What book are you currently reading?

[live2ride]

i could go for a good cycling book about now, if there are any?

[ddavis]

Who has read the "The Prince?"

By Machiavelli? I have, more decades ago than I want to admit.

[accadacca]

By Machiavelli? I have, more decades ago than I want to admit.

Yep.

[ddavis]

Who has read the "The Prince?"

Looking for a recommendation, or just asking?

I think it's been 30 years since I read it. A must if you are studying philosphy, political science, or military theory (it's right up there with Clauswitz). As I remember, it's pretty short and very practical in nature, and completely focused on the survival and well being of the state. I don't remember too many details, but I do remember the discussions on exterting (or resisting) political influence on neighboring states - keep foreign troops outside your boundaries, and place your own troops wherever possible (assuming sufficient resources). The other piece of advice that stuck with me was the one about not issuing any orders you couldn't enforce. I think that's not just good advice for a prince, but also for parents.

[mike123]

I would also be very thankful for advice on a good book. I haven't read any books for such a long time and I really miss some good literature. So is there any new fiction that is really good?

[crankshank]

In my truck for on-the-go reading: The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Next to the bed: Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates by Tom Robbins... Again.
Next to the toilet: I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!) by Stephen Colbert

[Jaxx]

Left for Dead by Beck Weathers

[Cirrus2000]

Left for Dead by Beck Weathers

Quite a story, huh? I enjoyed that one, though it did get a little too deeply into the self-analysis and navel-gazing for me. Still - an amazing tale.

[Jaxx]

Quite a story, huh? I enjoyed that one, though it did get a little too deeply into the self-analysis and navel-gazing for me. Still - an amazing tale.

I am only about 100 pages in but it have kindof lost interest because it is all about his childhood and personal life. The beginning was awesome. I will power through it hoping for it to get better.

[accadacca]

I just downloaded this one to read on vacation - "Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase to Catch Lincoln's Killer"

[nelsonccc]

I just finished Wrong-Why Experts Keep Failing Us. It's pretty much about how for every scientific study or expert there is another ready to refute the findings. He goes over tons of scientific examples from the last ten years or so and pretty much de-bunks the experts by using other experts. Pretty good read. Makes you notice when an article says "according to.. blah, blah" Makes you ask how right is this quote or statistic?

Good read. Now I'm on to reading Going Rogue.

[DOSS]

After the Reich
Attachment 34830

Ok.. for you History buffs this is a book you must read.. Most history of WW2 ends with Hitler and generalities of the occupation from Allied forces and the Russkies.. the Atrocities and ethnic cleansing didn't stop there.. it just started again along with systematic rape of a people.. GREAT READ!!!!
Attachment 34830

[Cirrus2000]

Ok.. for you History buffs this is a book you must read.. Most history of WW2 ends with Hitler and generalities of the occupation from Allied forces and the Russkies.. the Atrocities and ethnic cleansing didn't stop there.. it just started again along with systematic rape of a people.. GREAT READ!!!!

Sounds fascinating - will have to have a look. Thanks!

[ratagonia]

I would also be very thankful for advice on a good book. I haven't read any books for such a long time and I really miss some good literature. So is there any new fiction that is really good?

Well, without any indication of what you like, here I two I think are 5 star:

First Man of Rome http://www.amazon.com/First-Man-Rome.../dp/0380710811 which is a start of a wonderful, big series historical fiction of the Roman Republic... and

The Red Tent which I am reading now, and is really good: http://www.amazon.com/Red-Tent-Novel...0524539&sr=1-1

The book-on-ipod I am listening to is wonderfully narrated.

but... people like different things...

Tom

[Iceaxe]

Who has read the "The Prince?"

I've read Nicolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" a half dozen times over the years. The frist time was for a Military History class, Warfare and Western Society. The last time was a month ago because it tied into anther book I was reading (Over the Edge or The Tudors, I can't remember which).

It's also on my iPod in Audiobook format. You can download it free here: Nicolo Machiavelli's - The Prince in MP3 format. The audiobook is only 67 minutes long.

The other piece of advice that stuck with me was the one about not issuing any orders you couldn't enforce. I think that's not just good advice for a prince, but also for parents.

There is actually a bunch of great advice in the book that can be used in all different manners. It's required reading in a lot of business schools.

You can also download Carl von Clausewitz book "On War" for free from the same place. On War is unquestionably the most important single work ever written on the theory of warfare and of strategy....

[DiscGo]

I turned off my TV for the summer and found that I suddenly have lots of time for reading.

I just finished reading "Into Thin Air" I had forgotten how much I dislike Krakauer's writing style. He jumps around so much that I never know if he is talking about the current subject or a previous person's exepedition.

The book I just read recently and loved was "The Hunger Games". I STRONGLY STRONGLY STRONGLY recommend it (if you enjoy light youthful reads). My wife and I read it together (aloud) and we really enjoyed it.

[dbaxter]

The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo, by Stieg Larsson. Got the set for my birthday and just started. Two thumbs up so far!

[Don]

The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo, by Stieg Larsson. Got the set for my birthday and just started. Two thumbs up so far!

I read the first of that series last week. Really enjoyed it. May have to read the other two. Reading Steven King's Under the Dome now.

[p40whk]

This one right here:




Thanks Tom, great read!

[nelsonccc]

Reading Steven King's Under the Dome now.

Just finished it! It's great, I love big, thick books.