Book Discussion - Weds, May 15th - 7pm to 9pm - Houston Central Market Conference room - THE SWERVE by Greenblatt - Chapters 1-5

[Alice Aman]

Hi everyone --

Next week, on Wednesday May 15th, we will meet in the Houston
Central Market conference room at 7pm to discuss the first five
chapters of THE SWERVE by Stephen Greenblatt. And next month on June
19th, we will finish discussing the book by covering chapters 6
through 11. I'll be leading the discussions.

Please make a few notes (in your head at least) of what in your
opinion were the most interesting or pertinent (or confusing) points
made by the author or what questions you might have (or disagreements)
with the reading. (You always have the option to pass, of course).
I then hope to use the information you share as an outline for the
follow-on discussion. I'm still experimenting with a format. It is
possible that different formats will work with different books. We
will see and hopefully enjoy discussing ideas as we go along.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our election of titles last
month. We have some great books coming up. See below for the updated
list.

And anyone who wants to socialize, consider yourself invited as
always, to join those of us who will be gathering in the cafe
downstairs after the discussion at 9pm for wine or a snack.

--Alice

http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonNonfiction


=======UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS==========

THE SWERVE: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt [pub 2012]
Winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction and of the 2011
National Book Award for Non-Fiction. Author is one of the world's most
celebrated scholars.
An innovative work of history and a thrilling story of discovery, in
which one manuscript, plucked from a thousand years of neglect,
changed the course of human thought and made possible the world as we
know it.
--Alice leading discussions.

May 15, 2013 Preface and Chapter 1 thru 5 [pgs 1 - 134]
Also, for those interested, an article about the author is available at:
http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonNonfiction/Greenblatt-NewHistoricism.pdf

June 19, 2013 Chapter 6 thru 11 [pgs 135 - 263] FINISH

================

THE WORDY SHIPMATES by Sarah Vowell (publ 2008)
Described as a lively guide through the frequently misunderstood
Puritan period in American History, this best-selling author provides
a witty exploration of the ways in which our country's present
predicaments are inextricably tied to its past. Author traces the 1630
journey of several key English colonists and members of the
Massachusetts Bay Colony. Vowell's irreverence frees her to explore
the lives of neglected figures such as Anne Hutchinson and to
illuminate aspects of the Puritan era that other authors might have
missed.
--Wendy leading discussions.

July 17, 2013 pages 1-129 (Book doesn't have Chapters)

August 21, 2013 pages 129-248

==================

THINKING FAST AND SLOW by Daniel Kahneman [publ 2013]
2002 Nobel Memorial Prize winner in Economic Sciences, author is
notable for his work on the psychology of judgment and
decision-making, behavioral economics and hedonic psychology (i.e. the
study of what makes experiences and life pleasant or unpleasant).
This book is a tour of the mind and a study of the two systems that
drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional;
System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical.
--Alice leading discussions.

Sept 18, 2013 Intro and Chapters 1-14 (approx 155 pages)

Oct 16, 2013 Chapters 15-27 (approx 144 pages)

Nov 20, 2013 Chapters 28-38, Conclusion, Appendix 1 and 2 (approx 149 pages)

=============================

THE PRICE OF INEQUALITY: HOW TODAY'S DIVIDED SOCIETY ENDANGERS OUR
FUTURE by Joseph Stiglitz [publ 2013]
Author is an American economist, professor at Columbia University,
winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (2001) and
numerous other prestigious positions. Stiglitz is one of the most
frequently cited economists in the world and in 2011 he was named by
Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
From the book jacket: "In The Price of Inequality Stiglitz lays out a
comprehensive agenda to create a more dynamic economy and fairer and
more equal society"
--Kathy leading discussions.

Dec 18, 2013 Preface(s) and Chapter 1-3 (approx 160 pages)

Jan 15, 2014 Chapter 4-6 (approx 130 pages)

Feb 19, 2014 Chapters 7-10 (approx 131 pages)