What are you currently reading??

**yanna** · June 11th, 2008, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by witchcurlgirl

I've read the Beevor book on Stalingrad, also his The Fall of Berlin and Crete:The Battle and The Resistance. I like his writing.

The Fall of Berlin was denounced by the Russian ambassador to the UK as lies and slander. Some other historians defended him, saying that the Russians refused to admit Soviet war crimes. Interesting articles in the New York Review of Books when it was all happening.

I've only read Stalingrad so far but I think his writing is pretty balanced and it's about time we all admit our crimes and move on. No side comes out of a war smelling like roses.

**Charlotte** · June 11th, 2008, 03:24 AM

Every country commited war crimes, yet they conveniently like to forget about them, or deny them outright. The victors write the history books.

I know that many Germans (civilians and generals) threw themselves to the mercy of the U.S, Britain, and France, because they were shitting themselves about falling into the hands of the Red Army after what they'd done in Russia. It was revenge for the slaughter.

**witchcurlgirl** · June 11th, 2008, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Charlotte

Every country commited war crimes, yet they conveniently like to forget about them, or deny them outright. The victors write the history books.

I know that many Germans (civilians and generals) threw themselves to the mercy of the U.S, Britain, and France, because they were shitting themselves about falling into the hands of the Red Army after what they'd done in Russia. It was revenge for the slaughter.

That's so true....the victors do write history. And sometimes they change it. The US was lenient on the Japanese after WW2 regarding war crimes, as they needed to keep the Japanese in the sphere of influence....so they downplayed the crimes and had less men charged than on the German side.

How can anyone feel that Soviet crimes against the Germans were not justified? They were simply paying them back.....The Russian ambassador had no need to be ashamed. The Soviets were justified in their desire for revenge

**buttmunch** · June 11th, 2008, 11:26 AM

Reading a book about WWII 'Young Voices'. It's taken from oral accounts by children of what occured to them during the war and how they viewed everything. Really interesting.

**Sassiness** · June 12th, 2008, 04:20 AM

I just finished The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx, v inspiring and interesting.

**buttmunch** · June 15th, 2008, 03:24 PM

^^Inspiring? Now I'm worried.

**Sassiness** · June 15th, 2008, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by buttmunch

^^Inspiring? Now I'm worried.

Yeah it is.

Not the taking-lots-of-drugs bits. The reflecting on it and learning from it - and putting it out there for others to learn from. That's inspiring.

**laynes** · June 25th, 2008, 04:07 PM

I just finished "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein
Absolutely LOVED IT! If you are a dog lover this is the perfect book for you.

Synopsis:

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.
Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.
On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man. A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it
The Art of Racing in the Rain

**Belinda** · June 25th, 2008, 06:26 PM

The Secret History of the American Empire

One of the topics it discusses is how the US will identify a third world country that has resources US corporations want, such as oil, and arrange loans to third world countries knowing they will default on the loan and the corporation will get the resource for next to nothing.

**sputnik** · June 28th, 2008, 08:21 AM

just finished 'under the skin' by michel faber a few minutes ago. very weird and it takes a while to figure out what's going on but quite beautifully written, and defies classification. it's got elements of science fiction, fantasy, allegory, not easy to pigeonhole and definitely worth the read but i'm not sure yet what i think of the ending.

i've also been re-reading the master and margarita by mikhail bulgakov.

**bellini** · June 29th, 2008, 01:06 PM

paper Life by tatum O'Neal. I was stunned at what a terrible childhood she had. Then her life with MacEnroe was no picnic. I feel sorry for her.

**FriendOrFoe** · June 29th, 2008, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Dracko

Green River, Running Red by Ann Rule...great book...as always she lends a real humaness to the victims...I'm not at the point where they caught the pervert yet, though...can't wait!

I love true crime books, I will have to read that one. I am currently reading True Evil by Greg Iles. Just finished The Secret and continue to read parts over each day.

**ariesallover** · July 1st, 2008, 05:38 AM

I just finished T. J. Parsell's Fish: A Memoir of a Boy in a Man's Prison. The most brutal accounts of rape I've ever come across. The author's voice is intelligent and searing. It would have been easy to overwrite or wallow in pathos, but he didn't. Amazing soul, tremendous writer.

He was sent to prison after turning 17 - a very immature, sheltered 17 (relatively speaking, I guess). He was also coming of age sexually as a gay man who had not yet come out to himself. As a coming out memoir, it's chilling but again so powerful because of his writing.

Can't recommend it enough, but the graphic accounts could easily make someone put it down.

Amazon.com: Fish: A Memoir of a Boy in a Man's Prison: T. J. Parsell, T.J. Parsell: Books

T.J. Parsell

In 1978, I did something really stupid. I was a 17-year-old high student in Michigan. I had found a toy gun on the side of the road. In an attempt to flirt with the girl at the one-hour photo store, I walked up to her, pointed the gun and said, “Your money or your life.” She turned, opened the cash register and handed me $53. I was so surprised that I grabbed the money and ran home.
I was sent to an adult prison because under Michigan law, I was considered an adult and my crime was classified as an armed robbery. On my first day there - the same day that my classmates were getting ready for the prom - a group of older inmates spiked my drink, lured me down to a cell and raped me. And that was just the beginning. Laughing, they bragged about their conquest and flipped a coin to see which one of them got to keep me. For the remainder of my nearly five-year sentence, I was the property of another inmate.
Unfortunately, my experience is not uncommon. Justice Department officials estimate that in 2004, there were 8,210 reported incidents of rape and sexual abuse behind bars. They also acknowledge that the actual number may be much higher, since many inmates are reluctant to report the crime. (I was too afraid to tell anyone what happened to me because I was convinced my attackers would kill me.)

**A*O** · July 1st, 2008, 05:46 AM

Snowdon by Anne de Courcy. Authorised biography of famous Brit photographer Anthony Armstrong Jones and ex husband of the late Princess Margaret (Queen's sister). He was/is a horny bugger. Because it's authorised I'm sure there are a lot of 'gaps' and the tone is a bit fawning. I think I'll stick to Kitty Kelly who really dishes the dirt.

**FriendOrFoe** · July 1st, 2008, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by ariesallover

I just finished T. J. Parsell's Fish: A Memoir of a Boy in a Man's Prison. The most brutal accounts of rape I've ever come across. The author's voice is intelligent and searing. It would have been easy to overwrite or wallow in pathos, but he didn't. Amazing soul, tremendous writer.

He was sent to prison after turning 17 - a very immature, sheltered 17 (relatively speaking, I guess). He was also coming of age sexually as a gay man who had not yet come out to himself. As a coming out memoir, it's chilling but again so powerful because of his writing.

Can't recommend it enough, but the graphic accounts could easily make someone put it down.

Amazon.com: Fish: A Memoir of a Boy in a Man's Prison: T. J. Parsell, T.J. Parsell: Books

T.J. Parsell

Thanks for the recommendation. I think I will look for this one.

Years ago I read a book called Monster about a gang member from CA and his story. It was a great book. You might enjoy that one if you can find it. I am pretty sure that was the name of the book.