Reader's comments on this article Add a new comment on this article

from live_fast-die_young Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 03:43 (Agree/Disagree?) Nice thread this! Don't know how I missed it. I think many of us will agree when I say the deprivation of "knowledge" from books, films or even incidental learning created in us a great hunger for those things. Perhaps my situation was more extreme than others', living in Asia where English books were hard to come by, TV was practically a myth, and the few school books we were given were hardly adequate, with large sections of history inked out, and of course all nursery rhymes were deemed "foolish", therefore torn out. I began by secretly reading my father's Penguin dictionary from cover to cover, then moved on to stealing books from shops. The mattress on my bed rose by a couple inches over a lovely summer of secretly devouring books under my covers from all the stolen paperbacks hidden under it. Here are some of the books I have since loved (and mostly paid for): -The Satanic Verses, by Salman Rushdie. -The Ground Beneath Her Feet, by Salman Rushdie. -The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov. -One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. -1984, by George Orwell. -On the Road, by Jack Keroauc. -Ulysses, by James Joyce. -Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë. -Fear of Flying, by Erica Jong. -The Outsider, by Colin Wilson ...and many more. Naturally, all the classics like Lady Chatterly's Lover and Moby Dick (which is better read as an adult anyway!) are an imperative part of the catching-up. Still, I cannot reccommend Rushdie too highly. Right now I'm reading: -Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon. -Midnight's Children (again), by Salman Rushdie. -The Complete Novels of Albert Camus! (reply to this comment)

From live_fast-die_young Thursday, May 17, 2007, 03:57 (Agree/Disagree?) I have to add Umberto Eco and Hakuri Murakami to the list of must-read fiction authors. (reply to this comment)

from Oddman Wednesday, May 09, 2007 - 11:27 (Agree/Disagree?) What If? Edited by Robert Crowley ISBN 0-330-48724 Pan Macmillan Ltd. Don't let the title put you off too much. Prominent military historians including John Keegan, Stephen Ambrose, and Alistair Horne, tackle counterfactual scenarios such as "How Hitler could have won the war", "What if Japan won at midway?". This collection of essays discussing counterfactual scenarios to major historic military events is truly fascinating. (reply to this comment)

From Yes? No? Undecided? Wednesday, May 09, 2007, 22:10 (Agree/Disagree?) You really are that simple aren't you? No grey area? Let me quess which you are... Whatever the party told you to be. You make me fucking sick. (reply to this comment)

From Oddman Thursday, May 10, 2007, 00:40 (Agree/Disagree?) And who might this be? I posted the poll for a few reasons. Firstly, I thought it was an interesting topic that though not entirely relevant to many participants of this site, was a fresh topic that hadn't really been discussed. Secondly, issues such as morals are ambiguous. Legislation is not. At the end of the day, one must establish their stance on all issues be it gun control, birth control, whaling, or foreign affairs. A lawmaker can either vote for, vote against, or withold his vote. However, a lawmaker cannot scribble 20% for 40% against, 40% somewhere inbetween on his/her ballot can he/she? I fully understand that each will have their personal stance, and the vast majority will stand somewhere inbetween the two opposite extremes. However, the question of gun control is quite simply a question of yes or no. The "yes or no?" is then explained by "how much more/less?", and "why that much more/less?". Quite simply, if you think gun control should be even 1% more stringent, your answer is yes. Once your position is established as positive or negative, it is then a matter of negotiating an amicable solution, somewhere inbetween the two positions, normally leaning in favor of the majority. It is the trend among the pseudo-openminded to never put their foot down and make a decision. They will always champion tolerance and ambiguity, but eventually succumb to the majority opinion. This is because of those who claim to be openminded, few fill that open mind with thoughts of their own choice. The majority are unsure of what they themselves think, and mask this indecisiveness by claiming openmindedness. In the process of discovering ones own personal views, one must consider the factors one deems relevant and pertinent with the intent of reaching a conclusion. Only by doing so, will one be able to understand and explain why they feel the way they do, and only then can they convince others. (reply to this comment)

From I see Thursday, May 10, 2007, 08:06 (Agree/Disagree?) That isn't really what you conveyed by asking the way you did. Your poll could have been: Gun-control: More? Less? Fine the way it is? I understand what you mean about spineless people, but there's also something to be said for being open to compromise, and considering the rights and opinions of others along with your own. (reply to this comment)

From Oddman Thursday, May 10, 2007, 08:30 (Agree/Disagree?) Could have, but did not. If you've seen other polls I've posted, you'd note that I have a natural tendency to complicate things. And yes, I did contemplate whether I should complicate the query, or simplify it as I did. This time, it is uncharacteristically simplified. This is because what I am questioning in the poll is not so much the degree to which gun control should be applied, but rather the concept itself. The principle. I mentioned before that any in support of even a 1% increase in stringency should select yes. In fact, I now think those that support it at all, should select yes. Few stand on either extreme of the spectrum, with the vast majority standing somewhere inbetween, either for good thought out reasons, or because they just chose whichever sounded better, without giving it any true thought of their own. I consider myself quite openminded on most things. That I reach conclusions doesn't make me narrowminded in any way. Refusing to change ones opinion without giving a differing angle or perspective rational consideration is indeed narrowminded. Refusing to change ones opinion due to insufficient or inadequate reason to do so, is no sign of narrowmindedness. And yes, I am open to compromise. It is not that infrequent an occurence that I admit I am undecided, or don't know enough on a topic to discuss it. My objective in posting the poll was not to build a fan base, pander to the general public, or kiss your ass. I'm not planning on running for public office. My intention was to kickstart a discussion on a topic that is rather timely considering the events of V-tech. That said, this thread has a distinct purpose, being the collecting of information regarding books. While I'd be happy to discuss the issue of gun-control -or my narrowmindedness if you so prefer- I suggest we do so in a separate thread. Admins, can this portion of the thread be removed into a new article please?(reply to this comment)

from Oddie Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 20:58 (Agree/Disagree?) The Zanzibar Chest, by Aidan Hartley Written by a former Reuters correspondent. Recommended for anyone who is interested in Africa. I started reading this book at an open restaurant on the beaches of Zanzibar, just off stone city, in pouring rain. P.S. If you find the place, try the grilled cheese Lobster. Sublime. (reply to this comment)

from Oddie Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 20:49 (Agree/Disagree?) Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, by Douglas Adams. One word, Marvin. (reply to this comment)

From Marvin Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 23:33 (Agree/Disagree?) Actually one number: 42(reply to this comment)

From jez Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 02:51 (Agree/Disagree?) LOL nice, effing nice! (reply to this comment)

from Oddie Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 20:48 (Agree/Disagree?) Bel Canto, By Ann Patchett (Fiction) I liked this novel for a reason I still can't quite place. Didn't quite like the ending. It's by no means spectacular, but somehow I found myself reading through it in one sitting. (reply to this comment)

from shikaka Sunday, March 11, 2007 - 17:35 (Agree/Disagree?) A soldier of the Great War, by Mark Helprin. I found this book purely by accident, and bought it for 50 cents at a public library. It is a work of fiction so breathtakingly beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes and changed the way I view the world. I dont know if it will affect anyone the way it did me, but i would highly recommend it, if for no other reason than the epic plot, and the flawless prose. Ive read it 5 times back to back, and it still sends me into a dreamlike state. (reply to this comment)

From Shaka Sunday, March 11, 2007, 18:00 (Agree/Disagree?) I've heard of that one. Always wanted to read it but never got around to it. I guess I'll have to give it a look.(reply to this comment)

From jez Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 02:47 (Agree/Disagree?) Below are a few of the books that come to mind whenever I'm asked what I've read and liked. King Rat, by James Clavell My Life in Orange, by Tim Guest A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson The Catcher in the Rye, by JD Saliger Watership Down, by Richard Adams Margrave of the Marshes, by John Peel Animal Farm, by George Orwell The Agony and the Ecstacy, by Irving Stone Lust for Life, " " Battlefield Earth, by Ron L Hubbard (Doh, I know! Still a good read) (reply to this comment)

From Oddman Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 02:54 (Agree/Disagree?) "The Catcher in the Rye, by JD Saliger" Definitely.(reply to this comment)

From sarafina Thursday, May 10, 2007, 11:10 (Agree/Disagree?) Hey can I ask you two what it is you liked about this book? I just read it and didn't really enjoy it much. To me it seemed to be about nothing and I found it quite boring from a story point of view. On the other hand I liked his writing style and the way he described things simple yet vivid. He was also very attentive to details which I do like.. The whole book reads very smoothly (unlike my comments). What I’m trying to say is I found it lacking in entertainment value, maybe if I was studying to be a writer I’d appreciate it more. Just curious why you guys liked it so much.(reply to this comment)

From jez Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 02:53 (Agree/Disagree?) Oh, BTW I somehow identify with all of them.(reply to this comment)