Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 63
May 7, 2023
Primal - The Complete Second Season
Just finished watching "Primal - The Complete Second Season" released by the Cartoon Network as part of their Adult Swim line.
Deftly picking up exactly where the first season ended, the second season of Primal finds Spear and Fang at the edge of the ocean as Spear screams out for Mira - who has been recaptured by her abductors. Spear makes the leap to build a raft after he realizes that he can not swim to where-ever Mira had been taken.
Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, Primal reminds me of the adult science and fantasy worlds of Heavy Metal magazine.
Spoilers ahead - Spear and Fang do find and rescue Mira and set into motion a chain of events which will result in a new family for Fang and for Spear, he longs for love and the family he loves and faces the possibility of losing Mira when she reunites with her people.
Primal does conclude with the last episode, and hopefully Tartakovsky will not give into the temptation to create a third season without a key character whose death is implied, not shown.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Genndy-Tartako...
Deftly picking up exactly where the first season ended, the second season of Primal finds Spear and Fang at the edge of the ocean as Spear screams out for Mira - who has been recaptured by her abductors. Spear makes the leap to build a raft after he realizes that he can not swim to where-ever Mira had been taken.
Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, Primal reminds me of the adult science and fantasy worlds of Heavy Metal magazine.
Spoilers ahead - Spear and Fang do find and rescue Mira and set into motion a chain of events which will result in a new family for Fang and for Spear, he longs for love and the family he loves and faces the possibility of losing Mira when she reunites with her people.
Primal does conclude with the last episode, and hopefully Tartakovsky will not give into the temptation to create a third season without a key character whose death is implied, not shown.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Genndy-Tartako...
Black Holes - The Key To Understanding The Universe
Just finished reading "Black Holes - The Key To Understanding The Universe" by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw, released by Mariner Books.
Now, I probably shouldn't admit this, but I do have opportunities to read at work, so I always have the latest book I'm reading on my work desk on days that I have to go into the office. So my supervisor suddenly came over and took an unusual interest in this book. I discussed with her what the book was about and showed her the mathematical equations in the book. When she saw that it was just a "science book" she became satisfied that it was not a racist book.
Just another shining example of WOKE running amok and people finding offense in everything. I wonder what will happen when I'm reading "Quantum Supremacy." Ought to be interesting.
While Cox and Forshaw have written an excellent and comprehensive book about black holes and their role in the universe, it does rely heavily on kindle diagrams and math - lots of diagrams and math - so having a strong astronomy and astrophysics background is a must before tackling this book. Thank goodness for a useless physics degree.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
FIVE STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Holes-Ke...
Now, I probably shouldn't admit this, but I do have opportunities to read at work, so I always have the latest book I'm reading on my work desk on days that I have to go into the office. So my supervisor suddenly came over and took an unusual interest in this book. I discussed with her what the book was about and showed her the mathematical equations in the book. When she saw that it was just a "science book" she became satisfied that it was not a racist book.
Just another shining example of WOKE running amok and people finding offense in everything. I wonder what will happen when I'm reading "Quantum Supremacy." Ought to be interesting.
While Cox and Forshaw have written an excellent and comprehensive book about black holes and their role in the universe, it does rely heavily on kindle diagrams and math - lots of diagrams and math - so having a strong astronomy and astrophysics background is a must before tackling this book. Thank goodness for a useless physics degree.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
FIVE STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Holes-Ke...
May 6, 2023
Mystery Of The Witches' Bridge
Just finished reading "Mystery Of The Witches' Bridge," original title, "The Witches' Bridge" by Barbee Oliver Carleton, released by Scholastic Book Services back in 1975.
I discovered "Mystery of The Witches Bridge" while roaming the small vintage room - actually a converted closet I believe that had it's door removed a long time ago - in the Children's section at Chamblin's Book Mine. It reminded me of the type of book I enjoyed reading as a young boy - a classic English country-side Gothic mystery, but I hadn't read it previously, so this does not fall under my "Great Re-Reading of Favorite Books When I Was Young Project."
