Member: wildbill

Hey good to hear from you Bill. Glad you liked my review of "Helen of Troy." Your tale of woe on only reading a fraction of books you have made me laugh, especially when you said you slowed down but just bought 5 new ones! We are kindred souls. I am reading ten books at the same time and I too have only read a fraction of the 1675 books I own, but I bought two more today. I can't stop -- I'm an addict!!

"Suttree" is a very unusual Cormac McCarthy book -- nothing like any of the other books at all. It is a bit like William Faulkner wrote Steinbeck's "Cannery Row". It's not my favorite McCarthy book, but in retrospect I'm glad I read it. His best books outside of Blood Meridian are the three books in the Border Trilogy, which I think are essential reads.

Stay in touch! You're a good guy!

posted by Garp83 at 8:15 pm (EST) on Oct 18, 2009

I just read your review of Swallows of Khabul and it was wonderful!

posted by Scrat at 4:41 pm (EST) on Oct 4, 2009

Hi Bill, I saw your name on the group read thread and popped over to look at your library.
I am a big fan of Mark Twain, are you? I see you have his picture on your page. I love to read history myself and I have many more books to catalog. I have been quite busy with many things, including writing and working on my crafts which I guess you could call altered art and/or mixed media. I like to make things with paper and/or found objects. I imagine I would love to see your wife's work. It must be wonderful. I, too, spent a great deal of time being quite ill and was grateful for my love of reading which saw me through much of it. Now I would like to write short stories and eventually a novel. I have a bachelor's degree in literature and creative writing. It is not easy though to stay focused and enthused with all that life throws at us. I am glad to have LT to turn to sometimes. Hope to hear from you in the group read. MB

posted by mmignano11 at 11:21 pm (EST) on Oct 3, 2009

Hi;
Mark and I have been discussing the possibility of another group read in November and want your input. We have narrowed it down to two books at this point. "The People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks and "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. So chat it up with friends or us and let us know if you are up for it and what you think. Probably the same plan as with "Pillars of the Earth" which seemed to work out perfectly for almost all of us.
Think it over and give one of us a shout.
hugs and looking forward to hearing from you,
belva

posted by nannybebette at 10:55 am (EST) on Sep 9, 2009

Hi Bill;
Just got home from Texas late yesterday and wanted to stop over and say "Hey, how's it going?" I hope things are well in your world.
Have you been reading any good books while I was gone? I only read one complete book while at Robbi's. "Battle Cry of Freedom" and it was mesmerizing. She and my friends kept me very busy for all of the 2 weeks. I was able to almost finish another on the flight home.
It was soo good to get home until I got home and found the dishes hadn't been done in 2 weeks; my last coffee cup was still in the sink. But apparently they ate out a lot. But the hubby took awesome care of the grandsons while I was away and of my mother also (and was happy to do it so I could go and spend some time with Robbi) so I didn't say anything about anything. I am just so appreciative that I was able to go and be with her for those two weeks. I got up at 5 A.M. today and cleaned the bathroom and did the dishes. The rest I will catch as catch can, but at least now the bathroom doesn't smell like a latrine and when I want to eat I can find a clean dish. So it's all good.
We went to the Pocket Sandwich Theater while I was there and they were showing a vaudevillian type play in which the actors interact with the audience. Popcorn fights are the rage and we had a blast throwing popcorn at the actors and other patrons and having popcorn rain down upon us as well. I can't wait to go back the next time!~! It was so much fun.
And they have Half Price Books stores all over the Dallas/Ft Worth/Plano/Irving/McKinny area. I think we hit everyone of them and I had to go to the P.O. and ship books home so as not to have to pay the heavy toll to check baggage at the airport. I travel so light. One very small back pack and my purse. That's it. Needless to say I do a lot of laundry while there, but traveling light just works for me.
Missed you and our conversations while I was gone. Can't wait to catch up on your thread and all the others. But I wanted to say hello as I know it will take time to play catch up.
Will see you on your thread.
belva

posted by nannybebette at 12:03 pm (EST) on Aug 25, 2009

Bill;
Congratulations sir!~!~!
That made my day! I love that you got a "hot review"
on that wonderful, clear and concise review. You make
me wish I was back in school.
Well done, my man; very well done.
belva

posted by nannybebette at 8:38 pm (EST) on Jul 14, 2009

Bill...re: your review of "The Mind of the Master Class"...excellent job, and thanks for making me aware of the book. It's not often that this subject arises in history books. Thank goodness my birthday is only two months away.

Cheers

RMD

posted by richardderus at 12:58 pm (EST) on Jul 14, 2009

Very interesting reviews you have posted. I'm the founder of Upublica (http://www.upublica.com), a free online publishing service - just started. I would be very happy to see your book reviews (and other stuff) on the site. You could use it as an alternative platform to share your thoughts. If interested all you need to do is register and you can start publishing.

Best
Thomas Vieth, London
My profile: http://www.upublica.com/profile_c/viewpr...

posted by vieth at 6:44 am (EST) on Jul 14, 2009

Bill,

Go right ahead and add them! I started the series but haven't put any substantial effort into an entire accumulation of the titles within the series. The more who help out with it, the better it'll be. So add to your heart's content.

Matt

posted by uru at 12:13 pm (EST) on Jul 5, 2009

Thank you for posting on my new thread. I do hope to see you often.

posted by callmejacx at 5:55 pm (EST) on Jun 28, 2009

So I'm grateful for the Sense of reality recommendation, but I have to admit I have yet to read it. Balancing all the reading I'd like to do is a constant challenge! I've tucked the book into my work bag, figuring at some time soon, I'll get the opportunity. If not, I'll have a go at it after I finish my current book.

Let me be brief. I became close with a very bright woman who had been involved in Tiananmen protests as a student in ‘89. She was 35 or so when we met a few years back. It is hard to describe the relationship and the exchange quickly, yet I hate not to do justice to it.

