What books do you have on your nightstand and/or what are you currently reading or looking at?
5/6/08 -
Downtown America
A History of the Place and the People Who Made It
Alison Isenberg
Chicago Press
Downtown America offers a dynamic new account of urban commercial life in the twentieth century, transcending the archetypal story of Main Street's rise and fall. In this captivating history full of conflict and unexpected human choices, Alison Isenberg reveals that downtown's trajectory was the contested creation of retailers, developers, bureaucrats, architects, and planners, as well as activists, consumers, civic leaders, real estate appraisers, even postcard artists. Downtown America - it's empty stores, revitalized marketplaces, and romaticized past - will never look the same again.
"America's downtowns, if the daily papers and local chambers of commerce are to be believed, are tottering on the brink of destruction once again . . . Isenberg holds out a ray of hope in Downtown America. Her endlessly fascinating book argues that Main Street has always been an idealized dreamscape, kind of Shangrila perfect civic bliss that never did quite measure up to its own image." - Karal Ann Marling
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The Books on my Nightstand
Posted on: April 21, 2008 8:06 pm
Edited on: May 5, 2008 6:39 pm
Category: General
Comments
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Reputation: 97
Level: Superstar Since: Jun 23, 2007 
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 9:17 pm
The Books on my NightstandMaybe, if you get a chance and want to follow up, try the Gary Jennings novel The Aztec. It is a somewhat fanciful dramatization of what the Aztec civilization might have been like, like we will ever really know (Thank you Roman Catholic church). The novel is not profound, but it will rock you. |
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Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 12, 2008
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 9:34 pm
The Books on my NightstandI have three books going right now 1 - Jerusalem 1913 - it is an attempy to pinpoint the origins of the recent (century old) Palestinian conflict. It shows how well these two groups lived together during the Ottomon era and how Nationalism was the culprit. 2 - Failed States - Chomsky - typical Chomsky 3 - The Great Wall: China Against the World, 1000 BC - AD 2000 by Julia Lovell, a basic history of China focusing on the failure of the great wall to protect China from constant Northern Invasions. It sort of places China's current attitudes and policies in context.
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Reputation: 97
Level: Superstar Since: Jun 23, 2007
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 9:34 pm
The Books on my NightstandI have just finished Colleen McCullough's, Anthony and Cleopatra. I love the classical period, having been educated by the Jesuits. I have read her books all the way from Gaius Marius through Lucius Cornelius Sulla, et cetera. Marc Anthony and Cleopatra were wasted sociopaths with almost unlimited power. Sort of like Dick Cheney. An awful read. It took me months, with four pages at a time to torture my way through this novel. Colleen's other books about Rome are great page turners. It is probably just the disgusting smallness of the characters in this book that made it utterly repulsive. Now I get to pick one to enjoy. |
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Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Sep 24, 2007
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 9:45 pm
The Books on my Nightstandhey jagg, i don't read a whole lot of books, but right now it's all the Harry Potter books. Do like that kind of stuff |
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Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 9, 2008
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 9:50 pm
The Books on my NightstandDefinitely, JD - I am very interested in the sacrificial ritual killings of the Aztecs. And, always curious about the control the Catholic Church has had over politics and society for the last 2 thousand years. Thank you for the tips.
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Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 12, 2008
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 9:53 pm
The Books on my NightstandHeh JD, I read "Augusta" the guy who kicked Cleopatra's and M.Anthony's butt. That was a great read, was thinking my next one in that theme would be Cesear. Rome is my favorite city to visit. The way Anthony tried to use a foreigner to seize power was a disgrace. But a great story. When Augusta had his succession plan set, he was very worried that things would change and spoil the safe succession. So he had his wife poison him. (something Bush should have done a long time ago)
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Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 9, 2008
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 9:54 pm
The Books on my NightstandGreat stuff, HailM - can't go wrong with Noam Chomsky!!!!! Nuff Said!!!! Studied the Ottoman Turks a lot in college, do not have any background on the Palestinian conflict but would like to have a better grasp of the current situtation. My knowledge of China begins with Lao Tze....LOL!
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Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 9, 2008
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 9:58 pm
The Books on my NightstandJD - I can never get enough of Ancient Roman anything!!!!!! I still want to read a book on Romulus and Remus and the founding of Rome. I am fascinated by Etruscan art and the ancient burial tombs at Cervetti.
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Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 12, 2008
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 9:59 pm
The Books on my NightstandJaggr If you want a spectacular read that covers the antics of the Popes but also many other aspects just before the Renaissance try "The Devils Broker". Without exaggeration, it may be the best book I have read in 5 years. It is "The Prince" in action. |
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Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 9, 2008
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Posted on: April 21, 2008 10:02 pm
The Books on my NightstandROCKTON - I have to hang my head in shame over Harry Potter and admit I have not been fortunate to read any. Almost every adult friend I have highly recommends them. I do read Harriet the Spy though and love that one. Kids books still capture my imagination. HM you are too funny! I do agree.
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