Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 96
July 10, 2021
Gods From Outer Space
Just finished reading "Gods From Outer Space" by Erich Von Daniken, released by Bantam Books back in 1972.
With the recent release of a report on Unidentified Ariel Phenomenon by the United States Government that didn't say aliens but admitted that nobody knows what these UFOs are - hint, not aliens - I decided to go hunting for all of the books that Erich Von Daniken wrote during the height the Ancient Aliens craze he ushered in with the publication of his first book "Chariots Of The Gods" back in 1968.
I do remember that Erich Von Daniken's "Chariots Of The Gods" was published around the time of NASA's lunar landings and it brought the "UFO" craze out of the fringe and into mainstream respectability.
Since Mom and Dad were avid readers and space exploration enthusiasts, they bought "Chariots Of The Gods" when it was released in paperback from Michelle's Bookstore in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and let me read it when they were done.
I got my reading copies from Chamblin Book Mine here in Jacksonville, Florida - the best bookstore in the Eastern United States.
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other media sights know, "Gods From Outer Space" falls under my "Great Re-Reading Favorite Books of My Youth" project. And its no great secret that I find the"Ancient Aliens" series hysterically funny.
What Erich Von Daniken did and the reason for his success was that he was able to capture the public's imagination by being an "every man" who was able to put a new spin on ancient mysteries, and he did, and still does, do it an a likable and friendly conversational manner. If you happen to see him on YouTube, he's charming, sincere, and enthusiastic.
Yet, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence that can not be disputed. While a cave painting of oddly dressed people may be suggestive of space-suited explorers, there's no evidence that they were. You have to want to believe and you need to suspend disbelief.
I'm going to get in trouble for saying this: Erich Von Daniken was and still is a sincere believer in his theories. Unfortunately, he reminds me of a television preacher, yet instead of asking you for your money, well, in a way he did and still is with his books and Chariots of the Gods theme park, he's asking you to believe in something without concrete proof. And while we can all agree that life probably does exist elsewhere in the universe, we still have no proof that it does, just hints of methane scattered here and there in the solar system.
Soooooooo...now for the moment of truth.
Recommended to see how re-interpenetrating history can lead to widespread beliefs based on inaccurate information.
I'm not awarding this any stars because I don't think it's a good idea to reward pseudo-science.
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Outer-Spa...
With the recent release of a report on Unidentified Ariel Phenomenon by the United States Government that didn't say aliens but admitted that nobody knows what these UFOs are - hint, not aliens - I decided to go hunting for all of the books that Erich Von Daniken wrote during the height the Ancient Aliens craze he ushered in with the publication of his first book "Chariots Of The Gods" back in 1968.
I do remember that Erich Von Daniken's "Chariots Of The Gods" was published around the time of NASA's lunar landings and it brought the "UFO" craze out of the fringe and into mainstream respectability.
Since Mom and Dad were avid readers and space exploration enthusiasts, they bought "Chariots Of The Gods" when it was released in paperback from Michelle's Bookstore in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and let me read it when they were done.
I got my reading copies from Chamblin Book Mine here in Jacksonville, Florida - the best bookstore in the Eastern United States.
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other media sights know, "Gods From Outer Space" falls under my "Great Re-Reading Favorite Books of My Youth" project. And its no great secret that I find the"Ancient Aliens" series hysterically funny.
What Erich Von Daniken did and the reason for his success was that he was able to capture the public's imagination by being an "every man" who was able to put a new spin on ancient mysteries, and he did, and still does, do it an a likable and friendly conversational manner. If you happen to see him on YouTube, he's charming, sincere, and enthusiastic.
Yet, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence that can not be disputed. While a cave painting of oddly dressed people may be suggestive of space-suited explorers, there's no evidence that they were. You have to want to believe and you need to suspend disbelief.
I'm going to get in trouble for saying this: Erich Von Daniken was and still is a sincere believer in his theories. Unfortunately, he reminds me of a television preacher, yet instead of asking you for your money, well, in a way he did and still is with his books and Chariots of the Gods theme park, he's asking you to believe in something without concrete proof. And while we can all agree that life probably does exist elsewhere in the universe, we still have no proof that it does, just hints of methane scattered here and there in the solar system.
Soooooooo...now for the moment of truth.
Recommended to see how re-interpenetrating history can lead to widespread beliefs based on inaccurate information.
I'm not awarding this any stars because I don't think it's a good idea to reward pseudo-science.
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Outer-Spa...