She was very knowledgeable about Chinese history, and was surprised and intrigued by my interest – she seemed flattered that an American had decided her civilization was deserving of such study. In that sense, she had the chip-on-the-shoulder thing we discussed earlier. She later told me I had made her feel so proud of her own history; I conveyed my sense of the enormous contribution the Chinese people have made to human culture and civilization.

She was discrete, I believe in expressing opinions about the US, other than according us tremendous respect for our dominant and prosperous position in the world. She also conveyed a belief that we do have real electoral choice, an idea often diminished in China by the suggestion that our system is inflexible and runs things, and that our elections are little more than a rubber stamp.

As to Tiananmen, she was arrested and threatened. Her father was a professor, and as a result she was treated less severely than others she associated with. She was told in no uncertain terms though that there would be harsh consequences for any further oppositional behavior.

She remains saddened that she lacks the electoral power to alter the regime. She is devoting herself to environmental issues in China, though very carefully and not in a way as to upset the powers that be. She does not consider China to be a democracy because the government cannot be voted out of office.

We talked a lot of the nineteenth century events, and the scars still left on China. But we also talked of happier periods, sharing T’ang Dynasty poetry, and so forth. She expressed great interest in traveling to Tibet and to the Uigur regions.

This was all fascinating; much more to tell about other interactions; too little time for now.

posted by stellarexplorer at 9:54 pm (EST) on May 17, 2009

Hey Bill -- I'll respond as soon as I can, but basically, all of the above were discussed. I got quite close to someone who had been very involved in the Tienanmen movement.

posted by stellarexplorer at 6:32 pm (EST) on May 17, 2009

Hi Bill
Just read that you have read 6 books about the constitutional convention of 1787. My mother's family, the Dickinsons are directly (?) descended from John Dickinson of Delaware (& PA) & the family has made sure everyone knows about him. Several members have had the family tree investigated & a small booklet has resulted from someone's efforts. When we studied the Revolution in 6th grade, Mother mad sure the teach & all the classmates knew of our illustrious ancester. It was her theory that the War Between the States could have been prevented if only Thomas Jefferson had listened to John dickinson when he presented him with the first draft of the Declaration of Independence which included the abolition of buying slaves from overseas, then later the elimination of slave trading in the new US & the gradual purchase of slaves by (I have no idea who) but the idea was to elimate slavery gradually while re-embursing the owners & also educating the freed slaves in the ways of self-sufficiency. A good idea, but unfortunately, there was a war to fight. Ancester Dickinsons' answer to that was to fight & win the war first, THEN declare our independence.
At the constitutional convention in 1787 his plan to end slavery was again brought up, this time with more support. Today, in the year 2009, Dickinson is the good guy. In 1860, my mother's grand-father & uncles all enlisted in the Confederate Army, most in the 2nd, Kentucky Brigade (aka"orphan Brigade")
In the 1930's & 1940's, F. D.Roosevelt could do no wrong, he was a hero to all the Dickinson's & to my father's family, the Cronenbergers, former members of the Progressive party & follower of Henry George & mayor Tom Johnson. When I was growing up, only God was held in higher reverance than FDR.
So here we have our branch of the Dickinsons. proud descendents of a man who tried to eliminate slavery at the start of our Republic, and proud supporters of States' Rights, several of whom gave their lives fighting under the Stars & Bars. All of whom joined in happy union with the priviliged Roosevelt who supported the "little man" &, incidentaly JFK, & any other Democrat who came along. As far as I know, the cousins I still keep in contact with voted for Obama as did my immediate family.
Mixed-up history? Unreliable records? If events are as complicated & confusing when they occur, think of all the increments added over the years? What is "in?" Who is out? Most people try to keep up with the news. But if everyone wrote their version of what when on today, how would today's events be evaluated? What is thrown away, what is kept? Who judges, anyway?
I enjoy your comments.
MarianV

posted by MarianV at 2:17 pm (EST) on May 15, 2009

We share a variety of books. Yes,reading is where it is at if you have time. Once into a book I let the computer and tv go. Too bad fewer younger people appear to be reading
Am reading the Coldest Winter.

posted by carterchristian1 at 10:00 am (EST) on Apr 30, 2009

Hi, Bill!
Just to let you know, I enjoy all your reviews. :) You do a great job! I did think that one was especially important. Have a great day!
--BJ

posted by billiejean at 4:23 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2009

Sense of Reality arrived -- looking forward to reading it!

posted by stellarexplorer at 10:09 pm (EST) on Apr 10, 2009

Bill,

Thanks for the kind words :-) And yes, hopefully you enjoy Browning's [Ordinary Men]; I count it among the best books I've ever read. I know exactly what you're saying about Goldhagen's [Hitler's Willing Executioners]; in my opinion it is way too heavy handed in blaming the Holocaust on a preexisting irrational hatred of the Jews by only the Germans, while ignoring the fact that they were indeed reviled the continent over, and indeed Germany was about the best place in the world they could be, considering the Germans' relative tolerance: that is, until the 1930s.

Browning's book, on the other hand, shows how--as the title would suggest--"ordinary men" found themselves caught up in the mass murder of Jewish civilians throughout Europe. Indeed, the infamous "Einsatzgruppen" which became murder squads whose sole purpose was seemingly to round up as many eastern European Jews as possible for execution, were largely middle-aged men who joined police battalions to "serve on the home front" exactly because they wanted no part in any imperialistic, racist expansion by the German government of the time. Even when they were ordered to the East, most thought they were being sent there merely to "keep the peace"; a belief which was thoroughly crushed as soon as the orders started coming in for the executions of civilians.

