Thursday, December 24, 2009
A Desert Called Peace & Carnifex
Title: A Desert Called Peace
Author: Tom Kratman
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2007
ISBN 13: 978-1-4165-5592-6
And
Title: A Desert Called Peace
Author: Tom Kratman
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2007
ISBN 13: 978-1-4165-9150-4
I highly recommend this two-volume science fiction and military adventure novel.
By the year 2150 the progressives had won. They’d taken control of the entire Earth and set up a global government based on a hereditary caste system with the progressives, of course, as the ruling caste.
Progressives were able to establish themselves as the hereditary rulers of the planet because another earth-like planet was discovered. It was used as a dumping ground for the undesirables of Earth – those who opposed the progressives.
The new world developed on a path parallel to Old Earth until the progressives recognized these undisciplined, rapidly procreating, and increasingly powerful people would eventually threaten their rule.
So, they meddled in the affairs of Terra Nova. But the law of unintended consequences prevails and progressives created an implacable enemy – they changed Patrick Hennessey into Patrico Carrera, the Duque.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Chain of Destiny
Title: Chain of Destiny
Author: J.D. Lock
Publisher: Wheatmark
Copyright: 2007
ISBN-13: 978-1-58736-716-8
I highly recommend this novel.
JD Lock is a West Pointer, a US Army Ranger, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, and the author of three previous non-fiction volumes tracing the history and training of the American Rangers. “Chain of Destiny” is his first foray into fiction. And it’s a success.
Lock’s protagonist, Nathaniel Ames, is a modern day U.S. Army Ranger Captain; commander of an infantry company in the 75th Ranger Regiment. His unit deploys to capture and remove nuclear weapons from the hands of the Russian Mafia.
In the process, Captain Ames is injured and transported to 1863 and the American Civil War battlefield of Chancellorsville - the day after the battle. After a short convalescence he returns to duty an as infantry company commander, but in Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
His adventures and attempts to change history are a joy to follow. Along the way you get a taste of Civil War combat and a direct comparison with the modern Ranger experience.
The book is well worth the read. I was reluctant to put it down.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Night of Thunder
Title: Night of Thunder
Author: Stephen Hunter
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2008
ISBN-13: 0-978-14165-6511-6
I highly recommend this novel.
Stephen Hunter is one of my favorite authors. I anxiously await each new novel and his latest, “Night of Thunder” is a good one.
Bob Lee Swagger, Mr Hunter’s finest character and protagonist of this and many other Stephen Hunter novels, is getting long in the tooth; but not too long in the tooth to find out who injured his grown up daughter, Nikki and why. He’s still at heart the Marine Corps sniper with 87 kills in Viet Nam; tough as nails and deadly accurate with a gun.
As always, with Stephen Hunter’s novels, I loved every second of it.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Stephen Hunter
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2008
ISBN-13: 0-978-14165-6511-6
I highly recommend this novel.
Stephen Hunter is one of my favorite authors. I anxiously await each new novel and his latest, “Night of Thunder” is a good one.
Bob Lee Swagger, Mr Hunter’s finest character and protagonist of this and many other Stephen Hunter novels, is getting long in the tooth; but not too long in the tooth to find out who injured his grown up daughter, Nikki and why. He’s still at heart the Marine Corps sniper with 87 kills in Viet Nam; tough as nails and deadly accurate with a gun.
As always, with Stephen Hunter’s novels, I loved every second of it.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Corporate Blogging Book
Title: The Corporate Blogging Book
Author: Debbie Weil
Publisher: The Penguin Group
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 1-59184-125-9
I recommend this book.
As you can tell – I’m into blogging. “The Corporate Blogging Book” is an introduction to the world of corporate blogging - as in blogging as marketing, blogging as customer service and blogging as communication; and, internal corporate blogging – as in project management and employee communication and feedback.
Blogging is still relatively new but its growing fast. This 2006 book is dated in many respects, but as an introduction to how and why blogging is being done by corporations it was an eye opener. I’m looking at ways to incorporate blogging into my job as a direct result of reading this book.
If you have an interest in blogging, or perhaps in developing a new marketable skill within your current organization, “The Corporate Blogging Book” is worth the read.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Debbie Weil
Publisher: The Penguin Group
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 1-59184-125-9
I recommend this book.
As you can tell – I’m into blogging. “The Corporate Blogging Book” is an introduction to the world of corporate blogging - as in blogging as marketing, blogging as customer service and blogging as communication; and, internal corporate blogging – as in project management and employee communication and feedback.
Blogging is still relatively new but its growing fast. This 2006 book is dated in many respects, but as an introduction to how and why blogging is being done by corporations it was an eye opener. I’m looking at ways to incorporate blogging into my job as a direct result of reading this book.
If you have an interest in blogging, or perhaps in developing a new marketable skill within your current organization, “The Corporate Blogging Book” is worth the read.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Monday, November 9, 2009
Red Lightning
Title: Red Lightning
Author: John Varley
Publisher: The Berkley Publishing Group
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 0-441-01364-3
I recommend this novel.
