Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 54
September 8, 2023
The Gold Of The Gods
Just finished reading "The Gold Of The Gods" by Erich Von Daniken, first published by Bantam Books back in 1974.
Interestingly enough, "The Gold Of The Gods" was previously serialized in a condensed form in the National Enquirer.
After the runaway success of Von Daniken's first book, "Chariots Of The Gods?," his publishers began publishing more of his Ancient Astronaut Theories in additional books which was more of the same of his first book on his proposed theory of ancient visitations from extraterrestrial civilizations. "The Gold Of The Gods" was one of those books that Bantam published rapidly to cash in on the craze - which ironically is still going on strong today.
Von Daniken's strength is that he's a friendly guy talking non-stop about his favorite subject, putting his own unique spin without offering any real proof. Think of it as, "I know a guy, who knows a guy, who knows a guy, and they said...."
Mom and Dad bought and read "The Gold Of The Gods" and other of Von Daniken's books after initially reading "Chariots Of The Gods?" and watching the documentary movie, which was released in movie theaters and on television and they passed those books onto me. I got my reading copy from Chamblin's Book Mine.
I think Mom and Dad found Von Daniken's Ancient Astronaut Theories amusing. Mom did say something unexpected once - mentioning that traveling the distance between stars would leave a trace and that you can't travel without leaving something tangible behind. While some myths, like Troy, are based in fact, others aren't, she said. Facts leave behind tangible traces - the ruins of Troy, she said, before falling silent on the topic and refusing to discuss it anymore.
Keep in mind that Mom came from 'polite society" where women weren't supposed to express any critical thinking skills. After all, she was almost expelled from the Skidmore School for Girls in New York for unladylike behavior - she played with a yo-yo, which was for some reason considered a "boy's toy" back in the 1930s. She also read comic books and beat up boys who annoyed her. [If only she had kept her first edition Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman comic books!] So on infrequent occasions she would catch herself being "unladylike" and self correct. Or, if you want to go the conspiracy route, Mom was concealing what she knew because during her stint in the Army back in 1958-1961, she was a secretary assigned to civilian scientists whose work she never talked about.
Von Daniken's ideas about extraterrestrials visiting Earth and interacting with humans are a reflection of the 1960s and 1970s - nowadays people are looking to see if any asteroids in the Solar System show signs of being depleted from any mining done on them, which would be a tangible sign of something left behind by an extraterrestrial.
"The Gold Of The Gods" is wildly speculative and lacks any proof of any kind. People see and believe what they want to believe.
Recommended for the insight it provides into the Ancient Astronauts Theory mindset and into group cult thinking.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Gods-Eric...
Interestingly enough, "The Gold Of The Gods" was previously serialized in a condensed form in the National Enquirer.
After the runaway success of Von Daniken's first book, "Chariots Of The Gods?," his publishers began publishing more of his Ancient Astronaut Theories in additional books which was more of the same of his first book on his proposed theory of ancient visitations from extraterrestrial civilizations. "The Gold Of The Gods" was one of those books that Bantam published rapidly to cash in on the craze - which ironically is still going on strong today.
Von Daniken's strength is that he's a friendly guy talking non-stop about his favorite subject, putting his own unique spin without offering any real proof. Think of it as, "I know a guy, who knows a guy, who knows a guy, and they said...."
Mom and Dad bought and read "The Gold Of The Gods" and other of Von Daniken's books after initially reading "Chariots Of The Gods?" and watching the documentary movie, which was released in movie theaters and on television and they passed those books onto me. I got my reading copy from Chamblin's Book Mine.
I think Mom and Dad found Von Daniken's Ancient Astronaut Theories amusing. Mom did say something unexpected once - mentioning that traveling the distance between stars would leave a trace and that you can't travel without leaving something tangible behind. While some myths, like Troy, are based in fact, others aren't, she said. Facts leave behind tangible traces - the ruins of Troy, she said, before falling silent on the topic and refusing to discuss it anymore.
