Review of "Troublesome Young Men: The Rebels Who Brought Churchill to Power and Helped Save England" by Lynne Olson

Troublesome Young Men: The Rebels Who Brought Churchill to Power and Helped Save England by Lynne Olson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Author Lynne Olson has done an excellent job of telling what the late Paul Harvey used to call "the rest of the story" in this narrative of a group of Tory party Members of Parliament who lead the initial opposition to the appeasement policies of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in the years both the years preceding World War II and then the first year of that conflict.  Reading this book brought home to me the fact that Winston Churchill becoming Prime Minister in May, 1940 was by no means a "done deal" right up until the moment that Chamberlain stepped down and Churchill succeeded him.  While the sometime friends (of a sort) and almost always rivals Chamberlain and Churchill are central to the story, the book is actually about those "Troublesome Young Men" of the title who finally brought down Chamberlain, basically without help from Churchill, who refused to work against Chamberlain once he accepted the Admiralty position in the British Cabinet.

Focusing on some of the leaders of this group of outsiders in their own party, such as Harold Macmillan (a future Prime Minister decades later), Harold Nicolson  (remembered now for being the husband of writer Vita Sackville-West), and Ronald Cartwright (brother of romance novelist Barbara Cartwright) Olson tells what I thought was a compelling and interesting story, showing how history sometimes changes on the courage and decisions of a few persistent individuals.  I recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading history, particularly those readers interested in the years leading up to the start of World War II in Europe.



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The Seven Wonders by Steven Saylor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The last 2 entries in this series left me a little underwhelmed but with this "prequel" set in Gordianus the Finder's youth, I fell back in love with author Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" series.  So much so that I'm going to go back and give the last 2 books another try.  Briefly, this latest book is a group of short stories regarding the 18 year old Gordianus and his tutor, the Greek poet Antipater of Sidon ( a real historical figure ) and their grand tour of the ancient Hellenistic world, with an itinerary which includes visiting each of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World."   Each of the short stories was previously published independently in the last few years but they read well both alone and in this form where some overall plot threads come together at the end of the book.  I think it would be better to have read some of the previous books in the series, especially Roman Blood before reading this book, but it's not necessary.  I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries as well as anyone who is interested in Roman and Hellenistic history.  I'm hoping that Saylor will come back with some more stories set in the decade of Gordianus youth, between the events of this book and those of the aforementioned "Roman Blood."  



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King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel by Timothy Truman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Read this in one sitting while at my local book store. Guess I'll have to buy it now that I've read it, huh? Seriously, this is one of my favorite Conan stories and I thought that Dark Horse did a great job of capturing the eerie, Lovecraftian feel of this Robert E. Howard tale of Conan's captivity in a deep dungeon with cavernous openings into a horrific underworld. All involved did a good story I though:
Writer:
Timothy Truman
Artist:
Tomas Giorello
Colorist:
José Villarrubia
Cover Artist:
Gerald Parel
I will make a point of adding this one to the collection once the finances are caught up. 5 Stars.

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Foundation by Isaac Asimov

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I just re-read this for about the 5th or 6th time, although this was probably the first time I've gone back to this volume in over a decade or even two.  Asimov still holds up for me, though I can't say how much of that is nostalgia.  Still, he's probably not for everyone, a little wordy at times, not much action.  Even so the whole Foundation series was a major great concept when it first came out and I still recommend it to anyone who loves science fiction, especially "classic" science fiction.  This book is a collection of 5 short stories, in chronological order, concerning the establishment of the "First Foundation" and how it survived and thrived on the outer edges of the galaxy as the original Galactic Empire began to wane and decline.  Asimov's heroes/protagonists are usually men (and sometimes women, though not in this book) of thought rather than action, but they outwit (or sometimes simply outwait) their antagonists.  I recommend it to any science fiction fan who hasn't ever read, if just to see what the fuss was about.  If you are a history fan like me as well, then that helps with the enjoyment of Asimov's "Future History."  Still 5 stars as far as I'm concerned.



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HOPE’s future may be more dire | ajc.com

Woke up to read this depressing news this morning. The HOPE scholarship was one of the best things Georgia had going for it at one time. If the state can't maintain it I think the future economic and educational outlook for the Peach State is bleak...

HOPE’s future may be more dire ajc.com

Lots of reading, less reviewing...

