Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 62
May 29, 2023
Burns & Allen -- Who's The Boss
Just finished listening to "Burns & Allen - Who's The Boss" released by Radio Spirits.
The success of George Burns and Gracie Allen on the radio was due when they revamped their radio show from surreal slapstick between a bewildered man and his nutty girlfriend to the zany wackiness of married life, and they carried over that successful formula to their highly successful television show.
This collection contains episodes from their radio show's 1948 and 1949 season.
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "Babsitting For Kay Kyser," "Keeping George From Making Decisions," "Who's The Boss," "George Collects Alley Cats," "Marlese Dietrich - George Has A Cold," "Gracie The Girl Scout Leader," and "Gracie and The County Fair."
GREAT FUN!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://store.radiospirits.com/burns-...
The success of George Burns and Gracie Allen on the radio was due when they revamped their radio show from surreal slapstick between a bewildered man and his nutty girlfriend to the zany wackiness of married life, and they carried over that successful formula to their highly successful television show.
This collection contains episodes from their radio show's 1948 and 1949 season.
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "Babsitting For Kay Kyser," "Keeping George From Making Decisions," "Who's The Boss," "George Collects Alley Cats," "Marlese Dietrich - George Has A Cold," "Gracie The Girl Scout Leader," and "Gracie and The County Fair."
GREAT FUN!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://store.radiospirits.com/burns-...
Under Alien Skies - A Sightseer's Guide To The Universe
Just finished reading "Under Alien Skies - A Sightseer's Guide To The Universe" by Philip Plait, Ph.D., published by Norton.
Plait, who is best known for his Bad Astronomy website, takes the reader on a highly imaginative tour of what the skies would be like on the moon, Mars, Ceres, Saturn, and Pluto, along with other vistas in the galaxy.
Great Fun!
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Under-Alien-Sk...
Plait, who is best known for his Bad Astronomy website, takes the reader on a highly imaginative tour of what the skies would be like on the moon, Mars, Ceres, Saturn, and Pluto, along with other vistas in the galaxy.
Great Fun!
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Under-Alien-Sk...
Quantum Supremacy - How The Quantum Computer Revolution Will Change Everything
Just finished reading "Quantum Supremacy - How The Quantum Computer Revolution Will Change Everything" by Michio Kaku, published by Doubleday.
An old proverb came to mind when I started reading Kaku's "Quantum Spremacy" - "Be wary of the snake oil salesman who promises you miracles, but fails to mention the consequences."
Now I am not a Luddite, but I learned long ago from my parents to walk away from anyone who promises you the moon, the sun, and the stars.
Kaku does present a solidly strong picture about the impact Quantum Computers may have in the near future in medicine, space exploration, solar power, nuclear fusion, and other fields of research, but he doesn't seem to realize that a predicted marvelous future never comes to be as its first conceptualized.
While a good book on the potential, Kaku comes across as a cheer leader about quantum computing's potential, but doesn't take into account that great promises often fizzle - take "It" for example, known by it's code name "Ginger" before it was released to great fan fare on how the world will be CHANGED. Segways, while a curious bit of technology, flopped hard and failed to change the world.
Recommended as a good insight into the importance of quantum computing, but too much glorified overselling.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Suprem...
An old proverb came to mind when I started reading Kaku's "Quantum Spremacy" - "Be wary of the snake oil salesman who promises you miracles, but fails to mention the consequences."
Now I am not a Luddite, but I learned long ago from my parents to walk away from anyone who promises you the moon, the sun, and the stars.
Kaku does present a solidly strong picture about the impact Quantum Computers may have in the near future in medicine, space exploration, solar power, nuclear fusion, and other fields of research, but he doesn't seem to realize that a predicted marvelous future never comes to be as its first conceptualized.
While a good book on the potential, Kaku comes across as a cheer leader about quantum computing's potential, but doesn't take into account that great promises often fizzle - take "It" for example, known by it's code name "Ginger" before it was released to great fan fare on how the world will be CHANGED. Segways, while a curious bit of technology, flopped hard and failed to change the world.
