What are you reading now?

[klr]

Having seen a pair of very good documentaries on the BBC recently about the history of the ocean liners, I was delighted to find this in my favourite book-store today:

http://www.amazon.com/Liner-Retrospecti ... 0393061663

[Pappa]

Capyboppy

[Hermit]

...excessive verbosity...

Beautiful example of "excessive verbosity", in this case also known as "tautology".

[apophenia]

Having seen a pair of very good documentaries on the BBC recently about the history of the ocean liners, I was delighted to find this in my favourite book-store today:

At one point in time, while ocean liners were still king, and transatlantic flights weren't a simple thing, there was a plan to build floating air strips, dotted across the ocean, at sufficient intervals to make the combined flight safe. Of course, technology made the idea obsolete, but a lot of thought and money went into it at the time. Old technology is fascinating. I'm told, though am somewhat skeptical, that we couldn't build an old battleship if we wanted to do so, as the technology is no longer known. A lot of fascinating history. If my media appliance were working, I've got the discovery of the Bismarck on my instant queue.

If I weren't good at other stuff, I'd like to become something of a historian. Except I have no head for keeping names and dates straight. Just, "whoosh." In one ear and out the other.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The Afghan Campaign of 1878-1880.

Apparently the Brits are slow learners.

[Ronja]

"The History of the Hobbit" by John D. Rateliff, part one: "Mr. Baggins"

I'm about in the middle now, and I just don't have the words for high enough praise. But I'm nutty like that: books about books, movies about movies or movie history, books about movies (like "The Light On He Face") and movies about books (like "84 Charing Cross Road") - I turn to putty, can't help it.

[Gallstones2]

Peace Army by Steven L. Hawk

[apophenia]

When I was doing research into the meaning of the term "phantasia kataleptike," which is a term from Stoic epistemology, the most helpful entry I found was in a book documenting the history of the Stoic tradition, hosted by google books. I looked to see if the book was at Amazon, and it was, but it was god awful expensive. And I thought I'd left it at that. I go to the library today, and waiting for me on hold is the book, on inter-library loan. Awe/some! I've got a fairly light reading load right now, including a book on ethics for a philosophy group, and one on the marketing of religion in America, so I should be able to dig right into it mid next week. Yes!


The Stoic Tradition from Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages

[Tero]

I forget. It has Creatures in the title and is mostly about fossil and exotic species hunting thru the early days.

[apophenia]

The Belief Instinct — Jesse Bering



The author suggests that religious belief is simply over-extension of habits of mind such as attempting to explain the behavior of non-sentient things by attributing mind and intent to them (notably universe = God). I think his conclusions far outstretch his evidence and data, but for all that, it's still interesting, and at just over 200 pages it's light reading.



Why Can't We Be Good — Jacob Needleman



I'm reading this for one of my philosophy groups and it is pure unadulterated crap. All the more alarming is that it's written by a professional philosopher of some repute. Avoid at all costs.



Shopping for God: How Christianity Went from In Your Heart to In Your Face — James B. Twitchell

Not so long ago religion was a personal matter that was seldom discussed in public. No longer. Today religion is everywhere, from books to movies to television to the internet-to say nothing about politics. Now religion is marketed and advertised like any other product or service. How did this happen? And what does it mean for religion and for our culture?

Just as we shop for goods and services, we shop for church. A couple of generations ago Americans remained in the faith they were born into. Today, many Americans change their denomination or religion, sometimes several times. Churches that know how to appeal to those shopping for God are thriving. Think megachurches. Churches that don't know how to do this or don't bother are fading away. Think mainline Protestant churches.

I haven't started this one yet, so, no comment.

[Hermit]

The Afghan Campaign of 1878-1880.

Apparently the Brits are slow learners.

What does that say about the Americans?

[Rum]

The Gathering Storm by Winston Churchill - one section of a larger history.

It covers the period from the treaty of Versailles in 1918 onwards when he became PM etc. leading to WW2.

Its extraordinarily interesting to see his take on it. He lets the French of very lightly I must say. Also the British which he describes as 'non-militaristic'. Dunno where the Empire came from..

[Gawdzilla Sama]

New thread, please?

[Clinton Huxley]

Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh.

[Coito ergo sum]

I've been plowing through The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov.

I'm about 1/3 of the way through Foundation's Edge.

I'm rereading all of these. I read the original trilogy as a kid in the 1970's, and then the prequels and sequels as they came out, but I haven't read any of them in 20+ years, probably closer to 25.