Comments on: Reading about reading

By: Bob Estes

Bob Estes — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:00:00 +0000

I discovered Primo Levi (his work, I mean) in Italian in Torino, his city, some 22 years ago and was overwhelmed. He was virtually unknown at the time as far as I can tell. I couldn’t believe it, since his was such a powerful work. I imagine you know he ended up committing suicide. Very sad. Glad to know he has touched others. It’s inevitable that his writing will eventually be what everyone reads to know “what it was like.”

By: John Moreschi

John Moreschi — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:00:00 +0000

I just finished “The First Man of Rome” by Colleen McCulough. It is long, about 900 pages, but reads fast. It is a historical novel of Rome. I could care less about ancient Rome, but this book is so good, I now care about it, and have gotten a nice perspective on leadership in a country. Unfortunately, this is the first of five novels tracing Rome’s transition from a Republic to an Empire, but I will get to them all eventually, I presume, they are just too juicy to leave alone.

By: junebee

junebee — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:00:00 +0000

Here is an excellent narrative about growing up as a voracious reader in Communist China: http://home.pacbell.net/nxliu/bookromance.html
It makes me fee fortunate to be a
book lover in America.

By: knoxgirl

knoxgirl — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:00:00 +0000

Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice are both faves of mine.

By: karrde

karrde — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:00:00 +0000

I remember Jane Eyre also. My mother loved it, and I enjoyed the book (and movie).

I haven't read it repetitively, though.

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice did catch me that way, which kind of surprised me.

I tend towards stories of adventure, dragon-slaying, military life, leadership, and young men coming of age.

I haven't read much non-fiction recently. Maybe I should check out Radical Son.

By: Pancho

Pancho — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:00:00 +0000

You have a great list. Mine tends to be more narrow, but on any given day it could change!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:00:00 +0000

“If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another.”
- Winston Churchill