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message 201: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
All - I have had an eye operation so it will be a few weeks before I am able to be back on in earnest. But will be on here and there until my eye heals - things are going well so I will be back as soon as I am healed and of course I miss you all.

My other moderators are taking care of things until my return which will be sooner than you think.

Regards,

Bentley


message 202: by Nita (new)

Nita  (goodreadscomnita) All best wishes for a speedy recovery, Bentley. We miss you, too.


message 203: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Thank you Nita - just a few weeks more and then I will be back in earnest.


message 204: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Mar 04, 2016 05:06PM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Hello All - here are some of our upcoming book discussions for 2016 and into 2017:

Let me start with the Book of the Month Series which is very popular:


The April 2016 Book of the Month:

Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boy and Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King

Devil in the Grove Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King by Gilbert King Gilbert King

The May 2016 Book of the Month:

Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable

Malcolm X A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable by Manning Marable Manning Marable

The June 2016 Book of the Month:

American Original: The Life and Constitution of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia by Joan Biskupic

American Original The Life and Constitution of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia by Joan Biskupic by Joan Biskupic Joan Biskupic

The July 2016 Book of the Month:

Pacific: Silicon Chips and Surfboards, Coral Reefs and Atom Bombs, Brutal Dictators, Fading Empires, and the Coming Collision of the World's Superpower by Simon Winchester

Pacific Silicon Chips and Surfboards, Coral Reefs and Atom Bombs, Brutal Dictators, Fading Empires, and the Coming Collision of the World's Superpowers by Simon Winchester by Simon Winchester Simon Winchester

The August 2016 Book of the Month:

If the Oceans Were Ink: An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran by Carla Power

If the Oceans Were Ink An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran by Carla Power by Carla Power Carla Power

The September 2016 Book of the Month:

The House of Twenty Thousand Books by Sasha Abramsky

The House of Twenty Thousand Books by Sasha Abramsky by Sasha Abramsky Sasha Abramsky

The October 2016 Book of the Month:

The Soul of an Octopus - A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery

The Soul of an Octopus A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery by Sy Montgomery Sy Montgomery

The November 2016 Book of the Month:

The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt by TJ Stiles

The First Tycoon The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt by T.J. Stiles by T.J. Stiles (no photo)

The December 2016 Book of the Month and the January 2017 Book of the Month:

Note: This is a long book - hence the need for two months - sort of apropos for the political season coming up

Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville

Democracy in America  by Alexis de Tocqueville by Alexis de Tocqueville Alexis de Tocqueville

We look forward to your participation.


message 205: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Hello all group members,

Folks in the next few weeks you will receive quite a few event notifications for the year. Just respond yes or maybe to have the event posted as a reminder to yourself - if you are not interested in participating in a particular book discussion - just post no for that book. It takes maybe three seconds at most and it helps us know the participation level and helps the moderators who are discussing the books with you. Since we are off to a late start this year with planning - you will see a lot more coming out in a limited amount of time - but remember we only send one event notification per any book discussed so we never spam our members on our site. We are always mindful of their privacy and their limited time.

Regards,

Bentley


message 206: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Mar 17, 2016 09:23PM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
FREE BOOK OFFER CLOSED:

GO TO THE INTRODUCTION THREAD AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE T'S AND C'S BY POSTING ON THAT THREAD YOUR INTEREST AND THAT YOU WOULD ABIDE BY THE T'S AND C'S.

This is where you post that you would like to be considered for a copy of the free book offer:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...--

THEN SEND YOUR FULL NAME AND FULL ADDRESS AND ZIP CODE TO BENTLEY VIA PM SO THAT THE LIST CAN BE COMPILED FOR THE FREE BOOK OFFER.

THIS BOOK WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THE GROUP WITH THE AUTHOR PRESENT FOR THE DISCUSSION.

