Anybody read one lately?
I did a search of the archives for a book thread and came up with nothing ???
i have spent the past year only reading steven king. i sorta got hooked on his writing.
i also read a book by frederick gerstacker, not spelt correctly. it is about his travels in this country back in history. he was an adventurer and expert deer killer. ;D
I have a few good books here. But, a couple are of local interest and history of early NB guide outfitters. The others are books on "The Bay" and one about the life of one of our Prime Ministers during the Kennedy years. They didn't get along. :D
The two NB books have some stuff that includes some family members. You can't get these off Amazon unless used, nor "The Bay" ones.
The first one is "Men of the Autumn Woods" and a recent release is "Beyond the Trodden Path". Both by Gerry Parker. These are books on history that is never told in schools. Only a small volume of these get printed, but they are nice books with lots of photos and tales of the times. :)
I like the story about "Tommy the Moose" in one of them. He was a tamed moose John Connell used to ride and haul sleds with. ;D
And in the new one the stories about the salt licks here in the deep woods and early wildlife photography. Some photography is in a museum up in northern Michigan University from an old senator who used to come here around 1900-1905. I mean most of his photography would be of Michigan, but he also explored Ontario and NB. ;) I use the word 'explore' loosely, as it was the old guides that did the exploring.
I am currently reading "The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Investing 2010 Edition" written by Jason Kelly. Very informative and very easy to understand with lots of charts to reinforce the written text.
My Favortite Book is Glacier Pilot
The book is about Bush Pilot's that flew in Alaska in the 30's to the 50's, they were a special breed of men.
When I came home from Vietnam I was planning to be Bush Pilot. I went to a Aircraft Mechanic school and got my FAA Airframe & Powerplant license. Anyay... along the way... I fell in love and never went to Alaska to live out my dream (Bush Pilot). I missed one of my big dream's in life because.... I never got married to the gal either and lost on both sides of the coin flip.
One of the my favorite written items from the book was a poem from a little Eskimo girl (wrote for homework). She wrote about one of the most famous Bush Pilot's with the last name of Gilliam.
She wrote... Gilliam, Crash'm, and Spill'm but No Kill'm... Gilliam. I still laugh at that little poem and its been over 40 years since I read the Glacier Pilot.
Whole series of fiction history novels by Bernard Cornwell, need to read them in order. I'm about 2/3rds of the way through the Sharpe series, I get 3 new ones for each birthday and Christmas. Learned more history from fiction then I did in 16 years of school.
Just finished reading Tom Clancy's "Dead or Alive". Lots of bang bang shootumup, but the overall story is chillingly plausible. How closely the book parallels todays world is down right scary.
I am currently reading Ordinary Wolves (http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Wolves-Milkweed-National-Fiction/dp/1571310444) by Seth Kantner. It's a great read if you want to know what living in remote Alaska is really like.
In many ways, he had it rougher than I did. In some ways, he had it easier.
I haven't yet read a Clive Cussler book that I didn't like. Even though a lot of the story lines are similar, it's a good story line.
I read The Walking Drum, several years ago by Louise Lamoire. Very good book, but leaves it wide open for a sequal, unfortunately he died before it was written.
I like to read. It seems that I don't read as much as I used to though, now that we've got high speed internet.
Does it come on DVD? :D With 3 young in's, coaching minor hockey 2 nights a week with games and tournaments every weekend, a full time job during the day and my consulting business by night...who has time to read. :D
Self inflicted I know...
Just finishing up Ayn Rands "The Fountainhead"
Pineywoods, is that his new one?
Quote from: ely on December 14, 2010, 06:48:36 PM
i have spent the past year only reading steven king. i sorta got hooked on his writing.
i also read a book by frederick gerstacker, not spelt correctly. it is about his travels in this country back in history. he was an adventurer and expert deer killer. ;D
I've read that Gerstacker book about his ramblings and wanderings in the United States. He was a German immigrant. That is a good book. He traveled around in the U.S. in the early 1840s' hunting, trapping, working here and there at all sorts of jobs. It was interesting to read how the U.S. looked to him from a German immigrants eyes at that time. I love to read that kind of book :) :)
Quote from: SwampDonkey on December 14, 2010, 07:03:22 PM
And in the new one the stories about the salt licks here in the deep woods and early wildlife photography. Some photography is in a museum up in northern Michigan University from an old senator who used to come here around 1900-1905. I mean most of his photography would be of Michigan, but he also explored Ontario and NB. ;) I use the word 'explore' loosely, as it was the old guides that did the exploring.
I've been up to the university there to see the mineral museum. I have the Shiras books on wildlife photography those are interesting to see. He did some of the earliest wild life photography, a lot of it at night from a canoe. If I am not mistaken most of it was done up in the Huron Mountain Club land.
Quote from: beenthere on December 14, 2010, 07:39:13 PM
I've just recently learned that I have a cousin Bill that is a Western writer. One on kindle is
http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Man-Creek/dp/B002JM0ILS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1249429398&sr=1-1
That is neat , he has several interesting looking books published. Good for him. I've never seen what they get for those electronic "kindle" books they are about the same price as a paper/traditonal book ??? ???
Quote from: Busy Beaver Lumber on December 14, 2010, 07:46:49 PM
I am currently reading "The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Investing 2010 Edition" written by Jason Kelly. Very informative and very easy to understand with lots of charts to reinforce the written text.
Going to be doing some stock investing? :) I have most of my money invested in land there is very little risk in that at least that is the way I have it figured. The stock market is an interesting thing though, I think most people have to little a knowledge of how that works and our economy in general really. :-\
I'm getting The Collector: David Douglas and the Natural History of the Northwest for Christmas (think Douglas-fir) and am looking forward to reading that...
Quote from: H60 Hawk Pilot on December 14, 2010, 08:17:45 PM
My Favortite Book is Glacier Pilot
The book is about Bush Pilot's that flew in Alaska in the 30's to the 50's, they were a special breed of men.
When I came home from Vietnam I was planning to be Bush Pilot. I went to a Aircraft Mechanic school and got my FAA Airframe & Powerplant license. Anyay... along the way... I fell in love and never went to Alaska to live out my dream (Bush Pilot). I missed one of my big dream's in life because.... I never got married to the gal either and lost on both sides of the coin flip.
I read that book too :) , and many similar , it was about the same with me I wanted to be a bush pilot also :) that or a big game guide preferably both :D
it wasn't all a pipe dream though I did actually take some flying lessons. Enough to be able to see that there was no way I was ever going to be a bush pilot in this lifetime. You would have had to have been in the military just to get the required hours of experience it seemed to me :D
Quote from: Onthesauk on December 14, 2010, 09:18:05 PM
Whole series of fiction history novels by Bernard Cornwell, need to read them in order. I'm about 2/3rds of the way through the Sharpe series, I get 3 new ones for each birthday and Christmas. Learned more history from fiction then I did in 16 years of school.
I like good historical fiction that can be real entertaining reading , and educational at the same time :D
I have always liked Kenneth Roberts , he was extremely knowledgeable about what he was writing about most of it 18th century America , the Revolutionary War period etc. . For more recent history I have read Stewart Edward White , Zane Grey , Jack London they all write about the out of doors could create seemingly real life characters with the written word alone.
Quote from: pineywoods on December 14, 2010, 11:17:44 PM
Just finished reading Tom Clancy's "Dead or Alive". Lots of bang bang shootumup, but the overall story is chillingly plausible. How closely the book parallels todays world is down right scary.
Tom Clancy is great , I liked the movie Hunt For Red October . He has written a lot of good books :)
Quote from: Warbird on December 15, 2010, 12:05:26 AM
I am currently reading Ordinary Wolves (http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Wolves-Milkweed-National-Fiction/dp/1571310444) by Seth Kantner. It's a great read if you want to know what living in remote Alaska is really like.
In many ways, he had it rougher than I did. In some ways, he had it easier.
ha ha , nice to see so many good book suggestions! I love it. Have you ever read the book by Heimo Korth called The Last Frontiersman? I read it last fall. He was the last person allowed to homestead up in the ANWR reserve. He was a greenhorn when he got up there and learned some lessons the very hard way. He was from here where I live. Must be something in the water around here , lots of wisconsinites seem to end up in AK. , maybe because they are used to the cold! -23 f here this morning.
Quote from: Carpenter on December 15, 2010, 12:12:22 AM
I like to read. It seems that I don't read as much as I used to though, now that we've got high speed internet.
I know exactly what you mean :D .... I use to read a LOT more before the days of the internet and when I had no TV :D I'll always be a big reader though , I mean everything a person ever wants to know is in a book somewhere. Of course it is on google too... I still like traditional paper books ;) always will.
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 10:43:10 AM
Tom Clancy is great , I liked the movie Hunt For Red October . He has written a lot of good books :)
If you liked the movie, you'd love the book. DanG movie left out half the book.
In 1905, guide and outfitter Adam Moore hosted Shiras at the Rocky Brook lick and Don Dickey from California was also a photographer at the lick in the 1920's also hosted by Moore. This was up in the head waters of the Tobique River. Got a photo here where the fellas at the camp on Nictau Lake have caught a baby moose abandoned by it's mother. Nictau Lake is the head of the Tobique. Fires wiped out most camps over the years up in that area. I've got a photo in the book showing 8 camps there plus others just out of view. It was a big spread. What camps survived the test of time were taken away when the Mount Carleton Park was established in the 1960's. Expropriation was common around that time and decade earlier for hydroelectric development.
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 10:43:10 AM
Quote from: pineywoods on December 14, 2010, 11:17:44 PM
Just finished reading Tom Clancy's "Dead or Alive". Lots of bang bang shootumup, but the overall story is chillingly plausible. How closely the book parallels todays world is down right scary.
Tom Clancy is great , I liked the movie Hunt For Red October . He has written a lot of good books :)
One of my all time favorites is Red Storm Rising by Clancy. I do not like his series books which are co written.
How about WEB Griffin?
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 10:29:57 AM
Quote from: Busy Beaver Lumber on December 14, 2010, 07:46:49 PM
I am currently reading "The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Investing 2010 Edition" written by Jason Kelly. Very informative and very easy to understand with lots of charts to reinforce the written text.
Going to be doing some stock investing? :) I have most of my money invested in land there is very little risk in that at least that is the way I have it figured. The stock market is an interesting thing though, I think most people have to little a knowledge of how that works and our economy in general really. :-\
Northwoods
I have been investing in the stock market for over 20 years and have done fairly well with it. Most of my early effort involved a lot of manual research and seat time at the library trying to select good candidates to invest in. Over the past decade or so, most brokerages and some on-line sources have developed "Stock Screener" software that allows you to do the same research in a fraction of the time it used to take to do it manually. The let you define what criteria you want to search the stocks for based on multiple conditions you define. History has proven that stocks that meet certain criteria are statistically more likely to go up in value than those that do not meet certain criteria. I am constantly reading to further refine my search criteria and tweek it as best I can based on the knowledge and experience of other successful traders and experts.
Don't get em wrong, I agree with you that real estate has proven to be a good investment over time and I do own that as well, plus I buy and sell machinery when the rich deals come along.
Fred
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 10:47:37 AM
Quote from: Warbird on December 15, 2010, 12:05:26 AM
I am currently reading Ordinary Wolves (http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Wolves-Milkweed-National-Fiction/dp/1571310444) by Seth Kantner. It's a great read if you want to know what living in remote Alaska is really like.
In many ways, he had it rougher than I did. In some ways, he had it easier.
ha ha , nice to see so many good book suggestions! I love it. Have you ever read the book by Heimo Korth called The Last Frontiersman? I read it last fall. He was the last person allowed to homestead up in the ANWR reserve. He was a greenhorn when he got up there and learned some lessons the very hard way. He was from here where I live. Must be something in the water around here , lots of wisconsinites seem to end up in AK. , maybe because they are used to the cold! -23 f here this morning.
