Alex_P:

mshcherbatskaya:
Werepossum, have you ever read anything by John Keegan? He's a military historian with an encyclopedic knowledge of military history and theory. Amazing. I have two books by him, The Face of Battle, which I loved, and The History of Warfare, which I periodically take a stab at and never get very far, because his prose is so dense.

I've read those, too!

Another one I'd recommend is Chris Hedges' War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning. I think in particular it complements what A History of Warfare says about war and culture. It's philosophical and personal, though I'd call it polemic as well. Wonderful if you can forgive its excesses, just like Keegan's History (Keegan's excess being all that stuff about Clausewitz).

-- Alex

Keegan had a thing about Clausewitz, who seemed pretty sharp to me (although I am in no way a historian or military expert, or otherwise qualified to properly evaluate either.) S.L.A. Marshall had a thing about soldiers not firing their weapons, claimed that only 10% or so fired their weapons in a firefight when his own raw material showed that to be untrue. Whiting had a persecution complex about Montgomery not being given his due. Even the best have the occasional blind spot.

King made me think of horror, which made me think of Raymond Feist - I don't much care for most of his fantasy, but he did an excellent horror/dark fantasy novel about the old changeling swap meme that is excellent.

Another excellent author is Charles de Lint, who specializes in modern fantasy based in a fictional city in Canada and interweaving both New and Old World mythology. It's hard to do really good fantasy in modern settings, and he does it very well indeed. He writes about society's losers, abandoned, misfits, and generally worn-down people in a way that is both reasonably realistic and yet highlights their strengths. In particular, Someplace to be Flying is just flat-out beautiful prose.

And on that note. Another question. Does one good book redeem a lifetime of textual diarrhoea?

werepossum:
King made me think of horror, which made me think of Raymond Feist - I don't much care for most of his fantasy, but he did an excellent horror/dark fantasy novel about the old changeling swap meme that is excellent.

Another excellent author is Charles de Lint, who specializes in modern fantasy based in a fictional city in Canada and interweaving both New and Old World mythology. It's hard to do really good fantasy in modern settings, and he does it very well indeed. He writes about society's losers, abandoned, misfits, and generally worn-down people in a way that is both reasonably realistic and yet highlights their strengths. In particular, Someplace to be Flying is just flat-out beautiful prose.

The Feist novel was called Faerie Tale, I believe, and yeah, it was great. I also read one of those de Lint books, Trader, about a guitar maker who switches bodies with a loser asshole. That was good too, kind of reminds me of Neil Gaiman, another great writer.

I finished Crime And Punishment today. Holy fuck. Talk about a psychological trip. The main character goes from confidence to breakdown to utter submission to his fate, and in a manner of such incredible elegance, it's left me stunned.

Recommendation to anyone interested in psychology or criminology.

Labyrinth:
I finished Crime And Punishment today. Holy fuck. Talk about a psychological trip. The main character goes from confidence to breakdown to utter submission to his fate, and in a manner of such incredible elegance, it's left me stunned.

Recommendation to anyone interested in psychology or criminology.

Totally reading that right now for my class.

Totally loving it.

pigeon_of_doom:

sammyfreak:

Currently re-reading "The Brothers Karamazov" for the third time (will finish it this time) and am loving it as much as ever. The book really shines a light on how people should act compared to how they do.
.

Why haven't you finished it? I'm curious because I've been struggling to get into the book for a while before giving up. So if anyone has any tips on how to understand it better I'd be grateful. I've never been able to get very far into it but I've found it a bit of a slog (no Ulysses though). I think my main problem is that I'm never quite sure how much of the original meaning of the artist is kept in translations, I've almost been afraid of reading into it too much. I recognise the psychological awareness of the novel but I don't think I've seen anything proving that "Everything there was to know about life was in The Brothers Karamazov". Maybe its just that I haven't read enough of it, or am approaching it with the wrong mindset? any ideas?

And just to give my own view of some literature, I've been reading DH Lawrence recently and he's just a fantastic writer. His work has lot most of its shock factor (labelled pornographic at the time of release) but he really does describe his subject matter well on every level.

The trick with Karamazov (or most Dovstoevsky books) is to get past the introduction, if you finished the "unapropriate gathering" part and diden't feel anything special then this book isen't for you. When reading it don't try to slog throught it for to long, but read a bit and think about it, swish it around in your mouth (mind) like you would a glass of fine wine.

There are a few contextual things you need to understand, the most important is that Dovstoevsky had a son named Alyosha who died when he was 4 and it was in the grief over that the book is written. So Alyosha (Aleksey Fyodorovich Karamazov) is supposed to represent the wholly good and loving character, the ultimate christian. The book very much is his magnus opus and is the collection of his life's ideas and though. Also note that he named the Dad (the horrible and evil person) after himself.

