Constant Reader discussion
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Target: 50 non-fictions next year. Any suggestions?
Boy, what a challenge! I suggest The Man Who Made Vermeers Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren by our CR Jonathan Lopez. It was fascinating. One of the most memorable books I've ever read (or listened to in this case) is The Omnivore's Dilemma.
Silvana wrote: "Okay, since I am committed to read only non-fiction next year and at the same time I'd still want to join the '50 books a year' group, I need some suggestions on books I have to read.Silvana,
Based on your message, you may want to look at Peter Wilson's just published, THE THIRTY YEARS WAR - EUROPE'S TRAGEDY. This book is wonderful but it is a beast in terms of page length (about a 1,000 pages) and even weight!
It supposedly is the best work on the subject since C.V. Wedgwood's THIRTY YEARS WAR (published in 1938).
For readers who wish to know more about how and why the modern nation state came into existence, the work provides essential knowledge.
Larry
P.S. Based on its length, the book should probably count as three of your fifty books! ;-)
Silvana, what a great resolution. I don’t read much non-fiction, but I am always recommending Galileo's Daughter A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love to people around me. If you like history, this one should interest you. For non-fiction with a “literary” bend, if you start to crave it at some point during the year, Reading Lolita in Tehran A Memoir in Books is a good one. Then, there is also A Room of One's Own which I find quite inspiring as a woman, although many may find it outdated. Good Luck and keep us posted on how you are doing as the year goes by.
Silvana, sounds like a fun resolution! I have a misc-nonfiction shelf if you'd like to check it out. I like to read a lot of different things, so there might be something that strikes your fancy.I do recommend The Winter War The Soviet Attack on Finland,1939-1940. And I agree with Capitu's suggestion of Galileo's Daughter.
I enjoyed A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson.And I second Sherry's suggestions of The Man Who Made Vermeers, and The Ominivore's Dilemma.
I'm reading Ted Kennedy's autobio now, True Compass. Interesting, but not stellar.
Silvana wrote: "Okay, since I am committed to read only non-fiction next year and at the same time I'd still want to join the '50 books a year' group, I need some suggestions on books I have to read.To give yo..."
Not sure if your're interested in the history of science. But, I came across The Age of Wonder How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science recently and it blew me away. I highly recommend this book.
What a great idea! I could never go all year with only nonfiction.I love history and geography, but not military stuff. I read a fair amount of nonfiction (goodreads showed me just how much), mostly memoirs and food-related.
Some that I have really enjoyed, and are easier to read than Omnivore's Dilemma (which I am still plodding through):
Holy Land A Suburban Memoir (a lot of history)
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles Adventures in the World of Chinese Food (a lot of history)
Complications A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science
I also love books about hiking--from Into Thin Air A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster to accounts of hiking the Appalachian Trail and others. They are generally pretty easy to read--if you like hiking :)
ymmv
I am impressed by your goal, Silvana! Go for it!I'm more of a fiction lover, but based on a colleague's suggestion a few years ago, I read The Reason Why: The Story of the Fatal Charge of the Light Brigade by Cecil Woodham-Smith. It gives a stunning, sickening portrait of military incompetence and waste of human life. (C W-S also wrote The Great Hunger, about the Famine in Ireland; haven't read it, but it is a classic.)
On another tack, I read The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Might be good when you're looking for a lighter n-f read. It combines a true-crime story of a serial killer with the story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. I am not a devotee of true crime, and that part of the book creeped me out, but as a whole the book made the era live for me.
I bought The Hudson: A History by Tom Lewis nearly 2 years ago, and though I loved the beginning, I have not yet had a chance to complete it. (Too many CR books getting in the way!!) But from the reviews, as well as my sampling, I recommend its combination of history + some of the romance of the river (for which I have a special love)!