June 27, 2021
"Deep Skies 6 - Laniakea" by Kevin Kendle
has finished listening to "Deep Skies 6 - Laniakea" by Kevin Kendle, released by Eventide Music.
Now, in the interest of full disclosure, while I am friends with Kevin Kendle here on Facebook and exchanged a few messages with him, I have never met Kevin Kendle, though we do share a joint interest in astronomy.
Continuing on with his widely popular Deep Skies series of musical explorations of the universe, Kendle takes listeners on a voyage of auditory exploration to the galaxy supercluster of Laniakea - which contains over 100,000 separate and distinct galaxies.
The Laniakea supercluster was first identified by astronomers back in 2014 who published a new way of defining galactic superclusters by the relative velocities of the galaxies in them.
For those readers who are curious, "Laniakea" means "immense heaven," and is derived from the Hawaiian words "lani," meaning heaven, and "akea," meaning spacious, or immeasurable.
My favorite tracks in this cd are: "Laniakea," "Ventaurus," "Immense Heaven," and "The Aeternal Choir of Light."
I am eagerly waiting for the next release in the Deep Skies Series!
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
http://www.kevinkendle.com/cd-laniake...
Now, in the interest of full disclosure, while I am friends with Kevin Kendle here on Facebook and exchanged a few messages with him, I have never met Kevin Kendle, though we do share a joint interest in astronomy.
Continuing on with his widely popular Deep Skies series of musical explorations of the universe, Kendle takes listeners on a voyage of auditory exploration to the galaxy supercluster of Laniakea - which contains over 100,000 separate and distinct galaxies.
The Laniakea supercluster was first identified by astronomers back in 2014 who published a new way of defining galactic superclusters by the relative velocities of the galaxies in them.
For those readers who are curious, "Laniakea" means "immense heaven," and is derived from the Hawaiian words "lani," meaning heaven, and "akea," meaning spacious, or immeasurable.
My favorite tracks in this cd are: "Laniakea," "Ventaurus," "Immense Heaven," and "The Aeternal Choir of Light."
I am eagerly waiting for the next release in the Deep Skies Series!
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
http://www.kevinkendle.com/cd-laniake...
Doctor Who - The Lure of the Nomad
Just finished listening to "Doctor Who - The Lure Of The Nomad," released by Big Finish Productions.
It's been quite a while since I've actually gotten around to listening to and reviewing one of Big Finish Production's Doctor Who audio adventures. Nothing ruins a fun audio drama series than injecting agenda driven politics into it, and I haven't been afraid to call Big Finish Productions out on it, which hasn't made me too popular on some review sites...LOL...but in all seriousness, being told you're bad for not believing in the Great Climate Change Hoax or not accepting that you are prejudiced based an your skin color is more than a bit off putting.
Thankfully "The Lure Of The Nomad" stays away from such nonsense and sticks to being a straight forward classic Doctor Who story featuring the Sixth Doctor and his long time traveling companion Mathew Sharpe, who was a pilot the Doctor rescued from a disabled spaceship about to crash land on a planet. This is the first time listeners are introduced to Mathew as a companion.
Yet when the Doctor is about to take Mathew back home, he is interrupted by a distress call, so he diverts the TARDIS and he and Mathew go and investigate and stumble upon a spacecraft where the passengers are turning into murder machines bent on killing everyone. And just when the Doctor has secured a safe haven for the survivors and his companion, he's betrayed by a close ally.
On a rather curious note, the Sixth Doctor makes several references to his companion calling him "My Matthew," an affectionate term he used only once before calling his former companion Sarah Jane Smith, "My Sarah Jane." No I'm not "shipping" here. I believe it was to imply that Matthew was important to the Doctor which - mild spoiler alert - makes what happens in the big reveal plot twist stunning and heart breaking for the Doctor.
A classic Doctor Who outing.
Great Fun!
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-238...
It's been quite a while since I've actually gotten around to listening to and reviewing one of Big Finish Production's Doctor Who audio adventures. Nothing ruins a fun audio drama series than injecting agenda driven politics into it, and I haven't been afraid to call Big Finish Productions out on it, which hasn't made me too popular on some review sites...LOL...but in all seriousness, being told you're bad for not believing in the Great Climate Change Hoax or not accepting that you are prejudiced based an your skin color is more than a bit off putting.
Thankfully "The Lure Of The Nomad" stays away from such nonsense and sticks to being a straight forward classic Doctor Who story featuring the Sixth Doctor and his long time traveling companion Mathew Sharpe, who was a pilot the Doctor rescued from a disabled spaceship about to crash land on a planet. This is the first time listeners are introduced to Mathew as a companion.
