Mike's Book Review Thread.

[Mike Rotch]

Last book read: The Moon is Down
Author: John Steinbeck

Acquired from: Online retailer
Edition/Type: First edition hardcover, published 1942, no DJ.

Rating: 9.0/10

Type: Fiction

Comment: This book was written whilst Steinbeck was acting as a reporter in WWII, and he does a magnificent job of avoiding the sterotype of painting the "villians" as bad guys...

The story is about an unnamed Scandinavian town (Norway), invaded by an unnamed force (The Nazi's) in WWII. Although he never divulges which nationalities are involved, there are enough tips, hints and nudges along the way to paint a picture of ruthless and efficient occupation.

The novella tells the story of a quite, peaceful town occupied in a matter of minutes by a precisely planned invasion, complete with collaborators amongst the townfolk.

As thet story developes the theme of forced occupation rises to the surface. Except it isnt of the expect story of brutality and iron-fisted rule by cold-blooded soldiers. It is instead one of increasing paranoia that the town will rise up and kill them, and of a misery borne out of the towns hatred for them.

An interesting conflict surrounds the towns mayor; does he help the occupiers in keeping a bloodless calm, or does he lead his town towards bloody resistance?

The story builds up to a climax almost without you realising it. Will the town revolt? Will the mayor collaborate? An quality read, albeit a short one.

 

[emad]

thanks, the subscription email reminded me to post about my latest book

Last book read: Bourne Ultimatum
Author: Robert Ludlum
Acquired from: Coles
Rating: 5/10
Type: Fiction

Comment: Where the first two novels were pure and utter genius, I found this one to be very lacking. Both Jason Bourne and his enemy are well into their 50's and 60's respectively and Ludlum puts them into a situation where they must forget their age and try and kill eachother. Some things made very little sense this time around (Like the revival of Medusa) and the involvement of some of the characters in the novel. I'm not sure if this one was rushed or if Ludlum was just out of ideas but overall, this could have been much better. I was expectint this to be at least on par with the first two but it wasn't.

Overall, a good read - especially if you read the first two novels and want to finish it all off. I'd suggest you only read it to find out what convoluted events take place Jason Bourne's last and final adventure

 

[Mike Rotch]

Last book read: Half a wing, three engines and a prayer.
Author: Brian O' Neill

Acquired from: Online retailer
Edition/Type: Second edition softcover, published 1998, special edition.

Rating: 9.8/10

Type: Non-Fiction

Comment: On reading the covers of this book one would be easily conned into thinking it is just "another" historical account of a bomber crews experiece during WWII. But oh boy, is this book so much more then that. Author Brian O' Neill has provided an astonishing recollection of Capt Robert Hullars crews experience in the 303rd "Hells Angels" Bomber Group during '43/'44.

What makes this book a virtual masterpiece is that each mission is retold not via what may have happened, but rather via the crews diary entries, memoirs, post mission interrrogation scripts and log book entries. There is not a single description of a mission that is not told via the hand of an active participant in the battle, and whatsmore, every detail of each mission has been painstakingly researched. Diary accounts from other 303rd members that participated in battle are used to draw the reader into the intensity and anxiety of battle like no other books I have read on the subject. Where a particular 303rd crew had experienced an especially harrowing mission or battle, their story is told too via personal accounts.

Where aircraft from the 303rd were lost in battle (and in their bloodiest raid - to Oschesleben - 10 out of 20 aircraft where lost in a 10 minute period before the bomb release point), the aircraft name, pilot and crew, final moments of plane and wreckage location have all been researched. Where an especially fierce battle occurred with the Luftwaffe, the particular Luftwaffe aircraft involved have also been researched and reported on.

O' Neill has also achieved the magnificent feat of bringing the entire 303rd BG alive. The missions of many other crew members are followed - again with their diary entries or post mission interviews serving as quoted material for the mission description. Better still is the Epilogue, which gives the post war careers of all the participants mentioned in the meat of the book. It adds a fantastic finishing touch to a magnificent book.

