Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439584 times)

joyous · « **Reply #760 on:** December 31, 2009, 02:32:10 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

I have been on the library list FOREVER for Shanghai Girls and was notified today that my name
has made it to the top. I will pick it up after New Years Day. Oops.just realized this might have
been put in Fiction. Sorry-----
JOY

Frybabe · « **Reply #761 on:** December 31, 2009, 04:12:47 PM »

I am also reading Hopkirk's The Great Game and finding it quite interesting.

nlhome · « **Reply #762 on:** December 31, 2009, 06:49:25 PM »

I got a copy of You Have Seen Their Faces from our library. It's an old book, practically falling apart. My children have found it interesting to look at - they were born long after the 60's Civil Rights movement, so the comments really caught their attention.

JoanK · « **Reply #763 on:** December 31, 2009, 07:23:21 PM »

ELLA: glad you're up to reading again. Keep us up to date on how your rehab is going.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #764 on:** January 01, 2010, 10:46:10 AM »

JACKIE, can you tell us a little about Britain's prejudice against Afghanistan, that you mentioned in a prior post. I am very ignorant of the history of that country other than Russia lost a war there. What was Russia attempting to do? Colonize the country, what? And isn't it amazing that those guerillas from the mountains could fight a powerful enemy such as Russia and win? What did we learn from that?

Your question about what West Point students are learning is a good one.

Several of you have mentioned THE GREAT GAME. I am sorry I couldn't get the book and read it before the discussion of KIM, and even sorrier that I was in rehab as the result of a broken ankle and surgery, OH, DEAR!

But the discussion of KIM starts today, so I will see some of you there, ALL OF YOU THERE!
'

mrssherlock · « **Reply #765 on:** January 01, 2010, 02:36:25 PM »

Ella: Mayer, in Tournament of Shadows, points out that Britain's possession of India meant that there was a long, precarious supply chain of men and materials to maintain. Russia's Tsars had been expanding for the preceding fourcenturies at a pace of 55 miles per day or 20,000 miles per year. (Emphasis mine.) Literally a game of King of the Hill whose playing field was the majestic Himalayas. It doesn't take much imagination to understand the attitude of the Raj towards their obviously (in their eyes) inferior lackeys. This polyglot society had developed subtle protocols of interaction that completely confounded the arrogant and unaware White Men. There were enough attrocities on each side in the conflicts which erupted to keep the flames fanned. Reading Hopkirk's The Great Game and Mayer in tandem can be emotionally draining but at the same time it is fascinating and compelling. These are the major elements and completely overshadow the onset of iorganized intelligence gathering which is the theme of Kim but it helps me to understand the political and geographic context before focusing on the human components.

JoanK · « **Reply #766 on:** January 01, 2010, 03:03:03 PM »

JACKIE: that's so interesting. Could you post it in "Kim"?

Babi · « **Reply #767 on:** January 02, 2010, 09:58:29 AM »

I don't know a great deal about Afghanistan, ELLA, but I do know the
Afghans have a reputation as extremely fierce fighters. They have been
embroiled in fighting for one reason or another for generations, and boys
begin training as warriors at a very young age.
Add to that the fact that Afghanistan is an exremely mountainous country and the Afghans know it intimately. There is no space for the
conventional field battles; guerrilla warfare predominates. Invasion there
is not a really good idea.

Frybabe · « **Reply #768 on:** January 02, 2010, 12:16:40 PM »

Quote

Invasion there is not a really good idea.

And yet,Babi, there is always some idiotic bunch or another that does.

ANNIE · « **Reply #769 on:** January 02, 2010, 09:30:44 PM »

I believe that I mentioned this earlier but since Ella wasn't here, I will reiterate. The title, "The Game" by Laurie King takes place in the time of Kim and then later. Its fictional and its detective is Sherlock Holmes but Kim is there and all of the policital and warring parties. Very good book with much historical involved there plus a nice mystery inside. It gives a good background on Kim and on the warring parties plus their fears of each other.
Look at "A Thousand Splendid Suns" which covers not only the Russian occupation of Afghanistan but tells much about the mindset of the Afghanistans concerning being occupied year after year after year. Then add to the mix, the Muslimness! Mind boggling! The women accept abuse as though that's just the way it is!

