Grand unified books thread

[Sheilbh]

I can also recommend The Return of Martin Guerre (along with the film also).

Both are on my amazon wishlist.

I haven't read Le village des cannibales, but I read and enjoyed his Monde retrouvé de Louis-François Pinagot. Corbin showed up at the archives of his home departement, opened up a register, closed his eyes and picked a name and proceeded to reconstruct the universe of this no-longer anonymous man. A good lesson in history-writing.

I don't know if Corbin's been translated much.  I'll have a look though

[jimmy olsen]

If you're a fantasy fan, buy Warbreaker immediately.
This book has everything a fantasy fan can want. A
unique and detailed setting that feels alive. An
extremely original magic system and religious
background along with some fascinating characters.
My favorite is the God who doesn't believe in his
own religion.

[Berkut]

The Village of Cannibals?

Another micro-history, this time of a particularly shocking crime in rural, 19th century France:
http://www.amazon.com/Village-Cannibals-Studies-Cultural-History/dp/0674939018

Hmmm, last victim of the Revolution?

[Malthus]

The Village of Cannibals?

Another micro-history, this time of a particularly shocking crime in rural, 19th century France:
http://www.amazon.com/Village-Cannibals-Studies-Cultural-History/dp/0674939018

Hmmm, last victim of the Revolution?

Eat the rich. 

[Kleves]

I've been enjoying Philip Kerr's Berlin Noir series recently. I think he tries a little too hard to make the protagonist a bad ass, but that's a fairly minor complaint.

[Malthus]

I've been enjoying Philip Kerr's Berlin Noir series recently. I think he tries a little too hard to make the protagonist a bad ass, but that's a fairly minor complaint.

I really liked the Berlin Noir series as well, and my only complaint is that I wanted one set *during* the war. 

[Darth Wagtaros]

Just finished Manifold:Time by Stephen Baxter. Malenfaunt, the main character is always a jackoff.  Baxter also really hates NASA.

Starting a new series called The Eyrie Affair about someone going into a book and killing Jane Eyrie. 

[Scipio]

Matthew Pearl- The Last Dickens.  Pretty damn good.

[jimmy olsen]

Anyone here read "Lincoln Emancipated"? If so, is it good?

http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Emancipated-President-Politics-Race/dp/0875803598

[PDH]

Reread Anathem by Stephenson.  I enjoyed it again, for different reasons than my first go around.  Though Stephenson still cannot wind up (a) book(s) properly, and it always seems rushed, the story and the ability to both understand yet feel an sense of closeness/otherness makes this a very interesting book.

[Scipio]

Reread Anathem by Stephenson.  I enjoyed it again, for different reasons than my first go around.  Though Stephenson still cannot wind up (a) book(s) properly, and it always seems rushed, the story and the ability to both understand yet feel an sense of closeness/otherness makes this a very interesting book.

I think that this one and the Baroque Cycle come closest to having actual endings.

[Faeelin]

If I continue to enjoy this I may plunge more deeply into micro-history and get The Village of Cannibals and The Cheese and the Worms

Someone already recommended Martin Guerre, but can I toss Montaillou onto the list? It's one of the best insights i into life in a medieval village, and man, is it different than you'd expect.

[Malthus]

Reread Anathem by Stephenson.  I enjoyed it again, for different reasons than my first go around.  Though Stephenson still cannot wind up (a) book(s) properly, and it always seems rushed, the story and the ability to both understand yet feel an sense of closeness/otherness makes this a very interesting book.

I think that this one and the Baroque Cycle come closest to having actual endings.

They demonstrate he's obviously worked on this problem. The worst offenders in this respect was Cryptonomicon and The Diamond Age, both of which just sort of ended while the story was still going;

[PDH]

If I continue to enjoy this I may plunge more deeply into micro-history and get The Village of Cannibals and The Cheese and the Worms

The Cheese and the Worms is very good, esp. if you enjoy the miller's esoterism. I can also recommend The Return of Martin Guerre (along with the film also).

I had an exceptional 1st year student last year to whom I lent these two books - they wanted more along the lines of things we had spoken of.  I believe they found them worth the read, as this person switched to become a history major...I claim full credit.

[Malthus]

I had an exceptional 1st year student last year to whom I lent these two books - they wanted more along the lines of things we had spoken of.  I believe they found them worth the read, as this person switched to become a history major...I claim full credit.

That's good, because the quality of service at Starbucks has been shockingly low lately.