Keep in mind that Mom came from 'polite society" where women weren't supposed to express any critical thinking skills. After all, she was almost expelled from the Skidmore School for Girls in New York for unladylike behavior - she played with a yo-yo, which was for some reason considered a "boy's toy" back in the 1930s. She also read comic books and beat up boys who annoyed her. [If only she had kept her first edition Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman comic books!] So on infrequent occasions she would catch herself being "unladylike" and self correct. Or, if you want to go the conspiracy route, Mom was concealing what she knew because during her stint in the Army back in 1958-1961, she was a secretary assigned to civilian scientists whose work she never talked about.
Von Daniken's ideas about extraterrestrials visiting Earth and interacting with humans are a reflection of the 1960s and 1970s - nowadays people are looking to see if any asteroids in the Solar System show signs of being depleted from any mining done on them, which would be a tangible sign of something left behind by an extraterrestrial.
"The Gold Of The Gods" is wildly speculative and lacks any proof of any kind. People see and believe what they want to believe.
Recommended for the insight it provides into the Ancient Astronauts Theory mindset and into group cult thinking.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Gods-Eric...
September 4, 2023
Ravensong
Just finished reading "Ravensong" by T.J. Klune, published by TOR Books.
"Ravensong" is a continuation of events from "Wolfsong" - the first book in the Green Creek tetralogy , told from Gordo's point-of-view. Set about one year after the end of the events described in "Wolfsong." The demons and devils from their shared past come back with a vengeance in this book but they also bring with them greater evils that threaten both Green Creek and the existence of all wolves and their witch Gordo.
While Klune deftly explores how abandonment issues impact and scar children when they reach adulthood, he also explores how prejudice caused by fear and preconceived notions of what's right and proper can influence actions far beyond the ordinary scope of fear - along with greed and personal ambition.
Now I do have to issue a prude alert - if you get easily offended by "crude" language and highly descriptive intimate scenes, then don't read this book.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Ravensong-Gree...
"Ravensong" is a continuation of events from "Wolfsong" - the first book in the Green Creek tetralogy , told from Gordo's point-of-view. Set about one year after the end of the events described in "Wolfsong." The demons and devils from their shared past come back with a vengeance in this book but they also bring with them greater evils that threaten both Green Creek and the existence of all wolves and their witch Gordo.
While Klune deftly explores how abandonment issues impact and scar children when they reach adulthood, he also explores how prejudice caused by fear and preconceived notions of what's right and proper can influence actions far beyond the ordinary scope of fear - along with greed and personal ambition.
Now I do have to issue a prude alert - if you get easily offended by "crude" language and highly descriptive intimate scenes, then don't read this book.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Ravensong-Gree...
Celestial Journey II - The Legends of Space & Ambient Music
Just finished listening to "Celestial Journey II - The Legends of Space & Ambient Music" released in 1997 by the ow defunct Rising Star Records.
Now I got my copy of "Celestial Journey II" from eBay for only five dollars - you can find a copy for much higher prices online - Amazon for example has listings starting at $84. It always pays to shop around.
Building on the success of their initial "Celestial Journey" release, Rising Star Records released a second compilation of space and ambient music.
"Celestial Journey II" contains tracks from Tangerine Dream, Andreas Vollenweider, Mars Lasar, Jonn Serrie, Constance Demby and others.
My favorite tracks in this compilation are: "A Perfect Evening for Flying Carpets," "Silence of the Eclipse," Night Fire Dance," "The Galactic Chalice," and "Mystery Road."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Celestial-Jour...
Now I got my copy of "Celestial Journey II" from eBay for only five dollars - you can find a copy for much higher prices online - Amazon for example has listings starting at $84. It always pays to shop around.
Building on the success of their initial "Celestial Journey" release, Rising Star Records released a second compilation of space and ambient music.
"Celestial Journey II" contains tracks from Tangerine Dream, Andreas Vollenweider, Mars Lasar, Jonn Serrie, Constance Demby and others.
My favorite tracks in this compilation are: "A Perfect Evening for Flying Carpets," "Silence of the Eclipse," Night Fire Dance," "The Galactic Chalice," and "Mystery Road."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Celestial-Jour...
September 1, 2023
"Super Richie- Issue #1”
Just finished reading "Super Richie- Issue #1” released by Harvey Comics back in September 1975.
While it may be hard for comic book readers of today’s era to believe, but for nearly three decades Richie Rich was the number one selling comic book in America outselling anything by DC and Marvel comics and yes, anime fans, Richie Rich even out sold anime.
