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Subject: Non-fiction recommendations Author: Kristen [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 19:28:28 11/06/05 Sun Kate and Jon and I discovered a mutual appreciation for good non-fiction, so here are a few recommendations: The Floating Brothel: The Extraordinary True Story of an Eighteenth-Century Ship and its Cargo of Female Convicts by Sian Rees --> this one is about a cargo of female convicts sent to Australia, their journey and the beginning of their new life there The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester --> this one is about the editor who compiled the Oxford English Dictionary and one of the many contributors to the volumes, a man who was incarcerated at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. I just finished Deadly Feasts by Richard Rhodes, which was a very interesting look at the discovery of prion diseases (including mad cow) that have occurred in the past six decades. The newest addition to my list is 1491 by Charles C. Mann, which is a look at the Americas and their indiginous people before Columbus's so-called discovery. Has anyone read it? I'm curious to know whether it's worth the read, or whether there is a better one on the subject. I'm sure there are more of us who are into non-fiction, so let's hear it! What's good? What are people reading at the moment? [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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[> Subject: Re: Non-fiction recommendations Author: Jon [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 06:03:44 11/09/05 Wed Currently reading "The Fabric of the Cosmos:" a book that explains Einstein's theories of special/general relativity and quantum mechanics and describes how they are used by physicists to explain the universe. It's a little tough to read in parts, but it's pretty good. Recommending "Blink" and "Tipping Point" (both by Malcolm Gladwell): "Blink" discusses the strengths and shortfalls of the subconscious using interesting and well-written examples. Can't read the whole book? Read the chapter about the Pepsi challenge. "Tipping Point" talks about the rise of fads/epidemics (non-viral). Can't read the whole book? Read the chapter describing Mavens and Salespeople and the one describing the 'stickiness factor' using Sesame Street and Blue's Clues [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Non-fiction recommendations Author: Kristen [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:39:34 11/29/05 Tue I just re-watched a made-for TV movie based on Randy Shilts' book _And The Band Played On_. The all-star cast includes Matthew Modine, Alan Alda, Richard Gere, Angelica Houston, Phil Collins, Steve Martin, Ian McKellen, Lily Tomlin--this movie is a given for the Kevin Bacon game--and it's definitely worth a rental if you've never seen it. I just picked up the book from the library, so I'll let you know how it is. I'm rather into epidemiology at the moment, so I'm looking forward to this one. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Non-fiction recommendations Author: Garey Eakes [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:05:30 12/20/05 Tue I recently read an excellent book, "The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time", by Jeffrey D. Sachs, a well-known progressive economist. The book sets out his summary of the bases for world poverty and the approach he supports for a meaningful attack on poverty. It is very informative and perhaps more importantly, hopeful, on what can and must be done to alleviate global poverty. I strongly recommend it. Foreward by Bono! Let me know what you think Garey [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Non-fiction recommendations Author: cartu [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 23:39:32 10/27/11 Thu Does anyone have any more readable nonfiction book suggestions? I like nonfiction books about travel, history, crime, business, and biographies. I do NOT like to read fictional, poetry, romance, sports, fantasy, or mythology books. Here are some good nonfiction books I have read before: "Loser Goes First" "My Horizontal Life" "Fez in the Heart" "American Sucker" "Angela's Ashes" "'Tis" "Teacher Man" "Serpent in Paradise" "Rolling Nowhere" "Whiteout" "Newjack" "Nickel and Dimed" "Into the Wild¡± "Marley and Me" "Jarhead" "Catch Me if You Can" "Faith of My Fathers" "Reefer Madness" "Dry" "Running With Scissors" "Madmen of History" "Heart of a Soldier" "Without a Net" "Seaworthy" "Adrift" "Year of Magical Thinking" "Coldest Winter" "Stealing Buddha's Dinner" "Expats" "Places in Between" "Man Who Would Be King" "In an Instant" "Cork Boat" "Falling Through the Earth" "My Dark Places" "Born Standing Up" "Dave's Way" "Pizza Tiger" "Sam Walton" "DeLorean" "Grinding It Out" "Iacocca" "Fast Food Nation" "Tuesdays with Morrie" "Will" "Black Boy" "Autobiography of Malcolm X" "Darkness Visible" "Bell Jar" "Walk Across America" "Walk in the Woods" "Investment Biker" "Road Fever" "Hot Zone" "Dispatches" "Down and Out in Paris and London" "Video Night in Kathmandu" "Travels with Charley" "Fortunate Son" "Travels" "Rape of Nanking" "Damage Done" "One L" "Give Me My Father's Body" "Typhoid Mary" "River at the Center of the World" "Racing the Ice to Cape Horn" "Kindness of Strangers" "Confessions of a Mail Order Bride" "Cop to Call Girl" "Pendergast!" "Foot in the Door" Thanks! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]