This is ridiculous having to agree with you on "The Da Vinci Code". I read it about 5 weeks about and it is very hard to put the book without reading the whole book.

I have read all of his books and most of them(if not all) have been in the top spot on the bestseller list.

The only problem is that the book is fast paced and keeps you in suspense that the ending pales in comparsion with the rest of the book.

I agree popeye.. The ending left me wanting alot more...

Either going to read Digital Fortress or Angels and Demons next...

Just a question. I just ordered. Has anyone read Holy Blood Holy Grail by Michael Baigent? It seems to run along the same lines as Da Vinci Code.

Read Angels and Demons.

It is along the same line of The Da Vinci Code.

It also makes you question things that Christianity has told us over the centuries.

I am surprised nobody saw the Fibonacci series in my original post...

1,1,2,3,5,8....

I will be starting a discussion soon about the series and the golden ratio that applies to it(1.618) a little later...

Actually, you slipped - you have 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 1, 8...

Another good book on Fibonacci numbers (which I'm in the midst of) is The Golden Ratio by Mario Livio. Unlike the Brown, it's non-fiction, but it's a fascinating study of phi (1.6180339887) and its occurance in art and architecture, as well as in mollusks, sunflowers, pineapples, crystals, and galaxies, not to mention pure mathematics, fractals, and even music.

And you could compare The Da Vinci Code to The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail on some levels, christopher, except (like Baignet's The Messianic Legacy, which I'd also recommend) it's also non-fiction.

You know what the problem with them books is?

If Jesus did not rise from the dead he is just some Jewish rebel. What are the odds his descendents would be European royalty? These books are more unbelievable than a virgin birth. At least Christians claim a supernatural power is involved. Currently reading Gould's "I Have Landed" at least a true non-fiction non-fiction.

I am reading Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, one of the big classics I have never tackled. I like it. It's very clearly written, unlike many 19th century novels. The characters are nicely drawn, with strong characteristics, without being quite as much caricatures as, say, those in Dickens. The plot is more complex than I expected, but it's easy to follow. What most impresses me is Austen's absolutely unromantic view of human nature. She seems to see all our faults and virtues with perfect vision. Her world is full of foolishness and wisdom, kindness and cruelty, and she records it all. Highly recommended.

I'm by no means a great fan of Jane Austin but I did quite enjoy Pride and Prejudice. Once you've finished it I recommend you seek out The BBC adaptation. It's the type of thing the BBC excels at and I reckon this production is one of their very finest. They get all the characters spot on.

Hugo,



Maybe the mystery surrounding his life death and is what makes his descendents European royalty. A mystery can be fabricated or happen by chance. Perhaps it is "the odds" you refer to. The fact that the Bible is the most popular book of all time imparts to the character of a coherent alternative explanation also, an enigma. Especially since the Bible's explanation is somewhat incoherent.

I am not familiar with "I Have Landed". I will have to check this out.

I'm currently reading "Ecotopia" by Ernest Callenbach -- the book is a bit far fetched but there are some fascinating ideas about how a society could work with the enviornment rather than against it.

I just finished reading 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven', by Mitch Albom. It's a very good book, well written and short....I read it in a single afternoon. I highly recommend it, especially if you are feeling down. It puts a perspective on life.

I also recently finished 'Germs, Guns, and Steel', by Jared Diamond. An excellent book about the evolution and fate of human societies. Definitely a new favorite of mine...though it has been out a while.

D.H. Lawrence is a awefully special writer who can break the traditional regular writing. I was shocked when I first read his books. I couldn't believe that so bold an author existed in the world.

Thomse, a writer who likes writing tragic novels.

anybody ever read pastwatch by orson scott card? its basically about columbus and time travel and affecting the past.
this past year in school, ive read many good books - brave new world, invisible man (ralph ellison), the stranger albert camus, cantebury tales chaucer, hamlet, metamorphosis, 100 years of solitude, portrait of artist as a young man

i have a really good teacher and as you see, we read good books.

I, like so many others, just finished reading The Da Vinci Code.

An excellent book, filled with interesting historical tidbits.

What I found interesting was the main character refused to disparage the Catholic Church, because even if it were founded (or sustained) on lies and had a bloody past, it was still an enormous force for good today.

