Average customer rating:
- Father and son travel across country in a 1948 Chevy Woody
- How Being a Son Affects Being a Father
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The Journey of the Stone Man
Edward Mooney
Manufacturer: Champion Press (WI)
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The Pearls of the Stone Man
ASIN: 1891400894 |
Book Description
The long awaited "prequel" to The Pearls of the Stone Man is here. In his touching new novel, Edward Mooney, Jr. continues the story of his main character, Joseph Marino, that so captivated his readers in 2002. Mooney's first novel took the reader on an incredible journey through the last months of Joseph and his wife Anne's marriage -- addressing the fateful events that took place at the ending of their lives together on Pine Mountain. Part of a trilogy, Mooney's second novel, The Journey of the Stone Man, transports the reader to a time and place in the middle of Joseph's life. Back tracking to a setting 25 years prior to that of his first novel, we are introduced to the middle of Joseph Marino's life -- along with the age old struggle between father and son trying to understand each other. Using the setting of a cross-country road trip, The Journey of the Stone Man spins a tale of a father (Joseph) and his teenage son (Paul) while traveling the country in a "Woody" station wagon. Mooney's sensitive writing and attention to detail reveal timeless-family dynamics pertinent to all families.
Customer Reviews:
Father and son travel across country in a 1948 Chevy Woody.......2004-11-22
It is unusual to read a second book in a trilogy that is essentially a prequel to the first, but that is the case with Edward Mooney, Jr.'s "The Journey of the Stone Man." True, the framing device for this story continues from where "The Pearls of the Stone Man" left off, but the heart of the story is set a quarter of a century before we met Joseph and Anne Marino at the end of their lives together on Pine Mountain. What happens here helps us to better understand the events of the first novel and why Joseph tried so hard with young Tim and Shannon.
"The Journey of the Stone Man" begins with Tim and Shannon visiting Pine Mountain with their own children, named Joey and Annie of course. Tim helps Paul Marino to clean out his father's garage and together they face the difficult task of sorting through everything that was collected through a lifetime. To them a lot of the stuff looks like junk, but obviously they had memories for the sentimental Joseph, and eventually they come to an item that brings back a rush of memories for Paul. It is a dual-barreled carburetor for a '68 Chevy. For more than twenty-five years Joseph Marino had kept it and now Paul is confronted with the reason that he left home and the explanation for why he and his father fought for years.
The journey of the title comes in two parts. Part One, "Midday in America," begins with what is clearly a familiar scene in the Marino household in California, with Annie trying to intervene in yet another fight between her husband and her fifteen-year old son. Then there is a telephone call from his mother in Maine with the new that Joseph's father has passed away. This means flying home for the funeral, where Joseph will have to deal with coming to terms for his feelings for his father. Thinking about the troubled relationship he had with father also makes Joseph more cognizant of how history is repeating itself in his relationship with his own son, especially since they are both named Paul.
All of Joseph's troubles with his father and son become symbolized by a 1948 Chevy Woody and Part Two, "The Journey," is the story of Joseph and Paul traveling together across the country in that car back to California. Even if you have not read the first novel you know from the prologue that this journey will not end well. But throughout this car trip Mooney continues to have Joseph trying to come to terms with the death of his father. While back in Maine for the funeral Joseph repeatedly found himself expressing things he never got to say to his father and it turns out that there are things that old Paul Marino never got to say as well that need to be said. Meanwhile, the strained relationship between Joseph and young Paul continues towards the breaking point.
On the one hand ever since I read "The Pearls of the Stone Man" I have been looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. But I found myself only willing to read a chapter or two at night for totally different reasons in the two main parts of the novel. The first part was difficult for me to read because I have never been to a funeral. Consequently the general idea that I will probably be going to one before the end of this decade and the growing possibility that it could be under similar circumstances distracted me a bit. Mooney details the emotional pain and loss that is disorienting Joseph with such exquisite detail, and is building upon the affection we developed for this painfully flawed man in the first volume, that reading the book in small doses becomes something of a necessity.
