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 OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL
 Mohicanland's Recommended Reading
 Recommendation for Non-Fiction?

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T O P I C    R E V I E W
winglo Posted - July 27 2007 : 7:01:21 PM
I don't particularly like reading fiction books. But, I am looking for some good non-fiction to read. Any suggestions? I have a wide interest range, so any ideas are welcome. . .history, forensic science, biographies, medical forensics, current events, . . .I just hate wasting time by starting a book and finding that it just isn't well-written. I could browse around the library or bookstore, but I thought I'd ask for suggestions first.
25   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
RedFraggle Posted - October 17 2007 : 3:23:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Bookworm

"Paul Revere's Ride" and "Washington's Crossing," both by David Hackett Fischer. Each book takes the famous event referred to in the title and uncovers the reality of it, which in each case turns out to be far more fascinating than the myth. Both are very enjoyable books to read, and you'll learn a lot.


Just in case anyone's interested, Washington's Crossing and another of Fischer's books, Liberty and Freedom, are currently available as a package deal through Oxford University Press for only $25. Regular price for both books is $85.

http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/26354/subject/HistoryAmerican/?view=usa

Just a thought....
winglo Posted - October 17 2007 : 2:14:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Bookworm


Winglo, if you're still looking for non-fiction recommendations



Thanks, Bookworm, I'm always looking for recommendations because I'm always reading. I don't go anywhere without a book to read. You never know when you're going to get 2 free minutes! I can get fiction recommendations from all kinds of people, but I just don't like reading it. So, thanks for all the non-fiction ideas. I'm going to look for From Baghdad With Love right away because I love pets and people who work hard against the odds.

What a deal you got, Obi!!
Obediah Posted - October 17 2007 : 1:41:20 PM
Speaking of David McCullough, I found a copy of his biography of Harry Truman (~1100 ppg, hardbound) at a thrift store last weekend for a whopping $3.00!!! Cheap at twice the price!
Bookworm Posted - October 16 2007 : 9:53:57 PM
Same here! The only fault I found with "1776" was the dire shortage of maps, and maybe the new illustrated edition will remedy that lack.

Winglo, if you're still looking for non-fiction recommendations, I have a few:

"Paul Revere's Ride" and "Washington's Crossing," both by David Hackett Fischer. Each book takes the famous event referred to in the title and uncovers the reality of it, which in each case turns out to be far more fascinating than the myth. Both are very enjoyable books to read, and you'll learn a lot.

"Born Fighting" by James Webb (now the junior Senator from Virginia). This has been mentioned in several other threads. It's the story of the Scots-Irish emigration to America and their influence (which was huge) on the larger culture.

"Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War" by Charles Bracelen Flood. Biographies of both men, followed by the story of their wartime reliance on each other. Sherman said of Grant (my best recollection of the quote), "I always knew that if I got in a tight spot, he would come, if alive." Everyone should have a friend like that.

"River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey" by Candice Millard. In 1912, with the presidency behind him, TR and companions, including his son Kermit, set out to explore and map a tributary of the Amazon called the River of Doubt. Though successful in some respects (they did map the river), it was a thoroughly miserable trip, and its debilitating effects hastened TR's death several years later. Fascinating story for anyone interested in TR. If you ever wondered whether, when push came to shove, TR would live up to the manly ideals he preached, rest assured that he did.

"From Baghdad, with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava" by Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman. While serving in Iraq, Kopelman finds a puppy (the most adorable puppy ever -- see the book's cover) and decides that, regulations be damned, he'll bring the puppy home to America. As the photos in the middle of the book make clear (i.e., Lava "living the good life in La Jolla, California"), he succeeds, against great odds. Not a schmaltzy book, it includes vivid descriptions of the horrors of war (seeing a pack of stray dogs eating human corpses is one of the triggers for Kopelman's decision to "save something," i.e., the pup).

Finally, politics aside, John McCain and Jimmy Carter have both written fine memoirs, "Faith of My Fathers" and "An Hour Before Daylight," respectively. McCain's book is a full-fledged autobiography; the "fathers" referred to are his father and grandfather, both admirals. Carter's book describes his life as a boy growing up on a farm in Georgia. Both men tell a good story.
Steve S Posted - October 11 2007 : 11:45:01 PM
I got to the end and wished he'd write 1777 as well....
Steve
Monadnock Guide Posted - October 11 2007 : 6:34:51 PM
Guess I'll have to pick up that 1776 book, sounds pretty good.
Wilderness Woman Posted - October 11 2007 : 6:30:18 PM
Oh, wow. I will have to look for that.
winglo Posted - October 11 2007 : 3:42:14 PM
Several of you recommended 1776 by David McCullough to me for reading. Good recommendation! I have been reading it (I always read 3 or 4 books at a time, so it takes awhile).