Asimov is king!
Due to research I have become well at home in the library and recently I picked up a copy of his "Magic" collection which is wonderful for humor and I'm now reading a very interesting "Positronic Man" I read about five of his books in the last month, don't even ask about all-together.

Asimov short stories in "Magic" are great if you need a good (relatively high-brow...mostly) laugh and as usual the psychological philosophizing runs deep in his Robot novels.

"The Closing of the Western Mind," (The Rise of Faith and the Fall of Reason)
By: Charles Freeman

Hey, turnea, I've been an Asimov reader since childhood, both his science fiction and his superb nonfiction.

By coincidence, I have just read Foundation's Friends, an anthology of stories by various authors in tribute to Asimov. It wasn't very good, unfortunately, but interesting enough to read.

Here is one or two: Foucault's Pendulum and/or The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. F.P. has a very thick plot but is rich in Masonic and Templar narrative history. The theme of the pitfalls one can get into when trying to document these histories is very good. T.N.o.t.R. has much in alternative and lost history as well, and his characterization is awesome. Friar William is bit of a revolutionary like a Ben Franklin of our time. Furthermore, it was derived from an actual 13th century friar's journal text that Eco had found (in an antique shop I believe) in his travels.

I thought Focaults Pendulum was a pretty solid knock on all those alternative history writers who were everywhere in the 90s. I bet Graham Hancock probably sees it as a non-fiction account and believes that Eco has secret knowledge.

santas dad,

It is a knock on alternative history, but you can get more out of it if you read between the lines. The problem with the fanacism over it is in 'attitude of approach' Mine goes something like this: I don't take anything in FP or anyother media source any moer seriously than I take what the government tells me as serious (i.e. use political goggles). Try it, it is good guideline!

Given current events in Iraq, I thought I would bring up for recommended reading this particular book: Inside War: The Guerrilla Conflict in Missouri During the American Civil War, by Michael Fellman.

First published in 1989 by Oxford University Press, it is much more than a simple history of guerrilla fighting in Missouri. It is an in-depth analysis of the psycho-social interrelationships between the two sides in conflict and the civilian population caught in-between.

The author's introduction could be establishing the perspective for examining events in Iraq...

The book, when read in the context of current ops, makes for very enlightening reading - especially the sections on Loyalty, Neutrality and Survival Lies and Collapse of the Sense of Security in the chapter on Civilians in Guerrilla War. The perspective of ordinary Iraqis seems to be completely lost in the whirlwind of events, as minority groups such as Sadr's loudly and violently take center stage; we need to be reminded that we forget them at our peril.

Something the book mentions, that is an obvious development in many American attitudes since 9/11 is... The beheading of Nic Berg, which the terrorists claimed as retribution for the prisoner abuse, is an attempt to exacerbate this aspect of US character in furtherance of their goals.

The book studies official attitudes of both sides, and compares them with the combatant's perception of self and others in the context of the conflict. There is much of value to be gained from this study in viewing today's war in Iraq. Cross-cultural perceptions between our forces and the various Iraqi players in the conflict are far more complex than those in 1860's Missouri during the Civil War - yet the author clearly demonstrates how perceptions added fuel to the fires of war and brutalized the conflict at that time.

I highly recommend this book to anyone striving to understand the flow of disturbing news coming out of Iraq these days.

Yesterday, I started reading Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima. It's the first book in his "Sea of Fertility" series in which there are four books total. The series presents a portrait of Japan from 1912 - 1970, and from what I have read so far, it is a beautiful and highly detailed portrait.

Mishima is regarded as one of the finest novelists that Japan has ever produced, and he was nominated three times for the nobel prize.

latley I've been reading a book called "we are everywhere: the irresistible rise of global anti-capitalism" it basiclly is a series of essays and short stories descriping the rise of the anti-globalisation movement over the past decade or so all around the world. it's a pretty good book.

after that I intend on starting "American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush" by Kevin Phillips.

Unabomber, drop me a PM if you're interested and I might be able to set you up with some similar books.

I'm reading The End of Blackness by Debra Dickerson and it's well worth seeking out for anyone who thinks we need to change the conversation on matters of race.

