Lori Recommends
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 5 months ago
An informative history of the world through the history of trade. It affects more than you might think. Great for people who have never read about economics. Many parallels between today and 400, 300, 200, etc. years ago.
Good maps.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 6 months ago
"The Edukators" Interesting and completely non-Hollywood look at the complete alienation of young people with (apparently) no future. It's also a romance, drama, and adventure. This probably rings more true in the USA today, than when it was made. Lots of ideas to think about.
I would rate it higher but the sound and production can make it difficult. Streaming sound reported horrible, use DVD
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 8 months ago
I really don't get most 'hard bop' music, but before Miles went hard bop there was 'cool'. Try "Complete Birth of the Cool".
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 8 months ago
If you are interested in American music, you should watch, and listen, to this. Lot's of great music is played and the DVD has a feature that let's you find out where the track comes from. A CD set of the music is also available.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 8 months ago
THE film documenter of America. From the Civil War to modern baseball he has studied and put on film the soul of America.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 8 months ago
One of the greatest jazz musicians. Incredible trumpet, and a good tunesmith. Watch Ken Burn's "Jazz" for more. You have to listen for yourself.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 8 months ago
One of the greatest jazz musicians. Often overlooked today because his influence is so pervasive people think he's old-fashioned, which is like saying Shakespeare has too many trite phrases. Also he grew and changed his whole career, so try various decades.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 8 months ago
Not just techie stuff, also the stuff that geeks (or the geek in you) just love. Zombie slippers, Han Solo ice cube tray, laser guided scissors, and much more!
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 8 months ago
Interesting and fairly short history of environmentalism and how we define "nature". Although focused on the Bay Area (California) it applies everywhere.
Raises many more questions than it answers.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 8 months ago
I want one! Too bad it's only a concept for now. If they make it, I will come (and buy it).
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
It's more challenging than solitaire and there's no time pressure. Also each game is fairly short (at least to start with).
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
Incredible songs that draw you in. Shindell writes about jobs and situations of today.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
Beautiful voice, haunting words, memorable music. "Impossible Dream" is my favorite album. 'Heavenly Day', 'Love Throws a Line' and 'Useless Desires' my favorite songs.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
They often have what I want. Their recommending algorithm is pretty good, although they often recommend more of the same.
It's not Itunes (always a plus for me). No DRM (copy protection).
If I can't find it on emusic, I'll try here.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
I REALLY dislike their copy protection policies (DRM). Out to rule the world. Too 'hip'.
Some artists are only available here, so I have to use it.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
The reason the internet was invented. Lots and lots of music: independent artists, oldies, jazz, classical, world. Still the best deal out there. It also has a good recommending algorithm. Most importantly it has a great group of editors who spend time making lists and writing well about why they like what they like.
Cons: some tracks appear, then disappear, especially if from other countries.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
Japanese name, VERY English style of writing (Remains of the Day). Most (maybe all) of his work can be read on multiple levels, tragedy, comedy, social commentary, what it means to be human.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
The best writer of 19th century England. Still read and enjoyed. His style and content are generally derided today (too sappy, too moralistic, too romantic, also too wordy) but he is great at it. If you want less sugar try 'Great Expectations'.
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
Not just great science fiction (space opera is new term) but he also writes regular fiction, mostly set in Scotland. These books are equally great. To distinguish, the Iain M. Banks books are sci-fi, the Iain Banks books (no M) are fiction. There are a few crossover novels (Transition in particular).
Definitely one of the best writers working today (not just sci-fi).
lorireeser recommended this 1 year, 11 months ago
There's a reason they keep remaking her books into movies. Austen is the expert at complicated plotting that looks simple. Her language is extraordinarily tuned, each character has his or her own 'voice'. Although she wrote about a limited social group (mostly 'middle-class' women getting married) her writing transcends the genre and still rings true today.