All-Time Writers Draft II

[Fatal9]

http://i52.tinypic.com/34isdfk.jpg

Since the other thread is a bit controversial and slow, I thought we should switch over.

It'll be 10 participants but maybe we'll extend to 12 if there are couple more who want in before the end of round 1.

10 rounds total, 8 hrs to pick for first round and 7 hrs for the remaining rounds. PM your picks in advance, there shouldn't be any reason to get skipped.

Any category that falls under literature can be selected. Your pick can be a poet, novelist, playwright, essayist, philosopher, journalist etc, provided their work is written. Posters who declared for the other draft get first dibs.

Draft Order/PHP:



RND PICK OWNER SELECTION
1 1 Snoop Cat William Shakespeare
1 2 MasterDurant24 Leo Tolstoy
1 3 boozehound Marcel Proust
1 4 Fatal Charles Dickens
1 5 Timmy D Aristotle
1 6 Jasi Dostoevsky
1 7 iamgine Isaac Newton
1 8 Fuhqueque George Orwell
1 9 raiderfan19 Homer
1 10 Jailblazers7 James Joyce
1 11 Lebowsky Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

2 1 Lebowsky Franz Kafka
2 2 Jailblazers7 Vladimir Nabokov
2 3 raiderfan19 J.R.R. Tolkien
2 4 Fuhqueque Geoffrey Chaucer
2 5 iamgine Lao Tzu
2 6 Jasi Dante Alighieri
2 7 Timmy D Edgar Allan Poe
2 8 fatal Cervantes
2 9 boozehound Gabriel Garcia Marquez
2 10 MasterDurant24 William Faulkner
2 11 Snoop Cat Mark Twain

3 1 Snoop Cat Victor Hugo
3 2 MasterDurant24 Aesop
3 3 boozehound Oscar Wilde
3 4 Fatal John Milton
3 5 Timmy D Sophocles
3 6 Jasi Jane Austen
3 7 iamgine Plato
3 8 Fuhqueque Nietzsche
3 9 raiderfan19 Ernest Hemingway
3 10 Jailblazers7 Walt Whitman
3 11 Lebowsky Voltaire

4 1 Lebowsky Jorge Luis Borges
4 2 Jailblazers7 Samuel Beckett
4 3 raiderfan19 Alexander Dumas
4 4 Fuhqueque Anton Chekhov
4 5 iamgine Adam Smith
4 6 Jasi John Steinbeck
4 7 Timmy D Herman Melville
4 8 fatal Virgil
4 9 boozehound Albert Camus
4 10 MasterDurant24 Jin Yong
4 11 Snoop Cat St Paul

5 1 Snoop Cat William Golding
5 2 MasterDurant24 Rabindrath Tagore
5 3 boozehound Joseph Conrad
5 4 Fatal Thomas Mann
5 5 Timmy D Samuel Coleridge
5 6 Jasi TS Eliot
5 7 iamgine Rene Descartes
5 8 Fuhqueque Euripides
5 9 raiderfan19 Moses
5 10 Jailblazers7 James Baldwin
5 11 Lebowsky WB Yeats

6 1 Lebowsky Benito Perez Galdos
6 2 Jailblazers7 Julio Cortazar
6 3 raiderfan19 Robert Louis Stevenson
6 4 Fuhqueque Ralph Waldo Emerson
6 5 iamgine Charles Darwin
6 6 Jasi Aleksandr Pushkin
6 7 Timmy D Isaac Asimov
6 8 fatal John Keats
6 9 boozehound Venedict Yerofeyev
6 10 MasterDurant24 Albert Einstein
6 11 Snoop Cat Galileo Galilei

7 1 Snoop Cat Stephen King
7 2 MasterDurant24 John Hersey
7 3 boozehound Mikhail Bulgakov
7 4 Fatal Du Fu
7 5 Timmy D Wu Cheng'en
7 6 Jasi Pablo Neruda
7 7 iamgine Jean-Jacques Rousseau
7 8 Fuhqueque Aldous Huxley
7 9 raiderfan19 Ayn Rand
7 10 Jailblazers7 Haruki Murakami
7 11 Lebowsky Sir Arthur Conyan Doyle

8 1 Lebowsky Yasunari Kawabata
8 2 Jailblazers7 Tennessee Williams
8 3 raiderfan19 Machiavelli
8 4 Fuhqueque Fernando Pessoa
8 5 iamgine Saint Augustine
8 6 Jasi Balzac
8 7 Timmy D Aristophanes
8 8 fatal Jonathan Swift
8 9 boozehound V.S. Naipaul
8 10 MasterDurant24 Alan Moore
8 11 Snoop Cat St. Benedict

9 1 Snoop Cat Confucius
9 2 MasterDurant24 Thomas Jefferson
9 3 boozehound Ben Okri
9 4 Fatal Gustave Flaubert
9 5 Timmy D Arthur C. Clarke
9 6 Jasi Aeschylus
9 7 iamgine Sigmund Freud
9 8 Fuhqueque PG Wodehouse
9 9 raiderfan19 Jules Verne
9 10 Jailblazers7 Philip Roth
9 11 Lebowsky Philip K Dick

10 1 Lebowsky Herodotus of Halicarnassus
10 2 Jailblazers7 CS Lewis
10 3 raiderfan19 JK Rowling
10 4 Fuhqueque Umberto Eco
10 5 iamgine Karl Marx
10 6 Jasi David Grossman
10 7 Timmy D Michael Chrichton
10 8 fatal F Scott Fitzgerald
10 9 boozehound Cormac McCarthy
10 10 MasterDurant24 Eugene O Neill
10 11 Snoop Cat


Things to consider when picking:

- influence on literature and society
- overall body of work
- magnus opus (greatness of their greatest work)
- critical acclaim
- variety in your overall "team" (don't just keep picking Victorian novelists for example while ignoring other forms of literature and other genres, diversity matters)

[brooks_thompson]

thompson, brooks.

[SourPatchKids]

J.K. Rowling
sweet.:cheers:

[Timmy D for MVP]

So this here is the one?

Cause I'll be in if it is.

[iamgine]

in

[Snoop_Cat]

me

[ZeN]

This is going to be a difficult draft to judge.

[Snoop_Cat]

what's the criteria for judging?

[Jasi]

Thanks Fatal, I'm surely in.


(Thanks also to those who invited me to start the draft thread; I fell asleep before I saw those posts - and that's also the reason why I don't start draft threads: I think it's difficult to be the commish from Europe due to the different time zones)

[Fatal9]

what's the criteria for judging?
some things to consider...

- influence on literature and society
- overall body of work
- magnus opus (greatness of their greatest work)
- critical acclaim
- variety in your overall "team" (don't just keep picking Victorian novelists for example while ignoring other forms of literature and other genres, diversity matters)
- maybe something for popularity of their work as well?

if other things come to mind, let me know and we can get down to four or five concrete categories

[raiderfan19]

some things to consider...

- influence on literature and society
- overall body of work
- magnus opus (greatness of their greatest work)
- critical acclaim
- variety in your overall "team" (don't just keep picking Victorian novelists for example while ignoring other forms of literature and other genres, diversity matters)

if other things come to mind, let me know and we can get down to four or five concrete categories
Im in.

[sawyersauce]

I'm in.

[brooks_thompson]

i'm out. will be out of town for a week starting thursday, no certain internet access.


someone better have picked charles dickens by the time i get back

[Jailblazers7]

I stilll want in.

[ZeN]

I stilll want in.
you been on the list..?..

[Fuhqueue]

Count me in if you please.

If I don't win I'm going to burn all of my books.

[Jailblazers7]

you been on the list..?..

Just confirming because Fatal pmed me.

[Fatal9]

come on brahs, need two more active posters. want to get this rolling today. if no more new signups by the time I come back from class, we'll just go with 8 drafters (if others want to join they still can before end of round 1).

[boozehound]

sure, ill do it. should be fun to see y'all reading interests.


though I hope it doesnt become a dumb pissing contest.

[LJJ]

Looking forward to this draft and I will be taking notes. I'm too much out of my league on this to participate though.

[Black Joker]

how has Zen, Rufus or Vap not got into this yet

[Fuhqueue]

come on brahs, need two more active posters. want to get this rolling today. if no more new signups by the time I come back from class, we'll just go with 8 drafters (if others want to join they still can before end of round 1).
/sheepishly points out my volunteering atop this page

Don't be put off by the post count, I'm on ISH most days, I just browse vastly more than I post

Let me participate I don't want to have to burn all my books

[Fatal9]

/sheepishly points out my volunteering atop this page

Don't be put off by the post count, I'm on ISH most days, I just browse vastly more than I post

Let me participate I don't want to have to burn all my books
alright, if you say you're active. I'll be watching you http://assets.fallingandlaughing.com/images/shiftyEyes.gif :D


edit: I'll make the list at exactly 21:24:00 UTC so you know it was truly random

[Fatal9]

Draft Order:

http://i55.tinypic.com/2yzkbd5.jpg

Snoop is up, PHP coming...

[Snoop_Cat]

- influence on literature and society
- overall body of work
- magnus opus (greatness of their greatest work)
- critical acclaim
- variety in your overall "team" (don't just keep picking Victorian novelists for example while ignoring other forms of literature and other genres, diversity matters)

A bit of a stereotypical pick here, but I'll take William Shakespeare.

[MasterDurant24]

Is it too late to get in this?

[Fatal9]

A bit of a stereotypical pick here, but I'll take William Shakespeare.
Probably the only no brainer consensus pick in this draft :D

sawyersauce is next...


Is it too late to get in this?
you're on deck if someone else is dropped.

[sawyersauce]

I've got a pick ready, but I'm happy to give up my spot to MasterDurant. So I won't make it.

I've got another draft idea I want to put forward after the movie draft is done, and I'd rather devote my ISH-time to that. Nice idea though and glad to see you got it off the ground.

If you're (Fatal) happy to let MD take over for me, he can pick right now.

[Fatal9]

^ alright, MasterDurant is up.

[sawyersauce]

EDIT: Nothing to see here.

[MasterDurant24]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/L.N.Tolstoy_Prokudin-Gorsky.jpg
Leo Tolstoy is widely considered one of, if not the, best novelists of all time. He serves as an inspiration to nonviolent peacemakers like Gahndi and Martin Luther King Jr, and his War and Peace book is widely considered one of the best books of all time.

By the way, that picture is one of the first color photographs, taken in 1908.

[MasterDurant24]

I thought you told me to edit my orginal post.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Bump.

Lets get this thing rollin folks it should be a very interesting one.

[Jailblazers7]

Booze is up...or maybe skipped at this point.

[brooks_thompson]

disappointed in the lack of description in the choices, fellows. sure, "what hasn't been said", but i had planned on discussing that i've read, that i've not, style, tone, all that stuff.

---

i recently read a great article on tolstoy, his estate, his pacifistic tendencies (which i'm not a fan of personally), and connection with gandhi, and his family.

by peter t. white. national geographic vol. 169, no. 6. june 1986.

i couldn't find a link on the web, but i figure it would be pretty easy to find for any academic search engine for those still at college/university. it's a great article. i was lucky to stumble upon a stack of old magazines.

