This is a sequel to Anne McCaffrey’s “Decision on Doona”. It takes place 25 years after the events of the first book and was written almost as many years after that book.
The treaty agreed upon at the end of “Decision on Doona” is reaching its expiration date. Todd and Hrriss have grown up and are working to get the treaty turned into a perpetual treaty. Unfortunately, the xenophobic nationalists on both sides are engaged in covert efforts to have the treaty voided. Admiral Landreau’s plot has reached fruition and early in the book Todd and Hrriss face many charges of smuggling and other treaty violations.
This book is inoffensive rather than interesting. The character interactions are enjoyable, but the plot is flaccid. The opponents are routinely foolish, the necessary plot points turn up at the predictable points, and in the end the hero(s) get the(ir) girl(s). It is a story that barely matters in the third book.
Readers that particularly enjoy McCaffrey’s style might enjoy this book, but it is neither important to the series nor memorable itself.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Book Review: “The Oresteia Trilogy” by Aeschylus, Dover Thrift Editions
This book contains three plays by Aeschylus, “Agamemnon”, “The Libation-Bearers”, and “The Furies”. “Agamemnon” is the famous tale relating the death of Agamemnon at the hand of his wife Clytemnestra. “The Libation-Bearers” is the well known tale of the death of Clytemnestra at the hands of her son Orestes. “The Furies” is less well known. It relates the criminal trial of Orestes for the murder of his mother.
As with all the Dover Thrift Editions books this one is an excellent choice for those that don’t know if they will like the work or want it available at a low cost. Furthermore the translation by Morshead scans fairly well for a modern reader.
All three of these plays have more talking and less action than modern plays. I thought these were rather interesting particularly “The Furies”. The challenge there is how to regard a matricide that is also the required vengeance for the murder of the father. The back and forth between arguments for the prosecution and the arguments for the defense is an interesting setting for the philosophical arguments, while the conclusion, with Orestes found not guilty and the criminal trials being devoted to the Furies, ably demonstrates the fundamental ambiguity found where a series of crimes are committed.
I place “Agamemnon” next as it is almost as interesting as “The Furies”. The interest here comes from Clytemnestra’s deceptions, Agamemnon’s poetic appreciation for his home, and Cassandra’s grim foretelling.
The least interesting is “The Libation-Bearers”. It is little more than two people nerving each other up and then plotting the murder of their mother. Because she wronged them.
As with all the Dover Thrift Editions books this one is an excellent choice for those that don’t know if they will like the work or want it available at a low cost. Furthermore the translation by Morshead scans fairly well for a modern reader.
All three of these plays have more talking and less action than modern plays. I thought these were rather interesting particularly “The Furies”. The challenge there is how to regard a matricide that is also the required vengeance for the murder of the father. The back and forth between arguments for the prosecution and the arguments for the defense is an interesting setting for the philosophical arguments, while the conclusion, with Orestes found not guilty and the criminal trials being devoted to the Furies, ably demonstrates the fundamental ambiguity found where a series of crimes are committed.
I place “Agamemnon” next as it is almost as interesting as “The Furies”. The interest here comes from Clytemnestra’s deceptions, Agamemnon’s poetic appreciation for his home, and Cassandra’s grim foretelling.
The least interesting is “The Libation-Bearers”. It is little more than two people nerving each other up and then plotting the murder of their mother. Because she wronged them.
Book Review: “The White Gryphon” by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
This is the second book in the Mage Wars series. It takes place about ten years after the Mage Wars are over. It is set in the same world, Velgarth, as the tales of Valdemar. It is part of the ancient history of that world.
The k’Leshya are building a new home on the coast of the sea when the local Haighlei Emperor sends emissaries to expel them from his territory. In the process of diplomatically gaining recognition as junior allies Skandranon, Zhaneel, Amberdrake, and Winterhart get dragged into some less than diplomatic murderous plots. Making things more interesting there is a time limit. Everything must be cleared up and decided at the Eclipse ceremony.
Overall, this is an enjoyable book, though it isn’t better than the average.
