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Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 624
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 09:03 pm: | 
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Hello All,
Now, you all know that I have a thick book phobia. I still believe that any book that is over 700 pages can be cut down to 350, by eliminating the bullsh_t. I've become more lenient with non-fiction books, especially if the author has a compelling voice. You all know that I recently finished the Nella Larsen biography. I never did finish the Ralph Ellison one. I started it but then school started so that was that. It's a big sucker too. Anyway, its a thick sucka too. I'm going to finish it sometime next month. So, Steve S. get ready. Now, I noticed that I got the biography of Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins biography, Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins: Black Daughter of the Revolution by Lois Brown. For those of you who have not heard of Pauline Hopkins, Hopkins was an AA author at the turn of the century. I've read a short story of hers before and at one time tried to read a compilation book that featured three of her magazine novels. Next month I decided to spend time with Miss Pauline, her books and her biography (a thick one). |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12775
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 11:45 pm: |
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Most biographies are about the "life and times" of the subject, Thumper. As you noted in one of your reviews, the era during which a person lived helps to give his or her life perspective and supplying this back-story takes up a lot of pages. Me, I usually find the "setting" of a bio just as interesting as the "main character". |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 626
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 12:30 am: |
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Hello,
Cynique: True dat. I guess I rather have the book stick to the person "main character". I like it if the "setting" is done, but not too much, because at the end of the day, I picked up the book for the "main character" and not the "setting". |
Soul_sister
Regular Poster
Username: Soul_sister
Post Number: 77
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 09:17 am: |
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Hey Y'all,
Just thought I would add my two cents. I have been totally "taken in" by biographies. I am completing one myself - which will not be over 700 pages - more like 250. Anywho, as a historian I believe that context about the time period adds to the "understanding" about a particular person - however, some works can be too long, however, if written well in the end it make them that much better - in my opinion. What about Stephen Carter's work - not biographies but dag they are detailed and long.
I have the Hopkins and Larsen, and Ida by Giddings - those three titles alone are probably about 10 pounds of book. I have enjoyed Hopkins and have read several of her short stories and novel - Of One Blood -- working on finishing. Ida what can I say - its well written, thoroughly researched and not my usually bus rider reading fare - however, I am plowing through it.
Just a heads up - my forthcoming work is on a known man of little contemporary appreciation. Kelly Miller 1886-1939. A contemporary of Booker Washington and DuBois, Miller chose the vineyard of Howard University and the Black Press as a space to till, sow and reap a harvest for advancement of the race. Hope I have piqued your interest -- this will be the fire to finish the manuscript and join the constellation of biographers, writers and AA thinkers - peace
Soul Sister
ps - Thumper have you heard about To the Left of Marx: The Political Life of black Communist Claudia Jones Duke Uni. Press?? I am hoping to review it soon -- its been informative so far -- I guess Im old school ADD because I cannot read just one book at a time -- peace |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7350
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 10:08 am: |
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Now, you all know that I have a thick book phobia. I still believe that any book that is over 700 pages can be cut down to 350, by eliminating the bullsh_t.
(So you would mutilate the Bible. The Iliad. The Odyssey. The epic of Gilgamesh.
Ulysees by Joyce. War and Peace.
For shame! For shame!
You should think before you post, son. |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 628
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:01 am: |
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Hello All,
Chris: Why should I be ashamed for disliking thick books? *eyebrow raised* It probably explains why all of the books you've mentioned except the Bible, I have never read. The Bible is not as thick as Ulysses or War and Peace or a lot of other books.
Truth of the matter is I have always disliked thick books. I didn't think it was a secret. I've become more tolerate of them now...that I've gotten older, like the age you were when I first met you *smile*.
If it is a biography or about an interesting historical event, I will CONTEMPLATE reading it, especially if the subject is an AA author, before I toss that big sucka aside. If the book is fiction, that bad boy got Hell to pay right off. There are few writers who can right a big thick ass book that at some point does not go off track from its story. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7351
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:21 am: |
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It probably explains why all of the books you've mentioned except the Bible, I have never read. The Bible is not as thick as Ulysses or War and Peace or a lot of other books.
(Last week you get on here and tell us how we is reading trash and you are going to champion Ovid and all that. This week you find out some of them books you were championing are "too long" and you start backpedalling.
You gonna have to pee or get off the pot! |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1073
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:36 am: |
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I feel something *LOL*.......Kitty, Bobby Womack said, "a change is about to come" |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7356
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:51 am: |
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Guess you don't care for this one. 378 pages.
Title: Absalom, Absalom!
Author: Faulkner, William, 1897-1962.
Call Number: Fic
Publisher: New York : Modern Library, [c1936]
Subject(s): Yoknapatawpha County (Imaginary place)--Fiction.