I found particularly interesting the parts in which Browning employs statistics to fill out the story, instead of simply relying on the myth that all Germans of the early 20th century were inherently bloodthirsty monsters. For instance, he meticulously poured through the available data, and gives the reader exact percentages for things such as the "volunteers" when the killings began. Contrary to common belief, it was only a very small number of likely previously deranged men who had no problem with being ordered to execute civilians one by one, face to face. A greater number flat out refused to take part, and were actually allowed to retire back to the village to collect their wits; the remainder--and if I remember correctly, the largest percentage--were able to go along with it only after some chiding from commanding officers and comrades.

Anyway I've gone on long enough, but I'm glad you decided to pick up the book. It's a fast read; I had to read it for a class, but finished it in about two days. It's almost impossible to put it down once you've picked it up (so be warned!) :-)

Cheers

--Feicht

posted by Feicht at 11:50 pm (EST) on Apr 8, 2009

Bill -- I feel really good about the group. Both because I am enjoying it a lot, and because other people seem to be too. I appreciate your comment -- makes the whole enterprise all the better!

And thank you for the Berlin recommendation. Your posts have contributed much to the conversation, and I've found them interesting. With respect for your sensibilities, I have gone and ordered the "Sense of Reality" book already! I'll let you know what I find --

Warm regards,

stellar

posted by stellarexplorer at 1:58 am (EST) on Apr 5, 2009

Bill -- loved your post in "The Wisdom of a Library". You said it all so well!

Ciao!

Garp

posted by Garp83 at 2:35 pm (EST) on Mar 21, 2009

It' s good to hear from you. I've been kind of incommunicado of late. I got In Hazard from Early Reviewers . I only recently figured out how to leave a review so at the time I thought in lieu of a review, the least I could do was rate it. I liked it but not nearly as much as A High Wind in Jamaica which covers much the same ground as Lord of the Flies but from a much different angle and which I think is much better book. I you have not read any Hughes and are interested doing so, I'd recommend A High Wind in Jamaica . Unfortunately I have not gotten around to any of Lincoln books I picked up recently. The one I am looking forward to most is President Lincoln: The Duty of a Statesman by Warren Miller. I read and much enjoyed his Arguing about Slavery about J Q Adams and the petition battles in Congress. It's been quite a while since I read Lincoln Finds a General . I was a teenager and just making the transition from the popular military histories of the time about the Civil War - Bruce Catton, McKinley Kantor, Fletcher Pratt, etc - and Williams' book provided an intro to a higher level political and strategic approach to the war. What you write about A Team of Rivals makes me ask, if you ever read Gore Vidal's Lincoln? If not I think you might enjoy it, without necessarily sharing the author's viewpoint. I live right across the Ohio from Steubenville, OH where Chase and his father before him practiced law. In front of the county court there is an incredibly poor statue of Chase which I never see without thinking of Vidal's portrait of Chase.

I came across an interesting article in the Boston Globe about the difficulty Oxford University Press is having getting its Oxford History of the United States series completed. It’s been almost 50 years since C Vann Woodward and Richard Hofstadter conceived of the plan. It was supposed to be a counterpart to OUP’s Oxford History of England. Despite that at this time only 7 of the planned 11 volumes have been published (One on the revolutionary period, the recent What Hath God Wrought, one on the Civil War, three covering 1918 thru 2001,and one which is a survey of US diplomatic history ). I’ve read them all except WHGW and, although they are all good, they have yet publish the volumes covering the periods I was most looking forward to reading. I’ve wondered since the first ones were published 30 years ago what the story was. OUP used to list all the volumes, published and projected with their authors. They quit listing any of the projected volumes a number of years ago. It turns out a number of the volumes have actually been submitted but rejected. Some of those rejections have been of well known historians. There have been other issues as well – untimely deaths, etc. Both the author of the Globe piece and the author of a New Yorker piece reviewing the What Hath God Wrought: America 1815-1848 ascribe part of the problem to the lack of prestige for narrative history in academia and an inability & interest in writing it. WHGW is a replacement for a rejected volume by Charles Sellers, The Market Revolution: Jacksonian America 1815-1844 for the same period that the editors thought was too narrowly focused on economic development. I really enjoyed the volumes I’ve read which does not include WHGW yet. I hope they get it together and keep the quality up.

I'll definitely check out the LT chat group. Again, I'm glad you left me a note.

posted by pitjrw at 10:13 pm (EST) on Mar 18, 2009

Hey Bill! I've been meaning to touch bases with you but, like many (most?) people, I am a lost-cause procrastinator.

Great score on the signed Burke. I just saw today that he has a new novel in July, but it's not a Dave R.--I think Katrina really broke his heart. He does, however, have a new book of short stories (or a reissue of some old ones), and I ordered a copy on Friday.

The Convict

I don't know if you saw it or not, but my review of Faulkner's Collected Short Stories made the hot list on our home page. Talk about surprised, since I didn't think it was that good to begin with.

I'm adding some new books to my library, but I'm still adding stuff I've had for years--the procrastinator thing, you know. I received the LoA volume of John Cheever's novels and I'm rereading them from many moons ago. There is a new autobiography about him in conjunction with the two LoA volumes, but at 800 pages I'm afraid it might be one of those things that records every sh*t he ever took.

I will also finish a new book called Soft Spots, a memoir about an Iraqi vet diagnosed with PTSD. It's short and powerful, but sadly I find myself looking for James Frey-type clues.

My health is holding steady, which is good news, and I hope you're doing okay . . .

