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© 1996-2006 John P Dudley |
I have been on a roll this fall with good books. The best: (Also, click here check out my Panama Canal-related books)
Stupid White Men ...and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation! - Michael Moore Thank God for Michael Moore. Here's someone who can tell it like it is and isn't afraid to tackle the tough topics - or tough people. If you've seen his movies Roger and Me or Bowling for Columbine, or his TV series TV Nation or The Awful Truth, you know what I am talking about. He's funny, irreverent, and right-on. Conservatives beware: You won't like this book, unless you can take a joke... (and if you can't, well you know the rest of that saying...)
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - Michael Chabon Even though I have never been into superhero comics, I really enjoyed this novel. It's a great story with terrific character development that takes place from the 1930s through the 50s - the heyday of comics. The story is about men's quest for success, others' quest for greed, and of course everyone's quest for love.
Carter Beats the Devil - Glen David Gold I read this on the heels of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, which is interesting because this book takes place during the Vaudeville era, which in a way set the stage (no pun intended) for the superhero comic book age. Of the two, I enjoyed this novel about real-life magician Charles Carter the most. The writing style is very reminiscent of Caleb Carr in The Alienist. It's a murder mystery (Carter uses President Warren G. Harding in a ghastly trick -who shortly thereafter dies and Carter immediately disappears) with a story that is fast and intriguing, with a satisfying twist at the end.
Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw - Mark Bowden Here's a non-fiction book that reads like a fast-paced novel. Mark Bowden, the award-winning journalist who wrote Black Hawk Down, does a stellar job relaying the hunt for Pablo Escobar, Colombia's most notorious drug cartel kingpin. As readable as BHD was, this book is even more readable - and enjoyable. A fascinating story that will surely be made into a fascinating movie. But don't wait for the movie - it's that good.
Empire Falls - Richard Russo This novel, for which author Richard Russo won the Pulitzer Prize, takes place in a small town in Maine. The characters are really well developed, and Russo builds the small Maine town atmosphere perfectly. This is an irresistible read, with a bit of a "novel noir" ending. Previous Reads:
OK, I admit it: I've always passed right on by those books that say "Oprah's Book Club" on the cover. I mean, how much can a man enjoy a book recommended by The Oprah, when the primary - and target - audience for her show and magazine are women? It turns out, pretty darn enjoyable. I am enlightened. This novel by Andre Dubus III is excellent. Although essentially a dark story, it is told with a light touch, and with character development that draws you right in. I definitely recommend it - for men and women alike!
I really enjoyed this book. I must confess that prior to reading it, I knew almost nothing about the Alamo but "Remember The Alamo", and didn't know why it was supposed to be memorable. It turns out that most of what has been written about the Alamo is the stuff of legends, not truth. This breakthrough novel by Stephen Harrigan balances the point of views of both the Mexicans and Texians (as they were called at the time). The fictional characters are nicely developed and intertwined with actual characters of the time, such as Jim Bowie, Davey Crockett, and Sam Houston, along with Santa Anna himself. Harrigan spent eight years meticulously researching this novel, and it's a breakthrough book in the sense that it dispels the blown up legends of the time and instead is faithful to the truth. A war story, a love story, and above all a story of life and living during the 1830's, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.
This true story has a plot that sounds more like a novel - the most devastating hurricane in recorded history is spooling up on it's way from Africa to North America. Galveston, a thriving city vying with Houston for claims of the business and economic center of Texas, is woefully unprepared - and unwarned. The story revolves around Isaac Cline, a new breed of weather forecaster stationed in Houston. Meticulously researched, this book reads like a novel. Enjoy!
Ok, no doubt this is a screwy name for a book, let alone a story about love. But that's exactly what makes this story appealing. A love story at heart, it has enough metal and grit for us Tim Allen's to love, and zany humor to boot.
Other reads:
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