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Reading anything good?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by smslavin, Aug 25, 2017.

  1. Aug 25, 2017 at 7:55 AM
    #1
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    I go through a lot of books with all the flying I do so I'm always looking for new reads. I've been on an old school kick the past few months and have gone through a lot of Faulkner, Paul Bowles, Burroughs, Graham Greene, etc. If you thought Hunter Thompson's drug fueled monologs were off the charts, you've got to read Burroughs.

    As a photographer, I've always pulled a lot of inspiration, along with huge amounts of respect and admiration, from conflict photographers. It's definitely influenced my shooting style so I read a lot of biographies and history on photojournalists and conflicts. Lately, I've gotten stuck on Afghanistan.

    Tim Hetherington, one of my favorites who was KIA several years ago, embedded himself with a platoon in the Korengal. He made a movie titled Restrepo which I firmly believe is a must see for everyone. That movie started my Afghanistan kick.

    On my flight home yesterday, I started The Outpost. I'm about a third of the way through but it's a gut punch for sure. What gets me are not the depictions of fire fights and injuries but the personal stories. Weddings planned and missed. Phone calls cut short. Child births missed. Door knocks in the middle of the night back home. Utmost respect for those of you that have served and are currently serving. It's a sacrifice that not enough people seem to understand.

    On the flight out, I finished Homo Deus which is the sequel to Sapiens. Both great reads on the history and future of mankind. Lots of interesting possibilities as well as insights as to where we came from and how we got to where we are today.

    Currently on my 'to read' stack...

    Hotel Honolulu - Paul Theroux is one my favorite writers. This is an older book of his that I haven't had a chance to go to.
    1Q84 - Haruki Murakakmi
    The Quiet American - Graham Greene

    So, whatcha' got?
     
  2. Aug 25, 2017 at 8:01 AM
    #2
    porkitt

    porkitt New Member

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  3. Aug 25, 2017 at 8:14 AM
    #3
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    Right now I'm reading
    The way of the Seal by Mark Divine.

    I like to read self improvement books once a month. Keeps me sharp and at my best, mentally.

    Lately, for my other monthly choices (one self improvement and another one or two fiction or nonfiction) I've gotten on a Tom Clancy trip, read all of the splinter cell books and rainbow six. After I'm done with this book, I'm gonna drop by Barnes and nobles, see what looks good.
     
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  4. Aug 25, 2017 at 8:20 AM
    #4
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    +1 on Divine's book. Good stuff. Through my photography, over the years I've gotten to know several Team guys. Best people I know.

    Clancy's older stuff is the best. Like Cussler, the newer books are ghost written and I don't find them as good. John Clark is one of the best characters ever and Rainbow Six is one my favorite Clancy books.
     
  5. Aug 25, 2017 at 8:25 AM
    #5
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    Agreed on all points! Loving Divine's book and rainbow was by far the best!

    Haven't had the honor of meeting any team guys, hoping that'll change sometime!
     
  6. Aug 25, 2017 at 9:45 AM
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    Roman

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    I've recently read a bunch of Star Wars books. Really good stuff. And the Old Man's War series is one of my favorites as well.
     
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  7. Aug 25, 2017 at 10:08 AM
    #7
    TXMiamiFan

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    I get all my culture from Tundras.com
     
  8. Aug 25, 2017 at 10:11 AM
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    Black Wolf

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    Last edited: Aug 25, 2017
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  9. Aug 25, 2017 at 10:33 AM
    #9
    Cfincke

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    Agreed!
     
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  10. Aug 25, 2017 at 10:51 AM
    #10
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    Definite high point of my photographic career. Unfortunately, I've lost touch with some and some are no longer with us.
     
  11. Aug 25, 2017 at 10:53 AM
    #11
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    it's a damn shame. Still blows my mind how much the military is demonized in this day and age, considering what they do and sacrifice to keep us free.
     
  12. Aug 25, 2017 at 11:16 AM
    #12
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    I'm into leadership books. Love reading them, applying some of their methods, and passing it onto other managers.
     
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  13. Aug 25, 2017 at 11:31 AM
    #13
    tomsinamerica

    tomsinamerica New Member

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    I need to tag @Patriot here as I think he's a reader too... He recommended a book the other day called "one second after" when I'd mentioned EMPs in another thread. So he suggested this book that's based upon life after an EMP... I added to my kindle and got around to starting it last night... only to realize that i'd already read it and it was what had peaked my interest in EMPs in the first place.