I'd also recommend Devil in the White City and would add Longitude by Dava Sobel, Seabiscuit: An American Legend (Laura Hillenbrand), and Piano Lessons: Music, Love and True Adventures (Noah Adams).I also liked Erik Larson's Thunderstruck - it wasn't as good as the White City, but still remained fascinating.
Silvana, another suggestion based on your "love [of:] history, international relations and military stuff."This one is Michael Korda's WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES. It's the story of the Battle of Britain and how the British Fighter Command defeated the German Luftwaffe. Great look at the personalities of the leaders, especially those of the RAF.
Silvana - Here is a wide variety of non-fiction I have really enjoyed over the years. I am not a huge non-fiction lover, but I quite enjoyed all of these.
I'd recommend Team of Rivals The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln as the quintessential Lincoln biography
I also really enjoyed Salt A World History which takes a look at the role salt has played in shaping world history (it will surprise you)
The World Without Us is a fascinating look at what would happen if humans disappeared tomorrow, examining case studies from around the world and throughout history. It gets a little preachy at the end, but the first 90% is very thought-provoking.
Barbarians at the Gate The Fall of RJR Nabisco is the story of the landmark buyout of RJR Nabisco. I am not personally a business-book reader, but thought this was really intriguing and written so well that it actually was very entertaining.
Something a little more lighthearted, Sex with the Queen 900 Years of Vile Kings, Virile Lovers, and Passionate Politics is a look at the affairs that women in royalty have had throughout the ages, up to the time of Princess Diana.
The Six Wives of Henry VIII gives great background on all six of Henry VIII's wives. I found this really educational because I have read so much about the first two, but the last four have had a much lesser degree of popularity.
Last one,Three Cups of Tea One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time is a memoir about one man's fight to end terrorism by building schools in Afghanistan
Hope this helps!
Wolf HallJohn Adams
American Lion Andrew Jackson
Mary Queen Of Scot-Antonia Fraser
These were a few of my favorites.
I don't read a lot of nonfiction, but Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything was my first thought too. Another that has stuck with me even though I read it years ago is Assault In Norway: Sabotaging the Nazi Nuclear Program.
Hi - I try to read 1 non-fiction book for every fiction. Here are some I didn't see on your shelves that I thought were better than average,Guns, Germs, & Steel by Jared Diamond. A new clasic, answers a lot of questions.
Long Shadows - Truth, lies & history by Erna Paris
How the world got to be the way it is
The Geography of Nowhere by Howard Kunstler An
interesting description of the American landscape
Son of the Morning Star, Custer & the Little Big Horn by Evan S. Connell This is said to be the best book about Gen. George a. custer.
Nickel & Dimed - on (not) getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich A true, hands-on- look at America's working poor
The closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom a true look at the state of literacy in US today
The Longest Day, the story of D- Day & Dark December, the story of the Battle of the Bulge are 2 of the best WW2 books.
Death of a President by william Manchester is the best written book about the Kennedy assasination. (no theories, just facts)
April 1865 How the Civil War came to a more or less "peaceful" end by Jay Winke
That Dark & Bloody River, the settling of the Ohio River valley by Alen Eckhart. Good writing on a violent history of US settlement.
carol (akittykat) wrote: "Wolf HallJohn Adams
American Lion Andrew Jackson
Mary Queen Of Scot-Antonia Fraser
These were a few of my favorites."
Wolf Hall is fiction, so this wouldnt fit...but it is very good.
I enthusiastically second the nominations of Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil, April 1865 and Nickel & Dimed.
Wow, I am truly amazed...THANK YOU SO MUCH! 
Some books are already in my to-buy list, inc. Bryson's A Short History and Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel.
I have just checked all suggested books, and every suggestions are interesting indeed. I could definitely learn a lot. If I couldn't finish them this year, so what? ;p There are many years to come. I consider this to be my 'savings' for the future.
