The Ice Beneath You: A Novel

Book Description

Just as The Things They Carried and Catch-22 spoke to their generations with truth and dark humor, this brilliant first novel defines the experience of war for its era.

Benjamin Jones, twenty-three, discharged after an army tour in Somalia, heads cross-country on a Greyhound, seeking refuge on the West Coast. He has left behind his best friend, Trevor, and Liz Ross, a female soldier with whom Jones has fallen in love. But Jones has also left behind a tragedy -- a horrible, split-second action made in Somalia -- that Trevor, Jones, and the army have implicitly agreed to forget.

Alone on the streets of San Francisco, and then north on the Washington coast, Jones finds that an uneducated ex-soldier is qualified only as a peep show fantasy object or as a hired hand to a bottom-feeding smuggler and pornographer. Recurring visions of his life as a soldier gradually reveal the full truth -- and agony -- of his experience, and a reunion with Liz and a violent confrontation with Trevor bring the young soldier's journey to a wrenching conclusion -- but one not without hope.

At equal turns tense, brutal, and poetic, The Ice Beneath You is a soldier's story for a time when there weren't supposed to be any more soldiers' stories.

Customer Reviews:

Former waterborne .......2006-10-26

Being a former waterborne soldier, I ordered both books by Bauman. Bauman definitely has related the experiences of a waterborne soldier and the experiences of a soldier transitioning into the civilian world. I was amazed at his accurate portrayal of reasons why soldiers enlist, why they risk their lives defending what others think is important, and the difficulty of transitioning into the civilian world. Memories came flooding back when he mentioned the Gasthaus and experiences in the barracks.. Experiences mentioned are very truthful. Although fictional, Bauman has captured the essence of the waterborne soldier.

Gripping storyteller.......2004-03-20

I came to this book out of curiosity after hearing a few of Bauman's essays on the radio on "All Things Considered." (He's great on there, if you ever get a chance to hear him).

The novel sucked me in from page 1 and wouldn't let go. And every time I thought I'd decided what the book was "about," I was wrong.

On the surface, it's about a group of soldiers in Somalia, and about one in particular, Ben Jones. You quickly realize the Somalia stuff is a flashback, though (confusing at first, but once you figured it out the rhythm was good), and that Jones is out of the army now, and suffering emotionally from something that happened over there. His travels put him on a bus to San Francisco, then finally up to Washington State. Both narratives (with the army in Somalia, and as a civilian in America) come together as the book nears its end, both in an absorbing, page-turning way.

I already knew from the radio stuff that Bauman's writing was beautiful. It was inspiring to see he could sustain it for the length of a novel. Looking forward to his next book!

Ice Beneath You.......2004-02-23

A beautiful, tragic read. Easily one of my favorite books of the last year.

Our modern US soldiers.......2003-06-21

After reading some of the reviews I will admit straight out that I have no military experience. I respect those that have come from military background as their impressions of this novel will certainly be more acute and critical.

So, speaking purely as a reasonable educated person in world events, I admit my knowledge of the military operations in Somalia is inadequate. In the attempt to learn more about Somalia, and being attracted to the book trailer, I purchased the book.

It just so happened that Desert Storm was at it's climax when I started the book and the events furthur impressed me with the author's story. Here, on one hand you have America's big war in Iraq happening, and in Somalia, the efforts of our young soldiers was just as important, but oh, so overlooked.

Christian Bauman offers a well written, gritty, sarcastically relevant book. He offers that it takes more to just being a soldier... there are facets of their characters that are in constant change. I appreciated his ability to allow this perception in each of his characters to develope, and to develope randomly. It kept the story line fresh, unanticipated and sharp.

The story is about Benjamin Jones and his tour of duty in Somalia with the US Army (gunboat unit). It is a reflection of what happened in Somalia and how it is impacting him now and with the decisions he tries to make. In his story, you will meet his best friend, Trevor, and heart throb, Liz.

