Intriguing and thought provoking. Amazed when I started Speaker for the Dead and discovered that Ender's Game was conceived after Speaker for the Dead...moreIntriguing and thought provoking. Amazed when I started Speaker for the Dead and discovered that Ender's Game was conceived after Speaker for the Dead. Looking forward to the rest of the series.(less)
It's tough to review this book until I've read the other half of it in A Dance With Dragons. I'm just happy that I didn't have to wait 6 years for it ...moreIt's tough to review this book until I've read the other half of it in A Dance With Dragons. I'm just happy that I didn't have to wait 6 years for it and made it wait 6 days on me to finish Feast of Crows. I can say excellent writing as usual and this epic story moves forward. My only complaint is the shift to so many new character narrators. While they are interesting leaving Jon Snow, Tyrion and Danerys out if an entire book leaves me wanting.(less)
Overall a decent overview of the crusades, but not as in depth as my other read on the subject http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57192... - it is a h...moreOverall a decent overview of the crusades, but not as in depth as my other read on the subject http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57192... - it is a history book, but the last two chapters are more essay-ish and I would consider them throw-aways. (less)
Good history of The Crusades and an unbiased account of The Templars. It is a very informative account of the rise and fall of the order and the relig...moreGood history of The Crusades and an unbiased account of The Templars. It is a very informative account of the rise and fall of the order and the religious and political climate throughout their 200 year history.(less)
The Wave is a very entertaining and informative read. Susan Casey does a wonderful job following surfers and scientists in their pursuit of giant wave...moreThe Wave is a very entertaining and informative read. Susan Casey does a wonderful job following surfers and scientists in their pursuit of giant waves. The insight into the elite tow surfers is amazing. Many have heard of Laird Hamilton, but Casey had the opportunity to really get to know him and shed some light on his personality. Laird is in a small group of big wave surfers that eschew the commercial aspects of surfing. They have invented new equipment and techniques simply to make bigger waves ride-able. In digging into these surfer personalities you begin to realize that they may have a far deeper knowledge of wave mechanics than the scientists. It may not be scientifically quantifiable, but it is no less accurate. In the interweaving chapters that focus on the scientific aspect of giant waves it can be seen just how little detailed knowledge on waves exists. Twenty years ago it was thought that 100 foot waves were highly uncommon, but more recent research has discovered that there are far more out there than once believed. The ability to predict these giants is even more difficult as the models break down when more than a few waves collide. Even if waves and water are not your cup of tea this book will keep you riveted. It is an intense ride that reads like a giant wave. (less)
The Pirate Coast is a fantastic telling of America's first war. It is a wonderfully detailed account of the almost unbelievable adventures of William ...moreThe Pirate Coast is a fantastic telling of America's first war. It is a wonderfully detailed account of the almost unbelievable adventures of William Eaton and his mostly unsupported and under funded mission through war torn Egypt to find the former Bashaw of Tripoli, recruit an army and trek 500 miles across the desert to unseat the current Bashaw and rescue 300 American sailors held captive as not just prisoners of war, but treated as slaves. It also details the events after the war with Tripoli and Eaton's heroic welcome home, his fight with Thomas Jefferson and his role in the trial of Aaron Burr. This is a great read for anyone looking to learn more about an important American conflict overshadowed between the American Revolution and the War of 1812.(less)
This was a wonderful and detailed telling of the French and Indian War. The details about the battles and more importantly the political climate of th...moreThis was a wonderful and detailed telling of the French and Indian War. The details about the battles and more importantly the political climate of the times made this an enjoyable read. It could get mildly text book-ish at times, but overall is a great read for anyone looking to dig in to U.S. history and the events that led to The American Revolution.(less)
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