Poll

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Spotlighted Book Discussion Poll I - October 26, 2011

This is a poll that adds other books to our listing of potential non fiction books to discuss and also helps the moderators determine which one or ones are the most popular. Since we have many more group members than when we first started; voting in the polls is very important. There will be a series of polls. Many of these books have been recommended by group members but were either not selected before nor voted upon before.

Vote for the book that you would most like to read and/or is the book that you believe that would appeal to the most group members.

Note:

We have added some of the books nominated thus far but we have more to add to other polls. However, this poll was getting quite large.

However, if you do not see your favorite book on this list; then just comment or pop me a note and I will immediately add it to this poll.

You can always change your vote at any time; so nothing is lost. There are some books which have been nominated by the same author; however, skip over those if the particular author does not suit you and vote for your favorite or for one you or others might want to read.

Before making your selection, please try to look up your choice and make sure it really is a book you are interested in or you think others would be; do not be lured in by the title. Also, check out the author and what others have said about the book before you (reviewers who you trust). Then of course, make your selection.

And if you do not see your favorite, just contact me and I will add it to the poll.

Cleopatra A Life by Stacy Schiff Stacy Schiff Stacy Schiff

Cleopatra: A Life
 
  18 votes, 10.7%

Hero The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia by Michael Korda by Michael Korda

Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia
 
  13 votes, 7.7%

A Country of Vast Designs James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent by Robert W. Merry by Robert W. Merry

A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent
 
  12 votes, 7.1%

Alexander the Great by Philip Freeman by Philip Freeman

Alexander the Great
 
  12 votes, 7.1%

The Storm of War A New History of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts by Andrew Roberts

The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War
 
  12 votes, 7.1%

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession by Allison Hoover Bartlett by Allison Hoover Bartlett Allison Hoover Bartlett

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
 
  10 votes, 5.9%

 
  9 votes, 5.3%

Horse Soldiers The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan by Doug Stanton by Doug Stanton

Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers
 
  7 votes, 4.1%

The Clockwork Universe Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World by Edward Dolnick by Edward Dolnick

The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society and the Birth of the Modern World
 
  6 votes, 3.6%

Newton and the Counterfeiter The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist by Thomas Levenson by Thomas Levenson

Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist
 
  5 votes, 3.0%

A History of God The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam by Karen Armstrong Karen Armstrong Karen Armstrong

A History of God: The 4,000 Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
 
  5 votes, 3.0%

The Idea of America Reflections on the Birth of the United States by Gordon S. Wood Gordon S. Wood Gordon S. Wood

The Idea of America: Reflections on the Birth of the United States
 
  4 votes, 2.4%

The Ascent of Money A Financial History of the World by Niall Ferguson Niall Ferguson Niall Ferguson

The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World
 
  4 votes, 2.4%

The Painter's Chair George Washington and the Making of American Art by Hugh Howard by Hugh Howard

The Painter's Chair: George Washington and the Making of American Art
 
  4 votes, 2.4%

Churchill by Paul Johnson by Paul Johnson Paul Johnson

Churchill
 
  3 votes, 1.8%

A History of the American People by Paul Johnson by Paul Johnson Paul Johnson

A History of the American People
 
  3 votes, 1.8%

The Birth of Modern Politics Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and the Election of 1828 (Pivotal Moments in American History) by Lynn Hudson Parsons by Lynn Hudson Parsons

The Birth of Modern Politics: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams and the Election of 1828
 
  3 votes, 1.8%

Winston's War Churchill, 1940-1945 by Max Hastings by Max Hastings Max Hastings

Winston's War: Churchill, 1940-1945
 
  3 votes, 1.8%

U. S. Grant American Hero, American Myth by Joan Waugh Joan Waugh Joan Waugh

U. S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth
 
  3 votes, 1.8%

Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy by Donald Kagan by Donald Kagan

Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy
 
  3 votes, 1.8%

Letters from America by Alexis de Tocqueville Alexis de Tocqueville Alexis de Tocqueville

Letters from America
 
  3 votes, 1.8%

Destiny Disrupted A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary by Tamim Ansary

Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes
 
  3 votes, 1.8%

Modern Times The World from the 20s to the 90s by Paul Johnson by Paul Johnson Paul Johnson

Modern Times: The World from the 20s to the 90s
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

Decision Points by George W. Bush by George W. Bush George W. Bush

Decision Points
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

The Journey by Tony Blair Tony Blair Tony Blair

The Journey
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

The Age of Wonder How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science by Richard Holmes by Richard Holmes Richard Holmes

The Age of Wonder
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments by George B. Johnson by George B. Johnson

The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

Thucydides The Reinvention of History by Donald Kagan Donald Kagan

Thucydides: The Reinvention of History
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

The Union War by Gary W. Gallagher by Gary W. Gallagher

The Union War
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

Civilization The West and the Rest by Niall Ferguson by Niall Ferguson Niall Ferguson

Civilization: The West and the Rest
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

God's Battalions The Case for the Crusades by Rodney Stark Rodney Stark Rodney Stark

God's Battalions: The Case for the Crusades
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith Adam Smith Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations
 
  2 votes, 1.2%

Courage and Consequence My Life as a Conservative in the Fight by Karl Rove by Karl Rove Karl Rove

Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight
 
  1 vote, 0.6%

Party over Section The Rough and Ready Presidential Election of 1848 (American Presidential Elections) by Joel H. Silbey by Joel H. Silbey

Party Over Section: The Rough and Ready Presidential Election of 1848
 
  1 vote, 0.6%

 
  1 vote, 0.6%

Madam Secretary A Memoir by Madeleine Albright Madeleine Albright Madeleine Albright

Madam Secretary: A Memoir
 
  1 vote, 0.6%

Jesus A Biography, from a Believer by Paul Johnson by Paul Johnson Paul Johnson


Jesus: A Biography from a Believer
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

A History of the Jews (Perennial Library) by Paul Johnson Paul Johnson Paul Johnson

A History of the Jews
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

A History of Christianity by Paul Johnson Paul Johnson Paul Johnson

A History of Christianity
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

Merchant Kings by Stephen R. Bown Stephen R. Bown Stephen R. Bown

Merchant Kings
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

The Theory of Moral Sentiments  by Adam Smith by Adam Smith Adam Smith

The Theory of Moral Sentiments
 
  0 votes, 0.0%


Poll added by: Bentley



This Poll is About

Authors:
Donald Kagan, Doug Stanton, Paul Johnson, Edward Dolnick, Hugh Howard, Michael Korda, George W. Bush, Adam Smith, Philip Freeman, Rodney Stark, Andrew Roberts, Allison Hoover Bartlett, Stephen R. Bown, Joel H. Silbey, Tony Blair, Niall Ferguson, Tamim Ansary, Thomas Levenson, Richard Holmes, Lynn Hudson Parsons, Madeleine K. Albright, Joan Waugh, Karl Rove, Robert W. Merry, Alexis de Tocqueville, Karen Armstrong, Stacy Schiff, Gordon S. Wood, Laura Hillenbrand, Gary W. Gallagher, Max Hastings, Hillary Rodham Clinton

Books:
The Theory of Moral Sentiments A History of God: The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam Alexander the Great Living History The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations A History of the Jews The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession A History of Christianity Madam Secretary: A Memoir Thucydides: The Reinvention of History The Idea of America: Reflections on the Birth of the United States A History of the American People Cleopatra Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy Party Over Section: The Rough and Ready Presidential Campaign of 1848 Decision Points The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science Merchant Kings: When Companies Ruled the World, 1600 - 1900 Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World through Islamic Eyes Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight Churchill Jesus: A Biography, from a Believer The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments The Union War The Birth of Modern Politics: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and the Election of 1828 (Pivotal Moments in American History) Winston's War: Churchill, 1940-1945 The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World U. S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth (Civil War America) A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, The Mexican War, and the Conquest of the American Continent Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia Civilization: The West and the Rest Letters from America Modern Times: The World from the 20s to the 90s The Painter's Chair: George Washington and the Making of American Art Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist God's Battalions: The Case for the Crusades A Journey: My Political Life

Comments Showing 1-16 of 16 (16 new)

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message 1: by Bentley (last edited Oct 26, 2011 12:56PM) (new)

Bentley Mod
Folks, please make one selection of your choice. I know that there are plenty of these books that you might want to read or have read; but we want to gain input from everyone as to the one that you think would be the best first choice. We prioritize the next list of books discussed by the number of votes any one book has gotten. If a book gets no votes, it ends up at the bottom of the list. So don't let this happen to a choice of yours or one that you think would be or is a great book.

