Samyann's Blog, page 25

American Civil War pension – paid out today!!

As impossible as it may seem, the Department of Veterans Affairs still pays a pension to one surviving daughter of an American Civil War veteran.

Irene Triplett is 86 as of 2016, and her father, Moses Triplett, fought for both the South and North during the war. He was married to his first wife for many years, and when she died, Moses married a woman 50 years younger than him. She gave birth to Irene in 1930, who still collects a monthly pension of $73.13  from the from the United States government as the disabled dependent daughter of an American Civil War veteran. Frankly, I’m not so sure that is sufficient money! I mean, the American Civil War!

No kidding!

Irene Triplett collects $876.00 a year from the government as thanks for her father taking part in the war, which ended in 1865.

This is truly great trivia! Google her name, you’ll be surprised what you find.

Sphere by Michael Crichton – Audiobook

Written by Michael Crichton way back in the mid 1980s, this unabridged audiobook edition was released in 2015 and is narrated by Scott Brick – about thirteen hours of listening.

If you’re looking for a written duplication of the movie, this is not gonna work for you! Although trite, I’ll say “The book is better.”… and Hollywood’s twist completely messes with the story.

In a plot similar to Crichton’s Andromeda Strain, written in 1969, a diverse group of scientific people are brought together to what they all believe to be a plane crash in the mid-Pacific. A biologist, mathematician, astrophysicist, etc., in addition to Norman – the group psychologist and the lead character of Sphere, are tasked with determining what happened – and they are soon to understand, determining what exactly rests 1000 feet below the surface, since it is not an airplane. Crichton even repeats the physical examinations required to handle the sea habitats of Sphere as apposed to the bio-habitat of the Andromeda Strain. Albeit completely different stories, these initial fundamentals are virtually identical.

Sphere is a decent SciFi, written with the somewhat pedestrian style of Crichton. Not earth shattering prose, just good storytelling that will hold your attention. If you like SciFi or if you like Michael Crichton, you’ll enjoy. Author of such mega-hits as Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton died in 2008. His books are slowly moving into the SciFi classic category and are must reads for anyone interested in the genre. SciFi nerds will approve of considerable techno-babble detail and Crichton’s attempt at credibility.

Scott Brick does a terrific job, nice reading.

A fun listen.

A Shot Through Abraham Lincoln’s Hat

Lincoln is reputed to have said: “It would never do for a President to have guards with drawn sabers at his door, as if he fancied he were . . . an emperor.”

Well, this cavalier attitude about his personal safety proved to be a little foolish. He was nearly killed by a sniper’s bullet while on a horseback trip to the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C. Fortunately, the sniper was only able to punch a whole through Linoln’s stove-pipe hat.

Here’s more information:  First Assassination Attempt and here: Another take on the same event.

More trivia? Lincoln called his horse ‘Old Bob’. Here is a grainy photo of  ‘Old Bob’, wearing a mourning blanket following the Lincoln assassination in 1865:

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Abraham Lincoln by Carl Sandburg – Audiobook

Written by Carl Sandburg, narrated by Arthur Morey, a very long audiobook – over 44 hours of listening. Although originally released way back in 1954, this audiobook format was released in 2013.

Two American legends. One, Carl Sandburg – poet, author. The other, Abraham Lincoln. This alone should tell you this book is a pretty decent listen. Predominantly a history of the United States from the late 1700s through the end of the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln is also recommended for anyone interested in an understanding of Lincoln, the man.

Abraham Lincoln is a compilation of Sandburg’s decades of research. The book is filled with Lincolnesque homily, often disconnected, one line insights as an attempt to convey Lincoln, his time, character, friends, enemies, and Lincoln’s humble roots. Typical of the writings of the time, the prose is wordy and some would say verbose. Starting with details about Lincoln’s heritage, his grandfather also being an Abraham Lincoln, his father Tom, the brief life of his mother Nancy Hanks, the book traverses Lincoln’s life, election, presidency, the American Civil War, through his ultimate assassination in April of 1865.