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 8:33 pm (EST) on Mar 7, 2009

Your wife is a gem. I do the same with my husband, but the third time he tells me the same thing, I cut him off at the knees. ( It's because we LISTEN TO YOU, so we know what you said already.)

posted by laytonwoman3rd at 2:20 pm (EST) on Feb 20, 2009

Thanks for dropping in, Bill. It pleases me to know someone other than myself is browsing the "stacks" of my library. I believe you mentioned the [Stonewall in the Valley] book and its author to me somewhere before. Between you and joycepa (If you haven't visited her 75 book challenge thread, or her newer Club Read 2009 thread, you should. She's reading and reviewing a lot of excellent history) I'm going to be nudged back into some intense Civil War reading soon, I think. I have rather neglected that area recently. The World We Live In is actually my husband's book---a gift from his great aunt when he was about 7 years old. Our daughter got a lot of enjoyment from it when she was school age, too. Have you read the review posted for it? There are a millions stories out there! Please stop by any time. This branch never closes.

posted by laytonwoman3rd at 1:45 pm (EST) on Feb 19, 2009

You've been very quiet lately, Bill. Hope all is well . . .

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 8:41 pm (EST) on Feb 5, 2009

I see that you got the Lincoln up with the photo. It would be a lot easier if LoA just sent us the commercial editions of the specials, but they don't so I'll quit grousing.

Martha and Maritta--pretty close if you ask me. Our "holidays" were like yours: peaceful and quiet.

And as far as business being slow, the only professionals making any money right now are tax accountants and tax attorneys--and the big banks like Chase and BoA.

Uh-oh. I'm getting myself revved up. Talk to you later.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 1:30 pm (EST) on Jan 16, 2009

I got the Lincoln today too, and the problem is with the slipcase edition ISBN--there are no photos for slipcases, so you have to use the commercial #978-1-59853-033-9. That gives you a photo, but when you edit the book for the slipcase ISBN which we own, the photo disappears.

So here is what I did:
1. I went to Amazon, put in the commerical ISBN, and saved the photo to my computer.
2. When I entered the slipcase ISBN in "Edit Book" and the photo disappeared, I did "Change Cover" and uploaded the one I saved.

LoA gets screwy sometimes--this is a special edition, but not as special as say "True Crime" or the Food one. The same is true for the American Earth volume--it's a special but not a special special. American Earth is now numbered 182s and Lincoln is 192s.

The supper lady, otherwise known as Martha, is calling, so I'll be back. See if any of the gibberish I just typed works for you.

posted by BrainFlakes at 7:25 pm (EST) on Jan 15, 2009

Hi Bill, thanks for stopping by my site earlier. Glad I found you on library thing. I see you're not too far from where I live: Birmingham, AL.

Steven
http://steventill.com

posted by StevenTill at 9:52 am (EST) on Oct 23, 2008

Thanks for your note, wildbill -- the Prisoner was a big favorite of mine when I was younger -- hence the log-in name. I am enjoying LT, getting me some good ideas for what to read next. I am glad to get a chance to catalog my stuff after many disorganized years. You have encapsulated my book collection pretty well -- I tend to go on binges, which last for a few years, before I move on to a new interest. As far as buying used books, I used to do that a lot, when I was a young bachelor -- no space for a lot of purchases now, and I am using public libraries to find older stuff more and more.
Anyway, I have enjoyed browsing through your collection -- it has given me a few good ideas already.

As the Prisoner would say, "Be seeing you..."

--prisoner

posted by prisoner at 11:10 pm (EST) on Oct 11, 2008

I don't know if you're still "doing" the Civil War, but this book, to be released on Tuesday (Oct.7), caught my eye:

Saving Savannah: The City and the Civil War by Jacqueline Jones

The blurb on Amazon sounds pretty interesting, so I thought I would give you a heads up.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 1:47 pm (EST) on Oct 2, 2008

You've been struggling with The Age of Federalism for a while. It's been a while since I've read it, while I remember it as a tad dry I think I enjoyed it more than you seem to be. I know the feeling of persevering through a book due to a sense of obligation. I hope your interest and enjoyment of it either increases or

I notice that Camus is the only author we share as a Favorite despite sharing a large number of books and interests. Many of your favorites could easily have been on my list - McNeil, Spence, Potter, Finley - but you have to draw the line somewhere. I take the purpose of the favorite list being to give a viewer an idea of what has really moved you as a reader. Our lists are about equally long. I think very much longer and you start to lose the sense of what is really special to you. Some profiles have 80 or 100 favorites listed and the sense of the value to the person is clouded and you come away with only vague sense of the member's taste and personality.

I'd love to be able read to Camus in French. Even in translation the style and lucidity are wonderful. You cannot help but wonder what you are missing from the original.

About Graves... The Greek Myths is fine as a comprehensive survey of the myths. On everything else you have to careful with Graves' "non-fiction". He has a tendency to ride his pet hobby horses to extreme and, to me, unfounded conclusions. I was more enamored of him in my youth.

I don't find the Folio Society unduly expensive. The editions they offer are not substantially more expensive than normal hardcover prices. I usually try to subscribe when they offer a set I'm interested in - Carlyle, Hodgkin, Churchill - as a premium.

I, too, enjoyed the chat. Stay well.

posted by pitjrw at 10:07 pm (EST) on Sep 29, 2008

It looks like Bill-the-fiction-reader is back into heavy-duty history: Rome, Greece, Persia--and lettuce not forget Frank Zappa. I laughed at that one; not that I didn't love the Mothers of Invention, but rather that Frank didn't have the same impact on world history as the Romans, Greeks, and Persians.

I could be wrong, though.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 2:34 pm (EST) on Sep 23, 2008

Hey Bill, thanks for the nice comments. I'm glad you liked my little essay, and that you read my blog--which I don't keep updated like I used to. I used to be funny, and I had a readership of over forty souls--it was a lot to maintain and I just don't have the stamina for it. I still keep in touch with a few folks--for some reason, all in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

To answer your question about new acquisitions, I've merely been adding my favorite authors and series from my library. A few are new, but I don't have mad money to throw around like you do. I still have George R.R. Martin, Dennis Lehane, and Salman Rushdie to add, plus a few sentimental favorites. Perhaps this exercise will show that I'm more two-dimensional than just one.

