OldSarge's reading for 2009

Coming late to this my books are not in the order I read them, but here they are.

The one good thing about my time in Iraq was that I read alot. There was nothing else to do when I was off duty. I've been back for a bit and attempting to readjust. The only thing that's normal is my reading right now.

Titles marked with a * are books I read over there. Those without, I have read since I came home.

1.MAKE ROOM! MAKE ROOM! by Harry Harrison
2.BY HERESIES DISTRESSED by David Weber
3.THE ENCHANTMENT EMPORIUM by Tanya Huff
4.EYE OF THE STORM (Posleen War) by John Ringo
5.HOW ROME FELL: Death of a Superpower By Adrian Goldsworthy
6.LORDS OF THE SEA: The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy by John R. Hale
7.THE SPARTACUS WAR by Barry Strauss
8.CONSPIRATOR by C.J. Cherryh
9.THE FORGE OF CHRISTENDOM: The End of Days and the Epic Rise of the West by Tom Holland
10.THE LIBRARY AT NIGHT by Albero Manguel
11.EDITIONS & IMPRESSIONS: My Twenty Years on the Book Beat by Nicholas A. Basbanes
12.BOUND FOR CANAAN: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich
13.THE SWORD OF THE LADY by S.M. Stirling

14.FOOL'S ERRAND by Robin Hobb
15.GOLDEN FOOL by Robin Hobb
16.FOOL'S FATE by Robin Hobb
17.HOW TO READ LITERATURE LIKE A PROFESSOR by Thomas C. Foster
18.FADED COAT OF BLUE by Owen Parry
19.THE SMOKE (Jethro Mysteries) BY Tony Broadbent
20.THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TORC by Simon R. Green

Welcome back, Sarge. Glad you had some books to pass the time in Iraq.

21.*GUN WORK (Hard Case Crime) by David J. Schow
22.*TRADING IN DANGER by Elizabeth Moon
23.*MARQUE AND REPRISAL by Elizabeth Moon
24.*ENGAGING THE ENEMY (Vatta's War)by Elizabeth Moon
25.*COMMAND DECISION by Elizabeth Moon
26.*VICTORY CONDITIONS by Elizabeth Moon
27.*WHITE WITCH, BLACK CURSE by Kim Harrison
28.*THE OUTLAW DEMON WAILS by Kim Harrison
29.*BLOOD ENGINES by T.A. Pratt
30.*POISON SLEEP by T.A. Pratt
31.*DEAD REIGN by T.A. Pratt
32.*SPELL GAMES by T.A. Pratt

Thank you. I was very glad I bought a Kindle before I went. Very kind and generous folks sent us books, but I don't read romance novels or the latest crime/legal thrillers by "hot" authors.

I would have gone mad if I didn't have books of my choosing to read. You'll notice a fair amount of what I read over there was pure fiction. It was my only escape from the "reality" over there.

OldSarge—that was my dad's CB handle.

And, yes, that does date me...

33.*SHIP OF MAGIC by Robin Hobb
34.*THE MAD SHIP by Robin Hobb
35.*SHIP OF DESTINY by Robin Hobb
36.*ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE by Robin Hobb
37.*ROYAL ASSASSIN by Robin Hobb
38.*ASSASSIN'S QUEST by Robin Hobb
39.*RETRIBUTION:The Battle for Japan, 1944-45 by Max Hastings
40.*CROSSROADS OF FREEDOM: Antietam by James M. McPherson
41.*THE LAST STAND OF THE TIN CAN SAILORS by James D. Hornfischer
42.*FEAR ITSELF: A Fearless Jones Novel by Walter Mosley
43.*SWORDS OF HAVEN by Simon R. Green
44.*THE PESHAWAR LANCERS by S.M. Stirling
45.*CONQUISTADOR by S.M. Stirling
46.*CONTACT WITH CHAOS by Michael Z. Williamson
47.*NIGHTMARE TOWN by Dashiell Hammett
48.*THE CONTINENTAL OP by Dashiell Hammett
49.*ULLER UPRISING by H. Beam Piper
50.*BONE CROSSED by Patricia Briggs
51.*THE POLISH OFFICER by Alan Furst
52.*THE LAST LINCOLNS: The Rise & Fall of a Great American Family by Charles Lachman
53.*CICERO: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician by Anthony Everitt

#6 Oh, dear. If it dates you that your DAD had a CB handle, what does it say that my husband had one???

