This book was also out of what I would normally read, but I really enjoyed it and found it to be a quick enjoyable read. When purchasing it I had the option of only getting the first book for $15 or buying all 5 for $18 - so I elected to spend $18 and get all five novels in one volume and hoped that...

Hi Giselle, I also enjoyed the character of Slartibartfast. He did appear to be a 'god-like' character. I did enjoy that in the end he got back at the mice by letting Arthur and the group use his vehicle to get back to the Heart of Gold and he provided some guidance along the way as to which button ...

I also love reading history and depending on the topic would rather read the primary sources (diaries, speeches) than just the historian's opinion. But there are some great historians out there and definitely some books worth reading. On the topic of Lincoln I would suggest two - This Fiery Trial: T...

Thanks Suzanne. You included some great info on The Hobbit and fairies. In reading your comments about fairies it reminded me of the fairies in the Sookie Stackhouse novels written by Charlaine Harris, where some can be beautiful and appealing but others are mean and nasty with razor sharp teeth and...

I have not finished reading the book so I will refrain from commenting on that at this point, but I did read Rand's address to her readers before starting it. I did not take Rand's statement "No one helped me, nor did I think at any time that it was anyone's duty to help me" as her dishono...

Hi Landroid, I think the quotes you highlight about manipulating the government being more profitable than working is what is slowly making the earth stop in this book. As more and more people stop working and rely on the government they are running out of natural resources and ways to make money, n...

I have enjoyed up to this point the machines with personalities, particularly the Eddie the shipboard computer who remains cheerful despite Zaphod repeatedly yelling at him. Marvin is interesting in that he is a machine that is depressed and like many people who suffer from depression he is pretty m...

Hi Pres, I see what your saying that Akston has disappeared at least to society but he has disappeared because they no longer value independent thinking or really thinking at all. He has given up the fight as hopeless while Dagny and Rearden are still trying. I'm assuming in vain but will know soon ...

Thanks Giselle and Mary that your posts on the ship gave me a new perspective on the ship and the author's intent. This is my first time reading Adams and I'm enjoying his humor so far there are some things I had not really pieced together until reading your posts. Like in the first thread, I have t...

Last time, I swear. The info on the two books I mentioned that were suggested in the October list. Susan Heiman's "Evil in Modern Thought: an alternative history of philosophy" http://www.amazon.com/Evil-Modern-Thought-Alternative-Philosophy/dp/0691117926/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350188...