This book is not like Elmer Bendiner's The Fall of Fortresses". It does delve much into how a tour of mission slowly eats away at youth and soul. It is rather a terrifying and intense re-living of life at 25000 feet, where there is no forgiveness from enemy fire. A superb read.

 

[emad]

wow mike, you REALLY love your world war 2 bomber stories, dont ya?

Anyways, I just finished Richard Morgan's Market Forces - I'll have something written up for it tomorrow (at work now )

 

[Mike Rotch]

wow mike, you REALLY love your world war 2 bomber stories, dont ya?

I dont read "stories" or "fiction" I read autobiographical accounts of what should not be forgotten

 

[Mike Rotch]

Last book read: A Mighty Fortress: Lead Bomber over Europe
Author: Charles Alling

Acquired from: Online retailer
Edition/Type: First edition Hardcover, published 2002.

Rating: 6.7/10

Type: Non-Fiction

Comment: This book is a bit of a mixed bag, as personal narratives go.

The book is a personal account of Captain Chuck Allings (pilot) 27 missions over Europe from mid 1944 to mid 1945. Near the end of his tour, he was promoted to Lead Bomber of his Group, and on the odd mission, Lead of the entire 8th AF. He begins by giving a brief explanation of his family life before enlisting, his training and his sisters death shortly before overseas deployment. His crew named their B-17 - Miss Prudy- after his late sister as a tribute to her. I am unsure if I was expecting more (unfairly, after the brilliant "Half a wing"), but this book lacked any sort of edge and did a good job of keeping the reader an arms length, away from the heat of battle.

Contributing further to the frustration were the jumbled timelines. He begins off by attempting to recall each mission he flew, but half way through the book one realises handfuls of mission have been omitted. Whether this is through the failing memory of the author or by design, I am not sure, but it makes for a disjointed read nevertheless.

What lifts the books from obscurity is the final chapter; his farewell to his English base - Mendelsham - , his beloved Miss Prudy, and his crew. Few other books recall the sense of emptiness felt whilst leaving behind memories of war and of comradery. The final description of his flight back to the States was one of anxiety (and one of danger as things transpired), but only serves to reinforce how the combat descriptions were one dimensional.

An average read, as enjoyable as a warm cup of coffee.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Last book read: Tomlins Crew : A Bombadiers Story
Author: J.W. Smallwood

Acquired from: Online retailer
Edition/Type: First edition Softcover.

Rating: 7.0/10

Type: Non-Fiction

Comment: This poorly bound book (although an unread copy, the spine is cracking and pages are loose ) covers the span of the authors experience as a B-17 bombadier in the 15th Airforce, based in Tortorella Italy, near Foggia on the east coast.

It is hard to put ones finger on the quality of this book. The author spends a fairly large portion of the book on his enlistment and his training at various stations around America. He does a good job of explaining just what a bombadiers responsibilities are, to the extend of explaining how the Norden bomsight worked and how he had to double as a navigator. As training recollections go, one of the more exciting ones I have come across.

The second third of the book gives, at times, murky accounts of camp life and missions. He recalls some of his 14 missions, but again, it is an incomplete picture. Various missions are skipped out without mention, leaving the reader to figure out that the author is indeed flying more then the book reveals. On an actual mission, no sense of intensity is present. He doesnt draw the reader into the action enough, almost keeping the reader on the outside, looking in.

The final third of the book tells the story of him being shot down on his 15th mission - to Regensburg. The books title is dedicated to the crews pilot, Dale Tomlin, who was the only member of the crew to pass away as a result of that mission. The story dealing with his capture and recovery from injury is the most exciting part of the book. After a stay in an Austrian hospital, he and other patients are hauled to a Stalag Luft in North Germany - Barth - near the Danish border. There, he recalls the cramped conditions in the POW camp, the dire food situation and the changing moods of his captors as news of the closing Russians reaches camp.