I read the last frontiersman last week! great book. I think someone here recommended it.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and the two sequels.
Quote from: Raider Bill on December 15, 2010, 12:45:03 PM
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 10:47:37 AM
Quote from: Warbird on December 15, 2010, 12:05:26 AM
I am currently reading Ordinary Wolves (http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Wolves-Milkweed-National-Fiction/dp/1571310444) by Seth Kantner. It's a great read if you want to know what living in remote Alaska is really like.
In many ways, he had it rougher than I did. In some ways, he had it easier.
ha ha , nice to see so many good book suggestions! I love it. Have you ever read the book by Heimo Korth called The Last Frontiersman? I read it last fall. He was the last person allowed to homestead up in the ANWR reserve. He was a greenhorn when he got up there and learned some lessons the very hard way. He was from here where I live. Must be something in the water around here , lots of wisconsinites seem to end up in AK. , maybe because they are used to the cold! -23 f here this morning.
I read the last frontiersman last week! great book. I think someone here recommended it.
I can suggest another book that is right along the same lines, it is called "The Last of the Mountain Men" which is about a guy named Sylvan Hart. He went in to remote Idaho and set up a homestead on government land. They tried to kick him off but finally left him alone because he really went all out on the self sufficiency thing. He had a great little cabin that you couldn't access except by scaffolding running along a cliff face above , I think, the Snake river. Had a large vegetable garden with dozens of different things growing in it and a blacksmith shop where he made all sorts of stuff like knives and he even built the guns he used to get his meat. Really interesting book I bet you would like it :) :)
Quote from: Texas Ranger on December 15, 2010, 12:48:36 PM
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and the two sequels.
That is another one which I just saw the movie haven't read the book. I thought the movie was good and I think I just saw a new book out that has that same girl as a character, it must be the sequel your talking about.
Quote from: RynSmith on December 15, 2010, 10:32:37 AM
I'm getting The Collector: David Douglas and the Natural History of the Northwest for Christmas (think Douglas-fir) and am looking forward to reading that...
That book sounds interesting. I bet there would be a lot of information in there you might not find elsewhere.
Quote from: Samuel on December 15, 2010, 08:11:42 AM
Does it come on DVD? :D With 3 young in's, coaching minor hockey 2 nights a week with games and tournaments every weekend, a full time job during the day and my consulting business by night...who has time to read. :D
Self inflicted I know...
Yes I know what you mean by not having time. Most of the time for me it is hard to find a book that really holds my interest. Nothing better than a good book though... it often helps me forget about all of the other things that require my attention.
Actually , to be honest I find time to read EVERY morning for at least a couple minutes :D shortly after I wake up and have my 1st cup of coffee and need to visit the lavatory :D :D
I listed "Decision Points By George W. Bush." on the Restricted Board as I enjoyed the book. Currently 125 pages into "Spoken from the Heart" by Laura Bush. Enjoying it also. I don't think John Grisham or Tom Clancy has ever written a bad book.
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 10:47:37 AM
Quote from: Warbird on December 15, 2010, 12:05:26 AM
I am currently reading Ordinary Wolves (http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Wolves-Milkweed-National-Fiction/dp/1571310444) by Seth Kantner. It's a great read if you want to know what living in remote Alaska is really like.
In many ways, he had it rougher than I did. In some ways, he had it easier.
ha ha , nice to see so many good book suggestions! I love it. Have you ever read the book by Heimo Korth called The Last Frontiersman? I read it last fall. He was the last person allowed to homestead up in the ANWR reserve. He was a greenhorn when he got up there and learned some lessons the very hard way. He was from here where I live. Must be something in the water around here , lots of wisconsinites seem to end up in AK. , maybe because they are used to the cold! -23 f here this morning.
I have heard of "The Last Frontiersman" but have not yet read it. Sounds like I'll have to check it out.
-37 F here this mornin'. Supposed to get real cold tonight.... they're calling for -50.
Quote from: Warbird on December 15, 2010, 04:52:56 PM
I have heard of "The Last Frontiersman" but have not yet read it. Sounds like I'll have to check it out.
-37 F here this mornin'. Supposed to get real cold tonight.... they're calling for -50.
I've got a hardback copy of that if you want it. Think I bought it in an airport somewhere needed something to read :) where do you get books where you live anyhow, do they have a library there or what?
Quote from: Chris Burchfield on December 15, 2010, 03:53:43 PM
I listed "
Decision Points By George W. Bush." on the Restricted Board as I enjoyed the book. Currently 125 pages into "Spoken from the Heart" by Laura Bush. Enjoying it also. I don't thing John Grisham or Tom Clancy has ever written a bad book.
George Bush wrote a book? I did not know that.
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 06:28:53 PM
where do you get books where you live anyhow, do they have a library there or what?
Heh. Yes, we have a library and many stores. Fairbanks is what I call a large city with something like 40,000 people. It's gotten too large for my tastes. I've lived in extremely remote places, though, where we had nothing of the sort.
Just ordered "last of the mountain men"
Thanks for the tip
Quote from: Warbird on December 15, 2010, 06:46:55 PM
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 06:28:53 PM
where do you get books where you live anyhow, do they have a library there or what?
Heh. Yes, we have a library and many stores. Fairbanks is what I call a large city with something like 40,000 people. It's gotten too large for my tastes. I've lived in extremely remote places, though, where we had nothing of the sort.
I wasn't sure if you were close to town or not, or even what Fairbanks looks like. I've been close to Fairbanks but not quite there. I have a friend that lives in Delta Junction I would like to visit. I can send you that book if you want costs about $2 for media rate. Just pass it on when your done that would be fine with me 8)
Quote from: Raider Bill on December 15, 2010, 06:51:11 PM
Just ordered "last of the mountain men"
Thanks for the tip
Hey your welcome :) once in a great while you will still see some of his knives he made floating around for sale. Most people prize them, mostly for the story that goes along with them. :)
World Made by Hand, fiction by James Howard Kunstler. One man's fictional account of a post-apocalyptic America, set in the not too distant future. Disturbing images, but the only piece of fiction that I have read straight through in the last twenty years. If you're not already perhaps a slightly paranoid survivalist, it might set you on that path. In any event, I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it.
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 06:30:30 PM
George Bush wrote a book? I did not know that.
Yes, my father is reading it also. It's gotten lots of air time before it's release, mostly people poking fun for whatever reason.
I've been to Alaska, at a tiny little hamlet called Hyder in the panhandle. It is across the street, literally, from Stewart, BC. Stewart is the most northerly ice free port in Canada. It's quite a ways above Prince Rupert. Anyway, the mail service in Hyder comes from Canada Post in Stewart. There was a nice little store/trading post there where I got some nice wool pants for $20 a pair, Canadian money at par. 8) I was only there to see Stewart. We were up at Stewart Junction for work. From the junction you go one way to Stewart or on to northern Alaska or south to Cedarvale which is along the Skeena R. and the Kings Highway. That would take us all day to drive up there to the camps just before the junction on the Nass River.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Mez_Nass.jpg)
Icey blue waters of the Meziadin meet the milky glacier melt waters of the Nass. Meziadin Lake filters out the silt of the glacial melt before it dumps into the Nass.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Nass.jpg)
Nass river camp
Sometimes it would be crazy weather up there. The climate changes there as you go up into those forested hills above camp. Above them forest hills are rugged peaks frozen in ice and snow. Some times it would be raining all day down in camp and we would go up in those hills and the sun was shining all day up there. :D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Nass2.jpg)
Shows the changes from green aspen trees in the valley to ice and snow in the mountains. Not a book, and trouble is if a man doesn't keep a journal of some kind, the memory of it all fades with time. Mostly names of places and people you forget. You don't forget what you did. ;)
Northwoods,
Have you read "The Mountain Man" by Vardis Fisher? It was the book that the movie Jeremiah Johnson was based upon. Vardis Fisher also wrote a fictional account of the Donner Party called "The Mothers". He also wrote a fictional series of books called "The Testament of Man" that is one account of the ascent of man that was more formative on me than anything else that I have ever read.
Just finished reading an old classic "Two years Before the Mast" by Richard Henry Dana Jr, might be the best book I ever read and I've read a bunch :P :P :P
I'm going to keep amazon busy ordering these books you guys recommend!
I generally have 3 going at one time. My main book for unwinding and going to sleep with, a quick reader for the water closet and a book on cd in the truck.
I love to read in the mornings with my coffee. It is a gift to myself that I really have enjoyed the past couple of years.
The two recent authors I have been reading are: Bryce Courteny and Jim Fergus.
Bryce Courteney is an Australian author, his books are very long, in the 700-900 page range, but once started I could not put them down! Some of his books are: "The Power of One" and its sequel "Tandia"....books based in Africa back in the early to mid 1900's. "The Potato Factory" and its sequel "Tommo & Hawk" are excellent books based on life in Australia back in the late 1800's early 1900's. And right now I am reading his book, "Brother Fish", another Australian based book concerning the Korean war. I am only 200 pages into this book of plus 900, so I am guessing it extends up to current times, but I don't know. Bryce is one of the best authors I have ever read.
Jim Fergus's books are based on America's southwest back in the days of Indians. "One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd" was his first fiction book, and "The Wild Girl" was his second. Excellent books both of them. Most of his books are non-fiction based on hunting, "A Hunter's Road: A journey with Gun & Dog Across the American Uplands". I just loaded this one onto my Kindle, but have not read it yet.
John Grisham's "The Confession" was a disappointment to me. I think I am just burned out on Grisham for awhile.
This is a great thread, I like learning about new authors and adventures for my mind!
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 06:59:44 PM
Quote from: Warbird on December 15, 2010, 06:46:55 PM
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 15, 2010, 06:28:53 PM
where do you get books where you live anyhow, do they have a library there or what?
Heh. Yes, we have a library and many stores. Fairbanks is what I call a large city with something like 40,000 people. It's gotten too large for my tastes. I've lived in extremely remote places, though, where we had nothing of the sort.
I wasn't sure if you were close to town or not, or even what Fairbanks looks like. I've been close to Fairbanks but not quite there. I have a friend that lives in Delta Junction I would like to visit. I can send you that book if you want costs about $2 for media rate. Just pass it on when your done that would be fine with me 8)
That is a very gracious offer of you, northwoods1. One I'd be happy to accept, as long as you promise to look me up should you ever be in this area. I already owe one FF member a cup of coffee for some reading material he sent up. I'd like to buy you a cup of coffee too, in return. :)
Let me know if this is acceptable and I'll PM you my mailing address.
My bedtime story-teller book, "Guns of the Old West" by Dean Boorman is a fascinating volume of the guns, rifles, pistols [and a few others] that settled the Old West. One of my favorites is a color photo of a U.S. Army Spencer carbine in a .56-56 caliber. The rifle was carried by a Cheyenne warrior in the Battle of Little Bighorn.
I've read several books by a writer named Allan Eckert. His thing is to take a certain person or historical period and deal with it. He wrote a novel all about the Black Hawk war out in Illinois, another about Simon Kenton, a historical figure who was famous in the early days of Kentucky, and a whole sackful of others. What I like about his writing is that he puts an extensive set of footnotes at the end of his books that expand the information in the text. His writing is based on historical records but he does put words into the historical figure's mouths, recreating conversations that are in context with their known statements and actions. The result is a good taste of history minus that terrible 'dryness' so much of historical writing experiences. I think I've read five of his novels and I've enjoyed each one very much, so be warned- you may become addicted! Some of his titles are The Frontiersmen, Wilderness Empire, Gateway to Empire, The Wilderness War, Twilight of Empire, and Tecumseh. Happy reading!
Quote from: john_boylan on December 15, 2010, 10:06:51 PM
World Made by Hand, fiction by James Howard Kunstler. One man's fictional account of a post-apocalyptic America, set in the not too distant future. Disturbing images, but the only piece of fiction that I have read straight through in the last twenty years. If you're not already perhaps a slightly paranoid survivalist, it might set you on that path. In any event, I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it.
