Book recommendations...

Posted by: Voltaire on 13 June 2009

The previous thread 'what book are you reading' has been closed but may I please recommend this book...?


I am not even going to spoil it with a spoiler...well worth a read imho and I read a lot.
Posted on: 09 October 2009 by Voltaire
quote:
Originally posted by FlyMe:
An inspiring read



I fancy reading this one...off to Waterstones.
Posted on: 09 October 2009 by Voltaire
I have just read two enjoyable books loosely connected to Voltaire...my hero (hence the user name).



quote:
François-Marie Arouet (November 21, 1694 – May 30, 1778), better known by the pen name Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, essayist, and philosopher known for his wit and his defense of civil liberties, including both freedom of religion and free trade.

Voltaire was a prolific writer and produced works in almost every literary form including plays, poetry, novels, essays, historical and scientific works, more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets.

He was an outspoken supporter of social reform, despite strict censorship laws and harsh penalties for those who broke them. A satirical polemicist, he frequently made use of his works to criticize Catholic Church dogma and the French institutions of his day.

Voltaire was one of several Enlightenment figures (along with Montesquieu, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau) whose works and ideas influenced important thinkers of both the American and French Revolutions.
Posted on: 23 October 2009 by Voltaire


This is the first genuinely scary book I have read for years.
Posted on: 23 October 2009 by Diccus62
just started reading



My wife says it is a very scary post apocalypse book - well we'll have to see
Posted on: 23 October 2009 by Blueknowz
Half way through this at moment!
Posted on: 24 October 2009 by Haim Ronen
Posted on: 24 October 2009 by Haim Ronen


Just finished reading it in its original language and found out that it had already been translated into English.

http://www.alonhilu.com/books-dajani.html

Fascinating tale and exquisite writing.
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by Andy1912
Strange, beautiful Japanese existential classic about an entomologist who finds himself trapped in a deep hole amongst sand dunes. Love Kafka? Ever felt stuck in an endless cycle of mundanity? Then this might be the book for you.

Posted on: 26 October 2009 by Diccus62
quote:
Originally posted by Diccus62:
just started reading



My wife says it is a very scary post apocalypse book - well we'll have to see


Incredible book, I couldn't put it down. Currently being made into a film. A very realistic story of how the end of the world maybe and the challenges it may bring.....not for the faint hearted or the depressed..... this is how it maybe..............Frightened, you will be.
Posted on: 26 October 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
quote:
Originally posted by Diccus62:
quote:
Originally posted by Diccus62:
just started reading



My wife says it is a very scary post apocalypse book - well we'll have to see


Incredible book, I couldn't put it down. Currently being made into a film. A very realistic story of how the end of the world maybe and the challenges it may bring.....not for the faint hearted or the depressed..... this is how it maybe..............Frightened, you will be.


Agree, short but very effective book. The film is due for release shortly, stars Viggo Mortenson. If you liked this try 'The Pesthouse' by Jim Crace. Thematically similar, if a touch more positive.
Posted on: 26 October 2009 by Diccus62
Cheers Bruce, I thought the Road was overly positive Winker
Posted on: 27 October 2009 by Mike Dudley


Get born again... Big Grin
Posted on: 27 October 2009 by stephenjohn
Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy and the follow up Tawney Man trilogy are wonderful. Even for a non fantasy fan such as me. Highly recommended. Five stars [out of 5]
SJ
Posted on: 27 October 2009 by stephenjohn
PS the other Cormac Macarthy books are great too, especially the Border trilogy
Posted on: 27 October 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
quote:
Originally posted by stephenjohn:
PS the other Cormac Macarthy books are great too, especially the Border trilogy


Seconded. 'No Country for Old Men' is also very worthwhile, even if you have seen the film.
Posted on: 29 October 2009 by stephenjohn
Another good American one, possibly on a par with Macarthy, is Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson. It is a beautifully written story with a US involvement in Viet Nam setting
Posted on: 29 October 2009 by stephenjohn
Sorry, also meant to say I liked No Country for Old Men too, I haven't seen the film. I think CM's books are getting easier to read. I think his earlier works have a darker hue and can be more complex. I think I might re-read some.
bw
SJ
Posted on: 03 November 2009 by Haim Ronen


"You really don't have to get past the Contents page to learn what the book is about; the chapter titles are Scarcity, Plunder, Rot, Contamination, Fear, Greed, Desire, Alienation, Empire and Mirage."
Posted on: 27 November 2009 by Haim Ronen


Not recent but well written.
Posted on: 28 November 2009 by winkyincanada


I read that his arrogant snarking at the "dinosaurs with saddles" crowd became annoying. It's actually the bit I enjoy most.
Posted on: 28 November 2009 by winkyincanada
Posted on: 28 November 2009 by mikeeschman
Philip K. Dick "The Man in the High Castle"
Posted on: 14 December 2009 by Stephen Tate
/
Posted on: 14 December 2009 by Stephen Tate
quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Tate:
/
Electrical Engineering 101 2ND edition.

Everything you should of learned at school...
but probably didn't.

Good easy to understand book, comes with a CD-ROM too.
Posted on: 14 December 2009 by steved
"Electrical Engineering 101 2ND edition.
Everything you should of learned at school...
but probably didn't".

.....presumably the difference between "of" and "have" is in the 3RD edition !!

STEVE D