Been a while since we had a “wuttcha readin” thread

Big 8 Rules

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So. Wuttcha readin these days. I am heading off to the middle of nowhere in Kentucky next weekend for some serious Bourbon Trail time, and an effort to do nothing but sit outside while the sun traverses over me with a new Panama hat, two of these books, lots of cigars, several kinds of whiskey, my Schmoopie and nothing but time. I’ve already read the Barry book on the 1918 flu years ago. If you haven’t, you really really should.
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So. Wuttcha readin these days. I am heading off to the middle of nowhere in Kentucky next weekend for some serious Bourbon Trail time, and an effort to do nothing but sit outside while the sun traverses over me with a new Panama hat, two of these books, lots of cigars, several kinds of whiskey, my Schmoopie and nothing but time. I’ve already read the Barry book on the 1918 flu years ago. If you haven’t, you really really should.
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You had me at Bourbon... :love: ...
 
You had me at Bourbon... :love: ...
Problem is, I think Buffalo Trace seems to be one of the few distilleries still doing tours. I think most of the gift shops are open around the distilleries, but not that many tours. We’re going to hit DC for a day or so to see the kid’s new apartment in Alexandria, then we’re caravaning to Kentucky for four days. I am so ready for this time away. Started today by getting a shitload of yard work done, with more to follow tomorrow. I am already neck-deep into vacation mode.
 
I’ve started reading Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Only 18 pages in and I’m hooked. The clandestine office this group kept had a secret passage into the St. Ermin’s Hotel on Claxton Street, which just happens to be where I stayed during my first work visit to London three years ago. I’m going to love this book.
 
I haven’t picked up anything new lately. Re-reading Steinbeck’s East of Eden. One of my favorites.

During the past couple of months I have been giving away almost all my books. Just collecting dust. Locally someone placed a Little Free Library box ( https://littlefreelibrary.org/) in a shopping center near me. I’ve been dropping off my books there.
 
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I’ve started reading Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Only 18 pages in and I’m hooked. The clandestine office this group kept had a secret passage into the St. Ermin’s Hotel on Claxton Street, which just happens to be where I stayed during my first work visit to London three years ago. I’m going to love this book.
You got my attention with Churchill’s..... I am going check it out. I finished this one within the past year. Enjoyed it.

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The Journey of Crazy Horse, A Lakota History by Joseph M Marshall III

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Crow Dog: Four Generations of Sioux Medicine Men by Leonard Crow Dog.

Leonard married my parents and still stays in contact with me. He also performed Mom and Dad's Ceremonies to make their journey. He has always been like a grandfather to me.


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I really need to find more time to read.
It’s a bit like meditation. If your mind is not cleared, reading is pointless since you’re not digesting the content. You’ve got to build the habit. Just finding 15-30 minutes every day or two to clear your head and read is good for the mind and the body.
 
I believe I’ve recommended on here the book called I Heard You Paint Houses, by Charles Brandt, which is the basis of the Scorsese movie The Irishman. Highly recommended. The hit man Frank Sheehan gave years of interviews and was (mostly) honest and forthcoming.

I’ll soon be starting Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford. Apparently his reputation doesnt align with reality. I’m curious about that considering how much land he conquered so quickly.

My filler book is a light reading fiction by David Baldacci...this is the first time I’ve been disappointed with one of his books, I may not finish it. It’s titled A Minute to Midnight. Don’t buy it, I’ll send it to you if you want it.

i also just got delivered the Malcolm X autobiography as told to Alex Haley. That’s another guy who is mis- portrayed or not well understood. I guess that’s my theme lately.
 
The Journey of Crazy Horse, A Lakota History by Joseph M Marshall III

51WTIc9WEDL._SX325_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg


Crow Dog: Four Generations of Sioux Medicine Men by Leonard Crow Dog.

Leonard married my parents and still stays in contact with me. He also performed Mom and Dad's Ceremonies to make their journey. He has always been like a grandfather to me.


51V+6osP7oL._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Thanks for the suggestion on this.

Would have liked to meet your dad in person but this looks like a good way to know more about him.
 
I believe I’ve recommended on here the book called I Heard You Paint Houses, by Charles Brandt, which is the basis of the Scorsese movie The Irishman. Highly recommended. The hit man Frank Sheehan gave years of interviews and was (mostly) honest and forthcoming.

I’ll soon be starting Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford. Apparently his reputation doesnt align with reality. I’m curious about that considering how much land he conquered so quickly.

My filler book is a light reading fiction by David Baldacci...this is the first time I’ve been disappointed with one of his books, I may not finish it. It’s titled A Minute to Midnight. Don’t buy it, I’ll send it to you if you want it.

i also just got delivered the Malcolm X autobiography as told to Alex Haley. That’s another guy who is mis- portrayed or not well understood. I guess that’s my theme lately.
Careful with the khans, some like to rewrite history making them seem more humane to us than what they really were. At the time they were no different than other conquerors, but they were just better at it than pretty much everybody else. Historians sometimes like to look back and brush off the atrocities of empires to build up their accomplishments. Genghis is credited with 10s of millions of deaths. Europe and the muslim world are lucky that Genghis's chosen successor Ogedei drank himself to death, he would have ruled from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and would have been conquering Egypt and northern Africa. There wasn't an army anywhere at that time that would have stopped them.
 
You got my attention with Churchill’s..... I am going check it out. I finished this one within the past year. Enjoyed it.

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I haven’t gotten as quickly through Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare as intended, but I’m actually enjoying the leisurely pace of a chapter every couple days. Thoroughly interesting and fascinating account, one which I highly recommend. Will finish it in the next few days. Then it’s on to A Woman of No Importance ... The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II.
 
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