Excitement is an understatement for my current reading mood as of now, and it is because all of your enthusiastic inputs. Keep'em coming :)
Some additional suggestions:Sex and the Origins of Death by William Clark - how our bodies work on a genetic level; what's actually going on with cancer, heart disease, etc.; why we die (if we just stuck to splitting cells, we'd live forever!)
Remix: Making Art and Culture Thrive in a Digital Economy, by Lawrence Lessig. Any of Lessig's books on copyright and digital technology are good bets, Remix is just his latest. Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace is his first, and good intro to the topic.
Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars by William Patry just came out, another good book on copyright and new technology issues.
If you like reading essays, Orwell's political writing is always a pleasure to read, even if the context is a bit dated. William Vollman is more current, and his writing is also a pleasure to read.
Theresa
We aim to please. Some of these books I will add to my list also, thanks for posting this thread.
Silvana, good luck with that goal. All of the following are shortish (all under 400 pages and some about 200-250) and just fun, informative, good reads:
-- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver: A description of one year where her family did their own farming and turned locavore.
-- A Time to Keep Silence by Patrick Leigh Fermor: So short you'll finish this in an hour or two. It's a beautiful description of the retreat he took in two monasteries in Europe. An important reminder of the importance of contemplation and silence in our overly busy lives.
-- Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl: Fun and laugh-out-loud funny. Ruth Reichl describes her time as food critic for the NYT where she would engage in elaborate disguises to find out how real people were treated in top restaurants.
-- Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt: I would pass over his latest in favour of this one if you haven't read it yet. Important insights to be obtained from an application of principles of economics in areas where it does not normally come into.
-- Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible & Why by Bart D. Ehrman: Ehrman is one of the more noted bible history scholars around, plus he writes in an accessible way. Looks at the history of bible copyists and translations.
-- The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf: Superb work that gives us a rarely told perspective of events.
Works not remotely short, but which I would recommend highly are:
-- A Short History of Byzantium by John Julius Norwich: One of the foremost authorities in this area, Norwich writes in a way that is both enjoyable and understandable. This is the condensed version of his magmum opus, a three volume work on the history of Byzantium.
-- The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East by Robert Fisk: Not for everyone as he can spend a bit too much time talking about his own experiences, but it gives a reasonably balanced account of the last 100 years in the Middle East.
-- The First Word: The Search for the Origins of Language by Christine Kenneally: A very digestible overview of the science in this area.
Sitting in my stack of unread books at home (sigh, when will there ever be enough time), I would recommend:
-- McMafia: Seriously Organised Crime by Misha Glenny: An important and very well-received look at the globalization of organized crime.
-- When China Rules the World: The End of the Western World and the Rise of the Middle Kingdom by Martin Jacques: Based on an analysis of Chinese history and culture, Jacques analyses the assumption that China will become more Western as it gets richer, and dismisses it.
-- The Gulag Archipelago: 1918-1956 by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn: His magum opus on his time in the gulag.
I would like to second the recommendations of Seabiscuit and Barbarians at the Gate, particularly if you can't imagine being interested in horse racing or business mergers.And, of course, you need to consider the old New Yorker group: One Man's Meat by E.B. White, Years with Ross by James Thurber, and maybe Just Enough A. J. Liebling. Liebling is great on food and war and writes on boxing in a style reminiscent of Henry James.
EB White's one of my favorite writers. I highly recommend his collected essays. Also The Art of Eating, a collection of 4 books by MFK Fisher is about way more than food. She and EBW could handle the English language superbly.Whitaker, CR read Garlic and Sapphires about 3 years ago, in conjunstion with Classics Corner and MFK Fisher's The Gastronomical Me.
River of Doubt, the story of Roosevelt's exploration of the AmazonLife and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng; account of her imprisonment during the Cultural Revolution
I loved all the Ruth Reichls.
Great suggestions, everybody, thanks!
