So... what are you reading?

**Walkman** · 15th February 17, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

The Marija Gimbutas "Kurgan" theory?

"The problem of Indo-European origins" is very tricky, with much evidence on both sides. I go with the Colin Renfrew side, the language of first farmers replacing that of hunter-gatherers, as it has done in so many other parts of the world.

Hi Richard,

I just ran across your comment on The Horse, the Wheel and Language ..., by David W. Anthony. Recent DNA studies on ancient remains appear to confirm the Pontic Steppe theory. You may find the article at the link attached below of interest if you haven't already seen it.

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/...ine-and-russia

**GMan** · 28th February 17, 06:19 AM

Beowulf the Seamus Heany translation

**Jack Daw** · 28th February 17, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by Walkman

I'm reading Steel Bonnets, The Story of the Anglo-Scottish Border Reivers by George MacDonald Fraser.

I read this book about 17 years ago. It was a fun read. I'm a big fan of GMF's MacNeil/MacAuslan series of stories. If you are a particular fan of his, I recommend an autobiography he wrote of his time during WWII, "Quartered Safe Out Here". That was sobering.

**GMan** · 6th March 17, 06:16 AM

J.R.R. Tolkien's
The Hobbit

**Tarheel** · 6th March 17, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by GMan

J.R.R. Tolkien's
The Hobbit

The wife and I have both read this (and the Trilogy) four times. The first time was 1972 for each of us. A well written story never grows old during review.

**GMan** · 7th March 17, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

The wife and I have both read this (and the Trilogy) four times. The first time was 1972 for each of us. A well written story never grows old during review.

No it doesn't. Still debating with myself about rereading the Trilogy.

**estimaa** · 7th March 17, 12:38 PM

I WROTE to JRR Tolkien when I was in school and he wrote back.

He did make it clear in the letter,- never in his life would he have permitted the L-O-R even to be serialised never mind be turned to some Hollywood rubbish, as he was pretty upset with the BBC when they turned out even the radio version.

**ThistleDown** · 16th March 17, 08:57 PM

Thus far in March:

'The Scottish Pioneers of Upper Canada'. Lucille H Campney.
'His Bloody Project: Documents Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae'. Edit: Graeme Macrae Burnet.
'The North Water'. Ian McGuire.

Already on the shelf and looking forward to:
'Back Currents". Alastair Macleod.
'Blacklight Blue'. Peter May.
'The Patrol: Seven Days in the Life of a Canadian Soldier on Afghanistan'. Ryan Flavelle.
'An Unstoppable Force: THe Scottish Exodus to Canada'. Lucille H Campney.
'After the Hector: The Scottish Pioneers of Nova Scotia'. Lucille H Campney.