[off topic]Book Suggestions

[Iamjohn]

I tried it but never really could get into it, but your mileage may vary, I know people who've loved them.

[darrelljs]

I can certainly give you plenty of history books recommendations if that's what you're into. Got dozens and dozens of them here in my house, and know hundreds more by reputation.

I'd be interested, I usually read about one a month or so...but keep in mind I'm not an academic .

Darrell

[sooooo]

Someone suggested that I read Infinite Jest this summer. Apparently there's a website for people who want to do just that here. It's over a thousand pages long and I've only just ordered my copy. May well last until christmas methinks.

[Zeviz]

For fantasy, there is nothing out there that compares with A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin. The first book is called "A Game of Thrones".
...

I also recommend this series. The 1000 page paperbacks are especially good for long flights.

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I can certainly give you plenty of history books recommendations if that's what you're into. Got dozens and dozens of them here in my house, and know hundreds more by reputation.

What would you recommend for good historical fiction? (By "good" I mean the books that are not just fun to read, but whose author doesn't make too many mistakes in events and cultures he is describing.)

[ruff_hi]

I've searched my local libraries on line catalog and they have the following

- Anathem by Neal Stephenson
- Pandora's Star by Hamilton

I've also put in an order for Judas Unchained and that might come by next Monday.

[MyOtherCar]

I can certainly give you plenty of history books recommendations if that's what you're into. Got dozens and dozens of them here in my house, and know hundreds more by reputation.

Well, I for one would be interested, even if I mostly like the narrative ones (where some parts are invented).

[Sullla]

Well, you guys are going to have to give me some kind of a field if you want history book recommendations. My specialties are Britain, British Empire, British India, and Military History, but I've dabbled in a number of other fields at times (modern Europe, colonial America, ancient Rome, etc.)

Here in the US, the "history" section in the bookstores is usually 90% full of books in the American Civil War and World War II. That's leaving out a fair bit...

[darrelljs]

- Anathem by Neal Stephenson

Be warned...the first 100-150 pages are a bit tough to read .

Darrell

[MyOtherCar]

Well, you guys are going to have to give me some kind of a field if you want history book recommendations. My specialties are Britain, British Empire, British India, and Military History, but I've dabbled in a number of other fields at times (modern Europe, colonial America, ancient Rome, etc.)

Military History, (I've read Sun Tzu, Xenophon's Anabasis and several books about Alexander) and Ancient Rome would certainly pique my interest.

[Zeviz]

Well, you guys are going to have to give me some kind of a field if you want history book recommendations. My specialties are Britain, British Empire, British India, and Military History, but I've dabbled in a number of other fields at times (modern Europe, colonial America, ancient Rome, etc.)

Here in the US, the "history" section in the bookstores is usually 90% full of books in the American Civil War and World War II. That's leaving out a fair bit...

I don't have a specific preference, so what are some of your favorites that would still be fun to a non-professional?

[darrelljs]

Well, you guys are going to have to give me some kind of a field if you want history book recommendations. My specialties are Britain, British Empire, British India, and Military History, but I've dabbled in a number of other fields at times (modern Europe, colonial America, ancient Rome, etc.)

I've just done the whole Rome -> Byzantine -> Ottoman thing, so I'd be interested in more recent history. British Empire is a subject I've been interested in but never read about.

Darrell

[Sullla]

OK, here are some quick thoughts.

Military:
- The best short and accesible book is Geoffrey Parker, The Military Revolution, covering 1500-1800. It's even got lots of nice pictures and illustrations.
-If you're in the mood to punish yourself, you can try William H. McNeill, The Pursuit of Power. Amazingly impressive work, but tough, tough going.
- For more recent stuff, Mark Bowden's Black Hawk Down (on which the movie is based) is surprisingly good. We use the book for the military history course at my university, as it's one of the best portraits of contemporary warfare.

British Empire (OK, limiting this to non-technical stuff):
- There's no one good overview book on British Empire, in my opinion. Yes, this is a problem! Niall Ferguson's Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order is pretty popular right now, but I think it's garbage and can't possibly recommend it. Don't waste your time.
- I like Alan Taylor, American Colonies: The Settling of North America best for colonial America. Great overview and pretty readable, although a little long and on the dry side.
- If you have any interest at all in the Seven Years War, I really recommend Fred Anderson's Crucible of War. Insanely long (700+ pages) but awesome in its readibility and level of detail. Too bad the subject matter is way too esoteric for mainstream interest!
- On another bizarre subject, take a look at Chris Bayly, Imperial Meridian on the 1780-1830 period that saw Britain establish global dominance. I've never seen anyone else conclusively make the case that the decline of Persia and Turkey were integral to the rise of Britain's empire...
- I don't like any of the "general" histories of India much either. I think part of being a specialist in some fields is disliking most of the work that they turn out!

On a final note, take a look at David Landes, The Wealth and Poverty of Nations. It's a world history approach to economic and political development: why are some nations rich and others poor? I don't agree with all of the arguments, but they make you think.

[sunrise089]

Ordered The Pursuit of Power, we'll see how this goes

[darrelljs]

There's no one good overview book on British Empire, in my opinion.

Well that sucks!

- On another bizarre subject, take a look at Chris Bayly, Imperial Meridian on the 1780-1830 period that saw Britain establish global dominance. I've never seen anyone else conclusively make the case that the decline of Persia and Turkey were integral to the rise of Britain's empire...

Okay, so this seems like the best place to start (I usually like to read forward in time).

Edit: Uh...or not. 1780 is after the war of independence.

Darrell

[ruff_hi]

Be warned...the first 100-150 pages are a bit tough to read .

23 pages in and what the heck is going on!