Check me out onGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/profile/Kasualkafe
2/20/2009 - 
The
Joy of Reading: 210 Favorite Books, Plays, Poems,
Essays, Etc. by Charles
Van Doren
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I like Charles Van Doren -- read how to read a book
and history of knowledge and owning the Great books
of the western world as well as his work with adler
on the great treasury of western thought has been
part and parcel to my quest of self-education.
This book is heavy on the great works - also in the
GBWW - and some of the short stories are in Gateway
to great books. I expect it to take most of my life
but I will eventually read all these works.
I do find myself to enjoy reading about reading and
about books . I love books , and not just to read
them. I add to the joy of reading by organizing my
large library of books , I trade them , sell them
, share them with friends , I use on-line resources
such as bookmooch , and bookcrossing to trade and
give books away and track their lives. I used to sell
books on amazon , more for fun than profit. I love
purchasing books , tag sales , used book stores and
yes.. I still support authors by spending on new books
via Amazon or at the local borders or B&N -
Read this book to understand the joy of reading ,
but feel free to learn for yourself the joy of BOOKS
!!!!
View
all my reviews.
12/11/08
A
Case of Need by Michael
Crichton
rating: 3 of 5 stars
Michael Crichton , a favorite author of mine`s , first
book. I have read some favorable amazon reviews but
must differ from them. I gave it a 3 rating so I liked
it as the book kept my interest and I enjoyed the
medical knowledge (or future knowledge when I look
up a half-dozen items) it contained. But , the drama
of his later books are clearly superior , and I think
it is obvious that this is a weaker precursor of greater
things to come. Some touted the plot twists , or the
writing , or the conclusion as wonderful writing.
I didn`t think the plots twisted enough , I thought
too many threads were left dangling in the end , and
the writing was just solid , not engrossing.
That being said , it is still a worthy quick read
, that does pose the moral questions of abortion and
a glimpse of the social mind 40 yrs ago.
View
all my reviews.
World
Without End by Ken
Follett
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read pillars only about 3 years ago so It wasn`t
18 yrs later waiting for the sequel for me.
But , It was an unbelievably good book. THis book,
like its predecessor has moments of extreme uncomfortability
due to the lieable characters` trials and tribulations
and heartwrenching episodes and consequences.
Follet has a tendency to show the truly ugly side
of humanity and have that ugliness inflicted upon
the morally incorruptable characters that you have
come to love. The result is some tossing of the book
across the room on occassion but thats telling of
the author`s ability to develop his characters.
Naked
Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science by
Charles
Wheelan
rating: 4 of 5 stars --- November 9th , 2008
I gave it a 4 for an economics book which is saying
something , but this is not equivalent to a 4 for
....say ....an ANNE Rice novel. But as an economics
book , this easily digestible primer , is not only
informative but mildly amusing. The author explains
the theories and tenets of economics without boring
you to tears. I believe I have more of a complete
understanding of economics as some of the blanks in
my comprehension of this subject has been filled.
I recall one of my first book adventure capitalist
as a fun economics book that tauted free trade , but
this book truly explains why it works.
View
all my reviews.
1/2/08 - Read - The Tragical History of Doctor
Faustus - by Christopher Marlowe
A classic , in the form of a play. If you read
this make sure the book has footnotes at the bottom
as there are references and word-use in this book
that won`t make sense to the modern reader without
help. -
The quick and dirty synopsis of Doctor Faustis
is that its about an overreaching man who sold his
soul to the devil for worldly gain.
12/23 - Audio books - you may find at your library
- The Great Courses - visit their site at http://www.teach12.com/
-- they also have dvd courses.
12/17/07 - Next - by Micheal
Crichton -
A typical Crichton book delivered in a non-typical
way. Reading an MC book usually means reading about
a general scientific or medical topic , exploring
it , watching the theme expand to the point of absurdity
; thus demonstrating the dangers , or underlining
his take on the topic.
The topic of choice in this book is genome research
, testing , and patenting as well as a range of
other issues surrounding genetics.
The non-typical structure of this book was intentional
, he modeled the structure after the genome itself,
incorporating fragments of popular culture, and
writing a series of stories that sometimes interconnected,
and sometimes didn't. Some may like this style and
some may not , I liked the book , though admit ,
I did lose track of some characters. In any event
, its definitely a worthy read and will cause you
to do some personal research on the topic upon completion
of this book.
12/11/07 - Charles Dickens - A Tale of Two Cities
-
"It was the best of times , It was the worst
of times "
Set in the time of the french revolution , this
wonderfully written novel describes the brutality
of both the French and English aristocrats in their
acts of oppression upon the peasants. The revolution
, Dickens believes is the only natural result ,
is described with bloody detail of the despicable
acts of the peasants upon the aristocrats. Dickens
sympathizes with the poor and downtrodden , yet
equally denounces the horrific actions of both.
""Crush humanity out of shape once more,
under similar hammers, and it will twist itself
into the same tortured forms. Sow the same seed
of rapacious licence and oppression over again,
and it will surely yield the same fruit [...]."
Deep throaty movie announcer voice The Bastille,
La Guillotine , Two men in love with the same woman
, 2 men brought back from death , thanks to one
woman. da de - da de deah...... Read it.
12/1/07
I have recently started listinening to modern scholar
- odyssey of the west thru the great
books. They are college - level lectures that guide
you thru the great books.
See the course outline - HERE
