Caroline ROOTs From Her Ipad
Talk ROOT - 2013 Read Our Own Tomes
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1craso
As many of you know, when you get an e-reader the books start to stack up. It's to easy to download a book, just click and there it is! So this year I am going to get a handle on my e-books. I have an Ipad, but I can read books on it from my kindle app as well as the Ibooks app. My goal is 1 book a month. That might not sound like a lot, but I am also participating the the 2013 Category Challenge and I am reading different books on that thread than I am reading here.
2craso
BOOKS READ
1. The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett (Acquired 06-12-2012)
2. Lo! by Charles Fort (Acquired 06-01-2012)
3. Wild Talents by Chrles Fort (Acquired 05-31-2012)
4. The Complete Father Brown Mysteries by G. K. Chesterton (Acquired 01-01-2011)
5. The First Book of Swords by Fred Saberhagen (Acquired 03-17-2012)
6. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes by Deepak Chopra (Acquired 09-04-2011)
7. The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle (Acquired 05-08-2011)
8. The Poison Belt by Arthur Conan Doyle (Acquired 05-08-2011)
9. Best in Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful (Acquired 09-23-2012)
10.The Garner Files by James Garner (Acquired 11-20-2011)
11.The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick (Acquired 09-07-2011)
12.One For The Road by Tony Horwitz (Acquired 03-13-2011)
13.Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway (Acquired 04-23-2012)
1. The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett (Acquired 06-12-2012)
2. Lo! by Charles Fort (Acquired 06-01-2012)
3. Wild Talents by Chrles Fort (Acquired 05-31-2012)
4. The Complete Father Brown Mysteries by G. K. Chesterton (Acquired 01-01-2011)
5. The First Book of Swords by Fred Saberhagen (Acquired 03-17-2012)
6. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes by Deepak Chopra (Acquired 09-04-2011)
7. The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle (Acquired 05-08-2011)
8. The Poison Belt by Arthur Conan Doyle (Acquired 05-08-2011)
9. Best in Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful (Acquired 09-23-2012)
10.The Garner Files by James Garner (Acquired 11-20-2011)
11.The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick (Acquired 09-07-2011)
12.One For The Road by Tony Horwitz (Acquired 03-13-2011)
13.Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway (Acquired 04-23-2012)
3majkia
Alas, I too am all too easily clicking the buy now button. Good luck managing the virtual shelves.
6lkernagh
Since you mention in your opening post that you will read different books on your 2013 category challenge thread, I am glad I have found your thread here, Caroline!
7DeltaQueen50
Hi Caroline, I'm another one who knows how easy it is to click the "Buy Now" button, especially now since I got a second e-reader for Christmas. Good luick with your challenge, I will be dropping by to help "root" you on.
8kelsiface
I have to say, that is one of the reasons I haven't yet acquired an e-reader-- I fear that I'd have no self-control without space being a consideration, and it isn't like e-books are so much less expensive than physical ones. Anyway, excellent goal!
9Conachair
The sneaky thing about ebooks is that they don't take up shelve space as physical books do, effectively hiding how much they pile up.
I usually read a physical book during the day, but take my iPad with me when I go to bed to read. My only problem at the moment is that my mother is in hospital and I gave her my iPad for entertainment so I can't read my ebooks at the moment.
I usually read a physical book during the day, but take my iPad with me when I go to bed to read. My only problem at the moment is that my mother is in hospital and I gave her my iPad for entertainment so I can't read my ebooks at the moment.
10connie53
My husband surprised me with an e-reader yesterday. So now I feel there are no boundaries anymore! Help!!!!!
11craso
Hello everyone! I am not as bad as my husband. He has over 400 ebooks! I don't have a clue how much music we have on ITunes! It's just to easy to sit and play with your IPad. I've also started to buy digital comics.
The only advice I can give you Connie is to look for deals. Kindle and IBooks have free books and Kindle has daily deals. You can also find books for $3.99 or less. Good Luck!
The only advice I can give you Connie is to look for deals. Kindle and IBooks have free books and Kindle has daily deals. You can also find books for $3.99 or less. Good Luck!
12connie53
Thanks Craso. I am a dutch woman and over here there are lots of free e-books available through friends. It's the choosing of books that is terrible!
13craso
Title The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
Rating 4 Stars
Children begin disappearing around the world. What they all have in common was they downloaded instructions off the internet for a “stepper.” A stepper is easy to build, it is powered by a potato, and all you have to do to start it is push the switch East or West. Joshua completed his stepper in meticulous detail. When he pushed the switch he found himself in a forest with a lot of crying children. This is what happened on Step Day, the day The Long Earth was discovered. It turns out that there are multiple Earths that are all virginal landscapes. Our home, now called Datum Earth, is the only one with human inhabitants. Soon pioneers are venturing across the new worlds. Joshua discovers he is a natural stepper, someone who doesn’t need a contraption to move from one world to another. He is recruited by Lobsang, a Tibetan motorcycle repairman reincarnated as a computer, to travel The Long Earths with him in a stepping airship.
