Books

[uncbearsfan]

Re: Books

[quote author=uncbearsfan link=1144800158/15#24 date=1145652213]I couldnt agree more with what you said about the da vinci code.  It's a novel written about a theory.  I think Christians are over-reacting over this.  

Christians discuss dissaproval to a fictional novel that puts forth theory of their God that contradicts everything they believe in.

[/quote]

But that's the thing. It's FICTION. I am a Christian and thought the book was great!

[Walrus]

Re: Books

Regarding The DaVinci Code-I read the book over a year ago and since then I have seen a number of articles and History Channel programs in which even secular historians refute the "historical facts" that the plot of the book depends on.  The book is fiction based on an interesing though unlikely theory.  As I previously said, it must be read as a novel, but it is a good novel and I recommend it.

An important factor in Christian objection to The DaVinci Code is the concern that many people don't seem to realize that it is fiction and might end up being mislead or deceived by it or by the movie that is coming out.  I don't personally regard that concern as an over reaction.   It is a most legitimate concern for believers in Christ that no one be deceived about who Jesus is.  (By the way for the answer see John 14:6.)


               

[91rabbit]

Re: Books

Re: The DaVinci Code. Yes, the book is a work of fiction. (I DID read it, and I enjoyed it.) The problem is that in our undereducated times, too many people are inclined to run with its ludicrous claims if only to use them as a cudgel against the evil church.

Carl Olson (The DaVinci Hoax co-author) responded to the "it's only a work of fiction, why all the fuss?" line by relating a very appropriate analogy. Pope Pius XII, upon his death in 1958 was rounded praised for his wartime efforts in saving European Jews, estimated to be about 880,000 (I believe the number was proposed by Jewish historian Pinchas Lapide.) In fact, 880,000 trees were planted in Israel's Negev Desert in honor of Pius. Among those lauding the Pope was Milwaukee's own Golda Meir, then Israel's representative to the Vatican, and later Israeli prime minister.

In 1963, Rolf Hochhuth, former Hitler Youth member, wrote a play called The Deputy that cast Pius as a shill for the Nazis and intent on destroying European Jewry. BUT IT'S JUST A WORK OF FICTION! Facts be damned. Those who do not learn the lessons of history merely create their own reality.

[Jacks99]

Re: Books

An important factor in Christian objection to The DaVinci Code is the concern that many people don't seem to realize that it is fiction and might end up being mislead or deceived by it or by the movie that is coming out.  I don't personally regard that concern as an over reaction.   It is a most legitimate concern for believers in Christ that no one be deceived about who Jesus is.  (By the way for the answer see John 14:6.)


               

well put

[Walrus]

Re: Books

On a lighter note, anything by Elmore Leonard is a quick fun read. 8-)

[uncbearsfan]

Re: Books

How can I forget?! East of Eden, John Steinbeck is one of my favorites too.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: Books

I just picked up The Game of Shadows, the book about Bonds and his steroid use.  Haven't had a chance to start it yet, but am pretty interested to see what it has to say.  I am a HUGE baseball fan and have been more than a little put off about the whole steroid issue for a while now.  As a guy who spent 5 years working out 4 days a week and eating everything in sight in an attempt to add weight/muscle to my frame, I would constantly preach to anyone who would listen that there is no way these baseball players were getting that big that quick without help.  Anyone who has ever lifted weights for any length of time could see that.  Unless your genetically blessed, the vast majority of us could lift every day of our lives and simply end up with an "extremely fit" look.

I'll give my 2 cents when I've read it.

Side Note:  I also have the Divinci Code sitting on my fireplace mantle.  Everyone keeps telling me to read it.  Probably will have to after the Bonds book to see what it's all about.

I picked up Game of Shadows over the weekend. So far it's been tough to put down. I was a huge Bill Romonowski fan back when he played for Denver....can't believe was a dip sh!t he was.

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Books

I picked up Game of Shadows over the weekend.  So far it's been tough to put down.  I was a huge Bill Romonowski fan back when he played for Denver....can't believe was a dip sh!t he was.

It is a very good read and very informative book for any sports fan. Unfortunately, I'm a die-hard baseball fan and this book is kind of like slowing down to look at the mangled remains of a car crash for me. I don't want to know that for the last 10 years baseball was organized sports' example of East Germany, but I can't stop reading about it, either. It just insults me to have all these guys deny that it happened. That's what really irks me.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: Books

[quote author=Rabbitlivinginverm link=1144800158/30#36 date=1146696110]I picked up Game of Shadows over the weekend.  So far it's been tough to put down.  I was a huge Bill Romonowski fan back when he played for Denver....can't believe was a dip sh!t he was.