[Jasi]

Yes, apparently Booze has a pending pick now, and the commish himself (Fatal) is on the clock.

And yes, let's get this thing going and trigger some debate. Motivate your picks dudes.

Btw, imo the 1st pick couldn't be but MJ... er, Shakespeare, so no negative stereotypes here.

Tolstoj may have come a bit early though.
(That's what she said)

[boozehound]

so, third pick huh? Ill make it here in a second. Trying to decide between several worthy choices IMO.

[brooks_thompson]

Yes, apparently Booze has a pending pick now, and the commish himself (Fatal) is on the clock.

And yes, let's get this thing going and trigger some debate. Motivate your picks dudes.

Btw, imo the 1st pick couldn't be but MJ... er, Shakespeare, so no negative stereotypes here.

Tolstoj may have come a bit early though.
(That's what she said)

you guys ever buy into the shakespeare debates that the works were written as a collective or by other person(s)?

[boozehound]

so, third pick huh? Ill make it here in a second. Trying to decide between several worthy choices IMO.
man this is tough. trying to decide which authors will drop...... Ill make my pick within the hour, gotta work on some other stuff and IM not ready to commit yet.

[brooks_thompson]

despite white text on tolstoy, i agree with the non-hidden sentiment. i think there were better or equal russian writers, who might be taken much later or even not at all. BUT popularity counts i guess, which is fair, and he is #1 in russian minds.

[brooks_thompson]

man this is tough. trying to decide which authors will drop...... Ill make my pick within the hour, gotta work on some other stuff and IM not ready to commit yet.

i'm interested to see who the first 'non-classic literature' choice will be (not that you will make it, but in general)

[boozehound]

i'm interested to see who the first 'non-classic literature' choice will be (not that you will make it, but in general)
yeah, im gonna play it safe in this round, but I may pick further down the list than people expect. For me, I dont really look at this as a competition, but a way to discuss our favorite writers and learn about other authors. I also want to cover the breadth of my literary interests.


How many rounds is this?

[boozehound]

Well, although Im leaning towards a top dog type, I am going to pick Marcel Proust as my first rounder.


While his dense "remembrance of things past" can bog you down at times with its slow pace and storyline, the descriptive prose of this was ground-breaking and has never been matched. Other authors may be his equal in story-telling, but his evocation of the senses through his pen is unparalleled.

Ill add some more when I have more time, but I wanted you bums to move on.

[Fatal9]

tough decision between three guys, give me 5 minutes...

[Jasi]

Depends on how classic is defined, also. Can't make examples or i'd be dropping names, but you can see what I mean
i'm interested to see who the first 'non-classic literature' choice will be (not that you will make it, but in general)

[Jasi]

Well, although Im leaning towards a top dog type, I am going to pick Marcel Proust as my first rounder.
.
Definitely a top dog in my book.

[boozehound]

Definitely a top dog in my book.
not compared to the other 3 I was thinking of. or maybe its perspective? you damn euros

[Jasi]

not compared to the other 3 I was thinking of. or maybe its perspective? you damn euros
Eheh surely perspective, but I may surprise you later on, dear american

[Fatal9]

Wrote up something for another guy, erased it because I just couldn't not pick Dickens...

http://kohm.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/220px-charles_dickens_3.jpg

His body of work is substantial and he is widely considered the greatest English novelist. His style of truth mixed with caricature has produced countless memorable characters and stories, and his work is deeply rooted in pop culture (produced so many phrases, films etc).

His greatest work I'd consider to be Great Expectations, Hard Times, David Copperfield and Bleak House. My favorite though? Great Expectations and Pickwick Papers, with Pip being my favorite of his characters though I haven't read Copperfield yet (the size of it is intimidating). He isn't without his critics though, he is widely acclaimed but within literature several have criticized him as a sort of "superficial novelist", which I disagree with (though some of his work does fall under that description). His greatest qualities are his aesthetic writing, his vivid and eccentric characters (who can be quite complex depending on the novel you read - Pip for example) and the dramatic quality of his novels, all three of which are some of his most apparent Shakespearean qualities. One of the writers who exists in spite of time, his work has never gone out of print and probably never will.

Work:

The Old Curiosity Shop
Oliver Twist
Nicholas Nickleby
Barnaby Rudge
A Christmas Carol
Martin Chuzzlewit
A Tale of Two Cities
David Copperfield
Great Expectations
Bleak House
Little Dorrit
Hard Times
Our Mutual Friend
The Pickwick Papers

[Lebowsky]

not compared to the other 3 I was thinking of. or maybe its perspective? you damn euros

From a stylistic point of view, Proust may very well be the greatest writer of all time.

[boozehound]

Wrote up something for another guy, erased it because I just couldn't not pick Dickens...

http://kohm.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/220px-charles_dickens_3.jpg

His body of work is substantial and he is widely considered the greatest English novelist. His style of truth mixed with caricature has produced countless memorable characters and stories, and his work is deeply rooted in pop culture (produced so many phrases, films etc).

His greatest work I'd consider to be Great Expectations, Hard Times, David Copperfield and Bleak House. My favorite though? Great Expectations and Pickwick Papers, with Pip being my favorite of his characters though I haven't read Copperfield yet (the size of it is intimidating). He isn't without his critics though, he is widely acclaimed but within literature several have criticized him as a sort of "superficial novelist", which I disagree with (though some of his work does fall under that description). His greatest qualities are his aesthetic writing, his vivid and eccentric characters (who can be quite complex depending on the novel you read - Pip for example) and the dramatic quality of his novels, all three of which are some of his most apparent Shakespearean qualities. One of the writers who exists in spite of time, his work has never gone out of print and probably never will.

Work:

The Old Curiosity Shop
Oliver Twist
Nicholas Nickleby
Barnaby Rudge
A Christmas Carol
Martin Chuzzlewit
A Tale of Two Cities
David Copperfield
Great Expectations
Bleak House
Little Dorrit
Hard Times
Our Mutual Friend
The Pickwick Papers
good choice. A little overhashed IMO but a solid first rounder no doubt.

[Jailblazers7]

10th pick kind of sucks. There is one writer I really want but I doubt they drop to 10.

[Jasi]

not compared to the other 3 I was thinking of. or maybe its perspective? you damn euros

By the way, believe me, I would never ever favour a frog-eater if it wasn't really deserved!

[boozehound]

By the way, believe me, I would never ever favour a frog-eater if it wasn't really deserved!
well, at least we can agree on that!

[boozehound]

From a stylistic point of view, Proust may very well be the greatest writer of all time.
yeah, hes definitely up there in my book. I had to read swanns way in college and ended up liking it enough that I read the rest on my own. It almost makes me want to learn french so I can truly read it.

[Jasi]

yeah, hes definitely up there in my book. I had to read swanns way in college and ended up liking it enough that I read the rest on my own. It almost makes me want to learn french so I can truly read it.

Did you read the whole Recherche? Repped!
The sheer physical mass of it scares the hell out of me...

[boozehound]

Did you read the whole Recherche? Repped!
The sheer physical mass of it scares the hell out of me...
over the last 14-15 years I have
It was definitely an undertaking, even approaching each book separately. I remember struggling through swann's way and then realizing that it was just a part of a much larger work. I was intimidated for sure.

[Lebowsky]

Btw I should've taken part in this one, looks like it's gonna be a lot of fun. If I could maintain my interest in something for longer than a couple of days, that is.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Alright I'm still not quite sure how judging is gonna go here so Imma make a risky pick here:

Aristotle
http://philosophersapp.com/images/Aristotle.jpg

Aristotle's views on the physical sciences profoundly shaped medieval scholarship, and their influence extended well into the Renaissance, although they were ultimately replaced by Newtonian physics. In the zoological sciences, some of his observations were confirmed to be accurate only in the 19th century. His works contain the earliest known formal study of logic, which was incorporated in the late 19th century into modern formal logic. In metaphysics, Aristotelianism had a profound influence on philosophical and theological thinking in the Islamic and Jewish traditions in the Middle Ages, and it continues to influence Christian theology, especially Eastern Orthodox theology, and the scholastic tradition of the Catholic Church. His ethics, though always influential, gained renewed interest with the modern advent of virtue ethics. All aspects of Aristotle's philosophy continue to be the object of active academic study today. Though Aristotle wrote many elegant treatises and dialogues (Cicero described his literary style as "a river of gold"),[2] it is thought that the majority of his writings are now lost and only about one-third of the original works have survived

Quite possibly the most influential human being to live, Aristotle has covered everything from physics to philosophy. His works can be seen referenced in an unbelievable amount of other works since.


Notable Works: Pretty much everything he's written is huge. But the top of the tops would probably be Categories, Physics, Metaphysics, Politics, Economics, and his collective works on zoology.

[Snoop_Cat]

10th pick kind of sucks. There is one writer I really want but I doubt they drop to 10.

Meh, in a draft such as this where there's really no cut out ranking of draftees, its a possibility.

[Jasi]

^ Wise pick, isn't it...
:cheers:

[Jasi]

Honestly, this draft would need 30 rounds at least :D

[Jailblazers7]

Honestly, this draft would need 30 rounds at least :D

It might last a good 3 years if that were the case. :oldlol:

[Timmy D for MVP]

Woot. I found that first pick to be the most fun of all the drafting I've done on ISH. This is gonna be a great draft! :cheers:

[Fatal9]

I bet I can guess Jasi's pick but lets wait and see...

[Jailblazers7]

Throwing up the Jasi bat-signal.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/scd5029/blogs/shc/batsignal.jpg

[Jasi]

Here I am, sorry for the hold up guys, I had problems with the line.


So... I think I've decided... It's very tough...
Ima take my talent...

Er, no... I'll pick [B]F

[Black Joker]

[QUOTE=Jasi]Here I am, sorry for the hold up guys, I had problems with the line.


So... I think I've decided... It's very tough...
Ima take my talent...

Er, no... I'll pick [B]F

[Lebowsky]

I'd like to throw my name in, should anyone decide to pull out of the draft or get kicked.

[boozehound]

why dont you just go 11th, does anyone really mind?
hell its a free thread anyways. just post your pick whether you can "join" or not.

[raiderfan19]

[QUOTE=Jasi]Here I am, sorry for the hold up guys, I had problems with the line.


So... I think I've decided... It's very tough...
Ima take my talent...

Er, no... I'll pick [B]F

[boozehound]

Hes probably my favorite "classic" author to read. Just an amazing writer(though the russian tendency to have a ton of names gets kind of old).
that was almost my pick, but I wavered at the last moment.
I decided I can only have 1 writer from any country.

as an additional wrinkle, I think each drafter should have to put up a specific work of that author as their recommendation/favorite. Might be helpful down the line.

So, Jasi, whats your favorite work? I prob choose C&P, but im wavering.


Whos up?

[Lebowsky]

why dont you just go 11th, does anyone really mind?
hell its a free thread anyways. just post your pick whether you can "join" or not.

