What book are you reading?

[Centurion1]

What may I ask is wrong with Leviathan by thomas hobbes? It is a read everyone should have to do.some of his ideas on the nation were inspired.

[Centurion1]

Oh and ca look ahead a little bit just finished rereading all martins books. Some of my favorites. Please engage me in discussion about them I don't know who to talk with about them your the first other reader I've met

[CountArach]

What may I ask is wrong with Leviathan by thomas hobbes? It is a read everyone should have to do.some of his ideas on the nation were inspired.

Leviathan from a purely philosophical standpoint has so many problems. I took a philosophy course that touched on it at University a couple of years ago and the largest issue boils down to his natural state where he assumes two things:
1) All people are relatively equal
2) The strong will prey on the weak
These two things are not at all philosophically coherent and then the conclusions that he draws from them are bizarre. One that leaps to mind is "We need a strong state that has the right to censor whatever it wants" without proving the underlying basis for censorship. Large logical leaps such as this are replete throughout the text.

Oh and ca look ahead a little bit just finished rereading all martins books. Some of my favorites. Please engage me in discussion about them I don't know who to talk with about them your the first other reader I've met

I want your opinion on something - did you find that the people you were drawn to like the most were the people who had physical disabilities or were in some way 'other'? For me the people I most like are Bran, Jon and Tyrion. A cripple, a bastard and a dwarf respectively. Very few of the true 'heroes' of the story seem to be 'normal'. That brings me to another thing that I found interesting - you are constantly questioning who could be considered the person most deserving of the throne.

[Centurion1]

One of my favorite characters is tyrion. And jon is also another favorite. Arya rounds out my top three individuall characters. I'm not really a fan of bran not because he himself is a bland character but because his storyline is not the thread I especially like. My personaly favorite storyline (not nessecarily character) is daenarys.

I hate cersei and lady arryn mostly because one is evil and one is a weak mother who raised a weak child.

Characters I like but are imo relatively minor, robb, lady stark, most northmen I like.

Characters I'm ambivalent towards, samwell (hate his cowardice love his kindness) lord lannister (he is in the end a good leader), shocking one probably for you jaime lannister.

Ugh you haven't read so many new developments my development and opinions of the characters is going to be completely different, you have no idea what's going to go down, you say what you like martin ain't afriad to kill his characters off.

As for leviathan I never said it was perfect just that some of its ideas are good. And hobbes writing style is pretty reminiscent of his time for philosophy.

[Subotan]

What may I ask is wrong with Leviathan by thomas hobbes? It is a read everyone should have to do.some of his ideas on the nation were inspired.

Mainly it is the Ye Olde Englishe that fills me with dread, as well as the thickness of the book.

Leviathan from a purely philosophical standpoint has so many problems. I took a philosophy course that touched on it at University a couple of years ago and the largest issue boils down to his natural state where he assumes two things:
1) All people are relatively equal
2) The strong will prey on the weak
These two things are not at all philosophically coherent and then the conclusions that he draws from them are bizarre. One that leaps to mind is "We need a strong state that has the right to censor whatever it wants" without proving the underlying basis for censorship. Large logical leaps such as this are replete throughout the text.

Which is particularly ironic, since his book was banned..

[Centurion1]

Ah can't argue there subo the language can be a real pain. But I find with things like that its much easier when you get into a rhythm

[Rhyfelwyr]

In fairness to Hobbes he was actually trying to find a compromise for the two sides in the civil war, combining the idea that the king governed by contract for one side, with monarchical absolutism on the other.

Although today it does appear like he supported a very authoritarian government.

[Martok]

For me the people I most like are Bran, Jon and Tyrion. A cripple, a bastard and a dwarf respectively.

Those were, in fact, the *only* three characters I liked at all. Everyone one else is either evil and/or too dumb/annoying to live.

I will never understand the appeal of that series, especially as the characters are almost universally unlikeable (with the exception of the afore-mentioned three). But then, I generally don't care for stories taking place in a crapsack world either.

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

Worse then War is what I am reading.

[Centurion1]

Martok what about arya and daenerys?

[johnhughthom]

Reading Mr X by Peter Straub, pretty much the only fiction I read now.

[Myrddraal]

Well I finished the Flashman Papers. Overall I was underwhelmed. The most entertaining thing about this book is the historical setting, and the descriptions of the scenarios in which Flashman finds himself. These gave me a real taste for the history of the region at the time, but it's a shame that his personal plot is so predictable.

[Togakure]

For light reading, I just finished the Faded Sun trilogy by C. J. Cherryh. 70s sci-fi. Enjoyed it.

[Magraev]

Well I finished the Flashman Papers. Overall I was underwhelmed. The most entertaining thing about this book is the historical setting, and the descriptions of the scenarios in which Flashman finds himself. These gave me a real taste for the history of the region at the time, but it's a shame that his personal plot is so predictable.

