Read this because I'm DMing a campaign set in and around the city of Ravens Bluff in Faerun, which is where this book is set. I learned a little bit aRead this because I'm DMing a campaign set in and around the city of Ravens Bluff in Faerun, which is where this book is set. I learned a little bit about the city, which was the aim. The adventure was pretty good. Some of the phrasing was problematic. Actually, one thing in particular made me laugh every time it happened. Jack, the main character, asks a lot of questions. The book is third person, past tense...Hearing "Jack asked" over and over just really cracked me up....more
I've been a Celtics fan since the early '80s, so I naturally hate the Lakers. It took a monumental effort on my part to read an autobio by an ex-LakerI've been a Celtics fan since the early '80s, so I naturally hate the Lakers. It took a monumental effort on my part to read an autobio by an ex-Laker, but I did and you know what? I found out that Kareem is not in league with the devil. To be fair and honest, he is an immensely decent man. ...more
What a great retelling of a harrowing tale! Margot Mifflin does her best to piece together the differing disparate accounts of the life of Olive OatmaWhat a great retelling of a harrowing tale! Margot Mifflin does her best to piece together the differing disparate accounts of the life of Olive Oatman. Not an easy task since hearsay, hyperbole, and a myriad of personal agendas warped her story beyond belief.
Oatman was a young girl when her family migrated from Illinois to Yuma and were massacred by Yavapai native Americans along the way. Her and her sister were taken captive and treated as slaves. A year later, Olive was traded to the Mojave, who treated her as one of their own. She lived harmoniously with them for four years before being repatriated with American whites.
As with most of these biographies from this era, you rarely get to hear from the person themselves. We're lucky that some of Oatman's correspondence has survived. Plus, she did a lecture tour for years after, and at least one of the scripts still exists, if I'm not mistaken.
Towards the end of this book I became even more enthralled with Oatman's legacy when I discovered that she was buried in the tiny little Texas town where my wife's father's people hail from!
Interesting and entertaining! Great stories told well.
Glyn Johns recorded some of the most famous rock albums of all time by the biggest names going. Interesting and entertaining! Great stories told well.
Glyn Johns recorded some of the most famous rock albums of all time by the biggest names going.
If you're into sound engineering, you should like this one. If you like 60s/70s UK rock, you'll love this one! The man behind the mixing board proves to be as intriguing as the rockstars he recorded. ...more
What an incredible naval career! If his worst enemy wasn't himself, his name would be up there with Nelson!
Cordingly put together a highly readable acWhat an incredible naval career! If his worst enemy wasn't himself, his name would be up there with Nelson!
Cordingly put together a highly readable account of the man's life. It was a life with dramatic twists and turns, and he captured them all in a highly readable prose and with great pacing.
I read this mainly because I'm a huge fan of Patrick O'Brian's Master & Commander seafaring series, because it was said that O'Brian modeled his hero after Cochrane. Well, after reading this, I can say he didn't model him, he Xeroxed him. Why wouldn't you? The drama and intrigue is all laid out for you. The way in which O'Brian then expanded upon Cochrane's life is what makes the series a masterpiece. ...more
Comedian Jimmy Carr disguises his autobiography as a self-help book. I could've done with more personal details, but that's not his style, and that's Comedian Jimmy Carr disguises his autobiography as a self-help book. I could've done with more personal details, but that's not his style, and that's ok. This turned out way better than I feared it would when the audiobook first kicked off. Carr speaks at an incredibly rapid pace. I checked the speed levels on the playback more than once, because I was sure it was playing fast. But once I caught up with him, I enjoyed the ride. It's a funny read. Most of the advice is tailored towards comedians, but it's usually broad enough to apply to anyone going through that massive clusterfuck we call life. ...more
The Dutch settlement that would become New York is somewhat forgotten and should be remembered. That's it in a nutshell. Along the way we meet some faThe Dutch settlement that would become New York is somewhat forgotten and should be remembered. That's it in a nutshell. Along the way we meet some fascinating people. It's a good read. Highly recommended to those interested in early European history pertaining to colonization of North America. Not especially recommended to those who think that that sounds like a snorefest....more
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