I'd love to, but I think I'll refrain from chiming in that way. I will, nevertheless, be happy to offer my opinion on your picks, since this is probably the draft I feel more qualified to discuss about, until someone starts a "greatest molecule of all time thread" :oldlol: .

[boozehound]

I'd love to, but I think I'll refrain from chiming in that way. I will, nevertheless, be happy to offer my opinion on your picks, since this is probably the draft I feel more qualified to discuss about, until someone starts a "greatest molecule of all time thread" :oldlol: .
thats easy.
http://reich-chemistry.wikispaces.com/file/view/ethanol4.JPG/32672417/ethanol4.JPG
I win

[Lebowsky]

that was almost my pick, but I wavered at the last moment.
I decided I can only have 1 writer from any country.

as an additional wrinkle, I think each drafter should have to put up a specific work of that author as their recommendation/favorite. Might be helpful down the line.

So, Jasi, whats your favorite work? I prob choose C&P, but im wavering.


Whos up?

I'd be torn among "crime and punishment", "the idiot" and "the gambler" (this one due more to emotional than to strictly literary reasons).

[Lebowsky]

thats easy.
http://reich-chemistry.wikispaces.com/file/view/ethanol4.JPG/32672417/ethanol4.JPG
I win

Lol, good ol' ethanol has certainly the jury's favour :oldlol: .

[boozehound]

I'd be torn among "crime and punishment", "the idiot" and "the gambler" (this one due more to emotional than to strictly literary reasons).
yep, the idiot is awesome. I have not read the gambler yet. maybe ill add it to my list?

[Lebowsky]

yep, the idiot is awesome. I have not read the gambler yet. maybe ill add it to my list?

Oh, most definitely. It's one of his early short novels (doesn't take long to read), so he hadn't reached perfection yet. However, it is a raw (and accurate) depiction of an addict and his addiction, so if you've ever felt yourself driven by forces you can't control (not necessarily an addiction), you might very well relate to it. It is a powerful book.

[Jailblazers7]

Is it iamgine that's up?

All good picks thus far btw.

[Enigmatism]

I could get into this if there is room

[iamgine]

wow some people I've never even heard before. I feel this draft might be out of my league. :lol

I'll just pick Sir Isaac Newton.

http://www.it-is-funny.com/images/isaac_newton_new.jpg

[Lebowsky]

wow some people I've never even heard before. I feel this draft might be out of my league. :lol

I'll just pick Sir Isaac Newton.

http://www.it-is-funny.com/images/isaac_newton_new.jpg

I thought this was a literary draft?

[Lebowsky]

Ok guys, I've given it some more consideration and I would really like to take part in this as the eleventh participant. I've asked Fatal9 and he's cool with it, so I hope the rest of you don't mind. If you are against it, speak now or forever hold your peace :oldlol: .

[Fatal9]

Yea, I wouldn't really associate Newton with literature (or having any influence on it which is a major category). I've looked through Principia before and most of it was illustrations, formulas and very fact based stuff.

Anyways FuhQueQue picks George Orwell via PM.

raiderfan19 is up.

[iamgine]

Yea, I wouldn't really associate Newton with literature (or having any influence on it which is a major category). I've looked through Principia before and most of it was illustrations, formulas and very fact based stuff.

Anyways FuhQueQue picks George Orwell via PM.

raiderfan19 is up.
Did I get it wrong? Isn't scientific papers are also categorized under literature? I know he's not what you would call a writer in the traditional sense.

His writings has major influence on most science books after him and of course the impact on society all over the world was huge. I felt he score on every single category but if we're only drafting writers in the traditional sense then let me know.

[Maniak]

Wow.

Im pretty pissed I missed out on this.

[Fatal9]

Did I get it wrong? Isn't scientific papers are also categorized under literature? I know he's not what you would call a writer in the traditional sense.

His writings has major influence on most science books after him and of course the impact on society all over the world was huge. I felt he score on every single category but if we're only drafting writers in the traditional sense then let me know.
Scientific writings aren't literature in how that word is generally perceived and defined. Literature are your thoughts and imagination, expressed creatively as art through writing. Scientific writings are fact based, jump in and out of formulas and illustrations (open up a random page in Principia and look at the calculus derivations). Would you ever see a scientific paper winning any sort of an award based on only the writing of the paper? No because the quality of writing matters little in light of facts/research present.

If you want to get really technical (as a scientist would :lol), you can use literature as a broader term to define anything that is written, but I wouldn't consider scientific papers as true literature. It just opens a can of worms I'd rather not see in the draft (likes of Einstein, Bohr, Planck start getting drafted). That said, maybe Newton works as a pick in this draft because he did write on other subjects as well, but his greatest contributions were definitely scientific.

[iamgine]

Scientific writings aren't literature in how that word is generally perceived and defined. Literature are your thoughts and imagination, expressed creatively as art through writing. Scientific writings are fact based, jump in and out of formulas and illustrations (open up a random page in Principia and look at the calculus derivations). Would you ever see a scientific paper winning any sort of an award based on only the writing of the paper? No because the quality of writing matters little in light of facts/research present.

If you want to get really technical (as a scientist would :lol), you can use literature as a broader term to define anything that is written, but I wouldn't consider scientific papers as true literature. It just opens a can of worms I'd rather not see in the draft (likes of Einstein, Bohr, Planck start getting drafted). That said, maybe Newton works as a pick in this draft because he did write on other subjects as well, but his greatest contributions were definitely scientific.
So we are drafting based on your narrow definition of literature? Scientific writings are accepted as literature, plain and simple. Whether you consider it true literature or not has no bearing whatsoever.

And what does winning awards have to do with anything? We are drafting based on influence and impact on society among other things, not awards.

[Snoop_Cat]

Interesting to pick a scientist, wouldn't have considered that. There's another scientist(/writer) I personally would've taken but hard to argue against Newton's work as top 3 scientific publications.

[Fatal9]

So we are drafting based on your narrow definition of literature? Scientific writings are accepted as literature, plain and simple. Whether you consider it true literature or not has no bearing whatsoever.

And what does winning awards have to do with anything? We are drafting based on influence and impact on society among other things, not awards.
Winning awards has nothing to do with anything. I was merely pointing out that the quality of writing in a scientific paper matters little compared to the facts/research present in the paper. You don't read a scientific paper to see someone express their thoughts creatively, you read it to see proofs and measurements (as Newton shows plenty of those in Principia). At a certain point it becomes too technical. And it's not a narrow definition of literature (quite vast actually), but the most common definition of it. If you can defend your pick that's fine with me but I personally wouldn't associate Newton with being a literary figure.

[iamgine]

Winning awards has nothing to do with anything. I was merely pointing out that the quality of writing in a scientific paper matters little compared to the facts/research present in the paper. You don't read a scientific paper to see someone express their thoughts creatively, you read it to see proofs and measurements (as Newton shows plenty of those in Principia). At a certain point it becomes too technical. And it's not a narrow definition of literature (quite vast actually), but the most common definition of it. If you can defend your pick that's fine with me but I personally wouldn't associate Newton with being a literary figure.
Once again, your personal feeling has no bearing whatsoever. Scientific writing is accepted as literature and has influenced society as much as any writings.

[iamgine]

Interesting to pick a scientist, wouldn't have considered that. There's another scientist(/writer) I personally would've taken but hard to argue against Newton's work as top 3 scientific publications.
Yeah there are some worthy ones come to think of it.

[raiderfan19]

Once again, your personal feeling has no bearing whatsoever. Scientific writing is accepted as literature and has influenced society as much as any writings.
I select Homer.

The Illiad and The Odyssey are both among the goat literary works. Hes also got several other extremely well known works. I feel hes a steal this low.

[Timmy D for MVP]

I select Homer.

The Illiad and The Odyssey are both among the goat literary works. Hes also got several other extremely well known works. I feel hes a steal this low.

Oooo nice.

[Joshumitsu]

In, if there's still room.

[Jailblazers7]

I select James Joyce.

http://www.istrianet.org/istria/illustri/non-istrian/joyce/images/JJ_1915_weiss.jpg

His masterpiece Ulysses could possibly be the greatest novel ever written. It was so epic that he didn't write a single line of prose for a year after completing it due to exhaustion. His novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is also incredible and has had a pretty enormous impact on me. He's also a great poet with several collections published. He perfected the stream of conciousness writing style and is one of the most influentialy people of the 20th Century.

[Fatal9]

^ nice pick. I should really take on the task of reading Ulysses soon (has anyone on this board read it?). I've only read a couple of his short stories from Dubliners (Araby was one I really liked iirc) and Portrait of an Artist but I read that when I was way too young to really appreciate it.


lebowsky's up x2.

[boozehound]

^ nice pick. I should really take on the task of reading Ulysses soon (has anyone on this board read it?). I've only read a couple of his short stories from Dubliners (Araby was one I really liked iirc) and Portrait of an Artist but I read that when I was way too young to really appreciate it.


lebowsky's up x2.
never read ulysses. I have started it and put it down. I think you would really need a class (or the internet nowadays) to really get all the nuances.

I do love all the dubliners shorts as well as portrait though. He was one of my choices, but I couldnt pick an author who's major work I've never read. Also never read finnegan's wake. Ive read some of his poetry and his play, exiles. its all very good, but dubliners is my favorite that Ive read.

[the GIBBET]

^ nice pick. I should really take on the task of reading Ulysses soon (has anyone on this board read it?).


Of course.

[Jasi]

Never read Ulysses. I read all the stories of Dubliners but it was such a long ago that the only thing I remember is that I liked it a lot...

[Lebowsky]

Just got back from class, will post pick in a minute (or ten).

[Lebowsky]

Okay, with the 11th pick of the first round, and first of my back-to-back picks, I select Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AgjypgS-1Yo/S9YGVSCVPdI/AAAAAAAAArQ/6_x7GqZWGec/s1600/goethe1.jpg

From wikipedia: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Wolfgang_von_Goethe)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German pronunciation: [ˈjoːhan ˈvɔlfɡaŋ fɔn ˈɡ

[boozehound]

Of course.
yep, thanks for the insight into your "cultured" mind there

[simcjt]

Props to Timmy D & iamgine on the 2 biggest sleeper picks of the first round.

:applause: :applause:

[the GIBBET]

[QUOTE=Lebowsky]Okay, with the first of my back-to-back picks, I select Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AgjypgS-1Yo/S9YGVSCVPdI/AAAAAAAAArQ/6_x7GqZWGec/s1600/goethe1.jpg

From wikipedia: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Wolfgang_von_Goethe)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German pronunciation: [ˈjoːhan ˈvɔlfɡaŋ fɔn ˈɡ

[boozehound]

Props to Timmy D & iamgine on the 2 biggest sleeper picks of the first round.

:applause: :applause:
meh, I thought both were reaches. I guess it depends on what you are drafting for. I am looking at it as the best artists with written language, and neither aristotle or newton come close to that. I dont totally disagree with the aristotle pick, since he wrote on a variety of subjects (much of it wrong) and was/is highly influential, but I think there are better picks from Ancient Greece. Newton doesnt make any sense to me as a "writer" pick, even if we allow for scientific writing as a special artform in itself.

