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| B07DMB26J8
| 3.79
| 1,391
| unknown
| Jul 2018
|
really liked it
|
88-year-old Bob Newhart sits down with other comedians to discuss the art of comedy and their experiences as comedians. "Hi, Bob" by Bob Newhart exist 88-year-old Bob Newhart sits down with other comedians to discuss the art of comedy and their experiences as comedians. "Hi, Bob" by Bob Newhart exists only as an audiobook, so it sounds more like a 4-hour podcast than a traditional book. The audio cuts between conversations with Will Ferrell, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Judd Apatow, Conan O'Brien, Sarah Silverman, and Marc Maron - often with Bob repeating the same questions to different comics. We hear the stories of these comedians and of Bob himself (the oldest of the group), who shares what it was like to break into comedy in the days before comedy clubs. You can hear the age in Newhart's voice, but you also can treasure his experience of 60+ years in this field. "Hi, Bob" is informal, informative, and very funny. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Jan 13, 2019
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Jan 17, 2019
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Jan 17, 2019
| Audible Audio
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| 0394758285
| 9780394758282
| 4.01
| 103,753
| Feb 06, 1939
| Jul 12, 1988
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really liked it
|
Phillip
Phillip Marlowe was one tough detective. And Raymond Chandler introduced him in his 1939 novel "The Big Sleep". Marlowe is cool, hardnosed, and wisecracking. He sometimes breaks the rules; but he has a code of honor that he will not break. Marlowe is hired by millionaire General Sternwood to investigate a main who is blackmailing his daughter Carmen. The blackmailer is murdered, and Carmen tries to seduce Marlowe and Carmen's sister Vivian tries to seduce Marlowe and the family chauffeur is found dead in the river and then it gets complicated. It's a gritty novel of crime and betrayal and urban tough guys and femme fatales and all the elements of a noir detective story. The narration is often poetic, filled with imagery and metaphors. So many writers have copied and parodied this style that it may sound cliché to hear this style of storytelling. Chandler's similes are remarkable
His description of people gives the reader a taste of the character he is describing and of the one doing the describing
The author often injects humor into serious situations.
Chandler succeeds in providing a view of the world around Marlowe, as well as the effect in has on his hero.
"The Big Sleep" a complex story; and it's sometimes hard to keep straight all the characters and all the plot twists. But Chandler wraps it up well in the end and Marlowe has one last chance to philosophize about life and death.
...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Jan 02, 2019
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Jan 16, 2019
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Jan 02, 2019
| Paperback
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| 0441783589
| 9780441783588
| 4.00
| 165,974
| Dec 1959
| May 15, 1987
|
really liked it
|
"Starship Troopers" by Robert A. Heinlein a science fiction novel without much science. It is the story of earth fighting a war against bug-like alien
"Starship Troopers" by Robert A. Heinlein a science fiction novel without much science. It is the story of earth fighting a war against bug-like aliens from another galaxy, but there are very few battle scenes. It describes a future Earth ruled by a military government, but this fascism is never questioned. In fact, the book contains very little action and very little plot. It's primarily the story of Johnny Rico, a rich earth kid, who decides to enlist in the Mobile Infantry against his father's wishes. It's mostly a coming-of-age story for Johnny, who learns discipline, strength, duty, and courage while being indoctrinated into the armed forces. The novel has sparked controversy for its praise of the military and for its casting the aliens as dehumanized invaders - much as Americans have dehumanized foreigners against whom they fought. I don't know about that. One should consider that the book was written and released before the social upheaval of the Vietnam War and the before the Civil Rights movement was widely covered; and Heinlein drew from his own experiences in the US Navy. I do know that I liked Johnny. I felt for him when his mother was killed in the war; and identified with his struggle and reconciliation with his father. And there is some good science - in particular, the powered armor worn by the soldiers that enhances the strength, information, and abilities of its wearer. This idea has been borrowed by countless other science fiction authors and by military organizations. If you are looking for an enjoyable, quick read with a bit of action and sci-fi and a solid leading character, you could do worse than "Starship Troopers". ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Jan 02, 2019
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Jan 13, 2019
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Jan 02, 2019
| Mass Market Paperback
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| B00B06NAAA
| 3.96
| 13,173
| 1967
| May 04, 2010
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None
| Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Dec 18, 2018
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not set
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Dec 18, 2018
| Kindle Edition
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| 0143039571
| 9780143039570
| 3.84
| 15,146
| 1953
| Oct 03, 2006
|
really liked it
|
Augie March is an unlikely and unassuming hero in an American saga. Born of a working-class simple-minded single mother in depression-era Chicago durin Augie March is an unlikely and unassuming hero in an American saga. Born of a working-class simple-minded single mother in depression-era Chicago during the Great Depression, Augie struggles to rise above his lot in life. Saul Bellow chronicles his struggles in "The Adventures of Augie March". Augie March begins his way in the world as a small-time criminal - stealing books, Self-described as "an American, Chicago born", Augie often drifts through life, finding work where he can and seeking love where he can. His adventures often occur because he follows others: He falls in love with a girl who takes him to Mexico to finalize her divorce and train an eagle; he accompanies a friend on a trip to smuggle workers into the US from Canada, but they become stranded when the police discover the friend is driving a stolen car. But, Augie progresses. He travels the world and experiences life and meets a lot of people. He takes on a number of jobs: Running errands for a corrupt businessman; recruiting workers to a labor union; buying and selling on the European black market; eagle trainer; even a stint in the US Navy; Our hero's great hindrance is his desire to do the right thing. For example, his engagement to a rich girl is derailed when he helps a friend escape an abusive relationship and recover from a botched abortion. Augie's fiancé and her family refuse to believe he is not sleeping with the girl he is helping. He knows this will happen, but he does what he believes is right. chaos. It's sometimes hard to tell where the story is going. There are so many characters and so much happens that the reader can't always see what is important. March seems to just travel through life experiencing his adventures, with little or no theme running through them all. He tries, and he fails, and he tries again - in his careers and in his romances. Repeatedly, he deals with the chaos that is life and moves on. But I see Augie's life as a pursuit of the American Dream, which is bold in its reach, but limited in its explicit goals. March is more self-aware than most, seeing his weaknesses and strengths and he never stops growing. And he never stops trying to move forward. And he never stops dreaming. ...more | Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 16, 2018
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Jan 02, 2019
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Dec 16, 2018
| Paperback
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| 0553213970
| 9780553213973
| 3.85
| 126,449
| Nov 25, 1864
| Apr 25, 2006
|
really liked it
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It was 1864 and not much was known about the interior of the Earth. But that did not stop Jules Verne from writing an adventure story about 3 explorer
It was 1864 and not much was known about the interior of the Earth. But that did not stop Jules Verne from writing an adventure story about 3 explorers, on a quest to reach the Earth's center. Verne took what he knew about geology and combined it with his own fertile imagination to create "Voyage au centre de la Terre", which has been translated into English as "Journey to the Center of the Earth". The story is told in the first person by Axel, a young German, whose uncle - the brilliant and eccentric Professor Lidenbrock - discovers an encoded message written centuries earlier. The message describes a volcano in Iceland with underground passages that lead to the Earth's center. So, the uncle and his reluctant nephew set out for Iceland and, along with their guide Hans, descend into the bowels of the Earth in an attempt to reach the center. The story takes a while to get going, as the men prepare for their adventure and travel to Iceland; but once they descend into the volcano, they encounter wild creatures and monstrous vegetation and violent weather and many other dangers. The second half of the novel is a thrill ride. I like how detailed Verne is about the world his explorers encounter and how rational he is about their explanations. Of course, he was limited by the existing scientific knowledge of the 19th century; but he does well within these limits. Although many of the "scientific" points of the story are now known to be false, Verne creates a believable story by providing plausible explanations - mostly through the mouth of professor Lidenbrock - for what the party experiences. It makes sense that prehistoric creatures could escape extinction for millennia below ground, where they were isolated from the topside environment. It makes sense that underground caverns could be illuminated by electrical charges in the gas. It makes sense that vast underground caverns could contain enormous seas on which to carry the travelers. For some inexplicable reason, my translation changed the names of the main characters from Professor Lidenbrock and Axel to Professor Hardwegg and Harry. But this did not diminish "Journey to the Center of the Earth" for me. It is a grand adventure story that I enjoyed as a teenager and enjoyed again today. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Nov 28, 2018
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Dec 2018
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Dec 01, 2018
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| B00C5WZ1Q4
| 3.82
| 12,660
| 1934
| Apr 30, 2013
|
really liked it
