What are You Reading Now?
- Thread starter jpmcwjr
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Since I can't delete, I put this second exemplar.
Pierre Grimal.
Pierre Grimal.
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A very interesting but slow paced novel about an undercover officer infiltrating the radical left. I love how the story is woven with these facts and speculations of early Neanderthals.
Creation Lake by Rachael Kushner.
Creation Lake by Rachael Kushner.
Reading this one cause some of you praised it
I didn’t know about Grimal. Looked him up but it seems there are aren’t many English translations of his work . A shame!Since I can't delete, I put this second exemplar.
Hello friend. I have seen something in English, on Amazon. Although it is true that I do not see complete works, some collection, only single books. A pity really. I hope you have luck with the search of this writer.
Reading "Ascent to Power: How Truman Emerged from FDR's Shadpw" By David Roll. A really great read. Cannot recommended highly enough. The book provides both the historical perspective but also is chock full of great anecdotal information.
Also, just got British historian Dan Jones new book "Henry V". Jones writes history like no one else.
Also, just got British historian Dan Jones new book "Henry V". Jones writes history like no one else.
On of the nice things about classic scifi, is that it never gets antiquated by new science. Because it branches outside of the realm of real science.
I enjoyed City, but overall I prefer the books and stories he set in the Midwest, maybe because I grew up one state to the east. My all time favorite is still Mastodonia, which I received as a kid, and read in one afternoon in the comfy chair in our living room.
C.S Lewis- The Space Trilogy. Reading #2 Perelandra now. 
For me “that hideous strength “ could be categorized with 1984 and Brave New World, as a vision of a dystopian future. It’s a lot messier and wilder than those books, but more on the mark in some ways too.
I recently finished reading "Astronomy for Amateurs," an 1888 book edited by John A. Westwood Oliver.
Instead of the usual fare for such things geared toward amateur astronomers, this book is geared toward VERY SERIOUS amateurs wishing to make contributions to scientific astronomy, from a time when the lines between professional astronomers and amateurs were still a bit blurred. Such efforts required specialization in a certain field and efforts which required patience, tenacity, and, OK, maybe what might be considered drudgery.
I've owned this book for several years, but hadn't read it until I discovered how reading while smoking a pipe makes me SLOW DOWN a bit, and I find myself enjoying books I wouldn't have the time or patience for sitting in my house.
I'm a long time amateur astronomer, and according to this book, I use my telescope as an expensive toy. That's fine with me, and it's made my life better. However, I do observe much like amateurs from the late 1800's... I find my targets by star hopping from paper charts instead of using GOTO technology, and enjoy looking through an eyepiece, having no desire to see objects enhanced on an led screen. I'm a dinosaur.
Maybe I didn't learn a lot from this book, but I enjoyed it, and maybe it did improve my skills and attitudes as an observer a bit. I guess I just love reading this stuff.
Instead of the usual fare for such things geared toward amateur astronomers, this book is geared toward VERY SERIOUS amateurs wishing to make contributions to scientific astronomy, from a time when the lines between professional astronomers and amateurs were still a bit blurred. Such efforts required specialization in a certain field and efforts which required patience, tenacity, and, OK, maybe what might be considered drudgery.
I've owned this book for several years, but hadn't read it until I discovered how reading while smoking a pipe makes me SLOW DOWN a bit, and I find myself enjoying books I wouldn't have the time or patience for sitting in my house.
I'm a long time amateur astronomer, and according to this book, I use my telescope as an expensive toy. That's fine with me, and it's made my life better. However, I do observe much like amateurs from the late 1800's... I find my targets by star hopping from paper charts instead of using GOTO technology, and enjoy looking through an eyepiece, having no desire to see objects enhanced on an led screen. I'm a dinosaur.
Maybe I didn't learn a lot from this book, but I enjoyed it, and maybe it did improve my skills and attitudes as an observer a bit. I guess I just love reading this stuff.
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I enjoy being a dinosaur too: the most electronic I'll go is a Telrad and a clock drive (I finally have a working drive, after 50 years of using a telescope, and I love it). A lot of the fun is pushing your observational abilities: anyone can do astrophotography; how many have seen M33 or the North America Nebula with the naked eye?
As with pipes, there's room for many different interests, which itself is part of the fun of astronomy!
"A Portrait of Isaac Newton" by Frank E, Manuel, 1980.
In previous posts, I've read old biographies of Joseph Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal, and Abraham Sharp, his first assistant and lifelong friend. In these, it became evident that Flamsteed and Newton developed a hatred for each other and engaged in a lifelong feud. Having read Flamsteed's side, I wanted a newer book on Isaac Newton to gain some understanding of the man, aside from the traditional worship, and see his side of the conflict. I chose this book after reading a list of descriptions of the best books on Isaac Newton online. This was an excellent book, the result of an incredible amount of research. Usually a good read, occasionally tough sledding. If you want to know Isaac Newton the man, this is the book.
As it turns out, Newton could indeed be a suspicious, vindictive, jerk. He also harbored feuds with other good men of science. Both Newton and Flamsteed had rough patches in their lives which most probably helped create the men they became. Both were highly accomplished men who deserve their fame. Personally, I don't think I'd have liked either one of them.
In previous posts, I've read old biographies of Joseph Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal, and Abraham Sharp, his first assistant and lifelong friend. In these, it became evident that Flamsteed and Newton developed a hatred for each other and engaged in a lifelong feud. Having read Flamsteed's side, I wanted a newer book on Isaac Newton to gain some understanding of the man, aside from the traditional worship, and see his side of the conflict. I chose this book after reading a list of descriptions of the best books on Isaac Newton online. This was an excellent book, the result of an incredible amount of research. Usually a good read, occasionally tough sledding. If you want to know Isaac Newton the man, this is the book.
As it turns out, Newton could indeed be a suspicious, vindictive, jerk. He also harbored feuds with other good men of science. Both Newton and Flamsteed had rough patches in their lives which most probably helped create the men they became. Both were highly accomplished men who deserve their fame. Personally, I don't think I'd have liked either one of them.
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Finally reading Dickens’ Great Expectations. Pip’s observations as a child are very funny! Had no idea it was so humorous. Never read any Dickens until last year. Loved Bleak House.
Started The Alchemist by Coelho. Read it many years ago and only started it again because my son will be reading it next semester in HS and I wanted to be able to discuss it with him freshly.
Good lord I forgot how much I hated Coelho's writing style.
Good lord I forgot how much I hated Coelho's writing style.