I was thinking that it was time that there be a thread dedicated to reviewing books some of us have read lately, assuming we all know how to read.

I actually just finished reading Spy Handler by Victor Cherkashin and Gregory Feifer. This book is the memoirs of Victor, a man who spent 30 years serving in the KGB, the Russian version of the CIA. He gave a good insider view of what the "spy business" was like in the time spanning the end of WWII through the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. He also discussed how he personally was involved in the recruiting of two of the biggest CIA members to turn spy for the KGB, Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen. While I was expecting a James Bond like telling of missions and whatnot, i wasnt let down, even though NONE were detailed in the book. I think it was a great book, and a very easy read, because it gave you a good view as to what was going on between the CIA and the KGB for all those years.

I just finished Accordo: The Genuine Godfather. Pretty good book. An FBI agent tails "Joe Batters" for most of his life and tells all the stories of the most powerful man in the history of the mafia. The guy never spent one night in jail and he ruled the mafia for 50 years. Pretty amazing. I knew most of the info from reading "The Outfit" but there was some new stuff in this book. I just watched the movie Bully so i'm interested in getting that book next

not to be rude, but this should go in the A&E Forum

yes, it will probably get noticed more in there, so ill take care of it

Does ANYONE read?

I'm reading The Shining right now, I'll post a review when finished.

I just finished Pompeii by Robert Harris. It's about the volcano-eruption down there, and it has a bit of history about the big aqueducts that were dominant in the Roman empire as well. It's an exciting book and adds historical elements to the action, which suits it well.

A good read.

I've just finished The Counterfeiters by Andre Gide. A remarkable book of economy, intrigue and style. Thoroughly enjoyable and interesting.

I'm reading "Killing Bono" a book written by this guy who went to high school with Bono and is still close friends with him. He tried for years (much of the 80s) to make it in the music business and failed. It parallels his life with Bono's as U2 rises to fame and he continually fails. It is more a book about the music business than it is a book about U2, but it is very entertaining.

Great book, you should see the 90s adaptation of it, a miniseries on ABC.


Right now I'm about to start Life of Pi.

i think i'm about to read The Chronicles of Narnia, because i never did as a child...would anybody recommend this to me? i've been pretty obsessed with harry potter for a few years now, so i figure narnia might be something i'd like

i just finished Phaedo by Plato. it's about the day of Socrates's death and the dialog between Socrates and his followers about death and the immortality of the soul. he had some interetsting logic to prove the immortality of the soul.

Yea, I read it as a kid. I read most of the books in the series...some of them follow the children from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe....that one was definitely my favorite, a wonderful story. I hope they don't fuck up the movie.

The last full blown novel I read was Da Vinci Code last year during Spring Break. I wish I had time to read. I am not a great reader by all means but I just having the time would be nice. I always get into bed with a book and then just pass out within 1-2 pages.


Anyone remember when Snoopy tried to read "War & Peace" one word a day? Its kinda like that.

I read.

So, is this the "what are you reading" thread? Or just simply a summary of a book you've read recently?