Books

[johnnyjackrabbit]

Re: Books

Might as well weigh in on this, since my life is now, and will be forever more, all about reading and writing. As far as fiction goes, Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" is my all-time favorite. I read "East of Eden" too, but I just didn't think it was as good. For those of you interested in historical non-fiction (and who the heck isn't), I have a couple of suggestions. "America in Our Time" covers the 1960s and 1970s. It is written by Godfrey Hodgson, who is British and offers a bit different perspective. "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" is a book I didn't think I would get into, but it was great. Also, "An American Insurrection" tells the story of the integration of the University of Mississippi in 1962. Very interesting. And finally, for anyone looking to read about South Dakota, I recommend "A New South Dakota History." It's a new treatment of our great state's history. The leading contributors on this were my SD history mentors, Herbert Hoover and John Miller. They, and a series of other writers, put together this topical version of state history. It includes traditional Native American history, geography, state politics, agriculture, etc. I could go on about books, especially South Dakota history books, but I won't. On the off chance someone is remotely interested, just PM me.

[Haldersham]

Re: Books

A good friend in his middle to late 80's recently lent me a two volume set called The Glory and the Dream by William Manchester. 1932-1972. The size of the two volumes are intimidating about 600 each I think. I finally got going and found this so intereting especially the account of the 1930's. The mention of John Steinbeck made me think of Manchesters mention of Upton Sinclair, who I believe wrote about the same time as Steinbeck. What surprised me was that in 1934, Sinclair ran for governor of California and won the Democrat primary hands down. The rich people feared his reforms so much that Louis Mayer, of MGM Studios launched a campaign with radio ads and posters and news clips that went with his movies that literally destroy Sinclair's chances of winning. Sinclair was tagged a Socialist and did keep company with Debs et al.

What I find in reading so far is that during the 1930's you find parallels with current events, but the past ones have been forgotten, and media now is so different from past times.  Whenever I visit a used book store I am going to look for this this two set volume as I suspect its long out of print, but a great account of American History for 4 decades.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: Books

Might as well weigh in on this, since my life is now, and will be forever more, all about reading and writing.  As far as fiction goes, Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" is my all-time favorite.  I read "East of Eden" too, but I just didn't think it was as good.  For those of you interested in historical non-fiction (and who the heck isn't), I have a couple of suggestions.  "America in Our Time" covers the 1960s and 1970s.  It is written by Godfrey Hodgson, who is British and offers a bit different perspective.  "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" is a book I didn't think I would get into, but it was great.  Also, "An American Insurrection" tells the story of the integration of the University of Mississippi in 1962.  Very interesting.  And finally, for anyone looking to read about South Dakota, I recommend "A New South Dakota History."  It's a new treatment of our great state's history.  The leading contributors on this were my SD history mentors, Herbert Hoover and John Miller.  They, and a series of other writers, put together this topical version of state history.  It includes traditional Native American history, geography, state politics, agriculture, etc.  I could go on about books, especially South Dakota history books, but I won't.  On the off chance someone is remotely interested, just PM me.

I PM'd you with my request...

[goon]

Re: Books

I know every one talked about the Da vinchi code awhile ago, but currently im readying holy blood holy grail. Very intresting and surprised more people haven't made a stink about this book like they have about Da Vinchi code. Favorites of mine include both Lance Armstrong books, Every Second Counts and Its not about the bike. Also anything by Coach K. My personal favorites are the VJ smiths books, college on the hill, and the richest man in town. I am about to finish up freakanomics, which takes a intresting look at several different areas that tyipcally don't get much coverage.

[GoJacks]

Re: Books

New book details South Dakota sports history
BY PETER CENTINEO, Black Hills Pioneer
May 30, 2007

"A Celebration of One Hundred Years of South Dakota High School Activities and Athletics" was just released and holds a lot of excellent information. Compiled and edited by David Kemp and Tamra Zastrow, it gives a history on each sport and how it's progressed in South Dakota......

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?n...6930&rfi=6

Also, if you go to Maria Press's web site you will find additional books that are regional.
http://mariahpress.com/

[JackJD]

Re: Books

On the topic SD history focused on the late 1930s...a "must read" is the South Dakota Guide.  I have an original from 1938 but it was recently reissued (2005) and is available in bookstores.  It was produced as part of the Federal Writers Project which was part of the Works Progress Administration.  Out-of-work writers, photographers and cartographers were employed to produce a guide for each state (and several were produced for large cities of the time).  

The guidebooks are like a snapshot taken in late 1937.  They describe life in a state just as it was happening at the time.  It's fascinating reading to see which communities were thriving then but have since disappeared, which cities have experienced little or no growth compared to today, and which towns have actually become small over the years.  

Many famous writers worked for the Federal Writers Project.

[johnnyjackrabbit]

Re: Books

On the topic SD history focused on the late 1930s...a "must read" is the South Dakota Guide.  I have an original from 1938 but it was recently reissued (2005) and is available in bookstores.  It was produced as part of the Federal Writers Project which was part of the Works Progress Administration.  Out-of-work writers, photographers and cartographers were employed to produce a guide for each state (and several were produced for large cities of the time).  

The guidebooks are like a snapshot taken in late 1937.  They describe life in a state just as it was happening at the time.  It's fascinating reading to see which communities were thriving then but have since disappeared, which cities have experienced little or no growth compared to today, and which towns have actually become small over the years.  

