This book is informative the way the County Extension Service Five-Year Cumulative Report on Crop Rotation is informative. Mind numbing statistics are corralled into chapters by topic, with the bare minimum of narrative thread. If I want to know which political party gained a majority in a regional election in 1967, or the percentage fluctuation in rice production in the Uttar Pradesh region, I know the book to turn to.
Unfortunately for me, my obsessively Teutonic reading habits will likely cause me to finish this one. I got half way through it because it was the only book I had with me on a long airplane ride. I set it aside. But a nagging little voice in my head -- is that a German accent I hear? -- keeps telling me to just finish it because maybe I'll learn something and at least I can add it to my list of Books Read in 2009.
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Thursday, September 10, 2009
Just the Facts, Ma'am
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This week's Booking Through Thursday question asks what is the "most informative" book you have read recently?
The book that springs instantly to mind -- because it is still staring at me from the nightstand -- is India: The Rise of an Asian Giant by Dietmar Rothermund.
This book is informative the way the County Extension Service Five-Year Cumulative Report on Crop Rotation is informative. Mind numbing statistics are corralled into chapters by topic, with the bare minimum of narrative thread. If I want to know which political party gained a majority in a regional election in 1967, or the percentage fluctuation in rice production in the Uttar Pradesh region, I know the book to turn to.
Unfortunately for me, my obsessively Teutonic reading habits will likely cause me to finish this one. I got half way through it because it was the only book I had with me on a long airplane ride. I set it aside. But a nagging little voice in my head -- is that a German accent I hear? -- keeps telling me to just finish it because maybe I'll learn something and at least I can add it to my list of Books Read in 2009.
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This book is informative the way the County Extension Service Five-Year Cumulative Report on Crop Rotation is informative. Mind numbing statistics are corralled into chapters by topic, with the bare minimum of narrative thread. If I want to know which political party gained a majority in a regional election in 1967, or the percentage fluctuation in rice production in the Uttar Pradesh region, I know the book to turn to.
Unfortunately for me, my obsessively Teutonic reading habits will likely cause me to finish this one. I got half way through it because it was the only book I had with me on a long airplane ride. I set it aside. But a nagging little voice in my head -- is that a German accent I hear? -- keeps telling me to just finish it because maybe I'll learn something and at least I can add it to my list of Books Read in 2009.
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I have to say I would have never given something like that a second look. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteBTT
Have you read In Spite of the Gods by Edward Luce? It has a similar subject, but its quite readable, even fun to read.
ReplyDeleteOuch. I know what you mean though. I'd feel compelled to finish, too.
ReplyDeleteLezlie
Busy's book sound more interesting than mine!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation Tripp. I really would like to learn more about modern India. I have read several books about China's global rise, but haven't found one yet about India. I'll take a look at the one you suggest.
I am glad to know that someone else is as compulsive as me about finishing books! Thanks Lezlie!
Don't you know it's important to have a sleep-inducing book by your bedside :-)? Sorry that this one is kind of dry, though. Sounds like it's one that would take a long time to finish. Hope you are currently reading something else more interesting, too!
ReplyDelete