Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 86
February 14, 2022
The Invaders by Keith Laumer
Just finished reading "The Invaders" by Keith Laumer, released by Pyramid Books back in August 1967.
Yes, "The Invaders: is part of my "Great Re-reading of Favorite Books from my Youth" project. I first found a copy of "The Invaders" on the shelves in the science fiction section of Twice Told Tales Bookstore across the street from the New River Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina in the mid-1970s. I found my re-reading copy at Chamblin's Book Mine - the greatest bookstore in the Eastern United States.
Now a curious note about this novelization. For at least five decades I thought that there was only one paperback novelization of the short-lived cult television series. There was an original Big Little Book and an authorized Whitman Television Book. I was wrong, Keith Laumer would also write the second Invaders novel and a third would be written by another author before the series of original paperback books would come to an end.
"The Invaders" was created by Larry Cohen as a series to replace his highly popular "The Fugitive" which enjoyed a highly successful five year run before becoming the first American television series to be brought to a definitive end/conclusion.
"The Invaders" followed a similar theme of "The Fugitive" featuring a man on the run and proactively to overcome the circumstances which put them on the run - only David Vincent is both running and actively fighting against aliens bent on destroying humanity and taking over the Earth.
"The Invaders" is structured similar to "The Lost In Space" novel published by Pyramid Books. It features David Vincent in three interlinking adventures - the first one chronicling who he discovered the Invaders as he's investigating weird components being manufactured separately at different plants; the second one infiltrating a meeting of UFO enthusiasts only to be cornered by a psychotic human who is also hunting Invaders, and the third adventure where he is aided in stealing a tank to destroy an advance ship of the Invaders as it lands in the desert. All three adventures in the novel have odd undertones that make it appear that David Vincent is no stranger to cruising for men. Remember, this was written in the late 1960s, so I'm going to reserve judgement until I read the second novel in this series.
There are differences of course between the television show and this novel, and I don't know if Keith Laumer had just the bare basics series bible when he wrote this first novel in the series. It is a well written novelization, though keep in mind that novelizations usually varied from the actual show. Again, the "Lost In Space" novelization is a prime example of this rule, along with "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" novelization of the television show.
Highly Recommended for fans of the original series.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Invaders-Keith...
Yes, "The Invaders: is part of my "Great Re-reading of Favorite Books from my Youth" project. I first found a copy of "The Invaders" on the shelves in the science fiction section of Twice Told Tales Bookstore across the street from the New River Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina in the mid-1970s. I found my re-reading copy at Chamblin's Book Mine - the greatest bookstore in the Eastern United States.
Now a curious note about this novelization. For at least five decades I thought that there was only one paperback novelization of the short-lived cult television series. There was an original Big Little Book and an authorized Whitman Television Book. I was wrong, Keith Laumer would also write the second Invaders novel and a third would be written by another author before the series of original paperback books would come to an end.
"The Invaders" was created by Larry Cohen as a series to replace his highly popular "The Fugitive" which enjoyed a highly successful five year run before becoming the first American television series to be brought to a definitive end/conclusion.
"The Invaders" followed a similar theme of "The Fugitive" featuring a man on the run and proactively to overcome the circumstances which put them on the run - only David Vincent is both running and actively fighting against aliens bent on destroying humanity and taking over the Earth.
"The Invaders" is structured similar to "The Lost In Space" novel published by Pyramid Books. It features David Vincent in three interlinking adventures - the first one chronicling who he discovered the Invaders as he's investigating weird components being manufactured separately at different plants; the second one infiltrating a meeting of UFO enthusiasts only to be cornered by a psychotic human who is also hunting Invaders, and the third adventure where he is aided in stealing a tank to destroy an advance ship of the Invaders as it lands in the desert. All three adventures in the novel have odd undertones that make it appear that David Vincent is no stranger to cruising for men. Remember, this was written in the late 1960s, so I'm going to reserve judgement until I read the second novel in this series.
There are differences of course between the television show and this novel, and I don't know if Keith Laumer had just the bare basics series bible when he wrote this first novel in the series. It is a well written novelization, though keep in mind that novelizations usually varied from the actual show. Again, the "Lost In Space" novelization is a prime example of this rule, along with "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" novelization of the television show.
