Books

Request Friendship
Send Request Cancel

Garcon

Garcon

I'm an incredibly patient man. I suffer fools (myself chief among them), but rarely do I suffer foolish books. Those books that rate a strong three, a four or five stars are proudly displayed, the rest get-the-boot!

My reading preference ranges from non fiction and turn of the century history, to memoirs, travel and adventure writing. I... more »
  • Great City of Chicago, IL, USA
  • member since March 21 2007

Garcon’s last login was yesterday. show recent activity »

My Favorite books

     
 
 
 

Public Notes

  • Regina L

    Regina L says

    I'll have to check out Strenth in What Remains, especially if it is better than A Long Way Gone.

    ROFL over your reading habits. I'm the exact oppostie. I'm very loyal to the book I'm reading. I think I get so absorbed that I can't even think about reading multiple books, which is hillarious since I'm a big multi-tasker at work.

    I noticed you have Charlie Wilson's War on your shelf. I was the mayor for a community in his district. He was definitely a character! I really think, because of his antics, many people didn't take him seriuosly. This allwoed him to fly below the radar and get some of those things done in Afghanistan.

    I've been swamped at work so I haven't had a chance to really go through your shelf. I'll try tonight. Thanks for chatting.

    posted 3 days ago. ( send a note )
  • TheLibrarian

    TheLibrarian says

    A book for your personal library wish list
    http://www.shelfari.com/books/11867534/Chicago-a-biography

    posted 4 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Regina L

    Regina L says

    Thank you for the friend request. Certainly looks like we have similar interests. You have read most of the books in our Chronological Read of American History Group. We would love for you to pop in and join the conversation. I see you gave Chernow's Alexander Hamilton 3 stars. I absolutely loved that book. It took me a while to plug through it but I learned so much. What a fascinating mind he had. It is a shame he was not able to continue Washington style discipline after Washington left the scene.


    Looks like we both enjoyed A Long Way Gone. What a tragic story. I just finished a James Madison biography (so-so), The Forger's Spell (a really fun history read), and am working on Women Who Lived For Danger: Agents of the Special Operations Executive. What are you working on?

    posted 5 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Darra W

    Darra W says

    Dave,
    You might want to take a look at State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America, which I reviewed a couple of months ago. I was flipping through the book again last night, and it occurred to me that it's something you might enjoy. Just came out in paperback.
    D

    posted 8 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Darra W

    Darra W says

    Yup. Socks. It started pretty innocently, but once family and friends caught on, hardly a birthday, holiday, or other celebratory occasion has passed without my collection being "improved."

    Look forward to sharing great reads with you. I notice we already share a few favorites, including The Road, which was the best book I read in 2007, and possibly in my all time top 10.

    posted 9 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Darra W

    Darra W says

    Great shelf and terrific reviews. In the past year or two, I've been reading more and more non-fiction, and your shelf is a great reference. I'll be back!

    posted 10 days ago. ( send a note )
  • something witty

    something witty says

    I noticed you have What is the What on your wishlist, but have it rated 1 star? Is that intentional? That's one of the more interesting books I've read this year.

    I'll let you know what I think of Guns, Germs...

    posted 11 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Sagecoveredhills

    Sagecoveredhills says

    Interesting what you said about Krakauer's book on Tilman--I have enjoyed his earlier works and wonder if it would be best to read as oppose to listen to this one. I do think he comes across smug even in his writing. I see you finished one of Caro's books on LBJ, have you read the others? Has he come out with his final volume yet? Master of the Senate was a powerful book; after read it, I skimmed "The Path to Power"

    posted 12 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Dave M

    Dave M says

    Hi, Garcon.

    Charlie Sexton, who played guitar with him from 2000-2002, is back in the band, and it was probably in my top five of favorite shows. It was really good. Thanks for asking. I posted a review on the Bob Links page which is accessed through www.bobdylan.com, and also have the same review on my artist facebook site. You can access it without being a member, since it is an artist page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dave-Moyer/124964631368.

    My reading has slowed down a bit due to some other factors, but I am hoping it picks up again in the next couple weeks through the holidays. One of your suggestions is on my list and I hope to get to it soon.

    Dave

    posted 12 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Pam

    Pam says

    Hi Garcon, saw you were reading "Half Broke Horses: A True Life Novel ", I have just ordered it and I'm hoping it's as good as her other book, "The Glass Castle". That one was such a great read, I'm hoping this second novel is just as good!

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

    Sagecoveredhills says

    Garcon, Another great book on writing (which I ended 2008 reading) is William Zinsser's "Writing About Your Life"

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

    Sagecoveredhills says

    I saw Sandhill Boy on another shelf and it sounded good (it may have been your shelf). I read Good to a River a couple of months ago and posted a review here and also in my blog. There was a lot of discussion of it in my blog as a number other river rats read it and I expect at least two others will read Grave's book. I haven't read anything else by him, what do you recommend?

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

    TheLibrarian says

    Do you play online scrabble and word games? The yahoo games site has two of my favorites - bookworm, and text twist. Merriam-Websters site has online scrabble. Doctor? Snort! I'd be practicing without a license. Enjoy.

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

    TheLibrarian says

    Don't bother looking for self help books - just play word and trivia games to exercise your memory.

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

    Nadine says

    Here is a book which is a must read for history buffs--LIES MY TEACHER TOLD ME: EVERYTHING YOUR AMERICAN HISTORY TEXTBOOK GOT WRONG by James Loewen. Be sure to read the revised edition 2007 as it is quite timely. Enjoy!

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Charlie Ravioli

    Charlie Ravioli says

    Garcon, Thanks for the friend request and recommendations. I will definitely move your suggestions to the front of the line. Turnabout is fair play, so here are some of my favorites that I think you might like based on reviewing your shelf (I don't think I saw any of these listed on your shelf): In Harm's Way (great story about the USS Indianapolis and the end of WWII), Means of Ascent (2nd book by Caro on LBJ - I liked it better than Master of the Senate), The Marines of Autumn (great historical fiction about the Korean War), and The Great Bridge (D. McCollough on the Brooklyn Bridge, an unbelievably fascinating story very well written). Hope you enjoy!

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Judy S

    Judy S says

    Hi Dave, It has been awhile! How is little Gracie? That's the first thought that comes to my mind. Doing well, I hope.

    I'm still a reading fool. Always something that I can't wait to delve into. Still mostly non-fiction.

    I've been recovering from back surgery since August. Taking physical therapy now and it's harder than I thought. Still can't bend, lift, twist, vacuum or pull weeds in the yard. Oh well, lots of reading time but I will be glad to get back to normal!

    Good to hear from you!

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

    Sagecoveredhills says

    Glad you liked Population 485. Have you read any other Perry books? I have his book, Truck: A Love Story in my pile, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Dave M

    Dave M says

    Oooo--A Warren fan . . . Excellent. This will be my 28th Bob show, but my first trip to the Aragon.

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Dave M

    Dave M says

    I am a big Dylan fan. I didn't know what to expect when that book came out, but I thought it was very enjoyable. I wish he'd come out with another one, but I haven't heard anything. I will be at the Aragon on Saturday.

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )