

The Prize, a Pulitzer Prize awarded, is a history of the petroleum industry from the Drake Well to the development of Prudhoe.

Biographical sketches of the main characters (many are characters, indeed), and how oil has affected the players in the world.

[Vermonter]

Try Crytonomicon by Neal Stephenson. I read it 5-6 years ago and just started to reread it.

[raybbr]

Any of the Nero Wolfe books by Rex Stout. They are older but very entertaining. I have read them all about five times. Never get boring.

[raybbr]

Or, how about "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. A true epic.

Read the first chapter here.

[dynachrome]

“Lobscouse and Spotted Dog”

‘Which it is a gastronomical companion to the Aubrey/ Maturin Novels’

by Anne Chotzinoff Grossman and Lisa Grossman Thomas

“Preserved Killick, none so pretty”

[Tanniker Smith]

Book Club Ping

Stephanie32 would like to know if anyone's read any great books lately.

[Tanniker Smith]

What I've Been Reading: http://www.geocities.com/tanniker

Sorry 'bout the ads on the side of the page, but it's a free page, so I can't do anything about it.

By the way, it isn't up to date. I finished Ender's Game; gave up on Triplanetary; moved on to Legend and The King Beyond the Gate.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I am looking for a book from the forties.
It was named something like “The First Fast Gun”.
It took place when people used flintlocks.

[swarthyguy]

Yes, nothing like Patrick O’Brian.
Best to start with Master and Commander, but any will do.

If you’re in the mood for something darkish, the epitomy of fine pulpfiction and noir, go for Jim Thompson. Books that punch you in the plexus. “Pop. 1280” - a good start. Short but intense.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

Witness by Whitaker Chambers. The autobiography and confessional of a former Communist activist turned patriot "witness" to the Soviet invasion of our government in the 1930's to 1950's.

[mathluv]

I am listening to Clive Cussler’s ‘Plague Ship’. I have started reading a series of mysteries by Valerie Wolzien.