Whatcha reading?

[Danger_Zone]

Currently reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

@betwixt&between You may want to search major field reading lists out there on 19th and 20th century US history, especially if they are divided by social history, cultural history, political history, etc. I've been working on compiling a rough reading list and have found these helpful for ideas (my major reading field is modern US.) If I find anything pertaining to the topics you've mentioned I can let you know.

[betwixt&between]

That's great advice, thanks you. And thank you for potential titles!

[Neist]

I haven't checked in for a while. Finals time has kept me pretty busy grading, so I've been neglecting my reading.

Since checking in last I've completed Drinking Water: A History by Salzman, and I've begun Neanderthal Man: In Search of Lost Genomes by Pääbo. I found the former to be less interesting than the latter. 

[Danger_Zone]

Finished Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. It pertains much more to fictional writing, but it's really a great memoir of sorts about being a writer. By the way, I highly recommend The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

@Neist Do you have any particular favourite history of science books you've read? I'd love a couple of recommendations from you if you don't mind! You post a lot of interesting reads here.

[Neist]

8 minutes ago, Danger_Zone said:

Finished Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. It pertains much more to fictional writing, but it's really a great memoir of sorts about being a writer. By the way, I highly recommend The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

@Neist Do you have any particular favourite history of science books you've read? I'd love a couple of recommendations from you if you don't mind! You post a lot of interesting reads here.

I might have to try The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I've never read it.  So many books, so little time!

Hm. Besides for the classics? I really loved The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, The Ghost Map, and Ghost Hunters. I also love pretty much everything by Richard Rhodes. 

The great thing about history of science-esque books is that there's an entire discipline dedicated to explaining science: science writers. A lot of well-written, for-popular-audiences are actually quite historically accurate. I'm always finding interesting books, and upon finding them I tend to immediately look up the authors (to make sure it isn't some shill cash grab). The vast majority of authors I find are quite educated, vetted, and well-regarded.

I think history of science, technology, and medicine is pretty lucky in that regard.

[Danger_Zone]

6 hours ago, Neist said:

I might have to try The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I've never read it.  So many books, so little time!

Hm. Besides for the classics? I really loved The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, The Ghost Map, and Ghost Hunters. I also love pretty much everything by Richard Rhodes. 

The great thing about history of science-esque books is that there's an entire discipline dedicated to explaining science: science writers. A lot of well-written, for-popular-audiences are actually quite historically accurate. I'm always finding interesting books, and upon finding them I tend to immediately look up the authors (to make sure it isn't some shill cash grab). The vast majority of authors I find are quite educated, vetted, and well-regarded.

I think history of science, technology, and medicine is pretty lucky in that regard.

I haven't really read much sci-fi, so I was a little unsure about it but it's a lot of fun! Very quick read too. 

Thanks for the suggestions! I have the book on Henrietta Lacks but haven't gotten to it yet, I'll have to do that soon. I'll have to take a look at the others as well.  I enjoyed The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum so Ghost Hunters should be interesting as well.

I agree, it's really great that there are so many easily accessible and accurate books out there on the history of sience. I've read a couple of books that some history students seemed iffy about because they were written by journalists and not historians, but I personally haven't taken issue with anything I've read.

Also I've just started Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Should be a fun read! 

[Neist]

4 hours ago, Danger_Zone said:

I haven't really read much sci-fi, so I was a little unsure about it but it's a lot of fun! Very quick read too. 

Thanks for the suggestions! I have the book on Henrietta Lacks but haven't gotten to it yet, I'll have to do that soon. I'll have to take a look at the others as well.  I enjoyed The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum so Ghost Hunters should be interesting as well.

I agree, it's really great that there are so many easily accessible and accurate books out there on the history of sience. I've read a couple of books that some history students seemed iffy about because they were written by journalists and not historians, but I personally haven't taken issue with anything I've read.

Also I've just started Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Should be a fun read! 

The Poisoner's Handbook is in my pile.  In fact, a couple of people were discussing said book at graduation yesterday.