I'll look that one up , sounds like the story might make a good movie.
Quote from: WDH on December 16, 2010, 07:47:19 AM
Northwoods,
Have you read "The Mountain Man" by Vardis Fisher? It was the book that the movie Jeremiah Johnson was based upon. Vardis Fisher also wrote a fictional account of the Donner Party called "The Mothers". He also wrote a fictional series of books called "The Testament of Man" that is one account of the ascent of man that was more formative on me than anything else that I have ever read.
I love that movie and do have the book by Vardis Fisher. I have another about liver eating Johnston as they called him , it is called Crow Killer.
I have never heard of the other books you mentioned but they look interesting to me I will look them up.
Quote from: Skip on December 16, 2010, 09:33:03 AM
Just finished reading an old classic "Two years Before the Mast" by Richard Henry Dana Jr, might be the best book I ever read and I've read a bunch :P :P :P
I'll definitely look that one up it sounds very interesting. I was looking at it a little already I see that "before the mast" refers to the lodging area in the ship also known as the forecastle where the poor people would be. I don't know why but I like books that describe a lot of real life hardship, and a sailors life sure could be full of that. :D
Quote from: Patty on December 16, 2010, 10:39:27 AM
I love to read in the mornings with my coffee. It is a gift to myself that I really have enjoyed the past couple of years.
The two recent authors I have been reading are: Bryce Courteny and Jim Fergus.
Bryce Courteney is an Australian author, his books are very long, in the 700-900 page range, but once started I could not put them down! Some of his books are: "The Power of One" and its sequel "Tandia"....
:) I just read The Power of One , very good book! Something that was funny about it was that I read a good portion of the book before I figured out the main character was a white boy and not black. I thought I knew a bit about racism , but now I know the issue can be very complicated :-[
I liked the descriptions of the old guy who had all the cactuses, the music teacher. Courtney is a good author :)
Nelson Demille is another Author I like.
When traveling I go to the first Cracker Barrel and rent a book on CD $3.99 for 5 days. They have a good selection of titles and you don't have to keep looking for radio stations while on the road.
Reading is something I do a lot of and always have. Dunno where or why I got the bug but it's not a bad one to have. In 8th grade I was tested at 1200 words per minute.
Quote from: chain on December 16, 2010, 09:41:52 PM
My bedtime story-teller book, "Guns of the Old West" by Dean Boorman is a fascinating volume of the guns, rifles, pistols [and a few others] that settled the Old West. One of my favorites is a color photo of a U.S. Army Spencer carbine in a .56-56 caliber. The rifle was carried by a Cheyenne warrior in the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Yup I have that book also. I have a lot of books on firearms , and weapons in general. I would guess I am probably familiar with most books that have ever been published about guns in the U.S. , not so much new guns but antique guns and weapons.
Quote from: Doc Hickory on December 17, 2010, 02:00:38 AM
I've read several books by a writer named Allan Eckert. Some of his titles are The Frontiersmen, Wilderness Empire, Gateway to Empire, The Wilderness War, Twilight of Empire, and Tecumseh. Happy reading!
:) I would recommend the Eckert books , and I have read them all :) . I even have the last one he wrote called That Dark and Bloody Ground , when it 1st came out I saw him at a large muzzleloading shoot held down in Friendship Indiana and he signed it for me. I have bought and sold a ton of his books over the years! His books will always be popular I am sure.
Quote from: Raider Bill on December 17, 2010, 09:05:37 AM
Nelson Demille is another Author I like.
When traveling I go to the first Cracker Barrel and rent a book on CD $3.99 for 5 days. They have a good selection of titles and you don't have to keep looking for radio stations while on the road.
Reading is something I do a lot of and always have. Dunno where or why I got the bug but it's not a bad one to have. In 8th grade I was tested at 1200 words per minute.
I have gotten books on CD there also when I am on the road. I love that place we don't have any near me. I always have "uncle Herschels breakfast" or something like that. Basically it is a little of everything :)
sourdough french toast with 2 eggs and bacon!
If you read "The Power of One" you will very much enjoy its sequel "Tandia". It picks up right where "Power of One" leaves off.
I listened to the entire series of Harry Potter books on tape while traveling. They were such a delight! I often found myself sitting in the parking lot of my destination listening to my book. I just couldn't tear myself away!
Quote from: Raider Bill on December 17, 2010, 09:05:37 AM
Reading is something I do a lot of and always have. Dunno where or why I got the bug but it's not a bad one to have. In 8th grade I was tested at 1200 words per minute.
Yes I have always been a very prolific reader even in grade school. I can remember in the 4th grade I got this book from my older brother called HAVE SPACE SUIT WILL TRAVEL by Robert Heinlein. I carried that book around with me everywhere and read it over and over and over :D
Seems hilarious now, but I really got into the story it was about a kid named Kip who won a space suit through a contest off a cereal box and then he went on to have all kinds of adventures with it. Shortly after that I was reading all kinds of Sci Fi , all the major authors. All of Tolkiens books I can remember that was in the 6th grade. EDgar Rice Burroughs I still have all my paperbacks probably 40 or so from him :) .
I don't know if it could be said I have been very successful in life , but I would say that whatever success I have had is due in large part to the fact I could get a book to learn about whatever I needed to , and to read about other people who's example I could follow.
My favorite is 'The Shepherd of the Hills' by Harold Bell Wright. If it weren't for this book, Branson, Mo would just be another unheard of little town.
It gives one an idea of life in the Ozarks around the turn of the century following the Civil war. It's got loving and shooting and sawmilling in it. What more could you want? :D
Yes, but I sorta liked Branson just the way it was years ago. :)
Well, I suppose Joes Crab Shack and Bass Pro are welcome additions. 8) 8)
I do have The Shepard of the Hills on my bookshelf.
Quote from: Bro. Noble on December 17, 2010, 10:43:15 AM
My favorite is 'The Shepherd of the Hills' by Harold Bell Wright. If it weren't for this book, Branson, Mo would just be another unheard of little town.
It gives one an idea of life in the Ozarks around the turn of the century following the Civil war. It's got loving and shooting and sawmilling in it. What more could you want? :D
I gonna look up that book it sounds interesting... talk about life shortly after the civil war in MO. , there is one book that I "really" enjoyed reading called Gone To Texas by Forest Carter. This was later made into a movie, I am sure you have heard of it, called The Outlaw Josey Wales. I love that movie and have it on DVD but it is another case of the book is way better than the movie. Kind of unusual too, in that the author forest carter said he actually wrote the book with the specific idea in mind that he was going to approach Clint Eastwood and see if he would make it in to a movie which he did.
I'm waiting till this thread is about done before I order anymore books. You guys just keep adding to the list.
On second thought I hope it never ends!
Swamp Donkey mentioned about keeping a journal, anyone every do that? Use to be a very common thing for people to do. I have a few journals from different people and they are very interesting to read. Here is a few pics of one a lady named Lizzy Fissler Miller from Humboldt County Iowa wrote. It starts out saying "Diary for the years 1890-91 & 92 , but it actually goes from January 1, 1890 all the way too September 1913. It is hundreds of pages long written in small print and an entry for almost every day. Very interesting to read, I can remember in the beginning of the journal she is newly married. They live in the country. Her husband is a butcher and farmer. She mostly talks about how lonely she is all the time. Her husband is gone working. So much interesting things in there about daily life that most people never knew about or have forgotten. She talks about going to see the Buffalo Bill show when it was in town, when president McKinnely was assassintated and Roosevelt took office, a trip she took out west... it is all fascinating! Her entire life is documented in it for posterity, all the good and the bad of it.
I use to keep a journal of the logging jobs I did, and still have all of them. I would write down every day what I did, what broke down, how much wood I cut, the weather, just all sorts of stuff.
I have another interesting journal or account book from the year 1874 it was written by a fellow who was a clerk for a person named Colonel Balcom who was a timber Baron in my area at that time. It talks about the logging camps he had and what was going on and the costs invloved, getting the rivers ready to drive the logs down, buying timber, dealing with people who stole timber from him. Making the log stamps to mark logs and what they were to look like, the cost of goods then, all very interesting.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17553/1886/pics_051.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17553/1886/pics_048.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17553/1886/pics_049.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17553/1886/pics_050.jpg)
I have enjoyed reading two books by Bill Bryson--actually I listened to them on CDs.
They are A Walk in the Woods and Notes from a Small Island.
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/billbryson/books.html#awalkinthewoods (Walking the Appalachian Trail)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notes_from_a_Small_Island (Walking Around Great Britain)
Read a good book last week titled The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. I could hardly put it down after I had started reading it :) my routine in the woods would be cut a tank of gas and read a chapter, skid and buck up for an hour or so then read a chapter, repeat :D
It takes place in 12th century England and primarily deals with the building of a particular cathedral. The author did a great job in researching it and staying within the limits of historical correctness. He brought up lot of points which make a person think about things like religion and the church and how religion has been used for both good and evil. The book is so extremely complicated and takes place over such a long time period that as I neared the end I began to doubt the author was going to be able to bring it all together but he most certainly did.
After that book I picked out another that had been sitting on my shelf for a long time which just coincidentally also deals with the topic of religion and how it has been used as a means to an end by some individuals to do both good and evil. I am about half way through it right now. It is called Under the Banner of Heaven by John Krakauer and deals with Mormon Fundamentalism and to a lesser degree Mormonism in general. Before I read this book I was aware of the early history of the Mormon church but this book served to bring it all back in focus for me. It is all amazing, baffling and puzzling to me. I know that I will never have the type or amount of faith needed to be a part of something like that. But it is very interesting to learn about.
The Pillars of the Earth was a great book. I read it a while ago but can still picture that cathedral in my mind. The author did a great job with the descriptions and put in just enough adventure and intrigue to keep you going.
I've been reading books by Eric Sloane that I purchased from dover publishiing co. Short books about old stuff.
Also started reading and listening to Wendell Berry. His fiction is good and his non-fiction is my going to put you asleep books.
So I just looked over at one bookshelf and here is the top shelf: Andy andrews, John C Maxwell, Napoleon Hill, and Baxter Black
Next shelf: Drafting Textbooks, Furniture and Cabinetmaking Textbooks, and various other woods and drafting textbooks
Next shelf: Louis Lamour and Tom Clancy
I also use a link that you get from your local library to download audio books for FREE
woodsteach
Jeff's wife Erin here. Hi guys. I spend a lot more time reading than Jeff (since he spends his evenings here on the forum ;) ), so when I saw this thread I had to weigh in.
Vince Flynn writes amazing action/adventure novels with recurring characters. WEB Griffin's Presidential Agent series is also wonderful. Daniel Silva writes a great series with an Israeli leading character. These are all political, anti-terrorist, type stories.
I like series with the same characters because I get invested in them, and want to read more. These authors always leave me wanting more.
Jeff's absolutely right about Clive Cussler, and Tom Clancy's books (written on his own) are really good if a little on the technical side.
A new one I'm wanting to start is "Known and Unknown: A Memoir by Donald Rumsfeld". It should be a great history lesson for those of us younglings who were little during the Regan years.
Happy reading!
I'm into Jeff Shaara But you need to start with his fathers book the Killer Angels. {Civil war}
I just finished "No less than Victory" reading them in order. They are great historical fiction.
Quote from: cpstrutt on February 17, 2011, 04:13:47 PM
The Pillars of the Earth was a great book. I read it a while ago but can still picture that cathedral in my mind. The author did a great job with the descriptions and put in just enough adventure and intrigue to keep you going.
I have had that book sitting around for a very long time waiting for the time I actually could handle a 1000 pager :D
I really enjoyed it though. I've actually been to a number of the places described in the book including Notre Dame cathedral and it was very interesting to read about some of the details about the process of building a place like that.
You can't fully appreciate something unless you understand it , and designing and creating a building such as that took and immense amount of human ingenuity and work. A lot more than I had realized. And it was interesting to learn about the events that were occurring at the time.
