Book(s) you are currently reading.
- Thread starter LionJim
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Reading this in preparation for the epic movie next July about this dude. Oppenheimer directed the most ambitious, expeditious and successful technology conversion project in the history of mankind. Regardless of what you think of the decision to deploy the results of his work, he managed an ungodly arrogant group of scientists and spies, a wild *** wife, a small minded government liaison. an unbelievable achievement. If you are a STEM professional you can not expect to understand the totality of large technology research and development without reading this book. Truly pioneering work like this brings a full prescription for torment and anguish that this brilliant man had to withstand to achieve the goal of the project. I first read about his work in the 1980's and never thought they would ever be able to portray his story, but by convincing Cillian Murphy to portray him, and adding Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh, the movie has a real shot.
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Yes to all of this. In addition, he was a brilliant physicist. In 1930 he predicted the existence of the positron, which was discovered experimentally by Carl Anderson, who got the ‘36 NP for this. Also, a student of Oppenheimer’s Willis Lamb was a Nobelist. I have read that Oppenheimer himself deserved a NP, but I wouldn’t know. Bottom line, great scientist.
But Oppenheimer was a troubled man. He told someone that he gave his tutor at Cambridge a poisoned apple.
The Netflix version differs a bit from the book, but it has become one of my favorite movies. Doesn't sugarcoat any of the hard realities or suffering of war. Does such a good job of depicting how miserable it must have been in the trenches, watching your buddies meet untimely ends.
Harriet Tubman - Bound for the Promised Land by Kate Clifford Larson
Biography of an incredible American heroine.
Biography of an incredible American heroine.
I've finally gotten the 3rd part of the trilogy
I really like it. Looking forward to the Netflix series next year.
I really like it. Looking forward to the Netflix series next year.
Just re-read A Gentleman in Moscow. You owe it to yourself to read it. Am currently reading "Ghost Soldiers" by Hampton Sides, about a small group of U.S. Army rangers attempting to rescue American POWs in early 1945. Hampton Sides is a terrific writer. He also wrote "Blood and Thunder: the Epic story of Kit Carson and the conquest of the American West." Nicely drawn portrait of a truly amazing pioneer.
Working my way through the full Bosch series. Loved the Amazon series. Books are excellent too.
Best book series in the last 15 years. The tv series doesn’t do it justice.
Amor Towles is a very talented author. My wife and I disagree on this, but I think Rules of Civility is a better piece of work.
Lincoln Highway is next on my reading list (book is sitting on my desk) after I finish A Tale of Two Cities.
I'm not a professional but I recommend "The Art of Thinking Clearly" by Dobelli and "User Friendly: How the Hidden Rules of Design Are Changing the Way We Live, Work, and Play" by Kuang & Fabricant
Yea I'm big King fan and if your talking about Fairy Tale I was kind of disappointed with it. Its just that I kind of feel I've been there before with The Talisman.
Has always been one of my favorite King books. I think its way underrated. The movie was equally good but then Walken and Cronenberg are perfect.
3 all on Mohammad Bin Salman:
The rise to power of MBS by Ben Hubbard;
Vision or Mirage Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads
Blood and Oil: MBS ruthless quest for Global Power by Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck
The rise to power of MBS by Ben Hubbard;
Vision or Mirage Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads
Blood and Oil: MBS ruthless quest for Global Power by Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck
Yeah the movie kicked my *** a week or two ago. I thought it was a cheesy horror film back in the day but it's awesome. Very relevant themes. End of discussion on that front.
No way man I got my first records at the silver springs flea market circa 1996. Back when they were $1 a piece. Those were the days.
Hipsters follow me. And they bow down to my collection.
I had picked up this book around the Holidays but had not started reading it until this past weekend. I got through the first part of it, with GS talking about his childhood, and leading up to him getting the President's position at PSU, fairly quickly. Then I got to the events leading up to the termination of Joe and the following year, and I have to admit - I can only read a few pages before I have to put the book down, due to my boiling anger. It will be a chore to get through the next few chapters.
I think GS did a pretty good job of telling the story. What is interesting, due to my time on this Board, is how I feel like I know so many of the characters and their part in the story - from Corbett to Fina to Baldwin, et al. Which is part of the reason for my boiling anger. It just validates so much of the stuff people on this board have uncovered/discovered/said.
What a f*cking mess they made.
Victor Davis Hanson's "The Dying Citizen".Just finished:
I read it again after twenty years and was extremely impressed by how it holds up. Weiner is a great voice for scientists; he did a fantastic job with the earlier The Beak of the Finch.
Now reading, another re-read. I'm really digging this.
Two recommends.
The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell. World War 2 and the development of higher tech bomb sites vs carpet bombing populations ( pinpoint bombing of factories. The Bomber Mafia preferred attempting to manage a war by killing fewer Vivian’s and focusing on strategic targets. Great read.
The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield ( ex astronaut ) which is a riveting good Novel on us vs the Russians on one mission back in 1973. Thriller.
The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell. World War 2 and the development of higher tech bomb sites vs carpet bombing populations ( pinpoint bombing of factories. The Bomber Mafia preferred attempting to manage a war by killing fewer Vivian’s and focusing on strategic targets. Great read.
The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield ( ex astronaut ) which is a riveting good Novel on us vs the Russians on one mission back in 1973. Thriller.
Got a copy of The World According to Garp for Christmas. Haven't started reading it yet but it was a great movie. Can't wait to read it.
I’m reading Properties of Thirst by Marianne Wiggins. Marianne attended Manheim Township High School in Lancaster PA and graduated in 1965. She was a friend of mine. She later became Salmon Rushdie’s second wife. This is one of several books she wrote and won several book awards.
On deck I have the latest book from Paul Levine, PSU Alum and former editor of the Collegian around 1965. It’s the last of the Jake Lassiter series, a PSU linebacker under Paterno who goes on to play for the Dolphins before becoming a Miami lawyer. Early Grave.
On deck I have the latest book from Paul Levine, PSU Alum and former editor of the Collegian around 1965. It’s the last of the Jake Lassiter series, a PSU linebacker under Paterno who goes on to play for the Dolphins before becoming a Miami lawyer. Early Grave.
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One of the great opening chapters in any novel I’ve read. This chapter’s last line: “Thus was the world given T. S. Garp; born from a good nurse with a will of her own, and the seed of a ball-turret gunner - his last shot.”
Reading the Splendid and the Vile now. Got it for Christmas. Was just in London this past fall and toured Churchill's War Rooms. Figured this book would enhance the experience. Excellent so far.
The Price of Peace (Money, Democracy and the Lifeof John Maynard Keynes, by Zachary Carter
and
Fierce Patriot; The tangled lives of William Tecumseh Sherman, by Robert L. O'Connell
and
Fierce Patriot; The tangled lives of William Tecumseh Sherman, by Robert L. O'Connell