Anyway, for anyone who liked this book I thought I'd pass this along. . .I was listening to the Dennis Prager show today and he interviewed David McCullough because he has a new illustrated edition out of 1776 and it is apparently wonderful. It has almost-like-original copies of letters, historical documents, etc. Has anyone seen this yet?
Light of the Moon Posted - September 01 2007 : 8:08:04 PM
quote:
Originally posted by winglo

quote:
Originally posted by Light of the Moon

It's a novel about a Geezer's hike throught the Appalachain Trail. Written by Bill Bryson.

Some of the stuff he did was hysterical! One of the things he did earlier in the book reminded me of Obi.


Sounds like it might be interesting, except I'm not sure I want to read something that might remind me of Obi!



LOL. I can sympathize. He does tend to grow on ya' doesn't he.
Just teasin you Geezer! You know we love you!
Obediah Posted - September 01 2007 : 1:38:14 PM
You just can't stop thinking about me and you know it!
winglo Posted - September 01 2007 : 1:31:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Light of the Moon

It's a novel about a Geezer's hike throught the Appalachain Trail. Written by Bill Bryson.

Some of the stuff he did was hysterical! One of the things he did earlier in the book reminded me of Obi.


Sounds like it might be interesting, except I'm not sure I want to read something that might remind me of Obi!
Light of the Moon Posted - September 01 2007 : 1:00:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by winglo

Thank-you, Light. I have read both of them, when required, but, as the title of this thread indicates, I am looking for non-fiction book recommendations, as I don't really enjoy reading fiction. Both Poe and Shakespeare wrote fiction--unless there's something written out there that I've never heard about. Any good non-fiction books that you've read lately?



Yeah, I know they're fiction. Just wanted to toss them out there.
A humorous non-fiction book that I recently read was "A Walk In The Woods." It's a novel about a Geezer's hike throught the Appalachain Trail. Written by Bill Bryson.

Some of the stuff he did was hysterical! One of the things he did earlier in the book reminded me of Obi.

He left some chatty know it all woman from Florida behind by hitch hiking to get away from her. LMAO! Only to run into her again days later because a blizzard hit and they got stranded in a hicktown. Too funny. I won't say anymore for the sake of not ruining it should you decide to read it.
Wilderness Woman Posted - August 29 2007 : 3:42:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by winglo

I picked up 1776 yesterday. Hope its as good as you say!

Well, it is always difficult to recommend books to others, as tastes are so different. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Winglo. At the very least, I think you can appreciate the beauty of McCullough's writing style. And if you do agree with me on that one, you might want to try his "John Adams." I have not read it yet, but intend to.
winglo Posted - August 29 2007 : 3:32:35 PM
Thank-you, Light. I have read both of them, when required, but, as the title of this thread indicates, I am looking for non-fiction book recommendations, as I don't really enjoy reading fiction. Both Poe and Shakespeare wrote fiction--unless there's something written out there that I've never heard about. Any good non-fiction books that you've read lately?
Light of the Moon Posted - August 29 2007 : 2:58:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by winglo

I picked up 1776 yesterday. Hope its as good as you say!


If not you can try Poe or Shakespeare or some other ancient writer!

I love to read Poe at Halloween parties or by a fall camp fire! Gives people the willies everytime!

That's when the real fun begins!!! heh-heh
winglo Posted - August 29 2007 : 2:29:49 PM
I picked up 1776 yesterday. Hope its as good as you say!
Obediah Posted - August 29 2007 : 12:00:41 AM
My friend, as I'm sure you're already aware, money ain't everything. Most high-paying jobs come with a big hunk of stress, and that's a killer, period. I'm living proof of that...
RedFraggle Posted - August 28 2007 : 2:22:40 PM
Well, I would be writing my dissertation now, Winglo, but I changed graduate programs after two years and the new school made me start all over. So I probably still have another year or so.

But, YES, I'm doing this all before I have kids. Thank goodness! I have a friend who is trying to get through grad school with a kid and it's no fun for him or his wife, especially because he's an archaeologist and spends every summer out of the country while his wife tries to juggle the baby and a job. Yikes!

And, sadly, I know I'll never make money teaching. My husband is a high school teacher and, while he definitely earns more than I do on my graduate stipend, it ain't much! I do love teaching, though. I find it very rewarding when I can see little light bulbs flicker on over students' heads , or when I can make my students chuckle by making a total fool of myself in front of the class. (Yes, I do this regularly.) I think a large part of teaching is keeping the students entertained, anyway . . . at least in a college classroom, where students don't have to be there if they don't want to!
winglo Posted - August 27 2007 : 5:17:11 PM
quote:
Originally posted by RedFraggle

Now: fast forward through six years of grad school, and I'm working on a PhD in classical languages and literature. My areas of interest include Greek tragedy, Latin elegy, and the ancient novel.

