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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you want a close peek at the brutal daily experiences of those the US sent on its misadventure in Vietnam, this historical novel will give you that, with a detailed focus on the air aspect of the war (especially regarding those who flew the F-100 and F-105). Politicians inclined to "send in our military" without clear objectives and exit strategies should be forced to read this book and others like it.
However, the book itself needs significant editing to clean up errors like missing punctuation and incorrect word choice, and some revision to help the story flow would help too.
If you want a close peek at the brutal daily experiences of those the US sent on its misadventure in Vietnam, this historical novel will give you that, with a detailed focus on the air aspect of the war (especially regarding those who flew the F-100 and F-105). Politicians inclined to "send in our military" without clear objectives and exit strategies should be forced to read this book and others like it.
However, the book itself needs significant editing to clean up errors like missing punctuation and incorrect word choice, and some revision to help the story flow would help too.
