Average customer rating:
- Another of my favorites
- Cat Who...
- Always Check that Meat Loaf for Hares
- Don't listen to this audio book
- An enjoyable way to spend a little time
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The Cat Who Came to Breakfast (Cat Who...)
Lilian Jackson Braun
Manufacturer: Jove
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ASIN: 0515115649 |
Download Description
Qwilleran and the cats are visiting an island known by many names. Qwill has always called it Breakfast Island, but to the taciturn natives, it's Providence Island. To the rich summer residents it's Grand Island--and to the developers and tourists who are turning this once-peaceful place upside down, it's Pear Island. But when some odd "accidents" occur, including a fatal boat explosion, Qwill suspects sabotage and sets out to investigate--because murder by any other name is just as deadly...
Customer Reviews:
Another of my favorites.......2005-12-16
There's a little something extra in TCWCB for my taste, and I've read over twenty of her whimsical tales. Mixed in with the fluidly vivid descriptions of her main characters, Ms. Braun makes some pithy comments about ecology and responsible community development - a theme she has been building toward in previous volumes of this best-selling series and feels strongly about... Here she expresses her concern about the future of this planet, and goes into all the things that can possibly go wrong when feasibility studies on ecology are non-existent or ignored, or when corporate greed and over-commercialization create underground community resistance on `Pear Island'... Bravo! I have a feeling she's wanted to write on this topic for a long time.
Now, on the authorship of her later books which some readers have conjectured about, I'd like to make a point I've never seen brought up, because I'd love to see this controversy over the possibility of dubious authorship relegated to the litter box.
I feel strongly that she has written every word in this amusing series and there have been no ghostwriters whatsoever. She's having too much of a good time for there to be any reason to turn over the authorship to someone of lesser ability or inferior talent, whether it's because of pressure from her publisher or whomever, or because she's "too old" to have written them... and supposedly for what... money?? After having had so many of these books on the New York Times' bestseller list, she's probably a millionaire two or three times over and still counting.
I may be wrong, but my sense of her character is that she'd rather end the series cold turkey than farm out KoKo and Yum Yum to a lesser talent. So for her or her publisher to artificially keep the series going for financial reasons only, just does not compute, at least for me... I'm not convinced that her writing could be duplicated by anyone else for the sake of financial gain or to please fans, since she's the consummate word master "who could write 1000 words on anything," and particularly when her main character Qwill is so indifferent to his inherited millions... Ms. Braun strikes me as a writer's writer - she's in love with words - and I can't imagine her putting up with less vivid or striking prose and lowering her standards.
I can't prove it, but I feel that she may have already finished a satisfying ending to the entire series and that it will eventually be forthcoming... new books keep coming out. I think what may have happened in the gap between the 1960s and the 1980s, when her books weren't being released, is that she decided there wasn't enough of a market for them and deliberately withheld them from publication. BUT, she may have continued to write them steadily in private through the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and then once again offered the newer stories for publication after the winds of time had changed and there was more of a market for mysteries that were wholesome and upbeat rather than full of blood, violence and gore.
There's no break that I can see in the continuity line of Qwill's personal development even though there was a twenty year gap in the publishing history of these books. So far, he has remained 50ish throughout the entire series, and the continuity of one book to the next, in terms of a time-line and recurring characters, has been consistent. This means that while there may have been a twenty year gap in publishing these works, there has been no twenty year gap in her story line - and I think that means something in the way these books were created.
As far as my own tastes are concerned, the later volumes show no diminution in her amazing descriptive powers, wit and charm, but these books may seem different or `lesser' because they are driven more by character development than plot, and some people prefer the plot driven stories. There may have been a change of focus but not of ability, and her books have changed because she has changed in an evolutionary way. Nevertheless, even her later books have kept me guessing and I feel that TCWCB is one of the best in her series because she takes on a hot topic with amusing and biting satire.
I see "Q" as her. Through him she gets to express all the facets of her own views on love, art, money and wealth... you name it... and she breathes sparkling life into these books and makes them wonderful literary companions for anyone who is lonely or seeks something uplifting to the mind and spirit. She's very healthy of mind and so is George Guidall, who's done such a wonderful job on the unabridged audio books. It's a great combination of talent that makes one fall in love with the power of the spoken word and perhaps wish to become a writer oneself.
As of today's date, I believe she's still very much alive and wishes to stay mentally active, with much more to say about the human condition. She's a deceptively simple writer with a virtuoso command of language, and for my liking, she has something to say about life above and beyond the mystery genre itself, but is never heavy-handed about it.
Cat Who..........2005-10-08
Lilian Jackson Braun is a favorite writer, and it is supremely easy to become addicted to the Cat Who...series. The only thing wrong with this whole scenario is that the books do not come fast enough! Qwilleran is adorable, the cats are just too much, and the names of people and places are hysterical. Can't wait for the next episode. These are keepers to re-read again and again.
