Reading Rainbow

[NJDeadzone]

Over the last few days, i've encountered some engaging titles of books i shall read within a few months. Those cited include:

1984
Art of War
Communist Manifesto
On War
and the list continues.....

let this topic be a place to share your favorite political works and their impact on today's political society. I'm sure it's already been done before.

[TheShrike]

The Prince by Machi... Maciv... Mach..

Mokivelli

ugh damn words

[NJDeadzone]

At 3/19/03 11:22 PM, TheShrike wrote: The Prince by Machi... Maciv... Mach..

Mokivelli

ugh damn words

no hard feelings, it's spelled Machiavelli(at least i hope)

[TheShrike]

At 3/19/03 11:22 PM, TheShrike wrote: The Prince by [...]

I suggest that because it is a good read, and short. Pardons to Mr Mach.. Mak.. MAcc... Machi... aww fuggit

[NJDeadzone]

it's interesting because i'm familiar with the works and the concepts but i haven't taken the time i should have actually reading them and drawing my own conclusions.

[TheShrike]

Hmmm... I also suggest Hyperion Cantos By Dan Simmons.
It is relatively new, as well as sci-fi. It's the first two volumes (and the only good ones) in the Hyperion narrative.

Now, Why suggest sci-fi? Well 1984 is sci-fi it's just a good commentary on life, politics, technology, and religion. As well as greed.
Plus it's entertaining if you can get past the first two chapters.

Here's a little link that has a seriously shortened account of the series. http://www.io.com/~lawrence/hyperion.html

You'll probably never read it, but it's a damn good book.

[PreacherJ]

What about Brave New World by Aldous Huxley?

Another interesting treatise on the topic of Utopia, and the politics and lifestyle that ensue from it.

[Taors]

If anyone is reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tolkien wrote most of the battles based on his experiences in World War 1. Many of his close friends died in combat. Just a little tidbit of information if you didn't know.

[panik]

At 3/20/03 09:04 PM, Taors wrote: If anyone is reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tolkien wrote most of the battles based on his experiences in World War 1. Many of his close friends died in combat. Just a little tidbit of information if you didn't know.

Ive read the trilogy + the Hobbit 3 times. When I first heard that the story was parallel to WWI it clicked. Ahh to be an elve.

[Ted-Easton]

I currently have a copy of Brave New World and a collection of George Orwell's complete works sitting on my bed, and I intend to read them both before returning to part 10 in Robert Jordan's series, which I heartily reccomend. The Wheel of Time series, beginning with The Eye of the World, continuing with The Great Hunt.

[NJDeadzone]

yeah, i tend to put Orwell and Huxley's work side by side to create a good analysis of the scientific future of government.

[RydiaLockheart]

Have you ever read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury? I can see our society headed in that direction. I'm not only talking about the repression, but also the vapidity of Mildred and the majority of society.

My professor assigned the book to us. It's my third time reading it. He told us to look for parallels to Stalinism, and they're there, but I see it as more of a commentary on society than anything else.

[NJDeadzone]

I've heard plenty about that book but i forget if that's about the government that burns books?

[VasIndustries]

All great books as far as I can see, but make sure you read "Civil Disobedience" by Thoreau. Its more of an essay than a book, but its one of my favorite readings.

[NJDeadzone]

At 3/20/03 10:07 PM, VasIndustries wrote: All great books as far as I can see, but make sure you read "Civil Disobedience" by Thoreau. Its more of an essay than a book, but its one of my favorite readings.

i've read parts of it in class, however, i not the biggest fan of trancendentalism.

[RydiaLockheart]

At 3/20/03 09:48 PM, NJDeadzone wrote: I've heard plenty about that book but i forget if that's about the government that burns books?

It is, and it's set somewhere in the US.

[Commander-K25]

At 3/20/03 10:38 PM, Rydia_Lockheart wrote:
It is, and it's set somewhere in the US.

It's not really "set" anywhere, but Thoreau lived and wrote in Massachusetts and it is often the backdrop for his essays. It's an excellent work and you can read it here.

[NEMESiSZ]

You guys are all liberals, so you'd love Das Kapital.

[Commander-K25]

At 3/20/03 11:00 PM, NEMESiSZ wrote: You guys are all liberals, so you'd love Das Kapital.

Now that is an broad and unwarranted generalization, although it is mostly true. A few, (such as me), are not.

[NEMESiSZ]

Seriously, there's maybe three people here including me who aren't willing to die to stop the war in iraq.

[TheloniousMONK]

LORD OF THE FLIES!!!

"Sucks to your ass-mar."

[NEMESiSZ]

HAHAHA, that book is the 0wn

[MuscleHed]

No one has same a thing about The Art of War! What is with you people!? Sun Tzu's writing are no dobut the best thing things to come out of China! What are your thoughs on the book?

[mysecondstar]

At 3/20/03 11:26 PM, NEMESiSZ wrote: Seriously, there's maybe three people here including me who aren't willing to die to stop the war in iraq.

i guess i'm number three.

[mysecondstar]

At 3/21/03 02:18 AM, MuscleHed wrote: No one has same a thing about The Art of War! What is with you people!? Sun Tzu's writing are no dobut the best thing things to come out of China! What are your thoughs on the book?

The Art of War is an excellent book. although it doesn't have much to do with books regarding government or the future of government.

[Ted-Easton]

I'm not willing to die to stop the war.
Hell, I'm not willing to even debate about stopping it any more. I won't talk about my opinions on it in this thread, but they're changing.

[JMHX]

At 3/20/03 09:38 PM, NJDeadzone wrote: yeah, i tend to put Orwell and Huxley's work side by side to create a good analysis of the scientific future of government.

Well, Orwell seems to be right on the money so far. Communist Manifesto is good, but it tends to ramble. If you want to see REAL ranting and raving, however, pick up Mein Kampf or Chairman Mao's Little Red Book.

[Freakapotimus]

There was a discussion of banned books on the old BBS, and several good books were mentioned that you might like to look into.

[bumcheekcity]

Stupid White Men by Michael Moore

more of a left-wing book, that one

[Slizor]

You guys are all liberals, so you'd love Das Kapital.

You do know that a Liberal does not have to be left-wing? They are in fact, around center and can be a little to the left or right. Very very far away from the like who would read Das Kapital.

As for books I recommend No Logo by Naomi Klein which is a pretty light book and "Manufacturing Consent" By Noam Chomsky, which is heavier but very good.