So naturally Harvey Comics issued about a dozen lines of Richie Rich comics and spinoff comic books - there was even a series devoted to Richie Rich’s many girlfriends, making him perhaps the first “player” in comic book history to have, dare I say, a Comics Code Approved harem.
So naturally Harvey Comics decided to have superhero adventures for Richie and the ever loyal Cadbury - butler extraordinary.
Now did faithful Richie Rich readers really ask for him to become a superhero? Yes, since superheroes did receive a bounce from the first Superman movie starring Christopher Reeves so likely there was some interest in Richie Rich and Cadbury becoming crime fighters, and interestingly enough unmasked ones.
Richie Rich and Cadbury became Rippy and Crashman as part of a play they were rehearsing to promote good citizenship and decided to role play their fictional characters when a thief steals billions from Rich Manor. They catch the crook. In a second Rippy and Crashman adventure they save a bus carrying schoolchildren from a dangerous situation.
Richie Rich and Cadbury do pull off being credible- for their universe- superheroes and this series did enjoy a long multi-double digit issue run.
GREAT FUN!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
While it may be hard for comic book readers of today’s era to believe, but for nearly three decades Richie Rich was the number one selling comic book in America outselling anything by DC and Marvel comics and yes, anime fans, Richie Rich even out sold anime.
So naturally Harvey Comics issued about a dozen lines of Richie Rich comics and spinoff comic books - there was even a series devoted to Richie Rich’s many girlfriends, making him perhaps the first “player” in comic book history to have, dare I say, a Comics Code Approved harem.
So naturally Harvey Comics decided to have superhero adventures for Richie and the ever loyal Cadbury - butler extraordinary.
Now did faithful Richie Rich readers really ask for him to become a superhero? Yes, since superheroes did receive a bounce from the first Superman movie starring Christopher Reeves so likely there was some interest in Richie Rich and Cadbury becoming crime fighters, and interestingly enough unmasked ones.
Richie Rich and Cadbury became Rippy and Crashman as part of a play they were rehearsing to promote good citizenship and decided to role play their fictional characters when a thief steals billions from Rich Manor. They catch the crook. In a second Rippy and Crashman adventure they save a bus carrying schoolchildren from a dangerous situation.
Richie Rich and Cadbury do pull off being credible- for their universe- superheroes and this series did enjoy a long multi-double digit issue run.
GREAT FUN!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
When General Grant Expelled the Jews
Just finished reading "When General Grant Expelled the Jews" by Jonathan D. Sarna, published by Schocken Books back in 2012.
Yes, "When General Grant Expelled the Jews" is another book that was in my antilibrary, my tsundoku, of unread books - this time only 11 years from when I bought it to when I finally got around to reading it.
The Civil War did not begin well for the Union; the Confederacy had planned their opening strikes well, gathering ordnance for months before the assault on Fort Sumter, while the Northern states didn't grasp the reality of the threat of secession and were caught somewhat on their hells. However, by late 1862, the Union Army had finally made inroads into Confederate territory, and were about to flip the tide of the war. Then-General Grant, deep into Southern territory, was disturbed by reports of a wave of smuggling that flowed from the South into the North; conflating events with ancient stereotypes, he issued an order expelling all Jews from the area. A backlash to this order immediately occurred; a consortium of Jewish leaders made their way to Washington D.C., where Grant's order was rescinded by President Lincoln. Sarna, interestingly, chooses to open the book with the Order having already been issued. This is a deliberate choice; instead of slowly building up to the events that caused the ill-considered order to be issued, and thus making the order the centerpiece to the book, he instead puts it out there on page 1, and then spends the rest of the book explaining how Grant was able to overcome its dubious legacy. In fact, Grant become the first President to ultimately embrace the Jewish community, and appoint Jewish citizens to highly desirable government appointments.
Grant was the first U.S. President to attend a synagogue dedication, to travel to the Holy Land, and to have a Jewish pallbearer at his funeral. Regardless of the dubious order that he issued in 1862, Grant had become a much more wise and welcoming man later in his life who ushered in a short-lived period of main-stream acceptable of Judaism by American society before anti-Semitism once again after Grant's death.
