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Rani
13th April 2010, 19:44
Does anyone have a book they've read and would like to recommend?

I've completed reading "The Phantom Major" by Virginia Cowles lately and really liked it. I don't think it's in print anymore but I managed to find a yellowing copy printed in 1959 at my university's library. It tells the story of David Stirling and the SAS in the african campaign of WWII. If you like the genre, I think you should give it a read.

Mark in Oshawa
14th April 2010, 00:37
Does anyone have a book they've read and would like to recommend?

I've completed reading "The Phantom Major" by Virginia Cowles lately and really liked it. I don't think it's in print anymore but I managed to find a yellowing copy printed in 1959 at my university's library. It tells the story of David Stirling and the SAS in the african campaign of WWII. If you like the genre, I think you should give it a read.

I have read a few different books on the SAS but not that one. I might have to go to a library and see what I can find.

I have read a few Jeremy Clarkson compliations of late, as something I can pick up and put down. I find his car reviews rather humourous, and the car is just an excuse for him to rave and rant; which is usually good reading.

Last novel I read? Geeze....I am not sure. I have been reading so many biographies and non-fiction of late I couldn't nominate one.

I finished reading the Autobiography of Canada's most outspoken General, Rick Hillier over Christmas, but I really haven't been reading a lot of serious books in the last 2 months.

Easy Drifter
14th April 2010, 01:49
As far as novels go I find Forsyth very good and most of Grisham.
I have read books on the SAS and on David Stirling but not that one.
I found of real interest on motor racing Dr. Steve Olvey's book 'Rapid Response'. US racing oriented on safety. Some of it is pretty scary.
Also any of Steve Matchett's books on his life as a F1 race car mechanic.
Having been one sort of influences my thinking there! :D

gloomyDAY
14th April 2010, 01:56
The Devil's Delusion - Made me laugh pretty hard from time to time. The author (David Berlinski) and I have differing opinions, but at least he poked fun of the whole 'God' matter from time to time.

The Jungle - Feels as if America has regressed into the very same time period documented in this book. Workers are being treated as slaves and our meat supply is being neglected.

Crime and Punishment - A view into the life of a hypochondriac.

Don Quixote - I'm turning into Don Quixote when I turn 40.

Rollo
14th April 2010, 02:54
At any given time I'm usually reading between 2 and 5 books.

At the moment I'm reading: "Guns, Germs & Steel" by Jared Diamond, "Fleshmarket Close" by Ian Rankin, and Yotsuba&! Vol.7 by Kiyohiko Azuma.

anthonyvop
14th April 2010, 03:29
Just re-read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Very applicable to today's news.

Mark in Oshawa
14th April 2010, 06:06
Just re-read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Very applicable to today's news.

I need to read some Rand again. I started reading that as a young fan of the band Rush, who found out the lyrics were inspired by Neil Peart's reading Rand. He has since said he likes some of her ideas, not all, but he unwittingly turned a lot of rockers and Rush fans into fans of Ayn Rand.

Mark in Oshawa
14th April 2010, 06:08
As far as novels go I find Forsyth very good and most of Grisham.
I have read books on the SAS and on David Stirling but not that one.
I found of real interest on motor racing Dr. Steve Olvey's book 'Rapid Response'. US racing oriented on safety. Some of it is pretty scary.
Also any of Steve Matchett's books on his life as a F1 race car mechanic.
Having been one sort of influences my thinking there! :D

I have to find that Olvey book Drifter, I keep going to Chapters every now and then and forgetting what racing books were on my hit list.

I have read a few of Matchett's books, but the book I really want to track down is the late David Poole's bio of the great and late Tim Richmond.....

555-04Q2
14th April 2010, 06:15
I used to read a book a day when I was younger. Now I mainly read books related to business when I get a chance. Don't think you would be interested in any of them though!

Mark in Oshawa
14th April 2010, 06:32
I used to read a book a day when I was younger. Now I mainly read books related to business when I get a chance. Don't think you would be interested in any of them though!

Don't count on it. I enjoy reading any books on the creation of great businesses and business philosophies...

