Gift giving guide: your recommendations!
Carla Axtman
After Steve Novick's book recommendation a few days ago, a reader emailed me to request a thread on Blue O for reader suggestions on books and DVDs to give as holiday gifts. The reader also suggested that we open a thread for charity recommendations as well.
With just a few shopping days left until Christmas, I think this is a great idea.
In the interest of consolidation, we'll just have one comment thread for all 3 categories. It might be helpful however if folks could indicate the category prior to their recommendation. For example, if you're recommending a book, please make sure that you indicate as such in your comment. Also, if you've got links or URLs that provide additional information on your recommendation(s), please include them.
For now, let's just keep the recommendations for books, DVDs and charities.
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1:01 p.m.
Dec 19, '09
Books: A suggestion passed along to me included Bill Moyer's own book selections, which I think are fantastic.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/12182009/profile3.html
Dec 19, '09
Bamboozled.
Not an easy film to watch, but very important.
1:16 p.m.
Dec 19, '09
I love justgive.org. You can donate as a gift to a child, friend. You get the tax deduction, but they can then give to the cause they want to. It includes virtually every non-profit charity in the country in their database. We started doing it for our kids so that they would learn about thoughtful charitable giving.
Dec 19, '09
Hillary Clinton's Race for the White House: Gender Politics and the Media on the Campaign Trail
Dec 19, '09
Maybe limit this to "and you've done/donated/own it". Otherwise this is going to be lots of "you really should..." from people that haven't. Maybe a "why", as well. So, based on what I've seen this year, my picks would be as follows.
Books? Can't think of any I've read that anyone would want as a gift, this year. If you know anyone that is remotely interested in cricket, I highly recommend Cricket, More than a Game (and not because I had a hand in the title). It's a great take on how sport got the way it is, in general. Actually, looking, that's not the title anymore! Oh, well.
My fav. DVD that I would give as a gift is a classic Dr. Who, "The Two Doctors" . It's got to be the best pro-vegetarian movie of all time, not the least because you don't realize that's where they're going with it for most of the show! Classic Who fans will really appreciate Troughton and Baker. Truly classic sci-fi, with few peers. Love the line, "When you travel around as much as I do, it's almost inevitable that you'll run into yourself at some point." The set in Seville and the subtlety of the sarcasm when the alien is concluding that earth people aren't so bad, is much more than one typically expects from classic Who.
I would recommend the Jane McGrath Foundation as a charity. It's great for those that are against all animal research, big pharma, self-justifying research...but want to help breast cancer sufferers. They spend their donations on scholarships and program support for dedicated breast cancer nurses, and placing them in rural care situations. Ladies and gay men may want to check out their calendar. You don't have to know anything about cricket to appreciate the pecs, er pics . One of the most fun charitable gifts around!
OK. So I don't get to do much besides cricket these days. Probably would't know about the DVD, if Troughton's grandson wasn't playing for Warwickshire!
Dec 19, '09
Books:
I'll repeat my usual advocacy for the Walter Karp compendium promoted by Harper's magazine (harpers dot org) The compendium comes in four volumes. One is "The Politics of War" dealing with how the United States got into the Spanish-American War and the First World War. Much of what Karp wrote has relevance to today's politics and war. The other three volumes are collections of essays written mostly during the Reagan and Carter presidencies. Democrats and Republicans will be offended by what Karp has to say, but democrats and republicans will be very appreciative. History, but again, with relevance to the present.
I finally got around to reading Barbara Tuchman's "The March of Folly" and highly recommend it. One part deals with the Renaissance Popes (1470-1530). Tuchman's description of the prevailing environment of religion, greed and corruption at that time is a variation on the current theme of the capitalist religion and its corruption and greed on Wall Street. Another part of the book focuses on Vietnam and its follies. Lots of cogent lessons from history that we would do well to learn.