With the second part of the novel I found myself reading a chapter or two before going to bed, reaching the point where Joseph and Paul have settled into a motel for the night and stopping there, even if it was only two paragraphs into a chapter. This seemed appropriate because I am at the age where having Paul act like a typical teenager butting heads with his father on just about everything was as irritating to me as it was to Joseph. I know that I had my moments of irritating my father, but I was never in Paul's league even though the boy is not going out of his way to cause trouble.
I do not want to leave you with the impression that "The Journey of the Stone Man" is a painful book to read because although this is a painful story it is really about transcendence. There actually is something of a big bang in Mooney's novel, but it really is more about listening to the whimpers that make up a person's life and define their relationships with each other. The larger perspective is then even when son who has become a father remembers the past, they may still be condemned to repeat it.
How Being a Son Affects Being a Father.......2004-11-08
I did not read The Pearls of the Stone Man so I cannot comment on how well this second book in the trilogy relates to the first one.
The Journey of the Stone Man was a nice surprise after a slow beginning. The book opens with a beautiful description of Pine Mountain in Maine and then shifts in the prologue to Paul Marino cleaning out his parents' belongings after their death. What he finds causes him to remember back when his grandfather died.
The book then shifts to Paul's father, Joseph, as the narrator. The Marinos live in California while Joseph's parents still live in Maine. A telephone call from Joseph's mother breaks a typical family argument about Joseph being too hard on his son, Paul. Joseph's father, also named Paul, is dead. The book then recounts Joseph's relationship with his father and his musings about how the relationship has colored his own relationship with his son.
The story moves to Maine for the funeral and the inevitable cleaning out of the father's things. For anyone who has lost a parent, the writing will remind you of your own feelings at the time. When the funeral is over, though, it turns out that the older Paul has left a few surprises. And those surprises (which I cannot share with you without spoiling the book) are what make this book a delight.
Life is a journey and Mr. Mooney has written a very moving book that will remind everyone of how we need to enjoy the trip as well as the destination.
I found the book's opening to be a little stilted in its plot, thoughts and development. It was very predictable for the first 100 pages or so. As a result, the book didn't hit me as hard as it would if it had developed its unexpected themes sooner.
Ultimately, the book is a wonderful reminder of the need to tell all you love that you do and how to influence the next generation in ways that will be helpful to generations to come.
I also got some practical benefits from the book. I remembered that my father, who is now deceased, used to hide some valuables and showed me where he kept them. I'll have to check to see if they are still there in his old hiding places the next time I visit my Mom. In addition, I got some ideas for things to do for my children. I'm sure they will like them.
Give love . . . to enjoy love!
Product Description
History: Fiction or Science? is the most explosive tractate on history ever written - however, every theory it contains, no matter how unorthodox, is backed by solid scientific data. The book is well-illustrated, contains over 446 graphs and illustrations, copies of ancient manuscripts, and countless facts attesting to the falsity of the chronology used nowadays, which never cease to amaze the reader. Eminent mathematician proves that: Jesus Christ was born in 1153 and crucified in 1186 The Old Testament refers to mediaeval events. Apocalypse was written after 1486. Does this sound uncanny? This version of events is substantiated by hard facts and logic - validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources - to a greater extent than everything you may have read and heard about history before. The dominating historical discourse in its current state was essentially crafted in the XVI century from a rather contradictory jumble of sources such as innumerable copies of ancient Latin and Greek manuscripts whose originals had vanished in the Dark Ages and the allegedly irrefutable proof offered by late mediaeval astronomers, resting upon the power of ecclesial authorities. Nearly all of its components are blatantly untrue! For some of us, it shall possibly be quite disturbing to see the magnificent edifice of classical history to turn into an ominous simulacrum brooding over the snake pit of mediaeval politics. Twice so, in fact: the first seeing the legendary millenarian dust on the ancient marble turn into a mere layer of dirt - one that meticulous unprejudiced research can eventually remove. The second, and greater, attack of unease comes with the awareness of just how many areas of human knowledge still trust the three elephants of the consensual chronology to support them. Nothing can remedy that except for an individual chronological revolution happening in the minds of a large enough number of people.
Customer Reviews:
Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03
Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.
Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19
Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09
There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.
For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.
