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Reading Room:  What books would you recommend for MEN to read?  |
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Mollie
True Blue Farmgirl
88 Posts
88 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 09:44:32 AM
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| My husband enjoys reading also, most of the books recommended are many that speak especially to women. What books would you recommend for men to read? My husband reads a lot of non-fiction, he is reading 1776 by David McCullough now and enjoys his woodworking magazines. Mollie |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 10:52:33 AM
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My hubby reads a lot, too, and likes the novels of the civil war and historical novels based on true events. He also read 1776. Look for books by Ferrol Sams. His books are not new, but my husband really liked them, and the stories are timeless. Sams is an MD from south Georgia that turned author. His writing is humorous and insightful. He wrote "When all the World was Young", and "Run with the Horsemen" and "The Whisper of the River".
jpbluesky
Heartland girl |
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goalieboy
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
erik
moscow
id
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 11:23:30 AM
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He doesn't like reading woman's books? Every man should read "The Chalice and the Blade" by Riane Eisler. It'll turn a man's head towards gurl issues faster than anything, and it's a good read. 'course, he may throw it across the room, too, and pronounce it rubbish. But it's a history (i mean herstory) book so he may eat it up.
The history book i love the most is Leonard Schlain's "Art and Physics" It's a fascinating/enlightening view of how art intuit's later discoveries in physics. The author really has a gift for making all the ususally befuddling aspects of art and physics crystal clear and fun to imagine. It's breathtaking. By the way, Leonard went on to write several reallyreallyreally fascinating books on women having to deal with and adapt to a patriarchal society that's determined to keep them in the dark and under thumb. It's not possible to view society the same after you read these books, unless, of course, you don't agree with him, but he's dang convincing.
If you don't wanna go that route, i just finished "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand. This book is really fun and the biscuit is a real character, funny, ornery and bright beyond compare. The setting and human characters are truly fascinating and i'm glad i know their story. They did a good job with the movie, but the book is a great read.
I don't know anything about woodworking, but i sure love Northwest Indian woodcarving. "Spirits of the Water: Native Art Collected on Expeditions to Alaska and British Columbia, 1774-1910" by Steven Brown is drop-dead beautiful, and if you're looking for a gift for your wood-carving hubby it'll probably inspire him to get creative and push the envelope of his skills.
Hope this helps.
gb |
Edited by - goalieboy on Jun 21 2005 11:26:50 AM |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 1:45:54 PM
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Mollie--Great topic! My dh devours books! His favorite author is James Michener(Centennial, Chesapeake, Texas, Hawaii....) rich descriptive history and narrative with very strong historical reference and research. William Martin wrote Cape Cod, Annapolis and Harvard in a similar style and are quite good. The Sharpe's Brigade series and the Horatio Hornblower books are favorites too. For spy stuff Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, and an english author I forget! Medical thrillers are always popular, as well as historical Caleb Carr -civil war). Anything to do with Shaker and Arts & Crafts period furniture (since he builds it) is good as well as the myriad of wooden boat books, plans and fiction he compiles. For simple living Eric Sloane , Helen and Scott Nearing, Foxfire, and lots of new stuff about alternative construction methods. He has been reading his way through the "classics" too because he thinks that it was wasted on his youth and now wants to read them from an adult perspective.Hope that helps Molly!
with a happy heart |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 2:17:19 PM
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My Dh will read anything about aviation, WWII, and Space exploration. He even likes reading about that UFO stuff, like Roswell. He is a fan of Michael Crichton, and recently read Wolf by James Patterson, that FBI series, Tom Clancy and the guy that writes the legal thrillers cannot remember his name! He also loves science fiction.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 2:24:25 PM
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Eric, You sound like a very enlightened gentleman! Good for you! My library doesn't seem to have Leonard Schlain listed... could you please share what his other titles are regarding women? Thanks much!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
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goalieboy
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
erik
moscow
id
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 4:40:56 PM
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Hey ya, Clare. No, i'm not enlightened, but i like to bonk my head on lamps. "Sex, Time and Power: How Women's Sexuality Shaped Human Evolution" & "The Alphabet Versus the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image" I liked "Sex, Time and Power" more by quite a bit. Leonard has an interesting slant in "The Alphabet" book but i'm not sure i believe it. But "Sex, Time and Power" i buy hook, line and sinker. It's no sinker, though. In fact it gives you wings to see things from above and snaps biology/behaviour and herstory into crystal clear focus. However, i don't think i've digested it long enough to talk coherently about it yet.