The book fails to make bring the reader a clear, accurate picture of just what he experienced in the air and as a POW. He also neglects to give post war histories of the other 8 surviving crew members, and of the captors he befriended in the Stalag Luft.

An reasonably enticing story, but certainly not a classic.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Last book read: My War
Author: Andy Rooney

Acquired from: Online retailer
Edition/Type: Hardcover, 2000 printing.

Rating: 9.4/10

Type: Non-Fiction

Comment: I was greatly looking forward to this book. And I think a large part of why that was, was due to the fact that was written by Andy Rooney. Fortunately I have not had the opportunity to watch more than an episode of 60 Minutes. Thus I was free from holding any opinions on the man that may have affected how viewed the book.

On the book, it is a recollection of his time serving for the Stars and Stripes newspaper, circulated amongst the Army throughout WWII. Originally drafted into the army as a soldier, he never fitted in with the mundane and ordered life presented to the soldiers in his unit. He was shipped to England, but on the verge of being sent into battle he was successful in his application as a reporter to The Stars and Stripes. Thus began his journey through some of the biggest historical events in our history.

After proving himself through mundane stories on insignifcant events in England, he attached himself to a B-17 Bomber Group and so began his reporting from the frontline. He always felt guilty about trying to extract stories from airmen, especially after a mission where they had seen friends cut down. This guilt lead to him voluteering for 5 missions over Germany. As anyone who has a safe, cushy job might do in wartime, he almost chicked out at the last second. As he said "it was kinda stupid to volunteer on a mission that may lead to death, simply to get closer to the men supplying the stories." Needless to say, he gained a new understanding of what horrors aircrew experienced whilst on a mission.

It is hard to imagine how what he saw later on affected him later in his life. I have picked up various opinions on him - since reading the book - and most see him as an eternal skeptic and whiner. Perhaps when one understands what he witnessed first hand, it would make more sense. He was there days after D-Day on Utah to see the bodies still piled up on the shale. He followed the troops into the hedgerows before they were cleared. He was there when St-Lô was finally taken from the Germans after a bitter battle. He was there when the Americans set a trap for the 90,000 German soldiers retreating from Normandy. He saw how 30,000 of them were slaughtered by artillary fire and from strafing P-47's. He was there when the first French Units rumbled into Paris, and when De Gaulle was almost assassinated during the Liberation Parade days later. He was there when Cologne was taken, when the Rhine was first crossed. And when Buchenwald was first stumbled upon and Thekle was discovered.

There is also a short section where he lays out his cold contempt for General Patton. It is fascinating reading.

After V-E day, he volunteered to be flown out to the Indo-China theater to give soldiers a report back on what they might expect. The war was over for him before Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

What I really enjoyed about this book was how, in a sea of regular descriptions he would write 3 or 4 or 5 lines which so accurately capture a feeling or philosophy or moment, that one can only close the book and reflect on what one has just read. If you want a to find out what the liberation of France and Germany was like on the ground, this book makes for a superb choice.

 

[emad]

Last book read: Market Forces
Author: Richard Morgan

Acquired from: Chapters
Edition/Type: Paperback, 2004.

Rating: 7.5/10

Type: Sci Fi

Comment: I've been meaning to review this book since i read it 2 months ago, so I'll do it now.

Think Road Warrior meets Wall Street... That's the basic premise behind this novel. Some years previously, there was some chain of events that managed to make people lose trust in their governments. Slowly, corporations got more and more power and basically ended up being on top of the world and pretty much untouchable. Jobs aren't easy to come by, and office jobs are so hard to get that people have to kill for them. In order to get a promotion, people have to take their armored cars onto the highway and try to kill eachother.

Well, that's the world that the hero/anti-hero, Chris Faulkner lives in. He works in the "Conflict Investment" division of his firm which is pretty much a nice way of saying he's an arms dealer.

Anyways, there are a bunch of internal conflicts with his organization, arms deals going crazy, Chris showing occasional emotion, and his friendships at this new company are ruining his marriage and his life.

