http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/872933 en-US Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:11:40 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 18969859 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:11:40 -0700
This series is based upon Welsh mythology, and it weaves an epic tale of heroes, dark lords, evil sorceresses and death hearlds with horns that can sap all the joy out of the world.

Tying all this together is an assistant pig-keeper named Taran, who sets out to find his future-telling pig in the woods and ends up in a battle against the champion of the dark lord.

This book is a lot like the Narnia books might have been if Lewis had dispensed with all the allegorical material and written a straight up fantasy adventure. That said, it is not without its own power, and there is a real sense of character growth and pathos in the book. ]]>
author: Lloyd Alexander
name: Jonathan
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1964
rating: 5
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/12/08
shelves:
review:
The first book in the "Prydain Chronicles" is a fun, fast read. Written as an adventure for younger readers, it still has lots of excitement for adults.

This series is based upon Welsh mythology, and it weaves an epic tale of heroes, dark lords, evil sorceresses and death hearlds with horns that can sap all the joy out of the world.

Tying all this together is an assistant pig-keeper named Taran, who sets out to find his future-telling pig in the woods and ends up in a battle against the champion of the dark lord.

This book is a lot like the Narnia books might have been if Lewis had dispensed with all the allegorical material and written a straight up fantasy adventure. That said, it is not without its own power, and there is a real sense of character growth and pathos in the book.
]]> 19063109 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:01:39 -0700
I suppose this isn't such a sin since Clarke himself lifted entire sections of some novels out of his short stories. For instance, Clarke reproduced his short story "Meeting with Medusa" almost verbatium as a chapter in 2010: Odyssey Two. So, I'll forgive it.

However, the final revelation is not much more than another red herring, another rabbit hole with rabbit holes. It doesn't help that huge sections of the novel are simply characters standing around and being told the "HISTORY AND MEANING OF EVERYTHING." It lacks any wit or wonder. ]]>
author: Arthur C. Clarke
name: Jonathan
average rating: 3.45
book published: 1993
rating: 2
read at: 04/00
date added: 03/30/08
shelves: scifi
review:
The final chapter in the "RAMA Saga" ends with a whimper, and not the beautiful kind that Yeats spoke of. Instead, it ends with revelations that lift ideas from Clarke's short stories.

I suppose this isn't such a sin since Clarke himself lifted entire sections of some novels out of his short stories. For instance, Clarke reproduced his short story "Meeting with Medusa" almost verbatium as a chapter in 2010: Odyssey Two. So, I'll forgive it.

However, the final revelation is not much more than another red herring, another rabbit hole with rabbit holes. It doesn't help that huge sections of the novel are simply characters standing around and being told the "HISTORY AND MEANING OF EVERYTHING." It lacks any wit or wonder.
]]> 19063054 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:38:22 -0700
Lee's style is serviceable, but nothing special. The explorations of Rama lack any serious revelations, although it does maintain the spooky mystery of the first novel. The sense of exploring a vast, seemingly empty space craft is fun, and the novel keeps you interested for its rather lengthy...uh...length]]>
author: Arthur C. Clarke
name: Jonathan
average rating: 3.48
book published: 1989
rating: 3
read at: 05/99
date added: 03/30/08
shelves:
review:
An entertaining scifi adventure, with much more character emphasis upon character than the first novel that Clarke wrote. Note to readers, whenever Clarke is credited as a co-writer, it usually means that he provided ideas and advice, nothing more.

Lee's style is serviceable, but nothing special. The explorations of Rama lack any serious revelations, although it does maintain the spooky mystery of the first novel. The sense of exploring a vast, seemingly empty space craft is fun, and the novel keeps you interested for its rather lengthy...uh...length
]]> 19060835 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:37:37 -0700
I read this, but I wouldn't ever again. ]]>
author: Arthur C. Clarke
name: Jonathan
average rating: 3.41
book published: 1993
rating: 3
read at: 04/99
date added: 03/30/08
shelves:
review:
In this second sequel to Rendezvous with Rama Gentry Lee takes us to a hint of the origins of the Rama spacecraft. Unfortunately, the answers are not very satisfying. The "Rama Node" is said to be huge, but the characters never get a sense of it. And the existence of dozens of other Rama type vessels and an even larger space station diminishes the awe of the original Rama craft.