Babi · « **Reply #770 on:** January 03, 2010, 09:00:56 AM »

Alas, FRYBABE, so true!

Thanks for the mention of the Laurie King book, ANNIE. I like that series,
and it would be interesting to read it in conjunction with the Kim discussion. (Have to keep them separated mentally, tho'. $:-\$ ) Now
to see if my library has it.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #771 on:** January 03, 2010, 11:41:30 AM »

Sounds like a book I would enjoy, ANN, bring it over when you can. AS you know, I can't get to the library.

there is always some idiotic bunch or another that does. - we hear you!!!

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #772 on:** January 08, 2010, 12:43:02 PM »

GOSH, it's been a long time since anyone posted a book here. I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE READING SOMETHING GOOD, PLEASE LET US KNOW!

My book club at our senior center is reading THE MEASURE OF A MAN by Sidney Poitier.

Has anyone read it? I would love another opinion.

ANNIE · « **Reply #773 on:** January 08, 2010, 12:59:04 PM »

Hey, Ella. I will send you a comment on the book as soon as I take a quick perusal.

Ralph and I have just read "Fly By Wire" by Wm Langewiesche. Its a super little book about the landing on the Hudson by Sully and his crew. Very good book. This author has tackled many other flying topics. We are going to see how they read later at the library.
The author's father was also a good writer and he was well known for his books about flying. One of his first was about learning how to fly and was entitled "Stick & Rudder" which came out in 1944. Its in its 44th printing as of this year. We have a copy of it. Our grandson has it and I want to see when it was published. Maybe its one of the first. Ralph's Dad was on of the first pilots in Ohio and he purchased the book.
Ralph also finished "Highest Duty" which is also about Sullenberger and how he feels that he grew up to land that plane on the Hudson. Interesting story!!

mrssherlock · « **Reply #774 on:** January 08, 2010, 01:44:27 PM »

This one is a novel about a real person, by the author of The Girl with the Pearl Earring. Tracy Chevalier takes us back to the early 19th century when Mary Anning discovers the fossils of Remarkable Creatures in the cliffs near her home on the English Coast. This is many years in advance of Darwin's cruise on the Beagle, let alone his publication of The Origin of the Species. Anning's discoveries astound scientists. Read more about her here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Anning

JoanK · « **Reply #775 on:** January 08, 2010, 08:13:24 PM »

JACKIE: did I understand that the woman was eal, but this is a fictionalized account? Obviously, the girl with the pearl earring was real, too, although I don't remember if we know anything about her. I was disappointed in Earring. but this one sounds very interesting.

Babi · « **Reply #776 on:** January 09, 2010, 11:49:16 AM »

ELLA, I have wanted to read "The Measure of a Man", but it was published
years ago and my library doesn't have it. I may have to go on-line into
used books and buy it. What do you say? Is it worth adding to my permanent library?

ANNIE · « **Reply #777 on:** January 09, 2010, 12:11:43 PM »

Babi,
"The Measure of a Man" is a 2000 book. Not so long ago. Ella and I are discussing whether its worth one's time as Ella says, "its very preachy." And contains no new info concerning the life of Poitier and what he saw growing up. We all saw it or heard it.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #778 on:** January 09, 2010, 12:59:51 PM »

Joan: Yes, it is a novel about real people and real events. Since I eagerly watch and read any news about paleontology, this one is quite enticing. Also, women who follow their own interests, in spite of the expectations of their peers, attract my interest.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #779 on:** January 09, 2010, 01:14:53 PM »

Recently finished From Rage to Reason:my life in two Americas by Janet Langhart Cohen. If you live in the Chicago/Boston/NY areas, you may remember her on tv in the 60/70/80's. I heard of her when her husband Bill Cohen became Sec of Defense under Bill Clinton. They were the first prominent interracial couple in the country other than performers.