It's certainly challenging some of my most cherished concepts on the subject.

I quit The-Book-of-the-Month-Club for not offering it as a featured selection.

I have not been a fan of most fiction for many years (just haven't stumbled upon much I've liked I guess) - I will read mysteries/thrillers and books dealing with topics I have a personal interest in (cultural issues as relating to living in the U.S., books on 'passing' or similar themed works, etc.), but that's about all - I prefer non-fiction.

I am reading The Harry Bosch Novels - The Black Echo, The Black Ice, The Concrete Blonde (just started the first last night and I fell asleep reading it because I couldn't bare to put it down - very descriptive!) right now, as well as thee ADHD books (oh yeah, forgot to mention that I was finally diagnosed last week - yay me) and The Best Democracy Money Can Buy (Palast). The library had a huge waiting list for the other books I was interested in (in particular the new Bob Woodward book) so they'll have to wait.

I am planning to read The Quiet American when my sister is done with it for her summer course.

NT, have you read Black Notebooks (Toi Derricote)? Excellent book on passing - I had the privilege to meet the author at a small gathering while attending U of A and she's just wonderful. The book remains one of my favorites all time (it's autobiographical).

I've found myself in a fit of reading lately, here's my last 5:

Pages of Pain by Troy Denning. Given to me by a friend, was tough to get into at first as it is a little darker than I usually read, but I love how he develops female characters in his books.

The DaVinci Code - Best book I've read in awhile. Very thought provoking. The defeminization of Christianity angle fascinates me.

Angels and Demons - Yeah, I read em backwards like a lot of people of late. Better fiction in this one imho. Much more suspenseful.

Against All Enemies - Clarke's tell all. If you get past the Bush bashing (some of which I do believe to be accurate), its a fascinating history of the origins of Al Qaeda and some of the key decision-points (all American) that influenced its development.

Plan of Attack - This is a fascinating account of the Bush white house in the year or so leading up to the war. It confirmed a few things for me but I found myself feeling like there was still some things unsaid about the decision-making process that took place. I also walked away with a stronger sense of respect for Colin Powell and Dick Armitage. Its an excellent, albeit laborious at times, read for persons of any ideology imho.

Doc

Ok, I guess I can plug a great book I've read called 1421: The Year China Discovered America

It's tells the story of the four fleets that sailed for the furthest reaches of the known world in order to bring new peoples under imperial rule and to establish trade with these peoples. In the book, each fleet's voyage is recalled, with fleets sailing to North, South and Central America, West Africa, Austrailia and even the tip of Antarctica.

It sounds like a stretch of the imagination, but if you piece together the clues that the book gives you, it makes you wonder.

For example, Coconuts are originally from the islands of Southeast Asia....

How did they end up in the West Indies?

There are certain peoples in Central America who have skin disorders that were not seen in that area and was only known to exist in Southern China before the early 15 century.

How did it get there?

Why did some maps of the time soon after the voyages, but before Columbus, give a detailed and accurate description of the west coast of the future United States?

In the end, the emperor the fleets sailed for died while they were at sea and the fleets were called back. The Mandarins, fearing that future generations would experience the financial devastation that the emperor cause by sending those fleets, almost every Chinese (that's a hint, you gotta read the book) account of their travels was destroyed, paving the way for Columbus to make it to an island in the West Indies and claim his discovery.

I must implore that any fan of history or Asian history must read this book!

I encourage those who wish to find out about the little known tidbits of history to read this book. It'll blow your mind!

I have read all of the "Left Behind" series. Have you read the last book. It's great.

I like light romantic fiction, and then also like the suspense novels. Really like Michael Connelly, Nevada Barr(her books are all set in different national parks, like Yellowstone, Carlsbad, etc.

Here is one that I am sure most of you will enjoy:

'The Kin of Atta are Waiting for You' by: Dorothy Bryant (Formally, the Comforter)

I hope that you will track it down for enjoyment.