I laughed at your comment about P.K. Dick: ". . . I think he was just a little bit crazy." If I'm not mistaken, he dabbled in LSD with Timothy Leary--I figure that's where he got some of his story lines. I knew a girl in college who was into flower power and LSD, and sometimes she'd just zone out--in A Scanner Darkly, one of the characters called that a "free trip." I think most of the really talented writers were a little crazy: look at the number of alcoholics and suicides among them.

I see redmeat's around, so I guess I'll go bother him for awhile. Thanks again for writing.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 9:35 pm (EST) on Sep 9, 2008

Hi Bill,

I saw this message a few days ago, intended to reply, then forgot. Anyway, you asked about "The Age of Unreason." I thought it was pretty good. Very readable, also very opinionated (not surprising from the title). It is largely a history of a perceived decline in the intellectual level, awareness, sensibilities, or whatever, of American society.

I would say that Jaboby is protesting against a loss (or lowering) of standards in a variety of aspects of culture. Among these are the loss of formality in speech (particularly that of public figures), lowering of educational standards, and a loss of any distinction between the arts and pop culture. She also talks about how electronic media have reduced the amount that people read, to our detriment. She also gives a pretty good history of public education (including "nonformal" types).

She's a little older than I am, so her "pop culture" experience is a little different from mine, but I have to say that I pretty much agree with her.

If you're concerned about the apparent "dumbing down" going on in our society, this is a good book for some organized thinking on the subject. I'd recommend it, for whatever that's worth.

By the way, I have to get in touch with BrainFlakes again one of these days.

Best regards,

Ed

posted by redmeatliberal at 8:55 am (EST) on Sep 9, 2008

Thanks for writing. Yeah, I love Finley. His essays take history seriously as a serious intellectual exercise in a way that so much history does not. We'd actually share a lot more if I had all my books in... :)

posted by timspalding at 3:25 pm (EST) on Sep 1, 2008

I just noticed one of your comments on BrainFlakes' profile page, where you said you can never find anyone on the challenge thread. Do you know about the star option? In the unread/messages column there is a star you can "light up" on threads you want to keep track of---makes them so much easier to find.

posted by laytonwoman3rd at 10:40 am (EST) on Sep 1, 2008

Bill: You know, considering the size of metro Phoenix, we have diddly for used bookstores. Oh, we have them, but they "specialize" in Harlequin and garbage of that ilk (I hope you're not a "romance" fan!). You really made out, then, on your Burke buy--and I don't consider any of them ringers.

Cimmaron Rose is the first of four books featuring Billy Bob Holland, a Texas attorney who moves to Montana. I like Billy Bob, but I don't know if JLB will write any more of them.

The rest are Dave Robicheaux mysteries, and there are seventeen of them. It helps to read them in order because of recurring characters, but it isn't mandatory. If you sort my library by author and pull up the james lee burke tag, they are all in written order--except that I have Crusader's Cross and Pegasus Descending switched. Except for two of them, all take place in Louisiana--you'll need to bone up on Cajun dialog.

Happy reading, especially at 30% off.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 11:34 pm (EST) on Aug 31, 2008

Bill, thanks for your comment, and your interest in my library. I often post my first comment on anyone's profile privately, in case they prefer it that way. Otherwise, I have no preference unless I'm truly conveying some sensitive information. I've added you to my interesting libraries list too--not sure why I hadn't already done that. I know we share a fondness for James Lee Burke, and for U.S. Civil War History. I'll spend some time browsing your catalog this long weekend. I intend to devote almost all of it to reading and other bookish pursuits.

posted by laytonwoman3rd at 9:51 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2008

Boy, you're a popular person! I wonder how far down the page they'll let these comments go--two, three miles?

I'm glad you liked the Burke book. That, I think, is the real purpose and benefit of LibraryThing: bookish people talking and sharing with other bookish people. The librarian-types get all atwitter because we the people aren't perfect librarian-types, but the heck with them: I could give a cr*p whether or not my tags are approved or my "works" are combined . . .

You mentioned having gone through three hurricanes. I've never been through a hurricane, tornado, tsunami, flood--just a very small earthquake in southern Cal that shook me up anyway. When Burke was talking about old, old New Orleans in Jesus Out to Sea, I liked his line, "New Orleans was like a poem . . ."
To Burke's credit, he doesn't take any shots at Shrub or Brownie or FEMA in Tin Roof; rather, he documents the tremendous job the Coast Guard did saving people, something I don't think we ever heard about (I could be wrong).

And while Coast Guard helicopters were trying to drop people on the roof of the only hospital that had power, there was a sniper up there taking shots at them. The CG should have had a door gunner . . .

If you decide to read more Burke, let me know: I can tell you which one to start with.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 9:48 pm (EST) on Aug 28, 2008

Thanks so much for your input on the Lombardo translation of the Iliad. You're right, I would prefer verse and the Lombardo would fulfill that so I think I'll begin there. And thanks for the warning, but I'm not worried about the violence and gore. I'm quite a fan of classical Greek plays; I know what I'm facing! So as soon as my daughter goes back to school it's me, a cup of tea and the Lombardo translation of the Iliad. Thanks again!

posted by theaelizabet at 10:33 pm (EST) on Aug 24, 2008

It real ticked me off to lose my previous email! Oh well!

Adams is one of my favorites. I share his opinion – at least as you, probably accurately, perceive it – of Jefferson so that does not bother me. I read Democracy many years ago in conjunction with Joan Didion’s novel of the same name which she saw as an updating of Adam’s work. Both were enjoyable but to me the novels are the least of his works. Of course at the top I’d place Mont St Michel & Chartres followed closely by The Education.