I've been guilty recently of a lot of reading, but less reviewing or commenting.  I feel kind of bad about that.  The less reviewing part, not the reading.  Especially because I've read some works that I think really deserve some shout outs or good reviews this year.  Since I've been too lazy and undisciplined to post the reviews a lot of these books deserve, I'm making a resolution to post on a more frequent regular basis.  In the meantime, a couple of major books I've read in 2011 that deserve high marks, along with a brief comment or two...

"Red Summer: The Summer of 1919 and the Awakening of Black America," by Cameron McWhirter.  The best history book I've read this year.  Powerful and well written narrative about the events of the horrific summer of 1919, when several major race riots and lynchings occurred.  McWhirter shows why the mobilization by many American black citizens during this period lead eventually to increased political savy and a renewed determination to fight for the promise of the "American Dream."
I'm looking forward to more from McWhirter. 

"Snuff" (Discworld #39) by Terry Pratchett.  There are a few authors whose works I've read in my life, that always reward me when I go back and read them.  Among these are P. G. Wodehouse, Raymond Chandler, Barbara Tuchman, and Jack Vance.   Pratchett ranks right up there with these other literary giants.  I'm currently enjoying the adventures of his character Sam Vimes (Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch) as the ever vigilant copper Vimes attempts to take a vacation, despite his major desire to do no such thing...

NINA SIMONE- "DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD" (1964)

I was going to write about my central ideas regarding education and heroes, but I'll save that till later. I think Nina Simone sums up things quite eloquently...

Review of "Maske: Thaery" by Jack Vance

Maske: Thaery by Jack Vance


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


While I agree with with some other reviewers that Maske: Thaery is not one of Jack Vance's best books, this story of young Jubal Droad is still a good enjoyable coming of age adventure story, the type that Vance really seems to like writing.


I thought the culture of Thaery and the surrounding areas could have been a little bit more clearly explained, and that the book could have easily been a little longer, but as one of my goodreads.com friends who also read and reviewed the book remarked "even second rate Vance is fun to read." Thanks to Terrence for that wonderful quote, which I think pretty much sums up the literary gift that is author Jack Vance.




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Review of Dark Horse Comics "Conan Volume 5: Rogues In the House"

Conan Volume 5: Rogues In the House by Timothy Truman


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Before I start my review of this graphic novel version of Robert E. Howard's classic Conan story, "Rogues in the House" I need to mention that "Rogues..." is probably my all time favorite Robert E. Howard story, and certainly my all time favorite Conan story. I also thought the Marvel Comics version Rogues in the House & Other Stories writen by Roy Thomas and illustrated by Barry Windsor Smith is in my opinion the very best of the Marvel Comics Conan stories, so Dark Horse comics had it's work cut out for it in trying to do justice to the remake of this great story.


Having said, that I think they succeeded, at least in the extent that they've given new life to the story and added some tie ins to the Dark Horse Conan saga. I still don't think the artwork and the writing quite earns 5 stars, but it earns a solid 4 stars, and the introduction by Timothy Truman and the afterword by Mark Finn are very informative and are added bonuses.


If you're not familiar with the Conan saga, I'd suggest reading the preceding four volumes in the Dark Horse canon, as well as checking out the short story in one of the many Robert E. Howard collections that have it.




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The Halls of the Dead and Other Stories: Conan Volume 4 Dark Horse Comics (Graphic Novel)

Conan Volume 4: The Halls of the Dead and Other Stories by Kurt Busiek


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I read the Barry Smith illustrated Marvel comic version of this story way back in 1970 while on vacation in Hawaii. That version remains one of my all time favorite comics and artistic rendetions of the young Conan, so I approached this newer version with some trepidation. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. I thought both the story (it's based on a short fragment of Howard's, not a full blown story, so there's plenty of room on the part of the creators to take in where they will) and the art were well done. The drawings of the Gunderman who is first Conan's adversary and then later his friend were pretty much as I thought they should be, and the drawings of Conan's deceitful girlfriend was pretty spot on as well I thought. Several authors contributed to the plot and dialog (Mike Mignola did chapters 3 and 4 for instance) and while that sometimes doesn't work I thought it worked very well in this instance. I read this in one sitting at the local bookstore cafe where my wife works and may even go back and buy it, so I guess I was pretty impressed.


As an added bonus, noted Howard scholar Mark Finn wrote the afterword where he mentions the epistolary relationship between Robert E. Howard and H. P. Lovecraft and how that relationship impacted both men's writing. Very well done, and probably alone worth the price of the book.