Always Check that Meat Loaf for Hares.......2005-08-17
Mrs. Braun's books have often contained a pro-environmentalist message but this is the greenest book so far. For in this episode the developers have defaced Breakfast Island with a resort, worse yet, they have changed the name of the island to Pear Island and Qwilleran is fit to be tied. He is even more upset than normal since money from his K foundation has helped fund the Pear Island Resort. Even the thought of visiting the remodeled island makes him furious until two events conspire to change his mind.
The first event is an announcement from his lady friend Polly Duncan that she is going to Oregon for two weeks to visit a friend. Knowing that he is going to be alone for two whole weeks puts Qwilleran in just the proper mood for event number two. He gets a call from his old friend Nick Bamba who asks if he can come by for a chat. It turns out that Nick and his wife have opened a B&B on the island and have themselves become the victims of some weird occurrences at the resort. Knowing about Qwilleran's mystery solving ability Nick invites the former reporter and his two cats to spend the time that Polly is gone at the Bamba B&B. Not being able to resist a good mystery, Qwilleran agrees to come to the island and the fun begins.
Qwilleran suspects all along that the accidents aren't really accidents and he sets out to prove his theory. Koko takes up dominoes to try and point Qwilleran in the right direction but it takes forever for Koko's human to figure out what the cat is trying to tell him. Of course, Qwilleran finally figures it all out but he never would have found the answer if Koko hadn't arranged for him to meet and save the life of a local heiress. Along the way Qwilleran and the cats put up with the constant smell of fudge, an annoying neighbor, a hurricane and meat loaf with rabbit in it. Qwilleran also gets invited to high tea with the Queen Mother of island society but is disappointed to find no peacocks at the Queen's estate.
This is another fine mystery by Mrs. Braun. The mystery itself isn't all that deep and really just plays a supporting role to the ongoing saga of Qwilleran, Koko and Yum Yum. This is after all a warm fuzzy mystery and this author proves once again with this book that she is one of the best authors in this genre. The characters are delightful and although there are several new characters introduced in this book it is not set so far away from Pickax City that the regulars are shut out. This series is extremely readable and fun, and this entry is no exception. I do wish however that Qwilleran would avoid the trap of becoming an anti-smoking fanatic like so many other former smokers. This type of judgmental behavior just doesn't suit him at all.
Don't listen to this audio book .......2005-03-02
I find George Guidall's voice to be soothing and exactly right for the Cat Who series. Dick Van Patten's rendition of this book was painful.
An enjoyable way to spend a little time.......2004-02-09
I enjoyed this book, and I especially like reading the details of how Qwill dotes on Koko and Yum Yum. Tales of traveling with the cats, and their turkey roaster(!) were so amusing. The mystery didn't grip me, though. In fact, at times, I completely lost track of why Qwill went to visit Breakfast/Pear/Providence Island. Still, the book is low on violence and the pace is leisurely. If you are looking for something witty and pleasant, but not necessarily a page turner, pick this one up.
Average customer rating:
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The Cat Who Came to Breakfast
Lilian Jackson Braun
Manufacturer: G P Putnam's Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000MJFX2O |
Product Description
This is the Large Print Book club edition; 8.5 inches tall, 405 pages. The text is complete and unabridged. Dust jacket art by Jill Bauman.
Book Description
From bestselling author Roxanne St. Claire comes a sensational new novel of dangerous desires, dark deceptions -- and one drop-dead gorgeous bodyguard.
WATCH YOUR BACK
Alex Romero is the hottest "Bullet Catcher" in the business. Tall, dark, and deadly if necessary, this high-priced bodyguard's got the muscle and the moves -- especially when it comes to the ladies. Alex can keep his beautiful clients out of danger, but sometimes they can't keep their hands off of him. Now Alex has one last chance to prove he belongs among the elite force known as The Bullet Catchers, but his assignment is stacked...against him.
WATCH YOUR HEART
Private investigator Jasmine Adams is fiercely independent and fearless under pressure -- she doesn't need some hunk-for-hire's help to catch the creep stalking her twin sister. But when Jazz uncovers bigger forces targeting her sister for death, she's glad to have Alex's brain and brawn handy. From the steamy streets of Miami to the sultry beaches of Key West, Alex and Jazz try to fight temptation as they race to keep a madman from fulfilling his promise to kill not just once, but twice. And some temptations are too powerful to resist....
First in the new "Bullet Catchers" series by Roxanne St. Claire
Customer Reviews:
Book #1 of Bullet Catcher Series.......2007-06-25
I enjoyed this "thriller type romance." It starts right off and goes. Lots of twists, suspense, not gory and gross stuff either. Bodyguard type romance with a twist. Well written and easy to read and follow without too much concentration. Nice read! Some steam, but not too much. I'm reading book 2 now.
Sensuality and red herrings galore.......2007-05-15
Miami reporter Jessica Adams is about to embark on the big time - a network anchor job in New York. But she stumbles upon a story and calls upon her twin sister Jasmine to take her place for a week while she gets the scoop of a lifetime. Jasmine is a former reporter turned tough as nails PI from California. Taking Jessica's place won't be so easy - especially since her boss hired a sexy hunk of a bodyguard to watch over "Jessica" after she received some menacing fan mail. Bullet catcher Alex Romero is not thrilled to be stuck babysitting, but his libido got in the way of his last assignment, so he is doing penance. He is able to tell right off that he has the wrong twin... where could Jessica be?
