Any good books lately?

[MyHigh]

Just curious of any good books that you guys have read lately?

I just finished "lone survivor" yesterday and am at a loss for words. Just an amazing story, I am so thankful the navy allowed Markus Luttrel to share his story, and am especially thankful Mr. Luttrel took the time to relive this painful story. I read this book expecting to walk away just hating Muslims and everything about them, however I was wrong and i am happy to admit it.

Also I just recently read "unbroken" about a WWII bombardier, Louis Zamperini. And his amazing story of survival. Both books are little reminders that people are good, no matter what part of the world we come from no matter what our differences are, there will always be good triumphing evil.

I'm open to any suggestions, and or if you want to share and talk about either books. Let's start a good thread about anything book related.

Who out there is a "Clive Cussler" fan?

Thanks guys!, can't wait to see what we come up with.

 

[UncleBilly]

I think the Zamperini story is being made into a film. I've enjoyed most of Cussler's books. Read Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, and Balducci for some great series...

 

[MyHigh]

Really?
Man, that should be a good movie. I couldn't put the book down, I mean talk about the ultimate survival story.
Hey thanks for the other series to look for, right now I'm going on a documentary survival spree. Just started "buried in the sky" a reoccurrence of what happens on k2 back in the summer of 2008.

 

[MtnT4R]

Speaking of survival documentaries, Touching The Void is a pretty insane story. Adrift is an older book, but also pretty intense; the author had to bail out of his sail boat in the middle of nowhere and survived 76 days on the open ocean alone.

 

[MyHigh]

Ah two very good suggestions, "touching the void" is actually in my queue. And along the lines of "adrift" I have waiting on my kindle a story about a early expedition to the southern ocean and Antarctica called "endurance" about Ernest Shackleton and his seemingly doomed party if not for his amazing journey and race against time to save his ice trapped crew from immanent death. Actually heard about it from an OPB story called "Chasing Shackleton". What this guy did verges on the brink of impossible in even today's technology let alone back in the early 1900's

Thanks [MENTION=91673]MtnT4R[/MENTION] for those suggestions. Robert Redford did a movie called
"all is lost" and it's about a sailor that lost his boat. I wonder if it's related to the story of "adrift". Either way it's a good movie

 

[jasonf]

Cussler books are awesome. The literary version of cheesy, over the top action movies. I'll never stop reading them.

A great adventure book/trilogy is the Mutiny on the Bounty trilogy. A great look at how harsh life was on ships back in the 18th century. Also pretty remarkable that, while it is a fictional account, it's supposedly a pretty accurate representation of what happened on the Bounty. Definitely a must read.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Also I just recently read "unbroken" about a WWII bombardier, Louis Zamperini. And his amazing story of survival.

This is like next on my list dude.

It is also interesting because it is expected that the movie will show (some of) the ABSOLUTE HORROR that the Japanese Imperial Army was to its victims, in this case the Americans captured. I doubt it will talk about the 7-11 Million Chinese (non-military civilians) murdered by the Japanese army but still ..... at least hollywood is willing to shed some light on this story.



Here is the trailer ......

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ebHji2c_ciU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Appntr]

Done lots of flying the last month or so for work and typically kill the time across country with books. Been on a bit of a sports and military kick recently.

Lone Survivor as mentioned earlier is awesome. Finished it on an out and back to Phoenix a few weeks ago. Still haven't seen the movie but will be renting it ASAP.

Damn Few: Making the Modern Seal Warrior by Rorke Denver (Act of Valor)
Like Marcus Luttrell's book you won't want to put it down. Takes you through Rorke's time at Coronado, overseas/deployments, making the movie and the story behind how that came to be, and now his time at Coronado as an Instructor.

Francona: The Red Sox Years. You don't have to be a Sox fan to enjoy the book. If you just like sports in general and are privy to the obscene politics that goes on at any level of competition you will thoroughly enjoy the book.

Moneyball another good baseball book about the underfunded Oakland A's. Not as good as Francona, but a good read if you have seen the movie.

