Comments on: WAR AND PEACE OF MIND

By: Jakob S,

Jakob S, — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:47:39 +0000

No I haven’t read any of Jane Austen’s books. I might go to Stanford, UC Berkely, UCLA, Cal Poly, USC, MIT, Washington University, or San Diego State. I’ve read many great books against the theory of evolution, such as: In the Beginning, Doubts about Creation not After This, The Evolution Handbook, Darwin on Trial, In Six Days, and I’ve watched many videos by Dr. Kent Hovind against evolution.

I enjoy reading, so are there any books that should be on my “To do list”?

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:44:45 +0000

Thank you Jakob S. You certainly have a lot of great literature under your belt, (not Harry Potter, that’s not great literature.)

What have you read against the theory of evolution?
What University will you attend?
No Austen?

By: Jakob S

Jakob S — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:00:53 +0000

Well, since you asked Ann, I’ll respond. I have read most of Alexander Dumas’ writings, Victor Hugo’s writings, Jules Verne’s writings, Mark Twain’s writings, and William Shakespeare’s writings. I’ve read all the Harry Potter sequences, I’ve read the Holy Bible numerous times, I’ve read many great astronomical books written by Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton. I’ve read many great philosophy books like Sophie’s World and the Irrational Man. I’ve read many history novels such as A World Lit Only by Fire. I’ve read many books regarding the argument for and against the theory of evolution. As for the last 2 years, I’ve spent a great deal of time studying and actually reading Math books. What I mean by that is that I would open the textbook for a certain class, and just read it as a novel, understanding everything in great detail. Now I am actually planning on challenging a few courses at my University, even though I’m still in High School.

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:42:15 +0000

Oh my, Jakob, you are only 16? What other great books have you read?

By: Jakob S,

Jakob S, — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:20:41 +0000

War and Peace is actually the best novel I’ve ever read in my life. I enjoyed the movie as well. I read the book when I was only 10 years old, and the book blew my mind away. I was amazed at the way Leo Tolstoy expressed Russia’s history in a novel. Now I am 16 years old, and I have read many other great novels since, but War and Peace has no comparison. I guess that’s why they call it The Greatest Novel Ever Written.

PS. I plan on reading it again maybe in the Summer of 2010.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:55:39 +0000

Thanks so much everyone who commented or complimented on my story. I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I’ve put War and Peace to bed and started to read Succulent Wild Woman by SARK! Now that’s what I call a shift!

Thanks again,
Kimberly

By: brenda

brenda — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:22:01 +0000

Hey Kim,
You are funny! I like the idea of shifting goals to simplify your life. It is amazing how we can ‘lock’ ourselves into ideas of what we need to do in order to be worthy, to fit in or what society often implies makes more of a complete person. I am not sure if this is the exact message that you wanted to deliver, but it lead me down that windy avenue of thought s.
Yes, drink port, eat cheese, read Jane Austin. Fill you boots with what makes you happiest.

By: Jennie

Jennie — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:07:19 +0000

I remember reading A Tale of Two Cities a long time ago (probably in the 10th grade like Jasmin!), and while it was boring and silly at times (Dickens sure loved maudlin deathbed scenes with children, didn't he?), the ending made me sob. For that reason alone I must give it props. Ann, do you have a suggested starting place with Hardy? I think we've talked about him before; I'm afraid of him because I've heard he's depressing. whosMindingtheKids, I love the movie version of Doctor Zhivago! Just adore it. I do intend to read the book some day; it's encouraging to hear that you liked that better than the movie. I agree that it's sort of meandering but I find it romantic and moving and sad, and I like the way it juxtaposes the larger story of the Russian Revolution against these very intimate stories of individual lives.

By: whosMindingtheKids

whosMindingtheKids — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:33:33 +0000

War and Peace is a great novel. If you can get past chapter two you will be hooked. I read it for the second time (first in college) a couple years back. It’s one where you feel like you know these people intimately by the time you are through, not disimilar to an Austen novel in that sense. Don’t read it because you feel you have to, to be well read – there are so many great books out there – but it’s worth it (maybe take it as your “on the plane” book, about six round trips to Europe and you’ll be finished! But the history of Russia is fascinating and that period will never return, nor anything like it, it’s unique among nations, the way they were organized and lived.

I had the “OMG will this movie never end” experience with Dr Zhivago although I liked the book, I hated the ending, and the movie just seemed to go on and on. It’s weird with the Russian stuff, there’s something about Russian history that just lends itself to a long telling.

By: Iris

Iris — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:16:02 +0000

Kim,
I loved your story!! I think you are the only one who could inject humor into War & Peace.
You are so talented. I hope you share more of your wonderful stories with the readers on this site. I look forward to reading more.
Congratulations.
Iris