John Varley is a solid science fiction writer and “Red Lightning" does not disappoint. It’s the provocative story of a colony on Mars that achieves political independence and the critical exploits of one prominent Mars colony family in making that happen.
It was fun to read.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: John Varley
Publisher: The Berkley Publishing Group
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 0-441-01364-3
I recommend this novel.
John Varley is a solid science fiction writer and “Red Lightning" does not disappoint. It’s the provocative story of a colony on Mars that achieves political independence and the critical exploits of one prominent Mars colony family in making that happen.
It was fun to read.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Mind Over Muscle
Return to "Martial Arts Library"
Return to "Martial Arts - Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu"
Title: Mind Over Muscle
Author: Jigoro Kano
Publisher: Kodansha International Ltd
Copyright: 2005
ISBN: 978-4-7700-3015-3
I highly recommend “Mind Over Muscle” to martial artists and those curious about the martial arts.
After training in various other martial arts Jigoro Kano created Judo in 1882. He assembled Judo by picking, choosing and modifying techniques to make Judo effective yet safe to practice at full speed and power.
Once he’d defined the physical essentials he gave considerable thought to the philosophical and social underpinnings of his new martial art.
“Mind Over Muscle” is a collection of Jigoro Kano’s writings on the founding of Judo, the philosophical and social underpinnings of Judo, and the individual and social virtues developed through the practice of Judo.
I found Professor Kano’s thoughts applicable to my life outside martial arts and worthy of study and contemplation.
The collection was complied and edited by Naoki Murata and translated from the original Japanese by Nancy H Ross.
Return to "Martial Arts Library"
Return to "Martial Arts - Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu"
Link to the Special Report: Mind Over Muscle - Jigoro Kano's Judo
Link to other Book Reviews
Return to "Martial Arts - Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu"
Title: Mind Over Muscle
Author: Jigoro Kano
Publisher: Kodansha International Ltd
Copyright: 2005
ISBN: 978-4-7700-3015-3
I highly recommend “Mind Over Muscle” to martial artists and those curious about the martial arts.
After training in various other martial arts Jigoro Kano created Judo in 1882. He assembled Judo by picking, choosing and modifying techniques to make Judo effective yet safe to practice at full speed and power.
Once he’d defined the physical essentials he gave considerable thought to the philosophical and social underpinnings of his new martial art.
“Mind Over Muscle” is a collection of Jigoro Kano’s writings on the founding of Judo, the philosophical and social underpinnings of Judo, and the individual and social virtues developed through the practice of Judo.
I found Professor Kano’s thoughts applicable to my life outside martial arts and worthy of study and contemplation.
The collection was complied and edited by Naoki Murata and translated from the original Japanese by Nancy H Ross.
Return to "Martial Arts Library"
Return to "Martial Arts - Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu"
Link to the Special Report: Mind Over Muscle - Jigoro Kano's Judo
Link to other Book Reviews
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Road to Damascus
Title: The Road to Damascus
Author: John Ringo & Linda Evans
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 0-7434-7187-3
I highly recommend “The Road to Damascus”.
The title references the Apostle Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus while Paul was on the road to Damascus. It’s an apt title.
Sonny, a 20,000 ton sentient war machine called a Bolo, is on a mission during which he encounters a four-year old child armed with a pop gun. Sonny stops and is unable to move for a time while he reviews his memory banks recalling the events that led him to be at this time and place and he reconsiders his mission and the purpose of his creators.
In recounting twelve years of history from Sonny’s perspective, John Ringo and Linda Evans present a timely and prescient discussion of a political party, PAPPA, which wins control over all three branches of the representative constitutional republic of the planet Jefferson.
PAPPA, motivated by strong populist socialist ideology proceeds to disassemble the capitalist economy justifying each incursion as a response to a new crisis. In the end, the economy is destroyed and a major portion of the population is in open armed rebellion. Sonny, by historical accident, is on the wrong side.
That the book was published in 2004 precludes the possibility that they wrote it in response to the current lurch to the left we are experiencing under Barack Obama. But while reading “The Road to Damascus” one wonders which of the authors is the prophet.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: John Ringo & Linda Evans
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 0-7434-7187-3
I highly recommend “The Road to Damascus”.
The title references the Apostle Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus while Paul was on the road to Damascus. It’s an apt title.
Sonny, a 20,000 ton sentient war machine called a Bolo, is on a mission during which he encounters a four-year old child armed with a pop gun. Sonny stops and is unable to move for a time while he reviews his memory banks recalling the events that led him to be at this time and place and he reconsiders his mission and the purpose of his creators.
In recounting twelve years of history from Sonny’s perspective, John Ringo and Linda Evans present a timely and prescient discussion of a political party, PAPPA, which wins control over all three branches of the representative constitutional republic of the planet Jefferson.
PAPPA, motivated by strong populist socialist ideology proceeds to disassemble the capitalist economy justifying each incursion as a response to a new crisis. In the end, the economy is destroyed and a major portion of the population is in open armed rebellion. Sonny, by historical accident, is on the wrong side.