Quote from: woodsteach on February 17, 2011, 08:43:37 PM
So I just looked over at one bookshelf and here is the top shelf: , and Baxter Black
Baxter Black = funny!
I met him one time at an American Association of Equine Practitioners convention. First thing I do when I get my Western Horseman mag is to read his article on the last page :)
Quote from: Carpenter on February 17, 2011, 08:56:27 PM
These are all political, anti-terrorist, type stories.
Happy reading!
For a while I was reading all of this guys books:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Marcinko (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Marcinko)
I found them to be interesting because a lot of what he wrote was based on real life events, and it left you wondering just how much of it was really true. Anyone interested in political anti-terrorist type books should get a huge kick out of reading his books. A lot of it is outdated now, but you can see that he was writing a so called "fiction" book but many of those things did in fact come to pass. Marcinko was a navy seal and one of the units he organized and lead was called "red cell", there goal was to try to break into our military installations and find there weaknesses. He was not a popular character because he did find many weaknesses that were quite alarming and he got a lot of satisfaction out of running rough shod over many commanders. He answered to no one except the chairman of the joints chief of staff if I am not mistaken.
Quote from: northwoods1 on February 18, 2011, 09:24:33 AM
Quote from: Carpenter on February 17, 2011, 08:56:27 PM
These are all political, anti-terrorist, type stories.
Happy reading!
For a while I was reading all of this guys books:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Marcinko (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Marcinko)
I found them to be interesting because a lot of what he wrote was based on real life events, and it left you wondering just how much of it was really true. Anyone interested in political anti-terrorist type books should get a huge kick out of reading his books. A lot of it is outdated now, but you can see that he was writing a so called "fiction" book but many of those things did in fact come to pass. Marcinko was a navy seal and one of the units he organized and lead was called "red cell", there goal was to try to break into our military installations and find there weaknesses. He was not a popular character because he did find many weaknesses that were quite alarming and he got a lot of satisfaction out of running rough shod over many commanders. He answered to no one except the chairman of the joints chief of staff if I am not mistaken.
He also got 18 months for mis appropriation of our money. Some day if we meet I'll tell you some things about ol 'Delta Dick'
for those that enjoy historical fiction, check out author "Conn Iggulden" I have seven? of his books on Julius Ceaser and Ghengis Khan, and can't wait for the next of the Khan series. (its out but im too cheap for hard cover)
The one I'm reading now is "Citizens Irving:K.C. Irving and his legacy" a historical book about Kenneth Collin Irving (KC) and then I am reading his Biography K.C. I have read these before, but it's been almost 20 years.
Some paraphrases:
"refiners had expanded heavily in the years following the OPEC crisis. When the Canadian market for refined products contracted, oil companies found themselves with too much refinery capacity and too little demand......to keep...immensely expensive installations running at any price, refiners spewed oil products onto the market, causing slashed prices and minuscule profits. The problem was greatest east of Ontario, where most of Canada's refineries were located, and where capacity outstripped demand by 70% in 1977."
In the 1979 Iranian crisis "the major oil companies were in on the action [buying spot market oil which it not on contract so it's inflated in value], [like the Israelis were doing fearing supply shortages], paying huge mark-ups for their crude and, in the process, adding millions of dollars to the value of these cargoes a few nautical miles out of port. The 1979 spot market panic was a gold mine for companies with oil to sell at these skyrocketing prices. K.C., for the first time in his life, became a speculator: from the moment spot prices began climbing in early 1979, Irving Oil was wheeling and dealing itself to huge profits. The company continued to buy tankerloads of crude from Socal at contract prices. But many of the ships never reached Saint John. Instead, the cargoes were sold on the spot market for prices many times higher than Irving could get in Canada.
All along, K.C. knew that having loads of excess production capacity would one day pay off. The refinery was now receiving calls from all over the world from customers eager to buy gas and other refined products. The buyers had to use Irving vessels, to make the delivery. Some days tankers were lined up 5 deep in the waters of the Bay of Fundy, waiting to fill up with Irving products.... Less than 30 % was exported to the US..Irving Oil had become one of the world's great oil traders.
In 1973 federal investigators scoured its headquarters along with those of Gulf, Shell, Texaco, Esso and 7 others. ..investigators left carrying 200,000 pages of documentation, which they hoped contained evidence that the oil companies had conspired together to fix prices. Robert Bertrand ...failed to find the smoking gun. But they found enough to conclude that Canadians were out of pocket by about $12 billion because of overcharging between 1958 and 1973. The study showed in detail how Irving and others bought imported crude and petroleum products at inflated prices and under agreements not reflected in changing world price conditions....companies reduced competition by selecting which firms received refined products and at what price.
The Royal Commission on Newspapers investigated the simultaneous closings of two newspapers [by the Irvings.] There were testy, often bitter exchanges with the commission members.....Arthur Irving gave this explanation of the family's attitude to newspaper proprietorship. "We like the Saint John paper and that's the only one I'm involved with. I own 40 per cent and I intend to keep it forever...It is our privilege to own it, and nobody in this God-given room is going to take it away from us."
King Irving. ;) :D
One of my favourite fiction authors is the late Dick Francis. He was professional steeplechase jockey in England and turned to writing when he retired. He wrote something like 44 adventure/mystery novels beginning with Dead Cert in 1962. His last book, Crossfire, was published in 2010, the year he died. As far as I know, they are all still in print.
All the novels involved horses in one way or another, but they weren't all about jockeys. As I recall, with only two exceptions each novel had a different main character. This means you can pretty much pick up any one of his books and read it independent of all the others.
I used to look forward each year to his latest offering. I'm going to miss not having a new one to read this year.
The one I'm reading now my wife got me for Christmas from the Bailey's catalog-"High Climbers and Timber Fallers" by Gerry Beranek. A book with great stories and super photographs. There are some BIG trees in that book.
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 14, 2010, 06:39:15 PM
Anybody read one lately?
I did a search of the archives for a book thread and came up with nothing ???
The Holy Bible, 8)
I just started on "Kite Runner" this morning. So far, so good.
Cold Mountain got started last night.
Good reference book for those into local geology and modern landscapes. Fascinating reading from a billions years to the ice age, to the modern era of how our drainages, soils, and foests developed and evolved.
"Missouri Landscapes" by Jon. L. Hawker
i have read kite runner and did not enjoy it :(
You did not like Kite Runner? I am about halfway through it, right at the part where the main character gets married. It is very thought provoking book for sure. Without giving away the whole book, can you say what you did not like about it?
So far I am coming away from the book thinking that humans are the same no matter what our culture......most are good, a few are not. I can't help but think when I am reading the book, what was happening in my life during the years he refers to.
Maybe you should read "Things Fall Apart", since we are onto other cultures. Written in 1958 by author Chinua Achebe of Nigeria. ;)
Tales of The Malazan Book of the Fallen.By Steven Erikson.
10 books in the series,about 1k pages each.
I'm into the 8th.
The best Fantasy series I have EVER read!
And,no,I do not sit on My A$$ all day and read,I work at least 14 Hrs. every day.
Jim
I am a Ken Follett and Stephen King fan but why has nobody brought up John Sandford and the 'Prey' series. I pick one up and I can't stop.
Finished Kite Runner.....and then read Ayn Rand's "Anthem". Kite Runner was ok...not great.
Anthem knocked my socks off!! Great book! It was written in 1938, and should be a must read for every child, every adult.
I am now reading Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged". This was written back in 1957, yet could just as easily have been written yesterday. The same mind set applies today.
Patty I am a Ayn Rand Fan too! Pretty incredible how what she wrote that so many years ago is now coming true. Don't forget Fountain Head.
Fountainhead was the book she wrote prior to Atlas Shrugged. I need to get it ordered. Have you read Anthem?
I should have started a list 45 years ago and kept it updated. I've read a few books more than once and not intentionally, nothing like getting to chapter 3 and thinking it seemed so familiar... ::)
How do most of you get your books?
Especially those of you with Kindles or iPads? What does a download cost and where do you find the best variety for the price?
The used book stores are all gone in my area. My wife and I started our own library but that was just ridiculously expensive and most books will only be read once. I use the public library, buying them got too expensive and the library has a search feature as well as a reading history log. I don't know what I'd do without the library, it's one of the best public services we can get.
Lately I've been into the post-apocalyptic books but it's probably time for a change...I've been shopping for survival stuff!
If you don't mind dark, disturbing and gritty then try Cormac McCarty...some of the paragraphs this guy writes I have to read a couple of times just so I'm sure I understand what he's written, even then I'm not sure. Some of his books are movies...All The Pretty Horses, No Country For Old Men, The Road.
Quote from: ibseeker on March 10, 2011, 03:12:13 AM
How do most of you get your books?
Especially those of you with Kindles or iPads? What does a download cost and where do you find the best variety for the price
If you are a heavy reader, a kindle or a nook will save you a ton of money. They have built-in wireless internet access that takes you right to amazon or barnes and nobles web site. There's lots of titles on barnes and noble that are free. If not free, the prices run about half the price of a paperback.
Quote from: Patty on March 04, 2011, 02:15:07 PM
Fountainhead was the book she wrote prior to Atlas Shrugged. I need to get it ordered. Have you read Anthem?
Patty sorry I missed this question.
Yes I have read Anthem
I am an avid SciFi reader, I have read all books by authors such as Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinline, Ray Bradbury, Jules Vern, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Aundre Norton, Ann McAffrey, And other more contemporary authors. Also lots of Fantasy, I just finished a series by R. A. Salvatore, the main character is a Dark Elf named Drizzt, quite an amazing series. Just so you all know that I am quite different ( read as crazy ), the other favorite books I like are technical books on most subjects.
I remember reading all of The Foundation series ( Asimov), The Pern series (McAffrey) and, the Dune series, these are some of the best books I have ever read.
Quote from: rbarshaw on March 10, 2011, 09:11:52 PM
I am an avid SciFi reader ...
William Gibson, Spider Robinson, Robert Sawyer ???
Quote from: Raider Bill on February 24, 2011, 09:20:43 AM
Cold Mountain got started last night.
I really liked that book. Liked the movie too.
Quote from: deutz4 on February 27, 2011, 10:23:22 PM
I am a Ken Follett and Stephen King fan but why has nobody brought up John Sandford and the 'Prey' series. I pick one up and I can't stop.
I just started Ken Follets sequel to Pillars of the Earth last evening. I forget what the name of it is. I'm about 60 pp. into it and so far it is holding my attention, only 1000 more to go :D, I actually think I might have to put this one down for a while I am beginning to get distracted with other things.
Quote from: Patty on March 04, 2011, 09:52:58 AM
Finished Kite Runner.....and then read Ayn Rand's "Anthem". Kite Runner was ok...not great.
Anthem knocked my socks off!! Great book! It was written in 1938, and should be a must read for every child, every adult.
I am now reading Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged". This was written back in 1957, yet could just as easily have been written yesterday. The same mind set applies today.
I tried to read both of those Ayn Rand books and I just could not do it! Maybe I just wasn't ready for them yet :)
Quote from: ibseeker on March 10, 2011, 03:12:13 AM
I should have started a list 45 years ago and kept it updated. I've read a few books more than once and not intentionally, nothing like getting to chapter 3 and thinking it seemed so familiar... ::)
How do most of you get your books?
Whenever I travel and go to a new city, or wherever really, I hit the used book stores. Lots of times I find really good deals on interesting and sometimes rare material. I did that for so long and then I began to have a problem with to many books accumulating. So i started to sell them online. That worked out real well for me :) I actually ended up with a little fund of profits to buy more books. The internet is a wonderful thing it has revolutionized finding and buying books for me. I still like to hit the books stores though :)
Quote from: rbarshaw on March 10, 2011, 09:11:52 PM
I am an avid SciFi reader, I have read all books by authors such as Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinline, Ray Bradbury, Jules Vern, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Aundre Norton, Ann McAffrey, And other more contemporary authors.