I read this, but I wouldn't ever again.
]]> 19061182 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:32:47 -0700
Mostly the book is about what it is like to be a marine. Swofford writes with an admirable self-awareness but also a complete lack of any personal revelation. Sometimes he seems to look down upon the behavior that he engages in, but at other times he revels in the military camaraderie. I can't be sure what Swofford really thinks about himself, but I suppose that maybe he's a different person now than he was when he was eighteen and stupid.

Aren't we all.]]>
author: Anthony Swofford
name: Jonathan
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 11/04
date added: 03/30/08
shelves:
review:
The second-best book I've ever read about military life. Don't let the movie fool you; Desert Storm occupies less than a tiny bit of the book's material.

Mostly the book is about what it is like to be a marine. Swofford writes with an admirable self-awareness but also a complete lack of any personal revelation. Sometimes he seems to look down upon the behavior that he engages in, but at other times he revels in the military camaraderie. I can't be sure what Swofford really thinks about himself, but I suppose that maybe he's a different person now than he was when he was eighteen and stupid.

Aren't we all.
]]> 19059871 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:07:47 -0700
I read this book ages ago and enjoyed it, although the political philosophy that it espouses is even more bat-shit insane and stupid than Starship Troopers. The computer and the professor are fun characters, although the actual "protagonist" is a typical scifi cliche of a rough n' tumble type who can do just about anything. ]]>
author: Robert A. Heinlein
name: Jonathan
average rating: 4.19
book published: 1981
rating: 3
read at: 03/01
date added: 03/30/08
shelves: scifi
review:
A masterpiece of science fiction, Heinlein tells the story of a lunar penal colony that engineers a rebellion against the Earth. The rebellion is lead by a renegade professor and a computer that has grown tired of following the rules.

I read this book ages ago and enjoyed it, although the political philosophy that it espouses is even more bat-shit insane and stupid than Starship Troopers. The computer and the professor are fun characters, although the actual "protagonist" is a typical scifi cliche of a rough n' tumble type who can do just about anything.
]]> 19058441 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:55:05 -0700
I can't say that I really enjoyed the book, but I haven't ever forgotten it. Sometimes I still think of things like horses breeding, men with backs like a jack bull, cons doing dips in the bathroom and a meat packer with hands like vises.

Oh, and it introduced me to "Freaknik"(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F.... ]]>
author: Tom Wolfe
name: Jonathan
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at: 07/00
date added: 03/30/08
shelves:
review:
This book defies explanation. Know only that it has unforgettable passages, compelling characters and a plot that doesn't really matter at all.

I can't say that I really enjoyed the book, but I haven't ever forgotten it. Sometimes I still think of things like horses breeding, men with backs like a jack bull, cons doing dips in the bathroom and a meat packer with hands like vises.

Oh, and it introduced me to "Freaknik"(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F....
]]> 18998409 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:34:47 -0700
However, the real gem of the book is its extensive footnotes. Scattered liberally throughout the book, these notes make references to the magical history of England, as well as foreshadowing and commenting upon the events of the story. Some of the footnotes refer to the future of the characters long after the story ends, and others make references to the various disputes among historians on the accuracy of the story of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.

The book moves slowly, spending a large amount of time creating a compelling world at the expense of the story, but it picks up quite a head of steam by the last third. It is full of well drawn characters who stick with you long after the book is over, making one wish to continue the friendship one feels with such colorful people as Childermass or the gentleman with the Thisledown hair.

While the style might seem overly arch in imitating Victorian prose, Clarke does occasionally let herself have some leeway and when she does she proves that she has a real gift for poetic prose. Hopefully she finds a way to tap the magic again without simply drawing from the same well. ]]>
author: Susanna Clarke
name: Jonathan
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2004
rating: 5
read at: 02/07
date added: 03/30/08
shelves:
review:
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is a gem of a book, written in the style of Victorian fiction but with modern sensibilities and literary references. Ostensibly the story of Mr. Norrell, the first practicing magician to emerge in centuries, and his apprentice/rival, the magical prodigy Jonathan Strange. Their story spans the book from their first meeting to their friendship, rivarly and beyond. Napoleonic Warfare and English politics are both equally explored.