That the book was published in 2004 precludes the possibility that they wrote it in response to the current lurch to the left we are experiencing under Barack Obama. But while reading “The Road to Damascus” one wonders which of the authors is the prophet.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Last Centurion
Title: The Last Centurion
Author: John Ringo
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4391-3291-3
I highly recommend “The Last Centurion”.
John Ringo has become my favorite author. Mostly he writes science fiction with a military bent and he is very good at it. “The Last Centurion” can’t be called science fiction (not be me at least) because it is set in the near future of 2019 - 2021.
Published in 2008 the novel combines military adventure with serious social commentary. Ringo explains how the world works in many ways. He explains the difference between organic and industrial farming methods. He explains the spread of a flu epidemic and vaccinations. He explains socialism and capitalism.
“The Last Centurion” is a useful addition to conservative literature. He only missed the target on two points; (1) he guessed wrong on who would win the Democrat primary and the subsequent general election in 2008; and (2) he uses the “F” bomb too much for comfort – not too much for his professional solder protagonist mind you, just too much for the reader’s comfort.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: John Ringo
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4391-3291-3
I highly recommend “The Last Centurion”.
John Ringo has become my favorite author. Mostly he writes science fiction with a military bent and he is very good at it. “The Last Centurion” can’t be called science fiction (not be me at least) because it is set in the near future of 2019 - 2021.
Published in 2008 the novel combines military adventure with serious social commentary. Ringo explains how the world works in many ways. He explains the difference between organic and industrial farming methods. He explains the spread of a flu epidemic and vaccinations. He explains socialism and capitalism.
“The Last Centurion” is a useful addition to conservative literature. He only missed the target on two points; (1) he guessed wrong on who would win the Democrat primary and the subsequent general election in 2008; and (2) he uses the “F” bomb too much for comfort – not too much for his professional solder protagonist mind you, just too much for the reader’s comfort.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Sunday, September 6, 2009
1632 (The Ring of Fire Series)
Title: 1632
Author: Eric Flint
Publisher: Baen Publishing
Copyright: 2000
ISBN: 0-671-31972-8
I highly recommend The Ring of Fire series starting with the original novel “1632”.
Eric Flint is the creator and guiding light of this very collaborative science fiction alternate reality series. He authored “1632” but all other books in the series so far are collaborative efforts with an entire “bull pen” of stand out SF writers.
The short stories in the anthology volumes were entirely written by others - Eric Flint serving as editor. In all cases, in Eric Flint’s words, the contributions of the other authors have been integral to the main story lines of the series, including characters and events.
With so many contributors to this growing alternate history universe, and with Eric Flint’s guiding hand, The Ring of Fire is easily becoming the most rigorously complete “Future History” compilation I’ve seen.
The key event in this alternate universe is the sudden and unexplained transposition of the town of Grantville, West Virginia from 2000 AD to the hinterlands of the German principalities in 1632 - the height of the Thirty Years Wars. 21st Century Americans’ effects on 17th Century culture, beliefs, science, medicine, warfare, politics, and power structures give the authors a nearly infinite variety of themes, plots, characters, and surprises to keep this series going for many more years – I’m looking forward to them all.
I’ve not yet read all of the currently published volumes in The Ring of Fire series. Those I have read are without exception fun and interesting. At the bottom of this post are listed (with links) the volumes I’ve read over these past eight years.
Enjoy!
Novels:
1632 (The Assiti Shards)
1633
1634: The Galileo Affair (The Assiti Shards)
1634: The Bavarian Crisis (Ring of Fire)
1634: The Baltic War (The Ring of Fire)
1635: The Cannon Law (Assiti Shards)
Anthologies:
1634: The Ram Rebellion (The Assiti Shards)
Ring of Fire (The Ring of Fire)
Ring of Fire II (v. 2)
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Eric Flint
Publisher: Baen Publishing
Copyright: 2000
ISBN: 0-671-31972-8
I highly recommend The Ring of Fire series starting with the original novel “1632”.
Eric Flint is the creator and guiding light of this very collaborative science fiction alternate reality series. He authored “1632” but all other books in the series so far are collaborative efforts with an entire “bull pen” of stand out SF writers.
The short stories in the anthology volumes were entirely written by others - Eric Flint serving as editor. In all cases, in Eric Flint’s words, the contributions of the other authors have been integral to the main story lines of the series, including characters and events.
With so many contributors to this growing alternate history universe, and with Eric Flint’s guiding hand, The Ring of Fire is easily becoming the most rigorously complete “Future History” compilation I’ve seen.
The key event in this alternate universe is the sudden and unexplained transposition of the town of Grantville, West Virginia from 2000 AD to the hinterlands of the German principalities in 1632 - the height of the Thirty Years Wars. 21st Century Americans’ effects on 17th Century culture, beliefs, science, medicine, warfare, politics, and power structures give the authors a nearly infinite variety of themes, plots, characters, and surprises to keep this series going for many more years – I’m looking forward to them all.
I’ve not yet read all of the currently published volumes in The Ring of Fire series. Those I have read are without exception fun and interesting. At the bottom of this post are listed (with links) the volumes I’ve read over these past eight years.