"Tell Me No Lies: Investigative Journalism That Changed The World" is edited by the great journalist John Pilger. It is a great collection of 29 articles by reporters such as Amira Hass, Robert Fisk, Seymour Hersh, Greg Palast and others that will take the blinkers off all but the most hide-bound people who still trust the mainstream corporate fawning media. (Available through gregpalast dot com)
I could recommend dozens of books that we would all do well to read but probably don't have the time to get through them, but I'll close with a recommendation of Greg Mortensen's books, "Three Cups of Tea" and "Stones to Schools" that deal with his experiences in Pakistan and Afghanistan. They provide lessons on how to do lots of good in that region for a pittance of what the U.S. and Nato will be spending in AfPak to wage war and put that part of the world at risk of catastrophe.
Oregonians have to recommend powells dot com for new and used books, but if you can't find what you want there, I recommended these sites that have been great resources for me: betterworldbooks dot com and alibris dot com.
Dec 19, '09
DVDs:
"American Casino" (Andrew Cockburn, co-producer) exposes that background and villians involved in the Wall Street crash. Click here for an introduction to this DVD
Rethink Afghanistan has shocking scenes from that benighted land. Not for Christmas viewing but an important education for anti-war and pro-war activists after the turkey is finished and the decorations are taken down. More information at rethinkafghanistan dot com
Dec 19, '09
RESET by Kurt Andersen is a 74 page book I read during the heat wave last summer. Very refreshing book with a very long subtitle which I did not bother to look up. Uses all sorts of pop culture and other references to make a poing---Simpsons, Fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper among others.
One main point is about so many discussions of politics and economics having gone stale and it is time to hit the reset button.
4:58 p.m.
Dec 19, '09
Two book recommendations: First, for a student (or parent of one) in high school thinking about his or her educational future, or searching for some alternative, I recommend May Frost’s “The New Global Student: Skip the SAT, Save Thousands on Tuition, and Get a Truly International Education.” Maya’s a former Oregonian. Powell’s has it here. Or check out Maya’s blog here.
Second, just to think about the transformations that rising gas prices are going to bring, I suggest Christopher Steiner’s “$20 Per Gallon: How the Inevitable Rise in the Price of Gasoline Will Change Our Lives for the Better.” Powell’s has it here.
Dec 19, '09
I finally got around to reading Barbara Tuchman's "The March of Folly" and highly recommend it. One part deals with the Renaissance Popes (1470-1530). Tuchman's description of the prevailing environment of religion, greed and corruption at that time is a variation on the current theme of the capitalist religion and its corruption and greed on Wall Street. Another part of the book focuses on Vietnam and its follies. Lots of cogent lessons from history that we would do well to learn.
I have actually bought and wrapped that for my niece. It's really accessible social psychology.
I highly recommend Cricket, More than a Game
I'm an ex-Eugene resident (and someday again, inshala) the lives in Islington, and I read that one because I'm a political junkie and read anything an ex-PM writes. I would add that I found it a great insight into the mind of a moderate, thinking conservative, which I seem to remember the US could do with cultivating. He makes a rather progressive case for government's role in sports, and has a lot of politico-social psychology, expressed in terms of his own beliefs and perceptions. Call me a nerdette, but I found it to be a page turner.
My only other "purchase" that fits is a charity I discovered (a bit esoteric, she blushes) called the "Bengal Helpline" (UK) .
Dec 19, '09
Fred Meyer's having a sale on digital picture frames... there's an in-store 20% off coupon that brings them very close to what you'd spend on an in-law.
6:17 a.m.
Dec 20, '09
A sock monkey is a must give to all ages.
Dec 20, '09
The Hangover is a hilarious movie.