One of our rules is that everyone votes in the polls; it really helps the group select books which are more in line with the group's tastes and remember if you do not see a book you like here; then just nominate it and I will add it.

There will be other polls because the lists are just too long and cumbersome to fit all of the books recommended on one poll.

Thanks ahead of time.

Bentley


message 2: by Bentley (last edited Oct 27, 2011 03:56AM) (new)

Bentley Mod
Thank you Tim and Simon for your votes. As well as Emily, Aussie Rick, Geevee, Jill, Sera, Theresa, Tom, Elizabeth S and Christopher.


message 3: by Alisa (new)

Alisa Wow, what a list! A lot of great choices on here. Will have to think about this selection.


message 4: by Bentley (last edited Oct 26, 2011 01:20PM) (new)

Bentley Mod
Alisa wrote: "Wow, what a list! A lot of great choices on here. Will have to think about this selection."

Yes, there are quite a few great ones here. I have and had even too many for this one poll. I would like to have a poll on world history books as well as Health, Medicine and Science and quite a few other topical areas to vary the discussions.


message 5: by Doug (new)

Doug DePew I saw a pretty easy pick. One of them was right up my alley.


message 6: by Shannon (new)

Shannon One of the books on this poll is one that I tried to read this summer, because of its unusual perspective. It's not at all readable. It also hasn't received any votes, so. I don't want to say which it is, not wishing to sway any votes.

Other than that book, this was a REALLY difficult choice!


message 7: by Bentley (new)

Bentley Mod
Doug wrote: "I saw a pretty easy pick. One of them was right up my alley."

Doug, I am glad that you found a favorite pick.


message 8: by Bentley (new)

Bentley Mod
Shannon wrote: "One of the books on this poll is one that I tried to read this summer, because of its unusual perspective. It's not at all readable. It also hasn't received any votes, so. I don't want to say wh..."

I know there were tons of great ones. But I am hoping that we get tons of votes so that we can see a representative spread of those that we can add to the queue and those that have no interest. Thank you for voting.


message 9: by Alisa (new)

Alisa It was hard to choose, and the book I selected is one I intend to read in any event, but so are many other books on this list. I keep checking back to see what is in the lead because I am so interested and will likely participate in the read no matter what is selected. I truly hope a lot of people vote. We have a diverse membership and it will be fun and interesting to see what garners the most interest.


message 10: by Bentley (last edited Oct 30, 2011 03:15PM) (new)

Bentley Mod
And if everybody votes, anything could happen in this poll and the others. A whole new list could blossom.

Also, folks one of our rules and guidelines is that group members are responsive to polls and event notifications - only takes a couple of seconds to respond and it does not oblige you in any way; it just helps out the group.


message 11: by Bentley (last edited Nov 14, 2011 10:23AM) (new)

Bentley Mod
Thanks for voting Kris, Jami. Jason, Cheryl, Heather, Susan, Simran, Time, nat, John, Steven, another Steven, O'Rissa, Judy, Rachael, Wilson, another John, Kay, Dana, Faltar, Lynette, Joe, Ryan, Irina, Emy, Andrei, Thom, Sridatta, Diana S, Jerri, Adam, Sharon, Garret, Lindsay, Debye, Frank H,. Camden, Andrea, James, Matt, Kathy, Dory, Rick, Shannon, Suzy, Glenda, another Rick, Basia Rebecca, Jim, Lisa, Kevin, Deane, K.P., Morgan, Vicki, Patrick, Don, Eugenie, David, Paul, Donald, Brett, Robert, Catherine Elizabeth, Gokham, McKris10, Kurt, Cheryl, Marie-aimee, Evan, Grace, Krystal, Jodean, Linda, Lynne, Nora, Jackie, Patrick, Peggy, Zeljika, Donegal Sharon, Aloha, George, Liz, Sally, Alisa, Allison, Teerabhat, Jason, Carol, Alias Reader, kathy F, Ahari, Vera, Amy, Phil, Bryan, Veronika, Kafkas, Lisa, Sandrie, Sherry, Kimberly, Sherry, Kimberly, Barbm1020, Erick, Hubert, Toni, Rodney, Rose Ann, Lucy, Andre, Deb, Jemidae, Singleton, Paul Pezter, Johna, Velvetink, Robin, Chris. Patrickrk. Also thanks to Kazimiera and Zeeshan, Hubert Collene. Rubio, Donald, Kristin, and Laura, Blackkit10, Victoria, Travis and Chelsea.