This novel basically allows you to watch how Chris gets changed and sculpted by his new job.

Overall, the book is really cool and has LOTS of action and tons of violence. It plays out like a movie rather than a book but still, character development is deep and much of the plot is unpredictable.

I liked it a lot but I doubt this one is for everyone. To quote another reviewer on this book:

An ultra-black, ultra-violent and intensely depressing vision of 2049's amoral Masters of the World. Compulsive reading for the un-squeamish; you can almost hear Michael Moore saying "I told you so". --David Langford

 

[Max Powers]

Book Read: Foundation
Author: Isaac Asimov
Genre: Science Fiction
Published: in serial, 1942; compiled into a single collection in 1951.
Acquired from: My buddy, John; who though I'd enjoy it.

Review: About 10,000 years from now, there's millions of worlds, held together by an archaic empire's that's collapsing. Who's gonna save the day? Duh...the smart people. The ones who kept the light on in darkness of the galaxy, while everyone else is getting fat, lazy, petty, and ignorant. They are the Encyclopedists, who are going to record history so we don't repeat the mistakes made beforehand.

One man, who's developed a unique brand of science called "psychohistory" can use mathematical formulas to predict the course of human history. Unfortunately, he's predicted bad things. Really bad things. But if you act now, he'll promise that by following the way of the Encyclopediaists, we'll slash the 30,000 years of human misery and failure into a single millenia!

Of course, most everyone thinks he's loco en la cabeza. But see what happens when the Encyclopediaists are sent to the edge of the Galaxy to change the future and fend for themselves from their new-found enemies.

What I liked about it: This isn't a book about aliens or extra-terrestrials or robots. This is a book about politics and the human beings, despite all their bahaviors, create dynasties and destroy them in a fell swoop. This is how history is made, and how it repeats itself when the ignoramouses get behind the wheel of a veritable TVR Speed 12 without any assistance or advice. It's written into the language of a 16-year-old, but it doesn't dwell on using foul lagunage, whether English-derived, or giving you unpronouncable names of planets that don't exist. Yes, it's an easy read, but one you can't put down once you put away your pre-concieved notions. Lucky for you, it's part of a tremendous series, but for those of you with just a month to spare, the Foundation "Trillogy" should be enough.

Rating: 10/10...an absolute favorite of mine.

I'm about halfway through this book right now. My neighbor bought it for me, along with the rest of the Foundation series and a Barnes and Noble gift card as a graduation gift.

So far, I'm quite impressed by it. I think I'm going to need to start it over again though. I've been reading it on and off all summer, and I was probably stoned half the time I spent reading it, so it's not as clear as it should be to me. Everybody I have ever talked to has told me that Asimov is amazing, so I want to give this book a full, in-depth read. Hopefully I find it as awesome as your review makes it out to be.

Speaking of books, I just got back from Barnes and Noble, I bought "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk, and "1984" by George Orwell.

I've read 1984 quite a few times now, but can anybody tell me anything about "Fight Club"? I haven't seen the movie yet, but I've heard Palahniuk is a great author, the "new Kurt Vonnegut", so I have high expectations.

 

[Sage]

I just bought Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time this morning, and I'm about halfway through it. Is this thread only for non-fiction-y stuff?

 

[Duke]

Holy crapoly! I started reading that and couldn't finish it. Halfway through, you say?

 

[Sage]

Yup! I won't claim that I understand all of it (I've yet to figure out why antiparticles even exist in the first place), but I think I've got a fairly good handle on it. This kind of physics is the stuff I really love. Trying to imagine a 4-dimensional diagram made my head hurt though. Ditto the 1/2 spin particles (I noticed a diagram for the half spin particle wasn't even attempted, while the 0/1/2 were).

Like I said though, I really love this kind of stuff, more so than mechanical physics. No clue why though.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Is this thread only for non-fiction-y stuff?

