Andrew
Like millions of Americans, I have some Irish ancestry, but it never expressed itself outside of being raised nominally Catholic and having strong opinions on the right way to pour a Guinness. I had heard of The Troubles, certainly, but couldn't tell you a thing about them.
This is an incredibly readable history of the Provisional IRA and their 30 year campaign against the British in Northern Ireland. It compares and contrasts their idealistic goals with the brutal reality of their methods, questions what happens to the revolutionaries after the revolution ends, and clearly illustrates the scars that violence leaves on both the victims and the perpetrators. It is a fascinating and important book not just for those interested in this particular period of Irish history, but for any marginalized community pushed beyond the brink.
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1680 x 1264
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.
Like millions of Americans, I have some Irish ancestry, but it never expressed itself outside of being raised nominally Catholic and having strong opinions on the right way to pour a Guinness. I had heard of The Troubles, certainly, but couldn't tell you a thing about them.
This is an incredibly readable history of the Provisional IRA and their 30 year campaign against the British in Northern Ireland. It compares and contrasts their idealistic goals with the brutal reality of their methods, questions what happens to the revolutionaries after the revolution ends, and clearly illustrates the scars that violence leaves on both the victims and the perpetrators. It is a fascinating and important book not just for those interested in this particular period of Irish history, but for any marginalized community pushed beyond the brink.
_____
1680 x 1264
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.
In 1968, 29-yr old Robin Knox-Johnston set off from Falmouth Harbour in Suhaili, a 32 foot wooden sailboat that he had helped build himself. Three hundred and twelve days later he returned to Falmouth, becoming the first person to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe. This book is Knox-Johnston's first-hand account of the trip, including excerpts from his logbooks and diary during the voyage. It is a riveting tale of adventure and man against nature. His wry sense of humor and "stiff upper-lip" attitude undersell the phenomenal challenges he faced but there is no hiding the bravery, courage, and self-actualization.
My mother, when asked for her opinion of the voyage before I sailed, had replied that she considered it 'totally irresponsible' and on this Christmas Day I began to think she was right. I was sailing around the world simply because I bloody well wanted to - and, I realized, I was thoroughly enjoying myself.
Because this book was published just months after completing the race and while the accomplishment was still fresh in public awareness, it dives directly into the action with scant little set-up. For readers not already familiar with the story of the 1968 Golden Globe Race, I highly recommend picking up Peter Nichol's A Voyage for Madmen, which does an excellent job of explaining the build-up to the race, the other competitors, and helps set Knox-Johnston's achievement into greater context. Also well worth reading is The Long Way by Bernard Moitessier, a much more philosophical first-hand account of the race from one of the other entrants, who either went a little a crazy or ascended to a higher plane of nirvana depending on your interpretation.
_____
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.
In 1968, 29-yr old Robin Knox-Johnston set off from Falmouth Harbour in Suhaili, a 32 foot wooden sailboat that he had helped build himself. Three hundred and twelve days later he returned to Falmouth, becoming the first person to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe. This book is Knox-Johnston's first-hand account of the trip, including excerpts from his logbooks and diary during the voyage. It is a riveting tale of adventure and man against nature. His wry sense of humor and "stiff upper-lip" attitude undersell the phenomenal challenges he faced but there is no hiding the bravery, courage, and self-actualization.
My mother, when asked for her opinion of the voyage before I sailed, had replied that she considered it 'totally irresponsible' and on this Christmas Day I began to think she was right. I was sailing around the world simply because I bloody well wanted to - and, I realized, I was thoroughly enjoying myself.
Because this book was published just months after completing the race and while the accomplishment was still fresh in public awareness, it dives directly into the action with scant little set-up. For readers not already familiar with the story of the 1968 Golden Globe Race, I highly recommend picking up Peter Nichol's A Voyage for Madmen, which does an excellent job of explaining the build-up to the race, the other competitors, and helps set Knox-Johnston's achievement into greater context. Also well worth reading is The Long Way by Bernard Moitessier, a much more philosophical first-hand account of the race from one of the other entrants, who either went a little a crazy or ascended to a higher plane of nirvana depending on your interpretation.
_____
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.
I am a fan of Donald E. Westlake's lighter, more comedic crime capers, and this was my first read of his Richard Stark pseudonym. The novels he wrote as Stark are deliberately leaner, meaner, grittier, and, well...stark.