Many famous writers worked for the Federal Writers Project.

I actually just ordered this book and a few others with the help of a research grant I got for my thesis on Dick Kneip. One book I got, and am really looking forward to reading once this thesis wraps up this summer, is called "Ghost Dancing the Law." It's the story of the Wounded Knee trials, which took place in St. Paul in 1973. I know a little about the trials, but this looks to be a fairly intensive study. It's published by Harvard University Press and written by John William Sayer.

[GoJacks]

Re: Books

I guess it is one of the perks to working at Daktronics. I received (I believe every employee gets one) a book called "Daktronics and the Man Who Lit It Up" by Chuck Cecil. It is about Alred and Kurtenbach family and Daktronics. I read the first few pages. I think it will be an interesting read. Not sure if it available to the public?

[thebluehatman]

Re: Books

I guess it is one of the perks to working at Daktronics.  I received (I believe every employee gets one) a book called "Daktronics and the Man Who Lit It Up"  by Chuck Cecil.  It is about Alred and Kurtenbach family and Daktronics.  I read the first few pages.  I think it will be an interesting read.  Not sure if it available to the public?

Really :question :question I haven't gotten a copy of it yet and I've been there over a year.

[da_coach]

Re: Books

I'm reading "Hate Mail from Cheerleaders" a collection of Rick Reilly's columns.

Good stuff.

[GoJacks]

Re: Books

[quote author=D-town link=1144800158/60#67 date=1183432684]I guess it is one of the perks to working at Daktronics.  I received (I believe every employee gets one) a book called "Daktronics and the Man Who Lit It Up"  by Chuck Cecil.  It is about Alred and Kurtenbach family and Daktronics.  I read the first few pages.  I think it will be an interesting read.  Not sure if it available to the public?

Really :question :question I haven't gotten a copy of it yet and I've been there over a year.[/quote]


They handed them out at the Employee Picnic last Friday. Al and Chuck were there signing them and everything. I didn't plan on going to the picnic, but change my mind on Friday. They had a list of employees and check off my name. So I assumed everyone would or could get one. If you want one I would ask your supervisor and see what they say.

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Books

The last couple of books I've read are:

"Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain
"A Fighter's Heart" by Sam Sheridan
"In Cold Blood" by Capote

"Kitchen Confidential" is a very good book. I've heard his most recent book is even better. Really gives a good inside look into the cooking industry, but not in the "I'm trying to gross you out" sense. It just gives you the real look. Highly recommended by no less of a critic than yours truly.

"A Fighter's Heart" was one I was really excited to read and had heard alot of good things. It was just ok. Not great, not bad. Talks about the author's forays into Tai fighting, MMA fighting, grappling, etc. It doesn't read as much of a "I'm a badass" as you expect, but it also lacks in any real hook to keep you going. I plowed through it pretty quickly, but finished it more out of obligation than anticipation.

"In Cold Blood" was amazing. Obviously, Capote is a great writer. I don't need to give my 2 cents worth. This book was just reissued last year as paperback so you can get it pretty cheap at your local Borders or similar book store.

[Nidaros]

Re: Books

Oh a while back, maybe months back, I was looking at the bargin book bin in the Brookings Wal Mart store. I came across a book which had an interesting title "The Smartest Guys In the Room" by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind. Not best seller authors, but they have a great repetition as Senior Writers for Fortune Magazine. The prize tag was $5.97 and I took it home with me and left the book to set for maybe a couple of months. Not being a speed reader and one often that does not finish reading a book, I finally got started reading this book maybe two months ago.

Its about the rise and fall of Enron Corporation. Very detailed and completely researched. I have read to page 250 and have about 160 more to go. Its a extremely interesting if you have an accounting and finance background. What is more troubling is it involved very smart people with good educations, but sometimes they threw this out the window along with their moral conscience when a generous bonus was paid. It makes one gratitful for Oxley-Sarbenes legislation, but one still wonders how much of these things are still going on? I.E Subprime Lending in real estate.

This book has been out nearly 4 years now so the authors ended their book before the trials for Lay, Skilling and Fastow began.

I would be interested if anyone else has read books about Enron and with a google, I sure I will find more current books. This is a business case that should be talked about in business schools and even in the behaviour science classes.

I found a new signature for my posts on this message board. I will give President Bush a rest.

[GoJacks]

Re: Books

I have not read it this Book, but is has the potential to be a classic.

MAN: The Book, by Clay Travis and the Deadly Hippos

Travis has also written the Dixieland Delight, I book a found very amuzing.
www.deadlyhippos.com
http://www.amazon.com/Man-Book-Clay-...dp/0806528710/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUuCBbFvux8

[91rabbit]

Re: Books

The Judge: William P. Clark Ronald Reagan's Top Hand by Paul Kengor and Patricia Clark Doerner. Judge Clark is an extraordinary man not only for his many public accomplishments but especially for his quiet and unassuming character. Of note to you lawyers on the board: Judge (as he is known, not Bill as he requests) Clark doesn't have a college or law school diploma yet served ~8 years on the California Supreme Court before going to Washington. Also serves as a very interesting behind the scenes look at the Reagan administration and world events of that era.