I'd like to broaden my horizons by getting a better understanding of life in different cultures and time periods. Please recommend great books or films (fiction or non-fiction) which paint a broad, immersive, reasonably accurate picture of a place and time. [more inside]
posted by MetaMonkey on Jul 12, 2008 - 29 answers

What one book will allow others to gain the truest insight into the soul of each city or region [more inside]
posted by reenum on May 6, 2008 - 16 answers

I saw the question in the blue a few days ago about Pearl Cornioley. Wikipedia mentions a book she wrote. Can you help me find it? [more inside]
posted by stewiethegreat on Apr 3, 2008 - 4 answers

My parents have been reading a lot of pretty pessimistic, doomsday books about the US, world, etc. I'd like to get them a book that has a more optimistic outlook, without being naive. Any suggestions, oh hive mind? I'm not too picky about topics, but I'd prefer broader rather than narrower.
posted by devilsbrigade on Dec 21, 2007 - 25 answers

My grandfather recently showed us an old handwritten flight logbook from when he served in Guam in WW2 with the Navy. Would scanning this serve any interest to someone? Might it be considered classified info? [more inside]
posted by Quarter Pincher on Nov 29, 2007 - 8 answers

I've played soccer my whole life, compared to my European brethren I know very little about the sport (and its stars). Anyone know a good book about soccer/football that will allow me to speak with authority when someone references Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer, or even Cisse or Ronaldinho?

Also, if you've been watching the World Cup, you've probably seen this great commercial (different from the question below). Does anyone know what the song is?
posted by Cochise on Jun 11, 2006 - 16 answers