Posted by Carlos on May 06, 1998 at 10:53:02:
In Reply to: My own list posted by Chris on May 05, 1998 at 22:20:59:
Godel, Escher, Bach, Douglas R. Hofstadter
"It's on my to-read list. I've wanted to read it a couple of times now, but I always get intimidated and end up choosing something else:)"
It is a tough read - I had to attempt it a couple of times before I finished. I finally had to approach it like a text book with paper and pencil in hand before I could grasp it.
The Making of the Atomic Bomb, Richard Rhodes
"It's on my to-read list. I hear he has another one out about prions. Something like "Deadly Feasts?" Have you read it?"
I haven't read "Deadly Feasts", but it is about diseases believed to be caused by prions (such as BSE - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. He also wrote Dark Sun about the H-bomb, but it wasn't nearly as good as the first.
Killer Angels, Michael Shaara [a novel of the battle of Gettysburg]
"This is my wife's favorite book. I guess I'll have to put it on my to-read list now that someone I trust has recommended it (don't tell my wife I said that, but we usually have very different reading interests)."
It is a great book. After he passed away, his son (whose first name I can't recall at the moment) wrote a sequel called Gods and Generals which was also very good.
"What? No science fiction on that list? What are you, some pseudo-highbrow? ;)"
I do read sci-fi, but strictly for diversion. I read most of Orson Scott Card's stuff, and like most of it. Also Asimov, Donaldson, etc.
Thanks for your list. I've read most of those books, but I've never been able to get into Eco. What about his writings do you find interesting?