I also would add to these fine lists the following non-fiction books by three poets: James Galvin's The Meadow; Mark Doty's Dog Years, Still Life With Oysters and Lemon, Heaven's Coast and Firebird; Mary Karr's The Liar's Club (there's a new one but I haven't read it yet). I would also recommend Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking as one of the finest reads I've had this year.
Ruth wrote: "Whitaker, CR read Garlic and Sapphires about 3 years ago, in conjunstion with Classics Corner and MFK Fisher's The Gastronomical Me."
Darn, such a pity I missed it. It would have been really fun to talk about with you guys.
Some of my favorite non-fiction books that I've read in the last couple of years:"Meant to Be", by Walter Anderson (autobiography of the publisher of "Parade" magazine)
"My FBI", by Louis Freeh
"Rocket Boys", by Homer Hickman
"Greasy Rider", by Greg Melville
"Between You and Me", by Mike Wallace
(Obviously, I tend to like memoirs/autobiography!)
One of my favorite historical biographers is David McCullough; he is the author of both John Adams and Truman. While I found John Adams to be a wonderful read, Truman is my hands-down favorite. While neither book is small, the read is so enjoyable you won't notice the length; in fact, when I could see I was nearing the end of Truman, I slowed down just to delay the inevitable end. Happy reading and good luck on meeting your goal; I'd love to watch your progress.
Truman is on my list to read. I was enamored with John Adams as a man and as a president.
Me, too, Carol; I've also always been drawn to Abigail Adams. I feel that she might have actually been the stronger of the pair. I saw a biography of her today by Woody Holton that looked interesting. Has anyone read it?
Mary Jo wrote: "Me, too, Carol; I've also always been drawn to Abigail Adams. I feel that she might have actually been the stronger of the pair. I saw a biography of her today by Woody Holton that looked interes..."Have you read Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Cokie Roberts. It is an excellant book to read about our founding mother's. It is written kind of gossipy. A lot of fun to read.
I haven't read that, Carol, but I'll add it to my list; sounds like something I'd enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation.
Mille grazie, miei amici :)I loved reading memoirs and saw some great suggestions up there.
Pamela wrote: "I also would add to these fine lists the following non-fiction books by three poets: James Galvin's The Meadow; Mark Doty's Dog Years, Still Life With Oysters and Lemon, Heaven's Coast and Firebir..."
Do those books contain poetries? A friend of mine said poems are fiction. And I am still baffled.
Mark Doty's book doesn't contain poetry. It's wonderful. I loved it. I listened to him read it in audiobook form and that was a great way to experience it.
Pamela wrote: "I also would add to these fine lists the following non-fiction books by three poets: James Galvin's The Meadow; Mark Doty's Dog Years, Still Life With Oysters and Lemon, Heaven's Coast and Firebir..."I also recommend the four books by Mark Doty. They are absolutely wonderful.
Your Legacy of Love: Realize the Gift in Goodbye by Gemini AdamsI just finished this book; I can’t remember the last time I dog-eared so many pages. The purpose of the book is to inspire readers to come to terms with the eventuality of their own demise and recognize how loving actions planned well in advance can help your loved ones cope with their loss. I found it to be a worthwhile read with suggestions to ensure, after you are gone, those you leave behind will continue to know you loved them.
I've just started Ruth Reichl's On Not Becoming My Mother, and am enjoying it a lot.
Hi Silvana,Here are some nonfiction selections that you may enjoy:
Kluge The Haphazard Construction of the Human Mind
Plain and Simple A Woman's Journey to the Amish
Um. . . Slips, Stumbles, and Verbal Blunders, and What They Mean
Street Gang The Complete History of Sesame Street
Last Child in the Woods Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
Shop Class as Soulcraft An Inquiry Into the Value of Work
Who the Hell Is Pansy O'Hara? The Fascinating Stories Behind 50 of the World's Best-Loved Books
Play How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
God and the Editor My Search for Meaning at the New York Times
Grub Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen
Dear Beth, the Sesame Street, Who the Hell is Pansy O'Hara and God and the Editor books look wonderful, thanks!I am indeed interesting in books discussing about other books. I think I only read that kind of book once, namely this awesome piece from Rob E. Smith:
Hogwarts, Narnia, and Middle Earth Places Upon a Time.