On the issue of the best survey of U.S. history, I far prefer the one you refer as being by Bailyn. That is the way it is listed. I should correct it for Bailyn only writes the first section. Other authors include Robert Wiebe, Gordon Wood, David Brion Davis, David Herbert Donald, and John L Thomas. All but the last you’ll find represented in my library. I find Morrison pretty vanilla. OK on politics, world affairs, expansion etc but The Great Republic is much better on culture, economics, religion, etc than Morrison. I highly recommend it. I thought it gave a much more vibrant picture of the development of American society and culture. I was reading it at the beach years ago and took a lot of heat for burying my head in a textbook.

I have not read Albertini yet. I have dipped into it. It seems pretty comprehensive. If you want to know how/why Germany ended up declaring war on Portugal, its there. It also seemed pretty academic and dry. If and when we read Albertini I have no doubt we will learn something, but some how I doubt we’ll enjoy it as much as Tuchman. I agree that WWI does not get the kind interest that other historical eras enjoy despite the great changes it wrought in the world. We are only six years from the centenary of the start of the war. It should be interesting to see how it is approached by both professional historians and the general public. I suspect it will garner much greater interest in Europe than here. I suspect you are right. At a greater remove WWI and WWII will not be viewed as two distinct events as now. I am not familiar with the Meyer book. I’m glad you mentioned it. I’ll have to take a look at it. There really is not a general survey of WWI that I am overly impressed with. I guess if forced to pick one I would go with Cruttwell’s The History of the Great War published by OUP in the 30’s. Keegan spends half his book on the beginning of the war and is decent on that but then seems to lose interest. Hew Strachan is writing a new OUP history of the war. To my knowledge, only the first volume is published. I am not certain it qualifies as a survey. The full history is projected at 3 volumes and the first volume is more than 1100 pages and only takes us up to New Years Eve 1914.

I spent some time looking through your library and was interested in the diversity. Do you speak or read Mandarin? There seemed to be a lot of books on the Chinese (Mandarin, I assume) language as well as Chinese history and society. Have spent any time there?

Hope I was some help on your questions!

posted by pitjrw at 8:28 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2008

Hope you don't mind the intrusion, but I just saw a message you left back in March at Book Talk re: favorite books and I have a question. You seem to be an Illiad expert! I'm planning on reading it for the first time this fall, but would appreciate any insight you could give me re: translations. After some study, I bought the Lombardo, but now wonder if it's the best one for a first time reading. I would be grateful for any help you could give me.

posted by theaelizabet at 11:45 am (EST) on Aug 22, 2008

Bill, I just lost a long reply I was sending to you. I will have recompose it but I did not want you to think I was ignoring you. Sorry!

posted by pitjrw at 4:05 pm (EST) on Aug 21, 2008

Bill: We seem to have another thing in common: You just celebrated your 38th anniversary and Martha and I will celebrate our 34th on the 23rd (a week from Saturday). I guess we were able to work out our problems here and there rather than run straight to divorce court. (It's okay if you're a divorce attorney--you just won't have me as a client.)

And funny you should mention Amazon. I ordered two books on Monday morning and I received them yesterday afternoon at standard shipping rate: They now have a warehouse here in Phoenix!

I hope you enjoy Jesus Out to Sea once you get the hang of Cajun dialog.

posted by BrainFlakes at 4:09 pm (EST) on Aug 13, 2008

Bill, I am happy to share our interests. I came by my interest in WWI early. My grandfather's English family was living in Chicago when the war broke out and he returned to England and flew in the RFC. His brother enlisted in the Canadian Army and died shortly after the war of wounds suffered at Vimy Ridge. The family stories along with the conviction that it is the pivotal event in modern Western history has led to a life interest in the subject. I notice one of your favorite authors is Eric Ambler. I don't believe I've ever read books I have enjoyed more than , , and especially < A Coffin for Dimitrios>. All my Ambler and Judge Dee books have long ago fallen victim to my never ending struggle for shelf space.

I look forward to our conversations.

posted by pitjrw at 11:20 pm (EST) on Aug 4, 2008

Bill:
Don't you dare forget to give your dog a treat too!
:) Ale.

posted by AleAleta at 8:48 pm (EST) on May 31, 2008

Bill -
My take on Lee and Stuart was slightly different and I tend to agree with those scholars who suggest that Lee's reprimand at Gettysburg may well have pushed Stuart to take greater and greater risks, leading eventually to his death. Of course, the Union cavalry were also getting better while the Confederate cavalry were not and may actually have been getting slightly worse as their pool of good cavalry mounts and cavalry officers dwindled.

Blogspot is not entirely intuitive and I've actually spent a little time just playing with it to see how it worked, and trying out different things to see how they worked. Getting notice has gotten a little easier as I post more material and keep using the link to my blog in my signature block in many situations. It is also posted on LT and elsewhere as part of my public profiles. Finally, I also have the militaryphilosopher.com domain which leads directly to my blog, which helps. On the other hand, I imagine the fact that I don't blog daily or often even weekly reduces the blog's profile on the internet a bit, but I like to spend some time on my postings and they often require some research before I'm satisfied with them. I find that I tend to have more ideas lined up for blog articles then I have time to write them up, so its usually a question of finding the time to actually focus on and develop an idea into a finished blog.

In terms of techniques, I actually write and edit my blog in Word until I'm satisfied and only then do I post it. I don't try and write in blogspot directly. Pasting the text in seems to work pretty well for me. Good luck with yours and I look forward to reading your musings!

Robert A Mosher

posted by RobertMosher at 2:59 pm (EST) on May 23, 2008

Oops! Just found that you added a book on Korea 3 days ago, so I guess I answered my own question.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 10:36 pm (EST) on May 16, 2008

Bill:

Thought I'd check in and say hello. I've been recuperating from a stay in the hospital, so I haven't been surfing all the pipes and tubes on the Internet.