Nice start! Glad you could join us.

It's good to be here.

It's looks like I'm reading as therapy right now. Since I got back things have seemed so unreal in my life. Books and reading are one of the few things I can trust, if that makes sense.

Most days I sit by the bay or the ocean and either read or just let myself be hypnotized by the motion of the waves and water.

It was a pleasure to spend the day with you and the Missus in Philly.

Hi OldSarge, welcome to our little group.

I can tell already that your thread is going to be a dangerous place for me to hang out! Nevertheless, welcome to the group!

*waves* Welcome, OldSarge!

Hey Sarge, welcome back. Lots of good books on the list.

Thank you, everyone.

54.*THE TEMPORAL VOID by Peter F. Hamilton
55.*INFERNO by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
56.*THE WESTERNERS by Zane Grey
57.*BOOKS: A Memoir by Larry McMurtry
58.*TERRITORY by Emma Bull
59.*A DESERT CALLED PEACE by Tom Kratman
60.*BRIDESHEAD REVISITED by Evelyn Waugh
61.*HONOR OF THE CLAN by John Ringo
62.*NO HOUSE LIMIT by Steve Fisher
63.*EATERS OF THE DEAD by Michael Crichton
64.*THE FIRST QUARRY by Max Allan Collins
65.*THE DRILLMASTER OF VALLEY FORGE: The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army by Paul Douglas Lockhart
66.*TRIED BY WAR: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief BY James M. McPherson
67.*AMERICAN LION: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham
68.*THE FOREVER WAR by Dexter Filkins
69.*REMNANT POPULATION by Elizabeth Moon
70.*SOUTHERN STORM: Sherman's March to the Sea by Noah Andre Trudeau
71.*THE DEFEAT OF ROME IN THE EAST: Crassus, the Parthians, and the Disastrous Battle of Carrhae, 53 BC by Gareth Sampson
72.*SCIPIO AFRICANUS: Rome's Greatest General by Richard A. Gabriel
73.*HANNIBAL'S LAST BATTLE: Zama and the Fall of Carthage by Brian Todd Carey
74.*MOON IN THE MIRROR by P.R. Frost

That's all. I am now caught up with what I have read for the year. Let's see what the rest of the year has in store.

Welcome (back), Sarge! That's an impressive list of books. Which ones were your favorites?

Favorites? I'm going to have to think about that. I know I did enjoy the pleasure of reading some more than others.

REMNANT POPULATION is definately up there.

The works of Robin Hobb I enjoyed immensely. Her fantasy is driven by the characters, not the quest.

Dashiell Hammett is a favorite author whose works I always go back and re-read every few years, along with Raymond Chandler and Arthur Conan Doyle.

BOUND FOR CANAAN was an excellent, easy to read work of history that made me think about how poor my knowledge of certain parts of American history really is. It has led me to put a biography of Harriett Tubman on my wish list. What little I have read of her gives this old soldier cause to honor her bravery.

THE LAST STAND OF THE TIN CAN SAILORS was another superb work of history about brave men in the face of almost certain death. It is also an excellent illustration of the chaos and destruction of war to those who are unfamiliar with it.

I will comment on other books in the days to come.

Glad to have you with us on the 75 challenge, OldSarge! Welcome back stateside; glad you came home safely. And what a wonderful list of books!

Always glad to have another science fiction reader in the group! Nice list so far. Welcome to the group! Got you starred.

Thank you all for the welcome. It seems that reading is definately one of the few things that kept me sane over there.

I checked my self into a mental health program over there for stress. Once the good doc I was seeing got a handle on me he actually kept track of and measured my reading habits. During sessions he actually quizzed me about what I was reading. I realized after the fact he was using my reading interests as a barometer of of my level of depression. Very smart man. He recognized that if I lost interest in reading it was a big red flag.

I actually turned him onto a few books.