    I rarely read the same book twice but this time i will... I remember the first time i read it, the part that pulled on my emotions... now, as a soon to be father, I'm going to read again to see if my emotions are pulled in a different direction...

    As for my recommendations... it's been a while since i read it but the alchemist by paulo cohelo made me reconsider all of life. Man & Boy by Tony Parsons was also pretty epic for me. I read it at the most appropriate time in life.
     
    Law323, smslavin[OP] and Patriot like this.
  14. Aug 25, 2017 at 11:35 AM
    #14
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    Alchemist is awesome. Haven't heard about Man & Boy but a book that spoke to me at the right time was Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I'll check out One Second After.
     
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  15. Aug 25, 2017 at 11:37 AM
    #15
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    You probably have and just didn't know it.
     
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  16. Aug 25, 2017 at 11:38 AM
    #16
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    they aren't big on advertising...
     
  17. Aug 25, 2017 at 11:39 AM
    #17
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Nope.

    There's members on here that are, you just don't know it.
     
  18. Aug 25, 2017 at 12:19 PM
    #18
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    This is very true. Stands to reason (obviously) that they wouldn't step right out and say "i'm a team guy" when asked what they do.
     
  19. Aug 25, 2017 at 12:20 PM
    #19
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    :spy::spy::spy::spy::spy::spy::spy::spy::spy::spy:

    whoever they are, they've got my utmost respect and gratitude.
     
  20. Aug 25, 2017 at 12:27 PM
    #20
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I'm sure they appreciate that. I would pm them, but I'm sure it will be read.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2017
  21. Aug 25, 2017 at 1:30 PM
    #21
    MatthewPTguy

    MatthewPTguy Not a new member

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    James Ellroy is by far my favorite author... nothing new from him in a year or more...
    just finished John Sandford's Easy Prey... series featuring Lucas Davenport as the main repeating character in his "Prey" series...
    And always reading the most recent issue of Recoil, Off Grid, and Combat Handguns... gotta relax somehow...
     
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  22. Aug 26, 2017 at 5:34 AM
    #22
    BakNBlk2014

    BakNBlk2014 So Impossibly Black

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    Just finished "Townie" by Andre Dubus III. I would highly recommend.
     
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  23. Aug 26, 2017 at 1:28 PM
    #23
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    I usually read nonfiction, but over the last year I've really started reading military fiction. Two absolutely awesome series I've read in that time are the Kolt Raynor novels by Dalton Fury, who was the Delta Force commander at Tora Bora and author of Kill Bin Laden, and the Honor Bound series by W.E.B Griffen.

    As far as great nonfiction ones, a favorite of mine is The Revenge of Geography by Robert Kaplan. It gives a real interesting take to why conflicts happen and how national interests of countries, and characteristics of leaders are determined by their geography.
     
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  24. Aug 26, 2017 at 2:15 PM
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    GAknight

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    Too many…scratch that…not done yet.
    Jack Donovan's writings have been some of my favorites in the last couple years. The Way Of Men and Becoming A Barbarian, both great!
    Couple other excellent recent reads, XPlatoon and Left of Boom.
     
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  25. Aug 26, 2017 at 2:31 PM
    #25
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    I just looked up those Jack Donovan books. They look like a must read for me!
     
  26. Aug 26, 2017 at 3:01 PM
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    Miront

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    Everyone I have introduced to the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey has bought them all and flown through them. Fantasy-esque set in modern times. Protagonist is sort of an anti-hero. Can use magic. Gets sent to hell by his 'friends'. Kills tons of hells minions. Escapes. Is pissed.
     
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  27. Aug 26, 2017 at 3:38 PM
    #27
    GAknight

    GAknight New Member

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    Too many…scratch that…not done yet.
    Just be forewarned...Your test levels will begin increasing by pg. 3, chest hair will grow 2" during course of reading and by the end you may feel the genetic need to build a fire and kill something with a spear.
     
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  28. Aug 26, 2017 at 4:19 PM
    #28
    Patriot

    Patriot Member

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    And let it be said let it be written -elevated to a Platinum "Man Card" holder..you may even grow tons of beard like me.:rofl:

    image.jpg

    BOO YA!!! Last winter headed to the woods....
    image.jpg
     
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  29. Aug 26, 2017 at 4:28 PM
    #29
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    About face: Yhe Oddyssey of an American Warrior by Col. David Hackworth is a must read for military nonfiction!!
     
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  30. Aug 26, 2017 at 6:34 PM
    #30
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    I assume you've exhausted CS Forrester, Stephen Ambrose, and James Clavell?
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2017

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