As Benjamin tries to assimilate into civilian life, it becomes clear that no one is going to make this easy for him, and for most people they don't even acknowledge what he did for his country. Coming from this mindframe, his experiences make for a rich insight into the modern military heroes of today.

Instant classic.......2003-05-30

I don't say that lightly. But this novel IS an instant classic, if such a thing is possible. It's a war story but it's just as much about class war in America as it is about Somalia. With all the flag waving and "freedom isn't free" ranting these days, it's wise to take a deep breath and remember the forgotten soldiers who fought in America's "little wars" in the 1990s while everyone at home seemed to be living it up, or obvlisious, or both. If this book doesn't make all the flag-wavers these days seem like hypocrites, nothing will. One of my favorite paragraphs in here is a scene where the protagonist, Ben Jones, tells a guy he's just back from Somalia, and the guy says "Soma-what?"

What really makes this book though, is Bauman's writing. It sneaks up on you. Part II of this book stands, IMHO, as the best, and the opening of Part II is breathtaking. Breaking away from the narrative for a few pages, Bauman describes sunset in Mogadishu (sunset being a very important, and scary, time of day, because there's no electricity). The description shimmers and hums, and was so beautiful (and brutal) I went back and read those pages again.

Book Description

In a dazzling display of invention and storytelling, the incomparable Lois McMaster Bujold offers us the razor-keen edge of a very different sword...

The Curse of Chalion

On the eve of the Daughter's Day -- the grand celebration that will honor the Lady of Spring, one of the five reigning deities -- a man broken in body and spirit makes his way slowly down the road to Valenda. A former courtier and soldier, Cazaril has survived indignity and horrific torture as a slave aboard an enemy galley. Now he seeks nothing more than a menial job in the kitchens of the Dowager Provincara, in the noble household where he served as page in his youth.

But the gods have greater plans for this humbled man. Welcomed warmly, clothed and fed, he is named, to his great surprise, secretary tutor to the Royesse Iselle -- the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is destined to be the next ruler of the land. But the assignment must ultimately carry Cazaril to the one place he fears even more than the sea: to the royal court of Cardegoss, rife with intrigues and lethal treacheries.

In Cardegoss, the powerful enemies who once placed Cozoril in chains and bound him to a Roknori oar now occupy the most lofty positions in the realm, beneath only the Roya himself. Yet something for more sinister than their scheming hangs like a sword over the royal family: a curse of the blood that taints not only those who would rule, but those who stand in their circle. The life and future of both Iselle and her entire blighted House of Cholion lie in dire peril. The only recourse left to her loyal, damaged servant is the employment of the darkest and most forbidden of magics -- a choice that Will indelibly mark Cazaril as a tool of the miraculous ... and trap him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death for as long as he dares walk the five-fold pathway of the gods.

Only Robert A. Heinlein has won more Hugo Awards for Best Novel than Lois McMaster Bujold, a singularly lauded author whose work has been compared to Jane Austen's. Now channeling her remarkable storytelling genius in an exciting new direction, she creates a riveting tale rich in atmosphere, magic, character, and consequence that twists and turns in unanticipated ways. Much more than simply the next eagerly awaited tour de force by Lois McMaster Bujold, The Curse of Chalion is a stunning masterwork of fantastic invention that demonstrates the vast range of her astonishing tolents -- and elevates her into the pantheon of premier contemporary fantasists.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2007-07-31

I really needed a book like this. One that is simple, straight forward, and doesn't tease me along. After reading too much George R R Martin I was tired of suspense cranked up to 200%, authors dragging out events, pages and pages of tired over-description and too many details to remember. Her plot is solid. Her characters likeable. If something happens, it happens, she doesn't try to get you all worked up and waiting for it. I loved this book.

512 pages of stirring enjoyment.......2007-07-20

Well to be fully honest maybe 470 pages of enjoyment, becouse the start was kinda slow, but then boom! baby we're in.

We get wonderful characters, fleshed out, flawed, multi-dimensional, and unforgettable. The type of characters that essentially become people with distinct personalities in the reader's mind.

