X Out Of Wonderland

Book Description

X Out of Wonderland is a farce, modeled after Candide, that takes on the Global Free Market and just about every other aspect of contemporary life.
X, the novel’s decent and brave protagonist, maintains his optimistic pursuit of love and The Good Life even as a string of catastrophes brutalize him through a series of misadventures that take him around the world. While pointing up the absurdities of our own times, X Out of Wonderland also shows clearly the universal predicament of all humans in all cultures in all times: the need to find meaning and dignity in our lives despite the certainty of death and suffering. The story makes clear that despite our folly, we’ve got a few things going for us: faith, hope, love, and the capacity to endure.

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Mobility & Choice
An Abstract Commentary on Globalization, and more.
A Humorous Journey

X Out of Wonderland: A Saga
David Allan Cates
Manufacturer: Steerforth
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Satire, General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 158642095X
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Book Description

X Out of Wonderland is a farce, modeled after Candide, that takes on the Global Free Market and just about every other aspect of contemporary life. Outrageous and poignant by turns, X is a satire with heart, and an intense and funny reading experience.
X, the novel’s decent and brave protagonist, maintains his optimistic pursuit of love and The Good Life even as a string of catastrophies brutalize him through a series of misadventures that take him around the world. While pointing up the absurdities of our own times, X Out of Wonderland also shows clearly the universal predicament of all humans in all cultures in all times: the need to find meaning and dignity in our lives despite the certainty of death and suffering. The story makes clear that despite our folly, we’ve got a few things going for us: faith, hope, love, and the capacity to endure.

Customer Reviews:

Mobility & Choice.......2006-05-25

I read 'Candide' more than 40 years ago (and had forgotten all about it). 'X Out of Wonderland' was a flashback to the effect.
It shames me to note that I was drawn to 'X' because I thought it was a critique of global economics telling me what I wanted to hear. Fortunately, 'X' is far more sophisticated. My base motives were disappointed, and I am better for it. David Allan Cates writes a surprisingly even-handed, nonjudgemental, matter-of-fact sort of story. 'X' is humorous, provocative, titillating, entertaining. Its style invokes motion of the mind. Serious & wise ebb & flow with ridiculous & foolish. It wanders. It moves fast. It's tornadic. An expose' of life and the human condition, 'X' reveals fragility & resilience, opression & victory, dispair & unfettered optimism. Most of all, 'X' is about the interconnectiveness of human life. We see the-way-things-are in 3rd person detachment. I like how the book left me feeling.
"And all we can hope for is to be fondly remembered."
"Here's to luscious serving wenches!"
Nah... It can't be summarized with quote bites. It took David Allan Cates 141 pages. Ya gotta read the book to get the feeling if you're gonna understand.

An Abstract Commentary on Globalization, and more........2005-11-16

X Out of Wonderland is not for everyone. It is a commentary on corporations and the business side of cglobalization screw people over. Mainly poor people in poor countries. And example of this is when a company called Bechtel (Donald Rumsfeld was closely involved with it)worked with the government of Bolivia to privatize the drinking water there. They then sold the water at outrageous prices making the poor people have to choose between drinking water or say, going to the hospital, or sending their children to 2nd grade. The general population rioted and got the privatization overturned.

I told the above story for a reason. First of all, its true, and people should know about it. If you dont believe this is true or possible, you wont like this book. Its very abstract. It jumps around alot, and when reading it for example, I felt vaguely as if I was on a LSD trip, because the story is so bizarre.

If you dont agree with the authors beliefs already, you wont like this book. Even if you do agree, there is a good chance you wont like this book.

A Humorous Journey.......2005-09-30

Cates does an interesting job of poking fun at the "global free market" and those who believe in it. When bad times fall on the eponymous protagonist, he embraces his newfound freedom. Eventually, though, it becomes clear that much of the economic success and failure has nothing to do with optimism and everything to do with luck.

The farce is great. The understanding of how the global economy works and the origins of our market system is sublime.

Book Description

Banished from Tower Twyll by his brutal half brother, Rhys has carved out a new life as the Outlaw. But then he captures a raven-haired beauty named Tara who may be the true heir to Twyll. She not only inflames his desire, but carries the legendary jewel that threatens his very quest for revenge. From the first, the infamous criminal stokes a passion seductive yet frightening in Tara. For if she is the true heir to Twyll, then she is the sworn enemy of the man who has captured her heart...

