Finished: Kirov by John Schettler
This book was slloooooowwww. So slow it nearly went the way of other books.. to the "do not read" pile. But I thought, no I will give it a go. The only negative reviews seemed to be from irate readers that couldn't hack the fact that it was a Russian ship being transported through time & thus the reader is given some Russian history & insight into the mind of Russians. For me it was refreshing that it was not from the viewpoint of the US or England. I think that would have made it too bog standard predictable.
The Kirov is one powerful Russian warship. It is transported through time to 1941, where they are faced with a dilemma. Do nothing (the Admiral) vs the kill all the americans & british (the captain). It makes for an interesting read & I think the author handled it extremely well. When we got there ofcourse. The first 70% of this book is scene setting. To the point of tedium. The last 30% of the book was excellent. And thankfully the second book seems to be keeping that pace.
Don't get me wrong, it is an excellently structured & well thought out book, I just think it could have done with some cutting down in the first half to make the prose tighter & more gripping.
There were a couple of questions left unanswered at the end of the book which I hope will be answered in the next book... particularly concerning the.. well I won't say as it would be a spoiler!
Started: Kirov II: Cauldron of Fire by John Schettler.
Showing posts with label Atom-Bomb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atom-Bomb. Show all posts
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Friday, 15 February 2013
Book Bloggin' 15th Febuary 2013
Finished: A Captain of the Gate by John Birmingham
So this was only an early concept for a possible novel in the future. Result it was rather disjointed & confusing. Would probably make a good book but yes.. just a tad disappointed. Only took me an hour to read..
Started: Castro's Bomb by Robert Conroy
This book was written specifically for the ebook format. I would therefore expect better editing, especially from someone of Robert Conroy's standing & experience. There are ALOT of issues that you get with books which have been scanned into electronic format using word recognition - its particularly frustrating as it usually happens in a crucial scene & just disprupts the flow of the story.
So this was only an early concept for a possible novel in the future. Result it was rather disjointed & confusing. Would probably make a good book but yes.. just a tad disappointed. Only took me an hour to read..
Started: Castro's Bomb by Robert Conroy
This book was written specifically for the ebook format. I would therefore expect better editing, especially from someone of Robert Conroy's standing & experience. There are ALOT of issues that you get with books which have been scanned into electronic format using word recognition - its particularly frustrating as it usually happens in a crucial scene & just disprupts the flow of the story.
Friday, 18 January 2013
Book Bloggin' 18th January 2013
Finished: Arc Light by Eric L Harry
I love the books of Eric L Harry. They are well written, well researched & it is so easy to become immersed in the story. You become invested in what is going to happen to the characters as they battle their way through life. Or in the case of this book, as they fight for their life.
Arc Light tells the story of the Third World War - a limited nuclear exchange followed by the invasion & conquering of Russia by the TEAMS alliance ( basically the NATO countries minus a few). It is brilliantly written and the descriptions of the various fights and explosions helps you to feel that you are right there, experiencing what the characters are doing.
Continuing: A Song of Fire & Ice by George RR Hamilton
I have a new Kindle so can go back to reading this! Yay!
I love the books of Eric L Harry. They are well written, well researched & it is so easy to become immersed in the story. You become invested in what is going to happen to the characters as they battle their way through life. Or in the case of this book, as they fight for their life.
Arc Light tells the story of the Third World War - a limited nuclear exchange followed by the invasion & conquering of Russia by the TEAMS alliance ( basically the NATO countries minus a few). It is brilliantly written and the descriptions of the various fights and explosions helps you to feel that you are right there, experiencing what the characters are doing.
Continuing: A Song of Fire & Ice by George RR Hamilton
I have a new Kindle so can go back to reading this! Yay!
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Book Bloggin' 9th January 2013
Finished: The Independence of Miss Mary Bennett by Colleen McCullough
I love this book - it's all about the OTHER Bennett sisters in the aftermath of Elizabeth's marriage to Darcy. It focuses primarily on Mary - the middle sister. An advantage of this wonderful story is that you don't need to have been a fan or even have read Pride & Prejudice. Mary is truly a woman ahead of her time. Perhaps there is a little of the wonderful author in Mary!
Started: Arc Light by Eric L Harry
Eric L Harry only wrote a few books. If you haven't heard of him or read any of his books, you are missing out!
I love this book - it's all about the OTHER Bennett sisters in the aftermath of Elizabeth's marriage to Darcy. It focuses primarily on Mary - the middle sister. An advantage of this wonderful story is that you don't need to have been a fan or even have read Pride & Prejudice. Mary is truly a woman ahead of her time. Perhaps there is a little of the wonderful author in Mary!
Started: Arc Light by Eric L Harry
Eric L Harry only wrote a few books. If you haven't heard of him or read any of his books, you are missing out!
