Book Description
The fourth in a series of recovers of classic Dragonlance novel tales.
This attractive new re-release of Kaz the Minotaur showcases a new look for the Heroes series. The title character was introduced by the author in The Legend of Huma, the first novel in this series. Each title in the series will reflect the new series design and feature entirely new cover art.
Customer Reviews:
Battle with Cattle.......2005-08-16
It's Dragonlance, it's Richard Knaak, and it's got minotaurs. It's a good recipe and makes for a nice fantasy read. I will say that if you're new to Dragonlance, don't read this one first. Read the Legend of Huma, and then you can take this one on.
It's a fun adventure, but not on par with Huma. Knaak is a good writer but he overdoes it some times. When Kaz is irritated he snorts. I get it. Unfortunately he's always irritated so it seems he's constantly snorting. Every page he's snorting.
And there are some cliches. The villianous elf fits the mold of a stereotypical baddie. He's crazy and wants power. We've seen that before. The kender is full of energy and gets in trouble. The minotaur is tough as nails and can deliver first rate butt-kickings even after being crushed, speared, drowned, etc.
So to sum it up, this book is exactly what you expect it to be. Fortunately I expected a good adventure and it was. But I would have enjoyed some surprises.
Kaz, Greatest Minotaur Ever.......2003-10-24
Kaz the Minotaur picks up where The Legend of Huma ends with Kaz as the main character. The great minotaur has supposedly been betrayed by the knighthood he has grown to respect. There is a price on his head, and he doesn't know why. In addition he is being pursued by a group of minotaurs for a dishonorable crime that he supposedly committed during the war. Being chased by many and wondering why, Kaz does the honorable thing and goes to the knighthood and makes a horrifying discovery. The minotaur finds himself thrust into feelings of dejavu and discovers a sinister plot that threatens to unravel everything that Huma strove to build. The plot is rich with great characters that become important to the reader, and the story is exciting with a superbly twisting and changing plot. Kaz must rise above the persecution and once again embrace the ideals that Huma taught him, and in doing so he becomes more than he ever imagined he could. While not quite to the level of The Legend of Huma, this book a truly a great read and offers the reader a wonderful opportunity to experience a finely crafted fantasy tale.
Surprisingly entertaining!.......2003-01-21
First, I have to say that I don't normally read a lot of sci-fi fantasy but I have to say that Kaz is a great book. Descriptions of the characters are written so well that I was able to visualize this strange world of minotaurs! I would recommend this book. I also think that kids in middle school and high school would enjoy the characters and the story.
Outstanding Follow-Up to "The Legend of Huma".......2002-08-21
I was more than impressed by this book! I have read lots of the "DL" saga, and this is by far one of the best.
In this epic, Kaz is traveling throughout krynn coping with the lost of his one human friend, Huma.
Being persued by other Minotaurs and a Ogre for "Crimes of no-honor", and now being accompanied by a kender, his journies are anything but usual.
This book is a must read for any "DL" fan, or even someone totally new to it! You need to read "The legend of huma" before this though, otherwise it is a bit confusing at times. This is a must must must read! -10 Stars
Very Enjoyable Book.......2002-04-01
This book was interesting in the fact that a lot of times it would near predictability adn then when you expected something to happen it wouldn't. It was almost as if the authors grand scheme was to keep you guessing. I enjoyed the character of the book because he was a minotaur with depth, something I imagine is somewhat of an oxy moron. He has interesting struggles that unlike some books never quite get tedious. I would reccomend this book to anyone because no previous knowledge of Dragonlance is essential but i do think that reading the legend of Huma ahead of time would help quite a lot. A great book with fascinating character.
Customer Reviews:
Awsome.......2007-09-29
I really am glad that the delivery was so quick on this item. Thanks to the companies fast work.