I used to love reading sci-fi. It always amazed me how so many good writers could have the foresight to predict a lot of technological advancements that were to come. A lot of Jules Verne contemporaries must have thought he was loony for talking about going to the moon :) It didn't take long as he had probably imagined it was going to.
Quote from: bama20a on February 23, 2011, 10:26:53 PM
The Holy Bible, 8)
I wonder how many people these days have actually read this book?? Been a while since I have picked it up I have to admit.
I have read the Bible several times in the KJV, once in the NIV and, 3 times in The Living Bible. The Living Bible is by far the easiest to understand. As an Adult Sunday School teacher, I teach from The Living Bible and study from it and the KJV and NIV and several other versions on my computer
I'm reading a book called Sail, it's an interesting read.
Northwoods, I think the Ayn Rand books relate totally to me for a couple of reasons. First because I am self employed.....an entrepreneur....who constantly feels the chains of government restricting me. Also, I am a political junkie, and have always resented the government and its actions.
Northwoods, I like browsing through used books stores too especially when I have the time to really enjoy it. One of the best that I've ever been in was in Knoxville, TN. It was huge, well organized but too popular! I'm usually reading sci-fi or fantasy but started branching out after using the library services. You don't have any public libraries close to you? Buying and selling books sounds like too much trouble if you can find them for free.
There were always used book places up here and often the leftovers from estate auctions. I've never found too much of interest because all the good stuff was already "high graded" and you were left with what nobody wanted. :D People are always combing those places and scrounging for the one good book in 500. ;)
1861 The Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart. Just started it seems well written and got very nice reviews.
I take it that there are several here who have the Kindle.
You may not be aware that there is a web site called http://www.daily-free-ebooks.com/ which lists free books for the Kindle. You can sign up for daily emails with about twenty-five or more free books listed each week.
If you don't have a Kindle you don't have to buy one to read any of the Kindle books. You can download a program which is called Kindle for PC (from www.amazon.com/KindleForPC) and read them on your computer.
Here is a sample of just two day's lists:
* Mechanics 101: The TextVook
* Astronomy 101: The TextVook
* Ancient Art History 101: The TextVook
* Civil War 101: The Animated TextVook [Kindle Edition With Audio/Video]
* Bankruptcy Law 101: The TextVook
* Materials Science 101: The TextVook
* How To Make Money With Mobile Media
* Ancient Greece 101: The TextVook
* World War I 101: The TextVook
* Consumer Law 101: The TextVook
* The Call Of Zulina
* A Promise Of Forever Love
* A Praying Life: Connecting With God In A Distracting World
* Lie Down In Green Pastures
* Presenting To Win: The Art Of Telling Your Story, Updated And Expanded Edition
* Psych Yourself Rich: Get The Mindset And Discipline You Need To Build Your Financial Life
* Microbiology 101: The TextVook
* Mechanical Engineering 101: The TextVook
* Shrimp: The Endless Quest For Pink Gold
* History Of The Middle East In The 20th Century 101: The TextVook
So now that the Kindle and I book or what ever it is has been out awhile what do you that own one think?
I finally killed my last flip phone and decided to drag myself into the current decade. I bought a Droid X. I use it alot more than I thought I would and the phone is secondary now. It came with a Kindle app. I had not thought about it until I realized I could carry multiple books in my pocket! I like it and I was against book readers when they came out.
To sum it up. I'm for em.
Jon
Blacks Law Dictionary for my father kinda neat there are a few others out there as well.
I don't know how I missed this thread! I usually only have time to read when I travel- what else ya gonna do at the airport all day? I'm currently chewing my way through Russka by Edward Rutherford. I've read several other of his historical fiction works, but reading about Russia is just- tough. I read ordinary stuff so fast that I've turned to reading 'classics', which I find demand a lot more of the reader then most of today's fluff. I've even started writing a novel- long way to go, though.
My wife has and loves her Kindle. Eye problems made it hard for her to read. The contrast nd adjustable font size has given her back her beloved "books".
Joe
I am on my second Kindle. This new one is even easier to read. The new covers even have their own little light built into them so I don't have to carry my Brite Light anymore.
My mom uses her Kindle all the time because it is easier for her to read.
The only downside is the cost of the books. Yes they have several freebies, and discounted books, and I love the instant downloads, but the new books are getting pricey. Used to be most new books were under $10 and I thought with the convenience it was very reasonable. Now the new ones are running around $15 >:( >:( . For trips and airport reading and waiting in the doctors office, etc, the Kindle is awesome, however for everyday stuff I find I am back to looking at the used books for a penny plus $4 shipping.
Right now I am in the middle of a 5 book series, The Tales of the Otori. Easy to read, pretty light, and a nice break after all the Ayn Rand books.
Patty,
Why the second one did the first puke?
A new best seller paperback sells for $7-9 and even at that price I cringe. At $15 yikes!
BTW I just re-read Anthem and as soon as my eyes get back to normal I'll be able to see again. I sure wish she had bigger handwriting.......
Frank Dufresne wrote 2 books, "My Way Was North" his autobiography about living in Alaska and "No Room for Bears" both very good.
Jon
Bill, no my first one is just fine. It is of the 2nd generation which gets its books via cell towers. Amazon turned to Sprint to send the books and Sprint does not cover our area, so I could not download directly to my Kindle anymore. Instead I had to send it to my computer and then download it onto the Kindle, or drive around Iowa with my Kindle in tow until I hit a pocket that Sprint covers. ::)
So when my mom stepped on her Kindle and broke it, I donated mine to her since she lives in a Sprint zone, and bought myself a new one. The new generation Kindles get their books via wireless, so I am good to go. 8)
You think your vision is screwed after the Anthem, try reading all of Atlas Shrugged in that teeny tiny print. Holy buckets, my eyes will never be the same again.
When I was a young lad I got my reading material in the mail from the Regional Library. They sent me a list showing the book's title, author, ISBN number, and how many pages in the book. The books came in the mail every three or four weeks and I was allowed to order three at a time. As I became a better reader I chose books with high page counts in hopes they would last till the next batch.
Fast forward to last Christmas; I got a Kobo, similar to a Kindle but I can only download from the computer, and now I am reading the 1.8 million free books Bibby mentioned previously. A lot of them are the old classics I read as a kid - I am appalled at how my vocabulary has slipped since then :-[
We had a book mobile program a few years ago. The York library would send a van around with books and sit at a church lot part of a day to lend books in rural areas. Don't do it any longer around here.
Piney posted about a Tom Clancy book earlier, so I ran out and bought it. "The Bear & The Dragon" is the name, and I just finished it this morning. WOW.
If this book doesn't send chills up your spine, nothing will! Thanks Piney, for the suggestion. :)
Anytheng by Larry Mcmurtry but I think one of his best books was " Zeke and Ned" a true page turner.
Brothers, Rivals and Victors by Jonathan Jordan
Eisenhower, Patton and Bradley and the partnership that drove the Allied conquest in Europe.
John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany" was sure an unusual book. I almost put it away unfinished, but I sure am glad I stuck with it. The ending was well worth it!
Stephen King has a new book "Dark Tower". Apparently, it was slated for a movie. But the studio figured it would be a very expensive film, so cancelled plans.
When I was a kid, there was a game out called Dark Tower, it was a battery operated gizmo that sat in the middle of a game board.
I haven't read Stephan King for years. I read all his stuff for awhile, and then got real burnt-out on it. After a while all his books read the same, which is very typical of many authors. I am sure it is hard to be original when you are pumping out many books a year. I may have to pick up this latest book, maybe it will seem fresh after all this time.
John Irving has some awesome books. "A prayer for Owen Meany" was haunting to me. Might be the best book I ever read, but not for the faint of heart. Same with his "Cider House Rules". The movie on that one in no way did justice to the book; there are some books written that can never really be put on the screen. Don't get me wrong, it was a great movie. But you couldn't really put all the parts of that story on the screen.
First time I read Irving was his Hotel New Hampshire. I read about 30 pages and declared it crap. Later on I picked it up and started reading again. I was hooked. Great book.
Kansas, after reading "A Prayer for Owen Meany", I really want to pick up a few of Irving's other books. With your endorsement of "Cider House Rules", I think I'll read that one first.
The first line in "A Prayer..." almost made me put the book down and not go on. I read afterword that Irving wrote the first line after he finished writing the rest of the book. He is an interesting author to say the least.
Quote from: Weekend_Sawyer on June 27, 2011, 11:08:34 PM
Anytheng by Larry Mcmurtry but I think one of his best books was " Zeke and Ned" a true page turner.
Thanks for the Larry McMurtry title! We already own (and I've read), Dead Man's Walk, Comanche Moon, Lonesome Dove, and Streets of Laredo. I'll be ordering Zeke and Ned today.
Ah geze, now I'm going to have to go back and finish "A Prayer for Owen Meany"
Jon, the ending is the best part. ;)
Quote from: Raider Bill on July 26, 2011, 09:31:57 AM
Brothers, Rivals and Victors by Jonathan Jordan
Eisenhower, Patton and Bradley and the partnership that drove the Allied conquest in Europe.
I just finished this, it's a big one, couldn't put it down. If you have any interest in WW2 read it.
Off the top of my head:
The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Chisel, was the first book about the guy planting cork oaks in Spain? Kinda reminds me of a story about an old timer planting walnut trees in southern Ontario. But, the family as I understood it never took a liking to the idea. He was on his own.
SD - it was about a guy planting 100 acorns a day in southern France, before, during and after two world wars. It's really more of a short story. Is that the one you were thinking of? If not, I'd like to read the one about the cork oaks if you know the title.
Well I finished "Cider House Rules" yesterday. John Irving is a very unique writer to say the least. I liked the ending, just as in "A Prayer for Owen Meany" it left you thinking. Next up, "The World According to Garp". Then on to Larry McMurtry!
I'm already into my first ever Larry McMurty. Ned and Zeke, just started it.
I'm into Canadian History mostly in my reading and I've grabbed a bunch of books off Amazon at used book stores that operate through them, mostly by the same author. I'm also interested in drafted drawings of old wooden framed machines or mechanical devices. I have an interesting and practical contraption in mind for this coming winter project. ;D
I just finished "The World According to Garp" ; another John Irving novel. Kind of a melancholy book, just like his others. So enough of Irving for awhile! On to better books.
Bill, that's one of the best McMurtrys and I have red most of his books.
pardon me if I have said this before but Robert Parkers series of westerns starting with Appaloosa was great. He passed away last year and I will miss his writing. He wrote mainly about a private detective named Spencer. Good books.
Also, I have enjoyed everything by James Lee Burke.
Jon
I just ordered it today, Amazon will deliver it on Thursday!
Everything by Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey, just plain fun reading.
Well "Zeke and Ned" was a very good book indeed. Thanks for recommending it! Are the rest of McMurtry's books as good? Are there anymore that you guys would recommend?
I've been working my way through Lonesome Dove. Seems I'm on a Western book kick. I understand that Lonesome Dove is the 3rd in a trilogy. Quite a bit different than the movie of course.
Almost all of the Larry McMurtry's are very good.
The series: The last picture show, Texasville and Duane's depressed are enjoyable reads and I just found out about a 4th in the series and a new release called Rhino Ranch. looks good too.
Jon
I am reading "In My Time", by Dick Cheney. It's very good.
I just ordered the "Lonesome Dove" series of 4 books. I am anxious to get started on them.
Quote from: Patty on September 08, 2011, 03:09:44 PM
I just ordered the "Lonesome Dove" series of 4 books. I am anxious to get started on them.
4 of them! I'm betting Lonesome Dove is the last one too.... My luck...
No, he just recently wrote book #4.
So I think it goes like this:
1) Dead Man's Walk
2) Comanche Moon
3) Lonesome Dove
4) Streets Of Laredo
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Off to Amazon I go.....
Thanks!