Highly Recommended for fans of the original series.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Invaders-Keith...
February 6, 2022
Justice League - the Zack Snyder Cut
Just finished watching "Justice League -the Zack Snyder Cut" released by Warner Brothers.
"Justice League - the Zack Snyder Cut" is a far superior version of the story that was released in theaters and why Zack Snyder was booted off the original project is still beyond me. The so-called "Zack Snyder Cut" tells a more comprehensive story and provides greater insight into the heroic and popular comic book heroes of the DC universe as they must form a team to combat Steppenwolf, DeSadd, and Darkseid. It also shows the first appearance of the Martian Manhunter into the DC movie universe.
Well worth watching.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Zack-Snyders-J...
"Justice League - the Zack Snyder Cut" is a far superior version of the story that was released in theaters and why Zack Snyder was booted off the original project is still beyond me. The so-called "Zack Snyder Cut" tells a more comprehensive story and provides greater insight into the heroic and popular comic book heroes of the DC universe as they must form a team to combat Steppenwolf, DeSadd, and Darkseid. It also shows the first appearance of the Martian Manhunter into the DC movie universe.
Well worth watching.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Zack-Snyders-J...
"The Devil That Never Dies - The Rise And Threat of Global Antisemitism"
Just finished reading "The Devil That Never Dies - The Rise And Threat of Global Antisemitism" by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, published by Little, Brown back in 2013.
Now a rather curious observation about "The Devil The Never Dies" before I begin my review: Back in 2013 when I bought "The Devil That Never Dies" from the Barnes & Noble near where I live in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville, Florida., the bookstore had a somewhat robust section devoted to Judaism which would be normal for a bookstore in area with a large Jewish population. Only over the years, the Judaism section at this particular Barnes and Noble has shrunk from a full section of shelves filled with books on Judaism to hardly just two shelves. When I asked several managers over the years why, I was told that it was due to the fact that nobody was interested in buying books about Judaism and that there was hardly any Jews living in Mandarin. I did point out that there are several temples and synagogues less than five miles down the road and that Mandarin has a large Jewish population. Several Barnes and Noble managers have told me over the years that this would not impact their decision on shrinking the Judaism section.
In the interests of full disclosure, this is the same Barnes and Noble that told me that I wasn't qualified to worked there because despite having a Bachelor of Arts in Gothic Literature and past experience working for Walden Books and Books-A-Million that I wasn't qualified to work there because I lacked a Masters Degree.
I was also a bit reluctant to review "The Devil That Never Dies" because of the recent hoopla over Whoopi Goldberg's attempt to downplay the Holocaust by recasting it as a "white peoples" problem. Her wearing of a jacket with the word "Innocence" on it shows she still believes what she says.
Even Santiago, a friend of mine from where I used to work, made a rather enlightening comment about his best friend - who is Jewish, like me - being cheap and that it's a Jewish trait. When I pointed out that he also stated that he has that trait and was frugal, Santiago looked annoyed and stated that wasn't the same. Yes, yes it is Santiago, and your best friend, regardless of his faith, isn't supposed to be your ATM. Just saying
And that the problem of antisemitism and Jew-hatred that Daniel Jonah Goldhagen explores in his unflinching profile how casting Jews as subhuman outsiders and a race apart from the rest of humanity has evolved over thousands of years into the 21st century where antisemitism and hatred of Jews is rising and not being addressed and ignored. It's not an easy book to read dispassionately because its filled with example after example of truths that some will find hard to stomach and deny - especially for people who are anti-Israel and Pro-Palestine.
A well documented and well reasoned call for action against antisemitism and Jew Hatred.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
Now a rather curious observation about "The Devil The Never Dies" before I begin my review: Back in 2013 when I bought "The Devil That Never Dies" from the Barnes & Noble near where I live in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville, Florida., the bookstore had a somewhat robust section devoted to Judaism which would be normal for a bookstore in area with a large Jewish population. Only over the years, the Judaism section at this particular Barnes and Noble has shrunk from a full section of shelves filled with books on Judaism to hardly just two shelves. When I asked several managers over the years why, I was told that it was due to the fact that nobody was interested in buying books about Judaism and that there was hardly any Jews living in Mandarin. I did point out that there are several temples and synagogues less than five miles down the road and that Mandarin has a large Jewish population. Several Barnes and Noble managers have told me over the years that this would not impact their decision on shrinking the Judaism section.