 

[sportrunner2001]

Lately Ive been working my way through a book called Mountain Man. Its about a man who goes on a rampage against the crows in MT/WY. The movie Jeremiah Johnson was based off of it. So far so good and I'm not that far through it.

The book I read while at AIT was Alaskan Yukon Trophies Won and Lost by G.O. Young. It's a hunting novel and really a great read. Its not an attention grabber but for whatever reason I could not put it down and always wanted to keep reading when I eventually had to at lights out.

 

[MyHigh]

[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION].....

Holy crap! Thanks for posting the trailer for "unbroken" I think I just about shed a tear remembering all the trials and tribulations that Mr. Zamperini went through, it's funny but during the 1936 Olympics Hitler went and wanted to meet Louis after his meet, they shook hands. I will be waiting in line if not first where I live to see this movie, just from the trailers, it looks as though it will be just a good as the book.

[MENTION=8562]Appntr[/MENTION] after reading "lone survivor" I will certainly read more about what these modern day heroes go through. It's weird because as a kid my great uncle was buried at point loma, and I remember seeing these guys running around on the other side of the inlet, little did I know they were probably, more then likely frogmen in the training. I respect every service man/women but I really, really, with all my soul respect the elite members of the armed forces, if only every American could poses a tenth of their spirit we would be a utopian society. Also thanks for the sports books, those are great!

[MENTION=60096]sportrunner2001[/MENTION]. Could you elaborate more on the "Yukon trophies won and lost" it sounds interesting?

Once again thanks everyone! I feel this thread will remain a success if maybe we can give a outline of the books you suggest, a little something to spark our interest!

We might even encourage others that aren't so into reading to read a book to pick one up rather then watch the boob tubeound:

 

[MyHigh]

Cussler books are awesome. The literary version of cheesy, over the top action movies. I'll never stop reading them.

A great adventure book/trilogy is the Mutiny on the Bounty trilogy. A great look at how harsh life was on ships back in the 18th century. Also pretty remarkable that, while it is a fictional account, it's supposedly a pretty accurate representation of what happened on the Bounty. Definitely a must read.

Lol...yeah they are a little cheesy but man they are so addicting. Funny thing about those books, I injured my back almost three years now. So that meant many, many, if not hundreds of Dr. Appointments I've had to endure. Well that's ironically when I first started to read the Dirk Pitt series and I had probably 20-30 people point out how much they love Clive Cussler and just randomly start talking about a particular adventure he's been on. It was too funny I mean Dr's, nurses telling me there husbands read him, other patients, you name it and they probably said something.

I wish I could ba a personal assistant to Mr. Cussler, just to be in the presence of all those fantastic automobiles would be heaven. So if your reading this Sir please contact me......lol!

 

[MyHigh]

One more thing, I really hope that in the movie Unbroken they show how one of the Japanese guards tried to help the prisoners out, risking his own life to help the soldiers. I think it was an important enough part to show. Just like in lone survivor how the natives help Marcus, risking their own lives and even those of their families to show compassion to the enemy. Like I mentioned earlier, before I read lone survivor I was expecting to finish completly hating all Muslims and yes my ignorance got the best of me because once I finished the book I realized that there are good people all around the world.

 

[sportrunner2001]

[MENTION=88597]MyHigh[/MENTION] Alaskan Yukon Trophies Won and Lost is about a few guys who, before modern communication like cell phones and internet, met up through mutual contacts in Alaska to go on almost a year long hunt for all kinds of big game. The book is the authors personal account of what happened on the trip along with a few pictures they took of the scenery and game. It was published in 1947 but the story occurred a few years (I don't remember exactly) before that. Basically men who didnt know each other and being by themselves in the wilderness and coming together. Nothing insane and outlandish happens but its really a good story and the descriptions of the landscape put an amazing picture in your mind. It was recommended to me by my dad and I highly recommend it to anyone.

 

[BrianSD_42]

before I read lone survivor I was expecting to finish completly hating all Muslims and yes my ignorance got the best of me because once I finished the book I realized that there are good people all around the world

I haven't read Lone Survivor or seen the movie yet but I think I get what you are talking about.