Customer Reviews:

surprised..but not in the good way.......2005-03-22

Well it started off interesting enough. It had all the makings of an interesting novel but somewhere along the line it became incredibly tedious. First there was the missing child, then the mysterious emerald, the outlaw, and a beautiful pagan, and a villain bent on revenge. It had all the makings of an interesting novel. But it became incredibly boring half way through. I couldn't believe all the good reviews for this novel. If you have read any other of Ms. Jackson's novels you know what I mean when I say this doesn't measure up to rest of her works. Tara is a headstrong heroine but all the stupid things she kept doing just got plain annoying instead of me applauding her bravery after her attempts of escape. Another thing I didn't like was that the villain was too evil. It was like good vs. evil, plain black and white when in reality it isn't really like that. When I usually read Ms. Jackson's books there are shades of gray between the good guys and bad guys. It makes it more believable and easier to read. The relationships between the two characters were unrealistic and premature. I didn't believe them one bit. It was like the book wasn't long enough for them to develop proper a relationship. All in all I was extremely disappointed in reading it, not what I expected at all.

I like it.......2004-09-21

I just finished reading Dark Emerald. This is the 3rd book I've read by Lisa Jackson and I've yet to be disappointed. The chemistry between the two characters, Tara and Rhys, was great. The storyline was pretty good and it also had a small twist at the end of the book. I recommend it, I don't think you will be disappointed.

A Strong Read...But It Lacked...Something!.......2004-08-20

I'm a huge fan of Ms. Jackson's romantic suspense stories and this is the first time I've read any of her historicals and I found this read to be a strong read but after ahwile I became bored with Tara's attitude and "need to escape" mentality. In the beginning yes, it was believable, toward the middle and end it was just down right disbelieving.

Tara has lived her life with a mystery hanging over her head. The circumstances of her birth are held as a secret. She has been raised by Lodema in a forest with an Emerald as her only legacy. Little does she know that the Emerald identifies her as the long lost heir to Tower Twyll. Tara wants a lot out of life, what she doesn't count on is being abducted by an outlaw in the forest, nor does she count on the feelings he makes her feel. What will happen when they find out that their actually suppose to be enemies?

Rhys has been banished from Twyll by his evil half brother. As a result he has made a new life for himself as an outlaw. He finds the beautiful and tempting Tara and at the same time sees the Emerald and makes the choice to abduct her for his own purposes. He does not plan on feeling things for his beautiful captive, and these feelings could possibly change his desire for revenge if he lets it. Will he continue with his plan of vengence, or will he follow his heart?

Again this was a strong read but I found some of the characters rather clichéd, and as I stated earlier I started to feel frustration with Tara. The chemistry between Rhys and Tara is hot and despite the strong willed nature of these two people they were able to find a strong love. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Jackson's historicals in the future.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Truly enchanting.......2003-05-02

I enjoyed this book greatly, it has an interesting story line as well as a nice twist.

The best book I read in a long time!.......2000-05-20

All I want to say is this,If you buy this book you will not be sorry.This is the best book and plot was so cool I near could have guested.So please go for it!

ASIMOV'S SCIENCE FICTION - Volume 10, number 11 - November Nov 1986: Voice in the Dark; Iriadeska's Martians; Fire Zone Emerald; The Hound of Mac Datho; Elephant; A Trace of Madness

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ASIMOV'S SCIENCE FICTION - Volume 10, number 11 - November Nov 1986: Voice in the Dark; Iriadeska's Martians; Fire Zone Emerald; The Hound of Mac Datho; Elephant; A Trace of Madness
Gardner (editor) (Jack McDevitt; Frederik Pohl; Lucius Shepard; Gregory Frost; Susan Palwick; Scott Stolnack) Dozois
Manufacturer: Davis Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KDO7WE

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Dark Emerald (Black Dagger Crimes)
Joan Storm
Manufacturer: Chivers North America
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

British Detectives | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0745186912

DC Sneak Previews #1 : Justice Society of America & Green Lantern Emerald Dawn II (DC Comics)