I also need to pick your brain (figuratively) since you're the history guy and I'm not. LOA hasn't done a book on Korea and I didn't find one in your library, but I'm wondering if you've heard anything about David Halberstam's book, The Coldest Winter. Considering that we lost 33,000 troops there, it seems like one of our disastrous wars we hear very little about.

I've been sticking to modern fiction lately and just finished Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith, a murder mystery set in 1953 Stalinist Russia where murder doesn't exist. Amazing writing from a first-timer.

I may return an LOA book for the first time: I see they shipped me their cookbook, a book we had no choice to reject. Their schedule is pretty light for the rest of the year, but I sure don't need a historical cookbook.

Hope all is well with you.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 9:26 pm (EST) on May 16, 2008

Dear Bill,

I feel your mother's pain--though I didn't lose nearly that many books. But the only thing I can imagine that would be worse would be to lose family photographs; I didn't, so the loss of my books remains with me as much, much worse than trifles such as a couch, a chair, or even bookcases. Cleaning up was such a major process that there was no way to record what I was throwing out other than by a few photos I took (and when I asked someone else I realized later he had no idea that I was trying to capture the titles--he just took sort of long-range, fuzzy photos of the shelves of books that had to be tossed).

Not wanting to dwell--that's behind me now. When I finish my cataloging on LT, I'll be able to identify holes in a few series for which I want the complete collection. Otherwise, I'm content with acquiring new books and reading new things--while still having plenty of old favorites to re-read. I belong to a book club through my library and today they agreed that June's selection just might be non-fiction: had to keep from jumping for joy lest I betray too much how I really feel about the usual fare, which consists of way too many angst-ridden emotional wallows in what I would dismissively call chick lit. I like the women in the book club but I mostly hate the books they choose.

Cheers,
Elizabeth

posted by ejj1955 at 2:06 pm (EST) on Apr 15, 2008

Hi,

Pardon my delay in responding. Last Friday I finished trying a very nasty divorce the preparation for which took up all my time.

Yes, I'm a solo practioner. I hung out my shingle on 2 January 1982. I had been an associate for the four previous years, and a prosecutor for five years before that. Graduated from Boston University Law School in 1973. Got my B.A. from Colby College in 1966. My major was European history.

My three sons are all grown and have left the nest. The youngest is 23. He has been ski-bumming in California, but to the astonishment and pleasure of my wife and I, he thinks he wants to apply for law school. I think he will return to live with us sometime this Spring.

I try to read for at least a half an hour every morning. I only read one book at a time. For years I would alternately read a history (usually a biography) with a novel (usually 19th Century English). About a year ago I got interested in the history of mathmetics and physics. I don't know when I last read a novel.

I need to get back to work. I'll try to write more later

Bill Donahue

posted by billdonahue at 8:55 am (EST) on Apr 14, 2008

Bill,

Yup--finishing is the hard part of writing! I've worked most of my career in reference publishing, but naturally would like to write a novel (you know, preferably the best-selling kind). I love being self-employed but motivating myself to get anything done is absolutely the hardest part.

LT has become an addiction in short order and I've seen that people can share very personal information about the hard times, too. My personal tale of woe includes being flooded out of my house in 2006 and losing books in the process--I've actually been surprised while cataloging here at how many I've already managed to acquire to replace them, though, so no worries. Also, somebody's comment here led to me BookMooch, which I've embraced enthusiastically.

Cheers,
Elizabeth

posted by ejj1955 at 9:21 pm (EST) on Apr 13, 2008

Greetings, wildbill. No I certainly don't see this as an intrusion. I looked over the books we share, and there are a number of key ones. I was surprised to see "Everyday Life in Ancient Times." I first saw the book in St. Augustine Seminary's (where I was a freshman) library in 1965. I found a used copy mny years later. The book still exists, but the seminary doesn't, having become a prison, and then a state park in Michigan. I had no idea I'd be moving to Michigan to live permanently over 40 years laters.

Yes, Brainflakes and I have starting conversing recently, which reminds me, I need to write him soon, having not been in touch for a little while. I see from your page that he has another dog. I must acknowledge that, as well as get some discussion going with him on some bookish things (as I ought here as well).

I have to update my profile a bit, since my intellectual activities have changed a little since I mentioned environmental protection. It's still an interest, but I've begun approaching it in a rather indirect way, i.e. through promoting scientific literacy.

I'd say this whole Librarything thing, what with people connecting based on intellectual pursuits, is quite worthwhile.

By the way, the real name is Ed.

posted by redmeatliberal at 12:42 pm (EST) on Apr 1, 2008

Thanks, Bill, for noting Punkers's passing. Our house hasn't been the same since: she was very, very special to us. But we have adopted a little guy who needed a home and a home that needed a critter, and I know we'll fall in love with him. If you care to see him go to my blogspot blog and read the second entry down titled "Welcome Home!"

I laughed when you mentioned Philip Roth--this will be the fifth volume and only goes to 1991. Do I see 7 volumes, second only to Henry James, in our future? I agree that it was probably a "New York thing"--I believe it's called "LOA needs funding."