Because it was released by Scholastic Book Services, "Mystery Of The Witches Bridge" would have been offered as part of the Weekly Reader's Book Club, where every few weeks, or at least once a month, the teacher would pass out the booklet which listed books you could order. It's possible that when the book was being offered by the Weekly Reader's Book Club that this was the time Mrs. Sanders, my sixth grade teacher at Stone Street Elementary School in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, refused to give me the booklet stating that I didn't need anymore books and Mom and Dad had to have a conference with her about her ongoing inappropriate behavior. No, as far as I remember, Mrs. Sanders wasn't anti-Semitic. She just had odd notions about what was appropriate to read, how I should walk home from school, and how I should dress - she was horrified that I wore nice dress clothes to school. And she always disapproved of the books I read - especially novels by Andre Norton.
Orphaned by the tragic and unexpected deaths of his parents, Dan Pride journeys to Pride End at the behest of his Uncle - a mysterious recluse who spends his days bitterly over a feud with the Bishop Family who lives nearby. At the heart of the feud is the mysterious death of Dan's grandfather and the disappearance of a large sum of money. While struggling to find a place for himself and build a family with his Uncle, Dan decides his best chance at the life he yearns for is to solve the mystery and bridge the divide that separates two families.
"Mystery Of The Witches's Bridge" also explores themes of adult betrayals and attempted murder.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Mystery-witche...
I discovered "Mystery of The Witches Bridge" while roaming the small vintage room - actually a converted closet I believe that had it's door removed a long time ago - in the Children's section at Chamblin's Book Mine. It reminded me of the type of book I enjoyed reading as a young boy - a classic English country-side Gothic mystery, but I hadn't read it previously, so this does not fall under my "Great Re-Reading of Favorite Books When I Was Young Project."
Because it was released by Scholastic Book Services, "Mystery Of The Witches Bridge" would have been offered as part of the Weekly Reader's Book Club, where every few weeks, or at least once a month, the teacher would pass out the booklet which listed books you could order. It's possible that when the book was being offered by the Weekly Reader's Book Club that this was the time Mrs. Sanders, my sixth grade teacher at Stone Street Elementary School in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, refused to give me the booklet stating that I didn't need anymore books and Mom and Dad had to have a conference with her about her ongoing inappropriate behavior. No, as far as I remember, Mrs. Sanders wasn't anti-Semitic. She just had odd notions about what was appropriate to read, how I should walk home from school, and how I should dress - she was horrified that I wore nice dress clothes to school. And she always disapproved of the books I read - especially novels by Andre Norton.
Orphaned by the tragic and unexpected deaths of his parents, Dan Pride journeys to Pride End at the behest of his Uncle - a mysterious recluse who spends his days bitterly over a feud with the Bishop Family who lives nearby. At the heart of the feud is the mysterious death of Dan's grandfather and the disappearance of a large sum of money. While struggling to find a place for himself and build a family with his Uncle, Dan decides his best chance at the life he yearns for is to solve the mystery and bridge the divide that separates two families.
"Mystery Of The Witches's Bridge" also explores themes of adult betrayals and attempted murder.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Mystery-witche...
“Strike Three, Charlie Brown!”
Just finished reading “Strike Three, Charlie Brown!” By Charles M. Schultz, published by Fawcett Crest back in 1987.
What makes Peanuts such an entertaining and endearing comic strip is that Charles M. Schultz was never afraid to show the triumphs and failures of his Everyman Charlie Brown whose persistence is steadfast and unyielding despite failing. Charlie Brown succeeds because he is willing to embrace failure, learn from it or not, but continue onward towards his dream. Peanuts resonates across generations because of this simple truth: life is about the willingness to embrace all of it - the good and the bad - and that is all too often forgotten about by people who want to bubble wrap themselves and others from failure.