However, the real gem of the book is its extensive footnotes. Scattered liberally throughout the book, these notes make references to the magical history of England, as well as foreshadowing and commenting upon the events of the story. Some of the footnotes refer to the future of the characters long after the story ends, and others make references to the various disputes among historians on the accuracy of the story of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.

The book moves slowly, spending a large amount of time creating a compelling world at the expense of the story, but it picks up quite a head of steam by the last third. It is full of well drawn characters who stick with you long after the book is over, making one wish to continue the friendship one feels with such colorful people as Childermass or the gentleman with the Thisledown hair.

While the style might seem overly arch in imitating Victorian prose, Clarke does occasionally let herself have some leeway and when she does she proves that she has a real gift for poetic prose. Hopefully she finds a way to tap the magic again without simply drawing from the same well.
]]> 18949068 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:34:40 -0700
McDevitt fulfills the promise of explanations in "Cauldron," although like most of the great mysteries that McDevitt likes to pepper into his sci-fi novels, the answer is not as intriguing as the question. The real meat of the story here is his tale of a future human race that has the ability to navigate among the stars, but is quickly losing the interest. Much like the modern day space program the technology is amazing, but it has little practical use. At the opening of the novel the only people still interested in traversing the stars are tour groups to Alpha Centauri.

Unfortunately, McDevitt never really explores the implications or the solutions to such a state. He provides a miracle technology which allows the human race to go farther and faster than the previous hyperspace technology, but at the end of the novel they've explored deeper into the cosmos than anyone in his sci-fi universe and still haven't found anyone worth talking to.

That's not to say it's a bad novel. McDevitt's strength is at writing adventures in the shadow of a great mystery, and the adventures here are thrilling and memorable. He has more of his trademarked alien ruins and derelict space ships, and the story is gripping as long as danger is looming. Even the finale, while lacking in what I think should be a considerable amount of awe, is exciting.

McDevitt never does well when it comes time to shine a light into the dark corners he creates in his narratives. In "Eternity Road" he tossed off the explanation in a single sentance, without any further comment. Here, he gives it a bit more heft, but it still left me with a feeling of "that's it." The mystery of the Omega Clouds was drawn out over 3 novels, and referenced in the background of at least 2 others, but the final revelation just seems a let down.

I don't want to spoil it, but I will say that McDevitt seems to have attempted to answer not only his own mystery, but one of the great rhetorical questions of Star Trek history. He does have an answer, but it boggles my mind much more upon contemplation than it did when reading it.

However, aside from the unsatisfying mystery, the novel has plenty of adventure and space opera-esque thrills. Like all McDevitt books, as long as the biggest mystery answered is how to escape from the monster, it more than delivers. ]]>
author: Jack McDevitt
name: Jonathan
average rating: 3.24
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 02/08
date added: 03/29/08
shelves: scifi
review:
Jack McDevitt finally reveals the origins of the mysterious Omega Clouds, first introduced in "The Engines of God," and explored further in "Omega." "Omega" promised answers, but all it really told the reader was what the Omega Clouds did, a little about their technology, and some further exploration of past races wiped out by encounters with the right-angle hating storms.

McDevitt fulfills the promise of explanations in "Cauldron," although like most of the great mysteries that McDevitt likes to pepper into his sci-fi novels, the answer is not as intriguing as the question. The real meat of the story here is his tale of a future human race that has the ability to navigate among the stars, but is quickly losing the interest. Much like the modern day space program the technology is amazing, but it has little practical use. At the opening of the novel the only people still interested in traversing the stars are tour groups to Alpha Centauri.

Unfortunately, McDevitt never really explores the implications or the solutions to such a state. He provides a miracle technology which allows the human race to go farther and faster than the previous hyperspace technology, but at the end of the novel they've explored deeper into the cosmos than anyone in his sci-fi universe and still haven't found anyone worth talking to.

