Books

[Giles]

@mclaincausey said in Books:

@Giles what a damn book was Finding Endurance.

Shackleton was a high caliber human being. An unbelievable story. I welcome the author’s personal biographical details and broader observations as well.

So glad you enjoyed. It's one of those books that if someone tells me they don't like it, they are history I personally learnt so much and it has given me a broader aspect on all sorts of things....

[goosehd]

The main takeaway from Trafalgar was the sheer terror of being on board one of those ships. The smoke tried to suffocate you, the sounds deafen you, and everything around you trying to kill you.

Absolutely insane conditions.

I’ve seen movies where the officers walked around nonchalantly on the main deck where there was chaos surrounding them. Always thought it was modern day artist’s interpretation of events…after reading quite a few stories realizing that it was reality.

[goosehd]

…and a hurricane trying to finish you off afterwards.

[mclaincausey]

@Giles enjoyed so much I’m now listening to Endurance by Alfred Lansing, as it is free on Audible. It’s much older and will be much different with less modern context but still should be a good one and enjoying in the early bits.

I have also added Trafalgar

[endo]

Not great literature as your sophisticated reads , but a good page-turner (and there are four parts of it).

[mclaincausey]

The Alfred Lansing account of Endurance is so good. It really dives into a lot of detail about the day to day experiences of the mission. Have you read that one @Giles ?

[steelworker]

@Giles and not a half bad navigator. Astounding.

[steelworker]

@goosehd terrible injuries inflict by wood splinters.

[Giles]

@mclaincausey Not yet.....

[goosehd]

@steelworker there are stories of guys living the rest of their lives with chunks of wood in them from battles.

[steelworker]

@goosehd lends new meaning to Hearts of Oak.

[Mizmazzle]

John Steinbeck is my favorite author (tied with Bukowski to be fair).

I’m reading East of Eden again. First time was about 15-20 years ago…like discovering it all over again. Absolute perfection.

[Bridger]

Good shout @Mizmazzle, I have not read East of Eden but read The Grapes of Wrath 25 years ago and it blew me away with the descriptive detail.

Feel like I need to revisit TGOW or perhaps try EOE.

[Mizmazzle]

@Bridger Grapes is amazing!! One of my all time favorites. But then pretty much all of his work is top tier. East of Eden is an epic work in line with TGOW…it’s been so long since I read that one too. I may need to go back to back on these classics.

[Bridger]

@AdamJ said in Books:

haha I had not seen this thread till now, I am half way through this atm @Giles

Thanks @AdamJ, Christmas reading sorted prior to visiting the Victory hopefully before the new year

[AdamJ]

@Bridger nice one man! It's a gooden. See you down here next year!

[Giles]

@Bridger Let us know when you are about, weather permitting, we could take the boat out....

[Bridger]

Sounds great @Giles, thank you!

I will drop you a note when I sort my plans.

[Bridger]

said in Books:

@AdamJ said in Books:

haha I had not seen this thread till now, I am half way through this atm @Giles

Thanks @AdamJ, Christmas reading sorted prior to visiting the Victory hopefully before the new year

The book references Nelson having breakfast at the George hotel in Portsmouth. It this a decent enough hotel to stay or would people recommend other places in Portsmouth?

[Giles]

Decent hotel, Pompey - that could be an oxymoron