Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439765 times)

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1840 on:** July 29, 2011, 06:03:01 PM »

TO NONFICTION BOOK TALK

What are you reading? Autobiographies, biographies, history, politics?

Tell us about the book; the good and the bad of it.

Let's talk books!

Discussion Leader: HaroldArnold

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If you missed CSPAN's documentary on the Library of Congress, you may want to check out this link. It's beautifully done, a glorious video and explanation if the paintings in the great hall. (i think Congress should be taken by the hand to be taught about the paintings on the " failures" of gov't - anarchy and "legislative corruption". And then what happens when gov't is working) .

Then there is the behind-the-scenes story of how many years it would take you to look at the books, maps and pictures if you did it at one every minute! It's such a beautiful building and i think many people miss it on their tours of Washington.

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/TheLibra

Reminds us of some of the wonderful amenities a federal govt can provide besides defending us from foreign enemies.

JoanK · « **Reply #1841 on:** July 29, 2011, 08:12:14 PM »

Oh, I'm so sorry I missed that! I LOVE the Library of Congress -- I lived there when I was a graduate student. I wasn't supposed to go into the stacks, except to my own little shelf, but I found that if I looked like I knew what I was doing, no one would question me, and I would wander there for hours. Of course, I got lost a few times, and had visions of wandering forever, like a ghost.

maryz · « **Reply #1842 on:** July 29, 2011, 09:06:17 PM »

Thanks for posting that link, Jean - I thought I had recorded the program, but I goofed, and got something else. Now we can watch it online!

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #1843 on:** July 30, 2011, 10:54:44 AM »

THANK YOU, JEAN! Marvelous, I must watch all of it at another time; imagine if you spent one minute on each photo in that Library it would take you 24 years to see them all.

NOW, JOANK, how many did you see while you were wandering?

Such a beautiful building and to think we are the only country in the world that has had its beginning in a time of print. What a treasurse!

Jonathan · « **Reply #1844 on:** July 30, 2011, 01:24:28 PM »

Is the old card catalogue still there at the L of C? Wasn't it fun to use? All done up in that beautiful penmanship. 'Library hand' they called it. A skill that was taught in library schools.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1845 on:** July 30, 2011, 02:03:24 PM »

Glad you are all enjoying it. I looked to see if we could get it ondemand, but alas, i don't see CSPAN on their list.
Watching "Engineering an Empire" love this show!

Jean

JoanK · « **Reply #1846 on:** July 30, 2011, 05:45:39 PM »

ELLA: a few!

The catelog was still there when I used it, but that was quite a while ago. I'll bet it's gone, now.

I'm sure we all know it was Thomas Jefferson who started the LOC by donating his library. I'm reading a book now where Jefferson and his love of learning and science plays an important part It's "A Professor, A President, and a Meteor" by Shaw. In 1807, a meteor fell in a Connecticut town, and a professor (Benjamin Silliman) from nearby Yale University started scientific observations to study the pieces and the event. The author claimed that this was the start of scientific research in the fledgling US. The president in the title is Jefferson, I haven't gotten far enough to see how he's going to come into it. But his love of and appreciation for science are well known.

Unfortunately the writing is poor, disorganized, VERY repititious, full of vague or misleading science. But an easy read, and very skimmable, full of interesting facts. Worth skimming through (to me anyway) I hadn't realized to what an extent religion and science were seen as enemies at that point (nothing to do with Darwin). Nor to what an extent the religious new Englanders hated jefferson because they thought he was an atheist (your wives and children won't be safe if he is elected!). Silliman's research on meteors was accepted partly because he was deeply religious, and always framed his results in religious terms.

maryz · « **Reply #1847 on:** July 30, 2011, 06:45:49 PM »

I watched the CSpan program on the Library of Congress online this afternoon. It was great! Thanks for posting the link.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1848 on:** August 05, 2011, 10:53:05 PM »

Maryz - Hope you are healing.

I dropped this in the Library discussion board but didn't get any response. So I thought I would drop it here too. Thanks.

"I meant to ask ..... while looking through an Australian book site yesterday, www.readings.com.au, I came across a "must read" book, for me at least. It is called "The Rug Maker of Mazar-i-Sharif" and with the help of another writer a young Hazara man has told of the loss of many family members first at the hands of the Mujaheddin and then the Taliban. Najaf finally came to Australia as a refugee on a boat. I have already mentioned that I have taught a lot of Hazara refugees. They are the sweetest people. Has anyone here heard of the book?