Nonetheless, they are welcome to make their picks and Im certainly not trying to badmouth them. I just think drafting someone like newton opens a whole can of worms. As a writer, hes just not that special. As a thinker/scientist sure. Just my 2 cents.

[boozehound]

[QUOTE=Lebowsky]Okay, with the 11th pick of the first round, and first of my back-to-back picks, I select Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AgjypgS-1Yo/S9YGVSCVPdI/AAAAAAAAArQ/6_x7GqZWGec/s1600/goethe1.jpg

From wikipedia: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Wolfgang_von_Goethe)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German pronunciation: [ˈjoːhan ˈvɔlfɡaŋ fɔn ˈɡ

[Lebowsky]

With the 1st. pick of the second round I select Franz Kafka.

http://www.1001libros.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/franz-kafka.jpg

From wikipedia:

Franz Kafka (German pronunciation: [ˈfʁants ˈkafka]; 3 July 1883

[Jailblazers7]

Ok you can go to hell. :oldlol:

Looks like I'll have to reconsider this next pick now that you took Kafka.

[Lebowsky]

meh, I thought both were reaches. I guess it depends on what you are drafting for. I am looking at it as the best artists with written language, and neither aristotle or newton come close to that. I dont totally disagree with the aristotle pick, since he wrote on a variety of subjects (much of it wrong) and was/is highly influential, but I think there are better picks from Ancient Greece. Newton doesnt make any sense to me as a "writer" pick, even if we allow for scientific writing as a special artform in itself.

Nonetheless, they are welcome to make their picks and Im certainly not trying to badmouth them. I just think drafting someone like newton opens a whole can of worms. As a writer, hes just not that special. As a thinker/scientist sure. Just my 2 cents.

I agree with all your points. It's ok with me if people want to start drafting scientists or such, but I will not do that. I thought this was an all-time writers thread, and I don't think of either Aristotle or Newton (especially him) as writers. I will stick to writers in the sense of literary creation, understood as an art.

[Lebowsky]

Ok you can go to hell. :oldlol:

Looks like I'll have to reconsider this next pick now that you took Kafka.

Lol, sorry about that.

[iamgine]

meh, I thought both were reaches. I guess it depends on what you are drafting for. I am looking at it as the best artists with written language, and neither aristotle or newton come close to that. I dont totally disagree with the aristotle pick, since he wrote on a variety of subjects (much of it wrong) and was/is highly influential, but I think there are better picks from Ancient Greece. Newton doesnt make any sense to me as a "writer" pick, even if we allow for scientific writing as a special artform in itself.

Nonetheless, they are welcome to make their picks and Im certainly not trying to badmouth them. I just think drafting someone like newton opens a whole can of worms. As a writer, hes just not that special. As a thinker/scientist sure. Just my 2 cents.
If you look at the criteria laid out by Fatal9 in the first page, you'd see why Aristotle and Newton are good picks.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Shit he took Kafka. Back to the drawing board.... *sigh*

[Lebowsky]

If you look at the criteria laid out by Fatal9 in the first page, you'd see why Aristotle and Newton are good picks.

I know, I just re-read it. But come on, is Newton really the first person who comes to your mind when you think of all time great universal writers?

[boozehound]

Ok you can go to hell. :oldlol:

Looks like I'll have to reconsider this next pick now that you took Kafka.
frankly, Im surprised hes still here at this pick. I almost took him 3rd. I love, love, love, love both the Trial and in the penal colony. Mostly a short story guy, he says more in 10 words than some writers do in 10 pages (kinda the opposite of my pick :D )

[Jailblazers7]

I select Vladimir Nabokov.

http://img.listal.com/image/406608/600full-vladimir-nabokov.jpg

Lolita is renowned as one of the greatest novels every written and Pale Fire is nearly as good. The complexity of his works emerse you completely in the world he has developed. He is multilingual and has written originally in both Russian and English. Later taught his perspective on literature and art at Cornell.

[simcjt]

meh, I thought both were reaches. I guess it depends on what you are drafting for. I am looking at it as the best artists with written language, and neither aristotle or newton come close to that. I dont totally disagree with the aristotle pick, since he wrote on a variety of subjects (much of it wrong) and was/is highly influential, but I think there are better picks from Ancient Greece. Newton doesnt make any sense to me as a "writer" pick, even if we allow for scientific writing as a special artform in itself.

Nonetheless, they are welcome to make their picks and Im certainly not trying to badmouth them. I just think drafting someone like newton opens a whole can of worms. As a writer, hes just not that special. As a thinker/scientist sure. Just my 2 cents.
I'll agree that the Newton is an extreme stretch but it may open the door for other people in a positive way. I actually miss read it and thought he had selected Plato which I enjoy much more than Aristotle but still encourages more picks that would not normally be taken.

[boozehound]

If you look at the criteria laid out by Fatal9 in the first page, you'd see why Aristotle and Newton are good picks.
meh, criteria schmiteria. I look at these drafts as a way to learn more about the writers, musicians, beers I love and also to be exposed to new authors etc.

Aristotle I can jibe with. Newton? Name me one book he wrote outside of Principia Mathematica, which is not really even writing. Again, its your pick and Im not trying to bad mouth it. I just dont get it.

[Timmy D for MVP]

frankly, Im surprised hes still here at this pick. I almost took him 3rd. I love, love, love, love both the Trial and in the penal colony. Mostly a short story guy, he says more in 10 words than some writers do in 10 pages (kinda the opposite of my pick :D )

I'm a writer (not like a serious one but like a hobby thing) and I site Kafka as one of the guys that kinda got me into it. The dude is absolutely amazing.

:bowdown:

[boozehound]

I'll agree that the Newton is an extreme stretch but it may open the door for other people in a positive way. I actually miss read it and thought he had selected Plato which I enjoy much more than Aristotle but still encourages more picks that would not normally be taken.
we will see. Again, Im not saying its a bad pick, just that no one else was gonna take them in the first couple of rounds probably. And, yes, plato kicks the shit out of aristotle, despite the smaller cannon of work. aristotle was more versatile no doubt, but half of his shit is totally inaccurate (any of his works on the natural world or "evolution"). Still, an incredibly important thinker and writer. but not a master of human language, which is how I am looking at this.

[Timmy D for MVP]

I'll agree that the Newton is an extreme stretch but it may open the door for other people in a positive way. I actually miss read it and thought he had selected Plato which I enjoy much more than Aristotle but still encourages more picks that would not normally be taken.

I had considered Plato and actually was about to take him when I decided to go with Aristotle just because of the variety of his works. But both guys are crazy influential. It's a shame that much of their work, and many works from the time, are lost to us.

[iamgine]

I know, I just re-read it. But come on, is Newton really the first person who comes to your mind when you think of all time great universal writers?
No. The first person is Shakespeare.

[Timmy D for MVP]

we will see. Again, Im not saying its a bad pick, just that no one else was gonna take them in the first couple of rounds probably. And, yes, plato kicks the shit out of aristotle, despite the smaller cannon of work. aristotle was more versatile no doubt, but half of his shit is totally inaccurate (any of his works on the natural world or "evolution"). Still, an incredibly important thinker and writer. but not a master of human language, which is how I am looking at this.

And Zeno of Elea was wrong too but that doesn't stop their work from being extremely important, and influential, AND directly influencing the works that would correct them.

I would say that coupling Aristotle's philosophy work, with the work he did in pioneering logic, zoology, and a numerous other things puts him ahead of Plato.

[Lebowsky]

No. The first person is Shakespeare.

That makes more sense. Again, it's ok with me if you want to pick Newton (although there are other scientists who would make more sense in a draft like this), I just don't see it.

[simcjt]

we will see. Again, Im not saying its a bad pick, just that no one else was gonna take them in the first couple of rounds probably. And, yes, plato kicks the shit out of aristotle, despite the smaller cannon of work. aristotle was more versatile no doubt, but half of his shit is totally inaccurate (any of his works on the natural world or "evolution"). Still, an incredibly important thinker and writer. but not a master of human language, which is how I am looking at this.
Plato gave us Socrates thoughts in writing. Its questionable how much is 100% correct but the fact it was written with in his own lifetime is enough to give him unbelievable importance.

[iamgine]

meh, criteria schmiteria. I look at these drafts as a way to learn more about the writers, musicians, beers I love and also to be exposed to new authors etc.

Aristotle I can jibe with. Newton? Name me one book he wrote outside of Principia Mathematica, which is not really even writing. Again, its your pick and Im not trying to bad mouth it. I just dont get it.
It's okay if you don't get it. I was just reading the OP and suddenly realize someone like Newton would be a very good pick. That's all there is to it really.

[Jasi]

On the Aristotle & Newton picks.
Imo, there's a difference between the two.
Neither philosophers nor scientists are artists, but the aim of the draft from the beginning included more than artist.


Any category that falls under literature can be selected. Your pick can be a poet, novelist, playwright, essayist, philosopher, journalist etc, provided their work is written. Posters who declared for the other draft get first dibs.

Now, the bolded part is decisive, imo.
While philosophers/journalists/essayist work with the words, scientists basically use language as a coded way to communicate their works.

From another point of view, novelists, poets, philosophers, essayists share the fact that they are free to use their words as long as the expression of their thought is satisfied.
Scientists, mathematicians, physicists etc are not as free. You can't be evocative, you can't be ironic when illustrating the principle of gravitation.

So, nothing personal, iamgine, but while I think the Aristotle pick is legit, I don't agree with the Newton pick (unless you want to consider only his works as pure philosopher/scripturist, which are not first round material).

[Fatal9]

raiderfan19 picks JRR Tolkien via PM.

I have Fuhqueque's pick too (I think) but he sent it early yesterday and as a back up to his first pick so I'm not sure if he's changed his mind. I'll give him some time even though his pick probably hasn't changed.

[Fatal9]

I select Vladimir Nabokov.
I wonder if Jasi's read the things he's said about Dostoevsky. Shots fired? :eek:

[Jasi]

I wonder if Jasi's read the things he's said about Dostoevsky. Shots fired? :eek:

Er, no, I haven't.
And actually Lolita is on my shelf, but still unread.
So I'm not familiar at all with Nabokov.

What did he say about Dostoevskij?

[Fatal9]

Er, no, I haven't.
And actually Lolita is on my shelf, but still unread.
So I'm not familiar at all with Nabokov.

What did he say about Dostoevskij?
Whenever he's asked to compare Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, his criticism of Dostoesvsky is always over the top and insulting. Here's a couple of links with some of the stuff he's said:

Regarding possible bias Nabokov has against him (http://disquietthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/12/nabokov-on-dostoevsky-biased.html)
http://marcelproust.blogspot.com/2005/06/nabokovs-strong-opinions.html
http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24521

I remember being surprised when I first read his comments, didn't think he'd go after a Russian literary legend so strongly. Made me not like him for a while because I've always liked reading Dostoevsky. Not that it matters much though. These guys can all be arrogant and dismissive of other literary figures. Tolstoy for example thought Shakespeare was a bum till the day he died. Called him a poor dramatist, a fake artist and his work's popularity being a result of propaganda by German professors.