I was out practicing ethnic cleansing on the thistle with our scythe just a few moments ago and remembered another book Mollie's hubby might enjoy because it's contemporary with "1776". "Indian Givers" by Jack Weatherford is a really good read. It details all the ways contact with native america has influenced world culture, politics and cusine.
What reading would you recommend for a poor farmboy, Ms Clare? I mean, besides "MaryJane's Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook for the farmrascal in all of us"
gb |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 4:53:14 PM
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Ahh... Erik, you must be the farmrascal from page 406 of MJ's book, right? Welcome to the Connection, glad you joined in. A male perspective is always good. Thanks for the recommendations. I'll try again with my library.
Let's see, for the farmrascal who bonks his head on lamps  , I would recommend The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. It's a novel, based on her-storical facts beginning in the time of Moses. It is really interesting. Let me know if you want to borrow it... I'd be happy to lend it to you, since it may not be a library selection. You can email me from here.
Hope the thistle cleansing is good meditative time for you!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
Edited by - Clare on Jun 21 2005 9:55:55 PM |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 6:32:02 PM
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My husband has almost identical reading taste to Meadowlark Jenny's husband. Anything war or aviation..especially WWII and science fiction. I wish he read more than he does..he tends to fall asleep when his behind hits the chair at the end of the day. I guess I wish he shared my love of bookstores and libraries. He does read though..and for that I am thankful.
I will have to check out the books you recomended...and welcome to you Erik!! Every farm needs a rascal.
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things! |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 8:03:28 PM
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I'd recommed Guns, Germs and Steel the Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond, anything by Farley Mowat (think Jack London),and Undaunted courage by Stephen Ambrose (the story of the Lewis & Clark Expedition). My husband often reads a book I have finished, but since he sleeps at night instead of reading, it takes him forever to finish! By the time he's ready to discuss, I've practically forgotten the details!Like Jenny said, at least he reads :)
Sharon |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2005 : 9:24:43 PM
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goalieboy - and you are also featured on page 72 of the Handful issue...we have your number, huh? Should you not call yourself goalie bee? :)
jpbluesky
Heartland girl |
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goalieboy
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
erik
moscow
id
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2005 : 10:33:42 AM
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Thank you for the welcome, ladies. I should've introduced myself, i suppose, instead of dropping unannounced from the sky. I've read bits and pieces from the forum over the months but didn't want to inhibit anyone with my testosteronic voice.
On Amazon there's 1138 customer reviews for The Red Tent! Holy Smokes! Mebe MJ's book'll have that many soon. Hope so. Our library does have The Red Tent, although some fine soul has it checked out and on their reading table so I reserved it. Thanks for the tip and the offer of a loan, Clare. Carol says it's on her "to read" list, too. I read Orson Card's historical fiction book about Rebecca and it was just ok. I'd never read a biblical flight of fancy before, and it was fun to put myself in their living, breathing sandals, but like i said, it was admireable, but just ok.
Yes, i'm the monkey in the book and mag. MJ is soooo pesky with that camera. She's really quite the photographer, doncha think? I've learned alot about the craft from her, especially the esthetics of "just right" content and how to achieve an intimate perspective.