Average customer rating:
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Dragonlance Saga Heroes II: Kaz, the Minotaur v. 1 (TSR Fantasy)
Richard Knaak
Manufacturer: Penguin Books Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
| Alternate History
| Anthologies
| Arthurian
| Contemporary
| Epic
| General
| Historical
| History & Criticism
| Magic & Wizards
| Series
ASIN: 0140143688 |
Average customer rating:
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3 Book Set; Dragon Lance; "Kaz the Minotaur" & "The Gates of Thorbardin" & "Galen Beknighted" (Heroes 2 Fantasy, Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3)
Richard A. Knaak ,
Dan Parkinson , and
Michael Williams
Manufacturer: TSR Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Classics
| Comic
| Contemporary
| Literary
Knaak, Richard A.
| ( K )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Parkinson, Dan
| ( P )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Williams, Michael
| ( W )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: B000OKBDZ2 |
Product Description
3 paper back set of Heroes 2
Amazon.com
In the early 21st century, in a Paris rapidly turning tropical thanks to global warming, Jonathan Wells tries to get to the bottom (as it turns out, quite literally) of his Uncle Edmond's obsession with ants. Jonathan and his family have been left Edmond's basement apartment; their benefactor's sole request is, "ABOVE ALL, NEVER GO DOWN INTO THE CELLAR." Meanwhile, in the great city of Bel-o-kan, a reproductive ant, the 327th male, is fighting for survival, having had his olfactory Identikit stripped by traitors of his own tribe.
Both males--human and ant--are determined to solve their separate quandaries, and Bernard Werber cleverly juxtaposes their adventures and those of their survivors. Their stories must somehow be linked, but it will be hundreds of imaginative and educational pages before we come upon the solution. Empire of the Ants was first published in France in 1991 and eventually in England in 1996 in Margaret Rocques's spryly formal translation. ("Ants are not especially well-known for their conviviality, especially when advancing in formation, armed to the antennae.") Werber has studied formic civilization for 15 years, and his observations more than pay off. We knew they were industrious little things, but why did no one ever tell us about their powers of invention, accommodation (in both senses of the word!), communication, and above all determination?
In fact, as the narrative makes increasingly clear, ants seem to have a lot more going on than the pale pink things stomping around above them, who seem doltish in comparison. Of course, as far as the creepy crawlies are concerned, humans are "so strange you could neither see nor smell them. They appeared suddenly out of the sky and everyone died." Empire of the Ants is by turns frightening and very funny. As more and more humans disappear down the cellar of 3, rue des Sybarites, we come to identify with the six-legged of the world. Werber, too, must have tired of his Homo sapiens, since the ant sections increase in length as the human ones decrease. No matter. Who would miss the perils of the young queen who tries to found her colony on a strange impervious hill--which turns out to be a tortoise--or the hilarious scene in which a spider swathes the 56th female in inescapable silk, only to be distracted first by a mayfly (they have shorter shelf lives than ants, who can be eaten slowly alive over an entire week) and then by a younger arachnid: "Her way of vibrating was the most erotic thing the male had ever felt. Tap tap taptaptap tap tap taptap. Ah, he could no longer resist her charms and ran to his beloved (a mere slip of a thing only four moults old, whereas he was already twelve). She was three times as big as he, but then he liked his females big."
Book Description
Here is the stunning international bestseller in the tradition of Watership Down but with a dark, original twist. Unique, daring, and unforgettable, it tells the story of an ordinary family who accidentally threaten the security of a hidden civilization as intelligent as our own--a colony of ants determined to survive at any cost....
Jonathan Wells and his young family have come to the Paris flat at 3, rue des Sybarites through the bequest of his eccentric late uncle Edmond. Inheriting the dusty apartment, the Wells family are left with only one warning: Never go down into the cellar.
But when the family dog disappears down the basement steps, Jonathan follows--and soon his wife, his son, and various would-be rescuers vanish into its mysterious depths.
Meanwhile, in a pine stump in a nearby park, a vast civilization is in turmoil. Here a young female from the russet ant nation of Bel-o-kan learns that a strange new weapon has been killing off her comrades. To find out why, she enlists the help of a warrior ant, and the two set off on separate journeys into a harsh and violent world. It is a world where death takes many forms--savage birds and voracious lizards, warlike dwarf ants and rapacious termites, poisonous beetles and, most bizarre of all, the swift, murderous, giant guardians of the edge of the world: cars.
Yet the end of the female's desperate quest will be the eerie secret in the cellar at 3, rue des Sybarites--a mystery she must solve in order to fulfill her special destiny as the new queen of her own great empire. But to do so she must first make unthinkable communion with the most barbaric creatures of all.