It is a very good read and very informative book for any sports fan.  Unfortunately, I'm a die-hard baseball fan and this book is kind of like slowing down to look at the mangled remains of a car crash for me.  I don't want to know that for the last 10 years baseball was organized sports' example of East Germany, but I can't stop reading about it, either.  It just insults me to have all these guys deny that it happened.  That's what really irks me.[/quote]

Every time I hear Barry Bonds's name I curse, and he's been on the tube a lot lately. My wife doesn't understand why. She asks, "Aren't you reading his book? Why are you calling him a f*** head?" It's a disgrace what he and other's have done to sports.

[SD-STATE]

Re: Books

Steroids are not limited to just baseball. Lets check out some of the NFL players before the NFL started to crack down. The Steel Curtain? or Steroid Curtain?

[Crashola]

Re: Books

I'm a few chapters into "First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan" by Gary Schroen. It's an account of the 10 CIA field men who went into Afghanistan within days after 9-11. So far, it's very good.

I just finished "Seasons In Hell: With Billy Martin, Whitey Herzog And "The Worst Baseball Team In History"-The 1973-1975 Texas Rangers" by Mike Shropshire. Shropshire was the Fort Worth newspaper's Rangers beat writer when the team moved from Washington to Texas. Herzog's blunt one-liners about his horrible team are priceless.

I'll echo the above comment about Elmore Leonard books.

[91rabbit]

Re: Books

Must mention the master of crime fiction James Lee Burke, one of only two double Edgar winners. For you lawyers on the board, try his Billy Bob Holland books. Billy Bob is a former Texas Ranger turned attorney now living in Missoula (somewhat in your neighborhood Crashola). But even better than Holland is the protagonist that put Burke on the map: Dave Robicheaux, his Cajun cop, alcoholic, Vietnam vet Elizabethan tragic figure/crusader for justice. Calling this mere crime fiction is indeed a crime. Called Cajun existentialism, Burke's prose is closer to poetry. Burke has been called the Graham Greene of the bayou. PM me if you want a good book to start with.

[uncbearsfan]

Re: Books

I'm a few chapters into "First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan" by Gary Schroen.  It's an account of the 10 CIA field men who went into Afghanistan within days after 9-11.  So far, it's very good.  

 

When is the C.I.A. going to learn they shouldn't edit books with a black highlighter? HAHA HAHA...I crack my self up!
;D ;D ;D

[CatchEmAll]

Re: Books

Just getting caught up on some of the non-sports talk, thought I'd add two new ones I just picked up.

John Feinstein - Next Man up: A Year behind the Lines in Today's NFL - I'm only four chapters in, but it's a good read. He followed the Baltimore Ravens for a year (starting Jan 1 2004) and was behind the scenes for everything. I'm a big fan of some of Feinstein's books. He covers sports in a different light. I saw someone mentioned they liked books about college sports, check out "A Civil War: Army vs. Navy" by Feinstein. Good Read.


Also picked up "Moneyball", but haven't started it yet. Anyone read it, got a review.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: Books

Since it seems to be Davinchi Code week on every major media outlet i suppose i will comment...It is a great book and really a page turner.  One that you will stay awake into the wee hours of the morning just because you don't want to stop reading.  I really enjoyed it.  I don't know if it has been mentioned yet on the thread but Dan Brown's prequel to Davinchi, "Angels and Demons", is really good as well.  I read it after reading Davinchi Code and i would say i enjoyed it just as much if not more.  I highly recomend it if you enjoyed Davinchi Code.

Another i just read was "The Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gerhig" by Jonathan Eig.  It's a great story as well about one of the real stars of baseball history.  As a lifelong Yankee fan I was really interested, but i think any sports fan would enjoy the book.  Some others i have read recently and enjoyed:

The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom - same author as Tuesday's with Morrie, not quite as good as Morrie but still a good story.

I read another Lance Armstong book, "Every Second Counts".  It is a good read if you like him at all.  Similar to his earlier book, "It's Not about the Bike".  Last Fall i finally read "College on the Hill", a must for every SDSU grad and especially if you have the interest enough to be reading this board.  I can't think of any others right now.

Other than that my time is spent reading about college student development theory and changing diapers, both extremely interesting :.  I look forward to picking up some of the others that have been talked about on the thread.