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DC Sneak Previews #1 : Justice Society of America & Green Lantern Emerald Dawn II (DC Comics)
Len Strazewski , and Keith Giffen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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The Emerald Oil Caper (Dark Angel Series)

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The Emerald Oil Caper (Dark Angel Series)

Manufacturer: Pyramid Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0515036293

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The Emerald Oil Caper : Dark Angel #2

Manufacturer: Pyramid
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000H337UA

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Emeralds in the Dark
Beverly Bird
Manufacturer: Pocket Books (Mm)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 067147782X

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Emeralds in the Dark
Beverly Bird
Manufacturer: SILHOUETTE BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000J2HCBE

Dean, Billy: Fire in the Dark (with Lonnie Wilson, Glenn Worf, Biff Watson, and others). Recorded ca. 1993, at Emerald Sound Studios. Engineer: Bob Bullock. ... review): An article from: Sensible Sound

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Dean, Billy: Fire in the Dark (with Lonnie Wilson, Glenn Worf, Biff Watson, and others). Recorded ca. 1993, at Emerald Sound Studios. Engineer: Bob Bullock. ... review): An article from: Sensible Sound
Howard Ferstler
Manufacturer: Sensible Sound
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Sensible Sound, published by Sensible Sound on May 1, 1998. The length of the article is 5560 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Dean, Billy: Fire in the Dark (with Lonnie Wilson, Glenn Worf, Biff Watson, and others). Recorded ca. 1993, at Emerald Sound Studios. Engineer: Bob Bullock. 36+ minutes. Liberty 98947.(Review) (sound recording review)
Author: Howard Ferstler
Publication: Sensible Sound (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 1998
Publisher: Sensible Sound
Page: 91

Article Type: Sound Recording Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Dark Emerald

Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GS7K4K

Amazon.com

In 1988, Benjamin Franklin Smith suffers a massive coronary and is placed into cryonic suspension, igniting a storm of controversy among his suspicious relatives. In 2072, on his 147th birthday, he is reanimated by his great-grandson, rejoining a world in which such procedures--along with eugenic selection, virtual reality, and nanotechnology--have become commonplace. Ben's friends, children, grandchildren ,and mother are also given second chances in this brave new world; technology has even made it possible for Ben to have his dead wife cloned as an infant, raised by their son (also frozen and revived) to an adulthood in which she marries him again.

If this sounds a bit bewildering and overwhelming, it is, but it's also fascinating and often has the ring of genuine prediction. As in Halperin's first novel, The Truth Machine, the technology is always front and center, but this is ultimately a story of people and the political and sociological implications of near immortality.

Book Description

In 1988, Benjamin Smith suffers a massive heart attack. But he will not die. A pioneering advocate of the infant science of cryonics, he has arranged to have his body frozen until the day when humanity will possess the knowledge, the technology, and the courage to revive him.

Yet when Ben resumes life after a frozen interval of eighty-three years, the world is altered beyond recognition. Thanks to cutting-edge science, eternal youth is universally available and the perfection of cloning gives humanity the godlike power to re-create living beings from a single cell. As Ben and his family are resurrected in the mid-twenty-first century, they experience a complex reunion that reaches through generations--and discover that the deepest ethical dilemmas of humankind remain their greatest challenge. . . .

Customer Reviews:

Readable, but not plausible.......2007-09-15

This novel's strong suit is the author's writing style, which is clear and engaging. Less clear is the science behind this prognostication--that someone in the present day, in the context of essentially modern day technology, could ever be cryogenically frozen and later revived in a fashion that would preserve that person's consciousness. I don't buy it, although someday this may be possible, I suppose. (Doubtful).

But that is what this story is about. In this story a man of our time has himself frozen, and then he is revived in the future. He then proceeds to cause most of his offspring, who followed their father's example, to be revived into a world in which everyone has a lifespan of nearly a thousand years, in a physical condition of someone in their mid-20s.

Some of the author's predictions are interesting, such as the notion that at about age 65 it will someday be routine for people to receive a mechanical heart. I can imagine that; it is surprising that a self-contained mechanical heart is not already practical. I do not doubt that that day will come.

Despite my rejection of the main premise of this story, there is a glimmer of plausibility here. I do not doubt that one day science will conquer most of the effects of aging such that the human life-span will be greatly extended in a manner whereby humans live most of their lives as young people. I just don't believe that it will be possible to freeze dead humans and miraculously restore them to this improved state. Even if it were possible, it is hard to believe that this process could ever be economically viable on any kind of significant scale. Maybe I am wrong about this, but that's what I think, and I did not find that in this novel the author satisfactorily got over this obstacle, which is central to the thesis of the entire novel.

A good read, but not a plausible prognostication for our future.

Full of potentiality and possibilities.......2007-04-15

James L. Halperin has done a bang up job of writing a novel that will attract younger generations to the ideas that collectively form the worldview known as transhumanism.

This book is all about optimism and newer, better memes. It will likely offend deeply religious readers, and those who are happy with the worldview they already have, unless that worldview is transhumanist centric.

The First Immortal contains many ideas and speculations about what the future holds for humanity. It has an almost breathtaking time scope but manages to keep the plot fairly simple by following the lives of a small group of family and friends while interjecting news bulletins throughout the passage of time.

Halperin addresses many politically sensitive topics such as euthanasia, cryonics, polyamory and polygamy, same sex relationships and our spiritual beliefs about what comes after death. The main question he addresses in The First Immortal is what the world could look like if humanity conquered death.

I can promise you it's an interesting ride. I enjoyed the author's easy writing style and layman's explanation of nanotechnology and its future potential. If you have even the slightest interest in transhumanism or human longevity, I recommend picking up a copy of The First Immortal.

An excellent transhumanist work!.......2007-01-13

This is a great book to ease those who don't wish to do research, (or have a lot of bad meme viruses --mostly religious-- in their heads) into transhumanism (modifying the human body beyond biology's limitations). There is a giant world of futuristic ideas. However, many, many people want to live brutal nasty short lives in spite of better options... This book explores those better options, ranging from what's possible right now, to what is likely to be possible within a few years. If people still choose to live short lives based on stupid premises after they read this book -let them! ...At least they've been given a choice! As for me, I'll see you in 1,000 years! See: [...]

Immortality or death ? .......2006-08-08

This is the best and most relevant book you can read in the world today. It has a lot more to do with you and your future than the bible and ALSO is a fun read with the most interesting ideas about tomorow's technology and our future.

Boring...tedious...self indulgent.......2006-05-17

I read both this novel and The Truth Machine because a friend highly recommended them. What a bore...First of all, I give this two stars instead of one star because, at least apparently, it is accurate from a scientific and factual perspective.

Truth be told, Halperin is not a novelist. He is an extremely accomplished amateur futurist.

This novel, like The Truth Machine, has very interesting concepts. Concepts that could have been explained in a very compelling 150-page novel. Instead Halperin takes us on a journey of self indulgent "gee, this is how smart I am", which would be ok if he could write without using endless clichés, unbelievably shallow characters and excruciatingly boring story lines. What's so frustrating is that now and again he just about "get's it" and then returns to lecturing the reader.

To top it off he has an incredibly naive and sophomoric understanding of religions, especially Christianity and postmodern philosophy.

I wish I had known I could download the text for free from his website instead of forking over the $7.99 for the book.

Book Description

Pierced by the Word takes up thirty-one subjects as unique as "How to Be a Refuge for Your Children," "How to Drink Orange Juice to the Glory of God," and "Embracing the Pain of Shame." Some are longer, some shorter, like the real-world conversations they so closely resemble, and each comes from the fertile mind of John Piper and is written in his own inimitable style. Together, the readings will lead to a deeper understanding of God and a cleaner, clearer relationship with Him. Most of all, Piper's approach shows how meditating on God's powerful Word can affect every aspect of our lives.

Whether you’re steeped in the Word of God or newly acquainted with it, these thirty-one meditations will penetrate to the deepest reaches of your soul.

With a contagious passion, John Piper awakens us to violent prayer, piercing pleasure, and fearless faith.