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"Appointment in Samarra" by John O'Hara takes place over a 72-hour period in the small eastern Pennsylvania town of Gibbsville. But three days is all i "Appointment in Samarra" by John O'Hara takes place over a 72-hour period in the small eastern Pennsylvania town of Gibbsville. But three days is all it takes for Julian English to destroy everything good in his life. Julian had it made. He was born into a wealthy family; he owned a car dealer that was successful even during the great depression; and he had a beautiful, faithful wife, who loved him. But he drank. And one night, at a party, he grew tired of listening to loudmouth boor Harry Reilly and threw a drink in his face. Julian quickly regretted his actions. Harry was an influential man in Gibbsville and Julian owed him money; but rather than correct the situation, Julian hurtles down a path of self-destruction for the next 3 days, alienating himself from the rest of society, burning bridges in his life, and spiraling quickly downward until he reaches a breaking point. "Appointment" is an excellent look at America of the 1930s. It shows us the social castes, the gossip, the overt racism, and life inside a bubble that is small town America. O'Hara does a masterful job of building the characters of this town and the dynamics between them. He gives us a backstory about Julian's wife, so we understand why he is lucky to have her and a fool to risk losing her. We learn about Julian's family and the pressure his father places on him, so we understand why he sometimes feels useless and helpless. Interestingly, none of Julian's acts of self-destruction are described in the book. We hear about them later as characters discuss what happened. Sometimes, it's unclear exactly what Julian did. For example, his wife sees him leave a night club with the girlfriend of a local mobster; then later finds Julian passed out drunk in his car. Did he commit adultery? It probably doesn't matter, as that was clearly his intent. And he is now in trouble with both his wife and the mob. This is a book that got better as it went along. As the story progresses, Julian's downfall seems inevitable. But I could not look away. "Appointment in Samarra" is an American tragedy that is well worth watching. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Nov 23, 2018
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Dec 12, 2018
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Nov 23, 2018
| Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 0618391118
| 9780618391110
| 3.90
| 182,679
| 1977
| Nov 15, 2004
|
really liked it
|
"The Silmarillion" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a collection of stories about Middle Earth - the world Tolkien created in his more famous works "The Hobbit" a
"The Silmarillion" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a collection of stories about Middle Earth - the world Tolkien created in his more famous works "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings". It begins with the creation of the world and the Ainur, immortal beings who would take physical form and become the Valar and the Maiar. They go on to create elves, men, dwarves, and all the races that would populate Middle Earth. It ends with the rise of Sauron, the creation of the rings of power, and the beginning of the Third Age, which is chronicled in detail in the two stories mentioned above. In between are stories of gods and elves and men and battles and romances and how the world of Middle Earth came to be. There is the love story of Beren and Luthien and there are epic battles and there are evil creatures, such as orcs and dragons and balrogs. There is much battling of the evil Melkor throughout the ages. It is a very ambitious work, covering the thousands of years of the first two ages of Middle Earth. These stories were written by J.R.R. Tolkien, but not published until after his death. His son Christopher compiled and edited them for this book. "The Silmarillion" is a difficult book to read. Keeping track of the many names of people and places is a challenge. They tend to have long, unfamiliar names, many of them go by multiple names; and they often pop up in the book once, never to return. In addition, the prose reminds me of a translation of an ancient text - descriptions are long and poetic. But It's hard to imagine someone enjoying these stories who is not already a fan of the Middle Earth mythos. But it's hard to imagine someone who fell in love with Middle Earth through "The Hobbit" and the "Lord of the Rings" not finding pleasure in these stories. But, if you are a fan of Tolkien and wish to dive deeper into the history of the world he created, you will enjoy "The Silmarillion". ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Nov 14, 2018
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Dec 2018
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Nov 14, 2018
| Hardcover
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| 1501175513
| 9781501175510
| 3.96
| 30,725
| Sep 11, 2018
| Sep 11, 2018
|
really liked it
| I have read a lot of biographies in my life and many of those focused on the lives of U.S. presidents; but it's rare for me to read a book about a sit I have read a lot of biographies in my life and many of those focused on the lives of U.S. presidents; but it's rare for me to read a book about a sitting president. I made an exception with "Fear: Trump in the White House" - partly because it was written by Pulitzer Prize winner Bob Woodward, whose books I've always admired; and partly because Donald Trump's presidency - on which this focuses - is different from any other presidency. So less than two years into his term, I am reading about Trump's ascent to power. Woodward describes some of the positives of the Trump presidency. For example, he spends a lot of time discussing a decisive and successful strike on a Syrian air base in response to Syrian President Assad's use of chemical weapons on children, in violation of international law. But Trump supporters will probably not remember the positive coverage, because there are so many unfavourable descriptions of the President. After the first third of "Fear", Woodward's descriptions of Mr. Trump are largely unflattering. The title of the book comes from a Donald Trump quote: "Real power is fear.", a sentiment he has expressed multiple times. Entering the White House, Donald Trump had very little understanding of the most basic principles of economics or policy or politics or governing. For example, he repeatedly suggested that printing more money was a viable solution to the deficit. Worse, Trump had no interest in correcting his misconceptions. After trying unsuccessfully to educate Trump on the fact that the U.S. had years ago moved from a manufacturing-based economy to a service based economy, a frustrated advisor asked the president "Why do you have these views?" to which Mr. Trump replied, "I just always have." He displayed similar ignorance and stubbornness in other matters. He repeatedly insisted to his advisors that the U.S. should not spend money defending other countries and resisted the argument that doing so was an investment in American security. For example, forward-positioned American troops in South Korea reduce the alert time of a potential North Korean nuclear launch from 15 minutes down to 7 seconds. His generals and economic advisors praised this as a good investment. Despite this, Trump would raise the issue every few months, arguing that the U.S. was wasting money in South Korea. He repeatedly insisted on huge increases in tariffs, despite advice from his economic advisors that doing so would damage the economy. Donald Trump takes pride in his decisive action, but he often does so without seeking advice or ignoring expert advice. He pushed hard for withdrawing from Paris Climate Accord with little consultation about the legality and impact. He declared via Twitter that transgenders would not be allowed in the military - a major policy decision that broke a campaign promise and defied existing laws. He justified it by grossly overestimating the cost and impact transgender soldiers had on the military. The military refused to enforce this ban and it ultimately failed after an expensive court battle. In choosing his advisors and staff, Donald Trump values personal loyalty to Donald Trump over experience, intelligence, or other qualifications. Once hired, he ruled his people by intimidation and bullying, often publicly insulting his staff. He took delight in setting one staff member against another. The result is an abundance of infighting within the White House, which made it difficult for everyone to act in a unified manner. The advisors in the administration do everything in their power to mitigate Trump's worse impulses. Since reasoning often fails, they often deliberately delayed executing on a directive or they stole papers from the president's desk to prevent him from signing an order or even thinking about it. This worked because the president's attention span is short, and he has no list of things to accomplish - neither on paper nor in his head. When a paper was removed from his desk, he often did not miss it. In one of the lowest points in the Trump presidency, the president refused to condemn Nazis and Klansmen marching in Charlottesville, VA, chanting racists slogans, such as "Jews will not replace us". Trump's initial response placed blame "on both sides". His advisors finally convinced him to deliver a speech a few days later, explicitly condemning the white supremacist groups; but Trump almost immediately regretted doing so, complaining that it made him look weak. A few days later, he reverted to his equivalency argument stating there were "very fine people on both sides". His handling of the incident drew praise from Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke and almost universal criticism from non-racists in both political parties. "Fear" largely paints a picture of a petty, impetuous, ill-tempered, easily distracted, stubborn, president with little ability to listen or learn The president's pre-conceived notions (often based on ignorance), his poor listening skills, and his frequent refusal to consider opposing viewpoints often made life frustrating for his advisors, many of whom left shortly after taking the position. Not surprisingly, Donald Trump himself declared the book "fake", even without reading it. And Trump supporters often close their mind to anything critical of their hero, labeling any criticism - fair or otherwise as "fake news". But several things reinforce the credibility of this book. One is Woodward's reputation: He has won two Pulitzer Prizes and has written critical of public figures in both major parties. The other is that the picture Woodward paints of the president in private is consistent with the image Trump projects through Twitter and his rallies. He has never shied away from personal attacks or name-calling; he frequently overstates his own abilities in speeches, claiming to be the best in the world at multiple skills; and his closest associates have publicly attacked on another. Woodward conducted hundreds of hours of interviews for this book. He does not identify many of his sources, but it's not difficult to guess some of them, particularly when he reports on a private conversation between Trump and one other person. Woodward requested an interview with the president, but never received a reply. The author writes in the straightforward style of a professional journalist. Woodward seldom asserts his own opinion. Instead, he quotes the opinions of others in the administration. Woodward closes the book with a disagreement between Trump and his lawyer about whether the President should testify as part of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Trump insists he would be an excellent witness. His lawyer tries to tactfully discourage Trump from testifying (he even threatens to resign as his lawyer) because he knows that Trump is a habitual liar and will almost certainly commit perjury during any sworn testimony. As I write this review, my hope is that Donald Trump will notice it and label me an enemy, as he does with so many who disagree with him.  ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Nov 07, 2018
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Nov 24, 2018
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Nov 07, 2018
| Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 0316926345
| 9780316926348
| 4.00
| 84,619
| 1945
| Jan 30, 1982
|
really liked it
|
