BOOK CLUB

LineInTheSand

USCGA 2006
10-Year Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
9,295
Let's talk about books!!!

Any books at all folks!


What are you reading? What's your favorite? What do you like to read about? What do you collect? What do you want? What's your dream book? Do you have a book related stories?
 
Since I have shared so much of my current reading elsewhere here in Off-Topicland, in the "Literary Action Squad" thread, I am going to sit out a few rounds and enjoy. Notepad at the ready.

The SAF Book Club. Brilliant.

I will say that DH and I found ourselves awash in books, once we stopped PCS'ing every two years and doing triage on them. We did a major clearance and now just rely on library for books, e-books, audio books. I kept hardcover editions of all the Patrick O'Brian books, along with all the Horatio Hornblower books. They are in our main guest room, along with a 1917 edition "Guide to Naval Etiquette" (hilarious) and some other vintage Navy books, and several books by/on Vietnam POWs. A fun bedside read is:
Letters from Annapolis: Midshipmen Write Home, 1848-1969 https://www.amazon.com/dp/155750170X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_eupHxb65BBP06

Ok. Now I will sit back.
 
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Starship Troopers, Robert Heinlein - Great coming of age story for a young person, excellent social discussions when someone has a bit more experience.
 
Seven Brief Lessons On Physics, beautifully written with clarity on simply the most complex concepts.
 
"Glory Road" by Bruce Catton(about the Army of the Potomac)-just picked up "Ghost Fleet" by August Cole and P. W. Singerby from library. Heard the latter should be required reading by every Naval & Marine officer.
 
I'm reading Richard Thaler's "Misbehaving" which is about behavioral economics. I'm pretty early into it, but it's really well done, entertaining and funny.
 
Chickenhawk for some good Vietnam helicopter stories.

Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors for WWII heroics.
 
What a great idea for a summer thread.

Just finishing "Wild Bill Donovan" (Doug Waller) leader behind OSS. Fought as many opponents in Washington as overseas. Earlier read "Stoic Warrior" (Nancy Sherman; former ethics prof. at USNA.) Good read, type of book can pick up and re-read portions. For "no think summer reads" I go for Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins or James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux novels.
 
"A Higher Call" written by Adam Makos and Larry Alexander.

The true story about B17 pilot Charlie Brown and German fighter pilot Franz Stigler during WW2
 
Just finished "It's Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini. Brilliant book.

Now on to "Night" by Elie Wiesel.
 
First off, let me state that I have to hold a "real book" in order to enjoy it. Just can't transition to E-Readers.

For personal enjoyment I am currently on a "Jack Reacher" binge (written by Lee Childs). I love John Grisham's novels also.

For work I read extensively on business and sales topics. Lately I have been focused on negotiation and decision-making science.

By the way, there are a few decent leadership books written from a USMC perspective:
"Semper Fi" by Dan Carrison and Rod Walsh
"Leading from the Front" by Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch
"Corps Business" by David Freedman
 
For you Army types, I liked "There's a War to be Won," by Geoffrey Perret. It's just about the Army in WWII, both ETO and PTO. It starts with lessons learned about the fog of war in WWI and the resulting innovative changes in training and organization (e.g. triangularization of TOE) in the interwar years. It gave me newfound respect for George Marshall.

More than a dull campaign study, it has devoted chapters to 1) special units such as Rangers/First Special Service Force/Airborne: "The Tip of the Spear," and 2) equipment like the Garand, the Jeep, and the DUKW.
 
I should have noted that those were business leadership books from a USMC perspective.

Just finished John Grisham's "Grey Mountain" about the West Virginia coal mining affects on its citizens. Very interesting.
 
Blink is an interesting one on perception and brain functions. Lots of interesting cases.

Both "War" and "Tribe" by Junger are good. Tribe is more of an afternoon read, while war is a bit lengthier.
 
I should have noted that those were business leadership books from a USMC perspective.

Just finished John Grisham's "Grey Mountain" about the West Virginia coal mining affects on its citizens. Very interesting.
It's my guess that all the new natural gas being surfaced for consumption will drastically impact the market for US coal in central power generation and heating. Look for increased unemployment in WV and other coal states.
 
Currently reading "Zero to One, Notes on startups, or how to build the future" by Peter Thiel. Interesting perspective on startups.
 
Here are a few books I've really enjoyed...

"Bonfire of the Vanities" by Tom Wolfe (fictional Wall Street based crime novel.. very entertaining)

"Carrion Comfort" by Dan Simmons (scariest book I've ever read, "ruined" three Muse songs for me that I listened to as I read this book on the Metro headed in to work each day)

and

"Cryptonomicon" by Neal Stephenson (a cult classic, especially for people interested in cryptocurrencies)
 
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