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Dave is Currently Reading

Dave is currently reading

Windows Vista in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference (In a Nutshell)

by Preston Gralla

bookshelves: currently-reading, non-fiction, computer

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Jan 15, 2009 04:40pm

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Feb 05, 2013 02:54am

Dave rated a book 3 of 5 stars

The Gilded Age (1873)
by Mark Twain

read in September, 2012

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It is not often that one gets to define an age, but that is precisely what Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner did with “The Gilded Age”. As Ward Just points out in his introduction, “The Gilded Age” is “the first (novel about Washington) of consequ...more

Oct 02, 2012 12:30am · see review

Dave rated a book 2 of 5 stars

Mike
by P.G. Wodehouse

read in August, 2012

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“Mike” was first published in the U.K. on September 15, 1909. I believe it is the longest of Wodehouse’s school novels, and it was republished in 1953 in two slightly revised parts titled “Mike at Wrykyn” and “Mike and Psmith”. Mike Jackson is the ma...more “Mike” was first published in the U.K. on September 15, 1909. I believe it is the longest of Wodehouse’s school novels, and it was republished in 1953 in two slightly revised parts titled “Mike at Wrykyn” and “Mike and Psmith”. Mike Jackson is the main character in part one, and covers Mike’s life at Wrykyn, a public school as have all his brothers before him. The Jackson boys are known for their cricket, and Mike is the youngest, and most talented, of them all. In the second part, Mike is sent, against his will, to a new school, Sedleigh. There he meets Psmith, a student who is in a similar position. This part covers their strategy of rebelling against things in general, and the events that end up accepting their positions and their new school.

This novel is very much like Wodehouse’s other schoolhouse novels. A strong focus on sport, in this case it is cricket, which is his most common choice. There are also the usual interactions and misunderstandings between students, and of course a bit of rebellious behavior which causes friction with the faculty. In many ways “Mike” is unremarkable. Wodehouse has other stories, starting with his very first, which doesn’t cover at least some of the ground here. What makes it worth reading to Wodehouse enthusiasts is the character Psmith, one of the more memorable characters that Wodehouse created. Psmith only appears on four stories, starting with “Mike” and going on to “Psmith in the City”, and on to Psmith Journalist, before finishing with “Leave it to Psmith”. The character of Mike Jackson appears in the same four books, but he is not as nearly as unique a character.

“Mike” is the 12th book that P. G. Wodehouse had published, and it is the last of his school stories, though he would use these characters as he transitioned to other types of stories. Some of these attempts did not work so well, but it did culminate in the excellent “Leave it to Psmith”. I would recommend this book to those who love Wodehouse, but if you are looking for a good place to experience him for the first time, “Mike” is not the best choice. I would say that the second half of the book is clearly better than the first, but overall I round it down to two stars.(less)

Sep 29, 2012 09:10pm · see review

Dave rated a book 4 of 5 stars

Arguably: Selected Essays
by Christopher Hitchens

read in August, 2012

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Christopher Hitchens had a mind which is sorely missed. Whether you agreed with what he was saying, or were on the other side of the issue, one had to respect and respond to what Hitchens had to say on the subject. “Arguably” is a collection of his e...more Christopher Hitchens had a mind which is sorely missed. Whether you agreed with what he was saying, or were on the other side of the issue, one had to respect and respond to what Hitchens had to say on the subject. “Arguably” is a collection of his essays (107 in all) put into six sections of the book, and which cover a wide variety of subjects. There are certainly a few here which are not going to be considered controversial, but the vast majority are Hitchens as he usually was, strongly opinionated on controversial subjects, and always with a significant stack of facts to back his positions; positions which he was not afraid to voice in the bluntest terms. In other words, this is Hitchens at his best (when you agree with him), and at his most difficult (when you don’t).

This collection was published originally in September of 2011, with Hitchens writing a brief introduction in late June as he was suffering from oesophageal cancer from which he would pass away six months later at the all too young age of 62. The essays had been published over the course of years in a variety of publications. The subjects dealt with cover a wide range, from religion and politics, to why women aren’t funny, and everything in between. The material ranges from columns, to book reviews, to book introductions.

Hitchens was one of the few members of the media who had actually visited the “axis of evil”, along with many other places, and this most certainly contributed to his insights on many subjects. Hitchens was not the least bit tentative to express his opinion, but unlike other talking-heads, Hitchens was able to do it and still be credible on a subject. Though certainly liberal on a majority of subjects, Hitchens had no problem blasting Kissinger, then turning around and backing President George W. Bush in the “War on Terror”, only to then proceed to ignore the administration’s position on water-boarding and calling it what he considered it, “torture”. The result is that the reader can trust that the opinion they are reading is sincere, and not simply a position taken to support an ideological ally.

