Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439740 times)

CubFan · « **Reply #2000 on:** January 13, 2012, 08:38:34 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

Greetings Ella -

My copy of To End All Wars came today but it will be some time before I get to it. I know it would be a good read to go along with Downton Abbey but I have already started The Revolutionaries which is moving along and last night I started a fascinating book The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap by Stephanie Coonz. Knowing myself as i do, all will take a back seat to the latest Elizabeth George Believing the Lie (novel) which also came today. Since the Coonz book is a library book I will keep that at the top of pile. I've also just picked up another 4 nonfiction which will go onto the pile - Berlin 1961, The Illusion of Victory, December 1941, and Why Leaders Lie.. I guess, I'm ready to be snowed in until summer. I love reading nonfiction - but they take me so much longer because I have to think about them as I go along and every word counts.

Mary

serenesheila · « **Reply #2001 on:** January 13, 2012, 11:06:37 PM »

ELLA, it is soooooooo good to see you here! I have missed you. Have you been ill? I hope not. Thank you for sharing what you are reading.

Sheila

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #2002 on:** January 14, 2012, 08:51:40 AM »

Thanks Mary and Sheila! I haven't been on SL for a couple of months, tis true. My daughter has been staying in my condo recuperating from a total knee replacement and although we were a bit crowded, and she was in pain, we have had a wonderful visit with each other; finding times to laugh, have long talks, etc. Daughters are wonderful after they become adults. The teenage years were frightful; I remember all the mistakes I made but we are such great friends now.

Mary, were you with us in the discussion of BERLIN 1961: Kennedy, Krushchev and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Frederick Kempe which we discussed last year. That is archived; was a good discussion. Your book sounds similar.

And like you, I have many books to read - a visit to the grocery store to resupply my cupboards and I can say let it snow. Indeed it did last night in Ohio and it blew up against my garage door about a foot high. But next week it will all melt.

WATCH FOR A PROPOSED NONFICTION BOOK ABOUT TO BE POSTED! Harold and I will be leading another one soon if enough folk are interested. It's a splendid historical book and I think it is on the NYTimes list.

Will there continue to be a NYTimes book list or a NYTimes in our foreseeable future?

CubFan · « **Reply #2003 on:** January 14, 2012, 11:11:53 AM »

Ella - I heard about Berlin 1961 because you had the discussion group, but have just now gotten around to ordering it. I usually put titles on my wish list as soon as I hear about them but spread out the purchasing. I usually buy the non fiction because I take a long time reading them and keep them to refer back to.

We received our snow the day before you did. Guess winter is going to be with us for a while now. We have some colder temperatures coming in and additional snow predicted. I know the ground needs it for the water table so I accept it. My daughter's family really wants it for snowmobiling so I'll just live with it for a while. At least we know it'll be a shorter winter this year as a month and a half is already gone and a month and a half to go until March & spring. The winter always provides good reading, needlework and genealogy time.

Mary

Jonathan · « **Reply #2004 on:** January 15, 2012, 03:11:52 PM »

It is good to hear from you, Ella. And the book you recommended sounds like something I would really like to read. It an account, is it, of all those opposed to war a hundred years ago, as WWI loomed. If only their contemporaries had listened. I've just started reading another book with a vivid description of the carnage of the the war to end all wars. After that it's the attempt and failure to climb Mt Everest that makes for an amazing tale of adventure. Actually it was recommended in LIBRARY a while ago. I believe it was Ginny who was reading it.

I'm dying of curiousity about what you and Harold are going to propose. You always pick a winner.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #2005 on:** January 16, 2012, 09:14:53 AM »

TO END ALL WARS is a darn good book if you like history. We went to see the film WAR HORSE yesterday and here was a few scenes from the book, although it was primarily a story about the horse. Barbed wire! What a weapon it was, very flexible, moveable, deadly. A short history of barbed wire is in the book. The film showed the trenches but somewhat cleaned up I thought; but who would want or could show the true horror!

marjifay · « **Reply #2006 on:** January 16, 2012, 01:38:24 PM »

I have had that one (To End all Wars) on my TBR list. Hadn't thought about barbed wire, but it must have been terrible. (I don't want to see War Horse) I also have a book I think you recommended, Ella, The Illusion of Victory by Thomas Fleming about how Pres. Wilson was willing to stiffle even mild dissent against the war, and that led me to want to read a biography of Eugene V. Debs, the socialist who was imprisoned for ten years for speaking out against America's role in that war. How awful. Can you imagine that kind of penalty for all those who spoke against the Vietnam War or the War against Iraq and Afghanistan?

Marj

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #2007 on:** January 16, 2012, 07:53:32 PM »

Hi Marj! Why don't you want to see the movie WAR HORSE? I'm curious.