I can still recall Cazaril the main character with a smile and a fond remembrance even though its been a while since I read this book. Great world building, interesting concept of magic, religion, and the ruling monarchy. Action that is fast paced, with many twists and turns, that's not predictable or unoriginal.

**A charming dose of humor sprinkled through the entire book, with many laugh out-loud parts.And a sweet romantic little tryst mingled through the book.

There are parts that are sad and touching, as well as occurrences of injustice and great difficulty. But all along the way one will not stop hoping, cheering, and rooting for the underdog hero of this book.

An adventure of court intrigue, magical workings, betrayals, unfortunate and some fortunate deaths, and overcoming the scarring of one's soul.

Bonus, if you're looking for just one book commitment this is perfect, because the book works as a stand alone novel. 4 not five stars because this was not THE ONE or a blindingly awesome favorite of mine like a Robin Hobb or George Martin.

The Curse of Chalion.......2007-05-26

For long time readers of Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan saga, The Curse of Chalion is a complete change, going from space opera to a reprise of 'Spanish' history around the 15th - 16th century. To some that might seem a shock, even a disappointment. It startled me, but Bujold quickly caught my attention by her excellent plotting, descriptions and appealing characters. She follows her usual style which is to make life as difficult as possible for her main characters. No matter how carefully Cazaril plans, his elegent solutions backfire on him and make any situation worse.... and worse. The solution to the Curse is terrifying, but necessary. Cazaril does his duty elegently and satisfactorily. By then, he'd captured my heart. I wish she'd written more about her battered knight.

Bujold's masterpiece.......2007-05-10

What kind of books do I like best? Would I choose: A) Lush, fully developed fantasy worlds; B) Exciting and suspenseful adventures; C) Atypical romances; D)Deep themes involving religion, spirituality, the nature of life and death, personal responsibility and fate; or E) Intricate, realistic male and female characters and perceptions?

I pick F) All of the above.

No one does it better than Lois McMaster Bujold in, "The Curse of Chalion." There are very few books I can read more than once without yawning. I've read this four times since it came out.

Enthralling, Moving, with a climactic scene drenched in wonder!.......2007-03-15

I've had this novel sitting in one of my many to-be-read piles for more than a year. I knew McMaster Bujold could write well from her Vorkosigan books. I simply am easily distracted by something new.

I regret not reading it sooner. This is a truly marvelous novel of one man's journey through tremendous difficulties and how those woes are redeemed, ultimately, for the good of many. And if you are tired of SF novels not dealing with matters of spirituality in any depth--a lack that is shameful given how very religious humankind has always been and likely always will be--you will find this a truly satisfying exploration of faith, loss of faith, prayer, curses, blessings, fate, free will and divine intervention. It's also a novel that, while dealing with religion, doesn't sneer or cast ministers or saints in an sarcastic or demeaning light. It takes the subject quite seriously and explores it without the arrogance that a secular elite can cast on it. It takes the "what if" of this religion being truly existent and says, "Now, how does this work out in a cursed kingdom with a man who's suffered about as much as he can humanly take?"

Whom the gods choose is not always a happy camper. (Think of all the martyrs of various religions.)

The fantasy setting: A medievalish, fortress and castle filled world akin to Spain/Portugal several hundred years ago, where reilgion is part of civil and royal life, where saints are acknowledged as god-touched, and where a curse has come upon a royal line due to a cataclysmic event during a previous time of warfare.

The protagonist: Lupe dy Cazaril, an honorable man and brave soldier of gentlemanly lineage who had been betrayed in warfare, resulting in a tour of galley slavery (think Ben Hur-ish oaring for one's enemies). He is damaged in body and humbled, but his nobility of spirit and wisdom and unselfishness and wits are intact. You will root for this character, and perhaps, like me, weep for him, too.