THE BOOK IS:

Unreasonable Men: Theodore Roosevelt and the Republican Rebels who Created Progressive Politics by Michael Wolraich

Unreasonable Men Theodore Roosevelt and the Republican Rebels Who Created Progressive Politics by Michael Wolraich BY Michael Wolraich Michael Wolraich

Synopsis:

The Republican Party stood at the brink of a civil war. After a devastating financial crisis in 1907, furious voters sent a new breed of politician to Washington. These young Republican firebrands led by “Fighting Bob” La Follette of Wisconsin vowed to overthrow the party leaders and purge Wall Street’s corrupting influence from Washington. Their opponents called them “radicals,” “demagogues,” and “fanatics.” They called themselves Progressives.

President Theodore Roosevelt disapproved of La Follette’s confrontational methods. Fearful of splitting the party, he compromised with “Uncle Joe” Cannon, the powerful Speaker of the House, and Nelson Aldrich, the master of the Senate, to pass modest reforms. But as La Follette’s crusade gathered momentum, the country polarized, and the middle ground melted away. Three years after the end of his presidency, Roosevelt embraced La Follette’s militant tactics and went to war against the Republican establishment, bringing him face to face with his handpicked successor, William Taft. Their epic battle shattered the Republican Party and permanently realigned the electorate, dividing the country into two camps: Progressive and Conservative.

Unreasonable Men takes us into the heart of the epic power struggle that created the progressive movement and defined modern American politics. Recounting the fateful clash between the pragmatic Roosevelt and the radical La Follette, Wolraich’s riveting narrative reveals how a few Republican insurgents broke the conservative chokehold on Congress and initiated the greatest period of political change in America’s history.

Reviews and Praise:

“Michael Wolraich has that special ability to be immersed in the present and bring its insights to the past while still accepting, understanding it on its own terms. Here he brings to life the century old battle where progressive reformism emerged paradoxically out of a civil war within the GOP. A must read.”

— Josh Marshall, Editor and Publisher of Talking Points Memo, Polk Award winner

“This is a fascinating, thoroughly readable account of the rise of Progressivism in America, with a detailed portrait of the rivalry between the two giants of that movement, Teddy Roosevelt and Fighting Bob La Follette. It’s a great addition to the history of the period, and it sheds some crucial light on our current moment.”

— Matthew Rothschild, senior editor at The Progressive

“Unreasonable Men is a shrewd and vividly written account of a conflict that defined the politics of the Progressive Era. It is also a timely story: the same argument between foes and defenders of corporate power which raged a century ago can be heard in our partisan battles today.”

— Michael Kazin, editor of Dissent, Professor of History at Georgetown University, author of American Dreamers: How the Left Shaped a Nation

“Unreasonable Men offers a good, hopeful read for these politically slow early summer days. And, yes, there once were progressive Republicans.”

— AlterNet

“In Unreasonable Men, Michael Wolraich has tapped into an historical goldmine: that turn of the century period when insurgent Republicans drove the progressive movement in America. With impressive documentation, Wolraich expands our understanding of the very different and decidedly more conservative Republican Party of today.”

— Thomas B. Edsall, Joseph Pulitzer II and Edith Pulitzer Moore Professor, Columbia Graduate School of Journalism

“Unreasonable Men recounts the nation’s dramatic transformation as political focus shifted from promoting the interests of the wealthiest Americans to protecting its everyday citizens. Wolraich's engaging narrative recaptures the excitement and suspense of the nation’s turn from conservatism to progressivism. For a nation facing a similar crisis over the role of government today, this book offers inspiration and illustrates the power of fearless leaders committed to real change for the betterment of all.”

— Nancy C. Unger, Professor of History at Santa Clara University and author of Fighting Bob La Follette: The Righteous Reformer

“As Michael Wolraich argues in his sharp, streamlined new book, Unreasonable Men, it was ‘the greatest period of political change in American history.’...Wol­raich is at his lucid best in explaining the parliamentary maneuvers by which [House Speaker ‘Uncle Joe’] Cannon was outsmarted in 1910...Unreasonable Men invites comparison with another book on the same era, Doris Kearns Goodwin’s The Bully Pulpit...If I had to choose between them, I would go with Unreasonable Men.”

