Okay then, what book that you read in your lifetime most impacted/educated you?
I’ll go for ‘Bury me Standing’, it taught me that they are few more oppressed groups on earth in our time than the Roma people - and because their history is largely a spoken one, rather than written, nobody even knows their true story.
And to this day, in Europe especially, they are treated like pure and utter scum. Another, largely, untold story, because, you know, Europe is so civilized.
And, of course, the ‘gypsies’, as a group, were, after the Jewish people, one of the chief victims of the Nazi regime, another story that has, on the whole, been ignored. A people with few friends.
How about you? Name your books.
White House.gov
1st?
Congrats on 1st Alison. My book was ” The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay. Still think about it everyday. It is what made me become a mentor
I’m all alone!
I’m here, but heading to my treadmill. :)
Enjoy!
Wow….still awaiting TOD Family!
hey allison congrats on #1 :D
Well, you know what I’ll say: “Ulysses” by James Joyce. It taught me how to be a writer.
:-) Okay, but what book shifted your opinions on something?
Hey, your questions was about which book most educated you. I stand with my answer!
I can say that a book which had the opposite effect intended was Sam Harris’ “The End of Faith” by Sam Harris. It was just so over the top in its anti-religiosity that I couldn’t in good conscience get with the “New Atheist” program. There’s a book called “Faitheist” by Chris Stedman which is on my list to read, in which he attempts to bridge the divide between the faith community and atheists. That’s more where I am.
Yes, I said Sam Harris’ name twice. I’m having wine for the first time in two weeks.
:)
Savour that wine, LL!
POTUS’s brother in law, Konrad Ng was at Camp David too, so we can assume so was Maya, POTUS’s sister. I imagine they had a birthday party for Malia with family and friends.
AnnieB, you’re on the lookout for the best that the First Family’s can experience together.
So sweet of you, easy to overlook with all that gets thrown (i.e., Hail Mary passes) against POTUS and FLOTUS.
Was it you who mentioned a while ago that Camp David makes it easier to have Malia and Sasha’s friend visit? So nice that they got some “normal” (not ‘fishbowl”) time this weekend!
Everything written by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Gato
I would have to say that I have two that influenced my life:
To Kill A Mocking Bird and
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Great choices..would add Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
I never read the book but HBO did a great movie about the book a few years ago.
I missed that:)
I remember when that book was a best seller.
At the time it seemed like Americans might be ready to admit that past treatment of Native Americans really deserved some discussion, then positive action. I guess casino gambling now represents how Americans think of the First Nations.
Can’t think of a game-changing book for myself, but I did take my online moniker from James Michener’s “Centennial” (Arapaho were “Our People” in that novel).
Also really liked “A Passage to Juneau” by Jonathan Raban, really evoked the history and beauty of the Northwest and Alaska.
And “Coming Into the Country” by John McPhee — don’t think his writing is anything to write home about (wee joke), but captured the essence of Alaska. Recommended for those who have the opportunity to visit the 49th state.
I loved both of these Donna. AND Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.
For those who love learning about Native Americans, the PBS series, We Shall Remain, is haunting.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/
Donna, those are great choices that impacted me too. However, for me the book that truly changed my life was W.E.B. DuBois’ “The Souls of Black Folks.” I first read that book as freshman in college. At the time, my interest was in economics and banking. But after reading “The souls of Black Folks,” I decided to become a history major.
Quote on a DW-TV program I’m watching: “All Nazis are stupid”. Word.
Let’s see if this works—-my comment here from 2 years ago—-on a post about the painting in the WH—-Ruby.
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/07/15/ruby/#comment-74016
wow. that did work!
Chips, I just got a chance to log on today and saw this topic and my mind went into overdrive. There are quite a few books
that came to mind but I will stick with naming just one as you requested. About 2 years ago I read ‘THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS’
by Isabel Wilkerson and this book shifted my opinion and increased my knowledge on the Great Migration of African Americans
from the South to the North. It traces the real life stories of 3 of the main characters and what they had to endure in a period starting
around 1910 to about the 1960’s….the Jim Crow era. This is a great historical read and I highly recommend it.
Excellent Choice, HOPE44!
Another book which influenced me: “The Conquest of Paradise” by Kirkpatrick Sale. I didn’t much think about the conquest of the Americas by Europe before that. The documentation of the utter genocide inflicted on Native Americans from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego was illuminating.
