What are we reading? [WARNING: SPOILER ALERT]

[_Bond...James Bond]

I thought it "A People's History" was decent....but I got tired of the anti-capitalist, anti-elite drum banging. Yeah we get it....the lower classes have it bad. That's how it is in all societies. That's why they're the lower classes. Because someone has to make the middle classes feel better (and what better way than to elevate one group over another?)

But I do think the perspective given of the (basically) genocides and removals of the Native Americans was something we tend to gloss over in American history.

[_barrelomonkeys]

Do you have Fantastic BEasts and where to FInd Them and Quidditch Through the Ages? If not you aren't possibly addicted as some people I know ;)

I do!

[_Scottveg3]

I thought it "A People's History" was decent....but I got tired of the anti-capitalist, anti-elite drum banging. Yeah we get it....the lower classes have it bad. That's how it is in all societies. That's why they're the lower classes. Because someone has to make the middle classes feel better (and what better way than to elevate one group over another?)

But I do think the perspective given of the (basically) genocides and removals of the Native Americans was something we tend to gloss over in American history.

I agree with you Bond. I dunno if I would call the text anti-capitalist. But the text on genocide is an eye opener.

[_silentkid]

I thought it "A People's History" was decent....but I got tired of the anti-capitalist, anti-elite drum banging. Yeah we get it....the lower classes have it bad. That's how it is in all societies. That's why they're the lower classes. Because someone has to make the middle classes feel better (and what better way than to elevate one group over another?)

I think the reason A People's History is great is because it gives that perspective. I'm not sure sure it is anti-capitalist, though it does have a socialist slant. How many regular high school history texts even broach the subject of the effects of capitalism on the working class? How many document the union struggles? I'm not saying I agree with everything he says, but it's nice to get the other side of the story once in a while. I minored in history as an undergraduate at BYU and that was the first time that most of my classmates had been exposed to a more liberal telling of US history.

But I do think the perspective given of the (basically) genocides and removals of the Native Americans was something we tend to gloss over in American history.

This was the main reason my high school history teacher used Zinn's book. My teacher got his degree in Native American Studies and felt that Zinn did a good job of recounting their experiences. The opening chapter on Columbus was a real eye-opener for me at the time.

[_larryfulkerson]

I guess I don't have an all-time favorite book....just a lot of little "favorites". One eye-opener I read was
The End of Faith by Sam Harris. He argues that there are some religions that can be 'toxic' to those who believe them.

Another good one is Deep Down Things by Bruce A. Shumm in which String Theory is discussed. I'm a reader in physics and scientific things you see.

One that I read but didn't appreciate much was Neuromancer by William Gibson. I guess I didn't much appreciate it because it was set in a very depressing, very dark, very negative environment. Well, okay, I guess much of his work is set in that environment....but I'm already as depressed as I want to be....I don't need to read about it too.

Most of the stuff I read is non-fiction. I'm one of those nuts that goes to the University Bookstore ( university of Arizona ) and buys textbooks. Yeah, textbooks. I've made my way through General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and I'm reading Physical Chemistry. I'm also a big physics fan.

I can answser any question. Go ahead....ask me a question. Any question. Sometimes I have to answer "I don't know", but hey....that's an answer right?

[_Mercury]

One that I read but didn't appreciate much was Neuromancer by William Gibson. I guess I didn't much appreciate it because it was set in a very depressing, very dark, very negative environment. Well, okay, I guess much of his work is set in that environment....but I'm already as depressed as I want to be....I don't need to read about it too.

Uhoh...looks like someone needs to read Snowcrash. Gibson can be pretty bleak but still, its part of the cyberpunk ethos.