Very Interesting.......2007-03-07
It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.
History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10
Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.
I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.
Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.
Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.
I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.
This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.
Average customer rating:
- The Test is in this one! Have a seat.
- A resounding eh
- Excellent
- A GREAT ADDITION TO THE DRAGONLANCE SERIES
- Excellent Back Story
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The Soulforge (Dragonlance: The Raistlin Chronicles, Book 1)
Margaret Weis
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Brothers in Arms (Dragonlance: Raistlin Chronicles, Book 2)
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Dragons of Summer Flame
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The Second Generation
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The War of Souls Trilogy Gift Set: Dragons of a Fallen Sun, Dragons of a Lost Star, Dragons of a Vanished Moon (Dragonlance Series)
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Legends Gift Set: Time of the Twins, War of the Twins, and Test of the Twins (Dragonlance: Legends Trilogy)
ASIN: 0786913142
Release Date: 1999-01-01 |
Book Description
A mage's soul is forged in the crucible of magic. Raistlin Majere is six years old when he is introduced to the archmage who enrolls him in a school for the study of magic. There the gifted and talented but tormented boy comes to see magic as his salvation. Mages in the magical Tower of High Sorcery watch him in secret, for they see shadows darkening over Raistlin even as the same shadows lengthen over all Ansalon.
Finally, Raistlin draws near his goal of becoming a wizard. But first he must take the drea Test in the Tower of High Sorcery. It will change his life forever -- if he survives.
Customer Reviews:
The Test is in this one! Have a seat........2007-01-10
Wow! Raistlin fan or not this is a great book. I, of course like most of the people who read Dragonlance, like Raistlin but I am not a huge fan per say but I do find him interesting to read. A lot of my question were resolved here not all but many.
Perhaps the best part about this book is that you get to witness the Test that Raistlin endured! You've heard about out it for a long time now and finally your in the midst of it all! WOOT!
Three highlights ** Slight Spoilers ** (but not really) :)
1) Meeting all the old friends Cameron, Raistlin, Tanis, Tas, Tika, Otik, Flint, Sturm, etc. and learning about them as they met. Watching them make a covenant to return to Solace to meet again...which, if I remember, brings you to the first book you read...the Dragons of Autumn Twilight. (I liked that part)
2) Raistlin's Test
3) Raistlin's Letter at the end which gives you the reason for the book you just finished,
The Soulforge, was well written and thrill. I think this book, of all the Dragonlance books I've read to date, has answered more questions than any other novel yet.
*This review is being updated and brough over from an older account.
A resounding eh.......2006-07-17
I am not quite sure why people are giving this 5 stars and a perfect rating. This is nowhere near classic literature, nor is is a wonderous example of english prose.
All that aside, I simply found this book slow. If you are a huge Raistlin fan, then this might have something for you. Really all you do is follow his life day by day from childhood to adulthood. Really boring and drab with about 3 pages total of action.
The second book in this set was much better, and I would pick up a third if it gets written. By itself, this book doesn't really stand for itself at all. I have liked many of Weis' books, but this one is down there at the bottom of the stack.
Excellent.......2006-01-02
Really good to read after you've read Chronicles because you just HAVE to know more about Raistlin!
A GREAT ADDITION TO THE DRAGONLANCE SERIES.......2005-12-05
Soulforge is an extremely exciting book that takes you across a wide range of characters and adventures. The book takes you through the life of young Raistlin Majere who becomes the greatest and most powerful mage that has ever lived. As a child, Raistlin grew up in the shadow of his twin brother Caramon Majere, who was strong and good-looking. But Raistlin had something his brother could never have, a smart, quick mind. With that intelligent mind, Raistlin Majere guides himself through the hardships of his childhood and for later on in his life. This book sets up the stage for the later chapters of Raistlin's life, in which Raistlin faces the dark goddess Talkhis in his quest to become a god. In Soulforge, Raistlin meets his friends who soon all become Heroes of the Lance. There is Tanis, the Half-Elven, Flint, the stubborn dwarf, Caramon, his brother, Sturm, the stouthearted knight, and Tasslehoff, the mischievous kender. With his friends, Raistlin fights against a false religious group, saves a town, and soon all learn to share a bond that is something far more than normal friendship. But through it all, while being taught magic at the local magic school, Raistlin has a yearning for something greater. Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman do a fantastic job in helping us see how Raistlin turned out to become the person he later becomes. Through the tragedies that Rastlin faces, he uses them to strengthen his resolve for something greater. I would recommend this book for all fantasy lovers and people who love Raistlin's character. I had trouble going to sleep because reading this book kept me so awake. All fantasy lovers MUST read this book.