Fathers and sons--Mississippi--Fiction.
Mississippi--Fiction.
Epic fiction.
Description: 378 p. ; 18 cm. $3.95. |
Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 421
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:55 am: |
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Carey, I was thinking more Sam Cooke's, "A Change Gon' Come", lol... |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 629
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 12:05 pm: |
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Hello All,
Chris: What in the Hell are you talking about? What does me reading Ovid et al have to do with this discussion? *eyebrow raised* First of all, I haven't even gotten the damn books yet, so I don't know how big they are. Second, on the Ulysses tip, I already said that the damn size intimidated me a few posts ago.
When did I say you was reading trash Chris? *eyebrow raised* If I hate a book, I say I hate the book. And I recall YOU don't have any problems on that score yourself. So what is your point?
Your ability to take something and spin in to where it has NO relations to the original message is something the McCain election group is looking for, go in and submit an application.
And here's a few hard facts you can spin to your hearts content:
1.) I don't like reading thick books. I will occasionally if the subject is provocative enough for me, read one. And if I decide to read two or 30 or none at all, so what? *eyebrow raised*
2.) If I say I hate a book, I do! If you happen to love that book, oh well...I still hate it.
3.) If there is anything else you got a problem with, well that's too damn bad for you because its your problem to have.
Now what? |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1080
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 09:56 am: |
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Kitty..*LOL*..you was right!!!
Now what.....dat's what he said....Now what?
**snickering in background** |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7359
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 01:03 pm: |
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First of all, Thump, remember your pressure. Don't get it up. You laying off the salt and fried foods like I told you?
Very well.
1.) I don't like reading thick books. I will occasionally if the subject is provocative enough for me, read one. And if I decide to read two or 30 or none at all, so what? *eyebrow raised*
(I'm going to pray for you)
2.) If I say I hate a book, I do! If you happen to love that book, oh well...I still hate it.
(So you hate The Bible, Winnie the Pooh, Charlotte's Web and Souls of Black Folk.
There hasn't been a man like you since Atilla the Hun. I'm going to pray for you some more)
3.) If there is anything else you got a problem with, well that's too damn bad for you because its your problem to have.
Now what?
(Lay off the fatback, black eyed peas and cornbread, too. And no seasoning. Nothing but Mrs. Dash) |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 631
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 01:59 pm: |
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Hello,
Chris:
You wrote: (So you hate The Bible, Winnie the Pooh, Charlotte's Web and Souls of Black Folk.
Chris...uh, where did I write that I hated The Bible, Winnie the Pooh and Charlotte's Web? Go and find it...I'll wait.
You wrote:
There hasn't been a man like you since Atilla the Hun. I'm going to pray for you some more
Lay off the fatback, black eyed peas and cornbread, too. And no seasoning. Nothing but Mrs. Dash
Is there a problem here? *eyebrow raised* You know what, I realize in the last couple of posts you've done about me, you've been trying to get a little personal. You don't know me. You don't know how big I am, what I eat or nothing else about me other than what I want you to know. And about my blood pressure, you must have bumped your head, there's is nothing you can say that would get my pressure up. You ain't that bad.
We'll take this off the board. Here's my email address: thumper6488@sbcglobal.net. You got something to say to me, then damn it, man the hell up and say it. |
Nom_de_plume
Veteran Poster
Username: Nom_de_plume
Post Number: 135
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 02:39 pm: |
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Have any of you read James Allan McPherson's Crabcakes? That will probably be the next (auto)biography/memoir that I read. Still searching for his story collections that don't cost a GRIP.
Another memoir, though fictionalized, I recently read was S.R.O. (Single Room Occupancy) by Donald Pharr. That book was good and funny as HELL!!! Published by Old School Books (I forget which house they're an imprint of - they also reprinted some of Chester Himes's stuff) and sooo very raw and entertaining.
I think the bigger the book, the better - more to enjoy - so I do plan on tackling Ellison's biography soon too.
Thumper, we need to get you over that aversion, fa real!!!! LOL |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7363
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 03:05 pm: |
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We'll take this off the board. Here's my email address: thumper6488@sbcglobal.net. You got something to say to me, then damn it, man the hell up and say it.
(We can leave it right here. I'm sure the folks is loving it.
Re read the above posts) |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7364
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 03:05 pm: |
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Have any of you read James Allan McPherson's Crabcakes? That will probably be the next (auto)biography/memoir that I read
(I read it and reviewed it for the local paper.
It is excellent) |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7365
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 03:14 pm: |
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By the way, I'm sure I outweigh you by a good fifty pounds.
I am just trying to share the benefit of my experience.
You mentioned on another thread that your diabetes was acting up with your feet. Been there, done that.