Silvana wrote: "Dear Beth, the Sesame Street, Who the Hell is Pansy O'Hara and God and the Editor books look wonderful, thanks!I am indeed interesting in books discussing about other books. I think I only read t..."
Thank you, Silvana! I've added your suggestion to my "to-read" list. Don't you just love finding great books?!
A possible book for Halloween-time, when you are in the mood for something spooky:In the Devil's Snare: the Salem Withcraft Crisis of 1692 - by Mary Beth Norton
Aod wrote: "Books from the publisher "twelve" always look interesting:http://www.twelvebooks.com/content/bo... "
I have never heard of this company before. I clicked on "The Books" tab and read this description, which I'm quoting for others who might also be intrigued:
<<< In a world of modern, involved, caring parents, why are so many kids aggressive and cruel? Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? Why do cross-racial friendships decrease in schools that are more integrated? If 98% of kids think lying is morally wrong, then why do 98% of kids lie? What’s the single most important thing that helps infants learn language?
NurtureShock is a groundbreaking collaboration between award-winning science journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. They argue that when it comes to children, we’ve mistaken good intentions for good ideas. With impeccable storytelling and razorsharp analysis, Bronson and Merryman demonstrate that many of modern society’s strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring—because key twists in the science have been overlooked.
Nothing like a parenting manual, the authors’ work is an insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children’s (and adults’) lives: intelligence, racism, civility and aggression, honesty and deception, morality and kindness, peer pressure, risk-taking, and the growth of family relationships. NurtureShock is a fun, fascinating, and challenging book—unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. >>>
http://www.twelvebooks.com/books/nurt...
Last year I read three really good Nonfics , Your Inner Fish A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body , which is a "simple" explaination about palentology . Also two history books , Longitude The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of his Time , and A History of the World in 6 Glasses . All three books are well-written and interesting subjects !
Aod wrote: "Books from the publisher "twelve" always look interesting:http://www.twelvebooks.com/content/bo...
"
Thanks for the link--one of my favorite nf reads from the last year
(which I recommended back in message 8!) is a 12 book. Hadn't checked their website in awhile, and there are several good looking books coming out next year! That aren't even in the gr database yet. Not that my to-read shelf really needs to be longer...
Natalie wrote: "Last year I read three really good Nonfics , Your Inner Fish A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body , which is a "simple" explaination about palentology . Als..."Lovely suggestions! :)
Aod wrote: "Books from the publisher "twelve" always look interesting:
http://www.twelvebooks.com/content/bo...
"
QFT! The titles are enough to attract me. Many thanks!
Wow, I have to make a separate shelf now titled : ConstantReaders-suggested books for 2010
Terima kasih, teman-teman!
(That's Indonesian for thank you, friends!)
I don't think I've seen this recommendation yet: Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, by a writer who survived a sometimes delightful, sometimes horrific, yet always bizarre childhood in southern Africa in the 1970s. Fabulous.
Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood (other topics)Scribbling the Cat: Travels with an African Soldier (other topics)
Your Inner Fish: a Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body (other topics)
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food (other topics)
A History of the World in 6 Glasses (other topics)
More...
To give you some ideas on what I usually read, the following is my non-fiction list: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
Basically, I love history, international relations and military stuffs. But since 50 books are quite a lot, I may need to expand to other genres. Nevertheless, I must say, philosophical books make me dizzy ;p
So...it would be most appreciated if any of you awesome Constant Readers could provide some suggested titles.
This list looks interesting, btw: http://www.nationalreview.com/100best...
Some friends say I am too ambitious, but hey, life's always a challenge :)
Many thanks in advance!