| This forum is used with the NationStates web-game designed and run by Max Barry. While not officially affiliated, this serves as the regional forum for the regions: Middle East, African Continent, American Continent, Asian Continent, and European Continent. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and can "read only". In order to get the most out of these forums, please become a member and read this guide - http://z3.invisionfree.com/nationstates/index.php?showtopic=3060 If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
| Ask the Forum: Fiction or Non-Fiction | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Oct 17 2009, 10:19 PM (412 Views) | |
| Rhadamanthus | Oct 17 2009, 10:19 PM Post #1 |
|
Legitimist
![]()
|
I just finished the book I was reading in my spare time. I'm curious as to whether you guys think I should read some fiction or some non-fiction next? Depending on the poll results, I might pick something; I might even make a second poll with specific choices after that. |
![]() |
|
| Abnar | Oct 17 2009, 10:31 PM Post #2 |
|
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the lurkiest of them all?
|
Depends, is Solzhenitsyn fiction or non-fiction? One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is awesome, if you haven't read it yet. |
![]() |
|
| Al Araam | Oct 17 2009, 10:45 PM Post #3 |
![]()
Demigod of Death & Inactivity
![]()
|
I like fiction. Because I like it. |
![]() |
|
| Rhadamanthus | Oct 17 2009, 10:46 PM Post #4 |
|
Legitimist
![]()
|
Well, Solzhenitsyn was a great man, among the greatest of the twentieth century, and I will certainly read that at some point. However, I have a few works in each category that are on my "reading list" currently. My plan was to make them a second poll after this initial one is complete, but I realize now that that is likely not the most efficient manner of conducting a poll. |
![]() |
|
| Porcu | Oct 18 2009, 12:42 AM Post #5 |
|
"Work is the curse of the drinking classes."
![]()
|
Voted for Non-Fiction. I find history/historical events to be just as inspiring or wonderful or amazing as any fiction work. |
![]() |
|
| Tristan da Cunha | Oct 18 2009, 12:46 AM Post #6 |
|
Science and Industry
|
I dare you to say that about this 200-page treatise on the economic depression of 1819. http://mises.org/rothbard/panic1819.pdf Edited by Tristan da Cunha, Oct 18 2009, 12:47 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| Al Araam | Oct 18 2009, 12:51 AM Post #7 |
![]()
Demigod of Death & Inactivity
![]()
|
Or a 150-page ethnography of the Rashaayda Bedouin of Eastern Sudan. No, I think I've had quite enough non-fiction, thank you. |
![]() |
|
| Rhadamanthus | Oct 18 2009, 10:20 AM Post #8 |
|
Legitimist
![]()
|
That one actually sounds rather fascinating :unsure: |
![]() |
|
| Al Araam | Oct 18 2009, 11:50 AM Post #9 |
![]()
Demigod of Death & Inactivity
![]()
|
It would have been interesting to read over the course of a month or so, I think. I've never been one to enjoy reading for deadlines. And the second half became a bit tedious, since the amount of new material introduced was minimal. Could have been worse though, I suppose. |
![]() |
|
| lebowski2123 | Oct 18 2009, 12:35 PM Post #10 |
![]()
Resident?
