What are you reading?

[AllYourBass]

I'm reading Dune because it feels good to escape my workplace in the wee hours of the night. Also everybody told me to read it.

 

[Brett327]

Dune is awesome, though I could never really get into the follow-on books in the series. Watch the Dino DeLaurentis 80s version of the movie while you're at it. There's an extended cut that's more like a mini-series.

 

[LFCFan]

Dune is awesome, though I could never really get into the follow-on books in the series. Watch the Dino DeLaurentis 80s version of the movie while you're at it. There's an extended cut that's more like a mini-series.

Where did you stop? I know a lot of folks read the first three and then quit when they start God Emperor of Dune. Yeah, it takes a 3000 year jump in the timeline and gets weird; it puts people off. I read Frank Herbert's six books (don't bother with what his son wrote) to the end and they were all excellent. Heretics and Chapterhouse are awesome.

 

[Brett327]

I started the second one (Dune Messiah?) and it just didn't grab me, though that was 20 years ago. Perhaps I'll give it another shot.

 

[Recovering LSO]

I think I've posted about this one before, but the recent headlines about DJT's willingness/desire to decertify Iran nuclear deal makes it relevant again:



I think the author lays out a pretty compelling case that both sides have A LOT to gain by working with each other. Spoiler alert, KSA is not a viable long term strategic partner in the region....

 

[Pags]

I think I've posted about this one before, but the recent headlines about DJT's willingness/desire to decertify Iran nuclear deal makes it relevant again:

View attachment 17544

I think the author lays out a pretty compelling case that both sides have A LOT to gain by working with each other. Spoiler alert, KSA is not a viable long term strategic partner in the region....

Is that since they've decided to get cozy with Russia or since the state sponsored terrorism?

 

[Recovering LSO]

Is that since they've decided to get cozy with Russia or since the state sponsored terrorism?

Read the book...

 

[Flash]

Is that since they've decided to get cozy with Russia or since the state sponsored terrorism?

It might be legitimate to ask the same or similar questions of Saudi Arabia, given today's news among many other things.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Second RLSO’s endorsement. The Twilight War is probably the best book I’ve read for a single-volume, readable, enjoyable for the layman, history of the US-Iran rivalry since the fall of the Shah. Very much helps understand the context of decisions made by both sides, and the Iranian point of view. The author is, I believe, a Marine reserve officer.

Also gives a good account of the evolution of CENTCOM from the half-assed, bastard stepchild RDF tucked into a few buildings on a corner of MacDill.

 

[IKE]

Where did you stop? I know a lot of folks read the first three and then quit when they start God Emperor of Dune. Yeah, it takes a 3000 year jump in the timeline and gets weird; it puts people off. I read Frank Herbert's six books (don't bother with what his son wrote) to the end and they were all excellent. Heretics and Chapterhouse are awesome.

Can't second this enough. Read Frank's six books. Skip everything by his son Brian (co-written with a prolific hack).

The Sci-Fi channel movie sticks to the book better, but is cheesy. The 1984 David Lynch film has these stupid sound-powered weapons, but will always be how I imagine the characters/scenery + you get Sting & Patrick Stewart.

 

[Pags]

It might be legitimate to ask the same or similar questions of Saudi Arabia.

Wasn't clear in my post but I was talking about Saudi Arabia based on the news story of the KSA state visit to Russia and recent cooperation wrt oil prices.

 

[Flash]

Wasn't clear in my post but I was talking about Saudi Arabia based on the news story of the KSA state visit to Russia and recent cooperation wrt oil prices.

Gotcha, then we are in violent agreement.

 

[jason0231]

For those of you who are into alternative history and/or WWII, I recommend the following:

Fox on the Rhine by Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson. While not fine literature, I find it difficult to put down. Von Stauffenberg & crew succeed in their bid to assassinate Hitler, inadvertently setting the stage for Himmler to take over the Reich. Himmler concludes a peace deal with Stalin and puts Rommel in charge of the western front. It's like a war game, man.

1945 by Robert Conroy. Like Fox, except with Japan. And more nukes. Even more unputdownable (and yes, better-written) than Niles/Dobson's book. The only thing better than this one is ...

Death is Lighter Than a Feather by David Westheimer and John Ray Skates. 650,000 US troops storming the beaches of Kyushu. What if? An amazing read.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Also gives a good account of the evolution of CENTCOM from the half-assed, bastard stepchild RDF tucked into a few buildings on a corner of MacDill.

Funny, because CENTCOM currently is one of the fanciest (wood paneled in all the right ways) palaces I have ever set foot in. Them and DIA together, across the walking path, share that crown I suppose.

 

[nittany03]

Funny, because CENTCOM currently is one of the fanciest (wood paneled in all the right ways) palaces I have ever set foot in. Them and DIA together, across the walking path, share that crown I suppose.

3rd Fleet's first floor looks like something out of a sci-fi movie with the wood paneling, gray-white lights, and the curve in the hallway.