"The Kite Runner" was lauded internationally, but to me it is mostly sensationalism, as the author for one, is not an Hazara, and tends only see and depict them as victims with no dignity from his rather lofty tribal perch; and for another he has lived in US for the last 20 or so years. He wrote the book from a very biassed point of view, in this case the Pashtun viewpoint"

maryz · « **Reply #1849 on:** August 05, 2011, 11:41:26 PM »

Thanks for the good wishes, roshanarose. I'm feeling better today.

Frybabe · « **Reply #1850 on:** August 06, 2011, 08:21:59 AM »

Roshanarose, I think I heard of the title before somewhere, but never read the book. I looked up review comments about it. They appear to be all over the map as to whether the book is good or not. I don't think it has been published in the US or it was a small printing. There seem to be some Large Print used books available somewhere.

Babi · « **Reply #1851 on:** August 06, 2011, 10:10:32 AM »

I know nothing about the "Rug Maker..", ROSHANA, but I have to agree that I didn't
find "Kite Runner" all that great. I frequently found the author's attitudes and
viewpoints a bit hard to take.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1852 on:** August 11, 2011, 12:36:36 AM »

The "Rug Maker of Mazar-I-Sharif" has arrived at the Library and is waiting for me to pick it up. I don't feel so good today - bad dreams.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1853 on:** August 11, 2011, 03:03:00 AM »

Roshanarose - I am coincidentally feeling the same - bad dreams and poor sleep. Our weather has been appalling for the past 2 days, I don't know if it's the rain/wind or all the bad news in the world getting to me! Also my daughter is away to her first music festival (as in camping in mud, several 100 miles away), so I doubt if I will sleep well till she gets back. I hope you feel better soon.

Went with FIL to several bookshops in (very wet) Ambleside yesterday - whilst waiting for Madeleine and MIL to see Harry Potter. Unfortunately whole place packed with wet tourists trying to think of somewhere to go - the Lake District is like that, great if it's fine, miserable if it's not - but I did buy a beautiful "remaindered" book about garden wildlife, with excellent photographs of birds, butterflies, wildflowers, even slugs and snails, and a lot of advice on how to garden for wildlife - and especially importantly for me at the moment, how to make your pond wildlife friendly. We have inherited a very small pond with our new house, and having never had one before I am not at all sure what to do about it.

Of course, with 30+ boxes of books to accommodate heaven knows where, I need a new book like the proverbial fish needs the bicycle, and I'll have to hide it from my husband when I go home

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #1854 on:** August 11, 2011, 08:45:47 AM »

Hadn't heard the 'fish needs a bicycle' one before, ROSEMARY. Gave me a good
grin for the morning. Do let us know what you do with the pond. Is it a natural
pond or one in a concrete basin? I can well imagine what a lovely feature that
could be.

JoanK · « **Reply #1855 on:** August 14, 2011, 06:10:24 PM »

Have you always wondered why there's so much fuss about the ancient Greeks and Romans? Or have you read some of them but have no one to talk about it with? Come join us and vote on which of these old masterpieces YOU would like to read and discuss in October.

Look at the list and discussion here: http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2395.40

Vote here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CRGVGSH

roshanarose · « **Reply #1856 on:** August 14, 2011, 08:08:58 PM »

JoanK - Great to see you promoting our group. I know it will be fascinating whatever we choose, but I am barracking for Plutarch (or Suetonius???).

I am presently reading about another kind of god. A Rock God. I am reading "Life" by Keith Richards. Interesting so far, but written more for the guitar aficionados and R & B freaks, but I think his focus will change. He adores Chuck Berry, his main and lasting influence. Keef is around about my age so I can relate on some levels, particularly to the burgeoning R & R/R & B scene in the US (and the UK). Keef even mentions Bobby Goldsboro as helping him with some difficult chords. Remember Bobby?

Rosemary - Thanks for your good wishes. Before I went to sleep the next night I had a very stern talk to myself about the person who was bedeviling my dreams, performing some sort of exorcism I suppose, although the man is by no means evil. How pleased I am to report that I haven't dreamed about him since. Mind over dreams, difficult, but sometimes it works. Do you have any tadpoles to put in your pond, or is it too cold?

About to go to the dentist. Happy Days !!

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1857 on:** August 15, 2011, 06:01:24 AM »

New pond is tiny and man made - a sort of liner in a concrete base. When we viewed the house it had fish in it but I think the last owner must have taken them with him (probably best for the fish!). No tadpoles at this time of year, but I will hope to get some frog spawn next year. I must say the garden is looking quite good (no thanks to me - the last owner worked wonders), lots of things in flower, and plums and apples ripening on the trees.

Roshanarose - Anna is back now, so at least I don't have to worry about her, but still not sleeping well. I will try your exorcism method.

