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Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?
- Thread starter Huntn
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@LizKat: In Nicholas Ostler's "Passwords to Paradise - How Languages Have Re-Invented World Religions" there are a number of extremely interesting chapters on the history - specifically, the development, spread and evolution (doctrinally, theologically, linguistically, politically) of the Church in the period of its early history (the early schisms with the eastern Oriental Christian Churches, the Orthodox-Catholic split of 1054, the Reformation, the conquests of the Americas).
The title is a little misleading, (I'd argue for 're-imagined' rather than re-invented) but he does explore how different languages may have influenced different interpretations of some doctrinal stances.
He also look at how different languages may have had an influence on approaches to preaching and conversion - different cultures responded to different 'triggers' and may have had a different understanding of some concepts thought to be core beliefs - and how different cultures (and languages) gave rise to, or influenced, or spent cultural and linguistic support to, different understandings, or caused some to be highlighted or emphasised - at the expense of others.
Very interesting.
The title is a little misleading, (I'd argue for 're-imagined' rather than re-invented) but he does explore how different languages may have influenced different interpretations of some doctrinal stances.
He also look at how different languages may have had an influence on approaches to preaching and conversion - different cultures responded to different 'triggers' and may have had a different understanding of some concepts thought to be core beliefs - and how different cultures (and languages) gave rise to, or influenced, or spent cultural and linguistic support to, different understandings, or caused some to be highlighted or emphasised - at the expense of others.
Very interesting.
"His Own Way Out" - Blake Mitchell, by Taylor Seracen.
Enthralling read about a kid outed as bisexual at school, and worked his way through the gay porn industry and drugs, and made his own burgeoning business for himself. Pretty awesome read.
Enthralling read about a kid outed as bisexual at school, and worked his way through the gay porn industry and drugs, and made his own burgeoning business for himself. Pretty awesome read.
I found it on Amazon.com and so far it is a decent read.
Thanks for this. I hadn’t realized that Hillerman’s daughter was continuing the series - now to check the library!
In other news, perhaps not strictly in the spirit of the thread, I had occasion to consult one of my all-time favorites:
I am no Hemingway here, but The Elements of Style helped me greatly when I moved to the US.
Perhaps a bit creepingly, I am quite interested to know what the 8-Step approach paper is about........
Interesting as I had never heard of this. I just picked up the kindle version for 99 cents.
It’s actually a mouse pad I received as part of a Scotwork negotiation course I attended a couple of years ago. The 8 steps are some of the key points of the course summarized on the mouse pad.
A very good course, btw.
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Hope you enjoy using it. I also have the Kindle version, but prefer the feel of the paperback. Easier to photograph, too!
I’ve mentioned this book before but you might be interested in The Professor and the Madman.
It’s a fascinating book about the final creation of the Oxford English Dictionary and a particular contributor.
Ok finished the book last night. The only section I didn't like, but I know why they put it in, was the cave diving in the middle. They took up what felt like a good chunk of the book with this section. I know why they did it, because of what happens at the end, but lordy.
I agree with the ending. it was satisfying to see those who were involved with making his life a little hellish. I would have really liked to read more about the Mother Company and Mr. Diamond. I think he had some skeleton's in his closet and I think that would be a fun read. Also going through the years with Mr. Hal would be a fun ride as he goes from contract to contract.
Thank you for making me aware of that book. It is now in my queue.
Not having room for the 20-volume OED, I thought about getting the Condensed version (with the magnifying glass included), and putting it on a stand, but eventually wound up with the Shorter OED (two volumes). One of my objectives in de-cluttering my home is to have more ready access to my writing tools such as the SOED. Now that I think about it, perhaps I’ll temporarily relocate the set to the office. See how it goes.
The backstory is pretty interesting.
I have a small dictionary collection. I don’t understand my fascination with them.
The condensed version....is that the one with several pages printed on each page?
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Trying to make some headway here in the pile of unread acquisitions.
Soon to flip a coin between Tom Rachman's The Imperfectionists and Christopher Buckley's The Judge Hunter. Both of these novels came highly recommended to me so I can't really pick one over the other. As a lover of coincidence, I am amused that the complimentary review causing me to inquire of friends about the Rachman book was written by the other book's author, Mr. Buckley.
Soon to flip a coin between Tom Rachman's The Imperfectionists and Christopher Buckley's The Judge Hunter. Both of these novels came highly recommended to me so I can't really pick one over the other. As a lover of coincidence, I am amused that the complimentary review causing me to inquire of friends about the Rachman book was written by the other book's author, Mr. Buckley.
Apparently I misspoke - it’s the Compact version. But yes, the print is tiny, and requires a magnifying glass.
https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Complete-Reproduced-Micrographically-slipcase/dp/0198612583
Age and eyes.
I love reading but I detest tiny, squashed print on thin, flimsy paper.
This is one of the reasons I purchase hardbacks: The quality of the paper and product is usually far better, and the print bigger and font considerably more attractive and much easier to read.
I’m actually glad I ultimately settled on the Smaller OED, as it has readable text. When I considered the Compact version years ago, it was probably more for the concept (20 volumes reduced to one) of efficiency plus the odd appeal of its being supplied with a domed magnifying glass, than for true practicality.
I’m with you on tiny print.
The book, "Directorate S" by Steve Coll - a nice, fat, heavy hard-back - arrived with today's post.
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Exactly. I resisted using the Kindle app on my iPad for a number of years, as I much prefer the feel of a book in my hands. But once I gave it a try, I was hooked. Being able to carry around a small library in my iPad has come in handy in more ways than I had imagined.
Added to text size as a benefit is the ability to look up a word by selecting it. Not as satisfying as using my SOED, but in the moment, it works enough to get by.
I still prefer the look, feel, and aroma of books. Even paperbacks. But the sheer utility of the Kindle App or Books is too much for me to pass up. So I use both.
I haven't finished that yet but it's such a good work. The ebook version is finished in a way that many should be but are not in terms of presentation of notes, index, bibliography. There's many a work of nonfiction I have that lacks proper indexing. This isn't one of them. And Coll is careful in notes even to reference not only his own source for a quote, pegging it to specific interviews, but will also include a bibliographical reference to the same quote. There's no way to discuss this book in this thread but sometime someone should start such a discussion over in PRSI maybe.
For instance: Some of what I learned in this book about the way in which information was meant to be disseminated about the assassination of Massoud -- a multinational discussion and agreement was reached by parties on the ground on how and when best to handle release of that shocking news-- versus how it was almost immediately leaked from the White House, probably as a intentional and tactical maneuver, and the effect that move had on subsequent events in the ground in Afghanistan... well, it was infuriating.
I have always been ambivalent about Kindles - or any of the eReaders.
Like many I love books, not just for the knowledge they bring me, the worlds they take me to… but the weight, the feel and so on.
But where I can see myself now veering towards finally buying one is reading at bedtime.
I get distinct grumblings from my husband when my bedside lamp overstays its welcome half an hour or so after he has switched off. I have tried book lights but they just irritate me, their illumination is spotty and my eyesight is not what it used to be — so either I switch off and go elsewhere, which then disturbs the cat which has an infallible ability to be curled up on my favourite "reading chair" — or switch off and sulk.
Perhaps a Kindle lies in my near future after all.
*sigh*