In the interests of full disclosure, this is the same Barnes and Noble that told me that I wasn't qualified to worked there because despite having a Bachelor of Arts in Gothic Literature and past experience working for Walden Books and Books-A-Million that I wasn't qualified to work there because I lacked a Masters Degree.
I was also a bit reluctant to review "The Devil That Never Dies" because of the recent hoopla over Whoopi Goldberg's attempt to downplay the Holocaust by recasting it as a "white peoples" problem. Her wearing of a jacket with the word "Innocence" on it shows she still believes what she says.
Even Santiago, a friend of mine from where I used to work, made a rather enlightening comment about his best friend - who is Jewish, like me - being cheap and that it's a Jewish trait. When I pointed out that he also stated that he has that trait and was frugal, Santiago looked annoyed and stated that wasn't the same. Yes, yes it is Santiago, and your best friend, regardless of his faith, isn't supposed to be your ATM. Just saying
And that the problem of antisemitism and Jew-hatred that Daniel Jonah Goldhagen explores in his unflinching profile how casting Jews as subhuman outsiders and a race apart from the rest of humanity has evolved over thousands of years into the 21st century where antisemitism and hatred of Jews is rising and not being addressed and ignored. It's not an easy book to read dispassionately because its filled with example after example of truths that some will find hard to stomach and deny - especially for people who are anti-Israel and Pro-Palestine.
A well documented and well reasoned call for action against antisemitism and Jew Hatred.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
Future Boy Conan
Just finished watching "Future Boy Conan" released SHOUT! Factory.
"Future Boy Conan" is an adaptation by Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, of the novel, "The Incredible Tide" by Alexander Key, who also wrote "Escape To Witch Mountain."
"Future Boy Conan" is a richly realized universe that heralded the lush animation style and complex story telling of Studio Ghibli.
I can not say exactly how faithful "Future Boy Conan" to its source material. While Miyazaki is not a faithful adapter of other writers work, I have not read "The Incredible Tide." I suspect it does contain some elements of the original novel.
Conan is living on Remnant Island with his Grandfather when one day he discovers Lana, a young girl, who has washed ashore on the beach after she escaped from her captors who kidnapped her from her home at High Harbor. She had been kidnapped by the forces of Industria who are trying to force her Grandfather to reveal the coordinates of a solar power satellite that would give them the power to rule the world. When forces from Industria land on Remnant Island and kidnap Lana and kill Conan's Grandfather, Conan goes on a journey to rescue Lana and soon transforms everyone he encounters.
"Future Boy Conan" is a classic animation series that tells the cautionary tale of an Earth devastated by a geo-magnetic war and how humanity may survive.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Future-Boy-Con...
"Future Boy Conan" is an adaptation by Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, of the novel, "The Incredible Tide" by Alexander Key, who also wrote "Escape To Witch Mountain."
"Future Boy Conan" is a richly realized universe that heralded the lush animation style and complex story telling of Studio Ghibli.
I can not say exactly how faithful "Future Boy Conan" to its source material. While Miyazaki is not a faithful adapter of other writers work, I have not read "The Incredible Tide." I suspect it does contain some elements of the original novel.
Conan is living on Remnant Island with his Grandfather when one day he discovers Lana, a young girl, who has washed ashore on the beach after she escaped from her captors who kidnapped her from her home at High Harbor. She had been kidnapped by the forces of Industria who are trying to force her Grandfather to reveal the coordinates of a solar power satellite that would give them the power to rule the world. When forces from Industria land on Remnant Island and kidnap Lana and kill Conan's Grandfather, Conan goes on a journey to rescue Lana and soon transforms everyone he encounters.
"Future Boy Conan" is a classic animation series that tells the cautionary tale of an Earth devastated by a geo-magnetic war and how humanity may survive.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Future-Boy-Con...
January 28, 2022
Miss Lindlow's Leopard
Just finished reading "Miss Lindlow's Leopard" by Dorothy Madlee, published by Norton back in 1965.