The idea of multiple Earths is ripe with possibilities. Pratchett and Baxter tap into evolution theory and folklore to explain how The Long Earths have always been there but we here on Datum Earth didn’t know about them.
This book is not as humorous as other Pratchett novels, but you can tell where he has had input. Unfortunately, you can also tell that the book was written by two people. The novel is not a straight narrative about Joshua and Lobsang, although they are the central characters. There are different chapters devoted to stories about other people. These short tales are used for world building. Some of these characters are brought into the main storyline, but it is obvious the two authors were switching between chapters. I enjoyed Joshua and Lobsang’s story and look forward to reading the sequel.
Rating 4 Stars
Children begin disappearing around the world. What they all have in common was they downloaded instructions off the internet for a “stepper.” A stepper is easy to build, it is powered by a potato, and all you have to do to start it is push the switch East or West. Joshua completed his stepper in meticulous detail. When he pushed the switch he found himself in a forest with a lot of crying children. This is what happened on Step Day, the day The Long Earth was discovered. It turns out that there are multiple Earths that are all virginal landscapes. Our home, now called Datum Earth, is the only one with human inhabitants. Soon pioneers are venturing across the new worlds. Joshua discovers he is a natural stepper, someone who doesn’t need a contraption to move from one world to another. He is recruited by Lobsang, a Tibetan motorcycle repairman reincarnated as a computer, to travel The Long Earths with him in a stepping airship.
The idea of multiple Earths is ripe with possibilities. Pratchett and Baxter tap into evolution theory and folklore to explain how The Long Earths have always been there but we here on Datum Earth didn’t know about them.
This book is not as humorous as other Pratchett novels, but you can tell where he has had input. Unfortunately, you can also tell that the book was written by two people. The novel is not a straight narrative about Joshua and Lobsang, although they are the central characters. There are different chapters devoted to stories about other people. These short tales are used for world building. Some of these characters are brought into the main storyline, but it is obvious the two authors were switching between chapters. I enjoyed Joshua and Lobsang’s story and look forward to reading the sequel.
14craso
Just wanted everyone to know I haven't abandoned this thread. I am read Lo! by Charles Fort the man who coined the term teleportation. Very wacky and interesting book about unexplained phenomena with a touch of humor. I hope to finish it and write a review next week.
16craso
#15 Hi Connie, here is my review. You can find the book on the Amazon kindle section. You can also find in for free on google. It is out of copyright.
Title Lo! by Charles Fort
Rating 3 1/2 Stars
Lo! Charles Fort explains the world! Rains of living things, mysterious disappearances, unexplained appearances, spontaneous human combustion, Kaspar Hauser, natural disasters, it’s all here in this book! Charles Fort spent many hours in the libraries of New York and London rifling through newspapers and journals looking for strange occurrences. He lists all of the unusual phenomena and then asks you the reader to decide if the scientific or theological explanation is correct, then he gives you his ideas.
Fort was an intelligent man and even though his idea of how the world works is a bit wacky, it doesn’t seem totally implausible because it is obvious he has thought about it a great deal. He has a wry wit when dealing with scientists and theologians. His sense of humor helps to keep you interested in the book because lists of articles in newspapers and scientific journals can get boring after a while.
This book was written in the 1930s. The first half is a lot of fun to read. It slows down in the last section which is about astronomy and the rotation of the earth and how that affects natural disasters on our planet. This section in dated because he is speculating on whether or not man could leave the Earth’s orbit and travel to a distant star. If he had written the book today he may have seen space differently or maybe not. He probably wouldn’t have believed the moon landing.
Title Lo! by Charles Fort
Rating 3 1/2 Stars
Lo! Charles Fort explains the world! Rains of living things, mysterious disappearances, unexplained appearances, spontaneous human combustion, Kaspar Hauser, natural disasters, it’s all here in this book! Charles Fort spent many hours in the libraries of New York and London rifling through newspapers and journals looking for strange occurrences. He lists all of the unusual phenomena and then asks you the reader to decide if the scientific or theological explanation is correct, then he gives you his ideas.
Fort was an intelligent man and even though his idea of how the world works is a bit wacky, it doesn’t seem totally implausible because it is obvious he has thought about it a great deal. He has a wry wit when dealing with scientists and theologians. His sense of humor helps to keep you interested in the book because lists of articles in newspapers and scientific journals can get boring after a while.
This book was written in the 1930s. The first half is a lot of fun to read. It slows down in the last section which is about astronomy and the rotation of the earth and how that affects natural disasters on our planet. This section in dated because he is speculating on whether or not man could leave the Earth’s orbit and travel to a distant star. If he had written the book today he may have seen space differently or maybe not. He probably wouldn’t have believed the moon landing.