Read it for the conversations, the dialogue and monologue, (page after page of paragraphless text <3) the story is just a means to understand the conversations; An Unapropriate Gathering, The Grand Inquisitor, Alyoshas meeting with Mitja, The Last Recolections of the Elder Zosima.

Something else you have to consider are the names. In Russia everybody has three names, their name, a variation of their dads name and their family name. So Mitja is actualy Dimitri Fyodorovich Karamazov. Reference Wikipedia for more info about the names and such.

Labyrinth:
And on that note. Another question. Does one good book redeem a lifetime of textual diarrhoea?

Ofcourse it does, a great book is great no matter who wrote it and artists should be remembered for their greatest art.

Crime and Punishment was slow, but it had it's moments. Somewhere between the upstanding Russian gent axe murdering a supposed thieving old crone and her sister, and the way Marmaladov rolls off the tongue, I was able to get through the slower parts. I say slower not because they were unintersting, but because following the mental breakdown can be taxing, and it's a long trip.

1984 had a nice setting. War=peace and doublethink were fun in class discussion. It's a good thing all the characters were unlikable, though, or the ending would have killed it for me.

Labyrinth:
And on that note. Another question. Does one good book redeem a lifetime of textual diarrhoea?

I think it does unless you HAD to read said lifetime of textual diarrhea. In that case, no. But I think many writers only have one really good story in them.

sammyfreak:

The trick with Karamazov (or most Dovstoevsky books) is to get past the introduction, if you finished the "unapropriate gathering" part and diden't feel anything special then this book isen't for you. When reading it don't try to slog throught it for to long, but read a bit and think about it, swish it around in your mouth (mind) like you would a glass of fine wine.

Read it for the conversations, the dialogue and monologue, (page after page of paragraphless text <3) the story is just a means to understand the conversations; An Unapropriate Gathering, The Grand Inquisitor, Alyoshas meeting with Mitja, The Last Recolections of the Elder Zosima.

Thanks, that is very helpful. I quit about halfway through 'An Inappropriate Gathering', I'll try and finish that section at least next time I try to read it.

Hemmingway's Farewell To Arms calls me, and so far it's fascinating. The gritty, almost metallic telling of war is enough to send a shiver down ones spine. Empathic characters and delightful prose. Highly recommend.

Hurry up and read World War Z!

Ares Tyr:
Hurry up and read World War Z!

I need to find it first. And get to it after the 20-or-so other books glowering at me from my shelves.

They'll eat me if I don't read them. Just imagine it. Gnawed to death by bookworms, each syllable of my persona slowly stripped away... Ugh.

For a while, I didn't read anything. Last summer though, I just up and decided it was time to start again. I read the last Harry Potter finally (I just had to get it out of the way), but then I read this century old edition of "Robinhood" (spelled correctly); it was amazing! The ending is sad, because it's semi-factual (it's mostly legend, but told with the idea that he was real), but it was very fulfilling nonetheless.

Now I'm reading a whole series of books that my World History teacher recommended. Right now I'm stuck on the Holocaust, though. I read "Night" and "I Have Lived 1000 Years" (Night was cooler, but the latter was more... autobiographical, if you will), and soon I should be moving on to the quintessence of Holocaust literature: The Diary of Anne Frank. What's more, the play my theatre troupe is putting on for one-act competition is "A Child Shall Lead" which is also about the Holocaust.... Frankly I'm getting burned out on burning children....

I found a digital copy of "Canterbury Tales" that I'm excited about, and "1984" is on the list. I can't wait to get my copy! :D

With all the discussion about Freud in the Dreams thread, I thought I'd make a mention of his work here.

I once skimmed through some of Freud's observations, and they were quite profound. Not being literature in the strictest sense, it is none the less a worthwhile read on the basis of better understanding your own psyche. He had a lot to say about the impacts of early childhood on the rest of ones life, and also on the connection of subconscious and conscious through dreams and the like.

Additionally, the term "Freudian slip" comes from the idea that at times, what is going on in the subconscious can affect what the conscious mind does in an accidental way.

Labyrinth:
With all the discussion about Freud in the Dreams thread, I thought I'd make a mention of his work here.

I once skimmed through some of Freud's observations, and they were quite profound. Not being literature in the strictest sense, it is none the less a worthwhile read on the basis of better understanding your own psyche. He had a lot to say about the impacts of early childhood on the rest of ones life, and also on the connection of subconscious and conscious through dreams and the like.