The k’Leshya are building a new home on the coast of the sea when the local Haighlei Emperor sends emissaries to expel them from his territory. In the process of diplomatically gaining recognition as junior allies Skandranon, Zhaneel, Amberdrake, and Winterhart get dragged into some less than diplomatic murderous plots. Making things more interesting there is a time limit. Everything must be cleared up and decided at the Eclipse ceremony.
Overall, this is an enjoyable book, though it isn’t better than the average.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Book Review: “Common Sense, Rights of Man, and other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine”
This book includes the entirety of Paine’s “Common Sense” and “Rights of Man”. It also includes selections from his series “The Crises” and the pamphlets “The Age of Reason” and “Agrarian Justice”.
There is a forward by Jack Fruchtman Jr. and an Introduction by Sidney Hook. These attempt to illustrate the importance of Paine’s writings in about 25 pages. It notes that Paine is one America’s Founding Fathers on account of having written “Common Sense” and “The Crises”. Paine wrote the “Rights of Man” in response to Burke’s pamphlet against the French Revolution. “The Age of Reason” was written when Paine expected to be executed in the Reign of Terror. It includes his thoughts on religion, which later led to his being regarded as an atheist. “Agrarian Justice” was written somewhat later. It seems to have been included more to add flavor than on account of its influence, as neither introduction refers to it.
From my perspective this book is more important as a collection of important historical documents than as a source of governing ideas for our times. Historically Paine was one of the more important popularizers of republican thought in the late 1700s. “Common Sense” helped to make the American Revolution a success. “The Crises” helped Washington maintain the morale of his troops. “Rights of Man” is one of the most important defenses of the French Revolution and includes the seeds of ideas that were and are tremendously important. “The Age of Reason” presents the case for the Deism that was so popular with the great figures of the Enlightenment.
“Agrarian Justice” seems to be of limited historical interest, but I would hope that by including it certain of those on the political right would be induced not to abuse his name. In it Paine advocates for a minimum income and property taxes that are distributed to the entire population that can own land.
Overall, this book is a must read for anyone with an interest in the thinking of European Republican thinking of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. There are interesting complexities, such as the claim that republics (and democracies) are actually, not merely theoretically, incapable of using illegitimate force. He assumes that all constitutions must be written down. He describes England as being ruled by an absolute monarch because of the theoretical powers of the monarch while Revolutionary France.
These complexities mean there are few, if any, simple modern applications of Paine’s thinking.
There is a forward by Jack Fruchtman Jr. and an Introduction by Sidney Hook. These attempt to illustrate the importance of Paine’s writings in about 25 pages. It notes that Paine is one America’s Founding Fathers on account of having written “Common Sense” and “The Crises”. Paine wrote the “Rights of Man” in response to Burke’s pamphlet against the French Revolution. “The Age of Reason” was written when Paine expected to be executed in the Reign of Terror. It includes his thoughts on religion, which later led to his being regarded as an atheist. “Agrarian Justice” was written somewhat later. It seems to have been included more to add flavor than on account of its influence, as neither introduction refers to it.
From my perspective this book is more important as a collection of important historical documents than as a source of governing ideas for our times. Historically Paine was one of the more important popularizers of republican thought in the late 1700s. “Common Sense” helped to make the American Revolution a success. “The Crises” helped Washington maintain the morale of his troops. “Rights of Man” is one of the most important defenses of the French Revolution and includes the seeds of ideas that were and are tremendously important. “The Age of Reason” presents the case for the Deism that was so popular with the great figures of the Enlightenment.
“Agrarian Justice” seems to be of limited historical interest, but I would hope that by including it certain of those on the political right would be induced not to abuse his name. In it Paine advocates for a minimum income and property taxes that are distributed to the entire population that can own land.
Overall, this book is a must read for anyone with an interest in the thinking of European Republican thinking of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. There are interesting complexities, such as the claim that republics (and democracies) are actually, not merely theoretically, incapable of using illegitimate force. He assumes that all constitutions must be written down. He describes England as being ruled by an absolute monarch because of the theoretical powers of the monarch while Revolutionary France.
