Comments on: No Quarter Book Corner – Open Thread

By: elise

elise — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:11:20 +0000

I did read that Alice, and love it. The Devil’s Advocate is good also. Amazon had some of her books, but the best way to find them is to Google the title.

By: RebelCarol

RebelCarol — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:45:57 +0000

I’m reading American Lion, Andrew Jackson in the White House by John Meacham. It is a very well-written book about AJ. Although I don’t agree with some of his policies (Indian removal) I am finding the book very interesting.

By: Alice

Alice — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:28:33 +0000

Elise
I love Taylor Caldwell’s book, Answer as a Man, also hard to find. But absolutely wonderful. One of my very favorite novels. Have you read it?
She was 80 years old at the time she wrote it — remarkable!

By: Alice

Alice — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:23:57 +0000

No, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is not a sequel to The Kite Runner. It is totally different.
I, too, would like to see another book following up where The Kite Runner left off.
Both books are absolutely spell-binding. A must read for everyone, in my opinion.

By: Linda Anselmi

Linda Anselmi — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:58:47 +0000

Thanks Sonic –
Very interesting. I add The Elephant and the Dragon to my list to check out.

By: elise

elise — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:41:26 +0000

I have two suggestions. The first is by Sinclair Lewis, It Can’t Happen Here. The original printing was in 1935, but it was re-released in 2005 I believe. It is a fictional account of a presidential election and illustrates how fragile democracy really is and how fascism could gain a foothold in our country. This book was written in the middle of the Great Depression and it definitely has relevance to what we see happening today.

The second book is also a work of fiction and it was written by Taylor Caldwell, The Captains and The Kings. It has been out of print for a while and if you check on Amazon you may not find it. However, if you Google the name you will find it is available through British book stores and it’s cheap. The author has a fascinating history and a good back ground in international banking and espionage. This book is a fictional account of a group of international bankers who literally control everything though their names are completely unknown to the public. It’s been a while since I read it, but it has come to mind many times over the last two years. It is a frightening example of how real power can be used to start wars, to control the economies of countries around the world and decide who lives or dies.

By: Linda Anselmi

Linda Anselmi — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:26:01 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion Susan. I have not heard of the novel and from the title would not have associated the holocaust with it. I will check it out.

By: elise

elise — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:24:37 +0000

I read The Kite Runner and thought it was engrossing, but I was disappointed it ended so soon. Does the other one you mentioned take up where Kite Runner left off?

By: tfitz

tfitz — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:21:11 +0000

great idea. good suggestions so far.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:48:37 +0000

I recommend “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”, an excellent novel about the German occupation of an island during the Holocaust. This may be timely since there are still press reports of those who continue to deny the reality of the Holocaust.

By: Alice

Alice — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:29:56 +0000

Yes, I watched the movie — but I thought it was terrible. The book is 1000 times better. I wouldn’t recommend wasting your time on the movie!
Alice

By: Linda Anselmi

Linda Anselmi — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:22:31 +0000

Thank you TM.
Great suggestions.

By: Chicago Joe

Chicago Joe — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:17:00 +0000

i was going to mention 1984 as we are now there with this administration. Also Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead.

Where’s John Galt been anyway?

By: Sonic Ninja Kitty

Sonic Ninja Kitty — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:02:01 +0000

This is such an excellent idea!

Our book club just finished The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and What It Means for All of Us by Robyn Meredith. It was first published in July 07 but it gives a great historic overview of the political and economic systems in India and China in the 20th century and demonstrates the interconnectedness of all our economies. The last chapter on what America must do to remain competitive makes for great discussion.

A book on America’s education system would be great, too, if anyone knows of one.

By: Linda Anselmi

Linda Anselmi — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:53:01 +0000

1984 and animal farm. Yes. thank you. These are great starter picks because they are shorter and so many are already familiar with the stories. I agree, excessive length will tend to be a limiting factor.