Finished: While the World Watched by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
As a child, Carolyn was involved in the bombing of her church by KKK members. By pure chance, or God's desire that she was destined for better things, she survived, where her four friends did not. And she truly believes that God even then, had her pegged for better things. And the truth of that comes through in her story. It not only covers the events of the Sixteenth Street Church bombing, but also other significant events in the civil rights movement in Alabama and the greater US in the 1960's. It makes for a haunting tale of the scale of injustice perpetrated against blacks during that period. That Carolyn came through this relatively unscathed (she is still haunted to an extent by the mental demons left by this event, survivor guilt perhaps? Something which had this happened today, would have resulted in counseling to help her understand and cope). This was a great read, very educational and uplifting, despite the subject. People like Carolyn, give you hope that things can be changed. And should be changed, that we should not just sit on the sidelines, but instead, be active and make them change.
Started: Manhattan in Reverse by Peter F Hamilton
A collection of short stories, so therefore not as massive & complicated as his usual tomes!
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Book Bloggin' 10th April 2013
Finished: Out of the Ashes by William W Johnstone
This is a re-read.. I have already mentioned how much more annoying I found this book on the second read. That said, he does have some solid ideas about society and the way things are run that are extremely valid. Clearly I could happily go & live in the Tri-States. This is the first book in a long Ashes series. All have been converted into a kindle edition.. except the 3rd. Seriously. And now its extremely hard to get ahold of the 3rd paper book. Awesome. Obviously I will be skipping that book!
Started: While the World Watched by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
This is a re-read.. I have already mentioned how much more annoying I found this book on the second read. That said, he does have some solid ideas about society and the way things are run that are extremely valid. Clearly I could happily go & live in the Tri-States. This is the first book in a long Ashes series. All have been converted into a kindle edition.. except the 3rd. Seriously. And now its extremely hard to get ahold of the 3rd paper book. Awesome. Obviously I will be skipping that book!
Started: While the World Watched by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
Monday, 8 April 2013
Book Bloggin' 8th April 2013
Finished: Kirov II Cauldron of Fire by John Schettler
So once again the Kirov moves in time. To a future desolate & with no sign of human life. Then it shifts again, this time to the Mediterrean 1 year after their last foray into WW2. Once again they must face choices of interfering with the past or fighting for survival. They know that their actions in 1941 had a devastating effect on the future. But they don't know how. While some historically recorded events are still happening, some have subtly changed. We are given a tantalising clue as to how the future could have changed so dramatically when one of the most unstable members of the crew escapes and gets to the mainland. As well there are clues to how the ship is managing to slip through time. The saga continues in Kirov III Pacific Storm.
Started: Out of the Ashes by William W Johnstone
This is a re-read. One I enjoyed immensely the first time around, but one on second pass is highly annoying. No one I know spells "sure" as "shore" unless they are referring to the sea shore! And that women just automatically want to bonk the crap outta Ben Raines seconds after meeting him... yeah.. ok.
So once again the Kirov moves in time. To a future desolate & with no sign of human life. Then it shifts again, this time to the Mediterrean 1 year after their last foray into WW2. Once again they must face choices of interfering with the past or fighting for survival. They know that their actions in 1941 had a devastating effect on the future. But they don't know how. While some historically recorded events are still happening, some have subtly changed. We are given a tantalising clue as to how the future could have changed so dramatically when one of the most unstable members of the crew escapes and gets to the mainland. As well there are clues to how the ship is managing to slip through time. The saga continues in Kirov III Pacific Storm.
Started: Out of the Ashes by William W Johnstone
This is a re-read. One I enjoyed immensely the first time around, but one on second pass is highly annoying. No one I know spells "sure" as "shore" unless they are referring to the sea shore! And that women just automatically want to bonk the crap outta Ben Raines seconds after meeting him... yeah.. ok.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Book Bloggin' 26th March 2013
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.
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.
Monday, 25 March 2013
Book Bloggin' 25th March 2013
Still Reading: Kirov
Well.. I am plodding very slowly through this book. Very slowly. Partly because it is a heavy read, partly because I am just having a "no read" funk.
I'm really struggling with this one. Normally, a book takes me this long to get into (over half way through & still not really taken) I would be tossing it on the avoid pile. But part of me just wants to see where the author is taking it. I like that he is trying to balance the what if's of future tech interference, but yeah, still I am frustrated. It's like the Russians are just faffing around. Hmm.. oh well.. over half way there... surely something monumental will happen soon.. right?
