Andrew
Someone recommended this book to me, saying, "you seem like you would enjoy this." I'll have to go the rest of my life knowing that's what they think of me and never knowing what I did to give them that impression.
There's only three things the fine folks of Black Banks, Kentucky love; faith, family, and going down to the honky-tonk every Saturday night. All the women look as pretty as a peach in their ol' gingham frocks and they be cooking that cornbread just right, every waking moment. The young men come up from the coal mine all blue-eyed and muscley, wearing them Levi jeans so tight they just about fit to bust. They love their mamas and they ain't got no daddies, and in between smoking a Marlboro Red, drinking a shot of Jim Beam, or singing/listening to gospel music at least once per paragraph, they stand out in the middle of the Appalachian holler looking up at that clear blanket of stars thinking deep thoughts about their place in the universe. Lord bless, they's so many deep thinking, whiskey drinking, God fearing folk staring up at the stars it's a wonder there's enough room for them all to stand side by side.
There ain't much plot to this [smoking a Marlboro] story, it's more of a character study and series of vignettes centered around 20-something year old orphan [shot of bourbon] Clay Sizemore, who ain't never been in love before until he meets and starts courting Alma, who play the fiddle just as sweet as a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie and done runned off from her no-good husband Denzel. The story is interspersed with flashbacks to Clay's dearly departed wild child saint of a mother, Anneth, [gospel music] and some mighty powerful symbolism and metaphors that weigh as heavy as the Appalachian hills themselves...and just like those hills, the symbolism is strip-mined and hollowed out for all it's worth until there hain't nothing left [smoking another Marlboro, double shot of bourbon].
The prose is so sappy and dripping with Southern aphorisms, you could sop it up with one of your grandmammy's buttermilk biscuits. If there's a single [gospel music] hillbilly stereotype that isn't loving portrayed at some point in this book, then I'll be a monkey's uncle.
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My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Someone recommended this book to me, saying, "you seem like you would enjoy this." I'll have to go the rest of my life knowing that's what they think of me and never knowing what I did to give them that impression.
There's only three things the fine folks of Black Banks, Kentucky love; faith, family, and going down to the honky-tonk every Saturday night. All the women look as pretty as a peach in their ol' gingham frocks and they be cooking that cornbread just right, every waking moment. The young men come up from the coal mine all blue-eyed and muscley, wearing them Levi jeans so tight they just about fit to bust. They love their mamas and they ain't got no daddies, and in between smoking a Marlboro Red, drinking a shot of Jim Beam, or singing/listening to gospel music at least once per paragraph, they stand out in the middle of the Appalachian holler looking up at that clear blanket of stars thinking deep thoughts about their place in the universe. Lord bless, they's so many deep thinking, whiskey drinking, God fearing folk staring up at the stars it's a wonder there's enough room for them all to stand side by side.
There ain't much plot to this [smoking a Marlboro] story, it's more of a character study and series of vignettes centered around 20-something year old orphan [shot of bourbon] Clay Sizemore, who ain't never been in love before until he meets and starts courting Alma, who play the fiddle just as sweet as a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie and done runned off from her no-good husband Denzel. The story is interspersed with flashbacks to Clay's dearly departed wild child saint of a mother, Anneth, [gospel music] and some mighty powerful symbolism and metaphors that weigh as heavy as the Appalachian hills themselves...and just like those hills, the symbolism is strip-mined and hollowed out for all it's worth until there hain't nothing left [smoking another Marlboro, double shot of bourbon].
The prose is so sappy and dripping with Southern aphorisms, you could sop it up with one of your grandmammy's buttermilk biscuits. If there's a single [gospel music] hillbilly stereotype that isn't loving portrayed at some point in this book, then I'll be a monkey's uncle.
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My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
"Well, I think it was really just determination that really meant something. I can't believe that they didn't just go in and wipe us out. We confused the Japanese so much. I think it deterred them. It was a great experience."
— Thomas Stevensen, Survivor of Samuel B. Roberts
A harrowing reconstruction of the Battle off Samar. Hornfischer makes the decision to focus on a handful of sailors from each of the American escort carriers and destroyer escorts and follow the battle through their eyes, hooking readers in emotionally. It's an effective strategy as opposed to providing a clinical birds' eye view of events, but I confess to often feeling confused about where exactly each ship was in relation to each other and the Japanese during the course of action and being overwhelmed by the volume of violence and the scale of it all...but given that even the survivors themselves couldn't say with 100% accuracy what the hell happened or how they managed to live through it, I can't hold that too much against the author.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
"Well, I think it was really just determination that really meant something. I can't believe that they didn't just go in and wipe us out. We confused the Japanese so much. I think it deterred them. It was a great experience."