[Snoop_Cat]

I'm not gonna lie, I have never heard of some of these authors.

I do think the Homer pick was a very nice one however; I'm not sure about it in regards to impact but there's no doubt that his works are some of the most critically acclaimed and well known of all time.

[raiderfan19]

Im pretty happy with my homer/tolkien combo. Homer speaks for himself and imo tolkien is the most creative writer of all time. Also everyone knows about LOTR, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion but he also wrote some of the most important literary criticisms and translations of all time. LOTR/The Hobbit also started modern high fantasy.

[Juges8932]

Favorite picks:
Homer
Tolkein

Least-favorite picks:
Dickens
Kafka
Orwell

(Not saying they aren't worthy, just that I don't like them)

Picks I have no base to judge on:
Tolstoy
Dostoevsky
Nabokov

I am definitely more of a fan of newer writers than older, which is typically who I read, unless I had to for school or just to gain insight on famous, or raved about, writers.

I like fantasy books or military-based books mostly.

This is a cool draft and idea. Would have joined if I had a bigger knowledge base of the more historic writers and stuff. I'll be interested in seeing who gets picked and maybe find a new author to read.

[Fatal9]

iamgine, you're up in 2 hrs (10 pm est) if fuhqueque doesn't pick by then. just letting you know cuz I'm checking out for the night.

[Lebowsky]

I've never read any of Nabokov's works either (has anyone here?). Although I kind of like Kubrick's version of Lolita, mainly because of James Mason's outstanding acting, for some reason I've never felt I'd enjoy the book.

[Fuhqueue]

Sorry about the delay folks.. with my 2nd round pick, Team Fuhqueue selects Geoffrey Chaucer.

http://i51.tinypic.com/znu1aq.jpg

To go with Orwell, a more recent giant with towering influence in the 20th century, the squad sought a writer with deeper, more fundamental influence to add to the roster. In Chaucer, we feel we've got our man - perhaps the most influential figure to English-language writing there is, despite modern claims he was writing in a weak era for literature. He was described by his contemporary John Lydgate as the first writer to introduce eloquence to the English tongue, despite recent scholarship claiming KRS-One was the first. His pioneering work in rhetoric, rhyme/metre, and other devices of poetry and storytelling helped form the nuts and bolts of English literature for hundreds of years.

Though his voice has dated and his work somewhat difficult for the modern reader to digest, a good companion edition can help you appreciate the genius in pieces like Troilus and Criseyde, The Legend of Good Women, and his best-known collection, The Canturbury Tales.

[Jailblazers7]

I've never read any of Nabokov's works either (has anyone here?). Although I kind of like Kubrick's version of Lolita, mainly because of James Mason's outstanding acting, for some reason I've never felt I'd enjoy the book.

I guess im the only one lol. I seriously suggest everyone read Lolita tho, its an absolute masterpiece.

[Juges8932]

I guess im the only one lol. I seriously suggest everyone read Lolita tho, its an absolute masterpiece.

Will add that to my list of books to read I have going. Thanks.
:cheers:

[the GIBBET]

Favorite picks:
Homer
Tolkein

Least-favorite picks:
Dickens
Kafka
Orwell



:cletus:

[the GIBBET]

I'm sorry, let me correct myself:



















http://www.voir.ca/blogs/steve_proulx/Cletus.gif

[Joshumitsu]

There are still many quality writers out there. People are forgetting that poetry is a literary art form as well. Epic poetry and its significance has been overlooked in this draft.

Then, you've got the 20th century writers too, which expands beyond just the novel.

[iamgine]

On the Aristotle & Newton picks.
Imo, there's a difference between the two.
Neither philosophers nor scientists are artists, but the aim of the draft from the beginning included more than artist.



Now, the bolded part is decisive, imo.
While philosophers/journalists/essayist work with the words, scientists basically use language as a coded way to communicate their works.

From another point of view, novelists, poets, philosophers, essayists share the fact that they are free to use their words as long as the expression of their thought is satisfied.
Scientists, mathematicians, physicists etc are not as free. You can't be evocative, you can't be ironic when illustrating the principle of gravitation.

So, nothing personal, iamgine, but while I think the Aristotle pick is legit, I don't agree with the Newton pick (unless you want to consider only his works as pure philosopher/scripturist, which are not first round material).
I don't see how the bold part is decisive. If anything that supports the Newton's pick. Scientist's work is written too. They can be as creative as they want when illustrating the principle of gravity.

[iamgine]

I pick:

Lao Tzu

http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/bestselling-comics-2006/3426-1.jpg

[Lebowsky]

There are still many quality writers out there. People are forgetting that poetry is a literary art form as well. Epic poetry and its significance has been overlooked in this draft.

Then, you've got the 20th century writers too, which expands beyond just the novel.

Only fourteen picks have been made, of course there are quality writers out there. I'm sure poets will be picked later on, at least I plan on doing so, but most of the first few picks were pretty much automatic.

[Jailblazers7]

There are still many quality writers out there. People are forgetting that poetry is a literary art form as well. Epic poetry and its significance has been overlooked in this draft.

Then, you've got the 20th century writers too, which expands beyond just the novel.

There are a few poets I almost took with my last pick. Also, many novelists already selected have done works in poetry most writers have a variety of works.

[Lebowsky]

There are still many quality writers out there. People are forgetting that poetry is a literary art form as well. Epic poetry and its significance has been overlooked in this draft.

Then, you've got the 20th century writers too, which expands beyond just the novel.

And by the way, Homer was a poet and has already been picked.

[raiderfan19]

I pick:

Lao Tzu

http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/bestselling-comics-2006/3426-1.jpg
Have you actually read the book of tao? Because Im fairly certain if you had, you wouldn't have picked him.

[Jailblazers7]

And by the way, Homer was a poet and has already been picked.

And Shakespeare obviously.

[iamgine]

Have you actually read the book of tao? Because Im fairly certain if you had, you wouldn't have picked him.
Do share your knowledge with us.

[sawyersauce]

Im pretty happy with my homer/tolkien combo. Homer speaks for himself and imo tolkien is the most creative writer of all time. Also everyone knows about LOTR, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion but he also wrote some of the most important literary criticisms and translations of all time. LOTR/The Hobbit also started modern high fantasy.

Tolkien is a stetch, for me.

He's just not a very good writer, his prose are pedestrian at his best (like the Hobbit) and rambling at worst (like the Silmarillion). The LOTR reads like a bestiary to me, all that detail on what a particular tree looks like, but not poetic detail, just flat out superfluous exposition. It's like a fictional history text book. I certainly wouldn't declare him the 'most creative writer of all time', maybe the most creative world-builder - but his actual writing is bland, compared to the innovation of, say Nabakov.

I suppose you can make some sort of argument based on the judging criteria, especially if popularity is considered. But I don't see him as an influential writer, certainly not influential over language (other than elvish), form and style.

He was a genius world-builder, and a decent narrative plotter. And I'm not one to completely dismiss genre writers, but this is a writer's draft - shouldn't quality of actual writing be the focus?

[bballer]

cs lewis

[Jailblazers7]

Another reason to hate bballer.

[Maniak]

Another reason to hate bballer.
But hes considered a brilliant insidehoops poster.

[Jailblazers7]

Tolkien is a stetch, for me.

He's just not a very good writer, his prose are pedestrian at his best (like the Hobbit) and rambling at worst (like the Silmarillion). The LOTR reads like a bestiary to me, all that detail on what a particular tree looks like, but not poetic detail, just flat out superfluous exposition. It's like a fictional history text book. I certainly wouldn't declare him the 'most creative writer of all time', maybe the most creative world-builder - but his actual writing is bland, compared to the innovation of, say Nabakov.

I suppose you can make some sort of argument based on the judging criteria, especially if popularity is considered. But I don't see him as an influential writer, certainly not influential over language (other than elvish), form and style.

He was a genius world-builder, and a decent narrative plotter. And I'm not one to completely dismiss genre writers, but this is a writer's draft - shouldn't quality of actual writing be the focus?

The "other than elvish" part literally made me lol. I actually consider the. Writer and close friend of tolkein that bballer posted to be a much better writer.

[Snoop_Cat]

The "other than elvish" part literally made me lol. I actually consider the. Writer and close friend of tolkein that bballer posted to be a much better writer.

As do I, the religious implications behind his work is fascinating as well. Very broad audience as well - can be read by elementary/middle schoolers but also be interpreted at a much higher level.

[boozehound]

:cletus:
finally something we can agree on. I love cletus! and even kinda look like him.

wait, so who picked homer? He may not have even existed, and his works are basically the early recordings of oral traditions. nonetheless, its hard to argue with some of the earliest writings from the foundational culture of western civ

[boozehound]

Tolkien is a stetch, for me.

He's just not a very good writer, his prose are pedestrian at his best (like the Hobbit) and rambling at worst (like the Silmarillion). The LOTR reads like a bestiary to me, all that detail on what a particular tree looks like, but not poetic detail, just flat out superfluous exposition. It's like a fictional history text book. I certainly wouldn't declare him the 'most creative writer of all time', maybe the most creative world-builder - but his actual writing is bland, compared to the innovation of, say Nabakov.

I suppose you can make some sort of argument based on the judging criteria, especially if popularity is considered. But I don't see him as an influential writer, certainly not influential over language (other than elvish), form and style.

He was a genius world-builder, and a decent narrative plotter. And I'm not one to completely dismiss genre writers, but this is a writer's draft - shouldn't quality of actual writing be the focus?
good post. I especially like your last point. The Silmarillion is basically unreadable (I dare all of you) unless you are obsessed with his fantasy world. but being able to build and communicate such a great alternate world certainly takes some level of articulate and well-written prose. and, please, i know you all skip the little songs/poems when you are reading his shit.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Where Jasi be? I'd like to pick before bed.

[the GIBBET]

wait, so who picked homer? He may not have even existed, and his works are basically the early recordings of oral traditions. nonetheless, its hard to argue with some of the earliest writings from the foundational culture of western civ


Not only that but the actual translation of The Iliad is a gargantuan text, written in verse. It's possible the guy who picked him has read it, but more likely that he's read some simplified newbery classics paperback version or something lol. So even if you want to credit the original work to "Homer," unless you've read the original unabridged work, it wouldn't make much sense to pick Homer as your author of choice based on reading someone else's abridged retelling of the story.

Combined with picking JRR Tolkien WHILE dismissing the other three??? it's a facepalm situation.

[raiderfan19]

finally something we can agree on. I love cletus! and even kinda look like him.

wait, so who picked homer? He may not have even existed, and his works are basically the early recordings of oral traditions. nonetheless, its hard to argue with some of the earliest writings from the foundational culture of western civ
I did. And I anticipated that point and cleared it up with the commish that I get credit for Homer as a literary figure whether he existed as a person or not.

