Books, books and more books

[babyblues]

Has anyone read a translation of Richard Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung? Both Tolkien and Wagner's work is suggested to have been inspired in part by The Nibelungenlied and The Saga of the Volsungs. The Nibelungenlied is an Austrian myth originating circa 1200. The Saga of the Volsungs is based on Viking Age poems written in 13th century Iceland. Reviews say that it's a combination of mythology, legend and human drama. Sounds pretty cool. I really would like to read The Saga of the Volsungs.

The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki is another Icelandic myth written in the 14th century and The Saga of the Jomsvikings is an Icelandic legend written in the 12th century. I hope to read them some day.

[coffee-guy]

What a coincidence - I just read the overview of that book - looks boring :P

Thanks for the insight Ms. Brat...

:moon:

[mindstar]

FogHat- it's a good book, but along with it, read A brief history of progress, as it seems the former simplifies some points which the latter expounds upon.

There is lots of lush, dense modern writing, it's just that it's harder to find and less popular.

Shirley Hazzard's The great fire is one example...Daphne Marlatt is another challenging read that is rewarding.

I also love Hemmingway, as an antithesis to all things Dickensian (he was paid by the word you know...), Rushdie, Faulkner, and Ian Rankin are all favs for different moods.

Cormac McCarthy's Blood Merridian is a gory, but brilliant book about the old west.

[XmotorX]

I generally like fiction books that can almost have a real feeling to them. Dan Brown the author of The DaVinci Code is my current fixation but it's his book Angels and Demons. I love it!!!

[Scrumhalf]

Has anyone read a translation of Richard Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung? Both Tolkien and Wagner's work is suggested to have been inspired in part by The Nibelungenlied and The Saga of the Volsungs. The Nibelungenlied is an Austrian myth originating circa 1200. The Saga of the Volsungs is based on Viking Age poems written in 13th century Iceland. Reviews say that it's a combination of mythology, legend and human drama. Sounds pretty cool. I really would like to read The Saga of the Volsungs.

The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki is another Icelandic myth written in the 14th century and The Saga of the Jomsvikings is an Icelandic legend written in the 12th century. I hope to read them some day.

Hmmm... I didn't think the Ring of the Niebelung is a printed book. It is an set of operas by Richard Wagner. At least, I am not aware of it in a book form.

The Niebelunglied on the other hand, is an ancient Germanic myth that is that story that Wagner's Ring cycle was based on. A public domain translation can be found here:

http://omacl.org/Nibelungenlied/

[mindstar]

Wagners the ring is on in Toronto if anyone's near right now...

[lifterjaydawg]

I generally like fiction books that can almost have a real feeling to them. Dan Brown the author of The DaVinci Code is my current fixation but it's his book Angels and Demons. I love it!!!

A coworker of mine let me start reading a little bit and now I am hooked. I will get it soon. Loved the Da Vinci Code.

[babyblues]

Hmmm... I didn't think the Ring of the Niebelung is a printed book. It is an set of operas by Richard Wagner. At least, I am not aware of it in a book form.

The Niebelunglied on the other hand, is an ancient Germanic myth that is that story that Wagner's Ring cycle was based on. A public domain translation can be found here:

http://omacl.org/Nibelungenlied/

There are English translations of the Wagner's Ring cycle. I found these on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Ring-Nibelung-...e=UTF8&s=books

http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Ring-Ni...e=UTF8&s=books

Yeah, the Nibelungenlied was written in Middle High German, but some say it was actually written in the country of Austria. Where they get it from, I don't know. So, whether it's a German or Austrian myth, I don't know that either.

http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/nibelungs.html

[trip]

Has anyone read/reviewed "Gun, Germs and Steel" written by Jared Diamond?

i'd follow mindstars ref

i wanted to read it, cause of the topic, yet, alot of non-fiction books are not good reading, they don't edit the information such that when you're done you remember the overall take and learn something

examples of what I speak, "Freakonomics" and "The Tipping Point"

both are easy entertaining quick reads that really really impacted me to the point it's concious in my thinking, I didn't get the feeling ggs would do that

i will check out mindstars ref on the progress book, what i want in non-fiction is something memorable that will impact me long run if it is outside my normal course of interest

like i can read almost any bb or investing book no matter how boring whatever because i have a basic passion for the knowleddge

[Scrumhalf]

There are English translations of the Wagner's Ring cycle. I found these on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Ring-Nibelung-...e=UTF8&s=books

http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Ring-Ni...e=UTF8&s=books

Yeah, the Nibelungenlied was written in Middle High German, but some say it was actually written in the country of Austria. Where they get it from, I don't know. So, whether it's a German or Austrian myth, I don't know that either.

http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/nibelungs.html

Thanks for the reference. I had no idea that this was available in prose form.

[babyblues]

Thanks for the reference. I had no idea that this was available in prose form.

I haven't read either of them yet, but the reviews that people posted stated that one is more a more literal translation than the other.

[babyblues]

Bump.

Sorry, wasn't intending to exclude any particular authors or syles of literature. I'm interested to know what books/authors people have read/are reading/plan to read. Any and all kinds. :D

[meat12]

Bump.

Sorry, wasn't intending to exclude any particular authors or syles of literature. I'm interested to know what books/authors people have read/are reading/plan to read. Any and all kinds. :D

I've read all the Dan Brown books, which were all pretty good. Deception Point was the best IMO. Anything by John Grisham is always worth reading. Two of my favorite authors would have to be Russel Banks and Martin Amis.

[babyblues]

I've read all the Dan Brown books, which were all pretty good. Deception Point was the best IMO. Anything by John Grisham is always worth reading. Two of my favorite authors would have to be Russel Banks and Martin Amis.

I do enjoy some modern authors. I have a bunch of John Grisham books that I found for 50 cents apiece at a used book sale. I've read some of them, but I do enjoy his writing. I also like Michael Crichton. I love how he writes a novel of fiction using real scientific theory. Timeline was pretty good.

One of my favorite authors is actually Louis Lamour. I love reading his stuff. I don't know why. I just like it. My favorites are The Walking Drum and The Last of the Breed.

[FitnessBrat]

I've read all the Dan Brown books, which were all pretty good. Deception Point was the best IMO. Anything by John Grisham is always worth reading. Two of my favorite authors would have to be Russel Banks and Martin Amis.

Deception Point - that's the title I was looking for Foghat :)

That was a good book - different from his others.