Books: Fiction or Non-Fiction?

[Fixated]

I prefer non-fiction: I love facts and statistics and hard arguments. Fiction seems to vague that it never leads to anything big.

[DODI]

1. Non-Fiction or good historical fiction

Also, I do love my Russian novelists (I tend to live in the 19th century as far as fiction goes)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. Me too-non-fiction or historical fiction

and I like 19th and 20th century Russian lit.

I read an excellent fictional autobiography of Stalin a few years back called, appropriately, "The Autobiography of Joseph Stalin"
by Richard Lourie. Very interesting.

[Bertha Venation]

2. Both.

I'll read anything but smut, "romance," violence, and most fantasy.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. History, mystical writings

I especially like reading Civil War history and also the writings of Sufi mystics, including Haz. Inayat Khan, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, and Idris Shah.

[Martin Eden]

6. Civil War history

Last year I finished Shelby Foote's trilogy, then in June I visited some of the Virginia battlefields. I read aloud his passage on the incredible fighting at Spottsylvania's Bloody Angle as I stood at the spot; it brought tears to my eyes.

It's incredible what humans are capable of, and what they can endure.

[Faygo Kid]

12. I'm with you - hope you have read Bruce Catton

He is the best; A Stillness at Appomattox changed my life. Also, Battle Cry of Freedom (by McPherson) is an unbelievably fine work that really explores the causes and motivations of the war. I too visited Spotsylvania this past summer. I have been to many battlefields and other Civil War sites; how people cannot be interested in the Civil War is mystifying to me.

[Martin Eden]

14. I'm still looking forward to Reading Catton

But right now I'm totally immersed in politics, and I'm backlogged.

Nevertheless, just recently I found the time to visit the Chicago Historical Society for the first time (which is inexcusable -- I've lived in the Chicago area my whole life), and I was surprised and thrilled to find the marble-topped table from the McClean house upon which Grant and Lee signed the surrender terms.

Also on display was Lincoln's death bed from across the street from Ford's theater, and a life mask (replica of a plaster molding) that was made a few weeks before his assassination. And featured that day was an acting historian who had a strong resonant voice and a striking resemblance to the historical figure he portrayed -- Frederick Douglas.

If I had to be a perpetual student and could study only one subject, it would definitely be history. It's not only fascinating, it's vital to understanding today's world. Too bad so many of our fellow citizens do not share this interest.

P.S.
On my Virginia vacation I also visited the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, and took the tour of the Confederate White House next door. I highly highly recommend both!

[Faygo Kid]

15. Good to find a kindred spirit! Have you been to Springfield?

I never have, and it's on my list, along with the Lincoln museum in Fort Wayne. Been to the Confederate White House and Museum of the Confederacy, though. Put Appomattox on your list; great restoration. Won't even start to list the battlefields, but will recommend a trip to Lexington, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley - Lee, Jackson, VMI, Gen. George Marshall museum - all there. What a beautiful place to visit. And take a break from politics and read Catton. Perspective is vital, too!

[terrya]

5. Ficton, overall.

I'm beginning to read the classics I've skipped. I've gotten a new edition of Swann's Way, and Don Quixote. Plus some others I bought at a used book sale at the local library branch.

I love journeying into worlds I've never known. That's fiction.

[Piperay]

7. Both...

it depends on the mood I am in.

[SheilaT]

8. Both.

In recent years I've been reading much more nonfiction than fiction, but I love both. I read almost everything except Westerns and Romance and high fantasy.

[Interrobang]

9. Yes.

In the hackish sense of the word... ;-)

[populistmom]

10. I read mostly non-fiction

I tend to like fiction primarily from one specific type of genre, but when time isn't a hindrance, I can be open to many things.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. I read everything

There's not a lot I won't try. :)

[beyurslf]

13. I like non fiction. Read some occassional fiction book