For those of you who have read "The Help," this gives a real person account of about the same time. Even tho Janet grew up in Indiana, she had some of the same experiences as the "maids" in The Help. But it's also interesting because of the people she encountered thruout her life: MLKing, Marian Andersen, Muhummad Ali, Colin Powell, HIllary Clinton, etc. A driven, independent woman. ................jean

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #780 on:** January 09, 2010, 06:39:25 PM »

Oh, how nice it is to come in here and read suggestions about books and what you thought of them.

As I can't get to a library at the present time, I need suggestions. On BookTV today, interestingly, there was an hour program on two new books out concerning FDR. The subject of his administration and the New Deal is an unending subject for authors. One of the books, by Adam Cohen, entitled NOTHING TO FEAR: HIS INNER CIRCLE, is about 5 of his close advisors, three of whom stuck by him until the end.

One of them was FRANCES PERKINS, and I could swear the author took his material about the woman from Kirsten Downey's book which we discussed here on SeniorLearn not too long ago.

The author must have written quite a bit about her accomplishments which, of course, included the minimum wage, unemployment compensation, social security, etc. as he mentioned her in the course of the conversation for quite a long time.

The other book by Julie Fenster concerns Louis Howe and is titled FDR'S SHADOW. Anyone familiar with FDR would know of this man who is directly responsible for FDR's presidency. He wrote a few of his speeches and is the author of the line "We Have nothing to fear but fear itself." I didn't know that, never thought of the author of the line actually.

Keep your suggestions coming. I have reserved a number of books at the library which my home health aide will pick up for me next week.

Babi · « **Reply #781 on:** January 10, 2010, 09:21:11 AM »

Quote

We all saw it or heard it.

Actually, ANNIE, since I've never been one to consider a celebrity's
private life any of my business, I know virtually nothing about Poitier
other than that he is an excellent actor and has the reputation of a fine
man.
I've never really understood the interest in who marries whom, or is
sleeping with, or has checked into rehab. If the papparazzi had to depend on my interest, they'd all have to find other work.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #782 on:** January 10, 2010, 03:01:34 PM »

Babi: If only that could come true. When I'm standi ng in the checkout line and see the covers of the tabloids I feel dirty and then shamed that I stooped to looking.

Frybabe · « **Reply #783 on:** January 10, 2010, 04:48:32 PM »

I'm with you Babi.

MrsSherlock, in all the years I've stood in line at the checkout, I don't believe I have ever actually seen anyone buy a tabloid.

JoanK · « **Reply #784 on:** January 10, 2010, 05:29:29 PM »

FRYBABE: "in all the years I've stood in line at the checkout, I don't believe I have ever actually seen anyone buy a tabloid." good point. Someone must buy them, or they wouldn't still be around. Perhaps people sneak in at odd deserted hours so their neighbors won't see them buying. Maybe there are even "Tabloids Anonomous" groups out there, as people fight to control this habit. Or maybe their are "friends of tabloids" groups, where people meet and compare the latest juicy bits. Or maybe it's a solitary sin, like solitary drunkenness. But somewhere, somehow, people must be reading them.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #785 on:** January 10, 2010, 06:24:12 PM »

What was it T barnum said about the ibtelligence of the Americans?

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #786 on:** January 10, 2010, 09:32:14 PM »

To be fair to Poitier's book, and to try to explain what Ann meant by "we all saw and heard it" the actor writes of the segregated south and his experiences in his youth, the Civil Rights Movement, etc. etc. Nothing that one of a certain age has not "heard or seen."

As most of us know, he is credited with "breaking the color barrier" when he won an Oscar for his role in the film LILLIES OF THE FIELD in 1963. And, no doubt, has been a role model for other young black actors.

ANNIE · « **Reply #787 on:** January 11, 2010, 07:43:46 AM »

I'm with you, Babi. Its hard enough keeping up with neighbors! Tee hee! This book is more a history of Poitier's life of being black and trying to get into Hollywood successfully and the desegregation of the country plus his many awards for his movies.

Babi · « **Reply #788 on:** January 11, 2010, 09:44:20 AM »

Unfortunately, FRYBABE, I have. What's worse, they look at some
outrageously silly cover story, complete with photo 'proof', and
actually believe it!
JACKIE, I assume you're thinking of "You can fool
all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time,
but you can't fool all the people all the time." Which no doubt is the
key to making our survival possible.