‘the immortal life of henrietta lacks’ changed my opinion of the methods of science, and the rights we have to our own bodies.
Suzanne, I just heard about that book,and was about to start reading it. I told my DR. and she had heard of the HeLa cells and wanted to read the book, but had forgotten the name of it.
i’d say ‘enjoy’ but it’s not what you’d call a fun read. fascinating, horrifying, engrossing, necessary-you won’t be sorry you took the time to read it all!
Thank you.
Baby born using new IVF screening technique, which would cut costs dramatically.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23205638
I am currently listening to the audio book ‘TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD’ (narrated by Sissy Spacek). The story and Sissy’s narration are divine. Highly recommended.
The book that most impacted me was the ‘The Stranger’ by Albert Camus. I read it when I was younger. (HA! I’m young so that makes me chuckle ironically whenever I have to write “when I was younger”). That book haunts me pretty much everyday. It prompted the same visceral reaction I had when I saw the painting ‘The Scream’ by Edvard Munch. ‘The Stranger’ opened my eyes to the cruelty that is so prevalent in humankind; and that more often than not, indifference is the death knell of a society that claims to be civilized and forward thinking.
The other book that impacted me was to ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee. I stumbled across it when I was in elementary or middle school and it changed everything for me about race, class, racism, inequality, injustice, indifference, cruelty of an unjust society that would persecute a fellow human being just for the color of his skin. It also gave me hope that we can make the world a more fair and just place one day and one person at a time.
I loved “The Stranger” as well. I read that in high school….stayed with me. Highly recommended
The first one to impact me was “Anne Frank” There are many more since. This was probably my first exposure to a country other than America.
Huckabee Finn by Mark Twain also my first insight into racism. Remember, I’m old. ;)
Damn spellcheck. I KNOW I wrote Huck.
hmmm. Anne Frank. Yep. I would say the same - as a youngster that was mine too.
Yes and I didn’t fully understand holocaust until later in life.
(1) When and Where I Enter by Paula Giddings
Not every social pathology is from without, sometimes they are from within. This book boldly explores the economic, mental, and social subjugation of black women in American society, but also in more insular communities and institutions in times past and present, like the black church, Civil Rights Movement, powerful and compelling.
(2) The Autobiography of Malcolm X (Collaboration with Alex Haley)
Explore one of the most enigmatic and controversial figures of the Civil Rights Movement, the one no one wants to acknowledge - every February during Black History Month, King is presented in an ideological vacuum, the presence of other revolutionaries, oftentimes the polar opposite of King probably ushered in change on such a grand scale
(3) The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
I am not a strict adherent to everything Ramsey says. As I learn more about personal finance, my tastes have grown more sophisticated and nuanced. However, I must applaud and acknowledge Ramsey’s efforts - he is uncompromising in his philosophy about debt. He unequivocally advocates that the working/middle classes should not perpetually live on the edge of insolvency. His broad scale success with helping everyday people is incomparable.
(4) A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. edited by James Washington.
This is a companion piece to the Autobiography of Malcolm X in my view, so few realize who King truly was - how revolutionary he was, how King advocated for economic parity, how he was against imperialism which caused an irreparable rift between him and President Johnson in the shadow of the Vietnam war, how he espoused discipline -United States was and is a military superpower, meeting violence with violence would have yielded nothing politically, how he studied subjugated people throughout the world, and liberation throughout the world, how he considered Gandhi a mentor, how astute he was……..
(5) Black Feeling, Black Talk, Black Judgment by Nikki Giovanni - this may be her first work, it delves into how corrosive racism is to the soul and mind, the pervasive festering of self-hatred, internalizing the feelings of the oppressor inside the strained minds of the oppressed, the uncensored unmitigated anger of black youth during the Civil Rights movement, she lends her voice to what fear and spirituality have historically muffled
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.
Yes Indeed CTGirl! This book opened my eyes about the impact of European Colonialism on Africa. Actually, all of Achebe’s books are quite profound. One of my other most favorite is the “Arrow of God.”
Asiana 214 update:
I love books - can’t limit it to just one! “Princess”, but Jean Sasson, “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela and “Night” by Elie Wiessel.
AH! How could I have forgotten “Night” !!! I have given copies of that book to others just so they would read this important book. Tears streamed for this one.