As for the Tolkien stuff, I actually agree to a certain extent BUT the creative genius that it took to make that detailed of a world is beyond the scope of anything any writer has done before or since. Also, he started the modern version of fantasy which has become wildly popular. Again I will add that his criticisms and translations are being overlooked. He completely changed the way both Beowulf and Chaucer were viewed.

[sawyersauce]

I did. And I anticipated that point and cleared it up with the commish that I get credit for Homer as a literary figure whether he existed as a person or not.

As for the Tolkien stuff, I actually agree to a certain extent BUT the creative genius that it took to make that detailed of a world is beyond the scope of anything any writer has done before or since. Also, he started the modern version of fantasy which has become wildly popular. Again I will add that his criticisms and translations are being overlooked. He completely changed the way both Beowulf and Chaucer were viewed.

The thing is, creating/conceptualising middle-earth wasn't really an act of writing, it was an act of imagination - so I don't think it can be considered a literary achievement. Does that make sense? He should be judged on how he rendered that world in prose, via the Hobbit, LOTR, Silmarillion, ect.

I guess that is a whole debate unto itself, can content be seperated from the medium in which it is expressed?

Regardless, there is obviously a valid argument that Tolkien's contribution to the fantasy genre was significant. But his contribution to literature as a whole is a bit more ambivalant. In my opinion, I don't think he was an important or influential literary figure, but I guess the onus is on you.

[raiderfan19]

The thing is, creating/conceptualising middle-earth wasn't really an act of writing, it was an act of imagination - so I don't think it can be considered a literary achievement. Does that make sense? He should be judged on how he rendered that world in prose, via the Hobbit, LOTR, Silmarillion, ect.

I guess that is a whole debate unto itself, can content be seperated from the medium in which it is expressed?

Regardless, there is obviously a valid argument that Tolkien's contribution to the fantasy genre was significant. But his contribution to literature as a whole is a bit more ambivalant. In my opinion, I don't think he was an important or influential literary figure, but I guess the onus is on you.
I understand your argument and I can see why you would feel that way though I disagree with it. Also, to be fair I feel he did a MUCH better job of presenting Middle Earth then you are giving him credit for.

[Jasi]

2nd pick, I select Dante Alighieri.

http://www.iuo.it/userfiles/workarea_228/DanteAlighieri(1).jpg


His Divine Comedy (1321) - the poetic description of his journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise, and originally called Commedia by the author, and nicknamed Divina by later writers - is unanimously considered the greatest literary work composed in the Italian language, and a masterpiece of world literature.

He himself is nicknamed "the Poet" par excellence.

Besides being the foundation of Italian literature, the Divine Comedy has had a huge influence also beyond Italy. While largely ignored during the Enlightenment, it
[QUOTE]was "rediscovered" by William Blake

[raiderfan19]

2nd pick, I select Dante Alighieri.

http://www.iuo.it/userfiles/workarea_228/DanteAlighieri(1).jpg


His Divine Comedy (1321) - the poetic description of his journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise, and originally called Commedia by the author, and nicknamed Divina by later writers - is unanimously considered the greatest literary work composed in the Italian language, and a masterpiece of world literature.

He himself is nicknamed "the Poet" par excellence.

Besides being the foundation of Italian literature, the Divine Comedy has had a huge influence also beyond Italy. While largely ignored during the Enlightenment, it


Other notable works by Dante include:
Convivio
De monarchia
De vulgari eloquentia
La Vita Nuova
Le Rime
was gonna pick him next if he made it.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Booooooo! Took my pick! :cry:

Alright then I guess I'll select:

Edgar Allen Poe
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/StephanieWytovich/edgar-allan-poe.jpg

an American writer, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective-fiction genre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career

Notable Works:

The Raven
A Tell-Tale Heart
Eureka: A Prose Poem (Poe gettin all philosophical in this *****!)
The Cask of Amontillado
The Murders in the Rue Morgue
The Black Cat
And a wonder to read because of it's unique narration The Pit and Pendulum

[Fatal9]

he was one of the three I was debating taking with my fourth pick but instead picked Dickens only because he's been my favorite since childhood (homer pick). surprised he fell into the second round when he's an easy top 5 or so pick for me. Reading Inferno for the first time was one of the best literary experiences I've ever had (the poem itself is great, but you learn so much from the references. got me to read classics which I had ignored previously), though I have yet to read Purgatorio and Paradiso. steal of the draft so far.

[Jasi]

he was one of the three I was debating taking with my fourth pick but instead picked Dickens only because he's been my favorite since childhood (homer pick). surprised he fell into the second round when he's an easy top 5 or so pick for me. Reading Inferno for the first time was one of the best literary experiences I've ever had (the poem itself is great, but you learn so much from the references. got me to read classics which I had ignored previously), though I have yet to read Purgatorio and Paradiso. steal of the draft so far.

Yes I was surprised he made it this far.
When I picked Dostoevskij, I was sure I was renouncing Dante.
And instead...

[Fatal9]

this is an easy pick for me because I had written up for him as my first round pick before erasing it to pick Dickens. Thought there was no chance he comes back to me in the second round...

http://wpcontent.answcdn.com/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Miguel_cervantes_de_saavedra.jpg/220px-Miguel_cervantes_de_saavedra.jpg

Cervantes

Wrote the most important novel in the history of Western literature - Don Quixote, which is not only considered the first modern novel but also the greatest.

[I]His work is often considered amongst the most important works in all of Western literature.[3] His influence on the Spanish language has been so great that Spanish is often called la lengua de Cervantes, Spanish for the language of Cervantes.[4] He has been dubbed El Pr

[Jasi]

^ another 1st rounder there for sure

[pete's montreux]

Poe would've been my #1 overall. He's probably the only classic writer I'm loyal to, if that makes sense. I've read 90% of work and have multiple times. I also just ordered two biographies of his and plan to read those very soon.

[Jailblazers7]

I would pick guys like Dante and Goethe but ihonestly have read much if any of ther works. It feels wrong to take someone I don't even know if I like just based on rep.

[blondie]

wow, some shitty writers being picked in this thing

[Lebowsky]

I was sure Jasi would pick Dante if available. Isn't he also credited with the stardardization of the florentine dialect as the basis for italian language? Huge influence, undeniably.
I almost took Cervantes with my second pick, but Kafka I could not let slide. El Quijote is one of the handful of books that has actually made me laugh out loud at some points, just to bring me close to tears some chapters later.

[ZeN]

wow, some shitty writers being picked in this thing
Negged..

[boozehound]

Negged..
well, it is sergio

[Jailblazers7]

Who's up?

[Fatal9]

Who's up?
boozehound, though masterdurant24 can pick now.

[blondie]

Negged..
o shit son:eek: :eek: :eek:

[boozehound]

my bad. let me check whos been drafted and then Ill make my pick wihtin thehour

[boozehound]

well **** a duck, too many to choose from. As I am going to try and only choose one author per country, I am going to bypass a couple of brilliant and notable writers
http://www.alcorngallery.com/CelebratedAuthors/images/GabrielGarciaMarquez.jpg

I choose Gabriel Garcia Marquez, most famous as the author of Love in the time of Cholera and 100 years of solitude. His work ranges from non-fiction and journalism (his initial career) to poems and novellas. arguably the most famous S. Am writer, he was influential beyond his language in promoting the style of realism and specifically magical realism. Personally I love how his books incorporate multiple perspectives and frequently have tragic endings for the heroes.

Love in the time of cholera is a magnificent, heartwarming and rending story that remains one of my favorite books to this day. You will notice that he is also an author with a knack for descriptive language and nuance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Garc%C3%ADa_M%C3%A1rquez

[MasterDurant24]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VIyA5qk6Vwc/TE7IjI_0vJI/AAAAAAAACVo/lvMW95muCuA/s1600/william-faulkner.jpg

Is there really any question that William Faulkner is one of the greatest writers of all time? He's one of the most influential writers of the 1900's, arguably the best and one of the most important in Southern literature, and is a Nobel-Prize winning novelist and short story writer. Has penned classics such as the Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, Light in August, and Absalom, Absalom.

[Jailblazers7]

I was hoping Faulkner would continue to drop. Nice pick.

[Snoop_Cat]

Will post my 2 picks in a few....

[Jasi]

I thought boozehound would have picked Faulkner...
but Garcia Marquez is a solid pick at this point.

I read 100 Years... last year and it's so richly imaginative, so dense with literary inventions.
I've always been very curious about Love In The Time of Cholera.

[Snoop_Cat]

There a lot of great authors by name and achievements, but I'll take guys I personally know of/read.

Mark Twain
One of the greatest American writers of all time. His two classics - Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn both encompass everything of then American society in a manner that reaches to both the younger and sophisticated audiences.
Known as the "father of American literature" and "one of the greatest humorists and satirists". His style has no reservations and his criticism of society and writing style itself is incredible.

His literary achievements were not achieved to books as well as he wrote numerous papers and documents regarding various political issues and happenings in society.



Victor Hugo
-I'll forgive Hugo for being French and take him here.
Excerpt:
"If we could give Victor Hugo a title that best describes his literary achievements, we would call him "The Activist Writer". Indeed, Victor Hugo was not the typical writer. Almost every one of his novels was
written not to entertain the masses, but to educate and empower them. Victor Hugo's Les Miserables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame put the social problems of the time on trial. Hugo was never hesitant in exposing what he perceived as unjust and perverse, and he did it in the most public ways possible

[MasterDurant24]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_95iRnsixano/SH9PfExa2WI/AAAAAAAABBs/O2vMiJ2buyw/s400/Aesop.jpg

The writer of everyone's favorite fables, Aesop is certainly one of the best writers of all time. His stories, such as the Fox and the Grapes, the Tortoise and the Hare, the Boy Who Cried Wolf, and the Ant and the Grasshopper, are some of the most well-known in the world.

[Fatal9]

booze is back up.


Mark Twain
Tom Sawyer was easily my favorite novel and character growing up (still saved my first copy of it). Hated growing up every time I reread it. Huck's probably a more important book but not a better character, or a better book for kids. It's what, almost a century and a half old now, but I still think no book captured the essence of childhood quite like that one.

[boozehound]

I thought boozehound would have picked Faulkner...
but Garcia Marquez is a solid pick at this point.

I read 100 Years... last year and it's so richly imaginative, so dense with literary inventions.
I've always been very curious about Love In The Time of Cholera.
yep, faulkner was one of the picks I considered but I didnt want to waste my american author on a southerner! twain was also considered along with a couple of others.


I would recommend Love in the time of cholera. IMO its better? than 100 years, though that did win him the nobel prize.

[boozehound]

booze is back up.


Tom Sawyer was easily my favorite novel and character growing up (still saved my first copy of it). Hated growing up every time I reread it. Huck's probably a more important book but not a better character, or a better book for kids. It's what, almost a century and a half old now, but I still think no book captured the essence of childhood quite like that one.
oh, me again huh? Give me a minute.

[Lebowsky]

yep, faulkner was one of the picks I considered but I didnt want to waste my american author on a southerner! twain was also considered along with a couple of others.


I would recommend Love in the time of cholera. IMO its better? than 100 years, though that did win him the nobel prize.