Excellent Back Story.......2005-11-27
Raistlin is one of my favorite literary characters ever, and this is a good prequel into his young life.
I suggest reading this after you have read the Chronicles, as not to spoil some character development, but before the Legends series. If you enjoy learning about Wizards and thier trials, you will definately enjoy this book!
Customer Reviews:
The Soulforge is Grrrrrrreat!.......2002-01-08
The soulforge is a GRRRRRREAT book!
it took me about 3 days to read it because i wanted
to make sure that i didnt miss a single thing!
I will probably read it over and over again
until i order the sequel "Brothers in arms"!
I am sure that brothers in arms is just as good!
Raistlin Majere Is the greatest person out of ANY book
known to man! We ALL have at least a little of him within
us! ALL HAIL THE SOULFORGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALL HAIL RAISTLIN!!!!!!!!
READ THIS BOOK!
YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY!
WE NEED TO E-MAIL THE AUTHOR AND BEG FOR MORE RAISTLIN NOVELS!
I just finished The Soulforge and it was great........1999-04-11
I was looking for a new novel at the bookstore and the cover of The Soulforge caught my eye. I never before read any Dragon Lance books and I was very impressed when I finally laid it down, it kept me captivated from cover to cover. I want to know if I was to start The Legends Series would the stories be hindered by my reading The Soulforge. Also is there going to be a volume two to the Soulforge? If so, when is it going to be released and what is the Title? Can somebody give me some info on this. It would be greatly appreciated.
Product Description
"The Soulforge" tells of Raistlin Majere's beginnings. "Brothers in Arms" takes up his saga with his brother, Caramon, and "... a future dragon highlord begins her rise to power. She is Kitiara Uth matar, the twins' half sister."
Average customer rating:
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Reto Crucial (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Aventura Juego/the Soulforge)
Terry Phillips
Manufacturer: Lectorum Pubns Inc (J)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 8471769697 |
Average customer rating:
- Knows his Geology, but not his Biology or Planetology
- Tedious
- Flawed editing rots an interesting story
- If you ever wanted to be an astronaut, this is the book for you.
- Decent
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Moonseed
Stephen Baxter
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Baxter, Stephen
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Voyage
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The Time Ships
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Titan
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Ring
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Manifold: Time
ASIN: 006105903X |
Amazon.com
Stephen Baxter, the much-lauded author of Voyage and Titan, has been praised as a sci-fi writer who gets the science right. This rigor and research are clearly evident in Moonseed, a tale with high-energy physics and space-travel technology in starring roles. It's Baxter's boyish enthusiasm for science--especially space travel--that makes Moonseed so involving.
A world-class disaster epic worthy of any Saturday matinee, Moonseed opens with the spectacular, explosive death of Venus, an event requiring energy a thousand billion times the world's nuclear arsenal. As the radioactive blast from the late Venus reaches Earth, scientists scramble to attribute a cause, with massless black holes and elementary particles the size of bacteria pointing towards some sort of superstring as the smoking gun. The pace quickens when the substance that may have caused the demise of Venus is accidentally introduced to Earth. This substance, dubbed moonseed, acts as a geological lubricant: processes that normally take millions of years occur in mere months with moonseed in the picture. Once Scotland and the state of Washington get gobbled up by this rock-eating, 10th-dimensional nano-lifeform, all hell breaks loose and the search turns towards finding safe refuge for humanity on the Moon. The book's second half is a seat-of-your-pants, what-if exploration of space travel and terraforming.
An over-the-top doomsday yarn by some measures, Moonseed keeps your feet on the ground with good science, good characters, and a good story. --Paul Hughes
Book Description
It Eats Planets. And It's Here.
