Book Discussion - June 19th 7-9pm - Houston Central Market Community Rm - THE SWERVE by Stephen Greenblatt
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Alice Aman
Jun 14, 2013, 11:16:41 AM6/14/13
to houston-nonfic...@googlegroups.com
Hi everyone-
We'll be meeting next week on Wednesday, June 19th at 7pm in the
Houston Central Market community room to finish our discussion of THE
SWERVE by Stephen Greenblatt. If you are like me and haven't finished
it yet, there is still time.
Most impressive so far for me has been the summary by the author where
he lists the "elements that constituted the Lucretian challenge" at
the end of Chapter 8 (page 185-202). I will go around the room at the
beginning of the discussion asking people to list major (or minor)
high level themes which we can use in the subsequent discussion for
filling in the details though of course anyone will be free to "pass"
at this point.
For those who would like to socialize after the discussion, you are
welcome to join us downstairs in the cafe at Central Market for a
glass of wine or snack (or nothing) at 9pm.
And please notice that NEXT month in July (July 17th) we begin a new
book titled THE WORDY SHIPMATES by Sarah Vowell. Some call it an
irreverent view of the Puritans. Not to miss.
And also, the 11th annual Independence Day discussion sponsored by the
Houston Great Books Council is coming up on July 4th. You will need to
RSVP. More details at:
http://www.meetup.com/Houston-Great-Books-Events-Read-and-Discuss-among-Friends/events/124377892/
Hope to see you next week to finish up THE SWERVE.
---Alice
http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonNonfiction
=======UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS==========
THE SWERVE: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt [pub 2012] 368 pgs
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.
June 19, 2013 THE SWERVE by Stephen Greenblatt - Chapter 6 thru 11
[pgs 135 - 263] FINISH
================
THE WORDY SHIPMATES by Sarah Vowell (publ 2008) 272 pages
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] 512 pages
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 (aprox 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] 560 pages
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 Preface(s) and Chapter 1-3 (approx 160 pages)
Jan 15 Chapter 4-6 (approx 130 pages)
Feb 19 Chapters 7-10 (aprox 131 pages)
We'll be meeting next week on Wednesday, June 19th at 7pm in the
Houston Central Market community room to finish our discussion of THE
SWERVE by Stephen Greenblatt. If you are like me and haven't finished
it yet, there is still time.
Most impressive so far for me has been the summary by the author where
he lists the "elements that constituted the Lucretian challenge" at
the end of Chapter 8 (page 185-202). I will go around the room at the
beginning of the discussion asking people to list major (or minor)
high level themes which we can use in the subsequent discussion for
filling in the details though of course anyone will be free to "pass"
at this point.
For those who would like to socialize after the discussion, you are
welcome to join us downstairs in the cafe at Central Market for a
glass of wine or snack (or nothing) at 9pm.
And please notice that NEXT month in July (July 17th) we begin a new
book titled THE WORDY SHIPMATES by Sarah Vowell. Some call it an
irreverent view of the Puritans. Not to miss.
And also, the 11th annual Independence Day discussion sponsored by the
Houston Great Books Council is coming up on July 4th. You will need to
RSVP. More details at:
http://www.meetup.com/Houston-Great-Books-Events-Read-and-Discuss-among-Friends/events/124377892/
Hope to see you next week to finish up THE SWERVE.
---Alice
http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonNonfiction
=======UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS==========
THE SWERVE: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt [pub 2012] 368 pgs
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.
June 19, 2013 THE SWERVE by Stephen Greenblatt - Chapter 6 thru 11
[pgs 135 - 263] FINISH
================
THE WORDY SHIPMATES by Sarah Vowell (publ 2008) 272 pages
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] 512 pages
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 (aprox 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] 560 pages
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 Preface(s) and Chapter 1-3 (approx 160 pages)
Jan 15 Chapter 4-6 (approx 130 pages)
Feb 19 Chapters 7-10 (aprox 131 pages)
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