That's not to say it's a bad novel. McDevitt's strength is at writing adventures in the shadow of a great mystery, and the adventures here are thrilling and memorable. He has more of his trademarked alien ruins and derelict space ships, and the story is gripping as long as danger is looming. Even the finale, while lacking in what I think should be a considerable amount of awe, is exciting.

McDevitt never does well when it comes time to shine a light into the dark corners he creates in his narratives. In "Eternity Road" he tossed off the explanation in a single sentance, without any further comment. Here, he gives it a bit more heft, but it still left me with a feeling of "that's it." The mystery of the Omega Clouds was drawn out over 3 novels, and referenced in the background of at least 2 others, but the final revelation just seems a let down.

I don't want to spoil it, but I will say that McDevitt seems to have attempted to answer not only his own mystery, but one of the great rhetorical questions of Star Trek history. He does have an answer, but it boggles my mind much more upon contemplation than it did when reading it.

However, aside from the unsatisfying mystery, the novel has plenty of adventure and space opera-esque thrills. Like all McDevitt books, as long as the biggest mystery answered is how to escape from the monster, it more than delivers.
]]> 14611199 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:13:59 -0800
I'd say no. Baseball is dying. For me, it died a lot when the players canceled a season over money, and the rest of it died when my beloved San Francisco Giants sold their past few seasons away in exchange for the merchandise and publicity that a steroid stuffed monster can bring.

However, this book is a great ode to what is good about the game, the way that it brings families together, the way that it captures the wonderful feeling of "going" to a baseball game.

That's why baseball is dead, because you have to be there to enjoy it. Baseball is one of the absolute worst sports to watch on TV, unless you are simply obsessed with it and have no stadium nearby. Bad baseball in person is much better than great baseball on TV. Oddly enough, baseball is also very good on the radio, if you have a good announcer. But it is terrible on TV. I can think of a handful of great baseball games that I've enjoyed on television, and even in those my attention wandered and I walked in and out of the room.

In this age of television, baseball won't survive. At least not professional baseball, with the hundred million dollar salaries. And maybe that's not so bad. ]]>
author: Steve Kettmann
name: Jonathan
average rating: 3.33
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/05/08
shelves: non-fiction
review:
Baseball. The mythic American pastime. Is it still relevant? Is it still the American pastime, in this age of football?

I'd say no. Baseball is dying. For me, it died a lot when the players canceled a season over money, and the rest of it died when my beloved San Francisco Giants sold their past few seasons away in exchange for the merchandise and publicity that a steroid stuffed monster can bring.

However, this book is a great ode to what is good about the game, the way that it brings families together, the way that it captures the wonderful feeling of "going" to a baseball game.

That's why baseball is dead, because you have to be there to enjoy it. Baseball is one of the absolute worst sports to watch on TV, unless you are simply obsessed with it and have no stadium nearby. Bad baseball in person is much better than great baseball on TV. Oddly enough, baseball is also very good on the radio, if you have a good announcer. But it is terrible on TV. I can think of a handful of great baseball games that I've enjoyed on television, and even in those my attention wandered and I walked in and out of the room.

In this age of television, baseball won't survive. At least not professional baseball, with the hundred million dollar salaries. And maybe that's not so bad.
]]> 14544245 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:01:54 -0800
This is basically an R-rated action movie starring the Avengers. And it's great! It's one of those rare superhero comics that captures the "oh my god" wonder of the biggest action movies. ]]>
author: Mark Millar
name: Jonathan
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2004
rating: 5
read at: 09/06
date added: 02/04/08
shelves: comics
review:
Say you want to see the greatest big budget superhero action movie of all time? Well, you can't find it in theatres. Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch serve up superhero action that has appropriatly been as "widescreen." Featuruing all the heroes you want to see kick ass from Marvel, Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Giant Man, Thor, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Black Widow and The Wasp all star as America's super-secret super-team.

This is basically an R-rated action movie starring the Avengers. And it's great! It's one of those rare superhero comics that captures the "oh my god" wonder of the biggest action movies.
]]>