Highlighted in this collection are strips that show Charlie Brown’s baseball team giving it their all, and even if they don’t win, they succeed be willing to try again.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
What makes Peanuts such an entertaining and endearing comic strip is that Charles M. Schultz was never afraid to show the triumphs and failures of his Everyman Charlie Brown whose persistence is steadfast and unyielding despite failing. Charlie Brown succeeds because he is willing to embrace failure, learn from it or not, but continue onward towards his dream. Peanuts resonates across generations because of this simple truth: life is about the willingness to embrace all of it - the good and the bad - and that is all too often forgotten about by people who want to bubble wrap themselves and others from failure.
Highlighted in this collection are strips that show Charlie Brown’s baseball team giving it their all, and even if they don’t win, they succeed be willing to try again.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
Lonesome
Just finished watching "Lonesome" released by Dark Star Pictures.
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites now, I do not watch, listen to, and/or read straight-up pornography and I'll automatically drop it down to Zero Stars right away, like I'm doing with "Lonesome."
"Lonesome" did hold some promise with it's initial premise: Casey, a small town young man, has run away from home after his affair with a married man was revealed, resulting in the death of the man he was having an affair with, and an innocent by-stander.
It immediately descends into a gay porn movie, with graphic sex scenes interspersed with artistic scenes, that indicate that Casey is a sociopathic hustler who will assume any role he needs to in order to grain acceptance. After getting into a fight with Tib, a young man who took him in, and breaking up with him, he goes into full blown stalker mode in he hopes of getting Tib back - which somehow he does.
While "Lonesome" is not rated, it's a hardcore movie masquerading as a softcore movie that tries to be an artistic one.
Not Recommended!
Zero Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Lonesome-Josh-...
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites now, I do not watch, listen to, and/or read straight-up pornography and I'll automatically drop it down to Zero Stars right away, like I'm doing with "Lonesome."
"Lonesome" did hold some promise with it's initial premise: Casey, a small town young man, has run away from home after his affair with a married man was revealed, resulting in the death of the man he was having an affair with, and an innocent by-stander.
It immediately descends into a gay porn movie, with graphic sex scenes interspersed with artistic scenes, that indicate that Casey is a sociopathic hustler who will assume any role he needs to in order to grain acceptance. After getting into a fight with Tib, a young man who took him in, and breaking up with him, he goes into full blown stalker mode in he hopes of getting Tib back - which somehow he does.
While "Lonesome" is not rated, it's a hardcore movie masquerading as a softcore movie that tries to be an artistic one.
Not Recommended!
Zero Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Lonesome-Josh-...
April 30, 2023
It’s Chow Time, Snoopy
Just finished reading “It’s Chow Time, Snoopy” be Charles M. Schultz, published by Fawcett Crest back in 1983.
Trigger Warning: This collection of Peanuts strips throughly debunks the notion that Peppermint Patty and Marcie are lesbians and establishes a canonical boyfriend-girlfriend relationship between Peppermint Patty and PigPen.
It begins when Peppermint Patty calls up Charlie Brown and asks him if he will set her up on a date with a boy for the upcoming Valentine’s Day Disco Dance at her school. Her only request is not to be set up with his crazy dog.
She even wears a dress and presents herself as a girl!
There are several classic strips which demonstrate why Charlie Brown is an effective team leader who knows the importance of trying without being given a participation trophy.
I got this copy from Chamblin’s Book Mine. A good many of my Peanuts books had gotten lost over the years and I think a majority of them had gotten lost when we moved to Florida after Dad retired.
Great Classic Peanuts fun!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS
Trigger Warning: This collection of Peanuts strips throughly debunks the notion that Peppermint Patty and Marcie are lesbians and establishes a canonical boyfriend-girlfriend relationship between Peppermint Patty and PigPen.
It begins when Peppermint Patty calls up Charlie Brown and asks him if he will set her up on a date with a boy for the upcoming Valentine’s Day Disco Dance at her school. Her only request is not to be set up with his crazy dog.
She even wears a dress and presents herself as a girl!
There are several classic strips which demonstrate why Charlie Brown is an effective team leader who knows the importance of trying without being given a participation trophy.
I got this copy from Chamblin’s Book Mine. A good many of my Peanuts books had gotten lost over the years and I think a majority of them had gotten lost when we moved to Florida after Dad retired.