It was a devastating read. Such a short book, packed with the most heart-wrenching account of humanity at it’s evil worst, and unbelievable best.
I was riveted to that book. It etched itself into my heart. So powerful
Great choices, Theo! I think It’s difficult to just single out one book that impacted you. The book I chose was the one that changed my life as a young student. But when it comes to books that have profoundly impacted me, “Night” and the “Long Walk to Freedom,” are way on top of my list.
I have loved Daphne duMaurier all my life. She created strong, interesting, intense, female characters in her books. Although it was a period piece with lots of fluff, Frenchman’s Creek is my all time favourite. ‘Before I Sleep’, the saga of Dr. Tom Dooley, sent me off to school to become a navy nurse. Didn’t get out to sea but always felt inspired by the story of his dedication.
Love du Maurier’s books at well — they introduced me to Cornwall in England, an area I’ve been entranced with ever since.
Sorry…O/T
http://bobcesca.thedailybanter.com/blog-archives/2013/07/big-business-little-taxes.html
A recent GAO report found that U.S.-based corporations are actually paying an average corporate tax rate of 12.6 percent and have shifted a tax burden of roughly $180 billion a year to working Americans who continue subsidizing the difference with cuts to government programs intended to fill the gaps created by unprecedented wealth income inequality.
Profitable companies with more than $10 million in assets paid an average rate of 12.6 percent of their global profits in 2010, the latest data available[…] That compares to the statutory corporate tax rate of 35 percent.
“When some U.S. corporations use unjustifiable loopholes and offshore gimmicks to avoid paying Uncle Sam, their tax burden is shifted onto hardworking American families and small business,” Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), who commissioned the study, said in a statement, according to The Hill.“Today’s GAO report quantifies just how much of the corporate tax burden has been shifted onto other taxpayers: America’s large, profitable corporations are now paying a lower tax rate than our teachers and firefighters.”
You could say that over the past few decades, U.S.-based corporations have ‘pulled a 180‘ on overworked/underpaid people, and you’d have the data to prove it.
I love Carl Levin. I will miss him when he retires in 2014.
Yup. Although, some have started to wake up - see Texas, Wisconsin, North Carolina… Hopefully, the wave will grow.
I’ll believe it when I see the 2014 results.
My faith is growing. given these events, but 2014 will be the proof of the pudding. Fingers crossed!
No comparison - the current head of our government, President Barack Obama, and the fine men and women in his administration, still keep us afloat, no matter the obstacles thrown his way by the other branches of government (including state governments) or some of our country’s lazy citizens. I love him for it, and I’m eternally grateful to him - and his partners.
Things seem far worse in our country around the fringes (and I consider every Republican nutjob to be a fringe element), but I refuse to give up on it. As PBO would say, God bless these United States of America. And for those around the world who are watching, we could definitely use your prayers and good thoughts!
Richard Wright’s ‘Native Son’ touched me to the core. Read it while I was on a vacation trip many moons ago…bad idea, not a vacation read.
Too deep and soul wrenching.
Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’….opened my eyes to all that happened under apartheid in SA. Showed the strength of the Man.
David Remnick’s ‘The Bridge’. In my opinion this is the best most comprehensive book written about Barack Obama’s life from his youth all the way to the Presidency. Highly recommend.
Doris Kearn Goodwin’s ‘Lincoln’.
Like theo67 said above, I love books.
I want to read that …one ..Bridge…
2 books that I will say added clarity and insight…
Race Matters…Cornell West
The Celestine Prophesy…James Redfeld
PF58….’The Bridge’ is really worth the read…especially since PBO has had such a profound impact on so many of us.
Since earlier this evening, every time I click on my email link to TOD or refresh a page, I get a message from my avast program that a threat has been detected. It does let me through to the page. What is going on? Is anyone else having this problem?
In other news,
some of my books have already been mentioned: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Hiroshima, All Quiet on the Western Front, the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I’m not sure they changed my life, but they certainly had an effect. As well as the Bible, The Jesus I Never Knew, Desire of the Everlasting Hills, and The Gift of the Jews are some that affected and broadened my religious thinking.
‘every time I click on my email link to TOD or refresh a page, I get a message from my avast program that a threat has been detected.’