Empire of the Ants is a brilliant evocation of a hidden civilization as complex as our own and far more ancient. It is a fascinating realm where boats are built of leaves and greenflies are domesticated and milked like cows, where citizens lock antennae in "absolute communication" and fight wars with precisely coordinated armies using sprays of glue and acids that can dissolve a snail. Not since Watership Down has a novel so vividly captured the lives and struggles of a fellow species and the valuable lessons they have to teach us.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
A fascinating novel.......2006-04-06
For people who call this novel fit for a child, then
they are obviously missing an important point.
The English translation is awful
English translations ALWAYS are.
If they judge this book by that pitiful translation, then I should say they should learn language other than English and read this book again. English lacks descriptiveness that French or other language have.
This book is full of imagination, yet the author describes the ants so perfectly that one falls into an illusion that
what is happening down in the earth is truly REAL.
This is a simply amazing book!!
A genial concept and entertaining story.......2004-09-15
This book is my all-time favorite. Genre: science-fiction mixed with mystery and anthropology! I was blown away by the genius of the format: the alternance of human story, ant story and ant encyclopedia is unique! The human and ant stories are constructed to be such a good parallel to each other than with each new paragraph, you first can not tell whether it's about ants or people! Very entertaining and mind-bending too, with enigmas and an original plot not to be taken seriously!
This book totally changed my point of view on ants, which I can never splat anymore. I'd rather follow them around in the yard to observe their exciting adventures and struggles...
For those who loved this book, keep checking for future translations of other Bernard Werber books, almost as genial (I read them all in French). He's written two more ants books, two books about the after-death, and one book about the origins of mankind (about the "missing link"). Man! This guy has an imagination!!
Good, if you're about fourteen.......2004-05-18
I think I would've enjoyed this book when I was a kid. However, the truth is, from a mature adult perspective, this book is interesting at times, but at others, its just plain stupid.
The characters are terrible. Especially the people. There seems to be no attempt at any character development (among the humans) at all, and they act in ways that are completely unbelievable. Who would leave their only son to the tender mercies of an orphanage for no good reason? Who would make a refuge from the outside world that you could never return from? How many 100 year old women do you know who could go traipsing through miles of rat infested tunnels with a rifle?
The ants are a little bit better fleshed out, but even there, I was a little disappointed. I was expecting a look inside a society (and/or mind) radically different from our own (maybe something like the Borg). Although the author tells us that the ants are radically different from us, there seems to be little evidence. The ants recognize each other as individuals and seem to solve problems in much the same way (basically, they brainstorm)as ourselves. In fact, if ants are this smart, I'm surprised they don't rule the world already (To be fair, the author would probably maintain that they do...)
I'm not even sure the author has his science right. I'm no expert, but I was surprised that a temperate country like France would have such an aggressive native species of ant. I mean, right in the beginning of the book, a woodpecker is torn apart from the inside out. You'd think that stupid bird would know enough to stay away from such a formidable species... Ah, well, evolution of the species, I guess
In conclusion, all I can say is, put your brain in neutral and don't expect too much. The comparisons to Watership Down are a joke. I can only assume that all the positive ratings are from kids.
PS: Any reasonably intelligent individual should be able to solve the matchstick problem in under a minute.
engrossing, near perfect fiction.......2004-01-30
This is a wonderful story written in a way that makes it near impossible to put down. It leaves you with many thoughts that will follow you around for days. And you'll never look at an ant the same way again.
This is fiction at its best: smart, fun, imaginative but not pretentious or stuffy.
unputtable-downable.......2004-01-14
Bernard Werber is a genius. The way he jumps back between the fascinating heirarchial ant world and that of the individualistic off-kilter humans is wonderful to read. The first time I opened the book, I couldn't put it down for long time; it was so engaging and easy to read. The author mixes the factual and the fictional when dealing with the ants, which makes one wonder where the line between truth and fiction truly lies. His imaginative perspective on the society of the typical russet ant will forever change how I think of them, and in a larger context any social insect.