Did Grant really redeem himself after issuing his ill-fated order? He is considered to be one of the worst Presidents in American history despite winning and serving two terms of office.
I do wish Sarna provided more detail about Grant's order, but an interesting examination of when American Jews finally stood up for themselves and realized that they had political power.
Strongly Recommended!
Four Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/General-Grant-...
Yes, "When General Grant Expelled the Jews" is another book that was in my antilibrary, my tsundoku, of unread books - this time only 11 years from when I bought it to when I finally got around to reading it.
The Civil War did not begin well for the Union; the Confederacy had planned their opening strikes well, gathering ordnance for months before the assault on Fort Sumter, while the Northern states didn't grasp the reality of the threat of secession and were caught somewhat on their hells. However, by late 1862, the Union Army had finally made inroads into Confederate territory, and were about to flip the tide of the war. Then-General Grant, deep into Southern territory, was disturbed by reports of a wave of smuggling that flowed from the South into the North; conflating events with ancient stereotypes, he issued an order expelling all Jews from the area. A backlash to this order immediately occurred; a consortium of Jewish leaders made their way to Washington D.C., where Grant's order was rescinded by President Lincoln. Sarna, interestingly, chooses to open the book with the Order having already been issued. This is a deliberate choice; instead of slowly building up to the events that caused the ill-considered order to be issued, and thus making the order the centerpiece to the book, he instead puts it out there on page 1, and then spends the rest of the book explaining how Grant was able to overcome its dubious legacy. In fact, Grant become the first President to ultimately embrace the Jewish community, and appoint Jewish citizens to highly desirable government appointments.
Grant was the first U.S. President to attend a synagogue dedication, to travel to the Holy Land, and to have a Jewish pallbearer at his funeral. Regardless of the dubious order that he issued in 1862, Grant had become a much more wise and welcoming man later in his life who ushered in a short-lived period of main-stream acceptable of Judaism by American society before anti-Semitism once again after Grant's death.
Did Grant really redeem himself after issuing his ill-fated order? He is considered to be one of the worst Presidents in American history despite winning and serving two terms of office.
I do wish Sarna provided more detail about Grant's order, but an interesting examination of when American Jews finally stood up for themselves and realized that they had political power.
Strongly Recommended!
Four Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/General-Grant-...
August 28, 2023
Tides of Fire
Just finished reading "Tides Of Fire" by James Rollins, released by William Morrow.
I discovered James Rollins when I cam across a display of his first SIGMA Force novel "Sandstorm" about 20 years ago near the front of the Barnes & Noble near where I live. I was intrigued by the novel synopsis which promised a mix of adventure, scientific speculation, and history. I was not disappointed with Rollins' SIGMA adventures and I've greatly enjoyed each successive SIGMA Force novel.
Using the background of he events surrounding the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, the SIGMA Force team finds itself in a deadly race against renegade Chinese Military Agents who are seeking to turn a discovery one of their lunar landers made, when a similar unusual signal is discovered deep in the ocean depths, which triggers a deadly chain of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that threaten to end all life on Earth, unless a secret lost over a century ago can be rediscovered.
Another great and intense SIGMA Force adventure.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Tides-Fire-Nov...
I discovered James Rollins when I cam across a display of his first SIGMA Force novel "Sandstorm" about 20 years ago near the front of the Barnes & Noble near where I live. I was intrigued by the novel synopsis which promised a mix of adventure, scientific speculation, and history. I was not disappointed with Rollins' SIGMA adventures and I've greatly enjoyed each successive SIGMA Force novel.
Using the background of he events surrounding the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, the SIGMA Force team finds itself in a deadly race against renegade Chinese Military Agents who are seeking to turn a discovery one of their lunar landers made, when a similar unusual signal is discovered deep in the ocean depths, which triggers a deadly chain of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that threaten to end all life on Earth, unless a secret lost over a century ago can be rediscovered.
Another great and intense SIGMA Force adventure.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Tides-Fire-Nov...
Philo Vance - Merry Murder Cases
Just finished listening to "Philo Vance - Merry Murder Cases" released by Radio Spirits.