The situation: Through a chain of events, Cazaril comes back to his home town and is engaged as tutor to the royesse (a princess), whose brother is heir to the throne. Terrible events have fallen and continue to befall this cursed family, and Cazaril, who feels great loyalty and comes to love his charges and his patrons, becomes inextricably entangled in the intrigue and plots (supernatural and human), while himself a target of those who originally wished him dead and caused his slavery, the two most powerful men in the land of Chalion, barring the ruler himself. Court intrigue abounds. Cazaril must use all his powers of observation and intelligence, and all his courage and endurance, to seek and accomplish the liberation of his beloved charges from dangers of curse and plotters.

I don't want to say much beyond that, since the pleasure of the novel is in the reading and the roads taken. I"ll let you walk those roads unspoiled.

What I will say is that as a devout Christian, I thoroughly enjoyed the spiritual world McMaster Bujold has created. You get a sense of a religion drenched, god-observed world, and how that can bring great dangers (heresies are punished in just as cruel ways as history records), and obedience and selflessness are as powerful as a Christian would expect. The religion is certainly not Christianity (five gods of both attributed genders, various sexual preferences acceptable), but the echoes of a Roman Catholic religion is there in the sanctuaries, devouts, pilgrimages, saints, miracles, etc. And the idea of the chosen ones of god is there: One person's virtue can make a huge difference to his circle of influence, as it does here. And the climactic scene is so beautifully and simply depicted (no excess of prose, no over-the-top language pyrotechnics), that it allows us to feel the lightning-fast and world-altering moment as participants, without clutter, with just wonder. It's magnificently achieved.

Cazaril is one of my fave characters ever. A man we'd all like to know, a man we'd all love to see in the corridors of power-someone who puts the good of others above his own good, someone who acts with total purity of heart, wise and generous and humble.

I can't wait to get into the second book in this series, PALADIN OF SOULS, which follows the adventures of one of the cursed and redemption-needy characters from this novel.

I cannot recommend it highly enough. A novel that rewards the reader who is patient and observant during the slower-paced opening.

Average customer rating:

Fantasy world breathed to life
Excellent reading

The Curse of Chalion
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0786186925

Book Description

Lord Cazaril has been, in turn, courtier, castle-warder, and captain; now he is but a crippled ex-galley slave seeking nothing more than a menial job in the kitchens of the Dowager Provincara, the noble patroness of his youth. But Cazaril finds himself promoted to the exalted and dangerous position of tutor to Iselle, the beautiful, fiery sister of the heir to Chalion's throne.

Amidst the decaying splendor and poisonous intrigue of Chalion's ancient capital, Cazaril is forced to confront not only powerful enemies but also the malignant curse that clings to the royal household, trapping him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death for as long as he dares walk the five-fold pathway of the gods.

Customer Reviews:

Fantasy world breathed to life.......2005-04-28

The Curse of Chalion (print version) is a favorite read but hearing it read aloud let me pick up nuances in the story I had missed. Well worth the price.

Excellent reading.......2004-08-25

Let me start by saying that Lois McMaster Bujold is one of my favorite authors. Her Vorkosigan series is head and shoulders above most SF being written today.

Curse of Chalion is the first book of a loosely connected fantasy series. I don't want to reinvent the wheel, so read the reviews of the book.

For the audiobook, Blackstone has done the usual fine production j0b. The reader, Lloyd James, does a superb job of deferentiating between the characters, and gives each their own voice and personality. I never had to think about who was speaking.

I love listening to a book I'm familiar with. I'd like to read reviews from someone who has not read the book.

