What are you reading?

[nittany03]

Just finished A Farewell to Arms. For what's supposed to be one of The Great Twentieth Century Novels, I wasn't impressed. Either by the story or the telling. Guy gets shit on by life, recovers, there's some cheesy romance, and then life shits on him again. The point of it all? No freaking idea, and I don't need a book to pull that crap on me; real life does it just fine. And Papa Hemingway, contrary to his reputation, apparently never met a run-on sentence he didn't love while writing it. Sheesh.

The only book I've ever chucked across the room on finishing it was 1984 as a teenager. If I'd read this at that life stage, it'd have gotten the same treatment. Except for it being on my iPhone and all.

 

[Duc'-guy25]

Finally got around to reading Red Storm Rising. Thought it was a great read, I couldn't put it down for a couple days as it didn't have too many slow points which seems almost impossible after reading the Master and Commander books. Almost made me think SWOs were cool again (that was a joke). Though it was a pretty good representation overall of what a conventional war with the Soviets would have looked like.

 

[Recovering LSO]

This was a diamond in the rough. Can't recall where/when I heard of it, but wow. It's essentially the story of a real life CAPT Queeg. There's a lot to pull out of here from the perspectives of the guys working for the captain (how does the XO play middle man between a lunatic and the crew; how does the crew wrestle with the ideas of loyalty and right/wrong, etc).

Article/review/summary from Harvard Crimson (1972).
Obligatory wiki entry for the captain.

The book is, not surprisingly, out of print, but I was able to get a used copy in decent shape for about $15.

 

[mad dog]

Currently reading the Moonwatch Only book which is a reference book. The old issued helmet bag hauls the book quite well. Also, since the book weighs almost 7 pounds, it can be used as a free weight for various lifting routines.

 

[webmaster]

The cardboard box of dunkin donuts coffee strewn on the living room floor is a nice touch. Hopefully Mrs Maddog makes you pick up all your empty dd cups and paraphernalia.

 

[Brett327]

Dude, you're gonna get HUGE reading that book!

 

[wink]

Candidate! Your attention to detail is sorely lacking. The time displayed on the cover of your reference manual should be reflected on the watch in the photo. Assume the position, curl that book until I am tired. Ready, begin.

 

[Gatordev]

I'm just wondering if shaving your legs makes it easier to carry cartons of Dunkie's and additional selfie sticks.

 

[mad dog]

I'm just wondering if shaving your legs makes it easier to carry cartons of Dunkie's and additional selfie sticks.

Probably not.

The reason I shave is because I road race bicycles. Even though it's currently the off season, I've found it much easier to maintain the shave throughout the entire year than to do a "shave the Chewbacca legs" in February when our road race season begins. I'm on a masters road race team consisting of 14 members...I'd say that half maintain the leg shave year round due to what I mentioned above.

First pic below is from today with 5 of the 14 members of our masters road race team...I'm on the far left...with my trusty steel Schwinn Sprint fixed gear. Second pic below is our 2015 team pic (12 of 14 members)...I'm on the far right in the first row.

LATE ENTRY: Just thought of this since it's a "What are you reading" thread...I fairly recently read the book "Wheelmen" which is about the pro cycling doping culture and politics...specifically regarding Lance Armstrong...fascinating read imho.

 

[Recovering LSO]

 

[Pags]

Not at all professionally related, but am currently re-reading "Blood Meridian" by Cormack McCarthy. Highly recommended for those who want something a little more literally inclined and don't mind a liberal amount of violence.

Also, another website I occasionally visit (sorry you had to hear it this way webmaster) updated their 100 books for men list recently. It's not a terrible starting point if you want to get away/take a break from military stuff:
http://gearpatrol.com/2013/02/04/100-essential-reads-the-definitive-mens-library/

 

[nittany03]

I'm in the middle of My Share of the Task by General McChrystal. TBD; I've just gotten through his early career to the good parts of the book.

Definitely reads as though it passed through a shitton of reviewers and chops, but he states right up front that he put the manuscript through the DoD security process before release, so that probably accounts for a lot of it. I'll take that over the assholes whose business plan seems to be "I was an operator, now give me money for running my suck and violating my NDA."

 

[Brett327]

Not at all professionally related, but am currently re-reading "Blood Meridian" by Cormack McCarthy. Highly recommended for those who want something a little more literally inclined and don't mind a liberal amount of violence.

Also, another website I occasionally visit (sorry you had to hear it this way webmaster) updated their 100 books for men list recently. It's not a terrible starting point if you want to get away/take a break from military stuff:
http://gearpatrol.com/2013/02/04/100-essential-reads-the-definitive-mens-library/

I've read about 2/3 of McCarthy's stuff, but Blood Meridian is still siting on the shelf awaiting its turn. He truly is an American treasure. All the Pretty Horses sounds like something your 12 year old daughter would read, but it's anything but that - vivid western imagery and unimaginable violence... plus some horses.

 

[Recovering LSO]

I'm in the middle of My Share of the Task by General McChrystal. ......I'll take that over the assholes whose business plan seems to be "I was an operator, now give me money ...."

I enjoyed My Share of the Task (mostly). Now knowing that you've read it as well, I can confidently encourage you to save your money by not purchasing Team of Teams. Though it is a good enough book on its own merits - there's really no need to read/purchase both.

 

[Hair Warrior]

Are you an average pilot? Chances are slimmer than you might think.