Does anyone read? Part II

[bmanton]

I just finished a compelling novel called "The Footprints of God" by Greg Iles. Absolutely astounding, since it fact-based and entirely feasible...maybe not today, but soon. Scary!

Iles has also written some 'thrillers' (although I hate that word...a good story is a good story!). One of the best is "Dead Sleep", which I haven't quite finished, but know for a fact that I will read again.

And don't forget, patronize your local used bookstore. It makes your unquenchable thirst for knowledge much more affordable!

[Shapley]

Ajax,

Did you, by chance, watch the first half of the new "Spartacus" on USA Network last night? It's not as good as the original movie, but both give a little insight into the politics at the end of the Old Republic.

It's been a few years since I read the book by Howard Fast. I don't recall if it offered much insight into the politics of the day, but I could be mistaken.

V/R
Shapley

[Shapley]

Well, I saw the second part of "Spartacus" on USA. I was not impressed. See the original. Better yet, read the book!

[Ajax]

Shapley, Thanks for the mentioning, but I did
miss it. I don't have a television that works.

But before someone cringes at the thought of not having a TV, let me explain. I play rugby, have a side architectural illustration business, and just love reading any spare moment I have!

I find if one does not watch TV, and listen to much radio, one is quickly ostrized from "modern culture". Shucks. lol Our modernity is quickly approaching the level of debauchery experienced in the Roman Era. I don't mind if I am not part of it.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

I dunno, Ajax. I'd be bereft without the food channel, the history channel, TLC, Discovery. Come to think of it, I'd be OK without broadcast TV. As long as you leave my cable channels alone, I'm fine.

My TV is fine company when I'm pinning or piecing or knitting.

[barfle]

I get local weather and maybe one episode of Jeopardy! a week off broadcast TV. I never watched a single episode of Friends.

I tend to watch some of those "other people working on houses" shows on TLC, BBCA, and HGTV. The Sopranos is the only soap opera I watch at all.

I'd rather listen to a few good records, or watch a DVD than watch most of the pablum that passes for entertainment these days.

[Ajax]

Yes, having the weather channel
would be nice from time to time.

I was given my current television
a year ago, so I could watch the
live war coverage. That was somewhat
entertaining.

[Shapley]

Well you didn't miss anything not watching "Spartacus", that's for sure. As I said, read the book. It's much better.

[Ajax]

I do attend the cinema on occasion.

[Shapley]

Ajax

Troy looks like it might be an entertaining flick.

[piqaboo]

Still haven't seen "Master and Commander" tho I loved the books (read the whole series).

I think the last thing I read (besides the morning comics) was the checklist two pages of a wedding planner, the day before the wedding. It was good for several chuckles! I especially liked the checklist item for the bride, at (minus 3 weeks): "spend some time with whatsisname".

Next on the list: Barron's tax guide. Yup, I'm gonna be a late filer this year. Bless the extension!

Once I get thru that, I'll indulge with a good murder mystery or procedural. Any suggestions? (I'm a novel-aholic, and am in serious withdrawal.)

[Shapley]

Piq,

I loved the movie Master and Commander. I bought the DVD, but haven't had time to watch it yet. It's sitting on the shelf with the other DVD's I haven't found the time to watch yet.

I haven't read the books (yet). I've read the Horatio Hornblower series. BTW, the Horatio Hornblower miniseries on A&E TV is not bad for moviemaking on a budget. It's no Master and Commander, but it's certainly worth watching!

V/R
Shapley

V/R
Shapley

[Marye]

Piq,

If you haven't already read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, you might want to find One for the Money. I found them hilarious and read them all in no time. She is a bounty hunter...

Have you read Ian Rankin.. One of my favourite murder mystery/detective novelist.

No pics yet of your wedding? My best to both you and OT, please.

[Rick186]

Boyoboy, am I ever out of place on this thread!
It's interesting to read what the "other half" peruses, however. But I'll stick to my engineering-related stuff. It's actually fun reading! For example, did you know that the Nazis experimented with powerful loudspeakers on the battlefield during WWII which put out frequencies in the 33Hz range which coincide with harmonics of certain human sphincters? The thought was to demoralize the opposing troops.
As I said, odd and fascinating stuff.
Then there is the resurgence of steam powered automobiles and air conditioners which use nothing but compressed air and. . .well, you get the idea.

[Marye]

Originally posted by Rick186:
Did you know that the Nazis experimented with powerful loudspeakers on the battlefield during WWII which put out frequencies in the 33Hz range which coincide with harmonics of certain human sphincters?

Isn't this a Monty Python skit?

[Rick186]

No, Mary. If you have a 7" diameter pipe so many feet long (the measurements are in a book buried in the attic), crunch up some metallic screen wire about 18" from the bottom of the pipe and heat the screen wire with a flame, it will provide an upward column of air much like an organ pipe and yield the same effect!
The same principle was written up in PopSci or PopMech about a dozen years ago also when they did a piece on laser weapons and other such items for the military, comparing the high tech with psy-war stuff.
However, I think a Monty Python skit would be absolutely hysterical.
I'd even be happy if Fawlty Towers would somehow get a large pipe organ built into the lobby and perhaps a cat might walk across the keyboard - hitting the very LOW notes - around 2AM when the place was full of honeymooners.

[dai bread]

Originally posted by Shapley:
Piq,

I haven't read the books (yet). I've read the Horatio Hornblower series. BTW, the Horatio Hornblower miniseries on A&E TV is not bad for moviemaking on a budget. It's no Master and Commander, but it's certainly worth watching!

V/R
Shapley

"Horatio Hornblower" leaves "Master & Commander" for dead. C.S.Forrester is a very good author with several titles to his credit besides the "Hornblower" series; notably "A Passage to India". Well worth reading.

[Shapley]

Of course, He also wrote "The African Queen".

I beleive the "Hornblower" series is the barometer by which most sea novels are compared.

V/R
Shapley

[Marye]

Agree Dai........Absolutely loved the Hornblower series. Have read them twice... Might need to read them again.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Yup. Horatio Hornblower. Read 'em all when I was a teenager and enjoyed them. I haven't read any of the "master and commander" books but Amazon says it's a whole series. I may have to do some nautical reading and rereading.

Brought home the "Master and Commander" movie but haven't watched it yet.