Yet when the Doctor is about to take Mathew back home, he is interrupted by a distress call, so he diverts the TARDIS and he and Mathew go and investigate and stumble upon a spacecraft where the passengers are turning into murder machines bent on killing everyone. And just when the Doctor has secured a safe haven for the survivors and his companion, he's betrayed by a close ally.
On a rather curious note, the Sixth Doctor makes several references to his companion calling him "My Matthew," an affectionate term he used only once before calling his former companion Sarah Jane Smith, "My Sarah Jane." No I'm not "shipping" here. I believe it was to imply that Matthew was important to the Doctor which - mild spoiler alert - makes what happens in the big reveal plot twist stunning and heart breaking for the Doctor.
A classic Doctor Who outing.
Great Fun!
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-238...
"Unrestricted Access - New And Classic Short Fiction" by James Rollins,
Just finished reading "Unrestricted Access - New And Classic Short Fiction" by James Rollins, released by William Morrow.
I first discovered James Rollins nearly twenty years ago when I saw his, back then, newly released novel "Sandstrom," the first novel in his widely popular science action series about Sigma Force in the new release book section in the Barnes & Noble that I frequent near my home here in Jacksonville, Florida, and I decided to take a chance, and I'm glad that I did.
"Unrestricted Access" is a collection of the short stories he wrote specifically as teasers and/or solo adventures to promote other novels in the series. Rollins does provide the back story on how each story came to be.
Perhaps the most intriguing story in this collection is a collaboration between Rollins and Steve Berry - "The Devil's Bones" - which highlights a joint adventure between Commander Gray Pierce and Cotton Malone.
Strongly Recommended, though I would start with reading "Sandstrom" if you're interested in Sigma Force adventures.
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Unrestricted-A...
I first discovered James Rollins nearly twenty years ago when I saw his, back then, newly released novel "Sandstrom," the first novel in his widely popular science action series about Sigma Force in the new release book section in the Barnes & Noble that I frequent near my home here in Jacksonville, Florida, and I decided to take a chance, and I'm glad that I did.
"Unrestricted Access" is a collection of the short stories he wrote specifically as teasers and/or solo adventures to promote other novels in the series. Rollins does provide the back story on how each story came to be.
Perhaps the most intriguing story in this collection is a collaboration between Rollins and Steve Berry - "The Devil's Bones" - which highlights a joint adventure between Commander Gray Pierce and Cotton Malone.
Strongly Recommended, though I would start with reading "Sandstrom" if you're interested in Sigma Force adventures.
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Unrestricted-A...
"Return of the God Hypothesis - Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind The Universe"
Just finished reading "Return of the God Hypothesis - Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind The Universe" by Stephen C. Meyer, released by Harper One.
There has always been a rather curious disconnect between science and the notion of "intelligent design." Just a while back, synthetic life has been created in the laboratory, and it does flourish. Yet mention the notion that life here on Earth and elsewhere in the universe depended on a series of seemingly random chances coming together just exactly right to create a Goldilocks Universe where life exists and you get called a "Christian" - which I still find, George Whitesides - former president of the National Space Society - to be a derogatory insult being that I am a Conservative Jew who firmly believes in G_D.
With clarity and logic, while quoting scientists and debunking skeptics like Richard Dawkins with the illogic of their words, Meyer lays out all the proof for the existence of G_D clearly and concisely. Yet knowing G_D exists, doesn't mean that we can ever know with certainty of his motivations. Meyer proves the existence of G_D, he doesn't prove the reason behind G_D's motivations.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Return-God-Hyp...
There has always been a rather curious disconnect between science and the notion of "intelligent design." Just a while back, synthetic life has been created in the laboratory, and it does flourish. Yet mention the notion that life here on Earth and elsewhere in the universe depended on a series of seemingly random chances coming together just exactly right to create a Goldilocks Universe where life exists and you get called a "Christian" - which I still find, George Whitesides - former president of the National Space Society - to be a derogatory insult being that I am a Conservative Jew who firmly believes in G_D.
With clarity and logic, while quoting scientists and debunking skeptics like Richard Dawkins with the illogic of their words, Meyer lays out all the proof for the existence of G_D clearly and concisely. Yet knowing G_D exists, doesn't mean that we can ever know with certainty of his motivations. Meyer proves the existence of G_D, he doesn't prove the reason behind G_D's motivations.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Return-God-Hyp...