After re-reading the Star Ka'at series by both Andre Norton and Dorothy Madlee, I was intrigued to try to track down Madlee's other writings. While I did discover several short stories by Madlee and I could only find one other book that she published during her lifetime - "Miss Lindlow's Leopard." There was really no biographical information that I could find on Dorothy Madlee on the Internet or on the official website of the late Andre Norton.
On the back cover of the book, I was able to learn Madlee lived in Marion, Kentucky and Lima, Ohio. She was also a widow who was married to Alain Madle, a Vienna-born electrical engineer, and that she worked as a reporter and art editor for the Milwaukee Sentinel, and won the Milwaukee Press Club' William Pohl Award for humorous writing. She also worked for the Sentinel Star in Orlando, Florida later in her life.
I was able to find an autographed copy of "Miss Lindlow's Leopard" on Amazon.com.
After taking care of her family during her father's long illness, Jean Lindlow puts off college due to a lack of money after graduating high school, passes the city exam and is offered a secretary job at the Merrill Park Zoo where she becomes a minor media sensation when Satin - the zoo's black panther takes a shine to her. Jean also is soon in the middle of a mystery where someone is trying to harm the animals and shut down the zoo.
"Miss Lindlow's Leopard" is a good - and I know I'm going get some flack for this - novel for young girls that was written during the 1960s. It does tell a compelling story of a young girl's growth towards maturity and her own sense of self worth.
Strongly Recommended if you can find it.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Lindlows-...
After re-reading the Star Ka'at series by both Andre Norton and Dorothy Madlee, I was intrigued to try to track down Madlee's other writings. While I did discover several short stories by Madlee and I could only find one other book that she published during her lifetime - "Miss Lindlow's Leopard." There was really no biographical information that I could find on Dorothy Madlee on the Internet or on the official website of the late Andre Norton.
On the back cover of the book, I was able to learn Madlee lived in Marion, Kentucky and Lima, Ohio. She was also a widow who was married to Alain Madle, a Vienna-born electrical engineer, and that she worked as a reporter and art editor for the Milwaukee Sentinel, and won the Milwaukee Press Club' William Pohl Award for humorous writing. She also worked for the Sentinel Star in Orlando, Florida later in her life.
I was able to find an autographed copy of "Miss Lindlow's Leopard" on Amazon.com.
After taking care of her family during her father's long illness, Jean Lindlow puts off college due to a lack of money after graduating high school, passes the city exam and is offered a secretary job at the Merrill Park Zoo where she becomes a minor media sensation when Satin - the zoo's black panther takes a shine to her. Jean also is soon in the middle of a mystery where someone is trying to harm the animals and shut down the zoo.
"Miss Lindlow's Leopard" is a good - and I know I'm going get some flack for this - novel for young girls that was written during the 1960s. It does tell a compelling story of a young girl's growth towards maturity and her own sense of self worth.
Strongly Recommended if you can find it.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Lindlows-...
Star Ka'ats and the Winged Warriors
Just finished reading "Star Ka'ats and the Winged Warriors" by Andre Norton and Dorothy Madlee, published by Walker and Company back in 1981.
Sadly the fourth book in Norton's and Madlee's popular Star Ka'at series never had a paperback edition here in the United States during the lifetime of both authors and this was Madlee's last book before she passed away. Norton decided to bring the series to a close with the passing of her friend and co-author. So I do not know if Norton and Madlee had planned on any other books in the series featuring the interstellar adventures of Jim, Elly Mae and their Star Ka'at companions Trio and Mer.
While I did manage to read a copy of "Star Ka'ats and the Winged Warriors' years after it was originally published, I got my reading copy from eBay.
The Star Ka'at descendants that Trio and Mer, along with Jim and Elly Mae rescued from Earth are not adapting to life on the Star Ka'at home-world of Zimmorrah at all. Led by Boots, the Earth Star Ka'ats actually prefer to hunt for their food So when the opportunity arrives to check the fate of another Star Ka'at colony world - Boots and his followers jump at the chance. And since the expedition is being led by Trio and Mer, Jim and Elly Mae also travel to the lost colony world and soon discover a world where giant insects rule. Trio, Mer, Jim, and Elly Mae must solve what happened to the lost colony and if there are any survivors. And Jim must determine what is the best course of the future for the Star Ka'ats and their human companions.