17connie53
Thanks Caroline. I will not quickly read a book in the English language, and a book that has a technical or a specific background is even more complicated for me to read. But I was intrigued by the name Kaspar Hauser, so I googled and learned about him. Thanks for making me go and search. Never to old to learn.
18craso
Kaspar Hauser is an interesting story and there are books written specifically about him. There are two movies about him as well. I love researching things on the internet using google. As they say, you learn something new everyday. :-)
19craso
Title Wild Talents by Charles Fort
Format kindle book
Rating 4 Stars
Mass consciousness, psychosomatic illness, pictures appearing etched on walls and windows, stigmata, mysterious fires and gassings, unexplained disappearances these are the things that populate Charles Fort’s world. In the previous book I read by Fort entitled “Lo!” the author hypothesized that unexplained phenomena was explained by teleportation. In this tome he theorizes that people are capable of much more than they realize. According to Fort we all have latent psychic powers and that if we pictures things in our minds they will come true. If you think about a picture falling off a wall, it will. A person who is angry at another person can cause that person injury. Someone who goes to a lecture on food poisoning my develop symptoms of food poisoning.
Charles Fort will never tell you that his ideas are the correct ones because he wants the reader to think for themselves. His books are not for people who want mysteries explained logically or rationally. Fort’s writing is dated and most of the supernatural events he mentions can be easily explained. His books are for those who like to read about strange phenomena. If you enjoyed watching “In Search Of” or any of the ancient mysterious and UFO shows on The History Channel you will enjoy his books.
Format kindle book
Rating 4 Stars
Mass consciousness, psychosomatic illness, pictures appearing etched on walls and windows, stigmata, mysterious fires and gassings, unexplained disappearances these are the things that populate Charles Fort’s world. In the previous book I read by Fort entitled “Lo!” the author hypothesized that unexplained phenomena was explained by teleportation. In this tome he theorizes that people are capable of much more than they realize. According to Fort we all have latent psychic powers and that if we pictures things in our minds they will come true. If you think about a picture falling off a wall, it will. A person who is angry at another person can cause that person injury. Someone who goes to a lecture on food poisoning my develop symptoms of food poisoning.
Charles Fort will never tell you that his ideas are the correct ones because he wants the reader to think for themselves. His books are not for people who want mysteries explained logically or rationally. Fort’s writing is dated and most of the supernatural events he mentions can be easily explained. His books are for those who like to read about strange phenomena. If you enjoyed watching “In Search Of” or any of the ancient mysterious and UFO shows on The History Channel you will enjoy his books.
20craso
As of the end of this first quarter I am on track with 3 books read and 7 books to go.
I am currently reading The Complete Father Brown Mysteries.
I am currently reading The Complete Father Brown Mysteries.
21rabbitprincess
Great work! Also I love Father Brown and hope you like him too :)
23craso
Title The Complete Father Brown Mysteries by G. K. Chesterton
Format Kindle
Rating 5 Stars
What an extraordinary group of arm chair mysteries. These stories were very unusual. The tales had a surreal quality to them. In the first story a French police detective follows two clergymen doing strange things such as changing the salt in the salt-cellar for sugar, throwing food against the restaurant wall, changing place cards at a fruit stand, and paying for a restaurant window before breaking it. In another a gold digging leader of a sun cult convinces a rich spinster she can look into the sun without going blind. In yet another story a group of vacationers are high jacked in an obviously staged scenario.
Father Brown’s years of listening to confessions has taught him human nature. He uses his knowledge to understand puzzling tales. He also gives out advice and words of wisdom. If you are bored with the usual detective-uses-his-wits-to-capture-a-criminal-and-send-him-to-jail mystery stories try G. K. Chesterton.
Format Kindle
Rating 5 Stars
What an extraordinary group of arm chair mysteries. These stories were very unusual. The tales had a surreal quality to them. In the first story a French police detective follows two clergymen doing strange things such as changing the salt in the salt-cellar for sugar, throwing food against the restaurant wall, changing place cards at a fruit stand, and paying for a restaurant window before breaking it. In another a gold digging leader of a sun cult convinces a rich spinster she can look into the sun without going blind. In yet another story a group of vacationers are high jacked in an obviously staged scenario.
Father Brown’s years of listening to confessions has taught him human nature. He uses his knowledge to understand puzzling tales. He also gives out advice and words of wisdom. If you are bored with the usual detective-uses-his-wits-to-capture-a-criminal-and-send-him-to-jail mystery stories try G. K. Chesterton.
24craso
I'm still here, although I didn't get a ROOT read done for May. I will have to read two ROOTs in June.
Starting The First Book of Swords by Fred Saberhagen. This one also qualifies for my category challenge so...yay!
Starting The First Book of Swords by Fred Saberhagen. This one also qualifies for my category challenge so...yay!
26craso
Thanks Connie.