The TV miniseries with Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duval was good. I never saw the more modern TV series.
Patty are you still liking the Kindle?
Looks to me something like this series would be a good candidate for a Kindle version and maybe a good excuse to buy one. ;D The Kindle version new best sellers are still more than a paperback though at the stand and IMO not much of a deal.
What model do you have?
Quote from: Patty on September 08, 2011, 03:09:44 PM
I just ordered the "Lonesome Dove" series of 4 books. I am anxious to get started on them.
Be prepared to not be able to put them down. Cowboy Bob bought the hard back editions of all four...THAT'S how good they are. :)
I am looking forward to them Roxie. :)
Raider, I really like my Kindle, but I have to say it is not for the economics of it, it is more the convenience factor. New authors do offer their books up for free, or at steep discounts, and Amazon discounts books every week for Kindle books, that I get email notification for, but with that said, I can usually order a book used through Amazon and save a couple bucks. The problem with that is lugging around a book. For example, this week I had an appointment that required me to wait for an hour, so naturally I grabbed a book to take with me. However I was almost finished with that book, and knew I would need more reading material to fill the hour, so I ended up hauling two books around. Now I am a pretty hefty sort of gal, but two books in my purse made it weigh about 50 pounds it seemed. I nearly decked a lady when I bumped her with it. ;D It would've been so much easier to grab my Kindle. If I were a traveler I would use my Kindle exclusively, for the convenience factor.
I just purchased a new Kindle this summer due to its WiFi features. My original Kindle would download books via cell towers, and when Amazon switched to Sprint, I was no longer able to download easily. I either had to drive to a location that got Sprint, or download through my computer. It was a major pain.
The new Kindle uses WiFi to download which is awesome, and I bought the cover that has a built in brite light you can use while reading in the dark. I bought the cheap Kindle that allows Amazon to advertise on it. So instead of a photo of an author on the front screen, I get an ad. No big deal to me. These cost about $114 right now. I did not need the 3G option, since we travel very little, especially overseas. If I were a student I would use Kindle to get my text books so I wouldn't have to lug around books all over campus.
My mom is reading my old Kindle right now, but I would be happy to let you use it when she is finished, if you want to check one out. Just let me know.
The McClurty Lonesome Dove series was very good indeed! Thanks for recommending them.
I discovered a new author, John Hart, and have read 2 of his books; "Iron House" and "The Last Child". Both are very good books.
I have been driving a lot lately, so the audio books are being used daily. The first one I listened to was "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" by Tom Franklin. I did not care for that book, it was pretty depressing. On to better books!
George RR Martin wrote an epic series. Knights, and dragons, and kings....that sort of book....anyway they are pretty good. The first book in the series is, "A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice & Fire", and now I am on the second book, "A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice & Fire". These are long books, over 1000 pages or 32 hours of listening time, but they sure beat talk radio or top forty for quality listening.
Latley I have been reading books by C. J. Box bout a Wyoming game warden.
These books are fast reads and very entertaining. Like eating potato chips, I just can't seem to stop.
Jon
Quote from: Patty on December 13, 2011, 06:31:20 AM
The McClurty Lonesome Dove series was very good indeed! Thanks for recommending them.
I discovered a new author, John Hart, and have read 2 of his books; "Iron House" and "The Last Child". Both are very good books.
I have been driving a lot lately, so the audio books are being used daily. The first one I listened to was "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" by Tom Franklin. I did not care for that book, it was pretty depressing. On to better books!
George RR Martin wrote an epic series. Knights, and dragons, and kings....that sort of book....anyway they are pretty good. The first book in the series is, "A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice & Fire", and now I am on the second book, "A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice & Fire". These are long books, over 1000 pages or 32 hours of listening time, but they sure beat talk radio or top forty for quality listening.
I think HBO has a mini series titled Game of Thorns. Not sure if it's the same.
Just finished A Walk in the woods by Bill Bryson. Excellent!
I hate those things ,I sell real books! :D :D :( ;D :(
Just starting reading this thread and with Christmas coming up, I expect another book or two under the tree. A few from the recent past I have enjoyed:
The Land Remembers by Ben Logan about growing up in rural southern Wisconsin. If you like that one you might also like Every Farm Tells a Story by Jerry Apps
Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin about using the insights of autism experienced/lived by the author to help decode animal behavior
End of the Spear by Steve Saint which just shows how the Lord works in mysterious and wonderful ways.
And one I haven't read in awhile but came across it again on my parents bookshelf was Kids Say the Darndest Things by Art Linkletter. A compilation of hilarious stuff gleaned I think from his show back in the late 50's
"The Less Than Perfect Child" Is a true life story of a man who was called mentally retarded at aged nine that grew up and became a surgeon.
By Dr. David Bardsley
It's probably not a leisurely read and I think it goes into parenting. So it's not like reading fiction. I have not read it, but thought I would pass it along. Who knows, could be just another book to sell. ::)
Quote from: SwampDonkey on July 28, 2011, 06:11:38 PM
Stephen King has a new book "Dark Tower". Apparently, it was slated for a movie. But the studio figured it would be a very expensive film, so cancelled plans.
When I was a kid, there was a game out called Dark Tower, it was a battery operated gizmo that sat in the middle of a game board.
The Dark Tower is a whole series of book by Stephen King. (7 books)
The first one (The Gunslinger) was written in 1982. The
They are well worth reading, but a bit mind bending. King manages to write himself into later the novels, not as some cameo, but a main character that the other characters come to realise is the "writer of their story". His nearly fatal accident is also in the story as the later books were finished after that.
As to what genre the books fit into? Pretty much all of them. Sci-fi, fantasy, vampires, mystery.. they cover it all. Other characters from his other books pop up in the series as well. Somehow he tries it all together, maybe by just not trying to explain everything,,,
As for making a movie of it... Maybe 7?? Peter Jackson is the only person I think would even dream of trying with such a huge and convoluted story... Makes Lord of the Rings / Hobbit seem like it's alternate title "There and Back Again"
Ian
If you're interested in float planes, this is a very good read; Success on the Step: Flying with Kenmore Air
Over the last year or so I have been reading the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. I have passed the books on to 3 other people and they are unable to put them down. I think there's around a dozen or so, maybe more. I suggest starting with Killing Floor and then the order does not matter. -Mark
I just reread a confederancy of dunces. I compare it to the movie sling blade, in that sadly i know someone that is like every main charcter. ::)
Just completed: "One Second After," by William R. Forstchen, Ph.D. Electromagnetic Pulse, ever heard of it? I had relating to solar flares. Caused by thermonuclear war heads, I had not. This is a fictional read but, like Tom Clancy, is based on technical, existing, facts. Not to ruin it, but one, two or three of these placed over the U.S. 150 to 300 miles into the atmosphere and we're talking the U.S. of A back to the 17th century. "All" electrical including the planes in the sky shut down. This story is about a man trying to protect his family during such an event. I'm not a survivalist though I do have some skills. The Foreword is by then Speaker Newt Gingrich. I'm not looking for the end of the world with the Mayan calendar in December. You are all my friends, I hope you all consider and/or have the opportunity read this. Chris Burchfield
Quote from: Chris Burchfield on March 05, 2012, 08:02:13 PM
Just completed: "One Second After," by William R. Forstchen, Ph.D. Electromagnetic Pulse, ever heard of it? I had relating to solar flares. Caused by thermonuclear war heads, I had not. This is a fictional read but, like Tom Clancy, is based on technical, existing, facts. Not to ruin it, but one, two or three of these placed over the U.S. 150 to 300 miles into the atmosphere and we're talking the U.S. of A back to the 17th century. "All" electrical including the planes in the sky shut down. This story is about a man trying to protect his family during such an event. I'm not a survivalist though I do have some skills. The Foreword is by then Speaker Newt Gingrich. I'm not looking for the end of the world with the Mayan calendar in December. You are all my friends, I hope you all consider and/or have the opportunity read this. Chris Burchfield
Chris, Both my SOon and I read this book. We both enjoyed it.
Birds of a Lesser Paradise by www.mayhewbergman.com top notch emerging writer check Amazon for reviews
The book "The Golden Spruce" is really good, its by John Vaillant. And another one called "The Wild Trees" by Richard Preston. Both kind of focus around the West Coast Redwoods and each of them are true stories.
Quote from: RobJ on March 13, 2012, 08:00:51 PM
The book "The Golden Spruce" is really good, its by John Vaillant. And another one called "The Wild Trees" by Richard Preston. Both kind of focus around the West Coast Redwoods and each of them are true stories.
The first book is about a Sitka spruce on the Queen Charlotte Islands off BC's west coast. I worked there for 3 years and lived near that tree, although I never went to see it. I cruised timber out there, so I saw lots of Sitka spruce 60-70 meters tall. And not all cruised timber gets cut.
I came across an interesting book this week . www.40chances.com Finding hope in a hungry world. It talks about each of us having 40 chances to accomplish our goals in Life. Farmers can expect to have 40 growing seasons, giving them 40 chances to improve on every harvest. This also applies to anyone because we all have about 40 productive years in our careers to do the best job .
Just finished VICIOUS CIRCLE by C. J. Box. A continuation of the Joe Pickett Wyoming Game Warden series. I have enjoyed them all. Next was G-MAN by Stephen Hunter. This book fills in the back story of the Swagger clan from Polk Co. , Arkansas. I like his writing partly because the Ark. references hit home for me being a native.
I like Tom Clancy's books, have most of them. Favorite is "The Bear and the Dragon" I couldn't put the book down..It's fiction, but very relavant to the political/power situation in today's world.
I just finished Frozen Hours by Jeff Sharra. Korean War about the Chosin Reservoir battle. I couldn't read it fast enough.
He's one of my favorite Authors. Got started by reading his fathers Book Killer Angels.
http://jeffshaara.com/index.php
I will keep an eye out for that one Raider Bill. Sharra's work is always a good read.
I like almost everything by Clive Cussler (especially from the Oregon files),anything by Louis L'amour , and most everything by Tom Clancy (especially "the hunt for Red October")
It seems like when I do have time to read anymore, I have a hard time focusing anyhow. I'm slowly working my way through The Industrial Revolutionaries, and The Age of Steam. A couple of children's books that I like to think make kids interested in reading are, The Broken Blade, and a sequel, I think it's called Wintering, if I remember right. They're set during the fur trade era
Just found this thread last night and finished it this am, looks of good reads and new ideas for me. I've read all of Tom Clancy's - Jack Ryan Series, starting at "The Hunt For Red October". I had a hard time putting some of these books down, some of the things he wrote about / predicted was scary true! I also enjoyed "The World Made by Hand" series by James Howard Kunstler, that somebody else mention, pretty sure there are 3 or 4 books in that series. They were a good read also.
"Lights Out" by David Crawford was another EMP type book similar to "One Second After". It was a great read, had a hard time putting that down too. Been a while since I read that book.
"Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline was a fun book too. Takes place in the not too distant future, I can't describe it and give it justice, just a fun read.
I've read and now listen to all of WEB Griffins "Corps" and "The Brotherhood of War" Series. I like to read these longer series, because as others have said you get invested in the characters! I have a 30 to 40 minute commute to work and listening to the books helps make that time pass, and it's cut down on my temper with other drivers...
Read Frozen Hours as recommended by Raider Bill and was not disappointed. What our guys went through is unreal. Stacking frozen Chinese to fortify a position. I was cold reading about it. Back on another John Sanderson novel. If you like Lee Child (Jack Reacher), you might enjoy Sanderson.
Quote from: timberking on July 07, 2017, 01:08:37 PM
Read Frozen Hours as recommended by Raider Bill and was not disappointed. What our guys went through is unreal. Stacking frozen Chinese to fortify a position. I was cold reading about it. Back on another John Sanderson novel. If you like Lee Child (Jack Reacher), you might enjoy Sanderson.
All of Jeff Sharras's books are great. Basically he starts with the American Revolution and goes to his last book which you just read. He did not write them in order but I'd suggest following the dates he writes about.