And what will I do with this (totally impractical) degree? Hopefully get a job as a professor and teach the languages to other people. And if I can't find a job? I have a running joke with my sisters that I'll turn to writing trashy romance novels set in the ancient world.


Wow! That's some PhD. You must be close to finishing if you have six years of grad school under your belt. . .like writing your dissertation or something. I hope you're doing all this before you have kids. I'm looking at another graduate degree, but it's 1000% harder when you have to keep in mind the needs of a child, too. However, my mind is nothing like yours. I am a math and science person, although I love modern languages. I used to sit in required lit classes as an undergrad and wonder what in the world those lit majors were talking about. I thought, "I didn't see that in the story." Keep up the good work. I find your posts thoughtful and enlightening, so I'm sure you'll do well.

My husband is a full time graduate school professor and the bad news is, you'll make more money writing those trashy novels than teaching! But, loving what you do is more important than money (most of the time!)
RedFraggle Posted - August 26 2007 : 9:32:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by winglo

) . . . and suddenly this chapter comes along with his self-mutilation. What a shocker! I totally didn't expect it and was even more surprised by what he did! Kept it interesting. It's a good and a sad story at the same time.

So, knowing that this was an assigned book for you, I am wondering what your doctorate is going to be in? English or something related? Thanks for the recommendation.

When I first read the book that chapter was a definite for me! Totally unpredictable and, what's worse, entirely true.

Now, to answer your question. First, I guess I should say that I read Prof. and the Madman as part of an undergrad honors seminar that had a different book assigned each week. It was the only book from the whole class that I enjoyed!

Now: fast forward through six years of grad school, and I'm working on a PhD in classical languages and literature. My areas of interest include Greek tragedy, Latin elegy, and the ancient novel. Can you say ?

And what will I do with this (totally impractical) degree? Hopefully get a job as a professor and teach the languages to other people. And if I can't find a job? I have a running joke with my sisters that I'll turn to writing trashy romance novels set in the ancient world.
winglo Posted - August 26 2007 : 7:06:35 PM
Hey, Red. I finished The Professor and the Madman this afternoon. It was pretty good. I (obviously) didn't read it without putting it down, but when I was reading it, I had a hard time knowing when to stop and go to bed. So, I'm just reading along finding the insights into the friendship between Murray and Minor very interesting, reading about Minor's dips into insanity (I knew it was schizophrenia right from the start) and suddenly this chapter comes along with his self-mutilation. What a shocker! I totally didn't expect it and was even more surprised by what he did! Kept it interesting. It's a good and a sad story at the same time.

So, knowing that this was an assigned book for you, I am wondering what your doctorate is going to be in? English or something related? Thanks for the recommendation.
RedFraggle Posted - August 08 2007 : 7:49:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by winglo

Red, I picked up this book yesterday. It's a good read so far. . . .

Apologies if it turns out not to be your style of book. I found it very interesting, one of the only books I was ever assigned to read that I actually liked.

If you want a negative recommendation, never never never pick up a book called Mawson's Will. It's an amazingly boring account of a group of explorers lost in Antarctica---description after description of weather patterns and compass directions, interspersed with disgusting details like how to boil dead sled dogs' toenails to make an edible goo. Not a very good read, if you ask me!
winglo Posted - August 05 2007 : 4:43:07 PM
Dances with Beagles, That sounds like my kind of book. . .it has a little of everything. Thanks for the suggestion. New Jersey's o.k., too. They have a nice shore. I live outside Philadelphia, so can appreciate your state!
Dances with Beagles Posted - August 05 2007 : 2:26:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by winglo

I don't particularly like reading fiction books. But, I am looking for some good non-fiction to read. Any suggestions? I have a wide interest range, so any ideas are welcome. . .history, forensic science, biographies, medical forensics, current events, . . .I just hate wasting time by starting a book and finding that it just isn't well-written. I could browse around the library or bookstore, but I thought I'd ask for suggestions first.


I just finished "Shadow Divers" by Robert Kurson. I could not put it down! It is non-fiction, has history, adventure, drama, biographies, etc. It is the story of two divers trying to identify the wreck of a U-boat from WWII which sank off the coast of New Jersey. I highly recommend it, and not just because it happens in NJ !!!
Obediah Posted - August 01 2007 : 2:56:35 PM
A book that can bring tears to your eyes: Flags of Our Fathers.

Much better than the movie!

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