But things are not adding up, and when Jessica fails to call Jazz, Alex reluctantly agrees to help investigate, even though doing so could put his job at risk. He does not count on an intense attraction to Jazz, and soon the two are acting on the attraction, while trying to figure out who to trust.
St. Claire's first in the "Bullet Catcher" series (once again, I read them out of order) is a sensuous tale filled with snappy dialogue, red herrings, lots of suspects, and written with frenetic pacing, it keeps the reader glued. Followed by "Thrill me to Death" and "Take Me Tonight." If the first two books are any indication of the quality of the series, this reader will keep tuning in for more.
First in the Bullet Catcher series.......2006-10-02
Alex Romero is given one assignment- to keep Jessica Adams safe, and stay out of her bed. What Alex didn't expect was her twin sister to be the one pretending to be Jessica. Jazz Adams is nothing like her sister the newscaster. She has spunk, and an overly eager sense of determination to find her missing sister, but who can she trust? Before Jessica disappeared, she asked Jazz to pretend to be her and to tell no one who she was. With only Alex on her side, the two must unravel the clues to find Jessica before it is too late.
As my first Roxanne St. Claire novel, it was a fairly decent read. The suspense held throughout the story line. I noticed how so many people mentioned the many twists and turns, I however, did not think they were as cleverly done. Maybe it is just that I read at least a book a day if not two with a good majority being mysteries, but it was a bit predictable to me. Maybe that's because there just weren't enough red herrings to really make the twist a shocker. Even with the predictability on my part though, it was a good romantic suspense. I look forward to reading the next in the bullet catcher series.
Is it worth buying?
Yes, I do feel most people will enjoy this book.
A can't put it down read.......2006-05-02
I read this while at a conference in Arizona--hooked from the start. I ended up waterlogged from a too-long soak in the tub, skipped dinner, and sat in the back of the room pretending to pay attention to the seminars. Twins are normally a hard sell for me (since I have a set of my own) but this one didn't rely on the usual cliches.
Can't wait for the next on. Roxanne's done it again.
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE, DOUBLE YOUR FUN!!.......2006-03-16
What can I say other than to leave yourself plenty of time to pick this book up and NOT put it down until the end!
Kill Me Twice, the first title in a new series, The Bullet Catchers, is a major hit with me--and I love recommending the books that deserve a good following. Terrific twists, characters who will make you laugh, cry, applaud, and a way with words which will leave the reader breathlessly turning pages, is the only way I can describe this book.
The second in the series, Thrill Me To Death, is due out this summer and I can't wait....Susan
Recommended: Christiane Heggan, Gwen Hunter, Chris Grabenstein,
Lee Child, Richard Montanari, Susan Wittig Albert, P.J.Tracy
Average customer rating:
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Kill Me Twice
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739459538 |
Product Description
Alex Romero is the hottest "Bullet Catcher" in the business. Tall, dark, and deadly if necessary, this high-priced bodyguard's got the muscle and the move; especially when it comes to the ladies. Alex can keep his beautiful clients out of danger, but sometimes they can't keep their hands off him. Now Alex has one last chance to prove he belongs among the elite force known as The Bullet Catchers, but his assignment is stacked against him. Private investigator Jasmine Adams is fiercely independent and fearless under pressure; she doesn't need some hunk-for-hire's help to catch the creep stalking her twin sister. But when Jazz uncovers bigger forces targeting her sister for death, she's glad to have Alex's brain and brawn handy. From the steamy streets of Miami to the sultry beaches of Key West, Alex and Jazz try to fight temptation as they race to keep a madman from fulfilling his promise to kill not just once, but twice. And some temptations are too powerful to resist.
Average customer rating:
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Kill Me Twice
Mel Packard
Manufacturer: Writer's Showcase Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0595173411 |
Book Description
Everyone has read of near-death experiences where individuals seem to exit their bodies and view scenes they could not possibly have observed from their physical locations. PI Mike Fargo read about them also, but did not believe them. That is until he and his partner, Sam Bridges, are ambushed and shot. Tragically, Sam dies , but as Mike lies in a coma, he has numerous out-of-body experiences and visits with Sam's spirit. Upon his recovery Mike learns to repeat his trips, and Sam's spirit gets permission to remain and help Mike in his new agency.
The premise sounds ideal, but Mike quickly learns his ‘ability’ has many hazards. Once, when he stressed his body by being away too long, Sam's spirit had to jump in it to keep it alive. However, Sam had no idea how to get out. True, Mike safely performs his surveillance while out-of-body, but he can only complete his cases while awake. His days are filled with action, basic detective work, and . . . remarkable success. The action includes an exploding mansion, two hi-jackings, a death struggle atop an office building, and a Mission Impossible ploy to catch a police vigilante group.