Great Classic Peanuts fun!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS
Young Wizards - Interim - Errantry
Just finished reading "Young Wizards - Interim - Errantry" by Diane Duane, published by Erranty Press.
Now as frequent readers of my review know here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites, I sometimes link a memory from my personal life when I review a book.
Ordering "So You Want To Be A Wixard," the first book in Diane Duane's Young Wizards Universe back in 1983 when it was first published by Delacorte Press earned me a visit from the Naval Investigative Service during my summer break from college that year. Perhaps I should explain.
Keep in mind that my father was an officer in the United States Marine Corps at this time, which would about 9 years away from his retirement at the time at which I was pursing my undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Now at this time, Diane Duane had done an interview with Locus Magazine where she was asked if she was "bi-sexual," to which she answered, and I'm paraphrasing here: "Yes, if that makes me bi-sexual, I'm bi-sexual."
Now I placed the order for the book at Michele's Bookstore and Brian, the manager and owner's son who was in his late 30s, was EXTREMELY reluctant to order for me, but I was persistent so he ordered "So You Want To Be A Wizard" for me.
Now when it arrived and I picked it up, he did something rather odd. He noted the exact date and time I picked it up - something he had never done before with anything else I had previously ordered.
It turns out the Diane Duane, at least at that period in time, was one of the authors on a watch list for the NIS at Camp Lejeune. Gordon Merrick was also on the watch list.
Now the bright agents at the NIS figured that anybody who read books by a known gay and/or bi-sexual author was probably gay and/or bisexual themselves. The logic still escapes me here.
So I received a visit from two NIS agents about my reading habits. Now the only way that they could have known that I was reading a book by a "bi-sexual" author was if Brian had informed on me.
While I did earn an academic scholarship from the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Inc., I was not in the ROTC, nor was I participating in a delayed entry program. In short, I was a civilian who wasn't employed by the military and/or the federal government.
In the minds of the NIS at the time, anyone who read a "gay" book was probably gay themselves.
Now by the time I had received a visit from the two NIS agents, I had finished reading "So You Want To Be A Wizard." So I offered the book to them, challenging them to find anything "gay" about it. The moment I did that, they looked at each other, said that wouldn't be necessary, and they left.
Michele's Bookstore went out of business decades ago. Now IF Brian did report that I had ordered "So You Want To Be A Wizard" to the NIS, that would have been rather odd because the bookstore carried books by Gordon Merrick on the shelves, along with Diane Duane's first book, "The Door Into Fire."
This incident went to show how far gay witch hunts went, and still probably do.
"Young Wizards - Iterim - Errantry" collects three stories set in Duane's Young Wizards Universe - "Not On My Patch," "How Lovely Are Thy Branches," and the novel-length "Lifeboats" that she previously released in e-book, and paperback book formats.
In "Not On My Patch," Nita uses Speech to ask a pumpkin if it is all right to carve him, and then decides to take him along when she and Kit go out trick or treating, only to finds themselves being ensnared in a zombie trap by the Lone Power.
In "How Lovely Are Thy Branches," Carmela cons her and Kit's parents into hosting a Christmas Tree decorating party for their alien wizard friend Filif, who wants to be decorated like a Christmas tree because he resembles a fir tree and the chaos that ensues.
In "Lifeboats," Kit, Nita, and thousands of Earth's wizards are called to help relocate the population of a world that is threatened with destruction from a renegade moon.
Duane doesn't disappoint her fans with these tales.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Interim-Errant...
Now as frequent readers of my review know here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites, I sometimes link a memory from my personal life when I review a book.
Ordering "So You Want To Be A Wixard," the first book in Diane Duane's Young Wizards Universe back in 1983 when it was first published by Delacorte Press earned me a visit from the Naval Investigative Service during my summer break from college that year. Perhaps I should explain.
