desert island books - Page 2

Elspode · 06-11-2004, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wolf
5. The Making of the Atomic Bomb

I've read that book twice already, and talked to the author on a radio talk show years ago. Brilliant guy, great book. The sequel about the H-Bomb was not nearly as engaging, though.

wolf · 06-12-2004, 01:13 AM

I have Dark Sun sitting on the to-read pile, along with his book on The Waffen-SS.

Overall, the hydrogen bomb project is not as compelling as the Manhattan Project. The sense of immediacy and need of the race to develop the first atomic bomb makes a great adventure tale as well as fascinating history.

Also, Teller was more ego-driven than Oppenheimer, and his jealousy may well have led to Oppie losing his security clearance.

DanaC · 06-12-2004, 05:15 AM

I think I would have to havethe complete works of Shakespeare. There isnt much that stays fresh past the 10th reading but Hamlet still rocks my boat after all these years so...*thinks* what else? Oh yeah, "The Language Instinct" by Pinker ( I think thats what it's called) My brother is a huge Pinker fan and has paraphrased bits of it to me....I keep thinking I really aught to read it but life gets too busy and there are soooo many history books to read....If I was on a desert island I would definately read that.

Hmm......the Canterbury tales would be good to have......Oh......If it's counted as one book I'd take "This Sceptred Isle" But I suspect that'd count as several books......and maybe one of those pithy little books of sayings....y'know one a day little tidbits to brighten your day and lighten your mind:P

wolf · 06-12-2004, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DanaC
and maybe one of those pithy little books of sayings....y'know one a day little tidbits to brighten your day and lighten your mind:P

People who communicate using those make me homicidal. We have a nurse that says crap like that all the time. My coworkers have had to hold me back from killing her (even though they KNOW she needs it).

Slartibartfast · 06-12-2004, 01:23 PM

Dark Sun spent a lot of time talking about the spies that got nuclear secrets to the Russians. It could have been interesting, but it felt tedious instead.

And wolf, relax, even a bad time with a coworker can be good because:
"Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such." - Henry Miller

richlevy · 06-12-2004, 02:06 PM

Playboy: Fifty Years: The Photographs

Catwoman · 06-14-2004, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lookout123
i understand all the rest - but wouldn't this one jsut be rubbing your nose in it, as if to say "look at all the great things you'll never do again."?

Well, I initially wrote 'porn' but as it had to be just one book I thought I might as well get something slightly spiritual. Besides, if I ever got rescued I could repay my rescuer with my new found knowledge...

06-12-2004, 01:13 AM	#2
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I have Dark Sun sitting on the to-read pile, along with his book on The Waffen-SS. Overall, the hydrogen bomb project is not as compelling as the Manhattan Project. The sense of immediacy and need of the race to develop the first atomic bomb makes a great adventure tale as well as fascinating history. Also, Teller was more ego-driven than Oppenheimer, and his jealousy may well have led to Oppie losing his security clearance. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

06-12-2004, 02:06 PM	#6
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	Playboy: Fifty Years: The Photographs __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

06-12-2004, 05:15 AM	#3
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I think I would have to havethe complete works of Shakespeare. There isnt much that stays fresh past the 10th reading but Hamlet still rocks my boat after all these years so...thinks what else? Oh yeah, "The Language Instinct" by Pinker ( I think thats what it's called) My brother is a huge Pinker fan and has paraphrased bits of it to me....I keep thinking I really aught to read it but life gets too busy and there are soooo many history books to read....If I was on a desert island I would definately read that. Hmm......the Canterbury tales would be good to have......Oh......If it's counted as one book I'd take "This Sceptred Isle" But I suspect that'd count as several books......and maybe one of those pithy little books of sayings....y'know one a day little tidbits to brighten your day and lighten your mind:P

06-12-2004, 01:23 PM	#5
Slartibartfast \|-0-\| <-0-> \|-0-\| Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 516	Dark Sun spent a lot of time talking about the spies that got nuclear secrets to the Russians. It could have been interesting, but it felt tedious instead. And wolf, relax, even a bad time with a coworker can be good because: "Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such." - Henry Miller

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