Book Description
A mysterious cosmic force¿the ¿Ring of Fire¿¿has hurled the town of Grantville from 20th century West Virginia back to 17th century Europe, and into the heart of the Thirty Years War. With their seemingly magical technology, and their radical ideas of freedom and justice, the time-lost West Virginians have allied with Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, to form the Confederated Principalities of Europe, changing the course of history¿in ways both small and large. University students, a restless breed in all centuries, become even more rambunctious in Cambridge, England because of the personal and theological impact of the time-lost Americans. At the same time, American teenagers conquer new financial worlds when their elders are looking the other way. A woman terrorized by a notorious Hungarian countess seeks sanctuary in Grantville. A Lutheran pastor schemes to gain new adherents among the Americans. A Benedictine monk finds a new calling for his order. Europe¿s leading musicians travel to Grantville to learn of the music of the future. Practitioners of 20th century medicine and its 17th century counterpart struggle to find common ground in healing the sick and injured. These and other new stories¿including a new story by Eric Flint himself¿return the reader to one of the most popular series in alternate history science fiction. Also included are articles exploring the technical problems the time-lost Americans face, including the centrality of iron to the industrial revolution, the problems of mechanizing agriculture in the 17th century, and the type of weapons which the Americans can mass-produce, adding up to an indispensable volume for the many followers of the
1632 series.
Customer Reviews:
Well written and interesting addition to Ring of Fire universe.......2007-06-24
Although war still rages across Europe, one thing both protestants and Catholics agree on is that the mail must go through--and they hire a pretty American woman to serve as model for the new stamps they'll use to make the mail work. Then there's the matter of a bunch of German women left without dowries by the war and the deaths of their men--solution, use them to seduce non-church-going Grantville uptime Americans into both marriage and Lutheranism. An injured downtime musician discovers the future of music. A group of teen entrepreneurs creates a combination mutual fund/venture capital fund. A downtime priest discovers the beauty of the Dewey Decimal system and firefighting. A young woman in Oxford discovers Latin--and steps toward liberation. A woman fears being trapped and the son of a monster seeks redemption. A church leader travels to Grantville. Scholars examine the role of iron/steel and modern agricultural practices suddenly introduced to early seventeenth century Europe.
In the world of Eric Flint's Ring of Fire, the West Virginia town of Grantville was mysteriously thrust into the past--right into the midst of the 30 Years War that devastated Germany. The War, partly over religion (with Austrian Catholics battling against Swedish Protestants, but with France egging the protestants on and with divided Germany suffering the bulk of the damage), but largely over politics (with the massive Hapsburg Empire, swollen with treasure from the New World attempting to assert power in the Holy Roman Empire), takes a dramatic turn when Grantville introduces religious tolerance and democracy--backing these up with modern weapons.
The major novels in this universe (beginning with 1632) tell the tale of the battle and heroes of the revolution. The collections of short stories and technical articles, written mostly by fans, make up the Grantville Gazettes.
GRANTVILLE GAZETTE III is surprisingly easy to read for a compilation. The stamp story and the article on steel are especially compelling. The other stories all have their points of interest but, possibly because of their page limits, seemed to leave out some of the most important details. In the discussion of the introduction of modern agricultural practice, the biggest issue--what happens to the farmers--is left untouched. Where a 1632 farming village might support a dozen families, using modern equipment, that same land could be farmed by a single family. So, what happens to the others? In England, with the enclosures, the others were thrown off the land and sent to workhouses. Will this happen in Germany? Will industralization create jobs quickly enough to hire all of the unemployed--especially since many of the able-bodied men have been killed by war? If a single stamp is good across Europe, how is revenue distribution handled? Will venture capital firms control speculation, or will they, instead, accelerate it by giving the appearance of professional management and safety? Will a group of German girls really be able to transform the losers of West Virginia society into productive members of society and church-goers, or are they being set up to be the abused mail-order brides of an earlier time.
As Science Fiction authors go, Eric Flint is a far better sociologist than most. In the Grantville Gazettes, though, he seems to let his fans run more than a little stary-eyed. Oh, well, it's still fun and, as I said earlier, solidly written. You won't miss much if you skip the Gazette, but if you enjoy the universe and Flint doesn't deliver enough novels in the series to entertain you, the Gazettes definitely add a bit.
It's a winner........2007-05-12
Eric Flint's GRANTVILLE GAZAETTE III continues the story of a small town from 20th century West Virginia which is hurled back in time to 17th century Europe. Here's a collection of new stories - including a new one by creator Eric Flint himself - which provides a series of encounters based on this premise, from American teens who change history through financial efforts to a woman who seeks sanctuary within Grantville's world. As a strong novel of alternate history/fantasy, it's a winner.
Not that bad!.......2007-04-10
In spite of being an anthology, and many of the writers less than gifted, the collection of short stories was not too bad. It's too dificult to critique each and every short story in this limited space, but the story by Ms. DeMarce, where downtimer Lutheran women set themselves about getting uptimer husbands to increase church membership was entertaining. I thought "Other People's Money" was too drawn out and rather dull. Otherwise, not a bad collection. A weak 4 stars!