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #1858 on:** August 15, 2011, 09:10:35 AM »

Your own fruit trees! How marvelous. I tried a couple of fruit trees in my old
neighborhood, but unfortunately they did not thrive. I believe we were too close
to the industry along the ship channel for fruit trees to survive for very long.
I wonder if snails would help keep an outdoor pond clean, the way they do
aquariums. Have no idea; never had a pond.

JoanK · « **Reply #1859 on:** August 15, 2011, 03:13:28 PM »

When we moved in here, we inherited a fountain, complete with two smiling cherubs and a dish to hold the water. Not my taste at all, but it's so funny (it's designed so it looks like the boy cherub is responsible for the stream of water-- not what the designers intended, I'm sure) that I've kept it. Anyway, I'm not sure how to get rid of it. We don't run it, but rainwater gets in, and black stuff accumulates. I'm worried about birds trying to drink from it (although they don't seem to). How do I keep it clean?

Babi · « **Reply #1860 on:** August 16, 2011, 08:40:11 AM »

Scrub brush? Actually, I'd probably go on the net looking for "How to care for
a fountain." Not that running a fountain is very practical in times of drought, but
the tinkle of running water can be so restful when the weather cooperates.

Frybabe · « **Reply #1861 on:** August 22, 2011, 09:10:03 AM »

My summer reading is at an end, I'm afraid. Classes start tonight. I have, however, started a volume (apparently Vol. 2 of a 10 volume series, all about women) called Roman Women by Rev. Alfred Brittain, dated 1907. Free e-book from Gutenberg. I keep in mind that at least some of what he wrote has been updated with new information and discoveries by others since then.

JoanK · « **Reply #1862 on:** August 22, 2011, 03:37:07 PM »

Just got a book from the library about the first woman to circumnavigate the globe (in the 1500, disguised as a boy. How could you get away with that in the close quarters of a ship?). I'll report on it when I read it.

Meanwhile, read a book "The Atlantic" about the Atlantic Ocean by Simon Winchester, the author of "The Professor and the Madman". I found it like the latter book: the style is irretating, vague and rambling at times, but he knows a good story when he sees it.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1863 on:** August 22, 2011, 09:09:55 PM »

JoanK - Women sailors - as intrepid as Russell Crowe!

Here is a link about some Australian women sailors, not detailed, but just to give you an idea. And then, of course, there is our young intrepid sailor, Jessica Watson. I think Kay Cottee and Jessica Watson have written books about their experiences. Jessica's book is called "True Spirit" will be released 29 August, 2011.

www.wisenet-australia.org/ISSUE41/waves2.htm

JoanK - I read "The Surgeon of Crowthorne" by Simon Winchester. I enjoyed it very much. I have "Krakatoa" waiting TBR in my bookshelf.

Babi · « **Reply #1864 on:** August 23, 2011, 08:28:16 AM »

I had/read a book titled "Krakatoa, east of Java". I wonder if it's the same book. I also
wonder what happpened to it. It must have been one of those I passed on when we moved
out of that big house.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1865 on:** August 23, 2011, 11:34:22 AM »

An FYI for you. Thought you'd be glad to hear - Bill Moyers and his wife will have a new series on PBS this fall .....YEA!

From my History News Network

http://hnn.us/roundup/entries/141338.html

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1866 on:** August 23, 2011, 11:42:39 AM »

oops! Misinformation.....the program will be in January, not the fall. We can anticipate it for a while longer....

But they have a new book that can carry us over til January.

http://hnn.us/articles/8-22-11/bill-moyers-and-robin-lindley-talk-about-america.html

maryz · « **Reply #1867 on:** August 23, 2011, 12:36:00 PM »

jean, thanks for that wonderful news. I love Bill Moyers!

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1868 on:** August 23, 2011, 03:49:56 PM »

Babi - do you remember the film of the same name "Krakatoa East of Java"? -it was very good. I saw it years and years ago and I still remember it vividly - one of the things that stays in my mind is the pearl divers leaping into the sea to escape. Much more recently a new dramatisation of the eruption was broadcast here - Krakatoa - The Last Days - it was excellent. One of the main characters was the Dutch governor's wife - the programme was based on her diaries I think- she wanted to leave the island, but her husband felt he should stay with the people. As a result they were there when the volcano blew. She and her family rushed inland with many other people, but they were chased by a wall of fire. She and her two older children escaped, but her baby died in its ayah's arms - it was so sad. Apparently she did stay there afterwards.