With the assistance of another sergeant over there and kind, generous folks back here, I started a small library for those who had the interest. We actually had folks from all over the camp coming by to sign out books.

I also had to fight off attempts by two ignorant individuals (one of them an officer) to get rid of it because they didn't approve.

With Autumn and Halloween coming, I am eagerly awaiting to get into several new purchases of ghost stories and supernatural fiction. But I will be good and just stare at them with anticipation as they sit on the shelf.

There are several members in the group who do a read of that type of book right before Halloween, but I can't remember who! If anyone remembers who are the ones doing that, please speak up.

The Reading Globally group's October theme read is on ghoulies and ghosts:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/71339

#22 and 23: If you check out Blackdogbooks' profile, he has a list of books for October that some 75ers are going to read. They are all Hallowe'en-type stuff.

75.L.A. NOIR: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City by John Buntin

Just finished this. Found it to be a very interesting history/biography of the LAPD and two central figures.

William H. Parker, the longest serving chief of the LAPD and Meyer Harris "Mickey" Cohen, criminal boss of Los Angeles after his mentor Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel went to Las Vegas.

Some interesting name dropping. Gene Roddenberry was an officer in the LAPD.

Others pass in and out of the narrative. Robert Kennedy, Malcom X, Ben Hecht, Mike Wallace, J. Edgar Hoover, Reverend Billy Graham and Jack Webb.

This is not an exhaustive history, but does give a good overview of the period from the twenties to the sixties.

Congrats on hitting #75!

Congratulations, Sarge! Nice review of L.A. NOIR, too. Does it discuss the Watts Riots?

Congratulations on reaching Book 75 in the Challenge! :)

Thank you.

Glad you here with us, Old Sarge! Congratulations for already reaching your goal of 75 books. I am so far behind in my reading this year!

76.THE JOY OF READING: A Passionate Guide to 189 of the World's Best Authors and Their Works by Charles Van Doren

A dangerous book to read. The author's enthusiam for so many works of literature, writers and poets is infectious. This book has caused my wish list to expand greatly.

Yes, that book definitely sounds dangerous! (If my Wishlist expands much more, it's going to explode!) :)

#33: I can swear up and down that book is dangerous. It is one of the books that lead me to the slippery slope I am on today :)

Hey OldSarge,

ronincats suggested I look you up and let you in on our planned Halloween reading. So, keep lookout here, I'll send you a ling later this weekend to the thread I start. You can check out the books I've already chosen on my profile page. Since I am starting a bit before October, I may see if there is a concensus on a few to add towards the end.

And add my thanks to all those above for serving our country on the battlefield.

OldSarge,

As promised, Tales of Mystery and Horror Halloween Thread. So, come give me a little input about the order of reading, if you want. The list is posted on the first message.

Everyone is welcome. If you know someone else who is interested, pass along the link.

Looking forward to this.

BDB

77.HADRIAN AND THE TRIUMPH OF ROME by Anthony Everitt

I've been waiting for this for a few months, since I saw it coming on Amazon.

Another excellent, easily readable biography by the author. His previous works covered the senator Cicero and first emperor Augustus.

78.REGENESIS by C.J. Cherryh

Cherryh is one of my favorite authors and has been since I read DOWNBELOW STATION back in the early eighties so I'm a bit biased and will always say it's good, read it.

This work picks up from the end of CYTEEN and the events begun in DOWNBELOW STATION.

To me, she belongs up there as one of the greatest authors of Science Fiction. Thankfully her work would never translate to the movie screen.

>39 OldSarge:: I read it earlier this year. Cherryh is my favorite science fiction author, so I'm usually on board with recommending her stuff, but I thought Regenesis was not one of her better works. Too much filler in the middle and I thought she altered the character of Ari, not in a good way.

79.NO QUARTER: The Battle of the Crater, 1864 by Richard Slotkin

An excellent look at the siege of Petersburg and the first use of USCT (US Colored Troops) as a massed unit larger than single Regiments committed to combat from the historical, social and political perspective.

First and foremost though, it is about a battle during the American Civil War.

No Quarter sounds interesting! I think I may add that to my Wishlist.

