What are you currently reading?

[Davemcc]

Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged

Have you already read "The Fountainhead"?

 

[stratman]

Have you already read "The Fountainhead"?

Great book. Have you seen the movie? Gary Cooper played an excellent Roark.

 

[Davemcc]

I have seen the movie. I've also read "We The Living", "Anthem" and much of Rand's philosophy. As much as I'd like to say that I'm an Objectivist, I can't. I don't see any flaws in her logic, but I don't have the personality to live by her standards. I have great respect for those who can.

 

[stratman]

Lionsgate is making Atlas Shrugged into a movie, starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, to be directed by Vadim Perelman. That should be interesting.

 

[Davemcc]

Irony, anybody?

 

[stratman]

I have seen the movie. I've also read "We The Living", "Anthem" and much of Rand's philosophy. As much as I'd like to say that I'm an Objectivist, I can't. I don't see any flaws in her logic, but I don't have the personality to live by her standards. I have great respect for those who can.

I reject her philosophy, but I do enjoy other aspects of her literary work. Having studied architecture, I can to a certain extent identify with Roarke and his disdain for mediocrity. Roake always brought to mind a certain aspect of Frank Lloyd Wright, but to be frank (no pun intended) I don't care for Wright's architectural philosophy or most of his designs. I'm more of a mid-century modernist at heart.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Irony, anybody?

I haven't read her books, but I do understand they are considered serious literature. I would never associate Pitt/Jolie with anything even remotely serious.

 

[Davemcc]

I enjoyed Rand's writing because her style is reminds me of the great Russian authors. It has a similar feel to Crime and Punishment, Anna Karenina and War and Peace, among others. The Russian authors are my favorite.

I don't really like Wright's design either.

 

[stratman]

I enjoyed Rand's writing because her style is reminds me of the great Russian authors. It has a similar feel to Crime and Punishment, Anna Karenina and War and Peace, among others. The Russian authors are my favorite.

I don't really like Wright's design either.

I like to describe the Russian writers as Big and Bold, sweeping and yet subtle. You're right, Rand has that same air in her writings.

 

[Davemcc]

I haven't read her books, but I do understand they are considered serious literature. I would never associate Pitt/Jolie with anything even remotely serious.

"We the Living" is a good introduction. It's a relatively short read, well-written, well-conceived plot, well-developed characters and a clear message. IMO, her best literature despite not being her masterpiece work.

 

[Tom Andry]

This is my first Rand book. I'll probably take a break to read something a little lighter (before this I read the first four books in the Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin). Maybe a comic or two. The Fountainhead is on my short list.

 

[dorokusai]

If Democrats had any brains, they'd be Republicans - Coulter - ISBN 978-0-307-35345-0

She's a little wacky on the Christian stuff but I sure do like a woman with a sharp tongue and a brain to back up an argument. She ain't to bad on the eyes either

Cocaine Politics: Drugs, Armies and the CIA in Central America - Scott/Marshall - ISBN 978-0-520-21449-1

I haven't cracked but 30 pages so no real comments yet. I'm fascinated with information regarding the CIA's role in.....well, almost everything. Mind boggling. I became interested in this "genre" of history after watching a documentary(Cocaine Cowboys) about the cocaine trafficking in Miami during the 1980's....Miami Vice time.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[stratman]

If Democrats had any brains, they'd be Republicans - Coulter - ISBN 978-0-307-35345-0

She's a little wacky on the Christian stuff but I sure do like a woman with a sharp tongue and a brain to back up an argument. She ain't to bad on the eyes either

Cocaine Politics: Drugs, Armies and the CIA in Central America - Scott/Marshall - ISBN 978-0-520-21449-1

I haven't cracked but 30 pages so no real comments yet. I'm fascinated with information regarding the CIA's role in.....well, almost everything. Mind boggling. I became interested in this "genre" of history after watching a documentary(Cocaine Cowboys) about the cocaine trafficking in Miami during the 1980's....Miami Vice time.


Mark
Polk Audio CS

Hey Mark,

I highly recommend The Underground Empire by James Mills, it will knock your socks off. It covers where governments and crime embrace, eye popping to say the least, I believe Amazon still has it. I remember some of the stuff in the book when it happened here in Miami.

 

[aberkowitz]

If Democrats had any brains, they'd be Republicans - Coulter - ISBN 978-0-307-35345-0

She's a little wacky on the Christian stuff but I sure do like a woman with a sharp tongue and a brain to back up an argument. She ain't to bad on the eyes either

Cocaine Politics: Drugs, Armies and the CIA in Central America - Scott/Marshall - ISBN 978-0-520-21449-1

I haven't cracked but 30 pages so no real comments yet. I'm fascinated with information regarding the CIA's role in.....well, almost everything. Mind boggling. I became interested in this "genre" of history after watching a documentary(Cocaine Cowboys) about the cocaine trafficking in Miami during the 1980's....Miami Vice time.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

Nice diversity of books! When it comes to reading history and political commentary (I read a lot of it) is to read multiple sides to all issues. One of my favorite all-time history books is "Old Soldiers Never Die: The Life of Douglas Macarthur" by Geoffrey Perret... the author manages to write 550 pages with a very balanced view of MacArthur, and only uses the last 20-25 pages to provide commentary and inject his opinion. It's one of the most balanced history books I've ever read.

 

[dorokusai]

Hey Mark,

I highly recommend The Underground Empire by James Mills, it will knock your socks off. It covers where governments and crime embrace, eye popping to say the least, I believe Amazon still has it. I remember some of the stuff in the book when it happened here in Miami.

I'll check that out for sure, thanks much.

 

[dorokusai]

Nice diversity of books! When it comes to reading history and political commentary (I read a lot of it) is to read multiple sides to all issues. One of my favorite all-time history books is "Old Soldiers Never Die: The Life of Douglas Macarthur" by Geoffrey Perret... the author manages to write 550 pages with a very balanced view of MacArthur, and only uses the last 20-25 pages to provide commentary and inject his opinion. It's one of the most balanced history books I've ever read.

To Stratman as well....I used to be a rabid reader and then all of a sudden lost all interest and shutdown. I have no idea why but lately I've been consumed. WooHoo! It's probably just that little thing that hooks you...anyways, cool.

Aberkowitz - The Perret suggestion is solid and I've read that, excellent suggestion. In a segway of sorts, check out The Bang Bang Club - Marinovich/Silva ISBN 0-465-04412-3 for some final Apartheid coverage via journalist and writer. In regards to sides, absolutely. I like Bill O'Reilly but I would also like to punch him in the face. There is so much ad nauseum media that I start to realize why I wake up a moron.

Thanks for the suggestions and comments, great thread.

Mark