Keep in mind that my father was an officer in the United States Marine Corps at this time, which would about 9 years away from his retirement at the time at which I was pursing my undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Now at this time, Diane Duane had done an interview with Locus Magazine where she was asked if she was "bi-sexual," to which she answered, and I'm paraphrasing here: "Yes, if that makes me bi-sexual, I'm bi-sexual."
Now I placed the order for the book at Michele's Bookstore and Brian, the manager and owner's son who was in his late 30s, was EXTREMELY reluctant to order for me, but I was persistent so he ordered "So You Want To Be A Wizard" for me.
Now when it arrived and I picked it up, he did something rather odd. He noted the exact date and time I picked it up - something he had never done before with anything else I had previously ordered.
It turns out the Diane Duane, at least at that period in time, was one of the authors on a watch list for the NIS at Camp Lejeune. Gordon Merrick was also on the watch list.
Now the bright agents at the NIS figured that anybody who read books by a known gay and/or bi-sexual author was probably gay and/or bisexual themselves. The logic still escapes me here.
So I received a visit from two NIS agents about my reading habits. Now the only way that they could have known that I was reading a book by a "bi-sexual" author was if Brian had informed on me.
While I did earn an academic scholarship from the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Inc., I was not in the ROTC, nor was I participating in a delayed entry program. In short, I was a civilian who wasn't employed by the military and/or the federal government.
In the minds of the NIS at the time, anyone who read a "gay" book was probably gay themselves.
Now by the time I had received a visit from the two NIS agents, I had finished reading "So You Want To Be A Wizard." So I offered the book to them, challenging them to find anything "gay" about it. The moment I did that, they looked at each other, said that wouldn't be necessary, and they left.
Michele's Bookstore went out of business decades ago. Now IF Brian did report that I had ordered "So You Want To Be A Wizard" to the NIS, that would have been rather odd because the bookstore carried books by Gordon Merrick on the shelves, along with Diane Duane's first book, "The Door Into Fire."
This incident went to show how far gay witch hunts went, and still probably do.
"Young Wizards - Iterim - Errantry" collects three stories set in Duane's Young Wizards Universe - "Not On My Patch," "How Lovely Are Thy Branches," and the novel-length "Lifeboats" that she previously released in e-book, and paperback book formats.
In "Not On My Patch," Nita uses Speech to ask a pumpkin if it is all right to carve him, and then decides to take him along when she and Kit go out trick or treating, only to finds themselves being ensnared in a zombie trap by the Lone Power.
In "How Lovely Are Thy Branches," Carmela cons her and Kit's parents into hosting a Christmas Tree decorating party for their alien wizard friend Filif, who wants to be decorated like a Christmas tree because he resembles a fir tree and the chaos that ensues.
In "Lifeboats," Kit, Nita, and thousands of Earth's wizards are called to help relocate the population of a world that is threatened with destruction from a renegade moon.
Duane doesn't disappoint her fans with these tales.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Interim-Errant...
The Hilary Caine Mysteries
Just finished listening to "The Hilary Caine Mysteries" by Jim French Productions, released by Radio Spirits.
I was more than a little shocked when I received an email invitation from Radio Spirits to review "The Hilary Caine Mysteries" and other audio drama collections on their website several weeks ago. You might say I'm still a bit dumbfounded that Radio Spirits actually posted the review I submitted for their latest Jack Benny release - "Jack Benny - A Man and His Bear."
Radio Spirits do hold rather long grudges. Back on 10/28/2015, I received a phone call from an individual who identified himself as Mark Tepper, the president and managing partner of Radio Spirits. He called at a late hour in the evening and screamed at me for over a minute before I had more than enough of some stranger berating me and hung up on him.
Now I did receive an email from Mark Tepper and got berated again from someone who called to scream at me over the telephone because I had complained about the extremely poor audio drama collections I had received. Yes, I hold long grudges too and again, calling someone to yell at them late at night, just be glad the only thing I did was hang on you, Mark Tepper.
So I don't know why all of a sudden I'm being allowed to post reviews at Radio Spirits again. Based on that one experience with him, Mark Tepper didn't strike me as a person who apologizes for his own inappropriate behavior. I know because I received an email from him blaming me for his behavior.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I am always forthright when it comes to reviews and I always reveal any connection I may have to the book, movie, CD, and/or in this case, the audio drama in question.