|
I just finished reading Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis, about his experiences in investment banking in the 1980s, and the collapse of Salomon Brothers. Light read, extremely interesting, as he spends a portion of the book explaining the origins of the mortgage bond, and the logic behind the trading of these bonds (which has lead us to our present day "mortgage crisis") |
![]() |
|
| New Harumf | Oct 18 2009, 12:52 PM Post #11 |
![]()
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
|
A very good read I would like to suggest: Posted Image |
![]() |
|
| Menhad | Oct 18 2009, 08:18 PM Post #12 |
|
ET2(IDW)
|
I would suggest Memories of a Fighting Captain, an autobiography of Lord Admiral Thomas Cochrane. Very interesting. |
![]() |
|
| NRE | Oct 18 2009, 09:23 PM Post #13 |
![]()
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman
![]()
|
Having to read a lot for my seminar (on witchcraft of all things) at the moment and can't say I can think of any good reads off the top of my head. Well no I take that back... The Marrow of Tradition is a good historical novel. It's a fictional account of the race riots that took place here in my hometown, arguable the only successful coup d'etat in American history. Of course (for my seminar paper) I could suggest a few good books on demonic possession and exorcism :lol: Edited by NRE, Oct 18 2009, 09:32 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| East Anarx | Oct 20 2009, 11:31 AM Post #14 |
|
Anarchitect
![]()
|
I voted fiction, and I must reiterate my recommendation of "The Illuminatus! Trilogy" by Robert A. Wilson. But for non-fiction, I suggest "Organization Theory: A Libertarian Perspective" by Kevin Carson. |
![]() |
|
| Rhadamanthus | Oct 20 2009, 02:44 PM Post #15 |
|
Legitimist
![]()
|
I still do plan to get to your recommendation of Wilson's trilogy. Don't worry; I haven't forgotten! Sadly, with law school consuming much of my reading energy, my backlog has grown quite a bit over these last few years :( Carson sounds familiar - I think I may have read some material of his online. Does he have a website? |
![]() |
|
| Sedulius | Oct 20 2009, 03:47 PM Post #16 |
|
Field Marshal
|
I voted nonfiction. I figure its better to fill your head with useful facts than useless fiction. Of course, I'm not really that heartless. |
![]() |
|
| Rhadamanthus | Oct 20 2009, 03:48 PM Post #17 |
|
Legitimist
![]()
|
I don't think I've ever read any useless fiction (well, I have when younger, but I tend to avoid it now, rather). I read useful fiction and useful facts. |
![]() |
|
| Sedulius | Oct 20 2009, 03:52 PM Post #18 |
|
Field Marshal
|
Not to argue, but what is useful about fiction? I do know some relevance to it, but I'd like to know what you think. |
![]() |
|
| Tristan da Cunha | Oct 20 2009, 03:55 PM Post #19 |
|
Science and Industry
|
Reading good fiction improves the spirits.
Edited by Tristan da Cunha, Oct 20 2009, 04:00 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Rhadamanthus | Oct 20 2009, 03:56 PM Post #20 |
|
Legitimist
![]()
|
A lot actually. Often more than much non-fiction. Fiction is full of ideas, of character observations, of hard decisions and consequences, of the foundations of cultures, of mindsets, and pretty much everything else you would want on a personal level. Reading a self-help book, for example, is near worthless when compared to reading classic fiction. Fiction isn't all the same, and making broad statements about "fiction" makes little sense, as little if we talked about every type of non-fiction as the same. Good fiction cultivates mind and character, just like good writing of any other type, whether non-fiction or poetry, or anything else. To be honest, I don't even understand how fiction could not be seen as useful. |
![]() |
|
| Nag Ehgoeg | Oct 20 2009, 04:13 PM Post #21 |
|
The Devil's Advocate
![]()
|
Doesn't even have to be classic fiction. Satanic Bible did more good for me than any self-help book and that's "(not very good) modern fiction" if anything... Yeah, I know, I'm going to bed. Stupid six o'clock starts... |
![]() |
|
| New Harumf | Oct 20 2009, 05:04 PM Post #22 |
![]()
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
|
Anyone besides me wanna read the "new" Shakespeare play?? |
![]() |
|
| Deleted User | Oct 20 2009, 07:50 PM Post #23 |
|
Deleted User
|
ok guys, I need to pick a non-fiction book of essays for my Ap English class, the problem is, all of the books on the recommended lists are super liberal. Do any of you have a good Non-fiction book of essays you would suggest to me? |
|
|
| Tristan da Cunha | Oct 20 2009, 07:58 PM Post #24 |
|
Science and Industry
|
"Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature and Other Essays" ISBN 0-945466-23-4 |
![]() |
|
| Deleted User | Oct 20 2009, 08:01 PM Post #25 |
|
Deleted User
|
Yeah, how about no. |
|
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Off-Topic · Next Topic » |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2













11:35 AM Jul 13