"Brideshead Revisited" by Evelyn Waugh In his first year at University, Charles Ryder meets Sebastian Flyte and is immediately attracted to him. Sebast "Brideshead Revisited" by Evelyn Waugh In his first year at University, Charles Ryder meets Sebastian Flyte and is immediately attracted to him. Sebastian is handsome, rich, charming, and carefree and the two of them quickly become inseparable, drinking together at every opportunity. Sebastian invites Charles home to Brideshead Castle. Sebastian describes the palatial estate as "It's where my family lives". Despite the barriers Sebastian erects between himself and his family, the Flytes almost immediately accept Charles as one of their own. The family is an interesting mix of characters - the beautiful and intelligent Julia, who looks and sounds much like Sebastian; the idealistic Cordelia; the strong and pious mother Lady Marchmain; and the father Lord Marchmain, who abandoned his family to live with his mistress in Venice. Sebastian spends much of his time at home drinking to excess, despite his family's efforts to prevent him from doing so. Eventually, Sebastian's drinking becomes so severe that his family has no idea how to help him; and he leaves home, largely exiting the story except in secondhand reports. But Charles and the Flytes remain and "Brideshead Revisited" by Evelyn Waugh is their story. The Flytes are very wealthy and part of the upper social strata of English aristocracy. But they are also Roman Catholic, which is a rarity in Anglican England and which affects both how they view the world. The story follows Charles through 3 phases of his life - framed by a wartime visit to an abandoned Brideshead, which sparks his memories of his life with the Flytes. In Part 1 ("Et In Arcadia Ego"), Charles and Sebastian meet and form a very close relationship. Some critics have described this as a homosexual relationship. I'm inclined to believe it is not because Waugh never mentions anything physical between the two and he does explicitly introduce other homosexuals into the narrative. Regardless, Sebastian and Charles become close enough that they end up spending all their free time together and eventually stop seeing their other friends - a pattern into which romantic couples often fall. There is no question of the love they feel for one another. It is in this part that Charles begins to bond with the Flyte family. In Part 2 ("Brideshead Deserted"), the characters drift apart. Sebastian is an alcoholic and has left the family and traveled to Africa. Charles marries and becomes a successful painter. The other Flytes go out in the world, seeking careers and love. It concludes with Charles reconnecting with and falling in love with Sebastian's married sister Julia. Each agrees to divorce their spouse to be free to marry one another. In Part 3 ("A Twitch Upon the Thread"), most of the family returns to Brideshead, including the dying Lord Marchmain and deal with their changing lives. The Catholicism of the Flyte family takes center stage in this section, particularly when contrasted with the agnostic Charles and Lord Marchmain. "Brideshead" is about the English idle rich between the world wars; about the British caste system; about the decline of the aristocracy; about personal responsibility; about religion and its influence on moral choices; about sexuality; and about love and friendship. Charles is an outsider in the aristocratic world of the Flytes; but he is not a dispassionate observer. He injects himself fully into the family and they embrace him. Some even love him. But the family is filled with drama and conflict. And Charles becomes part of it. Most of the characters deteriorate as the novel progresses. Even Brideshead Manor itself falls into disrepair as the family abandons it to pursue interests elsewhere. In the beginning, most characters possess the optimism of youth; but, by Part 3, they have either aged poorly, become disillusioned, or squandered their lives as a wandering alcoholic. Still, there is optimism in this novel. And some are at least partially saved by an epiphany and a religious conversion late in life. "Brideshead Revisited" is a complex story that reminds us that life is a journey that takes us both forward and backward and that we have control over where it takes us. It is a personal story told by Charles and his recollections force him at last to reconsider his life. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Nov 07, 2018
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Nov 29, 2018
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Nov 07, 2018
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0143131842
| 9780143131847
| 3.77
| 992,851
| Jan 01, 1818
| Mar 08, 2018
|
really liked it
|
"Frankenstein" is the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who discovers a way to re-animate dead tissue and uses this knowledge to build a giant
"Frankenstein" is the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who discovers a way to re-animate dead tissue and uses this knowledge to build a giant, grotesque creature. Victor is repulsed by his creation and rejects it, which angers the creature and inspires him to seek revenge on his creator by destroying those closest to him. The story of Frankenstein is familiar to almost everyone - primarily through the 1931 movie and the works that it inspired. But the original novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, published in 1818 offers much that later interpretations do not. The novel differs from most later interpretations of the story by how much is given to the creature displays complex feelings and motivations. Unlike Karloff's mute, shuffling monstrosity, Shelley's monster was self-educated, literate, and articulate. He feels the betrayal of his maker and the pain of rejection by the world. He takes out this pain by destroying everyone that Victor loves. In this classic horror novel, Shelley explores the dangers of playing God, the power of loneliness, and the fear of losing all that we love. She even brings in the responsibilities that fathers have for their children - a topic at least as relevant today as it was 200 years ago. Victor Frankenstein is the ultimate deadbeat dad. he runs from his responsibilities, abandoning his offspring when needed most. There are two evil creatures in this book. Victor shirks his responsibilities and abandons the creature he created, primarily because of its physical deformities. The monster dreamed of love and acceptance; but turned to evil and violence and revenge when he was rejected by his creator and by the world. Mary Shelley was a pioneer in the science fiction and the horror genres and the longevity of "Frankenstein" is a testament to this standing. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Oct 26, 2018
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Nov 07, 2018
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Oct 26, 2018
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| B000SEGTI0
| 4.08
| 285,037
| 1968
| Feb 26, 2008
|
really liked it
|
The nuclear fallout from World War Terminus has killed most of earth's animals, left a cloud of radioactive dust across the planet, and encouraged the
The nuclear fallout from World War Terminus has killed most of earth's animals, left a cloud of radioactive dust across the planet, and encouraged the people of Earth to emigrate to colonies on other planets. Those left on earth need to find a way to survive in a polluted and chaotic world. The biggest advance that science has brought is the creation of androids - creatures that look exactly like humans and are designed to serve humans on the off-world colonies. But androids lack empathy and sometimes they escape their servitude, kill their human masters, and hide among the humans of Earth. Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter, tasked with tracking down renegade androids. The police have developed a test to identify androids based on their lack of empathy. In one 2-day period, Deckard tracks down 6 killer androids and struggles with his own purpose in life. "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" by Philip K. Dick tells the story of these two days and Deckard's pursuit of the androids. But mostly it tells of how Deckard and the rest of Earth's people have lost its own humanity. They spend their days using machines to alter their moods and collecting animals as status symbols (or lifelike mechanical animals, if they cannot find the real ones). Deckard himself is troubled by the empathy he feels towards the androids he is hired to destroy. The story's title refers to Deckard's pet electric sheep that he keeps in order to impress his wife and neighbors. Dick does a masterful job painting a dystopian society. The post-nuclear-war world is filthy and gray and empty, and people struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy. The world outside is so bland that they use a "Mood Organ" - a mood altering machine to dial their emotions either up and down. They have latched onto a religion, which is based on a VR recreation of a martyr experiencing a stoning; The most popular TV show features Buster Friendly, a goofy host, who holds his audiences in near-religious control. Dick focuses on Deckard's struggle to find meaning in life. He questions his job: destroying androids for whom he feels empathy. He does it for the money in hopes of making his wife happy with a live animal. But his wife spends her days distracted by the Mood Organ. Society demonizes androids for their lack of empathy; but many humans lack this same quality: the radioactive fallout caused brain damage in some humans and no one cares about them; And Deckard's years of bounty hunting take their toll on his ability to empathize. It's worth noting that Ridley Scott's excellent 1982 movie "Blade Runner" is loosely based on this novel, which certainly boosted the book's popularity. But the book is far more cerebral than the movie, exploring themes of religion and human nature and humanity. "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" is recommended to any fan of science fiction. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Oct 26, 2018
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Nov 07, 2018
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Oct 26, 2018
| Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 0375759239
| 9780375759239
| 3.81
| 206,464
| 1898
| Mar 12, 2002
|
it was amazing
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It is impossible to overstate the impact "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells had on science fiction. First published in 1897, this book broke new gr
It is impossible to overstate the impact "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells had on science fiction. First published in 1897, this book broke new ground in science fiction - a genre still very much undefined at that time. An alien invasion; monstrous creatures driving giant machines with long tentacles; weapons that blast an incinerating heat ray. These are now science fiction clichés. But they were original in the nineteenth century. "The War of the Worlds" tells the story of a Martian invasion of Earth. Giant cylinders crash into England and strange creatures emerge. They climb into giant armored machines and begin to terrorize London and the surrounding area, killing people and destroying the cities. Although England was a world power at that time, it was no match for the weapons of the Martians. It isn't long before England's existing civilization is wiped out and humans are in hiding from their new overlords. "War of the Worlds" is an adventure story, told by an unnamed narrator as he flees the invading monsters. The narrator does not save humanity. He simply observes and reports. Wells was himself a scientist and he injects a great deal of science into his story - from how evolution affected the appearance of the Martians to how natural selection controls which alien plants survive on Earth and for how long to how gravity would affect the aliens. Even the final fate of the Martians is based in science. This book is also a morality story. Wells repeatedly uses the analogy that the relationship of Martians to Earth Men is similar to our relationship with the animals of our planet, which we slaughter for food without thinking twice. He refers to us as ants to the Martians, thanks to their enormous head start in evolution, civilization, and technology. More poignantly, Wells compares the Martians' treatment of the British subjects to Britain's treatment of other people in its quest to expand its empire. Read "The War of the Worlds" if you want to understand where much of today's science fiction originated. ...more | Notes are private!
