Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse

The New Coffee Room

  1. TNCR
  2. General Discussion
  3. What are you reading now?

What are you reading now?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General Discussion
907 Posts 31 Posters 59.3k Views
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • kluursK kluurs

    I had low expectations for this book as I haven't been a fanboy of Elon Musk, but I like the author, enjoyed the Steve Jobs biography - and the library system had the audiobook available free online.

    Well, it's excellent. I knew Musk was a little nuts - but it's been interesting learning a bit of his life story, how he thinks and how he has approached business. I don't know that I'd have him run Boeing - but he certainly would NOT have made the mistakes the current management made. Taking the Apple slogan - he thinks different. By way of example, He abhorred that the government was doing bidding on space initiatives on a cost plus basis - where the government did the specs and let people have cost overruns - due to the fact that a lot of the government specs are arbitrary or not thoroughly understood. He's gambler with a mission - and quite willing to "lose it all" on a roll of the dice. Musk thrives on risk - a bit like Trump - which is likely at least partly why he supports and understands Trump.

    image.png

    George KG Offline
    George KG Offline
    George K
    wrote on last edited by
    #829

    @kluurs thanks for the review - I'll seek it out. Isaacson's bios are very readable.

    "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

    The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

    1 Reply Last reply
    • George KG Offline
      George KG Offline
      George K
      wrote on last edited by
      #830

      Why not?

      Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

      "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

      The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

      Aqua LetiferA George KG LuFins DadL 3 Replies Last reply
      • George KG George K

        Why not?

        Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

        Aqua LetiferA Offline
        Aqua LetiferA Offline
        Aqua Letifer
        wrote on last edited by
        #831

        @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

        Why not?

        Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

        Solid.

        Please love yourself.

        1 Reply Last reply
        • jon-nycJ Online
          jon-nycJ Online
          jon-nyc
          wrote on last edited by
          #832

          I’m reading Isaacson’s Steve Jobs bio. Highly recommended.

          I might do the Musk one next, or soon at least.

          Only non-witches get due process.

          • Cotton Mather, Salem Massachusetts, 1692
          George KG 1 Reply Last reply
          • jon-nycJ jon-nyc

            I’m reading Isaacson’s Steve Jobs bio. Highly recommended.

            I might do the Musk one next, or soon at least.

            George KG Offline
            George KG Offline
            George K
            wrote on last edited by
            #833

            @jon-nyc said in What are you reading now?:

            I’m reading Isaacson’s Steve Jobs bio. Highly recommended.

            Yeah, that was good.

            "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

            The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

            1 Reply Last reply
            • kluursK Offline
              kluursK Offline
              kluurs
              wrote on last edited by
              #834

              They're so good, I actually felt a little down after finishing each of Isaacson's books as they were so engaging - and I wanted to keep going - obviously more true with the Elon Musk book.

              1 Reply Last reply
              • taiwan_girlT taiwan_girl

                @jon-nyc said in What are you reading now?:

                I re-read Rise and Fall about every ten years. It’s excellent.

                Jon, I just started The Third Reich Trilogy

                According to Ian Kershaw, it is "the most comprehensive history in any language of the disastrous epoch of the Third Reich".[5] It has been hailed as a "masterpiece of historical scholarship".[6]

                There are three volumes:

                The Coming of the Third Reich
                The Third Reich in Power
                The Third Reich at War

                I just started the first volume. A bit difficult for me, not really knowing much about European history (talking about Bismarck, etc. and how that set the basis for Nazi's), but I will continue with it for the time being. Mr. Evans, in his "preface" says that he tried to write it not too academic, but not too simplistic.

                alt text

                RenaudaR Offline
                RenaudaR Offline
                Renauda
                wrote on last edited by Renauda
                #835

                @taiwan_girl

                The Coming of the Third Reich
                The Third Reich in Power
                The Third Reich at War

                Evan’s trilogy is excellent historiography although as you say heavy reading. His style though flows well and therefore readable. I read it a couple of years ago. The parts dealing with Nazi racial theories, policies and acts of genocide because of their depressing nature, took a lot of effort to get through on my part.