The familiar fast-paced plotting is in place but the humor, wit, charm, surprise twists/reveals, etc., are all stripped out. Parker has been wronged and he goes intimidating, stealing, and killing his way up the criminal food chain until he feels the wrong has been righted. He never cracks a smile, has a tender moment, or stops to examine his motives. Not a bad thing...it's still a page-turner, I finished it in only a couple sessions, but it lacks the fun and cleverness of his other work like The Hot Rock or Help, I am Being Held Prisoner and the emotional depth and examination of the criminal lifestyle like The Cutie and 361.
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.
I am a fan of Donald E. Westlake's lighter, more comedic crime capers, and this was my first read of his Richard Stark pseudonym. The novels he wrote as Stark are deliberately leaner, meaner, grittier, and, well...stark.
The familiar fast-paced plotting is in place but the humor, wit, charm, surprise twists/reveals, etc., are all stripped out. Parker has been wronged and he goes intimidating, stealing, and killing his way up the criminal food chain until he feels the wrong has been righted. He never cracks a smile, has a tender moment, or stops to examine his motives. Not a bad thing...it's still a page-turner, I finished it in only a couple sessions, but it lacks the fun and cleverness of his other work like The Hot Rock or Help, I am Being Held Prisoner and the emotional depth and examination of the criminal lifestyle like The Cutie and 361.
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.
I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series. I really enjoyed how low the stakes were this time around...yes, Parker is a professional thief but he's not a criminal mastermind or world's most elusive jewel thief, and the heist in this story is not a complicated multi-layer operation with twists and bluffs and reveals like Ocean's 11. This more of a "slice of life" story about the criminal element. He meticulously plans a relatively straight-forward robbery, deals with some complications along the way, and at the end he is just as malcontent and empty inside as at the beginning. It's fascinating stuff.
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.
I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series. I really enjoyed how low the stakes were this time around...yes, Parker is a professional thief but he's not a criminal mastermind or world's most elusive jewel thief, and the heist in this story is not a complicated multi-layer operation with twists and bluffs and reveals like Ocean's 11. This more of a "slice of life" story about the criminal element. He meticulously plans a relatively straight-forward robbery, deals with some complications along the way, and at the end he is just as malcontent and empty inside as at the beginning. It's fascinating stuff.
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.
One of the previous Quarry novels involved him infiltrating a gonzo porn movie set and that was less horny than this one. But this was still a fun, quick, hard-boiled read.
It's funny to me that Max Allan Collins invented Quarry as a direct homage to Richard Stark's Parker (if he can make a successful series about an unrepentant thief, can I go even darker and make one about an unrepentant assassin?) and yet Quarry has always been the more introspective and emotional of the two. He's a far cry from a killer with a conscious or a heart of gold, but there is a depth to him that keeps me coming 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.
One of the previous Quarry novels involved him infiltrating a gonzo porn movie set and that was less horny than this one. But this was still a fun, quick, hard-boiled read.
It's funny to me that Max Allan Collins invented Quarry as a direct homage to Richard Stark's Parker (if he can make a successful series about an unrepentant thief, can I go even darker and make one about an unrepentant assassin?) and yet Quarry has always been the more introspective and emotional of the two. He's a far cry from a killer with a conscious or a heart of gold, but there is a depth to him that keeps me coming 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.
This is a good story in its own right, but is also fascinating as a pop cultural time capsule. Published in 1956, this book is one of the predecessors of the modern police procedural but it reads almost like an anti-thriller. As one character says early in the story, you don't have to be smart to be a detective; you just have to be persistent enough to keep chasing leads. And then they spend the next hundred pages slowly and methodically chasing down leads.
You could not write a book like this today because the way cops are portrayed in media, the way they think about themselves, the public opinion on crime, gang violence, etc., is so radically different from the attitude of the 1950s. Gangs in this book are described as teenagers in matching jackets who occasionally get into rumbles and it's treated like, "Oh, boys will be boys." A cop's partner is gunned down by the killer and instead of going crazy with grief or dragging in any suspect he can get his hands on, the cop essentially shrugs it off, says it could happen to anyone, and goes back to flipping through ID books. There's one amusing bit where the lab techs have to explain how they can identify the killer's blood type from a sample, because that type of forensics was so relatively new at the time that it wasn't necessarily in the public consciousness yet.
The dialogue was snappy and it's a fast reading book that left me very interested in reading more of the lengthy 87th Precinct series to see if and how the portrayal of cops in the media changes over the decades.
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 is a good story in its own right, but is also fascinating as a pop cultural time capsule. Published in 1956, this book is one of the predecessors of the modern police procedural but it reads almost like an anti-thriller. As one character says early in the story, you don't have to be smart to be a detective; you just have to be persistent enough to keep chasing leads. And then they spend the next hundred pages slowly and methodically chasing down leads.
You could not write a book like this today because the way cops are portrayed in media, the way they think about themselves, the public opinion on crime, gang violence, etc., is so radically different from the attitude of the 1950s. Gangs in this book are described as teenagers in matching jackets who occasionally get into rumbles and it's treated like, "Oh, boys will be boys." A cop's partner is gunned down by the killer and instead of going crazy with grief or dragging in any suspect he can get his hands on, the cop essentially shrugs it off, says it could happen to anyone, and goes back to flipping through ID books. There's one amusing bit where the lab techs have to explain how they can identify the killer's blood type from a sample, because that type of forensics was so relatively new at the time that it wasn't necessarily in the public consciousness yet.
The dialogue was snappy and it's a fast reading book that left me very interested in reading more of the lengthy 87th Precinct series to see if and how the portrayal of cops in the media changes over the decades.
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.
Another great comedic caper starring Dortmunder, Kelp, and Murch from "The Hot Rock," and introducing a few new criminal accomplices.
There is a section just before a pivotal piece of the heist is pulled off, that Westlake breaks away from the action and introduces seven new characters, lays out their interpersonal relationships and daily routines, then goes into an extremely detailed play-by-play of their poker game. And I say this with admiration and respect: he is clearly showing off. Westlake works his prose like an expert sleight-of-hand magician. "Look at how easily I can draw you in," he says. "Look at how effortlessly I can hold your attention. Pay no attention to all the action that's going on just outside of your perception." He sets the scene so well that you not only willingly accept the preposterous nature of the heist but come to think of it as inevitable.
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.
Another great comedic caper starring Dortmunder, Kelp, and Murch from "The Hot Rock," and introducing a few new criminal accomplices.
There is a section just before a pivotal piece of the heist is pulled off, that Westlake breaks away from the action and introduces seven new characters, lays out their interpersonal relationships and daily routines, then goes into an extremely detailed play-by-play of their poker game. And I say this with admiration and respect: he is clearly showing off. Westlake works his prose like an expert sleight-of-hand magician. "Look at how easily I can draw you in," he says. "Look at how effortlessly I can hold your attention. Pay no attention to all the action that's going on just outside of your perception." He sets the scene so well that you not only willingly accept the preposterous nature of the heist but come to think of it as inevitable.
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.
Yes, that Thomas Dolby ("Science!").
This is the coming-of-age story of young Davey Haskell, a poor Maine lobsterman who dreams of competing in the prestigious America's Cup yacht race.
The one positive of this book is that Dolby, himself a passionate sailing enthusiast, does an accurate and admirable job conveying the action of early 20th century yacht racing. There are some awkward, but necessary, expository sections when a particular bit of technical sailing knowledge needs to introduced, but overall the racing sequences are the best part of the book.
Unfortunately, they can't overcome the otherwise thin plot and one-note characters. A sassy, no-nonsense Latina nurse? A fiery but kind-hearted Irish scullery maid? A cool, smooth-talking Black doorman who takes Davey under his wing? There's room for all of them and more.
The story particularly falters at the finish line with an unearned and unrealstically sacchrine sweet bow to tie everything up.
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.
Yes, that Thomas Dolby ("Science!").
This is the coming-of-age story of young Davey Haskell, a poor Maine lobsterman who dreams of competing in the prestigious America's Cup yacht race.
The one positive of this book is that Dolby, himself a passionate sailing enthusiast, does an accurate and admirable job conveying the action of early 20th century yacht racing. There are some awkward, but necessary, expository sections when a particular bit of technical sailing knowledge needs to introduced, but overall the racing sequences are the best part of the book.
Unfortunately, they can't overcome the otherwise thin plot and one-note characters. A sassy, no-nonsense Latina nurse? A fiery but kind-hearted Irish scullery maid? A cool, smooth-talking Black doorman who takes Davey under his wing? There's room for all of them and more.
The story particularly falters at the finish line with an unearned and unrealstically sacchrine sweet bow to tie everything up.
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.