I enjoy the Flashman saga for what it is: Historical adventures with the lusty tales of a self-confessed coward and cad to glue it together. A lot of fun in small doses. Funny how you end up rooting for such an unpleasant fellow (well at least he's not a hypocrite).

[Myrddraal]

I think the problem with Flashman is he is too black and white. Just as it's annoying when a character is predictably good all the time, it's equally annoying to me when a character is consistently bad/lucky. Let's face it, there's never any doubt about the ending of Flashman, from the very beginning of the book you know how he'll turn out. There's no tension when he is taken prisoner, no character development. His personal plot is simply very poor.

On the other hand, the atmosphere of the books is great, and he really immerses you in the world that Flashman lives in. It's just Flashman himself that I found a bore.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Reading A Storm of Swords. The third book in the Song of Ice and Fire series.

Martin has built an extraordinarily complex world in terms of myth, history, characters, and plots.

One thing that peeves me is how it seems like every woman who fights (and the books being relatively realistically set (aside from the magic and whatnot) in medieval times, this is a small number) being described as ugly. Not fair or average, but ugly.

CR

[Ja'chyra]

The Martin books are good but I don't think the world he has built is as deep or engrossing as other series, like Eriksson or Jordan. A good series but by no means the best, the characters are all black and white as well with, maybe, the sole excpetion of Tyrion, who I really dislike.

I have just reread the Raven series from Barcaly while waiting for my Amazon order, a fun series but not too heavy.

I don't know whether to reread the Martin series next in preparation for his next book or start on the bundle of new ones I just bought.

[Lord Winter]

The Martin books are good but I don't think the world he has built is as deep or engrossing as other series, like Eriksson or Jordan. A good series but by no means the best, the characters are all black and white as well with, maybe, the sole excpetion of Tyrion, who I really dislike.

Really? I found the characters much more round and complex then your typical fantasty or even most modern fiction in general. Sure there are some one sided characters like Dany, but those are balanced out by people like the hound.

Currently finishing up the Martian Chronicles by Bradbury. It takes the form of a series of interconnected short stories outlining the colonization of Mars and the effects that it has on that world. The thing that I enjoyed about it the most is the strong characterization that Bradbury manages to achieve in such a short space. There are few recurring characters but few if any feel like filler or one dimensional.

[Cyclops]

Re-reading the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam.

Wake! for Morning in the bowl of night
Has flung the stone that puts the stars to flight
And Lo! the hunter of the East
Has caught the Sultan's turret in a noose of light.

I'm trying to memorise a little poetry now and then, I have 1/5th of Horatius Holds the Bridge by TBabs locked down but its boring as hell, aside from a couple of great moments.

[Xiahou]

Reading A Storm of Swords. The third book in the Song of Ice and Fire series.

Martin has built an extraordinarily complex world in terms of myth, history, characters, and plots.

Pity that he'll probably never finish the series..... I thought the first three were fantastic.

I recently purchased a Nook and have been doing alot more reading lately as a result. I just finished "Surviving the Fog" and am well into "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"- you can watch the trailer for it here.... yes, it has a trailer.

[CountArach]

A good series but by no means the best, the characters are all black and white as well with, maybe, the sole excpetion of Tyrion, who I really dislike.

I'm about half way through the second book and I don't see how people could dislike Tyrion. The constant height puns iritate me, but I can look past that to see a character who is deeply flawed, but largely due to his physical problems.

Really? I found the characters much more round and complex then your typical fantasty or even most modern fiction in general. Sure there are some one sided characters like Dany, but those are balanced out by people like the hound.

Yeah I have to agree - I think Martin creates a world with many shades of grey.

[Lemur]

Pity that he'll probably never finish the series..... I thought the first three were fantastic.

Linky? Article? Last I heard Mr. Martin was in excellent health and still writing. Did I miss some major literary news?

[Xiahou]

Linky? Article? Last I heard Mr. Martin was in excellent health and still writing. Did I miss some major literary news?

It's based on the fact that it's been 5 years since the the last volume was published. Originally, Feast for Crows was huge and the publisher balked at printing it so the plan was to split the manuscript in two. The first part came out in 2005. The second part still has no release date. I think he's lost interest.

[Ja'chyra]

I don't know I just couldn't really empathise with most of them although he left it well with Jaime (?) for the next book if he bothers writing it.

Out of all the one's I've read I think Steven Erikson is my favourite, I still like Gemmel for some light heroic fantasy and Brooks and Feist are good too, Brooks seems to get better whereas Feist seems to get worse as the publish more.

Martin is good but just not up there for me.

Scott Lynch is a good read as well, for something a bit different just don't look at his picture on amazon.