*faints after seeing people actually posting in this thread*

For fiction, or non-fiction

Trying to imagine a 4-dimensional diagram made my head hurt though

Light cones did my head in when i read it about 4 years ago (second time I read it). Its in line to be read again when the stash runs out

 

[Sage]

Light cones did my head in when i read it about 4 years ago (second time I read it). Its in line to be read again when the stash runs out

I was actually surprised that I was able to understand that, though it is weird to think about. When he started talking about black holes emitting radiation though, I lost it... doesn't make any sense to me. I'm also not sure why he keeps associating a "constant" with the inflation of the universe. Wouldn't that only make sense if it expanded in a linear fashion? Or am I working with the wrong definition of "constant"?

 

[Mike Rotch]

I was actually surprised that I was able to understand that, though it is weird to think about. When he started talking about black holes emitting radiation though, I lost it... doesn't make any sense to me. I'm also not sure why he keeps associating a "constant" with the inflation of the universe. Wouldn't that only make sense if it expanded in a linear fashion? Or am I working with the wrong definition of "constant"?

On the radiation and black holes, if I rememeber corectly he is saying that energy is being squeezed out of matter falling into the black hole. But if nothing can escape the gravitational force of a black hole, how is that possible? I read recently that he has admitted one of his theories was incorrect in that book. Cant find the link or remember the theory

On the constant, and expansion, I aint gonna wing it because I cant remember all he discussed

 

[Mike Rotch]

Last book read: All Quiet on the Western Front
Author: Erich Maria Remarque

Acquired from: Online retailer
Edition/Type: 7th impression, softcover, 1973
Rating: 9.7/10

Type: Non-Fiction

Comment: The is really no way to describe how disarming this book is. It is what you want it to be; a simple read or a deep look at how war changes a mans outlook on life.

The book is an autobiography of the authors experience on "The Western Front" - the German trench lines of WWI. It is translated from German and told as though it all happened to a fictional character - Paul - but none of the story is lost in the translation, and the author does a great job of telling what he has to say.

The crux of the book is how Paul and his seven friends join the army straight out of school, with the misconception that war is glorious and that their generation will be the saviour of their nation. It doesn't take long however, for Paul to realise that those who rattled into his head that war is a young man's patriotic duty had never experienced the horror's of the front line. He feels lied to. He see's that the point of war is to settle power hungry men's arguments.

The middle portion of this book is scintillating in its portrayal of mud-soaked trench warfare. The simple writing style does anything but glorify it. After months and years in the trenches, Paul's outlook on life is simple, "All other expressions of life lie in a winter sleep, life is simple one continual watch against the menace of death; - it has transformed us into unthinking animals in order to give us the weapon of instinct - it has reinforced us with a dullness, so that we do not go to pieces before the horror, which would overwhelm us if we had a clear, conscious thought."

Paul cannot see a future beyond war. He see's the previous generation as having a calling in life, and the next generation as not understanding his sacrifies. For him, surviving the war does not mean has actually survived the war.

An absolute classic. Read it if you can.

 

[Taowulf]

I would contribute more book reviews but my dog keeps eating my books.

No lie!

 

[ExigeEvan]

@ Mike- Over what time period have you read these books? Are they as you remember them? as you read them? or just after a quick re-read? I would right a review on the Dale Brown 'Dreamland Series' books I have been reading, but I'm terrible at reviews (My English teacher even said so ).

 

[TwinTurboJay]

I am working my way through Lazy Sunday Comics ( Calvin and Hobbes Collention ) very intriguing....I mean, is this Tiger the real deal or what, some sort of shape shifter.......ahhhhh, discussion for the ages !

 

[SS2]

Right now i'm reading Flowers for Algernon. Great book so far.👍

 

[Mike Rotch]

@ Mike- Over what time period have you read these books? Are they as you remember them? as you read them? or just after a quick re-read?

As I read em, so I review em. 👍

At any one time I have 3 - 6 books waiting to be read . Typically it takes 2-3 weeks to read a book, less if it isnt a book that requires concentration - 'All Quiet on the Western Front', 'Fall of Fortresses' spring to mind for books that took some time to read.

