Indy7Steve's Titles

The Brothers Ashkenazi by I. J Singer (Classics, Literary Fiction, Biography) A brilliant portrait of life in Lodz, Poland, originally published in 1936. It tells the story of the twin sons of Abraham Hersh Ashkenazi, Simha Meir and Jacob Bunem. These brothers reenact the story of Jacob and Esau from the biblical book of Genesis in nineteenth century anti-Semitic Poland. The casual and pervasive violence is saddening but probably realistic. -- Added by Indy7Steve on 01/15/2013 Add Comment

Friday Night Lights by H. G. Bissinger (Adventure, Suspense, Travel, Sports) An account of the 1988 Permian High School (Odessa, Texas) football season. It is however, about much more than football, and provides an interesting sociological snapshot of race, politics, and economics in boom or bust west Texas. -- Added by Indy7Steve on 01/13/2013 Add Comment

Dhammapada: The Sayings of Buddha by Thomas Cleary, translator (Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science, Health) A compilation of the sayings of Buddha,listed here for spiritual health. Cleary highlights similarities with other sacred writings. Two of my favorite verses-- VIII:4: Though one defeats a million men in battle, one who overcomes the self alone is in fact the highest victor. XVII: 7: It is an old saying, not a new one: "They disparage one who remains silent, they disparage one who talks a lot, and they even disparage one who speaks in moderation." There is no one in the world who is not disparaged. -- Added by Indy7Steve on 01/12/2013 Add Comment

ON THE BEACH by SHUTE, NEVIL (Romance, Women's Fiction, Relationships, Humor) At first I was going to put this novel (originally published in 1957) about the end of human life in post-WW III Australia in the science fiction category, but it is really a tale of human relationships: how families, friends, and colleagues interact as the fatal nuclear cloud makes it way south toward Melbourne. Nevil Shute is an amazing author who tackles very complicated themes in a very straightforward and simple fashion. Whether the end of mankind would really be as civilized, or fatalistic, as this novel portrays, of course, is a different matter. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. -- Added by Indy7Steve on 01/11/2013 Add Comment wow. -- susi on 01/14/2013   We were just talking about this at the Central Indiana Mensa Regional Gathering. The Gathering was called "We survived - the Superbowl and the Mayan Calendar", but the point of On the Beach is that we do NOT survive. The moral I took away from the book (read in the late 1960s!) is that we should not be so careless throwing around threats that may cause irreparable actions. I warmly recommend other works by Schute, like "Trustee from the Toolroom". -- Konsulentin on 01/28/2013

Doc by Mary Doria Russell (Historical Fiction, Westerns, History) Fine fictional account of the intertwined lives of dentist John Henry Holliday and the Earp clan, set primarily in Dodge. Russell, who taught anatomy at Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry, spends much time on Doc's dental practice and his techniques. Lots of action and atmosphere. -- Added by Indy7Steve on 01/09/2013 Add Comment

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) The true story of Abraham Lincoln's life and real career--as a hunter and destroyer of vampires. -- Added by Indy7Steve on 01/08/2013 Add Comment