It is a shame that none of his other books have been translated into english, because as I understand it Empire of the Ants is the first part of a trilogy. I'd truly love to see what Mr. Werber has come up with since then.
True speculative grandeur!
Average customer rating:
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Empire of the ants
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 0441205607 |
Average customer rating:
- Beautifully crafted and richly informative book
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Continuity during the Storm: Boissy d'Anglas and the Era of the French Revolution (Contributions to the Study of World History)
John R. Ballard
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
General | France | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
Revolution | France | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
Revolutionary | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0313315086 |
Book Description
The long government service of Francois Boissy d'Anglas from 1789 to 1826 is unique, and his abundant writing provides a new look at the great drama of the French Revolution era. A moderate politician who served during the Revolution, the Empire, and the Restoration, Boissy d'Anglas's political views remained consistent during several critical periods when the fate of France was at stake. His political philosophy, based firmly on religious tolerance, freedom of expression, strong constitutional government and equality before the law, made it possible for him to weather the revolutionary storm and retain positions of influence in each of the regimes during the period. This book sheds new light on the role of moderates in the French Revolution and illuminates the changing political currents of the Revolution from Boissy's moderate perspective. A political moderate during a period of extremes, Boissy served for so long because he was committed to ideals, rather than to groups. Yet, during several periods in his career, Boissy also placed himself in danger by acting on his ideals. He held political beliefs that were both appropriate to his time and effective in application. He made many enemies, but the greatest testament to Boissy's life was the constant call of the French people for him to serve.
Customer Reviews:
Beautifully crafted and richly informative book.......2001-03-11
My only real complaint relates to something entirely outside the author's control: the price. Put simply, this book is darned expensive. But my recommendation to potential readers is: bite the bullet and shell out the dollars. THE BOOK IS WORTH IT!
Professor Ballard (who used to be a colleague in my own institution, but is now in the US again, I'm told) has based his book on a solid bedrock of French primary sources, few of them consulted by scholars before, and all of them used responsibly and creatively by Ballard.
Ballard's analysis is consequently sound and very convincing. I learned a great deal about life in revolutionary and Napoleonic France, and gained many unique insights into the way an 'ordinary' literate and cultivated Frenchman -- who just wanted to get on with life despite the chaos and instability that plagued his nation before Napoleon took power and the far greater degree of governmental interference after he did -- saw and understood the turmultuous events of his era.
The book's uniqueness lies in the fact that, by tracing one man's life throughout the entire period, it demonstrates the constantly evolving nature of the ideas, policies and practices that emerged and shaped French society.
The prose is clear and engaging, and helps to enliven what might at first glance seem an unimportant story about a man of no great repute. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and would recommend it without reservation to all readers, including French history specialists and the "lay" readers like myself.
Average customer rating:
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Empire of the Ants
H. G. Wells
Manufacturer: Putnam Pub Group (P)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Wells, H.G. | ( W ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0448144557 |
Customer Reviews:
Many people know Wells wrote great full length novels..........2003-12-07
but few remember his classic short stories. 'The Empire Of The Ants' is one short story with a huge impact, even being made into a sci-fi B-movie. Ants in South America has always been part of the landscape, from leaf-cutter ants to army ants, they are part of daily life. But what happens when the ants come and refuse to leave?
Other stories in this tiny collection are 'The Man Who Could Work Miracles' which was also a movie, 'The Country Of The Blind' which proves that sight is NOT an advantage, 'The Crystal Egg' which is a must for any War of the Worlds' fan and 'The Magic Shop', a very weird short story.
A must for any fan of H.G. Wells or for anybody who loves 'The War Of The Worlds'.
Average customer rating:
- The best of the early Gor books
- One of my favorite books EVER
- Welcome to the continuing story of Gor
- Far and away the most popular of John Norman's Gor novels
- EVERYONE HAS THEIR FAVORITE GOR BOOK.......
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Nomads of Gor: (#4)
John Norman
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
General
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Similar Items:
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Tarnsman Of Gor
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Hunters of Gor
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Raiders of Gor
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Outlaw of Gor
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Marauders of Gor
ASIN: 0345334213
Release Date: 1985-11-12 |
Book Description
Another provocative trip to the barbaric and mysterious world of Gor. Norman's heroic Tarnsman finds his way across this counter-Earth, pledged to serve the Priest-Kings in their quest for survival. Unfortunately for Cabot, his mission leads him to the savage Wagon People; nomads who may kill before surrendering any secrets.... Also available in this series: Tarnsmen of Gor, Outlaw of Gor, Priest-Kings of Gor.
