Anyone reading a non-fiction book at the moment?
By MarkyB21
@MarkyB21 (1545)
May 15, 2007 2:06pm CST
If so, what's it called and what's it about?
I'm reading The Rise of the Indian Rope Trick - The Biography of a Legend, written by Peter Lamont.
No big surpise that it's about the legendary indian rope trick. The myth of the trick is that a rope climbs into the air by itself then a boy climbs up it and disappears - the more gruesome version is that chunks of dismembered body then fall from the sky then re-forms into the boy again.
I know how the rope is made to rise but can't imagine a way of making a boy disappear at the top. I'm looking forward to seeing what the book reveals although I'm pretty sure it won't be how the trick is done; rather it will be about how the trick has never been fully performed and is just rumour and myth.
So what non-fiction book are you reading?
5 people like this
10 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
15 May 07
The Mysteries of Druidry, by Brendan Cathbad Myers. I'm not sure what I think of it yet. It's a book on Celtic religion and spirituality, from both a historic and modern standpoint. I've heard good things about the author's historical accuracy at least, but I haven't made it very far in the book because it's kind of dry. I suppose that's usually the price you pay for historical accuracy.
That sounds like a really interesting book you're reading, MarkyB!
3 people like this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
15 May 07
hehe sounds like we respond to some of the same discussions. =p
I do have quite an interest in all things Celtic, both because of my religion and because it's about half my heritage (the other half is Native American).
I do love that type of artwork too. So intricate and beautiful. I really like the zoomorphic (animal) ones too.
2 people like this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
15 May 07
i am reading about a missionary that was in china during the 30's and early 40's...her life was so fasciating that hollywood made a movie of her life during the 50's...
the name of the book/movie was 'the inn of sixth happiness'...the missionary, gladys alkward......truly great book!
2 people like this
@inked4life (4224)
• United States
16 May 07
I am in the process of reading 2 non-fiction books at the moment. I'm reading "A Briefer History Of Time" by Stephen Hawking which is actually a lot more entertaining than I thought it would be as well as a biography of Harry Houdini which is great.
1 person likes this
@MarkyB21 (1545)
•
16 May 07
I've been meaning to get round to reading some of Hawking's work for quite a while now but haven't managed it so far.
I'd also like to read about Harry Houdini, I read something once that discussed the possibility that the 'accident' that killed him was actually an assassination although I can't remember the reason for it.
@APMorison (424)
• United States
16 May 07
I may have to look for that one. (so many books, so little time)
It sounds interesting. I'm currently between books but many of the ones that I do read end up being on wordcrafting since I'm attempting to finish a novel I'm writing. For the most part I read anything that's not nailed shut - history, how-tos, dictionaries even ;)
Is there anything that you've read that you really liked and would recommend?
2 people like this
@MarkyB21 (1545)
•
16 May 07
I tend to read a lot of books about laws, historical battles and the occasional autobiography.
A few books I really enjoyed were 'Once a Pilgrim' by Will Scully who was in Sierra Leone during the military coup of 1997; 'A Long Walk to Freedom', Nelson Madella's autobiography and; 'I am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action' which gives a very good insight into Chinese culture as well as details about Jackie Chan himself.
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
16 May 07
Hey MarkyB,
I am currently reading TD Jakes Reposition Yourself:Living Life Without Limits, which is a book on how to adjust to the changes of life and put yourself in the right position to get what you want. It is written with the teachings of Bible, and so far so good.I really enjoy reading T.D.Jakes books because no matter what, he always point to Christ.
1 person likes this
@CatNPK (461)
• United States
16 May 07
Just today I started "The Pope's White Elephant" by Silvio A. Bedini. The book is about the "high summer" of the Italian Renaissance, 1514, and the lavish frivolity of Pope Leo X's court. This included the white elephant brought to him as a gift, among many other exotic animals and luxuries from the east. Named Hanno, the elephant could kneel, dance, trumpet, and weep on command. I haven't gotten very far into it, so this is taken from the inside cover of the book. Seems fascinating though, and the beginning has kept my interest. I would also highly recommend Barbary Wars.
@FloatingGum (346)
• United States
16 May 07
I am reading "What's the Matter with Kansas?: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America" by Thomas Frank. It's pretty good detailing how one state in this nation was swayed and now continually votes against their economic interests.
1 person likes this
@sadgirl_1958 (1088)
• United States
20 May 07
I am a university professor - so I am always reading non-fiction and usually love to read more fiction during the breaks. I have read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings about 20 times and have been able to read all four books in less than two weeks. Right now, regarding non-fiction, I am reading "You Can Go Home Again." This is a book about understanding families and how history repeats itself in families. It is important to understand our family histories so we can try to avoid the same dysfunctional patterns such as chemical abuse and child abuse.
1 person likes this
@SureshNair (132)
• India
16 May 07
Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now". Probably reading it for the Nth time. Lost count.
Have a great day.
1 person likes this
@aniez0906 (263)
• Indonesia
16 May 07
yeah, i like that. i like all of the book, fiction or non fiction. i also like novel,old story, history books, etc. and what about you? what are the books you like?