These complexities mean there are few, if any, simple modern applications of Paine’s thinking.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Book Review: “Proteus in the Underworld” by Charles Sheffield
This is the third book in this series by Charles Sheffield. It is set in a world where technology allows humans to change their bodies in myriad ways. Some of those ways are stable and legal, others are unstable, and still others are illegal. Some forms die quickly, while others can last for centuries. This technology is so integral to human society that it defines whether an infant is human or not. Using this technology and advances in space flight Humanity has colonized the entire solar system, all the way out to the Oort Cloud (Cloudland).
The story opens on a problem. The “Humanity Test” has failed in the independent colonies of the Kuiper Belt. A creature was born to human parents, but it lacks the ability to think. More importantly it lacks the ability to interact with the form change technology. The problem has been assigned to Sondra Dearborn, it is her job to find out why feral forms passed the humanity test. She approaches her distant relative, Bey Wolf, for help with the problem.
He refuses to help her, but the visit alone disturbs the forces that caused the humanity test to fail. As Sondra visits the Kuiper Belt and sees several unique cultures that rely on form change technology, Bey is decoyed to Mars in a needless effort to distract him from Sondra’s problem. Ultimately the effort backfires, as Bey finds the motive for breaking the humanity test in the Underworld on Mars.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable book. There are occasional references to the previous books, but not so much that reading them is required to enjoy this one. The dialogue is enjoyable, the characters interesting, and the premise thoroughly intriguing.
The story opens on a problem. The “Humanity Test” has failed in the independent colonies of the Kuiper Belt. A creature was born to human parents, but it lacks the ability to think. More importantly it lacks the ability to interact with the form change technology. The problem has been assigned to Sondra Dearborn, it is her job to find out why feral forms passed the humanity test. She approaches her distant relative, Bey Wolf, for help with the problem.
He refuses to help her, but the visit alone disturbs the forces that caused the humanity test to fail. As Sondra visits the Kuiper Belt and sees several unique cultures that rely on form change technology, Bey is decoyed to Mars in a needless effort to distract him from Sondra’s problem. Ultimately the effort backfires, as Bey finds the motive for breaking the humanity test in the Underworld on Mars.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable book. There are occasional references to the previous books, but not so much that reading them is required to enjoy this one. The dialogue is enjoyable, the characters interesting, and the premise thoroughly intriguing.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Book Review: “Dinosaur Planet Survivors” by Anne McCaffrey
This is the sequel or, perhaps more accurately, the continuation of “Dinosaur Planet”. It picks up with Kai being woken up Tor, which follows naturally from the end of the last book. As the story advances the “light weight” crew sets out to figure out what has happened, how long they have been asleep, and generally picking up where they left of.
This book is rather better than the first book, in part because it follows fewer threads. It also doesn’t have the uncertainty that exists throughout “Dinosaur Planet”.
All in all it is a mildly interesting story detailing an episode too quickly passed through in Sassinak’s story.
This book is rather better than the first book, in part because it follows fewer threads. It also doesn’t have the uncertainty that exists throughout “Dinosaur Planet”.
All in all it is a mildly interesting story detailing an episode too quickly passed through in Sassinak’s story.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Book Review: “Dinosaur Planet” by Anne McCaffrey
This short novel from the Universe of the Federated Sentient Planets by Anne McCaffrey follows the adventure of a group of explorers from the EEC as they explore a planet called Ireta. The planet has a noxious atmosphere, smelling like rotten eggs, and has dozens of anomalies. One of the most striking anomalies is the existence of creatures that look like dinosaurs.
The story is simple, easy reading. What plot there is combines exploration with mutiny. Overall it is a blandly, mild book of little interest except as setup for the next book and Sassinak’s story.
The story is simple, easy reading. What plot there is combines exploration with mutiny. Overall it is a blandly, mild book of little interest except as setup for the next book and Sassinak’s story.
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