Book Recommendations

[oliver507]

The favorites of my youth: Leatherstocking Tales (edited: James Fenimore Cooper). The Horatio Hornblower series of books (British navy in the 1700s). And a series about salvage operations in the Red Sea and North Africa during WW II.

Update:

The Leatherstocking Tales, all written by Cooper between 1823 and 1841, include: The Pioneers (1823), The Last of the Mohicans (1826), The Prairie (1827), The Pathfinder (1840), and The Deerslayer (1841). Two of those Cooper novels were made into movies: "The Last of the Mohicans" (starring Daniel Day-Lewis), and "The Deerslayer," starring Lex Barker, Rita Moreno and Forrest Tucker.

The 17-volume Hornblower series of books were written by C S Forester. Forester wrote over 40 other fiction and non-fiction books, the most well-known work being, "The African Queen," which was made into the movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Audre Hepburn, and another novel about the WW II search-and-destroy actions of the British Navy which was the basis for the movie entitled, "Sink the Bismarck." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Forester

The author of the salvage operations books was Rear Admiral Edward Ellsberg. He wrote numerous books on his active duty tasks both in the Red Sea (early in WW II) and thereafter. In 1944, Ellsberg was sent to England in time for the Normandy Invasion, where he was instrumental in setting up the Mulberry harbour off the Normandy Beach. His 1931 book on WW I submarine operations entitled "Pig Boats" was the basis for the movie "Hell Below" starring Robert Montgomery, Robert Young and Walter Huston. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Ellsberg

Not trying to be a smarty pants, I believe the female lead was Catherine Hepburn not Audrey.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I grew up reading ALL the Science Fiction writers and include the Sci-Fi monthly magazines too ! Read a bunch of westerns, WW2 books etc etc. Not to brag but my reading speed is 1000 wpm with about a 99% understanding and retention. Was loads of fun in high school and college, through the text books before even the first quarter !

 

[tazbigdog]

Just got Black Autumn.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44299285-black-autumn

 

[Cofaler]

Thanks to tho OP for starting this thread, I'm always looking for book recommendations.

Fly Boys, by Bradley, a real eye opener about WWII in the South Pacific
A Sense of Honor, by Webb, an outstanding book about the Naval Academy
About Face, by Hack, a great autobiography
Dispatches, by Herr, a great Vietnam War book in my opinion, but may not appeal to everyone
The 13th Valley, by Delvechio, Vietnam War fiction
The Berrybender series and the 'Thalia, TX' books by McMurtry. The Lonesome Dove Series as well. If you've seen the miniseries and not read the book(s) you are missing out. There are very, very few authors that can make me laugh outright or choke up while reading, but Larry McMurtry is the only one that can get either reaction from me. To me, Larry was in a class all by himself, RIP.
Louis L'amour. I've read and re-read all of his books many, many times, from when I first learned to read.
Centennial, by Mitchner, although there's a bit of a lib slant to it toward the end. We watch little to no TV, but recently started rewatching the miniseries.
The Son, or American Rust by Meyer. Both good reads

 

[el caminero]

I grew up reading ALL the Science Fiction writers and include the Sci-Fi monthly magazines too ! Read a bunch of westerns, WW2 books etc etc. Not to brag but my reading speed is 1000 wpm with about a 99% understanding and retention. Was loads of fun in high school and college, through the text books before even the first quarter !

My old joke is, i scan at the rate other people skim.

 

[davevabch]

One of the best factual books of the Iraq War. A must read. The Lie's, the deceit, and the money makers. Is History repeating itself?

https://www.google.com/books/editio...LwGYSuMkkG4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

 

[kmoore]

I have read many different book topic's and have 2 published fictional police stories.
This book I am still reading; "African Game Trails" by Theodore Roosevelt. Published in 1910
If you're interested in hunting/living in Africa in the early 1900s. He details all that when he hunted in 1909.
I learned of his Safari in school but never really cared that much. It's really mostly killing as opposed to hunting. Since the Smithsonian wanted many game and birds for their display. The book shows he and his son killed 512 mainly big game during the safari. Others with him shot or trapped many smaller birds and animals. I am doubting his marksmanship, at one point he claimed to shoot 75 rounds and killed 14 animals.