If you find a good book about Euege Debs, let me know.

No, I haven't read THE ILLUSION OF VICTORY, but it sounds good. We've discussed one or two books about that era, Wilson and WWI. At the moment I can't think of their titles but it was not the one by Fleming.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #2008 on:** January 16, 2012, 08:07:37 PM »

JONATHAN, I just saw your post about TO END ALL WARS. Yes, some of the book is about protestors, but I am finding that to be a secondary theme of the book. It follows a few people through that era, some names you will recognize from previous books, but it is definitely about the war, how futile it was, how purposeless! As the author tells it, or as I remember the author telling it, (I'm reading this book now and then) Europe had been at peace for some years and it was as though they were itching to fight! Tired of the everyday routine, so to speak, they needed an enemy.

But I think you would enjoy reading it!

marjifay · « **Reply #2009 on:** January 17, 2012, 11:44:29 AM »

Ella asked "Why don't you want to see the movie WAR HORSE? I'm curious."

I don't care for smaltzey, obvious tear-jerker type films. Actually there are not many from the Golden Globe winners I want to see, except Iron Lady, Ides of March, and maybe Hugo. I loved Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris.

Marj

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #2010 on:** January 17, 2012, 01:10:06 PM »

It was that, MARJ! I want to see all those movies that you mentioned if I get around to it!

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #2011 on:** January 17, 2012, 01:21:21 PM »

Harold and I are proposing a good, very good, book to be discussed, if enough of you are interested. DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC by Candice Millard - "...a relentlessly compelling narrative about an episode in American history now largely forgotten: in 1880 a truly remarkable man was elected president, only to be shot by a madman. But that is where the drama began." - from the book cover.

POST HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED - it will be our March book discussion. http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2817.0

There is much to add about the book, but until we know it will be a "go" I'll just copy a paragraph from the book:

"The Interstate Industrial Exposition Building, the city's first convention center, had been built in 1872, on the heels of the great fire. Instead of wood, it was made of gleaming, fire-resistant glass and metal. It was a thousand feet long and seventy-five high, with elaborate ornamental domes inspired by the grand exposition halls of London and New York. Leaving the warmth of a mild summer evening, Garfield stepped into the hall's vast, richly decorated interior."

Isn't it grand looking? Click here:

http://sistercarrie.wikispaces.com/Interstate+Exposition+Building

Jonathan · « **Reply #2012 on:** January 17, 2012, 03:44:27 PM »

The I. I. Expo Building certainly looks impressive. Is the Great Chicago Fire part of the story, Ella? I'm going out to look for the Millard book. It sounds good. If it's anything like her other book, about Theodore Roosevelt going down that River of Doubt, it should be a great choice for discussion. I read that after you recommended it here some time ago. I keep meaning to reread it.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #2013 on:** January 18, 2012, 11:11:51 AM »

OH, NOT AT ALL, JONATHAN. I should not have put that picture on as it has nothing to do with the book actually. I had just read that paragraph and thought of conventions (wonder why those are on my mind???) But I love those old buildings, they don't build that way anymore, these modern glass structures, plain looking, can't compete IMHO.

I agree with you about re-reading THE RIVER OF DOUBT - wasn't that a good story and I remember how hard it was to believe Teddy Roosevelt could have been so disorganized. I must re-read.

This book is just as good, starting with the boyhood of Garfield - "There would come a time when the story of James Garfield's early life would be widely admired.......his extraordinary rise from fatherlessness and abject poverty would make the embodiment of the American dream." (pg.19)

Hope you join us, Jonathan.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #2014 on:** January 23, 2012, 10:24:46 AM »

JONATHAN, will you be with us for DESTINY?

We are counting those that have posted to make sure we have a quorum for the book discussion in March. Post and be counted!!!! You don't have to stand up!!! (where did that statement come from, anyone know?) A convention perhaps?

ANNIE · « **Reply #2015 on:** January 24, 2012, 01:08:07 PM »

Count me in for Destiny, Ella. I have it on reservation at our library.

At the moment, I am reading and learning about "The End of Country" by Seamus McGraw. Quite a story! I am halfway through.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2016 on:** January 27, 2012, 05:02:13 PM »

Interesting Google site, especially if you have been to, or are a fan of Stonehenge.

http://historyoftheancientworld.com/2012/01/hidden-dimension-of-stonehenge-revealed/

JoanK · « **Reply #2017 on:** February 07, 2012, 04:28:17 PM »

There was a wonderful program on PBS last night about the Underground Railroad. It was based on a book by an operater of one of the biggest stations in Philadelphia. He kept a journal of the people who pssed through, and their stories. This was a very dangerous thing to do: if it had been found, he and his fellow "conductors" would have been toast. After the Civil war, he published his notes as a book, which I was able to get for free on my kindle. William Still "The Underground Railroad".

