RayB’s last login was Tuesday, June 24 2008.
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the poet says
Greetings Ray,I haven't heard from you for awhile. Many books have passed since our last communication. I've read Ken Follett's books Pillars of Iron and the sequal Ends of the Earth (hope I got that last title right - my memory seems to fade in and out LOL)I just finished Days of Valor, a book about the 1968 Tet Offensive, the May offensive and the battle of December 6, 1967 that led up to both of those bloody battles. Now I am reading Fire in the Lake in which the author presents the cultural differences between the Americans and Vietnamese that made it impossible for us to understand their thoughts on government and society. Even those who could speak Vietnamese were not fully capable of appreciating the mind of the Vietnamese from a cultural point of view - the only point of reference for them.I see that you have the book Lincoln's melancholy. It is one I have thought of purchasing. It is an exceptional book that you would recommend. I want to get to know the man, not just as the President, but what made him tick, so to speak. In spite of freeing the slaves, Lincoln really wasn't much of a friend or champion of the blacks.Cheers,Caryn
Greetings Ray!How coincidential to receive your note! I was thinking about you the other day when I went onto Shelfari and intended to write you as soon as I had time. Things have been quite hectic here. My brother-in-law who has lung cancer has suffered a perferated bowel. I had to head to my sister's home, near Pitttsburgh, to help care for their five year old daughter and all the pets. It doesn't look good for Bill's recovery.I have also been in the middle of a move. Since I can't drive (Optical Atrophy causing myopia) it had become too depressing for me to live in the Pocono Mts. I have taken an apartment in the nearby city of Wilkes-Barre. Bruce will navigate between here and the house, which we will eventually sell. There is supposed to be some growth in the Pocono's with more casinos etc. so the property values should rise and we could make a fine profit.I have several Civil War books yet to read but I too take little diversions to less serious but "sit on the edge of the chair" mysteries. I particularly enjoy forensic science, such as the Kay Scarpatta series by Patricia Caldwell. I'll even admit to being a great fan of Jack Reacher - the character in Lee Childs novels. James Patterson provides some fine amusement too. And Clive Cussler's character, Dirk Pitt, is downright unbelievable but somehow still entertaining. LOLI have just finished reading all seven of Marcel Proust's novels in a two volume book. Wow! Each book was over 1000 pages, small print too, but it was well worth the effort. He starts out slow but if you stick with him you find him to be a profound writer with some interesting things to say about humans, our behavior, manners etc. and our ability to recall incidents from the past. The two volumes are entitled "Remembrance of Things Past." There is some dispute in the literary field as to the accuracy of the title, but I don't care about the title - like you I just read the book! Now I am reading "Isaac's Storm" by Erik Larson about a horendous hurricane that hit the gult in the year 1900 when meterology was just getting its feet off the ground.I sent Shelfari a note of praise and thanks for all the new stuff! Wow! I couldn't believe how all these changes took place while I was occupied elsewhere! I had been begging them to provide some of those features and they went way beyond my expectations! What a great site we have here.Have a Happy New Year and keep in touch!Caryn
darren foster says
I saw you review of James Burke’s “Tin roof blowdown”, I have this book in my want list and was just wondering if this is a stand alone novel or if I would be missing something having not read any other Robicheaux books?Thanks
Greetings Ray,It was so good to hear from you! I hope that means you are able to relax a little bit and do some of those things you enjoy such as Shelfari. I am definately interested in purchasing the book Lincoln's Meloncholy. I have always been fascinated by President Lincoln - just as I'm fascinated by the criminal Richard Nixon and the charismatic John F. Kennedy. Hope you are getting some good reading in these days!Cheers!
Hi Ray,I started another group about Vietnam. Shelfari tells me they are having some glitches within the system and I am not the only one to have trouble with their groups. Would you like to rejoin? I would love to have you as a member. I am hoping that this site will draw many who have either served in Vietnam or whose lives have been in some way touched by this war. Invite others if you think some of your friends would like to participate!The Poet
Hi Ray,I bought the book The March. I'll read it as soon as I finish my current book Gateway to Empire. It is over 600 pages long and I am almost half way through it so it will be a couple of days before I begin The March. Plus ARRGGGGG.....I ran a program on my old computer here to optimize the performance. It compressed my Windows Media Player files and now I can't play my CCs as I work. It is sooo frustrating. Gotta figure out how to change the codix, or some such thing. I could kick a gerbil...much better than kicking my beloved dog or hubby!The Poet
Hi RayB,To join the Vietnam group. Go to your Build Shelf page. At the top you will see "groups". Click on that. You will see some groups listed - the most popular and more recent. Click on the option under "all groups" "More" That will take you to the group site and they are listed in alphabetical order. Looking forward to seeing you there!The Poet
Hi Ray,I haven't forgotten about the book The March. It is on my list to purchase next month. I spent a bundle at Barnes & Noble the other day and I forgot to include this book. As soon as I begin to read it I'll let you know. Are you interested in the Vietnam War? I started a group if you are interested.The Poet
Hi RayB,Thank you for your response. I will definately check out the website. That should be very interesting. I too in shade of my memory recall that within the context of the historical telling of the Civil War remember that there was a reason Sherman felt it necessary to destroy the South albeit seemingly cruel. But as you said, in every war civilians are always among the highest of casualtys. In Mathew Brady's book The Illustrated History of the Civil War there is a speech given by Henry W. Grady, a famous orator and editor of the Atlanta Ga. to the New England Club, New York, on December 21, 1886. The speech is quite inspiring. He shows the spirit of the people in the South to rejuvinate their lives and economy without harboring grievances against the North. I will definately purchase a copy of the book you recommended The March.The Poet
taylor says
Thanks for joining my group The Reading Room! Tell everyone you know to come be a part of it!