Classic Andre Norton.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Kaats-Winged-W...
Sadly the fourth book in Norton's and Madlee's popular Star Ka'at series never had a paperback edition here in the United States during the lifetime of both authors and this was Madlee's last book before she passed away. Norton decided to bring the series to a close with the passing of her friend and co-author. So I do not know if Norton and Madlee had planned on any other books in the series featuring the interstellar adventures of Jim, Elly Mae and their Star Ka'at companions Trio and Mer.
While I did manage to read a copy of "Star Ka'ats and the Winged Warriors' years after it was originally published, I got my reading copy from eBay.
The Star Ka'at descendants that Trio and Mer, along with Jim and Elly Mae rescued from Earth are not adapting to life on the Star Ka'at home-world of Zimmorrah at all. Led by Boots, the Earth Star Ka'ats actually prefer to hunt for their food So when the opportunity arrives to check the fate of another Star Ka'at colony world - Boots and his followers jump at the chance. And since the expedition is being led by Trio and Mer, Jim and Elly Mae also travel to the lost colony world and soon discover a world where giant insects rule. Trio, Mer, Jim, and Elly Mae must solve what happened to the lost colony and if there are any survivors. And Jim must determine what is the best course of the future for the Star Ka'ats and their human companions.
Classic Andre Norton.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Kaats-Winged-W...
Star Ka'at World
Just finished reading "Star Ka'at World" by Andre Norton and Dorothy Madlee, published by Pocket Books in 1979.
For those who came in late, years ago I decided to start several years back what I call my "Great Re-Rereading Project of Favorite Books from My Youth" project, and "Star Ka'at" is one of those books - which yet again got me into trouble at with the teachers Camp Lejeune High School.
I found "Star Ka'at" on the New Arrivals Shelves in the science fiction section of Michelle's Bookstore at the Brynn Marr Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I found my re-reading copy at Chamblins' Bookmine, the greatest bookstore on the East Coast here in Jacksonville, Florida.
My teachers at Camp Lejeune rarely approved of what I read - and as readers of my book reviews know, I read a wide variety of books on a variety of genres and non-fiction topics. Apparently this was a big no-no for them. I had long ceased caring, but it's worth mentioning that if you cave in what you're reading out of fear - you'll cave for other things too. And that's why I was never popular or liked in school. I didn't care what other people thought about me or what I did, liked, or read.
Rescued by Star Ka'ats Trio and Mer from their undesirable living circumstances on Earth, Jim and Elly Mae are taken to the homeworld of the Star Ka'ats - Zimmorrah where they begin trying to learn the ability to project their thoughts into the machines of the Star Ka'at civilization. Only Jim and Elly Mae are unable to master the telepathy they need in order to survive, and decide to make a risky journey to the city of the original masters of Zimmorrah where they and Trio and Mer might be killed by the machines of the ancient city.
Classic Andre Norton.
Highly Recommended.
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Kaat-Worl...
For those who came in late, years ago I decided to start several years back what I call my "Great Re-Rereading Project of Favorite Books from My Youth" project, and "Star Ka'at" is one of those books - which yet again got me into trouble at with the teachers Camp Lejeune High School.
I found "Star Ka'at" on the New Arrivals Shelves in the science fiction section of Michelle's Bookstore at the Brynn Marr Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I found my re-reading copy at Chamblins' Bookmine, the greatest bookstore on the East Coast here in Jacksonville, Florida.
My teachers at Camp Lejeune rarely approved of what I read - and as readers of my book reviews know, I read a wide variety of books on a variety of genres and non-fiction topics. Apparently this was a big no-no for them. I had long ceased caring, but it's worth mentioning that if you cave in what you're reading out of fear - you'll cave for other things too. And that's why I was never popular or liked in school. I didn't care what other people thought about me or what I did, liked, or read.
Rescued by Star Ka'ats Trio and Mer from their undesirable living circumstances on Earth, Jim and Elly Mae are taken to the homeworld of the Star Ka'ats - Zimmorrah where they begin trying to learn the ability to project their thoughts into the machines of the Star Ka'at civilization. Only Jim and Elly Mae are unable to master the telepathy they need in order to survive, and decide to make a risky journey to the city of the original masters of Zimmorrah where they and Trio and Mer might be killed by the machines of the ancient city.