Philo Vance was the creation of writer Willard H. Wright, who chronicled Vance's career as a private investigator under the pen name of S.S. Van Dine. Vance was as popular as Sherlock Holmes and each new Philo Vance novel that Wright wrote was adapted faithfully by Hollywood because Wright kept tight control. It was only after his untimely death the Vance went from an insufferable swanking prat to a more personable fellow. Like most popular fictional print and big screen detectives, he was adapted for radio, which kept his likability and kept the supporting characters from the novels.
[I have not read any of the Philo Vance novels.] At the conclusion of each Philo Vance radio show, Philo or someone else would say, "This Is the end of the [Insert Show Title] Murder Case.
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "The Best Seller Murder Case," "The President Murder Case," "The Tree Trunk Murder Case," "The Lady in Blue Murder," "The Heavyweight Murder Case," and "The Midget Murder Case."
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
FIVE STARS!
http://radiospirits.com/detailsv2.asp...
Philo Vance was the creation of writer Willard H. Wright, who chronicled Vance's career as a private investigator under the pen name of S.S. Van Dine. Vance was as popular as Sherlock Holmes and each new Philo Vance novel that Wright wrote was adapted faithfully by Hollywood because Wright kept tight control. It was only after his untimely death the Vance went from an insufferable swanking prat to a more personable fellow. Like most popular fictional print and big screen detectives, he was adapted for radio, which kept his likability and kept the supporting characters from the novels.
[I have not read any of the Philo Vance novels.] At the conclusion of each Philo Vance radio show, Philo or someone else would say, "This Is the end of the [Insert Show Title] Murder Case.
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "The Best Seller Murder Case," "The President Murder Case," "The Tree Trunk Murder Case," "The Lady in Blue Murder," "The Heavyweight Murder Case," and "The Midget Murder Case."
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
FIVE STARS!
http://radiospirits.com/detailsv2.asp...
August 24, 2023
The Rupert Annual 2023"
Just finished reading "The Rupert Annual 2023" published by Farshore.
My cousin Hannah was the one who introduced me to British Annuals when she sent me the Doctor Who 1980 Annual as a birthday present because I enjoyed watching Doctor Who. Hannah enjoyed watching and reading science fiction too, and I am named after her father, my Uncle Joseph, who was killed in France during World War One. So, you could honestly say that it was Hannah who got me "hooked" onto collecting British Annuals published by World and other British publishers - my good friend Steve Orchard will be probably extremely jealous to learn that I have the complete collection of "The Lone Ranger" annuals, along with the complete collection of "Lost In Space" and "Land of the Giants" annuals, along with various Tarzan, The High Chaparral," "The Man From Uncle," The Girl From Uncle," Bugs Bunny," "The Flintstones," "Tarzan," "Star Trek," "Richie Rich," "Rupert," and quite a few others. Though Selma Franz, my dear baby sister, would probably disagree and say that I have an obsessive compulsive collecting habit. Of course, I disagree.
All modern Rupert Annuals is a collection of stories published in previous annuals, along with one new story. This collection contains: "Rupert and Poll Parrot," "Rupert and the Secret Path," "Rupert and the Water Boatman," "Rupert and the Silent Dog."
"Rupert and the Deep Freeze," and the new story, "Rupert and April Showers."
Rupert is great fun in the whimsical fantasy tradition of British literature.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Rupert-Annual-...
My cousin Hannah was the one who introduced me to British Annuals when she sent me the Doctor Who 1980 Annual as a birthday present because I enjoyed watching Doctor Who. Hannah enjoyed watching and reading science fiction too, and I am named after her father, my Uncle Joseph, who was killed in France during World War One. So, you could honestly say that it was Hannah who got me "hooked" onto collecting British Annuals published by World and other British publishers - my good friend Steve Orchard will be probably extremely jealous to learn that I have the complete collection of "The Lone Ranger" annuals, along with the complete collection of "Lost In Space" and "Land of the Giants" annuals, along with various Tarzan, The High Chaparral," "The Man From Uncle," The Girl From Uncle," Bugs Bunny," "The Flintstones," "Tarzan," "Star Trek," "Richie Rich," "Rupert," and quite a few others. Though Selma Franz, my dear baby sister, would probably disagree and say that I have an obsessive compulsive collecting habit. Of course, I disagree.
All modern Rupert Annuals is a collection of stories published in previous annuals, along with one new story. This collection contains: "Rupert and Poll Parrot," "Rupert and the Secret Path," "Rupert and the Water Boatman," "Rupert and the Silent Dog."