I can't suggest his dad's book Killer Angels enough. The mini series Gettysburg was based on it.
Lots of good info on popular books for those that like to read
I just finished Ghost Rider by Neal Peart. He is the drummer for the band Rush.
He lost his daughter in a car accident, within a year of that his wife caught cancer and passed then he had to put his dog down.
He jumped on his bike for 50k miles and about a year to clear his head.
The books about his journey during that time.
Teddy Roosevelt's Ranch Life & Hunting Trail.
Great read about TR's time in the US west at his ranch on the Little Missouri River, N. Dakota.
He visited in late 1883 for a 15 day hunting trip, loved it so much he purchased a Ranch and some cattle.
With the passing of his first wife and mother on the same day in early 1884. He left for the Ranch.
Elkhorn Ranch - Theodore Roosevelt National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/historyculture/elkhorn-ranch.htm)
D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20727/IMG_1650~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1592308654)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20727/IMG_1651~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1592308654)
An old favorite; Spiked Boots comes to mind. Also in Camp And Cabin by John Steele if I remember correctly.
Read a really good book a month or so ago, called Star of the North. About life in North Korea.
Quote from: moodnacreek on June 19, 2020, 11:42:20 AM
An old favorite; Spiked Boots comes to mind.
Also by Robert Pike- Tall Trees, Tough Men. Another one I like is called A Book of Country Things as told by Walter Needham. Most of what I have are out of print like the ones you used to get from Lindsay. Unfortunately, between time and attention span they're mostly reference books now. I have to admit that sometimes for something quick to read and not hard to follow kids books can't be beat. April Morning, Hessian Soldier, The Broken Blade. Some of those though you have to remember that it's entertainment, not a history textbook
Ghost Rider by Neil Peart.
51 Cub, have you read 'John Goffe's Mill? { 50 cub white demo]
I just finished "The Last Days of Night"
about Westinghouse, Edison and Tesla.
Very, Very good.
Jon
@moodnacreek (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=34989) No, I hadn't seen it yet but thanks. It looks like it's exactly the kind of thing I want to see
Talking about good books
I'm rereading Killer Angels for the hundredth time.
It's on my top 5 all time book lists.
My daughter bought me a three book set on Teddy Roosevelt. The man lived an incredibly extraordinary life.
Edmund Morris's Theodore Roosevelt Trilogy: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Rex, and Colonel Roosevelt
Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award and on Modern Library's list of 100 best nonfiction books.
Hugh Howey's, Silo series. First book was "Wool". It's been a while, but they were great reads
Any of Lewis Grizzard's books!
Stephen King's, Mr. Mercedes series was a.good.read. 3 books, kept me thinking, who done it
Those are good. "The Outsider" is another story with the character Holly in it.
"Billy Summers" is also really good
Paul Doiron has a fictional series based around a Maine Game Warden. I think there are around 12 books now? I've only read 3 or 4, the rest I listened to as audiobooks when plowing snow or doing field work
book 1 is; The Poachers Son
Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer. Fictional story following the life of a small town farm boy who enlists in the army shortly before WW1 and follows his life until his death.
I'm going to give Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" another go. The farthest I've been able to get is about 1/4-1/3 of the way through. Going to try an audio book this time.
I just listened to "The hidden life of trees" Peter Wohlleben. I'll never look at a woods the same way again.
Lots of cool stuff about how trees sustain each other, deal with pests, form complex relationships with micorriza, each other, and the natural world around them. I tried reading it a few years ago and couldn't get into it, but having it in my ear while sanding drywall I digested most of it and was able to tune out the stuff that was too much for me. Yeah, some of it might be a bit of a stretch, but I think lots of good science in there based on real observation and matches up with stuff I've noticed over the years. I wish my county forester would read it.
I came away from that one... shaking my head. Yup I get it but that was the Disney version. I was in their woods harvesting for a project and when possible dealing with a burgeoning beech "issue" when the clients handed me that to read :D. Okey dokey but look around this isn't going to turn out well.
Hey I get it, nobody likes to be told what to read, there's a lot of Good Books been pushed on me that I can't figure out why people waste their time with.🤷♂️
I had a hard time with the light reading aspect of it as well, but if you need the whole grain version, Suzanne Simard's scientific papers are on her website https://mothertreeproject.org/background/journal-articles/publications-all/?doing_wp_cron=1650913563.6623098850250244140625 (https://mothertreeproject.org/background/journal-articles/publications-all/?doing_wp_cron=1650913563.6623098850250244140625)
Forestry is just one of the places this relatively recent understanding of plant/micorrizal relationships is having an impact, food ag is all over it, too, and I know it'sa young field, but anything that's gonna help me think about my woods in the big picture is probably gonna benefit the great grandkids I'm thinking of when I take care of them.
I had a gander around the room before I bellied up to the bar, and when I did I felt right at home with this crowd that knows how to work and loves the woods. I'm sure it's a smart enough group to be able to sift out the chaff on this one for the kernels inside.
Here, Right Matters
Alexander Vindman's
story from childhood to his
retirement from the Military,
Very good read
D
I just picked up a good book called Attitude of Gratitude by Amy Newmark it is part of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series . . it is 101 stories about counting your Blessings and the Power of Thankfulness
Good thread!
I've read most of Mark Twain's work, standards like 1984 (several times and each time feels a bit different) and Brave New World (a few times), I've read Harry Potter a few times through (great, great audio books), lots of Stephen King (to the point of tiring of his style), a few Michael Crichton (sp? Jurassic Park, Sphere, State of Fear most recently and it's very good and kind of topical), I just got done with the Hitchhiker's Guide series (not bad but I don't quite get the hype), Swiss Family Robinson, In the President's Secret Service (pretty interesting!),The Time Machine by HG Wells, The Wright Brothers by David McCullough (very good!), Ben Franklin's biography, and I'm currently re-reading the Left Behind series for the 3rd or 4th time (great story, kind of poor writing).
I'm a big fan of free books so I tend to lean towards the classics on Kindle, but those, that I'm interested in, are getting harder to find. I just started actually buying books this year on a more regular basis. I'll have to check out many on this list, thanks!
We went to Maine last month for a week's vacation. In one of the shops we visited, I found a book from a local author: Paul Doiron. It is called: "The Poacher's Son" and it's a crime novel that follows Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch. The book won all sorts of awards and was given the Maine Literary Award for "Best Fiction of 2010".
There's a whole bunch of them in the series and now I'm hooked. I just ordered the 8th book.
I just remembered a book I found at the 127 sale a few weekends ago, I should post some pictures of it, though I haven't read any of it and it seems likely I never will... It's a legit few hundred page book on how to make paper airplanes. At a glance it appears to discuss the physics of all aspects and a bunch of other info I would never imagine would be gotten into about paper airplanes.
I just finished reading Louis Lamoir . . Son of a Wanted Man . . just a small paper back western that I picked up at Wal-Mart but a very good story
Red,
I read several Louis L'Amour books over the last couple of weeks in my deer blind including the one you mentioned. Also several of the Sackett books.
I just finished John Grisham's "Biloxi Boys" and really enjoyed it. Plenty of familiar towns listed throughout the book. Even saw Brookhaven Mississippi listed as one of the towns. I think the criminals hid out there with friends or such. :D
Quote from: DeerMeadowFarm on September 14, 2022, 09:40:28 AM
We went to Maine last month for a week's vacation. In one of the shops we visited, I found a book from a local author: Paul Doiron. It is called: "The Poacher's Son" and it's a crime novel that follows Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch. The book won all sorts of awards and was given the Maine Literary Award for "Best Fiction of 2010".
There's a whole bunch of them in the series and now I'm hooked. I just ordered the 8th book.
The Mike Bowditch series has been fun for me. I must confess, that is one series that I've listened to more than read. The state of NH has a free downloadable book consortium if you have a library card from your community. I've enjoyed all of the Paul Doiron books, and characters!
This time of the year in the cold north, is a good time to read Edwin Tappan Adney's 'The Klondike Stampede'. He worked for Harper's Magazine in New York. He eventually married a Sharp up here and settled here in New Brunswick. Met her in college down there. Her father was a famous horticulturalist of apple trees up here. He was good friends with the local reservation building and restoring canoes in the Wolastoqiyik way. Some models of his canoes are in the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia. He is responsible for saving the birch bark canoe from oblivion. He was laid to rest locally here at the Upper Woodstock Cemetery and the local reservation erected a new stone for him in recent years.
The Klondike Stampede (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=118312.0)
I listen to a lot of audio books while plowing and sanding roads or even just when running the tractor. Ive gone through a bunch of William Kent Krueger's - Cork O'Connor mysterys. Pretty sure I'm on the twelfth book. The story's take place in Northern Minnesota, and well, they are pretty good.
I just finished Fordlandia about the rise and fall of Henry Ford's forgotten jungle city in Brazil by Greg Grandin . . Henry Ford purchased a huge piece of land the size of the state of Connecticut in 1927 and made a rubber plantation
Currently working on 2,
The soul of a tree, George Nakashima
Story of a Master woodworkers
path from The PNW, Through Tokyo, Paris
and settling in New Hope Penn.
The Beautiful Race, Colin O'Brien
History of the Giro D'Italia
D
Granite, I hardly ever read anymore- it's almost all listening to audio books. I can go through quite a few in the winter if I'm in the cab of a cut to length machine.
I just listened to Crazy Horse and Custer by Stephen Ambrose. I enjoy Ambrose's work, it is well researched and cited. It gave a perspective, especially on Custer, that I hadn't really got before. One of the main things was how much of a national hero he really was after the Civil War, and how often he was wrote about in the newspapers. Really kind of a celebrity of the day, according to Ambrose, and that made for that much more of a shock when his whole company was massacred.
Not to mention, the Country had been in a severe economic depression after the Panic of 1773, So leaders where looking for some good news. But the Battle of the Little Bighorn happened right before the Country's Centennial, and really put a damper on the spirit of things as the country learned of it just before July 4th, 1876.
It is kind of hard to get a sense of the mood of something like that in history, and Ambrose's book was written back in 1973 I believe so he couldn't make comparison to any national tragedies that happened in my lifetime. But I got the sense it was along the order of Pearl Harbor or something like that.
Custer was much more complex of a person than the caricature that has been handed down in popular culture.
barbender,
I have been burning through audio books with all the snow and ice we've been dealing with lately! NH has a deal that if you have a library card you can go to a site and download books for free for 7-14 days. I like that it's free, but don't like sometimes having to wait to get a "copy"... but free wins out and I wait!
I've done a few Ambrose books, pretty sure one was one the building of the transcontinental railroad, but would have to double check, or find the book.
David Baldacci has been a go to this winter. I've listened to the King and Maxwell series as well as the Camel Club and John Puller series. I've enjoy them
Lately I've been reading Zane Grey but not his westerns.
The Best of Zane Grey, Outdoorsman
and
Fishing the Virgin Seas
He wrote a lot of hunting and fishing material.
Not sure if this is the place for it or not because it's actually a podcast. One of my brothers tipped me off to the first season of In the Red Clay from imperative entertainment. It's about Billy Sunday Birt and the Dixie Mafia. The narrator does an excellent job telling the story and doing interviews. Anyone interested in audiobooks about these types of topics ,I'd highly recommend it. Really sucked me in once I started listening to it. Ironically some of the towns mentioned are ones I see forum members are from.
Newoodguy, I've had that one recommended to me and it's on my short list👍
You won't be disappointed.
I just finished Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom it's about an old man , a young man , and life's greatest lesson
Very quick reading and a very popular book
I just got done with Pinnochio (spoiler, he was kind of a jerk!) and Tarzan of the Apes. Both were no additional charge with Prime Kindle. Both were good, especially Tarzan.