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Title The First Book of Swords by Fred Saberhagen
Format iBook
Rating 4 Stars
The god Vulcan forges twelve magical blades and uses the blood of men to quench them. Jord is the only blacksmith left alive out of six that were called to assist Vulcan. He lost his arm but the god repaid him with the sword Townsaver. Jord is told that this sword is for him and his eldest son to wield. Jord’s oldest son Kenn is killed using the sword to defend an attack. His younger son Mark is accused of killing a cousin of the evil Duke Fraktin during the assault. Mark takes Townsaver and leaves home.
He soon meets three people in a wagon headed to a fair in good Sir Andrew’s domain. The leader of the group is Nestor, a dragonslayer who uses another of the twelve enchanted swords. Each blade has a different purpose; kill dragons, defend innocent townspeople, make the bearer lucky, disguise the wielder, etc. The swords were forged to use in a game that the gods have set in motion for their own amusement.
The setting is a future Earth that has changed into a medieval serfdom after a devastating war. The presence of magic and dragons isn’t explained. The characters all have names that are easy to read unlike some high fantasy novels.
This was a fun quick read. There are two other volumes in this series and I am eager to start the next.
--------------------------------------
Title The First Book of Swords by Fred Saberhagen
Format iBook
Rating 4 Stars
The god Vulcan forges twelve magical blades and uses the blood of men to quench them. Jord is the only blacksmith left alive out of six that were called to assist Vulcan. He lost his arm but the god repaid him with the sword Townsaver. Jord is told that this sword is for him and his eldest son to wield. Jord’s oldest son Kenn is killed using the sword to defend an attack. His younger son Mark is accused of killing a cousin of the evil Duke Fraktin during the assault. Mark takes Townsaver and leaves home.
He soon meets three people in a wagon headed to a fair in good Sir Andrew’s domain. The leader of the group is Nestor, a dragonslayer who uses another of the twelve enchanted swords. Each blade has a different purpose; kill dragons, defend innocent townspeople, make the bearer lucky, disguise the wielder, etc. The swords were forged to use in a game that the gods have set in motion for their own amusement.
The setting is a future Earth that has changed into a medieval serfdom after a devastating war. The presence of magic and dragons isn’t explained. The characters all have names that are easy to read unlike some high fantasy novels.
This was a fun quick read. There are two other volumes in this series and I am eager to start the next.
27craso
I finished this book last week. Sorry to be so tardy in posting the review.
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Title The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes by Deepak and Gotham Chopra
Format Kindle
Rating 3 1/2 Stars
The authors of this book are father and son. Deepak Chopra is a spiritual self-help author. Gotham Chopra owns a comics publishing company. Gotham became interested in comics and superheroes because of the traditional Indian fables his father told him as a child. This book uses folklore, mythology, and superhero origin stories to explain the spiritual principles that a person can use to better their lives.
I read this book because I enjoy comics and graphic novels and I am interested in mythology and folk tales. I skipped over the self-help parts of each chapter. The book is written for people who have an understanding of Marvel and DC comic heroes and are looking to better themselves. I found the comparisons between Indian spiritual philosophy and comic book stories very interesting, but I don’t recommend this book to readers only interested in comics. The end of each chapter gives the reader techniques for meditation and other self-help remedies. This part was not for me.
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Title The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes by Deepak and Gotham Chopra
Format Kindle
Rating 3 1/2 Stars
The authors of this book are father and son. Deepak Chopra is a spiritual self-help author. Gotham Chopra owns a comics publishing company. Gotham became interested in comics and superheroes because of the traditional Indian fables his father told him as a child. This book uses folklore, mythology, and superhero origin stories to explain the spiritual principles that a person can use to better their lives.
I read this book because I enjoy comics and graphic novels and I am interested in mythology and folk tales. I skipped over the self-help parts of each chapter. The book is written for people who have an understanding of Marvel and DC comic heroes and are looking to better themselves. I found the comparisons between Indian spiritual philosophy and comic book stories very interesting, but I don’t recommend this book to readers only interested in comics. The end of each chapter gives the reader techniques for meditation and other self-help remedies. This part was not for me.
28craso
Title The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle
Format Kindle
Rating 4 Stars
A young journalist, Edward Malone, is looking for adventure. He meets with Professor Challenger who claims that a prehistoric lost world exists on a plateau in South America. During a raucous meeting at the Zoological Institute Hall, Challenger presents his controversial evidence. A fellow zoologist, Mr. Summerlee, refutes Challenger’s claims and calls for an expedition to verify his assertions with two members of the audience volunteering to accompany Summerlee; Edward Malone and British sportsman Lord John Roxton. After arriving in the Amazon they are surprised by Challenger who bullies his way into the exploration party. Using drawings made by a lost American adventurer named Chapel White and Challenger’s own recollections they find the plateau only to be stranded there by rebellious native porters.
