CS Political/History Book Club, November 2013

[Cap'n Cat]

Just finished the below a couple days ago. Completely fascinating recounting of Cooks voyages to the South Seas and northern Pacific, based on his and shipmates' logs. The them throughout the book seemed to be about the white European man's consistent misjudging of Islander's culture. For example, at many times throughout the book, officers on the Endeavour, the Adventure and the Resolution, including Cook, damn the "natives" for not being as advanced as Europeans. This sort of attitude is proposed to have led to the derogatory experiences lived by natives in the following period of colonialism. Cook is spared the blame for that as he is portrayed as merely an explorer, whose mission was not to subject people and extract trade, but, rather, simply to explore and document.

Much great botanical and anthropological work arose from his circumnavigations. On one trip, he was charged with finding the "lost" Southern continent hinted at by earlier English, Spanish and Portugese explorers. Seeking Antarctica, he never found it as he could not get close enough due to fog, rough weather and icebergs. In another voyage, he was asked to seek the great Northwest Passage to China (across the top of North America). Despite several dutiful attempts, he was always beat back by ice. Even attempted a "Northeast" passage over Russia, but was similarly unsuccessful.
Did not know it until I read the book, but Cook was killed by natives in an ugly incident at Hawai'i.




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Reading the below now, In The Spirit of Crazy Horse Just got through the introduction and first chapter, but it's already a gripping narrative, documenting the history leading up to, and the unfortunate shootout between Leonard Peltier and the FBI, as well as the aftermath. White Americans are largely ignorant of what actually went on there, so not wanting to be a Klansmen like Bronchitis, I am seeking greater knowledge. Good detail of the historical abuse by whites blinded by Manifest Destiny. Treaties? What Treaties???





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What are YOU reading?

[Grizalltheway]

Still finishing up this behemoth:



Probably going to pick this up next:

[Cap'n Cat]

Still finishing up this behemoth:



Probably going to pick this up next:

Cool, G. Give me four sentences on that Napoleon odyssey. I may get it.

Also, for everyone - Cap'n Cat reads books but loathes when they subsequently sit on the shelves for decades. Books should be disseminated throughout the land. As such, if anyone here sees a book The Cap'n is reading or has read and wants it to keep, it's all yours. Just let me know.

[Grizalltheway]

Still finishing up this behemoth:



Probably going to pick this up next:

Cool, G. Give me four sentences on that Napoleon odyssey. I may get it.

Also, for everyone - Cap'n Cat reads books but loathes when they subsequently sit on the shelves for decades. Books should be disseminated throughout the land. As such, if anyone here sees a book The Cap'n is reading or has read and wants it to keep, it's all yours. Just let me know.

Detailed account of the battles War and Peace revolves around. One of the few accounts of the subject written from a Russian rather than a French/Anglo perspective. Pretty dense but still readable and engaging. Get it.

[Cap'n Cat]

Cool. I will. Been getting into that "other side of the fence, non-US/Western-centric" readings of history stuff for a few years now. Imagine forcing Bunco or Z to read something like that, then, reading their reviews!!!!!

[D1B]

Cool. I will. Been getting into that "other side of the fence, non-US/Western-centric" readings of history stuff for a few years now. Imagine forcing Bunco or Z to read something like that, then, reading their reviews!!!!!

Here's the only shit Blanko and Zero read:

[CAA Flagship]

I like to read bumper stickers.

[Cap'n Cat]

I like to read bumper stickers.

Speakin' of which...... I'm on the way to Indiana and this tiny granola chick in a Kia Soul has one that says,

"Pro-Choicers Don't Bomb Maternity Wards"





Aaaaaamen!!!

[Ibanez]

Still reading this:

The author gives a great history of the history of whiskey, American distilling, temeprance movements and the attitudes towards drinking all while he's giving you the biography of Jack Daniel. And yes, I sip whiskey as I read it.

[Chizzang]

I like to read bumper stickers.

Speakin' of which...... I'm on the way to Indiana and this tiny granola chick in a Kia Soul has one that says,

"Pro-Choicers Don't Bomb Maternity Wards"





Aaaaaamen!!!

That reminds me:
We haven't had a good Pro-Choice Pro-Life debate around here in months

Where's the amendment where the Feds can get in between a woman and her doctor..?
Because we know damn well The Feds can't get between a man and his gun
That's a sacred right


(that ought to get things started)

[ASUG8]

Speakin' of which...... I'm on the way to Indiana and this tiny granola chick in a Kia Soul has one that says,

"Pro-Choicers Don't Bomb Maternity Wards"





Aaaaaamen!!!

That reminds me:
We haven't had a good Pro-Choice Pro-Life debate around here in months

Where's the amendment where the Feds can get in between a woman and her doctor..?
Because we know damn well The Feds can't get between a man and his gun
That's a sacred right


(that ought to get things started)

I think you accidentally just started a second amendment thread. Again.

[Chizzang]

I think you accidentally just started a second amendment thread. Again.

Damn... you're right
As is well documented here - I'm pro-gun rights
I'm also Pro-women's rights (even considering what a nuisance they are)

[Ibanez]

I think you accidentally just started a second amendment thread. Again.

Damn... you're right
As is well documented here - I'm pro-gun rights
I'm also Pro-women's rights (even considering what a nuisance they are)

It's a baby not a choice!

What a stupid statement.

[Chizzang]

Damn... you're right
As is well documented here - I'm pro-gun rights
I'm also Pro-women's rights (even considering what a nuisance they are)

It's a baby not a choice!

What a stupid statement.

Sure it is...
It's absolutely a choice / as is a documented fact
The CDC reported 1.2 million abortions in 2011 (I'm told)

So no doubt about it: It's a choice
A choice that has absolutely ZERO to do with you

[Ibanez]

Still reading this:

The author gives a great history of the history of whiskey, American distilling, temperance movements and the attitudes towards drinking all while he's giving you the biography of Jack Daniel. And yes, I sip whiskey as I read it.

I finished this book last night. It's a good, easy read that depicts what life was like for Jack Daniel. His struggles and his triumphs. His personality and generosity towards family and community. The author doesn't go into to great detail about the death and there's only a couple of chapters about the distillery after JD died in 1911, but the history is fascinating, none the less.

[Ibanez]

It's a baby not a choice!

What a stupid statement.

Sure it is...
It's absolutely a choice / as is a documented fact
The CDC reported 1.2 million abortions in 2011 (I'm told)

So no doubt about it: It's a choice
A choice that has absolutely ZERO to do with you

A baby is a choice (except in the case of rape.)

[Ivytalk]

Reading Catastrophe 1914 about the campaigns of the first five months of World War I, as we approach its centennial.

[Cap'n Cat]

Reading Catastrophe 1914 about the campaigns of the first five months of World War I, as we approach its centennial.

Hmmmm. Read a book a few years ago about the last months of WWI and how brutal they were. Generals had their men fight up until the last minute, resulting in thousands of unnecessary deaths.

[Ibanez]

Reading Catastrophe 1914 about the campaigns of the first five months of World War I, as we approach its centennial.

I have a few great books on WW1, if you're interested.