It's a rough journal, but it really gives the feel of the lives of those slaves and the people who tried to help them.

The e-books have a lot of faults, but here3 is their strength. Imagine, having a document like that at my fingertips.

Jonathan · « **Reply #2018 on:** February 08, 2012, 01:51:44 PM »

It was a fascinating thing to watch. I must look for Still's journal. Heartbreaking, wasn't it, to hear of the mother in the deep South who was given an opportunity to escape and had to decide which two of her four children she would take with her and which two she was forced to leave behind. Taking the girls did seem like the right decision.

By sheer coincidence I found a book on the subject a few weeks ago, authored by one of the historians featured in the doc: Karolyn Smardz Frost. Her book, I've Got A Home In Glory Land, is primarily about the freedom-seeking slaves who made it to Canada. Growing up in the Niagara region I had several chums whose ancestors had arrived from the south a hundred years earlier, long before my ancestors fled a Boshevik Russia. We're all refugees up here in Canada. Well, there were a few who came for the fur trade.

JoanK · « **Reply #2019 on:** February 08, 2012, 03:43:23 PM »

Yes, if you had to choose, you took the girls. Because the boys would grow up strong, and had at least a small chance to defend themselves, but the girls were helpless.

ANNIE · « **Reply #2020 on:** February 08, 2012, 04:10:12 PM »

When we were in Cincinnati a few years ago, we heard about "The Underground Railroad Museum" that provides you with the history of the slaves trying to escape the south. Included in the museum tour is an offer of seeing the houses along the Ohio River where slaves were kept safe along their way. We had read Bruce Feiler's book entitled "America's Prophet" about how the escapees felt that once they were over the Ohio River, they were well on their way. It was their Red Sea of the old Testament. Interesting idea and well written book. This young man has some terrific ideas about the old testament.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2021 on:** February 08, 2012, 08:15:32 PM »

"Sophie's choice" before Sophie's Choice. I suppose their have been many "sophie's choices" throughout history and how DID they do it?

Babi · « **Reply #2022 on:** February 09, 2012, 08:20:19 AM »

I couldn't agree more, ANNIE. I've gotten so much out of Feiler's
books. I still wish we could have discussed the one that traced the
history/geography of the development of the major religions. It was
fascinating.

ANNIE · « **Reply #2023 on:** February 10, 2012, 09:30:10 PM »

Babi,
Would that be "Abraham"? We did discuss it and I think that Ella and Harold or just Ella led the discussion. I will go check. Be back momentarily!

Ah yes, here 'tis:
http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/archives/nonfiction/Abraham.html

We discussed it in 2003 and Babi, you were there!

Have you read "Walking the Bible" by Feiler? Its wonderful and we discussed that over on "Seniors and Friends" in Jan of 2009 before this was born. I led the discussion after asking Pat Scott to please give me a place have a book discussion. And she did!

Babi · « **Reply #2024 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:55:49 AM »

Yes, ANNIE, I believe 'Walking the Bible' was the book I was referring to. I greatly enjoyed "Abraham" and I believe we had also discussed
another of this man's great books. I guess everyone simply needed
a rest from that theme, so we didn't discuss it here. I kept notes on it
for ages!

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2025 on:** February 11, 2012, 10:14:27 AM »

Adoannie - thanks for those sites, i'm going to read thru those discussions. I assume S and F has an archive also. I know it will be interesting, you folks always provide good input to all the discussions. How did i miss Feiler's discussion at the time?

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2026 on:** February 12, 2012, 02:23:33 AM »

I'm watching a wonderful program on CPAN3, AHTV, about Early American material culture. He is discussing the way things were "manufactured in early America - globes, furniture, paintings etc and the evolution of production. His name is David Jaffee. His book is "A New Nation of Goods". I'm sure they will repeat it duting the weekend and it's available online.

Jean

ANNIE · « **Reply #2027 on:** February 12, 2012, 10:49:12 AM »

Thanks, Jean,
Since I have CSPAN3, I will be looking that up. Sounds very interesting. Sure hope they repeat it.
As to S&F having archives of that book discussion of "Walking the Bible", I couldn't find one.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #2028 on:** February 12, 2012, 02:49:49 PM »

Today is Lincoln's Birthday...!

Quote

Lincoln's 1860 Presidential Campaign

Although he lost the senatorial election to Douglas, Lincoln won national attention through the campaign and debates. A Search on Douglas debates provides a letter from Ohio politician, William Dennison Jr. to Illinois's Lyman Trumbull requesting information on the Lincoln-Douglas debates, showing that Lincoln's fame had spread beyond the borders of his home state.