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Book Bloggin' 30th December 2012
Finished: Beyond Armageddon
As an anthology this book is a great collection of fiction by some of the greatest sci-fi writers ever to pick up a pen (or use a typewriter). For stories that were mostly written pre-cold war and in some cases pre WW2 they are amazing perceptive in the realities of a post-apocalyptic environment.
Started: The Black Box by Michael Connelly
As an anthology this book is a great collection of fiction by some of the greatest sci-fi writers ever to pick up a pen (or use a typewriter). For stories that were mostly written pre-cold war and in some cases pre WW2 they are amazing perceptive in the realities of a post-apocalyptic environment.
Started: The Black Box by Michael Connelly
Monday, 17 December 2012
Book Bloggin' 17th December 2012
Finished: Forecast by Chris Keith
This was an ok book. The storyline was solid & the characters well developed. It was rather predictable that just as all hope is lost, in ride some navy men to save the two remaining balloonists. It was an interesting concept though to have these people initially survive the nuclear war by riding in a space balloon.
Started: Beyond Armageddon Edited by Walter J Miller Jr & Martin H Greenburg.
A collection of a post apocalyptic short stories written mainly in the 40's, 50's & 60's. This is a revised edition.
This was an ok book. The storyline was solid & the characters well developed. It was rather predictable that just as all hope is lost, in ride some navy men to save the two remaining balloonists. It was an interesting concept though to have these people initially survive the nuclear war by riding in a space balloon.
Started: Beyond Armageddon Edited by Walter J Miller Jr & Martin H Greenburg.
A collection of a post apocalyptic short stories written mainly in the 40's, 50's & 60's. This is a revised edition.
Monday, 10 December 2012
Book Bloggin' 10th December 2012
Finished: Things Fall Apart.. by Fred Heiser
Overall the plot of this book is pretty solid. However, it could do with some editing & possibly a bit of a re-work. The lead characters are not in anyway survivalists nor are they hard core preppers. BUT they seem to know how to operate guns, build good defense and be self sufficient. While it is entirely plausible, the way in which the characters are developed just makes you question how they know all that stuff. Nor do I think that someone with so little experience could "single handedly take down a bikie gang".
Lucky for the author I like nuclear apocalyse stories...
Started: Forecast by Chris Keith
Some extreme altitude ballooners witness the end of the world via a nuclear apocalypse. An interesting way to watch the end of the planet to be sure.
Overall the plot of this book is pretty solid. However, it could do with some editing & possibly a bit of a re-work. The lead characters are not in anyway survivalists nor are they hard core preppers. BUT they seem to know how to operate guns, build good defense and be self sufficient. While it is entirely plausible, the way in which the characters are developed just makes you question how they know all that stuff. Nor do I think that someone with so little experience could "single handedly take down a bikie gang".
Lucky for the author I like nuclear apocalyse stories...
Started: Forecast by Chris Keith
Some extreme altitude ballooners witness the end of the world via a nuclear apocalypse. An interesting way to watch the end of the planet to be sure.
Thursday, 6 December 2012
Book Bloggin' 6th December 2012
UPDATE: My kindle has died, so am unable to keep reading the epic Game of Thrones series for the time being. I could read it on my phone, but it would drain the phone too fast!
Started: Things Fall Apart by Fred Heiser
An apocalyptic thriller which I have previously read.. some bits are believable.. others.. well...
Started: Things Fall Apart by Fred Heiser
An apocalyptic thriller which I have previously read.. some bits are believable.. others.. well...
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Book Bloggin' 18th November 2012
Finished: King of Bombs by Sheldon Filger
Where to start? I love this genre. And the author had a solid concept with a great story. BUT.. yes there is a but. Unfortunately his writing really need a LOT of work. I think he seriously needs to adhere to the less is more philosophy. Writing in practically every paragraph that "his eyes showed the tension he was feeling" or something along those lines detracts. You build tension, suspense etc by what is going on, not by saying this character or that character has a face full of tension. And especially not so verbosely that it detracts from an otherwise solid story.
I also seriously doubt any of the protagonists would be showing even a "modicum" of respect or admiration for the terrorists.
Overall an ok book. Sadly the writing comes across as forced (whether to get the word count up I don't know) and the continual harping on this person's eyes or that persons face, along with the way in which he describes the physical characteristics of the characters just detracts from the story for me. The last page is probably the worst for that. And that's sad, because it is a cracker of an ending that could have been written so much better.
Started: A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
So Amazon had this on special for $40 for all 5 books. Wish me luck!