I am working my way through Lazy Sunday Comics

No comics allowed in this thread

Right now i'm reading Flowers for Algernon

That is an amazing story. I loved that book.

 

[Blackbird.]

That is an amazing story. I loved that book.

Yeah I've only got half way. I'm only 13 so some of these words I come across i'm like what the heck does that mean? For example : Quoted from the book Flowers for Algernon: "It hasn't been translated yet. I read it in the Hindu Journal of Psychopathology." Psychopathology. What does that mean. Oh and don't answer that, I'll find out myself.

 

[Blackbird.]

As I read em, so I review em. 👍

I'll give a full review after i'm done with the book. Which will take say... 2 or 3 months at the latest?

 

[Blackbird.]

I've finished reading Flowers for Algernon and I just got done with Jack. It's about a boy that has a gay father and he is not OK with that and trys to avoid him but later on he learns to respect his father's type. Very short reveiw but now I'm reading Lost Horizon.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Last book read: Once there was a war
Author: John Steinbeck

Acquired from: Online retailer
Edition/Type: 2nd impression, softcover, <forgot year>
Rating: 7.9/10

Type: Non-Fiction

Comment: This neat little book was compiled from Steinbeck's notes taken during WWII whilst he "participated in WWII by not participating". He, like many other great authors of that time became newspaper correspondants, and the reports that make up this book are a reflection of the time he spent in various parts of the War in 1943.

Although the reports themselves rarely relate to one another, the book still has a great flow and one is never really aware of any disruption in the fluidity of the story he is telling.

The stories he tells are wide ranging - from the invasion of Italy to life on a troopship to life in England for American soldiers. Yet, however apparently mundane the topic he holds, he never fails to bring the story to life with wit and sarcasm and dry observation that very few authors could probably pull off. As if to emphasise the fact that the stories he is telling are in fact exerpts taken from newspapers he contributed to, many stories have a tell tale (Cut by Censor) in the middle of a sentence or where ever a locations name is mentioned. It adds to what one imagines life was like in that era. There is a memorable story of his experience tagging along with the Army during the invasion of Italy. Anyone who would like a truth told about media reports during war time would do well to read it.

It is not the trail of blood and battle that Andy Rooney wrote about, rather the sort of story one would imagine a Grandfather telling his family around the fireplace one night.

It wouldn't be Steinbeck if it was any other way.

 

[TurboLevin2NV]

Book: Christine
Author: Stephen King

Rating 9.0/10.0

Type: Fiction


This is the first SK book recommended to me, I was told it was a great book, and that it I would like it also because it has cars in it.

The story is about an young man named Arnie Cunningham, who gets his hands on an old 1958 Plymouth Fury. His life and personality changes which alarms his family and friends, mostly his best friend Dennis Guilder. An eerie history about the '58 Fury is uncovered, and wierd things start happening. The book won't let you stop, or even slow down with it's gripping story line. I would stop for a short read, maybe ten pages before I sleep and end up reading a quarter of the book.

I guess the story was supposed to be kind of scary and wierd you out, but I was rather unaffected by that part.Great discriptions, and dialog. First really good book I've read in a while. Read it, trust me you'll love it.

Sort of old book (80's), but hey Stephen King novels never get old

 

[Sage]

*bumpity bump*

This thread's too good to die!

Anyway, I'm reading The Picture of Dorian Gray right now for AP Lit… a little over halfway through now. Great book (hey, it's Oscar Wilde), and even better that it's short enough to keep my ridiculous attention span.

 

[Chris Hendriks]

I'm currently reading The Big Bad Wolf, after which I will start The Art Of War by Sun-Tzu.I am also picking up 1984 by George Orwell and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.I'll post reviews as i finish them.

 

[emad]

currently reading the entire hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy series. first 3 books so far have been amazing... though a tad short

Brian Aldiss's Helliconia trilogy was also a REALLY interesting read.