Also thank you Kim, Kravita, Mary Ellen, Comicfairy, Sid, Robert, Louisa, Carrey, Bill, Scott, keres, Dean, Cheryl, Mark, Gavin, E.c., Becky, Vince, Barry, Marcus, Jacob, Robyn, Karen, Scott, Kathy, Dawn, Barbara, Allison. Mark. Kevin, Amir, Jeffrey, Jim, Ian, John, Diane


message 12: by Bentley (last edited Oct 31, 2011 06:37AM) (new)

Bentley Mod
Shannon wrote: "One of the books on this poll is one that I tried to read this summer, because of its unusual perspective. It's not at all readable. It also hasn't received any votes, so. I don't want to say wh..."

Shannon, do you want to tell us which book you found unreadable. It would be good for folks to know. Not that it would sway votes, does it still have no votes at this time?


message 13: by Vincent (new)

Vincent So many choices - I am behind

I choose Cleopatra as it is on my list and my wife read it last year so it is available as well as a couple of "reference" books about Cleopatra I got for her.

But there are so many intriguing choices that I went for the easiest


message 14: by Bentley (new)

Bentley Mod
Well it will all work out because for sure; it appears we will eventually be reading your choice. (smile)


message 15: by Diane (new)

Diane G. So many fascinating choices! My ultimate pick is sitting solidly in the middle, so maybe we'll get to it another day, but my other top 2 choices are in or near double-digit territory, so I'm happy, no matter what!


message 16: by Bentley (new)

Bentley Mod
Good for you Diane; glad that your choices are making it to the top of your list.


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Tacman 565 books
4 friends
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Destiny Disrupted A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary by Tami


Jim 426 books
73 friends
voted for:
Hero The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia by Michael Korda by Mich


Christopher 1455 books
278 friends
voted for:
Civilization The West and the Rest by Niall Ferguson by Niall Ferguson


Rachael C. 2948 books
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Cleopatra A Life by Stacy Schiff Stacy Schiff Stac


Shari 204 books
43 friends
voted for:
Modern Times The World from the 20s to the 90s by Paul Johnson by Paul Johnson


Kathy 2390 books
189 friends
voted for:
The Clockwork Universe Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World by Edward Dolnick by Edwar


nat 1138 books
1 friend
voted for:
Alexander the Great by Philip Freeman by Phil


Cate 1477 books
41 friends
voted for:
The Storm of War A New History of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts by Andr


Adam 169 books
0 friends
voted for:
A Country of Vast Designs James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent by Robert W. Merry by Robe


Chris 21 books
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voted for:
A Country of Vast Designs James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent by Robert W. Merry by Robe


Wilson 2003 books
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voted for:
The Storm of War A New History of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts by Andr


J. Scott 331 books
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The Storm of War A New History of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts by Andr


James 193 books
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voted for:
Alexander the Great by Philip Freeman by Phil


Faltar 1996 books
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voted for:
God's Battalions The Case for the Crusades by Rodney Stark Rodney Stark Rodn


Donald 484 books
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voted for:
Horse Soldiers The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan by Doug Stanton by Doug


John 541 books
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voted for:
Horse Soldiers The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan by Doug Stanton by Doug


Joella 4457 books
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Gokhan 1045 books
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A Country of Vast Designs James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent by Robert W. Merry by Robe


Mark 607 books
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Marie-aimée 1399 books
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Phil 1775 books
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Cheryl 4565 books
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John 548 books
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