If you like intelligent, thought provoking, beautifully written prose, well developed characters, and a cracking good fantasy story, BUY THIS BOOK ;-)

Average customer rating:

The Curse Of Chalion
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: MP3 CD

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ASIN: 0786185597

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The Curse of Chalion
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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The Curse of Chalion
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VE04X8

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The Curse of Chalion
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: Voyager
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Curse of the Chalion (Audiofy Digital Audiobook Chips)

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The Curse of the Chalion (Audiofy Digital Audiobook Chips)

Manufacturer: Audiofy/Blackstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Cards
ASIN: 159912646X

Product Description

This Audiofy audiobook chip packs a full 19 hour reading of "The Curse of the Chalion," narrated by Lloyd James, on a tiny memory card. A single Audiofy audiobook chip, hardly larger than a stamp, holds a complete digital audiobook, and saves the last listening position automatically, unlike CDs. With an SD memory card slot or low-cost adapter - like those for digital cameras - this Audiofy audiobook chip can be played on Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh desktop computers or laptops (Microsoft Windows XP/2000/Me/98, or Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and above) or transferred to Apple iPod media players. Audiobook chips also move seamlessly to most Palm OS and Pocket PC handheld PDAs with SD expansion slots, as well as Treo and Windows Mobile "smartphones" (Palm OS 5.2 or Windows Mobile 2002 and above)... Amidst the decaying splendor and poisonous intrigue of Chalion's ancient capital, Lord Cazaril is forced to confront not only powerful enemies but also the malignant curse that clings to the royal household, trapping him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death for as long as he dares walk the five-fold pathway of the gods.

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The Curse of Chalion (Unabridged)
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B0002P0DGE

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The Hallowed Hunt (Unabridged)
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000P6R51Q

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The Curse Of Chalion
Bujold
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060097078

Customer Reviews:

What if the first spaceflight to Mars was done by Hollywood?.......2002-08-26

Look at NASA...please! If there isn't a more frightening indication of the impact of space on today's culture, I'll become a monk in space. Can you even see NASA from where you are, or is it hidden behind the lifestyles, the crime reports, the utter banality of "human interest" stories in the news? When you do hear about NASA it is either because they are requesting more money, having their budget cut by Congress, or they've delayed the shuttle launch yet again. Is today's apathy with space caused by NASA's incompentence, or vice versa? Either way, the future looks grim.

Grim tidings bring modest proposals. Bisson's proposal in Voyage to the Red Planet may be hidden by a standard SF adventure plot, but it is as cutting as Swift's ever was. When the government has to sell off various departments (like NASA) to corporations to pay back the national debt, when movie stars become a new royalty, that's where you'll find Bisson, pillorying the temples with a humor and irreverence that's a joy to read. In every chapter Bisson drops a casual remark that seems innocuous at first, but sits like a dormant virus until you immune system yells "Uncle" and then unleashes its full fury making you double- and triple-up in laughter.

The plot and writing reminded me of late 60s/early 70s Philip K. Dick, except jazzed up and in tune with the 90s. Like Dick's novels, even though Voyage to the Red Planet is set in the future, its topic is the present. Today, Bisson says, we are in danger from greedy corporations threatening to gobble up each other in a gigantic Ouroboros-orgy, we are in danger of creating a new aristocracy with its own rules and classes, we are in danger of losing our perspective on what is important and what isn't. What Bisson isn't saying, though, is that the future or the present is filled with doom. If we can doctor ourselves with a little humor and stop taking everything so damned seriously, perhaps there will be some hope for us all.

Sci fi lite.......2002-03-06

Disney-Gerber, Beatrice-Texaco, and other corporate conglomerates run the world; Movie Stars are members of a hereditary caste; and the first humans to set foot on Mars are there to make a movie.

A few days after I'd finished this book, I saw it on my shelf and couldn't remember what it was about. I prefer my science fiction to have some challenging or mind-bending ideas in it, but if you're just looking for a little light entertainment, this is an amusing book.

(My favorite book about Mars is Kim Stanley Robinson's "Red Mars.")

Hollywood does NASA.......2002-01-27

Boldly go where no pawn of the multinational corporations has gone before. Lots of fun and filled with fresh ideas. Sort of a hybrid between Star Trek and Neal Stephenson's 'Snowcrash'.

