Clapton
the Autobiography
He is pretty open about his alcoholism and womanizing, but it's the discussions of what motivated his various songs and collaborations that make the book interesting.
After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box - Author unknown
“Unfortunately, the truth is now whatever the media say it is”
-Abbey
About a week ago I finished a book called The Religion by Tim Willocks. It was a work of historical fiction set in 1565 during the Muslim siege of Malta. The central character, Mattias Tannhauser, is taken as a youth from his village by Muslim invaders and grows up to join the ranks of the Janissary's. After leaving his Muslim life, he settles in Sicily where he becomes a prosperous arms dealer, soldier of fortune, and bar owner. His reputation leads Contessa Carla La Penautier to his doorstep. Using her charms and a promise of title and wealth, the Contessa, a young widow, recruits Tannhauser to help her find bastard son, Orlandu, she was forced to abandon at birth 12 years earlier. They arrive on Malta, where the Contessa believes her son is, and Tannhauser and Carla get caught in the Turkish attack on the Christian enclave. The story takes place between May and September of 1565. It is rich in historical detail, beautiful detail, character development, and a plot that moves surprisingly well. This book sat on my shelf for over a year. Every time I picked it up to start reading it, I would fan the pages and think, "Too many words, I'm not in the mood for all these words." You may say, "Hey, dummy, it's a book, there are lots of words in book!" You're right, of course, but some books rely on dialogue as well narrative/descriptive paragraphs, at 640 pages, The Religion doesn't use as much dialogue as other books, which means there are a lot of words. I loved this book. I wish I had committed myself to reading it sooner. On the upside, it is supposed to be the first book in a Tannhauser trilogy, I am anxiously awaiting book two.
The Religion
A couple of days ago I finished The Last Jihad by Joel C. Rosenberg. Written before 9/11, the book opens with a kamikaze attack on the Presidential motorcade and involves war with Saddam. It was a good read.
Currently I am reading Rosenberg's second book, The Last Days. So far so good. Arab terrorists, CIA, Israelis, Palestinians, Iraqis, Russians, car chases, homicide bombers. Good Fun.
"I am allergic to piety, it makes me break out in rash judgements." - Penn Jillette
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with a lot of pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
"The man who invented the telescope found out more about heaven than the closed eyes of prayer ever discovered." - Robert G. Ingersoll
I suppose I should have mentioned that the title is derived from the defenders of Malta. They are The Knights of Saint John the Baptist, also known as The Hospitallers. They were rivals of The Templars and called themselves The Religion.
"I am allergic to piety, it makes me break out in rash judgements." - Penn Jillette
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with a lot of pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
"The man who invented the telescope found out more about heaven than the closed eyes of prayer ever discovered." - Robert G. Ingersoll
Last week I finished "Biography of a Dollar." It's a great read about currency valuation, trading, and the weak dollar.
I'm currently reading "The 360-degree Leader," about leadership in an organization in all directions.
Liberty is the greatest measure of equality.
Economic Left/Right: 9.38, Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.51
Sola Scriptura | Soli Deo Gloria | Solo Christo | Sola Gratia | Sola Fide
cannery row.....
"I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is."
~Albert Camus
This past month I've read:
The Audacity of Hope
FairTax: The Truth by Neal Boortz
The innocent Mage
The Awakened Mage both by Karen Miller
An Inconvenient Book by Glenn Beck
Crazies to the left of me, Wimps to the right by Bernie Goldberg
The Spiderwick Chronicles
"Government screws up everything. If government says black, you can bet it's white. If government says sit still for your safety, you'd better run for your life!"
--Wayne Allyn Root
www.rootforamerica.com
www.FairTax.org
Finished "The 360-degree Leader." It was OK.
Now I'm on to "The Fabric of the Cosmos," which is about theoretical physics.
Liberty is the greatest measure of equality.
Economic Left/Right: 9.38, Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.51
Sola Scriptura | Soli Deo Gloria | Solo Christo | Sola Gratia | Sola Fide
liberal fascism
If we were as industrious to become good as to make ourselves great, we should become really great by being good, and the number of valuable men would be much increased; but it is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness; and i pronounce it as certain that there was never yet a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous." - Ben Franklin
Imagine what good we can do if we all joined together, united as followers of Christ - M. Russell Ballard
"Temporary Shepherds" by Roger Nicholson
http://books.google.com/books?as_aut...gational&hl=en
this guy writes great leadership books....we have used him as a consultant.....
"I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is."
~Albert Camus
Never heard of him, but I'll have to check him out. Thanks!
Liberty is the greatest measure of equality.
Economic Left/Right: 9.38, Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.51
Sola Scriptura | Soli Deo Gloria | Solo Christo | Sola Gratia | Sola Fide
Just finished 'Big Con,' Jonathan Chait and 'The End of America,' Naomi Wolf. Both worth reading this election time.
Still reading, 'The Culture Of Make Believe,' Derrick Jensen. Radical look at America. Also started Richard Powers, 'Three Farmers on their Way to Dance.' One of my favorite fiction authors, but the book ties into life enough during the time of the first world war to make it pertinent.
Before enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. ~Zen Buddhist Proverb
Playboy...hey that's as thick as some books!
UNITED STATES ARMY AVIATION
Above the Best
Why the Hell should I have to press “1” for ENGLISH?