I agree. A number of times I have seen a film and then read the book it was based on and discovered the book is so much better. Ladies and gennelmen, as evidence, I give you: The Count of Monte Cristo. The film is incredibly tame compared to the book. The book has romance, mystery, humour, murder, kidnap, sex, drugs and many many other things that modern writers believe that they invented.

Sorry Boffy,

But that comment was really unfair, this isnt supposed to be a flame me thread.
Calling someone ignorant just because they dont read "your" type of book is just plain trolling.

I read a lot of fiction, but non-fiction book are very good too!

I would suggest that you follow your own advice,

& certainly do so before you call somebody else ignorant because of their literary preferances.

I have read and re-read my Sherlock Holmes (in two vols: Bantam classic) so many times that the book is frayed and torn...

But even in Sherlock Holmes, the novels are much better than the short stories.

And yes, the Valley of Fear is the best novel of them all! If you haven't read it, read it now!!!! It's one of the greatest thrillers written by one of the masters. The atmosphere that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle builds up in this gripping tale of a terrible secret society is simply superb!

Hi Harishankar,

You seem to like Arthur C Doyle, but have you ever read books by Jean Ray, a Begian author, dead a few decades ago ?

If you like Doyle's Style of novels, I recommend you read "Malpertuis", a gripping book about the fate of ancient gods..but read it and you'll discover a truly masterpiece.

Also try Orace Walpole's The castle of Otranto, and closer to our times, why not trying Tim Powers's THe Anubis Gates, well worth a reading as well.

Cheers !

I read all sorts of books. Both fiction and non fiction. I also read alot of technical books and always l.ike to have reference books for programming and the like. My favourite fiction author would have to be Terry Pratchett, although my all time favourite book is Apollo 13 by Jim Lovell and jeffrey Kluger.

Current reads: Linux Firewalls/The Art of Assembly Language/A Walk in the Woods (Bill Bryson)/This month's Linux Magazine "Tech Support" (Jeremy Garcia)

All time favorite: Hemingway

No. I haven't yet. But thanks for pointing out the author. It's amazing what a lot of information you people can give me! That's the best part of a website like this: a rich variety of views, opinions and information.

I like the online community.

Ok, perhaps ignorant was a harsh word. But none the less I think people who don't even bother to read a book and just assume that the film is better are missing out.

The same way that people look at a screenshot of linux and say there and then windows is better.

I only read books that have pictures in them.

I only read books that have pictures in them. (sorry for posting two times, connection problems).

One of the most detailed, historical and accurate books on the history of Adolf Hilter and the Third Reich is by William Shirer, the book is called
"The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich"

It's a monster size book all of 1500 odd pages, but it's a must-read for students of history and those deeply interested in a detailed and intimate history of Hitler's life and the history of Germany during his lifetime.

The book is totally unemotional in character and contains a lot of footnotes and references. I don't know if the book is still in print, but I have an old yellowing copy of it and it's a must read!!!

Enders Game

I like Arthur C Clarke's stuff but my favourite book is Contact by Carl Sagan

last book I read was from John Grisham. really good stuff, but I also like stephen king. most funny books I've read is written by douglas adams (the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy), it's a trilogy in five parts... for anyone with an understanding of real english humor that's a must hmm I'm dutch, guess I missed a few jokes too

greetz,
.-=~ iluvatar ~=-.