Download Description
Join celebrated tarnsman Tarl Cabot in his latest adventure on the parallel planet of Gor and its exotic lifestyle and social norms. Tarl has dedicated his life to ensuring that the Priest-Kings survive the harsh lands of Gor, but a savage tribe that closely guards its secrets has halted his quest. To continue his quest, Tarl must unravel the mysteries of this strange, private band of nomads called the Wagon People or die trying. He is the only man alive who has not trembled in the presence of this mysterious tribe. Now he is embarking on the most perilous adventure of his time on the counter-world of Gor. Will he be accepted by the tribe and learn the secrets they guard with their lives or will he die trying?
Customer Reviews:
The best of the early Gor books.......2006-06-07
This is easily my favorite among the earlier Gor books. It is the most action-packed and exotic, in terms of the locale of the setting. The friendship between Tarl and Kamchak came off as the most genuine of all the his "running partners".
This book gets to the essence of what Gor is better than any of the early books. If Tarl had already made the transition from soft Earth man to true Gorean, it would have been perfect.
One of my favorite books EVER.......2005-12-31
I read a lot. And the Gor series stands out. Great, great, great.
If you like fantasy, it is obligatory to read the first five. Nomads and Assassins are the best. You can get reading copy sets off Ebay of these five for $25. I cannot imagine $25 better spent. If you have not done so, go for it, you'll not be disappointed.
Raiders(6) is also good and has scenes that'll be with you for a long time, skip Captive (7) unless you really dig the slaving/SM side, Hunters (8) is a bit weak but has a couple of memorable moments, and Marauders (9) is also acceptable and has great action scenes. Tribesmen (10) is acceptable, you can skip Slave Girl (11), and Beasts (12) is very very good. Go for this set after you've done the first 5; your call, the first 5 I guarantee!!!
After that, you'll probably be hooked.
"Honor is important to Goreans, in a way that those of Earth might find it hard to understand; for example, those of Earth find it natural that men should go to war over matters of gold and riches, but not honor; the Gorean, contrariwise, is more willing to submit matters of honor to the adjudication of steel than he is matters of riches and gold; there is a simple explanation for this; honor is more important to him."
Welcome to the continuing story of Gor.......2005-05-26
Tal and welcome to the fourth book in the Gorean series. Let us sit, drink paga, and hold grass and earth with one another.
Suddenly the Tuchuk bent to the soil and picked up a handful of dirt and grass, the land on which the bosk graze, the land which is the land of the Tuckuks, and this dirt and this grass he thrust in my hands and I held it. The warrior grinned and put his hands over mine so that our hands together held the dirt and the grass, and were together clasped on it. "Yes," said the warrior, "come in peace to the Land of the Wagon Peoples."
In this story, which continues where Priest Kings of Gor ends, has Tarl coming to the land of the Wagon People, in this instant, to the group known as the Tuchuks. Somewhat like the Native Americans, but probably more akin to the gypsies of Old Europe, Tarl finds himself slowly but surely embroiled in the tensions between the Wagon Peoples and the city of Turia. Tarl sees and examines what and how the Wagon People believe, live, fight, and love. Tarl comes to these people in search of the last egg of the Priest Kings, not that he lets this be known. He holds secrets, that are kept in check for a time. Tarl learns of the wiles of Kamchak, who has a few secrets of his own. The story revolves around Tarl and Kamchak, most of all, and whom and what they encounter over the times of Tarl living with the Wagon Peoples.
The heart of this story, as in much of the Gorean stories, is the idea of what makes up a civilization on Gor. Yes, as some might note, there are usual formulas to the Gorean novels (such as the examination of Master/slave relationship) but this is more than just a simple "how to" because each group...whether those from Ar or those of the Tuchuks have their own views on how this relationship works, so one is still intigrated in the three dimensional realm of Gor's civilizations. One's greatest pleasure in reading these series, as I myself can atest, is how well developed John Norman is at the world he has built. Through intrigue and adventure, we see Gor grow into a living and breathing world...like the Lord of the Rings without trying to copy/paste the LotRs as so many fantasy writers have tried to do...some more successful than others, but still, copies of the original master writer.