— The Washington Post

“From 1904-1912, the American political system underwent enormous growing pains, and political writer Wolraich (Blowing Smoke) gives this decade an exhaustive, detailed examination, from the first ‘creeping sense’ of a new political body into a ‘war with only two sides’ that birthed America’s enduring bipartisan identities...Wolraich probes this historic moment in light of an American political reawakening to the idea of the interests of the citizens as separate from, and potentially victim to, the interests of corporations and capital holders; it is a mighty and relevant insight into the cyclical nature of history.”

— Publishers Weekly

“In his engaging new book, Unreasonable Men: Theodore Roosevelt and the Republican Rebels Who Created Progressive Politics, Michael Wolraich provides a meticulously researched look into the power struggle that created the progressive movement and changed the history of America.”

***** Recommended by the Washington Post, 50 notable works of nonfiction for 2014 *****

“As Michael Wolraich argues in his sharp, streamlined new book, Unreasonable Men, it was ‘the greatest period of political change in American history.’...Unreasonable Men invites comparison with another book on the same era, Doris Kearns Goodwin’s The Bully Pulpit...If I had to choose between them, I would go with Unreasonable Men.” —The Washington Post

“exceptionally modern...lively, passionate and cinematic...the book almost reads like a political thriller” —LSE Review of Books

“a mighty and relevant insight into the cyclical nature of history” —Publishers Weekly

“A must read.” —Josh Marshall, Talking Points Memo

“Wolraich has tapped into an historical goldmine.” —Thomas Edsall, New Republic, New York Times, professor of journalism at Columbia University

“engaging...meticulously researched” —National Memo

“fascinating, thoroughly readable” —Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive magazine

“shrewd and vividly written” —Michael Kazin, Dissent magazine, professor of history at Georgetown University

“Wolraich’s engaging narrative recaptures the excitement and suspense of the nation’s turn from conservatism to progressivism.” —Nancy C. Unger, Fighting Bob La Follette, professor of history at Santa Clara University

“an engaging survey of a movement's progress from radical extremism to conventional wisdom” —Kirkus Reviews

“a good, hopeful read for these politically slow early summer days” —AlterNet


message 207: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Mar 14, 2016 03:13PM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
This event notification is for the April Book of the Month discussion of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction- titled Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King.

Devil in the Grove Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King by Gilbert King Gilbert King

This April Book of the Month selection is being led by Teri and begins for the month of April on April 1st.

The discussion runs through April 30th.

Synopsis:

Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America (2012) by American author Gilbert King is a history of attorney Thurgood Marshall's defense of four young black men in Lake County, Florida, who were falsely accused in 1949 of raping a white woman.

They were known as the Groveland Boys.

Marshall led a team from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

The Pulitzer Committee described it as "a richly detailed chronicle of racial injustice.

Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for General Non Fiction

About the Author:

Gilbert Anthony King is an American writer and photographer. His previous history was The Execution of Willie Francis: Race, Murder, and the Search for Justice in the American South (2008).

He has written for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and he is a featured contributor to the Smithsonian's history blog Past Imperfect. As a photographer, his work has appeared in many magazines including international editions of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan.

We hope that you will join us for this discussion.

Praise:

"Must" read, cannot-put-down-history"
—New York Times

"Suspenseful and historically meticulous"
-Christian Science Monitor

Bentley

Devil in the Grove Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King by Gilbert KingGilbert King

Here is the link to the discussion:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...



message 208: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Mar 21, 2016 05:23PM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Are you new and unfamiliar with Goodreads and how to accomplish what you want to be able to do? Are you getting notifications for EVERY post and from EVERY group? We have threads in the Help Desk folder which should help you navigate Goodreads and our site a bit better.

Link to folder:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

GROUPS

Let us say that you want to stop getting notifications for EVERY new post in a group?

This is what you have to do:

Under “my account” (click here ), go to the “emails” tab which is at the top. Click on it and it will take you to a new screen.

