Thread: What are You Reading?

I'm reading an antique book entitled "TO HELL WITH FISHING" by Ed Zern who, only a few of you will remember for his "Exit Laughing" column in Field and Stream magazine. Exit Laughing was a one-page article on the last page of Field and Stream mag for 30 years.

I have a copy of his "To Hell With Fishing" which was first published in 1945, the year I was born. Absolutely funny, humorous writer. He died in 1994.

Reading a book by Juliet Barker, "Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle," fascinating read about really a rather small battle, with little gain, yet still resounds as one of the greatest most memorable battle of all times.

Also, the importance of the English Long Bow, and it's devastating consequences is fascinating.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

My nook,I gave 700 lbs of books to the local school last week,my nook wgts about 8 ozs.

Originally Posted by 32t

you have a good point but for me there is something about the actual book in my hands.

At least I should get rid of 3/4ths of my book collection that is much more than 700 lbs!

I have said I don't read books twice but I have a strong affinity to the ones I like. [And ones i don't]

I have a strong repulsion of the idea that some computer somewhere is in control. Or my batteries might go dead and my library is gone.

I heard tell that you don't really 'own' a digital book. At any time the e-reader company can decide to delete your account. There was a recent case of this with Kindle deleting a users account due to the user apparently having a conflicting account. This was proved to be untrue, yet it took a long fight for the user to get their account re-instated.

Originally Posted by Phrank

Reading a book by Juliet Barker, "Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle," fascinating read about really a rather small battle, with little gain, yet still resounds as one of the greatest most memorable battle of all times.

Also, the importance of the English Long Bow, and it's devastating consequences is fascinating.

The English had nothing to do with it. The Welsh were the first to use what is now commonly referred to as a 'Longbow', though they didn't invent it as such. The English used Welsh Longbowmen until such time as they were able to train up their own, though the Welsh were the masters of this bow for a long time.


Mick

@Mick

That's right - it clearly mentions the Welsh as first to use the Longbow and train others and there were many Welshmen at Agincourt! I'm usually much better with my facts....must be getting tired!

Thanks Mick for clearing that up - that's an important point!

As a Welshie who also enjoys archery, I'm just a bit finicky about the name 'English' Longbow when I read it. I see it as a common, but knowingly so, mistake that everyone is happy to compound upon...And it irritates me. However, you don't need to apologise, I just shouldn't be so picky about it.


I'm currently reading another book (Doubling up on reading material. Got two books on the go.) called 'Everything I know about writing' by John Marsden. A basic guide on how to write books without making common errors.


Mick

@Mick

Thanks! However, points like that are really important, IMO, reminds me of the movie, Animal House when John Belushi's character shouts: "What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!"

As for the e-reader, I've got a Kobo, has about 400-500 books on it, came with 125 built in! I love the thing, yes, once in awhile I get caught with the, "charge your ereader" message, which is a drag, but it will fully charge in about three hours and last weeks!

As for the account deletion, haven't heard of that but anything's possible I guess.

Now, not reflecting on previous statements here, but I've had some discussions with the hipster crowds who disdain e-books, along with most other corporations or corporate products, with, ofcourse the exception of Apple and Starbucks, and they say, "the feel of a real book argument."

I just find it funny, aside from their raging against the machine (great band) with a Latte in one hand and their iPhone in the other (many also with their parents money), that anything that saved the huge environmental cost of manufacturing and distributing books would be a good thing. Well, their hipsters, what can one say...every generation has their own, and aside from their two emotions, disdain, and utter disdain, I think their interesting kids!

I read recently The division of Christendom "Christianity in the sixteenth century" H.J. Hillenbrand. Fascinating. I've just picked off the shelf The Confessions of Saint Augustine. After this read I want to read some fiction, the fun stuff.

I have been discussing Neal Stephenson's books with a friend recently. I particularly liked Cryptonomicon and The Baroque Cycle. The former book is about code-breaking and computers in WW2, plus data banks and treasure hunting in the present. The Baroque Cycle explores Natural Philosophy, money, and vagabondry in England and Europe during the Baroque period.

Patrick O'Brian: The Truelove
James A. Michener: Centennial

Revolutionaries by Jack Rackove. Great insight into our founding fathers and what eventually led to their founding of the United States.