View Full Version : Book recommendations requested!
HoreTore
05-17-2013, 18:14
Allright boys, I need your input. I'm buying books to read over the summer. The problem is that I can't think of any who really catches my interest. I've only come up with one by Jon Elster, but other than that I'm drawing blanks.
So... A little help? I've filled up with fiction, so I'm only looking for non-fiction now.
The Hunger Games are perfect casual reading for beachtime
Rhyfelwyr
05-17-2013, 18:39
I've been wanting to get The Managerial Revolution (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Managerial-Revolution-James-Burnham/dp/0837156785) but I can't find it anywhere for cheap.
Wilbur Smith's Rivergod (http://www.wilbursmithbooks.com/books/egyptian/river-god) is an interesting one when I read it at the time. Or for a more modern time-period, there is Assegai (http://www.wilbursmithbooks.com/books/courtney/assegai).
HoreTore
05-17-2013, 18:56
Yeah, I'm filled up on fiction for the foreseeable future, so I'm looking for non-fiction... Especially books on democracy or economics, but anything goes really.
Oh the obvious if you haven't, Harry Potter is seriously awesome
Philippus Flavius Homovallumus
05-17-2013, 19:48
Gospel of Nicodemus
it's pacy
Ser Clegane
05-17-2013, 20:13
India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy (http://www.amazon.co.uk/India-After-Gandhi-History-Democracy/dp/0330396110/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368817954&sr=1-1&keywords=india+after+gandhi)
Seamus Fermanagh
05-17-2013, 20:18
W.H. McNeill's The Pursuit of Power: Technology, Armed Force, and Society since A.D. 1000
B. Tuchman's The Guns of August
Max Boot's The Savage Wars Of Peace: Small Wars And The Rise Of American Power
Good reads one-and-all (English language)
Greyblades
05-17-2013, 20:54
Robert V.S. Reddick's The Red Wolf Conspiracy, because noone can be done with awesome fiction.
HoreTore
05-17-2013, 21:10
I'm loaded up on Skram and Dostojevskij as well as uncle tom's cabin and the great gatsby, that should be enough fiction for one summer(my reading cycle goes fiction/nonfiction/fiction/nonfiction and so on).
Also, I despise fantasy in all its forms.
Greyblades
05-17-2013, 21:34
All writings are fantasy to some degree, and I find that if you have a genre you can't get enjoyment out of, it's usually because you havent found the right example yet.
HoreTore
05-17-2013, 22:09
All writings are fantasy to some degree, and I find that if you have a genre you can't get enjoyment out of, it's usually because you havent found the right example yet.
I just can't engage with the supernatural, and generally find it too pompous.
a completely inoffensive name
05-17-2013, 23:47
Das Kapital. Should be up your alley.
HoreTore
05-17-2013, 23:50
Das Kapital. Should be up your alley.
Already read, of course ~;)
gaelic cowboy
05-18-2013, 00:59
Wealth and Democracy: A Political History of the American Rich (http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Democracy-Political-History-American/dp/0767905342)
The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer (http://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Way-Management-Principles-Manufacturer/dp/0071392319/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368834855&sr=1-1&keywords=the+toyota+way)
Kadagar_AV
05-18-2013, 01:44
Starship Troopers, for politics.
Shantaram for religion.
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy for.. Well just basically because of it.
Hooahguy
05-18-2013, 02:00
W.H. McNeill's The Pursuit of Power: Technology, Armed Force, and Society since A.D. 1000
I disagree. Having read this with much difficulty, its a hard read even for me, who devours military history books. More like a monograph than anything else.
Kadagar_AV
05-18-2013, 02:10
Would you like some titles explaining why black people are less intelligent than whites, and even more so, say, japanese?
a completely inoffensive name
05-18-2013, 09:13
Already read, of course ~;)
THen I would suggest The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.
Or
Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker.
a completely inoffensive name
05-18-2013, 09:13
Would you like some titles explaining why black people are less intelligent than whites, and even more so, say, japanese?