Where to start? I love this genre. And the author had a solid concept with a great story. BUT.. yes there is a but. Unfortunately his writing really need a LOT of work. I think he seriously needs to adhere to the less is more philosophy. Writing in practically every paragraph that "his eyes showed the tension he was feeling" or something along those lines detracts. You build tension, suspense etc by what is going on, not by saying this character or that character has a face full of tension. And especially not so verbosely that it detracts from an otherwise solid story.
I also seriously doubt any of the protagonists would be showing even a "modicum" of respect or admiration for the terrorists.
Overall an ok book. Sadly the writing comes across as forced (whether to get the word count up I don't know) and the continual harping on this person's eyes or that persons face, along with the way in which he describes the physical characteristics of the characters just detracts from the story for me. The last page is probably the worst for that. And that's sad, because it is a cracker of an ending that could have been written so much better.
Started: A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
So Amazon had this on special for $40 for all 5 books. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Book Bloggin' 7th November 2012
Finished: Down to a Sunless Sea by David Graham
Written in the years of the oil crisis of the 1970's/early 80's this book paints a stark picture on just how fast things can fall apart. America is out of oil & with a completely worthless dollar. Yet the giant conglomerates refuse to see that it is their greed & short sightedness which is driving the collapse ever faster. America is left with no power, no food & starving populations just trying to get out. Cue that old Cold War foe USSR deciding now is the time to get revenge & 4 hours later, the earth is a radioactive wasteland. With the excepetion of one british plane carryng expat Americans & one Antinov carrying Russian woman & children.
I love that the author shows that rather then death mayhem & hatred between the 2 planes, there is a spirit of love & humanity. After all, after the end of the world, we are all just humans, not "British" or "Armenian" or wherever you had the good (or bad) luck to be born. The sooner people realise this fundamental truth, that we are all the same when you strip away nationality & religion & stop using these as an excuse to hate people well, the happier this world will be. Although, one point in this book which I think would be a great way to deal with criminals is to brand their foreheads. If they are multiple reoffenders, why not brand them set them free under rules of permanent exclusion from all amenities - jobs & food & dole and everything else, with stiff penalties for those who aid them. See how long they last then. Sometimes a deterent has to be harsh to help.
Started: King of Bombs by Sheldon Filger
Written in the years of the oil crisis of the 1970's/early 80's this book paints a stark picture on just how fast things can fall apart. America is out of oil & with a completely worthless dollar. Yet the giant conglomerates refuse to see that it is their greed & short sightedness which is driving the collapse ever faster. America is left with no power, no food & starving populations just trying to get out. Cue that old Cold War foe USSR deciding now is the time to get revenge & 4 hours later, the earth is a radioactive wasteland. With the excepetion of one british plane carryng expat Americans & one Antinov carrying Russian woman & children.
I love that the author shows that rather then death mayhem & hatred between the 2 planes, there is a spirit of love & humanity. After all, after the end of the world, we are all just humans, not "British" or "Armenian" or wherever you had the good (or bad) luck to be born. The sooner people realise this fundamental truth, that we are all the same when you strip away nationality & religion & stop using these as an excuse to hate people well, the happier this world will be. Although, one point in this book which I think would be a great way to deal with criminals is to brand their foreheads. If they are multiple reoffenders, why not brand them set them free under rules of permanent exclusion from all amenities - jobs & food & dole and everything else, with stiff penalties for those who aid them. See how long they last then. Sometimes a deterent has to be harsh to help.
Started: King of Bombs by Sheldon Filger
Monday, 5 November 2012
Book Bloggin' 5th November 2012
Finished: Underground by Andrew McGahan
Where to start? This is a brilliantly written book. And the reality is, it could so easily become fact. A world where Muslim ghettos abound, where America conspires to create a city so that the powermongers can meet & plot the fate of humanity in peace. All helped by a megalomaniac Prime Minister.
The reality is, instability creates jobs. What would all those soldiers be doing if there were no wars to fight? What would all the arms manufacturers, the secondary suppliers of the war machine do? It's a sad fact that wars are a profitable business. And if people die, well, thats just an unfortunate side effect.
Andrew McGahan has created a world that is truely scary to behold, but all too easy to imagine being real. But it is one where the main character is well rendered & the satirical way in which he deals with events makes this a really great read.
Started: Down to a Sunless Sea by David Graham
OK, so by now you can tell I am on a post apocalyptic run at the moment. This is a classic. And could still happen so easily today!
Where to start? This is a brilliantly written book. And the reality is, it could so easily become fact. A world where Muslim ghettos abound, where America conspires to create a city so that the powermongers can meet & plot the fate of humanity in peace. All helped by a megalomaniac Prime Minister.
The reality is, instability creates jobs. What would all those soldiers be doing if there were no wars to fight? What would all the arms manufacturers, the secondary suppliers of the war machine do? It's a sad fact that wars are a profitable business. And if people die, well, thats just an unfortunate side effect.