I love Farley Mowatt, Ms Sleepless. I'll never get over "Never Cry Wolf"
Killing thistle is a mixed bag, and kind of a disturbing one. I consider myself an extreme pacifist, but the killer in me emerges around thistle. I can't walk by them without stopping to pull or hack. Even while driving, part of me is reaching out to yank thistle when i see it. It's really sick. Nick calls it "thistle rage." I try to pray a bit while i'm slicing and chopping, to wish them well on their soul journey and i'm not sure it helps, but it adds a pleasantly rythmic mantra to work by.
speaking of which, i better get back to it.
goaliebee |
Edited by - goalieboy on Jun 22 2005 10:35:56 AM |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2005 : 1:14:45 PM
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Thistle seed is a food source for the American Goldfinch. Every onery thing has it's good side!
jpbluesky
Heartland girl |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2005 : 2:45:11 PM
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It is also the national flower of Scotland. We have some popping up in our lawn and pasture occasionaly. They have the pretty purple flowers. When DH sees one he attacks it like a man possessed. he grew up on a dairy farm and one of his many jobs was ridding the pasture of thistle.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2005 : 10:39:47 AM
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Hey, Erik! Thanks for the recommendations for The Chalice & the Blade by Riane Eisler and Sex, Time and Power by Leonard Shlain. They both arrived from my library this weekend, so I'll start them soon! I can tell that I will have my whole perspective enlarged after reading both of these! This is a good thing, gotta keep growing and learning!
(I recently learned that our library system here was the first in the country to start a mail order system in the 1940's-50's because we were so rural. Many libraries across the country joined this movement, but sadly now very few still do, and of those that do, only the infirmed have access. But mine remains viable and it is sure a nice thing for me, because making time to actually get to the library and search is a not very often thing for me.)
Thanks again, Erik.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
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lurban
True Blue Farmgirl
61 Posts
Vermont
61 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2005 : 2:51:09 PM
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| Farmboys will enjoy Wendell Berry's books. He's best known as an essayist, but I love his fiction. Start with JAYBER CROW or A PLACE ON EARTH. Other fiction: PEACE LIKE A RIVER by Leif Enger is brilliant and, if you don't mind novels on the quiet side, PLAINSONG by Kent Harruf is a beautiful read for men and women alike. |
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goalieboy
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
erik
moscow
id
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2005 : 10:36:02 AM
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Oh Meadowlark, i almost fell for the thistle being the national flower of scotland. LOL.
Cool deal with the library, ms clare. I love libraries. My Mom grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and when someone told her about libraries she thought they were pulling her leg. She'd been so bored she was reading the minutes of the county meetings. I think that childhood literary starvation is why she reads 4 or 5 books a week like her life depends on it.
gb |
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goalieboy
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
erik
moscow
id
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2005 : 12:26:08 PM
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ah, whups. you wern't kiddin', were you, Ms Meadowlark. The national flower of Scotland IS the thistle, "a prickly-leaved purple flower which was first used in the 15th century as a symbol of defence."
Well, they can have it, 'cause me and my hoe is defense of this here farm. Erik the Lionesshearted. |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2005 : 9:14:09 PM
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Erik the Thistle Conqueror...Me thinks you need a large steel broadsword to cut down those thistle enemies! And all in the kingdom of Queen MaryJane will be happy and weep for joy at the pristine beauty of the lands.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
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cheryl sisk
Farmgirl in Training
18 Posts
cheryl
darien
wi
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2005 : 4:42:53 PM
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| my husband loves louis l"amour about good guy bad guy good guy gets the girl happy ending lamour is a storyteller of the authentic west about men and women of the american frontier cheryl of s.e. wis. |
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thehouseminder
True Blue Farmgirl
361 Posts
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2005 : 12:47:46 PM
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A book I recommend for both Farmboys AND Girls is, "Where River Turns to Sky" by Gregg Kleiner. It's about an aging Oregon farmer who accidentally breaks a promise to his best buddy to be with him when he dies. To make up for it, he buys a huge expensive home, turns the lawn into a farm in the city, and starts kidnapping seniors from the local nursing home so he can take care of them.
It will make you laugh and laugh and laugh and then cry.
You can buy it used from amazon.com for $1.98 (or you can spring for a new copy for just over $10)
Lucinda |
Edited by - thehouseminder on Jul 13 2005 12:49:35 PM |
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Reading Room: What books would you recommend for MEN to read? |
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What books would you recommend for MEN to read?
