Art Bell just completed an interview with Steve Shenk, CEO of the J. Michael Stevens Group, a long-term food storage supplier. Nothing new for the Y2K-weary, but I'm an Art Bell junkie - never miss a show. BTW, all his shows are archived here:

Broadcast.com Art Bell Archives

I'm currently reading, among other things, Down & Out in the Great Depression - Letters From the Forgotten Man. A sobering selection of letters written to FDR, Mrs. FDR & others in the administration by folks from all strata of America. I've found reading about the Great Depression has helped to give me a better understanding of the possibilities that Y2K holds for us in the coming years. Also helps to awaken my sometimes sleeping gratitude for the wonderful life I lead!

Another book to look for is by John Kenneth Galbraith, The Great Crash 1929. I had no idea this legendary economist wrote with such a dry sense of humor! For those of you wary of anything written by an economist, don't you worry. This is an easy read. A background in economics is not necessary.

Used bookstores are a great source of books & magazines for those of us with a thrifty streak a mile wide. ;-) I recently picked up some two dozen Mother Earth News circa mid-1970's for a song. My Bingo1 Y2K Memorial Library now contains upwards of one hundred book titles, all garnered at significant discount thank you very much. I can't bring myself to fork over $15-$25 for a new book. Sticker shock!

I'd like to know which periodicals are sitting on your nightstands. Anyone else compiling a Y2K library?

Peace to All,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), May 14, 1999

Answers

Currently wading through "Unintended Consequences", the James Wesley, Rawles patriots novel, "y2k" by Don Tiggre and "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. Should keep me busy for a while but this addictive forum keeps butting in :)

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 14, 1999.

Right now I'm reading Only Yesterday - An Informal History of the 1920's by Frederick Lewis Allen (originally published in 1931). Sometime in the near future I'd to read Nightfall by Isaac Asimov again. I probably haven't read Nightfall since I was about 14.

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), May 14, 1999.

Anybody interested in Nightfall should read the original, out- of-print short story before it got rewritten as a novel with Robert Silverberg. Some reviews from Amazon.com:

[snip]

Synopsis

These two renowned writers have invented a world not unlike our own-- a world on the edge of chaos, torn between the madness of religious fanaticism and the stubborn denial of scientists. Only a handful of people on the planet Lagash are prepared to face the truth--that their six suns are setting all at once for the first time in 2,000 years, signaling the end of civilization!.

Synopsis

Imagine living on a planet with six suns, never experiencing darkness. Then one by one, the suns set, and light gradually gives way to the terror of unexperienced darkness. 4 cassettes. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Comments

[snip]

A noted classic in science fiction, "Nightfall" by Asimov (the short story first printed in 1941) is a gripping, detailed look at a planet and the nightmare of an eclipse every 2049 years.

[snip]

this is not a science-fiction in the true and traditional sense of the word, the imagination is mind boggling, a planet with no night, no stars, and what happens when once in 2000 years there is an eclipse. a land which has never seen darkness, and never felt the need for artifical lighting, suddenly experience darkness.

[snip]

The SF novel Nightfall. . . . is placed on a six-sun planet where the population does not know darkness. Nightfall is a mysterious, well written book with interesting parallels to our planet earth, take for example the cult of the Apostles of Flame. Scientists find out that on the 19th of Theptar their planet Kalgash will become darkened by another invisible planet. This only happens every 2049 years because only then one sun - Dovim - will be shining. That4s why some scientists, archeologists and maths students as well as psychologists and journalists start to work together. Nightfall is an exciting new story and not an old-fashioned one like "Aliens come to earth... "

[snip]

"Darkness is more than most of us can handle, and that4s never going to change so long as we4ve got a sun left burning in the sky." This sentence expresses the main theme of the book Nightfall written by Asimov. . . . The story takes place in an alien world named Kalgash, which has a lot of parallels to our planet earth. On Kalgash, scientists and religious fanatics unite to predict an eclipse and total darkness - something that is unthinkable because the six suns of Kalgash constantly illuminate all corners of the known world. For the reader it4s easy to imagine how things work on this world, because the book is written in such a real way. Besides, it is thrilling to see how different scientists come together to one conclusion and one destiny.

[snip]

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), May 14, 1999.

Er, not to be too boring, how about the BIBLE??? It's got a great finish and I think we're getting close.

-- ben (benalurker@usa.net), May 14, 1999.

Hmmmm....

Countrysides Mag., poultry hatchery catalogs and seed catalogs, nursing books (studying for my R.N.). As much as I used to love to read SF, Fantasy, Ludlum, etc....there just doesn't seem to be much time to do it guilt free. Must be the goats, chickens, garden 2 1/2 y.o. son, etc....

Must admit I haven't bought a single Y2k video or book - am saturated enough with the internet - didn't need much convincing to G.I.. Will pick up the 1929 and notes to FDR mentioned above. The little I have read about the crash of '29 makes today seem like deja vu.