Narration by Arthur Morey is superb. It’s apparent that Morey admired Sandburg’s writing and Abe himself.

If you are interested in the preeminent insight into Lincoln, an in-depth look at his foibles and amazing intellect, this read is a must. It is also an excellent American history lesson. Enjoy!

What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz – Audiobook

What the Night Knows is written by Dean Koontz and narrated by Steven Weber. The unabridged audiobook is 12.5 hours of listening.

Narration is good, no issues.

I’m a big fan of Dean Koontz. Love many of his stories and characters, for example the Odd Thomas series – just great. This story isn’t in the same league – in fact, I did something I rarely do and executed a return in that this was purchased via Audible credits. The story itself is a great premise. A series of murders takes place twenty years ago – ultimately the serial killer is stopped by a 14 year old boy. That child is now an adult, a detective. The serial murders are being duplicated and he’s on the hunt.

With such a great premise, you’d thing this story would move forward with vigor, lots of exciting webs for Koontz to spin. His books are usually so good I hung in there for many chapters hoping for …. something. Nada.

BUT, give the devil their due. Some people have given it 5 stars. Beats me. Thank goodness I’m not the only reader out there who is disappointed in What the Night Knows.

Proceed at your peril.

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths – Audiobook

The Crossing Places is written by Elly Griffiths and narrated by Jane McDowell. Book 1 of the Ruth Galloway Series, this version is an unabridged audiobook 8.5 hours in length. I’m not usually drawn to modern day British writing/narrating – but, purchased this novel as an Audible Daily Deal. And, I will anxiously continue the series, which at this writing consists of eight novels.

Ruth Galloway, the main character, is a forensic anthropologist specializing in bones. She lives in a deserted, boggy marshland of mud flats near the sea in a small cabin-house. Resigned to a solitude life with her cats she teaches anthropolgy at a university. The story begins with her find of ancient bones buried in peat, well preserved. The police dismiss the find, as they are looking for not-so-ancient bones. Thus is the thrust of The Crossing Places. Ruth becomes involved in the mystery of murder and helps the local police search for a serial killer.

Descriptions are nicely done, characters well developed. Narration is fine. No explicit sex, no bad language, great gift.

A nice curl-up-on-the-sofa murder mystery with a pretty cool ending twist.

Night Soldiers by Alan Furst – Audiobook

Night Soldiers is written by Alan Furst, narrated by George Guidall, an unabridged audiobook just over eighteen hours long, and book one in a series. Audible recently made available the Night Soldiers series, all of the books, at special prices. I’ve never read anything by Furst, but I absolutely love listening to anything narrated by George Guidall; he is simply tremendous. I also love espionage stories, a big fan of Mitch Rapp (Vince Flynn), Jack Ryan (Tom Clancy), Jason Bourne (Robert Ludlum). I like historical novels. So … Night Soldiers is my cup o’ tea, right?

Wrong, sorry to say. I’ve listened, twice, to the first six chapters, each over 40 minutes of audio – and the story doesn’t seem to move forward. The main character, although likable, isn’t evoking enough from me to really care much more about him. After many chapters, the guy is still studying in Russia, hasn’t really jumped into ‘spying’ in any way other than being ’tested’, nothing is really written about what is going on in Europe at the time, mid 1930s. There isn’t any real excitement or action following the death of the lead character’s brother in the first chapter … nothing at all. Well, he does have to shoot his girlfriend to prove his loyalties. But, he doesn’t seem to care! Ergo … neither do I.

Too bad, because I’ve been looking for a good espionage-type author to fill the shoes of some greats that have passed on – Ludlum, Flynn, Clancy as mentioned above. Those authors created some thrilling, heart thumping stories … Night Soldiers isn’t in the same league, in my opinion.

But, to me anyway, this is more important: If you read one book a week for your entire adult life, you are only going to enjoy a few thousand books. There are over 1,000,000 published every year – and that doesn’t include a sea of self-published books. Life is too short.