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2
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Oct 19, 2018
Oct 19, 2018
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Oct 22, 2018
Oct 19, 2018
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Oct 19, 2018
| Paperback
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| 0553803700
| 9780553803709
| 4.18
| 235,159
| 1950
| Jun 01, 2004
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it was amazing
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A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings e A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. These are the 3 laws of robotics. They are built into the core technology of a robot's positronic brain and no robot may violate them. All robotic technology is built on top of these laws, ensuring that robots will be safe. In the 1940s, Isaac Asimov wrote a series of stories speculating on the future evolution of robots and, in 1950, he compiled them into a single volume titled "I, Robot". Although only loosely connected, most of the stories include Dr. Susan Calvin, a Robopsychologist at U.S. Robotics, the only company able to manufacture these machines. Many of the stories in this book revolve around the 3 laws - particularly exploring what happens when the laws come into conflict or when an ambiguous situation makes it difficult for a robot to interpret and apply the laws. The greater the conflict, the more stress placed on a positronic brain, which is why robots need a psychologist and humans need Susan Calvin to help them understand robots. These stories launched a series of very good Robot novels for Asimov, who eventually tied the universe in which his robots existed into his Empire and Foundation series. Asimov's robots and the Robotics Laws influenced many other books and movies featuring mechanical men; and even influenced the real-world field of robotics, as his three laws are often brought up when discussing the ethics of the technology. In fact, the term "robotics" was invented by Asimov and first appeared in a story in this collection. "I, Robot" succeeds because it is based on plausible scientific principles and because it raises questions that science would be likely to encounter as it advances. There are no strong characters throughout the series (Calvin is a minor character in most of them), but the story and the ethical questions carry them along well. My favourite story is "Liar", which is about a robot that gains the ability to read minds and uses this power to do what he believes will bring no harm to humans. It is a parable of the result of good intentions wrongly applied. "I, Robot" is a reminder that advancing technology brings with it ethical choices and questions. Any fan of science fiction will enjoy it. ...more | Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 17, 2018
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Oct 29, 2018
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Oct 17, 2018
| Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 0553803735
| 9780553803730
| 4.25
| 118,449
| 1953
| Jun 01, 2004
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it was amazing
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"Second Foundation" concludes Isaac Asimov's classic "Foundation Trilogy". The Mule has taken over much of the galaxy defeating The Foundation and esta "Second Foundation" concludes Isaac Asimov's classic "Foundation Trilogy". The Mule has taken over much of the galaxy defeating The Foundation and establishing his own empire through the use of his powerful mutant mental powers. He has spent years searching for the hidden Second Foundation established by the psychohistorian Hari Seldon centuries earlier, correctly assuming it is the only viable threat to his reign. But the Second Foundation finds him before he can find it and they have similar - if less powerful mental powers. The Mule cannot last forever, and he leaves no heir (which is why he is "The Mule"), but he did leave Seldon's plan in shambles by so drastically altering the history of the universe in an unpredictable way. The second half of this book chronicles the Second Foundation's efforts to rebuild Seldon's plan and set the galaxy back on a path toward a second galactic empire. It features a war between The Mule's successors and the remnants of The Foundation and The Foundation's quest to locate the Second Foundation. Asimov uses his talent for misdirection multiple times in this book, guiding the reader toward one conclusion and then another, before revealing the true answer. He does this most when identifying who is with the Second Foundation and where it is located. This volume brings to the fore a theme that lurked under the surface of the first two books: The people of the Foundation know that Seldon's plan almost guarantees their success. They have almost a religious faith in their eventual victory. This helps boost morale during the war, but hinders them as they work to overcome other obstacles. They know that the actions of individuals are insignificant in Seldon's plan and that Seldon's plan predicts their ultimate triumph. So how much effort need they put forth in accomplishing the inevitable? They hold these beliefs even after the disruption of the plan by the actions of the Mule. One thing that appealed to me about this series is that the principles of using large amounts of data to do predictive analysis has become a huge field of study today. Machine Learning and Big Data are fields that existed since the days of Asimov, but now that cloud computing provides massive compute power at affordable prices, these sciences have gained both power and interest. Asimov foresaw this 50 years ago. Later in his life, Asimov returned to writing about the Foundation; but this trilogy began the ideas and remains one of his strongest work. It is well worth reading. ...more | Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 17, 2018
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Oct 26, 2018
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Oct 17, 2018
| Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 0553278223
| 9780553278224
| 4.13
| 179,207
| 1950
| Jun 01, 1984
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it was amazing
|
"The Martian Chronicles" - Bradbury's first science fiction novel - is less a novel than a collection of short stories. Each story has a different ton
"The Martian Chronicles" - Bradbury's first science fiction novel - is less a novel than a collection of short stories. Each story has a different tone and very few characters appear in more than one story; but, they are tied together by presenting a chronological history of man's attempted colonization and terraforming of Mars in the near future. Bradbury's stories have endured because he humanizes the astronauts and the Martians - showing us their hopes and their flaws. Early explorers discover that Mars is populated by a race not dissimilar to their own: They are humanoid in shape and they live in cities and houses and they marry and have children. They even possess some of the flaws of their Terran counterparts. The first astronauts are killed by jealous husbands or by those who think them delusional for claiming to come from another planet; or by those looking to protect their home world. But the Martians are not like the Earth men. They are telepathic, and they are far less excited about contact with their sister world. Earth people came to Mars for adventure, for love, for land, for freedom. One came to exact revenge on those who had burned books on Earth - a precursor to Bradbury's second novel - Fahrenheit 451. Eventually, rockets from Earth swarm toward Mars, and the invaders try to re-shape the red planet into the world they left behind. The Martians are all but wiped out by the diseases brought by the intruders. But, just as the encroachers begin to take hold of Mars, a worldwide nuclear war erupts on Earth, halting the immigration, and drawing most of the settlers back home. It's not hard to see the parallels between earth's colonization of Mars and European colonization or America conquering the western frontier. The Martian civilization lasted for thousands of years before it was wiped out by us. Earth's replacement civilization lasted about a quarter century. Bradbury has a talent for building into his stories allegories about race and imperialism and the Cold War and Nuclear War and Family values and cultural clashes and the dangers of rapid technological advancement. Despite an optimistic final story, "The Martian Chronicles" is a warning of man's callous, careless, reckless, and self-destructive nature. As one disillusioned astronaut puts it:
...more | Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 13, 2018
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Oct 17, 2018
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Oct 13, 2018
| Mass Market Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0452284244
| 9780452284241
| 3.91
| 2,276,521
| Aug 17, 1945
| May 06, 2003
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it was amazing
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Mr. Jones was a lazy drunk and exploited the animals at Manor Farm. So, the animals, inspired by an eloquent speech by the aging and respected pig Old
Mr. Jones was a lazy drunk and exploited the animals at Manor Farm. So, the animals, inspired by an eloquent speech by the aging and respected pig Old Major, decide to drive out Jones and take over the farm for themselves. They establish a new government, based on seven commandments of "Animalism", written on the side of the barn, that purport to protect the rights of the animals. It isn't long before animals are vying for power and exploiting that power once they have obtained it. The pigs are the most clever, so they take control, and end up revising each commandment to their advantage, grabbing more authority for themselves and becoming more and more like Mr. Jones and other human farmers as time goes on. The other animals eventually find themselves as oppressed by their new pig overlords as they were by their former human masters. After numerous lies, deceptions, and thievery, the pigs modify the final commandment from "All animals are equal" to "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others". The citizens of animal farm realize too late that they have traded one master for another equally bad one. Animal Farm is George Orwell's first great work of fiction and it endures over 70 years after its initial publication. Orwell originally wrote the story as an allegory about the Russian Revolution and how Stalin eventually twisted its goals to his own ends; but "Animal Farm" is ultimately about how absolute power corrupts absolutely and this lesson can be found in any part of the world or political spectrum. Napoleon the dictator pig uses many strategies to maintain control - from repeating lies that draw his enemies in an unfavorable light to using violence to suppress any voices. It's frightening how much these tactics are still used successfully today. Orwell followed up "Animal Farm" with his classic "1984", another dystopian novel with a similar theme about the corruption of power; but "Animal Farm" does so more subtly, without the need for a closing speech to explain the methods and motivations of the ruling class. "Animal Farm" is shorter, but more imaginative than the later work. "Animal Farm" is a simple fable with a simple plot packed with symbolism. The characters are based on real figures of Soviet Russia (Old Major = Karl Marx; Snowball = Leon Trotsky; Napoleon = Joseph Stalin; Mr. Jones = Tsar Nicholas II), but the story works even if the reader is unfamiliar with that history. ...more | Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 06, 2018
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Oct 12, 2018
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Oct 06, 2018
| Paperback
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| 0618260307
| 9780618260300
| 4.26
| 2,467,739
| Sep 21, 1937
| Aug 15, 2002
|
it was amazing
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Bilbo the Hobbit was content with his life in the Shire when the wizard Gandalf showed up with 12 dwarves, who were told that Bilbo was an experienced
Bilbo the Hobbit was content with his life in the Shire when the wizard Gandalf showed up with 12 dwarves, who were told that Bilbo was an experienced burglar and would join them on a dangerous journey to steal back a treasure from evil dragon Smaug. Bilbo had his reservations, but he also had a wanderlust that overcame his desire for comfort; so, he agreed to join the dwarves on their adventure. They set out across Middle Earth, battling man-eating trolls and man-eating dwarves and man-eating giant spiders before confronting the man-eating dragon surrounded by his mountain of treasure, stolen from the nearby towns he terrorized and destroyed. "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a delightful fairy tale of an odyssey across a magical world filled with fascinating creatures. It is a charming story in its own right, but its greatest contribution is that it introduced us to the world of Middle Earth, a mythical land that later became the setting of Tolkien's classic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. "The Hobbit" is much lighter than the later trilogy and can be read to and by most children. Yes, there are life-threatening dangers, but many of these are a bit silly and the party often overcomes them in humorous ways. The story and characters of The Hobbit have become so familiar to us, that one might expect this story would become tiresome. But Tolkien never allows this. He brings us on a remarkable journey with Bilbo, where our hero is transformed from an ordinary Hobbit to an extraordinary hero. Bilbo is short and chubby and enjoys his breakfast and his pipe far more than adventure. Yet, time and again, it is Bilbo who saves his companions from certain death. Gandalf recognizes Bilbo's potential early and puts him in a position to fulfill his destiny. Ultimately, it is the story of self-discovery for the Hobbit. Count me among the many fans of "The Hobbit". I enjoyed the story thirty years ago when I first encountered it. And I enjoyed it again this week. It is not a complex tale, but it has been a source of delight for readers of all ages for generations. ...more | Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 05, 2018
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Oct 07, 2018
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Oct 05, 2018
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0553803727
| 9780553803723
| 4.22
| 130,820
| 1952
| Jun 01, 2004
|
really liked it
|
"Foundation and Empire" is the second book in Isaac Asimov's classic Foundation Trilogy, advancing the story of The Foundation - the civilization foun
"Foundation and Empire" is the second book in Isaac Asimov's classic Foundation Trilogy, advancing the story of The Foundation - the civilization founded by Psychohistorian Hari Seldon in order to mitigate the collapse of the galactic empire and shorten the thousands of years of anarchy he foresaw following. The book is divided into 2 stories: "The General" and "The Mule". Story 1 is interesting but unremarkable. "The General" details a power struggle between the galactic emperor and Bel Riose - one of his generals. It is hundreds of years after Seldon's death and the empire has all but collapsed, as he predicted. Riose believes he can thwart Seldon's plan by attacking the Foundation. But he is only one man and Seldon's plan relies on the collective actions of the quintillions of people in the galaxy being more influential than anything that one man can accomplish. In the context of history, it does not matter what individuals do. The universe will move forward regardless. This is a basic assumption of psychohistory. However, the that assumption falls apart in the second half of the book. In the second story, we are introduced to The Mule, a powerful mutant born with the ability to control minds. His powers are so strong that he can affect galactic history by himself. This disrupts Seldon's master plan and allows The Mule to begin conquering the galaxy for himself. The Foundation falls to The Mule; but, when the Mule learns that Seldon established a Second Foundation at the other end of the galaxy, he sets out to find and destroy it. Meanwhile, Foundation loyalists also seek the location of the Second Foundation, so they can warn it about the Mule. I like how the two stories conflicted with one another. On the surface, they are only slightly related and separated by hundreds of years, but they show both the strength and weakness of math, science, and statistics. The first demonstrates how meaningless a single person, no matter how powerful or how ambitious, can affect a galaxy with quadrillions of people. The second shows exactly the opposite. The Mule's power is strong enough that he disrupts Seldon's entire plan. Further, The Mule's plans are thwarted by a single person. It is this contradiction that makes Asimov's story so compelling. He takes us in one direction and makes us feel comfortable; then destroys all our assumptions. ...more | Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 20, 2018
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Oct 17, 2018
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Sep 20, 2018
| Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 0345339738
| 9780345339737
| 4.52
| 572,365
| Oct 20, 1955
| 2003
|
it was amazing
|
"The Return of the King" concludes J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy - "The Lord of the Rings" "Lord of the Rings" is the story of Good versus Evil; of per "The Return of the King" concludes J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy - "The Lord of the Rings" "Lord of the Rings" is the story of Good versus Evil; of perseverance in the face adversity; of loyalty in the face of temptation; and of friendship. They battle because they must Frodo and Sam and Gandalf are motivated by what is right and by a chance to save their friends Sauron and his allies are motivated by a desire to rule the world. They battle because of their greed and power lust. Spoiler alert: (view spoiler)[The good guys win. Good triumphs because the good people are motivated to protect their lands and help one another. Sauron motivates his allies through fear and intimidation. As a result, there is no loyalty and constant infighting among his forces. (hide spoiler)] Of course, the good guys suffer infighting and doubt in the outcome, but they know their cause is just and they know they can depend on their friends and allies. And ultimately, they win because they assist one another voluntarily, despite great risks to themselves. "Return" brings the 3-volume story to its climax. Gandalf, Aragorn, and the others remaining from the Fellowship of volume 1 wage war against Sauron's forces, which distracts the evil sorcerer enough to allow Frodo and Sam a chance to sneak into Mordor and destroy the powerful One Ring at the Cracks of Doom, where it was created. One should only read "The Return of the King" as part of the trilogy - not only to understand how the story progressed and how we got to where we are; but to appreciate the evolution that so many of the main characters go through. Gandalf is transformed from gray to white surpassing the power of his master Saruman, who was seduced by Sauron. Merry and Pippin begin book 1 as irresponsible children and end volume 3 as heroes. They literally grow up as they both mature and gain height by drinking Ent Water; Aragorn, known only as a wandering woodsman when we first met him, claims the throne through both his heredity and his heroic actions; Frodo, of course, accomplishes his goal of carrying the ring, though it drags on his mind and his body. But it is Samwise Gamgee ("Sam"), whose loyalty and courage makes Frodo's quest happen. He came to us as a gardener and ended up saving the world, doing so with startling humility. There are so many more characters in this book that captured my imagination: Faramir, who resisted the temptation that doomed his brother Boromir; and his father Denethor, driven mad by the loss of his son and the seeming hopelessness of the War of the Ring; and Eowyn, who disguised herself as a man to join the battle and fulfills a prophecy by defeating a great enemy. One even finds great characters among the villains, most especially the pathetic Gollom who literally battles with himself over whether to betray Frodo and seize back the precious ring that he once owned. I could go on and on. There are so many characters and so much texture to the world Tolkien creates, that this series bears reading multiple times. This was my second time, although my first was decades ago. If there is any weakness of "Return", it is that the story continues for so long after the war has settled. After dealing with the one ring and ending the war, the Hobbits return to the Shire to discover it has been ravaged by orcs and bad hobbits under the influence of the evil wizard Saruman. It's an interesting story, but a bit of an anti-climax after the long quest to save the world. Still, it does show the strength gained by which our heroic hobbits, who are able to save the Shire without the help of Gandalf or the elves. But this does not diminish the book or the series, which stands as a classic of high fantasy. If Tolkien did not create this genre, he certainly defined it. You can see his influence in many who came after him. Terry Brooks's popular Shannara series borrows many characters and storylines from The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien's story is epic, his writing is poetic, and his characters are memorable. I am left with the image of Frodo expressing his affection and appreciation for the extreme loyalty shown by his friend Sam, when their demise seems almost certain:
And I am glad this world had Tolkien to give us the world of Middle Earth. ...more | Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 20, 2018
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Oct 05, 2018
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Sep 20, 2018
| Mass Market Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0618346260
| 9780618346264
| 4.43
| 598,338
| Nov 11, 1954
| Sep 05, 2003
|
it was amazing
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The Fellowship formed in the first book has broken. Frodo and Sam are on their way to Mordor to destroy the evil ring, so that the evil Sauron cannot use its power to conquer Middle Earth; Gandalf is presumed dead after falling into an abyss while battling the Balrog; Merry and Pippin have been kidnapped by Orcs - the same Orcs who killed Boromir; and Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn traverse the land, seeking allies and battling Sauron's forces. The first half of "The Two Towers" follows Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Merry, and Pippin until they are united. It is filled with epic battles between mighty armies. The second half of the volume chronicles the journey of Frodo and Sam, as they travel across perilous country to Mordor, guided by the twisted Gollom. The dangers they encounter are smaller, but no less perilous. They are attacked by Gollom and by Orcs and by a giant spider. The theme of this middle volume of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy seems to largely deal with decisions in the face of adversity. Boromir wrestles with his loyalty to the Fellowship and his desire to use the powerful ring to defend his country. Gollom literally argues with himself when debating whether to keep promises he made to Frodo or betray him and seize the ring for himself. The leaders of Middle Earth know that a war is coming, but many of them need to be convinced to take sides. They delay because they wish to remain neutral, which gives an advantage to the aggressor Sauron and his minion Saruman. Since Tolkien lived through World War II, it's hard to imagine he wasn't thinking of all the countries who hesitated to take on Hitler during his pre-war efforts to expand his power. "The Two Towers" is a classic adventure story that keeps the reader in suspense throughout. But, like its predecessors "The Fellowship of the Ring", it is best read as part of the trilogy. It is parts 3 and 4 of a 6-part series and each of these parts ends with much unresolved. The characters are wonderful, the world is amazing, and the storytelling is epic. Enjoy the journey. ...more | Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 15, 2018
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Sep 20, 2018
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Sep 20, 2018
| Paperback
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| 0060929871
| 9780060929879
| 3.98
| 1,225,812
| 1932
| Sep 01, 1998
|
it was amazing