He specifically said non friction bro.
Seamus Fermanagh
05-18-2013, 18:07
I disagree. Having read this with much difficulty, its a hard read even for me, who devours military history books. More like a monograph than anything else.
I simply loved his turn on economics and the varying degrees of centralized control over time/culture. Some useful insights there. Thought it was a dense read, but not too tough to enjoy/make the connections.
I recommend this in every book-thread, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24800.House_of_Leaves it certainly isn't cheap but there isn't anything like it, it's an experiment in how far typography can go, some pages have only a few words, it's truly a descent into total madness like no other.
Disclaimer: it's really scary it messes with your mind
Naked Lunch. For the lulz.
The Lurker Below
05-19-2013, 18:15
Writing on Both Sides of the Brain: Breakthrough Techniques for People Who Write -- Henriette A. Klauser
non fiction book?
it's a rare book, but try "The French Armies in the Seven Year's War: A Study in Military Organisation and Administration, N.C., 1967" by Lee Kennett.
I'll level with you: it won't be up your alley--you might hate me for it in fact. Having said that, it has good laughs, like the account of an officer describing his general's routine, or the epic feud between Fenestre and d'Agay. even after almost 4 years, the lulz never cease to amaze me.
HopAlongBunny
05-20-2013, 10:51
A little research on the net and some wine making gear and you can engage in alchemy :)
Transform honey into wine; it's easy, interesting, has a million variations, and it ages nicely. Cheap tasty booze you make yourself? Just say Yes!
"Congo, a history" (original title: Congo, een geschiedenis), from David Van Reybrouck. Not sure if it's already translated in English, but if not, it most likely will be.
The book won a few awards and received excellent reviews, but a few Belgian experts on Congo had some pretty harsh critique on the book. That's why I intend to read the following books after I've finished Van Reybrouck's easy-to-read and not at all boring book:
"The assassination of Lumumba" (original title: De moord op Lumumba) by Ludo De Witte (this one should be very interesting, since it prompted the creation of a Parliamentary commission in Belgium more than 30 years after the facts, to investigate the assassination of Lumumba and the involvment of Belgian authorities).
"King Leopold's Ghost", by Adam Hochschild (read it a few years ago, but will read it again now that I'm in a "Congo-mood"; it's a book that got some criticism as well)
"Rood rubber", by Daniël Van Groenweghe (I don't think it has been translated into English, but I believe there's a French translation "Du Sang sur les Lianes. Léopold II et son Congo."
Montmorency
05-22-2013, 00:17
W.H. McNeill's The Pursuit of Power: Technology, Armed Force, and Society since A.D. 1000
Coercion, Capital and European States: AD 990 - 1992 - Charles Tilly :smoking:
"Congo, a history" (original title: Congo, een geschiedenis), from David Van Reybrouck. Not sure if it's already translated in English, but if not, it most likely will be.
Good book, but that writer is a horrible and bloated person.
http://www.novelguide.com/King-Leopold-Ghost/novelsumary.html
http://www.bol.com/nl/p/the-scramble-for-africa/1001004001060670/
Better
Ser Clegane
05-24-2013, 14:58
[url]http://www.bol.com/nl/p/the-scramble-for-africa/1001004001060670/
Just started reading this one a couple of days ago - very promising.
Just started reading this one a couple of days ago - very promising.
Should read the other one I linked as well, great book.
His journey into Congo is what inspired Conrad. There was this Belgian offficer called Rom, who went a little nuts
Yeah, I'm filled up on fiction for the foreseeable future, so I'm looking for non-fiction... Especially books on democracy or economics, but anything goes really.
I read non-fiction almost exclusively. My favorites over the past few years:
Hundred Years War series by Jonathan Sumption (http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Years-War-Battle-Middle/dp/0812216555). Link is to book 1. 3 are currently written of a planned 5, with 4 likely due out in the next year or two. Possibly the best non-fiction series I've ever read, in both academic quality and entertaining writing.