Additionally, the term "Freudian slip" comes from the idea that at times, what is going on in the subconscious can affect what the conscious mind does in an accidental way.

In my opinion, Freud had a brilliant mind, and psychoanalysis, I'm sure, is the reason why many of us haven't walked into the nearest supermarket and started gunning people down.

However, his theories and practices are, in my opinion, marred considerably by his social prejudices - particularly against women. If he had just kept social preconceptions outside of his work, he could have done a lot more.

I've started reading 1984 in my English class at school. So far I am bored out of my mind.

Read 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac?

Qayin:

Labyrinth:
With all the discussion about Freud in the Dreams thread, I thought I'd make a mention of his work here.

I once skimmed through some of Freud's observations, and they were quite profound. Not being literature in the strictest sense, it is none the less a worthwhile read on the basis of better understanding your own psyche. He had a lot to say about the impacts of early childhood on the rest of ones life, and also on the connection of subconscious and conscious through dreams and the like.

Additionally, the term "Freudian slip" comes from the idea that at times, what is going on in the subconscious can affect what the conscious mind does in an accidental way.

In my opinion, Freud had a brilliant mind, and psychoanalysis, I'm sure, is the reason why many of us haven't walked into the nearest supermarket and started gunning people down.

However, his theories and practices are, in my opinion, marred considerably by his social prejudices - particularly against women. If he had just kept social preconceptions outside of his work, he could have done a lot more.

He was a misogynistic Burke. It's very true.

John Galt:
I intend to acquire a copy of Mein Kampf and Das Kapital but I'm not sure I can be seen with those books and not be put on some sort of government watch list.

I hate the fact Das Kapital is used in te same sentance as Mein Kampf, but hey. As for Das Kapital, I have several copies as my parents are socialists and sell them on stands at rallies etc. I am yet to read it but am working my way up to it. I'm pretty sure you won't go on any government list if you get this book. As for Mein Kampf, I think you will.

H.R.Shovenstuff:

John Galt:
I intend to acquire a copy of Mein Kampf and Das Kapital but I'm not sure I can be seen with those books and not be put on some sort of government watch list.

I hate the fact Das Kapital is used in te same sentance as Mein Kampf, but hey. As for Das Kapital, I have several copies as my parents are socialists and sell them on stands at rallies etc. I am yet to read it but am working my way up to it. I'm pretty sure you won't go on any government list if you get this book. As for Mein Kampf, I think you will.

Only one term applies here: Thought Police.

Labyrinth:
I finished Crime And Punishment today. Holy fuck. Talk about a psychological trip. The main character goes from confidence to breakdown to utter submission to his fate, and in a manner of such incredible elegance, it's left me stunned.

Recommendation to anyone interested in psychology or criminology.

As an avid criminologist you have sparked my interest and am currently amazoning this book. +5 points for recruit a friend. :)

Everyone who wishes to improve their capacity for being a very effective asshole(or tyrant) should try reading some Machiavelli, the man is a genius.

Should be especially interesting for those who are fascinated by social studies and playing Total War.

if you wanna read something really good
you should read "The castle" by fraze kafka
or "the thing on the doorstep" by h.p. lovecraft
i dunno those two authors are really good. also if your into more modern stuff read the straw men by micheal marshall

alwaysrockon:
if you wanna read something really good
you should read "The castle" by fraze kafka
or "the thing on the doorstep" by h.p. lovecraft
i dunno those two authors are really good. also if your into more modern stuff read the straw men by micheal marshall

I've got Kafka's Trial sitting on my 'to read' shelf at the moment. Along with a shit load else.

One book I'm very intrigued by at the moment is Lolita. For those who aren't aware of this, it is a novel by Vladimir Nabokov. Written in first person from the perspective of a man who became obsessed with a 12-year-old girl, he retells the story of his life from a prison cell awaiting trial. It is, naturally, a very contravertial novel due to both the subject matter portrayed and the very compelling method of communication.

I really liked Don Quixote, I mean how can you not like a crazy old guy riding around the countryside with a cooking pot on his head attacking windmills.

Ya know I never really got why Brave New World was dystopic. I mean sure if you intentionally go out of your way to be unhappy it kind of sucks, but for almost everyone it's heaven on earth.
If anything, it kind of reads like a weird parody of luddism, Johnny's self-flagellation itself a humorous validation of the population's ideals that the world is material and internal change must be wrought from it.

darkstone:
I really liked Don Quixote, I mean how can you not like a crazy old guy riding around the countryside with a cooking pot on his head attacking windmills.

Well, in fairness, they might be giants

Labyrinth:
Hemmingway's Farewell To Arms calls me, and so far it's fascinating. The gritty, almost metallic telling of war is enough to send a shiver down ones spine. Empathic characters and delightful prose. Highly recommend.

