i just finished dead souls by nikolai gogol. when serfdom was in style in russia, a landowner would be taxed on how many serfs (souls) he had under his dominion. until the next census was drawn, a landowner would still be taxed on his deceased serfs. gogol's hero would purchase the dead souls thereby relieving the landowners of the hardship and on paper would appear to be quite prosperous. then he would mortgage his serfs for ready money.

he finished the novel, but burned the last part, but it's been held up as complete. the version i have (which i assume is alike most of the others) has a completed version from some second rate author. anyway, it's a satire on russian nobility and which stunned me was that there was humor

I've been on a crime novel kick lately. I've gotten to enjoy Elmore Leonard. I've recently read Pagan Babies, Tishomingo Blues and I'm now reading Out of Sight.

(08-27-2014 11:30 PM)Lush Wrote:  i just finished dead souls by nikolai gogol. when serfdom was in style in russia, a landowner would be taxed on how many serfs (souls) he had under his dominion. until the next census was drawn, a landowner would still be taxed on his deceased serfs. gogol's hero would purchase the dead souls thereby relieving the landowners of the hardship and on paper would appear to be quite prosperous. then he would mortgage his serfs for ready money.

he finished the novel, but burned the last part, but it's been held up as complete. the version i have (which i assume is alike most of the others) has a completed version from some second rate author. anyway, it's a satire on russian nobility and which stunned me was that there was humor

Just wanted to let you know I'm halfway through Economic Thought... and I'm hooked. Just finishing up 17th century mercantilism and it's quite fascinating. Of course I had learned a bit about it in school, but like anything, I've learned so much more about it in a few pages than I did in years of school. Definitely worth your time

i typically only buy from used book stores, thrift stores, antique stores, garage sales. so that typically means less than $5 a book. one book i want that i've seen on amazon for about $20 is on the history of religion and philosophy in germany by heinrich heine. dostoyevsky gave him a shout out in the idiot. but if i can find a copy of at least wealth of nations i'd be happy. i picked up a copy of the prince yesterday at this sweet used book store/cafe in a neighborhood near downtown yesterday, but i set it back down. i'm pretty sure i have a copy. would like to give that another go

finished a clockwork orange by burgess. stunning. this has the original ending which ends a chapter after alex is in the hospital. the slang drove me crazy. i've never been in love with a language before. when you watch kubrick's film (it's been a minute) you're more or less inundated with his incredible style for the language to intimidate you and went along with the movie at a glorious pace. the book was like that too, however, it consumes you more. but yes, it is a great satire on the political game and the philosopical quandary of free will

on the shitter, i have the river book: cincinnati and the ohio. thus far i've read about badass men and women. it's got pirates, buried treasure, canoeing to nawlins... also fishing and sport, an upriver gal going to the city when she became of age (real russian feel), dams and bridges. every chapter is fascinating as it's told more or less from a first person perspective

yo bit, just finished my first terry pratchett. this was coauthored with neil gaiman, good omens. quite hysterical