The novel is written through the eyes of the young journalist. He writes letters home to his newspaper publisher. They are carried to civilization by trusted natives. The story is fast paced with a lot of action as they encounter one amazing creature after another.
Professor Challenger is the anti-thesis of Sherlock Holmes; Conan Doyle’s other more widely known character. Where Sherlock is described as tall and angular Challenger is stocky and bullish. Challenger is as egotistical as Sherlock but the great detective is more quietly British whereas the Professor is brash and assertive. Conan Doyle has said that he preferred the Challenger character to his famous detective.
I have read some reviews that claim the book is too racist. The depiction of their loyal black assistant is racist, but again this novel was originally written in 1912 and does show the imperialism of that time. I didn’t find it overly disturbing.
I enjoyed the novel and recommend it to anyone who is familiar with Arthur Conan Doyle’s style of writing or enjoys H. Rider Haggard and other turn of the Twentieth Century adventure authors.
Format Kindle
Rating 4 Stars
A young journalist, Edward Malone, is looking for adventure. He meets with Professor Challenger who claims that a prehistoric lost world exists on a plateau in South America. During a raucous meeting at the Zoological Institute Hall, Challenger presents his controversial evidence. A fellow zoologist, Mr. Summerlee, refutes Challenger’s claims and calls for an expedition to verify his assertions with two members of the audience volunteering to accompany Summerlee; Edward Malone and British sportsman Lord John Roxton. After arriving in the Amazon they are surprised by Challenger who bullies his way into the exploration party. Using drawings made by a lost American adventurer named Chapel White and Challenger’s own recollections they find the plateau only to be stranded there by rebellious native porters.
The novel is written through the eyes of the young journalist. He writes letters home to his newspaper publisher. They are carried to civilization by trusted natives. The story is fast paced with a lot of action as they encounter one amazing creature after another.
Professor Challenger is the anti-thesis of Sherlock Holmes; Conan Doyle’s other more widely known character. Where Sherlock is described as tall and angular Challenger is stocky and bullish. Challenger is as egotistical as Sherlock but the great detective is more quietly British whereas the Professor is brash and assertive. Conan Doyle has said that he preferred the Challenger character to his famous detective.
I have read some reviews that claim the book is too racist. The depiction of their loyal black assistant is racist, but again this novel was originally written in 1912 and does show the imperialism of that time. I didn’t find it overly disturbing.
I enjoyed the novel and recommend it to anyone who is familiar with Arthur Conan Doyle’s style of writing or enjoys H. Rider Haggard and other turn of the Twentieth Century adventure authors.
29craso
Title The Poison Belt by Arthur Conan Doyle
Format Kindle
Rating 4 Stars
Professor Challenger has issued a warning. The ether of space has a poisonous belt and the earth is going to pass through it. He invites his friends from the “Lost World’ expedition to his country home and asks them to bring canisters of oxygen. As Malone, Lord Roxton, and Summerlee are traveling by train to Challenger’s mansion they start acting strangely; becoming overly emotional, saying and doing strange things. They are already being affected by the poisonous cloud. When the friends arrive at the estate Challenger explains that they will be riding out the poison in a sealed room using the oxygen canisters.
I enjoyed this Challenger story more than “The Lost World.” It was like an armchair mystery. The good comrades sit and discuss the events as they unfold believing they are watching the end of the world. It reminded me of British post-apocalyptic novels.
It’s a short book and a quick read. I suggest reading “The Lost World” before reading this novel because the first book introduces the main characters.
Format Kindle
Rating 4 Stars
Professor Challenger has issued a warning. The ether of space has a poisonous belt and the earth is going to pass through it. He invites his friends from the “Lost World’ expedition to his country home and asks them to bring canisters of oxygen. As Malone, Lord Roxton, and Summerlee are traveling by train to Challenger’s mansion they start acting strangely; becoming overly emotional, saying and doing strange things. They are already being affected by the poisonous cloud. When the friends arrive at the estate Challenger explains that they will be riding out the poison in a sealed room using the oxygen canisters.
I enjoyed this Challenger story more than “The Lost World.” It was like an armchair mystery. The good comrades sit and discuss the events as they unfold believing they are watching the end of the world. It reminded me of British post-apocalyptic novels.
It’s a short book and a quick read. I suggest reading “The Lost World” before reading this novel because the first book introduces the main characters.
30rabbitprincess
Ooooh poison belt! That sounds really neat. Will definitely have to check out this one and The Lost World.
31craso
Title Best in Hollywood: The Good The Bad and The Beautiful by James Best
Format ebook
Rating 3 1/2 Stars
James Best is an actor, screen writer, and director best known for playing Roscoe P. Coltrane on “The Dukes of Hazard.” That is not why I read this book. I don’t like the Roscoe character and I haven’t watched “The Dukes of Hazard” since I was a kid. I read this book because of the young James Best just starting out in Hollywood. Best is in some of my favorite “Twilight Zones”, he played a handsome guitar player in two “Andy Griffith” shows, and he was in the fabulously awful “The Killer Shrews”.
