Best Books Read in 2008

NeroTulip · Post by **NeroTulip** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:53 am

C3, I kinda liked "L'extension du domaine de la lutte" (translated as "Whatever"). Do you include it in the disappointing stuff?

chiral3 · Post by **chiral3** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:21 pm

Yeah, and the Island one. I just thought that some of the subject matter in particles was very cool. That scene with her back breaking and the manner in which it did! Using the hedonistic narcissistic hippy to underscore man's fear of death. Very cool. Had some Camus in there as well as Huxley.

Kutilya · Post by **Kutilya** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 5:30 pm

I was told his other work is not as good as the elementary particles...surpassing this isn’t going be easy. It seems the book is semi autobiographical, mother and son did not get along.

Mother talks

Crassus · Post by **Crassus** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:36 am

No Don Winslow mentioned yet?

This thread will become redundant soon so I should mention The Power of the Dog.

chiral3 · Post by **chiral3** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:03 am

As a follow-up to my previous post about 2666 releasing: buy 2666 and read it knowing that, like any interesting drug, or sex, or food, there is nothing like the first time.

Rookie_Quant · Post by **Rookie_Quant** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 5:28 pm

Picks from 2008, with the disclaimer that I wasnt able to read as much as I wouldve liked.

Best books

Fabric of the Cosmos, by Brian Greene *****

If you liked Elegant Universe, this is right up your alley. More topics in physics that just string theory (though that is covered as well). Greene is the best author I've ever read (and heard speak as well) for commuicating a complex message that is accessible to both the professional physicist and the slightly informed and interested amateur.

A short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson ****
A fun narrative on everything from the history of Astrophysics to the exploration of modern sea life, and a few dozen subjects in between. Very easy read, though if there is one critique, it is that Bryson attempts to weave the many chapters together in a kind of master story arc that is difficult to follow.

Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought, 2 Volume set, by Murray Rothbard ****

These are for the researcher in us all, but are slightly more readable than a standard textbook. Rothbard addresses ancient financial systems as well as classical ecomonics. In any event, they are much less controversial and conspiratorial than some of his other works, and a good addition to any library.

Arroway · Post by **Arroway** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 3:20 am

Crassus said "No Don Winslow mentioned yet?"

I loved "Death and Live of Bobby Z" and then Winslow fell off the face of the Earth. Every so often I'd look to see if he had something new, and then I eventually gave up. Great to know he's writing again.

P.S. I hear Bobby Z is being made into a movie.

Path Integral · Post by **Path Integral** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:07 pm

I'm with Tradenator.

I reread "The Great Crash 1929" by John K Galbraith during the holidays. With the hindsight of 2008, I was at times frightened by the similarities of the 2 periods. To me perhaps the most interesting one is the account on "economic soundness" and "reassurance" during 1929; remarkably parallel to 2008. Let's hope on some divergence for the aftermath...

pj · Post by pj » Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:57 pm

Path Integral.

For more spooks

have a look at this one

by the same author

jaiman · Post by **jaiman** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:01 pm

I read Steve Martin's book "Born Standing Up" and really enjoyed it. It goes in to great detail about the work he put in to become funny. Oddly, the book itself wasn't really funny, but it was a great insight into what a comic goes through to develop their craft.