Aha, Maryl! That’s exactly what was happening to me a couple of days ago, AND you have mentioned something else we have in common - my new-since-mid-June anti-virus, AVAST. I thought it was my Firefox browser; I must say since clearing my Firefox cookies and my ‘cached web content’ as per Bobfr’s suggestion things seem to be okay, but I have been holding my breath each time I click on the browser. We’ll see.
I’ve had avast for a long time and it rarely goes off, never before on TOD. Just now as I refreshed the site it was just fine. I hope the problem is over!
“I hope the problem is over!”
X 1000
A Chinese court has given former Railways Minister Liu Zhijun a suspended death sentence for bribery and abuse of power, state media report.
Liu was accused of accepting bribes totalling over 64m yuan ($10m; £6m) over 25 years.
This is the first high-profile corruption trial since Xi Jinping became president in March 2013.
Mr Xi has vowed to crack down on corruption, warning officials against “taking bribes”.
///
Liu began his tenure as railways minister in 2003 and led a multi-billion dollar investment programme in the rail network.
He was dismissed from his ministerial post in February 2011 after the authorities launched an investigation into “serious disciplinary violations”.
China’s high-speed railway network, said to be the largest in the world, has also been plagued with safety scandals involving a series of accidents.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23222240
If I were the judge, I would all corrupt bastids be hanged. Of course, that would wipe out 100% of indian pols and 90% of govt & police officials.
I once saw a quote from the Indian Times labeling all politicians as a “tea sucking army”. Seemed like a pretty illustrious description.
Sorry - meant to say “illustrative”.
Favorite serious book read recently (I confess to reading a lot of mysteries just for fun): “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese. Great story set in Ethiopia, most characters are physicians. I really enjoyed the characters and the medical situations.
One book that has stuck with me and I’ve re-read several times: “City” by William Whyte. It’s about how to create vibrant neighborhoods. Some of his research has entered the general consciousness of city planners but it took years for that to happen.
Classic that made an impact (and seeing the movie helped) : “The Grapes of Wrath” by Steinbeck.
criminy the grapes of wrath. of course great one.
Any Steinbeck:)
Grapes of Wrath, yes… and East of Eden.
Susanne, I loved that book.
Elly, Cutting For Stone is fantastic.
I remember reading Steinbeck’s novella “The Red Pony” in school. No book has ever hit me upside the head like that one. I read it again in the last couple of years and I found myself gut punched and crying again. Great thread
Hello everyone,
I haven’t been real time with each post lately, but when I fall behind, I usually go back to get caught-up. I just read about VC’s and Layla’s terrible loss. I am sending my condolences (love and prayers) to both and ask that God will give them and their family strength during this difficult time. Although, I only post from time-to-time, I appreciate each and every one of you so much…thanks for all that you do.
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Things Fall Apart: A Novel by Chinua Achebe
Manchild in the Promised Land by Claude Brown
one that I read a few years ago that still bothers me is Cormack McCarthy’s “The Road”. I just wanna know what the damn fish at the end means! It’s gotta mean something! The book was better than the movie IMHO.
nuts it’s late! Nite TOD
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
A few of my favorites:
The Temple of My Familiar - Alice Walker
Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison
The Mis-Education of the Negro - Carter Godwin Woodson
The Isis Papers - Dr. Frances Cress Welsing
Going to call it a night fairly shortly. Worked in the yard again today, and this heat just kicks my ass. I think it was 113 today, and this time of the year, it’s more humid because it’s our monsoon season. Oh Lord. Didn’t get as much done as I’d have liked…setting the alaram for 4:30 tomorrow….for my HUSBAND to get out there:)
Had a delish dinner though:) Green Enchiladas and Mexican salad made with avocado, red onion, jicama, and oranges….juice of lime, canola oil, and white vinegar dressing…salt/ pepper. OMG. Clean and fresh and fabulous:) Happy me!!
What a fantastic thread; and what a fascinating list of books posted by everyone here. I’m definitely adding those I haven’t read to my reading list. There are so many books that opened my mind and eyes in my “formative years” but a handful of faves:
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
To Kill A Mockingbird
A Wrinkle in Time
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Gone With the Wind
pretty much anything by Langston Hughes
Madeline as well as the French Comic books Astérix - I went to a Catholic grade school in Brookline, MA where the sisters also spoke and taught French. It blew my little grade school mind that there were people that didn’t speak English and didn’t live in the United States, but somewhere else in the world. I guess that’s where I got the travel bug from..