I dig your no-more-than-one-writer-from-each-country concept, I will do that as well.

[Jailblazers7]

Im attempting to distribute my picks across different nationalities but it seems like I want to take a different Irish writer with every pick lol.

[boozehound]

ok, again, skipping some quality american literary tail here, including one of my all-time favorite authors. I am going to choose my favorite author/******/rake from the British Isles, Oscar Wilde!

http://www.thequoteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/wilde-statue.jpg
This man's wit is unsurpassed imo. The depth of meaning (and double/triple entedres) throughout his plays is both hilarious and profound. Another multi-talented writer (poems, plays, fairy tales, essays), his works range from the hilariously absurb (IOBE) to downright soul crushing (The Ballad of Reading Gaol). His wit and charm transcended his writing, making him an infamous darling of london high society.

My favorite work is A picture of Dorian Grey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Wilde

[boozehound]

Im attempting to distribute my picks across different nationalities but it seems like I want to take a different Irish writer with every pick lol.
yeah, I may violate it down the stretch, but we shall see.

[pete's montreux]

I would have been the absolute worst participant in this draft. All homer picks and not caring about anyone else.

[Fatal9]

split between two picks, give me a couple of minutes.

[Fatal9]

http://cdn2.maxim.com/maxim/files/2008/10/28/stupid-fun-new-post-10-28-2008/fs_john-milton-paradise-lost.jpg

John Milton

By most of the critical consensus, he is usually second to only Shakespeare as an English poet and his epic poetry is in the same air as Homer, Dante and couple of others I can't mention due to name dropping. The same is true if we look at academic recognition and the sheer volume of analysis his work has produced, with the center of it all being Paradise Lost. It is the most challenging piece of literature I've read, and I think it would have been impossible to get even a decent grasp of it without having taken a course on him (Joyce and Milton are two English writers I feel you need to be taught). The language is challenging, the structure even more so (uses latin verse form), his academic knowledge is so vast that you need to usually prepare by reading other classics before touching Paradise Lost, and the actual content and characters of the poem (specifically Satan) have provided some of the most debated topics in literature.

Samuel Johnson on Paradise Lost:
I am now to examine Paradise Lost, a poem which, considered with respect to design, may claim the first place, and with respect to performance the second, among the productions of the human mind.

As far as influence, his use of the blank verse resulted in many imitations and romantic elements of his work (particularly the minor poems) influenced many romantic poets. There's a whole section of it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milton#Literary_legacy

Best work:

Paradise Lost
Samson Agonistes
L’Allegro & Il Penseroso
Lycidas
Many other minor poems

[Bird]

Yo, great thread so far.

I am obviously not participating, but I am enjoying the back and forth banter (of some) and learning about some writers I either knew nothing about or little about.

If I can find someway to get some of the older works for fairly decent prices, would be good to read out here in the sandbox, since I do have PLENTY of time to read (been here about 9 weeks and I have already knocked out 8 or 9 books).

Keep it up guys, I plan on following this thread through until the end.

[Fatal9]

Timmy D is up followed by Jasi.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Man there are just so many to choose from I feel like no matter who I pick I'm leaving someone out...

Alright I've made up my mind and hope my other one falls:

Sophocles
http://www.untoldentertainment.com/blog/img/2009_07_12/sophocles.jpg

Among Sophocles' earliest innovations was the addition of a third actor, which further reduced the role of the chorus and created greater opportunity for character development and conflict between characters.[4] Aeschylus, who dominated Athenian playwrighting during Sophocles' early career, followed suit and adopted the third character into his own work towards the end of his life.[4] Aristotle credits Sophocles with the introduction of skenographia, or scenery-painting. It was not until after the death of the old master Aeschylus in 456 BCE that Sophocles became the pre-eminent playwright in Athens.[1]

Thereafter, Sophocles emerged victorious in dramatic competitions at 18 Dionysia and 6 Lenaia festivals.[1] In addition to innovations in dramatic structure, Sophocles' work is also known for its deeper development of characters than earlier playwrights.[4] His reputation was such that foreign rulers invited him to attend their courts, although unlike Aeschylus who died in Sicily, or Euripides who spent time in Macedon, Sophocles never accepted any of these invitations.[1] Aristotle used Sophocles' Oedipus the King in his Poetics (c. 335 BCE) as an example of the highest achievement in tragedy, which suggests the high esteem in which his work was held by later Greeks

Notable works: The Thebean Plays

[Jasi]

There are at least three more Russian authors I'd rather pick, but for the sake of variety I'll go with an English one and break the sex barrier by picking Jane Austen.

http://www.myluxury.it/img/_jane_austen.jpg


Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction set among the gentry have earned her a place as one of the most widely read and most beloved writers in English literature. Amongst scholars and critics, Austen's realism and biting social commentary have cemented her historical importance as a writer.

Her masterpiece Pride and Prejudice is one of those immortal classics that constantly receives attention from readers and critics, and is an inspiration for innumerable writers and for several adaptations in theatre, cinema and television.
How poetic, ironic and above all intelligent is her style when describing the the life and psychologies of her characters, who always strive to dominate their passions in order to overcome the obstacles that separate them from her typical happy ending...

Its often quoted incipit:
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife"

[Fatal9]

iamgine is up...

[iamgine]

I take Plato

http://thekoolaidmom.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/plato-and-a-platypus1.jpg

[vapid]

ugh. Jane Austen.

[boozehound]

I take Plato

http://thekoolaidmom.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/plato-and-a-platypus1.jpg
you could at least post a book actually by him. or a blurb. He is the most famous/influential philosopher in western civ. Posting some dumb joke book is insulting imo.

[iamgine]

you could at least post a book actually by him. or a blurb. He is the most famous/influential philosopher in western civ. Posting some dumb joke book is insulting imo.
You are free to do him the honor if you'd like.

[Jasi]

ugh. Jane Austen.

?

- influence on literature and society CHECK
- overall body of work CHECK
- magnus opus (greatness of their greatest work) CHECK
- critical acclaim CHECK
- variety in your overall "team" CHECK

:confusedshrug:

Her subjects may be "light", but in a ranking of the most important writers she is up there for sure.

[boozehound]

?

- influence on literature and society CHECK
- overall body of work CHECK
- magnus opus (greatness of their greatest work) CHECK
- critical acclaim CHECK
- variety in your overall "team" CHECK

:confusedshrug:

Her subjects may be "light", but in a ranking of the most important writers she is up there for sure.
I think hes just saying that he doesnt enjoy reading her. Im not a huge fan, but shes alright. Been years since Ive read anything by her. Whos up? You?

[boozehound]

RND PICK OWNER SELECTION
1 1 Snoop Cat William Shakespeare
1 2 MasterDurant24 Leo Tolstoy
1 3 boozehound Marcel Proust
1 4 Fatal Charles Dickens
1 5 Timmy D Aristotle
1 6 Jasi Dostoevsky
1 7 iamgine Isaac Newton
1 8 Fuhqueque George Orwell
1 9 raiderfan19 Homer
1 10 Jailblazers7 James Joyce
1 11 Lebowsky Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

2 1 Lebowsky Franz Kafka
2 2 Jailblazers7 Vladimir Nabokov
2 3 raiderfan19 J.R.R. Tolkien
2 4 Fuhqueque Geoffrey Chaucer
2 5 iamgine Lao Tzu
2 6 Jasi Dante Alighieri
2 7 Timmy D Edgar Allan Poe
2 8 fatal Cervantes
2 9 boozehound Gabriel Garcia Marquez
2 10 MasterDurant24 William Faulkner
2 11 Snoop Cat Mark Twain

3 1 Snoop Cat Victor Hugo
3 2 MasterDurant24 Aesop
3 3 boozehound Oscar Wilde
3 4 Fatal John Milton
3 5 Timmy D Sophocles
3 6 Jasi Jane Austen
3 7 iamgine Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein
3 8 Fuhqueque
3 9 raiderfan19
3 10 Jailblazers7
3 11 Lebowsky


Figured it might not hurt to put the list on this page.

[Jasi]

:roll:
Why has Amar'e left Pecherov unguarded all at once and for no apparent reason?


EDIT: Ahahah I wrote in the wrong thread

[Jasi]

Yeah it wasn't a homer pick either, but I think it works.

Fuhqueue's up I think.

[vapid]

Yea I just don't like her too much.

[Fuhqueue]

With our third-round pick, Team Fuhqueue selects Friedrich Nietzsche.

http://i55.tinypic.com/15nkimu.jpg

Nietzsche meets our early-round policy of selecting authors of the utmost influence, and adds a different linguistic threat to our two English-tongue picks so far. His ideas were penetrating and provocative, and had a deep impact on the modern world - being manipulated and espoused by the Nazis and Blackshirts, for example, as intellectual justification for their atrocities. His elusive, aphoristic style makes his writing much more entertaining than most rigidly-scientific/logical philosophers, but such stylistic expressiveness left him open to misinterpretation. So though his writing occasionally leads to genocide, Team Fuhqueue's coaching staff will be working hard with him in preseason, to avoid such slip-ups in future.

Despite his philosophy often being somewhat-obscure, we feel that his works and concepts remain so powerfully and enduringly provocative, that he is a steal in the 3rd round. We hope he will bring the level of production seen in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Ecce Homo, Beyond Good & Evil, and Human All-Too-Human to the upcoming season.

[Jasi]

I like your user title, I like your 'shop jobs here, I like you overall irony, I like this pick, I don't like Nietsche.
:cheers:

[Black Joker]

I like your user title, I like your 'shop jobs here, I like you overall irony, I like this pick, I don't like Nietsche.
:cheers:
i share Jasi's sentiments

[raiderfan19]

On an iphone so no elaborafion but i choose hemingway

[Waking_Life]

I like your user title, I like your 'shop jobs here, I like you overall irony, I like this pick, I don't like Nietsche.
:cheers:
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Jailblazers7]

I choose the great poet Walt Whitman.

http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/images/walt-whitman.jpg

My favorite poet of all time. His pioneering use of free verse has probably had the largest impact on me compared to any other style of writing. If you've never read Leaves of Grass do yourself a favor and go buy it.

[Lebowsky]

I believe it's my turn, so I select Voltaire

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WM1H1NUdZLU/SwOiKlFUdCI/AAAAAAAACjI/ucFTYid5P4o/s1600/Voltaire.jpg

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltaire):
Fran

[Lebowsky]

The second pick of my back-to-back is Jorge Luis Borges.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gr41FEso034/SRuxT9-HsfI/AAAAAAAAYfw/W7gCpzIbYOE/s400/Jorge+Luis+Borges.jpg

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorge_Luis_Borges):

Jorge Francisco Isidoro Luis Borges Acevedo (August 24, 1899 – June 14, 1986), best known as Jorge Luis Borges (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxorxe ˈlwiz ˈβorxes]), was an Argentine writer, essayist, and poet born in Buenos Aires. In 1914 his family moved to Switzerland where he attended school and traveled to Spain. On his return to Argentina in 1921, Borges began publishing his poems and essays in surrealist literary journals. He also worked as a librarian and public lecturer. In 1955 he was appointed director of the National Public Library (Biblioteca Nacional) and professor of Literature at the University of Buenos Aires. In 1961 he came to international attention when he received the first International Publishers' Prize, the Prix Formentor. His work was translated and published widely in the United States and in Europe. Borges himself was fluent in several languages. He died in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1986.