Better.......2007-04-07
Yes, anthologies are a craps shoot, where you can get the good, the bad, and the very ugly. All of that is present here, only accentuated due to a number of first time authors writing. It's not bad to be a first time author- but throw a bunch together, and you get a higher statistical likliehood that things won't go right.
So some of these stories are incredibly boring and you have to drag through them. Some of them are better, an improvement over Gazette II. Of particular note were "Postage Due" by Flint, which was the first of his short stories to have minor interest, on the invention of the postage stamp through porn. "Sound of Music" had some beautifully movements, and "Hobson's Choice" a very good etic look at Grantville from Cambridge, as they struggle with the roles and rights of women.
"Euterpe" was long-winded, and had the promise of something more, but hasn't quite gotten there yet. The others with one exception are too boring to mention. That exception is "Hell's Fighters", the story that is well written about a Benedictine monk realizing his life's calling in Grantville, and the calling of his order. But this is the story that falls into the "ugly" category, with far too gratuitious and vivid violent scenes that could have been neatly referred to rather than exploiting the death of children.
Lastly, the nonfictional bits about life in 1600's Germany were mostly uninteresting as usual, but a shinging gem was the work on mechanization of German farms, as it taught about the history of farming technology and how it could possibly be applied to life in 17th century Germany.
I'd recommend reading the book if you're into the 1632 series. But I'd recommend borrowing over buying.
So Enjoyable.......2007-02-25
I really appreciated this one. Many of the ideas and images will stay with me for a long time.
Apparently, I'm as interested in what is happening on the edges of the 163x world than I am in the big plot arcs. And the best pieces here have the mix of historical detail and enthusiastic humanism that typifies the series.
Being an anthology, there are highs and lows. One of the stories was so narratively inept that I gave up after ten pages.
However, I invested in several pieces and found full meals. Virginia DeMarce's tale of how a bunch of uptime men marry downtime women is touching yet unblinking in its depiction of the realpolitik of relationships. And Franicis Turner's story of how the presence of Grantville affects the lives of people living in Cambridge is a triumph. No action, all ideas, fully entertaining.
(Eric Flint's "Postage Due" struck me as an obligatory fillip. Oh, well.)
Average customer rating:
- Good but reeks of US propaganda
- All the news that fits in print?
- A disappointing entry in the 1632 franchise
- Fun Shorts
- A good supplement
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The Grantville Gazette
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0743488601 |
Book Description
Grantville, formerly in West Virginia in the 20th century, now in Germany in the 17th century, is the most unusual town in the world-and probably in any century. The mysterious cosmic phenomena which the former West Virginians call the "Ring of Fire" hurled the town back through time into the middle of the Thirty Years War. In spite of their advanced technology, the men and women of Grantville are greatly outnumbered and must deal carefully with the squabbling local tyrants-but they have no shortage of American courage and ingenuity. Eric Flint, a bright new star of science fiction and creator of the Ring of Fire universe, now presents a book of new fiction about the heroes of Grantville, as well as articles examining the problems of maintaining 20th century technology in the 17th century. (Can you make penicillin from bread mold? To conserve your limited supply of gasoline, can you use literal horsepower to run a dynamo? Can you make a radio using 17th century glassware and metallurgy?) The Grantville Gazette is a fascinating exercise in alternate history and imagination and will be a must-buy for everyone who read 1632 and 1633.
Customer Reviews:
Good but reeks of US propaganda.......2006-11-06
Great story but the constant super American hillbillies is very draining if you don't live in the fantasy world which is the current USA.
All the news that fits in print?.......2006-10-18
This is the earliest of the Grantville Gazette sub-series (= I). You have no reason to read it before Eric Flint's original novel, "1632" (the year), that opens the whole mega-series. Actually, the Grantville Gazette is not a mock up of a fictional 17th century newspaper. Rather, it is an anthology of fiction and fact, like the old Analog SF magazine, that complements the world of "1632," the pathbreaking novel by Eric Flint that follows the arduous development of a West Virginian town that inexplicably finds itself alone in 17th century Germany, caught in the miserable Thirty Year War. This single episode of time travel is the only SF in the series, and so far remains unexplained, indeed unexamined. The series stemming from "1632" is rather an extremely ambitious example of Alternate History, or "What if..." (although its authors appear to come from SF, Speculative Fiction). The writing level is suitable for intelligent teenagers. Everyone has to wade through the historical background paragraphs and "speeches" that are essential because of the unfamiliarity to most of us of the remote period.
This book is the first in a series of occasional short story/article collections that mainly derive from authors drawn into an online community fascinated by the exploration of suddenly-17th century Americans abroad, as initiated by Flint. This is a remarkably constructed series, comprising short stories as well as novels, all directly contributing IN TO the main story line: how modern Americans might adapt to dangerously primitive Europe. The Gazette stories are not sequels, throw-aways, or spin-offs. Therefore, these gazettes are almost as important to understanding the overall story as the big novels (where one chiefly finds the famous events and real people, like politician Cardinal Richelieu and king-general Gustavus Adolphus). It is promised, for example, that a group of teenage capitalist inventors in one of the stories here will appear again in a more important role.