I've experienced the apprehension from others in regards to books by journalists as well, and generally I don't understand them. For example, Deborah Blum is a Pulitzer Prize winning author and the director of the science journalism program at MIT. Am I one to question her credentials? I don't think so. I've found that individuals like her are more the rule than the exception. I've just finished a tiny book titled Young Einstein: And the story of E=mc2, and when I had initially found it, I thought it had to be some cash grab. But the book is reworking of a dissertation, re-sculpted for a popular audience.

I'd love to study the cultural impact of popular-targeted books, but I'm not sure how well-received such a focus would be in a lot of history programs. I'll have to start researching programs so I can make a better-informed decision after I complete my masters in a few years. I wouldn't want to go into an English program, and if I can't find a history program that's an ideal fit, I might look into American studies or information studies programs. 

I could actually go straight through a PhD in the program I'm attending in the fall, but I'm not sure how poorly the academic incest issue would affect my career prospects. This program is quite ideal, and I doubt there's many other programs that could match this program's fit.

Things to think about.

[Klonoa]

Currently reading Martin Binkin and Shirley J. Bach's Women and the Military (1977), and still reading Gail Harris's A Woman's War: The Professional and Personal Journey of the Navy's First African American Female Intelligence Officer (2010). Both are for my research that I will be doing all summer long.

[Sigaba]

On 5/4/2016 at 1:17 PM, betwixt&between said:

Hey all, I've really enjoyed scrolling through this thread, and would like to ask for book recommendations. I'm planning on shifting my period concentration, moving from early modern England to 19th/20th century US. I plan on continuing to focus on my research interests of poor relief administration, and marginalization. Can anyone recommend any titles that touch on those topics, as well as industrialization, immigration, nativism, or social movements? I'd like to cultivate a reading list to keep me fresh for the next application season. 

Pardon the brevity of the following suggestions. I'm in a rush.

Start here and there (if you have access to JSTOR or an academic research library).

For nativism, start with Higham's Stranger in the Land and American Jewish History, vol. 76.

The following links may also be helpful.

http://myweb.fsu.edu/jkoslow/AMH%205229_syllabus_6_25_07.pdf

http://courses.missouristate.edu/bobmiller/HST/HST525/Book%20Report%20525.htm

https://www.cla.purdue.edu/history/documents/Syllabus-Fall/651_Gabin_F2011.pdf [Weeks 2 and 3]

[Danger_Zone]

On May 15, 2016 at 10:56 AM, Neist said:

The Poisoner's Handbook is in my pile.  In fact, a couple of people were discussing said book at graduation yesterday.

I've experienced the apprehension from others in regards to books by journalists as well, and generally I don't understand them. For example, Deborah Blum is a Pulitzer Prize winning author and the director of the science journalism program at MIT. Am I one to question her credentials? I don't think so. I've found that individuals like her are more the rule than the exception. I've just finished a tiny book titled Young Einstein: And the story of E=mc2, and when I had initially found it, I thought it had to be some cash grab. But the book is reworking of a dissertation, re-sculpted for a popular audience.

I'd love to study the cultural impact of popular-targeted books, but I'm not sure how well-received such a focus would be in a lot of history programs. I'll have to start researching programs so I can make a better-informed decision after I complete my masters in a few years. I wouldn't want to go into an English program, and if I can't find a history program that's an ideal fit, I might look into American studies or information studies programs. 

I could actually go straight through a PhD in the program I'm attending in the fall, but I'm not sure how poorly the academic incest issue would affect my career prospects. This program is quite ideal, and I doubt there's many other programs that could match this program's fit.

Things to think about.

Do you think you might go for a PhD then? I think that would be a great topic! But it is possible that it might suit another field better? You never know. If you do end up doing something like that you could always see if you're able to take relevant American Studies or similar courses while still being in a History program, or the other way around. Hopefully you can find a program that fits your interests. 

[Neist]

1 hour ago, Danger_Zone said:

Do you think you might go for a PhD then? I think that would be a great topic! But it is possible that it might suit another field better? You never know. If you do end up doing something like that you could always see if you're able to take relevant American Studies or similar courses while still being in a History program, or the other way around. Hopefully you can find a program that fits your interests. 

I might. I'm open to any possibility. I'll go where opportunity presents itself.