                Elbows up!

                taiwan_girlT 2 Replies Last reply
                • RenaudaR Renauda

                  @taiwan_girl

                  The Coming of the Third Reich
                  The Third Reich in Power
                  The Third Reich at War

                  Evan’s trilogy is excellent historiography although as you say heavy reading. His style though flows well and therefore readable. I read it a couple of years ago. The parts dealing with Nazi racial theories, policies and acts of genocide because of their depressing nature, took a lot of effort to get through on my part.

                  taiwan_girlT Offline
                  taiwan_girlT Offline
                  taiwan_girl
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #836

                  @Renauda I am about 1/2 through the first book. Tough going at first as a lot of old German history, which I know nothing about (a lot of names, territories, etc.), but does give good background on the "foundation" to the Nazis. Starting to get a bit more familiar territory so hopefully easier for me to follow.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  • George KG George K

                    Why not?

                    Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

                    George KG Offline
                    George KG Offline
                    George K
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #837

                    @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                    Why not?

                    Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

                    It's a real slog. Too much introspection, too much "not moving the story along."

                    I suppose I'll finish it, but it's not as good as "Interview."

                    "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                    The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                    George KG Doctor PhibesD 2 Replies Last reply
                    • George KG George K

                      @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                      Why not?

                      Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

                      It's a real slog. Too much introspection, too much "not moving the story along."

                      I suppose I'll finish it, but it's not as good as "Interview."

                      George KG Offline
                      George KG Offline
                      George K
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #838

                      @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                      It's a real slog. Too much introspection, too much "not moving the story along."

                      I suppose I'll finish it, but it's not as good as "Interview."

                      Yeah, this book was twice as long as it needed to be. But, I finished it.

                      Next up...

                      Screenshot 2024-08-12 at 6.33.33 PM.png

                      "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                      The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                      LuFins DadL 1 Reply Last reply
                      • George KG George K

                        @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                        Why not?

                        Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

                        It's a real slog. Too much introspection, too much "not moving the story along."

                        I suppose I'll finish it, but it's not as good as "Interview."

                        Doctor PhibesD Offline
                        Doctor PhibesD Offline
                        Doctor Phibes
                        wrote on last edited by Doctor Phibes
                        #839

                        @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                        @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                        Why not?

                        Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

                        It's a real slog. Too much introspection, too much "not moving the story along."

                        I suppose I'll finish it, but it's not as good as "Interview."

                        I remember buying "Interview with the Vampire" while on holiday on a whim when it originally came out in the 70's (I must have been all of 13 or 14 so it would probably be considered totally unsuitable), and being completely blown away by it. I was massively disappointed by the sequel and I haven't read another Anne Rice novel since.

                        I was only joking

                        George KG 1 Reply Last reply
                        • Doctor PhibesD Doctor Phibes

                          @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                          @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                          Why not?

                          Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

                          It's a real slog. Too much introspection, too much "not moving the story along."

                          I suppose I'll finish it, but it's not as good as "Interview."

                          I remember buying "Interview with the Vampire" while on holiday on a whim when it originally came out in the 70's (I must have been all of 13 or 14 so it would probably be considered totally unsuitable), and being completely blown away by it. I was massively disappointed by the sequel and I haven't read another Anne Rice novel since.

                          George KG Offline
                          George KG Offline
                          George K
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #840

                          @Doctor-Phibes said in What are you reading now?:

                          I was massively disappointed by the sequel

                          It was remarkably weak - long, boring, and wordy.

                          "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                          The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          • George KG George K

                            Why not?

                            Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

                            LuFins DadL Offline
                            LuFins DadL Offline
                            LuFins Dad
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #841

                            @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                            Why not?