The Night Parade
Just finished reading "The Night Parade" by Kathryn Tanguary, released by Sourcebooks back in 2016.
Yes, I do have a rather large antilibrary - books I haven't gotten around to reading yet, and I suspect that it actually outnumbers the books that I've actually read in my personal library.
"The Night Parade" is Kathryn Tanguary's first, and so far to date, only novel - which reads like an adaptation and/or pitch to Studio Ghibli or another anime studio. It has all the elements of a classic Studio Ghibli and/or other anime movie - a young girl, in this case Saki Yamomoto, who is a typical teenage girl, caring more about keeping up with her superficial friends, is on a family trip out in the country to visit her ailing Grandmother, when in an attempt to look cool and get in with the popular kids in the village, rings a forbidden bell in a shrine and must undo a curse which has now trapped her between the world o the living and dead, or within three days, she will die.
A rather enjoyable read, and it evoked memories of the Japanese fairy tales I used to read when I was little.
A fun enjoyable read.
Recommended.
Four Stars - only because I think this is a movie pitch disguised as a novel. Not that that's bad, but its a bit a detraction when you're left wondering as you're reading the book.
https://www.amazon.com/Night-Parade-K...
Yes, I do have a rather large antilibrary - books I haven't gotten around to reading yet, and I suspect that it actually outnumbers the books that I've actually read in my personal library.
"The Night Parade" is Kathryn Tanguary's first, and so far to date, only novel - which reads like an adaptation and/or pitch to Studio Ghibli or another anime studio. It has all the elements of a classic Studio Ghibli and/or other anime movie - a young girl, in this case Saki Yamomoto, who is a typical teenage girl, caring more about keeping up with her superficial friends, is on a family trip out in the country to visit her ailing Grandmother, when in an attempt to look cool and get in with the popular kids in the village, rings a forbidden bell in a shrine and must undo a curse which has now trapped her between the world o the living and dead, or within three days, she will die.
A rather enjoyable read, and it evoked memories of the Japanese fairy tales I used to read when I was little.
A fun enjoyable read.
Recommended.
Four Stars - only because I think this is a movie pitch disguised as a novel. Not that that's bad, but its a bit a detraction when you're left wondering as you're reading the book.
https://www.amazon.com/Night-Parade-K...
"The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Voice In The Smoke and Other Mysteries" by Jim French Productions under the Imagination Theatre banner
Just finished listening to "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Voice In The Smoke and Other Mysteries" by Jim French Productions under the Imagination Theatre banner, released by Radio Spirits.
Now although I am friends with Lawrence Albert, who brought the steadfast and loyal biographer of Sherlock Homes to life, Dr. Watson, in Imagination Theatre's original Sherlock Holmes productions, I have never meet Lawrence Albert in person, though we have exchanged a few emails here on Facebook. I am a firm believer in full disclosure. Oh, and I do have the receipts, so I do not get free review copies of anything that I review, nor would I accept free review copies in this instance since it would be seen as tainting my honesty as a reviewer.
For reason which still escape and perplex me, Radio Spirits has yet to provide a book explaining the history behind any of Imagination Theatre's audio productions. Perhaps it has something to do with the five-year distribution agreement both companies have. In my opinion, Radio Spirits is losing out on a great opportunity to preserve a part of radio history but not including a similar booklet like they do in just about every other collection they release of shows from the Radio's Golden Age.
Once again, the late John Patrick Lowrie and the still very much alive Lawrence Albert, bring Holmes and Watson to vivid life in this great collection of Imagination Theatre's Sherlock Holmes audio dramas. And Homes does find his powers of deduction stretched to the limit in several outings where he confronts the supernatural and misdirection.
My favorite stories in this collection are: "The Adventure of the French Compass," "The Disappearance of the Cutter Alicia," "The Voice In The Smoke,' "The Adventure of the Fatal Anniversary" - which just happens to the the 100th show in this series - and "The Adventure of the Stolen Hunter."
Imagination Theatre did an outstanding job in producing all of it's original shows, the "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" is definitely one of the finest jewels in their crown. Oh yes, and since Radio Spirits won't do Imagination Theatre justice by sharing it's history in booklets with each of the Imagination Theatre collections, check out Imagination Theatre's online.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://radiospirits.com/detailsv2.asp...
Now although I am friends with Lawrence Albert, who brought the steadfast and loyal biographer of Sherlock Homes to life, Dr. Watson, in Imagination Theatre's original Sherlock Holmes productions, I have never meet Lawrence Albert in person, though we have exchanged a few emails here on Facebook. I am a firm believer in full disclosure. Oh, and I do have the receipts, so I do not get free review copies of anything that I review, nor would I accept free review copies in this instance since it would be seen as tainting my honesty as a reviewer.