Congrats on the 20 million and counting hits Miz Chips and mini blog tryants. Y’all do such superlative work; making TOD always such a wonderful oasis on the Intertoobz. :smile:
Two books I read in junior high school (now called middle school!) that still haunt me are Gone With the Wind and Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth.
Layla and VC….just went back to catch-up on posts and saw the sad news you received.
I am so sorry for your loss and heartache. You are in my prayers that you may be comforted in this time of sorrow. ((((LAYLA)))) ((((VC))))
As I read down the board I’ve been thinking, and I’m very surprised to find that I cannot name one book that I feel has ‘most impacted’ me. I’ve always been an avid reader, so I’ve decided to conclude that over the years literature’s impact on me has been so pervasive that I can’t pinpoint any one book/author. (Nice dodge?) I have to add that you guys have mentioned several books that I’d previously read but don’t really remember that I am now tempted to reread.
Anyway, though it’s been years since I read it and I cannot remember the details, I’m suggesting ‘The Color of Water’ by James McBride. I remember finding it quite interesting and though I read it before ever hearing of Barack Obama I now notice the obvious parallel of both having a white mom and AA fathers and both doing well for themselves. I’ll mention two others that I really really like. Here goes!
1) ‘The Color of Water’ by James McBride
2. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.
3 Look Me in the EYe by John Elder Robinson
Looking at the list of incredible books already mentioned, many of the same would be on my list. But only two stay bedside with me…”Markings” by Dag Hammarskjöld and my very, very favorite to remind me who I am and why I am here, “Tattoos on the Heart….the Power of Boundless Compassion.” So many nights when my heart is heavy I pick up that book and understand….we really are each other.
Okay, my eyes are failing. Good night one and all,
Oh, and Chips Chica, THANK YOU for the book-y tour. I love it. Now I have lots more books to reread/ read. I hope everyone won’t exhaust themselves too much by sharing all their favourites this time , as I’m hoping this will be a regularly (once weekly?)
Hello everyone,
I haven’t been real time with each post lately, but when I fall behind, I usually go back to get caught-up. I just read about VC’s and Layla’s terrible loss. I am sending my condolences (love and prayers) to both and ask that God will give them and their family strength during this difficult time. Although, I only post from time-to-time, I appreciate each and every one of you so much…thanks for all that you do.
Two that I read 35 years ago that have stayed with me: The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Manchild in the Promised Land. And 7 years ago- before I got sick: The Audacity of Hope. I don’t get to read books so much anymore as it has become difficult with my brain damage.. but for most of my life I read 2 to 3 books a week. I miss that.
The first book I remember reading as a child was a very old thick copy of Robin Hood… I loved the book, the story and it impacted me.
A few of my favorites:
The Temple of My Familiar – Alice Walker
Invisible Man – Ralph Ellison
The Mis-Education of the Negro – Carter Godwin Woodson
The Isis Papers – Dr. Frances Cress Welsing
my mother started reading to me as a very young child each night-Bambi etc. We had only a few books, but both mom and dad loved to read.
With a flashlight under the covers read Grapes of Wrath&Huck Finn, and for some reason I’ve never forgot reading each book in the Grade School
library: Can’t remember the names/author but the story of each President’s Childhood growing up. Oh and 1st cookbook - a gift - Julie Childs.-Mastering the art of French cooking-due to that book in my 3rd life became a chef and bot a restaurant. (now own well over a 1000 cookbooks, and yes re-read each and everyone often.
I’ve always thought my next career will be as a chef/restauranteur - good to know someone’s done it successfully!
Thought of another one. “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint Exupery
Classic
Night all:) This was wonderful.
“The black history of the White House” changed my life.