The three "factual" articles on modern technologies applied to the 17th century are something new and informative. Articles by different authors on the immense obstacles to effective radio, and why you don't "just make up some more penicillin" are terrific backgrounds to understanding the objective conditions the Grantville time-travelers encountered. The article on "Horse Power" describes the main types of horse breeds, but includes a list of antique horse breeds that is forgettably more than I ever, ever wanted to know. None of these is essential to enjoying the fictional series, but will enhance the enjoyment for those inclined toward technologies or fuller context. The factual articles don't seem to be appearing in any logical order (i.e., none so far on fundamentals like contemporary agriculture, heating, storage, kinship terminology, education, etc.). Their addition to the series points up the remarkably collaborative nature of this enterprise. A genealogy of the American characters has been fixed, and no rocket scientists can appear. Nevertheless, a lot of basic and vital skills seem to emerge from among the people of Grantville. Some technologies suddenly blossom in the novels (like aircraft!), but these short stories will tend to make them look less arbitrary as we are given the backstories.
The one illustration, on the cover of Grantville Gazette (I), belongs to an amusing story on Peter Paul Rubens, a real Dutch painter of the day. Another "Rubens" is the cover picture for "1634: The Ram Rebellion." These stories, and more, can be found via a website subscription at Baen Books, for a bit less. Since some of these short stories began as emails, I guess this is appropriate. One finds historical portraits of the real personnages there as well.
A disappointing entry in the 1632 franchise.......2006-05-12
I was very surprised to find myself not liking so much of this book. I am a big fan of the 1632 series, and my previous reads have met all my expectations. However, too much of the Grantville Gazette appears to be filler, and uninteresting filler at that. If you're going to flesh out the characters and background of a fiction series, it should be with other fiction stories (in my humble opinion). The large Fact section was for me a waste of space, while the story The Sewing Circle, by Gorg Huff, was long to the point of self-indulgence - like a charlie horse, I was begging for it to be over long before the end finally arrived. The other four fiction stories were enjoyable, but I can't quite say they were worth the price of the book - kind of like buying an entire CD because there are one or two songs on it you like. Hopefully the other Grantville Gazette books will be improvements over this initial offering.
Fun Shorts.......2006-03-31
Eric Flint is the creator of the "1632" series and he does contribute to this volume of short stories but that contribution is minor. A short story called "Portraits" is the extent of it. It is still a good collection. It is comprised of stories set in the 1632 universe in which a West Virginia town gets transported back to the Hundred Years War. Some of the stories are from professionals and a few are from amateurs. Each is worthwhile. There are also a couple of "fact" articles explaining how modern technology was adapted to the 1632 time frame. These too are informative.
Portraits - this is the story by Flint. It takes place during the siege of Amsterdam. It's only real merit is that it explains a transfer of modern medical technology to the "enemy". The title comes from the artist, Reubens, who paints the portraits of a few of the American delegation.
Anna's Story - Takes place immediately after the ring of fire. It is the story of a young German girl who is taken in by a surly old curmudgeon and the relationship that develops. It is a sweet story with no real action.
Curio and Relic - is about a Viet Nam vet who leads a solitary life before the Ring of Fire. He is willing to do his part to help the transplanted American community but he does not want to go into the army. Instead, he serves as a scrounger and is only slowly drawn into public service because he seeks the real need.
The Sewing Circle - is my favorite story in this collection. It deals with a group of teens who have an idea to make a profit in the new circumstances. They decide to begin to build sewing machines. They are good kids but are handicapped by the fact that most people don't take kids seriously.
The Rudolstadt Colloquy - covers a theological debate between various sects of Lutherans. Into the European mix are added the Missouri Synod and the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America). I found it interesting but I am a pastor.
The fact articles deal with the problems of radio in the 1632 setting, the problems with pharmaceuticals in that setting and a discourse on the varieties of horses around at that time.
A good supplement.......2006-02-23
This book is basically made up of stories that didn't make an earlier anthology. The first four do a nice job in elaborating on the integration of Grantsville into the 1639s. However, the technical article on radios seemed like padding and was something only a tech could read, nevertheless enjoy.
Average customer rating:
- Essential Miscellany to "1632"
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Grantville Gazette II
Manufacturer: MELIA PUBLISHING SER
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GNT4S0 |
Customer Reviews:
Essential Miscellany to "1632".......2006-10-19
Grantville Gazette II follows the unusual format introduced in GG (I): short story and novela fictions that explain or will impact the big picture of the novels in the same "world of 1632" series. And following them with several factual articles laying out narrow technical details of the "1632" world that is faced by modern West Virginia townfolk who were suddenly transported back four centuries to Germany in the middle of the Thirty Years War. The series is now also called the "Ring of Fire" after the manner in which these "up-timers" arrived in "down-time" Germany. "Assiti Shards" is somehow connected to it, but has no present meaning.
