Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?
- Thread starter Huntn
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Hopefully the book is an expanded version (ie. better?) of the BBC Civilisations episodes?
I found them promising much but ultimately underwhelming. BBC PR touted the series as a foil to Kenneth Clark's Civilisation that is seen as dated and self indulgent… and yet, these Civilisations episodes are just as — if not more indulgent with their slow mo shots of the presenters stroking and fondling sculptures, hair blowing languidly… dramatic film as a substitute for saying, well, not that much.
Sometimes I get the impression Mary Beard actively despises her professional subject. The Classical world… But that could be her delivery.
Anyway, I have ordered the book from the library, so fingers crossed her argument gets a more thorough treatment.
I didn't see the modern series (was away at the time), and don't recall who else had produced or presented individual episodes.
She has two episodes, if memory serves (I read about it), - I suspect that she may have been asked to do so to provide some sense of a gender balance from someone deemed qualified to do so: Not least because she asks questions of what civilisation is, who defines it, (do those who are viewed and defined - often, but not always women, but very often "the other" - get to have any say in any of this, not least how they are viewed) who is the intended audience, and whether the context in which it is defined and viewed determines how it is viewed - and her book seems to be an expanded version of her lectures and programs.
Actually, I see her book as an attempt (quite deliberate) to expand on Kenneth Clark's work - which was excellent, but also very much a product of its time - she asks questions (legitimate ones) that would never have occurred to him, of the subject, but doesn't go much beyond raising the questions (perhaps because she may believe that answers are too prescriptive).
I don't think that she despises her professional subject, but I do think she interrogates it in a way that upper class males (no matter how progressive their political complexion) would find hard to do, simply because much of what she sees (as a left wing leaning woman) would never have occurred to them.
She invites you to critically examine and interrogate the material she presents, insists you think to place it in its context, and question your own assumptions (and subconscious prejudices) as you do so.
Last edited:
Hmm. Thanks.
I think you put your finger on the central problem I have with Professor Beard (and Simon Schama). Asking questions and then moving on swiftly…
Though you may be right in that an answer could be seen as prescriptive. Though, personally, I don't mind an answered question.
The "Greek Revolution"… don't just tell me that there are several theories. Let's talk about them. Don't stand in front of Roman marble copies of greek bronzes and talk about them as though they were the Greek object. Talk about the influence of bronze. Don't just hold out the Old Boxer while completely ignoring the whole genre it belongs to and tell us it is (I quote from memory here) "provocatively prodding the underbelly of the Graeco-Roman world".
Oh I dunno.
I suppose I have just gone off contemporary art programming. So much pre-chewed pap.
Hmm. Thanks.
I think you put your finger on the central problem I have with Professor Beard (and Simon Schama). Asking questions and then moving on swiftly…
Though you may be right in that an answer could be seen as prescriptive. Though, personally, I don't mind an answered question.
The "Greek Revolution"… don't just tell me that there are several theories. Let's talk about them. Don't stand in front of Roman marble copies of greek bronzes and talk about them as though they were the Greek object. Talk about the influence of bronze. Don't just hold out the Old Boxer while completely ignoring the whole genre it belongs to and tell us it is (I quote from memory here) "provocatively prodding the underbelly of the Graeco-Roman world".
Oh I dunno.
Simon Schama is one thing, (and some of his earlier programmes were every good), but, I think that in Mary Beard's case, it is a (deliberate) reaction to the prescriptive and utter confidence in the certainty of their pronouncements of those cultural commentators (who were usually upper-middle class, white, male and heterosexual) who used to dominate such programmes.
Philosophically, she may prefer not to be prescriptive, - but may seek to address some of these issues by raising questions and inviting an audience to think (something i used to do a bit as a teacher), but, also, as a left leaning woman, if she were to offer prescriptive answers, I think the outraged reaction would possibly counter any good, by making a controversy out of the material, rather than persuading people to ask questions of it and arrive at some sort of informed conclusions by themselves having informed themselves - rather than digesting 'self evident truths" uncritically or with an unquestioned or unexamined air.
I tried to find, on here, and I couldn't locate. Cheers!
She's written some stuff I might want to read.
Some of her stuff is superb: SPQR is brilliant - seriously good, intelligent - yet original Roman history; cannot recommend it highly enough.
Likewise, her book on Women & Power is excellent and thought-provoking.
Just started "All Systems Red", The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. So far, so good! Well written and I like the robot!
This sounds interesting. I added it to my Goodreads.com “want to read” list.Just started "All Systems Red", The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. So far, so good! Well written and I like the robot!