Enjoy!
Novels:
1632 (The Assiti Shards)
1633
1634: The Galileo Affair (The Assiti Shards)
1634: The Bavarian Crisis (Ring of Fire)
1634: The Baltic War (The Ring of Fire)
1635: The Cannon Law (Assiti Shards)
Anthologies:
1634: The Ram Rebellion (The Assiti Shards)
Ring of Fire (The Ring of Fire)
Ring of Fire II (v. 2)
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Links to Book Reviews
1632 (The Ring of Fire Series)
A Boy and His Tank
A Desert Called Peace
A State of Disobedience
Benjamin Graham on Value Investing: Lessons From the Dean of Wall Street
Carnifex
Catastrophe
Chain of Destiny
Claws That Catch & the Looking Glass Series
Code of Honor
Dawn of Empire
Karate-Do: My Way of Life
Max: A Maximum Ride Novel
Mind Over Muscle
Nolo's Quick LLC
One Day On Mars
Night of Thunder
Persuader
Red Lightning
Red Phoenix
Steel Beach
The Corporate Blogging Book
The Kite Runner
The Last Centurion
The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage
The Road to Damascus
The Tau Ceti Agenda
The Theory of Constraints and its Implications for Management Accounting
Trilogy - Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, Kushiel's Avatar
Trilogy - Kushiel's Scion, Kushiel's Justice, and Kushiel's Mercy
Twitter Power
Wikinomics
A Boy and His Tank
A Desert Called Peace
A State of Disobedience
Benjamin Graham on Value Investing: Lessons From the Dean of Wall Street
Carnifex
Catastrophe
Chain of Destiny
Claws That Catch & the Looking Glass Series
Code of Honor
Dawn of Empire
Karate-Do: My Way of Life
Max: A Maximum Ride Novel
Mind Over Muscle
Nolo's Quick LLC
One Day On Mars
Night of Thunder
Persuader
Red Lightning
Red Phoenix
Steel Beach
The Corporate Blogging Book
The Kite Runner
The Last Centurion
The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage
The Road to Damascus
The Tau Ceti Agenda
The Theory of Constraints and its Implications for Management Accounting
Trilogy - Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, Kushiel's Avatar
Trilogy - Kushiel's Scion, Kushiel's Justice, and Kushiel's Mercy
Twitter Power
Wikinomics
Links to My Library Categories:
Catastrophe
Title: Catastrophe
Author: Dick Morris & Eileen McGann
Publisher: HarperCollins
Copyright: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-177104-0
I recommend “Catastrophe.
Subtitled “How Obama, Congress, and the Special Interests are Transforming a Slump into a Crash, Freedom into Socialism, and a Disaster into a Catastrophe and How to Fight Back”, Catastrophe lives up to its subtitle.
Dick Morris & Eileen McGann present chapter by chapter the catastrophe that is the Left and its Messiah, Barack Obama.
Here is a selection of Chapter headings for flavor:
Chapter 1: “Obama’s War on Prosperity”
Chapter 4: “Obama’s Health Care Catastrophe”
Chapter 5: “Obama’s Blueprint for Political Domination”
Chapter 12: “Pay to Play: No-Bid Contracts Exchanged for Campaign Cash”
The authors include a recommendation for you to take specific action at the end of each chapter.
Catastrophe is an important resource for Americans motivated to stop the Socialist takeover of the United States.
Catastrophe
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Dick Morris & Eileen McGann
Publisher: HarperCollins
Copyright: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-177104-0
I recommend “Catastrophe.
Subtitled “How Obama, Congress, and the Special Interests are Transforming a Slump into a Crash, Freedom into Socialism, and a Disaster into a Catastrophe and How to Fight Back”, Catastrophe lives up to its subtitle.
Dick Morris & Eileen McGann present chapter by chapter the catastrophe that is the Left and its Messiah, Barack Obama.
Here is a selection of Chapter headings for flavor:
Chapter 1: “Obama’s War on Prosperity”
Chapter 4: “Obama’s Health Care Catastrophe”
Chapter 5: “Obama’s Blueprint for Political Domination”
Chapter 12: “Pay to Play: No-Bid Contracts Exchanged for Campaign Cash”
The authors include a recommendation for you to take specific action at the end of each chapter.
Catastrophe is an important resource for Americans motivated to stop the Socialist takeover of the United States.
Catastrophe
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Steel Beach
Title: Steel Beach
Author: John Varley
Publisher: The Berkley Publishing Group
Copyright: 1992
ISBN: 0-441-78565-4
I recommend “Steel Beach”.
Why do people kill themselves? Should humans be cloned? Could a person’s personality and memories be transferred into the body of his own clone? What if a sentient supercomputer developed a mental illness? Would or should people allow themselves to be governed by the ultimate philosopher-king?
These are issues John Varley tackles in “Steel Beach” where Luna is one of eight surviving human communities exiled from Earth after a short but successful alien invasion.