"Rupert and the Deep Freeze," and the new story, "Rupert and April Showers."
Rupert is great fun in the whimsical fantasy tradition of British literature.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Rupert-Annual-...
Cave Of Bones
Just finished reading "Cave Of Bones - A True Story of Discovery, Adventure, and Human Origins" by Lee Berger and John Hawks, published by National Geographic.
What is the spark, the nuance if you will, that makes modern day humans, human? The standard is the ability to create, manage, and use fire, bury the dead, and make symbols and art, along with brain size. When fossils of Homo naledi, a hominin species that more than likely lived alongside early modern man, was discovered in a barely accessible cave system in South Africa, it was thought that the Homo naledi fossils were the fossilized remains of bodies just dumped into the cave system. Yet all clues pointed to deliberate burial and as years past, it became more and more apparent that the small brained Homo naledi were far more capable of "human" activity than a species with a brain only slightly bigger than a chimpanzee brain should be - including deliberately burying the dead, creating, maintaining, and using fire, and creating abstract art.
Berger creates a compelling case that Homo naledi might be a prime example of non-human "human" intelligence. He might be right and it may be a good idea to re-examine the notion of intelligence among non-human species.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Cave-Bones-Dis...
What is the spark, the nuance if you will, that makes modern day humans, human? The standard is the ability to create, manage, and use fire, bury the dead, and make symbols and art, along with brain size. When fossils of Homo naledi, a hominin species that more than likely lived alongside early modern man, was discovered in a barely accessible cave system in South Africa, it was thought that the Homo naledi fossils were the fossilized remains of bodies just dumped into the cave system. Yet all clues pointed to deliberate burial and as years past, it became more and more apparent that the small brained Homo naledi were far more capable of "human" activity than a species with a brain only slightly bigger than a chimpanzee brain should be - including deliberately burying the dead, creating, maintaining, and using fire, and creating abstract art.
Berger creates a compelling case that Homo naledi might be a prime example of non-human "human" intelligence. He might be right and it may be a good idea to re-examine the notion of intelligence among non-human species.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Cave-Bones-Dis...
August 21, 2023
Mystery Is My Hobby
Just finished listening to "Mystery Is My Hobby" released by Radio Spirits.
Detectives from the Golden Age of Radio's heyday usually had quite the collection of novels, short stories, and even movies behind them before they were adapted for radio adventures. What makes "Mystery Is My Hobby" unique is that that the program was adapted from just one short story "Swell Night For A Murder" written by Richard Hill Wilkinson and published in the August 1942 issue of Detective Magazine the chronicled the crime solving duo of mystery writer Andy Botsworth and his wife Helen.
Wilkinson sold the idea of creating a radio show based on the short story, and he changed Andy Botsworth to mystery writer Barton Drake, who solved mysteries, not with his now non-existent wife, but with his police sidekick Inspector Danton.
Drake closed each episode with his moniker "Mystery Is My Hobby."
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "The Case of the Country Doctor," "Feuding Radio Comedians," "The Case of the Rare Old Coin," "The Case of the Lonely Lady," "Fishing Trip Ends In Murder," and "Voice of Doom."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://store.radiospirits.com/myster...
Detectives from the Golden Age of Radio's heyday usually had quite the collection of novels, short stories, and even movies behind them before they were adapted for radio adventures. What makes "Mystery Is My Hobby" unique is that that the program was adapted from just one short story "Swell Night For A Murder" written by Richard Hill Wilkinson and published in the August 1942 issue of Detective Magazine the chronicled the crime solving duo of mystery writer Andy Botsworth and his wife Helen.
Wilkinson sold the idea of creating a radio show based on the short story, and he changed Andy Botsworth to mystery writer Barton Drake, who solved mysteries, not with his now non-existent wife, but with his police sidekick Inspector Danton.
Drake closed each episode with his moniker "Mystery Is My Hobby."
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "The Case of the Country Doctor," "Feuding Radio Comedians," "The Case of the Rare Old Coin," "The Case of the Lonely Lady," "Fishing Trip Ends In Murder," and "Voice of Doom."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://store.radiospirits.com/myster...