Although I have never met him in person, Larry Albert, who portrays Sgt. Talmadge, in "The Hilary Caine Mysteries" is a friend of mine here on Facebook and we have exchanged a few emails in the past.
Now once again, I'm more than a bit puzzled as to why Radio Spirits is not providing a historical background booklet that chronicles the history of Jim French Productions, along with actor biographies and episode synopses.
It seems more than a bit odd that preserving the history of shows from after the Golden Age of Radio isn't given the same consideration as the classic shows.
Just saying.
"The Hilary Caine Mysteries" were created by novelist M.J. Elliot, who wrote many of the episodes for Jim French Productions "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" and they have a great fun with the notion of a 1930s tabloid crime sleuth who sort of broaches the fourth wall by saying it's all for the story and readers.
Now if my information is correct - and again, this is just another example of why it would benefit to have some sort of historical pamphlet, i.e. booklet, included, hint hint Radio Spirits - there were just 22 episodes of "The Hilary Caine Mysteries" produced and aired.
I believe this collection contains the first 11 episodes.
I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but Radio Spirits could probably boost sales by having a monthly, weekly, and/or daily email about various shows, actors, and collections. Building and maintaining interest in a product line wouldn't hurt them. They could look at Big Finish Productions as a highly successful company that markets and sells audio dramas. Just saying.
Anyways, Karen Heaven brings Hilary Caine to life with just the right bit of posh, brash, and humor.
Now, "A Reputation For Murder" and "Blood Will Have Blood," have already been previously released in the James French Productions sampler collection, "Imagination Theatre: The Investigators."
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "Dail 'H' For Hilary," "Seek And Ye Shall Find," "Mystery Repeats Itself," and "The Bitter End."
I am hopeful that Radio Spirits will release the remaining Hilary Caine episodes in a forthcoming collection.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://store.radiospirits.com/hilary...
I was more than a little shocked when I received an email invitation from Radio Spirits to review "The Hilary Caine Mysteries" and other audio drama collections on their website several weeks ago. You might say I'm still a bit dumbfounded that Radio Spirits actually posted the review I submitted for their latest Jack Benny release - "Jack Benny - A Man and His Bear."
Radio Spirits do hold rather long grudges. Back on 10/28/2015, I received a phone call from an individual who identified himself as Mark Tepper, the president and managing partner of Radio Spirits. He called at a late hour in the evening and screamed at me for over a minute before I had more than enough of some stranger berating me and hung up on him.
Now I did receive an email from Mark Tepper and got berated again from someone who called to scream at me over the telephone because I had complained about the extremely poor audio drama collections I had received. Yes, I hold long grudges too and again, calling someone to yell at them late at night, just be glad the only thing I did was hang on you, Mark Tepper.
So I don't know why all of a sudden I'm being allowed to post reviews at Radio Spirits again. Based on that one experience with him, Mark Tepper didn't strike me as a person who apologizes for his own inappropriate behavior. I know because I received an email from him blaming me for his behavior.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I am always forthright when it comes to reviews and I always reveal any connection I may have to the book, movie, CD, and/or in this case, the audio drama in question.
Although I have never met him in person, Larry Albert, who portrays Sgt. Talmadge, in "The Hilary Caine Mysteries" is a friend of mine here on Facebook and we have exchanged a few emails in the past.
Now once again, I'm more than a bit puzzled as to why Radio Spirits is not providing a historical background booklet that chronicles the history of Jim French Productions, along with actor biographies and episode synopses.
It seems more than a bit odd that preserving the history of shows from after the Golden Age of Radio isn't given the same consideration as the classic shows.
Just saying.
"The Hilary Caine Mysteries" were created by novelist M.J. Elliot, who wrote many of the episodes for Jim French Productions "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" and they have a great fun with the notion of a 1930s tabloid crime sleuth who sort of broaches the fourth wall by saying it's all for the story and readers.