Best is a southern gentleman so there isn’t anything salacious in this book. He doesn’t have affairs or sleep with starlets he “dates” them. He is obviously a nice conservative person with the same morals as the television shows he was in.
This book was written for his fans that flock to see him at his guest appearances at Mayberry Days and Dukes of Hazard conventions. There are a lot of pictures which I enjoyed seeing. If you are a big fan of Roscoe then you have to read this book. For me the book was just okay.
Format ebook
Rating 3 1/2 Stars
James Best is an actor, screen writer, and director best known for playing Roscoe P. Coltrane on “The Dukes of Hazard.” That is not why I read this book. I don’t like the Roscoe character and I haven’t watched “The Dukes of Hazard” since I was a kid. I read this book because of the young James Best just starting out in Hollywood. Best is in some of my favorite “Twilight Zones”, he played a handsome guitar player in two “Andy Griffith” shows, and he was in the fabulously awful “The Killer Shrews”.
Best is a southern gentleman so there isn’t anything salacious in this book. He doesn’t have affairs or sleep with starlets he “dates” them. He is obviously a nice conservative person with the same morals as the television shows he was in.
This book was written for his fans that flock to see him at his guest appearances at Mayberry Days and Dukes of Hazard conventions. There are a lot of pictures which I enjoyed seeing. If you are a big fan of Roscoe then you have to read this book. For me the book was just okay.
32craso
Since James Best said in his autobiography that one of the most genuine people he ever meet in Hollywood was James Garner I am going to read The Garner Files: A Memoir next.
33lkernagh
I didn't revisit The Dukes of Hazzard episodes during my August TV retro TV viewing spree, but I do remember his character from the show and I can see how in real life he would be the perfect southern gentleman - holding doors open for women, respecting them, etc. The fact that the most genuine person he ever met in Hollywood was James Garner, just warms my heart. I always liked James Garner and the characters he portrayed like his role in the movie The Great Escape.
34craso
Hi Lori, When I watched The Dukes of Hazard it was for the cute guys and the cool car. I thought Roscoe and Boss Hog were too silly. It was interesting to find out that James Best ad libbed all his lines and the ki ki ki laugh. The laugh came from telling stories to his little girls.
I loved James Garner on The Rockford Files. My best friend in college grew up without a father and had daydreamed that James Garner was his father.
Both actors had the same work ethic. Best did most of his own stunts like falling off horses and driving the sheriffs car when it was chasing The General Lee. James Garner did all of his own stunts as well and I have seen him on talk shows talking about how banged up his body got.
I am looking forward to starting The Garner Files.
I loved James Garner on The Rockford Files. My best friend in college grew up without a father and had daydreamed that James Garner was his father.
Both actors had the same work ethic. Best did most of his own stunts like falling off horses and driving the sheriffs car when it was chasing The General Lee. James Garner did all of his own stunts as well and I have seen him on talk shows talking about how banged up his body got.
I am looking forward to starting The Garner Files.
35craso
Title The Garner Files by James Garner and Jon Winokur
Format Kindle
Rating 4 Stars
James Garner is an actor and producer best known for “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files.” He writes in a plan and forthright fashion about his life. Garner starts with his childhood growing up during The Great Depression in Oklahoma. He was wounded twice during the Korean War and then was reassigned to a base post office where he became a “dog robber” like the character he played in “The Great Escape.” After the war he drifted around for a while until someone suggested he try acting. He never formally studied acting and learned from observation.
Garner comes across as a strong personality who shuns the “Hollywood lifestyle” for a private life with friends and family. He doesn’t like awards and is afraid of public speaking. He is a manly sort who played football when he was younger, raced cars, and did most of his own stunts. He is an admitted “bleeding heart liberal” who fought injustice. Along with Charlton Heston , Sidney Poitier, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and other celebrities he participated in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Garner confesses to be an old curmudgeon; hard on the outside and soft on the inside. He is an interesting man and this book is worth reading if you are a fan.
Format Kindle
Rating 4 Stars
James Garner is an actor and producer best known for “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files.” He writes in a plan and forthright fashion about his life. Garner starts with his childhood growing up during The Great Depression in Oklahoma. He was wounded twice during the Korean War and then was reassigned to a base post office where he became a “dog robber” like the character he played in “The Great Escape.” After the war he drifted around for a while until someone suggested he try acting. He never formally studied acting and learned from observation.
Garner comes across as a strong personality who shuns the “Hollywood lifestyle” for a private life with friends and family. He doesn’t like awards and is afraid of public speaking. He is a manly sort who played football when he was younger, raced cars, and did most of his own stunts. He is an admitted “bleeding heart liberal” who fought injustice. Along with Charlton Heston , Sidney Poitier, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and other celebrities he participated in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Garner confesses to be an old curmudgeon; hard on the outside and soft on the inside. He is an interesting man and this book is worth reading if you are a fan.
36lkernagh
"The Great Escape" is one of our favorite movies.
He doesn’t like awards and is afraid of public speaking.
Sounds like Garner is a genuine human being who somehow found himself in the world of Tinsel Town and decided to make the best of it without compromising his beliefs or values. Adding this one to my possible future reading list!
He doesn’t like awards and is afraid of public speaking.
Sounds like Garner is a genuine human being who somehow found himself in the world of Tinsel Town and decided to make the best of it without compromising his beliefs or values. Adding this one to my possible future reading list!
37craso
Hi Lori! That is a very accurate description of him. He is nothing like the attention seeking narcissist actors that we are all used to seeing.
38craso
Title The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick
Format Kindle
Rating 4 Stars
I work at an antiquarian bookstore. We carry The Philosophical Transactions, journal articles published by The Royal Society. I wanted to learn more about the Royal Society so I bought this book. Wow, I can’t believe how much I missed in school. To say I learned a lot about the history of science is an understatement.
The purpose of this book is to explain the formation of the Royal Society and how it influenced the course of science through its most well-known member, Sir Isaac Newton. It starts with an overview of society in London during the late 1600s and early 1700s. The author wanted to explain the motivations of the scientists. The biggest motivation was religion. The members of the society wanted to understand how God created and ran the universe. Did God create the universe and then let it run like a clock or does he have his hand in every aspect, constantly making changes when needed?
The author’s goal is to take the read from the beginning of mathematics to Newton’s Principia. He starts with the Greeks, most notably Aristotle, then moves on to the astronomers Copernicus and Galileo. Eventually we get the Kepler trying to fine symmetry in orbiting planets and finding ellipses. Interspersed throughout the book is the feud between Newton and Leibnitz. Who came up with calculus first? In the end we come back the main motivation of the physicist, God.
This is a great book for people like me who know the basic theories of physics, but not how the scientists discovered them. I admit I skipped a few pages on calculus, but otherwise the author presents the theories in an easily understandable fashion. The graphs and charts were a big help. I find that if you show me what you are talking about it is easier for me to understand. I now feel like I can have a decent conversation with the mathematicians and engineers who frequent our store. My thanks to the author, Mr. Dolnick, I will look out for his other books in the future.
Format Kindle
Rating 4 Stars
I work at an antiquarian bookstore. We carry The Philosophical Transactions, journal articles published by The Royal Society. I wanted to learn more about the Royal Society so I bought this book. Wow, I can’t believe how much I missed in school. To say I learned a lot about the history of science is an understatement.
The purpose of this book is to explain the formation of the Royal Society and how it influenced the course of science through its most well-known member, Sir Isaac Newton. It starts with an overview of society in London during the late 1600s and early 1700s. The author wanted to explain the motivations of the scientists. The biggest motivation was religion. The members of the society wanted to understand how God created and ran the universe. Did God create the universe and then let it run like a clock or does he have his hand in every aspect, constantly making changes when needed?
The author’s goal is to take the read from the beginning of mathematics to Newton’s Principia. He starts with the Greeks, most notably Aristotle, then moves on to the astronomers Copernicus and Galileo. Eventually we get the Kepler trying to fine symmetry in orbiting planets and finding ellipses. Interspersed throughout the book is the feud between Newton and Leibnitz. Who came up with calculus first? In the end we come back the main motivation of the physicist, God.
This is a great book for people like me who know the basic theories of physics, but not how the scientists discovered them. I admit I skipped a few pages on calculus, but otherwise the author presents the theories in an easily understandable fashion. The graphs and charts were a big help. I find that if you show me what you are talking about it is easier for me to understand. I now feel like I can have a decent conversation with the mathematicians and engineers who frequent our store. My thanks to the author, Mr. Dolnick, I will look out for his other books in the future.
39craso
I can't believe I only have one more book to read to complete this challenge! Yay! I might even read an extra!
41rabbitprincess
Ooh, love the cover! It also sounds like an interesting book.
42craso
Hi Connie! Thank you! I saw how far behind we are. I will do my best to read an extra book for the cause.
Hi rabbitprincess! The cover looks kinda steampunkish. It was a very interesting book.
Hi rabbitprincess! The cover looks kinda steampunkish. It was a very interesting book.
43craso
Title One for the Road: Revised Edition by Tony Horwitz
Format Kindle
Rating 3 1/2 Stars
Tony Horwitz was working at a newspaper is Australia when he developed a wander lust. He decided to hitchhike across the Australian Outback. He accepts rides from chockies (farmers), Aborigines, tourists, families, sheep ranchers, opal miners, and truckies. Horwitz sleeps in ditches, campsites, and rundown hotels. At times his journey seems like one long pub crawl. He observes many different aspects of Australian Outback society such as; Aboriginal ceremonies, pub patron etiquette, and lobster fishing.
