JoanP, Don't wait for me. I would feel a bit intimidated trying to write a review for such a lengthy book. On with the other Great Books!

So many Great Books, so little time! Back to Stendhal, hats!

JoanP, great idea!!

It's been so long since I've read Vanity Fair, I've forgotten what I loved about it all those years ago.

I can't wait to read it. I hope it wins.

I haven't posted here in a while, but it's interesting to see the recommendations for future books to consider, especially The Qur'an (Koran). With America's continued commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan (both predominantly Islamic countries), it seems appropriate to delve into the holy scriptures of one of the three Abrahamic religions - and by some stats considered to be the fastest growing religion in the USA.

I just completed a series of lectures on Islam and how Americans understand certain aspects of the religion. The audiences and I worked hard to bring about a better - and clearer - understanding of the Islam as a religion, rather than just the misguided claims put forth by Muslim insurgents who want to create strife in the world.

We're soon going to start a comparative series on Islam in modern times and how various cultures and tribal customs have eroded the pure meaning of Islam in many world regions. Certainly if a study of the Qur'an (Koran) is selected for this discussion, I'll be happy to join in.

Persian: SOunds as if you would be an invaluable resource in a discussion of the Koran. I am extremely interested in learning about this religion which leads in numbers all the world's religions.

Hats said in The Red and the Black discussion, "Is Scarlet Pimpernel on the Great books list? I would love to read that one. Lauren Willig has written a book titled The Secret History of the Pink Carnation. The main character, it seems, is writing her dissertation about the the Scarlet Pimpernel spies. I haven't read the books. I can not read these until after reading The Scarlet Pimpernel."

I had no idea that part of The Secret History of the Pink Carnation was based on a real classic book! I enjoyed The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, although it was not believable as historical fiction to me due to the modern language used by the characters.

I would be interested in reading The Scarlet Pimpernel too, but I couldn't find it on the lists. Maybe I missed it.

Laura D, you read it? That's great. I have been putting off the Secret History of the Pink Carnation until after reading Scarlet Pimpernel. Maybe we can find it on one of the lists in the header.

My eyes are not the best eyes in the world. I just do not Scarlet Pimpernel on the lists (sniff).

Hats, no, I haven't read The Scarlet Pimpernel, but would like to. I couldn't find it on the lists either.

Oh phooey!

Laura, Hats - - great books, "Great Books"- BUT if we can get up enough interest in either book, we could read/discuss them on SeniorNet - why not mention the titles in the Book Nook?

JoanP, good idea! Laura D, will you do the honors of suggesting Scarlet Pimpernel in the Book Nook? I am with you all the way. We could see the movie too.

public cowboy no1 the life and times of gene autry by holly george-warren is the best book i have ever seen on him it has the good and bad of the movie making in the 30s and 40s

I have a personal memory of Gene Autry to share. When I was being treated for rheumatic fever for 6 months as a patient in the Army's Madigan General Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1949-50, Gene Autry came to visit the soldiers. He learned that there was a child patient (me) and insisted that he come to visit me in my room. I had only recently been transferred from a 5 1/2 month total quarantine room into a smaller private room and I was very weak. One day, the doctor and nurse came in, accompanied by Gene Autry, who was dressed in a light blue two piece suit, startling bright white hat, huge silver belt buckle and blue and white cowboy boots. The doctor suggested that "the little girl might like to have your autograph," so Mr. Autry reached over to the table by my bed, took my pencil and wrote his name on a piece of paper. I had been totally silent during the visit, but suddenly asked "where's your horse?" He replied, "outside your window." He scooped me up and walked to the window. Sure enough, there was a beautiful horse on the front lawn, surrounded by hospital staff and soldiers.

Years later, as a teenager at Ft. Lewis, WA, I happened to meet the same doctor who treated me at Madigan. When we realized we had earlier met at Michigan, his first question to me (posed with a warm laugh) was "are you still looking for Gene Autry's horse?"

Mahlia, what a wonderful memory!

Malia: That's fantastic! I still remember his radio program warmly. Remember how he used to yodel? I wonder if cowboys still yodel; and how they started? Or was it just Gene Autry?

JR
Instance of the Fingerpost
John Brown's Body

Alas, Gene Autry's politics go against the American grain.

Hi! An Instance of the Fingerpost is an absolutely terrific book and it would make a good discussion, I think - But isn't it too recent for this partcular discussion area??

I would like to nominate Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Fanny, the main character, is a thorougly cultivated reader, the book has a lot to do with reading aloud as well. I've been watching the BBC production and enjoying it although my bad ears don't always catch all the words!

Where can we discuss books like Instance of the Fingerpost?

Hi, all!

Just back from celebrating 4 year old grandson's 4th birthday. Exhausted. Glad I'm not around to put all those battery-eating toys together! Will try to catch up today.

Will put Jane Austen's Mansfield Park up in the nominations' box. Thanks, Joan! Jane Austen is always a favorite here!

Zany, I think you ought to mention Instance of the Fingerpost" in the Book Nook - tell something about it - even put a link. I'm not sure many of our readers are familiar with this title. JoanR, since you've read it - and enjoyed it, I hope you will go in and second Zany's post. I've heard mixed reviews - but I think it sounds like something our SeniorNetters would go for.

