What Are You Reading?

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Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
I am looking for book suggestions based on the works of James Fennimore Cooper or books about American pioneers/fur-trading and Native American relations. I have recently started watching a new Netflix series called Frontier and realized I knew precious little about this time period.
I loved Undaunted Courage, about Lewis and Clark, but I am seeking fiction titles only. Thanks in advance. I will be checking Amazon later or Goodreads but sometimes asking other resourceful readers has its advantages.
I plan on reading Ken Follet's Fall of Giants and the Lonesome Dove quartet very soon. Come to think of it my TBR list is ever expanding. danie told me about Slow Dancing at the Rascal Fair and I still haven't been to the library to order a copy. :cold:
Have you read Centennial by James Michener? Have you ever read a Michener book? Just a warning, it takes great focus and dedication to get through about the first 100 pages of any Michener book until you get to the meat of the story. Michener has to lay the groundwork of every book with detailed descriptions of the geology of the land, plate tectonics, rock formations, sand density, temperature fluctuations, the bowel movement of ants and every other known thing on the face of this planet. But once you get to the STORY, it is so good.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
1790-1820 is a starting point but if you have any ideas then I have wiggle room, lol. I wouldn't mind reading about pre-Colonial America and early settlers. The field is wide open, really.
Michener's Centennial is a good, well-researched read. Jakes' Americans series is decent, too (if a bit salacious in parts). He might be a popular writer, but his history is good. These Is My Words. McMurtry's series as a whole is good (though I don't really care for Streets of Laredo). The Revenant is wonderful. Private Yankee Doodle: This one is non-fic, but is a memoir written years after the fact so I'd consider it in the hazy region between fiction and non fiction (memories can be dicey things). Frazier's Thirteen Moons. I read another last year that I'm trying to remember the name--it was a literary mystery set in the early 1820s and featuring fur trappers--also well-researched. If I come up with the name, I'll let you know. These are the ones off the top of my head. I'll try to come up with some others.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
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Have you read Centennial by James Michener? Have you ever read a Michener book? Just a warning, it takes great focus and dedication to get through about the first 100 pages of any Michener book until you get to the meat of the story. Michener has to lay the groundwork of every book with detailed descriptions of the geology of the land, plate tectonics, rock formations, sand density, temperature fluctuations, the bowel movement of ants and every other known thing on the face of this planet. But once you get to the STORY, it is so good.
Bahahahahaha, no, never read him but I familiarized myself with his work and his laborious style so that I could give an informed opinion at work. I've heard he likes to use a wide scope and wide net but, as you said, equally hone down his plot with a surgeon's hand at the right moment. Thanks for the suggestion.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
Bahahahahaha, no, never read him but I familiarized myself with his work and his laborious style so that I could give an informed opinion at work. I've heard he likes to use a wide scope and wide net but, as you said, equally hone down his plot with a surgeon's hand at the right moment. Thanks for the suggestion.
Yes, A really good story when you get to it. Soldier through his groundwork and you will be rewarded.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
Michener's Centennial is a good, well-researched read. Jakes' Americans series is decent, too (if a bit salacious in parts). He might be a popular writer, but his history is good. These Is My Words. McMurtry's series as a whole is good (though I don't really care for Streets of Laredo). The Revenant is wonderful. Private Yankee Doodle: This one is non-fic, but is a memoir written years after the fact so I'd consider it in the hazy region between fiction and non fiction (memories can be dicey things). Frazier's Thirteen Moons. I read another last year that I'm trying to remember the name--it was a literary mystery set in the early 1820s and featuring fur trappers--also well-researched. If I come up with the name, I'll let you know. These are the ones off the top of my head. I'll try to come up with some others.
I have read the first four books in the Kent family series, the Americans. I own Thirteen Moons but haven't read, yet. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I'm taking mental notes. Dana Jean mentioned Centennial, too. Must be good.
 

urrutiap

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2009
324
1,017
Whenever Im finished reading David Drake's Lord of the Isles book 1, I might re-read an old Uncle John Bathroom Reader from 2-3 years ago. Or I might go buy a newer updated Uncle John Bathroom Reader book from 2015 or 2016 at least.

There even a 2016 edition of Uncle John Bathroom Reader?
 

Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
9,682
65,192
59
sweden
I am looking for book suggestions based on the works of James Fennimore Cooper or books about American pioneers/fur-trading and Native American relations. I have recently started watching a new Netflix series called Frontier and realized I knew precious little about this time period.
I loved Undaunted Courage, about Lewis and Clark, but I am seeking fiction titles only. Thanks in advance. I will be checking Amazon later or Goodreads but sometimes asking other resourceful readers has its advantages.
I plan on reading Ken Follet's Fall of Giants and the Lonesome Dove quartet very soon. Come to think of it my TBR list is ever expanding. danie told me about Slow Dancing at the Rascal Fair and I still haven't been to the library to order a copy. :cold:
I would suggest The Son by Philipp Meyer. It is an epic story covering about 200 years and 6 generations of a family in Texas. Comanches have a part to play. I liked it.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
I would suggest The Son by Philipp Meyer. It is an epic story covering about 200 years and 6 generations of a family in Texas. Comanches have a part to play. I liked it.
Awesome! Thanks, Kurben, I knew you'd be another one to come through for me. I know the author and I'm aware of the book but had no clue what it was about. Sounds great.
 

ghost19

"Have I run too far to get home?"
Sep 25, 2011
8,926
56,578
51
Arkansas
Have you read Centennial by James Michener? Have you ever read a Michener book? Just a warning, it takes great focus and dedication to get through about the first 100 pages of any Michener book until you get to the meat of the story. Michener has to lay the groundwork of every book with detailed descriptions of the geology of the land, plate tectonics, rock formations, sand density, temperature fluctuations, the bowel movement of ants and every other known thing on the face of this planet. But once you get to the STORY, it is so good.

That's pretty accurate for Michener. I tried reading "Texas" a few years ago but I kept finding myself counting ceiling tiles or dozing off. I never did make it thru it.
 

mal

content
Jun 23, 2007
4,714
27,243
61
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I am going to start a William S. Burroughs book. Looking forward to it.
Hi not_nadine, I'm a big fan of his stuff and all that beat poet heroin jazz 50's stuff. I found that David Cronenberg's movie 'Naked Lunch' was quite a good representation of what I had going on in my head when I read the book. Enjoy! If you like him I'd suggest checking out Charles Bukowski, he's a rough guy but writes some beautiful poetry and prose, but raw and in your face. All the best, mal
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
9097e5f700380be290a4ed1b73d5b32b.jpg

Is it really all that much better?

Can't get Mexican Coke up here in the boonies
It's the closest to nirvana you can get. Just kidding. It's good, but I wouldn't go way out of my way to get some.
 
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