It starts when Venus explodes into a brilliant cloud of dust and debris, showering Earth with radiation and bizarre particles that wipe out all the crops and half the life in the oceans, and fry the ozone layer. Days later, a few specks of moon rock kicked up from the last Apollo mission fall upon a lava crag in Scotland. That's all it takes . . .
Suddenly, the ground itself begins melting into pools of dust that grow larger every day. For what has demolished Venus, and now threatens Earth itself, is part machine, part life-form: a nano-virus, dubbed Moonseed, that attacks planets.
Four scientists are all that stand between Moonseed and Earth's extinction, four brilliant minds that must race to cut off the virus and save what's left of Earth--a pulse-stopping battle for discovery that will lead them from the Earth's inner core to a daredevil Moon voyage that could save, or damn, us all.
Customer Reviews:
Knows his Geology, but not his Biology or Planetology.......2007-10-09
Enjoying SF is all about suspension of disbelief. The author lost me the first time when the retired cop breaks some ribs (including a compound fracture)and keeps on truckin for HOURS. Unless the guy either can shut of pain or is Superman, this aint gonna happen.
Terraforming the Moon ? Maybe. But...there is no satisfactory answer as to WHY the Moonseed chooses this particular time to start doing its stuff when its been in the solar system for billions of years. I also found out from a planetologist friend of mine that the Earth has been bombarded by stuff from the moon for the same billions of years...Just as we have a meteorite from Mars which has been found in antarctica.
There also seems to be a time discrepancy as to how long the Earth will last once the Moonseed gets going. Henry thinks its on the short side. It turns out being decades. The story just keeps on getting more and more un-believable as it goes along. Too bad....
Tedious.......2006-06-02
I hate it when I have to skip pages to enjoy a book. Page after page after page after page after page after page of needless details that don't further the plot.
Baxter got so bogged down in details about spaceflight and PREPARATION for spaceflight that he forgot he was telling a story. Hey, we're smarter than that. We get it.
Flawed editing rots an interesting story.......2006-04-28
***Minor Spoilers (not plot related)***
Stephen Baxter is well-known as an author of hard SF -so his stories should bubble with interesting science and extrapolations of current understanding. Moonseed certainly has some interesting ideas at its core, but the pace of the novel is not well structured -the rests between climaxes often felt like filler.
There were also numerous basic flaws in the research that should have been picked up by editors or technical friends before this went to the publishers.
Part 2 Chapter 14 Venus sets in the morning -Venus can never be more than a couple of hand-spans from the sun, so it can only set just before or after the sun
Part 2 Chap 15 The cat's breakfast. I don't know what sort of cats Stephen has encountered, but mine would hide for a week if the house collapsed -superstrings and terraforming I can believe, but a cat eating its owner within minutes of its house collapsing -yeah, right!
Part 3 Chap 18 Special briefing -ash in the carb. If Garry Beus was flying a Cessna 172 maybe. Just where is the carburettor on an F-16?
Part 3 Chap 25 LOS and earthlight When the Soyuz moved "round the corner" and lost radio contact with the earth, how was the lunar surface still lit by earthlight? This is an example of the classic confusion concerning the lunar darkside/farside, and it's staggering to think that something as fundamental as this could have slipped through.
Yes, these things are only minor items, but they should jar any reader with more than a junior high level interest in astronomy (or pilots and cat-owners) out of the narrative.
The story felt rushed: the central concept interesting but not developed fully, the characters more than cartoons, but maybe not more than soap-opera, the pacing patchy and awkward.
This, I believe, is another classic example of a failure not in authoring, but in editing. Surely it is the editor's job to say "Stephen, it's nearly ready but you need to look at it one more time." instead of "That's close enough. Time to make some money" Yeah, right...
If you ever wanted to be an astronaut, this is the book for you........2005-07-14
This is really two novels in one. In the beginning of the first half, Venus explodes into a cloud of gas. However, this is merely coincidental and has nothing directly to do with the rest of the plot (except to foreshadow what may happen to Earth.) The scientists begin examining this problem and eventually figure out that a substance (which eventually gets called "moonseed") was brought back to Earth along with geologic samples from the Moon by Apollo in the 1960's and 70's. When this material comes in contact with terran soil it begins a transformation which will eventually cause the Earth to turn to lava and explode. (It affected Venus because some of the material reached there when we sent our unmanned probes.)