As Lincoln's popularity within the Republican Party grew, he was invited to address members of his party throughout the nation. In September 1859 Lincoln gave several speeches to Ohio Republicans, and on February 27, 1860, he spoke at Cooper Union in New York City. A Search on Ohio speech provides the notes Lincoln used for his 1859 engagements. The notes articulate Lincoln's policy on slavery, and his positions on popular sovereignty and the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision.

"We must not disturb slavery in the states where it exists, because the Constitution, and the peace of the country both forbid us — We must not withhold an efficient fugitive slave law, because the constitution demands it —

But we must, by a national policy, prevent the spread of slavery into new territories, or free states, because the constitution does not forbid us, and the general welfare does demand such prevention — We must prevent the revival of the African slave trade, because the constitution does not forbid us, and the general welfare does require the prevention — We must prevent these things being done, by either congresses or courts — The people — the people — are the rightful masters of both Congresses, and courts — not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it —"

Babi · « **Reply #2029 on:** February 13, 2012, 08:56:58 AM »

We discussed "Abraham", I believe, ANNIE, and another Feiler
book. We didn't do "Walking the Bible".

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2030 on:** February 13, 2012, 01:11:19 PM »

Does anyone know if we can access the archived discussions on Seniornet?

Jean

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2031 on:** February 13, 2012, 02:22:25 PM »

I started to read the Abraham discussion from 2003. Very early someone posted a story about a brilliant Arab- heritege 3 yr old from Canada that Muslims in the Detroit area were raising money for so he could go to a special school in suburban Detroit. I did a google search to see if there was anything new about him and found this from 2010. He's been back in Canada, going to school in U.S. being inconvenient, has had schooling thru 8th grade, but his local school district believed children shld be in the grade of their AGE, so they wld admit him only to 6th grade, which of course he was way beyond academically.

http://committedsardine.com/blogpost.cfm?blogID=1369

JoanK · « **Reply #2032 on:** February 13, 2012, 03:22:30 PM »

It's a particularly difficult problem in the preteen and teen years, especially since such kids are often immature socially. They really don't "fit" anywhere.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2033 on:** February 14, 2012, 03:26:05 AM »

From time to time, exceptionally gifted children have been admitted to Oxford or Cambridge - nearly always to study Maths - Ruth Lawrence was a famous one in my childhood. I think this has happened less in recent years - these children often seem to have problems in later life, although Lawrence is now a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, married and the mother of four children, so it seems to have worked out for her.

This is a link to a programme I watched a while ago, so I don't know if it will work.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0175ll3

It is a fascinating and very touching programme about a child maths genius who has few social skills. His parents are very normal and sensible, and just want him to have a happy childhood, but it is a constant struggle for him because he suffers from some sort of Asperger's, and finds it very hard indeed to make friends. There is ultimately a happy ending, as a brilliant teacher takes him in hand and matches him up with a similar boy. There is also a priceless bit where Cameron goes to visit a Maths professor at either Oxford or Cambridge, and someone asks the professor if it will matter that Cameron is Aspergic. He replies "Oh no - they all are" ! Having a father-in-law and a brother-in-law who are both academic mathematicians, I think I can safely say that he is largely correct

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #2034 on:** February 14, 2012, 09:08:37 AM »

It is my own private theory, that aspergic repetition is the genius' way of making other actions automatic and routine, so they do not at all distract from the primary interest and focus. Of course, it does drive other people nuts!

ANNIE · « **Reply #2035 on:** February 14, 2012, 12:21:26 PM »

BABI
We did discuss "Walking the Bible" over in S&F in 2009 but they didn't archive so the discussion doesn't exist.
MABLE,
The archives that are on here were saved and downloaded from SN by PatW back in 2009, I believe. Thanks to her, we have some fabulous discussions right at our fingertips. I love technology and bright young ladies who thought to do this.

JoanK · « **Reply #2036 on:** February 14, 2012, 09:15:07 PM »

Rosemary: having had a father and husband who were both mathematicians (and having started out to be one myself). I disagree. But none of us were geniuses.

Babi · « **Reply #2037 on:** February 15, 2012, 08:36:41 AM »

Just as well, JOAN. Geniuses can be somewhat uncomfortable.

ANNIE · « **Reply #2038 on:** February 15, 2012, 01:38:37 PM »

Babi and Jean,
Have you read "Born On A Blue Day"? Wonderful book written by a young man who has autism as does his younger brother. Fascinating!

Babi · « **Reply #2039 on:** February 16, 2012, 09:06:05 AM »

Hadn't heard of it before, ANNIE. My perceptions about autism are changing everytime I turn
around. We have learned so much more about it than we once knew (..or thought we knew).

News:

Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439740 times)