You should hopefully enjoy reading this book on the merits of learning about the Tuchuks and their relationship with the good and the bad of the city of Turia. You see the relationships of Kamchak and the Free Woman made slave made Ubara Sana, Aphris of the Merchants. You learn how the lust and lure of gold and power can create the most wicked of villains and how the honor and skill of a warrior can create the most powerful of heroes. Read this book and read it well, read as if you were enjoying a dancing girl and the drink of paga in your own home under your own roof...or better yet, under the roof of the stars and the moon and the sky.
Winds!
Far and away the most popular of John Norman's Gor novels.......2005-05-22
I have always considered "Assassins of Gor" to be John Norman's magnum opus in his Counter-Earth series, but there is no more enjoyable novel than the one that comes before it, "Nomads of Gor." After bonding with the Priest-King Misk, Tarl Cabot is sent from the Sardar Mountains to find the last egg of the Priest-Kings, which has been hidden among the Wagon People. Unfortunately, the Wagon People are probably the most xenophobic on Gor and will not take kindly to Cabot just walking up and joining them.
"Nomads of Gor" has two great strengths, both of which are rather unique to the series. First, Norman does a masterful job of creating the civilization of the Wagon People, which consists of four tribes. I suppose he might be basing his research on some nomadic tribes of Earth, but I did not sense any strong parallels as I did, for example, with the "Viking" like "Marauders of Gor." We get a sense of the culture of the Tuchuks, one of the four tribes that Cabot stays with as he searches for the egg, which goes well beyond what we have seen up to this point in the series. The customs, especially the competitive games the Wagon Peoples play, are much more detailed than what we had seen in the towered cities of Ar and Ko-ro-ba.
Second, this is the funniest of the Gor books, with the humor coming mostly from conversations that involve the character of Harold the Tuchuk, although Kamchak, also of the Tuchucks, has his moments as well. It is not far fetched to say that these are two best-developed supporting characters in the Gor series, and I would contend that this is due in large measure to their sense of humor. But the humor is clearly Norman's, who has this style of using short sentences to develop his droll wit. This is character driven humor, where who says what in which situation makes all the difference; none of the lines that tickle your funny bone would ever evoke a laugh by themselves, because context is everything in Norman's humor.
I always wondered why Norman did not return to the Tuchuks later in the series, but maybe he did not think he could pull off a return visit that equaled the success of this effort. This is also the novel that introduces Vella, the former Elizabeth Caldwell of Earth, who becomes one of the key continuing characters in the Tarl Cabot novels. Of course, this opens up the giant can of worm regarding Norman's Gorean philosophy that "slavery" is the natural state of women, who can only be truly "free" when they totally submit to a master. I have to admit that I never took this idea beyond the fictional level and that as the series progressed I flipped through the long philosophical discussions between masters and slaves in later novels (Norman is the pseudonym of philosopher Professor John Lange). I also know that there are people who take the Gorean lifestyle very seriously. I could quote Abraham Lincoln in response to this topic, but I would probably be closer to the mark if I just said different strokes for different folks and went my own merry way.
The bottom line for me is that I enjoyed Norman's early Gor novels in the seventies the same way I had enjoyed reading Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars novels in the sixties (when I discovered them). The first six novels of the Gor series standup well against the Burroughs novels that obviously inspired Norman in part (there are strong parallels between the first work in each series). If you find the philosophical aspects of these books offensive, then do not read them.
EVERYONE HAS THEIR FAVORITE GOR BOOK..............2005-03-05
Actually, I liked this one the best. Good, well told advneture story. Norman Continues his actions story in good form in this one. As with the other books in this series, you probably have to take the politically incorrect relationship between men and woman for what it is here...a story. Our hero, as one reviewer put it, comes up a bit short is being a "Good Old Gor Boy," but that is understandable with his not being from that planet to begin with. All in all, great adventure, well written and if you are looking for a bit of John Carter of Mars, who is a bit over the edge, this is for you. Recommend this one and this servies for the more mature reader.