A lot of western movies, media etc always characterize Islam as either innocent villager or crazy terrorist. I think it is really misleading because obviously a whole culture is not extremist or terrorist. In fact the number of people who fit that description are somewhere below .01% of the Islamic population.

What you should probably read up on (if you haven't already) is the position of the Muslim world on issues like:
* women's rights
* converting to another religion
* sexual freedom
* being an atheist
* having sex outside wedlock
* criticizing religion

All of those are VERY SERIOUS CRIMES in even "modern" Islamic countries. YOU WILL GO TO JAIL. YOU MAY EVEN BE PUT TO DEATH. That is the majority of modern Islamic countries. In fact in each of these countries with the exception of maybe Turkey, Islamic Shariah law RULES OVER their regular court system. Meaning that their government laws do not have jurisdiction over the religious law. Religion and the legal system are one and Sharia law rules the land. That is not just Iran, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudia Arabia .... but also the UAE and Pakistan and many many other countries.
---> http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/09/30/iran-christian-pastor-faces-execution-apostasy
---> http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/20/world/meast/uae-norway-rape-controversy/

Other things like listening to music, viewing comic books, writing poetry may not be blatantly outlawed but are usually illegal under some type of religious law or decree.

I've actually seen it first hand when I went to the UAE. Even in Dubai Sharia law rules the land. If you are a tourist and break the rules you might be locked up for a brief period then kicked out of the country. But if you are a local and break the rules of Islamic law then you are looking at years of jail and possible death. That is what "moderate" looks like in 2014.


Here is a really good public academic debate if anyone is interesting is learning more:

Debate: Is Islam A Religion Of Peace? (I have no position here other than to recommend you watch the debate)
---> Is Islam A Religion Of Peace? : NPR


:behindsofa:

 

[MyHigh]

You are very right about how our western civilization views other cultures especially ones that are unfamiliar with us. Like I mentioned before my ignorance led me to think I would walk away from reading that book just infuriated with Muslims. I'm actually lucky in that, I have found a local halal deli. The owner (Abraham) originally from Jordan is such a great person, I mainly go in their for a gyros that is just excellent! But what interesting is I'm able to ask him questions about culture, religion, and just way of life for his family back home. What's really amazing is the emphasis they put on education. Abraham was taught more, had learned more then most people graduating a four year college and he only graduated high school. Now when I go in his shop, if he's not busy we actually have really good conversations about current affairs, history, and it's a bridge to connecting two cultures that I enjoy.

Your right, it's a very small percentage of any race, religion, or culture that is portrayed through media to push their agenda. We are all convinced that these fanatics are the norm and everyone from said background is exactly like them, when in reality it's so not true. We all bleed when hurt, we all have families that love us, we all do what's necessary for survival, and we all have certain beliefs that guide us to making the right decisions deep down we all fundamentally care for our fellow human race.

Since. Meeting Abraham I have actually been researching the Islamic religion, of course online so sifting through the BS can sometimes be frustrating, thanks for those suggestions I'm sure it will help in my future conversations with my new Friend Abraham.

 

[BrianSD_42]

The question you should ask your friend is if he and his family are Sharia adherent.

Sharia adherent Islam is the majority of middle east and they, at least the overwhelming majority, demand religious law be a part of the government and that people must live under sharia law or be punished.

If he is not a believer in Sharia then he is probably in favor of, at least indirectly, secularism. This would how my friends feom Turkey were. For many though secularisn is something that is like a curse word, especially in the middle east.

Secularism is what keeps religion and politics separate in America. In countries where Sharia adherent Islam is the driving power they pass blasphemy laws and the "regular law" is demoted below Sharia law. Its actually unfair to say demoted since most of those countries have been Sharia adherent for 2,000+ years. 2,000 years ago they stoned people to death for adultary or changing faith and its still happening today.

BTW I know that reading about it on the internet is frustrating that is why I posted a very good audio debate. You can watch the video or play it while driving or working on the computer. Its very very informative. They have a diverse panel of 4 including 2 Muslims.

 

[MyHigh]

Much appreciated Brian, I certainly will be checking out those links.