The scientist who figures this out (or rather theorizes it) ends up getting onto a mission to the Moon to try and figure out how to stop the process. (Because the Moon is full of this stuff and yet doesn't explode.) This begins the second novel within the book, in which the Earth is left behind and is largely forgotten. This part goes into great detail about training to be an astronaut, getting launched, space travel, and landing on and exploring the Moon. I enjoyed the detail of this part, it made me feel like I really have an idea what it would be like to stand on the Moon, see the Apollo landing site, drive the lunar rover, etc. If you are a space buff or wannabe astronaut, this section will really be enjoyable, it gives you a great experience of "being there."
The ending is kind of an afterthought and is heavily summarized, I found it disappointing and sad. As a story overall, this novel is somewhat disjointed, except to show how all our global preoccupations and petty lives are insignificant in contrast to the vast impersonal infinity of space. For me, the experience of landing on the Moon was what made this book a worthwhile read.
Decent.......2005-03-28
I like most of Baxter's books, but Moonseed didn't have the spark that most of his books do. It's worth a read if you pick it up from the library or a friend, but unless you are big on scientific details and disaster novels, it's not worth buying.
Average customer rating:
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Moonseed and Mistletoe: A Book of Poisonous Wild Plants
Carol Lerner
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
Nonfiction
| Flowers & Plants
| Nature
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Botany
| Biological Sciences
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Botany
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0688073085 |
Average customer rating:
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MOONSEED
Stephen Baxter
Manufacturer: Harper
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8UWE2 |
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Moonseed
Stephen Baxter
Manufacturer: Voyager
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8UU2G |
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Moonseed
Stephen BAXTER
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UZJV14 |
Average customer rating:
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The moonseed's ministry, and other sonnets and songs
Louis D Eichhorn
Manufacturer: Louis D. Eichhorn
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| African American
| Asian American
| Classics
| Collections & Readers
| Drama
| General
| Hispanic
| History & Criticism
| Humor
| Jewish American
| Letters & Correspondence
| Native American
| Poetry
| Short Stories
| Women Writers
ASIN: B00088BD50 |
Amazon.com
A sequel of sorts to Reeve's bestselling memoir, Still Me, Nothing is Impossible is a concise, meditative companion to the earlier book. Each of its nine chapters is devoted to some aspect of successful living (humor, faith, hope) or addresses a major life issue (parenting, religion, recovery). Although Reeve draws on his experiences prior to his spinal chord injury in 1995, it's clear that his views on life have evolved dramatically in the seven years since. Clearly of most obvious value to those facing the challenges of physical paralysis, this book also serves as inspirational primer for otherwise able-bodied individuals who may be thwarted by mental rather than physical wounds. In additional to his personal message, Reeve is also a blunt proponent of medical insurance reform and government research funding, devoting a chapter to it here, as well as a significant portion of his nonprofit Web site, christopherreeve.org. --David Bombeck
Book Description
Christopher Reeve has mastered the art of turning the impossible into the inevitable. In these candid reflections, Reeve shows that we are all capable of overcoming seemingly insurmountable hardships. He teaches us that for able-bodied people, paralysis is a choice—a choice to live with self-doubt and a fear of taking risks—and that it is not an acceptable one. Reeve knows from experience that the work of conquering inner space is hard and that it requires some suffering—after all, nothing worth having is easy to attain. He asks challenging questions about why it seems so difficult—if not impossible—for us to work together as a society. Nothing Is Impossible reminds us that life is not to be taken for granted but to be lived fully with zeal, curiosity, and gratitude.
Download Description
"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable. If we can conquer outer space, we can conquer inner space, too."
Christopher Reeve has mastered the art of turning the impossible into the inevitable. In Nothing Is Impossible, the author of the bestselling autobiography Still Me shows that we are all capable of overcoming seemingly insurmountable hardships. He interweaves anecdotes from his own life with excerpts from speeches and interviews he's given and with evocative photos taken by his son Matthew.