Bye!

-- Kristi (securx@Succeed.Net), May 14, 1999.

Good point Ben :-)

Went to the library yesterday, lets see...goats, chickens, rabbits and compost...borrowed. Can't afford to buy books, will type notes on things I may need to recall later regarding homemade feed receipts and medical care.

Purchased at library for $.25 each in book sale...World Atlas, 1974; 3 first aid books/medical encyclopedias; "Living on a Few Acres" by USDA, 1978 and "Raising Small Livestock" from Rodale Press, 1974. Oh and also "and more by Andy Rooney" and $.10 for the "DuPont Magazine", Number One, 1999. Had a y2k article in it. Not bad for a $1.85...well, I did waste the $.10 :-)

-- Lilly (homesteader145@yahoo.com), May 14, 1999.

Bingo, 1925-1999 SRMs, all of them, plus everything else ever published by same, looking forward to that aspect of Y2K ;^)

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), May 14, 1999.

I would (greatly!) enjoy reading your snippets and thoughts about the various Depression readings. I haven't had time to look into this, but have wanted to get a couple good books. Today, I should be finishing, "How to Raise a Puppy," by the Monks of New Skete. The first puppy should be here in a few days and so I am trying to puppy-proof the house. I have two other dog books on the nightstand, and then I look forward to reading other things. Last week, I skimmed over the Cold Cellar Storage book and a Water Storage Book and this got me thinking about how I might dig a couple holes. Right now, I am also working on a firewood rack and looking for places or people that can provide me cured hardwood firewood for a decent price. Between work, the rack, and reading, Finding time to write much here is also more difficult.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 14, 1999.

Stan on the rack ... ;^)

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), May 14, 1999.

Andy: Atlas Shrugged is one long, cold bucket of water over the head! Read it last summer & I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.

Kristi: The only Y2K-oriented book I've purchased is the one by our fearless founder. It is a really good way to bring the subject to the attention of Y2K newbies - if they take the time to read it. The Galbraith book is easy to find in used bookstores.

Stan: Looks likes we have much to discuss at the Yourdonite gatherings this month. I will be purchasing at least 4 cords in the next month or so. Seasoned hardwood is available for around $60/full cord if you pick it up, $80-$95/ delivered locally (Northern Shenandoah Valley). My guess is it is significantly more expensive out your way. Be very careful of taking delivery without inspecting the load first. I've been burned, so to speak, twice by firewood sellers. Caveat emptor & all that!

Puppies!!! I love puppies!!! Don't mention puppies to me at the May 20th meeting. You'll never get me to shut-up!

Peace to All,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), May 14, 1999.

"Art Bell just completed an interview with Steve Shenk, CEO of the J. Michael Stevens Group, a long-term food storage supplier. Nothing new for the Y2K-weary, but I'm an Art Bell junkie - never miss a show. BTW, all his shows are archived here: "

Ah yes...good old Art Bell. Had Robert "I can't even when the sun is coming up" Hoagland lately?

I listend to Art Bell every night for a few months...then I realized that he doesn't even believe half the stuff he puts on the air.

-- Art Truly Is Scum (nolonger@likesart.com), May 14, 1999.

Just finished "How to Raise Your Puppy" and I'm moving on to "People, Pooches & Problems" by Job Evans as I recite my new dog-dominance mantra, "I'm ALPHA!" Tonight, I'll spend a few hours in the pet store. The firewood rack is done and I am beat. Talk about the rack! (smile) Actually, I am terribly out of shape. Don't know how I'm going to dig!

I like the New Monks of Skete book on puppy raising. One shouldn't get a puppy if one isn't prepared to feed, water, shelter, and love that dog until it dies. Of course, I expect my new dogs to pull their own weight as adults. I don't have need for a purely companion dog, but do look forward to their companionship, loyalty, love, and committment to their work. Next week should be interesting with both the get together and the crate training. I will let you all know which was more fun.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 14, 1999.

Dear "Art is Truly.." How about the other half of his (Art Bell's) shows?

-- A (A@AisA.com), May 14, 1999.

Someone said: "I listend to Art Bell every night for a few months...then I realized that he doesn't even believe half the stuff he puts on the air."

Feel free to turn the dial! How many times has he stated that each listener is responsible for making up his/her own mind on what is presented? Art's opinion is irrelevant.

IMO, Art's show is greatly entertaining. I enjoy his sense of humor. He loves to laugh & so do I. Likewise, my interests are often mirrored by the guests he interviews.

His skills as an interviewer, regardless of the topic, are superb. Furthermore, his commercials are positioned so that he has a block of 20-22 minutes, uninterrupted, each half hour to devote to the subject at hand. No sound bytes.

Art began covering Y2K last May. One year ago. How many other major media outlets can claim this?

Lastly, Art Bell treats guests & callers alike with respect.

Just trying to give another viewpoint, folks!

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), May 14, 1999.