Book Recommendations

[c.d.]

Hi Dougie,

Glad you enjoyed "All for the Union." If you are still in the Civil War mode check out those books I recommended by Michael and Jeff Shaara. I think that you would really like them.

I just finished reading "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. Enjoyed it a lot. A very good book.

c.d.

[Celesta]

I just finished reading "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. Enjoyed it a lot. A very good book.

c.d.

What is this book about? I've looked it over a couple of times, but was afraid I was being tempted by the intriguing cover. Does it have anything to do with elephants at all?

[c.d.]

What is this book about? I've looked it over a couple of times, but was afraid I was being tempted by the intriguing cover. Does it have anything to do with elephants at all?

Hi Celesta,

The book was number one on the New York Times' Bestseller List and it has 1,343 reviews on Amazon.com so a lot of people have read it.

It is about a 93 year old man in a nursing home reminicing about his life in a traveling circus during the depression. He is a veterinarian in charge of the animals, so yes, it does involve elephants. He falls in love with the star performer who is married. It really is a good book and I highly recommend it. If you read the reviews on amazon.com be careful because some of them give away the ending which you will really like.

c.d.

[Sam Flynn]

It is about a 93 year old man in a nursing home reminicing about his life in a traveling circus during the depression. He is a veterinarian in charge of the animals, so yes, it does involve elephants. He falls in love with the star performer who is married.

...adultery and bestiality? No wonder it sold.

[c.d.]

...adultery and bestiality? No wonder it sold.

....and all under the big top.

c.d.

[dougie]

Was there a cockatoo involved?

[joelhall]

band of brothers by stephen ambrose

[c.d.]

Was there a cockatoo involved?

Actually three or four.

c.d.

[c.d.]

band of brothers by stephen ambrose

Hi Joe,

I also really liked "Flags of Our Fathers" which traces the lives of the flag raisers on Iwo Jima before and after the war.

c.d.

[Celesta]

Hi C.D.,

Thanks heaps. I will pick it up the next time I'm in Borders or Sam's. It sounds good. I love elephants!

I also want to read Flags of Our Fathers. Need to finish With the Old Breed first.


Celesta

[joelhall]

Hi Joe,

I also really liked "Flags of Our Fathers" which traces the lives of the flag raisers on Iwo Jima before and after the war.

c.d.

ive not read that yet but its on my list

[Mike Covell]

A few years ago I read "Bravo Two Zero" by Andy McNab which was a great book.

I followed this up with Chris Ryan's "The One that got away" which is based on his account of events, and his escape into Syria.

Another version of events surfaced in Michael Asher's "The Real Bravo Two Zero" which showed how events may have actually transpired. It is a great read also.

This week I finished Mike Coburn's "Soldier Five" which is his version of events.

All four books are well worth reading, inspirational, and raise the question of wether or not war is justifiable.

[Canadian Mari]

Since I'm new (again, and mostly lurked prior to the great crash) before I annoy anyone in the Ripper threads...
One of my all time favourite books;
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. My English class read it in grade 11 and since then I've read it at least once every year. It's not happy or uplifting, but I think it has some valuable things to say about human nature, and about friendship. You might, as I did, find yourself saying things out loud, trying to be helpful. They never listen, though!
I'm so pleased to be here, reading all your thoughts.

[c.d.]

Hi Mari,

Yes, Gatsby is a classic. I read it in college and thought it was good. I reread it a couple of years ago and it was even better. A true classic.

c.d.

[plang]

The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant.
A true life story that is unfolding still at this very moment.
A golden spruce and a white raven that met their demise in the same year in the same place.
This is a truly fascinating tale, but it is real! And it is happening now.

(non-fiction. Vintage Canada/Random House)