I have yet to see a bad review and it won the Hugo and Nebula Awards! The SF fans have reacted well to the series and I can see why!
His Robot Wife: Patience is a Virtue (2013)- The third in a series, good enough to hold my interest but disconnected from the driving event of the previous book, and opportunities lost to make this a thriller.
Tension builds, something dramatic happens, but then it fizzles when it could be so much more. Still I find the concept of human beings with emotional relationships to androids interesting, still debating with myself how good or bad this situation might be for human beings.
Tension builds, something dramatic happens, but then it fizzles when it could be so much more. Still I find the concept of human beings with emotional relationships to androids interesting, still debating with myself how good or bad this situation might be for human beings.
Logan’s Run- As mentioned earlier in this thread, or the movie thread, the book is substantially different than the movie, same general idea but the latter had a consolidated story with some intrigue added. It was ok, not great, on the short side.
- Here is no Carousel of Rebirth, but there are death centers.
- Logan is not sent by the Computer Overlord to find and destroy Sanctuary. He decides on his own to do this.
- There is a sanctuary!
- Much of the country is populated, it’s not like the movie where a single protected city exists and outside is a wasteland.
- Logan and Jessica are chased all over the country.
- There is no bewildered old man who lives with cats.
- There is no soylant green aspect of the story, although Box kills runners if he can.
- The Computer overseer of the city does not have a mental breakdown when Logan tells it, there is no sanctuary.
- Jessica and Logan make it to sanctuary, and the underground continues.
Last edited:
I'm curious to hear your review when you're finished reading it. I looked at the description on goodreads.com and the opening line reads this:Another New Yorker-reviewed book:
I am curious and even say, concerned when it says a "new history".
A few recent books:
I'm a sucker (sorry!) for vampire stories. This, in my opinion, is pants... It does though show the way the Amazon review system is being gamed this days. There appears to have been two versions of this book - the first, which was given away free appeared to get universal five star reviews. The second version which people paid for seemed to get quite poor reviews... Hmmm....
Really enjoyed this one. A weird English tale of an English town pretty much closed off in the 15/16th Century where the study of history is forbidden. Fantasy rather than horror. A bit clunky to read with a big confusing cast of characters but fascinating all the same. Recommended if you want something different.
Just started this - about a quarter of the way through. Wow, a really, really, impressive book.
[doublepost=1548407724][/doublepost]
Thanks Huntn, read it years ago when I was young. It's just not the same without Jenny Agutter
A couple of others I read yonks ago I think are interesting to read are the short story Rollerball (can't for the life of me remember the author at the moment) and the original Planet of Apes book. (Wasn't the author French?)
I'm a sucker (sorry!) for vampire stories. This, in my opinion, is pants... It does though show the way the Amazon review system is being gamed this days. There appears to have been two versions of this book - the first, which was given away free appeared to get universal five star reviews. The second version which people paid for seemed to get quite poor reviews... Hmmm....
Really enjoyed this one. A weird English tale of an English town pretty much closed off in the 15/16th Century where the study of history is forbidden. Fantasy rather than horror. A bit clunky to read with a big confusing cast of characters but fascinating all the same. Recommended if you want something different.
Just started this - about a quarter of the way through. Wow, a really, really, impressive book.
[doublepost=1548407724][/doublepost]
Thanks Huntn, read it years ago when I was young. It's just not the same without Jenny Agutter
A couple of others I read yonks ago I think are interesting to read are the short story Rollerball (can't for the life of me remember the author at the moment) and the original Planet of Apes book. (Wasn't the author French?)
Last edited:
A few recent books:
I'm a sucker (sorry!) for vampire stories. This, in my opinion, is pants... It does though show the way the Amazon review system is being gamed this days. There appears to have been two versions of this book - the first, which was given away free appeared to get universal five star reviews. The second version which people paid for seemed to get quite poor reviews... Hmmm....
Really enjoyed this one. A weird English tale of an English town pretty much closed off in the 15/16th Century where the study of history is forbidden. Fantasy rather than horror. A bit clunky to read with a big confusing cast of characters but fascinating all the same. Recommended if you want something different.
Just started this - about a quarter of the way through. Wow, a really, really, impressive book.
[doublepost=1548407724][/doublepost]
Thanks Huntn, read it years ago when I was young. It's just not the same without Jenny Agutter
A couple of others I read yonks ago I think are interesting to read are the short story Rollerball (can't for the life of me remember the author at the moment) and the original Planet of Apes book. (Wasn't the author French?)
Rotherweird looks extremely interesting, (that sort of stuff is fascinating) and - thanks to Hilary Mantel - interest in research and scholarship about Thomas Cromwell has experienced something of a revival.
I've read a number of recent biographies: Will be most interested to see what you make of this one and whether you recommend it.
Onto Wizard and Glass by Stephen King now. It is interesting how some of the universe of Stephen King's other books intersect with each other...pretty cool actually.
I'm a little ambivalent about watching The Dark Tower movie though. It doesn't sound like it really follows the books or does it justice at all. The reviews are terrible, although I do like Idris Elba and Matthew McCaughnohey.
I'm a little ambivalent about watching The Dark Tower movie though. It doesn't sound like it really follows the books or does it justice at all. The reviews are terrible, although I do like Idris Elba and Matthew McCaughnohey.
Well, I finished Martha Wells "All Systems Red" and I must say that it was one of the best novellas I've read in many years! The main character, Murderbot, is thoroughly engaging and the whole thing is well written. Can't wait to get and read the rest of the books in her series.
Now, I've moved on to "The Black Chamber" by S.M. Stirling. It's an alternate history novel of WW1. Haven't gotten more than a chapter in, so far, but I like what I have read.
Now, I've moved on to "The Black Chamber" by S.M. Stirling. It's an alternate history novel of WW1. Haven't gotten more than a chapter in, so far, but I like what I have read.
My recent adventure into reading FREE books, specifically classics has taken me on a winding journey through a number of books
Most I knew the general story, but had never actually read the book
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - entertaining
Treasure Island - enjoyed reading this much more than I expected
Kidnapped - not as good as Treasure Island but entertaining
The Call of the Wild - I thought I would be disappointed with this, but I really enjoyed it
Around the World in 80 Days - a good read
Robinson Crusoe - I expected this to be tedious, but I really liked it a lot, especially his inner struggles
Swiss Family Robinson - found this very disappointing actually after having read Robinson Crusoe right before it
The Island of Doctor Moreau - another good read
King Solomon's Mines - a little shallow but entertaining nonetheless
Lately I read to fill in empty time just to be entertained
And as much as I read, I am grateful for free books
If anyone has suggestions for similar free books, I would welcome the recommendations
I am currently reading Tarzan of the Apes
I have a few more in the queue already
The Mysterious Island
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
The Last of the Mohicans
Captains Courageous
The Lost World
The Land that Time Forgot
I have these ready, but not sure I want to devote the time to them
Anybody have thoughts pro or con on reading them?
I'm just not sure I care enough to keep up with the intricate plot and message
A Tale of Two Cities
War and Peace
Gulliver's Travels
Most I knew the general story, but had never actually read the book
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - entertaining
Treasure Island - enjoyed reading this much more than I expected
Kidnapped - not as good as Treasure Island but entertaining
The Call of the Wild - I thought I would be disappointed with this, but I really enjoyed it
Around the World in 80 Days - a good read
Robinson Crusoe - I expected this to be tedious, but I really liked it a lot, especially his inner struggles
Swiss Family Robinson - found this very disappointing actually after having read Robinson Crusoe right before it
The Island of Doctor Moreau - another good read
King Solomon's Mines - a little shallow but entertaining nonetheless
Lately I read to fill in empty time just to be entertained
And as much as I read, I am grateful for free books
If anyone has suggestions for similar free books, I would welcome the recommendations
I am currently reading Tarzan of the Apes
I have a few more in the queue already
The Mysterious Island
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
The Last of the Mohicans
Captains Courageous
The Lost World
The Land that Time Forgot
I have these ready, but not sure I want to devote the time to them
Anybody have thoughts pro or con on reading them?
I'm just not sure I care enough to keep up with the intricate plot and message
A Tale of Two Cities
War and Peace
Gulliver's Travels
Well, I finished Martha Wells "All Systems Red" and I must say that it was one of the best novellas I've read in many years! The main character, Murderbot, is thoroughly engaging and the whole thing is well written. Can't wait to get and read the rest of the books in her series.
Now, I've moved on to "The Black Chamber" by S.M. Stirling. It's an alternate history novel of WW1. Haven't gotten more than a chapter in, so far, but I like what I have read.
I can’t see Black Chamber available for Kindle here in the UK? Sounds like something I’d like to read.
I don't know. It is available on Kindle here in the US, but it is actually cheaper to buy the paperback version than the Kindle version!