Liz babysits a Russian oligarch who is supposedly at risk of being eliminated for criticizing Putin. This book seems more about developing characters Liz babysits a Russian oligarch who is supposedly at risk of being eliminated for criticizing Putin. This book seems more about developing characters than presenting an involved plot....more
Aimaq writes about the days in Afghanistan as the Soviets attempted to conquer the country. The story focuses on a few people who do what they can to Aimaq writes about the days in Afghanistan as the Soviets attempted to conquer the country. The story focuses on a few people who do what they can to survive and, maybe, influence the outcome of the invasion in some positive way....more
Welcome Liz Carlyle to the world of espionage. Rimington, who ran MI5, creates a character maybe in her own image (?) who comes to us hoping to stop aWelcome Liz Carlyle to the world of espionage. Rimington, who ran MI5, creates a character maybe in her own image (?) who comes to us hoping to stop a terrorist attack in England. Many characters, complex and intertwined plots, and an ending that sets up at least one more book (as of this date there are nine altogether). ...more
Underwood buys an abandoned mining town in California and brings it back to life. A mixture of history, overcoming challenges, and inspiration. A littUnderwood buys an abandoned mining town in California and brings it back to life. A mixture of history, overcoming challenges, and inspiration. A little heavy on the inspiration but an intriguing book. Underwood has a YouTube channel with many subscribers....more
Erdozain argues that our current gun culture has very little to do with what our Founders intended. Frightening what an educated group of jurists can Erdozain argues that our current gun culture has very little to do with what our Founders intended. Frightening what an educated group of jurists can do when cherry picking arguments under the heading of originalism. Sadly Erdozian does little to explain what can be done to re-bottle the gun rights genie....more
This is Pollock’s first book about a town in Ohio called Knockemstiff. A set of interrelated short stories about the people who live there. These peopThis is Pollock’s first book about a town in Ohio called Knockemstiff. A set of interrelated short stories about the people who live there. These people are all broken and desperate. The writing is good but nowhere as compelling and fun as in his most recent book, The Heavenly Table. I’d rate this higher - 3 stars? - if not for the awful characters. Who wants to read about them?
Reminds me of Joe by Larry Brown. Good writing but despicable people....more
Pollock brings us on a ride through Ohio and West Virginia in the middle of the 20th century. He introduces us to many people, a good number of the daPollock brings us on a ride through Ohio and West Virginia in the middle of the 20th century. He introduces us to many people, a good number of the damaged and view evil. They all come together in a satisfying way....more
A set of short stories from the master himself. All are written in different voices in a different style. All hit you one way or another. There’s one A set of short stories from the master himself. All are written in different voices in a different style. All hit you one way or another. There’s one with the Dad whose son was done in by Cujo. There’s another one, called The Answer Man, which is really memorable. Common theme seems to be getting older. A message from the author to those of us he calls Constant Reader?...more
A surprisingly good read. Many characters, all well developed and all possessed of quirks that play off of the other characters. Plot line has many anA surprisingly good read. Many characters, all well developed and all possessed of quirks that play off of the other characters. Plot line has many angles, each well developed. Pollock brings it all together in a satisfying and hopeful end....more
Fascinating book about a place where bordering villages operate 20 years ahead or 20 years behind the village in question. Strict rules regulate whethFascinating book about a place where bordering villages operate 20 years ahead or 20 years behind the village in question. Strict rules regulate whether or not anyone can visit another village. The consequences of going to the village 20 years behind are severe. Memorable and thought provoking. Quite a book!...more
A young woman is recruited by the CIA to be an asset in a long running caper. Carpenter writes more about the young woman’s evolution than the caper iA young woman is recruited by the CIA to be an asset in a long running caper. Carpenter writes more about the young woman’s evolution than the caper itself. The writing is almost lyrical and is very much the internal conversation of the young woman and other characters. Nice ending....more
Enjoyable book about the baseball season of 1968 playing out while the earth-shaking changes of that year happen outside of the ballpark. 1968 marks tEnjoyable book about the baseball season of 1968 playing out while the earth-shaking changes of that year happen outside of the ballpark. 1968 marks the end of the pennant race and the end of baseball being the nation’s preeminent sport. It is also a year of amazing pitching and a seven game World Series won by the Tigers over the Cardinals. Wendel writes with knowledge of and love for the game....more
I’d give this zero stars but, as with a skimpy tip left for poor service, one star seems more fitting. Brown’s writing is fine, the world he creates hI’d give this zero stars but, as with a skimpy tip left for poor service, one star seems more fitting. Brown’s writing is fine, the world he creates has shape, the characters, such as they are, are fairly well formed. But the story is horrendous. Broken, irredeemable people. No heroes. Even Joe is bad news. And Wade, father of the vagabond troop that crosses paths with Joe, acts in unforgivable ways. What he does to his children is awful. If this was a dystopian future story, maybe the actions in the hope of survival would be acceptable but these characters act poorly to get and stay drunk. I’m a fan of Southern Gothic and have read another of Brown’s books but this story and the characters in it are wreckage....more
Wendel brings to life a mostly forgotten chapter of the Civil War. The writing is well researched and imaginative. Many characters really existed. TheWendel brings to life a mostly forgotten chapter of the Civil War. The writing is well researched and imaginative. Many characters really existed. The protagonist, Rory (not real), is spunky and somewhat like Zelig: always popping up in the right place at the right time. Characters could be a bit more fleshed out and there are some anachronisms. The book starts out slowly but, once it picks up speed, it becomes a good read. Well done Tim!...more
Kagan explores US history to demonstrate that anti-liberal actions we see in our nation today have existed throughout our history. Anti-immigrant, racKagan explores US history to demonstrate that anti-liberal actions we see in our nation today have existed throughout our history. Anti-immigrant, racist, and interested in preserving white, Christian hierarchy. Kagan argues that such anti-liberalism has always been kept in check by the Constitution. What’s worrying is Trump - a unique demagogue in our nation’s history who has people very committed to him. Kagan feels that when Trump leaves, his movement will leave with him. But will he ever leave? An interesting and well written, well argued book. Trump fans may like this book. For the rest of us, this just adds on to the angst and worry....more
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