Book recommendation - Page 2 - TheYellowCommunity.com - Valentino Rossi

thenumber46 · 29.09.2007, 05:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by seabiscuit81

This is a little extract of the book – hope I don’t break any law, so don’t tell anybody.

“When many Italians see a stoplight, their brain perceives no prohibition (Red! Stop! Do not pass!). Instead, they see a stimulus. OK, then. What kind of red is it? A pedestrian red? But it’s seven in the morning. There are no pedestrians about this early. That means it’s a negotiable red; it’s a “not-quite-red”. So we can go. Or is it a red at an intersection? What kind of intersection? You can see what’s coming here, and the road is clear. So it’s not a red, it’s an “almost red”, a “relative red.” What do we do? We think about it for a bit, then we go. ……
Almost everywhere on the planet, cars stop at pedestrian crossings, most of the time. But Italy is a special case. We have roads, which are crowded, and crossings with faded stripes, yet cars rarely stop. They accelerate past, slow down, or swerve. The cut behind, or flit in front of advancing pedestrians, who feel like matadors without a sword to stab the bulls.
Every so often some saint, fool, or foreigner actually stops. Watch what happens. Other drivers behind brake, and make their irritation abundantly clear. They nearly had an accident, and what for? A pedestrian, who might have had the good grace to wait until the road was clear. The pedestrian assumes a pathetic air or gratitude, forgetting that he or she is exercising a right.”

wow, looks like the italian r still living a bit in the barbarian time

. thanks for the excerpt, please supply us some more....

i don't read much books. one i can remember that made me laughing with cry was the fever pitch by nick hornby. it's an old book, but at that time i was so glad to know that others do experiences the same 'idiotcracy' when supporting the sport they love.

Jrcambs · 29.09.2007, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenumber46

wow, looks like the italian r still living a bit in the barbarian time

. thanks for the excerpt, please supply us some more....

i don't read much books. one i can remember that made me laughing with cry was the fever pitch by nick hornby. it's an old book, but at that time i was so glad to know that others do experiences the same 'idiotcracy' when supporting the sport they love.

I have the DVD for Fever pitch and it is soooo funny!

brubi46 · 30.09.2007, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by seabiscuit81

This is a little extract of the book – hope I don’t break any law, so don’t tell anybody.

“When many Italians see a stoplight, their brain perceives no prohibition (Red! Stop! Do not pass!). Instead, they see a stimulus. OK, then. What kind of red is it? A pedestrian red? But it’s seven in the morning. There are no pedestrians about this early. That means it’s a negotiable red; it’s a “not-quite-red”. So we can go. Or is it a red at an intersection? What kind of intersection? You can see what’s coming here, and the road is clear. So it’s not a red, it’s an “almost red”, a “relative red.” What do we do? We think about it for a bit, then we go. ……
Almost everywhere on the planet, cars stop at pedestrian crossings, most of the time. But Italy is a special case. We have roads, which are crowded, and crossings with faded stripes, yet cars rarely stop. They accelerate past, slow down, or swerve. The cut behind, or flit in front of advancing pedestrians, who feel like matadors without a sword to stab the bulls.
Every so often some saint, fool, or foreigner actually stops. Watch what happens. Other drivers behind brake, and make their irritation abundantly clear. They nearly had an accident, and what for? A pedestrian, who might have had the good grace to wait until the road was clear. The pedestrian assumes a pathetic air or gratitude, forgetting that he or she is exercising a right.”

That is sooo true! I felt like an indangered spieces walking aroud in Rome! I don't quite understand why they even bother puting up traffic lights

amonqk · 02.10.2007, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by seabiscuit81

Every so often some saint, fool, or foreigner actually stops. Watch what happens. Other drivers behind brake, and make their irritation abundantly clear. They nearly had an accident, and what for? A pedestrian, who might have had the good grace to wait until the road was clear. The pedestrian assumes a pathetic air or gratitude, forgetting that he or she is exercising a right.”

Yeah, it the same in my country....... a pedestrian, where?! I can`t see any pedestrians, then why should I stop......hmmmm I won`t stop...... ohhh yeah, now i can see one, well he can wait.................................. well it wasn`t my fault, he should`ve been more careful

My favourite book is quite not funny, but I love it- Heaven has no favorites by Remarque. Actually I like all Remarque`s books

Manders46 · 04.10.2007, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrcambs

I would have offered to send you my copy but it was a "Waterstones Airport Exclusive" from Stansted which meant that half the pages fell out as soon as I opened it so it is quite a delicate little document now.

How about getting it from the library - much cheaper!

I'm sorry for my late reply back...

I really really don't like waterstones at all, I ordered Vale's autobiography earlier in the year, and the woman behind the counter must have thought me and my mum were deaf the way she boomed across the counter at us when we inquired about the book. Then she searched it on the computer and goes "That WILL be £20! I'll order it now" and stuck out her hand. We were like are you sure?? But a few weeks later when the book game it wasn't What If I Had Never Tried It, it was Potrait of a MotoGenious, which I already have, and when we told them this the man behind the counter asked why we had ordered that book as there were many in store...

And I spent 1 year trying to get a Maroon 5 book which they always told me didnt exist, and recently we ordered a book for my sister from america, and for a month it was on a container ship and when we inquired about it again, they told us it was not possible to get that book! WHAT!!

they are always so infuriating, i swear they see me coming!!

Anyway, thank you for the thought

I think I shall treat myself with reading a nice book during the holidays when school stops dominating my life

**Angela O** · 05.10.2007, 00:38

Has anyone read 'Barry...The Story of Motorcycling Legend Barry Sheene MBE' -by Steve Parrish & Nick Harris.

I keep on attempting to read it....you know picking it up...putting it back down again after only a few pages. it's written in a very weird way though....I can never make out who has written what. (or is it just me being stupid as usual?)

amonqk · 07.07.2008, 15:52

I think it`s high time to dust this thread off, so I`ll start..........

Apparently I`m keen on biographical books. For me it seems that many of them are way better than fictional stories. However now the target is "My Life" by Fidel Castro, but as I don`t want to read misrepresented history, I`m seeking second opinion.

BTW I enjoyed Charlie Chaplin`s autobiography very, very much. If someone hasn`t read it yet, my advise is try it out, imo it definitely worths it

gosdhee46 · 07.07.2008, 18:14

My life :Fidel Castro (if we mention about the same book) is the one of my favorite book i've ever read... Fidel and his extraordinary and amazing life is always interest me but when i read the book i recognised him very hotly .. i suggest it everyone..

amonqk · 07.07.2008, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by turk_chick

My life :Fidel Castro (if we mention about the same book) is the one of my favorite book i've ever read... Fidel and his extraordinary and amazing life is always interest me but when i read the book i recognised him very hotly .. i suggest it everyone..

Must be this one - written with the help of Ignacio Ramonet, right?
He`s an interesting person, not irreproachable, yes, but still interesting (maybe just because of that!) and he certainly has a fascination story to tell. Besides the fact that it`s his own life`s story makes it even more attractive.
So I`m ordering it, I`ll put my review, when I`m done. Hope they`ll deliver it quickly!

tassiedevil · 08.07.2008, 13:13

Wow, well i'm shallow in my choice of reading material currently ..

Don't go to the cosmetics counter without me is what i'm reading..

Amazon.com: Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: Paula Begoun: Books