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Archimedes’ Claw
The Epic Novel of one man's journey back through time and his encounter with Mankind's Greatest Mystery.
Driven for Truth, One Man, Uncovers a secret, Hidden in Time, That catapulted the Roman Empire to find Archimedes. Hunted by the Government, Haunted by his past, Driven by passion, he must risk all. Travel back through The Vortex of Time and encounter Mankind's Greatest Mystery.
Driven for Truth, One Man, Uncovers a secret, Hidden in Time, That catapulted the Roman Empire to find Archimedes. Hunted by the Government, Haunted by his past, Driven by passion, he must risk all. Travel back through The Vortex of Time and encounter Mankind's Greatest Mystery.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2011
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8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 12, 2012
From My Newsletter Number 20:
In this Newsletter, I’ve decided to do a book review on a new science fiction writer who is experiencing, I am sure, the same frustrations as many new writers who publish ebooks for the first time— how to generate enough publicity to sell his book. The writer’s name is Theodore Morrison Homa, MD, who happens to live in the same town as I. Doctor Homa’s first book is called Archimedes Claw. Dr. Homa says he has always had a goal to write a novel, but has been too busy with his practice to do so. He wanted to combine history with good science and write a book, which was published as an ebook. I decided to purchase the ebook on my new Kindle Fire and give it a good read.
Archimedes Claw is based on the real Greek mathematician, Archimedes, who lived in Syracuse, Sicily and died in 212 BC, killed by a Roman soldier during the siege of Syracuse. Archimedes discovered and invented many things and one of them was the Claw of Archimedes, which was used to defend the city against Roman ships. The claw was a crane-like arm with a large metal grappling hook that could lift a ship out of the water and sink it. Using this scientist’s achievements as a major part of Dr. Homa’s plot, he created a story about a quirky scientist named Dr. Fin McGee, a noted academic physicist, physician who discovers Archimedes secret that he also invented a means to time travel. Dr. McGee tries to protect this secret from the CIA as he travels back in time to verify what Archimedes knew and how to use this exciting, but dangerous new discovery and it’s possible impact on people and past events. Dr. McGee develops the Rules of Time Travel and provides solutions in his travels through time, with one of his biggest rules—have a backup plan.
Although the plot, characters and suspense is quite entertaining, the author makes a few novice mistakes in the telling of the story. The narrative is a bit heavy on historical details, scientific theories and personal beliefs, which can be a little boring or distracting for the typical reader. The action moves fast in some chapters and slower in others. The dialog between characters is lacking in some places with too much telling instead of letting the characters speak for themselves. This is a common mistake with many first book writers, of which I have also been guilty in my first book. It is a problem easily corrected with experience. Since I did enjoy the first book, I look forward to its sequel and wish success to the author. I would rate this book with three stars out of five and I do recommend it for reading on your ebook reader.
In this Newsletter, I’ve decided to do a book review on a new science fiction writer who is experiencing, I am sure, the same frustrations as many new writers who publish ebooks for the first time— how to generate enough publicity to sell his book. The writer’s name is Theodore Morrison Homa, MD, who happens to live in the same town as I. Doctor Homa’s first book is called Archimedes Claw. Dr. Homa says he has always had a goal to write a novel, but has been too busy with his practice to do so. He wanted to combine history with good science and write a book, which was published as an ebook. I decided to purchase the ebook on my new Kindle Fire and give it a good read.
Archimedes Claw is based on the real Greek mathematician, Archimedes, who lived in Syracuse, Sicily and died in 212 BC, killed by a Roman soldier during the siege of Syracuse. Archimedes discovered and invented many things and one of them was the Claw of Archimedes, which was used to defend the city against Roman ships. The claw was a crane-like arm with a large metal grappling hook that could lift a ship out of the water and sink it. Using this scientist’s achievements as a major part of Dr. Homa’s plot, he created a story about a quirky scientist named Dr. Fin McGee, a noted academic physicist, physician who discovers Archimedes secret that he also invented a means to time travel. Dr. McGee tries to protect this secret from the CIA as he travels back in time to verify what Archimedes knew and how to use this exciting, but dangerous new discovery and it’s possible impact on people and past events. Dr. McGee develops the Rules of Time Travel and provides solutions in his travels through time, with one of his biggest rules—have a backup plan.
Although the plot, characters and suspense is quite entertaining, the author makes a few novice mistakes in the telling of the story. The narrative is a bit heavy on historical details, scientific theories and personal beliefs, which can be a little boring or distracting for the typical reader. The action moves fast in some chapters and slower in others. The dialog between characters is lacking in some places with too much telling instead of letting the characters speak for themselves. This is a common mistake with many first book writers, of which I have also been guilty in my first book. It is a problem easily corrected with experience. Since I did enjoy the first book, I look forward to its sequel and wish success to the author. I would rate this book with three stars out of five and I do recommend it for reading on your ebook reader.
