How to Identify the Enemy 101

a reply to: zosimov

Looks at the Ian Fleming collection and walks away from the conversation. . . but doing it Bond style.

a reply to: DBCowboy

Do you have From Russia With Love?

originally posted by: zosimov
a reply to: DBCowboy

Do you have From Russia With Love?

Yes. My dear Pater collected them and I inherited them.

a reply to: DBCowboy

I've never read any Bond books (bad, I know); I really should change that. Which one do you recommend I start with? I'd really like to learn more about Ian Fleming's story too.

a reply to: zosimov

Yeah, a handful, my favorite so far is the Day Watch series by Sergei Lukyanenko.

I've read a bunch of Russian philosophy type works, but the one that stands out to me the most is Tolstoy's take on Anarchism and religion.

originally posted by: zosimov
a reply to: DBCowboy

I've never read any Bond books (bad, I know); I really should change that. Which one do you recommend I start with? I'd really like to learn more about Ian Fleming's story too.

I know it's not directed towards me, but I always suggest reading things in the chronological order the author releases them.

Some people like to go by chronological order story wise, but I feel like that can ruin some of the surprises and suspense and such.

Therefore, I recommend starting with Casino Royale

a reply to: AutomateThis1

Nice, sounds like that would be a really interesting read-- I've only gotten around to some of Tolstoy's fiction. I'll let you know what I think after reading.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: zosimov

The squrrelly David (anti-gun) kid tweeted out this week that he will continue to wear a mask, even though he's vaccinated because he doesn't want to be misidentified as a republican.

When people ask me if I've been vaccinated, I reply, "Yes I have...by nature herself during my Covid-19 recovery!"

originally posted by: zosimov
a reply to: DBCowboy

I've never read any Bond books (bad, I know); I really should change that. Which one do you recommend I start with? I'd really like to learn more about Ian Fleming's story too.

Casino Royale (1953)
Live and Let Die (1954)
Moonraker (1955)
Diamonds Are Forever (1956)
From Russia, with Love (1957)
Doctor No (1958)
Goldfinger (1959)
For Your Eyes Only (1959)

Written by a master.

As a young school boy in the 60's and 70's James Bond was a role model.

He was sexist, misogynistic, a hard drinker, and the best spy in the world.

a reply to: DBCowboy

Thanks!!
Incredible-- he wrote one a year until '59 when he wrote two--I'm always in awe of that kind of production.

a reply to: AutomateThis1

Looks like DB agrees with the order too (makes good sense; I do like to consider the chronology of author's works).

Well shoot lol I'd better get reading. Tolstoy first because I'm guessing I can find his work online.

a reply to: zosimov

Tolstoy's fiction is okay, but his musings are more interesting in my opinion.

Add these to your list

•Theory of History
•What Is Art?
•Resurrection
•A Lost Opportunity
•My Religion
•The Kingdom of God is Within You
•A Confession and the three works that come after it
•The Law of Love and The Law of Violence
•On Life(You'll probably dig this one it came across as very commie to me.)
•Death and The Meaning of Life

His take on religion and Christianity as well as his criticisms of it are interesting.

On the other hand with his whole "what is the meaning of life" crises doesn't really resonate with me.

Basically, it seems he came across some Kierkegaard and had some existential crises, and his way of handling the absurd nature of humanity was to sacrifice one's self interest for the good of everyone else who may live afterwards.

I don't necessarily or completely disagree, but that's not my style. I think you can help make the world a better place without totally sacrificing yourself. To each his own I suppose I do like his style of composition, and it's not a headache to read.