Idiot's Guides

[M]

OK, hands up, when I read anything vaguely high-brow, it is with a dictionary next to me. I read mostly fiction, but there are a gabillion things I should know about. Can anyone suggest some 'easy readers' to interest people like me? (I can't be the only thickie round here.)

First topic - Israel/Palestine

[Gawdzilla Sama]

OK, hands up, when I read anything vaguely high-brow, it is with a dictionary next to me. I read mostly fiction, but there are a gabillion things I should know about. Can anyone suggest some 'easy readers' to interest people like me? (I can't be the only thickie round here.)

First topic - Israel/Palestine

Read Exodus by Leon Uris.

[M]

Thanks. I imagine this to be Jewish perspective. Can we balance that out? Ideally I'd like a dummies fact book to kick off with.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Thanks. I imagine this to be Jewish perspective. Can we balance that out? Ideally I'd like a dummies fact book to kick off with.

Actually, Uris's two major characters are a Jew and an Arab. I thought it was rather balanced, given the subject matter. It will give you the questions you want to ask when looking at a proper history. Stern Gang, Mossad Aliyah Bet, sabras, kibbutzim, etc.

[M]

Thanks. I imagine this to be Jewish perspective. Can we balance that out? Ideally I'd like a dummies fact book to kick off with.

Actually, Uris's two major characters are a Jew and an Arab. I thought it was rather balanced, given the subject matter. It will give you the questions you want to ask when looking at a proper history. Stern Gang, Mossad Aliyah Bet, sabras, kibbutzim, etc.

Excellent, thanks.

[charlou]

In general, Wikipedia is a great resource for finding information about practically anything and most often delivered in a way I can understand. One of the beauties of it, is it lists and links to associated resources (some online, some not) from each article, and another is that it is reviewable and editable by anyone which means information is continually corrected and updated.

[maiforpeace]

OK, hands up, when I read anything vaguely high-brow, it is with a dictionary next to me. I read mostly fiction, but there are a gabillion things I should know about. Can anyone suggest some 'easy readers' to interest people like me? (I can't be the only thickie round here.)

First topic - Israel/Palestine

Here's a good, easy to read, inexpensive book to start you off. It provides a lot of references if you want to explore the topic in more depth.

Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer

[Hermit]

In general, Wikipedia is a great resource for finding information about practically anything and most often delivered in a way I can understand. One of the beauties of it, is it lists and links to associated resources (some online, some not) from each article, and another is that it is reviewable and editable by anyone which means information is continually corrected and updated.

^^^ What she said.

Some people malign Wikipedia, saying it is unreliable because it can be edited literally by anybody with an internet connection, and indeed, every now and again some people pushing a particular barrow make concerted efforts to colour a particular topic to reflect their point of view. At other times 'edit wars' break out resulting in a temporary locking of an entry. Neither is problematic, though. In fact, the very fact that the Wikipedia is basically run from the bottom up, it makes even those features part of a suite of the encyclopaedia's self-correcting features in the long run. It is an excellent first port of call for pretty much anything you wish to find out about, both, for being concise and for providing plenty of pointers for further information.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

In general, Wikipedia is a great resource for finding information about practically anything and most often delivered in a way I can understand. One of the beauties of it, is it lists and links to associated resources (some online, some not) from each article, and another is that it is reviewable and editable by anyone which means information is continually corrected and updated.

^^^ What she said.

Some people malign Wikipedia, saying it is unreliable because it can be edited literally by anybody with an internet connection, and indeed, every now and again some people pushing a particular barrow make concerted efforts to colour a particular topic to reflect their point of view. At other times 'edit wars' break out resulting in a temporary locking of an entry. Neither is problematic, though. In fact, the very fact that the Wikipedia is basically run from the bottom up, it makes even those features part of a suite of the encyclopaedia's self-correcting features in the long run. It is an excellent first port of call for pretty much anything you wish to find out about, both, for being concise and for providing plenty of pointers for further information.

Since they've started moderating some entries I've been happier with them. One of the Pearl Harbor Commandos keeps an eye on the entries I'm interested in and we fix any BS that creeps in.

[Bella Fortuna]

In general, Wikipedia is a great resource for finding information about practically anything and most often delivered in a way I can understand. One of the beauties of it, is it lists and links to associated resources (some online, some not) from each article, and another is that it is reviewable and editable by anyone which means information is continually corrected and updated.

^^^ What she said.

Some people malign Wikipedia, saying it is unreliable because it can be edited literally by anybody with an internet connection, and indeed, every now and again some people pushing a particular barrow make concerted efforts to colour a particular topic to reflect their point of view. At other times 'edit wars' break out resulting in a temporary locking of an entry. Neither is problematic, though. In fact, the very fact that the Wikipedia is basically run from the bottom up, it makes even those features part of a suite of the encyclopaedia's self-correcting features in the long run. It is an excellent first port of call for pretty much anything you wish to find out about, both, for being concise and for providing plenty of pointers for further information.

Couldn't agree more, especially when viewed with a sceptical eye. It's a good jumping-off point, from which to get an overview on the topic and get pointed in the direction of more in-depth resources.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

+ Millions!

Wiki for the win. Mistakes in Encyclopedia Britannica stay there until the next edition. Mistakes in Wiki don't usually last longer than 5 minutes!

[maiforpeace]

+ Millions!

Wiki for the win. Mistakes in Encyclopedia Britannica stay there until the next edition. Mistakes in Wiki don't usually last longer than 5 minutes!

Yes, it's hard to imagine not having Wiki.

[JimC]

Wiki used on a really good, wireless, tablet-sized touch screen e-reader would be rather good...

When you are in a comfy armchair, with a gin on the side table, and want to know something (like an estimate for the world-wide production of Juniper berries), but can't be arsed getting up and going to the computer...

[Bella Fortuna]

Wiki used on a really good, wireless, tablet-sized touch screen e-reader would be rather good...

When you are in a comfy armchair, with a gin on the side table, and want to know something (like an estimate for the world-wide production of Juniper berries), but are too arseholed to get up and go to the computer...

Fixed.

[JimC]

Wiki used on a really good, wireless, tablet-sized touch screen e-reader would be rather good...

When you are in a comfy armchair, with a gin on the side table, and want to know something (like an estimate for the world-wide production of Juniper berries), but are too arseholed to get up and go to the computer...

Fixed.

That too!

Which reminds me, time for one of my birthday beers...