Hildy Johnson is a complex character at the heart of the conflict when CC, the sentient supercomputer in charge of Luna, goes split-personality schizophrenic. Hildy with her internal questions and struggles for answers is far more interesting than the plot. They make this book worth the read.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: John Varley
Publisher: The Berkley Publishing Group
Copyright: 1992
ISBN: 0-441-78565-4
I recommend “Steel Beach”.
Why do people kill themselves? Should humans be cloned? Could a person’s personality and memories be transferred into the body of his own clone? What if a sentient supercomputer developed a mental illness? Would or should people allow themselves to be governed by the ultimate philosopher-king?
These are issues John Varley tackles in “Steel Beach” where Luna is one of eight surviving human communities exiled from Earth after a short but successful alien invasion.
Hildy Johnson is a complex character at the heart of the conflict when CC, the sentient supercomputer in charge of Luna, goes split-personality schizophrenic. Hildy with her internal questions and struggles for answers is far more interesting than the plot. They make this book worth the read.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Monday, July 20, 2009
Code of Honor
Title: Code of Honor
Author: Harold Coyle
Publisher: Pocket Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, Inc
Copyright: 1994
ISBN: 0-671-51029-0
I recommend this book
Code of Honor is a morality play exploring the implications of one man, a politically promoted general, who puts himself outside the code of honor and ethics of the professional American military officer.
Major General Lane commands a US Army division deployed in Columbia to assist the government in its fight against the FARC insurgency. General Lane enforces an extreme version of loyalty and professional ethics on his officers but ignores ethics and professional conduct as they apply to him.
The result is confusion, unnecessary death, defeat, and dishonor.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Harold Coyle
Publisher: Pocket Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, Inc
Copyright: 1994
ISBN: 0-671-51029-0
I recommend this book
Code of Honor is a morality play exploring the implications of one man, a politically promoted general, who puts himself outside the code of honor and ethics of the professional American military officer.
Major General Lane commands a US Army division deployed in Columbia to assist the government in its fight against the FARC insurgency. General Lane enforces an extreme version of loyalty and professional ethics on his officers but ignores ethics and professional conduct as they apply to him.
The result is confusion, unnecessary death, defeat, and dishonor.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Trilogy – Kushiel’s Scion, Kushiel’s Justice, and Kushiel’s Mercy
Title: Kushiel’s Scion
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
Copyright: 2006
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-61002-5
Kushiel's Scion (Kushiel's Legacy)
I highly recommend these three novels.
Kushiel’s Scion and the two follow-on volumes of the trilogy continue the story of the alternate universe containing the land of Terre d’Ange. Phèdre and Joscelin’s foster son has come of age and displaces them as the principle character of this trilogy.
Loved by Phèdre and Joscelin and, because of his traitorous biological mother, despised and feared by many, Imriel de la Courcel carves a place in the world for himself. The obstacles he faces are many and dangerous; a secret spy network, his still traitorous mother, the fear of his mother at the Court of Terre d’Ange, and powerful magic.
He wins through with wit, courage, swordsmanship learned from Joscelin, and love.
The second and third volumes of the trilogy are:
Title: Kushiel’s Justice
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
Copyright: 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-61014-8
Kushiel's Justice (Kushiel's Legacy)
And
Title: Kushiel’s Mercy
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
Copyright: 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-61016-2
Kushiel's Mercy
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Trilogy – Kushiel’s Scion, Kushiel’s Justice, and Kushiel’s Mercy
Title: Kushiel’s Scion
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
Copyright: 2006
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-61002-5
Kushiel's Scion (Kushiel's Legacy)
I highly recommend these three novels.
Kushiel’s Scion and the two follow-on volumes of the trilogy continue the story of the alternate universe containing the land of Terre d’Ange. Phèdre and Joscelin’s foster son has come of age and displaces them as the principle character of this trilogy.
Loved by Phèdre and Joscelin and, because of his traitorous biological mother, despised and feared by many, Imriel de la Courcel carves a place in the world for himself. The obstacles he faces are many and dangerous; a secret spy network, his still traitorous mother, the fear of his mother at the Court of Terre d’Ange, and powerful magic.
He wins through with wit, courage, swordsmanship learned from Joscelin, and love.
The second and third volumes of the trilogy are:
Title: Kushiel’s Justice
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
Copyright: 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-61014-8
Kushiel's Justice (Kushiel's Legacy)
And
Title: Kushiel’s Mercy
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
Copyright: 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-61016-2
Kushiel's Mercy
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Trilogy - Kushiel’s Dart, Kushiel’s Chosen, Kushiel’s Avatar
Title: Kushiel’s Dart
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
Copyright: 2001
ISBN: 13-978-0-7653-4298-0
Kushiel's Dart
I highly recommend these three novels.
Kushiel’s Dart is the first volume of a trilogy that is part action adventure, part mystery, part romance, but is rightfully found in the science fiction/fantasy department of your book store.
The alternate universe containing the Earth of Terre d’Ange is ruled by Yahweh, the One God. But in this universe a panoply of lesser Gods are worshipped and exert power for good and evil through their worshippers. They are the source of magic.