Recommended as a good insight into the importance of quantum computing, but too much glorified overselling.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Suprem...
When Galaxies Were Born
Just finished reading "When Galaxies Were Born - The Quest For Cosmic Dawn" by Richard S. Ellis, published by Princeton University Press.
The old National Geographic Books came to mind when I was reading "When Galaxies Were Born." Ellis, who is a professor of astrophysics at the University of College writes in such an engaging and comprehensive style that combines his autobiographical journey to become an astronomer to how astronomical observations are made and the impact those discoveries can have on not only professional careers but to humanity's understanding of the universe at large as ground and space-based telescopes are pushing to look backwards into the depths of time when the first stars and galaxies were being born - right up to the edge of the universe's horizon.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/When-Galaxies-...
The old National Geographic Books came to mind when I was reading "When Galaxies Were Born." Ellis, who is a professor of astrophysics at the University of College writes in such an engaging and comprehensive style that combines his autobiographical journey to become an astronomer to how astronomical observations are made and the impact those discoveries can have on not only professional careers but to humanity's understanding of the universe at large as ground and space-based telescopes are pushing to look backwards into the depths of time when the first stars and galaxies were being born - right up to the edge of the universe's horizon.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/When-Galaxies-...
May 26, 2023
The Siren Stars
Just finished reading "The Siren Stars" by Richard and Nancy Carrigan, published by Pyramid Books back in 1971.
I first read "The Siren Stars" back when it was first released back in 1971 when I discovered it in the new arrivals sections in the Science Fiction section at Michele's Book Store in the Bryn Mar Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I remembered it as a cautionary tale of the dangers of going blindly into making contact with an extraterrestrial civilization.
Yes, I read "The Siren Stars" as part of my "Great Re-Reading Project of the Favorite Novels From My Youth" project, and I found my reading copy at Chamblin's Book Mine here in Jacksonville, Florida. And for those who read my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other Social Media sites who are absolutely SHOCKED that I'm not reviewing another novel by Andre Norton as part of this project - just wait to you see the review of the next novel I'm reading for this project.
Now keep in mind that this was well before the Internet Age where Social Media exploded, so I wasn't aware that "The Siren Stars" was considered to be a controversial novel until years latter. Also keep in mind that I've only ever been to three science fiction conventions in my lifetime so far and the last one was decades ago, so I don't get out much.
Part of the controversy surrounding "The Siren Stars" is that it was co-written by a scientist who was warning that there might actually be negative consequences of discovering an advanced extraterrestrial civilization more advanced than humanity. I suspect another part of the controversy was the Cold War Spy approach of the novel in which it portrayed SETI as a game of one up-man-ship where the first nation to enter into communication with an alien intelligence would gain scientific and military advantages over the rest of the world. And I suspect the pro-America stance that a democratic superpower knows best didn't sit well with SETI academics, even though "The Siren Stars," which was first serialized in Analog before it was published spawned a sequel about five years later in 1975 spread out in three issues of Analog Magazine, "Minotaur In A Mushroom Maze" - which I'm tracking down because I'm intrigued to read it.
"The Siren Stars" is basically a solid Cold War Spy Thriller that could have been made into a movie. In fact, I'm surprise it never made it to the big and/or small screen. It is a scientific thriller in the same vein of the Sigma novels by James Rollins, and although it is set in the 1970s, it has aged well.
Strongly Recommended as a cautionary tale about the dangers of SETI - and yes, like the late Professor Hawking, I am a firm believer in knowing who you're communicating with before you put out the welcome mat.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Siren-Stars-Ri...
I first read "The Siren Stars" back when it was first released back in 1971 when I discovered it in the new arrivals sections in the Science Fiction section at Michele's Book Store in the Bryn Mar Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I remembered it as a cautionary tale of the dangers of going blindly into making contact with an extraterrestrial civilization.