The Civil War ser by Shelby Foote (http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Narrative-Perryville-Vintage/dp/0394746236/ref=la_B000AQ48MU_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369404411&sr=1-2). Link is to book 1 (of 3). The best US Civil War books ever written, and likely ever to be written. An incredible achievement in research, depth, and writing. Ken Burns' magnificent documentary was heavily based on this work (and Shelby appeared in it frequently).
The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 1649-1815 by N. A. M. Rodger (http://www.amazon.com/Command-Ocean-History-Britain-1649%C2%AD-1815/dp/0393060500/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369404567&sr=1-1&keywords=command+of+the+ocean). Superb overview of the Royal Navy charting its rise to the world's most dominant military force. It's the second in a series of 3, but I have not read the other two as I was mainly interested in the British Imperial time period for the subject matter.
1453: The Holy War for Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West (http://www.amazon.com/1453-Holy-Constantinople-Clash-Islam/dp/1401308503/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369404833&sr=1-3&keywords=empires+of+the+sea), Empires of the Sea: The Siege of Malta, the Battle of Lepanto, and the Contest for the Center of the World (http://www.amazon.com/Empires-Sea-Battle-Lepanto-Contest/dp/0812977645/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369404833&sr=1-1&keywords=empires+of+the+sea), both by Roger Crowley, and The Siege of Vienna: The Last Great Trial Between Cross & Crescent (http://www.amazon.com/Siege-Vienna-Great-Between-Crescent/dp/1933648635/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369404936&sr=1-1&keywords=siege+of+vienna), by John Stoye. I read all of these consecutively and chronologically, and they provided a great look at the Ottoman Empire. The first two in particular are very good.
A History of the Crusades (http://www.amazon.com/History-Crusades-Vol-Foundations-Jerusalem/dp/052134770X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369405081&sr=1-2&keywords=crusades+runciman), by Steven Runcimen. Link is to book 1 of 3. Superb series on the Crusades, covering all of them in great detail and with entertaining writing as well. Unfortunately these are out of print and finding a complete set is expensive unless you pick up used copies. Well worth it though.
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus (http://www.amazon.com/1491-Revelations-Americas-Before-Columbus/dp/1400032059/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369405200&sr=1-1&keywords=1491), by Charles C. Mann. An overview of the history of the Americas prior to the arrival of Columbus. Uses a superb mix of information from many different sciences to uncover a wealth of information about societies whose histories have largely been lost to time. It also chronicles the evolution of the sciences involved in making these discoveries, showing how misconceptions were arrived at and how modern theories have evolved. An incredibly enlightening book.
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (http://www.amazon.com/Collapse-Societies-Choose-Succeed-Revised/dp/0143117009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369405363&sr=1-1&keywords=collapse), by Jared Diamond. Another master work by the author of Guns, Germs, and Steel. A convincing and sobering look at civilizations that have gone extinct, or nearly so, why it happened, and what the implications are for modern societies.
A History of the World in 100 Objects (http://www.amazon.com/History-World-100-Objects/dp/0670022705/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369405508&sr=1-1&keywords=a+history+of+the+world+in+100+objects), by Neil MacGregor. Based on a BBC radio series, this book is 100 separate segments about 100 objects stored in the British Museum, using them to explain the entire course of human history, from pre-history to modernity, and all the cultures in between. Fascinating information on both macro and micro scales.
Let me know if you want more recommendations, I can keep going for a long time.
Ser Clegane
05-24-2013, 18:08
Should read the other one I linked as well, great book.
Actually already did a while ago ~:)
Actually already did a while ago ~:)
My man :bow:
Heartbreaking stuff. The Scramble for Africa goes much more into detail, great read
If you haven't read them already, these are great books about Africa's sad history as well
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shake_Hands_with_the_Devil_(book)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-River-Journey-Africas-Broken/dp/0099494280
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