A fictional alternate history book published in 2007. This book has won several science fiction awards: the Nebula Award for Best Novel, the Locus Award for Best SF Novel, the Hugo Award for Best Novel, and the Sidewise Award for Alternate History for Best Novel. It was shortlisted for the British Science Fiction Association Award for Best Novel and the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel.
Article first published as Book Review: An African Affair by Nina Darnton on Blogcritics. About: An African Affair by Nina Darnton is a fictional book taking place in Nigeria. Ms Darnton is a seasoned reporter who found herself in a Nigerian jail after her husband, a New York Times reporter, filed some uncomplimentary stories about the ruling regime. 272 pages Publisher: Viking Adult Language: English ISBN-10: 0670022888 My rating for An African Affair – 3 Buy this book in paper or electronic format Thoughts: An African Affair by Nina Darnton (Facebook | Huffington Post) might make a stirring memoir and is a descent political thriller. I truly enjoyed how Ms. Darnton captured Nigerian culture and corruption which is accompanied with vast internal tribal interests as well as vast outside ones such as oil and drugs. I have been in several places where blatant bribery is not only accepted, but expected (I’m looking at you South American border guards) and as shocked as I was the first time, I realize that not many places are that different. But please consider that I spent most of my life in New Jersey where bribery is legal. The writing style is clear, fast and easy to read. Ms. Darnton does…
English crime/mystery author P.D. James (3 August, 1920) had a long and prosperous career. Her life, however, were full of challenges which she amazingly overcame. 1 ) James’ full title is Phyllis Dorothy James, Baroness James of Holland Park, OBE (Order of the British Empire), FRSA (Royal Society of Arts), FRSL (Royal Society of Literature). 2 ) James always wanted to write a novel, but when her husband, an Army doctor, came back from WWII with psychological scars she had to put her life on hold. 3 ) Becoming the bread winner for her family, James worked full time, raised a family and took night classes. On the weekends she visited her husband in psychological institutions. 4 ) At some point, the author realized that there will never be a good time to write a book. Her first book, Cover Her Face (published in 1962) was planned during her commute and written during the little spare time she had. 5 ) When the book was published, one reviewer said that “the author is planning a lengthy career in the business”. 6 ) The novel’s protagonist, Inspector Adam Dalgliesh, was named after James’ high school English teacher. 7 ) James’ father…
Article first published as Book Review: Fragments from Iraq by Zsolt T. Stockinger on Blogcritics. “[W]hen Allah created hell, it wasn’t terrible enough, so he made Iraq – and added flies.” Old Arab saying (page 81). About: Fragments from Iraq: Diary of a Navy Trauma Surgeon by Zsolt T. Stockinger is a non-fiction book which recounts the daily life of a trauma surgeon on the front line. The book is in diary format written by the doctor which seems as if he was talking to his wife. 255 pages Publisher: Mcfarland (May 3, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 078646951X My rating for Fragments From Iraq – 4 Buy this book in paper format Thoughts: Fragments from Iraq: Diary of a Navy Trauma Surgeon by Zsolt T. Stockinger relates the daily activities this front line trauma surgeon encountered in his base in Iraq. From the boring daily routine, to the military’s “hurry up and wait” mentality and to the serious injuries, whether from an IED, to local babies, self inflicted wounds and more. The diary is written in an informal style, but it seemed to me that it was edited and maybe sanitized to make it more palatable to a larger audience. Personally I see…
Welcome to another exciting edition of Tightwad Tuesday. Being that everyone … well, almost everyone, OK, some people have Olympic fever I figured I’ll have my cheap butt go out and found some fun and affordable books on the subject. I remember as a child that the Olympics were a really big deal. I lost interest as an adult and it seems that so did many other people. I can’t blame them due to NBC’s lackluster coverage (lots of hype, little content which is delayed by half a day). I think that it’s too bad, the Olympics are a wonderful event and full of spirit. Hope you enjoy. Please note: The prices for the post are current at the time of the post, please pay attention to make sure they haven’t changed before purchase. Authors: If you’d like your book to be featured on Tightwad Tuesdays please email me. Olympic Quiz Book – Interactive Book by James Jones The Olympic Games is a major international sport event which has both summer and winter sport. This event is happened every four years and millions of people are waiting for that. This interactive quiz ebook is made for sharing some stories about the…
When you play at it by day with the chairs and table-cloth, it is not in the least alarming, but in the two minutes before you go to sleep it becomes very real As I was watching the Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies I couldn’t help be impressed with the presentation, scope, audacity and vision of the program. While some of my friends didn’t care for the program I thought it was brilliant. The ceremony was not meant to glorify the Olympic Games but for the English to boast about their country, promote tourism and welcome nations while navigating the viewers and guests through exciting numbers which include history, culture and literature all set to a wonderfully rich soundtrack. It was heartwarming to see the program recognize the great contributions to literature which have come from England. Starting with J.K. Rowling reading a favored selection from Peter Pan mentioned above (and doing a beautiful job, by the way) to Danny Boyle, the director, including many children’s books in the segment. I recognized characters from Lord Voldemort – main villain in the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling, Captain Hook from Peter Pan, Mary Poppins – heroine of the books by P.L….
“Youth” is a story about two young boys on a farm who find and capture strange animals
While looking at covers for The First Men in the Moon, a science fiction story by H.G. Wells which I reviewed this week as part of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen challenge (did you join?), I was quite disappointed at what I found. Most of the covers depicted the same scene and many were unimaginative and boring. While I didn’t think the story was great, I do appreciate its innovation, imagination and the way it influenced many other authors. Also, I’m known for my love of pulp covers and from some reason I couldn’t find any for this book. It could be mainly because there are no women in the story and pulp art, after all, is known for buxom babes. Check out the covers below, let me know which ones you like best. To be honest, none of them strikes my fancy. If I had to pick one it would be either the lithograph or the original covers (first and second below).
Yesterday I posted about H.G. Wells’ classic sci-fi book The First Men in the Moon which I read because: a) I wanted to read it b) It’s a classic book c) It was for my League of Extraordinary Gentel-Man of la Book challenge which I highly recommend you join if you haven’t so far. It is not only a great challenge, but you’ll also be the life of the party and the envy of all your friends and enemies. More books by H. G. Wells 1 ) The book is considered a “scientific romance” (I have not idea what that means either) and was the first science fiction book Wells published in the 20th Century (1901). 2 ) C.S. Lewis publicly stated that The First Men in the Moon is “the best of the sort I have read”. He was talking about science fiction books. 3 ) The book is considered the first alien dystopia book and is created with creating a sub-genre of science fiction featuring intelligent social aliens who are insect like. 4 ) Dr. Cavor and his gravity defying material called Cavorite became major plot device in several other books by Wells and others. 5 ) Dr….
Article first published as Book Review: The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells on Blogcritics. About: The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells is another classic book by the famous English author written in 1901. At the time the novel was ridiculed, however it stood the test of time for over more than a Century. 176 pages Publisher: Dover Publications (December 18, 2000) Language: English ISBN-10: 0486414183 My rating for The First Men in the Moon — 3 Buy this book paper or electronic format More books by H. G. Wells Part of the League of Extraordinary Gentle — Men of la — Book Challenge (Vol. 1) Thoughts: The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells is a very imaginative book which, in the context of what we know now, is an amazing testament to Mr. Wells’ imagination, logic and foresight. In this book objects float in space, weightlessness is applicable, humans are able to cover large distances on the moon due to low gravity and spaceships generate an immense amount of heat returning to earth. The story also has several philosophical tones. The two main characters, Cavor and Bedford are at odds with one another…
