www.greatbooksprogram.org http://www.greatbooksprogram.org Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 Futuristic Books That Got It Right (And What They Mean About Us Now) http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/08/07/futuristic-books-that-got-it-right-and-what-they-mean-about-us-now/ http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/08/07/futuristic-books-that-got-it-right-and-what-they-mean-about-us-now/#comments Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/&p=10 When one considers books dealing with futuristic themes, two classics come to mind: the ominous ’1984′ by George Orwell and ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley. Perhaps the more intriguing of the two is ’1984′. Although it was written in 1948 and imagined a dystopian future 36 years later which never came to pass, there is still many things to learn from this novel. Part of the reason it is still such a popular book today is due to Orwell’s incredible foresight.
In ’1984′ he predicts situations reminiscent of the oppression enforced in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Also, Orwell imagines a mass media, broadcast in every home, which distorts facts in order to push the oppressive governments agenda. Certainly this is meant to be satirical and a product of George Orwells imagination but there is something about it that, although exaggerated, rings true today. In the modern world of cable news channels, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News, all broadcasting their own unique brand of the political truth, formulating an opinion of absolute certainty can be almost impossible. Orwell’s frightening view of futuristic global politics is meant not as an accurate prediction but as a warning of the horror that could be possible in the modern world.

]]> http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/08/07/futuristic-books-that-got-it-right-and-what-they-mean-about-us-now/feed/ 0 Where To Find Great Books For Less http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/08/03/where-to-find-great-books-for-less/ http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/08/03/where-to-find-great-books-for-less/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/&p=9 Avid, dedicated readers should constantly be filling their libraries with new and great books. There may be times, however, when people will need to watch how much they can spend on books. In order to get the most books out of your budget, you should explore and compare the prices of books that you want. Some great deals for books can be found in online stores. A web search should reveal websites that sell books you would like to purchase. Book stores may have deals such as buy one book and get one free. This is a great way to increase your library at home. Garage sales can have recent books or classic literature that you are interested in owning. The prices of these books are usually greatly decreased from when they were first purchased. Of course, you will need to closely examine the book to make sure that it is in a decent state. One way to check the quality of the book is to examine the binding. If there are creases in the binding, or there are loose pages, then you may not want to buy that book. You should also make sure pages are not sun damaged.

]]> http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/08/03/where-to-find-great-books-for-less/feed/ 0 More Than Just Stories: Literature That Changed Humanity http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/08/01/more-than-just-stories-literature-that-changed-humanity/ http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/08/01/more-than-just-stories-literature-that-changed-humanity/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/&p=8 One of the undeniable facts about modern human history is that literature shapes human thinking and action. Every book, at least on a certain level, changes the way we think. Every human experience is unique and whenever shared shapes the human condition. So, choosing one or even ten books that have transformed humanity is impossible.

Two books written by American authors that have changed humanity are “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, and “The Grapes of Wrath”. They touched on two very delicate issues in the times in which they were written: slavery and the The Great Depression.The whole story can be found at http://q104.radio.com/2011/07/26/big-river-the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/

Perhaps, no words written by an American author are more poignant than those describing how Huck Finn decided that his friend Jim, an escaped slave, was a person with as much value as any other and he would believe so even if it meant going to hell. Twain’s book helped transform the way millions of American saw African Americans. The wisdom of rough young boy by the name of Huck Finn transcended time and space.

Steinbeck’s portrayal of a “Okie” family and their journey from their land of OKlahoma to the fields of California in search of work and hope is one of the beautiful stories of the 20th century. It helped America empathize with their fellow countrymen during the depression.

]]> http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/08/01/more-than-just-stories-literature-that-changed-humanity/feed/ 0 Newest Classics: The Greatest Books Of The Last Decade http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/07/30/newest-classics-the-greatest-books-of-the-last-decade/ http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/07/30/newest-classics-the-greatest-books-of-the-last-decade/#comments Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/&p=7 Literature is ever changing world. We’re familiar with classics that have been passed down through the ages, but there are a new set of classics emerging in this century. Here are the top five greatest books of the last decade.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
This children’s novel eloquently explores life in Nazi Germany through the eyes of a foster child and a Jewish fist fighter.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Pi Patel is traveling to America with his parents and their zoo on a ship when the boat sinks, leaving his stranded with several animal including a hungry tiger.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
This epic story follows the life of Jacob Jankowski from his graduation from college through his life in a retirement home.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This story explores the relationship of a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to travel through time and the woman he loves.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Arguably the most well written book of the decade, this story follows the lives of friends Amir and Hassan from the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan through the rise of the Taliban regime.

]]> http://www.greatbooksprogram.org/2011/07/30/newest-classics-the-greatest-books-of-the-last-decade/feed/ 0