#41: Thanks for the recommendation, Sarge. On to the Planet it goes.

80.SUPERNATURAL BUCHAN: Stories of Ancient Spirits, Uncanny Places and Strange Creatures by John Buchan.

A nice collection of tales of the supernatural, mostly set in Scotland during the early 20th century.

If this is to your taste, go here for more info:
http://www.leonaur.com/books/booknumber.php?bookid=73

#44 That sounds like a winner! I may add that to my Wishlist.

81.A BOTTOMLESS GRAVE: and Other Victorian Tales of Terror

Nice little collection of rarely before published stories. Some not since their original date of publication in the 19th century.

82.The Tuloriad by John Ringo

Couldn't put this down. Not as much blood and thunder as usual for this series, but definately going in a different direction that I like.

No spoilers, but at the end my response was "DAMN!".

#46 A Bottomless Grave sounds opretty creepy, too!

Good Halloween reading!! :)

83.Mr. Gaunt and Other Uneasy Encounters by John Langan

Five stories of supernatural horror and weirdness. Good stuff from a small press publisher.

http://www.prime-books.com/

84.THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession by Allison Hoover Bartlett

Not as good as I had hoped it would be, still an interesting story though.

85.COLLECTED GHOST STORIES by Mary E. Wilkins-Freeman.

Forget the touchstone on this one, see here:
http://www.librarything.com/work/782751/book/50286309

A very good collection of ghost tales. Some chilling, some whimsical.

86.CARNIFEX by Tom Kratman

A Science Fiction revisioning of the current war against terrorists set in the future on another planet colonized from Earth.

Let's just say that the author doesn't think much of the UN, EU or other similar agancies.

Finished two yesterday.

87.THE IMPROBABLE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES by John Joseph Adams

Interesting collection of other authors' views of the great detective. Some published previously in SHADOWS OVER BAKER STREET.

88.POEMS BEWITCHED AND HAUNTED by John Hollander

This may become a seasonal favorite.

Just stopping by to say ...nice to see you posting.. wishing you well....

Some great reads, OldSarge.

Slowed down on my reading while taking care of other things. But still finding time.

89.THUCYDIDES: The Reinvention of History by Donald Kagan

Interesting work about the first attempt at "objective" history and the man himself.

#56: That one looks interesting to me. I will give it a shot. Thanks for the mention, Sarge.

90.TORCH OF FREEDOM (Honorverse) by David Weber.

I have always enjoyed Weber's work, but I skimmed through this one at points. The technical data about space weaponry was kind of like reading a Tom Clancy novel. Boring.

91.GODDESS OF THE MARKET: Ayn Rand and the American Right by Jennifer Burns.

Good, factual biography of Ayn Rand, who I have always found to be an interesting person. Loathsome and hypocritical in some ways, but still fascinating. A major influence on modern conservative and libertarian (especially) thought.

Take care Sarge...

92.HOLY COWS & HOG HEAVEN: The Food Buyer's Guide to Farm Friendly Food by Joel Salatin

http://www.librarything.com/work/book/52943791

Interesting addition to my new interest in food and eco-friendly eating habits.

Added that one to my wishlist!

Me too!

I wish I could open up a small independent bookstore/cafe. Oh, the titles I would carry on the shelves.

A friend of mine opened a cafe next door to the library where I work. We've joked about opening a direct doorway between the buildings . . . :)

That's my dream. A small cafe where I have soups, sandwiches, and fresh baked goods (nothing fancy, most of what I bake is based on ideas I "borrowed" from the Amish market). Also available would be my own sauces, marinades, salad dressing, and preserves.

Of course the other half of it would be a bookstore with a comfy lounge area.

Your dream cafe sounds a lot like my friend's! Except she doesn't have the bookstore . . . though she does have bookshelves and some books around the place . . . and the public library as her next door neighbor!

But it is a LOT of work for her . . . a LOT.

I don't know where you're at, Sarge, but I'd take a road trip for a spot like that!

Yeah, owning your own business especially dealing with food is a total commitment.

I'm right here on the Jersey Shore.

And I'd serve coffee of course.