Well.. I am plodding very slowly through this book. Very slowly. Partly because it is a heavy read, partly because I am just having a "no read" funk.
I'm really struggling with this one. Normally, a book takes me this long to get into (over half way through & still not really taken) I would be tossing it on the avoid pile. But part of me just wants to see where the author is taking it. I like that he is trying to balance the what if's of future tech interference, but yeah, still I am frustrated. It's like the Russians are just faffing around. Hmm.. oh well.. over half way there... surely something monumental will happen soon.. right?
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Book Bloggin' 6th March 2013
Finished: Stalin's Hammer: Rome by John Birmingham
This was a relatively short novel by JB's standards. Especially for this series. This book takes up a few years after the end of the previous World War trilogy, following the exploits of Prince Harry who is no longer considered a member of the royal family or is in line for the throne because his gran [Queen Elizabeth II] never concieved his father in this timeline.. as Prince Harry so eloquently puts it "It's a complete mind-f*ck".
I was really just getting into this story when it was over. Which leaves me wanting the next installment. I found with this story I was a little disappointed. There was really none of the build up or the development of the plot I was familar with from the previous books in this series. Instead, I get the feeling that JB is instead dragging one great book out over a trilogy of shorter books. A concept I find rather disappointing. And just a little money grabbish.
Started: Kirov by John Schettler
This is a book much in the vein of the book I have just finished. But from what I understand from the blurbs of the books so far realeased.. the ship moves in time.. and continues to move in time. Apparently never staying very long in one place or period. So thus far it is a very dense read. The information comes at you fast & furious in the opening pages, with good character development at this early stage.
This was a relatively short novel by JB's standards. Especially for this series. This book takes up a few years after the end of the previous World War trilogy, following the exploits of Prince Harry who is no longer considered a member of the royal family or is in line for the throne because his gran [Queen Elizabeth II] never concieved his father in this timeline.. as Prince Harry so eloquently puts it "It's a complete mind-f*ck".
I was really just getting into this story when it was over. Which leaves me wanting the next installment. I found with this story I was a little disappointed. There was really none of the build up or the development of the plot I was familar with from the previous books in this series. Instead, I get the feeling that JB is instead dragging one great book out over a trilogy of shorter books. A concept I find rather disappointing. And just a little money grabbish.
Started: Kirov by John Schettler
This is a book much in the vein of the book I have just finished. But from what I understand from the blurbs of the books so far realeased.. the ship moves in time.. and continues to move in time. Apparently never staying very long in one place or period. So thus far it is a very dense read. The information comes at you fast & furious in the opening pages, with good character development at this early stage.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Book Bloggin' 4th March 2013
Finished: On the Map by Simon Garfield
I loved this book. It was a quirky look at how maps have shaped and continue to shape not only our views of the world, but how we see ourselves in it. It covers the development of maps from tyhe likely early beginnings to the current "e-map" age of satnav & google maps on phones.
As a kid I loved maps. I would stare at them for hours lost in the possibilities. And that's what this book is all about. The boundless possibilities that maps have provided through the ages. And the ways in which they continue to this day to provide possibilities, not only in the real world but also in the gaming world, where maps are often the key to victory. Did I mention I love this book? It has literally explained my obsessions with not only maps (no wonder I love being a cartographer!) but also games that involve maps like SimCity & Civilisation.
Not into maps? I bet you will still find this a fascinating read!
Started: Stalins Hammer: Rome by John Birmingam
I loved this book. It was a quirky look at how maps have shaped and continue to shape not only our views of the world, but how we see ourselves in it. It covers the development of maps from tyhe likely early beginnings to the current "e-map" age of satnav & google maps on phones.
As a kid I loved maps. I would stare at them for hours lost in the possibilities. And that's what this book is all about. The boundless possibilities that maps have provided through the ages. And the ways in which they continue to this day to provide possibilities, not only in the real world but also in the gaming world, where maps are often the key to victory. Did I mention I love this book? It has literally explained my obsessions with not only maps (no wonder I love being a cartographer!) but also games that involve maps like SimCity & Civilisation.
Not into maps? I bet you will still find this a fascinating read!
Started: Stalins Hammer: Rome by John Birmingam
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