Now if my information is correct - and again, this is just another example of why it would benefit to have some sort of historical pamphlet, i.e. booklet, included, hint hint Radio Spirits - there were just 22 episodes of "The Hilary Caine Mysteries" produced and aired.
I believe this collection contains the first 11 episodes.
I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but Radio Spirits could probably boost sales by having a monthly, weekly, and/or daily email about various shows, actors, and collections. Building and maintaining interest in a product line wouldn't hurt them. They could look at Big Finish Productions as a highly successful company that markets and sells audio dramas. Just saying.
Anyways, Karen Heaven brings Hilary Caine to life with just the right bit of posh, brash, and humor.
Now, "A Reputation For Murder" and "Blood Will Have Blood," have already been previously released in the James French Productions sampler collection, "Imagination Theatre: The Investigators."
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "Dail 'H' For Hilary," "Seek And Ye Shall Find," "Mystery Repeats Itself," and "The Bitter End."
I am hopeful that Radio Spirits will release the remaining Hilary Caine episodes in a forthcoming collection.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://store.radiospirits.com/hilary...
April 23, 2023
“Your Not For Real Snoopy,” by Charles M. Schultz
Just finished reading “Your Not For Real Snoopy,” by Charles M. Schultz, published by Fawcett Crest back in 1971.
It’s very hard to find the original Peanuts paperback collections that were released in the 1960s on up through the 1990s. For decades not only did Schultz’s Peanuts books ruled the comic book sections of bookstores, but the were New York Times bestsellers. I originally bought this when it appeared on the shelves of Michele’s Bookstore in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and I found my replacement copy at Chamblin’s Bookmine.
A great collection that includes Linus’ run for student body President and how he lost when he revealed his belief in the Great Pumpkin, and Snoopy’s shattered love live and the fact that Snoopy is a hoarder.
Schultz was a keen observer of the human condition and he wasn’t afraid to embrace his faith and humanity.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
It’s very hard to find the original Peanuts paperback collections that were released in the 1960s on up through the 1990s. For decades not only did Schultz’s Peanuts books ruled the comic book sections of bookstores, but the were New York Times bestsellers. I originally bought this when it appeared on the shelves of Michele’s Bookstore in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and I found my replacement copy at Chamblin’s Bookmine.
A great collection that includes Linus’ run for student body President and how he lost when he revealed his belief in the Great Pumpkin, and Snoopy’s shattered love live and the fact that Snoopy is a hoarder.
Schultz was a keen observer of the human condition and he wasn’t afraid to embrace his faith and humanity.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
"More Thinks In The Heavens - How Infrared Astronomy Is Expanding Out View Of The Universe"
Just finished reading "More Thinks In The Heavens - How Infrared Astronomy Is Expanding Out View Of The Universe" by Michael Werner and Peter Eisenhardt, published by Princeton University Press back in 2019.
Wener and Eisenhardt, both of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology, were lead scientists for the Spitzer Space Telescope, and they have written a comprehensive history of the one of the Great Space Observatories - the Spitzer Space Telescope, which was launched back in 2003.
While it does help to have a solid science and technical background before turning the first page, it is a good combination of writing and excellent science into a comprehensible survey of how infrared astronomy in general, and the Spitzer satellite in particular plays a key role in extending our knowledge of exoplanets, our galaxy, black holes and neutron stars, star creation history of the universe, and dating and identifying the most distant galaxies and quasars that we can see.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/More-Things-He...
Wener and Eisenhardt, both of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology, were lead scientists for the Spitzer Space Telescope, and they have written a comprehensive history of the one of the Great Space Observatories - the Spitzer Space Telescope, which was launched back in 2003.
While it does help to have a solid science and technical background before turning the first page, it is a good combination of writing and excellent science into a comprehensible survey of how infrared astronomy in general, and the Spitzer satellite in particular plays a key role in extending our knowledge of exoplanets, our galaxy, black holes and neutron stars, star creation history of the universe, and dating and identifying the most distant galaxies and quasars that we can see.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/More-Things-He...
