The Nonfiction Recommendations and Resources Thread

[Lynx-lynx]

Well, I've now gone further back into Middle Eastern History and reading A Brief History of the Middle East, Christopher Catherwood.

Only 3 chapters in and really enjoying it's perspective and synthesis.

But .... and this is what happens to me ..... as a result of Catherwood's use of particular references I've now picked up Empires of the Word, Nicholas Oster.

Oster's book is about the history of languages, and that of course begins with the Sumerians in the Fertile Crescent (between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers).

As a result of MR member Billi alerting me to Citavi, I've now created different projects and availing myself of the many features available to give my 'projects' some structure and capture information that can be utilised in the near and distant future as I pick up other books on the project topics.

Of course, at this rate I'm going to end up with more projects then there's time to delve into in more than a cursory way - but heh - organising my reading gives me better focus, and captures the more salient points for future reference and catch up.

[Joy736]

I'm currently reading this and I can highly recommand it.
http://www.amazon.com/For-Love-Physi...ove+of+physics

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Kenny - would I be accurate in thinking that the authors have written what used to be called 'prose'? Essentially essays on topics/subjects.

And that in order to 'sell' or 'make attractive' the Prose genre they've re-labelled it 'The Short', or 'Creative Non-Fiction'.

Penny for your thoughts .....

Prose to me is an umbrella term meaning not much more that 'writing' but separating/excluding poetry. Creative non-fiction is a term that means non-fiction presented in a narrative manner e.g. not just reporting, but telling it as a story. Much non-fiction today is written in this manner. Essay is a bit of a looser term in that it allows in much personal interpretation. The two books I mention include all types of creative non-fiction including essays, memoirs, articles, and reporting.

The In Short book has specifically selected shorter works.

Hope that helps.

[Coops]

He's got a new book out now, but I enjoyed "Fooled by Randomness" by Nassim Taleb. Far superior to the "Black Swan" follow up which made his name more well known.

"Underground" by Haruki Murakami - the subject matter didn't sound promising, but i'd read all his other novels and decided to give it a try.
Excellent.
He recounts interviews with people involved or affected by the sarin poisoning on the Tokyo underground many years ago. His non judgemental writing works perfectly - struck me as how the best journalism should/might be.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Coops

He's got a new book out now, but I enjoyed "Fooled by Randomness" by Nassim Taleb. Far superior to the "Black Swan" follow up which made his name more well known.

"Underground" by Haruki Murakami - the subject matter didn't sound promising, but i'd read all his other novels and decided to give it a try.
Excellent.
He recounts interviews with people involved or affected by the sarin poisoning on the Tokyo underground many years ago. His non judgemental writing works perfectly - struck me as how the best journalism should/might be.

Yes, I did not win the Powerball jackpot.
It was up to over a half-billion dollars.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Joy736

I'm currently reading this and I can highly recommand it.
http://www.amazon.com/For-Love-Physi...ove+of+physics

Physics is cool!

[Lynx-lynx]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Prose to me is an umbrella term meaning not much more that 'writing' but separating/excluding poetry. Creative non-fiction is a term that means non-fiction presented in a narrative manner e.g. not just reporting, but telling it as a story. Much non-fiction today is written in this manner. Essay is a bit of a looser term in that it allows in much personal interpretation. The two books I mention include all types of creative non-fiction including essays, memoirs, articles, and reporting.

The In Short book has specifically selected shorter works.

Hope that helps.

Amazon seems to think it's a new Genre:

'Almost simultaneously, many of our finest writers are experimenting with a new nonfiction form: brief pieces that are literary and personal rather than informational, complete in themselves, and short—very short. Although the form has not had a name until now'

http://www.amazon.com/Short-Collecti.../dp/0393314928

I'm still unconvinced - I think it's Prose ..... but what's in a name.

[Lynx-lynx]

Originally Posted by Coops

He's got a new book out now, but I enjoyed "Fooled by Randomness" by Nassim Taleb. Far superior to the "Black Swan" follow up which made his name more well known.

Well I love a 'flutter', so I'm going to have to put this book on my TBR list.

Of course, I am hoping that I'll just be one of the 'lucky' ones who win big time without any effort except buying the ticket!!

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Amazon seems to think it's a new Genre:

'Almost simultaneously, many of our finest writers are experimenting with a new nonfiction form: brief pieces that are literary and personal rather than informational, complete in themselves, and short—very short. Although the form has not had a name until now'

http://www.amazon.com/Short-Collecti.../dp/0393314928

I'm still unconvinced - I think it's Prose ..... but what's in a name.

Prose doesn't mean anything to me.

There was/has been a controversy over creative non-fiction. The short part seems relatively new to me. Though I'm sure there have been short nf personal or literary or whatever for ages, it also in some cases over-laps prose poetry. (which I do know what is. )

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Well I love a 'flutter', so I'm going to have to put this book on my TBR list.

Of course, I am hoping that I'll just be one of the 'lucky' ones who win big time without any effort except buying the ticket!!

I didn't win. Powerball that is. Oh Wait, I said that. Maybe Santa will bring me a winning ticket.

[jgaiser]

Current non-fiction reading list:

The Last Lion: Volume 1: Winston Churchill: Visions of Glory, 1874-1932 by William Manchester
Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis
A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman

[kennyc]

I'm slowly making my way back through some previous Best American Science writing. Just finished 2010. http://www.amazon.com/Best-American-...ef=pd_sim_b_21 Good stuff, what's interesting is that I'd read a few of them elsewhere but mostly how quickly this sort of writing ages.

[Lynx-lynx]

I offer this definition only as my basic understanding of what Prose is:

Prose

'Literary writing that cannot be defined in terms of other prose literature forms (short story, autobiography, essay) but which displays literary qualities. Includes creative, imaginative writing such as Liam Davison's Land Sounds and extended prose works in the travel, historical, humour and satire genres, such as Nicholas Jose's Black Sheep, Ernestine Hill's The Territory, Barry Humphries's Bazza Pulls It Off.'

http://www.austlit.edu.au/help/austlitForms

As part of the standard English course at school we read Prose (and Drama, Novels, Poetry etc).

Maybe it's an Aus thing which follows on from the received traditions from England.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

I offer this definition only as my basic understanding of what Prose is:

Prose

'Literary writing that cannot be defined in terms of other prose literature forms (short story, autobiography, essay) but which displays literary qualities. Includes creative, imaginative writing such as Liam Davison's Land Sounds and extended prose works in the travel, historical, humour and satire genres, such as Nicholas Jose's Black Sheep, Ernestine Hill's The Territory, Barry Humphries's Bazza Pulls It Off.'

http://www.austlit.edu.au/help/austlitForms

As part of the standard English course at school we read Prose (and Drama, Novels, Poetry etc).

Maybe it's an Aus thing which follows on from the received traditions from England.

Thanks for that. My def is more like this from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prose

[Lynx-lynx]

As long as authors get published, and their works are sold .... anything goes, eh!!!