Yes, I read "The Siren Stars" as part of my "Great Re-Reading Project of the Favorite Novels From My Youth" project, and I found my reading copy at Chamblin's Book Mine here in Jacksonville, Florida. And for those who read my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other Social Media sites who are absolutely SHOCKED that I'm not reviewing another novel by Andre Norton as part of this project - just wait to you see the review of the next novel I'm reading for this project.
Now keep in mind that this was well before the Internet Age where Social Media exploded, so I wasn't aware that "The Siren Stars" was considered to be a controversial novel until years latter. Also keep in mind that I've only ever been to three science fiction conventions in my lifetime so far and the last one was decades ago, so I don't get out much.
Part of the controversy surrounding "The Siren Stars" is that it was co-written by a scientist who was warning that there might actually be negative consequences of discovering an advanced extraterrestrial civilization more advanced than humanity. I suspect another part of the controversy was the Cold War Spy approach of the novel in which it portrayed SETI as a game of one up-man-ship where the first nation to enter into communication with an alien intelligence would gain scientific and military advantages over the rest of the world. And I suspect the pro-America stance that a democratic superpower knows best didn't sit well with SETI academics, even though "The Siren Stars," which was first serialized in Analog before it was published spawned a sequel about five years later in 1975 spread out in three issues of Analog Magazine, "Minotaur In A Mushroom Maze" - which I'm tracking down because I'm intrigued to read it.
"The Siren Stars" is basically a solid Cold War Spy Thriller that could have been made into a movie. In fact, I'm surprise it never made it to the big and/or small screen. It is a scientific thriller in the same vein of the Sigma novels by James Rollins, and although it is set in the 1970s, it has aged well.
Strongly Recommended as a cautionary tale about the dangers of SETI - and yes, like the late Professor Hawking, I am a firm believer in knowing who you're communicating with before you put out the welcome mat.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Siren-Stars-Ri...
May 22, 2023
The Gemini
Just finished watching "The Gemini" released by Bayview Entertainment.
Ever get the feeling of wondering exactly what you are watching when you're sitting through a movie?
"The Gemini" could have been an intense psycho-drama thriller in the vein of one of Alfred Hitchcock's suspenseful masterpieces where a recently widowed woman is desperately trying to pick up the pieces of her life after the tragic death of her husband in an airplane accident when the mysterious appearance of a friend she never knew her husband had shows up at the memorial service and afterwards a chain of events centered around this friend hints that he might still be alive.
Only "The Gemini," which was hailed as a ground breaking movie about gay love in Myanmar takes a rather bizarre turn by promoting the idea that homosexuality is a mental illness - which I guess is the twist of this movie, which includes flashbacks within flashbacks.
There's also a subplot about a hidden key that is rather odd since part of the resolution centers around an internal home security system that didn't record the first attempt to find the key.
Oh yes, let's not forget the bizarre prison rape scene that is thrown in because, I'm not exactly sure why, except to perhaps provide a clue that someone is insane.
A rather curious movie that could have been so much more.
Two and a half stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Gemini-Nyein-C...
Ever get the feeling of wondering exactly what you are watching when you're sitting through a movie?
"The Gemini" could have been an intense psycho-drama thriller in the vein of one of Alfred Hitchcock's suspenseful masterpieces where a recently widowed woman is desperately trying to pick up the pieces of her life after the tragic death of her husband in an airplane accident when the mysterious appearance of a friend she never knew her husband had shows up at the memorial service and afterwards a chain of events centered around this friend hints that he might still be alive.
Only "The Gemini," which was hailed as a ground breaking movie about gay love in Myanmar takes a rather bizarre turn by promoting the idea that homosexuality is a mental illness - which I guess is the twist of this movie, which includes flashbacks within flashbacks.
There's also a subplot about a hidden key that is rather odd since part of the resolution centers around an internal home security system that didn't record the first attempt to find the key.
Oh yes, let's not forget the bizarre prison rape scene that is thrown in because, I'm not exactly sure why, except to perhaps provide a clue that someone is insane.
A rather curious movie that could have been so much more.
Two and a half stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Gemini-Nyein-C...
