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Bennnc63

Bennnc63

Hello,

My Name is Ben, and I am from North Carolina, USA. I am now retired after having served 10 years in the Army, and the remaining years in management. I have no idea as to how many books I have read, many were forgetable, many were wonderful. Some of those books are on my shelve.

About my shelf: Not all the books I have... more »
  • Stanley, NC, USA
  • member since October 9 2007

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Bennnc63’s last login was 7 days ago. show recent activity »

My Favorite books

     
 
 
 

Public Notes

  • Chris W.

    Chris W. says

    Hey Ben, I am still around occasionally. Usually just dropping in to update my shelf and check to see if any interesting discussion have started in my favorite groups. Started a new job and it has been taking up most of my free time. Anyway just saying whats up dude. Have a good one.

    posted 7 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Scotty R

    Scotty R says

    Thanks, Ben!

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • mossflower

    mossflower says

    Good news. I know how you feel Ben that you are letting the groups down but as you said to me family come first. I have not had the time for as much reading and research as I like so give yourself a pat on the back because you achieve wonders
    keeping the group interested and reading. Give time for your daughter you have been given more time with her so make it special. sending love and peace to you all

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Dawn R

    Dawn R says

    Ben,

    My love of Mayflower may in great part be a function of both my geographical and biological heritage. I am a native New Englander, growing up close to Boston, and am fortunate to have made many school and family trips to Plymouth where I visited Plimoth plantation, 'the rock', and a replica of the Mayflower (I'm not sure my younger self would have thought I was so fortunate). Although the great majority of my ancestors hail from Western Europe, I do have Native American ancestors. Hence, my love of the great American story of the pilgrims' journey to America and the 'first' Thanksgiving has always been tempered by some sensitivity for the Native American view. So now, having given you more information than you probably care to read, I'll answer your question. The book is well written. While it will win no prize for literature, Philbrick's carefully chosen prose is evocative and easy to digest. I also think the book is very well researched and have found no review to indicate the work is incorrect or incomplete. Finally, I think Philbrick has done a masterful job of exposing the 'history' we have been indoctrinated with for the myth that it is, while providing a more accurate and balanced history. For me, the Mayflower is brilliant because it is everything I love in an historical work: a really great story that is well researched and well written. I hope that you will decide to read this great book.

    While I am on Philbrick, let me just also encourage you to read his book, In the Heart of the Sea, for which he won the National Book Award. The book is about the whale ship Essex - the very story that inspired Melville's Moby Dick. The story is amazing and Philbrick, who lives on Nantucket and is a champion sailboat captain, brings it to life. It is great to read this book together with Moby Dick (or listen to it on CD) and the book, Ahab's Wife (Aslund), a fictional piece whose protagonist is Captain Ahab's wife.

    Enjoy the read - and let me know what you think.

    Dawn

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Laura V

    Laura V says

    Oh, my goodness, no need to apologize!! That is definitely a time to drop everything else. I'm glad to hear she's coming home. I hope all is well now. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Laura V

    Laura V says

    Hi, Benn, just checking in to see if you wanted to go ahead with the group discussion, and whether you wanted to start it or have me do so.

    Hi, Nina, I noticed your post about Outlander. I heard Diana Gabaldon speak a few weeks back, and she said that she planned to write historical fiction, and this woman just walked into the hut full of 1700's Scots and announced herself. She (Diana) was annoyed that this woman didn't sound like an 18th Century woman, and spent a few pages trying to make her behave as one before giving in and deciding she'd just have to figure out how this modern-sounding woman ended up in 18th Century Scotland. I enjoyed her talk very much.

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Denizen

    Denizen says

    Truly enjoyed A Game of Thrones. I find myself thinking Uhtred? Jack and Stephen? Fortunately, A Clash of Kings is checked out so I can honor my group read commitments;-)

    As much as I enjoyed the book, no one touches Tolkien. He remains the master.

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • El

    El says

    Hi ! me from O'Brian group. I stumbled across the Green Jackets group, and I have been reading the Sharpe's series. I also saw all the BBC tv shows of Sharpe. I noticed you read The Archer - how is taht?

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Zooter

    Zooter says

    Thanks for the note Ben, I have kind of fallen off the shelfari landscape. Not intentionally, just been a bit caught up in a freelance gig that has taken a bunch of time. And I even received a Kindle for my birthday and have clicked through a few new (old) books. I should be back in action in about a week. But thanks for the note.

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Denizen

    Denizen says

    Having a bangup good time with A Game of Thrones!

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Denizen

    Denizen says

    5 stars for The Game of Thrones, eh? It just recently blipped on my radar and I saw that you had read it and really liked it. I put a hold on it at my library and will pick it up soon.