His work embraces the "chaos that rules the world and the character of unreality in all literature."[1] His most famous books, Ficciones (1944) and The Aleph (1949), are compilations of short stories interconnected by common themes such as dreams, labyrinths, libraries, fictional writers, religion and God. His works have contributed to the genre of magical realism, a genre that reacted against the realism/naturalism of the nineteenth century.[2][3][4] Scholars have suggested that Borges's progressive blindness helped him to create innovative literary symbols through imagination. Borges commented "poets, like the blind, can see in the dark".[5] Borges wrote: "When I think of what I've lost, I ask, 'Who knows themselves better than the blind?' - for every thought becomes a tool." [6] The poems of his late period dialogue with such cultural figures as Spinoza, Lu

[Jailblazers7]

I select Samuel Beckett.

http://thinkinpictures.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/samuel_beckett_300px_bw.jpg

One of the most influential writers of the 20th century and adds a masterful playwright to my selections. A quote from wiki:

[QUOTE]Broadly speaking, the plays deal with the subject of despair and the will to survive in spite of that despair, in the face of an uncomprehending and, indeed, incomprehensible world. The words of Nell

[sawyersauce]

On an iphone so no elaborafion but i choose hemingway

Well this time I'm certainly not going to rag on your pick.

Hemmingway is probably my favorite author (for the moment).
IMO he's one of the best writers of character ever:
Pablo, Pilar and Maria from For Whom the Bell Tolls
Rinaldi and Elizabeth Berkley from Farewell To Arms.
Santiago from Old Man and the Sea.
Brett Ashley, Robert Cohn and well, pretty much everyone from The Sun Also Rises.
His characters always have a great balence of being intersting and psychologically complex but also believable and relatable to. Great short story writer as well, Men Without Women is a nice collection.
And his prose are brilliant. That polished to the bone style and absolutely perfect structure. He's all about subtext - saying as much as he can with as few words as possible, showing rather than telling.

I'm interested to see what you'll nominate as his magnum opus though. I've read rumours that Hemmingway himself considered his finest work to be the 6 word story.

... For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn...

Like I said, he's all about creating subtext.

EDIT: By the way, before I quit the draft I was going to take Dante with the second overall pick. I can't believe he went second round. Though I suppose the talent pool for this draft is a lot deeper than others.

[Snoop_Cat]

Hemingway's a good pick but I personally absolutely abhor his works.

[sawyersauce]

Hemingway's a good pick but I personally absolutely abhor his works.

That's a strong word. Abhor. To each his own I suppose.

[Snoop_Cat]

That's a strong word. Abhor. To each his own I suppose.

Most likely a product of having his stuff forced down my throat back in my middle school/high school days.

[raiderfan19]

Still iphone but alexandre dumas

[Fatal9]

Fuhqueue is back up.

I choose the great poet Walt Whitman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDqq_13IIyo :lol

but seriously, I expected him to be there for my next couple of picks and was hoping to take him. My favorite American poet as well.


The second pick of my back-to-back is Jorge Luis Borges.
never read him but interested now.

[Jasi]

Te jodes Lebowsky! Borges was going to be my next pick... Outstanding talent.

[Fuhqueue]

Without enough time this morning for a shop or much explanation, Team Fuhqueue selects Anton Chekhov.

http://www.buffyholt.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/anton-chekhov.jpg

[Jasi]

I can't but applaud such pick.
You can't go wrong with 4-5 classic Russian authors who are all 1st-2nd round material in my book.

[Fatal9]

my favorite short story writer (a book of his short stories is the oldest book I own, my grandfather passed it down to me and wanted to make sure I read his work). lot of great picks in the last round or two, guys I was hoping dropped being taken one after the other.

iamgine's up.

[iamgine]

Adam Smith

http://www.washtenawjustice.com/AdamSmith_Clydesdale_Face.jpg

[Jasi]

Team iamgine is more and more ready to win the Draft.
The All-Time Thinkers draft.
:cheers:

[sawyersauce]

Are you judging a picks 'influence', based on their influence on society or their influence on literature and language?

I would have thought the latter - being the actual technical aspects of writing as a medium.

[Jasi]

With my 4th round pick I select John Steinbeck.

http://www.chezwhat.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/john-steinbeck.jpg


What can an Italian tell to his American friends about the writer of East of Eden, Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath? Nothing.
I guess it would be useless.

So I'll just paste:

- the motivation of his 1962 Nobel Prize


[for his] realistic and imaginative writing, combining as it does sympathetic humor and keen social perception.

- an excerpt from his acceptance speech

[QUOTE]The writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit

[Lebowsky]

Te jodes Lebowsky! Borges was going to be my next pick... Outstanding talent.

Haha, sorry about that. I almost picked my favourite spanish writer, but I'm sure he'll be around come next round.

[Jailblazers7]

I was very close to picking Steinbeck. Great author.

My favorite of his work is probably The Winter of Our Discontent.

Edit: also pretty surprised Chekov fell to the 4th round.

[ILLsmak]

Was sure Poe would be a lotto pick...

-Smak

[Jasi]

Timmy Duncan for Most Valuable Picker! is on the clock...

[boozehound]

Are you judging a picks 'influence', based on their influence on society or their influence on literature and language?

I would have thought the latter - being the actual technical aspects of writing as a medium.
yeah, that is more how I am looking at it. To each their own, but I dont really get picking plato or a. smith or others of that ilk. Sure, the republic was highly influential (both to me as well as western civ in general), but the idea that hes an awesome writer (rather than thinker) doesnt mesh IMO.


Again, to each their own, but just because someone has written down their thoughts (or had them written down) doesnt make them a great writer, regardless of how brilliant those actual thoughts might be.



BTW for my next pick, I choose god. what? He wrote the bible through men. Its a valid pick

[boozehound]

lots of nice authors in this last round. Hemmingway may be overrated to a degree, but one of the best american authors of all time.

[Jasi]

Time's up for Timmy D.

Via pm, Fatal9 selects Virgil.

Booze is on the clock, and Timmy D has a pending pick.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Sorry it's my late class so I got sleep in today.

I am so severely torn between two picks. But I think one will fall to me and the other less likely.

So with my pick I select:

Herman Melville
http://img.listal.com/image/519524/600full-herman-melville.jpg

was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet, whose work is often classified as part of the genre of dark romanticism. He is best known for his novel Moby-Dick and the posthumous novella Billy Budd. His first three books gained much attention, the first becoming a bestseller, but after a fast-blooming literary success in the late 1840s, his popularity declined precipitously in the mid-1850s and never recovered during his lifetime. When he died in 1891, he was almost completely forgotten. It was not until the "Melville Revival" in the early 20th century that his work won recognition, especially Moby-Dick which was hailed as one of the literary masterpieces of both American and world literature. He was the first writer to have his works collected and published by the Library of America.

Notable Works:
Moby Dick
Billy Budd
Typee
The Confidence Man

[raiderfan19]

yeah, that is more how I am looking at it. To each their own, but I dont really get picking plato or a. smith or others of that ilk. Sure, the republic was highly influential (both to me as well as western civ in general), but the idea that hes an awesome writer (rather than thinker) doesnt mesh IMO.


Again, to each their own, but just because someone has written down their thoughts (or had them written down) doesnt make them a great writer, regardless of how brilliant those actual thoughts might be.



BTW for my next pick, I choose god. what? He wrote the bible through men. Its a valid pick
I actually seriously thought about doing that at some point(as Ive mentioned around here before, Im a christian) but I think to be more legit you would have to pick the individual authors of the different books of the Bible.

[boozehound]

Sorry it's my late class so I got sleep in today.

I am so severely torn between two picks. But I think one will fall to me and the other less likely.

So with my pick I select:

Herman Melville
http://img.listal.com/image/519524/600full-herman-melville.jpg

was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet, whose work is often classified as part of the genre of dark romanticism. He is best known for his novel Moby-Dick and the posthumous novella Billy Budd. His first three books gained much attention, the first becoming a bestseller, but after a fast-blooming literary success in the late 1840s, his popularity declined precipitously in the mid-1850s and never recovered during his lifetime. When he died in 1891, he was almost completely forgotten. It was not until the "Melville Revival" in the early 20th century that his work won recognition, especially Moby-Dick which was hailed as one of the literary masterpieces of both American and world literature. He was the first writer to have his works collected and published by the Library of America.

Notable Works:
Moby Dick
Billy Budd
Typee
The Confidence Man
I love Billy budd. hated it the whole time I was reading it and then absolutely loved it when I finished it.
Ok, Im up? Give me a sec to review who has been taken.

[boozehound]

Ok, I am going to pick the greatest Algerian author of them all, Albert Camus!
http://www.smashboxstudios.com/yello/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/albert.jpg
Poltically active in both the communist party (though denounced by them and he eventually rejected it, as reflected in his work The Rebel) and the Algerian Peoples Party, he was later a part of the French Resistance in WWII.

Perhaps most famous as a friend and later rival of Satre, his works are frequently cited as an important contribution to the idea of the Absurd in philosophy. Both the Fall and the Stranger are masterful literary devices that incorporate this concept and particularly the dualistic nature of life.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Camus

[Fatal9]

re: Virgil

http://schools-wikipedia.org/images/838/83878.jpg

When it comes to epic poetry, Homer, Virgil, Dante and Milton stand above everyone else. After Homer, Virgil is probably the second most influential of these four. He was Rome's national poet, considered by most to be the finest of the classical Roman poets and with his work being maybe the most important in Latin literature. He has written three monumental texts, The Eclogues, The Georgics and The Aenied, with The Aenied being one of the most essential and significant texts in western literature. He had a tremendous influence on the middle ages. Dante refers to him as simply "the poet" in Inferno, where Virgil is Dante's guide and teacher. You can find his presence and influence everywhere from Shakespeare's plays to Milton's poetry and in the minor poems of countless other poets (many of whom I can't mention just yet). Thought he was a second rounder at worst, and I was debating between him and Milton last round but went with Milton because I've read more of him.

edit:

MasterDurant24 is up.

[boozehound]

ftr he is not french.

[Fuhqueue]

Wasn't sure what sort of following Camus had on here. I was hoping he'd drop til my next selection, brilliant writer. The Stranger and The Plague are books I have revisited repeatedly

In other news, Team Fuhqueue's first four draft picks so far attend a squad press conference about the upcoming season.

http://i55.tinypic.com/24mvoz6.jpg

[MasterDurant24]

http://www.china.org.cn/images/122185.jpg

Jin Yong is the best-selling Chinese author alive and is the man that gave the martial arts genre popularity. His works in the 50's to 70's gave him a reputation as one of the finest Wuxia(martial arts fiction) authors ever.