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Post by Ignatius on Jan 11, 2008 22:42:03 GMT -5
I dunno about you, but I think it'd be nice to have an educated discussion about stuff here in the forums once in a while, to take a break out of RPing for a while. While I myself love to RP, I personally am a huge fan of decent literature, and am always up for an intelligent chat on books or whatnot.
Robert A. Heinlein, has got to be one of my favorite "hard" sci-fi authors, and I personally find his famous novel "Starship Troopers" to be one of the finest science fiction/political theory books ever written. An amazing political essay on the topics of militarism, communism (he loathes the very idea), and society, Starship Troopers also boasts a topnotch story of a soldier's life on and off the field, and an epic story of intergalactic warfare against a true "communist" society: the bugs.
Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game" series and other spinoffs rank very highly in my list, with me having read through Ender's Game, Shadow of the Hedgemon, and Ender's Shadow over the last three months. Ender's Game is, in itself, a terrific book telling the story of Ender Wiggin, a boy military genius selected by the international government (the International Fleet, to be exact) to lead an entire generation of military prodigies against the Buggers, an alien race that ravaged earth just years ago.
The themes of violence and warfare are simply magnificent in this novel, with Card touching heavily upon the effects of warfare on the mind of a seven-year old boy. Characterization is nearly perfect, and the story itself was extremely well-written.
Books, anyone?
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Post by Porcu on Jan 12, 2008 13:21:10 GMT -5
I do love books and reading in general, but I have to say that I enjoy non-fiction much more than I do anything else. Don't get me wrong, there are some fabulous novels out there, as well as poems, short stories, epics and what not....
Right now I'm reading through "The Siege of Vienna" by John Stoye and so far it has been a very insightful read, discussing not only the actual siege in great detail but also discussing the implications of the siege and the large scale repercussions....
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Post by Dark Archon on Jan 13, 2008 1:18:19 GMT -5
To the books! Favorites here are Ralph Peter's War of 2020, Devils Guard, Sum of All Fears, and Galactic Medal of Honor.
War of 2020 is based on future diseases, the Soviet Union falling within itself (published 1990) and Japan attacking both the US and Soviet Union through indirect military actions (providing weapons to Mexico, Muslims in MiddleEast, and gangs).
Devil's Guard is a true story written by George Robert Elford. It's been censored in many nations in the world for it's story of Nazi's in the French Foreign Legion. Shortly after WW II, a group of SS guards (not the ones in concentration camps-they were known as headhunters against communist terrorists in Russia) were taken into custody by French officials where they were given a choice. Either be hanged or join the French Foreign Legion to combat the VietMinh in Indochina. Good good book.
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Post by Mr. Durandal on Jan 13, 2008 4:57:35 GMT -5
I love sci-fi books! Among my favorite authors are Harry Turtledove, author of the alternate history series. Also, although not a book, Drew Karpyshyn, I think, was the lead writer in Mass Effect. And if anyone has played that game, you know the storyline is fabulous. Also, the Probability series was fantastic (Probability Sun, Moon, etc.) It was very smart and interesting.
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Post by Kameleon on Jan 15, 2008 13:26:41 GMT -5
The best book I've read (more like reading since I haven't finished it completely yet) that is not about professional wrestling or was required by an English class (cause that's pretty much what I've read as far as books) is 1984 by George Orwell. It was a book I was required to read for my Senior year of high school in California, but I ended up moving that year to Missouri. So I recently bought the book for a dime and have been reading it. It's an account of what could have happened in three decades (the book came out in the 50s) if Communism ruled over democracy. I've got to say, it is very intriguing.
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Post by Mr. Durandal on Jan 15, 2008 13:34:44 GMT -5
You, know, I enjoy Tom Clancy. I know many may not agree with me, but he is a fine author. There was one book of his, Red Storm Rising, I think, that was about a war between the Soviets and NATO in the 1980s. You should check it out because it is really interesting.
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Post by Ignatius on Jan 15, 2008 17:34:31 GMT -5
I read through Rainbow, which was pretty cool.. And I think I've glanced over "Hunt for Red October" before..
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Post by Canton Rouge on Jan 15, 2008 17:39:14 GMT -5
I feel like I shouldn't say this, but I love reading Ambrose. Mainly the stuff on WWII though.
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Post by Porcu on Jan 15, 2008 18:36:12 GMT -5
Why shouldn't you be saying that? Are we not just having a simple conversation?
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