May 20, 2023
A Medal For Murder
Just finished reading "A Medal For Murder" by Frances Brody, released by Minotaur Books.
Kate Shackleton's second outing as a private investigator finds her initially being hired to discretely inform patrons of a jewelry/pawn shop that the owner had been robbed, with promises to make recompense to the owners of the missing pawned jewelry. Yet as Kate and her right hand man Jim Sykes arrive in Harrogate to carry out their job, Kate finds herself being involved in two additional mysteries - the odd disappearance of a young woman after her triumphant debut on stage, and a murder of a theater patron.
Brody has written a great mystery cozy with a puzzle within a puzzle.
A Highly Recommended Slice of Life Historical Mystery Cozy!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Medal-Murder-K...
Kate Shackleton's second outing as a private investigator finds her initially being hired to discretely inform patrons of a jewelry/pawn shop that the owner had been robbed, with promises to make recompense to the owners of the missing pawned jewelry. Yet as Kate and her right hand man Jim Sykes arrive in Harrogate to carry out their job, Kate finds herself being involved in two additional mysteries - the odd disappearance of a young woman after her triumphant debut on stage, and a murder of a theater patron.
Brody has written a great mystery cozy with a puzzle within a puzzle.
A Highly Recommended Slice of Life Historical Mystery Cozy!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Medal-Murder-K...
A Mind For Trade
Just finished reading "A Mind For Trade" by Andre Norton & Sherwood Smith, released by TOR Books.
I read "A Mind For Trade" as part of my Great Rereading Of Favorite Books Project. I originally bought the hardcover release at Barnes & Noble near where I live here in Florida, and I got my reading paperback copy at Chamblin's Book Mine here in Jacksonville, Florida.
Andre Norton's original four Solar Queen novels have endeared as one of science fiction's popular adventure series and when she was getting ready to fund and launch her High Hallack Writer's Retreat in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Andre relaunched her Solar Queen, Time Traders, and Beast Master series with new adventures that she joined up with co-writers.
Curiously, despite the immense popularity of the original Solar Queen and Time Traders series, the relaunching of both series stalled for several years after the first release of "Redline The Stars" and "Firehand."
Now a lot of blame for the "failure" of these two novels was placed rather unfairly - this is simply my opinion, so take it or leave it with a grain of salt - on the original co-author of the Solar Queen and Time Traders series, P.M. Griffin for introducing Mary Sue characters who took away a lot of the attention for the series main characters. Yet what is forgotten is that P.M. Griffin was writing these books under editorial direction from TOR Books, so it's unfair to blame her for the failure of "Redline The Stars."
It took about four years until new Solar Queen novels were released, co-written by Sherwood Smith who helped to success get both series back on track and returned Dane Thorson to his proper place in the series, and TOR Books obviously learned it's lesson about the intense of dislike of Mary Sue characters when it released two new Beast Master novels.
With the North Star, their newly acquired sister ship, the crew of the Solar Queen head to Hesprid IV where they have acquired the trading rights only to discover that in the midst of a mystery involving the missing former crew of the North Star along with pirates who are waiting. There is also a strange life form whose touch means death, but they may actually trying to communicate in a very unusual way. There is also a side plot where Dane, Rip, Craig, and Ali discover that they now are mind linked and must come to grip with this unexpected psi-power - which seems to be a metaphor for homosexuality. In previous novels, Andre did, especially in the opening of Voodoo Planet, use gay imagery, and in Star Man's Son, Fors does sleep naked with the man he loves.
"A Mind For Trade" closes with Dane accepting the psi-link and all it entails because it's part of human nature to explore and evolve, and he's confident of the future for himself and his friends.
A triumphant conclusion to one of Andre Norton's most popular series
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
I read "A Mind For Trade" as part of my Great Rereading Of Favorite Books Project. I originally bought the hardcover release at Barnes & Noble near where I live here in Florida, and I got my reading paperback copy at Chamblin's Book Mine here in Jacksonville, Florida.