Andrew McGahan has created a world that is truely scary to behold, but all too easy to imagine being real. But it is one where the main character is well rendered & the satirical way in which he deals with events makes this a really great read.
Started: Down to a Sunless Sea by David Graham
OK, so by now you can tell I am on a post apocalyptic run at the moment. This is a classic. And could still happen so easily today!
Monday, 19 March 2012
Book Bloggin' 18th March 2012
Finished: Without Warning by John Birmingham
This book was as good the second time around, as it was the first! I find the premise very interesting & I think the way that things deteriorate, after "The Wave" engulfs the entire North American Continent, with the exception of a small section of Washington state, is probably spot on. Things will fall apart. Israel probably will turn the Middle East into a radioactive slag heap, if only to prevent themselves from being turned into one. And as for the mminority of radical muslims & other religions? Well I think how things are portrayed is how they will go down.. or at least in a very similar way. Sad, but true.. extremely scary too. A good what if of the likely results of what happens if the "World's Policeman" aren't around to enforce the Pax americana era..
Started: After America by John Birmingham
The second book, which follows on where the first left off.. another re-read.
This book was as good the second time around, as it was the first! I find the premise very interesting & I think the way that things deteriorate, after "The Wave" engulfs the entire North American Continent, with the exception of a small section of Washington state, is probably spot on. Things will fall apart. Israel probably will turn the Middle East into a radioactive slag heap, if only to prevent themselves from being turned into one. And as for the mminority of radical muslims & other religions? Well I think how things are portrayed is how they will go down.. or at least in a very similar way. Sad, but true.. extremely scary too. A good what if of the likely results of what happens if the "World's Policeman" aren't around to enforce the Pax americana era..
Started: After America by John Birmingham
The second book, which follows on where the first left off.. another re-read.
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Book Bloggin' 4th March 2012
Finished: Triumph by Philip Wylie
Such a stark contrast to his other book "Tomorrow!". This paints the worst possible picture of USSR deceit & essentially shows that they will go to any length to achieve a global communist government. Even if it means destorying the entire northern hemisphere & the vast majority of their own population. With the exception ofcourse of the "chosen few". I suppose that in the time that this book was written, this was a highly likely possibility. The Cold War was in full swing & no one really knew for sure what "the other side" possessed or what they were willing to do. Scary stuff. What's scarier is that today, it's muslim nations (well a small minority of, but thats all it takes) who feel the way the communists in this book do. The question is, are they crazy enough (read the lengths the communists went to in this book & crazy is the only word that fits!) to do the same to achieve their end of a muslim world?
Started: Life, without the boring bits by Colleen McCullough
Such a stark contrast to his other book "Tomorrow!". This paints the worst possible picture of USSR deceit & essentially shows that they will go to any length to achieve a global communist government. Even if it means destorying the entire northern hemisphere & the vast majority of their own population. With the exception ofcourse of the "chosen few". I suppose that in the time that this book was written, this was a highly likely possibility. The Cold War was in full swing & no one really knew for sure what "the other side" possessed or what they were willing to do. Scary stuff. What's scarier is that today, it's muslim nations (well a small minority of, but thats all it takes) who feel the way the communists in this book do. The question is, are they crazy enough (read the lengths the communists went to in this book & crazy is the only word that fits!) to do the same to achieve their end of a muslim world?
Started: Life, without the boring bits by Colleen McCullough
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Book Bloggin 29th Feb 2012
Finished: The Reversal by Michael Connelly
Love love love Michael Connelly. I love Bosch, he is such a left field character. Another great book!
Started: Triumph by Philip Wylie
Another post apocalyptic novel :)
Love love love Michael Connelly. I love Bosch, he is such a left field character. Another great book!
Started: Triumph by Philip Wylie
Another post apocalyptic novel :)
Monday, 27 February 2012
Book Bloggin 27th Feb 2012
Finished: Hiroshima Nagasaki by Paul Ham
Enjoyed this book. It was well written & very well researched. I think it gave an even account from both sides of the war - allies & axis, in terms of events or non events that led not only to the bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, but what in the end was the final bell tolling which caused the surrender of Japan. As someone who has been interested in this specific point in history for neary 2 decades, I found this account eye opening & it did have me questioning what we have been and even to this day are fed by the press. Highly recommend this to history buffs. 5 stars!
Started: The Reversal by Michael Connelly
Enjoyed this book. It was well written & very well researched. I think it gave an even account from both sides of the war - allies & axis, in terms of events or non events that led not only to the bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, but what in the end was the final bell tolling which caused the surrender of Japan. As someone who has been interested in this specific point in history for neary 2 decades, I found this account eye opening & it did have me questioning what we have been and even to this day are fed by the press. Highly recommend this to history buffs. 5 stars!
Started: The Reversal by Michael Connelly
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