Classic Andre Norton.
Highly Recommended.
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Kaat-Worl...
Star Ka'at
Just finished reading "Star Ka'at" by Andre Norton and Dorothy Madlee published by Pocket Books back in 1977.
For those who came in late, years ago I decided to start several years back what I call my "Great Re-Rereading Project of Favorite Books from My Youth" project, and "Star Ka'at" is one of those books - which again got me into trouble at with the teachers Camp Lejeune High School.
I found "Star Ka'at" on the New Arrivals Shelves in the science fiction section of Michelle's Bookstore at the Brynn Marr Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I found my re-reading copy at Chamblins' Bookmine, the greatest bookstore on the East Coast here in Jacksonville, Florida.
Now why did teachers at Camp Lejeune High School pitch a conniption over me reading "Star Ka'at"? They didn't think it was an age appropriate book for me to read since it was geared towards readers younger than myself. At the time I had bought this book I was still 14-years-old. When I told them that I would read what I wanted to and Mom and Dad backed me up, I wasn't too popular with my teachers right on up to graduation back in 1980.
When orphaned Jim Evans "adopts" an unusual "stray" cat the he found, he believes he has found a friend that he can take care of and love despite the tragic circumstances of being placed in foster care after the horrific death of his parents. He names his cat Trio not realizing that Trio is actually a Star Ka'at - a member of space faring felines, who along with his Star Ka'at companion Mer - who have come to Earth on a rescue mission to save members of their kin who were stranded on Earth after a failed mission years ago. Jim soon meets Elly Mae, another orphan who lives with her ailing Grandmother. Elly Mae is trying to scrounge recyclable bottles in an attempt to get enough money to take them out to the country. Jim decides to help Elly Mae and through their shared concern over their cats bond and become friends. Still Trio and Mer are not too generally concerned about humans, until Jim and Elly Mae prove that humans like themselves can care for the welfare and concern for others of their kind and other species.
"Star Ka'at" was a joint effort Andre Norton, and Dorothy Madlee - who worked as a staff writer for the Sentinel Star - a newspaper in Orlando, Florida. Madlee also wrote short stories and had a novel published - "Miss Lindlow's Leopard." I could not find anything online about their friendship.
Classic Andre Norton.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Kaat-Andr...
For those who came in late, years ago I decided to start several years back what I call my "Great Re-Rereading Project of Favorite Books from My Youth" project, and "Star Ka'at" is one of those books - which again got me into trouble at with the teachers Camp Lejeune High School.
I found "Star Ka'at" on the New Arrivals Shelves in the science fiction section of Michelle's Bookstore at the Brynn Marr Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I found my re-reading copy at Chamblins' Bookmine, the greatest bookstore on the East Coast here in Jacksonville, Florida.
Now why did teachers at Camp Lejeune High School pitch a conniption over me reading "Star Ka'at"? They didn't think it was an age appropriate book for me to read since it was geared towards readers younger than myself. At the time I had bought this book I was still 14-years-old. When I told them that I would read what I wanted to and Mom and Dad backed me up, I wasn't too popular with my teachers right on up to graduation back in 1980.
When orphaned Jim Evans "adopts" an unusual "stray" cat the he found, he believes he has found a friend that he can take care of and love despite the tragic circumstances of being placed in foster care after the horrific death of his parents. He names his cat Trio not realizing that Trio is actually a Star Ka'at - a member of space faring felines, who along with his Star Ka'at companion Mer - who have come to Earth on a rescue mission to save members of their kin who were stranded on Earth after a failed mission years ago. Jim soon meets Elly Mae, another orphan who lives with her ailing Grandmother. Elly Mae is trying to scrounge recyclable bottles in an attempt to get enough money to take them out to the country. Jim decides to help Elly Mae and through their shared concern over their cats bond and become friends. Still Trio and Mer are not too generally concerned about humans, until Jim and Elly Mae prove that humans like themselves can care for the welfare and concern for others of their kind and other species.
"Star Ka'at" was a joint effort Andre Norton, and Dorothy Madlee - who worked as a staff writer for the Sentinel Star - a newspaper in Orlando, Florida. Madlee also wrote short stories and had a novel published - "Miss Lindlow's Leopard." I could not find anything online about their friendship.