Also, ” the life and death of Great American cities” by Jane Jacobs and Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
The Bible — first read in its entirety when I was 24 (followed by the Tao Te Ching and the Bhagavad Gita)
The Prophet — and all poetry by Rumi
Some of the most mind-stretching and mind-altering books are ALL the books by Ken Wilbur (Integral Perspective) as well as Beck and Cowan’s Spiral Dynamics, Steve McIntosh’s Integral Consciousness and the Future of Evolution and Evolution’s Purpose: An Integral Interpretation of the Scientific Story of Our Origins, Paul Smith’s Integral Christianity: The Spirit’s Call to Evolve and James Fowler’s Stages of Faith. The last relates the work of James Fowler, friend of Lawrence Kohlberg who worked on stages of moral development. Fowler’s work looks at stages of faith development, which are the same cross-culturally regardless of the religion people believe in (and related to Kohlberg’s moral development as well as Piaget’s cognitive development and Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development — Piaget and Erikson were a generation older than Kohlberg and Fowler and greatly affected their work). Smith’s work on Integral Christianity relates to all-of-the-above and notes the stages of Christian church development correlated with stages of faith development. -All of this stuff is absolutely delicious to me, a great passion.
Wow, pickle48, I had to emerge from lurkdom to say that practically every book on your list has been important to me, too. OK, Wuthering Heights not so much. But all of the Wilber, Beck and Cowan, Smith, Fowler, etc. stuff has been absolutely essential to me. It helps me understand much that is going on politically and religiously these days. When the emoprogs and RWNJ’s are really getting on my nerves, it helps to remember that they are operating out of the values of their levels of development. They have the right to be where they are, but they DON’T have the right to impose those values on the rest of us. AND, we need to be able to communicate with people at all levels if things are ever going to change. I think President Obama does that really well. It’s not his fault that some folks just won’t listen.
I knew nothing of African American history except for the limited information I received in public school. There was a professor on my college campus who, on his own time, held discussions about African Americans. Sadly I knew nothing about Africa or what we were before arriving on the shores of this country. Therefore, the following books were the first, among many, that changed my life and gave me an appreciation and love for my people that I had never experienced. I think first and foremost was “Before The Mayflower: A History of Black America 1619-1964”, by Lerone Bennett Jr. ; Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon; Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe; and Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization, by Anthony F. Browder
So many good recommendations - from spiritual to cultural to inspirational to just great literature. It’s going to take forever to read all this stuff! Thanks to all who contributed. :)
Some of the books I read that left an impression on me are:
Night & dawn by Elie Weisel
Grapes of Wrath & East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Exodus & QV Vll by Leon Uris
Compulsion
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
Completely off topic - but I’m sure others have the same issue
Insurance companies love you until you make a claim - then you are an utter imbecile
You might need a new insurance company… :)
A foregone conclusion - but are any of them any different? - meanwhile we are just getting the repairs done from a storm in January.
We paid for over 20 years as self-employed. Not one claim. We had to continually lessen our coverage to afford it as my husband neared Medicare age.
The year before he turned 65, he had a neck inflammation that had him screaming in pain. we had been to the doctor that week, called the doctor at home on Christmas day who told us to high tail it to ER. His blood pressure from the pain was 210/110 - life threatening blood pressure.
They x-rayed the neck, gave him muscle relaxers and pain meds. It took 10 days for the pain to completely subside.
After 20+ years of paying BCBS, they denied the claim. It wasn’t ‘life-threatening’. Except his blood pressure WAS life-threatening. Fought and fought and they never paid. Now is that a ‘death panel’? I think so.
I got pissed, cancelled the policy. Never realizing that I would be uninsurable after that (although the policy didn’t cover my asthma anyway or anything to do with my lungs).
For-profit health care in the United States. It’s disgusting.
No fun at all 57 - mine was house insurance - so somewhat different - but expensive. They argued for months & when some work was finally approved none of the tradesmen could/can make much sense of the work order. I try not to complain as I know many have been much more impacted than us, but we have had our house insured since 1981 when it was built - paid each and every year - the arguments for one small claim are to surely make you give up and go away.
DO hope that the ACA makes things easier for you with health insurance.
The key is a savvy contractor. We had a lot of work done last year, and our contractor handled everything. She made sure that she was around when the adjuster was there. Our experience was problem-free and everything got done to our satisfaction and we were only out our small deductible.
My husband’s best friend tried to negotiate with the adjuster personally and got rejected for the same weather-related work that we had no issues with.
Chipsticks’ question is hard to answer for some of us oldies that have so many books that profoundly impacted our lives. I’ve already mentioned W.E.B. DuBois’ “The Souls of Black Folks,” which ignited my interest in history and the issues of race and racism. Many of the books mentioned by people here affected me profoundly. Here are some history books that I think are quite profound:
1, Cheikh Anta Diop, “African Origins of Civilization….”