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dave H

    Dave H says

    Ben, each story stands unto itself so no need to read them in order. He's one of my favorite authors as you can see by my bookshelf, I think I've read all of this books. He has also collaborated on several stories with W.E.B Griffin or Clive Cussler not sure which. George R.R. Martin is going to have to speed up his writing or I'm not going to be able to read the end of the story as I'm 66 years old and one book every 4 years will make me 78 by the time he's finished. READ ON...

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dave H

    Dave H says

    Ben, I forgot to mention a book I believe you would love titled "From Private to General" by Jerry Curry...

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dave H

    Dave H says

    Ben, many thanks for adding me to your friends list. We have alot of books incommon on our shelves. Book 5, "The Dance of the Dragon" which I ordered in July 2008 has been delayed again until October 2010. Found my all time favorite story "Daddy" by Loup Durand by typing in the authors name in the search bar on Amazon. Like you, I love George R.R. Martin's epic series "Song of Ice and Fire," just wish he would write the sequels faster. Enjoy and READ ON...

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • jerry-book

    jerry-book says

    Ben, I tend to agree although I did read the Feast for Crows. Of course, the author is now so involved in the TV series that I don't see book 5 anytime soon. As many have commented, the author has killed off many of the characters people liked to follow. I may drop this series.

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • bookwormerin

    bookwormerin says

    I finally felt the pressure to change my picture. I normally don't do that much.
    I really enjoyed The Lost Symbol. I loved learning about the freemasons and this book had what others would call new age stuff in it but I really enjoyed it. Very easy to read, keeps your attention and very good twist at the end. I am not sure why many people didn't like it? I think you should read it.
    Keep in touch
    erin

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dog Lover

    Dog Lover says

    Greetings CROAH member!


    We are now accepting nominations for the next group read to cover the fourth US President, James Madison.

    Please send your suggestions via one of 2 ways:

    a) a private note to either Regina or Dog Lover (this method reveals your email address to us), or

    b) use the "Questions About this Group" text box found on the member's tab. This sends an email to both administrators and masks your email address.

    Please do NOT post your nomination to the site's discussion tab.

    Please include the title, author, and brief description of the book. It would also be nice if you included the Shelfari book page URL.

    Nominations will be accepted through the 18th. Nominations will be posted and voting will take place through the 25th. We will post the selected book on the 26th.

    Because we are approaching the Holidays a revised schedule will be followed for the remainder of 2009 and beginning of 2010. We will vote for the Madison read in October, post discussion questions in November, skip December, vote on Monroe reads in January, and post discussion questions in February.

    A suggestion has been made to continue the extended reading schedule past the Holidays and provide 2 months between book selections. We would be interested in hearing anyone's thoughts on this. Would it help you? Would you lose momentum? Are you too busy to participate on the current schedule.

    Please post your comments on this proposed scheduling change to the nomination thread found at http://www.shelfari.com/groups/34700/discussions/146618/James-Madison-Nominations-are-Open

    The four books we've chosen since the group started have been fabulous. We look forward to seeing the nominations for the fifth.

    Thanks,

    Regina & DL

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • nina d

    nina d says

    Hello again.
    Looking at your shelf, we seem to like many of the same books, so I would guess you would like Outlander. Although it starts (not really a spoiler) as a woman from our time traveling back to 1700s, Scotland, after that it is pretty much historical fiction. My guess is that she wished to write a book in that time period, but with the assertive voice of a woman of today. So the time travel seemed to provide her with a device to accomplish that. It was a pretty easy read, and I'm going to read the next one. But I think I'll get it from the library as the plot of the second looks a bit suspect in some regards. Most everyone I asked said they liked almost all the books in the series.

    By the way, I spent a lot of time in North Carolina, mostly near Winston and the Smokey Mountains. I loved the temperate climate, and the friendly Southern hospitality. Once I stumbled upon New Bern, and I hope to do so again one day.

    Take care
    Nina

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Laura V

    Laura V says

    That sounds good. I've started putting together some questions. The book is available at amazon, b&n online, and my site.

    The jazz group sounds like fun. I know I loved every minute of playing in mine!

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • nina d

    nina d says

    I clicked on your icon once I saw the eagle pyres (I think they are called) from hubble
    I liked those and the carina nebula pics

    Your shelf contains some of my favorites. I loved Stranger in a Strange Land and Shogun. I also liked Tai Pan, Nobel House and Ring Rat by Clavell. Recently I finished Outlander and In the Company of the Courtesan (which actually has no sex scenes), both I really enjoyed.

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )


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