… and 2011 provided enough time to enjoy 60+ books - being laid up for a while had a bit of an influence.

The one that stands out: Empire of Illusion – the end of literacy and the triumph of spectacle by Chris Hedges (ISBN 978-0-307-39847-5

Hans since Borders Books went under here, I bought several books at sale and promised myself I would read all of them. I have finished several now, two WW2 books: “At War with the Wind”, about the kamakazi tactics in WW2, “Halsey’s Typhoon” about the 3rd Fleet/Typhoon Cobra event in 1944, and two automotive books, I just finished “Go Like Hell” a great read about the 24 hrs of Le Mans, Enzo Ferrari, and the GT40 war of the cars. That was a book I was sad to finally have to put down. Before that I read “The YUGO, the Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History” which was one of the BEST books I’ve ever read, full of history, some of it very funny about how a 3rd world stovepipe of a car, marketed by Malcomn Bricklin, the greatest huckster since PT Barnum, managed to bedazzle then betray a gullable America, great read, highly recommended.

I used to read a lot, the net means I waste most of my reading time… bet somebody, somewhere will say it’s a “Communist plot” to dumb down America (Like we need any help!)

"it’s a “Communist plot” to dumb down America "

Mik,

I don’t know if i believe it, but its been two days and nobody else helped you out - so I did my best. The statement would sound better with a few extra descriptive words, but you’ll have to insert them yourself.

Currently reading the “Travis McGee series”

Mik said:
I used to read a lot, the net means I waste most of my reading time... bet somebody, somewhere will say it's a "Communist plot" to dumb down America (Like we need any help!)

I was fortunate enough to grow up without television, which meant I read (and was read to -- very important). I really ought to start using my library card again -- can't afford too many books these days :( -- or, to put it another way, it's books or trains ... aaargh :P

Chris Vernell said:
............ I was fortunate enough to grow up without television, which meant I read (and was read to -- very important). I really ought to start using my library card again -- can't afford too many books these days :( -- or, to put it another way, it's books or trains ... aaargh :P

Yes Chris, you really should. It's the best deal in town. Mind you a bit of patience is in order, for some books you end up in position 37 or higher on the waiting list. Out here they have twice a year a surplus library book sale AND three units down from our shop there's the Special Olympics book store (open on Saturdays) with lots more in the same price bracket. Our TV gets tested once a week, just to make sure it is still working. :D

What do you think of those electronic books?

John Bouck said:
What do you think of those electronic books?

As long as the publisher or seller reserves the right to reach into your machine, and summarily delete an item for which he was already paid (remember that little flap? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/technology/companies/18amazon.html )... my answer is "HELL NO!"

Even when used machines get to be $10, I doubt I’ll jump.

The Gutenberg Project, and other online archives, otoh, are run more like a virtual library. Those, I support
http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/
http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/lists.html
http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/
http://www.magickeys.com/books/

I find that if I let it, every biography can serve as a mirror on a little part of myself.

I just finished Walter Isaacson’s Bio of Steve Jobs that came out just before Christmas. It’s a good read.

Jobs was a fascinating and infuriating genius; some called him psychotic; the book gives great insight into the personality of this confirmed, gifted and driven entrepreneur.

I’m halfway thru whats proving to be the BEST book on WW2 I’ve read yet, “The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors” by John Hornfischer, about what was probably the most important battle of the Pacific after the Battle of Midway, the Battle Off Samar, where a large powerfull Japanese task force of 4 battleships, including largest warship ever built, the Yamato, 8 cruisers and 10 destroyers, jumped and surprised the unprepared north flank of the Seventh Fleets Phillipean invasion force in Leyte Gulf. Against this overwhelming fleet, 3 US Destroyers, 2 Destroyer Escorts and 6 escort carriers with aircraft only prepared for inland troop support, hurled themselves against this mighty fleet in a desperate attempt to stop them, its one hell of a read!

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Stand-Tin-Sailors-Extraordinary/dp/0553381482/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328034800&sr=1-1

Vic, you must be reading about Taffey 3.

Steve Featherkile said:
Vic, you must be reading about Taffey 3.

Yes Taffy 3 and the Battle Off Samar. Steve I think you would really find this book an excellent read. Very informative and hard to put down.

I am waiting for the authors next book “Neptunes Inferno” about the naval battles off Guadelcanal to be released in paperback at the end of the month.

Mik said:
I used to read a lot, the net means I waste most of my reading time... bet somebody, somewhere will say it's a "Communist plot" to dumb down America (Like we need any help!)

Mik, :)

“Empire of Illusion – the end of literacy and the triumph of spectacle” by Chris Hedges (ISBN 978-0-307-39847-5

is all about the dumbing down of America. Roots, branches and fruit in great detail. Despite his last name, he isn’t hedging much :D.

The book I like to read is RED

Finished “Last Stand…”, need something lighter for a change, so its “Nerd Do Well” by actor Simon Pegg. pretty funny read once you realize you need to read it with a British accent in mind for the way and cadence of how its written to work, using “A’mer’can” english doesnt work as well.

‘Trustee from the Toolroom’ by Nevil Shute is a great book about a modeler.

Might as well update this, read Nerd Do Well, very interesting book, after reading I Netflixed the show he and Nick Frost did for the BBC which looms large in the book “Spaced” about a couple pretending to be a couple so they can rent a cheap flat, one of the most brilliant TV shows I have ever seen, added it to the permanant DVD collection.

Have also since read John Hornfischers newest book “Neptune’s Inferno” about the US Navy and the IJN clashes off Guadelcanal and learn how Ironbottom Sound got its name, some of the most viscious ship to ship surface fights in the US navies history and a terrible learning curve it taught the green untrained Navy against a hardened well trained opponent. But also about how much of a shoestring operation it was for the US and how the Japanese also overextended themselves. Great read!

Next up is “In the Heart of the Sea” about the sinking of the whaler Essex in 1819 by an enraged whale, which later was the basis of Moby Dick, and how the crew survived by resorting to cannablism, after the heavy horrors of the last two WW2 books this is “light reading” .

I’m reading Stephen Ambrose’ Band of Brothers, about Easy Company of the 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne. Great read. I’ve seen some of the episodes on the tube, now I’ve got to get the set.

I just finished Robert Heinlein’s Time Enough For Love for the umteenth time. An old friend. My eyes always get cloudy when Dora dies.

Bit by bit, I’m working my way through Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power on History. 19th Century language puts me to sleep.

Steve Featherkile said:
...Robert Heinlein .... 19th Century language puts me to sleep.

Heinlein - it seems he has become a hero of the objectivist set/libertarian branch, of which I consider myself a member, though I haven't picked up one of his novels since I was in my 20's, when I read a raft of 'em. Other literary heroes of this crowd include Hugo and Dostoyevsky. I guess for Heinlein even to be mentioned in the same breath as these other two is no small change.....

As for 19th c. language, in general I get your point but goodness knows there are plenty of exceptions. Seems to me it applies mostly to 19th c. non-fiction though. Pompous English brimming with Latinisms, sentences far too long and convoluted, paragraphs that go on for pages…

I think in high-quality fiction often the reverse is the case, however. From the U.S., Twain and Beecher Stowe come immediately to mind; and from across the pond, Jane Austin, in my opinion England’s best novelist. None of these is in the least boring, d’ya think?

I suppose I was referring to 19th Century academic language, in which the writer was trying to impress other academics, as was Mahan. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Even 21st century academic language is stifling.