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Post new topic   Reply to topic    BookTalk.org Forum Index -> Archived Book Discussions 2008 -> The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window Into Human Nature - by Stephen Pinker
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JulianTheApostate JulianTheApostate has been starred
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 1:57 am    Post subject: Who's reading? Reply with quote
Who plans to read the book? I definitely will.

I've read several of Pinker's books, and they've all been impressive. I attended a talk that Pinker gave about ideas in this book, and it sounds like his most exciting book since Language Instinct.
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've ordered a copy so I may start reading in two weeks' time.
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Chris OConnor Chris OConnor has been starred
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've already started reading. Shocked
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have it on my nightstand right now and will start it after I finish up the Zimbardo book.

Mr. P.
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George Ricker George Ricker has been starred
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 11:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm reading it now.

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PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I should've not gone for the free shipping option...they're dragging their feet getting it to me! Ah well.

Out of habit, I ordered through the .ca version...maybe with the dollar the way it is and the book prices the way they are, I should've checked the .com! Darn. Old habits die hard.
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi,

Just bought it today. Both my husband and I will be reading it at the same time (we work opposite shifts quite often).

Jan.
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm in! As soon as I finish the Zimbardo book. I'm really excited about this one.
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm about 100 pages in and still enjoying it.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Planning to buy the book tomorrow. Have loved Pinker's work and was planning to wait for the standard paperback rather than the trade paperback but with this discussion going now I'm willing to bite the bullet.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Just want to chime in and say I am reading this wonderful book and enjoying it immensely. I want to talk about it so bad...but all this is so new to me, my time is tight and I cannot seem to gather coherent thoughts yet!

I have some passages marked and will endeavor to get my butt in here more often soon.

Good stuff though. Pinker is an eloquent Science Writer.

Mr. P.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi all,

I gave up at the end of Chapter 3. I still hadn't found anything interesting enough to keep me reading.

Jan.
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
jales4 wrote:
Hi all,

I gave up at the end of Chapter 3. I still hadn't found anything interesting enough to keep me reading.

Jan.


Really!? I find the book absolutely fascinating! I am very intrigued by language and its use and this book is my frist foray into such. I will use this as a branching off point to other offerings in the field, as well as reading more Pinker in the future.

Mr. P.
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JulianTheApostate JulianTheApostate has been starred
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm resuming the book, after putting it aside for 6 weeks or so. There's been a lot of other stuff in my life that's been keeping me busy.

This book hasn't been grabbing me as much as Pinker's other books have. The ideas are more abstract, and it takes more of an effort to get through each chapter. The earlier books, especially The Language Instinct, are more accessible and captivating. It would make more sense for people to read The Language Instinct first, before diving into his later, and denser, books.
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
With the baby, work, and obligations pulling from all angles...I've not been able to give the time and attention to this book that it deserves. When I have read it, I've found it delightfully rich with ideas and potent arguments....and somewhat elusively difficult to pin down. Perhaps because it covers so much, and reads so fluidly, I seem to lose the point and the case being made.

I hope to lend more to the cause if time permits.
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