The principle character, Phèdre, is a young woman indentured as a girl to a House of Pleasure in the land of Terre d’Ange, where the principle religious precept is “Love as thou wilt.” Prostitution is an honored profession in Terre d’Ange and Phèdre is an apprentice.
Her indenture is purchased by a master of intrigue who teachers Phèdre the arts of covertcy and recruits her as a spy. When her master hires a warrior priest, Joscelin, as her bodyguard, the principles are in place for adventure, war, suspense, intrigue, romance, and most of all love.
I read the trilogy is sequence and I was happy to discover that the story of Terre d’Ange continues.
The second and third volumes of this trilogy are:
Title: Kushiel’s Chosen
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
Copyright: 2002
ISBN-13: 978-0-765-34504-2
Kushiel's Chosen (Kushiel's Legacy)
And
Title: Kushiel’s Avatar
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
Copyright: 2003
ISBN-13: 978-0-7653-4753-4
Kushiel's Avatar (Kushiel's Legacy)
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Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Friday, June 5, 2009
Red Phoenix
Title: Red Phoenix
Author: Larry Bond
Publisher: Futura Publications
Copyright: 1989
ISBN: 0-7088-4478-2
I recommend “Red Phoenix”.
This military thriller is set in the late 1980’s and supposes a surprise North Korean invasion of South Korea – a suddenly timely premise.
“Red Phoenix” is an exciting tale of how a North Korean invasion might have come about and how it might have been fought circa 1988.
If you can get past the historical fact of the Soviet Union’s dissolution this is an enjoyable read.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Larry Bond
Publisher: Futura Publications
Copyright: 1989
ISBN: 0-7088-4478-2
I recommend “Red Phoenix”.
This military thriller is set in the late 1980’s and supposes a surprise North Korean invasion of South Korea – a suddenly timely premise.
“Red Phoenix” is an exciting tale of how a North Korean invasion might have come about and how it might have been fought circa 1988.
If you can get past the historical fact of the Soviet Union’s dissolution this is an enjoyable read.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage
Title: The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage
Author: Dr Laura Schlessinger
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 0-06-114284-0
I strongly recommend this book.
Man or woman – if you think your marriage is great or if you think it is hopeless; or anywhere in between - read this book. Dr Laura makes you think about how YOU can make your marriage better. She makes you think about what is important to your spouse and focuses you on positive things under your control.
By considering, thinking about, and answering some of Dr Laura’s questions I developed a personal action plan that I hope and expect will take my marriage to new highs.
I’m confident her insights and questions can help you improve your marriage regardless of its current state.
“The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage” would make a great wedding present. It’s inexpensive and probably more valuable than anything else the new couple will receive. And that goes for second marriage couples as much as first timers.
I intend to reread “The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage” at regular intervals. I’ve set up a reminder in Outlook to dust it off and review and renew my care & feeding marriage action plan.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Dr Laura Schlessinger
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 0-06-114284-0
I strongly recommend this book.
Man or woman – if you think your marriage is great or if you think it is hopeless; or anywhere in between - read this book. Dr Laura makes you think about how YOU can make your marriage better. She makes you think about what is important to your spouse and focuses you on positive things under your control.
By considering, thinking about, and answering some of Dr Laura’s questions I developed a personal action plan that I hope and expect will take my marriage to new highs.
I’m confident her insights and questions can help you improve your marriage regardless of its current state.
“The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage” would make a great wedding present. It’s inexpensive and probably more valuable than anything else the new couple will receive. And that goes for second marriage couples as much as first timers.
I intend to reread “The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage” at regular intervals. I’ve set up a reminder in Outlook to dust it off and review and renew my care & feeding marriage action plan.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Theory of Constraints and its Implications for Management Accounting
Title: The Theory of Constraints and its Implications for Management Accounting
Author: Eric Noreen, Debra Smith, and James T Mackey
Publisher: The North River Press
Copyright: 1995
ISBN: 0-88427-116-1
I recommend this book.
This is a somewhat dated but still very relevant summary of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) first introduced by Eliyahu Goldratt in “The Goal”. The basic concepts reviewed are:
• Throughput Accounting (TA)
• Managing Constraints (Identify, Exploit, Subordinate, Elevate, Reiterate)
• Managing Non-constraints
• Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) scheduling
• The Thinking Process (TP)
The “Thinking Process” in particular seems to offer a new and promising problem solving structure. I plan it try it out over the next several months.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Eric Noreen, Debra Smith, and James T Mackey
Publisher: The North River Press
Copyright: 1995
ISBN: 0-88427-116-1
I recommend this book.
This is a somewhat dated but still very relevant summary of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) first introduced by Eliyahu Goldratt in “The Goal”. The basic concepts reviewed are:
• Throughput Accounting (TA)
• Managing Constraints (Identify, Exploit, Subordinate, Elevate, Reiterate)
• Managing Non-constraints
• Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) scheduling
• The Thinking Process (TP)
The “Thinking Process” in particular seems to offer a new and promising problem solving structure. I plan it try it out over the next several months.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A Boy and His Tank
Title: A Boy and His Tank
Author: Leo Frankowski
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 1999
ISBN: 0-671-57850-2
I recommend “A Boy and His Tank”.