Secret of the Planet Makon/Wizards of the Galaxy/Escape from the Red Comet/Dark Spell Over Morlandria/Revenge of the Space Pirate (Daystar Voyages Series 1-5)

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Secret of the Planet Makon/Wizards of the Galaxy/Escape from the Red Comet/Dark Spell Over Morlandria/Revenge of the Space Pirate (Daystar Voyages Series 1-5)
Gilbert Morris , and Dan Meeks
Manufacturer: Moody Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKTGVA

Next stop -- Mars!: A novel of the first space-ship voyage to the red planet

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Next stop -- Mars!: A novel of the first space-ship voyage to the red planet
David Edwards
Manufacturer: Greenwich Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Mars | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006AW64W

Secret of the Planet Makon/Wizards of the Galaxy/Escape from the Red Comet/Dark Spell Over Morlandria (Daystar Voyages Series 1-4)

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Secret of the Planet Makon/Wizards of the Galaxy/Escape from the Red Comet/Dark Spell Over Morlandria (Daystar Voyages Series 1-4)
Gilbert Morris , and Dan Meeks
Manufacturer: Moody Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0802441262

Product Description

Four pack Set of Books One through Four in original shrink wrap

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Voyage to the Red Planet
Terry Bisson
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000MZKC5G

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A sincere and genuine effort...

Exotic Ethiopian Cooking : Sociey, Culture, Hospitality, and Traditions. Revised Extended Edition. 178 Tested Recipes. With Food

Eh.

Exotic Ethiopian Cooking

Hard to understand ...

Exotic Ethiopian Cooking : Sociey, Culture, Hospitality, and Traditions. Revised Extended Edition. 178 Tested Recipes. With Food Composition Tables.
Daniel J. Mesfin
Manufacturer: Ethiopian Cookbook Enterprises
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Africa Cookbook

ASIN: 0961634529

Customer Reviews:

A sincere and genuine effort..........2007-05-05

I give this book 5 stars, because it has so much cultural history in it, because it is a genuine, truly sincere effort, and because it is so vast; it truly has *a lot* of recipes.
The injera recipe is flawed, as are many of the amts. of ingredients called for in recipes.
However, it is a total compendium of many, many dishes, and the spiced oil and butter recipes, as well as all the vegetarian recipes are essential. The author clearly put his heart, life, and culture into it and it shows. I used this book many times in the restaurant I managed for 10 years to recreate these classic dishes.
We have now published our own cookbook, which I'd like to plug here, with 9 of the most basic, "American" Ethiopian classics (vegetarian), which we've served weekly for the better part of a decade at our cafe: Ethiopian-inspired Cooking, Vegetarian Specialties . What can I say: Ethiopian food is amazing... Thank you Jote Mesfin!

Exotic Ethiopian Cooking : Sociey, Culture, Hospitality, and Traditions. Revised Extended Edition. 178 Tested Recipes. With Food.......2007-04-05

The instructions were not always clear. Some of the ingredients were omitted from recipes while others were not completely explained. Perhaps another editing job would be prudent. Otherwise, the food I prepared from this book was absolutely sumptuous and I appreciated the cultural background chapters.

Tami Swartz - Foodie

Eh........2007-02-08

As the only Ethiopian cookbook I could find I bought it, even though the other reviews were less than glowing. The history section was the best part of the book, the recipes are indeed vague and not that great. The injera recipe was particularly awful. Now maybe these are far more authentic than the "Americanized" versions I've had in restaurants all these years but considering the people who own and operate these places are from Ethiopia I can't think they're too far off (yes I know McDonald's and Taco Bell are not the best representation of US and Mexican cuisine but I digress) I've had much better luck with the recipes picked up online.

Exotic Ethiopian Cooking.......2006-11-04

The book was in excellent condition and arrived on time. The packaging was excellent.

Hard to understand ... .......2006-09-19

I have owned this cookbook for many years. I love Ethiopian food and eat it whenever I can afford to eat out at my local Ethiopian restaurant.

I also love cookbooks and use them often, both to recreate childhood favorites and to explore new cuisines.

I have, however, never managed to cook anything from this book. I find the instructions confusing and somehow the presentation makes it all seem so daunting.

The cultural and traditional notes are fascinating and easy to read, though.

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