tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post4321994459874608487..comments2024-03-04T04:08:39.755-08:00Comments on The Fies Files: Bookish PursuitsBrian Fieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-59240645518615769922010-11-08T13:42:34.477-08:002010-11-08T13:42:34.477-08:00Thanks, Jim and Patty (great name). I have read Fo...Thanks, Jim and Patty (great name). I have read Forrester, just wouldn't make my All-Time Top 15 Team. The rest sound interesting. Although Franklin W. Dixon doesn't really hold up as well as you'd hope...Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-33178688415990245642010-11-08T12:36:37.331-08:002010-11-08T12:36:37.331-08:00John Novack at Inspire.com suggests "Grant an...John Novack at Inspire.com suggests "Grant and Twain: The Story of a Friendship That Changed America." It's the story of U.S. Grant's writing of his memoirs as he was dying of oral cancer. Grant and his family were in financial ruin after his presidency because he was fleeced of his savings by a Bernie Madoff swindler type of the 1880s. In near-constant agony because of the spreading cancer, Grant labored to write his autobiography, sales of which ensured his family's financial security after his death.<br /><br />The book captures the intensity of Grant's physical pain and his self-awareness that he was in a race with death to complete his memoirs.<br /><br />Sound like the feel good hit of the year! Just kidding. Mark Twain (and Franklin W. Dixon) were aces in my book. I am going to take a look at Grant & Twain...Patty O'Furniturenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-35628417230786103682010-10-27T20:42:16.592-07:002010-10-27T20:42:16.592-07:00No C.S. Forester? I'm shocked. Roddenberry pra...No C.S. Forester? I'm shocked. Roddenberry practically lifted the entire concept of Star Trek from the Hornblower series.<br /><br />If you haven't read Hornblower (which to me is one of those basic cultural touchstones of reading) pick up <i>Beat To Quarters</i>. Captain Horatio Hornblower had to make decisions waaay bigger than whether or not Edith Keeler should get hit by a truck.Jim O'Kanehttp://www.TVDads.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-66846132054360308872010-10-27T18:21:18.128-07:002010-10-27T18:21:18.128-07:00Sherwood, Bill and I go way back. Don't diss t...Sherwood, Bill and I go way back. Don't diss the Shakester.<br /><br />Anon, thanks for the book recommendation, and thanks more for telling me about your experience with cancer. Saying "you're welcome" isn't quite adequate. All my best wishes to you and your Mom.Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-27538201599465378502010-10-27T14:25:14.246-07:002010-10-27T14:25:14.246-07:00The last books I read, Erling's World and West...The last books I read, Erling's World and West Oversea by Lars Walker were very good.<br /><br />I also just read "Mom's Cancer" last night. I work as a Page at my local library. I had the book in my hands to put away and instead checked it out. I could relate very well as a Cancer Survivor of Stage IV Oral cancer and wearing the mesh mask like your Mom. My Mom has been given 3-6 months left to this life. We are at the 3 month mark and she's still squeezing as much as she can out of the time she has. My Mom and I were both diagnosed with different forms of cancer in the same year 2004. Thanks for writing the book.Anonymoushttp://queenbeejerrilynn.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-28109277923565443232010-10-27T12:13:47.933-07:002010-10-27T12:13:47.933-07:00"Bill," eh? As the bon mot master proba..."Bill," eh? As the <i>bon mot</i> master probably ghost-wrote for the Bard, "upon familiarity will grow more contempt." Maybe he actually wrote that himself, but it sounds more like Sir John's stuff.Sherwood Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09575868746160608731noreply@blogger.com