Official Poll - 3rd Quarter 2006 NONFICTION book POLL!

riverc0il

Mad has great points and I agree with them. Some may recall that in the previous Q2 Poll, Mad predicted a poor showing for End of Faith. Turns out that End of Faith did quite well for discussion, which says a lot considering I don't think any one participating in the disucssion thought it was a good book, well argued, or mad logical arguements even if most agreed with many of the premises. I ascented to Mad's suggestion that if a religiously oriented book failed in Q2, we should consider other alternatives. Well, End of Faith generated a lot of good qualitity discussion and I am still going to advocate for other alternatives. The last two readings were heavy on the Athiestic perspective so I am ready for something a little different. This IS a Freethought Book Discussion group, but that does not mean that every book we read need be about religion. Quite frankly, I am tired of the same old arguements and the same old end points of members going back and forth for several points before agreeing to disagree.

Thank you for adding "Peace" to the poll Chris. That seemed like an odd omission. While Directive looked interesting, it just isn't grabbing me for a discussion and I have no immediate interest in the other two books. Put me down for three votes for Peace, this title really interests me, and I plan to read it regardless of whether or not it is discussed on BookTalk.

riverc0il

Quote:
It may be too late to derail this train, but I recommend against A Peace to End All Peace. Though it's a very good book, we'd have nothing to discuss.

The book is a diplomatic narrative history: this British ambassador did X, this Turkish leader did Y, etc. I honestly don't see what topics we would bring up. We could comment on Turkish stupidity for entering World War I or British arrogance in dividing the Ottoman Empire. Beyond that, the conversation would be stillborn.

this reasoning would tend to indicate that any history class ever taught should be straight rote learning and dictation with no discussion. i believe discussion in history is incredibly important. i am currently reading a history title that brings up the important topic of how history is recorded, who records it, when it is recorded, how soon after the events is it recorded, etc. essentially, it proves through a very interesting example that history can be altered and perceptions changed, even when reporting strictly on the facts.

peace looks like a title that has a very diligent historian researcher as the author, so i suspect facts presented will be very factual and not containing much if any social/political/cultural bias or interpretation. but such things could easily be discussed. alternative solutions, what should have been done, if something different was done would the situation be better, etc. are all important discussions. the popular saying is if we don't learn from history we are destined to repeat it, or something like that. we clearly haven't learned much from history yet, so i think if anything, there isn't enough historical discussion taking place. with a history of the middle east, surely we will touch on various aspects of government, economic systems, international politics, etc. that all could be very applicable to today's events and our own knowledge.

mad makes a very good point using End of Faith as an example of great discussion branching off the book in new and unexpected directions. a book may be a dry but still allow for decent discussion. just my two cents.

Chris OConnor

I think this poll can come down on the evening of Wednesday the 14th. This is giving us one extra day to vote or change votes, due to adding the extra book a few days into the polling process.

Loricat

I'm definitely going to participate, and I'm glad the two books in the running are the two I would have chosen.

Breaking the Spell appeals to me because it is a cultural studies look at the phenomenon of religion (and I can just see the claim of it being 'scientific and rational' discussed at length here!).

A Peace to End All Peace appeals to me because it is an area of history/current affairs that I always feel I don't understand, and definitely should. We'll have lots to discuss, with perceptions of history, and extrapolation to current events...my only hesitation with this book are the uncomfortable flashbacks to a Poli Sci course on Middle Eastern history that I failed in 2nd year university (actually, I didn't know how to study, and I just sort of ...stopped going to class. At the 3-hour final exam, I spent 30 minutes writing a story about an Arts student's hopes dashed against the rocks of reality when she couldn't understand Political Science. Not my brightest moment.)

So...If you'll accept my vote after such a long hiatus:

2 for Breaking
1 for Peace

"All beings are the owners of their deeds, the heirs to their deeds."

Loricat's Book Nook
Celebrating the Absurd

Mr. Pessimistic

Banner of Heaven - 6

Breaking the Spell - 14

Directive - 1

Peace - 15

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

Once you perceive the irrevocable truth, you can no longer justify the irrational denial. - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Chris OConnor

At this point I am thinking of changing my votes and want to encourage anyone that wants to do likewise to feel free.

tomiichi

I really wanted to vote for Banner but since it's so far behind I don't want to waste my votes, so I will vote:

2- Peace
1- Spell

Edited by: tomiichi at: 6/11/06 4:36 pm

Chris OConnor

I'll change all 3 to "Breaking the Spell"

Mr. Pessimistic

Banner of Heaven - 3

Breaking the Spell - 18

Directive - 1

Peace - 17

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

Once you perceive the irrevocable truth, you can no longer justify the irrational denial. - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Chris OConnor

Classical Celt edits his first post and changed his vote to be 3 votes for "A Peace to End All Peace."


	FORUMS	ABOUT	BOOKS	VIDEOS	TRANSCRIPTS	LINKS	BLOGS	DONATE	CONTACT