Product Description
Cover art by Boris Vallejo. This is the fourth book in the Gor series. In this episode, Tarl Cabot is on a mission for the Priest-Kings of Gor. All he knows about his goal is that it lays hidden somewhere among the nomads -- the Wagon Peoples, the wild tribes that live off the roving herds of bosk, fiercest of the animals of Gor.
Customer Reviews:
Far and away the most popular of John Norman's Gor novels.......2006-04-12
I have always considered "Assassins of Gor" to be John Norman's magnum opus in his Counter-Earth series, but there is no more enjoyable novel than the one that comes before it, "Nomads of Gor." After bonding with the Priest-King Misk, Tarl Cabot is sent from the Sardar Mountains to find the last egg of the Priest-Kings, which has been hidden among the Wagon People. Unfortunately, the Wagon People are probably the most xenophobic on Gor and will not take kindly to Cabot just walking up and joining them.
"Nomads of Gor" has two great strengths, both of which are rather unique to the series. First, Norman does a masterful job of creating the civilization of the Wagon People, which consists of four tribes. I suppose he might be basing his research on some nomadic tribes of Earth, but I did not sense any strong parallels as I did, for example, with the "Viking" like "Marauders of Gor." We get a sense of the culture of the Tuchuks, one of the four tribes that Cabot stays with as he searches for the egg, which goes well beyond what we have seen up to this point in the series. The customs, especially the competitive games the Wagon Peoples play, are much more detailed than what we had seen in the towered cities of Ar and Ko-ro-ba.
Second, this is the funniest of the Gor books, with the humor coming mostly from conversations that involve the character of Harold the Tuchuk, although Kamchak, also of the Tuchucks, has his moments as well. It is not far fetched to say that these are two best-developed supporting characters in the Gor series, and I would contend that this is due in large measure to their sense of humor. But the humor is clearly Norman's, who has this style of using short sentences to develop his droll wit. This is character driven humor, where who says what in which situation makes all the difference; none of the lines that tickle your funny bone would ever evoke a laugh by themselves, because context is everything in Norman's humor.
I always wondered why Norman did not return to the Tuchuks later in the series, but maybe he did not think he could pull off a return visit that equaled the success of this effort. This is also the novel that introduces Vella, the former Elizabeth Caldwell of Earth, who becomes one of the key continuing characters in the Tarl Cabot novels. Of course, this opens up the giant can of worm regarding Norman's Gorean philosophy that "slavery" is the natural state of women, who can only be truly "free" when they totally submit to a master. I have to admit that I never took this idea beyond the fictional level and that as the series progressed I flipped through the long philosophical discussions between masters and slaves in later novels (Norman is the pseudonym of philosopher Professor John Lange). I also know that there are people who take the Gorean lifestyle very seriously. I could quote Abraham Lincoln in response to this topic, but I would probably be closer to the mark if I just said different strokes for different folks and went my own merry way.
The bottom line for me is that I enjoyed Norman's early Gor novels in the seventies the same way I had enjoyed reading Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars novels in the sixties (when I discovered them). The first six novels of the Gor series standup well against the Burroughs novels that obviously inspired Norman in part (there are strong parallels between the first work in each series). If you find the philosophical aspects of these books offensive, then do not read them.
Average customer rating:
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Nomads Of Gor
John Norman
Manufacturer: Tandem
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0426144880 |
Average customer rating:
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Nomads Of Gor
John Norman
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVJ4FC |
Book Description
In this engrossing book, the author of the classic work The Pursuit of the Millennium investigates the origins of apocalyptic faith--the belief in a perfect future, when the forces of good are victorious over the forces of evil. Norman Cohn takes us back two thousand years to the world views of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and India, the innovations of Iranian and Jewish prophets and sages, and the earliest Christian imaginings of heaven on earth, and he illuminates a major turning point in the history of human consciousness. For this second edition, the final chapter on Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians has been wholly rewritten and extended.
