Grand unified books thread

[Syt]

Robert Dallek: Nixon and Kissinger - Partners in Power (I also consider picking up his "John F. Kennedy - an unfinished Life")

Let me know how that is.  I've almost bought it a few times.  I enjoyed the JFK biography.  I think it's fairer than the worship or pseudo-intellectual denigration - which is the historical equivalent of theatre that just tries to shock.

I like it so far. I finished the first part (ca. 85 of the 600 pages), lining out the way of Kissinger and Nixon into the White House, with the last part focusing on the 1968 election campaign. The book itself focuses, naturally, on their impact on foreign policy.

The author's own opinion is summarized on page 81:

Circumstance and shared interest in great foreign policy issues was the ostensible bond bringing Nixon and Kissinger together. But the connection rested on larger commonalities. True, their backgrounds and experience could not have been more different: the small-town Southern California Quaker who gained prominence through political combat and the German-Jewish émigré whose innate brilliance elevated him to the front rank of American academics. But they were as much alike as they were different: both self-serving characters with grandiose dreams of recasting world affairs.

Their coming together also represented a union of two outsiders who distrusted establishment liberals: Nixon, their greatantagonist, and Kissinger, the academic, who was held at arm's length by the Kennedy-Johnson administrations. In addition, harsh life experiences had made both men cynical about people's motives and encouraged convictions that outdoing opponents required a relaxed view of scruples. Ironically, their cynicism would also make them rivals who could not satisfy their aspirations without each other.

[jimmy olsen]

There's a David Gemmel fantasy award that fans can vote for.

The fields already been winnowed from 90~ to a final 5.

Joe Abercrombie's Last Argument of Kings
Juliet Marillier's Heir to Sevenwaters
Brandon Sanderson's The Hero of Ages
Andrzej Sapkowski's Blood of Elves
Brent Weeks's The Way of Shadows

Click here to vote
http://gemmellaward.com/

[Queequeg]

Any good fiction on the Copper and Neolithic ages?  I'll settle for Bronze. 

[jimmy olsen]

Soon to be seen at a bookstore near you!

[Habbaku]

Five minutes?  But I want it now.   

[Ed Anger]

Great, shoddy quickie books.

[saskganesh]

it's like a hi tech photocopier. progress!

[Darth Wagtaros]

Was reading a book on the history of American foods, which is pretty good. but I lent it to a friend of mine so I can't get the author or title.

I'm reading Tom Clancy's book on American Special Forces and also Terry Brooks' latest Shanarra book.

[jimmy olsen]

Five minutes?  But I want it now.   

Go have a coffee.

[BuddhaRhubarb]

reading an odd book. Diary of a Drag Queen. short version? A bitchy old Queen decides she needs to look the part and starts tarting up as a Tranny for sex only with "straight guys" all this thru chat rooms, and craigslist (back in the heady days of 04 mind you) as his fantasy had always been of The Straight Guy. Some staright guys are desperate enough to pretend you are just the ugly chick you appear to be.

Also there is an interesting study of poor vs. rich and race relations amongst gays of the straight, closeteds, bi, whatever stripe. apparently class crosses all those pockets and takes all yr silver.

Interesting bio in that the guy is a real asshole and professes peace with that, and his unflinching self-loathing that seeps from the pages like acid flashbacks from an HST book. As a man or a woman he's an asshole, and he's ok with that, and oddly I'm glued to the book, like watching a car wreck.

[jimmy olsen]

Saw this at the store, and Monkeybutt's voice popped up in my head, saying buy it. So I did.

[Ed Anger]

Good lad.

Remember, you don't really have to read the rest the books. The three in that omnibus are just fine by themselves.

[Darth Wagtaros]

The Silver Spike is an acceptable book.  But avoid the Books of the South.  BotS=Teh sux

[ulmont]

avoid the Books of the South.  BotS=Teh sux

You are : teh fail.

[Darth Wagtaros]

avoid the Books of the South.  BotS=Teh sux

You are : teh fail.

No, YOU are : teh Jaron.