Grand unified books thread

[jimmy olsen]

Squee! I can't wait. I've already read the first book 3-4 times already.

http://www.potomacbooksinc.com/Books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=181775

[PRC]

Anyone have a recommendation on a broad overview, "light reading" book on the Roman Empire and times?  My historical interest/knowledge is most recent and American history; the American Revolution is about as far as I go back.

Thanks

On the Fall of the Republic check out "Rubicon" by Tom Holland.. it's light reading but pretty good writing and very readable.  Though again, it focuses on the Fall of the Republic and not the Empire.

[Sheilbh]

Just finished American Gods which I think is over-rated.

Also finishing God's Secret Agents by Alice Hogge.  It's a history of the Jesuit missions to England during the reign of Elizabeth and leading up to the Gunpowder plot.  Generally it's very good, the really interesting stuff comes from the Jesuit letters that survive, especially John Gerard and Henry Garnet's (I may have their names the wrong way round).  I think the mission is very different than I would have expected.  My only criticism is that I think she loses focus in a few places and what are important parts of the book seem like digressions until 50 pages on when you realise the relevance.

[Sheilbh]

And I'm a quarter of the way through 'The Quincunx' which is a bit of a Victorian pastiche.  So far it's very good with lots of really well-done little features.  No idea how it'll all add up, or if it'll all add up. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quincunx-Inheritance-John-Huffam/dp/0140177620

[The Brain]

I'm reading Peter F Hamilton's Pandora's Star. I have read the Night's Dawn trilogy years ago. I find Hamilton a low-risk SF choice.

[garbon]

Just finished American Gods which I think is over-rated.

[jimmy olsen]

Just learned yesterday that my Gram's boyfriend was with the the 555th "Triple Nickle Field Artillery for 17th months in Korea.

So I decided to look the unit up. They served with the 5th Regimental Combat Team.

Unfortunately their unit history is going for $428.16 on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Hills-Sacrifice-5th-RCT-Korea/dp/1563115883

[Razgovory]

Just finished American Gods which I think is over-rated.

It's for Americans.

[Malthus]

And I'm a quarter of the way through 'The Quincunx' which is a bit of a Victorian pastiche.  So far it's very good with lots of really well-done little features.  No idea how it'll all add up, or if it'll all add up. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quincunx-Inheritance-John-Huffam/dp/0140177620

I liked it a lot. However, my favourite by that authour is the excellent Betrayals. It is very much a 'love it or hate it' kind of book - I loved it. I think you would appreciate its brand of witty, intricate cruelty combined with commentary on literary "theory".

http://www.amazon.com/Betrayals-Charles-Palliser/dp/0345404351/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251122413&sr=8-4

Edit: it is very different from the Quincunx (which does indeed add up at the end, though you may have to read it twice to figure it all out).

[crazy canuck]

During my holiday I read "Ascent of Money" by Niall Fergason.  I liked the how he tied historical developments into how our system works.  I now have a better understanding of how the bond market works at least.

I also finished Game of Thrones and I am onto the second book.  I didnt think I would like it but I was pleasantly surprised.

[jimmy olsen]

Just learned yesterday that my Gram's boyfriend was with the the 555th "Triple Nickle Field Artillery for 17th months in Korea.

So I decided to look the unit up. They served with the 5th Regimental Combat Team.

Unfortunately their unit history is going for $428.16 on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Hills-Sacrifice-5th-RCT-Korea/dp/1563115883

Anyone know where to get out of order books like this cheap?

Any good recommendations for books on the Korean War?

[Alatriste]

During my holiday I read "Ascent of Money" by Niall Fergason.  I liked the how he tied historical developments into how our system works.  I now have a better understanding of how the bond market works at least.

I also finished Game of Thrones and I am onto the second book.  I didnt think I would like it but I was pleasantly surprised.

Beware, Niall Ferguson reputation in Economics is not terribly good, at least in his articles on present events. As they use to say, he rush in where angels fear to tread.

[Scipio]

I also finished Game of Thrones and I am onto the second book.  I didnt think I would like it but I was pleasantly surprised.

That will pass.

[Sheilbh]

I think you would appreciate its brand of witty, intricate cruelty combined with commentary on literary "theory".

I always thought literary theory was a brand of witty, intricate cruelty.

Thanks for the recommendation.

I continued my crime book binge by starting the Wallander novels.  The first one was good.  I like the very Swedish combination of a normal crime/thriller plot with social concern and a discussion on the problem of immigration

[garbon]

Joyce Carol Oates.