The longest story here is about the reform of medical education in Germany as it existed in the 17th century. A fierce academic struggle ensues to meld it with modern "miraculous" knowledge that has, unfortunately but predictably, run out of its modern supplies and lacks the industry to easily replace them. While clearly off the "main line" of the grand political confrontations presented in the novels set in the "1632" world, a story like this illustrates the great value of the GG anthologies. Inclusion of such details would clearly bog down the already big novels, far beyond the many necessary asides on historical matters they already contain. Yet these short stories answer the very questions that are asked by fascinated readers of the series. In fact, the articles, and stories, are submitted by readers online, and edited to conform with and advance the overall saga. The series is an intellectual adventure in Alternate History, full of yes, how would I have done that, moments. The stories are also fun when recognizable European "real" people of those distant times pop up, like Galileo or Cromwell.
Although not excessively militarized, these stories often have the prose of military fiction: can-do, go-get-em, optimistically cynical, capsulized, declarative prose. Nothing wasted on evocative description, ambiance, atmosphere, flawed characters, or fancy words. Nor are they in the least amateurish, strongly edited by Eric Flint, who has become the choreographer of the series.
I would expect more anxiety and desperation in these stories, and the series. Surely there was constant danger around these "colonists" from another time. Humor is laced through the stories, okay, but the characters also seem little worried by the harsh forces around them. Maybe short stories cannot be expected always to acknowledge those wider problems, but the later novels also lack this element of suspense. The uptime Americans and their allies don't seem to lose even the little schemes or conflicts. The enemies are obviously "bad," often over the top evil, while the good guys cleverly triangulate the fundamental forces, but of course are never sneaky. They are suitable paragons for teenage readers. All the good W. Va. union men who lead Grantville act like they only manipulate situations and never busted a head. One never has the sense of grit, dread or awe one finds in Bernard Cornwell's books of continental conflict.
In GG factual articles are presented in a more or less accessible style. Allthough they can be skipped by those interested only in the "action," at no loss to understanding the action, they provide a depth of research that the authors of the fiction observe and that enlarges the novels in particular. For example, there is a wonderful discussion of the obstacles the up-timers will have finding their essential modern ores and minerals in medieval Germany. That article reviews the new geological setting of Grantville, and what its inhabitants could potentially find to sustain the industries necessary to withstanding and overcoming many hostile political and economic forces. "Wonderful" at least to natural scientists among the readers. However, it becomes clear that the manpower, skills and knowledge needed will have to involve the recruitment of native local people if the 3500 Americans have any hope of surviving and flourishing, and then bringing democracy and wealth to millions in Europe. These considerations will constrain how and when characters will make guns, bullets, containers, ships, and railroad steel, and why we won't see metal aeroplanes any time soon--even if these ground facts are not explicitly written in to future stories. I hope in future the GG will present some actual short biographies of the leading historical down-timers. Of course authors wouldn't want to give away what might be coming up in future stories (although those must increasingly vear from the historical record, mustn't they, now that up-timers have contaminated "our" history).
Amazon.com
A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, by John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church, is hard to describe. The book is a history of the denomination, with lively passages depicting the lives and ministries of important Unitarian-Universalist leaders such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and William Ellery Channing. Yet it is also a collection of testimonies by contemporary laypeople and ministers, who describe their churches' responses to questions ranging from "How do I know when to get married?" to "How should the government treat single mothers?" The funny and wise introduction was written by Robert Fulghum, who indulges the often invoked criticism that Unitarian Universalism's ideals are interchangeable with those of PBS. And, finally, it contains some straightforward explications of the denomination's core principles. The Church's aversion to creeds will be off-putting to some readers--at times, it seems Unitarian Universalists believe in nothing so much as not committing to any one belief. But there's something universally refreshing about this protean faith: most religious people, at one time or another, find that God leads them to reject some tenets of their religion. Unitarian Universalists have a true genius for accepting God's most surprising Words, which makes A Chosen Faith a valuable resource for all of us. --Michael Joseph Gross
Book Description
Affirming diversity, dialogue, and personal choice in religious living, providing common ground and community for people from a wide variety of backgrounds and beliefs, and encouraging the work for social justice that religion inspires, Unitarian Universalism has become an increasingly appealing religious alternative. A Chosen Faith is a clear, helpful introduction to this growing religious movement. Two long-time ministers and denominational leaders, John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church, describe the sources and history of Unitarian Universalism, how those traditions are adapted in congregations today, and how they each came to choose Unitarian Universalism as a career and a way of life. This revised edition includes two new chapters as well as a new foreword by best-selling writer and Unitarian Universalist Robert Fulghum. "An excellent introduction for anyone interested in the nature of Unitarian Universalist religious beliefs, the history of those movements, and the emphasis on openness, tolerance, and social concerns." -Michael J. McBride, Religious Studies Review "Simply superb. I know of nothing comparable to it. The old-timer as well as the 'come-outer' will find A Chosen Faith irresistible. It will be a gift for everyone, for the minister, for the laity, for theological students. Engaging, seductive, infectious." -James Luther Adams
Customer Reviews:
"Must Read".......2006-05-26
this book is an excellent intro to UU thought; anyone who is open-minded and liberal should read it
Good introduction to the UU church, will not answer deep theological questions.......2005-12-30
This book is what its title says it is: an introduction to Unitarian Universalism. It combines a brief history of the denomination (which, in one respect, goes back centuries, but in another goes back to the 1961 merger of the Unitarian and Universalist denominations, whereupon the Unitarian Universalist Association ceased to be a "liberal Christian" denomination and became the "non-creedal religion" it is today) with an overview of UU principles, mixed with the author's personal reminiscences.