Dec 20, '09
I posted a list of books an hour ago but the post failed or was removed. I was going to add
"Getting What We Deserve: Health and Medical Care in America
http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=HARDCOVER:NEW:9780801893872:21.95&PID=26741&PID=26741
Dec 20, '09
The list I tried to post earlier included seconds to Bill B's recommendations for the Walter Karp series (all outstanding) and Tuchman's "March of Folly" (also her "A Distant Mirror" is superb). and the following:
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster (Rebecca Solnit)
The Top Ten Death Penalty Myths: The Politics of Crime Control by Rudolph J. Gerber http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780275997809-2
Grave Matters: A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial by Mark Harris
Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making Us Sicker and Poorer Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making Us Sicker and Poorer by Shannon Brownlee
The Last Well Person: How to Stay Well Despite the Health-Care System The Last Well Person: How to Stay Well Despite the Health-Care System by Nortin M. Hadler
Bottleneck: Humanity Bottleneck: Humanity's Impending Impasse by William R. Jr. Catton
Gusher of Lies: The Dangerous Delusions of Gusher of Lies: The Dangerous Delusions of 'Energy Independence' by Robert Bryce
Dec 20, '09
The Baseline Scenario, an excellent economics-oriented site recommends a few good books
Dec 21, '09
Also, Oregon's own Greg Craven put together a terrific book with "What's The Worst That Could Happen: A rational guide to the climate debate" -- a book that every elected official, advisor, and voter should read and take quite seriously. Serious without needless solemnity. A pretty fast read leading to a long think.
Dec 21, '09
After watching Copenhagen, the G8 and reading your "jamieee" troll on every climate topic, I have to conclude that this year the time has come for those concerned with the environment to take direct action. The choice is simple. Sit and do nothing while the police gas you, corps rip you off, and JK shits in your kids' nest, or you can make sure that you know how to take a piece out of their hides as well. Cheaper than therapy, one action can relieve years of pent up stress. It was while reading "jamieee" that I remembered that stress is a physiological condition resulting from not yielding to the urge to kick the shit out of someone that really needs it. These stress reducers come highly recommended.
Books:
Recipes for Disaster: An Anarchist Cookbook
Three years in the making, Recipes for Disaster is the long-awaited follow-up to the CrimethInc. collective’s notorious first book, Days of War, Nights of Love. This 624-page manual complements the romance and idealism of that earlier work with practical information and instruction. Over thirty collectives collaborated in testing, composing, and editing the book’s 62 sections, which range from Affinity Groups, Coalition Building, and Mental Health to Sabotage, Squatting, and Wheatpasting. These are illustrated with extensive technical diagrams and first-hand accounts, and prefaced with a thorough discussion of the diverse roles direct action can play in social transformation. If you’re looking for a tactical handbook for revolutionary action, look no further.
Charity:
The CrimethInc. Ex-Workers' Collective (CWC)
A decentralized anarchist collective composed of many cells which act independently in pursuit of a freer and more joyous world. This website is maintained by CrimethInc, Far East, which is primarily concerned with publishing and distributing literature and free propaganda, as well as occasionally circulating information about other cells & activities.
Dec 21, '09
I'm giving The Sixth Extinction, by Niles Eldredge This book gets you beyond pedantic CO2 debates to the nub of the problem. We are losing 3 species every minute which is unprecedented in the fossil record. 4 out of 5 species are likely to disappear in our childrens' lifetime.
Well researched and very amenable toward the reader delving deeper into the published literature in several areas, it really puts the meager inadequacy of what all pols are doing into perspective.
Dec 21, '09
Chris Hedges reviews Ralph Nader's latest book: Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us It is a novel and a thoughtful antidote to Ayn Rand's claptrap.
1:37 p.m.
Dec 21, '09
I love books, but I like to pick out my own. In that spirit, I give out gift certificates to Powells so people can pick out what works for them.
Dec 23, '09
Book: "The Jefferson Bible" , Thomas Jefferson. Thomo removes all the things he finds questionable from the bible. Seriously.
DVD: "Raging Bullshit: On the Campaign Trail with Barak Obama" . If you're following the administration you've probably seen a million clips from it. Continue the Bush legacy while talking exactly opposite? Yes we can!
Charity: Negative Population Growth Foundation . A gracious guest knows when to leave. It's time to go.
Dec 23, '09
thank you very much
Jan 10, '10
I posted a list of books an hour ago but the post failed or was removed. I was going to add
Jan 10, '10
One main point is about so many discussions of politics and economics having gone stale and it is time to hit the reset button.