— Thomas Stevensen, Survivor of Samuel B. Roberts
A harrowing reconstruction of the Battle off Samar. Hornfischer makes the decision to focus on a handful of sailors from each of the American escort carriers and destroyer escorts and follow the battle through their eyes, hooking readers in emotionally. It's an effective strategy as opposed to providing a clinical birds' eye view of events, but I confess to often feeling confused about where exactly each ship was in relation to each other and the Japanese during the course of action and being overwhelmed by the volume of violence and the scale of it all...but given that even the survivors themselves couldn't say with 100% accuracy what the hell happened or how they managed to live through it, I can't hold that too much against the author.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Having followed the basic tenets of Carl Pullein's Time Sector System for a few months now, I can state that the method does work, more or less. I don't have the same professional demands or tight deadlines that Carl does; I mainly use this system to supercede my ADHD by writing a task or thought down immediately and prioritize it rather than hope I remember it later when I have both the free time and motivation to carry it through.
This book is not entirely necessary - one can get the majority of the information and work flow from watching Carl's free YouTube guides. That said, the text does go into more detail on some topics, is a handy reference guide while setting up your own system, and is a nice way to support the creator for their efforts.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Having followed the basic tenets of Carl Pullein's Time Sector System for a few months now, I can state that the method does work, more or less. I don't have the same professional demands or tight deadlines that Carl does; I mainly use this system to supercede my ADHD by writing a task or thought down immediately and prioritize it rather than hope I remember it later when I have both the free time and motivation to carry it through.
This book is not entirely necessary - one can get the majority of the information and work flow from watching Carl's free YouTube guides. That said, the text does go into more detail on some topics, is a handy reference guide while setting up your own system, and is a nice way to support the creator for their efforts.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
This short story, set shortly after the events of Leviathan Falls, is not essential reading but does tie up a couple loose ends. Mainly, it shows two things: life goes on in the face of every tragedy and hardship, and that people as a whole keep making the same mistakes.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
This short story, set shortly after the events of Leviathan Falls, is not essential reading but does tie up a couple loose ends. Mainly, it shows two things: life goes on in the face of every tragedy and hardship, and that people as a whole keep making the same mistakes.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Harry Flashman is perhaps the least likable, most odious, and contemptible protagonist in any book I've ever read. His only saving grace is that he knows it and will tell you so himself.
The concept of the 12-part series The Flashman Papers is that after a long and storied career in Her Majesty's Service, General Sir Harry Paget Flashman has sat down to write his memoirs and reveal how every selfless and courageous act he has been credited with was in fact either lucky happenstance, misrepresented, or a deliberate falsification in order to increase his social standing. Over the course of the series he is a sort of Victorian era Forrest Gump, regularly interacting with real world figures and often finding himself central to the most important historical events of the day between 1839-1894.
This first story details his rise as a cavalry officer and his experiences during the disastrous retreat from Kabul in 1842 during the First Angle-Afghan War. Despite spending the majority of the book sucking up to his superiors, physically and sexually abusing his servants, and shirking his duty at every opportunity, he is publicly celebrated as the Hero of Afghanistan at the end of the story by virtue of being one of the only survivors and no one being around to dispute his version of events.
As I said at the beginning, the story is framed as an elderly Flashman finally coming clean and setting the record straight, marveling at what a stupid society would let someone like him rise to the top. I feel Flashman is best looked at as a satirical representation of British colonialism and imperial attitudes distilled down into one man: rapacious, vain, intolerant, violent, cowardly, hypocritical, and never, ever noble. If the books ever played it straight or expected you to take Flashman's side, I think the whole thing would fall apart.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Harry Flashman is perhaps the least likable, most odious, and contemptible protagonist in any book I've ever read. His only saving grace is that he knows it and will tell you so himself.
The concept of the 12-part series The Flashman Papers is that after a long and storied career in Her Majesty's Service, General Sir Harry Paget Flashman has sat down to write his memoirs and reveal how every selfless and courageous act he has been credited with was in fact either lucky happenstance, misrepresented, or a deliberate falsification in order to increase his social standing. Over the course of the series he is a sort of Victorian era Forrest Gump, regularly interacting with real world figures and often finding himself central to the most important historical events of the day between 1839-1894.
This first story details his rise as a cavalry officer and his experiences during the disastrous retreat from Kabul in 1842 during the First Angle-Afghan War. Despite spending the majority of the book sucking up to his superiors, physically and sexually abusing his servants, and shirking his duty at every opportunity, he is publicly celebrated as the Hero of Afghanistan at the end of the story by virtue of being one of the only survivors and no one being around to dispute his version of events.