“A Boy and His Tank” is the first of three science fiction novels in this series. I read them in reverse order not realizing they were a series until I started reading the second volume. One should read them in their proper sequence, but I thoroughly enjoyed them anyway. Each novel stands on its own merits.
Mickolai Derdowski, citizen of New Kashubia, is made an offer he cannot refuse and joins the army. Mark XIX main battle tanks of his day are crewed by a sentient artificial intelligence and one (Mickolai) human.
Mickolai’s training, adventures, and love life are creative, amusing, and always entertaining. These books are not “Great Literature”. They are better than that. They're fun.
The author, Leo Frankowski died in December of 2008 ending the series. It’s worth reading anyway. His web site (link below still operating as of this writing) is amusing in its own right.
http://www.leofrankowski.com/content/
The series in its proper sequence is:
Title: A Boy and His Tank
Author: Leo Frankowski
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 1999
ISBN: 0-671-57850-2
A Boy And His Tank
The War With Earth
Author: Leo Frankowski
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2000
ISBN: 0-7434-9877-1
The War with Earth
Kren of the Mitchegai
Author: Leo Frankowski
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 0-7434-7182-2
Kren of the Mitchegai (The Boy and His Tank)
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Leo Frankowski
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 1999
ISBN: 0-671-57850-2
I recommend “A Boy and His Tank”.
“A Boy and His Tank” is the first of three science fiction novels in this series. I read them in reverse order not realizing they were a series until I started reading the second volume. One should read them in their proper sequence, but I thoroughly enjoyed them anyway. Each novel stands on its own merits.
Mickolai Derdowski, citizen of New Kashubia, is made an offer he cannot refuse and joins the army. Mark XIX main battle tanks of his day are crewed by a sentient artificial intelligence and one (Mickolai) human.
Mickolai’s training, adventures, and love life are creative, amusing, and always entertaining. These books are not “Great Literature”. They are better than that. They're fun.
The author, Leo Frankowski died in December of 2008 ending the series. It’s worth reading anyway. His web site (link below still operating as of this writing) is amusing in its own right.
http://www.leofrankowski.com/content/
The series in its proper sequence is:
Title: A Boy and His Tank
Author: Leo Frankowski
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 1999
ISBN: 0-671-57850-2
A Boy And His Tank
The War With Earth
Author: Leo Frankowski
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2000
ISBN: 0-7434-9877-1
The War with Earth
Kren of the Mitchegai
Author: Leo Frankowski
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 0-7434-7182-2
Kren of the Mitchegai (The Boy and His Tank)
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A State of Disobedience
Title: A State of Disobedience
Author: Tom Kratman
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 0-7434-9920-4
I recommend “A State of Disobedience”.
What if the Democrat Party took control of all branches of government? What if they held strong majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate? What if they won the Presidency? What if they owned the Supreme Court? What if the media would be their mouthpiece regardless of policy or action? What if they decided that all future elections would be rigged so they would never lose power? What if they simply ignored the Constitution?
Who would stand against them? If one state rebelled would the United States Military obey the orders of their Commander-in-Chief or would they obey their oath to defend the Constitution?
This is the world of “A State of Disobedience” where Texas just can’t take it anymore.
This first novel, written in 2003, by Tom Kratman started out a little choppy but in the second chapter he found his rhythm and held my attention through the end.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Tom Kratman
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 0-7434-9920-4
I recommend “A State of Disobedience”.
What if the Democrat Party took control of all branches of government? What if they held strong majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate? What if they won the Presidency? What if they owned the Supreme Court? What if the media would be their mouthpiece regardless of policy or action? What if they decided that all future elections would be rigged so they would never lose power? What if they simply ignored the Constitution?
Who would stand against them? If one state rebelled would the United States Military obey the orders of their Commander-in-Chief or would they obey their oath to defend the Constitution?
This is the world of “A State of Disobedience” where Texas just can’t take it anymore.
This first novel, written in 2003, by Tom Kratman started out a little choppy but in the second chapter he found his rhythm and held my attention through the end.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Twitter Power
Title: Twitter Power
Author: Joel Comm
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Copyright: 2009
I highly recommend “Twitter Power”.
Twitter Power is the best “how to” book I have ever read. Every chapter in my copy has sections that I found useful underlined. Much of it I implemented immediately. Twitter Power changed me from a neophyte into a serious Tweet in a single reading.
You can follow me at www.twitter.com/clarkmel
Joel Comm writes clearly with a style that maintained my interest throughout the book’s 228 pages. The information he presents is both timely and actionable.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Joel Comm
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Copyright: 2009
I highly recommend “Twitter Power”.
Twitter Power is the best “how to” book I have ever read. Every chapter in my copy has sections that I found useful underlined. Much of it I implemented immediately. Twitter Power changed me from a neophyte into a serious Tweet in a single reading.