The antidote? At your age you can still do it the relatively easy way. Watch what you eat and get more excercise. People told me that for years and I didn't believe it. Went from a size 60 suit to a 48. Took a year, though. It was slow but it has stayed off 20 years.
Much better than them needles and insulin and dialysis treatments-- |
Steve_s
Veteran Poster
Username: Steve_s
Post Number: 374
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 04:14 pm: |
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Have any of you read James Allan McPherson's Crabcakes? That will probably be the next (auto)biography/memoir that I read.
I have read Crabcakes, however, I would urge everyone to read his essay collection called "A Region Not Home: Reflections From Exile." It has so much variety and includes some very revealing autobiographic pieces about growing up in Savannah, attending Morris Brown Junior College, there's one about Ralph Ellison, one about his daughter, Shakespeare, the restored version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and so on. Along with Albert Murray's The Omni-Americans, this is one of the few essay collections that I occasionally like to reread.
I do plan on tackling Ellison's biography soon too.
There are two recent Ellison biographies, both of approximately equal length, although the first is more thorough because it only covers the first four decades of the subject's life (which is when he published his most significant writing). The first biography is a mind-blowing intellectually-rigorous portrait of the artist as a musician and novelist; the second is more like the oldies band that got upstaged while they were working up a revival tour.
Note that the Amazon.com customer reviewers who had read both biographies, rated the second one significantly lower:
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0375408274/ref=cm_cr_dp_hist_3?%5Fencoding= UTF8&filterBy=addThreeStar
Here's an author interview which mentions Robert O'Meally and Jerry Gafio Watts as faculty members at the school he attended:
http://www.jerryjazzmusician.com/mainHTML.cfm?page=jackson.html |
Steve_s
Veteran Poster
Username: Steve_s
Post Number: 375
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 04:17 pm: |
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Sorry, let me rephrase that:
"autobiographic" should read "autobiographical"
and his daughter is not named "Shakespeare"!
"...one about his daughter, Shakespeare, the restored version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 632
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 04:43 pm: |
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Hello All,
Chris: If anybody's diabetes is acting up, its yours, seeing things that aint there, reading things that not there. I don't know what my diabetes have to do with this thread. Not as if its any of your business, my blood sugar level is fine and I haven't taken insulin since 3 months after I was diagnosis over 8 years ago. Cut the crap! Another spin that ain't looking too good for you. Back up off of me. |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 633
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 04:55 pm: |
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Hello,
Anyway, back at the ranch...
Nom: I'm slowly trying to conquer the thick book phobia that I have. The Old School Books was a wonderful line. I LOVED IT!! I hated it that the line did not take off because it was off the hook. Have you read Yesterday Will Make You Cry? Marvelous book! I'm going to see if I can get a copy of the Pharr book.
I have Crabcakes, but I haven't read it. I'll get it down and put it in around me so that I can remember to check it out.
Steve S: How's Light In August going? |
Nom_de_plume
Veteran Poster
Username: Nom_de_plume
Post Number: 136
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 07:25 pm: |
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Cool, I look forward to reading Crabcakes but I want his collections first for some perspective. Today I picked up Madison Smartt Bell's Narrative Design and I LOVE it! He was at Iowa is is from Baltimore and I like the way that he breaks down the stories he's chosen almost line by line. It will help me with reading and writing.
I think I prefer it over Reading Like a Writer already.
Steve - I didn't even know there was an other biography for Ellison! I loved Rampersad's work on Hughes and it seemed to get so much attention when it was published last year, but I'll check the other one out too.
Thumper - you have GOT to read SRO. It is one of the craziest books I've ever read! |
Steve_s
Veteran Poster
Username: Steve_s
Post Number: 377
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 03:16 pm: |
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Thumper - I'm on p.126. How about you?
First I read 60 pages each of Absalom, Absalom! and Light in August, just to get a feel for the different styles. Then I read another book, but now I'm committed to Light in August. |
Steve_s
Veteran Poster
Username: Steve_s
Post Number: 378
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 04:04 pm: |
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Nom-de-plume, Not trying to crowd you. Just thought I'd let you know that it's not like the Langston Hughes biography, it's a negative biography. He's made it clear that he doesn't like Ralph Ellison or Fanny Ellison:
Washington Post piece on Fanny Ellison's passing:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/02/AR2005120201963. html?nav=E8 |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 634
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 12:09 am: |
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Hello All,
Steve_2: I'm on page 77, where Bryon Bunch is now telling Rev. Hightower about Lena's stupid ass.
You know, I'm reading this book and parts of it I remember, some parts are jumping at me like its brand new. As silly as this sound, I think between the first time I read Light and now, I learned how to READ. I remember struggling through Light and now, not to say that I'm breezing through it because I don't believe anyone can breeze through Faulkner, but it is easier and coming together real nicely. |
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