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The Goddess of Ganymede, by Mike Resnick

The Goddess of Ganymede by Mike Resnick


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I read this years ago when it came out, so my review is of course slightly based on the reaction of a 13 or 14 year old boy and how memory may have altered that reaction in the intervening decades. That said, I remember this as a fun read, grand adventure in the Edgar Rice Burroughs tradition of pulp magazine fiction. I don't remember many details, other than that the protagonist ends up on a Ganymede that is very similar to the Barsoom of Burroughs, where he has adventures of the type some call "sword and planet." I vividly remember how very very disappointed I was when the series stopped after the 2nd volume, "Pursuit on Ganymede" was published.


Pretty obviously a homage to Burroughs, and this was also written about the time that the paperback market was being flooded with any number of Burroughs and Robert E. Howard pastiches. That being said, I remember enjoying it more than some of the other similar books that were coming out at the time, so I'm giving it 3.5 stars and am strongly considering going out and buying a used copy just to see how it holds up.


Probably recommended more to the Edgar Rice Burroughs fans than to the present day Michael Resnick fans (unless you're a completist, like I tend to be) since his more modern writing has matured and has a different slant than this. Still, if you are a Resnick fan (as I still am) and want to see some of his early homage work you might enjoy this. As I said before, it was grand fun.




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The Snow Goose, by Paul Gallico

The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this sometime in the late 1960's, so I probably should re-read it now to get a more adult perspective, but the book and the events it chronicled have stayed in my memory for over 40 years, so I think it's safe to say it was a story that left an impact. Author Paul Gallico is better know for his The Poseidon Adventure but I think this was the better book.

Briefly, a story set on the English coast in 1940, with a climax at Dunkirk. As another reviewer stated, sentimental but realistic (I'm paraphrasing). I still recommend it.



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Sometimes a Great Notion, by Ken Kesey

Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I first read this in the 1980's. It's a tough book to get into, took me two tries, but once I got into Kesey's way of telling the story I couldn't put the book down. It's still one of my all time favorite works of fiction, perhaps my no. 1 all time favorite work of fiction.

Be warned though, it takes some concentration to initially get into it. I still recommend to every friend who is a serious reader.

Set in the Pacific Northwest during a logging strike. Multiple character points of view told in first person, without warning as to when a POV changes. Still, once you get each main character's "voice" you should have little problem with the (sometimes abrupt) switches.

5 Stars.



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Eric, by Terry Pratchett

Eric by Terry Pratchett



My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I always enjoy Terry Pratchett's books, and this one was no exception. Still, I'm not as big a fan of the Rincewind books as I am some of the other Discworld characters. Nothing against the cowardly, inept wizard. Lord knows I'd probably react to the dangers of Discworld the same way he does...still, I prefer the Witches books, or the Guards, or the Moist von Lipwig books.

Having said that, this is an enjoyable, good quick read though. Rincewind is summoned by a young teen age boy named Eric (the eponymous title character) who wants three wishes. Hilarity and confusion (as is usual in Discworld, or our own Roundworld much of the time, come to think of it) ensues.

I'd give it 3.5 stars if the option were available.



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I'll Mature When I'm Dead: Dave Barry's Amazing Tales of Adulthood

I'll Mature When I'm Dead: Dave Barry's Amazing Tales of Adulthood by Dave Barry



My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's been a while since I've read Dave Barry, and I'd forgotten how funny he can be when he's on target. His brand of humor may not be for everybody, but I like it. He skewers the current romanitic Vampire novel craze, the TV show "24", the psychological differences between men and women, fatherhood, and dog ownership, just to touch on a few of the high points. He gets serious when writing about colonoscopies and the wedding of his son (well, mostly serious). I'd recommend this one to anyone looking for a light humorous read.



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Going Postal, by Terry Pratchett

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett



My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Con man Moist von Lipwig is about to be hanged for his various crimes, until Patrician Havelock Vetinari, tyrant of the Discworld city of Ankh-Morpork, gives him a new lease on life. He can hang (literally) or he can take over the defunct Post Office of Ankh-Morpork and use his considerable skills of persuasion and deception to fix things up postally. Just to make sure that von Lipwig doesn't go on the lam, he's given his very own Golem to watch over him and bring him back if he gets lost...