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Throughout history, many societies have enforced a caste system, kept in place by either top-down authority or socialization that convinces people it
Throughout history, many societies have enforced a caste system, kept in place by either top-down authority or socialization that convinces people it is the proper order. In Aldous Huxley's dystopian future, the caste system is maintained by defining each individual's level prior to his or her birth and conditioning that person to accept that level. The conditioning begins immediately after birth with repeated messages and chemicals to influence what environmental conditions they will like or detest. Some conditioning even occurs before birth. Embryos destined to perform menial labor are poisoned enough to stunt their mental capacities, so they will not aspire to more. The casts are labeled with the first 5 letters of the Greek alphabet: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon. At the top of the system are the Alphas, who enjoy a relatively large amount freedom. At the bottom are the Epsilons, who perform the most menial tasks. All the people are kept distracted by mindless entertainment; by the encouragement of promiscuity; and by the consumption of euphoria-inducing drugs. Everyone in this Brave New World accepts their level, because they have been conditioned since birth to do so. Well, almost everyone. Alpha citizen Bernard Marx recognizes that humans have sacrificed elements of their humanity for a general feeling of contentment. He resents the shallowness of everyone around him. Of course, he is shunned by his peers for this. When Bernard travels to an Indian reservation (now called a "Savage Reservation"), he finds a society outside the drug-numbed control of the government. He also finds Linda - a former Beta woman trapped in the reservation years ago when she was separated from her Alpha companion. Linda now has a son John, the offspring of her and her Alpha. John who knows he is different from the other reservation children, but he has nothing to which he can compare his life. Linda and John are ostracized by the people of the reservation. Linda's promiscuity is at odds with the beliefs of the locals. The women hate her for sleeping with their husbands and the men ridicule her, but still have sex with her. Bernard brings Linda and John back to his world, where conflict results almost immediately. Linda retreats into the escapism of the freely-available drugs; John falls in love with a woman but is repulsed by her aggressive sexual advances. For such a short novel, Huxley packs a great deal. Religion and God have been abolished; yet, people revere Henry Ford as a god-like figure. He is given credit for the technological advances that brought society to its current state. People have common expressions like "Our Ford" and "His Fordship", and they long ago converted all crosses into T's in honor of Ford's famous Model T car. They have even convinced themselves that Sigmund Freud was a pseudonym for Henry Ford, giving him credit for all of Freud's psychology writings. Henry Ford's influence is obvious in this world. The ultra-efficient in-vitro birthing center resemble the assembly lines of Ford's automobile factories. It's not surprising the government has encouraged the worship of science over worship of God. All science is controlled by the government and released or manipulated to maintain contentment among the populace. And that is what "Brave New World" is about. The people have chosen contentment and happiness over liberty, freedom, individualism, free will - anything that would make them human and allow them control over their own lives. Those in power support this to maintain their power. Authority is maintained by distraction, rather than by force. In this world, people and entertainment are mass-produced. People seek contentment, but never challenge themselves and the government likes it that way. Citizens question nothing because they are distracted by sex and drugs and mindless media. There is no love; No marriage; No families; No commitment. There is only a seeking of pleasure and most have accepted that. Art, literature, and philosophy, and religion are gone. Even science is stunted by the goals of those in power. Labor saving devices are suppressed if they would provide too much leisure to the working class. We see some of this today. People ignore abuses of the government if the stock market rises. Mind-numbing reality shows and situation comedies and other recreations fill our free time and distract us from thinking about the real problems of the world. It is this idea of the struggle between individual liberty and acceptance of society and its rules that form the focus of this book. It is about how the state can influence us without our knowledge. The characters and the story are simply a mechanism for driving home this concept. The reader expects that Bernard will be the story's hero, because he questions the morality of the order of this world early in the book. But eventually, Bernard embraces society's mores when his fellow Alphas finally praise him for bringing John the savage for them to ogle. In the end, it is John who provides an outside perspective on the dominant society of "Brave New World". "Brave New World" is often compared with "1984", written by Huxley's contemporary George Orwell, who also predicted a dystopian society controlled by the state. But Orwell's government ruled through fear, while Huxley's overlords ruled by keeping the people happy and distracted. I found "Brave New World" a chilling parable of society that could exist - a world that in many ways we are heading toward now.
...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Aug 28, 2018
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Sep 03, 2018
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Aug 28, 2018
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0618346252
| 9780618346257
| 4.35
| 2,051,690
| Jul 29, 1954
| Sep 05, 2003
|
it was amazing
|
On his eleventy-first birthday, hobbit Bilbo Baggins decided to leave Hobbiton. He did so in dramatic fashion, literally disappearing while giving a s
On his eleventy-first birthday, hobbit Bilbo Baggins decided to leave Hobbiton. He did so in dramatic fashion, literally disappearing while giving a speech at his birthday party. Bilbo left most of his belongings to his nephew Frodo, including a magic ring he discovered on a journey years earlier. Neither Bilbo nor Frodo nor the wizard Gandalf knew that the magic ring was cursed. It was created by the evil Sauron, who has returned to take over all of Middle Earth and who desires the ring's power, which will virtually guarantee his success. When Sauron's minions The Ring Wraiths arrive in the Shire seeking the ring, Frodo and his friends flee, traveling across Middle Earth to Rivendell - a city of elves, where Bilbo has been living. At Rivendell, the wise elves decide that the only way to prevent the ring from falling into Sauron's hands is to destroy it. Sadly, the only way to do this is to throw it into the fiery pits of Mount Doom, located far away in the Mordor - home to Sauron. So, Frodo sets out for Mordor with his 3 hobbit friends, Gandalf, Gimli the Dwarf, Legolas the elf, and two men: Aragorn and Boromir. Along the way, this "fellowship" is beset by treacherous terrain, fierce monsters, and the betrayal of a friend. "The Fellowship of the Ring" begins J.R.R. Tolkien's classic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It takes place a few years after "The Hobbit", in the same world with many of the same characters. But it is much darker in tone. Tolkien is at his best when he is building a world. By the end of the story, we know the beings who populate Middle Earth, the lands in which they live, the languages they speak, and much of their history. "Fellowship" is an adventure story, but the action is often interrupted by detailed descriptions of the environment. Those who know the story only through Peter Jackson's excellent movie may be disappointed that the book does not advance as fast. But the depth of detail provided by Tolkien more than makes up for any pacing issues. The reader feels that he knows this world and these characters and why the ring is so important. I love Tolkien's writing style, which can be at turns ominous and humorous. At his birthday party speech, Bilbo announces: "I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.", which leaves his guests trying to figure out if this was a compliment. He mixes in much poetry or songs with his work, some of which is quite good. The prophecy of the Ring is told with the following poem: "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king." And some of Tolkien's writing just sounds epic in its prose: "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." Although listed as volume 1, this is not as much a first book in a trilogy as it is the first chapters in a very long novel, published in 3 volumes to make it easier to consume and market. You should read "Fellowship" knowing full well that it is not a complete story: You are committing to the entire series. And a wonderful story it is. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Aug 25, 2018
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Sep 15, 2018
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Aug 25, 2018
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| B003JTHWKU
| 4.17
| 2,488,995
| Jun 08, 1949
| Sep 03, 2013
|
it was amazing
|
"1984" by George Orwell describes a society in which everything is completely controlled by the government, which is controlled by "The Party". Not on
"1984" by George Orwell describes a society in which everything is completely controlled by the government, which is controlled by "The Party". Not only are specific actions illegal, but so are many thoughts. Independent thinking, love, and questioning or even doubting the word of The Party are crimes dealt with in the harshest way. The Party has perfected ways of maintaining its authority. In the giant country of Oceania, it is illegal to question anything the government says. If they tell you that 2+2=5, you must accept this without question. Citizens routinely disappear, and all traces of their existence are wiped from the public record. Torture is a common punishment for transgressions. The country of Oceania is constantly at war with one of the other two countries in the world. No one has seen the war, but the threat of these enemies justifies oppressive measures against the citizens of Oceania. Citizens are under constant surveillance - from pervasive electronic devices and from other citizens. Every home contains a Telescreen, that broadcasts party programs and watches and hears everything in the room 24 hours a day; Children are encouraged to inform on their parents and workers to turn in their colleagues. The Party is developing a new language - "Newspeak", which eliminates dissident ideas by removing words that describe free thought as a way of eliminating the very concepts from the minds of the people. The Party controls all communications, including newspapers, TV, and books. Books that do not glorify The Party are either destroyed or rewritten. When The Party changes its name or breaks a promise, or a prediction proves false, all previous news sources are modified to match the current dogma. The mission of The Ministry of Truth is to rewrite newspapers and other historical records to match the current position of The Party. Winston Smith is a low-level bureaucrat working in The Ministry of Truth. He has lost faith in the government, but his fear keeps him playing by its rules. Then, he meets and falls in love with Julia. Together they defy The Party by have a secret affair and, eventually, by plotting to actively work against The Party. Smith even keeps a secret diary of his thoughts and doubts - a serious offense. Their affair gives them brief hope, but The Party is powerful, and its agents are far-reaching. And they know how to manipulate both actions and thoughts. Winston and Julia try desperately to maintain thier humanity, but The Party is desperate to maintain its power. Suffice it to say this is not a happy love story. This book has maintained its importance in part because it is believable, despite the extremes of the society. It describes how those in power will do almost anything to maintain that power. Orwell's details are extraordinary. He builds a society with controls in place to suppress the populace completely. If the book has any weakness, it is when it switches to explicit explanations of how the government is conspiring against its own people. For me, it was sufficient to watch Winston and Julia and the rest of the citizenry experience and suffer from these manipulations. But Orwell felt the need to spend pages detailing his warnings, which seems heavy-handed. Orwell was a disillusioned ex-socialist and some of the novel touches on the failures encountered in socialist countries, such as shortages of essential goods. But "1984" is less about socialism than it is about the absolute corruption of absolute power. The year 1984 has come and gone without the global dictatorship predicted by Orwell; but the warning signs listed in the book "1984" continue to haunt us today. Orwell said, "The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears" and we see politicians practicing this now. When people in power argue that "Truth is not truth" or "Alternative facts" are as valid as actual facts or that any news critical of themselves is "Fake news", they are exercising the same techniques about which Orwell warned us. The concept of Thought Crime is still alive, if punishments are not as harsh as in Oceania. The far-right labels "unpatriotic" black men who peacefully protest; while the far left has successfully ruined the lives of people they deemed politically incorrect. The bleak, dystopian future that Orwell describes has not come to pass. But its warning signs still exist. And "1984" reminds us that we must remain vigilant to avoid this future. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Aug 18, 2018
