Stuart J. Whitmore commented on Archangel Down by C. Gockel
It didn't take me long to realize this is a book I will probably enjoy, just judging from the writer's style. In chapter 2 now, still agree with that original assessment.
Reviews and Comments
Reader whenever I can make time, self-published writer whenever I can muster the energy.
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Stuart J. Whitmore wants to read Death's Disciple by Emma L. Adams
Seven years ago, Captain Yala Palathar was a hero. She and her squad of close-knit …
I have the paperback now, I just need to make some time for reading.
Solid military fantasy
4 stars
I really enjoyed this, and I'd recommend it to any fantasy reader who plays D&D and has a military background. It's been quite some time since a book really captivated me and kept me reading even "past my bedtime," as it were. This one did, and I expect I'll eventually set aside time to read the rest of this series. Not a small cast of characters nor a trivially built world, and I think I'd have done better at keeping track of things when I was younger or at least had fewer distractions and demands on my time.
Nestled in the heart of the Salish Sea lie the picturesque San Juan Islands, an …
Packed with fascinating information
4 stars
This book is fascinating, and not just for those who live or vacation in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The focus is that area, of course, but the geology of this small area is built from many sources far and wide. Therefore, out of necessity, the book must cover global geology as it allowed these parts to accumulate into this area.
This book straddles two different and not entirely compatible audiences. On one hand, it tries to provide comprehensive and detailed coverage of what is known (and what is not yet understood) about the highly complex geology of the San Juan Islands; on the other hand, it tries to present this interesting information in a way that is accessible to casual readers. I think it manages to do both fairly well, although the density of information will serve those with a solid background in geology more than casual …
This book is fascinating, and not just for those who live or vacation in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The focus is that area, of course, but the geology of this small area is built from many sources far and wide. Therefore, out of necessity, the book must cover global geology as it allowed these parts to accumulate into this area.
This book straddles two different and not entirely compatible audiences. On one hand, it tries to provide comprehensive and detailed coverage of what is known (and what is not yet understood) about the highly complex geology of the San Juan Islands; on the other hand, it tries to present this interesting information in a way that is accessible to casual readers. I think it manages to do both fairly well, although the density of information will serve those with a solid background in geology more than casual readers.
There are abundant photos, maps, and other graphics in the book that are very helpful for understanding the text. At times the need to flip back and forth among pages to find a referenced image was a little frustrating, but I don't think this could be avoided in a print book like this. I could see this information being presented digitally in a way that would streamline the reader experience of referring to supplemental material.
Overall, I'd like to read this book again, to glean information from it that I probably missed on my first reading. Yet I will probably pass it along for my kids to share, because they (like I) spent childhood summers playing on Orcas Island with no idea what was under our feet.
Stuart J. Whitmore reviewed Take Off Your Pants! by Libbie Hawker
Useful writing framework
4 stars
This book provides a useful framework for those who want to structure their stories before plunging in to the writing part. Even for "pantsers" like myself, reading books like this and other framework-providing references can help informally develop a concept before or while writing the first draft.
Stuart J. Whitmore reviewed Dreamlander by K. M. Weiland
Review of 'Dreamlander' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This was my first book to read from this author, and I enjoyed it and will look for more. Some aspects of the story distracted me from the overall tale, whether from not meeting my expectations or otherwise, but overall I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dreamlander to others. There is a lot that can be said positively about it -- interesting fantasy story premise, strong characterization, believable motivations, logical plot progression, satisfying ending, etc. I don't have much time to read these days but this novel was well worth the time I spent reading it.
Stuart J. Whitmore rated Starship Troopers: 4 stars
Stuart J. Whitmore reviewed The Borrowed World by Franklin Horton
Review of 'The Borrowed World' on 'Goodreads'
Solid concept, interesting characters, and good tension.
Review of 'Everything you wanted to know about Indians but were afraid to ask' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
No single individual can fully speak for a large and diverse group, but a first-hand account can go a long way toward increased understanding of that group, especially when such accounts seem few and rarely noticed, and even more so when uninformed mythology about the group from outsiders is prevalent. This book offers that valuable internal insight into the experience of American Indians, and it presents the information and the author's views in a format that is generally very easy to read and understand. Ample resources are provided in the back of the book for further reading for those who would like to learn more and/or become active regarding issues addressed in the book.
I think this book, or at least books like it, should be considered "required" reading for residents of the Americas, at an early age, to better understand the actual history of the land and its peoples, …
No single individual can fully speak for a large and diverse group, but a first-hand account can go a long way toward increased understanding of that group, especially when such accounts seem few and rarely noticed, and even more so when uninformed mythology about the group from outsiders is prevalent. This book offers that valuable internal insight into the experience of American Indians, and it presents the information and the author's views in a format that is generally very easy to read and understand. Ample resources are provided in the back of the book for further reading for those who would like to learn more and/or become active regarding issues addressed in the book.