                            Screenshot 2024-07-27 at 10.46.45 AM.png

                            Because I’m straight?

                            The Brad

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            • George KG George K

                              @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                              It's a real slog. Too much introspection, too much "not moving the story along."

                              I suppose I'll finish it, but it's not as good as "Interview."

                              Yeah, this book was twice as long as it needed to be. But, I finished it.

                              Next up...

                              Screenshot 2024-08-12 at 6.33.33 PM.png

                              LuFins DadL Offline
                              LuFins DadL Offline
                              LuFins Dad
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #842

                              @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                              @George-K said in What are you reading now?:

                              It's a real slog. Too much introspection, too much "not moving the story along."

                              I suppose I'll finish it, but it's not as good as "Interview."

                              Yeah, this book was twice as long as it needed to be. But, I finished it.

                              Next up...

                              Screenshot 2024-08-12 at 6.33.33 PM.png

                              I’m through the first couple of chapters. Good to start.

                              The Brad

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              • bachophileB Offline
                                bachophileB Offline
                                bachophile
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #843

                                https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81B7RV2CTdL.AC_UF1000,1000_QL80.jpg
                                image.jpeg

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                • RenaudaR Renauda

                                  @taiwan_girl

                                  The Coming of the Third Reich
                                  The Third Reich in Power
                                  The Third Reich at War

                                  Evan’s trilogy is excellent historiography although as you say heavy reading. His style though flows well and therefore readable. I read it a couple of years ago. The parts dealing with Nazi racial theories, policies and acts of genocide because of their depressing nature, took a lot of effort to get through on my part.

                                  taiwan_girlT Offline
                                  taiwan_girlT Offline
                                  taiwan_girl
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #844

                                  @Renauda said in What are you reading now?:

                                  @taiwan_girl

                                  The Coming of the Third Reich
                                  The Third Reich in Power
                                  The Third Reich at War

                                  Evan’s trilogy is excellent historiography although as you say heavy reading. His style though flows well and therefore readable. I read it a couple of years ago. The parts dealing with Nazi racial theories, policies and acts of genocide because of their depressing nature, took a lot of effort to get through on my part.

                                  Just finished the first volume. It was quite "heavy". Very very well researched. I don't think that Adolf Hitler or the Nazis were mentioned until more than 1/3 through the book. I will take a break but will definitely want to try the #2 and #3 volumes.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  • bachophileB Offline
                                    bachophileB Offline
                                    bachophile
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #845

                                    https://c.media-amazon.com/images/I/810stFXOyAL.SL1500.jpg
                                    image.jpeg

                                    800 pages of WWII naval history. Love it.

                                    bachophileB 1 Reply Last reply
                                    • George KG Offline
                                      George KG Offline
                                      George K
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #846

                                      Finished "Why We Sleep" as a re-read. Much better the 2nd time, and some things that were a blurry memory got firmly seated in my brain.

                                      One of the things that Walker says in the intro is that you don't have to read in order - feel free to skip what doesn't interest you.

                                      Highly recommended on my first read - and, on the 2nd.

                                      "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                                      The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                                      taiwan_girlT 1 Reply Last reply
                                      • George KG George K

                                        Finished "Why We Sleep" as a re-read. Much better the 2nd time, and some things that were a blurry memory got firmly seated in my brain.

                                        One of the things that Walker says in the intro is that you don't have to read in order - feel free to skip what doesn't interest you.

                                        Highly recommended on my first read - and, on the 2nd.

                                        taiwan_girlT Offline
                                        taiwan_girlT Offline
                                        taiwan_girl
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #847

                                        @George-K Thanks George. I will have to try that one.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        • George KG Offline
                                          George KG Offline
                                          George K
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #848

                                          I should add - when I first "read" Why We Sleep it was an audiobook. I sprung for the ebook version and found it much more satisfying. Remembered more, learned more.

                                          "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                                          The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                                          1 Reply Last reply
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups