MobileRead March 2010 Book Club Nominations - Page 3

edbro · 02-24-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Quirkology: How We Discover the Big Truths in Small Things by Richard Wiseman.

Ooh, ooh! That one, that one!

That really sounds interesting. I'm gonna buy it whether it's the book club pick or not. (maybe I can finally figure out what makes me tick

)

Bilbo1967 · 02-24-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Has anyone read that all-time favorite posted here (by me!

) on prime numbers.

I understand it's one of those books you WANT to put down and CAN.

Don

Was there supposed to be a link in this post Don?

Fledchen · 02-24-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Was there supposed to be a link in this post Don?

I think it's this one: The First 100,000 Prime Numbers

HarryT · 02-24-2010, 01:22 PM

I'd like to nominate "American Notes" by Charles Dickens. It's a short travelogue of Dickens' travels through America in the year 1842, and contains some wonderful descriptions of a world that no longer exists, and, in addition, is extremely funny in parts, such as Dickens' description of the then-prevalent habit of chewing tobacco and spitting.

It's only a short book, but very well worth reading.

Tattncat · 02-24-2010, 02:11 PM

I'd like to nominate "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene. Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Sony all carry it. String theory, etc.

Count me as a second or third for "Thinking As A Science".

Ben Thornton · 02-24-2010, 02:14 PM

I'd like to second Harry's (that is, Dickens') "American Notes", because it isn't about dead things.

I've proposed one and seconded two - do I have to shut up now?

pilotbob · 02-24-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Thornton

I've proposed one and seconded two - do I have to shut up now?

Shut up... is so harsh... just stop nominating... yea.

BOb

MelC · 02-24-2010, 09:19 PM

I couldn't decide between this and his second book both of which are on my to read list but in the interest of first things first, I nominate Guns, Germs and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond available at Sony, Kindle and B&N.

Explaining what William McNeill called The Rise of the West has become the central problem in the study of global history. In Guns, Germs, and Steel Jared Diamond presents the biologist's answer: geography, demography, and ecological happenstance. Diamond evenhandedly reviews human history on every continent since the Ice Age at a rate that emphasizes only the broadest movements of peoples and ideas. Yet his survey is binocular: one eye has the rather distant vision of the evolutionary biologist, while the other eye--and his heart--belongs to the people of New Guinea, where he has done field work for more than 30 years. Most of this work deals with non-Europeans, but Diamond's thesis sheds light on why Western civilization became hegemonic: "History followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among peoples' environments, not because of biological differences among peoples themselves." Those who domesticated plants and animals early got a head start on developing writing, government, technology, weapons of war, and immunity to deadly germs.

Mel

MelC · 02-24-2010, 09:21 PM

I also second or third Stiff if it is still requiring it. I have long since read it but it is so very funny that I would like to ensure that everyone has the opportunity. Of course it won't be as funny a juxtaposition on a discreet ereader as it was when I read it in premium paperback and was observed guffawing out loud at a book with picture of a cadaver with a toe tag on it...

Mel

kennyc · 02-24-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Please let's not get into self-help type books.

But Jon.....

kennyc · 02-24-2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vector

I nominate The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. This book examines what would happen to the planet if human beings disappeared. It looks at a wide variety of specific questions ranging from why and when bridges would fall down to what would happen to cockroaches. I just checked and it's available for both Kindle ($9.99) and SONY ($10.50).

I would vote for this except that I've seen every episode of "Life Without People" at least twice...

Sorry...

kennyc · 02-24-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Quirkology: How We Discover the Big Truths in Small Things by Richard Wiseman.

"This is a viral book - once you read it you just have to tell other people about the remarkable findings that Wiseman reveals. With this book there is little doubt that Wiseman is the most interesting and innovative experimental psychologist in the world today."
-- Michael Shermer.

I have a sample in my Kindle, and it looks interesting.

The Quirkology website is located at http://www.quirkology.com/USA/index.shtml.

I'll SECOND that one.

kennyc · 02-24-2010, 09:31 PM

I'll nominate The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the traditional name for the unfinished record of his own life written by Benjamin Franklin from 1771 to 1790; however, Franklin himself appears to have called the work his Memoirs. Although it had a tortuous publication history after Franklin's death, this work has become one of the most famous and influential examples of autobiography ever written.… more »

Available Free at numerous sites:

http://inkmesh.com/ebooks/autobiogra...jamin+Franklin

Billjr13 · 02-24-2010, 09:38 PM

I will nominate An American on Purpose by TV's Craig Ferguson, host of the Late Late Show on CBS.

kennyc · 02-24-2010, 09:42 PM

I'll NOMINATE

A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

From Amazon:

Consistently lauded for its lively, readable prose, this revised and updated edition of A People's History of the United States turns traditional textbook history on its head. Howard Zinn infuses the often-submerged voices of blacks, women, American Indians, war resisters, and poor laborers of all nationalities into this thorough narrative that spans American history from Christopher Columbus's arrival to an afterword on the Clinton presidency.