Mark
14th April 2010, 09:14
Karen always has a book on the go and spends at least half an hour a night reading.
Myself I don't read books at all, but I do listen to audio books in the car.

I've just finished Angels & Demons. Next up: Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince.

Storm
14th April 2010, 10:47
I too have a couple or more which I'm reading ...at the moment it is a Ludlum novel (Janson Directive) and another historic bio/epic (not in english).
Reading a book just before sleeping has been a long time habit.

14th April 2010, 10:51
I'm presently reading 'Speed Cleaning' - a spotless house in just 15 minutes a day. :s nore: ( I should have read 'How to Speed Read' first).

Sorry, the thread is about recommending a book - I'll come back with something later.

Brown, Jon Brow
14th April 2010, 11:50
The only thing I've read for the past 3 years are marketing management textbooks.

chuck34
14th April 2010, 12:10
Just re-read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Very applicable to today's news.

I travel a lot for work, and read on the planes. Usually I read biographies or histories. But I had heard so much about Atlas Shrugged that I had to read it. Just finnished it yesterday. It was a really good book. It did drag a bit in spots. But holy cow! It. Is pretty scary.

Mark in Oshawa
14th April 2010, 13:30
I read Ayn Rand stuff when I was 19...and I barely remember it now...but talk about an antidote to the socialist/communist pap some university professors can toss at ya....

Easy Drifter
14th April 2010, 15:38
Still on reading but a little different.
If anyone on here wants to learn the basics and not so basic in and outs of race car preparation try and find a copy of the late Carroll Smith's 'Prepare to Win'. It is outdated in some areas but will give you an understanding of what is involved for race car preparation. It used to be the race mechanics bible and main reference book.
His later books 'Tune to Win' and 'Design to Win' so on are much more into heavy technical mataerial.
All are out of print but can often be found on e-Bay or some racing bookstores.
Not only was he a great engineer he was a character in real life.

chuck34
14th April 2010, 21:53
Still on reading but a little different.
If anyone on here wants to learn the basics and not so basic in and outs of race car preparation try and find a copy of the late Carroll Smith's 'Prepare to Win'. It is outdated in some areas but will give you an understanding of what is involved for race car preparation. It used to be the race mechanics bible and main reference book.
His later books 'Tune to Win' and 'Design to Win' so on are much more into heavy technical mataerial.
All are out of print but can often be found on e-Bay or some racing bookstores.
Not only was he a great engineer he was a character in real life.

I've read all those and they will give you a really good foundation in race car engineering. Actually got to meet the man. He was our/my judge at the Formula SAE event. Man he grilled us somthing good!

chuck34
14th April 2010, 22:04
I need to read some Rand again. I started reading that as a young fan of the band Rush, who found out the lyrics were inspired by Neil Peart's reading Rand. He has since said he likes some of her ideas, not all, but he unwittingly turned a lot of rockers and Rush fans into fans of Ayn Rand.

Mark, I never heard the Rush/Rand connection. I'm a fan of Rush, but not a huge fan. What songs are influenced, or is it just a general sort of "mood" type of deal?

Mark in Oshawa
14th April 2010, 22:14
Mark, I never heard the Rush/Rand connection. I'm a fan of Rush, but not a huge fan. What songs are influenced, or is it just a general sort of "mood" type of deal?

2112 was all songs inspired by Peart's reading of Rand apparently. You have to really read a lot of their lyrics to pick up little nuggets here and there. "Freewill" on Permanent Waves I think is relating to the idea of individualism and self reliance...but it has been a while since I really thought of it. Do a little Wiki journey on Peart, and there is an explanation to it. Peart isn't a right wing sort of libertarian like maybe you or I, but he does try to stay apolitical now. That said, he read the stuff, and there was some references to it.

All this Rush talk, I am making sure I see them on their Summer tour this year. They are playing in Sarnia (right across from Port Huron MI) and their outdoor music festival and I think THAT is where I am going. Have an old roommate who lives there who invited us down....

Sleeper
14th April 2010, 23:36
Just finished reading Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaimen, bloody hilarious!