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Aug 22, 2018
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Aug 18, 2018
| Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 0393312836
| 9780393312836
| 3.99
| 518,071
| 1962
| Apr 17, 1995
|
it was amazing
|
"A Clockwork Orange" is the story of Alex - a juvenile delinquent sociopath living in a dystopian society of the near future. Alex and his friends spe
"A Clockwork Orange" is the story of Alex - a juvenile delinquent sociopath living in a dystopian society of the near future. Alex and his friends spend their days and nights terrorizing anyone they can. Alex fills his life with rape, battery, robbery, and (eventually) murder. In prison, Alex becomes the subject of an experimental treatment that forces him to become violently ill at even the thought of violence or sex. He is released back into the violent society, where he is harmless, but has no way to defend himself. This book is a morality play - primarily about whether removal of free will is justified if it results in greater lawfulness and whether the needs of society take precedence over the rights of individuals. The message is not subtle. Burgess fills the first third of the book with acts of extreme violence in order to emphasize Alex's corruption. When he is treated and released, his punishment comes quickly, harshly, and very violently. One of the reasons I love this book is Burgess's creative use of language. It is told in the first person by Alex, who speaks in Nasdat, the slang of his day. Burgess invented Nadsat by combining English and Russian words ("droog" for "friend"; "golova" for "head") with a bit of cockney rhyming ("pretty polly" for "money") and some childlike phrases ("appy polly loggy" for "apology"). This may slow down the reading as we must infer meaning of words from their context; but it adds a timeless quality to the book that it would not have had the author chosen an existing slang from a specific period. This book is not for everyone. The use of Nadsat makes it more difficult than most books of this length. Some readers will not be able to get past the violence. Some may think that, because of Alex's intelligence and charm, Burgess is glorifying him and his violence. But the author uses this violence as a setup for Alex's fall. Alex justifies his ultraviolent lifestyle because he lives in an ultraviolent society. But he takes this logic way too far, contributing mightily to the violence and blaming all his misfortunes on others. Still, he is proved right in a way, as he is completely unable to cope in a world when he becomes incapable of responding with any violence. Alex is a somewhat sympathetic anti-hero, but his soul is clearly corrupted - perhaps beyond redemption. The book does not take a position on the moral questions it raises - particularly around the rights of individuals versus the safety of society. Clearly, Alex and his droogs were a great threat to their world and citizens feared even to go outside at night. But the government's solution was also a failure, causing them to re-think how they addressed crime. Burgess himself did not count "A Clockwork Orange" among his best novels. He claimed he wrote it in just three weeks and he preferred stories with a subtler message. But I loved it. I loved the language and the style. I loved the scenes that would mirror themselves in the beginning and end of the book. I loved the twisted sense of justice displayed in the story. And I loved how the beauty of the language contrasted so sharply with the ugliness of the actions it was describing. This tension kept me focused throughout the book. It is a real horrorshow story that remains in the golova of me and my droogs. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Aug 09, 2018
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Aug 12, 2018
|
Aug 11, 2018
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| B000FC1PWA
| 4.15
| 347,609
| 1951
| Jun 01, 2004
|
it was amazing
|
The Galactic Empire has existed for thousands of years and seems to be powerful with a bright future. But not to psychohistorian Hari Seldon. Using ad The Galactic Empire has existed for thousands of years and seems to be powerful with a bright future. But not to psychohistorian Hari Seldon. Using advanced mathematics and his newly-created science of "psychohistory", Seldon predicts that the Empire will soon collapse and be followed by a dark period lasting 30,000 years, until a new Empire will finally rise again to restore technology and culture to the galaxy. The collapse is inevitable, but Seldon has a plan to reduce the dark period to 1,000 years. That plan involves the Foundation - a colony of scientists placed on a remote planet at the edge of the galaxy and a set of crises that must be overcome over the next centuries. This is the universe of "Foundation" by Isaac Asimov. Long after Seldon's death, he continues to influence the society he founded. He periodically appears in a recorded holovision to announce the arrival and resolution of a "crisis" - crises that he predicted would occur and for which he accurately predicted the resolution. "Foundation" is told in a collection of short stories, set many thousands of years in the future. Each story takes place a few decades after the one before it, so we have little time to get to know the characters - only how they influence their society. The characters are less interesting than Seldon's master plan and his application of psychohistory to each crisis. The forces that motivate society, such as politics, military force, religion, and commerce take center stage in these stories. Seldon knew he could not predict the behaviors of individuals not yet born, so he combined sociology, mathematics, and statistics to look at the behaviors of populations in aggregate and predict what how entire societies would react to the forces around them. Of course, this idea is applied today - both in the real world and in speculative fiction. Three quarters of a century after its publication, "Foundation" remains a strong novel. It was published as part of a trilogy in the early 1950s, and Asimov later released many sequels and prequels. Eventually, he tied together these stories with his popular Robot novels, setting the Foundation, Empire, and Robot series all in the same universe. Science fiction has been heavily influenced by Asimov and his "Foundation" series. Other writers have written about mankind's colonization of space and a galactic empire. Certainly, George Lucas was aware of this series when he created the "Star Wars" universe. And in 1966, the prestigious Hugo Award declared the "Foundation" trilogy to be the Best All-Time Science Fiction Series. And it all began in the 1940s, when a 22-year-old Asimov published a short story that would later be compiled into a book that would be volume 1 of a trilogy that would launch a universe that would influence the world. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Aug 11, 2018
|
Aug 29, 2018
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Aug 11, 2018
| Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 0441788386
| 9780441788385
| 3.91
| 248,968
| Jul 01, 1961
| Oct 01, 1991
|
really liked it
|
I do not hold "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein as the science fiction classic that some readers rate it. But I give it an extra star
I do not hold "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein as the science fiction classic that some readers rate it. But I give it an extra star for the introduction of the word "grok" - a word meaning many things, but mostly : "to understand something so well as to internalize its meaning". "Grok" has been adopted by geek culture - a culture in which I spend a great deal of time these days - to indicate comprehension of a complex technical topic. Vernon Michael Smith ("Michael") was stranded on Mars as an infant when his spaceship crashed, killing all other crew and passengers. He was raised by Martians until he returned to Earth decades letter on the next manned ship to and from Mars. The governments of Earth view Michael as an oddity - a noble savage with an intelligent mind, who lacks the advantages of civilization. But Michael is civilized according to Martian culture. And he possesses great powers taught him by the Martians, including the ability to direct his consciousness to leave his body and the ability to make objects and people move or disappear with just a thought. The government tries to keep Michael a prisoner; but he escapes with the aid of Jill - a nurse in the hospital where he is confined - and Jubal - a retired author living in seclusion. While on the run from the government, Michael joins a circus and then a church, where he rises to a position of leadership. The church preaches the pursuit of joy and free love, which pisses off many other Americans. As time passes, Michael becomes more like his fellow Earthmen. But he also influences them to adopt many of his Martian ways. Michael's parallel to the life of Jesus is unmistakable. He is first exposed to the public in his adulthood and he quickly enters the public consciousness, impressing people with his powers, before taking over and influencing a small religion - an action for which he is hunted down and persecuted. There are some troubling bits of sexism in this book: "Nine times out of ten, if a girl gets raped, it’s at least partly her own fault", according to Jill, the main female character of the novel. One can chalk this up to the book's 1961 publication date or condemn the author as a misogynist. To its credit, Jill and other characters are stronger and more assertive than most characters appearing in novels of this era. And there are long passages of preaching by Jubal, Michael, and others that sometimes grow tiresome. I would prefer the philosophy is told through the narration, rather than the characters making speeches. But "Stranger in a Strange Land" is an enjoyable story, if you take the time to grok it. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Aug 06, 2018
|
Aug 25, 2018
|
Aug 06, 2018
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0930289234
| 9780930289232
| 4.35
| 442,709
| Sep 08, 1987
| 2005
|
it was amazing
|
