Good Reading

I'm currently reading Stephen Jay Gould's The Structure of Evolutionary Theory and, while interesting, it is a bear. Other than that, my reading docket is completely open (a rare thing for me).I wanted to solicit some reading recommendations from you all as you seem to be a very informed group. I would be interested in anything you think is informative and/or thought provoking.I'm open to almost anthing (metaphysical, scientific, historical, sociological, fictional) as long as it is interesting - with two caveats.1- I have, in fact, read as much of the bible as I care to and I'm not interested in conversion; however, I am interested in history and analysis of religion.2-I am not particularly interested in recent political polemic.
I earned a degree in political science and spent the first few years of my post-graduate life involved with politics at some level - so I am pretty much burned out on it (the recent RR topics were enough to remind me why I avoid political - and religious - discussions: they are all too often emotionally based arguments which are rarely productive for either party).Two titles which I have read recently which I thought were very good are:1- Scandalmonger: A Novel, by William Safire

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- this description from Amazon sums it up well - It's a historic novel set in 1790s New England, when the Founding Fathers were enduring various crises and humiliations as they scurried to become part of the history books. Always a stickler for the truth--as long as it's uttered in the finest of phrases--the author lets us know right from the start that we're "entitled to know what is history and what is twistery." Based on documents and diaries, and complete with an exhaustive section of footnotes separating fact from fiction, Scandalmonger turns out to be a bona fide page-turner.

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2- Rock of Ages, by Stephen Jay Gould - this book is an analysis of the concept of NOMA (non-overlapping magesteria) and how science and religion are not necessarily mutually exclusive.So if any of you who care to respond would suggest one or two titles you have read which you thought were particularly interesting I would be much obliged. I am especially interested in what Rrhain, Jar, Crashfrog, berberry, schraf, brian, and some of the others of you whose monnikers I can't remember off the top of my head (I sincerely apologize) might suggest.Thanks.

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

Just becuase I think this book is interesting enough to deserve touting:Treason By The Book
Jonathan D. SpenceFrom Publishers Weekly
In 1728, Emperor Yongzheng of China received a message from a distant subordinate advising that treason, in the form of a letter denouncing his regime, was abroad in the land. This new book by Yale scholar Spence (The Death of Woman Wang; The Search for Modern China; etc.) traces the intricate and surprising consequences of that disclosure. Partly a chronicle of historical events and partly an examination of a culture and a political system, this volume recounts how the emperor's relentless investigation led to apprehension of the dissidents who had dared impugn the imperial system. One of the book's surprises is the emperor's next move. Instead of imposing an immediate death sentence, he began an intensive, written conversation with the leader of the dissidents, a man named Zeng Jing. Ultimately convinced he had grievously wronged the emperor, Zeng Jing wrote an elaborate confession of error and received pardon for his crimes. Remarkably, the emperor ordered the entire chain of writings, including the original treasonous letter, published and distributed throughout all China as a civics lesson for his subjects. Spence draws on documents surviving from the Yongzheng era, and his telling of the emperor's story is anchored in a close reading of those primary sources. Accompanying the history is a sustained meditation on the power of the written word, including its uses for attack, for dialogue and for persuasion. Seen nearly 300 years later, Emperor Yongzheng's experiment with mass publication of ideas he found repugnant seems enlightened and commendable. Spence is a wonderfully accomplished writer, and in this rather slight tale he has found an intriguing character for his many readers to ponder. (Mar. 5)Forecast: While this may not have the weight of some of Spence's other works, as a miniature it offers easy access to readers unfamiliar with the Far East. Spence's reputation as one of our leading historians on China will guarantee wide coverage. History Book Club selection; six-city author tour.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

The Red Queen by Ridley. Very readable, very informative.

Ned,"THe Red Queen" rings a bell, what's it about?Mark

Mark Ridley also wrote Genome, which was a fascinating trip through our evolutionary history one chromosome pair at a time. It also gives an overview of the Human Genome Project and its implications. I know a lot of the scholars on this site cringe at the way geneticists like Mark Ridley and Steve Jones oversimplify complex issues when they know their audience comprises amateurs like me. However,if pop-science has to be, let it be like this.regards,
Esteban Hambre

The subtitle is "Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature" (anything with sex in the title can't be all bad -- though I never did find the dirty bits).See here for details
Amazon.comIt's about "Why Sex". That is what is the advantage to sexual reproduction. It covers a heck of a lot more ground than that though.His other book I enjoyed was "Nature via Nuture".
see
Nature Via NurtureThis message has been edited by NosyNed, 06-21-2004 01:33 PM

Ned,Thanks for the reply, does it attempt to explain the evolution of sex. This interests me but I can't find any book on the subject at all.Mark

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There are 10 kinds of people in this world; those that understand binary, & those that don't

Yes it does, it explains why sex as a process, a technique, developed. It's an excellent book.