Nonfiction

[Kurben]

My problems with both Hitchens and Dawkins, though both are good books, is that i feel their books does nothing to diminish the rather aggressive tone in the debate but rather tend to increase that aggressiveness. I prefer Karen Armstrong or someone else that takes both sides seriously. Other Dawkins books where he speak of the same subject but in a less aggressive tone are also preferable to me. Titles like The Greatest Show On Earth or The Ancestors Tale. The conclusion from such books are pretty much the same but are not so confrontation directed as The God Dilusion which makes it more convincing. But it might be im missing some specific american aspect of this. I know of course of the so called creationists and their agenda but I still feel a less aggressive approach is more effectIve in countering that in the long run than what Hitchens and Dawkins sometimes do.

 

[mal]

Y

Have you seen the Model K45SSOB0? Now that one is the kicker!

Spoiler: Killer Chocolate Chip cookie recipe too!

Yummy! I hope the 'SOB' part of the model number doesn't stand for what I think it does...

 

[doowopgirl]

I read Henrietta Lacks a couple of years ago. It was interesting, but I can't say I like the way the writer inserted herself into the story. There are parts where it was, "How did this affect me?", and that seemed wrong for someone who is purporting to write a non-fiction book about a person and a family.

I read that and while found it interesting, I have to agree with you about the authors perspective.

 

[doowopgirl]

I have read In Cold Blood so many times. Endlessly fascinating. Truman Capote as well. I also like history books by Alison Weir.

 

[Neesy]

Y

Yummy! I hope the 'SOB' part of the model number doesn't stand for what I think it does...

I didn't even notice that (that is the actual model number, believe it or not) - Andy decided I needed one of those stand mixers, even though I never asked for one

 

[Neesy]

A nonfiction book I can recommend is called:

Owls aren't Wise & Bats aren't Blind by Warner Shedd

- a naturalist debunks our favorite fallacies about wildlife

Spoiler: book cover

I enjoyed chapter 13 - An entertaining pair - the crow and the raven

 

[skimom2]

My problems with both Hitchens and Dawkins, though both are good books, is that i feel their books does nothing to diminish the rather aggressive tone in the debate but rather tend to increase that aggressiveness. I prefer Karen Armstrong or someone else that takes both sides seriously. Other Dawkins books where he speak of the same subject but in a less aggressive tone are also preferable to me. Titles like The Greatest Show On Earth or The Ancestors Tale. The conclusion from such books are pretty much the same but are not so confrontation directed as The God Dilusion which makes it more convincing. But it might be im missing some specific american aspect of this. I know of course of the so called creationists and their agenda but I still feel a less aggressive approach is more effectIve in countering that in the long run than what Hitchens and Dawkins sometimes do.

I think people who make the biggest deal about disbelief many times have a deep belief that they're struggling against. If you truly don't believe in something you ignore it, not talk/write about it endlessly and nastily.

 

[skimom2]

I have two nonfiction books sitting here that have been sent to me from publishers (though I don't review non-fiction) that look interesting: CITY OF THORNS (Ben Rawlence), about the Dadaab refugee camp, and CROSSING THE THINNEST LINE (Lauren Leader-Chivee), about strength coming from diversity in America.

 

[danie]

My problems with both Hitchens and Dawkins, though both are good books, is that i feel their books does nothing to diminish the rather aggressive tone in the debate but rather tend to increase that aggressiveness. I prefer Karen Armstrong or someone else that takes both sides seriously. Other Dawkins books where he speak of the same subject but in a less aggressive tone are also preferable to me. Titles like The Greatest Show On Earth or The Ancestors Tale. The conclusion from such books are pretty much the same but are not so confrontation directed as The God Dilusion which makes it more convincing. But it might be im missing some specific american aspect of this. I know of course of the so called creationists and their agenda but I still feel a less aggressive approach is more effectIve in countering that in the long run than what Hitchens and Dawkins sometimes do.

View attachment 17532 I think people who make the biggest deal about disbelief many times have a deep belief that they're struggling against. If you truly don't believe in something you ignore it, not talk/write about it endlessly and nastily.

I don't remember either author as being nasty. I think they are both adamant about their beliefs. It's true, they don't believe in God, but this is a belief (that there is no god) as well, and smart people don't ignore their feelings just because others don't believe as they do. I think both men want(ed) to educate people that, just because you were raised to believe a certain way, doesn't mean that's the only way. They're saying, Hey here's another way to believe. See what you think about these ideas. Just as many believers feel they're on a mission to present their god to others, these men see it as their goal to educate us on another point of view.

 

[Dana Jean]

I don't remember either author as being nasty. I think they are both adamant about their beliefs. It's true, they don't believe in God, but this is a belief (that there is no god) as well, and smart people don't ignore their feelings just because others don't believe as they do. I think both men want(ed) to educate people that, just because you were raised to believe a certain way, doesn't mean that's the only way. They're saying, Hey here's another way to believe. See what you think about these ideas. Just as many believers feel they're on a mission to present their god to others, these men see it as their goal to educate is on another point of view.

Agree. I don't think Hitchens is being nasty. I think this is his uptight British upbringing in the way he discusses things. It comes off snooty and nasty sometimes, but he's just discussing.

 

[Ronan Cray]

I'm currently reading Old Souls by Tom Shroder. It's about scientific research on kids who remember past lives. Thought provoking.
On another topic, I'm reading "...And a Hard Rain Fell", easily the best biography on Vietnam I've ever read.
Oh! And if you like mortuary books, did you read "The Undertaking" by Thomas Lynch? Incredibly powerful and lovely writing.

 

[Kurben]

I don't remember either author as being nasty. I think they are both adamant about their beliefs. It's true, they don't believe in God, but this is a belief (that there is no god) as well, and smart people don't ignore their feelings just because others don't believe as they do. I think both men want(ed) to educate people that, just because you were raised to believe a certain way, doesn't mean that's the only way. They're saying, Hey here's another way to believe. See what you think about these ideas. Just as many believers feel they're on a mission to present their god to others, these men see it as their goal to educate us on another point of view.

I dont think they are nasty but i do think that if they are interested in educating us books like Karen ArmStrongs or the two books by Dawkins i mentioned are much more effective. They are concerned with facts and are written in a reasonable tone where as i find the God Delusion to, in parts, to be full of emotion and probably wont convince anyone that isnt already a fan. Others will, of course, be upset just by the title which they feel is an insult to their belief. So if he is out to educate us he starts with antagonizing alot of people, perhaps just the ones that needs to be educated, just by the title. If he writes a newspaperarticle it might be a good title but not for a book. I do think he makes several good points in his book but i do not like his tone in that book.
I might add that i dont believe in any god either , never have, but i think there are better ways to put the message across.

 

[mal]

I didn't even notice that (that is the actual model number, believe it or not) - Andy decided I needed one of those stand mixers, even though I never asked for one

That reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer bought Marge a bowling ball.