Customer Reviews:
introductory, brief, excellent.......2005-03-09
This is an elementary introduction to ancient religion, focusing on the issues in the title: cosmos, chaos, and the world to come. It considers ancient Egyptian religion, Mesopotamian religion, Vedic religion, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and very early Christianity--all extremely briefly, focusing only on the issue of the cosmic struggle against chaos, and the development of the apocalyptic worldview. If you are only slightly aware of what all that could mean, this book will entertain you greatly. I am well aware of all of them, and I learned little beyond details from this book, and yet I enjoyed reading it very much.
However, if you want depth on any of these topics, there are other books for you. For Zoroastrianism, begin with Mary Boyce. For early Christianity, begin with E. P. Sanders and move on to Ehrman. For ancient Mediterranean religion, begin with "Religions of the Ancient World: A Guide." And consider "The Other God."
Cohn's argument that Zoroastrianism had a huge influence on ancient Judaism and Christianity, is in my opinion unquestionable, and yet neither emphasized nor even recognized in academic circles, nor widely known among the general public. Somehow it is perceived as embarrassing to Judaism, and yet I think that is ridiculous: after all, the influence on modern Judaism is minute, and who does Zoroastrianism threaten? Jesus, Paul, Hillel and the author(s) of Daniel were still Jews, even if influenced by Zoroastrianism. In fact, in my opinion, they are far more interesting! Similarly, isn't Christianity more interesting precisely because it assimilated so much "pagan" influence? So I hope this book is read widely and its argument more popularly acknowledged.
Excellent read.......2003-09-23
This is a brief but fascinating journey through the history of ancient apocalyptic faith. Cohn takes us to the very roots of civilization, explaining how the traditional cycles of life coincided with religious belief. The cycles of death and rebirth, day and night, summer and winter, mixed in with occasional droughts, floods, and enemy invasion mirrored religious belief in an ordered cosmos that was originally formed by the gods out of a pre-existent chaos. Cosmos wasn't absolutely secure however; chaos was always a threat to the daily ordered life of each civilization, so the benevolent gods continuously fought the "chaos monsters" that constantly threatened the ordered world. Complex pantheons and creation myths arose out of these beliefs and sacrifices and gifts were brought to the gods to give them strength and worship in their enduring battle of protection of the people against chaos.
Cohn takes us to the earliest religious beliefs of Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Vedic Indians, and the Zoroastrians describing their beliefs, interconnectedness, innovations, and future implications. He safely credits Zoroaster for the innovation of the first apocalyptic faith, the belief in a consummation of the never ending fight against chaos wherein the supreme god, Ahura Mazda would one day finally and forever defeat the gods of chaos; an age of prosperity, order, and goodness would then be ushered in.
Cohn then proceeds to Judaism and the specific experiences of the Israelites, particularly related to the Babylonian exile, when elite Jews discovered the compelling apocalyptic of Zoroastrianism and adapted it to their own faith in Yahweh. Christians co-opted and greatly expanded these beliefs with a firm conviction of a coming apocalypse and an elaborate cosmic battle myth at the end of the age.
Cohn doesn't waste words; there is a lot of information in these 240 pages, each sentence is filled with fascinating facts. I found his writing style slightly unconventional and it was difficult for me to absorb at times, I am re-reading several sections. I also wish Cohn would have addressed Islam and completed the apocalyptic story of the Middle Eastern religious faiths.
A very good read.
Fascinating.......2003-04-24
I am a longstanding fan of Cohn's writings. I read this book in a day, finding it extremely lucid and informative. It brought the cosmologies of the ancient world alive, showing how their underlying themes make sense to everyday lives of the time.
Another Fine Cohn Concoction.......2002-01-09
Norman Cohn contines his exemplary work as a historian of religious history with Cosmos, Chaos and the World to Come (The Ancient Roots of Apolcalytic Faith). This book begins a little drier than his previous works but picks up speed nicely with his discussions of Zorastrianism, Judaism, and very early Christianity while showing the connections between the former and the latter two in terms of its prophetic, apocalyptic writings. This book makes a nice companion piece to this author's earlier and seminal work on millenniarism during the medieval period. A fine addition to the Cohn canon.
A truly wonderful book.......2001-10-23
Surely the best book available if you want to get a insight into the ideas that led to the development of Christianity.
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