Near the bottom of the new emails account screen, you should be able to see a list of all of your groups under “Group Email Preferences. Click “none" on those that you do not want to receive notification on. See the next topic to choose to receive individual topics. On this page there is a wealth of control that you can exercise on what you receive and what you do not. Very easy and selective.



You can easily see that you have choices as to what you want to do and how you want to do it - you can get a digest, individual, all, notification and none and you can also in the same location decide which threads you want to follow and/or how you want to be notified everywhere. Great page for you to be able to find.

Finally before leaving the page make sure to click SAVE EMAIL SETTINGS otherwise once you leave the page it will revert back to what you had before.

Don't leave groups because you have not set up your email settings properly. This should help you learn how to do just that.


message 209: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
We have sent out the event notification for the Spotlighted book discussion of the Presidential Series selection titled Unreasonable Men: Theodore Roosevelt and the Republican Rebels Who Created Progressive Politics by Michael Wolraich.

This Spotlighted book is being led by Bentley and the book begins on April 11th and runs through June 26th.

The author Michael Wolraich will be participating in the discussion.

Synopsis:

"As Michael Wolraich argues in his sharp, streamlined new book, Unreasonable Men, it was 'the greatest period of political change in American history.'" -Washington Post, 50 Notable Works of Nonfiction

At the turn of the twentieth century, the Republican Party stood at the brink of an internal civil war. After a devastating financial crisis, furious voters sent a new breed of politician to Washington. These young Republican firebrands, led by "Fighting Bob" La Follette of Wisconsin, vowed to overthrow the party leaders and purge Wall Street's corrupting influence from Washington. Their opponents called them "radicals," and "fanatics." They called themselves Progressives.

Does all of this sound vaguely familiar? Join the discussion to find out what being a Progressive meant during the time period of Theodore Roosevelt and what it means today.

About the Author:

Michael Wolraich is a journalist and historian who writes about historical events to illuminate modern politics.

Praise:

"In a timely history of the birth of progressivism, political journalist Michael Wolraich explores the spectacular power struggle that shattered the Republican Party and split the country between the ideological factions that now define modern politics: progressive and conservative.”
—The Daily Beast

We look forward to your joining us.

Bentley


message 210: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
We have sent out the event notification for our next World History selection which focuses on India -- Staying On - the fifth and final book dealing with the Raj Quartet and India by Paul Scott beginning April 4th, 2016.

This book can count as another selection in the Exotic Book Cavalcade to Iconic India Challenge which will be coming to an end with the completion of this last book. The country of India is our focus.

No set of novels so richly recreates the last days of India under British rule--"two nations locked in an imperial embrace"--as Paul Scott's historical tour de force, " The Raj Quartet."

Staying On was the Man Booker Prize Winner in 1977.

In this sequel to The Raj Quartet, Colonel Tusker and Lucy Smalley stay on in the hills of Pankot after Indian independence deprives them of their colonial status. Eloquent and hilarious, she and Tusker act out class tensions among the British of the Raj and give voice to the loneliness, rage, and stubborn affection in their marriage. Staying On won the Booker Prize in 1977 and was made into a motion picture starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson in 1979.

Reviews

"Staying On far transcends the events of its central action. . . . [The work] should help win for Scott . . . the reputation he deserves—as one of the best novelists to emerge from Britain's silver age."
—Robert Towers, Newsweek

"A graceful comic coda to the earlier song of India. . . . No one writing knows or can evoke an Anglo-Indian setting better than Scott."
—Paul Gray, Time

About the Author:

Paul Scott (1920-78), born in London, held a commission in the Indian army during World War II. His many novels include Johnnie Sabib, The Chinese Love Pavilion, and Staying On.

Bentley hopes you can join us for this World History discussion from April 4th, 2016 through June 5th, 2016. An Historical Fiction offering and Jill Hutchinson will be moderating


message 211: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
We have sent out the event notification for the April Book of the Month discussion of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction- titled Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King.

This April Book of the Month selection is being led by Teri and begins for the month of April on April 1st.

The discussion runs through April 30th.

Synopsis:

Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America (2012) by American author Gilbert King is a history of attorney Thurgood Marshall's defense of four young black men in Lake County, Florida, who were falsely accused in 1949 of raping a white woman.

They were known as the Groveland Boys.

Marshall led a team from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

The Pulitzer Committee described it as "a richly detailed chronicle of racial injustice.

Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for General Non Fiction

About the Author:

Gilbert Anthony King is an American writer and photographer. His previous history was The Execution of Willie Francis: Race, Murder, and the Search for Justice in the American South (2008).

He has written for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and he is a featured contributor to the Smithsonian's history blog Past Imperfect. As a photographer, his work has appeared in many magazines including international editions of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan.

We hope that you will join us for this discussion.

Praise:

"Must" read, cannot-put-down-history"
—New York Times

"Suspenseful and historically meticulous"
-Christian Science Monitor

Bentley



message 212: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
So we do not lose our record as we grow:

This is another exciting milestone for us. The History Book Club has welcomed our 12,000th+ member!

Our 12,000th new group member is Abigail Borah.

We are happy to have Abigail with us.

Our group is truly a global one and we have members from all over the world. It was not so long ago that we were a small private group which kept getting notes asking us to let members in because they wanted to join. We decided finally to open up the membership but only if we maintained our high standards and guidelines because we felt that this was what set us apart and contributed to the high level of our discussions.

We love non fiction books at the HBC and we love our membership. Thanks to all of you who have joined and who have contributed to our community and a special thank you to all of our assisting moderators and admins who are all volunteers and have busy lives away from the internet.

We welcome all of you and hope that many more folks will join us in the upcoming year. Additionally we are already into our 9th year here on Goodreads.

Here are the next 20 new members to the History Book Club on goodreads.

Please also welcome - 12,001 - James, 12,002 - Pelagius, 12,003 - Muhammad from Bahawal, Pur, Pakistan, 12,004 - Crumb - 1.0 (jliminator), 12,005 - Puneet Garg from New Delhi, India, 12,006 - Areej from the Philippines, 12,007 - Akbar Hassan from The United Arab Emirates, 12,008 - Traci Nicole from Cincinnati, Ohio, 12,009 - Josef Clarkson, 12,010 - Megan Lynn, 12,011 - Mark from the USA, 12,012 - Laurose,, 12.013 - Anand from Trivandrum, India, 12014 - Eduard Ivascu from Bucharest, Romania, 12,015 - Royath from West Palm Beach, Florida, 12,016 - Alan Throck from Valencia, California, 12.017 - Sean Holohan from Omaha, Nebraska, 12,018 - Tsoodol from Mongolia, 12,019 - Julia Robert from Baku, Azerbajian and 12,020 - Cary Newcomb from the USA.

All best to all of our global friends, neighbors and group members.

Bentley

Updated - Saturday, March 26th, 2016


message 213: by Jill (new)

Jill Hutchinson (bucs1960) A testament to your leadership, Bentley and a set of guidelines that maintain consistency across all topics.


message 214: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Thank you Jill - I appreciate everybody’s help.


message 215: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Apr 03, 2016 04:30PM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
THIS DISCUSSION HAS KICKED OFF: CHECK IT OUT HERE: -

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The April Book of the Month discussion of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction- titled Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King has just begun.

Devil in the Grove Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King by Gilbert King Gilbert King

This April Book of the Month selection is being led by Teri and it began on April 1st - Bentley kicked it off in Teri's absence but Teri is back now.

The discussion runs through April 30th.

Synopsis:

Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America (2012) by American author Gilbert King is a history of attorney Thurgood Marshall's defense of four young black men in Lake County, Florida, who were falsely accused in 1949 of raping a white woman.

They were known as the Groveland Boys.

Marshall led a team from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

The Pulitzer Committee described it as "a richly detailed chronicle of racial injustice.

Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for General Non Fiction

About the Author:

Gilbert Anthony King is an American writer and photographer. His previous history was The Execution of Willie Francis: Race, Murder, and the Search for Justice in the American South (2008).

He has written for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and he is a featured contributor to the Smithsonian's history blog Past Imperfect. As a photographer, his work has appeared in many magazines including international editions of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan.

We hope that you will join us for this discussion.

Praise:

"Must" read, cannot-put-down-history"
—New York Times

"Suspenseful and historically meticulous"
-Christian Science Monitor

Bentley



message 216: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Apr 03, 2016 04:35PM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
TOMORROW - APRIL 4TH - THE LAST BOOK OF THE RAJ QUARTET PLUS ONE IS BEING KICKED OFF BY JILL. THIS HAS BEEN A GRAND JOURNEY AND FOCUS ON INDIA.

CHECK IT OUT HERE:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Staying On by Paul Scott by Paul ScottPaul Scott
This book can count as another selection in the Exotic Book Cavalcade to Iconic India Challenge which will be coming to an end with the completion of this last book. The country of India is our focus.

No set of novels so richly recreates the last days of India under British rule--"two nations locked in an imperial embrace"--as Paul Scott's historical tour de force, " The Raj Quartet."

Staying On was the Man Booker Prize Winner in 1977.

In this sequel to The Raj Quartet, Colonel Tusker and Lucy Smalley stay on in the hills of Pankot after Indian independence deprives them of their colonial status. Eloquent and hilarious, she and Tusker act out class tensions among the British of the Raj and give voice to the loneliness, rage, and stubborn affection in their marriage. Staying On won the Booker Prize in 1977 and was made into a motion picture starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson in 1979.

Reviews

"Staying On far transcends the events of its central action. . . . [The work] should help win for Scott . . . the reputation he deserves—as one of the best novelists to emerge from Britain's silver age."
—Robert Towers, Newsweek

"A graceful comic coda to the earlier song of India. . . . No one writing knows or can evoke an Anglo-Indian setting better than Scott."
—Paul Gray, Time

About the Author:

Paul Scott (1920-78), born in London, held a commission in the Indian army during World War II. His many novels include Johnnie Sabib, The Chinese Love Pavilion, and Staying On.

Bentley hopes you can join us for this World History discussion from April 4th, 2016 through June 5th, 2016. An Historical Fiction offering and Jill Hutchinson will be moderating



message 217: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Jun 30, 2016 09:52AM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Folks, my elderly father is very very ill so I have been away for the past month. As soon as I can be on I will be. This has been an up and down situation for the past few years but he is in a most serious situation right now. I know you will all understand some of the abrupt absences when emergencies arise and I have to travel a distance to advocate on his behalf. I am sorry if this has inconvenienced anyone but I have had to attend to family.

Regards,
Bentley


message 218: by Ann D (new)

Ann D I am so very sorry to hear about your father, Bentley. Take care.


message 219: by Nita (new)

Nita  (goodreadscomnita) I'm very sorry to hear about your father, Bentley. Take as much time as you need. We'll still be here.


message 220: by Donna (new)

Donna (drspoon) Thanks for letting us know, Bentley. I understand completely as I provide the same support for my mom. Take care.


message 221: by Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History (new)

Vicki Cline | 3835 comments Mod
I'm very sorry to hear about your father's situation. What a stressful time for you. Hang in there.


message 222: by Jill (new)

Jill Hutchinson (bucs1960) Bentley.......you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this stressful time. Take care.


message 223: by Glynn (new)

Glynn | 222 comments Bentley - Family definitely first. Sorry to hear about your dad. Prayers for you and your family.


message 224: by Teri (new)

Teri (teriboop) Best wishes for strength and healing.


message 225: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Bentley, you and your family are in my thoughts.


message 226: by Karen (new)

Karen (karinlib) Bentley, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.


message 227: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Jul 30, 2016 05:49PM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Thank you everyone - I have some sad news - my father passed away on July 20th - his services will be on August 4th and August 5th in New England.

