What are You Reading Now?
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My hold I had from the library's Libby app become available so I'm listing to the audio book now
"Hunting Moments of Truth," edited by Eric Peper and Jim Rikhoff. This 1973 anthology ends with one of my favorite Gene Hill stories, "Pepper."
Just finished this, the movie "The Town" was based on this book.
Now on this one, which has been lurking in my Kindle for a few years.
Now on this one, which has been lurking in my Kindle for a few years.
Getting a little help and perspective during a really difficult stint.
It's a great book, a couple decade ago it was a daily read for me, and also helped me get through a difficult time. Not sure how many times I read through it. I should probably read it again.
I REALLY enjoy sitting outside with my pipe and reading, but sometimes I get a bit behind on these posts... I recently finished reading what will be the last "pipe book" of the year. My picture shows late Fall grass, but today, the ground is white. Anyway...
"A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century" by Agnes M Clerke, 1893
Agnes Clerke was a highly respected astronomy writer of the late 19th, early 20th, century. VERY well researched and written for an educated popular audience.
A couple of takeaways I got from this book... Although it's written as a history, since the 19th century had seven years yet to go, much of it is recent (for then) research. Clerke can go on for pages with detailed observations, especially concerning spectroscopy, some of which were significant, some of which fell by the wayside. Most of them later tied together into a more coherent, meaningful, understanding. But this is how scientific research works, and still does.
Another fun take... When she reported Schiaparelli's observations of what became known as Martian canals, Clerke reported observations and takes of a number of prominent, respected astronomers, but no mention of the most famous promoter of Martian canals, Percival Lowell. This is because Lowell didn't develop his interest until 1894.
"A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century" by Agnes M Clerke, 1893
Agnes Clerke was a highly respected astronomy writer of the late 19th, early 20th, century. VERY well researched and written for an educated popular audience.
A couple of takeaways I got from this book... Although it's written as a history, since the 19th century had seven years yet to go, much of it is recent (for then) research. Clerke can go on for pages with detailed observations, especially concerning spectroscopy, some of which were significant, some of which fell by the wayside. Most of them later tied together into a more coherent, meaningful, understanding. But this is how scientific research works, and still does.
Another fun take... When she reported Schiaparelli's observations of what became known as Martian canals, Clerke reported observations and takes of a number of prominent, respected astronomers, but no mention of the most famous promoter of Martian canals, Percival Lowell. This is because Lowell didn't develop his interest until 1894.
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And speaking of Percival Lowell, noogapipe and a couple of others in this thread made me buy a copy of "The Martians," by David Baron, 2025.
I've read pretty extensively in this area, but this is a wonderful book. Baron did his digging and research and came up with some fascinating stuff I'd never heard of before. I've read a number of books by some of the people mentioned, but in this one I learned all kinds of personal details. I never knew that Sir Robert Ball had a glass eye... That made me buy his biography written by his son... But that's a "pipe book" for next Spring.
I've read pretty extensively in this area, but this is a wonderful book. Baron did his digging and research and came up with some fascinating stuff I'd never heard of before. I've read a number of books by some of the people mentioned, but in this one I learned all kinds of personal details. I never knew that Sir Robert Ball had a glass eye... That made me buy his biography written by his son... But that's a "pipe book" for next Spring.
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This week I finished Moby Dick, then read The Commodore, the 17th in Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series, finishing about 45min before my book club met to discuss it. Now I’m well in to The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson’s book about Churchill during WWII.
That is an awesome book, I've read it several times.
These have always helped me when down. Great reads,short but packed.
I’m going to start with this one. Order placed. Thanks for the recommendation.
Searching for and maintaining peace is a great book. Short and very accessible, but deeply impactful.
Back in the sixties, as a child, I saw this as a movie at the theater. Scared the heck out of me.
Congratulations on finishing MD. You can now call yourself an expert whaler.
I really enjoyed it, and am embarrassed it took me so long to finally read it (well, listen to it, as I am an audiobook guy). I’m certain I’ll give it another listen before too long, it was that entertaining.Congratulations on finishing MD. You can now call yourself an expert whaler.
I tried reading this a couple of years ago on the recommendation of a friend, but I couldn't really get into it. Might try picking it up, again.