 

[ProfessorWes]

Took this one with me to the DMV today. I read a lot of Alistair MacLean novels growing up, and most of his stuff still holds up well today. HMS Ulysses, MacLean's 1955 novel about the final voyage of a WWII British cruiser on a Murmansk convoy - and its crew's desperate fight against the Germans, the weather, their own Admiralty and each other - was the book that launched his career. And it's still one of his best.

 

[KIR]

Great recommendations posted by one and all...
I just finished reading a book I picked up at the Sparks Library freebie book shelves. It is called Act of Treason by Vince Flynn. It is an advance uncorrected proof. It has a few spelling errors, but not much to detract from the main plot. Flynn has written at least seven other books and possibly more since this one was copyrighted in 2006. It involves politicals, an assasination, false identities which involves, Swisss bankers and Bosnian and Russian KGB, with several twists and turns. I highly recommend this maze of intrigue.

 

[el caminero]

Great recommendations posted by one and all...
I just finished reading a book I picked up at the Sparks Library freebie book shelves. It is called Act of Treason by Vince Flynn. It is an advance uncorrected proof. It has a few spelling errors, but not much to detract from the main plot. Flynn has written at least seven other books and possibly more since this one was copyrighted in 2006. It involves politicals, an assasination, false identities which involves, Swisss bankers and Bosnian and Russian KGB, with several twists and turns. I highly recommend this maze of intrigue.

However, ya really wanta scare some people, tell them to read Rainbow Six; by tom clancy back in 1998, rather a while before the wuhani moonbat flu.

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

I don't read books any more , I listen to them , I use the app Libby on my phone , what that does, is let me link my Library card to to the app and check out audiobooks for free, for 7 days at a time , works really nice !!! I've spent thousands of hours while driving listening to all kinds of books

BearBiologist talked about the Joe Pickett series and also Harry Bosch both good series , another one is by Jack Carr the James Reece series , I believe it starts off with The Terminal List ,, that one will keep you glued to your seat

another really fun series is by Robyn Carr, Virgin River , just fun easy books to listen too

 

[Fox Mike]

Just a couple that I have just finished. Highly recommended.

 

[sfhogman]

"On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery" by Robert Poole. Cannot recommend it highly enough.

 

[jav]

Read all the Jesse Stone novels you won’t be able to put them down

 

[KIR]

Gavin Menzies is a good author who wrote "1421, the Year China Discovered America"; 1434, The Year a Magnificent Fleet Sailed to Italy and Ignited the Renaissance; and "Who Discovered America?"
These are truly fascinating books. Ever wonder why, when the conquistadores landed in the New World they found Asiatic chickens? Have you ever seen Mexican wooden jewelry boxes painted in a black lacquer that is only made in one other place in the world= a province in China. Why does a certain tribe of "Native Americans" still wear, like the Chinese, white robes in their ceremonies? Could it be that when the great Chinese Admiral, Zheng He sailed into SF Bay and up the Sacramento River when water levels were at a higher point than they are now that the fleet lost a ship and the sailors and women who were aboard had to be left behind and intermingled with the Native Americans there? The latest books offer up interesting evidence about DNA to provide proof about many of his theories.
Open up your mind and even if you do not accept these theories, these books make for some interesting reading!!!

 

[Johnny-Baseball]

Of course Menzies might have gotten it backwards. The native Mexicans might have exported their crafts and skills to China. Just a theory.

 

[el caminero]

Gavin Menzies is a good author who wrote "1421, the Year China Discovered America"; 1434, The Year a Magnificent Fleet Sailed to Italy and Ignited the Renaissance; and "Who Discovered America?"
These are truly fascinating books. Ever wonder why, when the conquistadores landed in the New World they found Asiatic chickens? Have you ever seen Mexican wooden jewelry boxes painted in a black lacquer that is only made in one other place in the world= a province in China. Why does a certain tribe of "Native Americans" still wear, like the Chinese, white robes in their ceremonies? Could it be that when the great Chinese Admiral, Zheng He sailed into SF Bay and up the Sacramento River when water levels were at a higher point than they are now that the fleet lost a ship and the sailors and women who were aboard had to be left behind and intermingled with the Native Americans there? The latest books offer up interesting evidence about DNA to provide proof about many of his theories.
Open up your mind and even if you do not accept these theories, these books make for some interesting reading!!!

Heard some of these stories long before menzies books, which i have, and have gifted as well. Interesting stories, but most of the world treats him like von danieken. Cannot deny a lot of the facts, its the conclusions that put people off!

