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What Are You Reading?
I know some of you are avid readers so thought I'd share this list of the 87 greatest travel books (according to 45 authors). Since I've only read a couple of them, I've got my work cut out!

https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2007-08-08/the-86-greatest-travel-books-of-all-time?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=cnt&utm_mailing=CNT_Daily_PM_030120&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&bxid=5e24f1f552ba1e2f407621b5&cndid=59706013&hasha=7ffc984367604036650a5351313734e0&hashb=4abe11a64b62ff299dd7da24cb88354054553fe0&hashc=8c9f5003f2b879b60385c7bceebc8a325dd7164cd7e7f59a7e84ff76f5074994&esrc=bounceX&utm_term=CNT_Daily
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

 
Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #1

I'm finding it easy to self-isolate, since I'm somewhat of a loner by inclination. Cabin fever is something I can't remember experiencing. ;-)

Harold, here are a couple of books for you. The first, The Terrible Hours, is about USN officer Charles "Swede" Momsen, and focuses on the key role he played in the 1939 rescue and subsequent salvage of the USS Squalus.

The second is an eyewitness account by Nat Barrows, a newsman who was on the scene at both the rescue and salvage operations. It's long out of print, but if you can find a copy, Blow All Ballast! is highly recommended.

Both books are riveting reading.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"



Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #4
The Terrible Hours, is about USN officer Charles "Swede" Momsen, and focuses on the key role he played in the 1939 rescue and subsequent salvage of the USS Squalus.

Available free, along with lots of other books, on the National Emergency Library:

The terrible hours.
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #5
"Three hundred miles up the Mississippi River from its mouth—many parishes above New Orleans and well north of Baton Rouge—a navigation lock in the Mississippi’s right bank allows ships to drop out of the river. In evident defiance of nature, they descend as much as thirty-three feet, then go off to the west or south. This, to say the least, bespeaks a rare relationship between a river and adjacent terrain—any river, anywhere, let alone the third-ranking river on earth."

So begins the story "Atchafalaya", by John McPhee, about mans efforts, since the first person settled on 'high ground' in New Orleans, to control the mighty Mississippi.  Though it's thirty plus years since it was written, the challenges and economic risks haven't changed a bit.  As with almost anything by McPhee, a very enjoyable, enlightening, and interesting read.  A link below to read it online.  It can also be found in the McPhee book The Control of Nature, which has two other stories of trying to tame Mother Nature.

Bill

Atchafalaya | The New Yorker
Bill
2003 -- 23' FL

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #6

Bill said it in three little words: "anything by McPhee." I know of no other writer who can make any subject he turns to so fascinating to read about. From oranges (yes, he wrote a book about oranges!) to truckers to bark canoes to shad fish to unusual aircraft to basketball, John McPhee is always interesting, always entertaining, and always worthwhile.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #7
Although we try to stay on topic on LDOG, these are trying times and stay-at-home entertainment suggestions are probably in order. Since Greg sort of started a "what are you reading?" thread with his travel book link, I thought it a good place to pick up and continue with your reading suggestions, so I changed the subject title and let's see what our book-loving members come up with. One caution: As we do with our posts, please refrain from comments, suggestions and reviews of hot button books about guns, politics, religion, etc.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #8
The Stand, by Stephen King.

It's back on the bestseller lists as of a couple weeks ago.
fu
2015TK


Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #10

Just finished this book and it completely changed my views on Hitler whom I always thought of as a Saddam type leader that everyone around him lived in fear of. His entourage enjoyed his company and had no problem questioning his agenda or engaging in light hearted banter. If you were deemed acceptable by Hitler you were his buddy and reading this book was not unlike books I've read about Elvis and Michael Jackson and what it was like in their circle of friends.
The book also gives great insight into how a country and especially a generation became so indoctrinated into Hitler worship and the NAZI party and I now understand at least a little bit more how such a man was able to ingratiate himself so successfully with the German population.
Strange part was I almost found myself feeling sorry for Hitler in his final days and hours in his bunker which the author witnessed and details. He was a man that did monstrous things but he was a man not a monster.

Amazon.com: Hitler's Last Secretary: A Firsthand Account of Life with Hitler...