This is the 33rd of the Discworld series, but the first book in which Moist makes his appearance. I thought it was quite enjoyable, and look forward to then next book in which von Lipwig stars: Making Money.





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Tanar of Pellucidar

Tanar of Pellucidar by Edgar Rice Burroughs



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was one of the first books by Edgar Rice Burroughs that I ever read. It's the third in the Pellucidar series, which is what Burroughs called the inner earth setting for this and the other six books in the series. Tanar is a native Pellucidarian who is a friend and ally of David Innes, ERB's hero in the first two books in the series, but it's not necessary to have read the other ones to enjoy this volume. Tanar finds adventure, pirates straight out of a Johnny Depp movie, and true love in this, one of the better Burroughs books. The Roy Krenkel cover on the old Ace version was a bonus for me in the 1960's, but it's not necessary to enjoy the book today. Still, neat if you can find a copy on ebay or amazon or barnes and noble. 5 stars at the time I read it in my pre-teen years, still a 4 stars for those who like adventure in the old time Pulp magazine style...



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The Wordy Shipmates

The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Sarah Vowell. There's no other way to put it. This book is a perfect blend of historical essay and pop culture lit. Vowell's take on the Puritan Massachusetts Bay colony and Governor John Winthrop shows the "shining city on the hill" ideal as the Puritans saw it; which is not quite the way that Ronald Reagan meant it when he co-opted the phrase in the 1980's. Vowell is one of the few authors in the world today who can tie the two visions together and show how the people we are today can relate to the group of folks who left England in 1630 to start anew.

This book I recommend to just about everybody who wants to understand modern day America and the history of the Massachusetts colony. 5, nay 6, stars (out of 5).



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Master of Adventure

One of Robert E. Howard's favorite authors was noted adventure writer, historian, and biographer Harold Lamb. Lamb basically got his start writing historical adventure stories in the aptly named Adventure Magazine which is where REH first read Lamb's stories and wandering Cossacks and adventurers. Later on Lamb would go on to write screen plays for Cecil B. DeMille and best selling biographies and histories set for the most part in Asia. As a kid I remember reading his World Landmark series book on Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde (Landmark#W-12)

Recently University of Nebraska's Bison Press has been re-publishing many of Lamb's stories from the period of his pulp writing days, roughly just before and during the "Roaring Twenties". I'm currently reading Riders of the Steppes: The Complete Cossack Adventures, Volume Three and the stories contained therein are excellent. Supposedly some of the stories in this volume were those read by noted Howard in the early twenties before he began writing professionally himself, going on to create noted fantasy characters such as Conan and Solomon Kane. I can see how Lamb's well written action scenes and vividly realized three dimensional individual heroes were an influence on Howard later on. I've become a major fan of these stories and I highly recommend them to anyone interested in good adventure fiction in a realistic historical setting.

Review of Terry Pratchett's "Guards, Guards"

Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The city of Ankh-Morpork is the setting for this Discworld novel, the 8th in the overall series to be published, and the 1st of what I call the "Guards" sub series. Some have termed them the Ankh-Morpork City Watch ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankh-Morpor... ) sub series. Whatever one wishes to call them, these are some of the best of the Discworld books.
This one starts out with the Night Watch down and almost out for the count. There are only three members left, after one more of their compatriots has died in the line of duty. Their leader, Sam Vimes is a dispirited drunk, the other two members, Corporal Fred Colon and "Nobby" Nobbs are not what would be termed model policemen at this stage of their careers. When they go out into the night, they seem more afraid of the criminals that the criminals are of them. They are soon joined by a new recruit, a 6'6" Dwarf (adopted) named Carrot Ironfoundersson. Ironfoundersson is an idealist who believes that the Watch is still respected and important in the fight against crime and disorder in Ankh-Morpork. He's a literalist who has been raised by a culture that has a hard time understanding statements such as "show him the ropes" an example of which occurs in the book in an incident following a barroom brawl.
While the Watch is coming to terms with its new member, a group is secretly plotting to overthrow the Patrician Lord Havelock Vetinari who runs Ankh-Morpork and institute the return of a King, who they hope to them be able to control. Their proposed method of bringing dragons back into the Discworld turns out to have more problems that they originally anticipate.
A very good read, I recommend it even to those who don't usually read fantasy if they like satire and hard boiled humor. At times Pratchett seems a mix of Joseph Wambaugh and P. G. Wodehouse when writing these Guard books.

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