This has been a difficult time and he has needed us - his family - so thank you for your understanding.

I will be returning the week following to start getting caught up. But I did want to stop in and say thank you for everyone's thoughts, prayers and understanding.


message 228: by Teri (new)

Teri (teriboop) Very sorry to hear this, Bentley. You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.


message 229: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Sincere heartfelt condolences for your loss. May the joyous memories sustain and endure in the days ahead.


message 230: by Jill (new)

Jill Hutchinson (bucs1960) Memories live forever. Prayers for you and the family.


message 231: by Nita (new)

Nita  (goodreadscomnita) I am so sorry about your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers.


message 232: by Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History (new)

Vicki Cline | 3835 comments Mod
So sorry for your loss. Take care of yourself.


message 233: by Donna (new)

Donna (drspoon) I am very sorry for your loss, Bentley.


message 234: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Thank you everyone - this has been a very sad time for myself and my family. It was made more difficult because it was out of state.

Thank you for your understanding.


message 235: by Simon (new)

Simon Taylor Sorry to hear about your father Bentley.


message 236: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Thank you


message 237: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Just as an FYI: The India Challenge has been completed and is deleted at this point - there is no way to archive the old challenges but your shelves are still intact and will list all of your books that you completed on the that challenge in that challenge's specific shelves.


message 238: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Aug 13, 2016 07:39AM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Hello everyone at the HBC - You may have noticed that I have updated the masthead and the group avatar to reflect the subject of our next Presidential Series book and its author.

Sorry for the delay but it was unavoidable since I was not available to lead the discussion due to my family obligations.

I will be sending out the event notification this weekend and will update the dates for the upcoming discussion. See you there.

For those of you who completed Michael Wolraich's exciting and timely book since we are in the midst of the crazy season of politics - thank you for your involvement and for a wonderful discussion of a great book with a very enthusiastic and involved author.

Many thanks Michael and to your publisher.

Upcoming Presidential Series discussion:

Washington A Life by Ron Chernow by Ron Chernow Ron Chernow

And a special thank you to Michael Wolraich - if you haven't read his book - it fits right in with what is going on this year in politics:

Unreasonable Men Theodore Roosevelt and the Republican Rebels Who Created Progressive Politics by Michael Wolraich by Michael Wolraich Michael Wolraich


message 239: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
By the way - the masthead is a portion of the wonderful painting by NC Wyeth called George Washington and Yorktown:

NC Wyeth:

American Golden Age Illustrator, 1882-1945 1882-1945,was an American artist and illustrator.

He was the star pupil of the artist Howard Pyle, and became one of America's greatest illustrators.

During his lifetime, Wyeth created over 3,000 paintings and illustrated 112 books,25 of them for Scribner's, the work for which he is best known.

Wyeth was a realist painter just as the camera and photography began to compete with his craft. Sometimes seen as melodramatic, his illustrations were designed to be understood quickly - Wyeth who was both a painter and an illustrator, understood the difference, and said in 1908, china oil painting NC Wyeth George Washington at Yorktown




message 240: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Aug 17, 2016 01:28PM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
For those of you looking for the India challenge threads and those threads related to India as well as all of the discussion threads for the Raj Quartet (The Jewel in the Crown series) by Paul Scott and his Man Booker Prize sequel - Staying On - these threads have not disappeared but have been moved and archived to the History of Southern Asia folder. If you scroll down you will find all of the threads for any of the books in the series that were discussed. Our discussion threads always remain open so enjoy and catch up as you can - that series will not disappoint.

The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott by Paul Scott Paul Scott

Staying On by Paul Scott by Paul Scott Paul Scott

Link to the History of Southern Asia folder:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...


message 241: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Aug 17, 2016 05:37PM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
The Liberation Trilogy

For those of you looking for the threads for the Liberation Trilogy - a phenomenal non fiction series by Rick Atkinson - these discussion threads have been archived and moved to The Second World War thread. Please look for them there if you would like to undertake reading these books - you will not be disappointed and all of the threads for the books we discussed are in that folder now.