Classic Andre Norton.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Kaat-Andr...
January 27, 2022
Sargasso Of Space
Just finished reading "Sargasso Of Space" by Andre Norton, first published by Gnome Press back in 1955, under her Andrew North pen name.
It's still hard to believe that once upon a time in the past that a talented writer had to hide her gender at the request of her publishers who were concerned - rather foolishly - that readers would not read a great story by a gasp - woman writer. Thankfully times changed by the 1960s.
I first discovered "Sargasso Of Space" - the first book in the original Solar Queen series - on the shelves of the science fiction section at Michelle's Bookstore in the Bryn Myar Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina in the early 1970s. I picked up my re-reading copy for my "Great Re-Reading Project of Books I Enjoyed from My Youth" project at Chamblins' Bookmine - the greatest bookstore on the East Coast - here in Jacksonville, Florida.
When new Training Pool graduate Dane Thorson receives his assignment, he's not exactly thrilled to learn that he's been assigned as a cargo apprentice to the Free Trader Solar Queen. Thorson had been hoping to be assigned to one of the corporate interstellar trading ships. He soon fits in with his new ship and soon the crew of the Solar Queen is off to explore the planet Limbo - a planet they won by bidding on it in a Patrol Auction. Yet Limbo is not what it first appears to be - a planet burned off in the great war of the Forerunners and it seems that the Guild are using it as a base.
Great Classic Science Fiction by Andre Norton - my favorite author.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Sargasso-Space...
It's still hard to believe that once upon a time in the past that a talented writer had to hide her gender at the request of her publishers who were concerned - rather foolishly - that readers would not read a great story by a gasp - woman writer. Thankfully times changed by the 1960s.
I first discovered "Sargasso Of Space" - the first book in the original Solar Queen series - on the shelves of the science fiction section at Michelle's Bookstore in the Bryn Myar Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina in the early 1970s. I picked up my re-reading copy for my "Great Re-Reading Project of Books I Enjoyed from My Youth" project at Chamblins' Bookmine - the greatest bookstore on the East Coast - here in Jacksonville, Florida.
When new Training Pool graduate Dane Thorson receives his assignment, he's not exactly thrilled to learn that he's been assigned as a cargo apprentice to the Free Trader Solar Queen. Thorson had been hoping to be assigned to one of the corporate interstellar trading ships. He soon fits in with his new ship and soon the crew of the Solar Queen is off to explore the planet Limbo - a planet they won by bidding on it in a Patrol Auction. Yet Limbo is not what it first appears to be - a planet burned off in the great war of the Forerunners and it seems that the Guild are using it as a base.
Great Classic Science Fiction by Andre Norton - my favorite author.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Sargasso-Space...
Doctor Who #241 - Red Planets
Just finished listening to "Doctor Who #241 - Red Planets" released by Big Finish Productions.
The Socialist Republic of Mokoshia should not exist in 2017. Yet the Seventh Doctor and one of his companions Mel, find themselves in Mokoshia as it prepares to celebrate it's 70th anniversary with the technological achievement of a manned landing on Mars. Ace is actually in the past of 1961 running an errand for the Seventh Doctor where she saves the life of a British spay behind the Berlin Wall. Only the past and present are about to collide with the future where a mission to save the future by changing the past causes a deadly paradox that even the Seventh Doctor might not have the ability to fix.
Another great classic Doctor Who adventure written by Jamie Anderson - the son of the late Gerry Anderson.
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.whona.com/Doctor-Who-241-...
The Socialist Republic of Mokoshia should not exist in 2017. Yet the Seventh Doctor and one of his companions Mel, find themselves in Mokoshia as it prepares to celebrate it's 70th anniversary with the technological achievement of a manned landing on Mars. Ace is actually in the past of 1961 running an errand for the Seventh Doctor where she saves the life of a British spay behind the Berlin Wall. Only the past and present are about to collide with the future where a mission to save the future by changing the past causes a deadly paradox that even the Seventh Doctor might not have the ability to fix.
Another great classic Doctor Who adventure written by Jamie Anderson - the son of the late Gerry Anderson.
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.whona.com/Doctor-Who-241-...