I had earlier read the following book which is more in the textbook vein and extremely  informative. Between the two my understanding of NAZI Germany has come a long way.
Amazon.com: Dance Between Flames: Berlin Between the Wars eBook: Gill,...

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #11
I would like to recommend "Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher" by Timothy Egan. This book is about the epic life and immortal photographs of Edward Curtis. In his quest to document  in the early 1900's the life of all the American Indian tribes before their lifestyle and beliefs were eradicated by the whites it documents his many trips to areas where we have been in  the "Silver Fox", our 27MB.  A worthwhile  read!
Ian and Jean,
"Silver Fox", 27 MB
Seattle
2015 MB


Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #13

Just finished this one and I can see why they made it into a movie. Great read!
You can take the boy out of the hood but you can’t take the hood out of the boy.

Amazon.com: The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man...

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #14
So I have gone through several books since the start of the shut down.  I was about to read “The Other End Of the Line”, by Andrea Camilleri.  But just as I was reading the opening paragraph, Montalbano walked up from the beach. A nice gentle breeze was softly agitating the sea as the sun was setting.  A fireball being quenched setting the sky ablaze in reds and oranges and blues; clouds picking up pinks and golds.  It took a minute for me to know who it was as he was silhouetted by the bright sunset.  He coughed to announce his presence.  It turned into a dry hacking cough.  Between gasping breaths the inspector said, “ey, stupido!!  What are you doing here!  All of Itala is in shut down and staying home to stop the virus.  What!  Don’t you have any sympathy (simpatico) for the rest of human kind.”

Then I woke up.  I closed the book and vowed to wait until Italy opened again to read this last book in the series. 
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #15

Just finished this and if you grew up in the 60s to 70s Southern California surf and drug scene and took surf trips to Mexico in a VW bus as I did it will bring back memories. Quick and fun read.

Amazon.com: BAD KARMA: The True Story of a Mexican Surf Trip from Hell...

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #16
The American Miracle by Michael Medved
2003 MB

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #17
"Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies" by J.B. West

Really interesting and entertaining of chief usher to First Ladies for three decades.  I found it amazing to read about the different dynamics of each family and personalities.
2006 31' IB Anniversary Edition; Tow 97' Wrangler

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #18

This book resembles the series The Wire” . Good cops,bad cops, snitches, hit men and  the FBI screwing up investigations. Really interesting and depressing about what’s going on in the Puget sound with commercial poaching funded by who else but China.
Shell Games: Rogues, Smugglers, and the Hunt for Nature's Bounty: Welch,...

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #19
Just finished "What Money Can't Buy" by Michael Sandel. Now I need to re-read "The Millionaire Next Door". Both of these books deal with the evolution of ethics, taken from different perspective. You might think these books would be deadly boring, they are not, and really make one think about personal values!
Ian
"Silver Fox",  27 MB Seattle
2015 MB

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #20

I just ordered Mike Lindell‘s (the MyPillow guy) new book What Are the Odds: From Crack Addict to CEO ($29.99 in paperback).  I read the prologue, which can be found here and it looks like he has an amazing story to tell.  I don’t know when it will arrive, but I’m looking forward to the read.

- John

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶

temp
Reply #21
"I've read all of my library."


Many, many years ago I read a book entitled "The Cry and the Covenant". Why? At this point in time I cannot say, it not being my sort of literature. But once I started reading the first few pages I could not lay it down.

Since it has a parallel theme to our present crisis, I thought I'd bring it to light for the benefit of others. Have you washed your hands today?

The Cry and the Covenant - Wikipedia
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #22
"The Cry and the Covenant" sounds like a great read, Steve! Unfortunately, it's out of print, and used copies on Amazon are not cheap. No Kindle edition is available, but an electronic version is available for "borrowing" from the Internet Archive.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: What Are You Reading?
Reply #23
"...it's out of print, and used copies on Amazon are not cheap."

Alas, it should be on the top of the best sellers list right about now!

I have not seen my copy in many years and perhaps I gave it away or threw it out. It may have been a '1st Edition'! I acquired and read it back in the 1950s.   :(
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!