Andre Norton's original four Solar Queen novels have endeared as one of science fiction's popular adventure series and when she was getting ready to fund and launch her High Hallack Writer's Retreat in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Andre relaunched her Solar Queen, Time Traders, and Beast Master series with new adventures that she joined up with co-writers.
Curiously, despite the immense popularity of the original Solar Queen and Time Traders series, the relaunching of both series stalled for several years after the first release of "Redline The Stars" and "Firehand."
Now a lot of blame for the "failure" of these two novels was placed rather unfairly - this is simply my opinion, so take it or leave it with a grain of salt - on the original co-author of the Solar Queen and Time Traders series, P.M. Griffin for introducing Mary Sue characters who took away a lot of the attention for the series main characters. Yet what is forgotten is that P.M. Griffin was writing these books under editorial direction from TOR Books, so it's unfair to blame her for the failure of "Redline The Stars."
It took about four years until new Solar Queen novels were released, co-written by Sherwood Smith who helped to success get both series back on track and returned Dane Thorson to his proper place in the series, and TOR Books obviously learned it's lesson about the intense of dislike of Mary Sue characters when it released two new Beast Master novels.
With the North Star, their newly acquired sister ship, the crew of the Solar Queen head to Hesprid IV where they have acquired the trading rights only to discover that in the midst of a mystery involving the missing former crew of the North Star along with pirates who are waiting. There is also a strange life form whose touch means death, but they may actually trying to communicate in a very unusual way. There is also a side plot where Dane, Rip, Craig, and Ali discover that they now are mind linked and must come to grip with this unexpected psi-power - which seems to be a metaphor for homosexuality. In previous novels, Andre did, especially in the opening of Voodoo Planet, use gay imagery, and in Star Man's Son, Fors does sleep naked with the man he loves.
"A Mind For Trade" closes with Dane accepting the psi-link and all it entails because it's part of human nature to explore and evolve, and he's confident of the future for himself and his friends.
A triumphant conclusion to one of Andre Norton's most popular series
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
May 19, 2023
"The Assassination Bureau"
Just finished watching "The Assassination Bureau" released by Paramount Pictures.
"The Assassination Bureau" has long been on the list of movies that I've wanted to see every since I learned about it back in 1978 about 10 years after it was first released back in 1968. Someone I knew at Camp Lejeune High School had mentioned that he had seen this movie at the base theater and it sounded intriguing to me.
Yet it was only until it was recently re-released on blu-ray. To the best of my knowledge, it has never aired on Turner Classics Movie Channel or on cable.
"The Assassination Bureau" is based on the uncompleted novel that Jack London left unfinished prior to his death. London had written around 20,000 words and decades later after his death in 1963 when Robert Fish completed the novel for London's estate. One odd note about London's uncompleted novel: London did not come up with the idea for "The Assassination Bureau." He bought the idea from writer Sinclair Lewis, best known for the novel "Babbit," who was the first American writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Despite the mixed reviews of the posthumous collaboration, Hollywood came knocking and Paramount obtained the rights and promptly set about changing the setting from pre-World War One America, to Europe in 1908 while keeping the basic premise of the book, but tossing out London's love of socialist anarchy.
Based on her own independent investigations, would-be journalist Sonia Winter has discovered evidence of the existence of The Assassination Bureau and manages to convince Lord Bostwick - who just happens to be the vice-chairman of the Assassination Bureau - to hire her to cover the story for his paper.
Bostwick agrees to Winter's terms because he want to take over the bureau from the idealistic chairman who only will accept commissions if the murders serve a justifiable good.
What follows is a tense game of cat-and-mouse where every move could be the last one for Ms. Winter and bureau chief Ivan Dragomiloff as they join forces to prevent Bostwick's plan to plunge Europe into war.
A great and fun movie.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Assassination-...
"The Assassination Bureau" has long been on the list of movies that I've wanted to see every since I learned about it back in 1978 about 10 years after it was first released back in 1968. Someone I knew at Camp Lejeune High School had mentioned that he had seen this movie at the base theater and it sounded intriguing to me.