Ah, yes, ELLA and ANNIE. I see what you're saying now. Heaven knows we've all been right in the middle of those times.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #789 on:** January 11, 2010, 01:11:10 PM »

Babi: I misspoke, it was H L Mencken who said it:

Quote

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.

Frybabe · « **Reply #790 on:** January 11, 2010, 02:59:06 PM »

Mrssherlock, you were probably thinking of "There's a sucker born every minute." which was attributed to P.T. Barnum. According to several sources though, he didn't say it a rival of his did. Well that was news to me. See link:

http://www.historybuff.com/library/refbarnum.html

mrssherlock · « **Reply #791 on:** January 11, 2010, 04:00:40 PM »

Fry: What a hoot!

JoanK · « **Reply #792 on:** January 11, 2010, 08:08:17 PM »

That's incredible. I had seen mentions of the Cardiff Giant, but never knew what it was. I wonder if Hull was prosecuted.

Babi · « **Reply #793 on:** January 12, 2010, 08:24:54 AM »

Ah, the lengths to which some people will go to perpetrate a hoax,
especially if it illustrates the ignorance of some other party.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #794 on:** January 12, 2010, 06:07:56 PM »

Speaking of hoaxes, BABI, I just got the book BETRAYAL about Bernie Madoff. INCREDIBLE, that the man was able to perpetrate his scheme for so many years and to defraud all those people!

mrssherlock · « **Reply #795 on:** January 12, 2010, 08:10:04 PM »

Madoff was instrumental in the development of the NASDQ. Maybe that lent credence to his claims.

ANNIE · « **Reply #796 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:36:29 AM »

Jackie,
I didn't know Madoff was involved in the founding of NASDAQ but I seem to remember that it is the only stock exchange that was founded to run on the promise of no debts?? Is that right?

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #797 on:** January 13, 2010, 10:43:04 AM »

A paragraph from Wikipedia on the history of NASDAQ"

"When the NASDAQ stock exchange began trading on February 8, 1971, the NASDAQ was the world's first electronic stock market. At first, it was merely a computer bulletin board system and did not actually connect buyers and sellers. The NASDAQ helped lower the spread (the difference between the bid price and the ask price of the stock) but somewhat paradoxically was unpopular among brokerages because they made much of their money on the spread.

NASDAQ was the successor to the over-the-counter (OTC) and the "Curb Exchange" systems of trading. As late as 1987, the NASDAQ exchange was still commonly referred to as the OTC in media and also in the monthly Stock Guides issued by Standard & Poor's Corporation."

An over-the-counter penny stock trade market.

Madoff did have a license qualifying him as a stockbroker; also he passed the exam to not just to work for a brokerage firm, but to run one.

Apparently, he couldn't make enough money the legitimate way?

The Jewish connection! Had he not had that connection, he could not been so successful in his POnzi scheme.

Does anyone remember having a KAY WINDSOR DRESS?

Apparently Carl Shapiro, a billionnaire and one of the earliest investors in Madoff's funds, made his money from the Kay Windsor dresses in the '50's and 60's.

http://www.shapirofamilyfdn.org/matriarch/MultiPiecePage.asp_Q_PageID_E_1_A_PageName_E_AboutTheFoundation

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #798 on:** January 13, 2010, 11:19:28 AM »

Madoff Securities leased the 17th, 18th and 19th floors of this building (dubbed the Lipstick Building for its shape). A lovely building isn't it?

http://www.hines.com/property/detail.aspx?id=249

"Not surprisingly, a large number of the company's 150 employees worked for Madoff Securities for years....The employees grew up together, spent time with each other outside work, knew each other's wives and kids, lived through one another's weddings, divorces, and illnesses. It was the kind of company you knew you could work at for the rest of your life. No one ever got laid off. It was like a government job. You knew you could work here forever."

Isn't that an interesting paragraph?

ANNIE · « **Reply #799 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:59:48 PM »

Interesting article and I like the "lipstick building". Something that Wright might design?? Maybe, maybe not!

News:

Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439584 times)