I hate to admit, I enjoyed "The Myth of Sisyphus" (sp?) (interesting, but probably too dense for a book discussion), that I rushed to get "Instance of a Fingerpost". I absolutely couldn't get interested in it. The same heavy writing as in "Myth" but without (to me, anyway) the fascinating themes and moral questions.

"Myth" deals with question of how a person can live a moral life in a time of great disintegration and immorality, and also with the question of anti-semitism through the ages. It covers three characters living in France in three periods: the fall of the Roman Empire, the Black plague in the Middle Ages, and the Nazi occupation of France in the 1940's.

I think you are confusing the title of Camus' non-fiction work with that of Dream of Scipio. You'll probably hate The Diagnosis even more. Just as the Durants Age of Napoleon was a good preparation for Le Rouge et Le Noir, The Age of Louis XIV is the best preparation for An Instance of the Fingerpost. The latter Durant work is also must reading for any prospective US Presidential candidate.

The Book Nook?!! Joan, you are being insulting. The main book nook is the equivalent of a chat room dominated by 13-yr olds. The Fiction section has been taken over by Romance readers despite having their own section. And I arrived here at the suggestion of a Book Nook resident.

So how about a section where we can discuss great literature if not great books.

I'd love to lead a discussion of John Brown's Body unless a dicussion of war would make too many nervous.

The Book Nook reflects the interests of our readers, Zaney. There is a broad range of readers there - have you mentioned John Brown's Body in the Book Nook?

Who is the author of John Brown's Body ? I'm not familiar with the title. There would have to be a quorum - at least three interested participants and a SeniorNet Discussion Leader for a discussion of that book.

Persian: Would you have any interest in the upcoming July discussion of "Digging to America"? It is a light read about two families, one of which is Iranian and Iranian American. If your heritage is Persian, your perspective would make the discussion much richer for us all.

Would like to include Aeneid as the new translation is sitting on my bookshelf. Also the Koran.

The Koran is already up there, kidsal - and now so is the Aeneid.
Whose translation do you have on your shelf?

Speaking of the Aeneid, did anyone see the History Channel show about the Trojan War last night - how it might really have been fought? Very interesting!

Marni, I missed it. Is it going to come on again?

Hats: I think they showed it again very early this morning. I don't see another time for it. But, I'm sure it will be on again.

It was interesting. It showed how the Trojan Horse might have actually been a siege machine built in the shape of a horse from wood from the Greek ships - they have discovered that siege machines were in use at that time in the ancient world - huge structures that men could be protected in that could get them up to a city's gates unharmed.

They also showed examples of the sophisticated armor and weapons the Greeks probably used at that time.

Marni, that's really interesting information. I will keep my eyes open in case it comes on again this weekend.

Scarlet Pimpernel is just fine by me Also Instance of the Fingerpost would be good

all other stories you can read them here:)

We seem to be on a French Lit bender these days - and so will re-enter Balzac's "Cousin Bette" to the list of titles for consideration. Cousin Bette is just one novel included in Balzac's "La Comédie humaine" - which consists of nearly 100 novels, short stories plays and essays.

JoanP, how many books can one person nominate?

Have never felt the need to limit nominations, Hats - nominate away to your heart's content! Obviously, you don't have to vote for the titles you've nominated either - you might find something on the list you'd prefer to read over your own nominations.

Thanks, JoanP.

I would like to nominate Little Dorrit by Dickens.

Gosh, Hats, that's a title we don't hear much about these days! I looked it up to make a link for the table in the heading and found this -

"Upon its publication in 1857, Little Dorrit immediately outsold any of Dickens's previous books. The story of William Dorrit, imprisoned for debt in Marshalsea Prison, and his daughter and helpmate, Amy, or Little Dorrit, the novel charts the progress of the Dorrit family from poverty to riches."

Thanks!

JoanP, thank you.

Drat! We're doing it again. Nominating so many books I want to read that it will be almost impossible to pick just one. Little Dorrit sounds like a Dickens story I may want to read.

Drat and Double Drat! I'm not the greatest fan of Dickens but I could be persuaded to read Little Dorrit especially with a discussion going on here, Thanks for bringing it up Hats.

Gumtree and Mrs. Sherlock, I'm glad.

I would like to nominate The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.

I am currently reading Angelica by Arthur Phillips, a Victorian ghost story, and enjoying it very much. It is said that it is in the same vein as Henry James' The Turn of the Screw, so that made me curious.

Laura, I'm just seeing your nomination right now. Thanks! I don't recall discussing any of Henry James here before. Christine, did I read somewhere that you would be interested in his "Portrait of a Lady"? Shall I enter it here too?

Yes, please.

Thanks, Christine! Methinks we need to hold an election soon - as the field keeps growing the choice becomes more difficult!

I have my eyes on a pick. It's not the one I nominated. Is that alright?

Oh, yes, of course it is, Hats. However, others may prefer your nomination - and outvote the one you now have your eyes on!

That's the mysterious excitement. Love it.

How does the voting work and who gets to vote? Thank you.

Everyone votes. You'll get an announcement when we are ready...probably it will be September 1. The new site is causing a shakeup in the future discussion schedule.

Have you practiced getting in there yet? It takes some getting used to. The directions are in the heading of the Book Nook.