I think this book, or at least books like it, should be considered "required" reading for residents of the Americas, at an early age, to better understand the actual history of the land and its peoples, rather than the glossed-over histories written over the centuries by immigrant (e.g., European) populations and their descendants. Whether or not you agree with the views the author presents, it is useful for immigrant descendants like myself to have an understanding of how our neighbors see us, and it is useful for Indians to see the bigger picture beyond their everyday experiences.
Because this book was written to be read either linearly or in pieces, there is some repetition that is more noticeable when reading it linearly (front to back, as I read it), but I don't think it seriously detracts from the book.
Review of 'Malaeska; the Indian wife of the white hunter.' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
I forced myself to read this story because it was the original "dime novel." The purple prose made it difficult to get through, and social ideas that were commonly acceptable back in 1860 make for rather terrible, if moderately laughable, reading now, such as referring to Native Americans as "savages" and in one sentence confirming that a man is terribly prejudiced and referring to him as "a just man." The whole thing ends up sounding like a warning against interracial marriage which will cause constant tragedy that even God can't prevent. There was also a glaring continuity error near the end. The only reason I gave it two stars instead of one is that it is a useful cultural reference. I would never recommend this to someone just wanting an enjoyable read, I would only recommend it for its historical relevance.
Stuart J. Whitmore reviewed Two complete novels by David Eddings
Review of 'Two complete novels' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but it was definitely a good read. The two stories are completely unrelated to each other, apart from being by the same author and taking place in the same general geographic region. They both show that they were written in and about a different time, especially High Hunt (all that drinking and driving, for example!). Despite being separate stories (characters, settings, etc.), both The Losers and High Hunt delve into what makes people tick, and Eddings doesn't shy away from the darker, baser motivations. I felt that The Losers offered more insights, while High Hunt was a more engaging read. Not something for young audiences -- sex, violence, bad attitudes, adult problems, etc. run throughout both stories -- but a good read for mature audiences. I'd give this book 3.5 stars, so as usual I'll round that up to 4.
Stuart J. Whitmore reviewed The Gauguin connection by Estelle Ryan
As an insurance investigator and world renowned expert in nonverbal communication, Dr. Genevieve Lenard faces …
Review of 'The Gauguin connection' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
It took me awhile to really commit to this book, I thought about not finishing it several times in the first few chapters. I realize that the main character has ASD-related difficulties dealing with people, but the result (at first) is a rebarbative personality that, combined with the first-person telling of the story, repeatedly put me off. Perhaps the added distance of third-person would have helped. Anyway, she is forced into accepting changes in her life and as she adapts to those changes she becomes less rigid and more accepting, and those changes and perhaps the added depth of character helped me to start caring about her and the story outcome. The tale itself is not bad, although fairly predictable at times. Overall I ended up enjoying it enough that I am glad I stuck with it.
Review of "Summary of Richard Hargreaves's the Germans in Normandy" on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
"Every one of the infantry divisions in France in 1944 relied first and foremost on the horse for transport. The horse pulled field guns, ammunition wagons, anti-tank guns; horse-drawn vehicles in Normandy outnumbered their powered counterparts two to one in the summer of 1944. The poorest divisions in France that year even lacked horses." That they were relying so much on horses, against the machines of the Allied forces, was just one of many eye-openers in this book. As even the Allied forces at the time understood, the outcome might have been very different if Germany had been adequately prepared for the invasion, instead of facing it after being weakened through years of war.
Like other books that deal with the bloody, gritty reality of war, this is a book I wish would be "mandatory reading" for politicians. This book, in particular, should be read by anybody who fails to …
"Every one of the infantry divisions in France in 1944 relied first and foremost on the horse for transport. The horse pulled field guns, ammunition wagons, anti-tank guns; horse-drawn vehicles in Normandy outnumbered their powered counterparts two to one in the summer of 1944. The poorest divisions in France that year even lacked horses." That they were relying so much on horses, against the machines of the Allied forces, was just one of many eye-openers in this book. As even the Allied forces at the time understood, the outcome might have been very different if Germany had been adequately prepared for the invasion, instead of facing it after being weakened through years of war.
Like other books that deal with the bloody, gritty reality of war, this is a book I wish would be "mandatory reading" for politicians. This book, in particular, should be read by anybody who fails to grasp how awful war is, or dismisses the vital role of air superiority, or ignores the risks of demanding that military forces do more than they are equipped (literally and figuratively) to do.
It takes me a long time to get through books these days because of limited reading time, but this is one where I constantly felt the pull to set aside more time to continue reading. I definitely recommend it, but be prepared to learn, from the losing side's perspective, what all-out war looks like.
Review of 'What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
My main review is on Amazon, but in brief, I will say that this was a fun and informative read. I shared many tidbits with my family, and I'll be able to use the information (and overall food-awareness) I've gained from it to improve my works-in-progress.
