What are you reading right now?

stanley lambchop · 02-22-2013, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonsubmissivewife

Are We All Nazis? by Hans Askenasy

Fantastic book. Written in 1978, however the information is still relevant today. It basically explores the theory that given the right conditions, any of us are likely to act in a manner inconsistant with our normal beliefs. It gives the reader a glimpse of the day to day life of the "monsters" at the forefront of the Nazi's regime, and argues that they weren't really monsters at all, but normal people like you and I. It also links these arguments with the Yale psychologist Stanley Milgram and his "famous" behavioural experiments, which I'd recommend looking up if you're not familiar.

At any rate, it makes the reader really ponder how they would act in a similar situation. It's a thin book, but I've had to stop reading it mid-way through in order to absorb it.

Err what? Really? 'Normal people like you and I' please don't link me in with your 'normality'

'Given the right conditions...acting in a manner inconsistent with normal beliefs'?

I'm trying to understand your conclusion of events really...and asking genuinely your point

Are you of the opinion actions were excusable? I haven't read the thin book nor would i entertain it but really am interested in your viewpoint?

What exactly are you excusing here?

Engine · 02-22-2013, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanley lambchop

Err what? Really? 'Normal people like you and I' please don't link me in with your 'normality'

'Given the right conditions...acting in a manner inconsistent with normal beliefs'?

I'm trying to understand your conclusion of events really...and asking genuinely your point

Are you of the opinion actions were excusable? I haven't read the thin book nor would i entertain it but really am interested in your viewpoint?

What exactly are you excusing here?

You should read the book and answer your own question instead of making ignorant presumptions. You'll learn something for sure.

Here's another one for you along the same lines. It's also about how normal people like you and I might have been, and in fact were, manipulated by authority figures during WWII.

Ordinary Men by Christopher Browning

WWWP · 02-22-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanley lambchop

Err what? Really? 'Normal people like you and I' please don't link me in with your 'normality'

'Given the right conditions...acting in a manner inconsistent with normal beliefs'?

I'm trying to understand your conclusion of events really...and asking genuinely your point

Are you of the opinion actions were excusable? I haven't read the thin book nor would i entertain it but really am interested in your viewpoint?

What exactly are you excusing here?

khfreek · 02-22-2013, 09:37 PM

I'd rather own a personal rocket ship then get the point any day

**Janszoon** · 02-23-2013, 12:08 AM

Deathworld—Harry Harrison (1960)
I like me some good pulpy sci-fi and this really fit the bill. Harrison was one of my favorite writers when I was in junior high but I hadn't read anything by him in years. I have to say his writing still holds up, even as an adult. His books tend to be lighthearted, humorous and endlessly entertaining, often with some hilariously blunt social commentary, and all of that was definitely true of Deathworld. I loved every minute of it and could barely put it down.

On a side note, I looked up his Wikipedia page because I was reading this book and was saddened to see he died this past summer. He was in his late 80s, a prolific author, an artist and had lived all over the world so it's hard to feel sad for a life so well lived, but I was still bummed to hear he was gone.

Hitch · 02-24-2013, 08:05 PM

Mesmerizing. Just spell bound. Wondering why it took this long to know of this man's life. Add in a bottle of Wine or Brandy and I don't think I'm aware of the real world.

katsy · 02-27-2013, 02:47 PM

Ernest Hemingway The Short Stories

One of my favorite authors--so simple and to the point. I have never read anyone that can use so few words and descriptions and yet still tell a story so well.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 02-27-2013, 08:35 PM

The Hobbit. I'm ashamed to say I'm struggling a little bit even though it's a children's book. The sheer number of locations and directions in it is quite confusing and difficult to follow although the language is quite simple.

midnight rain · 02-27-2013, 08:37 PM

Game of Thrones

It'll be the first book I've read since required reading in high school. Quite the achievement

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 02-27-2013, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuna

game of thrones

it'll be the first book i've read since required reading in high school. Quite the achievement

Welcome to the fandom!

02-22-2013, 09:37 PM	#4584 (permalink)
khfreek What a guy Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brentwood, TN Posts: 2,123	I'd rather own a personal rocket ship then get the point any day __________________ last.fm

02-23-2013, 12:08 AM	#4585 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Deathworld—Harry Harrison (1960) I like me some good pulpy sci-fi and this really fit the bill. Harrison was one of my favorite writers when I was in junior high but I hadn't read anything by him in years. I have to say his writing still holds up, even as an adult. His books tend to be lighthearted, humorous and endlessly entertaining, often with some hilariously blunt social commentary, and all of that was definitely true of Deathworld. I loved every minute of it and could barely put it down. On a side note, I looked up his Wikipedia page because I was reading this book and was saddened to see he died this past summer. He was in his late 80s, a prolific author, an artist and had lived all over the world so it's hard to feel sad for a life so well lived, but I was still bummed to hear he was gone. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

02-27-2013, 02:47 PM	#4587 (permalink)
katsy Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 286	Ernest Hemingway The Short Stories One of my favorite authors--so simple and to the point. I have never read anyone that can use so few words and descriptions and yet still tell a story so well. __________________ Split the Lark-- and you'll find the Music - Emily Dickinson

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02-24-2013, 08:05 PM	#4586 (permalink)
Hitch Music Addict Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 80	Mesmerizing. Just spell bound. Wondering why it took this long to know of this man's life. Add in a bottle of Wine or Brandy and I don't think I'm aware of the real world.

02-27-2013, 08:35 PM	#4588 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	The Hobbit. I'm ashamed to say I'm struggling a little bit even though it's a children's book. The sheer number of locations and directions in it is quite confusing and difficult to follow although the language is quite simple.

02-27-2013, 08:37 PM	#4589 (permalink)
midnight rain Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,711	Game of Thrones It'll be the first book I've read since required reading in high school. Quite the achievement