November 28, 2011
Archimedes designed the defenses of Syracuse as Rome attacked, back in 212 BC. Amongst other weapons was the famous, and famously confusing Archimedes Claw, described as a sort of crane with a grappling hook. In modern days, TV series about the ancient world have attempted to duplicate the claw with some success, but in Theodore Morrison Homa’s novel Archimedes Claw their attempts have fallen far from the mark. Unfortunately Archimedes himself died when Syracuse fell and no real record has been found of his weapon.
Author Theodore Morrison Homa postulates there was more to the claw than modern science can tell, a whole realm of forces as yet untapped by man. A mysterious discovery, a scientist gathering his own small team together, a strange disappearance, and the sudden involvement of government agents catapult Finn McGee into a high-stakes game of memory, power and time-travel to discover the claw and keep the known world safe.
Scientific explanation and ethical dilemmas are carefully detailed through the character’s thoughts and conversations. Personally I found the ethics more convincing than the science and struggled with some geometric terms, but perhaps that’s just my English mathematical background. The plot’s intriguing with past and present revealed in intricate detail. Religious questions insert themselves naturally into the tale, and the Rules of Time-travel build up to a nice mix of practical and ethical need. At 230 pages the story feels somewhat long, but it’s well-plotted with pleasing questions and of course, Finn's ultimate answer when he decides which historical event he’d most like to see.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this novel from Bohlsen PR in exchange for an honest review.
Author Theodore Morrison Homa postulates there was more to the claw than modern science can tell, a whole realm of forces as yet untapped by man. A mysterious discovery, a scientist gathering his own small team together, a strange disappearance, and the sudden involvement of government agents catapult Finn McGee into a high-stakes game of memory, power and time-travel to discover the claw and keep the known world safe.
Scientific explanation and ethical dilemmas are carefully detailed through the character’s thoughts and conversations. Personally I found the ethics more convincing than the science and struggled with some geometric terms, but perhaps that’s just my English mathematical background. The plot’s intriguing with past and present revealed in intricate detail. Religious questions insert themselves naturally into the tale, and the Rules of Time-travel build up to a nice mix of practical and ethical need. At 230 pages the story feels somewhat long, but it’s well-plotted with pleasing questions and of course, Finn's ultimate answer when he decides which historical event he’d most like to see.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this novel from Bohlsen PR in exchange for an honest review.
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November 29, 2011This book was stellar; in fact, it was hard to put down. It really appealed to the nerd it me. It has time travel, science/physics, history and conspiracy. I absolutely loved it.
The story was engaging from the very beginning with the prologue involving Archimedes. The modern day story was just as engaging and the characters were the kind that you wanted to root for. I can’t even really articulate all the reasons why I loved this one.
I loved the relationship that Finn had with his wife when she was alive and how he cherished her memory after she died. That moment when she’s looking out the widow before leaving for college will BLOW YOUR MIND once you realize its significance. It’s hard to pick a favorite moment, but that may have been it. Even though I am not science literate, I loved all the science/physics conversations. I have no idea if all the science behind the theories were right, but it sounded amazing.
The final few chapters were so great. I was on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had everything figured out and knew the motivations for all the characters, everything changed. The history nerd in me loved the scenes involving the second Punic war and the crucifixion of Jesus, as well as the extra information on the statue of Liberty. It’s all awesome.
I think that this book will appeal to so many people. It’s such a pleasure to read, regardless of what genres you like. It’s just an enjoyable book. The chapters are short and there are photos, diagrams and paintings throughout. I doubt anyone will be bored by this book. I would read more from this author without hesitation.
The story was engaging from the very beginning with the prologue involving Archimedes. The modern day story was just as engaging and the characters were the kind that you wanted to root for. I can’t even really articulate all the reasons why I loved this one.
I loved the relationship that Finn had with his wife when she was alive and how he cherished her memory after she died. That moment when she’s looking out the widow before leaving for college will BLOW YOUR MIND once you realize its significance. It’s hard to pick a favorite moment, but that may have been it. Even though I am not science literate, I loved all the science/physics conversations. I have no idea if all the science behind the theories were right, but it sounded amazing.
The final few chapters were so great. I was on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had everything figured out and knew the motivations for all the characters, everything changed. The history nerd in me loved the scenes involving the second Punic war and the crucifixion of Jesus, as well as the extra information on the statue of Liberty. It’s all awesome.
I think that this book will appeal to so many people. It’s such a pleasure to read, regardless of what genres you like. It’s just an enjoyable book. The chapters are short and there are photos, diagrams and paintings throughout. I doubt anyone will be bored by this book. I would read more from this author without hesitation.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews