The best single book about Japan during World War II that I have read or even heard of. Toland's style is a bit fragmented, not as lyrical as John KeeThe best single book about Japan during World War II that I have read or even heard of. Toland's style is a bit fragmented, not as lyrical as John Keegan, my favorite historian, but it is readable....more
I'm not sure what to make of this. I liked it. I enjoyed every page. I read it quickly. It was fun. I definitely would not recommend this to anyone whI'm not sure what to make of this. I liked it. I enjoyed every page. I read it quickly. It was fun. I definitely would not recommend this to anyone who has not read the entire SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS books. What would be the point? It is a kind-of origin prequel that explains some of the background of Lemony Snicket when he was younger. The characters come fast and furious and curious, which is what makes this book interesting to me. It has been a few years since I finished the SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, so I am left wondering if I missed some things in this book that connect to the series....more
Ordered randomness. Structure without periodicity. This book opened my eyes in many ways, but it is more a Spark Notes of chaos than actually a sciencOrdered randomness. Structure without periodicity. This book opened my eyes in many ways, but it is more a Spark Notes of chaos than actually a science book. It points to and references other actual true works in the field, but adds nothing original. Even the examples are not always complete; for example, in touching on Gaia and referencing the white daisy, black daisy, red daisy model, Gleick never explains how the red is involved with chaos....more
Great silly fun. This is part Thundarr the Barbarian, part He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, part Star Wars, part Fire and Ice, all done as if iGreat silly fun. This is part Thundarr the Barbarian, part He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, part Star Wars, part Fire and Ice, all done as if it were channeled through Jack Kirby. The art looks like a 13-year-old did it trying very hard to imitate Jack Kirby, and for some reason I don't mean that in a bad way because for some reason that means my eyes never get tired of looking at it--there is always something interesting, shocking, funny, or amazing on every page....more
Did Neal read all the criticism of the awful ANATHEMA and decide to make amends by writing a page turning thriller? It seems so. This action packed plDid Neal read all the criticism of the awful ANATHEMA and decide to make amends by writing a page turning thriller? It seems so. This action packed plot is easy to get enveloped in and yet still abounds with the fertile rich text for which I love this author. While fiction, the tale still rendered insight and knowledge on every page. I marvel at the wise, conservative philosophy in the story's heart. Guns, computer games, tech, spycraft, and true romance fill this book....more
Many paragraphs of this text are spent on TR's hunting and health and other tangential issues. Little is spent on TR and football because there is litMany paragraphs of this text are spent on TR's hunting and health and other tangential issues. Little is spent on TR and football because there is little to say. TR did some crucial bully pulpit work in 1905 to push reforms. That's about it. 70% background of TR, 30% about football, which never had a big scrum, by the way. The only thing that saved this and made it worth reading is I wanted to know more about how football grew out of rugby (which this book barely touches on), to know about the early changes in football's rules (which this book touches on somewhat), and to know more about TR (which is mostly what this book is about). Unfortunately, I still feel like I need to read a dedicated book about TR and one about football to get the full details....more
As I continue my complete reading of these volumes, from start to finish, day and date 70 years later, I am astounded. This was a truly global networkAs I continue my complete reading of these volumes, from start to finish, day and date 70 years later, I am astounded. This was a truly global network of conflict. Burma. Australia. Brazil. India. So many nations and peoples were touched by this war. I finished four volumes before this one, and this one contains America finally getting involved directly. These are the news accounts my grandfather read as a teenager that led him to volunteer for early sign-up with the USA Army....more
This story is similar to HUNGER GAMES, but the characters are far more believable and compelling, the plot has better pacing, and it truly stands on iThis story is similar to HUNGER GAMES, but the characters are far more believable and compelling, the plot has better pacing, and it truly stands on its own as a single book. The main character Nailer changes and develops as he goes from "ship breaker" to places beyond the small world he has known up to his current age (sub 16-years old). I really enjoyed Bacigalupi's debut novel WIND-UP GIRL, and I found this to be of a similar nature, although for younger readers--end of the world, various characters in different segments of the society, interacting, finding how to survive and more. The general premise is more than just a premise--the global near-disaster has changed the landscape of the world and society, and it feels as if this is more a realistic history of how this would unfold rather than just a fantastic imagining or pasted-on gimmick. The world the author creates is not just our world gone wrong--it feels like a truly futuristic setting....more