We are seven handsome and charming* guys who meet at a different restaurant every month or so, having read a book in common, and discuss whatever we want--generally the assigned book, but usually many other timely topics as well. We rotate the responsibility to suggest titles, but the group has the final say. Our book club rules: 1) Anything goes, fiction or nonfiction; 2) paperbacks are preferred; and 3) staying under 300 pages is desirable (N.B., we violate this one all the time). We rate all books and restaurants on a 5-point scale.

* All other adjectives were vetoed.

September 19, 2006

The Future of Life by Edward O. Wilson (Caspian Bistro)

We didn't do our best job of scheduling this month: only three of us showed up. But we had a nice dinner at Caspian Bistro (except for the lack of wine which we solved by sending Phil down to the local wine shop to buy a couple of bottles of Merlot). Edward O. Wilson's book, the Future of Life, got very good reviews for a well written scientific analysis and mini-polemic. Wilson is mainly concerned about the negative impact of humans on natural habitat and biodiversity. We talked about picking a piece of classic fiction for the next book and mentioned Melville, Hemingway, and Crane. We chose Crane's Red Badge of Courage. Meeting date: Tuesday, October 17. Bill is on deck to suggest the following book.