Rosemary

roshanarose · « **Reply #1869 on:** August 23, 2011, 09:46:03 PM »

Babi and Rosemary - Quite ironic that we are discussing volcanoes when an earthquake has just hit the States. I do hope everyone and their families are well. I have a theory that natural disasters often occur in August. For example, it is my brother's birthday today

The title of the book is "Krakatoa - The Day the World Exploded 27 August 1883" and it is by Simon Winchester. ISBN 0-670-91126-7. As I said I haven't read it yet. In comparison Thera (Santorini) blew apart in ancient times, volcanologists have said that that eruption had three times the power of Krakatoa. To go there now, well, it is truly an awesome place.

www.greeka.com/cyclades/santorini/santorini-history.htm

www.history1800s.about.com/od/thegildedage/a/krakatoa.htm

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1870 on:** August 24, 2011, 01:45:15 AM »

Yes, I remember the movie as well - remember them running and the husband wore white pants and shirt and yes, the baby dies after they reach safety. I am remembering the effort in the movie to show running folks being swallowed up by the rushing waters and that wall of fire. And then doesn't it rain or maybe it was the volcano ash - I sorta remember the running up the mountain was hindered by wind and rain or was it the affects of the volcano - can you remember Rosemary? I am not remembering any older children and maybe I am remembering another movie.

Babi · « **Reply #1871 on:** August 24, 2011, 09:01:07 AM »

No, ROSEMARY, I barely remember here was

a film. I wonder if I could still find it?
You never know what Netflix might have. Or they might have the new dramatisation you
describe. You have to wonder what must have been in the minds and hearts of those who
stayed afterwards.
I was looking at commentary on the film. It won an award for Best Special Effects, but
some reviewers referred to it as a "muddled disaster flick". Ah, well; I'd still be
interested in seeing it.

Tch, tch, ROSHANA. He can't be that bad.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1872 on:** August 24, 2011, 11:24:26 PM »

Babi - Actually he is a sweetie in most ways. But he holds very strong prejudices about two things I like. My only real prejudice is against the Taliban. Jim and his wife have just returned from the US - their favourite holiday destination - and sailed through the Panama Canal. Very exciting, he said. They have their likes and dislikes about the US. Jim (my brother) loves N'Orleans and his wife just HAD to visit Dallas. Why? Yep. You guessed it. That ranch.... They didn't like Houston because it had no public transport to speak of, well not that they were aware of, anyway.

Babi · « **Reply #1873 on:** August 25, 2011, 09:00:53 AM »

Houston does have public transport, but it has had a great many problems, and
the residents in general have not been too happy with it. The city does have some
fine museums and restaurants, though, most of them grouped conveniently close
together. New Orleans, however, is hard to beat for sheer charm.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1874 on:** August 25, 2011, 11:26:45 AM »

Quote

I have a theory that natural disasters often occur in August. For example, it is my brother's birthday today

Roshanarose - Hey there! My birthday is in August too! I'm not that bad but I do know my brothers considered me a natural disaster if not in those words.

Thanks for posting about the Aussie women sailors - there really are plenty of them perhaps not all in headline making ways. A one time girlfriend of my son's used to sail single handedly here there and everywhere - she never took on a round the world but she sailed across to South Africa and back which was quite far enough for me to deal with - we were one of her contact points and I used to be afraid to leave the house in case we weren't there when she needed us.

Kay Cottee is a woman of many talents - she also paints and has done some fabulous work depicting her voyages etc.

JoanK · « **Reply #1875 on:** August 25, 2011, 03:18:28 PM »

Pat an I are August birthdays too: have to ask our kids if we are natural disasters.

Last day to vote on which classic to read next.

VOTE HERE http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2395.80

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1876 on:** August 25, 2011, 09:00:31 PM »

I've just started what looks like an intriguing book. Ted Kopple's "Off Camera: private thoughts made public". He kept a diary of 1999 - remember the time of the impeachment trial and other very interesting things happening? He writes in the same friendly, low key, witty style that i liked in his tv program.

Babi · « **Reply #1877 on:** August 26, 2011, 08:36:46 AM »

My daughter Valerie was an August baby, too. I don't know if the birthdate had
anything to do it, but she was/is noted for her stubbornness.

However, she is
highly intelligent and has matured enough to know when to let go. She was also one of
those children for whom physical discipline, like spanking, did not work. It only made her
angry. Was that true of any of our August belles here?

Gumtree · « **Reply #1878 on:** August 26, 2011, 11:48:22 AM »

Babi H'mmm... the 'highly intelligent' and 'mature' epithets certainly fit

Can't say I'm noted for being stubborn but do like my own way and often persist in getting it - but that's not being stubborn is it?
Can only remember being spanked once - by my aunt in whose care I was when younger brother was born - and sure it made me angry because it was unwarranted and unfair - I hated that aunt ever after. My mother had other, more effective disciplinary methods.

JoanK · « **Reply #1879 on:** August 26, 2011, 03:27:10 PM »

Me, stubborn? I absolutely insist I'm not, no matter what anyone says.

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Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439765 times)