Read any good books lately?

[Crockett]

I have lot of interest in public affairs and while I enjoy the discussions here I'd love to see more facts, logic, intelligent analysis, fresh ideas, etc. Books can be a source for elevating conversation. I'm going to mention three I've enjoyed reading in 2012 and ask for some other useful suggestions.
. A couple of pretty good book relevant to the issues of our time include:
"We're with Nobody" explaining the mechanics and ethics of opposition research and "The Dictator's Handboodk" a scary accurate discourse on what happens to foregin aid (mostly into the pockets of corrupt officials) and how to hold power -- reward those who keep you in power. Another pretty good one is "That Used to Be Us" describing the initiative that put the United States at the World's forefront and the enegy/confidence and community building in less developed nations that threatens our world leadership.

 

[DFWAg]

Good list. I finished "The Prize" by Daniel Yergin just recently. It is an excellent historical account of the global energy industry.

I am muddling through "Currency Wars" by James Rickards. He starts out with what I think is a very well written summary of how large economies have interacted over currency rates. He unfortunately lapses into Musberger-esque doomdsay stuff and completely blows a few chapters on efficient markets an rational expecations and starts babbling about chaos theory. A letdown to say the least.

I have Rajan's "Fault Lines" teed up. I have met the guy a few times and really like his stuff.

 

[Monahorns]

I read 3 great books over this summer. The first 2 are very broad history.

1491 - Gives an interesting look at the culture and understanding of American Indians. The book uses newer archaeological evidence to over turn some traditional view. He actually isn't overturning anything, he is just reporting how thoughts are changing in that world of study.

1493 - Is about the "Columbian Exchange" which is a term coined by a UT professor many years ago. The discovery of the Americas produced this exchange which has affected and is continuing to affect the whole world. The exchange is in ideas, natural resources, dna, disease, and food.

The Raven - Won the 1925 Pulitzer Prize. It is a biography of Sam Houston. He is now my favorite historical figure of all time outside of Jesus.

 

[Horn2Run]

The Big Short
-Michael Lewis

 

[Perham1]

1493 - is that by Charles Mann? I've got that book and hope to start on it soon.

Likewise, I want to get some of Michael Lewis's books: Big Short, Boomerang, and one other (cant' remember title).

Just finished "Cultural Amnesia" by Clive James, a compilation of essays on whom he thinks people should remember. Most of them are anti-totalitarians of the WWI and WWII eras. James uses the essays to riff on tangents. Overall it's very good. Autodidacts will love it.

About halfway through Hitchens's "Arguably". It works will in conjunction with James's book. Kind of a primer on English men (mostly men) of letters. He puts enough personal zingers in to make it more "human".

 

[Monahorns]

Perham1, yes it is by Charles Mann. It is an excellent book. The fact that I work in the rubber industry and know many Brazilians made it even more interesting.

I suggest 1491 as well. You don't have to read it before but it paints a very interesting picture of the Americas before Columbus.

 

[Uninformed]

A couple of books by Milan Kundera.

 

[Perham1]

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