Seconded. All of the books I've read by Hemingway have been spectacular. First prize though goes to For Whom The Bell Tolls, another one of his war novels, but this one about the Spanish Civil War.

Dr Spaceman:

Labyrinth:
Hemmingway's Farewell To Arms calls me, and so far it's fascinating. The gritty, almost metallic telling of war is enough to send a shiver down ones spine. Empathic characters and delightful prose. Highly recommend.

Seconded. All of the books I've read by Hemingway have been spectacular. First prize though goes to For Whom The Bell Tolls, another one of his war novels, but this one about the Spanish Civil War.

I've got that, it's up for reading next. I'm looking forward to it too.

Sorry for the double post, but I feel a res is in order as I like this thread too much to let it die. So I'm going to review another series.

Tamora Pierce has long been one of my favourite children's fantasy authors. Her light fiction is good to sit down and skim through when you've got a headache and need some relaxation. The prose is rarely what one would consider complex, but that's just fine. It's written in such a manner that it doesn't need to be.

Pierce finds herself in much the same boat as Pratchett in many ways. The basic story structure tends to be the same, but done in compelling enough a way that you don't care, and can keep reading. While not as funny or genius as Pratchett, she holds her own in a different way. All the main characters are easy to empathise with, the bad guys are easy to loathe and the minor sidelined characters still have a degree of originality, for all they are rather flat in nature.

So I'd recommend her work if you want something simple and still good. Like strolling down a leisurely slope. On rollerblades made of ease.

I recommend C.J. Cherryh's Tree of Swords and Jewels. The language is absolutely beautiful, prose as close to poetry as I'd ever want to go.

I also recommend P.J. Tracey's books, all of them. They write mystery genre, but the dialog is as good, and the characters as vivid, as any I've encountered. (My wife is currently reading mystery and I poach.)

Labyrinth:
And on that note. Another question. Does one good book redeem a lifetime of textual diarrhoea?

No, but it seems enough to condemn it..... Sorry about that.....

Ever read 'The Once and Future King' by T.H. White? It's one great English author's view on the whole of Arthurian legend- boy, does White do a good job creating Merlin.....

Oh, and 'The Metamorphosis' by Kafka? That is sublime just for conveying so very much in such a short amount of time- plus, it's a good depiction of the whole isolation of human beings from one another (although it becomes the opposite towards the end, with the family becoming closer and having a sunnier outlook on life in general)...

werepossum:
I recommend C.J. Cherryh's Tree of Swords and Jewels. The language is absolutely beautiful, prose as close to poetry as I'd ever want to go.

I tried that, but I just couldn't get into it. It wasn't bad, just more dense than I was expecting, I guess. I suppose I'll have to try it again. I quite enjoy her science fiction, though (Faded Sun and Foreigner).

I recommend Th 'Horus Heresy' Series from the Black Library

Especially 'Fulgrim', never have i seen the a fall from grace done so well.

Right, a quick ctrl-F on each page has informed me that Robin Hobb's works have not been mentioned.
Righto

For anybody interested in high fantasy, these 12 books (divided into trilogies, three of which are interrelated) are a must.

The first three trilogies, Farseer, Liveship Traders and Tawny Man, are all set in the same world. A pretty standard affair in terms of setting (ie. medieval), but what makes it stand out for me is the amazing detail into which she goes. Farseer and Tawny Man follow the life of Fitz, a royal bastard, raised as an assassin for the royal family. His lineage is known to few; his work to even fewer. The books follow Fitz's life from his early childhood to his late teens, then in Tawny Man his final adventure as a grown man, some 10-20 (I forget) years later. The last chapters seem altogether rushed, with Fitz tying up each and every loose end, but overall the works are outstanding.

The Liveship Traders take place in a different part of the same world, chronologically between Farseer and Tawny Man. It's been a while since I've read these ones, but I found it very good, although not to the extent of those books bordering it.

Hobb's other trilogy, Soldier Son, is completely different in setting. This one is set in a fictional, colonial landscape, with a vast technological empire (as in, guns and cavalry. Think colonial America) advancing upon the magical plainsmen and the mysterious, forest-dwelling specks. This trilogy is a must-read. I'd do a deeper analysis on the issues if I could remember them. Suffice to say, READ ROBIN HOBB

Just finished up "A Separate Peace" for English class. It was a pretty good book, I thought the last conversation with Gene and Phineas was really well done.

I also picked up High Fidelity, The Thirteenth Tale, Black Swan Green, and The Handmaid's Tale today. All of them for English.