Unitarian Universalism is a tough religion to categorize or summarize. For those used to faiths where you are given a creed to follow and answers to life's deep questions, it can be difficult to understand the appeal of a religion that gives you questions rather than answers. There are no "authoritative" answers within the church regarding the existence of God or the nature of souls and the afterlife or why good people suffer, so the author of this book can only give his personal opinion without presuming to speak for Unitarian Universalism in general.
If you want to know more about Unitarian Universalism in general, this is a good book to start with. If you are wondering whether Unitarian Universalism might be the "right" religion for you, then you won't find the answer to that in this or any book. You need to attend a UU church and talk to the members of the congregation and see if it's a good "fit" for you. And be aware that no two UU congregations are the same -- some are heavily theistic, with a lot of spiritual/religious overtones (though none explicitly endorse or require members to believe in a deity), while others are much more "humanist." Some UU congregations are even explicitly pagan/"Earth-centered" in nature, though these are rare. The point is, if one congregation doesn't feel right to you, you might find another one does. You will find some UU members who are very comfortable with "religious language" while others recoil at any mention of God. Some regard this as a positive thing about Unitarian Universalism, the fact that it is so personal and unique to each individual's experience, others find the lack of uniformity or consensus frustrating.
I think it is this tension between "theists" and "humanists" within the UUA that prompted a previous reviewer's negative review of this book. As an atheist UU myself, I disagree with his assessment that this book is "hostile" to humanists/atheists. The thing is, the author is more theistic himself and so he has a more benevolent view of Unitarian Universalism's theistic (Christian, in fact) heritage. He doesn't explicitly say "There is a God," and admits he's unsure, but one gets the impression that he believes in some sort of higher power or at least would like to, and so he has a kindly attitude towards fellow believers. This may grate on determinedly atheistic UUs who would prefer that there be no mention at all of deities or spirituality in UU services. Personally, I don't find such religious references offensive as long as I am not being asked to subscribe personally to a belief in any gods or made to feel excluded because I don't. But as far as theology goes, this book only offers the author's PERSONAL theology; it cannot lay out a theological foundation for all UUs, because every UU approaches theology differently.
Great introduction to UUism........2005-05-27
I highly recommend this book to all people who are curious about Unitarian Universalism. It covers history, beliefs and makes you feel welcome no matter where you stand. Well written and very informative, whether you just want to know who the UUs are or believe you are one, READ THIS BOOK!
A Tragic Stain on a Wonderful Religion.......2004-03-16
Revs. Buehrens and Church unquestionably have the institutional credentials to write an introduction to Unitarian Universalism. Nonetheless, I think this book is a travesty. To my eyes, it is full to overflowing with unfair and offensive attacks (which are in fact heavily contrary to the message of Unitarian Universalism) upon atheists, humanists and other skeptics whose belief systems do not toe the theological line drawn by the authors. There is nary a kind word about atheists in this book.
Five years ago, as a non-believer interested in Unitarian Universalism, "A Chosen Faith" was my first written introduction to the religion. The book taught me, among many other things, that my religious perspective was actually a "demonic pseudoreligion"; that UUs agreed with C.S. Lewis that "the opposite of belief in God is not a belief in nothing; it is a belief in anything"; that I was a spiritual "vacuum"; and that raising children without religion means ushering them into fundamentalist cults. In short, the book taught me that Unitarian Universalists would find me and my (non-) beliefs disgusting. This is the message secular people of many stripes will take away from "A Chosen Faith"--but it is far, far from the truth about UUism.
I am now a Unitarian Universalist, very much despite having read this book. My journey into the religion has consisted in large part of understanding (because I've been convinced by wonderful UUs, many of them Christians, pagans, theists, deists...) that Buehrens and Church are flat wrong about the place of atheism, humanism and skepticism within Unitarian Universalism.
We Unitarian Universalists covenant, in our statement of principles, "to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning." I believe "A Chosen Faith" repeatedly violates this covenant. As such, I think it is an extremely poor choice to serve as an introduction to Unitarian Universalism. If you are a UU, please do not inflict this book on a nonbeliever you care about. For anyone else in search of a good and fair introduction to UUism, I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere. (Try uua.org, for starters.)
Eye Opening.......2002-10-18
For about ten years now I have struggled to find my spiritual niche. I was brought up Methodist Christian and never felt comfortable about my faith, that is until I read this book. The beliefs and practices of the Unitarian Church completely coincide with mine and many other family members and friends of mine. After reading this book I am now very optimistic about having a spiritually fulfilling life.
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