One of OU's history of science department's area of emphasis is "Science, the Public, and Popular Culture in the Modern Era," and they have pretty close ties to the library program. If I wanted to stick with history, I can't imagine a better place than where I'm at now. However, there's probably a lot of other programs outside of history that would align with my interests. I might want to avoid potential issues of academic incest entirely and study elsewhere.

I have a few years to think it over, at any rate. I'm only in the masters program at OU, but the transition to the PhD mostly seems like a formality, assuming one's grades are respectable. If I can get an amazing job after my two masters, I'll probably stop. The PhD isn't necessary in the library world, but it really doesn't hurt, either. It might even be required if one wants to pursue curatorial positions in special collections.

I've heard that academic incest is a real stigma, but it's difficult when the best program in North America is where you're already located.

Concerning recent books, I've finished the previously-mentioned Young Einstein: And the story of E=mc2, and I've since finished The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World, At the Mountains of Madness, and have started The Age of Wonder: The Romantic Generation and the Discovery of the Beauty and Terror of Science. I've enjoyed all but the last. The Age of Wonder is my second Richard Holmes book, and while I readily admit that he's a good writer, his writing doesn't engage me. Aesthetic differences, I suppose. I still have about a quarter of the book left, but I doubt that quarter will significantly alter my opinion. I rather enjoyed it until his first chapter on Humphry Davy, and since I've lost nearly all interest.

Concerning At the Mountains of Madness, I've read a lot of Lovecraft, but never this title. I really enjoyed his long-form writing. I should read the rest of his novellas.

[Danger_Zone]

23 hours ago, Neist said:

I might. I'm open to any possibility. I'll go where opportunity presents itself.

One of OU's history of science department's area of emphasis is "Science, the Public, and Popular Culture in the Modern Era," and they have pretty close ties to the library program. If I wanted to stick with history, I can't imagine a better place than where I'm at now. However, there's probably a lot of other programs outside of history that would align with my interests. I might want to avoid potential issues of academic incest entirely and study elsewhere.

I have a few years to think it over, at any rate. I'm only in the masters program at OU, but the transition to the PhD mostly seems like a formality, assuming one's grades are respectable. If I can get an amazing job after my two masters, I'll probably stop. The PhD isn't necessary in the library world, but it really doesn't hurt, either. It might even be required if one wants to pursue curatorial positions in special collections.

I've heard that academic incest is a real stigma, but it's difficult when the best program in North America is where you're already located.

Concerning recent books, I've finished the previously-mentioned Young Einstein: And the story of E=mc2, and I've since finished The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World, At the Mountains of Madness, and have started The Age of Wonder: The Romantic Generation and the Discovery of the Beauty and Terror of Science. I've enjoyed all but the last. The Age of Wonder is my second Richard Holmes book, and while I readily admit that he's a good writer, his writing doesn't engage me. Aesthetic differences, I suppose. I still have about a quarter of the book left, but I doubt that quarter will significantly alter my opinion. I rather enjoyed it until his first chapter on Humphry Davy, and since I've lost nearly all interest.

Concerning At the Mountains of Madness, I've read a lot of Lovecraft, but never this title. I really enjoyed his long-form writing. I should read the rest of his novellas.

Well it sounds like you have lots of potential options, PhD or not, but if you do end up doing a PhD I'm sure you could find a suitable enough program for your research interests, even if it doesn't end up being in History. I think it's great though if you've found such a well-suited program! Definitely enjoy your time there.  

[betwixt&between]

On 5/17/2016 at 3:55 PM, Sigaba said:

Pardon the brevity of the following suggestions. I'm in a rush.

Start here and there (if you have access to JSTOR or an academic research library).

For nativism, start with Higham's Stranger in the Land and American Jewish History, vol. 76.

The following links may also be helpful.

http://myweb.fsu.edu/jkoslow/AMH%205229_syllabus_6_25_07.pdf

http://courses.missouristate.edu/bobmiller/HST/HST525/Book%20Report%20525.htm

https://www.cla.purdue.edu/history/documents/Syllabus-Fall/651_Gabin_F2011.pdf [Weeks 2 and 3]

Everything you offered is incredibly helpful, thank you for your response!

[rosali]

My current reading isn't really related to titles mentioned in recent comments, but I'm always up for talking about books, so I'm joining in. 

Currently reading Chernow's Alexander Hamilton, L'enfant bleu by Henry Bauchau, and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (because the other two are pretty heavy/dense, and I need something to lighten it up.) L'enfant bleu is tangentially related to my academic interests, but I'm currently taking something of a break from heavy academic reading. I've got some lined up for after I knock out at least one of the three I'm currently working on (yay Lacan!), but for the moment it's just for fun.  

[Neist]

Aw, man. I realized I hadn't posted anything here for a while. And the post was a bit more in-depth, but my browser ate all my annotations and won't give them back. *shakes fist at heavens* I'm admittedly too lazy to rewrite them. I've read the follow since last checking in:

• The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution
• The Age of Edison: Electric Light and the Invention of Modern America
• The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
• Breathing Machine: A Memoir of Computers
• The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice

I'm currently reading From Betamax to Blockbuster: Video Stores and the Invention of Movies on Video. It's pretty interesting! At least it is if you're into the sort of books I am!  

@Danger_Zone, thanks!  Articles like this one are scaring me a little from doing a history PhD. These sort of articles pop up with enough frequency that I'm unsurprisingly hesitant. We'll see, though!

[Danger_Zone]

Haven't had much chance to read lately but I've about finished Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex. 

[Neist]

On 5/31/2016 at 8:38 AM, Neist said:

I'm currently reading From Betamax to Blockbuster: Video Stores and the Invention of Movies on Video. It's pretty interesting! At least it is if you're into the sort of books I am!

So I took a break from From Betamax to Blockbuster: Video Stores and the Invention of Movies on Video to listen to an audio book version of The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World. Wow, this book is fantastic. One of the best books I've finished in a few months. I highly recommend it!

[Neist]

Haven't popped in here for a while, but here's what I've read since last checking in:

• Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat
• The Remedy: Robert Koch, Arthur Conan Doyle, and the Quest to Cure Tuberculosis
• I Invented the Modern Age: The Rise of Henry Ford

The second title got me hooked on Sherlock Holmes, so now I'm reading the complete works for the first time. Pity me, for it shall take a while to finish.  I'm about a fifth of the way through at this point.

[maelia8]

As part of my summer "semi-vacation," I'm re-reading the Wheel of Time fantasy series (14 volumes), which I first picked up over ten years ago. I find it easiest to decompress at the end of the semester by switching to something as un-academic and un-historical as possible while still providing an extremely complex storyline, political intrigue, and plot with hundreds of actors. Epic high fantasy just about does it for me!

[Klonoa]

I'm on my last day of reading Bernard C. Nalty's Strength for the Fight: A History of Black Americans in the Military and Brenda L. Moore's To Serve My Country, To Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African American WACs Stationed Overseas during World War II, which I'm reading for my research. Next I will be jumping into Gerald Astor's The Right to Fight: A History of African Americans in the Military and Maureen Honey's Bitter Fruit: African American Women in World War II.

[Danger_Zone]

This month I've read Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, The Castle by Franz Kafka and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. Currently I'm in the middle of Time Basics by Jim Muncy and Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach.

[Sigaba]

On 6/25/2016 at 8:40 AM, Klonoa said:

I'm on my last day of reading Bernard C. Nalty's Strength for the Fight: A History of Black Americans in the Military and Brenda L. Moore's To Serve My Country, To Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African American WACs Stationed Overseas during World War II, which I'm reading for my research. Next I will be jumping into Gerald Astor's The Right to Fight: A History of African Americans in the Military and Maureen Honey's Bitter Fruit: African American Women in World War II.

The following may be of interest to you. Roi Ottley's World War II: The Lost Diary of an African American Journalist 

[Danger_Zone]

Currently in the middle of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami.

[maelia8]

@Danger_Zone I love that book! I've read everything by Murakami except for his first two books, which aren't widely available in English. Man, I'd love to get my hands on copies of "Pinball, 1973" and "Hear the Wind Sing."

[Neist]

Oh my! I'm almost done with Sherlock Holmes! All 1884 pages of Sherlock Holmes! 

This is definitely the largest reading endeavor I've ever attempted. I'm not sure what I'm going to dig into afterwards.