peter b

peter b

I teach literature for a living, at a university in New Jersey, and write books myself. My father was a professional boxer, U.S. Marine for thirty years, and coached the U.S. Marine boxing team to its first all-service title. I lived in Africa for six years, in three different countries: Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Senegal. My most recent book...more »
  • Jersey City, NJ
  • member since Monday, December 17 2007

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  • Deepthi A

    deepthi a says

    its good to hear that you are back!im fine and hope ur fine too!
    take care~

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

    againstthetide says

    That's awesome, Peter! It takes a lot of hard work to write a book . . .and I know from your writings on PBT that it must be a good one. I wish it was on Kindle, but I'll splurge for the paperback . . .thanks for sending me the details.

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

    againstthetide says

    I didn't realize YOU had written some books yourself, Peter. Now I wish I had read one of yours for the Africa tag :[. I appreciate the fact that you keep your promotion low key.

    What's the title of your book so I can find it on Amazon?

    Anita

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

    diksha d says

    hi, ur the first teacher and that i came across on shelfari and i could not resist takin your
    advice. especially as you are from africa. i am a student of english honours in india. iv jus finished my graduation and am looking forward to do my masters. i just finished reading things fall apart and thats all what iv read from african lit. can u advise me on what to read next. and if there's an e-copy available on the ne for it.

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

    fknabe says

    Hi Peter, I don't know who you compare Vikram Lall to in terms of "great literature" - I think his writing is pretty much in the higher echelons of literature

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • FKnabe

    fknabe says

    Hi Peter, I notice that we have read some of the same books. My interest in Africa is both professional and personal. Just finished Vikram Lall and was completely absorbed in the story.

    cheers F

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • zawadi

    zawadi says

    Hi Peter, thanks for writing. Like you, I think Austen is an accomplished writer. What surprises me about comments here is how so much weight is put on personal preference and very little input about analysis and actual writing ability. Few members talk about what a work means, accomplishes or a writer's style and skill. I'd be more interested however in hearing more about your views on African writers and their works. Your comments at PBT impress me very much. Peace. ~zawadi

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Deepthi A

    deepthi a says

    hi sir.just wanted to say hi.btw,u hadn't posted in my profile for so many days,lol!hope ur fine sir,
    luv,
    deepthi

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • againstthetide

    againstthetide says

    Thanks so much for trying to help me out with the books, Peter! I finished Half of a Yellow Sun earlier this year and really ended up thinking highly of the book. I've got to add Ake to my TBR list - - hopefully they'll put it out for the Kindle soon. I did find a book that looks really good by a Nigerian writer. It's on my shelf now (I can't seem to remember the name), but it is written from the perspective of a young boy about his war torn country. Johnny Mad Dog sounds so interesting as well; wish that was available on the Kindle. I guess I either need to be patient with new technology or bite the bullet and buy a paperback copy.

    The nice thing is with the Kindle you can download the first chapter for free so I was able to sample a few books, and I'm confident I've found a good one.

    Have you read You Must Set Out at Dawn? Would you recommend that one?

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • againstthetide

    againstthetide says

    Hi Peter,
    I haven't started my read for Play Book Tag yet, and I wanted to confer with you before I did. I was very interested in Johnny Mad Dog based on your description, but unfortunately they don't carry it for the Kindle (which is what I prefer to use when I'm buying new books; I usually buy used which takes a longer time to obtain!). I really would prefer to read an African author as you recommend, and the options are a bit limited. I was wondering if you had ever heard of this title: Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorry, and the Limits of Forgiveness in South Africa by Antjie Krog?

    There's also a non-fiction memoir available by Wole Soyinka who you had mentioned.

    I wish I could find a good novel by an African author for the Kindle. There are plenty of novels that fit the tag, but none by African authors that I can identify . . .

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Deepthi A

    deepthi a says

    hello sir.how r u?just dropped in to say hi

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Deepthi A

    deepthi a says

    oh!good for u .hope u enjoy!
    luv,
    deepthi

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Deepthi A

    deepthi a says

    hello sir!how r u?just dropped in to say hello.can u tell me what are your likes and dislikes sir??

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • GEZE 2S

    geze 2s says

    You're welcome and thanks again,
    I will see and try if I can read your book "Battling Siki for this months tag.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Deepthi A

    deepthi a says

    hi peter,thnsx for acepting my invitation!i live in chennai.its in tamil nadu.if u can,do u mind visiting india?coz we have the best food culture,etc

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Deepthi A

    deepthi a says

    hello peter,i sent u a friend request just now!

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Nicole R

    nicole r says

    Hi Peter! Thank you so much for the great recommendations! I think I will put one of those two Soyinka books on hold at the library (I'm leaning a bit toward Death and the King's Horsemen) and I already have Arrow of God on reserve and hopefully it will be in soon. I appreciate the great descriptions you provided. Happy reading!

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • GEZE 2S

    geze 2s says

    Hi peter,
    I see you joined PBT,This month's tag is "Africa" and I hope we could see more of your insights"post" regarding African related books.

    Thanks,
    Geze

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Nicole R

    nicole r says

    (repeat posting from PBT page)
    peter b~
    I just checked out your page and now see why you are so up-to-date on your African literature! You named many books in the posting above that I have never heard of and I would love to read a couple of them. Could you tell me a little more about Soyinka? What book won the Nobel Prize? I actually have a couple more of Achebe's books on request at the library (other than Things Fall Apart), would you recommend a specific one? I really appreciate the input considering I'm not very well-versed on African literature!

    Thanks!

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )


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