Has anyone else read Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novels (not just the first three that were printed as a collection in 2002...any of them)? I ask because I finished the first three Harry Bosch novels a few days ago and while I really enjoyed reading them, the first and third seemed too obvious to me (maybe it's just because if I were to write mysteries, I'd probably write very much like Connelly - so much that I know where the story is going LONG before I should). I really got into the stories despite the fact that I was pretty sure of what was going to happen at the end after reading about 40-50 pages . I'm thinking maybe all those years of watching Matlock, Murder She Wrote and other "whodunit" type shows (also what's-his-name - oh yes, Poirot) has helped in this regard!

I enjoyed the Palast book I was reading. I've FINALLY started reading A People's History of the United States (Zinn) - I've been meaning to check it out for ages and I happened to come across it whie looking for Plan of Attack (of which all 65 copies county-wide were checked out ). I also picked up three more Michael Connelly novels (bought one, Blood Work, for 50 cents at the library book sale - the other two I checked out), Big Lies (Conason), & Bush At War (Woodward). Will probably read The Reader after I finish the Connelly books.

Think I have read most all of the Harry Bosch books, except maybe the newest one. Love them. They go deeper into Harry's personal life as the book progress.

Currently Reading Jean Paul Sartre's "The age of Reason" - I would be interested to hear what you'll thought of this?

I could have sworn I started reading these books on the recommendation of someone here, but I couldn't find the post, alas maybe I'm just confused.

At any rate, I would highly recommend Red Mars, Green Mars and Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson to anyone that enjoys sci-fi and politics. I'm about a quarter of the way through the last book, Blue Mars and it has really been a fascinating journey through the world that Robinson paints.

What I particularly like about her series is the sci-fi part of it is not so fantastic that it would never happen in our lifetimes, in some respects it could just be a few decades away.

I'm considering making My Life, by Bill Clinton my next book but I have heard mixed reviews about it, so I'm not quite sure yet.

I prefer sci-fi with a touch of philosophy or politics if anyone has any additional recommendations that aren't listed here.

I tend to read a lot of history books having a masters in history and all go figure that. Anyway if I had to reccomend a few books as must reads FA Hayek's the Road to Serfdom, Erich Fromm's Escape from Freedom and the Sane Society, and Barbara Tuchman's The March of Folly. As for History authors for American history the best one out now that is an outright strait shooter is Robert Leckie, Alison Weir is a great writer on Late Medieval to Elizabethan England.

I just finished the Ron Suskind book about Paul O'Neill "The Price of Loyalty". This book is an incredible read if you want an insight into the present administration and its machinations. It made me sad that such a bright man with incredible principles wasn't allowed to be effective. Ultimately it confirmed for me yet again that truth and politics are pretty distant cousins most of the time.

I walked away with a tremendous amount of respect for O'Neill. The chapter about Africa and his experiences with Bono, water, and HIV during that adventure darn near brought tears.

Doc

I recently got a kick out of a couple of historical novels. They are character driven, not like other historical pieces that spit facts out at you like the author's trying to prove the research.

The Three Arched Bridge by Ismail Kadare
It was completely engrossing - about how the building of a bridge near a small Illyrian town affects the balance of power in the Balkans in the 14th century. Told from the point of view of a prissy Byzantine Monk. Much less dry than it sounds.

Frieze by Cecile Pineda
Episodic and fascinating - recounts the story of the architect behind the magnificent temple at Burubudur.

The Zinn Reader by Howard Zinn is a great book I think. It is a series of essays this guy has written. I think it is more for a liberal though, so conservatives don't waste money on this book.

Also I have been rereading some George RR Martin. He has a series called "A Song of Ice and Fire" It is a fantasy type book heavy on the sword play and limited on the magical stuff, start with "A Game of Thrones". These books will really set you off , because the guys you hate, you'll come to love. And the only predictable thing about this book is that good guys sometimes finish last... anyways I suggest this series of books even if you are not a fan of fantasy. It is GREAT!!

I'll add another recommendation for Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama series. However, Rama II is the best of the Rama series. After the second novel, the series goes downhill quickly. "Rama II" retains the mystery of the first novel, adds better characterizations, but also adds an incredible amount of suspense and terror thanks to prior knowledge of the first novel. Inside the alien spaceship, the first novel details the explorations. The second novel alters things, making the events more suspenseful--not only is it different, it seems more threatening. The explorers are allowed to search through more of the environment which leads to sweat-inducing tension. I was greatly surprised.