You can follow me at www.twitter.com/clarkmel
Joel Comm writes clearly with a style that maintained my interest throughout the book’s 228 pages. The information he presents is both timely and actionable.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Monday, April 13, 2009
Persuader
Title: Persuader
Author: Lee Child
Publisher: Bantam Dell
Copyright: 2003
I recommend Persuader.
Persuader is an action-thriller featuring Lee Child’s signature protagonist Jack Reacher; a no holds barred ex-military cop who free-lances seemingly without need of money. Reacher is a dark hero with old west ethics and the skill to back them up.
It is a fun read – no politics and little moralizing. Just suspense, action, and satisfaction.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Author: Lee Child
Publisher: Bantam Dell
Copyright: 2003
I recommend Persuader.
Persuader is an action-thriller featuring Lee Child’s signature protagonist Jack Reacher; a no holds barred ex-military cop who free-lances seemingly without need of money. Reacher is a dark hero with old west ethics and the skill to back them up.
It is a fun read – no politics and little moralizing. Just suspense, action, and satisfaction.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Friday, April 10, 2009
Max: A Maximum Ride Novel
5th Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: Max: A Maximum Ride Novel
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Edition 2009
I recommend “Max: A Maximum Ride Novel”.
I’m not really a James Patterson fan. I’ve read a couple of his Alex Cross detective novels. I enjoyed the first enough to read a second but then he lost me. Nevertheless, I just finished the 5th volume in his Maximum Ride series after reading the other four in order over the past two years. I anxiously await number six.
This series was intended for the young adult audience but I love it. It is science fiction and action adventure with Max, a charming adolescent girl with wings, as the protagonist. Max is the leader of a flock of six genetically engineered bird-kids who finds herself responsible for saving the world.
James Patterson uses this series to pander to the environmental movement. The antagonists are all evil corporations intent on world destruction through environmental devastation. I would normally put down a story with this political intent and setting after reading the back cover.
That I keep reading his Maximum Ride stories is a tribute to the enchanting characters he has created in Max, Fang, Angel, Nudge, Iggy, and Gazzy – the flock of bird kids. They are adorable and confused and fierce and determined.
I recommend reading them in order as shown below:
1st Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Mass Market Edition 2006
The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, Book 1)
2nd Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: Maximum Ride: School’s Out Forever
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Mass Market Edition 2007
School's" Out - Forever (Maximum Ride, Book 2)
3rd Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: Saving the World and other Extreme Sports
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Mass Market Edition 2008
Saving the World (Maximum Ride, Book 3)
4th Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: The Final Warning
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Edition 2008
The Final Warning (Maximum Ride, Book 4)
5th Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: Max: A Maximum Ride Novel
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Edition 2009
Max (Maximum Ride, Book 5)
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Title: Max: A Maximum Ride Novel
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Edition 2009
I recommend “Max: A Maximum Ride Novel”.
I’m not really a James Patterson fan. I’ve read a couple of his Alex Cross detective novels. I enjoyed the first enough to read a second but then he lost me. Nevertheless, I just finished the 5th volume in his Maximum Ride series after reading the other four in order over the past two years. I anxiously await number six.
This series was intended for the young adult audience but I love it. It is science fiction and action adventure with Max, a charming adolescent girl with wings, as the protagonist. Max is the leader of a flock of six genetically engineered bird-kids who finds herself responsible for saving the world.
James Patterson uses this series to pander to the environmental movement. The antagonists are all evil corporations intent on world destruction through environmental devastation. I would normally put down a story with this political intent and setting after reading the back cover.
That I keep reading his Maximum Ride stories is a tribute to the enchanting characters he has created in Max, Fang, Angel, Nudge, Iggy, and Gazzy – the flock of bird kids. They are adorable and confused and fierce and determined.
I recommend reading them in order as shown below:
1st Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Mass Market Edition 2006
The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, Book 1)
2nd Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: Maximum Ride: School’s Out Forever
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Mass Market Edition 2007
School's" Out - Forever (Maximum Ride, Book 2)
3rd Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: Saving the World and other Extreme Sports
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Mass Market Edition 2008
Saving the World (Maximum Ride, Book 3)
4th Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: The Final Warning
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Edition 2008
The Final Warning (Maximum Ride, Book 4)
5th Book in the Maximum Ride Series
Title: Max: A Maximum Ride Novel
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1st Edition 2009
Max (Maximum Ride, Book 5)
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
Saturday, April 4, 2009
The Kite Runner
I recommend “The Kite Runner”.
A friend handed me her copy of “The Kite Runner” telling me I should read it. “It’s a good book – take a long as you like.” she said.
I did not expect to like this book. I expected it to be political anti-war propaganda. It’s not. It is a straight forward story of redemption with the tribulations of Afghanistan and its people as background.
In the beginning, the protagonist, Amir, is an unlikeable ignoble character. For this reason I might have abandoned this novel but Khaled Hosseini is a very good writer. His account of life in Kabul through the eyes of a child made the Afghan people and culture real to me and so I kept turning his pages.
I’m grateful to my friend Pat for coaxing me into reading it. I would not have chosen it on my own.
Links to other Book Reviews in this Blog
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