For reason which still escape and perplex me, Radio Spirits has yet to provide a book explaining the history behind any of Imagination Theatre's audio productions. Perhaps it has something to do with the five-year distribution agreement both companies have. In my opinion, Radio Spirits is losing out on a great opportunity to preserve a part of radio history but not including a similar booklet like they do in just about every other collection they release of shows from the Radio's Golden Age.
Once again, the late John Patrick Lowrie and the still very much alive Lawrence Albert, bring Holmes and Watson to vivid life in this great collection of Imagination Theatre's Sherlock Holmes audio dramas. And Homes does find his powers of deduction stretched to the limit in several outings where he confronts the supernatural and misdirection.
My favorite stories in this collection are: "The Adventure of the French Compass," "The Disappearance of the Cutter Alicia," "The Voice In The Smoke,' "The Adventure of the Fatal Anniversary" - which just happens to the the 100th show in this series - and "The Adventure of the Stolen Hunter."
Imagination Theatre did an outstanding job in producing all of it's original shows, the "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" is definitely one of the finest jewels in their crown. Oh yes, and since Radio Spirits won't do Imagination Theatre justice by sharing it's history in booklets with each of the Imagination Theatre collections, check out Imagination Theatre's online.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://radiospirits.com/detailsv2.asp...
Batman - The Long Halloween Part One
Just finished watching "Batman - The Long Halloween Part One," released by Warner Brothers.
Early on in Bruce Wayne's undercover career as a masked vigilante crime fighter, he came to the realization that it was not just enough to put on a costume and scare criminals while being better at fighting then them, he's also have to become a detective too.
"Batman - The Long Halloween" is based on the classic Batman comic series when he must puzzle together who the mysterious Holiday Killer that is eliminating members of the Falcone family - the top crime family in Gotham City.
Mild spoiler alert - it's also tells the story of District Attorney Harvey Dent's descent into madness.
I enjoyed part one and I'm greatly looking forward to seeing part two when it's released later this year.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Long-Ha...
Early on in Bruce Wayne's undercover career as a masked vigilante crime fighter, he came to the realization that it was not just enough to put on a costume and scare criminals while being better at fighting then them, he's also have to become a detective too.
"Batman - The Long Halloween" is based on the classic Batman comic series when he must puzzle together who the mysterious Holiday Killer that is eliminating members of the Falcone family - the top crime family in Gotham City.
Mild spoiler alert - it's also tells the story of District Attorney Harvey Dent's descent into madness.
I enjoyed part one and I'm greatly looking forward to seeing part two when it's released later this year.
Highly Recommended.
Ten Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Long-Ha...
Anonumous Soldiers, Bruce Hoffman
Just finished reading "Anonymous Soldiers - The Struggle For Israel, 1917-1947" by Bruce Hoffman, published by Knoff.
Confession time, I almost stopped reading "Anonymous Soldiers" because on page 149. Hoffman apologizes for British CID Giles anti-Semitic behavior by simply saying that Giles wasn't anti-Semitic, he just didn't like Jews. I'd be curious to know what Hoffman thinks anti-Semitism is. So as long term readers of my reviews know here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms, I do deduct stars for anti-Semitism, among other things.
Except for this one disturbing paragraph on page 149, which may reveal a bit more about Hoffman's beliefs, he has written a rather compelling history on how both Jews and Arabs used terrorism against the British Colonial Mandate in Israel, and why the British ultimately failed with their two-state solution because they were stuck in 19th century rules where they saw themselves as superior to the people they were ruling over. Now for the controversial statement - Hoffman has written a rather disturbing and penetrating study on how two sides of issue used terrorism, and how and why one side ultimately one because the British government at the time was oh so worried about appearances and failing to adapt to the realities on the ground.
Note: Santiago, my fiend and minion, was disturbed when he say me reading this book. He didn't understand why, as a Jew, I would be interested in reading such a book. I did tell him that no one should be afraid of learning about their own history. And since he's half Japanese, half Colombian, I encouraged him to do a deeper dive into his own dual heritage. Knowing history is the best way to learn about current mistakes when trying to move forward.
So, while I do recommend this book, rating it....
Two Stars - well written, but being an apologist for a long dead anti-Semitic reflects the author's own beliefs.
https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Strug...