Reeve teaches us that for able-bodied people, paralysis is a choice -- a choice to live with self-doubt and a fear of taking risks -- and that it is not an acceptable one. Reeve knows from experience that the work of conquering inner space is hard and that it requires some suffering -- after all, nothing worth having is easy to get. He asks challenging questions about why it seems so difficult -- if not impossible -- for us to work together as a society. He steers the reader gently, offering his reflections and guidance but not the pat answers that often characterize inspirational works.
Published on the eve of both his fiftieth birthday and the seventh anniversary of his spinal cord injury, Christopher Reeve's Nothing Is Impossible reminds us that life is not to be taken for granted but to be lived fully with zeal, curiosity, and gratitude. That is a powerful message in itself, but it is the messenger who gives it its full resonance.
Customer Reviews:
What a Superman Christopher Reeves turned out to be!.......2007-07-26
Christopher Reeves will continue to be an inspirtion to all of us, and will influence other genertions with his insight, and courge, of trying to make the public more aware of Spinal Cord Injuries.
He was indeed, a 'real Superman!'
God Bless his family for allowing us all to know him better.
Fran & Dean Johnson
God I miss this man........2006-06-17
I just reread this book, and it brought back how much I admired Mr. Reeve and his bride. I really think this should be required reading to anyone that has had a spinal injury, or an amputation, just to show them that they are NOT the first to feel all these negitive feelings.
A wonderful tribute to the Reeves in general.
Reeves writes with passion and compassion about hope.......2006-05-10
In this little book, Christopher Reeve principally seeks to show the value of hope. He talks about the surprising progress he made in recovering as a quadriplegic after a terrible accident. (Long after doctors believed recovery was possible, Reeve began to show improved movement.) He also talks at length about the politicization of stem cell research and how that has likely stymied further progress on relieving many human disabilities. Despite his clear feelings on the issue, Reeve is sympathetic to people with deep religious reasons for opposing stem cell research, just not those who do so as political posturing.
Along the way, Reeve talks about his brush with Scientology (a fascinating glimpse of a religion that's been so much in the news), his other religious searchings, his initial thoughts of ending his life after his accident, how he and his family have dealt with his quadriplegia, and his work as an advocate for health research.
This is a quick and enjoyable read. Reeve's insights on the nature and role of hope will be strengthening to people who struggle with any of a range of issues from physical to emotional to spiritual. Reeve himself reads the unabridged audio CD version; I recommend it.
Inspirational!.......2005-01-25
I picked up this book at my school's library and started glancing through it. It's possibly one of the most motivational and inspirational books I've seen! Reeve recounts all of his trials and how he learned to function again. Throughout it all, he stayed strong with his wife Dana, who supported him through everything. A must read!
I am sad.......2005-01-09
Christopher Reeve died almost 3 months ago i am researching him and he fell off the horse and still survived and even though he was real hurt alot he cared of other people he was a good athlete and especially actor.He was a huge survivor.
In Memoriam,
Christopher Reeve
Product Description
4 Books by Various Authors: 1) Another Season: A Coach's Story of Raising an Exceptional Son / 2) The Brooke Ellison Story : One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey / 3) Nothing is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life / 4) Down Syndrome: the Facts (Unboxed Set of Books on Special Needs), in either Hard or Softcover, (See Seller Condition Comments), Shipped in one package to
save on shipping costs.
Product Description
Reeve shows that we are all capable of overcoming seemingly insurmountable hardships. Interweaves anecdotes from his own life with excerpts from speeches & interviews he's given & with photos taken by his son Matthew. For able-bodied people, paralysis is a choice to live with self-doubt & a fear of taking risks, & that it is not an acceptable one. Asks challenging questions about why it seems so difficult for us to work together as a society. Offers his reflections & guidance but not the pat answers that often characterize inspirational works. Published on the eve of both his 50th birthday & the 7th anniversary of his spinal cord injury, this book reminds us that life is not to be taken for granted but to be lived fully with zeal, curiosity, & gratitude.
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