Who watches the Watchmen? I remember reading "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons 30 years ago, when it was originally released as a 12-issue seri Who watches the Watchmen? I remember reading "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons 30 years ago, when it was originally released as a 12-issue series. I waited for each issue and it took me a year to get through the entire story. But this week, I read the complete saga as a single volume and I think this is how Moore and Gibbons intended it. The story is complex enough that mysteries are introduced in one chapter and resolved several chapters later. Although published by DC Comics, the story takes place outside the DC superhero continuity. The main difference from the DC universe is the impact that superheroes had on their world, since first appearing on the scene in the 1930s. Originally, they were a group of costumed people with excellent athletic abilities and desire to fight crime. But things changed when Dr. Manhattan appeared on the scene. Dr. Manhattan was a physicist caught in an atomic experiment that gave him nearly godlike powers of strength, invulnerability, the ability to transport himself and other people and objects; and the ability to see forward and backward in time. Dr. Manhattan working for the U.S. government greatly shifted the balance of power during the Cold War. In this world, the U.S. won the Vietnam War and Richard Nixon remained president for decades (Woodward and Bernstein's bodies were found in a parking garage and the Watergate scandal never came to light). Costumed heroes eventually lose favor among the general public, which distrusts their great power; and by the police, who are frustrated by them operating outside the law as vigilantes. The story follows a number of costumed heroes and former heroes: -The aforementioned Dr. Manhattan -The cynical and amoral Comedian, who works for the government or whoever will pay him the most -Retired hero Nite Owl - the second of that name -Ozymandias, who hung up his costume to start a business and become a billionaire -Rorschach, a psychopath with a strong moral compass that justifies him murdering criminals. -The Silk Spectre, who inherited that name from her mother, who pressured her into the superhero business. It's a fascinating story, made better by all the little details - the graffiti on the wall in the background; the minor subplots (Rorschach’s psychiatrist is so troubled by his interactions with the hero that his marriage begins to crumble); the easter eggs (The pages of Chapter 5 are symmetrical, such that the last page mirrors the first, page 2 mirrors the second last, and so on); and stories within stories (a minor character reads a pirate comic throughout the series, which tells a morality play, not dissimilar to the one acted out by the major characters). One gets the feeling that multiple readings would reveal even more layers to the story. But the strength of "Watchmen" is in the conflicting morals of each of the characters and the conflict this causes among the group. Some, like Ozymandias and Rorschach are absolutely convinced of their moral high ground; Dr. Manhattan loses his connection with the human race as he loses his humanity, and this affects his morality; The Comedian and the first Silk Spectre are in the superhero business for the fun of it; while others, such as Nite Owl and the second Silk Spectre, wrestle with questions of right and wrong and how to respond to evil. The reader is confronted with moral questions, most of which go unanswered: -Do the ends justify the means? -Is nuclear deterrent (or superhuman deterrent) enough to preserve peace? -Does the universe need humans? Is it better with or without them? -What obligations do the powerful have to protect the powerless? -It is the last question that drives this story forward. "Watchmen" changed the perceptions many had about comic books and graphic novels in the 1980s. Its dark themes and complex plots and characters were more than other titles at the time. As a result, the entire industry was challenged to produce at least some more titles that were heavier and higher quality than their normal super hero fare. 3 decades later "Watchmen" still stands up - not just as a graphic novel, but as a novel. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Aug 04, 2018
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Aug 06, 2018
|
Aug 04, 2018
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| B009NFHF0Q
| 3.99
| 400,584
| Jun 18, 2013
| Jun 18, 2013
|
really liked it
|
The narrator of "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" returns to his childhood home and is surprised by the return of repressed memories. He was a sad an
The narrator of "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" returns to his childhood home and is surprised by the return of repressed memories. He was a sad and lonely child; He preferred books over sports and no one came to his seventh birthday party and his parents mostly ignored him; He did manage to befriend his neighbor Lettie Hempstock and her mysterious family. The story quickly turns much darker. A family boarder steals the family car and commits suicide in it; then a monster uses the boy's body as a means to enter this universe and terrorize the local people. The monster takes on a human form, calling herself Ursula Monkton and injects herself into the boy's family, moving into the home and seducing the father. Lettie's family proves to be more than they seem as they battle Ursula and protect the boy from her/its threats. I really enjoyed this novella, which began as a childhood memory and turned into a horror / monster story. The characters could have come from the dark fairy tales of Roald Dahl and the creatures and magic could have been found in the fantasy animated films of Hayao Miyazaki I liked the moral ambiguity Gaiman presented. Ursula arrives with good intentions. She wants to give people what they want; but when she discovers that people want money, she hurls coins at them and makes money appear in their throat. Lettie summons creatures to defeat Ursula, but they are all then threatened by these powerful creatures. "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" is one of Neill Gaiman's shortest novels, but he packs a lot into the story. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Jul 31, 2018
|
Aug 2018
|
Jul 31, 2018
| Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 9781939126016
| 3.96
| 1,422,489
| Jul 05, 2003
| Sep 23, 2013
|
it was amazing
|
Henry DeTamble has a genetic disorder that causes him to spontaneously be thrust backwards or forwards in time. This causes many problems. Henry often
Henry DeTamble has a genetic disorder that causes him to spontaneously be thrust backwards or forwards in time. This causes many problems. Henry often finds himself naked in unfamiliar surroundings where he must steal clothes, money and food to survive. He often returns to the same places - sometimes at a particular date and time; sometimes at varying points in time. For example, he has witnessed the death of his mother in a car crash dozens of times. Henry is drawn repeatedly to a home near Grand Haven, MI, where he meets a little girl named Clare. Henry and Clare develop a friendship over the years as Henry appears in her life at random times and at random ages of Clare's childhood. Eventually, the two meet in real time, where they fall in love and marry. When Henry and Clare meet in real time, it is Henry's first encounter with her; yet Clare has memories of a relationship with an older Henry that spans to her early childhood. The novel is written entirely in the first person, alternating between Henry and Clare's perspective - sometimes describing the same scene from each point of view. This gives us a good look at how Henry's disorder affects each of them differently and how they choose to deal with it. The book is also written entirely in the present tense, as if they are narrating the events that are happening in their own timeline - wherever that happens to take them. This gives the story an immediacy and removes the certainty that either character will survive into old age. Each chapter begins with the age of the characters who appear. Although Henry is 8 years older than Clare in real time, he is decades older in many of their encounters. Sometimes, Henry encounters a version of himself at different ages. The storytelling is necessarily far from linear. Often one character has memories of prior encounters that the other does not possess, which makes for an interesting dynamic. "The Time Traveler's Wife" is one of the most imaginative novels I've read. In her first novel, Audrey Niffenegger has created both a science fiction story and a love story. As a time travel story, it covers the obligatory questions of free will, predestination, cause and effect, and the consequences of interacting with your own past. But those are secondary themes to the relationships of the people affected by Henry's sudden disappearances and appearances and the disruptions in their lives. Much of the story covers how people deal with loss. Henry's father never recovers from the death of his wife; Henry deals with his disability by drowning in drugs, alcohol, and wanton sex - until he meets Clare, who inspires him to straighten himself out and live as normal a life as possible. Clare spends her life dedicated to and supporting Henry, even though he repeatedly disappears and she never knows if and when he will return. I grew to care about this couple, who were blessed to be thrust together by destiny, but cursed by a unique affliction. Henry and Clare suffer through a relationship hampered by Henry's affliction and Clare's uncertainty; but they are held together by an honesty I found refreshing. This was my second reading of "The Time Traveler's Wife" and it may not be my last. ...more | Notes are private!
| none
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1
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Jul 20, 2018
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Aug 05, 2018
|
Jul 20, 2018
| ebook
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|
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my rating |
|
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 3.79
|
really liked it
|
Jan 17, 2019
|
Jan 17, 2019
| |||||
|
| 4.01
|
really liked it
|
Jan 16, 2019
|
Jan 02, 2019
| |||||
|
| 4.00
|
really liked it
|
Jan 13, 2019
|
Jan 02, 2019
| |||||
|
| 3.96
|
not set
|
Dec 18, 2018
| ||||||
|
| 3.84
|
really liked it
|
Jan 02, 2019
|
Dec 16, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.85
|
really liked it
|
Dec 2018
|
Dec 01, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.82
|
really liked it
|
Dec 12, 2018
|
Nov 23, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.90
|
really liked it
|
Dec 2018
|
Nov 14, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.96
|
really liked it
|
Nov 24, 2018
|
Nov 07, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.00
|
really liked it
|
Nov 29, 2018
|
Nov 07, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.77
|
really liked it
|
Nov 07, 2018
|
Oct 26, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.08
|
really liked it
|
Nov 07, 2018
|
Oct 26, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.81
|
it was amazing
|
Oct 22, 2018
Oct 19, 2018
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Oct 19, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.18
|
it was amazing
|
Oct 29, 2018
|
Oct 17, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.25
|
it was amazing
|
Oct 26, 2018
|
Oct 17, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.13
|
it was amazing
|
Oct 17, 2018
|
Oct 13, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.91
|
it was amazing
|
Oct 12, 2018
|
Oct 06, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.26
|
it was amazing
|
Oct 07, 2018
|
Oct 05, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.22
|
really liked it
|
Oct 17, 2018
|
Sep 20, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.52
|
it was amazing
|
Oct 05, 2018
|
Sep 20, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.43
|
it was amazing
|
Sep 20, 2018
|
Sep 20, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.98
|
it was amazing
|
Sep 03, 2018
|
Aug 28, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.35
|
it was amazing
|
Sep 15, 2018
|
Aug 25, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.17
|
it was amazing
|
Aug 22, 2018
|
Aug 18, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.99
|
it was amazing
|
Aug 12, 2018
|
Aug 11, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.15
|
it was amazing
|
Aug 29, 2018
|
Aug 11, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.91
|
really liked it
|
Aug 25, 2018
|
Aug 06, 2018
| |||||
|
| 4.35
|
it was amazing
|
Aug 06, 2018
|
Aug 04, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.99
|
really liked it
|
Aug 2018
|
Jul 31, 2018
| |||||
|
| 3.96
|
it was amazing
|
Aug 05, 2018
|
Jul 20, 2018
|
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