I almost stopped reading this book after the first few chapters. All the chockies picking up Horwitz were drunks traveling from pub to pub. They all swilled beer from coolers in their cars as they weaved from one side of the road to the other. The narrative started to become interesting after the author visited Ayres Rock, now known as Uluru. He began meeting a more diverse and interesting group of people especially the Aborigines.
This is as much an ode to the romance of hitchhiking as it is a travel log. The book was written in 1986 when hitchhiking was still possible. You rarely see hitchhikers in America today. I don’t know if people will still pick up hikers in Australia. I think they still might in the Outback. It is such a sunbaked desolate land full of desperate people just trying to make a life for themselves that they can feel for the poor lonely tramp trying to travel a few more kilometers down the road.
Format Kindle
Rating 3 1/2 Stars
Tony Horwitz was working at a newspaper is Australia when he developed a wander lust. He decided to hitchhike across the Australian Outback. He accepts rides from chockies (farmers), Aborigines, tourists, families, sheep ranchers, opal miners, and truckies. Horwitz sleeps in ditches, campsites, and rundown hotels. At times his journey seems like one long pub crawl. He observes many different aspects of Australian Outback society such as; Aboriginal ceremonies, pub patron etiquette, and lobster fishing.
I almost stopped reading this book after the first few chapters. All the chockies picking up Horwitz were drunks traveling from pub to pub. They all swilled beer from coolers in their cars as they weaved from one side of the road to the other. The narrative started to become interesting after the author visited Ayres Rock, now known as Uluru. He began meeting a more diverse and interesting group of people especially the Aborigines.
This is as much an ode to the romance of hitchhiking as it is a travel log. The book was written in 1986 when hitchhiking was still possible. You rarely see hitchhikers in America today. I don’t know if people will still pick up hikers in Australia. I think they still might in the Outback. It is such a sunbaked desolate land full of desperate people just trying to make a life for themselves that they can feel for the poor lonely tramp trying to travel a few more kilometers down the road.
44craso
Well, well, One for the Road is my last official ROOT read! Any other reads will be done to help us get to our group goal.
45MissWatson
And another recruit to the finalists' group! Well done!
46rabbitprincess
Hurray, congratulations! :D
48craso
Thank you MissWatson, rabbitprincess, and Ameise! This thread really helped me to stay on track and read some of my older books this year. Well be back for next year.
Haven't decided what to read as an extra book, but I have plenty to choose from.
Thank you for the glittery congratulations Ameise! Very pretty!
Haven't decided what to read as an extra book, but I have plenty to choose from.
Thank you for the glittery congratulations Ameise! Very pretty!
50craso
I'm still around. I had to work alone in the store most of November and didn't have many days off to read. Now that I have a few weekends off I've spent them catching up with friends and doing the laundry. I've taken some extra days off for Christmas shopping, house cleaning, and anything else I need to catch up on...including reading.
I'm reading The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway. I love the way Harkaway writes. You become enmeshed in the worlds he builds. This is the extra read I promised. Go Team ROOT!!!
I'm reading The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway. I love the way Harkaway writes. You become enmeshed in the worlds he builds. This is the extra read I promised. Go Team ROOT!!!
51MissWatson
Nice to see you're sticking around. Enjoy the reading!
53craso
Title The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway
Format iPad
Rating 4 1/2 Stars
The world is a crazy place. Money and politics can lead to war and every war creates new technological advancements. During the Gone-Away War the worst possible weapon is created; a bomb that makes everything go away. It takes away the information from everything it touches. Little did the scientists know that the world would try and correct itself with new information pulled from the imagination.
The narrator takes us on a wild and amusing journey through his life both past and present, but is it his life?
This is an anti-war, dystopian, martial arts, alternate universe, unreliable narrator novel with mimes and pirates. The author manages to pull all these threads together to create a very enjoyable story. Nick Harkaway is the kind of writer that you would love reading no matter what he writes. His writing is descriptive and humorous.
I admit I like Harkaway’s second novel Angelmaker more than this one. If he keeps improving with each novel I can’t wait to read his next one.
Format iPad
Rating 4 1/2 Stars
The world is a crazy place. Money and politics can lead to war and every war creates new technological advancements. During the Gone-Away War the worst possible weapon is created; a bomb that makes everything go away. It takes away the information from everything it touches. Little did the scientists know that the world would try and correct itself with new information pulled from the imagination.
The narrator takes us on a wild and amusing journey through his life both past and present, but is it his life?
This is an anti-war, dystopian, martial arts, alternate universe, unreliable narrator novel with mimes and pirates. The author manages to pull all these threads together to create a very enjoyable story. Nick Harkaway is the kind of writer that you would love reading no matter what he writes. His writing is descriptive and humorous.
I admit I like Harkaway’s second novel Angelmaker more than this one. If he keeps improving with each novel I can’t wait to read his next one.