Yet it was only until it was recently re-released on blu-ray. To the best of my knowledge, it has never aired on Turner Classics Movie Channel or on cable.
"The Assassination Bureau" is based on the uncompleted novel that Jack London left unfinished prior to his death. London had written around 20,000 words and decades later after his death in 1963 when Robert Fish completed the novel for London's estate. One odd note about London's uncompleted novel: London did not come up with the idea for "The Assassination Bureau." He bought the idea from writer Sinclair Lewis, best known for the novel "Babbit," who was the first American writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Despite the mixed reviews of the posthumous collaboration, Hollywood came knocking and Paramount obtained the rights and promptly set about changing the setting from pre-World War One America, to Europe in 1908 while keeping the basic premise of the book, but tossing out London's love of socialist anarchy.
Based on her own independent investigations, would-be journalist Sonia Winter has discovered evidence of the existence of The Assassination Bureau and manages to convince Lord Bostwick - who just happens to be the vice-chairman of the Assassination Bureau - to hire her to cover the story for his paper.
Bostwick agrees to Winter's terms because he want to take over the bureau from the idealistic chairman who only will accept commissions if the murders serve a justifiable good.
What follows is a tense game of cat-and-mouse where every move could be the last one for Ms. Winter and bureau chief Ivan Dragomiloff as they join forces to prevent Bostwick's plan to plunge Europe into war.
A great and fun movie.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Assassination-...
May 10, 2023
Young Wizards - Interim Errantry 2 - On Ordeal
Just finished reading "Young Wizards - Interim Errantry 2 - On Ordeal" by Diane Duane, released by Errantry Press.
The second entry in Duane's canonical stories set in-between events of previously released"Young Wizard" books collects four previously released tales of the ordeals of each of the four wizards in her main series - Ronan Nolan Junior, Mamvish fsh Wimsih, Roshaun ke Nelaid, and one young Owl who is very determined to set set things right in her part of the world by reclaiming what was stolen from her.
During an ordeal, a young boy, girl, or being is offered the chance to become a wizard and help preserve life by speaking the pledge and being tested against the Lone Power who invented entropy and introduced death into the universe and many who take up the pledge fail in their ordeal - never to be heard from again.
Prince Roshaun ke Nelaid quickly discovers that wanting to be a wizard is not always so easy when the price might be the very type of life you imagine and/or want for yourself.
Mamvish fsh Wimsih finds out that her intention to make her world right again needs to be set aside when other worlds await her help.
And Ronan Nolan Junior quickly discovers that assumptions can cause many a downfall.
In "Owl Be Home For Christmas," Duane finally confirms outright the relationship between Tom and Carl, and provides for an interesting glimpse into Nita's and Kit's future as adult wizards though the time line in this story is a bit problematic suggesting it's just one possible version of a future.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Interim-Errant...
The second entry in Duane's canonical stories set in-between events of previously released"Young Wizard" books collects four previously released tales of the ordeals of each of the four wizards in her main series - Ronan Nolan Junior, Mamvish fsh Wimsih, Roshaun ke Nelaid, and one young Owl who is very determined to set set things right in her part of the world by reclaiming what was stolen from her.
During an ordeal, a young boy, girl, or being is offered the chance to become a wizard and help preserve life by speaking the pledge and being tested against the Lone Power who invented entropy and introduced death into the universe and many who take up the pledge fail in their ordeal - never to be heard from again.
Prince Roshaun ke Nelaid quickly discovers that wanting to be a wizard is not always so easy when the price might be the very type of life you imagine and/or want for yourself.
Mamvish fsh Wimsih finds out that her intention to make her world right again needs to be set aside when other worlds await her help.
And Ronan Nolan Junior quickly discovers that assumptions can cause many a downfall.
In "Owl Be Home For Christmas," Duane finally confirms outright the relationship between Tom and Carl, and provides for an interesting glimpse into Nita's and Kit's future as adult wizards though the time line in this story is a bit problematic suggesting it's just one possible version of a future.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Interim-Errant...