Confession time, I almost stopped reading "Anonymous Soldiers" because on page 149. Hoffman apologizes for British CID Giles anti-Semitic behavior by simply saying that Giles wasn't anti-Semitic, he just didn't like Jews. I'd be curious to know what Hoffman thinks anti-Semitism is. So as long term readers of my reviews know here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms, I do deduct stars for anti-Semitism, among other things.
Except for this one disturbing paragraph on page 149, which may reveal a bit more about Hoffman's beliefs, he has written a rather compelling history on how both Jews and Arabs used terrorism against the British Colonial Mandate in Israel, and why the British ultimately failed with their two-state solution because they were stuck in 19th century rules where they saw themselves as superior to the people they were ruling over. Now for the controversial statement - Hoffman has written a rather disturbing and penetrating study on how two sides of issue used terrorism, and how and why one side ultimately one because the British government at the time was oh so worried about appearances and failing to adapt to the realities on the ground.
Note: Santiago, my fiend and minion, was disturbed when he say me reading this book. He didn't understand why, as a Jew, I would be interested in reading such a book. I did tell him that no one should be afraid of learning about their own history. And since he's half Japanese, half Colombian, I encouraged him to do a deeper dive into his own dual heritage. Knowing history is the best way to learn about current mistakes when trying to move forward.
So, while I do recommend this book, rating it....
Two Stars - well written, but being an apologist for a long dead anti-Semitic reflects the author's own beliefs.
https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Strug...
Anonumous Soldiers, Bruce Hoffman
Just finished reading "Anonymous Soldiers - The Struggle For Israel, 1917-1947" by Bruce Hoffman, published by Knopf.
Confession time, I almost stopped reading "Anonymous Soldiers" because on page 149. Hoffman apologizes for British CID Giles anti-Semitic behavior by simply saying that Giles wasn't anti-Semitic, he just didn't like Jews. I'd be curious to know what Hoffman thinks anti-Semitism is. So as long term readers of my reviews know here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms, I do deduct stars for anti-Semitism, among other things.
Except for this one disturbing paragraph on page 149, which may reveal a bit more about Hoffman's beliefs, he has written a rather compelling history on how both Jews and Arabs used terrorism against the British Colonial Mandate in Israel, and why the British ultimately failed with their two-state solution because they were stuck in 19th century rules where they saw themselves as superior to the people they were ruling over. Now for the controversial statement - Hoffman has written a rather disturbing and penetrating study on how two sides of issue used terrorism, and how and why one side ultimately one because the British government at the time was oh so worried about appearances and failing to adapt to the realities on the ground.
Note: Santiago, my fiend and minion, was disturbed when he saw me reading this book. He didn't understand why, as a Jew, I would be interested in reading such a book. I did tell him that no one should be afraid of learning about their own history. And since he's half Japanese, half Colombian, I encouraged him to do a deeper dive into his own dual heritage. Knowing history is the best way to learn about current mistakes when trying to move forward.
So, while I do recommend this book, rating it....
Two Stars - well written, but being an apologist for a long dead anti-Semitic reflects the author's own beliefs.
https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Strug...
Confession time, I almost stopped reading "Anonymous Soldiers" because on page 149. Hoffman apologizes for British CID Giles anti-Semitic behavior by simply saying that Giles wasn't anti-Semitic, he just didn't like Jews. I'd be curious to know what Hoffman thinks anti-Semitism is. So as long term readers of my reviews know here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms, I do deduct stars for anti-Semitism, among other things.
Except for this one disturbing paragraph on page 149, which may reveal a bit more about Hoffman's beliefs, he has written a rather compelling history on how both Jews and Arabs used terrorism against the British Colonial Mandate in Israel, and why the British ultimately failed with their two-state solution because they were stuck in 19th century rules where they saw themselves as superior to the people they were ruling over. Now for the controversial statement - Hoffman has written a rather disturbing and penetrating study on how two sides of issue used terrorism, and how and why one side ultimately one because the British government at the time was oh so worried about appearances and failing to adapt to the realities on the ground.
Note: Santiago, my fiend and minion, was disturbed when he saw me reading this book. He didn't understand why, as a Jew, I would be interested in reading such a book. I did tell him that no one should be afraid of learning about their own history. And since he's half Japanese, half Colombian, I encouraged him to do a deeper dive into his own dual heritage. Knowing history is the best way to learn about current mistakes when trying to move forward.
So, while I do recommend this book, rating it....
Two Stars - well written, but being an apologist for a long dead anti-Semitic reflects the author's own beliefs.
https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Strug...