Addressing his trademark reversals of perspective, Zinn--a teacher, historian, and social activist for more than 20 years--explains, "My point is not that we must, in telling history, accuse, judge, condemn Columbus in absentia. It is too late for that; it would be a useless scholarly exercise in morality. But the easy acceptance of atrocities as a deplorable but necessary price to pay for progress (Hiroshima and Vietnam, to save Western civilization; Kronstadt and Hungary, to save socialism; nuclear proliferation, to save us all)--that is still with us. One reason these atrocities are still with us is that we have learned to bury them in a mass of other facts, as radioactive wastes are buried in containers in the earth."

If your last experience of American history was brought to you by junior high school textbooks--or even if you're a specialist--get ready for the other side of stories you may not even have heard. With its vivid descriptions of rarely noted events, A People's History of the United States is required reading for anyone who wants to take a fresh look at the rich, rocky history of America. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

02-24-2010, 02:11 PM	#35
Tattncat Bookworm Posts: 673 Karma: 1029391 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Device: Nook Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab3, Sony PRS700, Sony PRS505	I'd like to nominate "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene. Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Sony all carry it. String theory, etc. Count me as a second or third for "Thinking As A Science". Last edited by Tattncat; 02-24-2010 at 02:15 PM. Reason: typo correction

02-24-2010, 09:31 PM	#43
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	I'll nominate The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the traditional name for the unfinished record of his own life written by Benjamin Franklin from 1771 to 1790; however, Franklin himself appears to have called the work his Memoirs. Although it had a tortuous publication history after Franklin's death, this work has become one of the most famous and influential examples of autobiography ever written.… more » Available Free at numerous sites: http://inkmesh.com/ebooks/autobiogra...jamin+Franklin Last edited by kennyc; 02-24-2010 at 09:42 PM.

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02-24-2010, 01:22 PM	#34
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'd like to nominate "American Notes" by Charles Dickens. It's a short travelogue of Dickens' travels through America in the year 1842, and contains some wonderful descriptions of a world that no longer exists, and, in addition, is extremely funny in parts, such as Dickens' description of the then-prevalent habit of chewing tobacco and spitting. It's only a short book, but very well worth reading.

02-24-2010, 02:14 PM	#36
Ben Thornton Guru Posts: 900 Karma: 779635 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle 3, iPad 2 (but not for e-books)	I'd like to second Harry's (that is, Dickens') "American Notes", because it isn't about dead things. I've proposed one and seconded two - do I have to shut up now?

02-24-2010, 09:19 PM	#38
MelC Evangelist Posts: 410 Karma: 2081 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: Cybook Gen3, PRS600	I couldn't decide between this and his second book both of which are on my to read list but in the interest of first things first, I nominate Guns, Germs and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond available at Sony, Kindle and B&N. Explaining what William McNeill called The Rise of the West has become the central problem in the study of global history. In Guns, Germs, and Steel Jared Diamond presents the biologist's answer: geography, demography, and ecological happenstance. Diamond evenhandedly reviews human history on every continent since the Ice Age at a rate that emphasizes only the broadest movements of peoples and ideas. Yet his survey is binocular: one eye has the rather distant vision of the evolutionary biologist, while the other eye--and his heart--belongs to the people of New Guinea, where he has done field work for more than 30 years. Most of this work deals with non-Europeans, but Diamond's thesis sheds light on why Western civilization became hegemonic: "History followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among peoples' environments, not because of biological differences among peoples themselves." Those who domesticated plants and animals early got a head start on developing writing, government, technology, weapons of war, and immunity to deadly germs. Mel

02-24-2010, 09:21 PM	#39
MelC Evangelist Posts: 410 Karma: 2081 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: Cybook Gen3, PRS600	I also second or third Stiff if it is still requiring it. I have long since read it but it is so very funny that I would like to ensure that everyone has the opportunity. Of course it won't be as funny a juxtaposition on a discreet ereader as it was when I read it in premium paperback and was observed guffawing out loud at a book with picture of a cadaver with a toe tag on it... Mel

02-24-2010, 09:38 PM	#44
Billjr13 Addict Posts: 357 Karma: 550002 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Colorado Device: Sony PRS 700 & 650	I will nominate An American on Purpose by TV's Craig Ferguson, host of the Late Late Show on CBS.

02-24-2010, 09:42 PM	#45
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	I'll NOMINATE A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn From Amazon: Consistently lauded for its lively, readable prose, this revised and updated edition of A People's History of the United States turns traditional textbook history on its head. Howard Zinn infuses the often-submerged voices of blacks, women, American Indians, war resisters, and poor laborers of all nationalities into this thorough narrative that spans American history from Christopher Columbus's arrival to an afterword on the Clinton presidency. Addressing his trademark reversals of perspective, Zinn--a teacher, historian, and social activist for more than 20 years--explains, "My point is not that we must, in telling history, accuse, judge, condemn Columbus in absentia. It is too late for that; it would be a useless scholarly exercise in morality. But the easy acceptance of atrocities as a deplorable but necessary price to pay for progress (Hiroshima and Vietnam, to save Western civilization; Kronstadt and Hungary, to save socialism; nuclear proliferation, to save us all)--that is still with us. One reason these atrocities are still with us is that we have learned to bury them in a mass of other facts, as radioactive wastes are buried in containers in the earth." If your last experience of American history was brought to you by junior high school textbooks--or even if you're a specialist--get ready for the other side of stories you may not even have heard. With its vivid descriptions of rarely noted events, A People's History of the United States is required reading for anyone who wants to take a fresh look at the rich, rocky history of America. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.