The Liberation Trilogy Boxed Set by Rick Atkinson Rick Atkinson Rick Atkinson

For those of you looking for The Second World War folder - here is the link:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...


message 242: by Dimitri (new)

Dimitri | 600 comments Bentley wrote: "Thank you everyone - I have some sad news - my father passed away on July 20th - his services will be on August 4th and August 5th in New England.

This has been a difficult time and he has needed..."


my condolences.


message 243: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Thank you Dimitri


message 244: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
READATHON NINE IS OPEN AND READY.

Wherever you are globally - just plug into the particular thread which matches up with your timezone.


message 245: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Hello Laura - the threads will be put up this week and I will contact all folks who sign up for the discussion with a link.

The event notification has just gone out and the discussion will begin on September 26th,

Sorry for the delay.


message 246: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Here is a copy of the event notification that was just sent out. Be sure to respond with yes or maybe if you plan to participate.

Event for The History Book Club

The History Book Club is announcing an upcoming new Presidential Series discussion of Washington : A Life by Ron Chernow beginning September 26th, 2016.

Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Biography

This event notification is for the Presidential Series discussion beginning September 26th with a three month duration ending on December 18th.

In Washington, A Life, Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one-volume life of Washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his troubled boyhood, his precocious feats in the French and Indian War, his creation of Mount Vernon, his heroic exploits with the Continental Army, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and his magnificent performance as America's first president.

Review(s):

“Truly magnificent… [a] well-researched, well-written and absolutely definitive biography” –Andrew Roberts, The Wall Street Journal

“Superb… the best, most comprehensive, and most balanced single-volume biography of Washington ever written.” –Gordon S. Wood, The New York Review of Books

We hope you can join us to discuss Washington, A Life by Ron Chernow beginning September 26th, 2016.

Bentley will be leading this discussion and sorry for the delay.

Here is the link to the event notification - be sure to respond.

https://www.goodreads.com/event/show/...


message 247: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
No problem - we will get the threads up and ready tomorrow and Tuesday in plenty of time.

My schedule is what has been changing lately and I wanted to lead this one.


message 248: by Sasha (new)

Sasha Abramsky | 6 comments This is Sasha Abramsky. I'm on the discussion site for the next hour if people have questions about The House of Twenty Thousand Books...


message 249: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Wonderful Sasha - but in the future I would like to give a bit more of a heads up (smile) - I will also set up a Q&A thread for you and the folks reading the book and you are welcome to pop in as much as you can - everybody is enjoying your book - thank you.


message 250: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
This event notification is for the October Book of the Month discussion of the 2015 National Book Award Finalist for Non Fiction and the Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Science and Technology - titled The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery

This October Book of the Month selection is being led by Teri and begins for the month of October on October 1st.

The discussion runs through October 31st.

Synopsis:

In this astonishing book from the author of the bestselling memoir The Good Good Pig, Sy Montgomery explores the emotional and physical world of the octopus' surprisingly complex, intelligent, and spirited creature: and the remarkable connections it makes with humans.

The Soul of an Octopus reveals what octopuses can teach us about consciousness and the meeting of two very different minds.

About the Author:

Part Indiana Jones, part Emily Dickinson, as the Boston Globe describes her, Sy Montgomery is an author, naturalist, documentary scriptwriter, and radio commentator who has traveled to some of the worlds most remote wildernesses for her work. She has worked in a pit crawling with 18,000 snakes in Manitoba, been hunted by a tiger in India, swum with pink dolphins in the Amazon, and been undressed by an orangutan in Borneo. She is the author of 13 award-winning books, including her national best-selling memoir, The Good Good Pig. Montgomery lives in Hancock, New Hampshire.

We hope that you will join us for this discussion.

Praise:

"The Soul of an Octopus is an astoundingly beautiful read in its entirety, at once scientifically illuminating and deeply poetic, and is indeed a worthy addition to the best science books of the year."
– Science Friday, NPR

Bentley


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