More Clarke I've read (Clarke is one of my favorite authors): The Trigger was an excellent "what if?" expose on science, technology and our Constitutional freedoms. The Cradle is utter crap, highly disappointing.

Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land is beautifully written (that is, if you read the uncensored version). While I took offense to certain social ideas, I enjoyed the philosophical explorations of the human psyche. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was unusual. In fact, I don't even remember what it was about. I do remember enjoying it, but I guess I wasn't THAT impressed.

Right now, I'm reading a general American history book to refresh my memory on the history of our nation. I'm also reading Jean-Charles Brisard & Guillaume Dasquie's Forbidden Truth: U.S.-Taliban Secret Oil Diplomacy and the Failed Hunt for Bin Laden. I have just recently picked this up and was stunned by the revelation of John O'Neill, former deputy director of the FBI's New York office. I did not hear about O'Neill whatsoever (I know, I know... where have I been?). His story alone makes it worth the read. However, since my experience with world history is severely limited, I can not judge on the accuracy of this book and its pointed arguments.

That's all for now. Next up is Al Franken's Lies, and the Lying Liars who Tell Them.

Funny - I just started it two days ago. Haven't had much time to invest in it yet, but it's amusing so far.

I finally finished Matt Drudge's The Drudge Manifesto. It was a trip, just like Drudge.

I just finished 'The Lost Boy', sequel to 'The Child Called It', by Dave Pelzer. It is a truly disturbing, but enlightening autobiography of Dave's life as an abused young child, and subsequent experiences in the foster care system. I highly recommend it. Unforgettable. I'm seriously considering fostering a child myself after reading it.

You can't go wrong with Zinn droop, the guy is just amazing.

As for me, I'm reading Thomas Fleming's book "Duel" which is of course, about the Hamilton & Burr duel. He provides a heck of a lot of good information about dueling and federalist views on many topics such as France and the Louisiana Purchase. He spends a lot of time in the book documenting what terrible things Federalist and Republican papers published about the other party's candidates.

Great another Heinlein reader. I've read (and re-read) both of the books you mentioned and although I liked both, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was my favorite of the two. The character of "Mike" is unforgettable. (Well in both books, really...)

For a totally character driven ride, The Cat Who Walks Through Walls is interesting too, though I like it less.

Starship Troopers is another great Heinlein book I recently re-read. It, of course, makes the movie look like it was written by a committee of marketing execs (aka-garbage).

Cube Jockey you mentioned you like sci-fi and politics. Any of these is a great choice. Heinlein's take on libertarianism drives all of them, though each in different ways.

About a week ago I finished the novel Gettysburg by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen. It's sort of an alternative history novel, but not in the same manner as the Turtledove books.
For any Civil War buff or historian, I would highly recommend the read. The premise of the book dovetails nicely with the actual quotes and writings of the main players of the battle, primarily Longstreet's apprehension of fighting at Gettysburg itself instead of flanking as they did at Chancellorsville. I won't give the rest away, but it is eerily exacting in what could easily have happened.

I'm presently reading a biography of Chiang Kai-shek, it's a little dry so far.

Non fiction: Rare Earth/Why complex life is uncommon in the universe. by Peter Ward and David Brownlee.
Covers why we may actually be a very rare occurence in the universe. Even among so many stars. Covers a great many of the reasons that while life is propably very common in the universe, it may be 99.something percent of the bacteria kind. The factors that can prevent life from reaching our "level" are staggering and somewhat humbling.
Lets just say Location Location Location.

I am trying to study the emergence of this growing trend of ideas. Many of the more respected authors and proponents of them are also creationists and supporters of the intelligent design theory. So is it actual science or part of the effort of creationists to muddy the publics understanding of science.

Fiction

F.Paul Wilson Repairman Jack series is excellent. u can start anywhere (hey for u libertarian leaners, this author is your kind a guy)

David Brin. Anything by this guy. Best Scif fi writer out there. Hands down. This guy is so engaging U can NOT put his stuff down and then U R depressed its all over. (Again u Libertarian types this guy is another supprter and it influences his writing)