[Ronin]

'Kitchen Confidential' - Anthony Bourdain
and
'Homicide' - David Simon

[Hosakawa Tito]

Just finishing up "Receding Tide" by Edwin Bearss.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With his passion for his subject, knowledge, and flair for presentation, Ed Bearss (b. 1923) is America's premier Civil War tour guide. A former historian at Vicksburg and Chief Historian of the National Park Service, Bearss continues to give selflessly of his time to increase understanding of one of the defining moments of American history. In 2007, the National Geographic Society published "Fields of Honor" Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War a book of transcripts of Bearss' tour presentations for several major Civil War Battlefields. In this new book, "Receding Tide", readers receive the benefit of more Bearss tours but with a focus. The book concentrates on the conflict during late 1862 to mid- 1863. The focus is on Vicksburg and Gettysburg, "The Campaigns that Changed the Civil War", but the campaign in Tennessee during this time period also receives much attention.

Other than books that give an overview of the Civil War, most books that explore the military conflict in depth focus on one campaign or the other. Thus, there are many books on the Gettysburg campaign and a smaller though still substantial number of books about Vicksburg. I have read many books about individual battles and about the Civil War, but Bearss' book taught me a good deal. He weaves together the stories of the three primary theaters of the war: the East in Virginia and Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Vicksburg and the Mississippi River and shows their interrelationship. The narrative shifts back and forth among the different theaters and various points and helped me understand how they held together. Besides offering a broad strategic picture, Bearss' account is full of detail about the battles and their participants, from generals to privates. His battle accounts frequently have a Homeric sweep.

The single most important focus of the book is on the Vicksburg campaign. Bearss begins with an overview of the importance of the Mississippi River to Union commerce and to its war effort. The story picks up in late 1862 with Grant's many unsuccessful early attempts to capture Vicksburg and gain control over the river. During this time, Lee was winning his victory at Fredericksburg. Also during this time, The Army of the Tennessee under its commander, Rosecrans, had fought a difficult battle at Stone's River after which the Confederate general, Braxton Bragg, made an impolitic decision to retreat. Bearss sees Stones River as the beginning of the end for the Confederacy that would carry through Vicksburg and Gettysburg.

Again, Bearss juxtaposes Grant's brilliant campaign south of Vicksburg with Lee's victory at Chancellorsville and with Rosecrans' reluctance to take action in Tennessee. He shows how the Vicksburg campaign impacted strategy and affected decision making for both sides in these two other theaters of the war. In particular, following Lee's success at Chancellorsville, the Confederacy gave a great deal of consideration to moving troops from Virginia and Tennessee to assist in the increasingly beleagered defense of Vicksburg. Lee persuaded the Confederate government to support his invasion of Pennsylvania instead. This book gave me the impression that the decision was unwise.

Bearss offers his own thoughts on the leadership on both sides. I was surprised with his sympathy for Union General John McClernand, a political general who many students see as a liability to the Federal effort because he tried to take command away from Grant. Bearss offers a positive assessment of McClernand's role in the Vicksburg campaign, and he is critical of Grant's efforts to shunt McClernand aside.

The Gettysburg Campaign occupies only about the final third of the book. Bearss narrates the events of the battle with a sweep and intensity that kept me riveted. Bearss has an eye for the telling detail as well as for the broad picture of the battle. He gives a great deal of attention to the frequently overlooked fighting on Culp's Hill on the far right of the Union line. Bearss makes a great deal of the role of Col David Ireland of the 137th New York in saving Culp's Hill for the Union against numerioally superior forces during the night of July 2. Ireland's actions were, Bearss argues, as important to the Union effort as the more hearalded role of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain on the Union left at Little Round Top earlier in the afternoon of July 2.

Parker Hills, a retired military officer and the author of a tour guide to the Vicksburg Campaign has prepared introductory and supplemental material to the transcripts from Bearss' tours. Hills' materials add a great deal to the book. This is an outstanding book which added to my knowledge of and passion for the Civil War. It will be of most interest to readers who already know the battlefields and who want to hear the unique voice of Ed Bearss.

Robin Friedman

Bearss is the premier Civil War Battlefield historian. I've had the pleasure to be at two of his guided tours, Vicksburg & Gettysburg. He's a national treasure.

[Lemur]

'Kitchen Confidential' - Anthony Bourdain

That book is a load of fun. I gave it to Mrs. Lemur, who is a professional chef, and asked her if it was an accurate depiction of kitchen life. She said it was. Yikes!

[Decker]

That book is a load of fun. I gave it to Mrs. Lemur, who is a professional chef, and asked her if it was an accurate depiction of kitchen life. She said it was. Yikes!

Why you lucky sonofa..... of course I type this while starving

Anyways I'm reading Roman Warfare by Jonathon P. Roth.

[Subotan]

Just finished Nothing to Envy, a collection of biographies of North Korean defectors, both pre and post-defection.

[Lemur]

I'm trying to finish The Sword of the Lady, which is a slow slog of a boring book. My reward for finishing will be The Fuller Memorandum, which I expect will rock my world.