Nathaniel Turner's Blog, page 10

Novels, Announcements, and Manhood

This is the front.

It’s been a while since I wrote a post on here that had nothing to do with a book I’d read. But there have been a lot of moving parts in the Versor ‘verse lately, and I suppose it’s time I jotted a few of them down.

First, you’re probably hoping for an update about something I’ve written. The Chimaera Regiment is pretty much finished. It’s all written. It’s all edited. Except for a few typos, the book is done. It even has a tentative cover (right), and a map, too (below). It...

Han Solo Trilogy, Part 1

The Paradise Snare by A.C. Crispin


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve read this book before, but it was years and years ago, when I did very little analytical thinking and mostly just enjoyed reading about Han Solo shooting stuff. I had memories of the low-level Coruscant bits being longer, and the Ylesia bits being shorter, but all those aside, I still enjoyed this book.

It has romance in it, and implication, but nothing explicit, which is appropriate for the subject material. On very rare occasions,...

Exhortations on the Devout Life

Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis de Sales


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a superb example of Francis de Sales’ pastoral style and earnest faith. Everything in here is worthwhile Christian reading, regardless of your faith background. I cannot speak highly enough of Francis’ exhortations to the faithful. You may disagree that the goal of Christian living is devotion, or holiness, but you cannot claim that following the advice set forth here will make you a lesser Christian.

There...

How to Be a Leader–Take 194

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In many ways, this is a typical “leadership” book. Like most leadership books, it focuses on probable social foibles practiced by the reader, and–like most leadership books–it offers solutions.

The message of the book itself is relatively simple. In terms couched in religion, “Put others before yourself.” Goldsmith, a Buddhist, explains that placing others first...

Innovation and Ideation

Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation by Steven Johnson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There’s a lot of material to discuss with this book, and I have gone off on several tangents in my rather extensive notes. As a result, this book review is only complete here, on my blog, where the more religious comments will not distract folks who are simply looking for a book review.

First, general comments: I like the book. I rented it from the library at my office, but I am considering pu...

The Saga of Seven Suns (2 of 7)

A Forest of Stars by Kevin J. Anderson


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With this book, I am doing something that I have never before done (at least not for a work of fiction): I’m reviewing it without finishing it.

With that caveat in mind, let me begin by saying that I actually had no particular problems with this book. I did not leave it unfinished because I hated it, or because it had detestable writing, or because it was poorly formulated or characterized–it was none of those things. Rather, I did n...

For All the Nerds Looking for a Job

Testing Computer Software by Cem Kaner


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ll start off with a little honesty: I didn’t read the last three and a half chapters of this book. In part, this was because the library wanted the book back. More than that, it’s because those chapters are really, really long.

The information in this book is extremely useful for anyone in the software testing business. There are basic principles which pervade eras and technology, and this book addresses those effectively and thoro...

The Saga of Seven Suns (1 of 7)

Hidden Empire by Kevin J. Anderson


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The tale my reading this book actually begins a couple years ago, when Borders was closing. I saw it then, wanted to read it, but already had a tall stack of books I was planning to buy, and I couldn’t justify the wildcard addition.

Not that Kevin J. Anderson is a wildcard author. I have read much of his work in the Star Wars universe, and – in general – I enjoy his writing. Having said that, though, I had never read his original work, s...

“If Protestantism Is True,” Part Deux

Recently, I wrote about a book entitled “If Protestantism Is True,” by Devin Rose. Even more recently, Mr. Rose replied to my review with comments of his own. This is the exchange that followed:

Nathaniel,

In fact, most people – especially religious and spiritual people of the evangelical Christian variety – think in purely emotional terms.

Yes, and that’s a problem. Mormons feel the bosom-burning and think Mormonism must be true. People have to learn to reason, and my book encourages them to do...

Poor Editing, Unnoticed Bias

Healthcare Delivery In The U.S.A.: An Introduction To Hospitals, Health Systems And Other Providers Of Care by Margaret Schulte


My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was, based on my meager qualifications, an acceptable (if mediocre) introduction to healthcare delivery in these U.S. of A. I will endeavor to cover its issues as efficiently as possible, but I promise to digress upon the conclusion of my review (available only in the version posted on my weblog).

First, the typos. I mean, seriously. Th...