I'll definitely visit your future cafe when I visit my folks in Bucks County, PA.

Count me in amongst the visitors as well. I am hoping to be up in Pennsylvania next July - Jersey is not all that far away.

Unfortunately it's going to be sometime before I can realistically open a place with any chance of success.

But the Shore is here and all are quite welcome. The only problem with living here is that bookstores are far and few between.

http://www.visitlbiregion.com/

http://www.longbeachislandsummers.com/index.html

http://www.newjerseyshore.com/

http://www.pineypower.com/

http://www.capemay.com/

http://www.oceancitychamber.com/

http://www.ocnj.us/

If you're ever up this way, visit.

Ah, you're making me homesick . . .

No matter how long I live landlocked in Western PA, I'll always need my occasional Jersey Shore fix!

Regarding Torch of Freedom it wasn't the weapons that made me skim, it was the politics. I liked the book but I wanted more about the people. I miss Honor being the main character. The book did include a CD with all of the books in a format that will let me put them on my Kindle though.

I see that you read a bunch of Elizabeth Moon's books. Do you also read Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan books or Sharon Lee and Steve Miller's Liaden books?

#66 - That sounds like a wonderful idea OldSarge!

I've always wanted to own a small book store. It would never work where I live now, but I still keep planning how it would look. Maybe one day.

93.THE CONTRARY FARMER BY Gene Logsdon

When we lose touch with where our food comes from, we lose something that connects us to the earth itself. How many of us actually know a real farmer who grows and raises food?

Most of what you see or buy in a supermarket is not real food. Nor are the people involved with it farmers. They're just someone getting an hourly wage and a poor one at that.

#76: I am currently reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and The Contrary Farmer sounds like it is along the same lines. I will see if I can find a copy. Thanks for the recommendation, Sarge!

Yay! Glad you're reading that, Stasia! One of the most important books I've ever read -- totally changed the way I look at/procure/cook food.

OldSarge -- curious if The Contrary Farmer is different enough from AVM and The Omnivore's Dilemma to consider reading too? Can't recall if you've read all three now or not...

Gene Logdson doesn't so much about food as small scale farming from the POV of someone who has done it all his life.

Thanks!

As much as I sometimes complain about living where I do, there are many advantages. This is a very rural, farming community. I grew up on a farm where we grew our own vegetables and even some of the meat we ate. The fields on my farm are now rented to a neighbor. Cotton and peanuts are grown on it so we no longer have the gardens of the past. However, fresh vegetables are plentiful! The farmer who rents my farm keeps me supplied with all sorts of fresh vegetables when they are in season. It's one of the pleasures of living here.

94.WHEN GIANTS WALKED THE EARTH: A Biography of Led Zeppelin by Mick Wall

This was a must read for me when I saw it in the bookstore. I remember five of us planning a road trip to Philly to see them when the news of John Bonham's death broke. They will always be my favorite band.

This book has led me to a biography of Alistair Crowley. More than just a weirdo who abused drugs and sex.

95.VICKSBURG, 1863 by Winston Groom.

A very good account of the Vicksburg campaign, which concluded at the same time as the Gettysburg battle. It was the tipping point for the war, after which the smarter leaders of the Confederacy knew it was only a matter of time.

96.THE HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY by Earl Derr Biggers

The first Charlie Chan novel, published in 1925. Except for the way Chan talks, it bears no resemblence to the films. Which is good.

Sick and housebound for the last few days. Finished two books that were sitting on the night stand.

97.FOOD INC.: A PARTICIPANT GUIDE: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And What You Can Do About It by Karl Weber

98.IN DEFENSE OF FOOD: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

I hope you are feeling better, Sarge!

Are you going to be joining us for the 2010 challenge? The group is up and running!

Yep, I'll be there. Thanks.

The new group is here, Sarge: http://www.librarything.com/groups/75booksin2010#forums

I hope to see you there!

I'm in.

Hope you're feeling better, Sarge.

Happy New Year!

A little bit everyday. Started getting sinus infections in Iraq that would get into my ears. Makes headcolds very painful and long lasting.

The sand and dust got to a lot of us towards the end of our tour.