 

[Kevin]

For sheer entertainment and fun; Try reading Terry Pratchett's disc world collection !!

My daughter is a giant fan of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. They co-wrote Good Omens. She’s read more of Gaiman’s work than Pratchett’s.

Disc World sounds good though. I’ll have to find a copy for her. She might like it.

We were at the bookstore last weekend and I bought this book called “The Bad Ass Librarians of Timbuktu.” Just started it today. I can’t tell if it’s true or not. I think it’s based on a true story. It’s well written but hard because of all the African and Middle Eastern names.

I’m also half way through John Irving’s “A Widow For One Year.” But I don’t think anyone here would like that book.

 

[peachhead]

The 13th Valley, by Delvechio, Vietnam War fiction

If you like this, then try "A Reckoning for Kings" by Chris Bunch and Allan Cole. Hard to find unfortunately.
Just got done with these on Kindle and thought they were pretty good: the Executive series by Gary Grossman.

 

[KIR]

Of course Menzies might have gotten it backwards. The native Mexicans might have exported their crafts and skills to China. Just a theory.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The Chinese or the Olmecs?
According to DNA testing, there is Asian DNA in Native American in several civilizations in Hispanic America, but no Native American DNA in any Chinese peoples.

Glad to see that others have heard/read of Menzies. Great minds think alike! :)

 

[Ale-8(1)]

The DUNE series . . . all of 'em!

 

[cowboycopus]

James A. Michener, The Source

John Ross, Unintended Consequences

Both are long hard reading (for me) but worth it.

 

[el caminero]

The DUNE series . . . all of 'em!

Did that. Its the best defense agains some of those who want to argue certain details...bring up the relevant answer in a volume they never read nor likely knew existed.

 

[KIR]

James A. Michener, The Source

I remember reading The Source a long time ago and it was/is a great read!

During the early 70's, I read, the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. It was advertised as the longest/thickest paperback book of its time, 500+ pages and was made because of a new binding process. Due to my duties it took me three months to read.
Up until a decade ago, I always felt, if I started something I should finish it, as far as books are concerned anyway.
In my high school, classics were not mentioned. It was only later in life that I got around to reading, Homer, Virgil, Thucydides and a few others.
Casonova
The Complete Works of Pierre Louys
Shakespeare
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
Finally, there are my own unpublished manuscripts, over 100 writings of prose, poetry and short stories!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

You read your own stuff? :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

 

[peachhead]

I also like Michener. I think I've read just about all of his books. Also Herman Wouk. I have most of his and read them periodically.
I like all of WEB Griffins early books until he started "co-writing" with his son and then his son took over after he died. His son didn't have the gift. The books after were never the same.
I am also a big Clancy fan.
For something completely different, Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen and Ngaio Marsh.

 

[el caminero]

You read your own stuff? :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

Yes, its a great soporific; i know how everything turns out, page to...yawn...pa...

 

[Kevin]

I don't read books any more , I listen to them , I use the app Libby on my phone , what that does, is let me link my Library card to to the app and check out audiobooks for free, for 7 days at a time , works really nice !!! I've spent thousands of hours while driving listening to all kinds of books

BearBiologist talked about the Joe Pickett series and also Harry Bosch both good series , another one is by Jack Carr the James Reece series , I believe it starts off with The Terminal List ,, that one will keep you glued to your seat

another really fun series is by Robyn Carr, Virgin River , just fun easy books to listen too

If you like Libby, then check out Hoopla. It’s another app that you can tie to your local library and your library card. Lots of free audio books, magazines and even movies.

I’ve got it on my phone and the television.

It’s sort of like Libby only they seem to have different content. I’m sure some overlaps though.

 

[KIR]

You read your own stuff? :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

You don't? I can't afford a proof reader, so I edit my own stuff. However, my reading audience has also offered suggestions, which I am always happy to read and possibly accept to improve my writings. Finally, what better else to read when I hit a roadblock? It's where I get my best ideas. While I have just over 100 completed writings, they have given rise to even more ideas on which to build on and that list is even longer...

 

[KIR]

One more to add to the list...
Caught the movie Kon Tiki yesterday. Thor Heyerdahl proved South Sea Islanders could make boats/ships out of their local woods and sail across the Pacific all the way to South America. Good movie. I remember reading the book in the late 50's.
So many books I want to re-read, so many new books to just read!