Really? What's up?

Does it say Rev. John R. Civille?

I know a John R. Civille who is a local priest and used to teach at a local Catholic university. He has praised Kung at the pulpit, suggested that you at least confess one sin during a penitential service (when in fact you must confess all known mortal sins, any differentiating between mortal and venial sins and the value of confessing venial sins was not spoken of) and allows liturgical abuse in his Masses including on some occasions liturgical dance. He also dislikes the new translation.

Of course there is a possibility its not the same person and second one could assume he may have been different 30 years ago when the book was written.

It says "John R. Civille is a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, assistant professor of moral theology at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, Norwood, Ohio, and pastor of St. Anthony's Church, Cincinnati...."

I guess so.

Yeah, that's my archdiocese..

I'm reading an old book about Father Jacques Marquette's exploration of the Mississippi River in 1673; it was written in the 1950's by August Derleth, who as you may or may not know, was a great admirer and imitator of H.P. Lovecraft.

I'm a Derleth, Arkham House, Mycroft & Moran, and Lovecraft collector.


GKC

Excellent! I have everything Lovecraft ever wrote (except for the stuff he ghost-wrote for other people and his personal letters, of course), plus a goodly amount of Derleth, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E. Howard, Robert Bloch, and others.

I also have quite a few Victorian authors of the outré in my collection---J. Sheridan LeFanu, Ambrose Bierce, Algernon Blackwood, Robert W. Chambers, and others.

Not sure if you were aware of this or not, but Howard Dean is a true believer:

I'd believe anything of Dean, including that he was a shuggoth.

I got most everything Lovecraft wrote, going back to his early days in various APAs, letters included (5 volumes). Belonged to a few Lovecraftian flavored organizations, and bought much small press and fan produced material, back in the 70s-80s, fanzines, chap books, etc. Once sold a book signed by him (a collection of nondescript ghost stories, which he mentioned to Derleth, in one of the letters. Still own 3-4 books from Lovecraft's personal library.

Those other names are also among my people. If you don't know Montague Rhodes James, look into him. Ditto M. P. Dare and H.R. Wakefield. And Russell Kirk did some right good material, too.

GKC

Believe it or not, I used to live about nine miles from Russell Kirk. Saw his house every day on my way to and from school. He wrote some good stuff.

Then I know roughly where you lived. I'd have gone over and knocked on the door. He was instrumental in forming much of my thought, years ago.

Did manage to get my copy of THE CONSERVATIVE MIND signed and inscribed. Mutual acquaintance.

GKC

No, it is far more cynical than that. The BG's use religion as a tool.

I gave up on the series about halfway through 'Children of Dune', it just got too stupid.....but even though I will probably never finish it, I have to admit that I am curious.....IS 'the preacher' Paul?

I can't recall if it was ever revealed but I think the general consensus is that he is.

The book ends with Leto embracing "the Golden Path."

It's an odd series, it's the only time I've ever encountered something that I thought was both too cynical and too optimistic......

I tried to read The God Emperor of Dune but I could not get through it. I didn't really even try with the last two books of the series. I only got a couple of pages into Chapterhouse: Dune as too much stuff had happened before it to figure out what was going on -- it wasn't a standalone novel in any meaningful sense of the term.

Did you mention being a Heinlein fan at some point? or am I thinking of someone else?

I've read Heinlein but I wouldn't call myself a 'fan'.

I'm a Heinlein fan. To a point.

GKC

If you want a science-fiction book with 'depth' you might like The Mote in God's Eye by Niven & Pournelle (I've recommended it many times before so ignore me if I'm boring you).

Or if you liked Starship Troopers you might give the Falkenberg's Legion series by Jerry Pournelle a try. You can get the first book in that series, West of Honor, for free (I know you have an e-reader):

http://www.baenebooks.com/p-577-west-of-honor.aspx

If you like it, get The Prince by Pournelle & Stirling as well (omnibus edition of all the Falkenberg's Legion stories ... same price as a single book).

A Mote in God's Eye and A Canticle for Leibowicz I see mentioned on here a lot.....I don't want to sound snooty but I don't read a lot of fiction these days (my last work of fiction was 'The Princess Bride' by William Goldman) but I'll probably get around to downloading those books eventually....assuming they are available as e-books.