Customer Reviews:

A Warning About Piper's Emphasis.......2005-09-02

This is a general comment on Piper's books and ministry. I deeply appreciate the work of John Piper--especially his emphasis on missions and on living God-centered, Christ-exalting lives of worship. And I am Augustinian, so I love Piper's theology and am thrilled that he has become so popular. But I do want to provide a warning. Piper's main emphasis is (and you'll read this over and over again) "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him"--or when we "savor" Him or "delight" in Him. (You can tell from the titles of his books that Piper uses numerous terms to describe this same principle.) This is a biblical and wonderful proposition that Piper became aware of through the writings of Jonathan Edwards. And to Edwards, this was one small part of his theology.

But Piper has taken this idea, which he calls "Christian Hedonism," and built his whole life and ministry around it. The problem is that if you read enough Piper, you will begin to focus on the FEELING of being delighted in Christ, rather than on Christ Himself. And when your feelings don't match what you want them to be, you will become disheartened. (And let's face it, few of us have the emotional intensity of John Piper.) At that point, your feelings (of being delighted in God) become the object of your desires and, thus, an idol. Yes, they are feelings TOWARD God--but those feelings are NOT GOD. And when the focus of your life has become your emotions, it has deceptively become an idol.

I know Piper fights against this tendency. But I'm afraid he is often unsuccessful. The fact is, the Christian life is not going to be one of unending joy in God. Read the Psalms to see how often the psalmists cry out in agony and desperation and sadness to the Lord. Read Romans 7 to find out how tough and discouraging the Christian life can really be.

According to Piper, our happiness in God should be the driving motivation in our life. But when Christians are inevitably not overflowing with delight in God, then under Piper's framework, the only solution is to seek that feeling of joy rather than just do our duty. There are times when duty and obligation (which Piper hates) are the only motivations for the Christian to be obedient and live a life of faith. I agree wholeheartedly with Piper that delight in God is a much better motivation for the Christian than duty. But when that delight is not there, we still must be faithful and obedient, and we can't always wait on our feelings to drive us on toward the prize. (I suppose one of the reasons Piper has become so popular is the fascination we post-modern people have with our own feelings and subjective experiences.)

Read Piper's books. And enjoy his passionate and Christ-exalting preaching. But beware and repent when your emotions--rather than the Triune God Himself--become the focus of your life.

Food for the soul.......2004-05-02

John Piper is a deep thinker and deeply in love with God. Combined together, his writings are always solid food for the Christian seeking ways to draw closer to God. As a devotional, this work dishes out pastoral thoughts in bite-sized form. But though each day's reading is about 2-3 pages long, trust me, you'd want to mull over and meditate over it, as it is "solid meat''. You'd read here deep truths that will prod you to live a life that is spent on God.
I discovered John Piper only last year. Let me say that his books, particularly the full-length "Pleasures of God'' have transformed my life. They have a heart-piercing quality to them, which can only come from a man who has thought through his faith and is sold out to it. If you have more time, these full-length books will be worth every cent. I am buying "The Pleasures of God'' and giving it away as gifts.
But this bite-sized devotional also has a place on the shelf. As I said, the writings are brief, but thought-provoking nonetheless. And they come from a pastor's heart.

Bite sized morsels.......2004-04-15

John Piper is my favorite contemporary Christian author, so it was no surprise to me that this would be another engaging, worship inspiring work from him. His longer works such as "The Pleasures of God" are amazing when you have a bigger stretch of time for devotion, but this provides a perfect alternative when a larger work might put one off from even getting started. Each meditation is a bit longer than a given entry from say "My Utmost For His Highest" (quite possibly the quintessential daily devotional book), but still easily manageable in a single sitting.

Critical Thinking.......2004-01-13

John Piper has a way of making scripture relavant to daily life. This book challenged my thinking and demanded critical thinking of life and scripture. As with all of Piper's writtings, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a closer realtionship with Christ.

God-centered theology in bite-size form.......2003-11-09

These thirty-one meditations follow the pattern of Piper's other excellent God-centered books in directing us both in mind and heart to the piercing words of Scripture. Join Piper in meditating on the practicality of Scripture for all of life, including: parenting and praying, fighting lust and anger, embracing the pain of shame, gaining assurance of salvation, and a score of other topics, in which God is shown to be the main reality. This is an easy to read book (a little less daunting than some of Piper's longer, meatier books) and would make a great gift to a new believer or non-reader.

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