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TexasMadness
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Books I've read recently
Since I read a lot (well, sometimes) and it might not be worth making a whole new post for every book, I thought I would start a thread that just gave a quick summary and review of books as I finish them. If it's something that I think everyone needs to read, I'll start a new topic!
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman, published in 1985.
This was a very interesting book. The author argues that the media used to convey information shapes the type of information being conveyed. Long ago, pamphlets would be published and contained complicated sentence structure and discussed important issues in depth. With the advent of the telegraph, "news" became more equivalent to gossip. Now America would know when the Queen of England had a cold. Radio increased the amount of information conveyed but not the content. And finally television, with the typical 45 second long news story, has nearly obscured the original meaning of the word "news".
One of the things I found interesting was that a study showed that the majority of people cannot recall a single news story an hour after the broadcast. The information is no longer important, but merely the fact that we are "informed" of it.
One of the funnier sections of the book dealt with religion on television. It basically surmised that televised religion has done little for instilling awe in its audience the way a sermon conducted in a cathedral would. It was quite amusing actually.
Additionally, this book is interesting because it was written in 1985. I wonder what the author would think of the internet.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in how technology changes our culture.
Last edited by TexasMadness, 6/5/2008, 6:31 pm
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6/5/2008, 6:29 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Books I've read recently
The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis
This was a great book! It was funny and quick. It's a crime novel that takes place in Rome in 70 AD. The characters are wonderfully developed and the story is very rich with historical detail.
If you are interested in the Ancient Roman Empire, or just like fun books, I highly recommend this one! It is the first of 18 books in the series. I plan on reading a few more at least!
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6/19/2008, 6:56 pm
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Eeshul
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Re: Books I've read recently
Ooh I like the sound of teh Silver Pigs. I'll have to check at the library and see if they have it. Thanks!!
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6/19/2008, 7:00 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Books I've read recently
The Time Machine by HG Wells
HG Wells has, in my opinion, an imagination second to none. He has the ability to weave a story full of fanciful detail that is simply all engrossing. The book was published in 1895 and tells the tale a Time Traveler who visits the very far future. This is the first major work of fiction that dealt with time travel and popularized the concept. It has inspired countless works since.
It's a quick short book but well worth it!
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7/1/2008, 3:34 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Books I've read recently
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I read this book in high school - er, at least I was supposed to. I'm not sure I ever finished it. All I remember was that it was about some rich guy who threw tons of parties on his nice big lawn and his neighbor was his only real friend.
Well, turns out, that's actually kinda all there is to it. Lots of other stuff happens and it is very interesting, but I guess I'm not sure why this is such a huge classic. I enjoyed it and am glad that I finally actually read the whole thing, but it's not on my list of favorite books.
But if you haven't read it, it's one of those "must reads" since it is thought to be a great literary classic. It's nice and short so it shouldn't take to long to put away. One of my best friends thinks I'm a nut for not loving of. Of course, he loves Hemingway too and those books really put me to sleep...
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7/10/2008, 3:11 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Books I've read recently
I do wonder about that sometimes...everyones says a book is a classic therefore it is classic whether or not it really deserves it. 
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7/11/2008, 4:33 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Books I've read recently
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
This is another classic novel that I did not really enjoy. The vast majority of the book has to do with the protagonist's difficulties with the Catholic Church. He is torn up about his sins and inability to be pious. There are also pages upon pages of preaching sermons.
I guess it just wasn't for me!
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7/28/2008, 3:45 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Books I've read recently
Dandelion Wine - the play by Ray Bradbury
Just about all I can say about this is "huh?" I think if I read the book instead of listening to the play (written by Bradbury) it would have been better. I was thoroughly confused. However, Bradbury himself had this to say about the production that I listened to:
I've just played for the second time your production of DANDELION WINE and it's fabulous. I'm so very proud of it. In fact, it made me weep. In your own way you've told me that I have a chance of part of me living beyond the day that I leave this earth. This production is simply incredible.
So maybe it's just me! 
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8/1/2008, 8:47 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Books I've read recently
The Known World by Edward P. Jones
This book was one of the most interestingly written novels I've read in a long time. The story revolves around a black slave owner in Virginia. However, the story ventures outwards to people only partially related to the tale being told. It expands in the world and gives you a sense of a rambling story teller forgetting his place in the tale until it suddenly all snaps back together and realize that there is a connection.
Very well written, incredibly interesting topics and quite unique. I highly recommend this book!
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8/31/2008, 2:24 pm
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