I ended my first paragraph by saying that Hitchens was at his best when you agree with him, but the fact is that if you are open to views different than yours, then often Hitchens is at his best when you disagree with him. He certainly had the ability to infuriate and madden listeners and readers, but he also had the ability to make people understand a different point of view, even when he fails to convince them that he is correct. Christopher Hitchens is a voice which is missed.(less)

Sep 27, 2012 05:52am · see review

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Dave liked D.M.'s review of The Alchemist:

" A very easy to read an easily understood story, that of a young man on a personal journey searching for his treasure, who he meets along the way, his spiritual awakening and what he learns. I've read a few titles by Coelho now and I've not failed... " Read more of this review »

Sep 11, 2012 04:18am · see review

Dave rated a book 5 of 5 stars

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings, #3)
by J.R.R. Tolkien

read in August, 2012

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As the last volume of the trilogy, the reader gets an end to the story, and in fact “The Return of the King” has several places where one could end, but for those who want to continue on past the end of Sauron, past the end of the War, etc., the stor...more As the last volume of the trilogy, the reader gets an end to the story, and in fact “The Return of the King” has several places where one could end, but for those who want to continue on past the end of Sauron, past the end of the War, etc., the story continues to the end of the Third Age. “The Return of the King” was originally published on October 20th of 1955. “The Lord of the Rings” was the last recipient of the International Fantasy Award for Fiction in 1957, it was also nominated for the Hugo for all-time series in 1966, and was nominated from 2002 through 2008 for the Prometheus Hall of Fame award, before winning it in 2009. As with the previous two volumes, this one contains two books.

Book V is titled “The War of the Ring” and it returns to the story of all those outside of the Ring Bearers. It starts with Gandalf and Pippin arriving at Minas Tirith to deliver the news to Denethor and takes us to the start of the battle in front of the Black Gate of Mordor. This book tells the story of a large number of characters. Only the ring-bearers are absent as characters, though they are certainly in the thoughts of those who fight the war.

Book VI is titled “The End of the Third Age”, though it has also been called “The Return of the King” and similar to Book IV it is starts out focused on Frodo and Sam, with the specter of Gollum tagging along. Starting with Sam’s daring rescue of Frodo, it continues with the two trying to make their way to Mount Doom. However, the changes less than a third of the way through the book, when their quest comes to an end, and the rest of the book involves all the characters again. Unlike many modern books and movies, the action doesn’t end with the climax, and Tolkien takes his time telling the story of the aftermath of the war.

As with the previous books in the series when compared with the movie I personally prefer the book, though I have enjoyed the all the movies as well. However long the movies are, they are but condensed versions of the books, and if left unread, you will miss out on many significant characters and events, as well as be unaware of the changes made by those creating the movies from what was written originally. The movies were a valiant effort to bring this epic to the screen, and they honor Tolkien’s overall story, but to fully appreciate what Tolkien created, you need to read the books.(less)

Sep 07, 2012 11:47pm · see review

Dave rated a book 5 of 5 stars

The Two Towers (Lord of the Rings, #2)
by J.R.R. Tolkien

read in August, 2012

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I remember reading an article where the author discussed which towers were possibly the two towers referred to in the title of the second novel of “The Lord of The Rings”. Candidates included Ortanc, Barad-dûr, Ecthelion, Minas Morgul, and Cirith Ung...more I remember reading an article where the author discussed which towers were possibly the two towers referred to in the title of the second novel of “The Lord of The Rings”. Candidates included Ortanc, Barad-dûr, Ecthelion, Minas Morgul, and Cirith Ungol. One could have included the Hornburg in the list as well, but this particular discussion did not include it. The author discussed several pairs of options, but for me the answer was simple, as it indicates at the end of authorized Ballentine edition of “The Fellowship of the Ring” that it is Ortahnc and Minus Morgal and that is where the action is focused for most of the two books contained in the “The Two Towers”. However, if you watch the film, it strongly points to two towers as Orthanc and Barad-dûr. To confuse matters more, there is a letter from Tolkien to Rayner Unwin where he states that the two towers are Orthanc and Cirith Ungol, but remember that it wasn’t Tolkien that split the work into three volumes and he was never happy with the title, and apparently he changed his mind later as he is the author of the note I mentioned above. Of course, to enjoy the book it really doesn’t matter which two towers the title actually refers to, but it was an interesting discussion.

I believe that the second volume of a trilogy is the most difficult one to evaluate. The reader is coming into a story which has already begun, and left with no real ending. In the case of “The Two Towers”, Tolkien navigates those difficulties quite well. Though certainly one should read “The Fellowship of the Ring” first, there is a brief synopsis, and while each of the two books in the volume leaves the story hanging a bit, they are certainly reasonable places to leave the story off. “The Two Towers” was originally published on November 11th of 1954.

Book III is titled “The Treason of Isengard” and covers the stories of all the characters except Frodo and Sam (who are the subjects of Book IV). It starts where Book II left off, with Aragorn hearing Boromir’s horn. This book introduces numerous new characters such as Treebeard, Éomer, King Théoden, Lady Éowyn, and of course Grima Wormtongue. It is a tale rich in characters, and in large battles, heroism, and last ditch efforts. The book ends with victory against Saruman, but that is over-shadowed by the coming battle with Sauron and the forces of Mordor, as well as the lack of knowledge of what has become to Frodo and Sam.

Book IV is titled “The Ring Goes East”, though it has also been called “The Journey of the Ringbearers” and by contrast with Book III there are very few characters. Frodo, Sam, and Gollum are the main characters of this book, though we do meet Faramir during the tale of the ring-bearers as they take the ring to Mordor. This book as a darker ending than Book III, as the book closes with Frodo having been poisoned by the venom of Shelob and has been taken by the enemy, with Sam struggling to rescue him.

As with the first book in the series when compared with the movie, I personally prefer the book, though I have enjoyed the movie as well. However long the movie is, it is a condensed version of the book, and you will miss out on many significant characters and events, as well as be unaware of the changes which were made for whatever reason. The movies were a valiant effort to bring this effort to the screen, and they honor Tolkien’s overall story, but to fully appreciate what Tolkien created, you need to read the books.(less)

Sep 06, 2012 04:45am · see review

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