As I said at the beginning, the story is framed as an elderly Flashman finally coming clean and setting the record straight, marveling at what a stupid society would let someone like him rise to the top. I feel Flashman is best looked at as a satirical representation of British colonialism and imperial attitudes distilled down into one man: rapacious, vain, intolerant, violent, cowardly, hypocritical, and never, ever noble. If the books ever played it straight or expected you to take Flashman's side, I think the whole thing would fall apart.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
A strong follow-up to Cop Hater. McBain put into practice his idea that "the squadroom itself could function as the hero" by having last book's protagonist, Steve Carella, out of the picture for most of this story and letting other members of the police force take center stage. The Mugger mainly follows rookie patrolman Bert Kling, who gets roped into doing a favor for an old acquaintance, while the detective squad deals with the titular mugger.
As before, McBain revels in the details of the mundane and repetitious nature of police work. Even cases of rape, assault, and murder become just another day on the job. The focus is more on the personalities and interpersonal relationships of the members of the 87th precinct than any thrilling action or solving the mystery of the case.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
A strong follow-up to Cop Hater. McBain put into practice his idea that "the squadroom itself could function as the hero" by having last book's protagonist, Steve Carella, out of the picture for most of this story and letting other members of the police force take center stage. The Mugger mainly follows rookie patrolman Bert Kling, who gets roped into doing a favor for an old acquaintance, while the detective squad deals with the titular mugger.
As before, McBain revels in the details of the mundane and repetitious nature of police work. Even cases of rape, assault, and murder become just another day on the job. The focus is more on the personalities and interpersonal relationships of the members of the 87th precinct than any thrilling action or solving the mystery of the case.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Extremely well-researched and engaging biography of a modern-day sailing vagabond whose life was repeatedly marred by tragedy and traumatic events and ultimately, paradoxically, was held prisoner by his reckless pursuit of freedom.
Anyone who enjoyed Into the Wild will love this as well, as it explores similar themes of youthful idealism, intentional rejection of civilization, and self-destructive hubris.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Extremely well-researched and engaging biography of a modern-day sailing vagabond whose life was repeatedly marred by tragedy and traumatic events and ultimately, paradoxically, was held prisoner by his reckless pursuit of freedom.
Anyone who enjoyed Into the Wild will love this as well, as it explores similar themes of youthful idealism, intentional rejection of civilization, and self-destructive hubris.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Difficult one for me to read or review with any degree of impartiality. I myself was a Fobbit, deployed to a Forward Operating Base on the south side of Baghdad in 2005, exactly the time in which this novel is set. It's a weird feeling to have personal experience with the events of a fictional story...
I can say that it's a competently written story and the plot comes together nicely without any wild leaps or deus ex machina workarounds. It has a strong sense of place: I was instantly brought back to my own time on a FOB and some of the dialogue is word-for-word with conversations I overheard and took part in.
There is an implication in the tone of the book that Fobbits (soldiers deployed to a combat zone who work in office jobs or support roles on base and don't see combat up close) are universally cowards, shamelessly ducking their true duty and responsibility at every opportunity, as if they could (and should!) pick up their rifle and volunteer to go out on patrol any time they wanted if only they were man enough. That is not the case...but I absolutely did know soldiers who fit that stereotype.
The absurdity of the military operations never quite reach the fever-pitch of a scathing satire or uncover any core truths...but in truth the Iraq War was absolutely an immoral, illegal, unnecessary conflict of immense idiocy. It's probably not fair to expect the author to make it make sense in under 400 pages.
And lastly, the author's obvious self-insert gets off too lightly as the only sane, thoughtful character trying to do his best amidst all the insanity and hypocrisy around him...but I also absolutely like to think of myself as "one of the good ones" when I look back.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Difficult one for me to read or review with any degree of impartiality. I myself was a Fobbit, deployed to a Forward Operating Base on the south side of Baghdad in 2005, exactly the time in which this novel is set. It's a weird feeling to have personal experience with the events of a fictional story...
I can say that it's a competently written story and the plot comes together nicely without any wild leaps or deus ex machina workarounds. It has a strong sense of place: I was instantly brought back to my own time on a FOB and some of the dialogue is word-for-word with conversations I overheard and took part in.
There is an implication in the tone of the book that Fobbits (soldiers deployed to a combat zone who work in office jobs or support roles on base and don't see combat up close) are universally cowards, shamelessly ducking their true duty and responsibility at every opportunity, as if they could (and should!) pick up their rifle and volunteer to go out on patrol any time they wanted if only they were man enough. That is not the case...but I absolutely did know soldiers who fit that stereotype.
The absurdity of the military operations never quite reach the fever-pitch of a scathing satire or uncover any core truths...but in truth the Iraq War was absolutely an immoral, illegal, unnecessary conflict of immense idiocy. It's probably not fair to expect the author to make it make sense in under 400 pages.
And lastly, the author's obvious self-insert gets off too lightly as the only sane, thoughtful character trying to do his best amidst all the insanity and hypocrisy around him...but I also absolutely like to think of myself as "one of the good ones" when I look back.
_____
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
