BOOKS THREAD

Sharing the love for "Monster of Florence". Amazing story, beautifully told.

 

Just finished reading "The Corrections" for the third time. Book gets better every time I read it. Simply an amazing piece of work.

 

Just finished "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson ("Devil in the White City," etc.) It's the story of history professor turned US ambassador to Germany William Dodd and his family, as well as Hitler's rise to power in pre-WWII Germany. Dodd felt the US and our allies weren't doing enough to stop Hitler and Dodd's whore-y daughter was sleeping with the head of the Gestapo, among many others, including a Russian working for the NKVD. Interesting stuff. As with Larson's other books, I really enjoyed it and it was an easy read.

Up next: "Monster of Florence"

 

Dyno - I really enjoyed Devil in the White City and Isaac's Storm by Larson. Thunderstruck, not so much. Where would you rank Garden of Beasts among those three (if you read them)? I am trying to decide whether or not to pull the trigger on the hardback or purchase it on my iPad and save a little money.

Thanks,
CB

 

I didn't read "Thunderstruck" but I did read the other two. I would say that this one is not as good as them, but I still liked it a lot. I got it from the library, so it was free for me. I'd probably go for the cheaper iPad version.

 

Also, for those of you who read Mankell, specifically the Wallender series, have any of you checked out Jo Nesbo yet? I'm wrapping up Nemesis now, and while I don't think this particular story is as strong as the best books in the Wallender series, it's still pretty good.

 

OK, thanks, Dyno. That's what I was thinking, too.

 

I thought "Thunderstruck" was OK ... enjoyed "White City" more.

Just got done reading "The Help" and thought it was spectacular. Am almost finished with "Damage" by John Lescroart. LOVE this book. Very Law-and-Order-ish, with more murders.

 

Vacation reading suggestions (it's less than two weeks away).
I've got a great tradition to keep up. Last year was "He Crashed Me, So I Crashed Him Back" and the beginning of Bill Simmons' basketball book. Two years ago, I did "Rome 1960" and "Pictures at a Revolution."
Three years ago, "Schulz and Peanuts."
Preferably, one sports and one non-sports book. I'm on a hot streak - just finished "Open" (worthy of the hype), and before that "Rat Girl" (Kristen Hirsh of Throwing Muses - like an '80s Holden Caulfield with a guitar and a bun in the oven).
Back on topic, I've read "Isaac's Storm" and "Devil in the White City" and enjoyed both immensely.

 

For those who enjoyed "The Monster of Florence" (thanks for the recommendation, BTW. Loved it) I thought you might enjoy this piece from Rolling Stone that was posted on Longreads.com. One of the crazier players from the book figures in this: http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-neverending-nightmare-of-amanda-knox-20110627?print=true

 

Just finished "Unbroken" and agree it's an absolutely amazing story, though I can't help but feel Hillenbrand's telling of it is missing something.

Hillenbrand indicates she interviewed Zamperini more than 70 times - - but only one of those interviews was in person. I'm familiar with Hillenbrand's health difficulties, and have tremendous admiration for her ability to sucessfully work through her condition. That said, does a book that relies so heavily upon the main character's thoughts, memories, recollections, etc. suffer because the author spoke to him over the phone (instead of face-to-face) in all but one instance?

It's no different than interviewing a player/coach/team official. You may get the same quotes over the phone, but it doesn't lend itself having a real conversation with the subject. And with a story such as Zamperini's, I can't help but wonder what was lost because virtually of all his conversations with the author were by phone.

 

The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War, by Andrew Roberts. Goes beyond the conventional and takes a deep look at how the Axis Powers lost the war. The ability to tap into previously classified documents from both the Soviet and German armies brings the decisions of Hitler, Stalin, Churchill, etc. into a different light. A must-read for history buffs.