Reading the first book of a series 'Outlander'. I believe there is a TV series. I've not seen it, but this book starts in 1948 in Scotland then the 'star' some how gets teleported to the 16thC Scotland by walking a path through standing stones. Then taken captive to a castle. So far she is free to walk about but not leave the grounds. She was a field nurse during WWII, so she's been asked to doctor any of the castle residents and study the former herbalists notes on treatments who met his end. She discovered a few patients didn't recover from his treatments let alone the ailment. :D These books are huge 1000 + pagers. I'd probably never watch it on TV at all, reading it is much different. I've got 800 pages or so to go on this one. ;)
Currently reading Into the Void: From Birth to Black Sabbath―And Beyond by bassist Geezer Butler. It has more of a human element than old Ozzy's biography - which still makes me wonder how that man is still alive after all his wild days. Both are brilliant reads!
The Toolbox Book by Jim Tolpin a craftsmanship guide to tool chests cabinets and storage systems
Quote from: SwampDonkey on April 04, 2023, 04:51:35 PM
Reading the first book of a series 'Outlander'. I believe there is a TV series. I've not seen it, but this book starts in 1948 in Scotland then the 'star' some how gets teleported to the 16thC Scotland by walking a path through standing stones. Then taken captive to a castle. So far she is free to walk about but not leave the grounds. She was a field nurse during WWII, so she's been asked to doctor any of the castle residents and study the former herbalists notes on treatments who met his end. She discovered a few patients didn't recover from his treatments let alone the ailment. :D These books are huge 1000 + pagers. I'd probably never watch it on TV at all, reading it is much different. I've got 800 pages or so to go on this one. ;)
We started watching it on TV but after the second rape scene we moved on.
Today is National Book Lovers Day and on Forestry Forum I think of Roxie who introduced me to New & Used Books | Buy Cheap Books Online at ThriftBooks (http://www.thriftbooks.com) where I have saved money on used books
"Unbroken Bonds of Battle" by Johnny "Joey" Jones
A very good read regardless of your political leanings. About the brotherhood of combat veterans and how, despite the obstacles of their injuries they have kept moving forward and succeeded in spite of their apparent "disabilities".
Inspiring.
Woodworkers Guide to Live Edge Slabs by George Vondriska 144 pages printed in 2021
I've never been much of a book reader; and when I do its non-fiction. Thomas Sowell is my favorite author. The book most I have most enjoyed from him is Conflict of Visions. To me it is a great explanation of the root of what forms our thinking of the world around us. Currently reading the 10 Commandments by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. So far so good.
I just got done with a Jules Verne kick: The Mysterious Island and 20000 Leagues Under The Sea (which I always thought meant they went 20000 Leagues deep, it meant 20000 leagues around under the sea!), both were good and no additional cost with Prime. Unfortunately, I'm running out of the free classics that I have any interest in. Now I'm reading The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It's too short... I may need to get a library card.
I read on a kindle. If you have Amazon Prime for $9 more a month there are unlimited "free" books.
There's supposed to be a way to get libery books free on your Kindle but I haven't figured it out yet.
Just read The Guardian from John Grisham. Has been out a while but I missed it and found it in a used book store in Charlotte a couple weeks back. Now reading an old Clive Cussler book I got there too. Both are great authors IMHO.
Thinking of Danny, We both have re-read Killer Angels by Michael Sharra several times.
Raider Bill & aigheadish, we got a deal in NH that you use your library card and have access to TONS of free downloadable books and audio books. I think its the Overdrive app-thing? May have a new name, it wants me to update but that is just a problem waiting to happen! Its all free also
I have two apps, one is hoopla, the other is libby. They are linked to my library card from the county.
Thanks guys, I've heard there are some newfangled ways to rent books from the library now, I'll have to investigate.
Raider Bill, I'd be more inclined if it was 3 or 4 bucks a month. The amount of money that Amazon already gets from me is crazy enough!
Quote from: Dan_Shade on September 21, 2023, 08:59:47 PM
I have two apps, one is hoopla, the other is libby. They are linked to my library card from the county.
Dan is that on a Kindle?
Quote from: aigheadish on September 22, 2023, 06:30:38 AM
Thanks guys, I've heard there are some newfangled ways to rent books from the library now, I'll have to investigate.
Raider Bill, I'd be more inclined if it was 3 or 4 bucks a month. The amount of money that Amazon already gets from me is crazy enough!
It's a ggod deal for me as I read 10-12 books a month
I don't use a Kindle, it's on my phone.
The libby app may link to Kindle, it has an option to read on Kindle.
Thanks
Just got Bill O'Reilly's newest "killing" series book.
Killing the Witches.
Started reading it yesterday at 5pm. Was still at it at 4am this morning. Hard to put down.
Bill O'Reilly: Books (https://www.billoreilly.com/books)
I've enjoyed all the books in this series.
I did the Killing Patton book and another one that I can't recall. I liked them both.
Raider Bill at 10-12 books a month do you ever sleep? That's a lot of reading.
I've always enjoyed reading but these days it puts me right to sleep, end up waking up with the book either on my chest or the floor no matter how much I'm interested in it.
Quote from: newoodguy78 on September 27, 2023, 11:01:47 PM
Raider Bill at 10-12 books a month do you ever sleep? That's a lot of reading.
I've always enjoyed reading but these days it puts me right to sleep, end up waking up with the book either on my chest or the floor no matter how much I'm interested in it.
Nope, that's the problem I've always had trouble sleeping so I read.
I'd rather read than watch TV.
I tend to spend too much time on either X or Reddit and I'm trying to talk myself into acting on the knowledge that both of those sites are poisonous. I've thought several times, while being grossed out at Reddit, that my time would be much better spent reading, but I've only flipped over a couple times to the book.
Quote from: Raider Bill on September 27, 2023, 10:52:06 AM
Just got Bill O'Reilly's newest "killing" series book.
Killing the Witches.
Started reading it yesterday at 5pm. Was still at it at 4am this morning. Hard to put down.
Bill O'Reilly: Books (https://www.billoreilly.com/books)
I've enjoyed all the books in this series.
I agree, I've not read them all yet but getting there. Finished Killing Patton a few weeks ago and now reading Killing the Killers.
The ending was quite surprising.
Rereading the entire Sackett series now. 20 books.
Raider Bill, I looked up the Sackett series you mentioned. I then ordered a copy of Sackett's Land, figure if you like it enough to read it again, I could give it a shot!
Great way to start! If you like good ol mountain man,westerns and family, you'll love the Sacketts.
Nobody does it better than Louis La'amour!
They made a movie about one of the books " The Sackett Brand". Even with Tom Selleck and Sam Elliot it didn't do the book justice.
My office staff bought the whole series for my birthday one year. I'll re-read one or two then read something else then repeat until I've finished it.
Louis L' Amour is my favorite authors I figure I've read 50 of his paper back books I used to get at Walmart for just a few dollars
I was able to buy 10 of his leather bound books but with moving around I no longer have them
I got hooked on westerns 50 plus years ago. I read them in between more "serious" books.
Remember when they tore the front covers off paperbacks and sold them for a nickel?
update. I have read the first two Sackett books, have the 3rd in waiting. I put something else between the books just for flavor
I do that too.
Riding down the Leon Uris rabbit hole currently.
I know I am getting one of the new-er Tom Clancy / Jack Ryan books for Christmas, and I know I ordered the next book in the On Second After series (William Forstchen). That'll keep me happy for a bit
I just finished a pretty good book called "the Mysterious case of Rudolf Diesel". I have read dozens of biography's over the decades and find these the most interesting. To read about significant people who were game changers in their time and how they got there. T. Roosevelt, Sam Colt, John Browning, Remington, Winchester, Tesla, Alexander Hamilton, Benedict Arnold, and even Edison (whom I still despise).
This one was a pretty good read and the author explores that various possible explanations for Diesel's disappearance and proposes one which he seems to like best. I don't know if I buy it, but I won't ruin it for anybody either. In the process though I learned what I already generally knew about Diesel's impact on the world. What I didn't know was how he got there and where he came from. Seeing him in his time with the contemporaries he had (Ford, Edison, Linde, Rockefeller and many others) gives me a better perspective on where he stood in the grand scheme. Interesting to note that he didn't like Edison much and thought him a bit of a stumbling boob (my words) which was always my take on the man also.
Anyway, it's not a bad book and I enjoyed the read. YMMV
Sounds interesting and in the time period I'm in right now.
I just finished "Mornings on Horseback" David McCullough, about Teddy Roosevelt's early years.
I'm reading Timothy Egan's "Short Night's of the Shadow Catcher" about Edward Curtis now. He was a photographer of the western Indians, and TR's family during that period. Travelled with Pinchot, Muir, Grinell, TR and many other naturalists of the period. Slow but interesting with some of his striking photography.
Recently watched the Pacific.
Finished E H Sledge's book "With the Old Breed" last evening, a good read from a Marine grunts standpoint.
Next is Helmet for My Pillow by Robert Leckie, another enlisted Marine.
Another favorite that I just re read is Coffee and Hardtack about the food, equipment, etc of the Union Army.
TR was a tough dude, had some rough edges and normal human faults, but I always thought of him as one of the 'good guys' and pretty dang smart.
Given your slant, there is a historical novel called "Tesla: A novel" by a fella named Ted Wise that I enjoyed a great deal. I bought and read it back in 1994 when it was first released and have loaned it out several times, not sure if I got it back the last time. Just last year I finally met and spoke with the author (at a funeral) and enjoyed discussing the book, he was a bit shocked I remembered many of the details after more than 20 years and asked detailed questions about his sources and opinions. Then I told him about my Grandfather's connection to Tesla and he had a lot of questions for me. Anyway it was a good book but it helps to know a bit about Tesla before getting into it too deep so you can thread between the biography and the novel parts.
Edit to add: I just checked fleabay and found some copies for as low as 4 bucks.
Lots of good reading posted here thanks to all for posting their favorites and some not so favorite.
Time life series on WWII is a good read too.
When I was a pup I devoured science fiction, my tastes are much more eclectic now, read a lot of different stuff.
Bill, I'm on my second Kindle, the old one didn't die they just gave a good deal on the new one as an upgrade.
My only issue is with my fat thumb I keep advancing pages inadvertently.
Pete, Normally I out read the batteries but this last time about a year ago I upgraded to get the new 11 model with amber screen and a bit bigger.
I gave the old one to one of my daughters with 300 or so books on it. I just looked and I have 450 on the new one.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14445/20240111_102016.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1704986912)
First thing I do is put a ring on the back and a cover.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14445/20240111_100903.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1704985808)
Read a TR book "The Old Lion" a few months ago. Quite a guy.
Reading Jim Shockey's first book, HUNTER. I am enjoying it.
mh
This present darkness and piercing the darkness by frank peretti
Screwtape letters by C. S. Lewis
Ok, I didn't "read" this one, it was the audio version that keeps me sane while driving...Nelson Demiles - Plum Island. It was enjoyable and book 2 is in my queue at the NH Library free downloadable site. I'm onto a book about a cop in VT now
Nelson Demille is a great writer!
Generals Daughter, Plum Island the John Corey series are just a few. I used to listen to them on my ride the Tenn.
I've moved on to Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Collection. I think it's like 20000 pages or something crazy, for .99 cents. Not bad, the language of the late 1800's England throws me here and there but I'm enjoying reading it and not having to find something else.
I've also been listening to the podcast Founders. I can't say for sure if I'd recommend the podcast but the host reads many biographies or autobiographies of famous founders of all kinds of stuff, like the folks Old Greenhorn mentions above. His goal is to get you interested in the books so you'll read them yourself, or at least find some interesting things about these folks that our world now runs on. It's worth trying out to see if you can deal with the host but I like the idea of the show and it is giving me some ideas of books I'd like to look into.
aigsheadish,
20,000 pages for $.99 is a lot of pages for your $ !!!
raider bill,
I enjoyed Plum Island, and the characters. Corey was a sassy wisecracker from NY, a nice change of pace. I'm waiting for book 2 of the series to become available