But I also thought of you when I saw the writing about Lincoln volume. Hoping not to offend your political leaning, I wonder what Mr. Lincoln would think of the three branches of our government during the past seven years, and if he would be as baffled (and worried) as I am.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 10:05 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2008

Hi Bill,

Things in my corner of the world are wonderful right now. I love spring, I love feeling energized and watching things around me come back to life. Sitting outside to read is one of my favorite pastimes. Everything is blooming, birds are singing and lizards are running my deck like they have some place they have to be. This weekend I cleaned out flower beds, planted a vegetable garden and ordered three books from Abe. I'm really trying to budget myself on books and music. It's hard when all you have to do is sit in front of the comp and enter your credit card information. In my area there is a small bookstore I visit on occasion but I like nothing better than to find books in the discount section of the large bookstores. Joining groups on LT and reading reviews only amplifies my need for more books. I should start a group called "book zombies" ;)

Beeg

posted by beeg at 4:18 pm (EST) on Mar 23, 2008

Hi Bill --

After I got bit by classical Greek fever a couple of years back, I read Herodotus & Thucydides more or less back-to-back while reading histories of the period such as Holland's Persian File and Kagan Peloponnesian War. I wish I had the "landmark" editions at the time. At any rate, now that I know more about the period I may re-visit these -- I would especially like to re-read Thucydides -- in landmark form. I too need maps! I downloaded about twenty maps of ancient Greece off the web and the ones I didn't hang up on my bulletin board I put tpgether in a little notebook for reference. Trying to keep track of all the Greek city-states referenced by Herodotus & Thucydides are a challenge, even with the maps!

I highly recommend Teaching Company [http://www.teach12.com/teach12.asp?ai=16...] courses to augment book study of any period. The several courses on ancient Greece by McInernay & Harl are absolutely outstanding.

I was a big Civil War buff for years. Now I am more interested in colonial and early American history. I actually re-launched my reading of US history by going back to pre-history: The Eternal Frontier by Flannery, Looking East from Indian Country by Richter, 1491 by Mann & American Colonies by Taylor should all be required reading for students of American history IMHO.

I was big into Chinese studies back in college, but haven't read anything about the east in years until just recently when my local beer-and-books reading club selected American Shaolin by Polly, a great read by an American college student who drops out of school to live in a Chinese Shaolin temple and learn kung-fu in the 1990's.

Hope to trade more book scuttlebutt with you going forward!

posted by Garp83 at 4:54 pm (EST) on Mar 22, 2008

hi wildbill,

Still shopping for used books and creating a huge TRB pile. The only complaint I have and learned from is to make sure the books are hardbacks. I've gotten a couple of paperbacks when I've indicated I wanted hard. The book seller is willing to take it back but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble and shipping expense.

I'm ordering more books today and this time when unsure I've sent an email asking - live and learn, LOL *and* I managed to buy a book I already had.

posted by beeg at 12:42 pm (EST) on Feb 21, 2008

No worries--I lose comments in the ether all the time. The "Shapiro and Company" group will, I hope, be a rather large tent under which to discuss any poets from mid-20th-century or so--from around the world. It's kind of interesting to see poets emerge from Modernism.

posted by ostrom at 2:57 pm (EST) on Feb 9, 2008

I really appreciate your joining the group. I'll try to get more members by visiting the profiles of people with Shapiro's (and others') books and going to the "Invite To Group" prompt. Thanks, too, for starting a conversation. LibraryThing is a kind of heaven on earth for bibliophiles. It's great fun. All best, H.

posted by ostrom at 8:25 pm (EST) on Feb 7, 2008

hi, I found your post to Teacherdad in the 50 book challenge about ABE books. I wanted to thank you for posting about it (as I'm still a bit clueless on what this site has to offer) and immediately ordered $50 in books! (big sigh, must stop ordering books)

posted by beeg at 11:29 am (EST) on Jan 31, 2008

Hi, Bill. Sorry to take so long to get back to you; I haven't been checking my LibraryThing profile regularly, and just noticed your comment yesterday. Thanks for writing!

I don't think there is a difference between History and Historical Studies. I've gotten in the habit of calling it Historical Studies because that's the official name of the degree program at Empire State College. What you said about going back as a dream of yours exactly describes my reasons for going back, and it really has had that effect. My ability to write about complex topics, in particular, has grown tremendously. If you'd like to hear more about the college and why I chose it, let me know; I'd be glad to fill you in.

Thanks also for your comments on my blog. I've enjoyed putting it together, although it can be a little more work than I had expected because I like to modify the Wordpress templates for my own purposes. I'm now on a break from school until September, so really hope to spend more time on it. It can be very time-consuming sometimes; and like all this computer stuff, there's always a surprise or two in store whenever you try to do something different.

Where did you see this interview with McLuhan? Is it something available now? I read his "Understanding Media" for the last class I took (as you may know from the blog) and used a lot of his ideas and my class project on photography. His thought is really quite amazing, sometimes strange and amazing, and it seems so relevant to today's "new media" that I hope to develop a better understanding of how he fits into American intellectual history.

Hope you are doing well! We finally got some rain! Not much, but some!

Bye for now,

Dale

posted by afewgoodpens at 10:11 pm (EST) on Jun 2, 2007

I agree that the John Smith volume should be interesting, but it will be a little while before I get to it. I will be receiving the new (and last) Steinbeck volume this week and I'm looking forward to The Winter of Our Discontent--the only novel of his I've never read.

I've been thinking about starting a LOA discussion group: Volumes we like, volumes we'd like to see, gripes, cataloging problems, etc. What do you think of the idea?

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 9:49 pm (EST) on Apr 28, 2007

To answer your question of three weeks ago (please excuse my rudeness), my favorite LOA volumes have been the three of Isaac Singer's short stories. My least favorite is Philip Roth: I believe his writing is highly overrated, and his The Plot Against America was downright embarrassing. I collect him, however, to keep the series complete; I will, at end of life, bequeath my LOA library to a small, uh, library.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 4:46 pm (EST) on Jan 14, 2007

Little did I know, back in 1982 when I got a flyer in the mail about the new Library of America, that I would still be collecting twenty-five years later (well, 2007 is the 25th anniversary). I have read many, many of them, mostly fiction, short stories, and journalism, and only scanned through others.

The only problem I have with the slipcase editions is the cloth binding: Without a jacket, it seems to pick up a lot of flotsam and jetsam from handling. The nature of cloth is washability, but I am somewhat reticent about throwing my LOA collection in the washer and dryer.

posted by BrainFlakes at 4:33 pm (EST) on Dec 28, 2006