This series has many good reviews, and many not-so-good. Glad to know I’m not alone with a meh opinion. Listen to the free audio sample,  read Amazon’s ‘Look Inside”, read more reviews. I may be all wet and you’ll think it’s the best thing you’ve ever read.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman – Audiobook

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is written and narrated by Neil Gaiman. The unabridged audiobook is a short one, just over 5.5 hours of listening. The book was released several years ago, ergo there are thousands of reviews. It is, after all, a Neil Gaiman novel. I purchased as an Audible Daily Deal because … well, it is, after all, a Neil Gaiman novel.

Not much I can add to the mix, so some brief opinions. I liked this book. It is typical of Gaiman’s excellent writing – lyrical, poetic in places. Gaiman also simply tells a story – not paying much attention to current publisher conventions or mantras regarding the use of particular parts of speech – like adverbs. He writes from the heart, says what he wants to say … and readers are sucked in. I particularly liked the fact that Neil Gaiman is the narrator. The story is presented in the way he intended, no guessing regarding the reading or inflections.

This is a coming age, fable, fairy tale. But also a perspective of friendship, loyalty … the ability of a child to interpret and wonder – and the distant view of an adult reminiscing. I’m sure young adults would like, but The Ocean is also something a seasoned writer or adult reader would enjoy.

What I didn’t like? Nothing that I can think of…..

Like all Gaiman books, be prepared to let your imagination stretch and enjoy the ride.

City of Echoes by Robert Ellis – Audiobook

City of Echoes is written by Robert Ellis, narrated by Nick Podehl, and close to ten hours of listening. I purchase as an Audible Daily Deal. City of Echoes is book one in a new series, a police procedural defining the exploits of Los Angeles homicide detective Matt Jones. The story is a cliff hanger with unresolved issues … hopefully to be addressed in subsequent stories, yet to be released.

Why I liked. The who-done-it aspect of a police procedural story – and, Robert Ellis puts forth several possible suspects. Lots of twists, surprises. The story is one of police corruption, a serial murderer, good cops and bad cops. Throw in familial abandonment issues.

Why I’m a bit cool. The narrator, Nick Podehl, is excellent. I’ve listened to him many times and always enjoy. That said, he is the wrong voice for this novel, in my opinion. There are several police officers in the story and most sound young … too young – like high school kids. The story needs a bit mature, older voice. Nick Podehl is more suited to a love story, SciFi, YA; he has no tough-guy persona like Dick Hill or George Guidall. Often, the characters simply sounded angry or pissed off for no apparent reason. Second problem, the love interest of Matt Jones, the lead character. I’ll give no secrets here, but .. just too much of a stretch. Third, there were several plot items which made the story more confusing than necessary. I listened to the first ten chapters and went back to the beginning to start over. Simple mind of mine couldn’t keep it straight, so maybe it’s just me … lots of ground work in the first chapters. *shrug*

A little sex and language, not much … appropriate for the scene and nothing offensive.

Notice I didn’t indicate anywhere that I didn’t like the book … I liked it enough to continue with the series. But, it could have been better.

Broken Grace by E. C. Diskin – Audiobook

Broken Grace is written by E. C. Diskin, narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith and Scott Merman. The unabridged audiobook is 9.5 hours of listening. I purchased as an Audible Daily Deal. A young woman has an automobile accident (hits a deer) and awakens with her mind nearly erased with amnesia – she remembers nothing, not her childhood, boyfriend, siblings – nada!

Why I liked the book – Broken Grace is a mystery, a who-done-it involving amnesia, sibling rivalries, murder, and police investigation. The premise interesting, the story well told by the narrators. Lots of twists, surprises – lots of opportunity to do my own guessing, which I like in a mystery.

Complaints. The story is too predictable – I don’t think you’ll have any trouble discerning ‘who done it’ very early in the story – some behavior is a bit of a stretch.

The surprise ending? No spoilers, but in my opinion: The ending did not add to the story and I found it disappointing. The book would have been better without it. There, shoot me.

Narration is okay – nicely done. No explicit sex, a decent mystery in some areas – but, transparent, too.