2. Ivan Van Sertima, ” They Came Before Columbus….”
3. Eduardo Galeano, “Open Veins of Latin America….”
4. A. Leon Higginbothom, “In the Matter of Color….”
5. Robert Fisk, “The Great War for Civilization….”
Thank you for mentioning Judge Higginbothom, it served as a reminder to put both of his books on my “Wishlist.” I lost autographed first editions when my basement flooded in 2001.
Yes Indeed, Alycee! I should have included the Judge’s other compelling book, “Shades of Freedom….” Judge Higginbothom was such an inspiration to me. He taught me the importance of understanding the American legal practices by studying history. By the way, Alycee, another legal scholar I should have mentioned, because he has made such an impact on me, is Derrick Bell. I think all his books, beginning with “We Are Not Saved….” are a must read.
I have Derrick Bell’s Ethical Ambition: Living a Life of Meaning and Worth on my wishlist. Here is my library: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/firstladyofjazz; still have about 3000 more to catalog.
Alycee, thank you so much for sharing your amazing Library! My daughter promised me to catalog my library, and when she does I will definitely share what I have with you. From what you shared, we have quite a few books in common. If you end up liking Derrick Bell’s “Ethical Ambition…” then you must get his other books: “And We Are Not Saved….”; “Faces at the Bottom of the Well”; “Gospel Choirs”; and “Confronting Authority.” He also published text for law schools entitled: “RACE, RACISM AND AMERICAN LAW.” ALL these books will put in perspective why he had to write his “Ethical Ambition….” They will also reveal a marvelous human being who, though soft spoken, was both fearless and dedicated to the cause of human equality.
“Jane Erye”, Charlotte Bronte
“The Book of Negroes”, Lawrence Hill
In the past year two spiritual books that have moved me and validated the path I am on: Immortal Diamond- the Search for the True Self by Richard Rohr and Silence: The Mystery of Wholeness by Robert Sardello, Therese Sheker-Schroeder and Cheryl Sanders-Sardello.
Great book lists. this was a terrific idea.
I’ve already acknowledged the influence of Eduardo Galeano’s book on Latin American History. But I somehow failed to mention one of his most recent gem: “Mirrors: Stories Of Almost Every One.” This book is truly a must read for any one interested in history, science, humor, literature, and delicious story telling about ordinary lives and instructive ancient tales. Most importantly, the book challenges the reader to appreciate and understand the common humanity of all people who are often portrayed as being so different
Sounds interesting; will take a look on my next visit to the book store. Thanks.
I am sorry I missed this last night! Here is short list.
Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb. It contains prose versions of various Shakespearean plays that I read when I was 12. I went to the school library looking for something on Shakespeare because he was the answer to so many questions on quiz shows and I wanted to know who he was and what he had written and to check out some of his books. It was very fortunate that I came across this child-friendly book because I was able to read, understand and love his work. When I began reading the original versions of his plays in High school, I greeted them with joy and none of the fear and dread that other students experienced. For 30 years I shared my love of all things Shakespeare with my students.
I read Edith Hamilton’s Mythology when I was in 6th grade; this led me to a life-long love of myths and legends and how they reflect culture and history. This is another book that I have shared with students.
When I was older, the Kinsey report and “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex and was Afraid to Ask” was an eye-opener for someone whose sex education had only contained warnings about std’s and unwanted pregnancy.
One of the things that is so interesting about this thread is that many of the books come from the American canon that we read during our schooling. I have read almost all of the “classics” listed here.
Good morningI All I can say right now is “Thank you all!”.
Gulag Archipelago by Alexander Solshenitzen (sp) I was 10 years old and had already developed a love of reading, born and living in the Caribbean it was quite astonishing that people lived in these conditions, I didn’t quite understand it all but it was quite fascinating, didn’t dampen my love for reading just increased my love for non-fiction although I think fiction is much more believable than non-fiction..man’s inhumanity to man is quite unbelievable sometimes..thanks to my parents for encouraging reading and providing the books..
So many great books that tell the story of the history of man. Our triumphs, greed, cruelty, etc.
Adam Hochschild- King Leopold’s Ghost, has to be one the best.
I am surprised no one has mentioned this book!
Mooooooorning people, just working on R&S, see ya in a bit-ish.
Rise and Shine!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/07/08/rise-and-shine-547/